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“That’s right. Did you go inside?”
“Well, I…” Ralph didn’t see any point in admitting his over-active imagination hadn’t let him get two feet beyond the door. “I started to, you know. Then I saw how there were lights on that aren’t supposed to be on. I thought it was smarter to stay out here and…be guarding the door, like.”
“Good thinking.” Roarke crouched down, studied the locks, glanced up idly at the security camera. Its indicator light was off, and it shouldn’t have been. “Do you usually work alone?”
“Oh no, sir. But since, you know, the building’s closed because of that guy getting dead and stuff, my super asked one of the cleaning crew to volunteer for light maintenance. With the whole deal on opening night, nobody ever got to cleaning the bathrooms and stuff. The super, he said how the cops gave us clearance to go back in since they got what they needed already.”
“Yes.” Roarke had been informed only that morning that certain areas of the building were not cleared.
“We’re not supposed to pass the police barriers onstage or back. Super said they’ll give you a bitch of a shock if you try to mess with them.”
“Super is quite correct.”
“So, I’m just supposed to deal with the bathrooms is all. I popped for it ‘cause I can use the money, you know?”
“Yes.” Roarke straightened, smiled at the boy. “I know very well. Well then, Ralph is it? We’ll just go in and see what’s what.”
“Sure.” There was an audible gulp as Ralph stepped inside behind Roarke. “You know, they say a murderer always returns, like, to the scene of his crime.”
“Do they?” Roarke’s voice was mild as he scanned the area. “You’ll learn there’s very little always in the world, Ralph. But it’s possible they could be right this time around.”
The rooms beyond the anteroom were dark, but there was a backwash of light shining up the stairs from the lower level. Roarke started down, tucked a hand in his pocket where he’d slipped a small, illegal-for-civilian-use stunner when he’d gotten the call of a potential break-in.
He followed the glow toward the under-stage area.
He smelled home brew, the just-going-sour punch of it, and a nasty undertone he recognized as death.
“Yes, I’m afraid they’re right this time,” he murmured, then turned the corner.
“Oh, shit. Oh, man.” Ralph’s voice jumped over the words, and his eyes goggled at the figure dangling from a stout length of rope. “Is that a guy?”
“It was. If you’re going to be sick, there’s no shame in it, but find another place.”
“Huh?”
Roarke glanced back. The boy’s face was sheet white, his eyes going glassy. To keep it simple, Roarke simply pressed a hand on Ralph’s shoulder and lowered him to the floor. “Put your head down, take slow breaths. That’s the way, son. You’ll do fine.”
Turning from the boy, Roarke walked to the hanged man. “Poor, stupid bastard,” he thought aloud, and took out his palm ‘link to call his wife.
“Dallas. What? Roarke, I can’t talk to you now. I’m up to my neck here.”
“Speaking of necks. I’m looking at one now that’s been considerably stretched. You’ll need to come to the theater, Lieutenant, lower level. I’ve found another body for you.”
• • •
Death demanded routine, even if the primary investigator’s husband discovered the body.
“Can you identify him?” she asked Roarke, and signaled for Peabody to record the scene.
“Quim. Linus Quim. I checked the employment records after I called you. Head stagehand. He was fifty-six. Divorced, no children. He lived on Seventh—alone, according to his file.”
“Did you know him personally?”
“No.”
“Okay, stand by. Peabody, get me a ladder. I don’t want to use this one until we’ve done a full sweep. Who’s the kid?” she asked Roarke.
“Ralph Biden. One of the janitorial team. He was going to work solo today, saw the stage door was unlocked, and called it in.”
