by Ward, Alice
“Fiona’s a great girl.” I told him. “And she makes more sense than most adults I know.”
“That she does,” Max agreed. “I’ll talk to you soon, Kate.”
Max ended the call; I sat silently on the sofa for a while and let myself miss the feeling of his lips against mine.
***
“Need a touch up?” Mica asked as I walked into the makeup room.
“Just a little one,” I told her. “I fell asleep in my dressing room again and messed up my hair a little bit.”
“Sit down, I’ll take care of it.” Mica gestured to an empty chair and I sat down. She shook her head. “I don’t know how you’re sleeping at all, poor thing. If I was in your shoes I’d be a nervous wreck.”
“It hasn’t been easy.” I admitted. “I only sleep for a couple of hours at a time. I know you’ve noticed all of the dark circles under my eyes.”
“It’s nothing I can’t cover.” She assured me. “Are things still pretty calm? I haven’t read about any new threats in the papers.”
After I released a statement and admitted to lying about the food poisoning, Mica had been very forgiving. She assured me that she understood why I’d tried to hide the attacks reminded me that she was there to listen if I ever needed to talk. I still wasn’t convinced that she was innocent, but I was beginning to think that Parker may be right about her.
“Nothing’s happened since the night that I was poisoned.” I told her. “In fact, it may be over for good, if I’m willing to live under constant surveillance for the rest of my life.”
“I know that has to suck.” Mica told me. “But you don’t have anyone with you today, are your friends all busy?”
“No, I told them not to come.” I confessed. “I’m actually going from here to Bruce’s office to talk to him about dropping all of the extra security.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” She asked.
“No, but I’m sure that it’s the only way this will ever end. If nothing happens, we’ll know that the stalker got bored and moved on. If the stalker tries to attack me again, we may be able to catch them.”
I watched Mica’s face for a reaction; I half expected a glimmer of triumph to flash across her face when I told her I’d soon be unprotected, but all I saw was concern.
“It’s your life Kate; you have to do what’s best.” Mica told me. “Just be careful and let me know if you need anything.” She finished repining my hair, touched up my makeup, and pronounced me ready for the evening performance.
“Good luck with Bruce,” she called out as I felt the room.
I thanked her and started for the director’s office. The closer I got the more nervous I felt, and I decided to detour to the vending area before approaching Bruce with my idea. I reached the corridor with the machines and surveyed my selections for a while. I knew that if I was able to convince Bruce to loosen my security, I’d have to stop keeping food and drinks in my mini-fridge; I’d have to assume that everything in the room was dangerous. I finally selected a bag of pretzels and a Sprite, and then sat down at one of the small tables.
“Trying to hide from all of your adoring fans?” A sarcastic voice from behind me interrupted my thoughts. I knew that nothing would rattle her more than kindness, so that’s the approach I took.
“Hi Serena,” I replied without turning around. “Just having a between show snack. Would you like to join me?”
She moved to stand in front of the soda machine and shot me a hostile look. “Aren’t you supposed to be surrounded by the National Guard or something?” She spat.
“I don’t need the guards, nothing’s happened for weeks.” I explained. “I’m sure that it’s all over. I just want to get on with my life.”
Serena reacted just as I’d expected her too; I saw a flash of satisfaction flash across her face, just before she furrowed her brow. “Kate, are you sure that that’s a good idea?” She asked in a syrupy sweet voice. “You could just be opening yourself up to danger!”
I shook my head. “No, I’m sure it’s over. The person behind this was a chicken shit, otherwise they’d have hurt me face to face. I’ve proved that no can get to me, they won’t be brave enough to try anything else.” I explained lightly; I could see the rage bubble beneath Serena’s calm façade.
“Hmm… that’s an interesting theory.” She said slowly. “I just hope you’re as smart as you think you are, Kate.” She slid a dollar into the vending machine and pressed the Coca Cola button. She retrieved her drink, turned to me, and smiled.
“Good luck,” she told me before turning and walking away. I slid my phone out of my pocket and called Janette.
“Hey, how did it go with Bruce?” She answered.
“I haven’t spoken with him yet, I’m on my way now.” I told her. “Something just happened, are you going to be home tonight?”
“Yes I’ll be home tonight, but what do you mean something else happened? Are you okay? Was it another break in?”
“No I’m fine, I’m sorry. I just did something and I’m not sure it was a great idea. I just wanted to make sure that you’d be home later, I need to talk about it.”
“I’ll be home. Do you want me to make dinner?”
“Sure, but don’t go to too much trouble. I’ll head straight there after the show.”
“Alright, good luck with Bruce.”
I ended the call, took a few deep breaths to calm my nerves, and finally set off for Bruce’s office.
***
“Kate, what have you done?” Janette gasped. We were in the kitchen getting our plates ready for dinner. Janette refilled her wine glass and took a long drink.
“I wanted to see both of their reactions when they found out I’d be easier to get to soon.” I explained. “I don’t think that Mica has anything to do with this, but I’m positive that Serena’s guilty.”
“But did you have to be so antagonizing to Serena?” She asked. “If she’s behind this, she’s an incredibly dangerous person Kate. And you just called her a chicken shit and basically dared her to come after you.”
“I know, and that’s exactly what she’s going to do.” I agreed. “Bruce wasn’t as easy to persuade as I’d hoped, but he finally agreed to drop the guards here.”
“Yeah, I noticed when I came home from the market to an empty apartment. I was relieved at first because it means we can keep pot in the house again. But after what you just told me I’m wondering if we shouldn’t call them back.”
I shook my head. “We’ve always been safe here, Janette. Serena will make her move at the theater, I’m positive of it. It’s her home turf and I’m the outsider that came in and ruined everything for her. That’s where she’ll want to take her revenge.”
“Have you talked to Detective Ramos or Caleb about this?” Janette asked critically. She pulled a pot of pasta off of the stove and poured it into a strainer. A pot of tomato sauce simmered on the opposite burner, but I had a feeling that Janette had lost her appetite.
“Yes, I told them both that I was tired of the constant guards and I thought I’d be alright on my own. Ramos didn’t argue much; Caleb was another story but I promised him I’d stay alert and call him if I notice anything strange.”
“I’m guessing that you didn’t tell any of them about your run in with Serena?”
“Of course I didn’t. Look Janette, if you don’t feel safe here I completely understand. I can stay somewhere else until all of this is over. But I have to handle this my way, I have to take back control of my life.”
“What does Dylan think of this plan?”
“I don’t know what Dylan thinks.” I answered with frustration. “He gave me the idea in the first place and now he doesn’t want me to go through with it. I think that he’s more worried about what the press will say about us than what actually happens to me.”
“I take it that the two of you haven’t kissed and made up?” She asked.
“No, we barely spoke today. I doubt that the audience noticed
any tension but we kept our distance backstage. I popped my head into his dressing room before I left and said goodbye; that’s pretty much been the extent of our conversations. To be honest, I’ve been thinking that it might be time to end things with him. I just dread what that might mean for my career.”
“Kate, you’ve proved that you’re more than talented enough to be on that stage. If Dylan gets his feelings hurt and somehow convinces Hank to fire you, you’ll have directors lined up around the block offering you roles. If you’re tired of his shit, end it.”
“I didn’t know that you felt so strongly about it.” I teased.
“I’ve wanted you to dump his sorry ass since that night he left you at the hospital. He really hasn’t handled any of this very well, you’d be better off without him. You need a stable, solid man who can balance the chaos of your career.”
“Someone like Caleb Porter?” I asked with a smile.
“Maybe,” Janette replied with a blush.
“How are things going between the two of you? You hardly ever talk about him.”
“Things between us are good. We aren’t putting a label on it; we’re just enjoying each other’s company. But I could see it growing into something more serious.” She admitted. “Caleb makes me happy. I want you to have someone like him in your life.”
“Max called me today.” I confessed.
“Oh yeah, did he apologize for being an asshole and storming out on you?” She asked.
“No, but he was really nice. I’d forgotten how well he knows me. I hadn’t even told him about my plans and he asked me not to go through with them. God, if only I hadn’t kissed Dylan that night at Joe’s, everything would be completely different right now.”
“There’s no since dwelling on ‘if only’ Kate,” Janette told me. “Real life is hard enough to manage.”
***
“Hey babe, will you pass me the Sun?” Dylan asked without looking up from the paper. It was Monday night and we were lying on his bed reading the evening papers. I’d woken up that morning determined to break things off with him, but I hadn’t found the nerve to actually do it. When he’d called and asked me to come over for the night, I decided to give him one last chance.
“Here,” I said, passing it to him. “But I don’t know why you even bother with that one, it’s a piece of trash.” I’d grown tired of reading about myself weeks ago, so I turned back to The New Yorker.
“I know it’s a piece of trash,” he told me. “But it’s popular. It’s important that we know what they’re saying.”
“I don’t see how,” I told him. “But suit yourself.”
Dylan dug through the Sun and pulled out the theater section. I tried to return to my magazine, but I was distracted by his running commentary on the article.
“This one’s about the same as the others.” He told me. “Everyone’s still on ‘stalker watch’, as they’re calling it. This guy’s actually being pretty nice… says you’re staying brave in the face of controversy… ah, there I am. ‘The dashing Dylan Matthews has stayed by his love’s side, proving to the world that he goes deeper than his playboy reputation.’ That may the best compliment I’ve been given though this.” Dylan beamed.
“I’m glad you’re getting so much great publicity, Dylan. Who knows, maybe next time I’ll get shot and really make you look good.” I snapped.
“Kate, calm down,” he said dismissively. “I can’t control what these people write, I’m just saying that I’m glad they’re being nice. You seem tired baby; did you sleep alright last night? You know, it’s not too late to call the guards back.”
“I slept fine,” I told him. “I guess I’m just stressed out and ready for all of this to go away.” I said, gesturing to the newspapers.
“Kate you know that even after the case is solved, the press isn’t going to disappear right? They’ll just find new stuff to write about. And if they can’t find anything interesting, they’ll make it up.”
“I know, but nothing they could make up would be as awful as what’s happening now.” I argued. “I’m hungry, are you ready to go to dinner?”
“Almost, I just have the Chronicle left.” He told me.
I climbed out of the bed and went to the bathroom to check my hair and makeup. I returned to the bedroom a few minutes later and found Dylan anxiously pacing the floors.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“This,” he said, shaking the Chronicle at me. “I told you that something like this would happen Kate. Someone must have called in a tip or something, none of the other papers got the story this fast. And you’d better hope that they don’t all take this angle.”
“Let me see it,” I sighed. I took the paper from his hand; the moment my eyes fell on the headline, dread filled my body.
HAS BROADWAY STARLET BEEN PLAYING US ALL ALONG?— C. Mangus
The city has been abuzz for the last month about the recent trials and
tribulations of Broadway star Kate Harper. Multiple sources, including
the NYPD and New York Presbyterian Hospital, have confirmed reports
over the past few weeks that the actress has been the victim of an
alleged stalker. Harper herself released a statement, providing a detailed
description of three attacks that took place in her Lincoln Theater dressing
room.
Since the attack that left Harper hospitalized, she’s been under the careful
watch of several different security teams, as well as the NYPD. But weeks
have passed since the last attack, and many in the industry are beginning
to wonder if the story was ever true at all.
While most of the industry has rallied around the new star, those who
doubt her sincerity may have just been vindicated. Multiple sources inside
Lincoln Theater have confirmed that Harper has put an end to all of the
extra security measures that were put in place to ensure her safety.
The NYPD confirmed this afternoon that no arrest has been made in
regards to Harper’s case. If the culprit is still at large, why does Harper
feel like she no longer needs protection?
Perhaps it’s because she never had a stalker in the first place. Sources in
the Jersey Boys theater have long insisted that Harper is willing to do
whatever it takes to make a name for herself in the industry. While
ingesting arsenic is a drastic measure to take to keep your name in the
papers, many believe that that’s exactly what Harper did.
Harper first proved that she was willing to go to whatever lengths
necessary to advance her career when she became involved with
costar Dylan Matthews. While the couple has gone to great lengths
to prove that their courtship is genuine, Harper’s latest actions have
also led people to wonder if the relationship and the stalking claims are
nothing but a publicity stunt, orchestrated by the actors to sell more tickets
to their show. Perhaps it’s time for the public to show them that they’re
lies aren’t appreciated; there are plenty of other shows on Broadway.
“I told you this would happen, Kate.” Dylan insisted again. “I don’t even know where to start on the damage control. Not only did this Mangus guy call us both liars, he told people not to come to the theater. Bruce is going to be pissed.”
“It’s one article,” I said patiently.
“No, it’s the first article.” He argued. “What do you want to bet that half of the papers run something like this in the morning editions?”
I shrugged. “What do you want me to say? I can’t control what these people write.”
“Nice, turn my own words against me.” He spat. “We’re calling Bruce first thing tomorrow and asking him to put Josh’s team back at your apartment. Everything has to go back to the way it was until the cops find the
stalker and prove that we weren’t lying.”
“I’m not having any more guards in my house.” I said defiantly. “I don’t care what the press says; I know that I’m handling this the right way. They’ll all find out the truth soon enough when I prove that Serena’s behind this.”
“No Kate, I’m putting my foot down.” He insisted. “We’ll bring back the security, I’ll have Peter call in a tip that something else has happened and we won’t answer any questions about it. We’ll have to wait a couple of days so it doesn’t look like a reaction to the article.”
He was talking a mile a minute but I couldn’t get past his first words. “Excuse me,” I interrupted him. But you’re putting your foot down?”
“Kate please, I have more experience with this type of thing than you do. It’s time for you to cooperate and let me call the shots. Even if your plan works, it could take too long and our reputations may never recover. And I just got my fucking reputation turned around!”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I grabbed my purse from the bedside table and turned to face him.
“MY reputation will be just fine after I do what needs to be done. Your reputation is no longer any of my concern. Tell me Dylan, did this relationship ever mean anything to you at all? Or was it just an act to help redeem yourself after years of being a man whore?”
“You know that’s not the case at all!” Dylan replied. “We’re so much alike Kate, I don’t know how you don’t see this the way I do.”
“We’re not alike at all,” I told him. “I promise to act like a professional at work, I hope that you can do the same. But I can’t keep arguing with you Dylan, I’m done.”
His face turned red; I’d never seen him so angry. “After everything I’ve done for you, you think that you can just walk out on me?” He growled. “I’ve made you what you are and I can unmake you any time I want.”
“Keep telling yourself that, Dylan.” I told him. “At this point I’m fine with the idea of leaving the show, if it means that I never have to see you again.”