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require.
           As it turned out, she denied that she was the one when we met after the show. "We spotted you from the stage," she explained. "Judith thinks you're a nut. She insisted that someone return your money. I volunteered."
           "Why?"
           "Because I know you're not a nut. And we don't want you to give back the retainer. We want you to earn it."
           "By doing what?"
           "By seeing that nothing happens to Craig Maan . We thought you understood that."
           "Who is'we ?"
           She gave me a riveting flash of eyes as she replied, "Some of the kids in the cast. We think it's a good investment."
           "Why all the hokey pokey? Why didn't you simply come to me and lay it out in a businesslike way instead of whispering in my ear in the dark?"
           "Because—no, you have it wrong, that wasn't me. Look, I chipped in and went along with the idea but I'm not the one who hired you."
           "Who is?"
           "I can't tell you that."
           "Can't? Or won't."
           "Both," she replied, raking me with those eyes. She seemed to realize just at that moment that we were walking through the parking lot. She planted her feet suddenly and asked me, "Where are we going?"
           To my car," I suggested.
           "No you don't," she said firmly. "I had nothing like this in mind."
           "What did you have in mind?"
           "I just wanted to keep you on the job."
           "I'm a bit confused," I told her. "I've already been fired. That's why I returned the fee."
           "I know, but that was before we got together and took a vote. We overrode that earlier decision."
           "What made you change your minds?"
           She said, "Because we got a commitment from Craig."
           "You did?"
           "Yes. He wasn't involved, at first. Now he is. And he says let's go for it."
           "So where is Craig now?"
           "Nobody knows," she said worriedly. "He came in tonight and got ready, then walked out a couple of minutes before the curtain. Some of the guys went with him, but I don't know where or why."
           "How many guys went with him?"
           “Three, all majors. I mean, it could have wiped us out. But Judith put it back together and I think we did all right. That's why she was so rude to you backstage. She was under a lot of stress."
           I asked, "Is Judith in on this?"
           "I can't talk about that. It's a secret pact. So please don't—"
           "Why all the secrecy?"
           "It could seem self-serving, couldn't it."
           I said, "Nothing wrong with that, kid. Especially now that Craig himself has joined you. Why would you suppose that someone wants him dead?"
           She looked around to make sure we were alone, then leaned closer to quietly tell me, "This is absolutely confidential, top secret, you must keep it to yourself. Craig is an undercover cop. A narc . Maan is not even his real name."
           I said, "Aw, come on!"
           "No, really, that's why all the hush-hush. There's a price on his head. That's why he didn't want to take the show out."
           "Or that's the story he gave you," I suggested.
           "Why would anyone lie about a thing like that? And who wouldn't want to be the star of a hit show, unless . . . ? He only did it part-time, but he was really committed to it."
           "When did he tell you this?"
           "Just today. Well, there had been hints before that. I mean, some things just didn't jell."
           I took her arm and said, "Come on."
           She went along toward my car, but definitely under protest. "Where are we going?"
           "To find Craig."
           "I'd really rather not."
           "Me too," I said, "but I guess I have to. Unless you'd rather I just go home and forget it."
           But I guess she