Free The Body in the Cast by Katherine Hall Page Page A

members who needed to eat early or were waiting for trays. I admit it is impossible.”
    â€œYet it must have happened that way.”
    â€œWe would have noticed, believe me. Even if someone palmed the stuff and dropped it in the soup while we weren’t looking, he or she would have to have stirred it to mix it in and then have repeated the whole thing at the other table.”
    Charley looked glum. When more than a minute had passed, Faith tentatively asked the question that had been on her mind since he’d told her what had happened.
    â€œAre you going to have to close me down?”
    â€œI’m supposed to. You know the law as well as I do, probably better.”
    â€œYes, except this was not a result of the caterer in question’s actions. I mean, we’re not talking salmonella chicken or spoiled mayonnaise here.”
    â€œSort of what I said to the Department of Health.”
    â€œAnd they said?”
    â€œThey agreed—after a while. But whether the movie people still want you …”
    â€œIt would be perfectly understandable if they didn’t. I just don’t want to be shut down. You can’t imagine how grateful I am to you, Charley.” Faith would have thrown her arms around the chief, but he wasn’t the hugging kind.
    Charley still had the notebook out. He was thinking out loud. “A fire and food poisoning—all within the same hour. Could be one of those movie people is some sort of lunatic. You ever notice any of them behaving more strangely than the rest?” Charley took it for granted all of them were demented in some respect—otherwise, they wouldn’t live in California. Faith had observed this regional chauvinism in Charley, and other Alefordians, on numerous occasions. New York City
was the worst. Make no mistake about that, but L.A. was definitely in the running.
    â€œNo, I can’t say I’ve seen anyone wandering around talking to lampposts. The only slightly maniacal outburst was an eight-year-old girl’s, and she’s merely spoiled.” Faith then gave Charley an account of Caresse’s temper tantrum, which was accompanied by noises from Amy’s room, indicating she was up and ready for company. The first soft babbles became increasingly puzzled syllables, then finally insistent crying as Faith ignored her—hoping to finish the story before tending to her child.
    â€œGet the baby, Faith, before she blows a gasket. I have to check in at the station and see what’s going on there before I head over to the Marriott.”
    Amy’s cries had become one long antiphony.
    â€œBut I still have so many questions. At least tell me if the fire was set or an accident.”
    â€œYou have questions! Some things never change.” Charley looked more cheerful than he had all morning. “All right. We don’t know if the fire was set or not yet. We don’t know why someone wanted to close down the set of A, B, or whatever the hell the name of this thing is. And we don’t know why Evelyn O’Clair was so much sicker than anybody else. Okay?”
    She who must be obeyed would soon rocket right out of the crib. Faith called, “Coming, sweetie. Mommy’s coming,” and turned to start up the stairs. “Thanks, Charley. For everything. And let me know what’s happening.”
    â€œSure, Faith.” Police Chief MacIsaac let himself out the front door and got into the cruiser—if you could call it that, he reflected dismally. He’d bring Patrolman Dale Warren along while he questioned everyone at the Marriott. The kid saw a lot of movies. And he hadn’t eaten any soup.
    Amy stopped crying the moment her mother entered the room, and as Faith changed her diaper and put on a fresh set of clothes, she positively beamed. Faith’s mood, however, did not match her easily placated daughter’s. The business of who
had put the Chocolax in the soup had to be cleared