The crowd went silent and Lindsey felt all eyes on her. She realized that whoever had pushed her was probably in this crowd now, so there really was no use in lying.

“Someone pushed me,” she said.

25

The crowd emitted a collective gasp. Sully immediately put his arm around Lindsey’s shoulders and pulled her close as if he could protect her from further harm.

Lindsey appreciated the gesture but knew that whoever had pushed her wasn’t going to be put off by Sully’s presence.

“But who would do such a thing?” Nancy asked.

“Why Lindsey?” Mary echoed.

“It’s obvious, isn’t it?” Violet asked. “Someone wants to stop this show.”

Murmurs rippled through the crowd like the wind warning of a bad storm on the way.

“First, they murdered Robbie,” she said. Violet’s voice shook with outrage. “But we refused to let our fallen thespian down and we persevered.”

She paced around the mattress where Sully and Lindsey stood, still holding one another close, as the adrenaline rush of the near-death experience hadn’t diminished quite yet.

“But this evil person will not rest until they have destroyed our show. Now they are attacking our crew. You must each ask yourself if you are willing to put yourself at risk for our show. I cannot tell you what to do, and I will respect your decision whatever you choose. For my part, I will not be bullied or terrorized into quitting even if I have to play all the parts myself.”

There was a beat of silence.

“I’m in,” Ian said with a raised fist. He was wearing his donkey head mask, so it took a little away from the moment, but it was heartfelt nonetheless.

“Oberon stands with you,” Milton said. He looked at Ms. Cole and she gave him a regal nod. “As does my queen.”

Sully gave Lindsey a bemused look and she shrugged.

One by one, the cast and crew vowed to give the show their all. Not one of them bowed out. Lindsey thought it spoke well of Violet and her considerable talent that they were all willing to risk bodily harm and possible death to put on the show.

“Excellent. Shall we all resume our places, then?” Violet asked. Everyone started to move away when Violet turned to Sully. “Except you two. I want you to take her to the police station and file a report with Emma.”

Sully nodded as if he’d been thinking the same thing. Lindsey blew out a breath. She knew they were right, but oh, she couldn’t help but feel as if somehow she was responsible.

“I’m so sorry, Violet,” she said.

“Whatever for?” Violet asked.

“I’m the one who told Emma that Dylan could be Robbie’s son,” she said. “And now, I was pushed off of the balcony and I just feel like I’m messing up your show.”