“She was four months pregnant,” Jack said. “Did she happen to mention that?”
I thought he might be sick. His lips went white and he tried to get to his feet, but he stumbled and caught himself on the coffee table.
“Mr. Trest,” I said, coming to my feet in case he was going into cardiac arrest. “Take some deep breaths for me.”
He tried to stand again and his chair toppled over backward. This time he just let himself go to his knees on the floor.
His mouth moved wordlessly and I looked at Jack, concerned we might need to call an ambulance.
“Pete,” Jack said. “Do you need medical attention?”
“Imposs…impossible,” he croaked out. “It’s impossible. Juliet couldn’t have children.”
“Sometimes the impossible happens,” I said, softly. “If you’d like to do a paternity test we can see if the baby was yours.”
He nodded wordlessly. “Yes,” he said. “Yes, I’d like to know for sure. I don’t know what else to say.”
“You can think back over the last several weeks,” Jack said. “Conversations you and Juliet might have had. Someone targeted her. They sent her flowers and signed your name. She thought she was going out in the alley to meet you. Do you have a record of everyone who buys tickets for the show?”
“It’s done through the website,” he said. “If they paid online there’s a record. They can pay cash at the box office. We don’t keep record of those.”
“Do you have cameras at the box office?” Jack asked.
Trest licked his lips and looked around, as if wondering how he’d ended up on the floor. “Yes,” he said. “We have one inside the box office and outside since we take cash. She thought she was meeting me? Pregnant.”
“We’re going to find out who did this to her.”
“I never wanted children,” he said. “But somehow it feels different to think of it as mine. I’ll do whatever I can to help you. But I think I need to be alone for a little while.”
“We’re very sorry for your loss,” Jack said.
“It’s loss that makes art great,” he said. “That’s what I’ll hold on to.”
Chapter Six
“What was your initial impression?” Jack asked after we’d gotten back in the car.
“My initial impression?” My lips twitched, and I glanced at him. “He’s got a magnetic personality. Like you. He knows how to work a room. Perform. But he’s selfish at the core. I don’t like him.”
Jack barked out a laugh. “Tell me how you really feel.”
“Hey, you asked!”
“You’re right,” he said. “I’ve met him a couple of times before, but never talked to him for long. But I’m in agreement with you. I don’t like him either. There’s something off there.”
“Maybe it’s the narcissism,” I said dryly. “Do you think he could’ve done it?”
“Anyone can kill someone depending on the situation,” Jack said. “We both know that well enough. But as to whether he murdered Juliet, I don’t know. He could’ve been acting. Or he could’ve been so self-absorbed in his painting that he really didn’t notice she never showed up like she was supposed. I definitely don’t think he knew about the baby.”
“No, I don’t think so either,” I said. “How old do you think he is?”
“Mid-fifties, maybe? Probably around the same age as her husband.” Jack did a U-turn in the street. “Let’s head over to the theater and see if anyone is there. Let’s see what the security cameras have to say.”
There were still blockades up leading into the alley, but the patrol cars were gone since the scene had been cleared. Jack flipped on his lights and parked right in front of the theater.
“I don’t see anyone,” I said, looking in through the glass doors.
Jack knocked and we waited a few seconds. “I can have Betsy call the manager and get someone here to get it open for us. We’ll need a warrant for all the credit card purchases anyway.”
We were just turning away when a face appeared in the glass. Jack held up his badge and the harried man nodded and unlocked the door.
“I thought you were more reporters,” he said, ushering us inside. “I was about to give you a piece of my mind.”
“I’m glad you didn’t,” Jack said, putting the guy at ease, and then he held out his hand and introduced himself. “Sheriff Lawson.”
“Rick Early,” the guy said, shaking Jack’s hand. He was a couple of inches shorter than Jack and thinner through the shoulders and hips. He had freshly cut blond hair and his face was shaved smooth. His eyes were pale gray and intelligent, and his jeans and sweater crisply pressed.
“I’m the theater manager,” he said. “The police told me I could finally come inside about an hour ago. We were supposed to tear everything down this morning and all the actors were supposed to clean out their dressing rooms. We’ve got rehearsals starting tomorrow for the next show. Or they’re supposed to start tomorrow. I think we’re going to have to delay. I’ve been trying to call Mr. Trest, but I haven’t been able to get through.”
“We just came from there,” Jack said. “He told us you’ve got cameras in the box office. Could we take a look at those?”
“Oh, yeah,” Rick said. “Sure. Security room is right over here. It’s kind of small.”
“How long is the feed recorded?” Jack asked.
Rick unlocked a gray utilitarian door and propped it open. “It recycles automatically after seventy-two hours.”
“Are there cameras in the alley?” I asked.
“Unfortunately, no,” Rick said. “Mr. Trest just focuses on the trafficked areas or where we keep money. We had an employee walk off with all the cash once, so that’s when the cameras were installed. I guess you never think you’ll have to worry too much about this kind of stuff in a place like Newcastle.”
“Can I see the feed for yesterday?” Jack asked.
“Sure,” Rick said. “I can pull it up. I’ll make you copies of the last three days to take with you.”
“I appreciate the help,” Jack said.
“Oh, sure,” Rick said. “It’s no trouble. We all want you to catch this guy. Everyone knew Juliet.”
That caught my attention. “Did you know her well?”
“Not really,” Rick said, his eyes focused on the monitor in front of him. “But I’m not sure anyone really did. She was kind of one of those women who was always at the center of attention, but still seemed kind of lonely. Maybe Mr. Trest knew her better than anyone. Or Dan. He’s the director here, and Juliet has been in a lot of his productions.”
“You knew about Juliet’s relationship with Peter Trest?” Jack asked.
“Oh, sure,” Rick said, fast-forwarding through the feed and slowing it down every time someone bought tickets. “I don’t think it was a secret though. They never bothered to hide their relationship.”