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“Yes.”
“We’ll be home soon, darling.”
She knew what he meant. Home didn’t mean everything would be all right. It meant a quiet place to break down and cry, a safe place for explanations and interrogations. She steeled herself as they made their way across the side stage, but when Cain pushed back the curtain, she reeled in shock. There was no body on the stage. The spot where Ivan had been lying was empty. If it wasn’t for Cain’s strong arm around her shoulders, she might not have stayed upright. She glanced at Cain as he steered her forward, but he maintained a blank face. Johnny and Quentin stood on the stage in deep discussion. They looked up when Alice and Cain neared.
“There you are,” Johnny said, rushing toward them. “What’s going on? I came as soon as I could.”
Alice surveyed the area. There was no blood on the floor, not even a single drop.
Cain didn’t miss a beat. “Have you found Ivan?”
“No.” Johnny dragged a hand through his hair. “I barely got home when one of your team members called and told me Ivan had been attacked in the theater, but when I called Kate on the way here, she told me Donald had said Ivan had gone to some bar. Then she called me back after speaking to his bodyguard to say Ivan wasn’t in the bar, any longer. Now he’s missing. He’s not at home, and he’s not here.”
“He was here earlier,” Cain pointed at the floor, “on this very spot. I thought I saw a man with a knife and didn’t want to take any chances.”
“Good God!” Johnny turned to Alice. “Were you here? Is this true?”
She managed to keep an unfaltering voice. “Yes, I’m afraid.”
“What were you and your friends doing in my theater, Cain?” Johnny asked suspiciously. “And what was Ivan doing back here? I told him to go home.”
“We came to see Alice because she was upset,” Cain said. “I wanted to take her home.”
“Ivan must’ve taken off.” Johnny addressed Quentin. “Get your men to search the whole building. Nobody is going home until we’ve searched everywhere. If someone is hiding in here, I want him found.”
“Yes, sir.” Quentin pressed on a mike in his ear as he walked away from them, already giving orders.
“I’ll have to call the police back in,” Johnny said, a note of concern in his tone.
“Don’t worry,” Cain said. “I’ll keep it quiet.”
Johnny pinched the bridge of his nose. “That’ll be most kind. We can’t afford another security issue. We’re dead as it is.”
Quentin returned and gave Johnny a nod. “My men are going through the building as we speak. If there’s someone, we’ll find him.”
“Jesus.” Johnny propped his hands on his hips. “I’m getting too old for this.” He looked at Alice. “You look like you could do with a drink. You’re as white as a ghost.”
“It’s…” She cleared her throat. “Not a good night for me.”
“Sorry about earlier.” Johnny made a face. “I don’t know how to say this but…”
“I’m not going to sing.” Alice managed a smile while everything inside her was falling apart. “I guess it wasn’t such a brilliant plan, after all.”
“What plan?” Cain asked.
“We hoped that Alice singing with Ivan would save the theater from going under,” Johnny said. “The way things are going now, I’m not even sure we have a star for tomorrow night’s performance.”
A loud sob escaped Alice’s lips. She pressed her hand against her mouth, looking away so Johnny wouldn’t see the tears in her eyes.
“Hey.” Johnny touched her arm. “Are you all right?”
“I better get her home,” Cain said.
“Good idea.” Johnny turned to Quentin. “Let me know if Ivan turns up. I’ll be in my office.”
“I’m sorry,” Alice whispered.
Johnny smiled. “Don’t be ridiculous. It’s not your fault. You did your best. Go home. We’ll figure out something to say. Tomorrow is another day.”
Alice allowed Cain to escort her to the foyer where security let them out on Quentin’s command. Donald was pacing up and down the street, walking holes into the concrete. When he saw them, he rushed over.
“Where’s Ivan?” he asked Alice. “I dropped him off at the bar, and the next thing I know, Kate calls me saying Johnny said Ivan is here and someone is about to kill him.”
“We don’t know where he is,” Cain said. “Alice has been through a lot, tonight.” He moved around Donald. “I’m taking her home.”
“Yeah.” Donald looked apologetic. “I’m sorry about the show. Kate told me.”
Alice ducked her head, unable to hold back her tears, any longer. At least everyone would think she was upset about the show. Right now, she could hardly think straight. She just needed to get away.
Lann waited in the SUV farther down the street. Inside the vehicle, Cain put his arm around Alice and cradled her head on his shoulder.
