Free Cover Spell by T.A. Foster Page A

tapping noise intensified, and the man with the mustache cleared his throat. “Let’s get started.”
    The gaggle of reporters waved their hands in the air and bounced around like popcorn kernels on a hot stove, trying to garner the attention of the speaker. He ignored their attempts and looked at his note cards.
    “I’m Frank Sanders with the New Orleans Police Department. Thank you to the hotel for accommodating our press conference this morning. We can all be grateful we’re not out in that rainy mess right now.” He glanced through the lobby windows as the rain splattered the glass. “I’d like to preface this briefing by stating there will be no questions taken this morning. I have a few statements to make.”
    He eyed the circle of people diligently taking notes, holding recorders, cameras, and microphones.
    “As some of you may have heard, Miss Emmy Harper has not been seen since she was on the set of a movie she was filming yesterday. The movie company, her coworkers, and the New Orleans PD are asking the public for any information they might have on her possible whereabouts. We do not believe at this time that any foul play is involved, but nonetheless, we would like to locate Miss Harper. If you have any information or have seen her in the past twenty-four hours, please call the tip line set up by our station. We will hand out an information service number to members of the press to distribute for us. On behalf of the department here in New Orleans, I’d like to thank you all for your help. Again, we’re not taking any questions. Thank you.”
    He flipped the red button on the back of the microphone, and the low hum in the speaker silenced. Ignoring Mr. Sanders’s repeated statements, the reporters peppered him with Emmy Harper questions.
    “Who was the last person to see Emmy?”
    “Is the movie shut down permanently?”
    “Is it true Emmy Harper’s in Paris?”
    “Is this just a publicity stunt to drum up interest in the movie?”
    Frank Sanders’s expression did not change. He turned his back to them and instead huddled with the small group behind the podium. Officers from the New Orleans Police Department ushered the reluctant-to-leave journalists out of the hotel and onto the wet sidewalk. The cluster of reporters was slow to disband, leaving a few undeterred zealots behind. It would only be a matter of hours before the national paparazzi would flock to the city now that the Emmy Harper story was a public headline.
    Finn patted one of the other New Orleans detectives on the back and strolled over to meet me behind the palm.
    I lowered my voice so no one would hear us, and leaned in toward Finn’s shoulder. “What is going on?”
    “I wanted to talk to you before the press conference started, but they were eager to get it over with. Emmy still hasn’t shown up on anyone’s radar or on social media, which I guess is unlike her. They are launching a soft investigation. I’m afraid the movie is going to be on hold until she’s found.”
    I unlocked my folded arms and was about to ask what I could do to help when I saw the same officers who had herded the reporters into the rain guiding Masquerade’s leading man through the lobby. I darted around Finn and over to Evan.
    “Wait. Wait.” Evan nodded toward the officers, and the small escort service halted so I could speak to him. “Where are you going? Are they taking you in?”
    I looked down at his hands and was relieved to see they were handcuff-free.
    “Darlin’, they just have a few questions for me. I want to help anyway I can. I want to find Emmy. Don’t worry. I’ll be back before you finish a cup of coffee.” He squeezed my shoulder, but I didn’t feel comforted.
    He smiled as the officers prodded him through the side corridor. At least they weren’t forcing him to exit the hotel through the main entrance. Some of the reporters were still trolling in front of the revolving door.
    I walked back over to Finn and the palm, but