Page 12 of Silent Home

"Look, we've already doubled security at every venue.I've got people monitoring all entrances, checking credentials.Give me until tonight—let me handle this in a way that doesn't create mass hysteria."He spread his hands."The killer has been targeting specific people, not random festival-goers.A controlled shutdown is safer than having hundreds of panicked people rushing for the exits."

"I can shut this festival down right now," Sheila said."I can exercise my emergency powers and—"

"And we'll have chaos," Rider cut in."Think about it—all these people suddenly displaced, crowding the streets, overwhelming local hotels.How much harder will that make your job of protecting everyone?They'll just spill out into the broader community, where they'll still be vulnerable."

Sheila studied his face, weighing his words.Much as she hated to admit it, he had a point.People weren't ready for this sudden change, and the chaos created by suddenly forcing everyone out might actually give the killer more opportunities, not fewer.

"Fine," she said."You have until tonight.But I want those security arrangements in writing.And if anything else happens before then..."

"Understood," Rider said quickly."I'll have the shutdown protocol on your desk within the hour."

Sheila let out a heavy sigh, wondering if she would regret agreeing to this.Still, she didn't feel like she had many options.

"Can we get back to Jessica?"Finn asked."You were talking about Bradley crossing lines."

Rider nodded and held up a hand to indicate he remembered."Look, I don't want to speak ill of anyone, but after Jessica didn't get the role, there were...rumors.About why she kept meeting with Bradley.About what might have been promised in those meetings."

"What kind of rumors?"Finn asked.

"Last week, she requested a private meeting with the festival board.Said she had concerns about ethical violations during the production of 'The Winter Palace.'The meeting was scheduled for tomorrow morning."

Sheila felt her pulse quicken."Did Greenwald know about this meeting?"

"I didn't tell him."Rider wiped his forehead again."But in a festival this size, word gets around.Especially when someone's reputation is at stake."

A burst of laughter from the smokers made them all jump.The group was heading back inside, still debating the merits of various filming techniques.

"Bradley's documentary premieres tonight," Rider said quietly."It's already being called his masterpiece.The timing of all this..."He met Sheila's eyes."I should have said something sooner.About the rumors, about Jessica's concerns.Maybe if I had..."

"Mr.Rider!"The production assistant was back."Bradley Greenwald's people are on the phone.They're asking about security arrangements for the Q&A."

Rider closed his eyes briefly.When he opened them again, his professional mask was back in place."Tell them everything is being handled.No need to worry about a thing."

The production assistant lingered, uncertain."And the power issues?"she asked in a low voice.

Rider smiled tightly."That's been addressed.No need to worry."

"Power issues?"Finn asked as the production assistant retreated.

Rider shrugged."Power's been finicky all week, especially in the Art House.Not sure why."

"We'd like to be at this Q&A," Sheila said.

"Of course, of course.Whatever you need."

As Rider hurried back inside, Finn touched Sheila's arm."You thinking what I'm thinking?"

"That Bradley Greenwald had a lot to lose if Jessica talked?Yeah."She checked her watch."The Q&A's in ninety minutes.Think that's enough time to dig up everything we can on 'The Winter Palace' production?"

"Only one way to find out."Finn was already pulling out his phone."I'll call the film commission and see what permits were filed.You want to talk to the rest of the cast?"

Sheila nodded, her mind racing.Someone had posed Jessica's body like a scene from a film—not just any film, but one that represented both her greatest disappointment and potentially her last chance to expose whatever had really happened during its production.

That couldn't be a coincidence.

The question was: had Bradley Greenwald arranged this twisted tribute himself?Maybe as a way of silencing Jessica and sending a message to anyone else who might try to cross him?

Either way, Sheila intended to find out.

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