Cait blinked back tears as she reached in her pocket for her cell and phoned RT. When RT got there, he looked at the body and called Detective Rook. Fortunately, Rook was in his office catching up on paperwork when RT called. Ten minutes later, Rook drove up in an unmarked car, and several police cruisers with bar lights flashing parked behind him along the side of the driveway.
“Cait, I’m sorry,” Rook said when he jumped out of his car. “I notified the sheriff’s department. I’ll try to get more officers for surveillance until the bastard who did this is caught.”
She pointed down the row where she stood. “He’s down there. Blame Wally Dillon. I talked to Shep earlier. He’s sending Wally’s mug shot.”
A van pulled up and parked. “That’s the crime scene technicians,” Rook said as he went over to talk to them.
Cait watched two women in police uniform step out of the van; one carried a camera and both carried what looked like black tackle boxes. Rook led them to the body.
June and Jim ran over to Cait. “What happened? We saw flashing lights.”
“It’s Chip . . . he’s dead,” Cait managed to say.
June gasped. Jim wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “Oh, my God.” She glanced at the police cars. “Someone murdered him?”
Cait nodded, surprised June had jumped so quickly to that conclusion. She watched one of the techs photograph the body and surrounding area; the other tech had pulled a pad and pen from her pocket. The narrow row made it difficult for them to move around as they juggled their equipment. They measured the body from head to toe before outlining it with orange spray paint and setting out tent cards.
Cait watched the techs methodically going over the area, collecting evidence, but never touching the body. The taking of another life never failed to shock her. She had been standing there watching the techs for what seemed a long time when Rook joined her. Distraught, Cait asked, “Why Chip? He was a nice man and a great actor.”
“I think Mr. Fallon was in the wrong place at the wrong time or was killed as a warning to you,” Rook said. “It could have been anyone who got in his way.” He stripped off his latex gloves and shoved them into his jeans pocket.
She glanced up and saw Marcus running up the driveway.
“Cait! I was afraid something happened to you when I saw all those lights and police cars,” Marcus said when he reached her. “What’s going on?”
She cleared her throat. “Chip Fallon is dead.”
“What? The guy who plays Hamlet? Well, shit. At least it’s not you,” he said. “There’s a police car below on the road. The officer wasn’t going to let me up until I showed my ID and said I worked here. I had to park on the side of the road.”
RT walked over and put his arm around her waist. Grateful for his comfort, but feeling smothered physically and mentally, she drew away. “Shep is emailing Wally Dillon’s mug shot.” Her fingers flexed at her sides, anxious to get the photo but not wanting to leave the crime scene. “Wally’s twenty-two, with a long rap sheet dating back to when he was eight. Shep said to consider him armed and dangerous.” She uttered a feigned laugh.
“Can we eliminate Calder Manning now?” June asked.
Cait shook her head. “We can’t eliminate anyone. When I told Shep about the AK-47 shooting, he said Wally has to have connections in the Bay Area.”
“He could also have stayed in touch with a former cell mate,” Rook said.
“Are you thinking two suspects?” June asked.
“At least,” Rook said. “Wally’s got help. Those hang-up calls were only the beginning.”
Cait frowned. “A computer geek must have gotten both of my phone numbers for him.”
“I can check your email if you’d like and make copies of the mug shot,” Marcus said.
“Thanks. That would be helpful.”
“I’ll go to the office with you,” Rook said. “I want enough copies to hand out at the station and some for the sheriff’s department.”
Cait noticed Kurt Mathews standing off by himself and walked up to him. “I’m sorry, Kurt, that it had to be you who found the body.”
“But it’s your vineyard,” he said. “That sucks. I’ll be back tomorrow. I came today to check the roses along the driveway and at the edges of the vineyard. Roses are susceptible to many of the same diseases as grapevines and are an excellent bellwether for problems that could hit the vineyard.” He glanced over the rows of grapes. “At least the body wasn’t there long.”
She nodded. “See you tomorrow, Kurt.” She turned when she heard a vehicle backfire as it came up the driveway. “Oh, no. Not Ray. That means the actors will soon follow.”
“What the hell happened now?” Ray said as he and Jay climbed down from the truck.
Before Cait could answer, another vehicle drove up.
“That’s the coroner,” RT said.
“Rook said he’d called the sheriff’s department. Maybe they were already in the area, to get here so fast.” She glanced at Ray and thought his face looked drained of color. She touched his arm. “Ray, Chip is dead. I’m sorry.”
Ray stared hard at her and then turned to walk away, but when two deputies opened the back of their van, he stopped to watch as they went over to talk to the techs.
Cait knew the coroner’s deputies could take a long time fingerprinting, gathering body fluids, hair, and fibers, and she didn’t want to hang around to watch. She’d seen it all before and didn’t think it would be wise for Ray or Jay to see the process or the removal of Chip’s body. “We have to talk, Ray.” She glanced at RT. “You want to join us?”
“Of course. From now on, we’re like two peas in the same pod. I’m not letting you out of my sight after what’s happened here.”
“You could be called back to work any time. Don’t worry. I’ll be okay.”
“I’ll be at the theater,” Ray said. “I don’t know how to deal with this, but maybe keeping busy will help.” He started to walk away.
Marcus looked at Detective Rook. “I’ll let them into the theater and then meet you at the house.”
“Ray,” Cait called after him, “We’ll have to cancel the play.”
“Not yet. I’ll think of something.”
While Rook waited at the house for Marcus, Cait and RT followed the Harts to their RV. “Tell me about Kenneth Alt,” Cait said when they were inside the trailer.
June’s jaw dropped. “You think Kenneth killed Chip?”
“I don’t know, but I heard him arguing with Chip last night. Personally, I think Alt is an ass, but that doesn’t mean he’s capable of murder.”
June looked out the RV’s pop-out window as if in deep thought. A perplexed expression crossed her face. “Unfortunately, you’ve only seen the nasty side of Kenneth, when he’s being an arrogant bastard.” She glanced back at Cait. “But a cold-blooded murderer? No way. I’ve known him a long time— since he and Tasha had a thing going in New York. They were lovers. Did he tell you that?”
Cait cocked her eyebrow. “No, just that they were very good friends.”
June nodded. “He was younger than Tasha and terribly ambitious. He was twenty-two, she was almost thirty. Nothing, not even Tasha, could stand in his way, and she was a great force to deal with even then, believe me. Over the years, he’s built a respectable reputation throughout the theater community. He would never in a million years jeopardize that.”
“Then why is he here? Why come to this small festival in Livermore when he’s going to direct Hamlet on the bigger stage at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival?”
June sighed. “I wish I had an answer for you, but like it or not, he’s the only one here to take Chip’s place.”
Cait nodded. “I haven’t processed that yet, but you’re right. Should I come straight out and ask him?”
June shook her head. “Not yet. Give him the opportunity to offer to step in when he hears about Chip. Granted, Kenneth’s ego is huge, but at the same time, he’s a professional. He’ll do the right thing.”
“I hope so,” Cait said, “because the matinee is at two o’clock.”
“How soon before the actors return?” RT asked.
“Maybe they’re here now,” Cait said.
“The old timers never show up until just before curtain call,” June said, “but that may not be the case here. Most of these actors are younger and happy to hang out. I enjoy talking to them. They respect you, Cait, for carrying out Tasha’s wishes for the festival. You don’t have to worry about them. Actors are independent and capable of managing for themselves quite nicely.”
“Maybe, but wait until they hear about Chip. I suppose it’s up to me to give them the bad news. I hope I can find the right words.”
RT rose and gently touched Cait’s shoulder. “I disagree. It’s Ray’s responsibility. He’s the stage manager. He should also handle any calls from Actors’ Equity.”
“RT’s right,” June said. “Talk to Ray, and see what he thinks is best. Most actors are emotional people, so don’t be surprised if they want to hear from you, too.”
“Wait here,” RT said, “while I check on Niki and see how Rook and Marcus are doing with Wally’s mug shot.”
After RT left, Cait asked, “Anyone know where to find Kenneth Alt?”