A Corpse in a Teacup by Cassie Page Read Free Book Online Page A

He extended his hand and said, “You must be Miss Wood’s er . . . “
    He paused and Tuesday thought if he says, mother, I’ll slug him. She quickly filled in . “Friend. I’m just a friend.”
    He clearly had trouble digesting the names . He repeated them. Miss Holley Wood and Tuesday. “No last name?”
    “No. Just Tuesday.”
    He shook his head as if to clear it of some sticky residue that was gumming up his thoughts. “Okay then, Miss Wood . What can we do for you?”
     
    As Tuesday feared, Holley began a convoluted tale of auditions, scripts, plot points, personal growth and, for some reason, Tuesday’s recommendation that she go off sugar. So she stepped in.
    “Officer Fugate. Miss Wood received a frightening call last night from a man who told her to withdraw from a film project.”
    Holley offered, “And then he called back and said he would kill me.”
    “Kill you?”
    “Yeah, if I told anyone about his calling me . But I had already called Miss Tuesday and so I was really worried. And then I find out that Ariel Cuthbert who is also up for the part is dead. Well, I guess she was up for the part. She isn’t anymore.”
    “Can you give us that name again, ma’am”?
    Holley complied and his partner said, “Yeah, we got that one this morning.”
    Tuesday couldn’t name the sense of danger washing over her . Perhaps it was because she feared the officers would nail them for not notifying the police right way. Perhaps they would realize as Tuesday just had that Holley would benefit from the actress’s death and accuse her of murder. Oh no. If she hadn’t insisted that Holley call the police, they wouldn’t be on her trail. So she said, ”We immediately called you. Well, Miss Wood did.”
    “But not last night.”
    Tuesday leaned forward. “I beg your pardon?”
    “You didn’t, ra ther Miss Wood here didn’t report this last night when the calls actually came in and we might have been able to do some work on a trail still warm. Can you explain that? Why it took you so long to let us know about these threats, after a death that may or may not be connected?”
    Tuesday started to answer , but the cop stopped her. “Miss Wood can speak for herself. Can’t you Miss Wood?”
    Holley gave him a doe-eyed, uncomprehending smile. “Yes, of course . I can what?”
    “Why didn’t you notify us when the calls came in.”
    Holley started to cry. “I was so scared. He said he would kill me. And I didn’t know that Miss Ariel had died. I didn’t know what to do so I called Miss Tuesday. She always guides me. Reads my tea leaves. She has a gift.”
    Tuesday groaned . She hated having to explain her calling to the unbelievers, especially those in authority. But this was worse. These two cops could like them for the murder as fast as you could say I see a tall handsome stranger coming into your life.
    “Tea leaves . Yeah, I bet she has a gift. Tell me, Miss Wood. Are you sure it was a man who called you?”
    Holley gave him a little wink, her flirt switch still on. “Officer, I know the difference between a man and a woman.”
    “I’m sure you do . But did the voice sound at all familiar?”
    She shook her head making her ponytail dance around her shoulders.
    “Do you know any reason why anyone would want to threaten you?”
    “Well, except for the camera guy who is mad at me because I won’t go out with him. He keeps calling me, so I’d know his voice. And really, he’s harmless.”
    The t wo officers gave each other wondering looks. “Tell us about this guy. What’s his name?”
    Just then, a cell phone rang. The officer nearest Holley signaled it was his. He answered it and after listening to the caller for a few mumbles, gave the high sign to his partner.
    “We need to go now, but someone from our homicide squad will be calling you. Don’t leave town.”
    Holley said, “Oh I can’t leave town . We haven’t wrapped on the alient movie yet.”
    The officer said, “The what? What’s an