Shooting Star A Martha's Vineyard Mystery

Chapter One Act One ended when Justine was hanged. Victoria Trumbull, the ninety-two-year-old poet and playwright, sat in an aisle seat near the front of the theater watching the dress rehearsal of her adaptation of Frankenstein. For this occasion she wore her best suit, dark green plaid, and a blouse with a soft bow at the neck. She sat tall and held her head high. Her eagle-beak nose jutted out between deep-set, hooded eyes. Dearborn Hill, artistic director for the Island Players, a large man with theatrically rumpled white hair, climbed up the steps to the stage. "That wraps up Act One, people. Peg and Teddy have to leave early, so I'll go over the notes now for their parts." He checked his watch. "The rest of you take a forty-five-minute break. I want you back here at eight-thirty." "Isn't Peg staying for the full rehearsal?" called out a girl's voice from behind Victoria in the auditorium. Dearborn Hill shaded his eyes against the footlights and looked out over the dark seats. "I can't see you, Dawn, but no, she won't be staying." He strode to stage left and back again, slapping a rolled-up copy of Victoria's script against his thigh. "For those of you new to acting," he gestured at the dim figures in the auditorium, "a professional production would not break during dress rehearsal. The cast would remain backstage." "Professional!?!" Dawn again, a touch of insolence in her voice. Dearborn went on, ignoring her. "Before you leave, I have an announcement. Some of you may already have heard that Teddy Vanderhoop has been offered a juvenile lead in a new television series." He took a few steps, turned, and looked out at his unseen audience. "His mother is in California now, negotiating with the producers. Until her return, Teddy is staying with Peg, whose part is over, of course, when Justine is hanged." Dearborn allowed himself a small smile. "Mr. Hill?" "Yes, Dawn?" "His mom will miss opening night tomorrow." Dearborn frowned and turned to Teddy Vanderhoop, a slight, redheaded eight-year-old, who had come out from the wings to stand next to Peg on stage. "An actor's life, right, young man?" Teddy looked down at his feet and dug the toes of his untied high-top sneakers into the floorboards. Dearborn held up his hands. "That's all, folks." Victoria heard sounds of lifted seats, low conversation, and shuffling feet before the theater was quiet again. Teddy was acting the part of five-year-old William Frankenstein, the first victim of the monster created by his big brother, Victor. Peg Storm was playing Justine, the Frankenstein family's housekeeper. Dearborn strode over to the wings and returned with a bentwood chair. He straddled it, his arms folded over the back, the play script in hand. Teddy waited uncertainly. "You may step down, Teddy," said Dearborn. As he came down the steps from the stage, Teddy glanced around. Victoria waved her copy of the play at him and moved over one seat so he could sit next to her. "I hate that man," Teddy whispered. "He can be difficult," Victoria agreed. "But he's quite a good director." Onstage, Dearborn pointed his rolled-up script at Peg. "More emotion, Justine. Sorrow over little William's death.Riggs, Cynthia is the author of 'Shooting Star A Martha's Vineyard Mystery', published 2007 under ISBN 9780312370275 and ISBN 031237027X.