They did another lap of the backstage area, meeting back at the side entrance.
Eli looked up when Matt approached. “The girls are on in five minutes. After the show, we’ll leave through the back entrance.”
Kaylee stood in the center of the group of girls. Her head was bowed and she looked like she was praying. Spending time with her over the last few days, he’d been humbled by her talent. The first time he’d attended a practice session for Divine, he hadn’t expected the sounds that had come out of her mouth. She’d blasted out a particularly high note and Matt’s jaw had dropped. Eli had let out his deep grumble-laugh.
“I’m guessing you’ve never heard her sing before?” he’d commented.
Matt had just shaken his head and continued watching in awe.
Despite her amazing talent, Kay was one of the sweetest, most humble people he’d ever met. No matter how long their practices ran or what she was asked to do, she always wore a smile.
“Okay, you two guard the separate stage entrances. I’m staying here by the dressing room.”
Tank and Matt spread out, following Eli’s orders. Matt took the left-side stage entrance. A few minutes later, the girls filed past him and out onto the stage. There was a roar from the crowd. He smiled. It was interesting to see the entertainment industry from this side of the stage. Few people knew how much hard work went into the performances they enjoyed. He wasn’t distracted by the show because he’d seen it many times as they’d rehearsed in the days leading up to the event. It was to be their final group event before each of the girls started working on their solo projects.
Matt sensed movement behind him, so he turned. A young man who looked about early twenties with dark, spiked hair walked toward the stage entrance.
“Clearance pass?” he called. The guy stopped, then turned slowly.
“Sure. Here’s my pass.” He handed it to Matt. It was a green pass, which meant he had backstage access. Eli scrutinized the list of backstage passes that were issued and he’d personally manned the door to allow people into the backstage area. So he would have known if the guy was legit.
“Thanks, man. If you’re here to meet the members of Divine, you might want to wait in the Press area.” Matt pointed to a cordoned-off lounge with refreshments. The girls would give several interviews tonight, the most important to Entertainment Weekly.
“I’ll do that. How long until the show is over?” The man’s eyes darted around when Matt turned back to him.
“About an hour. What press outlet are you with again?”
“The local paper, the Virginia Chronicle.”
“Okay, well, there’s coffee and donuts and stuff over there. If you need to leave and come back, you’ll have to go through security again.”
The guy nodded and wandered away, aiming one last glance at the dressing-room door. Matt watched as he ambled over to the press area and sat down. A few minutes later, he glanced around, freezing when he noticed Matt observing him.
Matt pulled his walkie-talkie from his belt. “Eli? Are the girls scheduled to do an interview with the local paper, too?”
Static crackled over the line as Eli responded. “That was yesterday. The only interview they’re doing tonight is for Entertainment Weekly.”
Matt turned back to the press area. It was empty. “Shit. We have a problem. There was a guy poking around backstage who looked a little off to me. He claimed he was from the Virginia Chronicle and had a green pass.”
“Where is he now?”
He could tell by the sound of Eli’s voice that he was running. Probably on his way to where he was.
“He’s gone now. There’s only two ways he could have gone.”
“I know,” Eli interrupted. “I’m heading to the back entrance now to see if I can cut him off.”
Tank interrupted them then. “Should I hold position?”
“Everyone stand fast,” Eli stated. “If this is the guy sending the letters, we can’t let him leave.”
He moved to the side of the stage area and scanned the platform. The club had its own security so if there was a problem in the crowd, they’d handle it. His concern was making sure no one got onstage near the girls. Several people were pointing to the ceiling. Matt looked up and then raised his walkie-talkie.
“He’s in the rafters. I repeat, he’s in the rafters above the stage area.”
“I’m on my way now,” Eli replied.
“I’ll get the girls.” A scream from the audience rang out. Matt’s blood chilled. The guy had jumped from the rafters to a speaker on the side of the stage.