A First Date with Death by Diana Orgain

leave tonight. I couldn’t let his sex appeal distract me. Not to mention, he’d been callous about Aaron’s fall and likely he was probably in it for the money anyway.
    Scott climbed onto the wall and made it halfway up before Cheryl ended the scene. He rappelled down the wall and stood next to me.
    “I think we got what we need,” Cheryl said, looking to the crew for confirmation.
    “We’ll film a picnic lunch later, where you all can celebrate your ‘amazing climbs.’” She made air quotes with her fingers, clearly wanting to emphasize how pathetic she thought we all were. She turned to leave.
    Becca, who was huddled with a cameraman, called out, “Take a break, everyone.”
    The cast and crew dispersed. I looked around for Pietro. Where was he? I hadn’t seen him since he finished the climb.
    Scott joined me. “I’m sorry this isn’t actually a date. I’d love to spend more time with you.”
    I laughed. “Yeah, right. Did she put you up to the kiss?”
    “Who?”
    “The producer. I saw you two whispering.”
    “Do I look like the kind of guy who’d kiss someone if I didn’t want to?” he asked.
    “You look like the kind of guy who wants—”
    Paul stepped between us. “Hey, Georgia, can I get a moment?”
    Scott turned to me. “I’ll catch you later. We’ll drink some champagne.” He winked at me and walked off.
    Paul lowered his voice. “Is there somewhere we can talk?”
    “This way.” I guided him down the corridor toward my dressing room. “What are you doing here, Paul?”
    “You know that I’m on task force 35.”
    I eyed him. “So, you’ve been assigned? Is Aaron dead?”
    “Not dead. Coma.”
    “But it’s an open investigation?”
    “You don’t think it was an accident, do you? Guy’s equipment malfunctioning like that.”
    Nerves overtook my stomach and I struggled to identify whether it was because Paul was standing so close to me or because of what he was saying. “You think it was a setup?”
    “Yes,” Paul said.
    My breath caught in my throat. I thought about Teresa Valens. “Do you think it was intended for me?”
    Paul looked surprised. “For you? Why?”
    I shrugged nervously. “I think Teresa Valens is one of the makeup ladies.”
    He stared at me. “That’s impossible. She’s incarcerated.”
    “Can you see if she walked, got parole, appealed, something? I’m sure it’s her.”
    He cleared his throat. “I’ll look into it. In the meantime, I need you to keep the guys who were on the first date around. Get rid of the surfer tonight.”
    Anger burned the back of my throat even though I had a feeling that Nathan was in it for the money. “Why do I have to do that? I don’t have to follow your orders anymore.” Paul had always been domineering and expected me to follow lockstep. Well not any longer!
    Paul’s face reddened. “I don’t know why you’re on this stupid show, Georgia.” He looked at his feet. “I’m just here . . . I’m here to make sure you don’t ruin your life.”
    “You ruined my life when you left me standing me at the altar.”
    Before he could respond, I pushed open the door to my dressing room. A piercing scream that I barely recognized as my own sprang from my body.
    Inside the room, dangling from the ceiling fan with a noose around his neck, was Pietro.

Eight
    “S top screaming. Calm down,” Paul said.
    The room seemed to do a strange imitation of a Tilt-A-Whirl ride and I felt like I was being shoved off. I grabbed at the chair nearest me but before I could cling to it for support, Paul took hold of me and ushered me out of the dressing room.
    “Don’t touch anything. Out, out.”
    “I . . . oh, my God . . . poor Pietro,” I cried.
    As we emerged into the hall, Scott and Edward tore down the passageway toward us. “What’s happened?” they yelled.
    “What’s going on?” Becca shouted. She was directly behind them, her sneakers with the green soles glowing in the darkened hallway. Behind Becca I