The information was assembled with very little trouble. News accounts of the killings of Tabor and the motel manager, Mickey and the theatre janitor, her lawyer, were all over the internet and what she was most interested in, the names of the original witnesses to the events surrounding the murder of Earl Barkluster.

She used her intact connections to learn both their addresses and went out for some dinner while she considered her next move. The dining room in the lower concourse of the bank turned out to be just the ticket for Grace. Quiet, neat, private and a menu worthy of serious consideration.

She treated herself with the knowledge that she had successfully convinced Arthur to redirect his skimmed funds back to her account before blowing his brains out.

Over an aperitif she enjoyed a chuckle about how the Grandcastles would be fuming purple over their useless lawsuit. The bill arrived and Grace paid cash, generously tipping the young man serving her.

Decision made, she gathered her purse, left the dining room and hailed a cab back to her room. She would begin with a make over in case there was a physical description of her floating around then she would determine the routine of her targets and choose the best time and place.

**********

The theatre looked almost unrecognizable from their last visit. A miracle had been accomplished an just a few short days. The marquee sparkled with the glow of new lights and a fresh application of paint gave the entrance doors an almost regal appearance. The sign outside announced the Cast Only Rehearsal, and a new face, replacing Cory Faber greeted Des like royalty as she and Parker stepped inside.

The lobby was festooned with old posters and photos from the original show and even Des had to stop and view the cast as they once were.

"You haven't changed a bit, Des."

She squinted an eye at him. "Are you preparing another of your lines, Parker?"

He grinned and shook his head. "Guilty. I was going to say, you changed a lot. But it was just in fun!" He held his hands up for protection.

Des walked through the auditorium doors and down the aisle to the stage, holding up her hand as Frederick Kaiser offered his.

"You are as ravishing as ever darling."

"Please, Frederick, I don't need coddling."

"Thank God, I can save it for some of these others." He smiled widely and moved to centre stage, holding up his arms for attention.

Parker sat contentedly at the rear of the auditorium enjoying every minute of Des dancing through the old routines like it was yesterday. After the second break, a longer one for drinks and refreshments, he was invited down and sat on stage with the cast exchanging comments and praise for Frederick in remounting the production.

At the end of the first rehearsal there was an air of excitement and confidence as they all streamed out applauding one another and thumbs up signaling.

"You were great, really great." Parker squeezed her arm as they walked to the corner for a taxi.

Des smiled and looked at him. "I was pretty good, wasn't I. I mean, I could feel it. It felt good."

He stopped and turned her toward him. "You were marvelous." The kiss was answered softly then increased in intensity.

Des pulled back, panting. "We need to get a cab."

"Instead of a room?"

******

Holt read over the officer on the scene report and compared it to his own examination and the forensic findings. It was the car they had on camera and amazingly it was unregistered. Even the license plate was a fake. The body in the trunk however was very real.

The victim, a Gerald Greggorio, came up sparkly clean in all aspects and Holt had to assume it was a wrong place and time coincidence. He also figured that from the location of the car, the driver had to get transport out of the area. It was too far from anything to walk.

He had one of the detectives canvass the cab companies and after a lengthy search found the driver who picked up a woman from the section of town and dropped her in midtown. Holt figured that was a dead end but he now knew in his gut that it was Grace Purcell.

The cab companies were alerted to her approximate description and ordered to report any contact. Lester provided the only clues to Grace's appearance; he was more than happy to cooperate, hoping desperately they would find her. He knew he was in her sights now . . . even in custody.

It was strange, Holt thought, that there were no photographs of Grace. Not at her home, business, social pages, even at her parent's place. It was like she was a wraith, known by all and yet by none.

******

Four straight days of rehearsal then the surprising announcement that the show would be opening on the coming weekend, two days away. Some of the cast threw their hands up in dismay but Frederick overrode all objections and managed to instill a new determination; it was his enduring strength as a producer.

All the technical needs were seen to and in one day, fittings were accomplished, staging and lighting all mapped out and even a quick printing of programs and announcements in all the media. The sponsors were determined this time to make the new Beat Street a theatrical success.

"Excited?"

"More like scared to death." Des looked at her make up in the bedroom mirror.

"Nothing like a little fear to get the juices flowing."

Des turned on her chair. "Parker, that wasn't even a joke. Are you getting mellow?"

"Just helpless in the glow of your beauty, Des."

"There you go."

"No, I mean it. I'm serious. In all my life I've never felt so- so . . . "

"I thought you always felt so-so." She waited a beat then grinned widely.

"Okay, I see what I'm going to have to put up with."

"Well, you know the saying about people who live by the sword."

"Yeah, they get shot by those that don't."

"That's the Parker I've come to admire."

******

The taxi pulled into the alley behind the theatre and Parker paid then hurried around to help Des up the back steps to the stage door.

"Desdemona!" Frederick engulfed her in his signature hug. "Ready to shame those lights on Broadway?"

"Very nervous, Frederick."

"Nonsense, you are and will continue to be magnificent, my dear." He took her hand and led her down the passage to the dressing rooms. "Mr. Nevens, you can grab a coffee if you like in the commissary. There are others in there to keep you company."

Parker smiled and waved goodbye to Des. Dismissed and forgotten, he chuckled to himself. He wandered around until he found the commissary and Joined several others at the coffee machine and food table.

"You're with Desdemona." The tall bluish-haired woman touched his arm and smiled. Her makeup was exaggerated for the theatre stage lights but under the fluorescent lighting in the room, she appeared almost grotesque.

"Yes, Parker Nevens. You are?"

"Doreen Taft. We started together in the chorus but Des was so good they moved her up in the program."

"Good old days, eh."

"Oh, they were."

There was a sudden surge of cast members into the room, all getting water and sweets before going on and Parker moved to one wall out of the way. A small man with a derby leaned in the door and told everybody to 'break a leg', there was five minutes to go.

"This is it, gang, we can do it." Someone yelled over the hubbub.

"Are you in the show?" A thin blonde, male dancer in a striped jersey and pants with suspenders stood beside Parker.

"Uh, uh."

"This is my first opportunity. I'm one of the dancers; it requires a lot of athleticism. Are you athletic?"

"Nope, I'm just a supporter."

A woman standing close by snorted with laughter and gave Parker a funny look. "You should be a comedian." She laughed again.

"Actually, I am." Parker smiled. "I used to be a circus driver but I refused to tow the lion."

In the next few minutes, Parker was doing his routine for the cast and when the man in the derby hat announced everyone to their places, they were all killing themselves laughing. Parker was grinning so wide it hurt. What an audience! Where were these people when he was working?

Frederick came into the room as the last of the cast rushed out. "Mr. Nevens, It has been brought to my attention that your are quite an accomplished comedian."

"Well I haven't accomplished as much as I'd like to."

"Hah! Well perhaps we can remedy that. How would you like to warm up the audience for fifteen minutes or so. We have had a mechanical failure with the curtains and the orchestra has gone through its brief playlist twice now."

"You serious?"

"As God."

He followed him out to the wings and waited while Frederick performed his magic with the audience's patience and introduced Parker with glowing praise.

"Do your worst, Mr. Nevens." Frederick winked as they passed one another.

My worst! He picked up the hand mic and faced the audience.

"Good evening, folks. I hope you show me the same patience you've managed through our little technical crisis here. In a few moments you will be treated to an amazing performance by an equally amazing cast, who are right now all wishing one another 'break a leg'. Of course if that happens then you won't be treated to that amazing performance." There was a ripple of genuine laughter and Parker felt his juices stir.

"So," he walked across the stage, loosening his tie. "I have been asked to try and entertain you while our experts back stage correct the problem. All I ask is a chance to prove that money can't make me happy." There was a delay then some loud laughs that grew into a bit of hand clapping. "Okay then. This is a big opportunity for me, it's really hard to make a comeback when you haven't been anywhere . . . " More laughs. Louder.

Des stood in the wings and watched with a mix of trepidation and pride. Parker really did have a talent; he just needed the right audience. Frederick came up behind her and rested a hand on her shoulder.

"Your man has talent, Des. This might just be a feature we could introduce as part of the show. An audience that is already in a good mood is always far more receptive."

"You're serious?"

"Listen for yourself."

Des turned her attention back to Parker and even she had to smile.

" . . . wanted to be somebody, but I should have been more specific." Applause and more laughs.

Frederick nodded and squeezed her shoulder. "Have him see me after the show."