broken.
Or not so simply.
Bending closer, I saw what looked like chisel marks in the cement, as if a tool had been worked into cracks to weaken the structure. But who would do such a thing? And why?
The notion that I was being watched came over me with such certainty that I backed away from the balcony and ran inside. My gaze roved from one side to the other, but the room was empty. Except for the portrait of Carlita.
I could have sworn there was a hint of satisfaction in her smile that hadn't been there yesterday.
As soon as the medics were gone, I found Federico alone in the suite of rooms he was using with Jovan. The model was scheduled to arrive on the set any minute. She'd had a fashion shoot in Milan, so her scenes had been pushed back.
"Come in, Sarah Booth." Federico sat wearily in a chair before a cold fireplace. "What a day. The medics seem to think that Joey will be fine. His right arm is broken and he's badly bruised. They'll know for certain that there's no serious damage once they run some tests."
"I'm glad to hear that." I hesitated. The subject I wanted to broach wasn't going to be pleasant. "I looked at the balustrade, Federico. It's possible someone deliberately weakened the structure."
His eyes widened and he rose slowly to his feet. "Are you saying this wasn't an accident? That someone deliberately set out to hurt Joey."
"Maybe not Joey." It had occurred to me that had Joey not fallen, it might have been me. The script called for me to lean out into the breeze, letting it lift my hair and blow my dressing gown against my body while Ned watched from the lawn below.
He took my meaning instantly. "You think you were meant to fall?"
I frowned. "I don't know. It doesn't make sense. But something isn't right."
"This house has been empty for several years. It will be Estelle's on her wedding day, but until then, I've neglected it. I sent a cleaning crew out last month to prepare for the film, but before that, no one lived here." He paced as he talked. "Perhaps this happened when the house was empty, or somehow the cleaning crew did something."
I didn't disagree. Both scenarios were possible. "I'm not afraid, but I am concerned. I think you should hire some security here."
He stopped pacing and nodded. "You're thinking of Suzy, aren't you?"
"Two serious falls, one of them fatal. Yeah, it's an easy link to make." I saw the worry etch itself more deeply in the lines of his face. "There probably is no connection, but I heard what Suzy said at Michael Mainheim's party."
He dropped his gaze. "I'm sorry, Sarah Booth. You shouldn't have heard that."
"She felt I stole this role from her." I gave a wry grin. "I know what that feels like, and it isn't very nice. She was upset."
"Six years ago, I would have cast Suzy as Matty. But her time for that role passed. You
are
Matty, Sarah Booth. I've told you this before, but it bears repeating. I didn't give you anything you didn't deserve."
His words were high praise, but they didn't answer the question of what Suzy was doing out in Lettohatchie Canyon. "Do you really believe Suzy was climbing around that canyon because she and Bobby Joe Taylor are friends?"
He shook his head slowly. "I don't know. Suzy did say Bobby Joe was working on a script with her in mind."
Then it was possible she'd come out to the mountain to talk to Bobby Joe without knowing he'd let Graf and I stay in his place for a few weeks. But she never knocked on the door. She was climbing the ravine. It didn't wash.
"Suzy's death troubles me. Now Joey is hurt." I didn't have to go further. Federico took my hand and pressed it.
"I'll hire the security company now. Ricardo can check out several agencies and find the best one."
"I think that's a wise decision." I found a smile and pasted it to my face. Federico had enough to worry about. If someonewas up to something on the set, maybe the presence of security guards would put a stop to it.
I awoke from a nap to discover that the entire day
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