“Yes, third base—he had a hell of a time figuring out how to get my front-fastening bra undone.” She chuckled. “But I didn’t let him undo my jeans.”
“Up top is second base, sweetheart. Third base is copping a feel in a southerly direction, and, well, you know what a home run is.”
“Oh, ha, I guess I had it mixed up. Did I hear you talking to your dad on the phone?”
“Yes. He wants me to bring him some Vernor’s and a beef pasty from the market. Like he doesn’t have enough food from the Tuesday Ladies.” He rolled his eyes. “Which means he’s feeling lonely, so I’ll sit and chat with him for a while.”
“That’s all right—I’ll just ride over to the theater with Susie and let her look for the bracelet, and then I’ll walk back to your house. It won’t be dark for hours.”
“He’ll be disappointed not to see you, but that’s probably the best option. We don’t want poor Susie to get in trouble with her mother-in-law.”
When Susie and Gordon came out of the book signing, Vivien explained the situation.
“I’ll text when I’m leaving to walk home,” she told Jake, giving him a swift kiss. “Give that to your pop for me, all right?”
“As long as you save a home run for me,” he murmured in her ear. “See you in a little bit.”
* * *
A short while later,Vivien unlocked the door to the theater. She had to admit that she was a touch worried the ghost might act up with the Wallabys there, but she was hoping that since she’d figured out what was going on, the ornery ghost would have no reason to do so.
Either way, her plan was to get in and get the Wallabys out—hopefully with the bracelet—in record time.
Dr. Wallaby had a flashlight in his car, and, along with Vivien’s, they were able to shine around in all the dark corners of the places where Susie had been until, at last, she pounced with a relieved cry.
“Here! Oh, thank God, Gordy, now I can visit her without worrying about lying,” she said.
“That makes two of us. Thanks much, Vivien. I’ll look forward to seeing you for a cleaning once you get settled. You do have a beautiful smile,” he added as he and his wife went to the door.
“Are you coming now?” Susie asked. “Would you like us to give you a ride wherever? I heard you don’t have a car right now.”
“Thanks, but no—I’ve got a couple of things to take care of here, and it’s a very short walk to Jake’s house. It’s not even five o’clock.”
Once the Wallabys were gone, Vivien went into the backstage area to see if she could find any other photographs fromThe Nutcracker—and bitterly regretted having thrown away the old playbills and programs. There might have been some clues or information in them, for each actor would have a bio and a photo in the program.
She was digging through a drawer in what would be the stage manager’s desk when she thought she heard voices.
“Hello?” she called, and walked out onstage.
“Oh, hello, Vivien,” said Melody Carlson. She was helping her father walk down the main aisle. “I’m so sorry—I hope we’re not bothering you. Did you find Susie’s bracelet?”
“Yes, we did. Can I help you with something?” Vivien asked, feeling a little confused.
“Oh, yes, I’m sorry—it’s just that my dad really wanted to see the place again, and I heard you talking with Susie and knew you were going to be here…and since Dad doesn’t get to get out much, I thought we’d just stop in so he could look around. Sort of a nostalgia thing.”
“Oh, well, that’s fine,” said Vivien as a prickling swept over the back of her neck. She looked around, hoping the ghost wasn’t going to get impatient and start acting up. “I didn’t realize your father knew the place.”
“Oh, yes, he used to be here all the time, didn’t you, Daddy?”
Vivien had stepped off the stage by now, getting close enough to greet them—and close enough to see the way Mr. Carlson’s eyes suddenly sharpened with lucidity as he looked around the space.
“This…here…” he said, gripping his daughter’s arm tightly.
“Yes, Daddy, I know,” she said, giving Vivien an apologetic look. “Why don’t you sit down right here in the front row so you can watch the show?”
As Melody helped Mr. Carlson settle uneasily into his seat, Vivien got a good look at him and started. She’d just seen that face—albeit twenty-five years younger—when she was poring over the Nutcracker cast photo…
“You were here,” she said without thinking. “During theNutcrackerproduction, the last—”
