Strawberry Kiwi and Slayings
Page 8
“If it helps, it was originally going to be an Edwina, but they had to do a casting change.”
“I was furious after I saw the dress rehearsal that he was so proud to invite us to. I knew right then that I’d have to kill him.”
“And you thought it would stop the show as well, but it didn’t.”
“When the show wasn’t immediately canceled after the body was discovered, I did some simple acts of sabotage to ensure the cast and crew would be scared. And I just had to sit back at the meeting and listen to Hugh be a jerk.”
“You must be scared about the show still going up anyway,” Lydia said, still trying to inch away.
“Why should it?” he asked. “Tomorrow everyone will see that the phantom flooded the theater, trying to take it back to the sea. And the police will be distracted looking into your death.”
He made his move to grab her, but she was able to move out of his way. She got to her feet and tried to run through the seats.
However, Eddie was faster. He grabbed Lydia by her hair and started pulling her toward the stage.
“I think drowning seems like the way the phantom would work,” Eddie said, pulling her towards where he had set up the hose and where a large puddle was forming.
She tried to fight him as he forced her head down. She elbowed him in the gut, but that didn’t seem to faze him.
She took in a deep breath of air before her head was forced toward the water, hoping that it wouldn’t be her last.
Then, she felt a struggle all around her. Her head was released, and she was able to bring it up. Daniel was restraining Eddie, but he had a look of hatred in his eyes.
“Are you all right?” he asked her.
She nodded. “I am. I’m not hurt.”
“This didn’t go according to plan,” he said. “It took me too long to get down from the catwalk for the lights. And he wasn’t supposed to grab you.”
“This is all a big mistake,” Eddie protested.
They didn’t get to hear his excuses for his behavior because a moment later, Trina led Leo and Detective Grey into the room. The detectives ran up to the trio.
“This is your murderer,” Daniel said, pushing him toward the officers. “He killed two people. His grandfather and Stephen Mills. He didn’t care if he killed anyone else in the cast and he just tried to kill your sister.”
Detective Grey slapped handcuffs on Eddie’s wrists and began reading him his rights as he led him out of the building.
“We’re going to have to have a talk about your methods,” Leo said. “But I’m glad you’re all right.”
“Thanks,” Lydia said. “And I’m glad that the phantom is finally caught.”
Epilogue
“I can’t believe this is happening,” Daniel said.
“They dealt with the water stains quite nicely,” Trina agreed.
Lydia laughed. They were seated in the theater where The Family Hildenbraugh was still going to have its opening night performance, though they were told that there were going to be some changes made to the ending of the piece.
Daniel placed an arm around Lydia. He had been acting very protective of her since her latest near-death experience. She was grateful for his attention but felt bad that Carl was nowhere to be seen. Trina chose not to comment on her boyfriend’s absence.
Instead, she said, “I’m glad everyone from your staff could make the opening night.”
“I thought we could use a night off and closed a little early,” Lydia said. “And after everything that happened to try and stop this performance, I think it’s good to show our support for the cast and crew.”
“They are very determined,” Daniel said. “Almost as determined as a certain lady I know.”
Lydia smiled. Trina looked around the theater, overly casual looking for Carl.
“Oh, look,” she said, pointing. “Leo is here with Suzanne.”
“It was because of his fast work that the theater was able to reopen,” Lydia said. “I’m glad he was able to come.”
“His work?” asked Trina. “Give credit where credit is due. The reason why this show was able to go on without any of its actors dying is because of you.”
Lydia felt herself blushing. Luckily, that was the moment where the lights started dimming.
“Shh,” Lydia whispered. “It’s about to start.”
Also by Allyssa Mirry
The Sticky Sweet Series
Book 1: Pineapple and Poison
Book 2: Double Chocolate and Death
Book 3: Cinnamon Swirl and Suspicions
Book 4: Cotton Candy and Corpses
Book 5: Banana Split and Bodies
Book 6: Dragon Fruit and Dread
Author’s Note
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