It wasn't until Olivia walked away from the admissions office that she admitted to herself, The sooner I interview the Tone Rangers the better. Better get on this before Janis gets mad.
Taking the path through the woods felt calming to her nerves. The clumps of dirt stuck to her worn cowboy boots, a sting from a mosquito assaulting her ear…
Smack went her hand. "Stop nagging me," she said aloud, looking at the remains of the insect's body in her palm.
Olivia inhaled. The scent of pine filled her nostrils. She inhaled again, more deeply feeling her abdomen expand, then she exhaled from her nose.
I can taste the trees on my tongue. No matter how late or distracted, this breathing thing works.
Inhale, exhale.
A blur of motion a distance away caught her eye. Mayor Maguire trotted on nimble paws toward her, his tongue hanging out the side of his mouth.
"Where have you been, doggo?" Olivia greeted him.
He came up to her and sat in front of her feet. She bent over to scratch behind his ears. The dog kept his eyes on hers, as if he had something on his mind.
"I know that look, M&M. You want me to come with you." She fluffed his ears again. When she didn't make a move, he stood on his back feet, then raised his front paws to place one on each of her shoulders. Before she could admonish him, he licked her closed mouth.
Olivia laughed. "Okay, Mayor, what's your deal?" She took one paw in each hand to direct him back to the ground.
Mayor Maguire turned in three circles and then barked playfully.
Olivia laughed again, watching the dog circle one more time before coming to his place by her right foot.
I have no idea what he's trying to tell me right now, but I know it must be important.
"Let's go," she told him.
This time she followed the dog farther into the woods, his excited tail encouraging her to walk faster. Olivia broke into a trot to keep up, but he suddenly stopped in his tracks. Olivia stopped right behind him, holding her breath so that she could hear. Muffled sobs came from a short distance.
Someone's crying.
Mayor Maguire stepped forward as Olivia followed. The dog skulked around three pine trees clumped together, giving Olivia a chance to move ahead without him. Olivia's heart thudded in her chest.
"Sage," Olivia called in a quiet voice.
Sage lifted her head from a picnic bench, her face swollen and red from crying.
As soon as Olivia greeted Sage, the mayor came closer. He inched his way to Sage and nudged her thigh with his black nose.
Olivia approached the dog and her sister gingerly, sitting close by on the bench.
Sage turned and patted M&M, her eyes eventually finding Olivia.
"What's wrong, honey?" Olivia asked.
Sage sniffed, pulling out a wad of napkins from her pocket. Dabbing at her face, she spread out one napkin and blew into it. Two nose wipes later she looked over at Olivia again, attempting a smile.
"A small breakdown, if you must know."
This is one of those times when I think I know what she's thinking and feeling.
"This has to be a difficult for you," Olivia said. "Parent weekend and Dave's death."
Sage nodded. "It was hard telling the families about Dave. Then Janis told me I had to keep everyone on campus, maybe into next week. She doesn't know when the police reports will come back and it's all up in the air."
"That's what she told me."
A puzzled look came over Sage's face. "How are things working out in the dorm? Have you learned anything from the students about Dave?"
"Kind of," said Olivia. "I’m actually on my way to a rehearsal with the Tone Rangers now. Janis wants me to keep asking questions. Anais has already spoken to me and I've seen Abbey. Raleigh and Legend are more elusive, but I hope to get them to open up more."
"Does Janis think one of my students actually killed Dave? They all loved him and said he was a lifesaver when it came to helping with their college admission prep."
"Lifesaver or not, Janis Jets leaves no stone nor suspect unturned."
"Of course, it's possible that a teen could kill someone, I just don't see it happening here at the academy. I mean, we have student meetings about killing bugs and if it's the ethical thing to do." Sage sighed. "Actually the parents have been so supportive over all of this. They like the time with the students. It's kind of sweet how even grandparents shadow their grandchild through the day."
"You mean Anais and the grands?" asked Olivia.
"And others," said Sage.
"I spoke to Anais and her grandparents while they were in line for lunch. They seemed nice enough. I did get a bit nervous when they told me about their connection with Rydell Cox and Simon Court."
At the mention of Rydell Cox, Sage's lips made a straight line. "I think Cox wants my job. Every time I turn around in that office, he's popping out of his door to see what I'm doing, like he's waiting for me to make a wrong move so that he can report to Court and the advisory board."
I'm not going to mention my helicopter ride, at least not yet. Sage doesn't need to worry about me.
"So you think there's an actual plan to fire you and put Cox in your job?"
Sage nodded. "I do, in fact. I know that's the plan. I feel it in my gut."
"Will you push back?"
"I will stand my ground. It will probably make them come on stronger, but I don't care. It's not just about me. The students need someone to show them the bigger picture. High school isn't just a path to getting into college with an early admission. Kids are young and need time to get to know themselves while they're learning. Look at the Tone Rangers. All they think about is that audition coming up. They have no idea how to listen to each other and work as a group. That's a necessary life skill, don't you think? That's what's important to me, and I seem to be the only person who cares about what lies beyond the next year."
Olivia nodded. "More bands break up because of communication obstacles than anything else. If they can't talk to each other, there's no chance for consensus. I didn't go to college, but I would have appreciated that lesson in group dynamics."
"Plus many of the adults live through their kids, thinking a prestigious college makes up for what they didn't have. They're the ones who are the most vulnerable to guys like Rydell Cox and Simon Court who promise early admission to Harvard or Yale."
"So you're not going to resign over the pressure," said Olivia, certain in her observation.
"I am not!" stated Sage. "I'm not leaving the position until I get a notice that I'm fired. Like I said, it's not just about me."
Olivia slid closer to Sage, placing her arm around her shoulders. "Then I'm not going to say otherwise. But I am going to keep my eye on you and I'll tell Janis about the pressure you feel."
I hope Janis will pay attention and not dismiss Sage's concerns now that she's dating Cox…
During their conversation Mayor Maguire had circled the bench, alternating his stare from one face to the other. Now he stopped to look up at Olivia.
"Oh drat, I have my rehearsal with the Tone Rangers. I have to go. I'm late already." Olivia patted Sage's knee. "We've got this, honey. You're not alone." She stood up from the bench.
Sage sniffed. "I'm feeling better. Now if I can just stay away from that jerk of a guidance counselor. He gives me the creeps."
Olivia reached out a hand, and Sage took it, pulling herself up to stand. "I don't think you have to worry too much. Rydell seems to be focused on other people right now." Olivia hesitated but then blurted, "He and Janis are having a thing, if you know what I mean."
"No!" exclaimed Sage. "I thought Janis had better taste than the likes of Rydell Cox. He's so sleazy."
"Apparently he likes Janis dressed in leather pants. What can I say?"
"Ick is the only word for that," Sage said, a slight smile on her lips.
"I agree, but we can talk more later. I’d better be on my way before the kids give up and I don't get my 'interview'." She used air quotes around the word interview to make Sage smile.
"I'll walk back with you," said Sage.
Mayor Maguire walked between them, his tail wagging happily.
By the time Olivia arrived in the auditorium, the Tone Rangers had formed a semicircle of chairs. Legend sat on the end, her head bent over a cell phone.
Clumps of dirt beneath the chair had fallen from her hiking boots. When Legend crossed her legs, Olivia saw the sole of one boot, leaves and dirt crushed into the crevices.
Raleigh sat next to Legend, also looking at a cell phone. Distressed jeans showed their exposed skin beneath the fraying. They also wore a Lily Rock Music Academy T-shirt hanging loosely over their thin torso, along with the customary hiking boots.
There's something about those hiking boots.
Anais sat next to Legend. She'd arranged her blond curls in a high ponytail and wore shorts and a T-shirt. Olivia noted the addition of expensive leather cowboy boots.
What happened to her matching pair of hiking boots? Maybe she's already individuating from the Tone Rangers. Wait a minute. Her new boots look like mine!
Olivia looked down at her scuffed cowboy boots. She's wearing shorts like mine as well. Maybe I'm the new role model…that would be a first.
Abbey Court sat as far away from her nemesis, Legend Watner, as she could. No phone in her hand, she stared straight ahead. At the sound of Olivia's voice, Abbey shifted her gaze straight at Olivia.
"Hey guys, sorry I'm late," Olivia said. "Oops," she corrected herself. "I know you aren't all guys. I really have to be more careful of how I address people."
Legend and Raleigh shrugged. Anais and Abbey said nothing.
Olivia pulled a chair from behind the piano to sit in front of the Tone Rangers. She took a long look at each student, giving each one a good once-over. Only Anais met her gaze.
When no one acknowledged her, she said, "I wanted to say how sorry I am about the loss of your tutor and my friend Dave Franco. This has been a shocking time. How are you holding up?"
"We're okay," said Abbey primly. "The school isn't dealing very well with this catastrophe. My father is very upset."
Olivia looked around to invite anyone else to speak. The other three paid no attention to Abbey or Olivia.
"Is your dad here this weekend?" asked Olivia.
"He'll be here tomorrow. He's detained by important business in Los Angeles," responded Abbey, as if she'd been asked to memorize the answer to that very question.
"How about you, Anais?" Olivia addressed the shy girl. "You and the grands having some fun this weekend? Have you been able to put aside thoughts of Dave's death?"
Anais nodded, but kept her eyes on her cell phone.
"I think Dave was pushed off the cliff," said Legend abruptly. She smoothed her skirt with a brushing motion. "I think someone at the school didn't want him helping us. They knew we'd score higher on the SATs, and they pushed him off to keep us down."
Olivia felt confused. Somehow the Tone Rangers have put themselves in the middle of Dave's death.
"Say more, Legend, about the other students."
"We get extra help because we're going somewhere. A top-ranking college is only the beginning. Our parents pay for us to get the best education, which means they have to hire a tutor. Abbey's dad made sure Dave was here for us weeks before fall semester. Everyone knows Simon Court has a ninety-nine percent college acceptance rate for all of his clients."
Abbey nodded, words pouring from her mouth. "My father is the premier counselor in Los Angeles. He also works across the country to help families with their gifted and talented kids."
"I see," commented Olivia.
For once Abbey and Legend agree. She shifted her glance to Raleigh.
"What do you think, Raleigh? How are you holding up since the death of Dave?"
Raleigh clicked the cell phone off. Looking over at Legend, they spoke in a quiet voice. "The thing is, me and Legend may have been the last people to see Dave before he, you know, toppled off the cliff."
Legend glared at Raleigh. "Now is not the time," he hissed. "You don't need to confess to our tutor."
I wondered if I was good enough for this elite group of self-promoters, and I think I just got my answer.
Olivia pushed back her indignation, keeping her voice neutral. "What makes you think you were the last ones to see Dave?"
"We were hiking the Lily Rock trail and saw him standing near the cliff. He wasn't alone. He was smoking a cigar with Cookie. They didn't notice us, so we just hiked deeper into the forest to avoid any small talk." Raleigh turned their head to avoid Legend's dirty look.
Abbey turned attention to herself, as if she too were uncomfortable with Raleigh's confession. "I am personally exhausted from adults asking me where I'm going to college and what my scores are on the PSAT. It's like all they think about is my potential as an adult." She folded her hands in her lap.
Anais looked up from her cell phone. "My grandparents bought me a new pair of boots today," she said, completely off topic.
Abbey patted her knee. "That's nice, sweetie, but we aren't talking about your choice of footwear."
Olivia took a moment to process what she'd heard.
The boys saw Dave before his fall. They claim to have continued hiking in the other direction. More importantly, Cookie was with Dave. I'd better tell Janis about Cookie.
"What time did you see Cookie and Dave?" Olivia asked.
Both Legend and Raleigh stared Olivia down.
"And that's your business because?" asked Legend.
"I'm just trying to understand what happened," Olivia tried. "It’s all been such a shock. Dave was a friend of mine, you know."
Raleigh took out his phone and handed it to Olivia. "I took a selfie of us in front of that old oak tree and here's the time stamp. It was 3:54 exactly."
Raleigh, dressed in a T-shirt and baseball cap, could be seen in the photo, one hand giving a thumbs-up, the other hand out of the frame, most likely holding the cell phone. Legend wore a similar faded baseball cap, smiling next to Raleigh in the photo. They looked like two students enjoying each other's company, hiking on the Lily Rock trail.
At least that's what the timely snapshot implies.
By now Legend grew restless, squirming in her chair. Anais stared distractedly over Olivia's head. Abbey scrolled on her cell phone. Only Raleigh looked ready to start singing.
Maybe we'd better start our rehearsal. I don't want to get their defenses up any more than I already have.
Armed with her new information, Olivia said, "Let's run through your set one time and then we'll work on the details for tomorrow's concert."
"Olivia," said Anais, "will we ever get to hear you sing?"
Being admired by an impressionable teen feels good.
"Sweet Four O'Clock plays the weekend after next at the outdoor amphitheater. I'll make sure to have a ticket for each of you at the box office."
"Don't bother for me," snarled Abbey. "I'll be taken out of this antiquated place and living at another prep school by then. Goodbye Tone Rangers," she said, waving her hand as if to brush off a fly.
"Good riddance," Legend fired back. "Sopranos are a dime a dozen, and now I can sing most of the high parts."
Olivia sighed. "That may well be, but we still have a concert tomorrow. So let's make it your best. Stand now and let's sing 'Closer to Fine' as a warm-up."
After an hour’s rehearsal Olivia felt her stomach growl. I'm hungry. Time for a break so I can refuel. "Good rehearsal, everyone, I'll see you tomorrow an hour before the concert. Wear black."
Rather than chat with the students, she folded her chair, stacked it behind the upright piano, and made her way to the stage exit. As soon as she had one foot out the door she heard her name called.
"Olivia, how was my singing today?"
Olivia faced Anais. "Your intonation is spot-on as always."
Anais's face glowed with the compliment.
"Did you have a good voice coach growing up?" she asked.
"I did," Anais said, nodding, "but I'm sure I'm not as good as you."
Not again. I think this girl has a crush on me.
Easing her purse over her shoulder, Olivia looked longingly toward the Curated Cuisine. "Do you want to walk with me?" she invited Anais.
"Oh, I do," said the girl.
Side by side they made their way along the footpath, along with Mayor Maguire, who joined them midway.
"Is that your dog?" asked Anais.
Olivia chuckled. "Now that you've asked, let me introduce you to the mayor of Lily Rock." She stopped in front of M&M, who moved ahead, blocking their path.
"Mayor Maguire, meet Anais Butler. Anais, meet Mayor Maguire." The dog lifted his right paw for Anais to take, and she giggled, extending her hand.
"He's the mayor?"
"Yes, he is, and you can call him M&M—that’s what I call him." The dog dropped his paw and then wagged his tail.
Anais shook her head. "Lily Rock is a funny place. But I like it here."
"I do too. It took some time to realize I belonged, but now that I do, I call Lily Rock my home." Olivia felt her spirit lighten as she spoke those words.
That admission was a long time coming.
Anais cleared her throat. "Before we get a snack, there's something I want to tell you about Dave and his death."
Olivia made every effort to look relaxed.
Maybe I'm going to get some pertinent information for Janis right now.
"Of course," she said immediately.
"I think I overheard Abbey telling her father that we’re all better off now that Dave was, you know, dead."
"You heard her say that?"
"On her cell right before you got to rehearsal. I'm sure she was talking to her father, I saw his name come up on her screen before she answered. I pretended not to listen. Most people ignore me anyway, so she didn't think I'd understand what she was saying."
Olivia felt confused. "What I don't understand is why she thought she could talk right in front of you."
"Oh, Abbey does that all the time. She's not the only one. Just because I'm quiet, people think I can't hear and don't have any opinions."
"But you do hear things. Thanks for letting me know."
They walked a few more steps before Anais spoke again. "So do you think that Abbey's father pushed him over the cliff?"
"That might be possible, but don't forget, Anais, we have no proof that Simon Court was even here when Dave died. He has an alibi for Los Angeles—at least I think he does."
Stop talking, Olivia. You'll be giving up your cover with too much information.
"That's what I heard from the Lily Rock police officer, Janis Jets," Olivia hastily added. "She told me in passing, you know, one grownup to another…over coffee."
Could I make a bigger mess of this?
"You know the police in Lily Rock?" Anais asked, eyes wide with admiration.
Olivia squirmed and then changed the subject. "I sure do miss Dave, but right now I'm hungry. Let's find a snack, maybe Cookie has some of his home-baked chocolate chip drops straight from the oven."
"I hope he remembered the pecans this time," sighed Anais.
With Mayor Maguire between them, they walked toward the Curated Cuisine.