Chapter Four
Rehearsals were nightly now that there were only nine days before opening night. Roger wanted a dress rehearsal of Acts One and Two tonight to make sure they were smooth. Acts Three and Four tomorrow night and Act Five and the choristers the night after. Everyone had to attend whether they were needed or not in case once again, changes might be made. Jessica was amazed at all the rewrites and changes that were made almost nightly.
She and Seth had re-established their former footing. Neither could ever hold a grudge against the other. Dinner tended to be soup and sandwiches followed by a dash to the theater. Afterward they would return for coffee or tea. Seth wanted to look his best on stage and was doing well with his diet.
His costume was cut very well. Jessica had taken charge and instead of a tunic and tights which he wasn't comfortable wearing, he had a pair of pull up pants with suspenders hidden beneath a shirt and a knitted pullover sweater with large holes weaved in the pattern. This allowed him to stay cool under the hot lights without sweating. Several other men adapted the look after suffering from the lights. His sweater was a dull forest green that Jessica stated brought out the green flecks in his hazel eyes. His pants were brown and he had leather boots barely visible.
"Are you getting nervous, Jess?" Seth was driving her home from rehearsal.
"Not yet but I'm certain I'll be a bundle of nerves on opening night," she replied. "I'm happy I don't speak first but at least I can relax after the first Act."
"Will you try out again?" Seth was hopeful because he wanted to spend more time with her and it would mean she would remain in town more often instead of gallivanting around the world.
"No." Jessica's answer was short and simple.
Seth turned to look at her. "That was a quick answer." He arched an eyebrow but she didn't respond further. "I suppose you'll start another book."
"In September I'll begin researching but hopefully my break will be for ten or twelve weeks."
"Where are you going on vacation?" he asked.
"I haven't decided although I'm leaning toward Hawaii. I need to spend at least a week at home before I leave anyway. I want to get my garden in order." She opened her door instead of waiting for Seth. "Coffee?"
"Love some," he agreed. "Just for a minute."
The phone rang as soon as they entered the house and Jessica answered it. She listened for a minute and then hung up.
"Who was that?" asked Seth.
"Mort," answered Jessica. He was making sure I got home okay."
Seth frowned. He took Jessica to the theater so of course he would bring her home. He drank his coffee swiftly before standing.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Jess." He turned toward the door. "I have an early day tomorrow."
Jessica said goodnight and put on the tea kettle for herself.
Seth drove away but in his rearview mirror he noticed headlights at the end of the street approaching. He slowed down and saw the car parking in front of Jessica's house. He decided to circle the block. Coming up to Jessica's house again he noticed Mort's personal vehicle parked. Relieved he drove home.
Jessica called Seth the following day and told him she would make her own way to the theater for rehearsal that evening and was going to help Mort after but she would see him during rehearsal. Seth wondered if she was helping Mort with his costume since Adele wasn't capable, according to Mort.
They had a very good rehearsal that night. They were taught how to cover missed lines by staring off into space as if thinking and then speaking the line if they remembered or signaling to adlib. Also pacing or a number of things to either remember or just skip altogether if necessary. Seth watched Jessica and Mort leave before getting into his own car. He didn't try to identify the feeling of seeing her leave with someone else. It happened many times before but it felt different this time. Mort had hovered nearby almost all night. It wasn't too late. He decided to wait in front of her house for her. Mort would see her home safely, he was certain.
However, they were already at Jessica's home. Mort's car was parked out front. Whatever they were doing wasn't a secret apparently. He felt excluded. An hour passed, then two. What were they doing and why was he sitting in his car spying? He grumbled to himself but he didn't leave. He had moved his car to the end of the block. Mort would drive off in the other direction so he wasn't worried about being seen. Finally he saw movement. Mort and Jessica came out of her front door and stood talking. Her porch light wasn't on so it was too dark to see much. He could see when she reached out to him and gave him a hug. A hug! A long hug. Mort walked backward to his car, evidently still speaking with her. He saw Jessica wave and then Mort turned around and walked to his car.
Seth stayed until Mort drove off and Jessica entered her house. Not sure what he saw, he drove home.
He was up early and drove to Jessica's for breakfast as soon as he was dressed. Her kitchen light wasn't on and it was possible she was still asleep but ringing her doorbell didn't bring a response and she didn't answer her phone. He returned to his car and drove to the diner. She wasn't there either and hadn't been there according to Mara, the owner. What was he doing? Jessica could do whatever she wanted with whomever she wanted. Still, he wanted to know what was going on. He just didn't want to feel like a jilted lover. She wasn't petty enough to try to make him feel badly about deserting her if this is how she felt.
He drove by the police station but Mort's car wasn't there. Of course, they might not be together. They probably weren't but it didn't stop him from driving by Mort and Adele's house. His car was parked in the driveway. Where was she? There she was! Just as he was about to turn the corner, he spotted her in his side view mirror walking with Mort.
*flashback*
Jessica always liked Mort. He had a funny sense of humor but he was intelligent and didn't mind her nosing into police business, much. He wasn't well read but if a book had been made into a movie, he had seen it. While she was with Seth last night, he called asking to speak with her and a quiver in his voice told her something was wrong. She was relieved when he showed up just a few minutes later.
"Mort, come in," she invited. "Coffee?" She bustled about setting a plate of cookies in front of him and pouring coffee.
"I'm sorry to come so late, Mrs. F."
"It's not a problem at all." She looked at him carefully. "What's wrong, Mort?"
"Adele's left me," he stated baldly. "She's never been happy here and while I was at rehearsal she packed her belongings and left me a note."
"Oh Mort, I'm so sorry." Jessica felt awful for her friend. "You didn't have any clue?"
"None at all. She kept busy. She complained she thought the town was too small and boring. She was making friends, I thought." He stared down into his coffee cup. "Nine years we've been married…"
Jessica let him talk and time flew as he poured his heart out. It was painful to see him struggling to hold back tears at times but she felt he needed to talk it out. Hours passed and he suddenly rose and apologized for keeping her up so late. She assured him it was no problem. She didn't have to work in the morning and she insisted they walk in the morning and talk. She escorted him out and standing on the porch with him he looked so forlorn and lost that she pulled him into a hug. One that had him holding her tightly. His voice broke when he told her goodnight and started walking away slowly. She told him to pick her up at six and he agreed and left.
Their walk this morning was more of a hike as they took the quieter scenic road to the cliffs. Mort asked her to keep the news to herself until he knew what was going to happen. She assured him she would. Adele had told him he could have the contents of the house, she was planning to return to New York City and would live with her sister for now.
Seth knew that there wasn't any chance of Jessica fooling around with Mort. He was a married man, for heaven's sake. Jessica's moral compass was sound. Whatever was going on it wasn't the two of them fooling around. He returned home. It was going to be a long day. He just knew it.
Jessica ran a bath as soon as Mort dropped her off at home. The hike was going to make her regret all the exercise this morning. Pouring in fragrance and taking a long soak would help her overworked muscles. She was putting on her clothes when her phone rang. The news of Adele leaving was spreading all over town. She called Mort to assure him she hadn't said anything but he informed her that Adele herself had told a couple of people and thanked her for listening to him again.
It didn't take long for Seth to hear the news. Of course, what began as Mort and Adele separating turned into Mort and Adele separating because of Jessica. Everyone had seen him taking her home after rehearsals for the past couple of weeks and she and Seth weren't together since Seth took up with Eve. Oh, the nasty rumor mill was having a ball. Cabot Cove's love affairs were always gossip worthy.
Seth was irritated when Beverly told him that apparently after he ditched Jessica for Eve, Jessica, in response, turned to Mort which broke up Mort and Adele's marriage. And now he and Eve were on the outs so he was sniffing after Jessica again. He hoped Jessica didn't hear the gossip. She usually ignored the more tantalizing bits.
Indeed Jessica hadn't heard the more inflammatory gossip and when she and Seth walked into the theater that evening for rehearsal, talking halted. Jessica turned to look at Seth questionably but he just shrugged.
Rehearsal didn't go as well as last night's but the director wasn't worried. Poor rehearsal makes for a great show. Most of the cast watched as the weirdest spectacle occurred. Eve Simpson was clinging to Doc Hazlitt who was following Jessica Fletcher who was always near Mort Metzer.
"Seth, was everyone acting strange to you?" Rehearsal was over and they didn't linger afterward.
"Ayuh, I hear there's a lot of gossip going around about you and Mort." He opened the door and ushered her in.
"Like what?" she asked, puzzled.
"Like you and Mort are going out and you broke up his marriage," answered Seth. "You have been spending time with him."
Jessica furrowed her brows. "He drove me home from rehearsals after you chose Eve to take over me."
Seth didn't care for her phrasing. "Well, he was seen at your house last night until really late, about three hours. Plenty of time to do…things." Seth commented. He knew he shouldn't feel jealous over their time together but he couldn't help it.
"If you're trying to hurt me, you'll have to try harder." Jessica shook her head and crossed her arms. "Silly gossip and I can't believe anyone would think I would have an affair with a married man." Never before had she felt so uncomfortable with Seth. She dared him to respond.
He did. "You can't stop people from trying to think the worst of you when you give them the ammunition." Seth glanced over at her. "Before this play, how often did you accept rides from Mort, at night?"
"That's different. I'm not usually out at night and if I am, I'm with you," she remarked.
He tapped on the steering wheel. "You and Eve had a tiff, which isn't like you. Then you start hanging out with Mort and not with me. Maybe having such a large role the first time you try has given you a swollen head. I don't believe it but I'm sure people are thinking it." Seth felt a little guilty for placing all the blame at Jessica's feet but how was he supposed to feel about the gossip surrounding her and Mort?
Was he playing Devil's advocate or did he really believe what he was spewing? Jessica opened and closed her mouth several times. "You..Stop!" Seth abruptly pulled over. Jessica threw open her door and started walking away.
"Jess, come back! It's dark and dangerous to walk on the side of the road." Seth got back in the car and started following her.
Jessica responded by walking further into the grass and away from the road. She was nearly two miles from home but she didn't care. Part of what Seth told her sounded like something he would think. Did he really believe she had gotten full of herself? Oh, that hurt. Angry tears fell down her cheeks and she couldn't see clearly anymore. She didn't have a tiff with Eve. Her friend, Eve, had one with her! She stopped walking and stood there in the darkness. Seth's car was behind her and his headlights illuminated where she was standing. She suddenly felt so alone. Her body shook slightly as a breeze swept over her. She stood staring out into the darkness. The turmoil had caught up to her. She just didn't have the personality needed to handle all the drama that was encroaching on her life. She preferred to be in her rut than to deal with the drama the theater posed. Give her a murder any day.
She loved Seth but it was plain to see her feelings would not be reciprocated. It hurt. Her hopes were dashed swiftly and painfully and he didn't even know, and would never know if she had anything to say about it. She physically ached.
Seth saw her stop walking and just standing there and quickly parked his car. He hurried to her before she started walking again.
"Jess, please let's talk. I'm sorry. I thought you were getting back at me for spending time with Eve."
Jessica breathed in the ocean air as she angrily wiped her face with her sleeve. "I don't play games, Seth Hazlitt. Why would I want to get revenge on you? I thought we were friends." She refused to look at him. Seth tried to pull her into a hug but she refused to budge so he put an arm around her shoulders in a one armed hug.
"Come on, Jess. Let's go back to the car and I'll take you home." Both heads turned toward the road. Headlights appeared and the car seemed to be stopping. It was the sheriff's car. Seth sighed internally.
"Doc, is everything okay?" He walked toward them, slowing his steps when he saw Jessica turned away. He walked around her to face her. "You okay, Mrs F?"
"Will you tell Seth that I am not responsible for the break up of your marriage?" beseeched Jessica.
Mort noted the tears on her face and turned to face the Doc. "I wouldn't think it would be necessary," he grounded out. If that's what the Doc thought, no wonder Jessica was hurt.
Seth held up both hands. "I didn't say she was. I only mentioned the gossip going around."
Mort turned back to Jessica. "Why don't I take you home?" Jessica stood and walked away from Seth without a word.
"Why not let things settle down, Doc. No one wants to hear bad things about themselves. Goodnight." He went to his squad car where Jessica had already settled herself in the front seat.
Seth went back to his car, alone.