CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

TWENTY FOUR
Any good producer knows to pay attention to
the sound of his general manager’s voice. I was wide
awake immediately and answered.
“Yes, Tony. I’m here. I’ll be right down.”
Tony met me at the foot of the stairs to the
mezzanine. He greeted me with good news.
After questioning two or three members of
each group – chorus, stage hands, musicians and
so on, it soon became evident to the detectives that
these people had no contact to speak of with Danny,
and even less motive to murder him.
The detectives
huddled, compared notes, then asked everyone who
had direct dealings with Danny to stand up. They
sent everyone else home. The lead and supporting
actors, stage manager, music director, choreographer,
the various designers and a few other folks who had
consulted with Danny in person remained behind.
“All the lawyers left, too, except the ones from
SSDC and Equity. Detectives Swiecki and Gallagher
are questioning David right now. He’s the last one.”
“David Belasco?” I said, still out of sorts from
my unusual slumber.
Tony laughed.
“David Belasco? Hah! David what’s-his-name –
the carrot top, Danny’s assistant.”
“Oh right. Sorry. Still waking up I guess.”
“I had a long talk with David. I want you to speak with him, too. He feels we can finish the tech tomorrow, Saturday and Monday, have dress rehearsal Tuesday and go into previews on Wednesday. We gave everyone an eleven o’clock call for tomorrow morning. Losing Danny is a tragedy but it’s not going to be a disaster for the show. It’s a set back but we’re already getting past it. David’s a very smart young man. I’m confident that, with our production stage manager to help keep the actors in line, and with you or me on hand to back him up, David can run the show through previews and implement any changes -- which he says won’t be necessary, just tweaking.”
Tony clapped me on the shoulder.
“We’re still in business, Gus. Today might have been expensive but it won’t break the bank. I’m going to contact the unions tomorrow and get this nonsense straightened out.”
“Good stuff, Tony. You just reminded me, though – I asked Jacob to deal with the unions.”
I fished in my jacket pocket and brought out my Blackberry.
“He was supposed to call me but I turned off the ringer. I was only planning a catnap.”
I thumbed the Blackberry and lit up the time.
“It’s almost seven. I’d better check my messages and see if he called.”
Among the dozens of attempts by a variety of people to contact me, I found Jacob’s voice mail, email, and a text message – all saying that I should contact him right away, no matter how late. I called his cell phone and he soon filled me in.
The unions had backed off their demands that I pay the attorneys. As long as I was willing to pay the company members a day’s pay each, everything was fine. I assured him that was no problem. The two detectives found me in the lobby as we wrapped up the call.
“Mr. Windham, we’d like to thank you, personally and on behalf of the department, for your cooperation today,” said Gallagher.
“Someone from the commissioner’s office downtown is going to make some inquiries tomorrow about these union lawyers. You having to pay them don’t sound right at all,” added Swiecki.
“Thank you both, detectives. It appears my attorney resolved the union issues, though I appreciate the offer of help. If it turns out otherwise or the unions renege, may I have someone contact you? I don’t think that’s going to happen, of course, but you never can tell. Anyway, it’s only money. What’s important is that Danny’s murderer be found. We can’t have some killer out there on the loose.”
“That’s our main priority right now, Mr. Windham,” said Swiecki.
“How did it go for you today? Did you get any leads?”
“We were able to eliminate a lot of people in a few hours. I never had any idea that a Broadway show employs so many people,” said Gallagher.
“Right now we’re pretty sure nobody in your show is involved. We’ll let you know if that changes but I don’t think so,” said Swiecki. “We gained some insight into the victim’s work habits and there’s plenty to follow up from the interviews. Again, thanks for your cooperation. If any information should come your way regarding the case, you know how to contact us. Anyway, we’ve taken up enough of your time. So thanks again.”
I shook hands with both detectives and they exited the lobby door to the street. I went back into the theater. Some work lights were on over the stage. The house lights were dark.
I called out, “That looks like it for today, Joe. I’m leaving now. Thanks for everything.”
The disembodied voice of the seemingly eternal and omnipresent Joe answered from backstage.
“Yes sir, Mr. Windham.”
I exited into the street through the lobby, making sure the door slam locked behind me.