by KT Webb
“It’s a big deal for her to end up with the leading role in the first Broadway production she auditioned for, isn’t it?”
“What are you getting at? That she killed Karen to get her role? That’s original,” Drew scoffed.
“In all my years of law enforcement, I’ve discovered there are rarely original reasons for murder. Miss Durant had the most to gain from Karen’s death, it follows that she may have had the motivation to kill her,” Detective Pahl explained.
Of course, the Detective didn’t think Aria Durant was capable of murdering anyone, especially not in this circumstance. Shortly before he brought Andrew in for his interview, he received an email from the coroner. The preliminary results indicated that Karen Moreau had been strangled. The damage to her larynx and fractured hyoid indicated manual strangulation; something Aria was unlikely to accomplish based on the size of her hands.
He already didn’t trust Drew Overland; using his interest in Aria Durant as a trigger was a sure way to get him to slip up and offer incriminating information if he had any to offer.
Drew shook his head, “I don’t buy it. Aria isn’t capable of something like that.”
“You may be right, but either way, it’s an avenue we have to explore,” Detective Pahl sighed as though he was sorry things had come down to that.
Drew narrowed his eyes at the detective. Of course, they were going to try to pin this on Aria. On the surface, she did have the most to gain from getting Karen out of the way; but there were far more people out there who had reasons to kill that miserable woman. He was going to have to take particular interest in helping Aria solidify her alibi and keep her from becoming a target in the case.
“I think we’re done, for now, Mr. Overland. I need you to stick around town for the time being, in case I need to ask you anything further,” he handed the actor his card, “Give me a call if you think of anything you think may help us in our investigation.”
Drew nodded and slid the card in his pocket. If Aria was already gone, he was going to have to pay her a visit. There was no way he would let her be blindsided by the inept detectives of the NYPD.
When Drew rejoined them in the lobby, he looked directly at Aria. His expression was grim.
“You guys ready to get out of here?”
Christine nodded, “I don’t know if I want to go home, though.”
“I don’t think any of us should be alone right now, Christine, you can stay with me if you’d feel more comfortable,” Aria offered.
“I think that’s a great idea. Durant Theater may be empty, but at least it’s secure,” Patrick observed.
“It’s too bad we can’t carry on performances there,” Drew remarked.
The other three stared at him in disbelief. Drew laughed it off as a poorly timed joke. Patrick offered to have his car service take Aria and Christine back to her apartment.
“Actually, can you take me to my place first. I need to grab some things before I go to Aria’s.”
“Absolutely, Drew, can you make sure Aria gets home safely?”
“It would be my pleasure,” Drew said as he stared at Aria.
Aria thought about what Detective Pahl told her. She wanted to decline the offer. There was no way for her to do that without raising his suspicions. As if on cue, the Detective himself came out of the meeting room. He looked at Drew as though sizing him up.
“Thank you for your time today. I’ll be in touch. We’re going to need you guys to leave the building now, we have a lot of work to do here,” Detective Pahl gestured toward the door.
“No problem, Detective, let us know if you need anything,” Patrick replied as he herded everyone outside.
Once outside, Aria and Drew began the walk toward Durant Theater. Aria felt awkward walking with the man she’d basically dumped the night before. Aria looked down at her phone to see if D’Angelo sent her any more text messages. Her heart fell when she saw zero missed messages or calls.
“Expecting a call from your boyfriend?” Drew asked.
Aria slid her phone back into her purse, “Sorry, I’m a little flustered. It was insane to go from the high of last night to the horror of this morning.”
Drew nodded and stuffed his hands in his pockets. He needed to find a way to talk to her about the line of questioning Detective Pahl had led him on. It wasn’t a conversation Drew wanted to have, but it wasn’t worth the risk for her to be surprised by something like that. The walk to Durant Theater was much quieter than he’d have liked. Drew was struggling to fall into the easy friendship they’d previously developed.
Aria entered the security code, making a mental note that, in light of recent events, she should have the security company update the door codes. The only person she’d given a temporary code to was Drew, and she couldn’t think of a reason why he would still need one.
“Come on in,” Aria held the door open for Drew.
She grabbed her phone and sent a quick text to Christine, telling her to call when they were on their way so she could let them in. Aria did a mental check of her apartment. She’d left the bed unmade, but everything else should be acceptable for company. Of course, she’d have preferred to have D’Angelo back in her apartment, but she’d take the company she could get given the circumstances.
“Aria, I have to ask, where is this guy who was so desperate to leave the party with you last night. It seems strange that he’s gone when you need him.”
“He had to go away on business. He’ll be back soon.”
“Who is he?”
Aria looked at him, unsure how she should answer the question. It wasn’t really his business. Before she could offer an answer, her cell phone rang. She answered without looking at the screen, thankful for the brief reprieve from the uncomfortable conversation.
“Hello?”
“Aria.”
Her entire body reacted to the sound of his voice, “Uh, yeah?”
“You’re not alone,” it was a statement, he understood why she hadn’t responded in a warmer tone.
“No, give me a minute, and I’ll call you right back,” Aria hung up and turned to Drew, “Sorry, it’s the security people. I have to answer some questions for them before they’ll update the security system and change the codes.”
“Sure, I’ll be here waiting.”
Aria went to her bedroom, closing the door behind her. She quickly called the number back.
“Aria, is Andrew there?”
“Yes, we’re waiting for Christine and Patrick to get here. Christine is going to stay with me for a while.”
“I think that’s a good idea. I’ve been following someone who was sent to trail me. This guy obviously expects me to come and go from the front door, which means the person who sent him doesn’t know anything about me,” he paused, “Are you okay? I mean, after last night?”
Aria wasn’t sure what he meant; he couldn’t possibly think she was having second thoughts. It seemed more likely that he would be the one questioning his decisions. D’Angelo was the one who’d been overly hesitant about taking their relationship to the next level.
“Last night was everything I’d ever dreamed it would be, and more. I only wish you didn’t have to leave. Why do you think someone was sent to follow you? Could it have something to do with Karen’s death?”
“I think the events are related, but not in the way you may think. Promise me you will be very careful who you trust right now.”
“I promise,” Aria meant it.
“I love you, Aria. Come to the stage tonight after Christine is asleep, I’ll be there to see you.”
Her heart leaped, “I thought you were going to be gone?”
“I need to see you; I have to know you’re okay.”
“I’ll be there. I love you.”
Almost as soon as Aria hung up, her phone rang again. Christine and Patrick had arrived and were waiting to be let in. Aria left her room and asked Drew to accompany her downstairs. She wasn’t afraid to go through the theater alon
e. The idea of leaving Drew alone in her apartment made her uncomfortable; she’d just promised D’Angelo to be careful about who she trusted. There had been enough bits of information brought to her attention to leave a sliver of doubt regarding how much she could trust Andrew Overland.
“We come bearing pizza!” Patrick said when he was greeted by Aria.
“Oh, yum, I’m starving. I didn’t realize what time it was until we left the theater! It seems unreal that we were there for so long,” Aria observed.
With a cast and crew as large as theirs was, it made sense that it took several hours to question everyone. No one was allowed to leave until they’d been questioned by the police, so other than a donut for breakfast, Aria hadn’t had a bite to eat all day. While they waited to speak with the Detective, it hadn’t seemed like they were there all day. Everyone was lost in thought about the dead woman found in the basement.
Patrick hadn’t been inside Durant Theater since he was a teenager. This was the place that inspired him to pursue a career in theater. He was relieved to hear that Aria intended to begin renovations on it when it warmed up outside. Once inside, he was sure he wanted to take part in the process of restoring the once-beautiful theater. Of course, people always liked to come up with fantastic stories to make the theater world seem far more magical than it truly is; one of those stories was that the theater itself seemed to fall apart as it mourned the death of Alfonse Durant. It was an enchanting though impossible concept.
“Aria, this place has good bones. Do you plan to restore it or modernize it?” Patrick asked.
“I’d like to restore it. We’ll add in some modern features to bring it to this century, but I want the feel to remain the same. There’s something about this place that deserves to be celebrated rather than demolished.”
Patrick couldn’t agree more, “Absolutely. I think it should serve as a tribute to your father but carry on the legacy he would have wanted. You know he would still be creating masterpieces if he was here.”
Aria nodded. Her father had never been one to stay stuck in the past. He firmly believed that if a person doesn’t grow and change, they become stuck. No one wants to be the proverbial stick in the mud, everyone should want to become something more. Alfonse always told her she would never reach her full potential if she accepted the status quo.
“If you’re looking for investors outside the Durant Foundation, I would love to join the team,” Patrick’s eyes danced as he took in dimly lit, dusty auditorium.
“I would love that. The foundation is all about supplying the money, but not very many of the board members want to take part in the vision,” Aria smiled brightly.
Christine was quiet through their exchange. She was still shaken up. The theater wasn’t anything new to her as she’d spent time there with Aria already, but she was looking forward to taking part in reshaping the future of the old building. The energy that flowed through the place was both classic and laced with anticipation. For some reason, though, it seemed different to her than it did the last time she’d been there with Aria. Other than Patrick and Drew, nothing seemed different from her previous visit. Patrick never gave her an uneasy feeling; he was grasping her hand to reassure her of his presence. Drew, on the other hand, was almost too quiet.
Drew listened to Aria’s plans to revive the theater. He could think of nothing that he’d want to save from the place. Every last bit of it screamed old Broadway. Maybe it was his distaste for Alfonse Durant himself, but he didn’t think the project was worthy of the money it would take to properly renovate. He watched Christine and Patrick closely; they’d finally made the leap and crossed into the next phase of their relationship. Good for them. He looked at Aria, wondering who her mystery man was and what it would take to get her to realize no one was better for her than Drew.
By the time they finished their pizza and made it halfway into a movie, everyone was exhausted from the emotional rollercoaster they’d ridden all day. Christine was the first to fall asleep, followed quickly by Patrick. Aria didn’t want to wake them, so she decided to let them sleep on the couch. Drew sat in the armchair opposite Aria’s favorite spot. He had been nodding off, but still held onto consciousness. Aria waited patiently for him to choose to leave rather than falling asleep in her apartment.
When the movie credits rolled across the television, Drew released a contented snore. Aria glanced at the clock; it was later than she anticipated it would be; she hoped D’Angelo was still waiting for her. There had been no messages on her cell phone to indicate he wouldn’t be there. Aria carefully got out of her chair, making sure to be as quiet as possible. Once she was standing, she went to the door. With one last glance over her shoulder, Aria was satisfied that her movements hadn’t woken her friends. She closed the door behind her and took the steps slowly to avoid making the telltale thumping that usually accompanied her descent.
On the stage, there were candles. They were spread out enough to keep D’Angelo from being exposed by their flickering flames. The light emanating from them wasn’t enough that she could make out any details on the face of the man waiting for her. He held a single red rose.
“It took you long enough,” he whispered.
“I know. Everyone fell asleep in my apartment.”
“Everyone?” D’Angelo asked, his tone disapproving.
“Yes, Drew is there too. It’s okay, really. We all needed to be together for support after what happened with Karen.”
He sighed before walking to her with purposeful steps. Just watching him walk toward her was enough to send her body into overdrive. The inexplicable sensation that their bodies were connected enveloped her before she was in his arms again. He pulled her close, covering her lips with his own. Aria remembered the taste from the night before, even though it seemed like an eternity since she’d been with him. D’Angelo groaned as though her kiss was the only thing he needed to survive.
Aria tried not to be disappointed when he brought the kiss to an end far sooner than she wanted. He kissed again, softly and quickly before releasing her.
“I have something for you,” he whispered.
“Oh?”
“Yes, give me your hand.”
Aria held out her hand as though waiting to receive an item. D’Angelo grabbed her other hand, the left one, and slid a ring onto her finger. Aria felt her heart rate increase. Was he proposing to her? As much as she loved him and wanted to be with him, it was far too soon to consider something so drastic. Before she could process the proper way to object, D’Angelo took both her hands in his own.
“Before you say anything, this is not a proposal. I got this ring from your father. It belonged to your mother, he wore it every day on a chain around his neck,” he explained.
Aria held it up in the dim light. She recognized the ring but didn’t know how he could have gotten it. Alfonse Durant wore that chain every day, even the day he died. Then she recalled Madame Rossi telling her that D’Angelo had been the one to pull her from the burning wreckage of her home.
“Lena told me you saved me,” Aria whispered.
“I was too late to save him, Aria. I took the ring with the intent to give it to you one day, but I never expected to give it to you as the man you love,” D’Angelo’s voice was tight with pent up emotion.
Aria touched his face, “Hey, it’s okay. If I could bring them all back, I would. Nothing can change what’s passed, all we can do is be thankful we’re here. Thank you for saving me.”
“I saved you then, but you saved me the day you moved into this theater.”
Aria kissed him, “Do you have to leave again?”
“Yes. Some secrets have been buried to keep me safe, but they’ve come back to haunt me. If I don’t find a way to piece it all together and expose the person who is responsible, it could mean the end for us both.”
“Can you just tell me what’s going on? I can help you!”
“I can’t. Please know that you will understand in time,” D’Angelo begged,
“Trust me.”
“Okay, I’ll be patient for now,” Aria took a deep breath before telling him how she was feeling, “I’m afraid. Karen was murdered. Why would someone do that?”
D’Angelo pulled her close and whispered, “Jealousy and hatred are dangerous, the person who killed her is the same person I am trying to save you from.”
“Okay. All I ask is that you don’t put yourself at risk to save me,” Aria insisted.
“I can’t promise that. This has to come to an end, no matter what it takes.”
When he heard Aria leave the apartment, Drew wanted to know where she was going at such a late hour. He followed Aria to the stage, taking care to stay hidden from sight. The candles flickered in the yawning darkness but kept the man with Aria from view. Drew couldn’t see who Aria was talking to, but he could see enough of her to know this was her mystery man. They’d shared a passionate kiss, one that made Drew seethe with anger.