“Agoraphobia?” I suggested, even though I already knew that was just a lie Gil had fed them.
He nodded. “He said it wasn’t really bad but that he basically had to force her to come with him to rehearsal or to see a play. I assumed he finally gave up trying because he stopped mentioning it about a year ago.”
“Anything else you guys can tell me about Tiffany?” I asked.
They all shook their heads.
“Really, we barely knew the woman,” Brigette said. “She seemed polite enough but clearly not interested in acting. The couple times she came with Gil, it was obvious she’d rather be somewhere else. If I had to guess, it’s been two years or better since she’s been here.”
“Lil?” I questioned the one person who hadn’t volunteered anything.
“Me?” she asked. “I’m not really part of the troupe. I work for the theater during the day—simple maintenance and janitorial. I volunteered to help some with the props because I’m good with a hammer and screwdriver and well, I found it all interesting. But I don’t travel with them and only come to rehearsal if I’m needed for prop stuff. Usually, I work on things during the day when I have the spare time to tinker.”
“What about the other members of the troupe?” I asked. “Were any of them friendly with Gil after rehearsal or performances?”
They all shook their heads.
“I can’t think of anyone that he talked to outside of rehearsal,” Paul said. “The people here tonight are what you’d call the regulars. A lot of the other actors drift in and out, taking the best gigs they can get, and that’s not always with us. The others that are most consistently with us on tours are mainly married couples, and they tend to stick together.”
“And what about the security cameras?” I asked. “I understand they’re not working.”
“That’s correct,” Brigette said. “The system is an old one to begin with and the owner of the building simply doesn’t see the point in upgrading. It’s always been spotty with recording and even when it works, the feed is grainy.”
“So it’s not completely broken,” I said. “Just unreliable.”
“Yes,” Brigette said. “But according to the owner, it stopped functioning the week before and he hadn’t noticed. Nothing has ever happened here so he said he’s not in the habit of checking it. I’m sorry but we really need to get on with our business for the night. Gil’s…absence requires some changes and we don’t have long to get them implemented.”
“No problem,” I said. “I appreciate the time. Let me give you guys my card. If you think of anything important, please give me a call.”
We headed off the stage and I paused at a wall with several pictures hanging on it. I assumed they were inventory since the wall itself didn’t look like a prop, but the painting at the bottom looked just like the one Gil had in his hallway.
“I guess this is where he got the idea for that tacky painting,” I said and shook my head.
We headed down the hallway and Gertie snorted.
“I’m surprised that uptight Brigette even allows something that crass in her production,” Gertie said.
“She’s definitely got the snooty thing down,” Ida Belle said. “So are we heading home?”
“Not just yet,” I said. “I’d like to park across the street and watch when they leave. If possible, I want to catch Gwyn on her own.”
“You think she knows something?” Gertie asked.
“Did you see the look Brigette threw at her when I asked if Gil ever discussed his personal business with any of them?” I asked.
They both shook their heads.
“You think Gil confided in her,” Ida Belle said.
“Yeah, and I think she had a thing for Gil,” I said.
Ida Belle whistled. “You might have found your other woman.”
Chapter Sixteen
I had no idea how long the meeting would take but figured it would be lengthy, so I was surprised to see them exit the theater thirty minutes later. Brigette had that controlled look on her face but I could tell it was masking anger. Paul looked as if he’d been whipped but I had a feeling that was probably his default expression. He didn’t seem to be a person who stood up for himself on a regular basis. Lil just hurried to her car, her head down, and pulled away, Paul close behind her.
Gwyn looked worried and stopped to talk to Brigette at her car. I couldn’t see their lips, so no way of getting anything from the conversation, but by the shaking of heads and body language, I could tell the talk wasn’t pleasant. After arguing with Gwyn, Brigette jumped into her car and pulled out of the parking lot at a fast clip. Gwyn stood there several seconds, staring after her, her expression one of utter confusion.
“Make your move,” I said to Ida Belle.
She fired up the SUV, glanced to make sure she had the clear, then crossed the street and came to a stop next to Gwyn, who was unlocking her car. She stared at the SUV, clearly startled, and I realized since she couldn’t see through the tinted windows, we’d probably just given her a slight heart attack. Ida Belle must have realized it as well and rolled down her window. Gwyn’s shoulders slumped and she let out a huge breath of relief.
“Sorry,” Ida Belle said. “We didn’t mean to startle you, but I can understand why you would be.”
“Yeah,” Gwyn said and I could tell she was still a little flustered. “I guess I’m kinda on edge after what happened.”
I leaned across the center console.
“We’d like to talk to you alone, if that’s okay,” I said.
“Here?” she asked.
“That’s certainly not required,” I said. “Is there a coffee shop nearby that you like?”
She nodded and pointed. “Just around the corner to the right. It’s two shops down. This time of day, there’s usually parking in front. This area tends to clear out fairly early.”
“Okay,” I said. “We’ll meet you there.”
Ida Belle pulled away and I watched to make sure Gwyn was coming behind us. There was plenty of available spaces, so Ida Belle pulled in right in front and Gwyn parked next to her, then we all went inside. The place was empty except for one other occupied table, so we headed for the other side and sat in a corner. A waitress came by to take our order and we all put in for coffee and I asked for a plate of beignets for the table.
“Thanks for talking with us,” I said after the coffee was served.
Gwyn nodded and fiddled with her napkin. “I’m not sure what I can do to help, though.”
“I think you might know something about Gil that’s important,” I said.
“Like what?” she asked.
“Like your relationship with him,” I said.
Her eyes widened. “We didn’t have a relationship. I mean, we were friends, but that’s it.”
I sighed. “Gwyn, I’m going to share with you a little bit about my past. I’m a former CIA agent. Do you know what one of the first things we’re taught is?”
She shook her head.
“How to tell when someone is lying,” I said. “Now, either you can tell me or I’ll shame it out of Brigette, citing propriety, because I think she knows as well and she’s unhappy about it.”