The expressions on everyone’s faces as we sat once more around Anya’s sitting room, drinking hot chocolate and tea from room service, were grim.
“And then as we were moving toward her, she slipped and fell,” Frank finished, his face full of regret. “And that’s everything that happened tonight.”
Anya, who had washed off her makeup and was sitting in jeans and a sweatshirt, sipping herbal tea, looked shaken. She was still reeling from the discovery that Zolo had died trying to protect her, and that her supposed best friend, Harmony, had helped Vivian try to hurt her on numerous occasions. She’d been relieved when we told her that the bomb threat was a total fabrication— but it wasn’t much comfort after a monster of a night. The awards had ended in chaos, and news reports were full of stories with theories about what really happened. Still, we were keeping the truth quiet until the police could verify everything. Right now, they were questioning Harmony at the local precinct.
“So it was Vivian the whole time,” Vance piped up, as though he was just putting it together.
“That’s right,” I said. “She thought Harmony should have the Deathstalker role, and she got a little . . . obsessed . . . about it.”
Buzz shook his head. “I couldn’t believe it,” he said. “I mean, she actually tried to kill me and I still have trouble believing it. She was like Harmony’s grandmother!”
Jaan nodded. “I think it will take us all awhile to accept the extraordinary events of the last few weeks,” he said, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
Vance turned to Anya, who was sipping her tea pensively. “Listen, Anya,” he said. “I really am sorry for lying to you this week, leading you on.” He glanced at Stan. “It may have been something I was asked to do, but I realize now that I should have said no. I knew how much you’d been through on this shoot, and I only made it worse.”
Anya looked at Vance, her blue eyes lighting up in pleasant surprise. “Thank you, Vance,” she said, and I could hear the sincerity in her voice. Then she smiled. “We probably wouldn’t have made such a great couple anyway.”
Vance looked confused for a second, but then he smiled and laughed. “Fair enough,” he agreed. “But I hope you do find that special someone.”
I glanced over at Stan, who’d been silent through this whole exchange. He was staring off into space, his tea untouched before him. He looked truly uncomfortable—like he was sitting on a tack. After a moment, his eyes focused and he looked around the room, leaning forward. “Listen,” he said. “Everyone, I have an announcement to make.”
We all looked in his direction.
“I’m suspending production on Deathstalker, the movie,” he said with a sigh, “effective immediately.”
Vance sat up in his seat. “No, Stan!”
Meanwhile, I noticed that Anya and Buzz looked relieved—if not exactly surprised.
Stan held up his hand. “Listen. I’ve put a lot into this movie, and I know you all have too. Many of you have literally put your blood, sweat, and tears into this production.” He paused, looking around at Jaan, Anya, Buzz, and Vance. “But I know when I’m beat. Zolo is, unfortunately, gone. I can’t imagine Harmony will finish the movie. We’re so far over budget, there’s no way we can recoup that money. And after the public disaster at the awards tonight, no one will be able to watch this alien movie without thinking about a crazy murderer loose in a theater full of stars.
“Besides,” Stan went on, his expression softening as he looked at Anya. “I know the personal toll this has taken on you. Anya, I’m so sorry for pushing you to do things you didn’t feel safe doing. I’m sorry for manipulating you with the Vance thing, and making you feel like you weren’t the right actress for the part. I realize all of that was unfair. I got so caught up in making a hit movie, I forgot about the human part of moviemaking.”
Anya looked at him. She didn’t look touched, exactly, but she nodded. “Thank you for your apology, Stan.”
He gave her a tired smile. “You’re a firecracker, kid. I know you’ll be a star one way or another.”
Anya laughed. “Maybe,” she said, taking another sip of her tea. “Right now, I just want to go home. Maybe do some yoga. Relax.”
We were all quiet for a minute. Finally Jaan stretched and stood up.
“Well, this has been quite the trying night,” he said. “Personally, I’m fatigued. I’m going to return to my room.” He looked at Frank and me. “Can I speak with you boys before I go?”
I glanced at my brother; we both nodded and got to our feet, following Jaan into the hallway. He turned to face us, sighing deeply.
“Thank you, gentlemen,” he said, shaking his head. “I admit, this case was more all-encompassing and bizarre than I could have imagined, but you both were diligent and brave in protecting Anya. I truly appreciate that.”
I nodded. “That’s what ATAC is here for, sir.”
He smiled. “And you can be sure I’ll be telling your supervisor how impressed I was,” he replied. “Now, I need to slumber. I’m too old for this excitement, that’s for sure. Perhaps I should take this as a sign from the great beyond that I should return to my artistic indie films.”
“If I might ask, Jaan,” Frank said, “what will you do next?”
Jaan looked thoughtful. “I’m undecided,” he admitted. “I think I require a long vacation to clear my head. I have friends who have a little hut in Bora Bora; perhaps I’ll go there and meditate.”
I glanced at Frank. “That sounds nice.”
Jaan nodded. “You never know where your creative muse will lead you, boys,” he said, clapping us both on the shoulder. “It’s been my distinct pleasure to meet you. Perhaps fate will allow us to meet again.”
“Perhaps,” I agreed. But after all the insanity we’d been through on this set, I had a feeling my brother and I would be looking for less stressful assignments.
Like swimming through pools of live piranhas.
You know, something easy.