Deadly Exposure. Cara Putman
dressed to be alone.” He glanced toward the box. “Seems like a strange place for this to happen.”
“Why would you say that? I’ve heard of stranger things.”
“Maybe on CSI. But the theater is packed. Not a place I’d pick.”
Dani shook her head. “Maybe not. Here’s my card. If either of you think of anything, call.”
She stepped back as Caleb waved the couple into the room. She scanned the foyer looking for others to talk to. No way was she stepping into a small space with him. It didn’t matter how many other people were there.
Dani headed to her box and left the curtain open so she could watch the lobby. Maybe she’d be able to talk to someone other than Caleb when the other cops arrived. Her toes tapped the wall in front of her as she sat next to Aunt Jayne, her mind racing with everything she should do. Her aunt reached across the empty seat and placed her hand on Dani’s knee.
“It’ll be okay, child. He can’t hurt you anymore.”
Based on the jolt of electricity that hit her each time she saw Caleb, Dani doubted anything would be okay until she returned home and left the madness. The faint sound of sirens pierced the night. The sound sharpened until it stopped altogether. Rotating blue and red lights reflected off the foyer’s floor-to-ceiling windows. She braced herself for the whirlwind the next few minutes would bring. Especially after the police learned a reporter discovered the body.
Those left in the lobby pressed against the windows, watching the police vehicles. What on earth were they doing outside?
Finally, a man in a dark suit, probably a theater employee, marched up the broad staircase. He wiped a few strands of hair across the top of his head as he looked behind him. Several uniformed policemen trailed at a determined pace.
“This way, Officers.” The man pointed toward the box with a jerk of one arm while he wiped his brow with the other.
“We’ve never had anything like this happen before. Excuse me. I must announce the show won’t continue.” Without waiting for an answer, he hurried off, mumbling under his breath. He wrung his hands in despair like the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland.
Caleb walked toward the officers, his dark hair standing at odd angles, as if he’d raked his fingers through it. Dani slipped from the box to watch.
“Glad you guys could make it. The body’s in that box.” Caleb stepped around the security guard and poked his head past the curtain. He turned to the guard. “Anyone else been in here since you arrived?”
“Nope. I’ve kept it cleared.” He puffed out his chest.
Caleb turned to his men. “Ford, see if there’s anyone still around to interview.” He turned to another officer. “Get the box taped off. Denimore and Westmont, I’ve got a room with several people for you to interview. It doesn’t look like they know anything, but we can hope. Let’s see if we can piece together what happened while we wait for the crime scene techs.”
Caleb squared his shoulders as his calm gaze landed on Dani.
“I’ll come talk to you in a few minutes.” His voice was deeper than she remembered with a timbre that made her quiver even as her stomach clenched. “Where’s your seat?”
She nodded toward the open doorway. He considered her a moment, then turned away.
Dani fought relief. “My aunt is with me, and I really need to get her home. Can’t we talk now?”
“You’ll have to wait a few minutes. Besides, I doubt you’ll leave until after we do. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He didn’t wait for an answer before turning his back. “Maybe Tricia can help.”
Tricia? His sister? Was she the woman he’d brought? Her traitorous stomach eased at the thought that he hadn’t brought a date after all. She stared at Caleb’s back, hands clenched, and then turned as movement caught her eye.
“Hi, Dani.” A young, willowy woman approached. “Remember me? Caleb’s kid sister who wouldn’t leave you two alone? How can I help?”
How could she forget? They’d even been friends. “Aunt Jayne’s with me, and I’m sure she’d appreciate company.” Dani led Tricia to box B. In no time, Tricia and Aunt Jayne were chatting like old friends. Dani tried to ignore them in favor of the foyer and Renee’s box.
“Everything okay, Dani?” Aunt Jayne’s eyes reflected concern.
“It will be.” As soon as she didn’t have to see Caleb anymore. She eased into a plush chair to dig through her evening bag in her lap for her cell phone. Dani glanced at the screen and this time saw bars of service. She dialed the station.
“Hey, LeAnn. I need Andy pronto.” Andy Garrison produced the ten o’clock news and demanded the details of any news event fifteen minutes ago.
“Hey, kid. Exciting night at the theater.” Andy’s raspy voice scratched her ear.
“You have no idea.” Dani twisted the purse strap in her lap with restless fingers.
“The news of a body hit the scanner. You still there?”
“Yep. The police won’t let me leave.”
“Just tell ’em you’re media. They’ll be more than glad to see you go.”
“Not this time.” She squinted at the techs working in the victim’s box.
“What happened? You didn’t kill her, did you?” Andy’s rapid questions made Dani smile.
“Of course I didn’t kill her. But I found her.”
“Okay.” He quieted, and Dani imagined him processing the information. “You holding up?”
“I’m fine. This isn’t the first time I’ve seen a body. Just the first time I’ve seen one first.”
“What can you tell me?”
“I had a brief conversation with her before the show started.” Dani walked Andy through the night. “Nobody heard or saw anything. And the police won’t like the fact that so many people invaded the box. It’ll make evidence collection a nightmare.”
“Hmm.” Rapid-fire tapping on a keyboard echoed in the background. “As soon as the police let you go, find our truck. It should be there now. If the police harass you, give me a call. We’ll get the station’s attorney there ASAP.”
Dani fiddled with a knot in her purse strap. If she did her job right, the attorney wouldn’t be necessary. “I’ll keep you posted.”
“Talk to people and make sure you connect with Logan. We’ve got a story to prepare.”
Dani closed her phone, returned it to her purse and looked toward the other box. She rubbed the back of her neck. How could she take care of Aunt Jayne and deliver the story Andy expected? So much for a night off.
Investigators bent over the body in the taped-off box. A bright flash lit the scene as one photographed it. Another scribbled in a notebook. She wanted to look over his shoulder, see what required careful notes.
Caleb stood in the corner and anchored the controlled chaos. He looked even better than he had as an eighteen-year-old kid, and that thought rankled. Maybe if he wasn’t so jaw-dropping, she’d have moved on.
No, she couldn’t move on because of the lines they’d crossed. Color flooded her cheeks at the memory of what she’d willingly given him. And then he’d left. Without a backward glance. She’d prayed he’d call, show any indication he remembered her. Then she’d spent years trying to forget and move on. With one glance, all of that was swept aside.
The emptiness she’d fought flooded back in. She wrapped her arms around her stomach and doubled over, fighting memories of the baby being ripped from her arms. Did the baby have his green eyes? Did she have Dani’s blond hair?