“Yes,” she said. “And you are?”
He held out his hand. “Peter Dell,” he said.
Oh, damn.
“You’re Peter?” Jonelle asked. “Then who is…” She pointed over to the man with the dark blond hair.
“That’s Noah. He plays the crazy dentist. You seem surprised.”
Jonelle tried to recover her composure.
“Um, I just thought that uh, well… you’re playing Seymour?” She cleared her throat. “Guess I pictured someone else for the part.”
Peter shrugged. “I suppose if you were raised on the Broadway and movie versions, me playing Seymour is a bit of a surprise. However,” he looked Jonelle up and down, “these days it doesn’t matter what a person looks like. It’s whether or not he or she can handle the role.”
Jonelle detected a touch of arrogance in those words. It didn’t help that he had a slight smirk on his face. She looked a little closer at him. A thin line along his hairline and down behind his ear showed a difference in color. The man appeared to have a touch of makeup on his face.
“Well, Peter,” she said with a smile, “I’m not here to debate the merits of who is or is not right for a particular role. I’m here to ask a few questions about LucieBlu Bonderant.”
His lopsided grin faded at the mention of the name. The shock expressed in Peter’s eyes indicated Sherman hadn’t said anything about LucieBlu. For that she was grateful.
Jonelle stole a quick glance at Sherman.
“Why don’t you two use my office for your interview? Door’s open. Peter, just come back when you’re done. In the meantime, we’ll go over a few of the scenes that don’t involve you. You remember how to get to my office, right Jonelle?”
She smiled and nodded her thanks. “This won’t take long,” she said to Peter. Jonelle noticed his welcoming smile had dissolved. His eyes clouded over and his lips formed a tight line.
“I’m sure this so-called interview will probably take even less time than that,” he said with an edge in his voice.
Jonelle opened the door to Sherman’s office and discovered very little had changed since her last visit. The room still lay in disarray. She moved several stacks of paper over to one side and sat in Sherman’s chair. Peter took a seat across from her. He pushed more papers aside and scooted closer to the desk.
“So, let’s just get right to it. I know you’re busy.”
Peter nodded.
“Right. So, tell me, how long have you known LucieBlu Bonderant?” she asked.
He shrugged. “For a while, I guess. Don’t keep track.” He sat back in the chair, arms crossed.
“‘Don’t keep track’?” Jonelle stared at Peter. She held his gaze until his eyes moved to a point behind her right shoulder.
“Well, when I hear someone say that,” she said, “it tells me that they are involved with so many people that individuals are just a blur.” She decided to get straight to the point. “So, I guess that means you’re in the habit of dating transgenders? Specialty of yours is it?”
Peter bolted upright in his chair as if just stung by wasps. He leaned forward.
“What the hell are you insinuating?” he asked.
Jonelle matched his move. “How about you cut the crap and answer my questions? I don’t want this to be a tug of war. All I want is to find out what happened to LucieBlu.”
“What do you mean?” he asked.
“She’s missing and I’ve been hired to find her.” Jonelle studied his reaction. His eyes widened and his mouth opened wide. His expression indicated surprise, but the man was an actor after all. “That’s why I’m here. How long have you known her?”
Jonelle waited as he fiddled with his diamond pinky ring.
“Guess I’ve known her for about two years now,” he said, his voice low.
“Fine. Now let’s go back to the first time you two met. Where did that meeting take place?”
“Here, of course. Met her when she came to audition for the female lead in ‘Oklahoma’,” he said. “In the beginning I didn’t know what her, uh, situation was. She didn’t get the lead, but she did get the part of Ado Annie. The more we rehearsed, the more obvious it became that she was transgender.”
“Obvious how?”
Jonelle noted Peter’s whole body relaxed in the chair.
“She was just starting to transition, so she was still a little, uh, rough around the edges, if you know what I mean.”
Jonelle didn’t, but let it go. “Yet, it didn’t bother you? You still asked her out?”
“I did not ask her out. Not then,” Peter said. He paused.
“Okay,” Jonelle said. “When did you ask her out?”
He sighed. “Late last year. She looked like she could use a friend. That’s all it was. We were just friends.” He squirmed in his chair and bothered his pinky ring again.
Jonelle wasn’t sure about that “just friends” remark. “Can you describe a typical date?”
He rolled his eyes to the ceiling. “Stop calling it ‘dating.’ Two people can hang out as friends, you know.” He leveled pale brown eyes at her. Time passed as she waited for him to speak. When he didn’t, Jonelle let out an exasperated sigh.
“Tell you what,” she said, picking her bag up off the floor, “since you obviously don’t want to help, I’ll just have to resort to getting opinions about the two of you from everyone else. Nothing like good old rumor and innuendo to find out what really went on with you two. What do you think?”
After another long pause, Peter shook his head over and over. “I really don’t need this hassle. Fine. I’ll tell you about me and LucieB.”
Jonelle’s eyebrows shot up. “You called her LucieB?”
He shrugged. “Easier than saying ‘LucieBlu’. Besides, I told you we were friends.” His voice lost its edge. “Everyone here knew about her transitioning and didn’t care one way or the other. It was management that had a problem with her. Anyway, in the past two years we put on three musicals and one drama and she kept trying out for, and not getting, the lead. I felt sorry for her. Plus, once you really got to know her, the more you forgot that whole trans thing.”
Jonelle noticed the more Peter talked about LucieBlu the calmer he became.
“Since you went out as friends, you must have had some idea of her mental state,” Jonelle said. “Wasn’t it hard for her to keep being rejected just because of who she was?”
He sat back in his chair, and rested his right leg over his left knee, fingers laced behind his head.
“She was upset each time. No doubt about that. But after a few drinks and a lot of laughs she understood and vowed not to give up. Except for this last time.”
Peter remained in that same position. Jonelle waited for him to continue. When he didn’t, she decided to put aside the personal relationship and explore that last day.
“Tell me what happened. One of the stagehands said she was more upset than usual when she left. Even threatened to make everyone sorry they rejected her,” Jonelle said.
Peter stared up at the ceiling. “My opinion? I think it was an age thing,” he said. “LucieB was in her mid-thirties and for women in this business, that’s old.” He peered at Jonelle. “Guess that’s not an issue in your profession. Am I right?”
Jonelle bristled. “Please stay on point.”
He grinned. “Okay. Just kidding. She told me that she set a five year limit to try and make it in the legitimate theater. She didn’t want to be confined to just LGBT venues. While there are a lot of gay actors and actresses, trans people in the so-called mainstream entertainment business are rare. She really believed her talent would win out.” He shrugged. “Didn’t work out that way.”
“After she had her outburst, did you go after her?”
A soft knock on the door was followed by Elissa’s head peeking inside. “Sorry to interrupt but Sherman wants to know if you’re about done Peter.”
Peter raised his eyebrows at Jonelle.
“Can you g
ive us about ten more minutes?” Jonelle asked.
“Sure,” Elissa said. She stared at them both for a moment before closing the door.
“Did you go after her?” Jonelle asked again.
“Look, I didn’t attend their stupid meeting. One, I don’t believe in that spirit crap,” his fingers formed air quotes on the word spirit, “and two, I had a wardrobe fitting. When I got back on stage I saw her run out from the back. I followed her until she stormed out of the building. I didn’t see any point in pursuing her so I went back to the stage.”
Up until that point, Jonelle appreciated Peter’s straightforwardness. But now, she felt he was holding something back.
“So, how much time would you say passed from when you went after her, to when you returned to the stage?”
He frowned. “How should I know? I didn’t look at my watch.”
“I thought timing meant everything to actors. You must have some idea. Five minutes? Ten? Twenty?”
Peter made it a point to look at his watch. “Make it five minutes. Yeah, about five minutes.”
“Did you say anything to her as she ran out?”
“No.”
“Did you call her that evening? To find out if she was okay?”
He hesitated. “No.”
Jonelle sensed evasion.
“Well, it’s been a pleasure, but I gotta earn a living.” Peter stood to go.
Jonelle’s curiosity got the best of her. She had to ask. “Excuse me, but why on earth are you wearing makeup? You guys are just in rehearsal.”
Peter touched his left temple. “I, uh, am testing out a new brand. That stuff they have around here makes my skin look orange under these lights.”
“Oh, okay.” Jonelle stood up and moved from behind the desk. “I’ll walk back with you. There are a few more people I need to speak to, if Sherman agrees.” Peter turned on his heel without responding, and left the office. Jonelle had to grab the handle to keep the door from slamming in her face.
“Thanks a lot,” she muttered to his retreating back.
Once inside the main theater, Jonelle noticed the relief on Sherman’s face as Peter hopped onto the stage. As she approached those assembled, she wondered which actress was Kendra. Jonelle counted four women milling about. Of those, three were African American. Since her first guess failed as to Peter’s identity, she decided to wait for Sherman to indicate his female lead.
After giving Peter his direction, Sherman approached Jonelle who stood at the edge of the stage.
“So,” he said, “how’d it go?”
“The guy could’ve been a bit more forthcoming, but I did get some information from him. I’d like to talk to Kendra next. Which one is she?”
Sherman pointed to a dark haired woman on the stage, standing a little apart from the others. Jonelle noticed she kept looking over her shoulder at the two of them.
“Her?” Jonelle asked.
Sherman nodded. “This is the first time we’ve used her in a lead role. Her acting’s okay, but her voice is a bit weak. We didn’t attract the talent pool we usually do, so we had to settle for her. Plus, she seems nice enough. Gets along with everybody, including Peter.”
“Can you spare her for a few minutes?”
“Sure.” Sherman shrugged. “Don’t know how much she can tell you though. As far as I know, she just met LB the day of the auditions.” Sherman called out to Kendra and motioned for her to join him.
As Kendra came closer, Jonelle noticed she certainly looked like a lead actress. She had very large, deep brown, almost black eyes. Her ebony hair fell to her shoulders in thick waves. Her skin tone hinted at a Latin heritage. The woman’s nervousness surprised Jonelle. She always assumed actors were more self-assured than ‘normal’ people.
“Kendra, Jonelle would like to ask you a few questions. It won’t take long, right Jonelle?”
Jonelle nodded. “I know you’re new here, but I need to talk to as many people as possible who came in contact with LucieBlu Bonderant. He told you LucieBlu is missing, right?”
Kendra nodded. “That’s really a shame. Don’t see how I can help, though. I didn’t know her.”
“I bet you know more than you think you do. Mind coming with me to Sherman’s office?”
Kendra shook her head and walked down the stage’s steps. She trailed Jonelle down the hall.
“Whoa,” she said, as Jonelle opened the door. “I’ve never been in here before. Bit of a mess, isn’t it?”
Jonelle motioned for Kendra to sit in the seat vacated by Peter. “Actually, I’m kind of getting used to it. The first time I came in here was somewhat of a shock though.
“You know,” Jonelle said, lowering herself into Sherman’s chair, “I assumed the talent associated with the production had to sign some kind of contract. Didn’t you have to come in here to do that?”
She shook her head. “I have an agent. Once Sherman said I got the part, she picked up the papers and I signed them in her office.”
“Sherman said this is the first time you’ve auditioned for a part in this theater. What made you decide on this production, at this theater, at this time?”
Kendra’s eyes settled on Jonelle. They reminded her of someone who looks perpetually surprised. “It was my agent’s idea. I consider myself a pretty good actress, but I’m not that strong of a singer. My agent felt I needed the experience and the credentials. So, here I am.”
The actress’ fingers played with some papers on the desk. “Tell you the truth, once I heard the other woman sing, I figured I’d lost the part. I was really surprised when Sherman pulled me over to one side and whispered that I got it.”
“He told you right then and there? I thought they usually said something like, ‘don’t call us, we’ll call you.’” Jonelle remembered Sherman told her that’s what he’d said to LucieBlu. She shifted her position, upsetting a pile of papers which fell to the floor.
“Damn,” she said. “Sorry about that.” Jonelle leaned over and retrieved the papers, hoping she could put them in the right order. As she grasped each sheet, her gaze settled on what looked like a legal document. Near the top was the name, Lawrence Michael Brown. She wanted to read more, but Kendra kept talking. She turned her attention back to the actress sitting before her.
Kendra’s head bobbed up and down. “I know, right? That’s what I thought. You could’ve knocked me over.” She grinned. “I didn’t even care when he said not to mention it to the other girl. That he’d take care of her later.”
Jonelle wondered why Sherman left that part out of their interview. “How many other people were there that day to try out for the lead? Besides you and LucieBlu?”
“Just two others,” Kendra said, smiling. “Tell you the truth, they sounded just awful. I was way better than they were, and that’s saying something.”
Jonelle stared out the window behind Kendra’s back. “Had you ever met LucieBlu before?”
“No. And before you ask, I didn’t know she was transgender until someone told me. I was shocked. I mean, she looked so, well, normal. Know what I mean? Thinking back on it now, I guess her voice was a bit low, and her face a bit broad, but…” Her voice trailed off.
“Yes?” Jonelle wanted Kendra to keep talking.
“Well, to bottom line it, who cares? Everyone seemed nice enough to her until Peter showed up. You should have heard all the whispering when he strolled onstage.” Her hand flew to her mouth. “Oops, guess I shouldn’t gossip.”
“Oh, yes you should. I get some of my best information that way.”
“Well, then,” Kendra said. She wiggled her finger for Jonelle to move in, even though the two women were alone in Sherman’s office. “Peter strolls in looking all important, and—”
“Looking important, how?”
“You know. Head up in the air, a smile for everybody he knew and ignoring everyone else. Including me. I caught him frowning when I sang my song.” Kendra stopped.
“Continue,” Jonelle said. “A
nything else?”
Kendra nodded. “So, next day, when we were going through our lines, he sees LucieBlu and yells, ‘not again,’ or something like that. Sherman tells Peter to shut up. Then Sherman says, real nice I thought, that LB… that’s what Sherman calls her… that he couldn’t give LB the lead, but she could be one of the background singers. They’re real important to the play, you know.” Kendra paused.
“Did you notice anything else?”
“I was invited to their Spirit Circle meeting and LucieBlu didn’t say anything for a long time. After about a half hour, out of the blue, she yelled ‘we’d all regret it,’ for not giving her the lead. Shortly after that she ran from the stage.”
“Did you feel threatened?” Jonelle asked. “After all, you got the part she wanted.”
“Not at all. In fact she didn’t even look at me. After she made the threat and ran off, Peter ran after her.”
Now we’re getting somewhere, Jonelle thought. “How long after Peter left, did he return to the stage?”
Kendra shrugged. “No idea. I was just thrilled the role was mine.”
“Can you ballpark how long Peter stayed away? Five minutes? Ten? Twenty?”
“Oh, no. It was longer than that. I know because I called my agent and she kept me on the phone, like forever. He was still gone when I got off the phone. Sherman was getting annoyed because Peter left.” Kendra looked up at the ceiling. “If I had to guess, I’d say Peter was gone at least thirty minutes.”
Jonelle reached in her bag and handed Kendra her business card. “If you see or hear anything you think I should know as it pertains to LucieBlu, or even Peter for that matter, please call and let me know.”
After they shook hands and Kendra left, Jonelle sat back in Sherman’s chair. Her interview with Peter wasn’t over. It was just beginning.
CHAPTER 17
Thoughts and images swirled around in Jonelle’s head like dried leaves blown about in the wind, as she drove back to the office. Walking up the stairs to the agency she thought about Kendra’s impression of Peter. Most, if not all, actors had at least a touch of arrogance. Heck, her own mother had a tinge of that, and the only acting jobs she’d managed to land were crowd scenes on television.
Gone Missing: A Jonelle Sweet Mystery Book 2 Page 10