Chapter 8 #2
"She said she thought he was being extremely hard on her and that it wasn't fair after everything she had done.
I didn't know what she meant. After she died, I wondered about the rumor you'd started, if it was actually true.
I asked Sloane about it. She said she couldn't imagine Paige cheating on me and that I should let it go.
It didn't matter anymore anyway." He paused.
"So, you're saying you never had any proof that they hooked up? "
"No proof, but suspicion," I said.
He shook his head. "I don't know what to think."
"How is it working with him now?"
"I don't work with him. I manage the ticket office and help with marketing and advertising, as I do for several other clubs in the city.
When I'm here, I work mostly with your aunt.
Hale isn't here that much except for this show, because it's the summer, and his class schedule is lighter.
He's more of a consultant than anything.
We've had little conversation with each other.
" Nate paused. "I have to admit when I realized he was a part of this, I had second thoughts about the job, but like I said, I don't have anything to do with him. "
"Second thoughts because you thought maybe Paige had slept with him?"
"I really don't see how she could have done that.
She respected his talent and his position, but she also thought he was really critical and judgmental.
I got the impression he was an egotistical ass and seeing him again brought back memories of her and those terrible days, so working with him was not my first choice.
But I do like your aunt, and I love that she's brought this theater back to life.
So, I stay away from him, and, frankly, I don't think he even knows I was with Paige. We've never spoken about it."
"So, Paige did say some negative things about Hale?"
"Sure. You had issues with him, too, right?"
"Yes. I thought he made the wrong choice when he picked Paige as the lead, and I shared that opinion with far too many people." I paused. "Let's go back to what you said about Paige needing to talk to you about something that weekend. What do you think that was about?"
"I have no idea. She was very stressed. She'd keep it together during the day, when she was in the theater, but afterward, she would snap at everyone close to her: me, Sloane, Carrie, her other friends at the theater.
We all thought it was because she was worried about the play, the pressure of being the lead.
But maybe there was another reason. I don't know if you've talked to Sloane, but she spent as much time with Paige as I did. "
"I haven't spoken to her yet, but I'm going to."
"Sloane thought Paige was acting out, too.
She said she'd gotten really secretive about her phone.
" Nate ran a hand through his hair. "The more I think about it all, the more I realize how little I knew about her actions, who she was with, what she was doing.
I trusted her not to be cheating on me, but maybe she was.
Maybe I was a fool not to consider that. "
"Did you ever ask Sloane if she thought there might be another guy?"
"I did. She was vague. She didn't give me a definitive no, and maybe that's because she didn't want to hurt me. Or she didn't want to betray Paige."
I thought about Liam and the text messages he'd shared with Paige and wondered if Liam was the one Sloane and Nate didn't know about. He'd probably hear about those texts at some point now that we were investigating, but I didn't want to bring it up now.
"Do you have any idea if she was talking to someone else?" Nate asked.
"No, I don't." I couldn't put Liam's name out there, not without more evidence. I couldn't do that to him.
"Well, maybe someone will come forward now that you're talking about Paige's death and looking for leads. I saw your last post. There were a lot of comments, but it looked like mostly internet trolls trying to drum up drama."
"There's always some of that, but sometimes we get an actual clue.
" I paused. "I just spoke to Professor Hale and also Carrie.
They were both hostile toward me, and I can't figure out where that's coming from.
If it was an accident, what does anyone have to worry about it?
And if it wasn't, then the fact that they don't want anyone looking at the case makes me wonder why.
You know both of them better than I do. What have they been saying? "
"Hale said he never liked you, that you were always a troublemaker, and whatever you're doing is only for your own gain. Carrie agreed you never did anything unless there was something in it for you," he said. "Sorry, if that's too harsh, but you asked."
"I did ask. I wouldn't have opened all this up if it hadn't been for Alina. She's the one who pushed for this."
"But it is creating interest in your podcast. So, you do get a benefit."
"I won't deny that. But Alina persuaded me that Paige's death should be looked at again, and if I can help her make that happen, then I'm going to do it. I was Paige's friend at one point. I know we were not that friendly when she died, but that doesn't negate our entire relationship."
"She was hurt when you decided you were rivals and not friends. She was a sensitive girl, more sensitive than people realized, because she was a good actress. Sometimes, I wonder if any of us really knew her, me included. Or did we just see the girl she wanted us to see?"
"I don't know."
"Neither do I. Look, I would love to see you get answers, figure it all out, so that I can stop thinking about it every year when the anniversary of her death comes around."
"I appreciate your willingness to talk to me."
"I have nothing to hide. But I do have a job here.
I also have a girlfriend, who probably won't be thrilled to have me be a part of any of this.
However, as someone who once cared very much about Paige, I would like to know why she was on that path that night and whether or not she was alone.
I will try to help if I can, but I hope you have better sources than me, because I don't know anything. "
"You were Paige's boyfriend. If you didn't know much, I'm not sure who did."
"Someone did. She wasn't talking a lot to me that week, but she was talking to someone." He paused. "I think she went to McGee's a few times that week. Have you talked to Liam about her? He was bartending there most nights."
"I did speak to him briefly. He's not interested in going down that road, especially with me. We haven't seen each other since graduation, and things didn't end well."
"Sorry to hear that."
"Do you see him at all?"
"No. I heard he has a bar in the West Loop, but I haven't been there." He pushed back his stool. "I need to get to work."
"Thanks for the chat," I said as I got up. "It's nice to talk to someone who isn't completely against this idea."
"There's one other thing that always bothered me," he said. "That detective who led the investigation. Cabot, I think his name was."
"Yes. What bothered you about him?"
"He seemed like he wanted it to be an accident, like every question led to that answer. And I didn't know why, but I couldn't shake the feeling."
"Well, he retired three years ago. Maybe the new detective will act differently."
"You should look into Cabot. See what you can find out. Just a thought."
"Okay, thanks." I followed him out of the ticket office and headed back into the theater.
Morgan gave me a worried look. "Where have you been? I was about to come looking for you."
"I was talking to Paige's boyfriend, Nate Gardiner," I said softly. "I'll fill you in later. Anything happening here?"
"Professor Hale left. So did Carrie. Jay went backstage a few minutes ago. I think Vivienne is wrapping things up."
I saw my aunt on the stage talking to one of the crew. As their conversation ended, I said, "Let's go see what time she wants to go to dinner."
Morgan followed me down the aisle and up the stairs to the stage. It felt odd to be on a stage again, to feel the warmth of the lights, see the small X's on the flooring, and the set pieces in the wings waiting to be rolled in and out.
Vivienne gave me a smile. "There you are. I wondered where you went."
"I was talking to Nate."
"Was that good?"
"He was more receptive to my investigation than anyone else," I said. "What time do you want to go to dinner?"
"I need to take care of a few things in my office. Shall I come up to your apartment in about thirty minutes?"
"That sounds good." As my aunt moved off the stage, I looked out at the rows of empty seats, feeling the memories come back once more.
"Does this feel familiar?" Morgan asked.
"It does. I kind of miss it."
"I can't imagine having to perform in front of so many people."
"The lights are often so bright you can barely see the audience. Sometimes that's easier. It's just you and the story you're trying to tell. You take them on an emotional journey with you and hope they think it's worth the trip."
"I bet you were a good actress, Tessa."
"Some of the time," I said, startled as some of the lights on the stage suddenly went out. "We should go before it gets completely dark."
As I turned to move off stage, I heard a noise, and then Morgan yelled, "Watch out!"