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“That we can manage,” Drayton called from behind the counter. “Can I interest the two of you in a pot of orchid plum tea? I just now brewed it fresh.”
“And scones?” Theodosia added.
“Sounds right,” Usher said.
“You have your choice of wild berry scones or butterscotch scones,” Theodosia said.
“Wild berry,” Helene and Usher chimed in together.
“Please have a seat and I’ll be right back,” Theodosia promised. She went into the kitchen, plated the scones, grabbed small containers of Devonshire cream and raspberry jam, and headed back out. When she returned, Drayton was pouring their tea.
“Here you go,” Theodosia said as she set the scones in front of them. “Enjoy.” Then, because she was curious as to whether they’d learned anything more about the murder, said, “Have there been any new developments in the Josh Morro case?”
“We’ve not heard a thing,” Helene said.
“The police are playing it pretty close to the vest,” Usher said. “Detective Tidwell has been interviewing everyone in the cast and crew, giving them the third degree, but not yet sharing any conclusions with us.”
“Are there conclusions?” Drayton asked. He was listening in on the conversation as well.
“Not yet, though we do have our own suspicions,” Helene said.
“Is that so?” Theodosia said. Maybe she could learn something more here. Helene and Lewin Usher were probably much closer to this case than she was.
“I hate to say this, but we’ve had our eye on Ted Juniper, the lighting guy,” Usher said.
“Why would a lighting guy want to kill his director?” Theodosia asked. She remembered Juniper as being almost inconsolable after Morro’s death.
Usher squinted at her. “You haven’t heard the story, have you?”
“Apparently not,” Theodosia said.
Lewin cleared his throat. “Back in L.A., Ted Juniper was involved in a hit-and-run accident. On the 101 Freeway just outside Studio City. The driver of the other car was killed.”
“And how does this involve Morro?” Theodosia asked.
“Morro lent money to Juniper so he could hire a really good defense lawyer. You see, Juniper was driving under the influence when the accident occurred,” Usher said.
“And the case was settled?” Theodosia asked.
“Sure, but it still cost a small fortune,” Usher said.
“If I read this right, I’m guessing that Ted Juniper still hadn’t repaid the money that Josh Morro loaned him,” Theodosia said as she slowly put the pieces together.
“That’s exactly right,” Usher said. “And now, with Morro dead, Juniper probably doesn’t feel the need for any reimbursement. Not even to Morro’s estate.”
“Is there an estate?” Drayton asked.
“I don’t know. I assume there is,” Usher said.
“So Juniper had motive,” Theodosia said. She mulled this information over for a few moments, then asked, “Does Juniper still drink?”
Usher bobbed his head. “Like a fish.”
“Oh no,” Drayton said. He gazed at Theodosia, and as their eyes met, she detected a fair amount of concern.
“I guess desperate people do desperate things,” Helene said.
“People have been known to hold up convenience stores for twenty bucks,” Usher added. “And these days, with crime on the rise…well, you never know what can happen.”
