(Athena's POV)
We walked to the set doors and Chase swiped his card causing the doors to open. We walked inside and went to the clock, I took out the clock hand and put it back in the clock so that it read 11:00.
There was a sound of gears turning and we backed up a bit to see a key. Since Chase was taller he grabbed it.
"What do you think it's for?" I asked.
"If I had to guess, I'd say it goes to that cabinet that's on the other side of the set." Chase said.
"Let's give it a try then." I said.
We went over to the locked, metal cabinet, Chase put the key in and it fit. He opened it revealing a generator of some kind.
"Looks like it needs power." I said.
"Then we'll leave this alone for now. I don't think there's any- Hold on." He said.
"What is it?" I asked.
"Looks like there's a ladder that leads up to the lights. Maybe if I can get up there I can see if the person who cut the light left something behind." Chase said.
I smiled, "Great idea! I think this wheel lets the ladder down." Chase tried turning it, but it was stuck, "Hold on, I got an oil can from the prop room." I said taking it out.
I squirt some oil on the wheel and this time when Chase turned it the ladder came down.
"Okay, I'll be back in a sec." he said before he started climbing.
About a minute later he came back down, "Yep, no accident. Whoever cut that light got his shirt ripped. The piece of fabric's still there." He said putting the ladder back up.
"Maybe we can talk to Mattie, see if she has anything to tell us." I said.
"Good idea." He said.
We left the set and went to Mattie's door, Chase knocked.
"It's open!" We walked in, "Hi Athena, Chase- glad to see Dwayne could get you two jobs as extras! Who knows, maybe you'll be the next Serena Livingston, Athena." Mattie said.
"That's very flattering Mattie. But I'm just surprised Dwayne managed to get us jobs so fast." I said.
"Dwayne's a great guy; he gave me a chance when no one in this town would even give me the time of day." Mattie said.
"The guy doesn't seem very fond of Rick though." Chase said.
"Actually, the feeling's mutual. Dwayne was Rick's agent and helped him get the part of Rory Danner. But later on, Rick ditched him to go with a larger agency, I guess to help him get out of his contract here." Mattie said.
"See you later Mattie." I said.
"Break a leg!" Mattie said before we left.
"Nothing there, let's head back to the apartment and decide what to do from there." I said.
"Sure," he wrapped an arm around my waist and we started walking, "and while we're thinking of what to do next, we can cuddle up and watch a movie.
I smiled, "I guess a little break sounds nice."
He smiled back and we left the studio. When we got to the apartment the first thing I noticed was a package on the chair address to me, inside was a video tape and a note.
Athena,
I hope you and Chase are enjoying your trip to New York. I thought you might find this tape of interest to your case. It's a TV interview with Rick Arlen on a soap opera news show. You know, for a young lad, he's quite fetching! Take care and be careful, you two.
With Love,
Hannah.
Chase sighed, "So much for relaxing."
I smiled and rubbed his arm, "It's okay. We can try again some other time, but for now let's see what's on the tape."
"Fine." He said.
We went to the living room and I put the tape in the VCR. Chase sat on the chair and I sat on his lap as the tape started up.
"We're here on the set of Worldwide Broadcasting Studios with soap heartthrob, Rick Arlen. The studios are abuzz with talk that you may be heading for a career in films. Will Rory Danner be killed off the show?" The reporter asked Rick.
"Rory is a character who is dear to my heart. I'd never put him in a life threatening situation- I'll leave that to the writers!" Rick said.
"Well, how could anyone in their right mind leave such a gorgeous co-star, Mattie Jensen? Is it true that your onstage love affair has led to an offstage romance?" The reporter asked.
"Only my hairdresser knows for sure!" Rick said and I couldn't help but roll my eyes.
"Weren't you seen with that actress, Greta Von Kamloops at Cannes earlier this year? Any chance you may be starring in a film with her in the near future?" The reporter asked.
Rick chuckled, "No, not while I'm with the WWB network."
"Our sources say that you've been a victim of a stalker- is that true?" The reporter asked.
"Well, yes in a sense. I feel like I'm being watched at every moment and always at the same time- weekdays from 2 to 3 on channel 13." Rick said.
"Oh, Rick!" The reporter said before the interview ended.
"God, what a douche." Chase said as I got up to turn the TV off.
"Agreed. I'm gonna give Nancy a call, I promised her I would tell her about the case." I said walking towards the phone.
"Put it on speaker." Chase said following me.
I dialed Nancy's number before putting it on speaker.
"This is Nancy." My older sister said.
"Hey Nance, it's Athena and Chase." I said.
"Athena! I'm so glad to hear from you! I was getting worried." Nancy said.
"Don't worry Nance, we're both fi-" Chase was cut off by another voice.
"Is that Athena and Chase? Quick put them on speaker!"
"Oh yeah, Bess is here. She wants to know what's going on too." Nancy said.
"Hey guys! Tell us everything! Did you get Rick's autograph for me? He's so gorgeous. It must be so exciting to be on the set with all of those stars! George and Nancy filled me in on everything, so tell us who the suspects are. I can't believe someone would do this to Rick." Bess said.
Chase scoffed, "I can." He said causing be to slap his chest.
"Mattie's really nice, but we can't just rule her out." I said.
"Oh my gosh, wouldn't it be weird if Mattie was behind it all? What if Mattie had a secret motive to get rid of Rick, like Marlena on 'Crimson Cove' last year?" Bess asked.
"I doubt that Bess. Real life isn't a soap opera you know." Nancy said.
"So, who are the other suspects?" Bess asked.
"Well, there's this odd woman who's the prop master." Chase said.
"That must be Millie Strathorn. Did you know she owns the entire network and it's worth millions? She's a total cat lover; I heard she treats her cats like royalty." Bess said.
"That was a bit off topic Bess. Anyone other suspects guys?" Nancy asked.
"It could be Rick who's doing this himself." I said.
"No way, Athena! Why would he send death threats to himself? Get real." Bess said.
"It could be a publicity stunt." Chase said.
"They have a point." Nancy said.
"I know Rick has a reputation for being a practical joker, but I'd think he'd get enough publicity by just being cute." Bess said.
I could tell Nancy's rolling her eyes right now, "Anyone else?"
"The producer doesn't like Rick very much, but we haven't exactly met him." Chase said.
"Who's the producer now- is it William Pappas? Worldwide just hired him, like, six months ago to improve their ratings. 'Crimson Cove' is really beating 'Light of our Love'. Who are the other suspects?" Bess asked.
"There's the director Lillian, who's a bit of a bitch." I said.
"Oh, yeah! 'Chatter Magazine' had a whole spread on their break up at some elegant restaurant. She dumped a whole pitcher of water on Rick's head!" Bess said.
"Whoa, back up! They dated?" Chase asked.
"Mmmm hmmm, I think they started dating once he got onto the show. They'd always show up at these Hollywood premieres together." Bess said.
"Okay- we'll be off in a minute! Athena, Chase, we gotta go soon. Who else have you met?" Nancy asked.
"Our agent, Dwayne Powers, is pretty cool, but let's just say he's not one of Rick's number one fans." I said.
"Never heard of him. It's so funny to hear you say 'my agent'. So, how'd you hook up with him?" Bess asked.
"He's Mattie's agent and a friend of hers. He pulled some strings so we could work as extras to continue with our investigation." Chase said.
"Wow, how exciting! So are there any other openings? I'll work for free." Bess said.
"Okay Dad, we'll be right down! We gotta go guys. Call again soon okay? And stay safe." Nancy said.
"We'll try. Bye Nance and say hello to Dad and Hannah for me." I said before I hung up.
"Come on baby girl, let's get to bed." Chase said.
"Yeah, I guess it is getting late." I said before we went upstairs.