DETECTIVE Lewis watched Dr. Stevens carefully after delivering the news, searching for any flicker of reaction. The doctor's face remained still, his posture relaxed in his chair. There was no gasp, no widening of the eyes—just a slow exhale as he processed the information.
"I see," Dr. Stevens said, his voice showed a hint of sadness. "That's unfortunate."
Detective Lewis leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees. "You don't seem surprised."
"I'm a psychiatrist, Detective. People in my line of work learn to control their reactions." The doctor's fingers laced together on the desk, perfectly still. "Though I assu you didn't co here just to inform ."
Detective Lewis held his gaze. "No. I ca because Miranda Kessler's file had your na all over it. You were her primary therapist for the last eight months."
"That's correct."
"Care to tell what you discussed in your sessions?"
Dr. Stevens tilted his head slightly, as if considering how much to share. "Patient confidentiality applies even after death, Detective. But if you have a warrant, I'll cooperate fully."
The detective didn't blink. "I could get one. But it'd be easier if you just told what I need to know now."
For the first ti, sothing flickered in the doctor's expression—not guilt, not fear, but mild amusent. "Easier for you, perhaps." He leaned back in his chair. "I'll save us both the ti. Miranda suffered from severe paranoia. She believed soone was watching her. Given how she died, it seems she wasn't wrong."
Detective Lewis' hand hovered over his Terminal. "Did she ever na who she thought was following her?"
"No. Delusions of persecution rarely co with concrete details."
The detective studied him again, waiting for a crack in that calm facade. But Dr. Stevens t his stare without flinching, his hands steady, his tone asured. The office humd with quiet tension—two n circling each other, one searching for answers, the other giving just enough to seem helpful.
Detective Lewis finally closed his Terminal. "We'll be in touch, Doctor."
Dr. Stevens gave a polite nod. "Of course. My door is always open."
But as the detective turned to leave, he couldn't shake the feeling that the doctor's calm was a little too perfect, his answers a little too smooth. Like a man who'd practiced them.
***
"That was perfect!" the director said, clapping his hands together to signal the end of the scene. His voice carried genuine approval as he looked between the two actors. "You showed the kind of tension I was looking for in this scene. It's fantastic!"
He gave an appreciative nod before turning to check sothing in his Terminal, probably his notes.
Rhett finally exhaled, unaware he'd been holding his breath. The truth was, Astrid had completely controlled that scene. The way he delivered his lines sohow pulled Rhett's performance along with it, guiding him to say his own lines just right. It was equal parts impressive and unsettling.
And this was just the script reading. How much more intense would it be when they actually fild the scene? To make matters worse, this was one of the milder monts in the entire movie. Rhett realized with quiet determination that he'd need to step up his ga if he didn't want to get completely overshadowed.
Astrid glanced at Rhett and gave a small nod when he caught the determined look in the other man's eyes. He rembered seeing that sa drive during Rhett's audition, but now it was even clearer. That kind of ambition was good. As long as Rhett didn't cut corners or step on others to get ahead. Astrid had always respected people who worked hard for what they wanted. At the very least, he could trust that Rhett would give his best and not cause problems for the production.
And that was really all he could ask for with this film. This project was extrely important to Astrid. Not only because he was the main investor, but because he could feel this movie had the potential to lift his career to another level. Well, not exactly this film itself, but the sequel that would co after if this one succeeded. So it had to succeed, no matter what.
"All right, let's do another scene."
Director McCann's voice pulled him from his thoughts.
And so, they continued on with the script reading.
***
The script reading stretched late into the evening, fueled by Director McCann's relentless enthusiasm. Scene after scene, his energy never wavered, pushing them to keep going even as daylight faded. Eventually Ellis had to intervene, stepping out to order dinner for the whole group when it beca clear the director would happily work straight through the night if allowed.
Astrid didn't mind the long hours. He liked seeing the director's excitent. He also appreciated how none of the cast complained about the extended script reading. Their commitnt showed how invested everyone was in this project. He just hoped this sa energy would last until the very end of filming.
That was how their script reading went - filled with excitent and genuine hope for what was to co.
***
A week later, Astrid, together with Snow and Kiran, were studying at his apartnt. They had their Terminals open, preparing for their two-day finals that would start in three days. The three of them were quietly reviewing lecture recordings and practice tests on their screens, the apartnt silent except for the occasional question or explanation between them.
Kiran stretched his arms before flopping his face onto the table. "Why do we even need math? It's not like I'll use this for my major."
"You'd be surprised how often Math cos up in our everday life," Snow said, shaking his head.
"The basics, sure. But why the hell do I need to find the value of x?" Kiran grumbled, his voice muffled against the table.
Astrid chuckled and pushed back his chair. "You two want snacks?"
Kiran's head shot up, his face suddenly bright. "I'd never say no to snacks made by you."
This ti, even Snow let out a soft laugh.
User Comments
0 comments from readers