Shaley, where you going?” Bruce demanded.
I didn’t look back. “To talk to that policeman.”
“You’re supposed to stay here.”
“I don’t care.”
A deep sigh seeped from his throat. I heard his heavy footsteps following.
Down the hall, Jerry Brand saw me coming and cut off his conversation with Pete. Jerry started toward me, glancing at the officer as he passed. He met me halfway, planting his short, stocky body in my path. I halted. Behind me, Bruce’s footsteps stopped.
“Hey, Shaley.” Jerry’s voice was gentle. “I was just about to come see how you’re doing.”
Despite his obvious goal to stop me, the genuine concern in his voice squeezed my heart. His green eyes studied me, his forehead wrinkled. In his fifties, Jerry wore a black Rayne T-shirt, his belly hanging over the waist of his loose-cut jeans. He gave me his trademark crooked smile, although this one was sad. “You look like you’ve been through a lot.”
I nodded.
Under the lights, Jerry’s bald crown looked sallow. He latched his hands behind his back, put his weight on one leg, and thrust the other one forward. His eyes rose briefly over my shoulder to Bruce. “I know you got a lot of help here, but I just … wondered if there’s anything I can do.”
The word no formed on my tongue, then dissolved. As awkward as he appeared in asking, Jerry clearly wanted to help. I forced a tiny smile of my own. “In the next few days I just might need another one of your wild hunting stories.”
His round face brightened. “Oh yeah? The fish so big it pulled me outta the boat?”
“You know I’ve heard that a dozen times.”
“The bear that chased me through the woods when I was stalking a deer?”
In spite of myself, my smile widened. “I like that one. Brittany’s coming tonight, you know. She’ll love to hear it.”
Three men in the HP Pavilion’s security-guard uniform appeared and spoke with the policeman. They spotted me and turned their backs, talking in low tones.
Jerry glanced around at them, then nodded at me, satisfied. “Okay. You got it. Maybe in Denver. We’re pulling out at six a.m.”
We meant the tech bus and the huge trucks that carried all the equipment. “Wow, that will be hard. You’ll be tired.” Normally he and Vance, the driver he switched off with, would be sleeping now. While on the road, the driver’s job was the hardest. At least the technicians on the bus could sleep in their beds all day if they wanted. Jerry only got to rest on his bunk when Vance drove.
Jerry shrugged. “It’s what I was hired for.”
“How long’s the drive?”
“About twenty hours. That’s without stops to eat. So probably more like twenty-three. We’ll get there about six o’clock Sunday morning. Denver time.”
What a life. I was glad I got to stay in hotels and fly everywhere. All day tomorrow, while the buses and trucks were driving, the band had a free day at the hotel.
“Okay, Jerry. See you there. And thanks for coming to check on me.”
“No problem.”
I made a move to pass him.
“Shaley.” Bruce’s low voice sounded behind me. “Don’t.”
Jerry held his hands up, palms out. “I don’t think you want to be going anywhere, Shaley. That suite’s for your own protection.”
Irritation wriggled in my gut. “I just want to talk to the policeman. Hear what they’re doing downstairs.”
“They’re doing their job. Collecting evidence.”
“But maybe they’ll miss something. I need to make sure.”
“Listen.” Jerry laid a hand on my shoulder. “You want to help? This isn’t the way. The best thing you can do is remember every detail when the police interview you. They’ll be counting on you for that.”
Jerry’s gaze lifted above my head. I could imagine Bruce nodding to him in agreement.
Before I could reply, the door to the suite nearest the officer and security guards opened. Mom appeared, Mick alongside. She caught my eye and began walking toward me with purpose. In her concert clothes — the straight-legged jeans and red high heels, an Ella Moss top — she looked every bit the star, even though her face was grim, her usually lithe movements tense. The policeman ogled her as she passed. Mick gave him a hard look.
Jerry glanced around and saw her coming. He stepped out of her way.
Mom drew up, her expression pinched.
“Shaley, let’s go in there.” She pointed to the suite where I’d been. “We need to talk.”