“No,” Sonya said with a laugh. “All that sad talk about the past was bringing me down, so I wanted to talk about something else. I want to know more about Zwick.”
“What do you want to know?”
“Tell me, little sister. He’s not just a producer. He’s really a Russian spy, isn’t he?”
“A spy? I don’t know about that, but he did mention how he found it odd that you suddenly showed up for audition.”
“Why would that be odd?”
“How well trained you are. Almost too well trained. And when we talked about my not getting the part of Songbird, he said he absolutely wanted you in his production. He specifically wanted you.”
“I thought you said it was because you couldn’t sing that part.”
Yolanda shrugged. “He could have fixed that if he’d really wanted. I mean, it wouldn’t be the first time notes were altered to suit a singer. No. He wanted you. He very specifically wanted you. He said you could be useful. That you would be interesting to watch.”
“Interesting to watch? Me? Why?”
“Don’t ask me,” Yolanda said with a shrug. “I’m just a dumb, aspiring actress.”
“Dumb? You? No, Yolanda. Don’t say that. You may be young and naïve, but you’re not stupid. You’re a lot smarter than you think. And you are a truly convincing actress.”
Yolanda jumped out of her chair. “Oh, Sonya. You do know how to make me feel good about myself. Thank you. I needed a little pick me up.”
Sonya patted her shoulder. “Well, it’s my turn to go get ready. I’ll see you on set.” She turned to the door.
“I’ll be right along. I’ve been eager to shoot this scene for a while. It’s my favorite scene.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. This is where I tell the queen who Songbird is. You see, my character is actually the smartest in the entire film. She’s the one who figured out that Songbird was once the queen.”
“Hmm, yes, I guess you’re right. That does make her the smartest one in the entire film.That’s why you’re so convincing in your role,” Sonya said.“You’re smarter than anyone gives you credit for, sister.”
Sonya let herself out and headed to the studio. Now convinced that Yolanda knew a whole lot more than she let on, she had to figure out her next move.
But something nagged at her even more than her connection with Zwick. Yolanda had mentioned the last Empress. What did she really know?
Too much, Sonya feared.
