“Is this a common thing?” I asked. “Are you sure no one missed a check?”
“We have a checklist and it was vetted an hour before call time, ma’am. I could provide it if you’d like.”
My blood ran cold. That suggested foul play. It was all there. Mary looked at me, tears welling. I had to defend her somehow. She needed validation more than ever and my gut told me something was wrong. I had the power to do something, so I rocked the boat and played my cards.
“I would like my team to see them. I’d also like a full investigation into possible foul play. Sir, it would look quite bad for us if something else happened. Have you investigated that possibility?”
“Ma’am that was mentioned, yes,” he said.
“Well, for my family’s sake, I would like you to pull the tapes to be sure there was no foul play in the interim. This reflects on Norway as a whole. It’s disturbing to think about, but… I need to feel safe there, too. If I don’t, my uncle will be?—”
“Of course, Your Royal Highness. His Majesty can rest assured that we are doing all we can. For now, we have locked down the stage area so only performers within their time slot and hosts have access to the stage area. No managers or assistants.”
I gathered he thought this was all very odd as well. Mary wasn’t mad. She was just thinking like someone who had likely been burned dozens of times. I hoped my action furtherunderlined how much I loved her. She was mine—part of the world I longed to protect.
“I appreciate that,” I said. “I mean, it’s terrible to think itcouldbe the case and I’m sure I’m just a bit paranoid, but… ithashappened before.”
“Unfortunately, ma’am, it has. Now, we’re going to finish our checks. After that, we’ve pushed the broadcast an hour. So, you’ll be the last act before the deliberation.”
“That’s good. Thanks,” Alicia said.
Mary nodded, still badly shaken.
“Are you okay to perform?” I whispered.
“Yeah, woman. That was frightening. No pressure,” Barry said.
“Barry, I should ask you,” Mary insisted. “You almost died.”
“This feels targeted at you,” Barry confirmed he believed her. “That’s why I’m asking.”
Mary shrugged. “I always suck it up.”
I made eye contact with Barry. There was a shared understanding that Mary’s past abuse and performance under duress left her feeling obligated to step back on stage, but there was a real concern it could cause further trauma and potential breakdown.
Clarice squeezed her knee. “If you cannot perform, no one will blame you, Mary. We love you. Please choose yourself if that’s what you need.”
Mary’s eyes welled. She took in her bandmate’s faces, then mine. “I can do it. I just need to take a breath.”
Sensing she needed a break, I broke protocol in a bigger way.
“Can we walk?” I asked. “Would that help? It’s crowded. And you’ve got some time. As do I. They’ll come get me when they’re ready.”
“Bets, is that really a good idea?” Mary asked, keenly aware of the eyes on us.
“I don’t really care,” I said. “Would it helpyou?”
She nodded.
I stood, extending a hand. “Okay. Let’s take a beat, then.”
She nodded bravely and followed me to the hall. Kaldi and her cameras waited.
“She needs a minute without cameras, okay?” I asked. “This is real life. Please give her some room.”
Kaldi wasn’t upset and agreed. “Of course. We’re so sorry that happened. Take a moment.”
The crew nodded in agreement, retreating.
