Chapter XII

"You had better get into costume. I have a few last minute details, then I'll do the same." Alissa grinned at them, reaching over to pat Joe's cheek. "Break a leg. But nothing else, okay?"

Joe had pushed through the Green Room door before he realized that Frank wasn't with him. He went back in and saw his brother frowning moodily at the roses. "You coming?"

"Huh?" Frank started, as though interrupted deep in thought. "Yeah." He turned to follow Joe. Callie had already gone ahead to warm up with the other angels.

"Something bothering you?"

Frank laughed shortly. "Me, I guess. I feel like I'm missing something important and I can't seem to jump start my brain."

"Lighten up on yourself. You're cruising on no sleep. Couple hours of down time and your little grey cells will be clicking again."

"I hope you're right. At least I know I didn't dream Kovran - he mentioned flowers for Kareechniva. Joe, what do you think of Kareechniva's story?"

Joe shrugged. "I think it's pretty sad. And if what she says is true, Kovran's a total creep."

Frank shook his head. "No. I mean, yes, you're right, but what I meant was, do you think she's another suspect? The Romanov Rose is under Kovran's care. Losing it could cause an international incident and certainly destroy his career and she's the only person to actually handle it out of sight of the guards. Just seems like she's got means and motive. What do you think?"

Joe made a face. "I like Galina," he complained "I hate suspecting people I like."

"Me too, but I think we need to at least look at the possibilities."

Joe grunted. "You mean that Galina could be this Cobra person, and working with Jerry and Gabby, not Kovran? But you recognized Kovran's voice didn't you?"

"Yeah. I think so. But she could be after it, too. Separately."

Joe groaned. "Oh, now that would be just great. Just how many people do you suppose we need to keep an eye on, anyway?"

"No people." Frank frowned in concentration. "We need to keep our eyes on the Romanov Rose. What do you say one of us takes the stage right wing near Jerry's station as Stage Manager, and the other takes the stage left wing near the Prop Table? Callie doesn't go on until the end, so she can drift through the Green Room and the dressing rooms."

"Okay. I'll take stage right, since Jerry isn't as likely to recognize me. Not that he's likely to recognize anybody back there in the dark."

"Right." Frank smiled at him ruefully. "Not one of my better plans."

Joe draped an arm over his shoulders. "I like it. It leaves lots of room for my specialty - improvisation."

000

Actually, Joe thought later, standing in the wings, it left even more room for boredom. Definitely not his specialty. Stakeouts were a big part of detective work, but he had never tolerated them with any patience.

At first it had been exciting. You couldn't help but be excited surrounded by the buzz and clamor of an opening night Gala - singers flying around in costume, hugging each other, muttering musical phrases to themselves. And the sight of himself in his soldier costume had made him grin. From funny shoes, to tights, to doublet and hat, he couldn't believe the lengths he'd go to for a case. Frank had looked just as comical, though Callie in her angel costume had created such a vision that he had dragged Frank's mind back to the task at hand with some difficulty.

But now the excitement had worn off, the singers had gotten down to the business of performing, and he was left standing in the odd blue light of the backstage area, wondering if all operas were so long. He had successfully ducked the rest of the soldier crowd as they trooped on stage to sing about the joys of war with the students and townspeople. Alissa had been among them, and had sung a few solo lines. He was no expert, but it seemed to him that she was better than okay.

He glanced across the stage to the wings on the other side, where he could just make out Frank. Frank caught his eye and nodded, and Joe pulled himself to attention. Time for the jewels to make an appearance! He drew back deeper into the shadows as the Assistant Stage Manager approached the singer playing Mephistopheles and handed him a small, wooden casket painted gold. Joe felt his heart start to hammer. He watched intently as Mephistopheles and Faust sang a song involving the casket, then planted the small box in Marguerite's garden as the lights came down. The audience seemed to come alive with electricity. Here was the scene they'd been waiting for!

As he watched intently, Jerry handed his headset to the Assistant Stage Manager and removed the casket from the stage. Gabby stood waiting for him, flanked by four security guards, holding an identical wooden casket. She handed it to Jerry, who nodded and switched it with the one in Marguerite's garden.

The lights came up and Marguerite found the casket and opened it. The audience gasped aloud as she removed the Romanov Rose and held it up in front of her eyes so that it flashed with a hundred colors under the lights. Then she danced about the stage with it, singing "Je me fais ris", and turning it this way and that. After she had pranced about sufficiently, admired by her neighbor Marthe, she spun in a jubilant circle, throwing sparkling light into every corner of the stage, before tossing the necklace in the air and catching it in her upraised fist. The lights went out to thunderous applause.

The blue lights didn't actually extend to the onstage area, so Joe couldn't really see what happened next, but when he could see the casket again, Jerry was handing it to Gabby, who was walking away with her armed guard.

Joe frowned. What had happened to the other chest? After a moment, he saw the Assistant Stage Manager who had relieved Jerry on the headset emerge carrying it, heading back toward the Prop Table. Without hesitation, Joe followed.

The Assistant went directly to the large Prop Table and put the chest down on the taped spot marked "jewel casket". Frank appeared next to him and raised his brows inquiringly.

Joe gestured to the casket. "There were two." he whispered. "I thought there might have been a switch." Carefully, he raised the lid. In the uncertain light, it looked like a lot of junk jewelry - certainly not the distinctive Romanov Rose. There hadn't been time to hide it well, but Joe pawed through the baubles anyway.

"Anything?" Frank whispered. Joe shook his head.

"Hey! Get away from there!"

They both looked up, startled.

The Assistant Stage Manager was glaring at them. "When you need your props, come get me. But don't touch otherwise! That's how things get misplaced! Now get ready! You've got an entrance coming up!"

"You'd better get back." Frank whispered. "I'll try to look again later. Keep an eye on Jerry."

"Come on, you guys! You know the rules! No unnecessary conversation! Places for Scene 8!"

Joe started to push his way back to stage right. It was possible that Jerry had the Romanov Rose in his pocket right now. He had taken it from Kareechniva and supposedly given it back to Gabby in the casket. But who could be sure? And where could he hide it? Somewhere in the Stage Manager's station? He'd have to keep a close eye on him.

He was so intent on his thoughts that he didn't hear the music cueing up until one of the other soldiers grabbed his arm. "Where are you going?" he hissed in a whisper. "Don't you hear the music? We're on!"

Joe opened his mouth to protest, but there were soldiers behind him, marching, and soldiers to the left and right. He turned to push his way through them, but a bright light suddenly assaulted his eyes. Somewhere in front of him was an endless dark blur of faces. People in brightly colored village costumes were gaily waving handkerchiefs. All around him, soldiers drew their swords and began to sing lustily. Joe blinked, automatically drawing his sword also, as the truth dawned on him.

Like it or not, he had become part of the opera! He was onstage!

000

Frank, from the stage left wing, stared in astonishment at the sight of his brother onstage. He couldn't help grinning. Joe looked astonished, then panicked, then, gradually, relaxed, as he began to gesture and sing as boisterously as any of them.

A star is born, thought Frank, shaking his head. Here was one to tell the guys back home.

He frowned suddenly. But it meant that there was no one to keep an eye on Jerry. Jerry may have even arranged this little diversion. Maybe he should work his way to the other side, though it meant risking being thrust onstage himself.

As he hesitated, torn, he heard someone whispering to the Assistant Stage Manager somewhere behind him. Even in a whisper, the voice sent his blood racing.

It was Kovran! Here, backstage!

He turned cautiously, keeping his helmet low over his eyes. A few feet away he could dimly make out an elegantly tuxedoed back climbing the ladder to the catwalks. As the figure disappeared into the catwalks above, he thought he caught a glimpse of expensive, silver-toed boots.

Frank looked back at the stage. Joe was still singing, and the number wouldn't be over anytime soon. He had to follow. Kovran might be making his way to the other side to join Jerry. They might be planning to escape!

He slipped his sword hastily out of his swordbelt and leaned it against the wall by the ladder, pointing up. That way, if Joe came looking for him, he'd know where he'd gone. Then he silently began the climb to the catwalks.

The lighting was even dimmer up above, and Frank had to give his eyes a second to adjust. He glanced about hastily. No sign of Kovran. Well, he'd just have to assume he was headed toward the other wing.

He started after him, making his way carefully on the thin platform, trying not to make a sound. He was almost to the back wall when suddenly something hard and round pressed deep into his spine. He closed his eyes and swallowed. A trap.

The darkness became a shadowy figure and a soft voice in his ear said, almost gently, "My good young friend. Of course, it was obvious that curiosity would be your downfall in the end."

TBC