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Renauld seemed surprised, then met her eye. “I think you’re right. As long as we nail this next hour.” He actually managed a pleasant nod before walking out.
She stayed in the kitchen until the end of the break, then returned to the parlor for the last scene, focusing only on the job reminding herself that, no matter what happened, she was going to be the one winning the big prize.
Digg.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Caro and Mick arrived back at the Little Bohemie just as the taping of the private booth scenes began. Caro groaned inwardly at first, then realized it was just as well. They’d get the show done, and afterward, once Chief Daniel Fletcher had arrived, get the answers to the rest of their questions.
As they entered the expansive parlor, Caro instantly spied Jared and Gwen, waiting along with everyone else, including a very excited-looking Hildy. Everyone was drinking coffee and pacing around. In spite of what was happening in the real world, Caro felt a thrill of excitement. The expectation in the air was palpable as everyone speculated on who would win and who would walk away with nothing. It felt good to be part of this. She resented the hell out of the person who’d almost spoiled it all by dragging the sordidness of Miss Hester’s death into their midst.
That person. Shestillcouldn’t believe it was true, though she’d seen the damning evidence with her own eyes.
“Where’s Renauld and the rest of the crew?” Mick asked Jared, keeping his voice low.
“Getting ready for the big reveal.”
“How’d the private interviews go?”
“I don’t know. I can say nobody was actually in private. Nobody has been left alone since the murder.”
“That’s good.”
“Yeah,” Gwen piped in, “especially good for my china. Somebody kept breaking it but not fessing up!”
“The studio will reimburse you for any and all damage,” Caro assured her. “It’s in the contract.”
“She knows,” said Jared. “Believe me, she’s keeping a list.”
“Where is our esteemed celebrity host right now?” Caro asked, wanting to know where everyone was before Daniel arrived.
“Joshua Charmagne? I think he’s in his room, as usual,” Gwen said, “on the phone with his agent who’s supposedly getting him a major movie deal worth ten million.”
Right.
“He’ll be down soon,” Jacey added, “probably just in time to demand a fresh pot of coffee and a freshly baked croissant.”
Caro wouldn’t be surprised, given the demanding nature of their guest star.
She took Mick’s hand, squeezing it, sensing he was every bit as anxious about the delay as she. But there was nothing they could do except wait for the chief of police.
He gave a resigned sigh, then asked, “What’s this final showdown?”
Caro quickly explained the procedure.
“So,” Mick asked when she’d finished, “they’re with Renauld and the camera operators in one of the third-floor suites—I assume it’s not the one where the real murder took place?”
“Correct,” Caro add, shivering at the thought. “The tech crew is there, too. No one’s left the inn today at all.” She shot Mick another look that urged him to be patient.
“Uh, no, actually the tech crew’s not there,” said Jacey. “Renauld’s orders—camera operators, contestants and him, that’s it. Nobody else.”
Caro instantly asked, “So where’s Charlie?” Then, before Jacey could answer, Caro realized whatelsewas seriously wrong with this picture. “Wait a minute, what areyoudoing here? Why aren’t you in on the taping?”
“That’s the answer to your first question—Charlie’s covering for me. Renauld and I agreed that I should back off at this point. Just in case.”
Good grief, Jacey and Renauld had agreed on something, and she hadn’t been around to see it. “That was probably a good move.”
She felt Mick touch her shoulder. He nodded toward the door. Beside them, Jared and Gwen also watched with interest as Chief Daniel Fletcher entered. He was in full uniform and looked both serious and determined.
