Chapter 54

54

For the next week, the festival was filled with films, panels, meet and greets, and parties. The final event was the awards ceremony. Trophies for the best actors, writers, documentaries, shorts, and the like were handed out.

Near the end, the MC’s voice announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, once more, film star and head judge for the inaugural World Thriller Film Festival, Tom Norman, and joining him, musical sensation Mari Chen!”

Tom and Mari walked onto the stage to the cheers of the packed crowd and headed for the Plexiglas podium rising out of the floor, front and center.

When the shouts and whistles finally faded, Mari said, “Wow! Thank you!”

Someone in the audience yelled out, “We love you, Mari!”

“I love you, too!” She made a heart with her thumb and index finger and thrust it toward the audience.

The crowd cheered again, and many returned the gesture.

Mari beamed and then glanced at her copresenter. “Sorry, Tom.”

“We love Tom, too,” someone else yelled.

Tom grinned. “Back at you!” Someone else started to shout something similar, but Tom held up a hand. “You are all too kind, but if we let this go on any longer, the festival will have to pay overtime to the crew.”

The crowd laughed.

“Mari and I are here right now for a very special reason,” he said. “Tonight, we’ve been celebrating the award winners of those films entered for competition. But there have also been several excellent, noncompetition films screened over the last week.”

He listed several of the titles, then said, “One in particular caught the attention of both fans, judges, and festival staff.”

“In a special committee session,” Mari said, “it was decided to present the first of what we hope will be many World Thriller Masterpiece awards, to be given to films that the festival believes will stand the test of time.”

Tom said, “Tonight, we are honored to present that award to…”

He and Mari leaned toward the mic and said together, “ Storm’s Eye , directed by Peter Barrington, and produced by Ben Bacchetti and Billy Barnett.”

Thunderous applause filled the auditorium as Billy, Peter, and Ben rose from their seats.

“Let’s all go,” Billy said.

Tessa and Adriene stood, but Stacy and Lizzie did not.

Billy pointed at them. “You, too.”

Stacy said, “But we didn’t—”

“You’re part of the team. Let’s go!”

They grinned and joined the group as it piled onto the stage.

Mari and Tom congratulated everyone, then handed the award to Ben.

Ben immediately passed it to Peter and motioned him to the mic.

“To call this unexpected would be an understatement,” Peter said. “Which is lucky for you, because it means I didn’t prepare any remarks.” A wave of laughter crossed the room. “Thank you to Constance Mueller and the entire World Thriller Film Festival staff. You’ve created a fantastic event.”

The room broke out in applause. At first, a trickle of people stood, and soon everyone was on their feet.

Once the clapping started to die down, Peter said, “Making films is all about the people you work with, and I couldn’t ask for a better group both behind the camera and in front. Thank you, everyone!”

Tessa said a few words, then Ben, and finally Billy was pushed forward.

“I echo what my colleagues have said, and would only add, what a crazy week this has been. Oh, and don’t forget to tell everyone you know to see Storm’s Eye! ”

Later, while celebrating with his friends at the closing-night party, Billy received a text from Lance.

Congratulations on your award. And you have to admit, I was right. Your trip was the perfect cover. Let me know if you’d ever like to help us out again.

“Everything all right?” Stacy asked.

Billy blocked Lance’s number, then smiled. “It is now.”