The party was already in full swing when the hostess arrived. The guests milling around the torchlit patio broke into applause when Belinda appeared.
“Thank you, everybody, and thank you for coming to Curtains Up tonight.” Belinda beamed as she looked around. “It’s so wonderful to have you all here to celebrate.”
“You’re the best, Belinda,” shouted George Essex, the actor who had played Davis.
“Brava,” shouted another, and the crowd clapped again with enthusiasm.
“Well, all of you, make yourselves at home,” Belinda called. “Let’s eat, drink, and be merry.”
While the waitstaff circulated with trays of canapés, Victoria sought out her hostess and friend.
“It’s a terrific party, Belinda,” she said, “a fitting celebration of your triumph tonight.”
“Our triumph tonight,” said Belinda. “I only interpreted your words, my dear.”
Victoria inhaled on her cigarette. As she exhaled, she smiled. “It is sweet, isn’t it?”
“Like honey.”
The two women toasted each other, softly touching their martini glasses. Victoria speared her olive with a toothpick and slipped it in her mouth. As she chewed, she noticed Gus, beer in hand, surveying the crowd. He looked in her direction and nodded. Victoria lifted her glass.
“You’re always so democratic, Belinda,” Victoria whispered to her friend. “Inviting the help and all.”
Belinda’s eyes followed Victoria’s stare. “Oh, you mean Gus. You know, I invited him the first year he came to work here just to make him feel comfortable. I guess he assumes he’s always invited.” Belinda took a sip of her cocktail. “It’s fine, though. What’s one more body?”
“Especially when it’s as good looking as that one,” said Victoria. “But you know, Belinda, after I saw Gus leave in his truck this afternoon, I took a little trip across the meadow. I was going to tell you tomorrow, but I don’t think it should wait. What I found wasn’t good.”
“What is it?”
“I think he’s running some sort of drug business out there in the woods.”
Belinda frowned as Victoria described what she had seen. “If those boxes down there don’t contain drugs, there has to be something else in them that he doesn’t want anyone to know about,” she finished. “Why else would he go to all the trouble of stashing them in that cave?”
“That’s all I need.” Belinda groaned. “‘Drug Operation at Belinda Winthrop’s House.’” She made imaginary quotation marks in the air. “Entertainment Tonight and Inside Edition would be all over that.”
“Don’t forget People and the Star,” added Victoria.
“I’m going to have to call the police,” Belinda said.
“If you turn him in to the police, you risk a lot of negative publicity, Belinda.”
“What else can I do?”
“Well, maybe you could just tell him you’re letting him go. Then he’ll have to pack up and leave.”
The buffet table was laden with platters and chafing dishes filled with two summer pastas, Asian pork with a pungent wasabi, spiced ham, and chicken wings with hot sauce.
“Keith, please go ahead and get yourself a plate,” said Belinda.
The director patted the empty seat next to him. “Sit down and talk to me for a minute, Belinda.”
“All right.” She sat at the round table. With most people in the buffet line, she and Keith had it to themselves. Belinda’s eyes were drawn to Keith’s waist. “I like that tie on you,” she said. “Leave it to you to wear it in a way that nobody else would think of.” The red silk tie that each male guest had been given as a party favor was threaded through the loops of Keith’s khaki trousers.
“Nice belt, huh?” Keith smiled and, lifting the champagne flute to his lips, downed the bubbly. “You were wonderful tonight, Belinda.”
“Devil in the Details is a team effort, Keith. We can all be proud.”
“Yes, usually I’m in knots waiting to see the reviews. Tonight, I know I don’t have to worry. But one thing…” He paused.
“What is it?” asked Belinda.
“One thing that would make the night absolutely perfect would be to hear that you will sign on for the movie version.”
Belinda closed her eyes. “Oh, Keith, please, not now.”
“Why? Why don’t you want to do it, Belinda?”
“I just don’t, that’s all.”
“Is it the money? I’m sure that can be arranged to your satisfaction.”
“No, Keith. It’s not the money.”
“Well, what is it then? You said you would. What’s made you change your mind?”
“Why do you insist on pursuing this, Keith? Can’t you just understand that I don’t want to do the movie and leave it at that?”
The director erupted, letting his glass drop and shatter on the stone patio. “Damn it, Belinda. You owe me a better explanation than that. I’ve gone out on a limb, promising potential investors you’ll do the movie.”
Bending down to pick up the broken glass, she said in a whisper, “You shouldn’t have done that, Keith, and I don’t owe you anything.” She stood up, with shards of glass in her hands. “Since you insist, I’m going to tell you. If you have to know the truth, it’s you.”
“What do you mean?”
“I just can’t work with you again. It’s too hard.”
“So if someone else was directing the movie, you might play the role of Valerie for him?”
“Yes, Keith, maybe I would.” Belinda turned from the table and walked away.
On her way back from the buffet line, Meg overheard the end of the conversation and witnessed Keith’s anger. She was going to have some interesting things to write about in her journal tonight.