Right after lunch Olivia slipped into the Curated Cuisine for a cup of coffee. Going unnoticed, she took a to-go cup and walked back toward her room. She felt her cell phone buzz in her back pocket. Stopping, she reached back with her free hand, noting Janis Jets on the screen. "Hey, Officer Jets, how are you today?"
"I'm working and it's Sunday, how do you think I'm doing?" came a grumbly voice.
"Coming to the student teacher recital this evening?" asked Olivia.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world. You know how I love a bunch of kids making music while besotted parents look on."
"Do I hear sarcasm dripping from your voice?" inquired Olivia.
"Why don't you come see for yourself? Meet me in my campus office in an hour. I've got some news from the coroner."
"Really? I also have news for you. Remind me to tell you about the lanyard and the key. I think they matter."
"What lanyard and what key?"
"Like I said, I'll tell you later. Oh, and I need to tell you about the guy who threatened me. At least I think he was a guy. And I have this bruise on my neck to show you too. Looks like we have lots to share with each other."
Janis's voice shifted. "Olivia, are you okay? I'm not kidding around."
The old Janis, the one I knew before…it's the tone of her voice.
"I'm just fine. A little bruise, not a big deal."
"Bring your stories and your bruises to the admissions office in an hour. Until then stay out of trouble."
"Will do," chimed Olivia, clicking off the cell phone.
By the time she reached her dormitory, she'd finished her coffee. Tossing the paper cup into the receptacle in the lobby, she walked up the stairway to her room on the second floor. Only the whir of the hallway fan could be heard.
She leaned over to pick up a plastic baggie that lay in front of the room next to the showers. She sniffed.
Smells like a chocolate chip cookie.
Olivia walked past the showers to her room, unlocking the door. When she stepped into the room, she gasped.
The top of her suitcase had been unzipped; someone had left her clothes strewn across the floor. Olivia felt her stomach tighten. She turned, noticing her closet had been left open.
She pushed the door open further to find her recital dress and two T-shirts pulled from the hangers, left in a pile. She checked the corners, making certain no one was hiding.
I don't understand. Why would someone rummage through my clothes? I've only been here a couple of nights.
Her eyes grew wide.
The key.
She rushed to her bedside table, tugging on the drawer. Once open it revealed a small container of tissues and…no key.
Olivia sat on the edge of her bed, knees shaking. She took her cell phone, about to hit the Call button, but then changed her mind. She texted Michael instead.
Any chance you could come over to the dormitory? My room's been vandalized.
She hit Send.
Within a minute Michael's name appeared on her phone screen. With a shaking hand she accepted his call.
"Are you okay?" he asked immediately.
She told him about coming back to her room and the missing key.
Michael's voice lowered, his sense of calm steadying her nerves. "I'm supposed to meet Janis in her office in half an hour. I'll come by and—"
"I'm supposed to meet with her too," said Olivia.
"I'll come right over to your room and we can go together. Lock your door and don't answer unless it's me," he cautioned.
"What good will locking my door do? It's obvious someone had a key to break in."
"It's a precaution," he explained. "Try shoving a desk chair under the knob. You could raise a ruckus loud enough for students to get curious, should someone try again."
She gulped. "You and Janis are scaring me."
"If someone is threatening you and bothering to turn your room upside down, then you must know something that you don't realize you know. It's making someone very nervous. Maybe they think you saw the killer…"
"But I don't know who it was!" protested Olivia. "I have a few people who make me suspicious, but I have no idea who killed Dave."
After saying goodbye, Olivia clicked off her phone. She stood on shaky legs to look at herself in the small mirror over the dresser near the doorway. Touching her neck with one finger, she examined it more closely.
I do have a bruise. Evidence for Janis. And for the record? Ouch!
Michael and Olivia found Janis in her new makeshift office, sitting behind the conference table she'd made into a desk. The two chairs across the table remained where they'd left them the evening before.
Michael gestured with his head. "Is Cox in his office on a Sunday?"
Janis looked over and back at Michael. "He's not there, but why don't we close the door just in case he comes in."
That was the first time Olivia had heard Janis express any opinion about the proximity of Rydell Cox to her office.
"What about Sage, is she in her office?" asked Olivia.
"She's down at the auditorium getting ready for the concert this evening," said Jets, still staring at her laptop in front of her.
Olivia asked, "How did your evening go last night with Cox and Court at the pub?"
Janis looked up and then shut her computer down. "I saw you two canoodling under the stairway."
"We weren't exactly canoodling," argued Olivia. "We were avoiding your company. That whole helicopter landing in the parking lot was a bit much."
Jets sighed. "It was over the top, but I had to play along. Rydell and Simon Court are old buddies."
"So Rydell is your new squeeze?" asked Michael.
Jets's eyes narrowed. "You could say that. We've been spending some time together of late."
"He's the one you've been on the phone with all week?" asked Olivia.
Jets's face went blank, then she nodded. "Oh, you mean back at the constabulary, when I was on the phone, before the death? It must have been Rydell. Let's leave it at that." Janis leaned over the table toward Olivia. "Before I fill you in on what I've learned, tell me more about how you got that bruise." Janis pointed to Olivia's neck.
"Like I said on the phone, I closed my eyes for a few minutes to center myself before the Tone Rangers arrived for their rehearsal. Then I felt hands around my neck, choking me. I could barely breathe. Before I could turn around, someone said, 'I know what you're up to. Stay away from the music academy or you'll be sorry.' I wanted to chase the culprit, but the kids showed up for their rehearsal. I didn't want to alarm them, so I just sat down and put the whole thing aside until afterward."
Jets placed her elbows on the table, resting her chin in her palms. "So who do you think it was?"
"I'm not sure," Olivia answered quickly. "The voice sounded low and gravelly and unfamiliar."
"Did you see anything, like arms or even footwear? Did you look down?"
Olivia shook her head, then looked over at Michael, reaching for his hand. He held hers on his lap. "Tell Janis about your room now. I think all of this is connected."
She explained about her room being tossed. "I think they wanted the key," she said. "That's the only thing missing from my room, not that I had anything valuable there for such a short stay."
Jets's eyes narrowed. "Am I supposed to know something about this key? I don't remember you telling me."
"The one Cookie dropped under his bench when I saw him and Cox having lunch together. I told you a few days ago, at the constabulary!" Olivia felt exasperated.
What happened to the Janis Jets who never forgot a detail?
"Oh right, I remember now. I told you to put them in your bottom drawer. It seems you didn't follow my directions as usual."
"Plus somebody tried to strangle me in the auditorium. At first I thought somebody may be after my duplicate key, thinking I had it on me. By then the Tone Rangers arrived and I didn't want to alarm them so we just rehearsed as usual. By the time I rushed outside, I found Cox's car with a key in the back."
"Not your key?"
"No." She shook her head, touching her throat.
Janis lifted her chin and dropped her elbows underneath the table. "So we have a break-in, a missing key, and a threat by a man who strangled you from behind. Oh, and let's not forget the helicopter ride. Maybe this is all about getting Sage out of the way. I need to make a call." Jets reached for her cell phone. "You two can go now," she said dismissively.
"I think Olivia needs a bodyguard," Michael insisted.
Jets looked at him, surprise showing on her face. "Isn't that how you two met in the first place? You were her bodyguard, even though she didn't know it? Get outta my office, both of you, and guard each other's bodies, I don't care. Just let me continue my investigation.
"And you," Jets pointed to Olivia, "take your bodyguard and go home. No more snooping for right now. I thought you'd be more discreet, but somebody has figured out that you're my mole and working for the police."
"I am working for the police?" Olivia felt somehow pleased.
"Not that way," mumbled Janis. "You were helping me out in an unofficial capacity, and now you'll get out of my hair. I suggest you take a day or two off—without pay, of course—for recuperation." Jets glanced at Michael, a sly look in her eye. "Or for bodyguarding, if that's what you're calling it."
Olivia frowned. "No can do," she told Jets. "I have a gig tonight with the Tone Rangers. After that I can go home but not before."
"And I," added Michael, "will be your bodyguard until Janis arrests the killer. Any chance of that happening in the near future?"
"Not sure," mumbled Jets.
"I'm not leaving yet. I told you my information, now it's your turn to tell us about the coroner."
Janis Jets placed her cell back on the table. She looked at the closed door behind Michael's back, then spoke. "There's more to tell about all of this but on a need-to-know basis. This death is not the extent of the inquiry. My guys actually found this on Dave's body, when they first discovered him at the bottom of the cliff."
She reached under the table into her briefcase, bringing up a small round disc with a wire attached.
"What is that?" asked Olivia.
Michael bit his bottom lip.
"It seems Dave was an informant," answered Jets. "Someone used Dave to get recordings of Cookie, Court, and Cox."
Michael stared at Janis. "Their names are an alliteration. Did you notice?"
"I have no time for grammar lessons. Anyway…Franco was an informant, that's all I'm saying."
"Did Dave record any of the Tone Rangers?" Olivia asked.
"I haven't heard all the tapes, but I think the kids were left out. But Cox, Court, and Kravitz are our main suspects. That's why we're interested in everyone Dave spoke to those few hours before his death."
Olivia watched Michael's jaw tighten. He leaned forward to ask, "Are you telling us that the cops weren't the ones wiring Dave?"
Jets shook her head. "Not us. Somebody else. That's what I'm saying. This need-to-know conundrum is out of your pay grade. You two don't need to know just yet."
Olivia sat in stunned silence.
Michael squeezed her hand.
Jets continued to stare at them both, her mouth in a grim line. "Now get going, you two. There's the concert and the bodyguarding. That should keep you both busy for the rest of the day."
Janis picked up her phone once again, as Michael and Olivia left together, closing the door behind them.
Michael put his arm around Olivia. "This isn't as simple as it once seemed."
"You can say that again," agreed Olivia. "I was going to tell Janis about Anais and what she told me earlier. Until she played that need-to-know card. Then I got irritated."
"So tell me," Michael urged. "What did Anais say about Dave?"
"She saw him on the cliff, right around the time he fell to his death."
"That may be important to Janis's timeline. But Jets gave us an assignment, so let's get going on that. What's our next move?" asked Michael.
"I want to pick up my clothes and go home. It would feel so good to sleep in my own bed tonight."
"Not without my company," Michael responded. "I don't have to sleep in the same bed, but I do have my bodyguard assignment from Janis. Maybe on the sofa?"
Olivia pulled away with a smile. "The sleeping together will hopefully happen very soon, just not tonight."
His dark eyes lit up, accompanied by a big smile. "As soon as I'm done being your bodyguard, I'll turn in my badge and sign up as your boyfriend."
This time Olivia reached out for his hand, holding it close to her side as they walked toward the parking lot.
"Testing one, two, three," came the voice of the academy sound engineer. "Would you move that mic to the right about three inches?" he directed Olivia.
"Will do. Is that okay?" She tapped the mic.
The sound engineer nodded.
"I have to go," she told him. "My group needs some last-minute instructions before the recital."
"I can help," volunteered Michael. He jumped onto the stage, relieving Olivia of the microphone.
"Thanks," she muttered. "I wonder where the Tone Rangers have gone?" She jumped from the stage to look around the auditorium.
A short search revealed the group in the green room backstage. They sat together, each in a folding chair, all four heads bent over cell phones.
"Heads-up, everyone, it's time for a check-in before the recital begins," she told them in her most cheerful voice.
Abbey's chin rose first. "My dad will be in any minute. He wants to talk to us."
Olivia shuddered.
I don't remember inviting Simon Court to deliver a pep talk.
Her index finger inched up her neck where the attacker had left his mark.
He could have been the person who assaulted me.
Her stomach lurched and she inhaled deeply.
Speak of the devil…
Wearing his usual black and white tracksuit, Simon Court strode through the green room door. He held a briefcase in one hand and a look of impatience on his face. Abbey leapt to her feet, reaching her arms out. "Hello, Daddy, I'm so happy to see you."
"Not now, Abigail. I'll see you after the concert. We can talk then." Court shoved Abbey aside with his shoulder, making his way across the room toward Olivia.
Olivia took the initiative to speak first. "Take your time with your daughter. She's been working so hard on this performance and she wants your attention in the worst way. Can't you see that?"
He leaned in, his face an inch from hers. "The kid is too needy," he hissed. "Stop playing into her weaknesses and work on her strength. It's your fault she's no longer the lead and I want you to change that before tomorrow."
Instead of backing away, Olivia insisted, "Not my decision. The Tone Rangers choose their own leader, plus Abbey might need a break. She's looking a bit fatigued lately."
Court glanced over his shoulder, spinning around just as Abbey resumed looking at her phone. This time the other three Tone Rangers stared at Simon Court. It was Legend who shook her head, her eyes dropping back to the screen that she held in one hand.
"She looks okay to me," muttered Court. "She’s always got her face in that phone, so I can't tell."
She always has her face in her phone because you won't talk to her.
Olivia looked directly into Simon Court's eyes. "I'm going to rehearse with the group right here in the green room. You are not invited. Abbey will talk to you after the recital."
Before he could refuse, Olivia used a hand gesture to get the attention of the group. "We're going to sing now," she announced, using her voice of authority. Immediately Legend looked up. She elbowed Raleigh. They all stood, phones put aside, eyes on Olivia.
Outnumbered, Court left.
"I have a few words to say to you," Olivia told the group. She looked into each pair of eyes, taking her time with each one, before moving to the next. When she stared at Abbey, the girl looked away.
"I want to talk to you about the recital." Olivia reached for a piece of chalk. She stood next to the old green board to write their two-song set list. All of the singers nodded their agreement.
"Any questions?" Olivia asked.
"Will this be our last recital in the old auditorium?" asked Anais.
"When will the new amphitheater be ready?" added Raleigh, rubbing their hand under their nose.
"It won't be the very last recital. The new amphitheater won't be ready until next spring," answered Olivia. "I know the architect and that is his estimation."
"I hope it's ready for our graduation," Abbey said quietly.
I think she actually likes the academy for all of her complaining. She sounds sad.
Then Legend spoke up. "I think Abbey is the perfect leader for this performance. She has the perfect voice. I can start up as the leader after this performance."
Does she feel sorry for Abbey now that the group picked her as their new leader?
Abbey's eyes grew wide. "How come you're so nice all of a sudden?"
Olivia watched Legend nervously shift her feet under the chair. "I'm just saying, you are a good singer," muttered Legend.
Olivia cleared her throat. "Okay then, we can talk about the rest of the school year later. Now I want to address how we'll collect money for Dave's family. Don't forget, even Broadway actors do this on occasion. They collect money from patrons for any number of causes.
"Here’s how it will work. Ms. McCloud will introduce me and the Tone Rangers as the closing act of the recital. She'll talk about Dave Franco and ask the audience to donate some money to his wife and her baby. After we exit the stage each of you will grab one of these hats." Olivia pulled out a stack of black top hats, holding one up. "You'll meander through the crowd holding out the hats."
"Posters with photos of Dave and Linnea have already been staged in the Curated Cuisine," added Anais. "Cookie and I put them up on tricornered easels last night."
Olivia nodded. "Good thinking. With all of the recital energy, people may need to be reminded while they eat afterward.
"Now then," Olivia said, facing her group. She felt her eyes unexpectedly tear up. "So here's my speech, the one I make before every gig, to myself and to the rest of the band." She brushed hair from her face to gain composure.
"The music is not about us, it's about the listeners. We're performing for their pleasure the best we can. The message of your last song will hit people differently. But trust me, some will be moved. Your voices and those lyrics are the perfect match."
Legend nodded, as the other three circled their arms around each other's shoulders.
Abbey said, "Just for clarification, we are to exit right after the song."
"That's right," added Olivia. "Don't wait for, nor expect, applause. The best thing you can receive is that utterly foreign sound that comes from the audience when they are deeply moved."
"Silence," said Legend. "We've never ended on silence before."
"You may not this time, but I can assure you, in this instance the silence will be far more satisfying than any applause. Trust me."
"I do," said Anais. Olivia looked into her shiny eyes filled with tears. The others nodded in agreement.
They're open now, all the way. We've found the right emotional tone, that's not predictable.
"One last thing," she added. "Let's sit together in the front row of the auditorium. I'll give a thumbs-up when it's time to move backstage."
Olivia opened the door as the Tone Rangers filed out.