Maria handed the empty cookie tin across the balcony rail to Celeste. “Jordi devoured them. I did manage to get one myself. Delicious.”
“I have a few left. Come for a cup of tea?” Celeste could see how these neighbors had become chosen family for Erlea. After only ten days of friendship, she wanted to adopt them.
“I would love to, but I’m getting the house ready for Jordi’s colleagues.” Athena hopped up and balanced on the rails. Such a natural athlete. “You are welcome to join us for dinner.”
“Thank you, no. I am meeting friends tonight myself.” Celeste loved being able to say that again. “Have you heard from Beatriz lately?” It felt odd to call Erlea by her given name, but Maria insisted.
“Not for a couple days. Why don’t you call her? I’m sure she’d love that.”
“Oh no, I don’t want to intrude. I’m sure things are getting very tense so close to opening night.”
“Well, at least send her a picture of Athena. That’s how I remind her she has a home here even when she is on the road.”
So Celeste took a short video of Athena racing around after the red dot. She added the message, Why does she love chasing the dot when she never catches it?
The phone rang moments later. “She loves the hunt,” Erlea said, “and that you play with her. Thank you. Jordi says you are a natural with cats, that Athena only visits them now.”
“I didn’t mean to steal her,” Celeste replied. “Or interrupt your rehearsal.”
“A welcome break. Nico is on everyone’s last nerve. Everything must be perfect, and we lost another crew member yesterday. How do you like my place?”
Celeste hesitated. She loved it. As Barcelona apartments went, it was large, with two bedrooms and an office. The light was good, the street noise low, the kitchen well-appointed. But best of all were the orderly shelves of books, the paintings by artists she’d never heard of, the array of instruments by the composition table. And the roof garden. Plus that lovely, peaceful bathroom full of plants. The only thing missing was Erlea. “It feels like you.”
“Uh-oh. Did I leave a mess?”
“No, silly. It’s wonderful and I love it.” Too much, Celeste. “How is Maji doing?”
“I’m concerned. Can I call you after we wrap today?”
“Sure. Catch me before eight.”
“You’re going out?” Erlea sounded genuinely pleased. “Good for you.”
Celeste went into Erlea’s bedroom to change for her evening out. Her small wardrobe of dresses hung next to Erlea’s clothes. She put her face to one of Erlea tops and inhaled, sneezed, and laughed at herself. The remnants of smoke clung to it, but also Erlea’s scent.
Celeste kept the shower short, not letting her thoughts dwell on Erlea as they often did while she lathered and rinsed, thinking of her strong and graceful musician’s hands. When she stepped out and toweled off, Athena waltzed into the large basin and started licking the drops of warm water.
“You are so strange,” Celeste told her.
Athena only purred in response.
It was the first thing Celeste recounted on the phone to Erlea, who made a purring sound. “Maybe it tastes like you.”
Even over the phone, Erlea’s voice warmed her through. Celeste cleared her throat.
“Sorry,” Erlea said. “I retract that. I want you to feel at home there. I won’t do that again.”
“I am not fragile, or so easily scared off,” Celeste assured her. “And you have a good purr. Not as good as Athena’s, but then, no one is petting you.”
She heard Erlea sputter and Imane laughing in the background. “Hey. I’m drinking here. Nearly sprayed beer out my nose. And it’s the only one I get today.”
Celeste chuckled. “Well, don’t waste your ration. Is Maji there with you, too?”
“No, just Imane. And I am not putting her on speakerphone,” Erlea replied, her voice climbing. A door swooshed and clicked. “There. I locked her out on the balcony. Where she is making very childish faces. I wish Maji was here, but she is all work since her friend died.”
“How so?”
“Well, she spends hours in Dave’s room and working out. I’ve never seen someone exercise so much. During our Aikido hour, she is very focused, no joking.”
“I’m glad you’re still doing that together. Initially I thought it would help with your stress, but now I think she needs it more. I’m glad you are there for her.”
“Oh, and she’s practicing my finale, the bungee number. But I don’t need an understudy, especially one who can’t sing.”
Celeste pondered that. “She needs to feel that she is helping. Are you in any danger of panicking on opening night, not being able to perform the number yourself?”
“No. Every day it gets locked into muscle memory more. But I let her because, like you say, she needs to.” Erlea took an audible sip. “And she is working daily with Santxo, too, upgrading security measures for concert nights.”
“They haven’t caught anyone yet?” By now the Spanish police should have made some progress. “Someone shot at you, for Christ’s sake.”
“Not yet. And they were trying to hit my father, not me. Still, I can’t think too much about it or I feel caged in here. I wish I was home with you.” The line went quiet, then Erlea asked, “How are you there? Do you feel safe?”
“In your building, with the security and Jordi and Maria next door, yes. When I am at work, yes. On the metro and walking alone, I look over my shoulder a lot.” No point lying. “But I have a panic device and other measures Paragon helped me devise. Plus, my friends look out for me.”
“I’m glad you have them. You deserve freedom and happiness.” Erlea paused again. “You really don’t mind the cat? I know you didn’t grow up with them.”
“That’s true, but I always wanted one. My mother is allergic, med school was too busy, and Adrienne didn’t like them.” Celeste heard a little growl at the mention of her ex. “Anyway, Athena is great. I had no idea cats were so funny.”
“Funny?”
“Fascinating might be a better word. Such rituals, such a love of her routines. Sometimes Maria has to interpret, to tell me what cues I am supposed to pick up. Does she sit by the toy she wants to play with and just look at you?”
Erlea laughed. “And then you have to play with her, yes. For a reward, you can give her a massage.”
“Oh, she tells me when it’s time for that. I read half a novel the other night when she claimed my lap. And missed supper.” Celeste waited for Erlea to stop laughing. “But some things she does scare me.”
“Such as?”
“She climbs up to the roof.”
“Well, she is a tiny jaguar. It is in her nature.”
“It’s dangerous. Aren’t you worried she’ll get hurt?”
“Of course. But keeping her locked indoors would be cruel. She may be domesticated, but she is wild at heart.”
Celeste considered that. “Are we still talking about the cat?”
“Naturally. A cat is her own person. You want her to claim you, you must respect that.”
“Do I want her to claim me? I mean, I am only here temporarily. This is still your home.”
“It’s yours as long as you want it.” Through Erlea’s words, Celeste heard a banging. “I better let Imane back in. She’s going to grill me now.”
Celeste smiled to herself. “Tell her we only talked about the cat.”
“She won’t believe that. She’s too smart.”
* * *
Maji cleaned up after the morning Aikido session and stopped by Dave’s room to check in. “I’m heading back to the theater. One more time through the finale.”
“Don’t hurt yourself overworking,” Dave said with a frown. “And did you eat any breakfast?”
“I had a protein bar.” His room, in contrast, smelled of bacon and coffee.
Dave waved her to the table. “Sit. Eat. You can rehearse when you’ve had something real.” He set a full plate in front of her and went over to the coffeemaker.
“I’m not hungry,” she grumbled, dutifully taking a bite. It tasted fine, but her body rebelled. Good food was like the gorgeous weather, wrong somehow.
“I know,” Dave said. He’d been very open with her, sharing his own stories of grief.
“Two days to curtain,” Maji said, full up on sharing the personal, even if it did make her feel less alone. Work was easier to focus on. At least she could do something about it. “How do we look?”
Dave sat and matched her bite for bite, talking around his food. “Nigel will be in the VIP seats, so no worries he’ll know you’re backstage. We’ll tell him you went home for a funeral.”
“Clever.” Maji knew the cast and crew were aware that she was grieving. They’d been really sweet, especially Roger. She felt bad shutting Erlea and Imane out, but what could she really tell them? It was easier to keep to herself. “What about Nico, Erlea, Imane?”
“Erlea and Imane we tell tomorrow. Nico, well…we’re thinking maybe a serious case of food poisoning from tomorrow’s lunch.”
“I wouldn’t trust him to not tell Nigel either. Alejandro?”
“The kid knows the show as well or better than Nico. You trust him?”
“Yep. And Roger. All they really need to know is that I’m standing in for the finale, right? If Erlea’s on board, everyone else will follow.”
“How do you feel about getting her on board?”
Maji looked down at her plate, surprised to find it nearly empty. “Good. I think she’ll want to nail the bastards who stole her father from her as much as I do.”
* * *
Maji turned in to the alley to the loading dock and spotted Santxo chatting with one of his security force. Only after the shooting at the Real Cartuja had they finally put someone back here. The closer to opening day, the tighter security got. Better late than never.
“Hey, Santxo. What brings the chief down?” Holding a giant flower arrangement.
He smiled at her, his mustache lifting at the corners. “Celebrities. A French women’s football team sent Erlea these. I guess they are big fans of hers.”
Odds on it was Adrienne’s team. “Did they send a note?” Maji asked.
“Of course. Full of good wishes, no doubt.” He held it out.
Maji plucked it from his fingers. “No doubt. Here, I’ll take them to Erlea.”
“Very well,” Santxo said, his proud posture deflating a bit. “Give her my best.”
Maji nodded. “I always do. And she’s very grateful for your hard work. She says so regularly.”
“Really?” He straightened up and touched his hat brim. “Well, no one gets hurt on my watch.”
Maji set the arrangement down as soon as she was out of sight backstage. She dialed Dave and glanced at the note, confirming her suspicions. “Got flowers and a note from Adrienne at the theater. Don’t know if it’s a peace offering or a threat. You wanna come see?”
“I’ll bring the kit,” he replied.
* * *
Erlea read the card from Adrienne as Maji and Dave stood by in the empty wardrobe room. The disassembled flower arrangement lay on the counter. Wish I could come see your show in person. They think I am mailing you an apology. But if you steal my girlfriend, I swear I will come find you.
“Who does she think she is? You can’t own a girlfriend. Is this supposed to frighten me?” It only made her want to tear the flowers to shreds. “How is Celeste?”
“We haven’t told her yet,” Maji said.
Erlea hated to worry Celeste, but…“I think you should. What if Adrienne shows up in Barcelona? I don’t think counseling is doing the trick.”
Nico banged through the door. “There you are. We open tomorrow and you are playing with flowers?” He glared at Maji and Dave. “You two get out. You’ve interfered enough with my show.”
“Your show?” Erlea said. “Stop acting like you do all the work. It takes dozens of people, and they deserve the credit more than you.”
“You would say that.” Nico scowled, his inner ugliness ruining his handsome features. “You’ve got this sudaca doing your stunts for you. Too bad she can’t sing.”
Erlea moved toward him, her pulse beating loud in her ears at the racist epithet. “How dare—”
“Don’t bother,” Maji said, putting a hand on her shoulder. “I’ve been called worse things by better people.”
“Nico,” Erlea said, measuring her words. “Get out. Pack and leave. Nigel will send you severance papers.”
“You can’t fire me. Not now.”
“No, I’m way overdue,” Erlea said. “And if you don’t go this instant, I will have you removed.” She felt Maji give her shoulder a friendly squeeze as she stared Nico down.
“You’ll hear from my lawyer.” Nico spun on his heel and left.
Erlea blew out her breath. “At least I didn’t hit him. I nearly lost it for real.”
“So did he. He forgot to snap,” Maji said.
* * *
Celeste’s fingers trembled as she pulled up Adrienne’s Skype ID. Lunch didn’t want to stay down, even with the ginger tea she had sipped all afternoon while trying to keep her focus on her new clients. She took a deep breath, let it out slowly, and hit send.
Adrienne’s face appeared after only three rings. “Celeste? Is that really you?”
“Yes. We need to talk.”
“Damn right,” Adrienne agreed. “Turn on your view. I can’t see you.”
Same tone. You can’t change her, Celeste reminded herself. Only yourself. “One moment.” She took another long breath and clicked the video button. “There. Now—”
“God, you look so beautiful,” Adrienne cut in. “I’ve missed you so much. Don’t tell me you’re sleeping with her. She isn’t right for you. If you just give me a chance—”
“Stop,” Celeste said. “Just stop, and listen for once. You and I are over. Nothing in my life is your business. Do you understand?”
“Then why did you pull that crap with the video? Are you trying to get me kicked off the team? Therapy is bullshit, but I’m going for you. For us.”
Celeste shook her head. “No. You are going for you.” And for the next woman who dares to love you, she added silently. “You need help. Not just to keep your career. But to be happy. I do want that for you.”
“Then give me another chance. I’ve changed.”
“Really? You sent Erlea a threat.”
Adrienne had the decency to look embarrassed. “I didn’t mean it. It’s the Ambien. I sent flowers to, like, a dozen people. And bought a lot shoes, too.” She sat up straight. “You can’t blame me for that. I wasn’t myself.”
Nothing had changed. “Doesn’t matter what the excuse is,” Celeste said. “You still aren’t taking responsibility for your actions. I won’t contact you again. And I expect the same from you.”
“Or what?” Adrienne’s tone and expression made Celeste swallow hard.
“Or I will press charges against you,” Celeste said.
Adrienne laughed. “You out me, you out yourself.”
“I can live with that. I am not ashamed anymore,” Celeste said. “Good-bye.” She ended the call before Adrienne could reply.
While she was making a fresh cup of tea, Celeste’s phone buzzed. If that was Adrienne…no, she did not have the new number. She sat and blew on her mug, checking the texts.
Thinking of you. <3 Virtual hug, Erlea’s message said.
Celeste called her, smiling. “Got your message. Thank you. What is <3?”
“It’s a geeky heart,” Imane called out.
“I’m taking this off speaker and making her go inside,” Erlea said.
“No, it’s okay,” Celeste replied. “Are you on the balcony? Show me the view.”
Erlea turned on the video call function and Celeste saw the bands of pink and orange clouds above the ocean. Then Erlea turned it to Imane, who waved, and to her own smiling face at last. “Hi. How are you?”
“I’ve been better,” Celeste said. “I called Adrienne and told her off.”
“Wow.” Erlea’s face in the little viewscreen scrunched with worry. “Are you safe? Do you want me to find Maji? How do you feel? I mean…shutting up now.”
Celeste laughed. “I will update Maji when she calls me back. No rush. And I feel good. I’m sorry she dragged you into this, but I’m glad, too. It gave me the push to confront her at last.”
“I’m proud of you,” Erlea said.
“Me, too,” Imane called out. “What for?”
Celeste smiled. “Please fill her in later.” At Erlea’s nod, she continued. “Right now, I want to hear about you. Are you ready for your big night?”
“I feel great. Oh, and I fired Nico today.” Erlea laughed at Celeste’s obvious astonishment. “I used my sensible shoes to give him the boot.”
Celeste raised her tea mug in a toast. “To freedom and better days ahead.”
“Did you get the tickets?” Erlea asked after clinking glasses with Imane.
“Yes. Maria and Jordi are so excited by the VIP seats. And the backstage passes.” Celeste paused. “Me, too. Thanks. I can’t wait.”
Erlea beamed at her. “And your names are on the after-party list. I will see you there?”
“Count on it. I want to dance with you again.”
* * *
“Look what happened this morning. There could have been a bomb in those flowers, yet you carried them directly to Erlea, didn’t you? You can’t even keep her safe from one crazy woman,” Nigel said. “I want additional security on patrol tomorrow night. I will hire them myself.”
“Fine,” Romero replied. “As long as they don’t keep us from apprehending Echeverra.”
“You’re sure you’ll know it’s him?” Nigel asked. “Not like last time.”
Dave’s calm facade flickered. “Mr. Winterbottom, we never thought the docent was Echeverra. We just hadn’t reached the rendezvous yet when the shooting occurred. I expect that scared him off.”
“And what will you be doing to protect Erlea while they hunt this terrorist at my show?” Nigel asked Maji.
Maji put on her contrite face. “I’m sorry, sir. I won’t be there. I’ve been called home on family business.”
“Oh, right. I heard some mention. My condolences, dear.”
Maji bit her tongue, looking down at her shoes in lieu of a reply.
“Erlea shouldn’t be in any danger,” Dave said, “so long as we scoop up Echeverra and get him far from her.”
“Well then, the sooner the better,” Nigel said.
Romero nodded in agreement. “Let us know when your security contractors arrive, and we’ll brief them on how to recognize Echeverra and when and how we plan to apprehend him.”