Waiting For A Star To Fall (Autumn Brody Book 2)

by A. C. Dillon

  "You ready to blow them away?" Evan asked.

  "But of course. I still feel like I should have switched to a number from my favourite film of the week. Don't you think so, Kevin?"

  Mirza grinned, shaking his head. "Never let them be able to anticipate you, Whitney."

  "See? He knows how to have fun. Oh look! There's Ray, with Gabriel." Veronica clapped excitedly. "I absolutely hate Gabriel's boyfriend of the month. Ray better put the moves on him pronto."

  Stepping out of the car. Veronica rushed to greet her roommate. An exchange of kisses on the cheek followed. Evan and Autumn brought up the rear, each mindful of the cues of the security personnel.

  "Gabriel! This is Autumn, my bestest friend in the planet who is not fabulous."

  "It is so good to finally meet you!"

  It was a good thing Autumn was more relaxed about physical contact these days: Gabriel immediately pulled her into a bear hug, nearly squeezing the air out of her. With a squeak, she pulled back and let out a low whistle in spite of herself.

  "You know, Veronica told me she had a hottie for a housemate, but goddamn!" Her cheeks flushed, she wagged a finger at each of her friends in turn. "Do not tell Andrew I said that!"

  Standing six feet tall and brandishing a six pack beneath his Armani shirt, Gabriel was the stereotype of every Latino man who'd swept an American girl off her feet with a Spanish sweet nothing. Romance language, romance everything!

  "Why, thank you! To think, I was a chubby kid with a face full of zits just a decade ago!" Gabriel grinned, flexing his bicep. "God bless the bullies who motivated me to build these guns."

  "Can we move this inside?" Ray urged, holding the door open. "I'd hate for Ms. St. Clair to miss her performance."

  Translation: you're sitting ducks. Move your asses.

  The group obliged, Autumn and Gabriel chatting about music and books as Veronica was escorted backstage to prepare. They'd timed their arrival perfectly: the previous performer had only just finished his set. While Ray stayed with Veronica, Mirza hung out with their group, studying those in attendance.

  "So, where's your fiancé?" Gabriel asked.

  "Working on a documentary," Autumn replied. "He said he'd try to get here, but when he's working on a film, he's kind of lost in it."

  "I understand completely." Gabriel signaled for a bartender, ordering a Tom Collins. "When I'm working on a new part, I'm oblivious to the world around me. I tend to lose a lot of non-theatre boyfriends that way."

  "They don't understand the level of commitment it takes, I guess."

  "They don't. I have a lot going on, and I know it makes for scarce time. But the time I do have? I am devoted to my man. I will cook you dinner, take you out, or just take you, if you follow me."

  Autumn giggled. "I may have some idea."

  "What about Ray?" Evan asked. "Doesn't he play for your team?"

  "Switch hitter," Gabriel replied. "And currently single, from what Veronica tells me every ten minutes."

  "You know, I'm certain the life of a security professional of his rank comes with long hours and extended assignments," Autumn mused aloud. "Would you agree, Mirza?"

  "That's a fair assessment," the guard concurred, casually scanning the crowd.

  "Maybe he'd understand the hours of a working actor..."

  Gabriel paid for his drink, knocking back half of it in a go. "Veronica put you two up to this?"

  Evan and Autumn shook their heads in unison, laughing at themselves.

  "I'm thinking about it, alright? But you know, just because we both enjoy the company of men, it doesn’t mean we’re soulmates." Gabriel pointed to the stage. "Enough about my floundering love life: our girl's about to blow the roof off this joint."

  With a sultry swagger, Veronica took the stage, setting a bottle of water down nearby. Ray assumed a position beside the stage, blocking access to the rear. He was on high alert, mindful of every movement in the front of the audience. The emcee came out with a mic in hand, introducing Veronica and promising "a powerful combination of songs".

  Taking over, Veronica greeted the audience, inviting them to join in if they knew her first song. "It's a bicycle built for three, as it were, but I think we can make something extraordinary happen together."

  Sure enough, the moment the audience recognized the song, the enthusiasts in the crowd were more than happy to add harmonies to Veronica's performance. Camilla Kinsey, her co-star from In the Garden, slipped on stage with Ray’s blessing and took Alice Ripley's lines from the original, earning a rousing cheer.

  Inside her purse, Autumn's phone buzzed. Pulling it out, she was relieved to see a text from Andrew.

  Just getting back to the hotel. Give Veronica my regards.

  A little cooler than she would have cared for, but at least he'd contacted her. He's okay. That's all that matters.

  Bowing politely, Veronica thanked Camilla and adjusted her mic. "And for my second song, something technically mainstream, but definitely Broadway. I love this song and my shower can vouch for the fact I sing it pretty regularly to start my day. This one's an original by Idina Menzel."

  A huge round of applause erupted at the name of a Broadway icon and Veronica settled into "I Stand", a rousing piano-pop ballad about faith in hard times. Autumn loved this song as much as Veronica and her mind drifted to last summer, and a sleepover weekend filled with song and laughter. While Autumn could hold her own and do a passable job with a song, Veronica put her to shame.

  Bowing to loud applause, Veronica headed off stage to join their table near the emergency exit (Mirza's choice). On the way, she was drawn into several conversations with fans and fellow performers alike, including a former cast member from American Idiot that Autumn knew her friend adored. One interaction caught her eye, however: a young woman approached, her date more of an accessory than a partner. Veronica's catty face emerged in response and Gabriel immediately finished his drink.

  "Ugh. Someone needs to teach that girl some manners!"

  "Who is she?" Evan asked.

  "Amanda Lafleur. Total spoiled brat. Gossip Girl? Her life. She's been trying to one-up Veronica ever since she got the role of Johanna over her," Gabriel explained.

  "Sounds pretty pathetic," Autumn commiserated.

  The brunette slipped away into the crowd, date in tow, and Veronica rushed to their table. She was working to hide it, but Autumn knew from her trembling hands that her friend was pissed. Distraction time.

  "You were wonderful!" Autumn told her.

  "Amazing," Evan agreed. "Was the bit with Camilla planned?"

  Veronica perked up a little, waving for a server. "Not at all! She simply decided to jump in for kicks. Apparently, Princess Amanda was furious that I not only didn't announce my supposed duet, but that I 'took her song'. I requested it two weeks ago. Clearly, she has time management issues. Or timing, from what I remember of her audition for In the Garden."

  "Oh, who cares about her?" Gabriel waved dismissively as Amanda glared in their direction. "Best she's ever managed is swing in an NYU production and walk-ons for TV. Look: she's even wearing a green dress, little monster that she is."

  "I love you guys. Oh, hi!" She turned to the approaching server. "Could I get a half Sprite, half cranberry please?" At Autumn's intrigued look, she corrected herself. "Make it two."

  Settling in for drinks and casual conversation, the group exchanged stories about high school and life in Toronto versus Queens, where Gabriel had been raised. Halfway through the next performer, Autumn felt her phone vibrate anew. Glancing at the display, a lump formed in her throat.

  Don't even think of leaving that pub without me. Why didn't you call me this afternoon?

  Someone had clearly told Andrew about the envelope fiasco. Showing her phone discreetly to Ray, she whispered in his ear. "Did you guys tell him?"

  Ray shrugged. "I didn't, but he is paying the bill..."

  Quickly, she tapped out a reply: I haven't told Veronica or Evan either. I'm fine. Pleas
e don't be angry.

  Autumn applauded politely as the first song by the next performer finished, swiping furiously at her touch screen as a new text arrived.

  I'm not angry at you. I'm angry that I left you alone, since it was clearly a stupid idea! I'm on my way.

  There would be no reasoning with him. Giving up, Autumn tossed her phone in her purse and waited for the coming storm. Hurricane Andrew: a force to be reckoned with when he sensed a threat to his loved ones. Noticing her shift in mood, Veronica nudged her.

  "Hey, you okay?"

  "Andrew and I had a fight this morning and he's on his way."

  Veronica frowned. "Trouble in paradise?"

  "Just him being overprotective. It'll be fine," Autumn assured her.

  But it wasn't fine: she could tell by the way he burst through the entrance like a bad movie, searching the crowd until he found her. Not wanting to cause a scene for Veronica, Autumn excused herself quickly and made her way around tables and clusters of standing room onlookers, meeting him near the bar. Much to her shock, Andrew pulled her into a hug.

  "Andrew, I owe you an apol—”

  "You're alright?" he asked frantically.

  "Yes. Jesus, you're shaking!"

  "What did you expect? I finally had a chance to check my email and saw a report from Kevin's supervisor about how a courier brought you a letter from Veronica's psycho friend." Pulling her into a quieter corner, Andrew's hands cradled her face, studying it carefully. "Are you sure you're fine?"

  "A little shaken up about it, but it's alright. He wasn't there, Andy." Her hands covered his, gripping them tightly. "It was just a courier. The police checked it all out."

  "It doesn't matter. He knows where we're staying." Shaking his head, he slumped against the wall. "I should have rescheduled my interviews, or checked the daily report sooner. I should have known you needed me."

  "Stop it!" she admonished him. "Just stop. You were angry and you needed to get away from me. You've worried enough about me for two lifetimes. I gave you the day off."

  "Bullshit! I don't need a day off. I need you. Full stop. I just want you to be safe, Autumn. And in my spiteful decision to not call all day, I made you think you couldn't come to me. I don't want that."

  "Me neither. But I can't change who I am." She edged away, bowing her head. "I don't want you to be worried. This isn't like before. I'm stronger than I was back then."

  Andrew's hand found hers, pulling it to his chest. "When I read that report, when I realized you hadn't texted me once all day, my world stopped. For two minutes, I was terrified that you couldn't contact me..."

  "I'm safe," she repeated, leaning into him. "I love you."

  Their moment was shattered by a flurry of activity near the backstage access. Glancing towards their table, Autumn noticed Mirza rushing to investigate while Ray maintained his close guard of Veronica. A sudden scream propelled the couple into motion, Autumn allowing Andrew to lead her to their friends. Her instincts tugged her to the frantic crowd near the stage.

  "What's going on?" Andrew demanded.

  "Not sure," Ray replied. "I'm waiting on—hold on." Tapping an ear piece, he gave Mirza a go ahead. Listening intently, Ray grimaced and acknowledged.

  "What did he say?" Evan asked.

  The look on his face told Autumn everything she needed to know. Chapter seven...

  FIFTEEN

  "I'm the first person to point out that Amanda Lafleur's beauty was only skin deep, but I didn't need to see beneath her skin to prove the theory," Gabriel whispered with a shudder.

  Autumn leaned into Andrew's chest as the ambulance peeled out of the alley behind the bar, its siren an echo of the wounded actress within. She could only pray that the hospital would be able to administer appropriate care for the chemical burns before the damage worsened.

  Five feet away, Detective Barrington studied a note inside a plastic evidence bag, reading the same chilling message Autumn had studied minutes prior.

  Peel back the mask, cast off the roles we play, and we reveal our true selves. Some of us are ugly to the bone. Some of us shine brighter.

  I am gravity. You cannot resist me forever.

  "You know what happens next..."

  Andrew pulled her closer. "You don't know that."

  "But I do. This is a game for him. His very own snuff film, with Veronica as the star of the show. Someone's going to crash their car, Andrew. I don't know who, or when, but chapter ten is coming."

  Autumn buried her face in his shirt, inhaling the familiar blend of ginger and earthy spices that was his scent. There were lives in danger here, people marked for cruel punishments at the hands of an unknown figure. The stalker’s interpretation of her story was loose and seemingly impulsive, making it all the more impossible to predict his next move.

  "Shh... The police are going to take your theory seriously now. They have profilers for shit like this, right? They have people who spend their entire day extrapolating data and understanding how a killer thinks. Maybe we don't fully understand why he's choosing people, but they will." His lips grazed her cheek. "They'll catch him."

  "I wish I could believe that."

  "Believe in me, then. I'll believe it for you." With a gentle nudge, he gestured behind her. "The cops are coming over."

  "No doubt to ask who's going to get killed in the next act," Autumn lamented. "I wish I knew."

  "Ms. Brody, Mr. Daniels." Barrington nodded to each of them in turn. "I know it's been a long and difficult day, but I hope you have time for a few questions."

  Autumn shrugged. "I don't know how much help we can be, but by all means."

  The omnipresent notebook was back in her hand, Autumn noticed. Complex and vibrant lives, distilled into a series of jotted words and skeletal phrases. These people deserved better.

  "The victim, Amanda Lafleur—how well did you know her?"

  "I didn't," Andrew replied. "I've never even heard of her."

  "Me neither," Autumn echoed. "The first time I heard of her was tonight, when she came up to Veronica and picked a fight over song selection for the fundraiser. Apparently, she's holding some sort of grudge because Veronica won her role over Amanda."

  "Would this be common knowledge?" Barrington asked, glancing up from her notebook.

  "Maybe not to the average person, but for those who pay attention to Broadway, I'd guess so." Autumn searched her memory, struggling to recall whether she'd ever heard of the actress before that night, even in passing. "I know there are people who keep track of people considered for roles. It's like that website, IMDB. In the Garden is a brand new production for Broadway, so I'm sure the people who were called back for a second audition are listed out there somewhere."

  Barrington scribbled a few notes, tapping her pen against the cover lightly. "Look, I know you've provided your novel for us to consult and our discussion helped, but I'm concerned that we're running short on time to prevent the next attack. What comes next in Dissected?"

  "A car crash," Autumn replied solemnly. "Brake line is cut. The driver doesn't survive."

  "Escalation, then... If Veronica is Laurel in our perp's eyes, who is the driver of the car relative to Laurel?"

  Autumn sighed. "That's where I'm struggling. Dissected is focused on a medical school with a highly competitive class of ranked students. The student who crashes is ranked second in their program. But when it comes to acting, to Veronica... I have no idea who that would be. Sophia was merely someone who got a role Veronica tried out for—it wasn't even a big deal to her! In my book, she corresponds to the top student in the program."

  "Could it be a personality factor?" Barrington proposed. "A level of connection with Veronica that matches how Laurel relates to the victims?"

  "Maybe... In this case, it certainly is. Amanda is incredibly antagonistic to Veronica. In the book, Darcy is constantly belittling Laurel." Weary, Autumn shook her head. "The guy who crashes his car is friendly with Laurel. There's no animosity at all. With someone like
Veronica, that gives you a list of a hundred people in this city alone to work with."

  "I'm sorry for all of the questions. I just really want to understand how our suspect thinks."

  "Maybe Veronica can draw better connections for you... Andrew?"

  With a stern look, Andrew signaled for Mirza, who'd remained on duty to escort them at his behest. "Autumn needs to get some rest. I'm sure you can appreciate that having her work manipulated by a criminal is emotionally draining."

  "Of course." Barrington stood aside, closing her notebook with a soft thump of the leather cover. "If either of you happen to think of anything further, you know how to reach me."

  Obediently, Autumn followed Andrew to Mirza's Escalade and slipped into the backseat. Resting her head against the cool leather interior, she shut her eyes against the garish red of the police cruiser lights and the piercing stares of the gawkers on the sidewalk.

  We should go home, she thought miserably. All of us. Andrew, Veronica, Evan... All of us.

  "You okay?" At Autumn's exasperated glare, Andrew wilted. "I know you're not okay, but I mean... Are you going to be sick?"

  "No." Tracing figure eights on the leather seat between them, she struggled to rein in her anger. "I'm just tired of finding myself in powerless positions. I'm tired of people getting hurt."

  "I know you are." Reaching out to tuck a stray tendril of hair behind her ear, Andrew frowned. "I'm tired of people making you feel this way."

  "Nothing you can do about that. You're not the one who's stalking Veronica. You didn't kill a slew of teen girls over decades."

  "Yeah." With a grimace, he turned to stare out his window. "Guess I'm tired of being powerless, too."

  A distance remained between them, in spite of Andrew's white knight rush to the pub. Sure, he'd supported her during the questions and the horrifying sight of Amanda's right cheek, bleeding and raw, but it felt at least partially like obligation. Now removed from the watchful gaze of their friends and the police, she could feel him pulling away. Their connection was muffled, caught in the undertow of an ocean of suppressed arguments. Between her health and the court cases, they'd dismissed certain topics of contention in favour of finding joy in the perpetual strain. They were doing it again right now: sweeping the real issue under the proverbial rug and maintaining a false veneer.