I’d killed them both and the only price I had to pay was the guilty blemish now darkening my soul.
Something Wretched On Broadway
Eve
Something sinister is lurking on Broadway. The production of the Broadway musical,Wretched, has been plagued by a string of—what some might call—suspicious deaths.
The notorious Broadway darling, Cheryl Baudin, died under mysterious circumstances in—what was at first called—an accidental exposure to a serious allergen. After further investigation, police uncovered the epinephrine she always carried was missing, and foul play is suspected, though no arrests have been made.
Now, mere weeks after losing a star of the show, the stage manager, Nick Prewitt, was found dead in the rehearsal studio. Police have remained tight-lipped as to the circumstances surrounding Prewitt’s death.
While they blame the power outage for security camera malfunctions, the rehearsal studio is being questioned about security protocol. In response to questions, Muse Studios has reassured us they have added security and more cameras to ensure the safety of cast and crew members.
When asked if there was a new serial killer on the loose in the city, Detective Montoya said, “While we can’t label this the work of a serial killer yet, we haven’t ruled out the idea that it’s a possibility.”
The opening night forWretchedhas been postponed by two weeks, but producers have reassured us the production will still hit the Broadway stage this season. With multiple murders and an ongoing police investigation, one thing is for certain; there’s something Wretched on Broadway.
IdroppedthenewspaperBen had set in front of me back onto his table.
“They think it could be a serial killer? This is insane,” I said.
Ben huffed noncommittally. “What’s insane is that you’re still going back to rehearsals.”
I checked my watch, realizing I needed to leave in the next five minutes if I was going to make it to rehearsal on time. There was still talk of the possibility of shutting down the production, but none of us wanted to see that happen.
“The building added more security during rehearsal hours.”
“I know. I still don’t like it,” he grumbled.
I sighed, standing up from the table. “Thanks for breakfast.” I moved to put away my dishes from the pancakes Ben had made.
“Are you spending the night again tonight?”
His question hung in the air.
We’d spent the entire weekend at his place, and now we needed to get back to work. Back to reality. I couldn’t keep living in this little bubble where Ben and I pretended to be more than we actually were.
I’d let him comfort me this weekend. After finding Nick’s body, we both needed the reprieve we gave each other. But now it was Monday, and it was time to face the facts.
Ben wasn’t my boyfriend. I couldn’t keep depending on him like this. It wasn’t fair to him. And being around him so much was messing with my head.
I shook my head. “No, I’ll go back to my place. I’m sure Brian is wondering if I’m still alive.”
Ben’s smile faltered, but he nodded. “Okay. Text or call me when you get done rehearsing. I’ll worry about you otherwise.”
“Sure,” I said, giving him a quick peck on the cheek before heading out the door.
When I arrived, the studio was quiet. There was an almost morose air as if we were rehearsing in a morgue.We were all hanging by a thread of sanity, trying to keep it together.
Scarlette came in a few minutes late, her bag slung over her shoulder.
Blake pushed his way between me and Warren. “There’s uniformed officers downstairs,” he whispered. “I overheard them talking. It sounds like they’re here to arrest someone.”
“Who?” Warren and I asked at the same time, both looking Derek’s way.
“I didn’t hear a name, but they said something about having found evidence in their locker.”
We were about to start rehearsal when uniformed officers walked in, taking Ed aside. They spoke in hushed tones. Ed scratched at the scruff of his beard and shook his head before waving toward Derek.
