As we were pulled backstage, a man wearing a headset, likely the director, ran on stage and shouted in Norwegian, “Stop everything! Off stage. We’re breaking!”
Before I got to the wings, I heard an announcement. “We’re having technical difficulties. Please remain calm.”
I burst out, “Where are the hosts? Are they okay?”
The director nodded. “They got off first.”
Of course they did! Betty was a member of the royal family. I breathed a sigh of relief knowing all I loved was safe.
We shuffled offstage in disbelief. I played the carnage on repeat in my mind while they rushed us back to the green room, but one thing stood out. Max’s accusations of sabotage suggestedheconsidered it. And Jason hanging around the wings was unusual. Why was he still backstage without Max and Alia? He didn’t care about our set. I figured he’d want to post up for the cameras with the rest of the Swedish delegation. Where was his escort? Each act had handlers.
It was all too convenient.
Chapter 46
Unhinged
BETTY
The crash from the lighting rig shook me. I watched in horror, screaming out as soon as I saw it drifting, but it was impossible to hear. Barry reacted swiftly through some sixth sense, and thankfully, everyone was fine. I looked to my co-host, Astrid, for any wisdom, but she had none. Before we knew it, someone pulled us off stage and rushed us into a hallway.
All the while, we made cinematic gold as the documentary crew chased me through the halls. In an evening gown and heels, I did my best castle run until my detail told me we were safe. I stood, surrounded by confused performers.
“Something fell,” I clarified in confused Norwegian. “It’s okay. They are… checking it out.”
Breathless, I scanned the hallway, wanting to know Mary was okay. I needed to see her. Not caring how it looked, I streamed towards a throng of people in one of the main hallways.
I ducked into the green room and found Mary hyperventilatingon a couch. I’d never seen her cry like this. She didn’tgetlike this. Mary Jensson was invincible, right?
I approached, leading the sea to part. People stared in confusion as I, an interloper, invaded. I didn’t care. My sole goal was confirming her safety. Clarice elbowed Alicia aside. Barry moved. Betty’s head was practically in her lap. I’d barely seen her cry and never saw her hyperventilate. She was understandably frightened, but this wound seemed deeper than a momentary scare. The woman who never got performance anxiety wasshook.
I dropped before Mary and patted her knee.
“Hey,” I said. “Are you okay?”
She looked up in disbelief.
“Bets, you… you shouldn’t be here,” she sniffled.
“No, this isexactlywhere I should be, elskling,” I said. “I want to know that you’re okay. All of you—especially Barry.”
I looked at him.
“I’m fine.”
“You saved some lives,” I said. “That thing was heavy.”
“It was, but it never should have happened. Twenty years of doing this and I’ve never seen a c-clamp just give like that,” Barry murmured.
“What could cause that?” I asked. “Is it like the mechanics not doing a checklist on a plane?”
“Probably just carelessness,” Alicia said. “Shit happens.”
“I feel terrible. We’re the hosts.” I swallowed hard.
I worried we’d be blamed and targeted for favoritism. I added anger to a list of emotions rolling through me, alongside embarrassment.
“Unless it wasn’t an accident,” Mary whispered. “What if it was intentional? What if it was… meant to hurt? Just like my ear going out.”
