Daggers and Disguises by Kenner Cielle

Author:Kenner, Cielle
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cielle Kenner
Published: 2024-10-06T00:00:00+00:00

Jack moved to the front of the auditorium, his eyes fixed on the trio. He gestured to the front row. “Come take a seat,” he commanded, his voice cutting through the tense silence of the room.

Joanna hesitated, standing near the aisle with her hand trembling near her throat. Finally, she made her way up. Frances followed, her steps measured, taking a spot beside Joanna. A storm brewed behind her otherwise calm demeanor. Robert brought up the rear. He sat slightly apart from the women, closest to the aisle.

Jack stepped up onto the stage. He spotted two folding chairs in the wings and stationed them in front of the blank projection screen.

The theater’s grand hall was empty now, and eerily silent. His voice echoed through the auditorium. “Let’s get to the truth, shall we?”

I took a seat near the suspects. My eyes drifted back to Larry's body. Sadie had quietly covered it with a clean white tablecloth from the lobby, but the heavy aura of death was palpable. It was as though Larry's presence lingered, demanding answers.

Jack let the silence stretch, a tactic I knew he used to draw out nerves and anxiety. His eyes scanned the trio, finally settling on Joanna. “Joanna, why don’t you start us off?”His voice was calm but unyielding.

She hesitated, glancing toward the stage as though it might swallow her whole. For a moment, she appeared frozen, her hand hovering near the pearls at her throat. Then, with a slow, deliberate motion, she smoothed her skirt and stepped forward. The clicking of her silver stiletto heels on the wooden floor resonated through the hall, each step louder than the last.

Jack gestured to the empty chair positioned at the front of the stage. Joanna perched on it, looking like a bird ready to take flight at the first sign of danger.

Jack allowed a beat of silence before speaking. “You were the director of tonight’s event, the one overseeing the theater and its guests. Walk me through what you experienced tonight.”

Joanna inhaled sharply, her fingers intertwining nervously in her lap. “It was like any other event,” she began, though her voice wavered at the edges. “I made sure everything was running smoothly. Greeted guests, arranged refreshments. Larry was there, of course, mingling as he always does.”

Jack’s expression remained impassive. “As he always does,” he echoed, his tone flat. “And how was he tonight?”

She avoided his gaze, staring at her hands. “He was Larry,” she said simply, a hint of bitterness slipping through. “Charming to some, boastful to others. He brought his usual bottle of wine, you know, always needing to flaunt it.” Her lips tightened, her eyes flicking momentarily toward the covered body. “He seemed on edge. More than usual.”

Jack let her words hang in the air before responding. “On edge, you say. Did he mention anything specific to you? Any concerns?”

Joanna hesitated, her eyes darting briefly to Robert and Frances, who sat in the front row. “No. He didn’t say anything outright. But he did seem a little different than usual.

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