The Wages of Cin (Cin Fin-Lathen Mysteries Book 4) (14 page)

I gave my son a smile. I turned around and shot Harry with my imaginary Peruvian eye laser beams.  “Guys, let’s not ruin the morning by talking about my screwed up love life, okay.”

“For the record, I like Dave,” Alex said.  “Kind of a ballbuster, but he seems like a good guy.”

“I like him too,” Harry said.

“Who asked you?” I snapped at Harry.

He frowned briefly but bounced back quickly.  “So, what happens next?”

“I don’t know exactly.  I think we date?” I asked myself, not remembering if there was a game plan I could explain to the guys.

“We have to have house rules,” Harry said.

“I beg your pardon?”

“I’m not hanging around here if you’re going to do it,” Harry announced.

Alex groaned.

“It’s my house, Harry, remember that.  Now let’s stop this. You’re putting me off my bacon.”

Alex slid in beside me and patted me on the back.  “May I suggest a sock on the door?”

It was my turn to groan.

I collected the paper from the sidewalk and brought it into the den.  Harry was making calls, and I had decided to hang out on the sofa doing the crossword puzzle.  We were drinking coffee spiked with espresso shots.  Alex was working on his band’s music in the family room.  He had traded the electric bass for the acoustical guitar.  It was pleasant to hear him fingerpick out melodies.

The Palm Beach murder was on the front page.  Lt. Dave Buslowski was listed as the lead investigator.  They were calling out for anyone who may have been on the beach that night.  I looked over at Harry and asked, “When did they make Dave a lieutenant?”

“He took the test after he moved in with us.”

“Huh,” was all I said.

“I think he said that he needed the money.  You know he was a captain in the military before he retired?”

I guess I did know that.  Somewhere in the back of my head, it was familiar.

“I bet he’s going to be working overtime with the crank calls that are coming in,” Harry said.

“It kind of gives us a head start in interviewing the suspects,” I said.

“You could be ensconced right now at the Richardses' if you had listened to reason.”

“Hey, I want to live.  If one or both of them think I saw something when I found Mandy and her mother, then I’m dead the minute I step foot in there.  I think we should be going after the elusive Gareth Goodbody,” I said and waited for Harry to think it over.

“Sounds like a plan.  Let me see if I can make a connection,” he said.

I flipped through the other pages of the paper and closed it.  I got up and felt a familiar pain.  I rushed to the bathroom.  Fate was with me.  I got my period.  I popped more pain pills and danced out of my room.

“What’s got you so bloody happy?” Harry asked, walking out of the den.

“How observant,” was all I said.

“Oh gross.”

“I made a call to our client Tom and asked how things were going.  He suggested that we come down to his office.  He was going to have a meeting with the band this evening and wants us there.  Don’t worry, it’s just the original Ely’s Coming that is invited.  Stoneridge won’t be there.”

I was relieved.  It still stung to be dumped, and I bet those guys knew all about it already too.  It would have been worse if Sidney was there.  “What time?”

“It’s in the Miami office at seven.”

“It gives me time to go through my closets.”

“Gee, didn’t you go shopping yesterday?”

“Yes, but I’m not sure I have the right thing.  I have lots to choose from.  I just want to wear something that will knock their socks off.  I want to send the message via the band that Cin Fin-Lathen doesn’t give a shit about being dumped.”

Harry asked, “You don’t, do you?”

“If it wasn’t for Buslowski, I’d be cowering in the corner,” I admitted.

This brought an inadvertent giggle from Harry.  “Sorry, Cin, I’m not used to you being sexually active.  I feel this cross between being sick to my stomach and being very proud of you.”

“You’re not helping you know.”

“Come on, let’s start separating the goods.  Speaking of which, you need a new bra.  Lift and separate, Cin.”

I hauled off and whacked him on the arm.

~

We rolled into the parking lot with just five minutes to spare.  It was my fault. I chose the wrong route south, and we got caught up in traffic.  We entered the building and headed up to the top floor.  We walked out of the elevator and into a large lobby.  Harry gave the receptionist our names while I studied the artwork on the walls.

“Those are works of a graffiti artist,” a male voice said from behind me.  I turned to see Meyer standing there.

“I find the 3D nature of the piece oddly comforting,” I said.

“I didn’t know you were going to be here,” Meyer said.

“I didn’t either until today.”

“How are you?”

“I’m hanging in there.  You?”

“I’m sad and worried about Elijah.”

“He has Mandy with him.  She makes him strong,” I said.

Meyer looked at me a moment.  “How can you know this?  You’ve only been with us for a few days, and yet, you’re the rock now, Ms. Lathen.”

“I’m complimented, but I wish there was no need for rocks,” I said honestly.  “Do you have any gut feelings as to why this may be happening?”

“Caroline was a bitch, but she didn’t deserve this.  I think it was because she was so looney that Elijah was determined to get out and tour.  He needs the adoration of the crowd.  The emotional response of the hoard feeds him.”

“Caroline said the same thing.  Her last words to me were to get Elijah out on the road.”

“What if we can’t get insured?  I’m sure that’s what this meeting is about.”

“Then perhaps you guys need to play smaller venues.”

“That’s cool if you can afford it.  Me, I’ve got to work to live.”

“Alex told me you have a day job.”

Meyer blushed.  “Disney World has been good to me.  They gave me a leave of absence to do this tour, but I’m not sure how they are going to feel if I have to extend the time off.”

Harry walked over.  “Cin, Mr. Meyer, they want us in the conference room.”

“Shall we?” Meyer said, holding out his hand.

I grabbed it.  Harry led the way.  “Alex tells me you play an alto clarinet.”

“Yes, I do.”

“They used to be big in the forties.  I saw a movie with Jack Benny in it, and there was a stage band full of the things, all being played by hot women.”

“I play it because I like the sound and because it’s different.”

“That’s cool.  What’s your favorite classical composer?”

“At one time, I would have said Wagner, but I think Aaron Copeland is growing on me.”

“It’s his red hair.  You gingers stick together.  I’m a Sousa guy.  I cut my teeth in a marching band.”

We arrived at the conference room.  Mandy Broadhurst rushed over and hugged me.  “Thank God, another female.”

I looked around and saw her father was standing beside a tall gentleman I had only glimpsed before.  This must be Gareth Goodbody.  Manuel was sitting with his feet on the table, strumming an acoustical guitar.  Tom was on the phone.

“How are you?” I asked.

“Surviving.  Susan’s been great, but I’m glad that cop released us.  I need my own digs and friends right now.  Hey, you look different.  What’s up?” she asked.

“Oh, I’ve made a few changes.  Good ones, I hope,” I said.

“You look fierce and protective, no wonder Meyer is attached to you,” she said, pointing to the hand I was still holding.

He didn’t release me.

“How do you know that he isn’t protecting me?”

“Ah, could be.  Meyer, you are one major weirdo,” Mandy said.

Meyer ignored her and whispered, “D
uas mãos juntas
.”

Tom got off the phone.  “I guess everyone’s here.  Sit,” he commanded.

Meyer led me to where there were three empty chairs.  He let go of my hand long enough to pull my chair out.  Mandy sat next to me.  Harry found a place next, in between Manuel and Elijah.  Gareth sat at the far end of the table.

“I’m going to put it all out on the table.  We lost our insurance.  I have another company interested, but we’ve got to prove to them that there aren’t going to be any more accidents.  I managed to schedule a concert up at the Palm Beach County Fairgrounds.”

There were a few groans.

“I know you guys hate fairgrounds, but they carry their own insurance.  I need to find two opening bands available to do this.  Mandy, do you think you can pull together your musicians in time?”

“Yeah, no problem,” Mandy squeaked.

“That’s one.  I just got off the phone with Alex, and his band is also available.  I’ve not heard them yet, so I’m going to watch them perform before putting them on the bill.  But if any of you have any other ideas, I’m listening.”

The group was quiet.

“Okay then, let’s move on.  We lost a friend two nights ago.  The coroner has confirmed that she was murdered.  I want you guys to cooperate with the police.  Show up when they want you to, and for cripes’ sake, answer them truthfully.  We have to get to the bottom of this.  I’d like to give Harry the floor.  He and Cin have been close to the investigator.”

Some closer than others, I thought.

“Unfortunately, your private lives have already been ripped into,” Harry started.  “And a few questions have been raised.  Cin and I would like to get to the bottom of the accidents but will be available if any of you want to talk about Caroline’s murder too.  We can run some interference with the authorities, but I will echo Tom by saying the sooner we get to the truth, the better.  Cin and I will hang around here, and Tom will give us a few offices so you can talk to us in total privacy.”

“Yeah, but how much stays private?” Manuel asked.

“We’re working for you guys, not the cops,” Harry answered.

“The cop they have in charge is pretty damn scary,” Meyer said.

“If you’re truthful, you don’t have to worry.  Cin and I have worked with him before. He’s honest, can’t be bought, but he can be a bit of a hard ass.”

I was thinking that his ass was nice and hard.  I realized Harry was looking at me.

He repeated what he’d said, “Cin, do you have any questions for the group as a whole?”

I pushed my chair out and walked where everybody could see me.  “The motivation of whoever has been poisoning your food, electrocuting your substitute bass player, and rigging the tower so that it would fall on Meyer during the concert isn’t clear, but he is deadly serious.  He or she doesn’t want this tour to even get off the ground.  At first I thought that it was all aimed at Elijah, but I think that was tunnel vision on my part.  I think the band as a whole is the target.  Your loved ones are in jeopardy as much as you are.  Help us out, and open up.”

“Why should we listen to you?” Gareth asked.

“Harry and I were responsible for the apprehension of a pair of serial killers who hunted the Coconut Palms Community Band.  We’ve been in the fire before.  Let us help you.”  I walked over and sat back down.

“Okay, you heard the lady.  I want the four of you to look over the new concert schedule before we adjourn,” Tom said.  “Harry, Cin and Mandy, my secretary has some refreshments. Don’t worry, I tasted them myself before the meeting.”

Mandy and I got up and followed Harry out the door.  When the door closed, Mandy was jumping up and down.

“I got a gig! I’ve got to make some phone calls,” she said, excusing herself.

Harry and I followed the scent of food to a large lunchroom where cocktail food had been set out.  I looked over the offerings but declined.  “Harry, I wouldn’t if I were you.”

“Cin, where’s your trust?”

“We have to prepare for any private conversations we may have. We don’t have time to eat,” I reminded him.

Tom’s secretary showed us to where two small offices were set up for our use.  There weren’t any phones in them, and there was no way that the band’s conversations could be recorded.  There was just a tiny desk and one chair.  “Kind of reminds me of audition rooms,” I said to Harry.

He shrugged.

I no sooner sat down when Manuel walked in and shut the door behind him.  He didn’t sit down in the chair.  He stood over me for a minute before speaking.

“You’re not a suspect in Caroline’s murder,” I said.  “I’m your alibi.”

“Phew.  But what about the other nonsense?”

“Why don’t you sit down?”

He did, right at my feet.  I felt odd, so I slid off the chair so we were face to face.

“Heard you got dumped,” he said without compassion.

“Majorly dumped,” I said.  “But life moves on.”

“You should have stayed with Elijah and all would have been fine.  Stoneridge is a bit of a bastard.”

“I think he’s got things on his mind.  But since you brought it up, I’d like to tell you that there was never any Elijah and me.  It was something he told you all to punish Caroline.  I imagine he regrets it now.”

“You and I could, you know…”

“I’m not the band’s six pack, Manuel.”

He pulled out his book and hummed a bit before singing, “She had her pride, sustaining every attack. She didn’t want to be the band’s six pack.”

“Gee, that’s pretty good.”

“It’s your song.  I’m calling it ‘Cin Sins.’”

“I’m flattered, I guess.  If you’re going to fuck up, why not have it set to music for all to hear.”

“Tell me about it.”

I thought he was sympathizing, but I quickly realized he wanted to hear the story of Sidney and me.  “Sorry, I don’t kiss and tell.”

“Stoneridge isn’t as honorable.”

“Which helps me get over him, thanks.”

“I sense a bit of sarcasm.”