Chapter 22: Smile

"And that," Delphine said, "is a wrap."

She spread her wet arms to the room.

Her teeth chattered, and her voice stayed bright.

"Thank you, everybody, for coming! You've been a wonderful crowd. Don't forget to like and subscribe."

Nobody laughed.

The crew girl by the rope stared at her own hands.

The one with the gimbal had lowered it to her hip and switched the light off.

"Camera," Delphine said, sharply, in the voice she used on the crew. "Camera, why isn't it rolling?"

"No," the girl said.

"I said..."

"No."

The first officer reached the foot of the stage.

He was a broad man with grey in his hair, and he spoke quietly.

"Ms. Stroud. I'm going to ask you to come with us."

"This is a bit." She laughed. "Honestly. Ask anyone."

"Ma'am."

"I'm Delphine Stroud. I have four million followers."

"Yes, ma'am."

"My brother died in that lake!"

"I know. Please come down the steps."

She looked at Rodney.

I will remember it for the rest of my life, how she looked at him.

It was the look of someone checking whether a door she had always leaned on was still there.

Rodney did not move toward her.

He stood with his hands at his sides, and he met her eyes.

"I'll tell them everything," he said. "Tonight. I'm sorry, Del."

"You promised Tobin."

"I didn't. You told me I did."

Her face went blank again, smooth and white.

Then the second officer touched her elbow, and she came down the three steps in her soaked dress, leaving prints on the stage.