Excerpt of Murder In The Pit by Erica Miner

On her way to the women’s locker room, Julia passed Abel’s dressing room, where the

"Maestro Trudeau - Do Not Disturb" sign was posted on the door. She felt a little flutter of excitement and glanced at her watch. Fifteen minutes, and he’ll give the downbeat for my first performance.

Even with the door closed, she could easily distinguish the raised voices from behind the closed door as Abel's and Sidney’s.

"You son of a bitch!"

"For God’s sake, Sidney, keep it down."

"You said you’d leave her out of it!"

Abel lowered his voice.

"I had no choice."

"Over my dead body."

Julia couldn’t fathom what caused the personality conflict between the hotheaded Sidney and the self-assured music director. It made her uncomfortable.

They’re only the two most important men in my life.

Sid continued at top volume.

"If I find out you’ve done something stupid, I’ll ...I’ll write a whole new finale to your opening night!"

"The trouble with you, Sidney, is you think you’re too damned important." The contempt in the maestro’s voice distressed Julia.

"No one is indispensable around here. Now get the hell out of my dressing room. We’ve got a show to do."

A whole new finale -- what does that mean?

The booming sound of the P.A. system made Julia jump.

"Curtain for Don Carlo in fifteen minutes."

She took a tense breath and let it out with a sigh of relief as the door opened. Sidney stormed out of the dressing room, slamming the door behind him, and ran right into her.

"How long have you been there?"

His dark tone alarmed her.

"You know I get concerned when you and Abel -- "

"Who are you, my mother?"

"What’s going on, Sid? Why were you going at it again?"

"Since when do you answer a question with a question?"

"Since I’m Jewish." Julia tried to charm him with a smile, but his expression remained grim.

"Can’t you two just call a truce already? Please?"

His rage softened.

"Look, kid, it’s what parents do."

"But it’s so distressing." She attempted a smile.

"You’re acting like a jerk."

Won over, he returned the smile, until Tony disrupted their caring moment.

"Time’s getting short ‘til curtain." Tony tapped his baton against his palm in short, tense gestures.

"You two better hustle."

Sidney glared at Tony.

"Don’t you ever get tired of ordering people around, Rossi?"