Beautiful Music (21 page)

Jena grabbed the glasses off the table and placed them in the sink before commenting. “I really don’t want to discuss this right now.”

“What in the world?” Mrs. R. walked across the room and bent over. “How did this get here?” She held a knife in front of her, looking puzzled.

The blood left Jena’s face and the room started spinning. She reached for the counter behind her.

“You don’t look well, dear. Sit down. I’ll get you some ice.”

Mrs. R. milled around behind her as she thought back. Todd had been standing by the knife set on the counter. Did he plan on using a knife on her if she didn’t agree to his terms?

“Here.” The housekeeper handed her a compress.

“Thanks. I haven’t been feeling well today.” Jena paused, trying to think of an excuse for the knife on the floor. “I must have knocked the knife on the floor when I finished cutting the lemons. I’m sorry.” Could that be possible? Maybe that’s what really happened. Jena stood and walked to the sink. She took a sharp intake of air when she saw the knife she had used at the bottom of the sink.

“Is there something you want to be telling me, Jena?”

“No. Everything’s fine. I realized today when Todd asked me to marry him that it was for the best. We’re alike. We understand each other.”

Mrs. R. folded her arms in front of her. “You’re nothing like that Todd Richards. I don’t know what you’re up to, but you’d better think twice. What will Chase think about this?”

Jena’s eyes followed the housekeeper as she buzzed around the kitchen. “You can’t tell him. He can’t know about Todd.” Jena flopped into the chair.

“You’re seeing Chase, too, aren’t you?” She eyed Jena suspiciously. “Well, now, haven’t we been busy?”

“It’s not like you think. This is serious.”

“I’m sure it is. And you don’t know what I’m thinking. Now, do you want to talk about it? Maybe I can help. I’m an ol’ lady. I’ve been around the block a time or two.”

“I don’t want to drag you into this.”

“A problem shared is a problem halved.”

“This could be…dangerous.” Jena was honest.

“Oh, how exciting! You don’t need to worry about me. Have you forgotten my shotgun?”

“Now I know I don’t want to tell you.” Jena sighed.

“Spill,” the housekeeper ordered.

“Todd’s delusional. He’s threatening to have Chase harmed if I don’t agree to return to Ohio and marry him.”

“Easy enough. Go to the police.”

“Mrs. R., I don’t practice criminal law, but my friends do. All I’ll have is a restraining order to hold up at Chase’s funeral.”

She clucked her tongue. “Well, you certainly aren’t giving Chase much credit. You aren’t seriously thinking about going along with this? Jena?”

“Chase would end up in jail over this. And there’s Andrea to consider. His threats included her,” Jena added cautiously.

“He’ll throw a fit if he finds out.”

“The only way he’ll find out is if you tell him. You have to promise not to say anything.” She waited for the housekeeper to agree. “Promise me.”

“I will keep my mouth clamped shut, but the moment I think any of you are in danger my gums’ll be flapping so hard the wind chimes’ll be clanking.”

“I just need time to think.”

“Run on along upstairs and take a soothing soak in the tub. Take your time getting ready for the concert. That’ll do you some good.”

The concert? Oh, God. She’d forgotten about that. She promised Chase. “I’ll make my decision before it’s time to leave,” Jena promised.

“What decision? We’re still going to this sing-a-long, aren’t we? Chase is counting on you.”

“I’m going. I don’t know what I’ll be doing after.” She sighed and walked through the kitchen door.

****

With every step she could feel Todd’s hands on her. The bile rose in her throat. She barely made it to the bathroom before throwing up. Rinsing her mouth and splashing water on her face did nothing to calm her nerves.

She turned the knob for the shower and removed her clothes, stepping into the steady stream of water. She rubbed the washcloth furiously over her body, attempting to remove the memory of his touch. How could she have been so stupid? She berated herself. She was a lawyer. How could she have believed Todd had a change of heart after his actions at the aquarium? Stupid! How was she going to face Chase? What would she say to him?

Jena stepped out, grabbing a towel. She jumped at the sharp knock on the door.

“Jen?”

Wrapping the towel around her, she forced a reply, “Getting ready for later.”

“Good. I was worried,” he said through the door. “Mrs. R. said you weren’t feeling well.”

The housekeeper was attempting to cover for her. The guilt for pulling her into this was growing stronger. “I think it’s the heat,” she fibbed as she leaned against the door. She couldn’t let him see her, couldn’t face him. He would know something was wrong.

“Jen, I need to run. I have a few things to take care of before I need to be there. Andrea’s in the kitchen.”

What should she say? She was afraid to speak.

“Are you sure you’re okay? Is there something you aren’t telling me?”

She could hear the worry in his voice. How could he tell through a closed door her life was crumbling around her? She willed herself not to cry. “I’m fine, really. You need to get going.”

“Okay. The parking’s not great, so get there a little early. If you can’t make it call me. I don’t want to have to leave and come looking for you.”

“I’ll be there, Chase, I promise.” She leaned her head against the door and the tears slid down her face. Why wasn’t she allowed any happiness?

Chapter Thirty

Chase pulled into the parking lot and groaned. The line for the drive-thru wrapped around the building of his favorite burger joint. He had to eat something. His stomach was protesting and he didn’t need that magnified by a mic.

He drove slowly around to the other side and peered in the windows. The line was short inside. He parked the truck and quickly went inside, placed his order and was on his way out with a satisfied smile. Walking up to his truck he saw a piece of paper under the wiper. Chase opened the door and threw the bag inside, grabbing the note.

Mr. Reiss,

Your sister-in-law is alive. You can’t call the police or she will be harmed. Her sister is also in danger—both because of you. I thought you should know.

Chase climbed in the truck as he reread the note.
What the hell?
He looked around, but saw nothing out of the ordinary. He reached for his cell and dialed Mrs. R.

“Hello.”

“Mrs. R, this is Chase. Is Jena still there?”

“She’s in her room. Why?”

He ignored the question. “Will you keep an eye on her? Don’t let her out of your sight.”

“What’s going on, Chase? You sound worried.”

“I don’t have time right now to fill you in. It’s probably nothing, but…” He ran a hand through his hair. “Stick to her like glue, okay.”

“Got it. Elmer’s or Super Glue?”

“Super Glue.”

“I’m sure you’ll tell me what’s going on later.”

“Yeah. I gotta go. Thanks.”

He took another quick look at the note and shook his head. Was this some blackmail scheme? Could Jasmine be alive? He wouldn’t tell Jena until he found out more. He would just have to keep her close until then. “Damn!” he thumped the steering wheel.

****

Jena was determined to concentrate on Chase tonight. Todd had said a week. If this would be the last and only time she would get to share this with Chase…well, then, she would focus on him and nothing else. She would have the memory to carry with her.

She glanced at Mrs. R. sitting beside her. “You’re very quiet.”

“Figure there’s no use wasting my breath.”

Jena didn’t respond, but instead looked in the mirror at Andrea. Her nose was pressed to the window, the excitement evident on her face.

Jena focused on the road. She was almost to the traffic circle and needed to pay close attention. It had been awhile since she maneuvered this part of town.

Jena sighed. “Chase was right. The traffic is horrible.”

“I doubt we’ll find any place close to the pier. I brought a bunch of quarters for the meter. Head down Mandalay Avenue and circle ’round.”

Jena was grateful for her direction. She knew the area and Jena was doing her best not to hit anyone in the stop and go traffic.

“Do you think they’re all here to see the concert?” Jena could feel the panic rising.

“Most likely. Chase pulls them in,” the housekeeper commented without emotion.

“Aunt Jen! Aunt Jen! There’s one!” Andrea was pointing to a parking place in front of a little café painted bright yellow. “Uncle Chase takes me there for breakfast. They have the best breakfast in the w-h-o-l-e world.”

Jena couldn’t help but smile at her niece’s enthusiasm despite her growing anxiety. They climbed out of the car and Mrs. R. filled the meter with enough coins for an all-night show.

The three of them walked silently toward their destination. Jena doubted her attire more with every step. She should have gone shopping instead of picking from her limited wardrobe. What if his friends saw her and she was wearing one of her old rags? Well, it wasn’t really a rag. She had bought the dress at a high-end store in Cleveland, wearing it on her last trip to see her sister. That was two years ago. No doubt, the styles had moved on.

Really, she silently reasoned with herself, how could a sundress go out of style? How many different ways could you make a strappy dress? She looked down with doubt at the print as she continued to walk. The background of the material was black with palm leaves of pink, yellow, and sea foam green. A strap wrapped around the neck connecting to the bodice with rings. She had chosen to let her long blonde hair down. She doubted that decision, too. Jena could feel the drops of perspiration forming on her neck. The sun, she hoped, would be going down soon along with the humidity.

As they came up to the hotel, the crowd that stretched before them was massive. Jena couldn’t believe the amount of people as they made their way toward the stage. She held tightly to Andrea’s hand. Deciding they wouldn’t be able to get closer, they stopped.

Some other band was playing and Jena took the opportunity to look around. Everyone was standing in their section, but others were sprawled on blankets and sitting on lawn chairs further back. She wanted to be close enough Chase could see her and know she had come. Besides, they hadn’t brought anything to sit on. This was her first concert and she really didn’t know what to expect. Jena glanced down at her watch with impatience. She still had another band to go.

The sun was behind the buildings and Jena rested her sunglasses atop her head. Her eyes scanned the crowd for any sign of Chase, but had no success. The air wasn’t so oppressive now as the cool breezes blew in from the ocean nearby. Now, if she could calm her stomach…

Jena glanced over and saw Mrs. R. swaying to a song with a grin on her face. A smile crossed Jena’s face as she made every attempt to relax. The effort didn’t last long when Andrea announced Chase’s band was on next.

“Thank you all for coming out tonight and letting us play for you,” the singer rambled on.
For God’s sake, get off the stage before I pass out.
“Oh, I’m so nervous,” she exhaled loudly.

“Aunt Jen, he does this all the time.” Andrea rolled her eyes and laughed.

“Well, I don’t,” she whispered in her niece’s ear as a good-looking man walked on stage. Could it be someone from Chase’s band?

“I’d like to thank you all for coming and supporting us tonight.”
No…must be the MC
. “It’s a great cause and we're fortunate to have so many great bands with us this evening.” Her legs were going to buckle. “This next band I know everyone has heard of,” he shouted. “Let’s hear some noise for EDGE OF REDEMPTION!” The crowd erupted all around her. For the first time in her life she realized how someone could be taken over with emotion by this sort of thing. She used to poke fun at girls who stood in the crowd and cried. She was on the verge of being one of them. She was so overcome by emotion as Chase walked across the stage.

“There he is! There he is!” Andrea screamed and waved.

Jena‘s eyes followed the man across the stage. Her mind was not processing the fact that this was Chase. How could that man love
her—
boring, uptight corporate attorney her?

They stood about ten rows back from the stage and were immersed amongst the screaming crowd. Jena would never have imagined this level of adoration. She shook her head in amazement.

“How is everyone tonight?” he said loudly into the mic. His fans screamed, and Jena got goose bumps in 90-degree temperatures. He was so incredibly handsome dressed casually in tan cargo pants and a simple white t-shirt that showed off his tan. Chase wore the same ball cap, this time turned backwards, as he had worn to the aquarium.

Her eyes scanned the crowd. She knew she wasn’t the only woman in the crowd in love with him, but she was the one he had asked to marry him. She had allowed her doubts to win out, and now she might lose him. With all these possibilities, how would she ever keep him? As if on cue, he spotted her in the crowd and pointed to her and grinned widely.

“He sees you, Aunt Jen!” Andrea was poking her in the ribs and Jena responded with a smile.

“This is a special night for me, but I’ll get to that in a little while. You came here for music, right?” He pumped the crowd up with his energy as he pointed to the drummer. Jena thought the noise couldn’t get any louder. She was wrong.

The music was edgy, his voice strong and sexy. Jena couldn’t concentrate on the words. She had never heard him sing and she was in total shock at the amazing talent he possessed. She made an honest effort to keep the moisture from pouring out of her eyes. She was overwhelmed with pride.

He moved to the front of the stage, touching the hands eagerly held up before him. The same hand that held her, comforted her, touched her…she was over-thinking. This was the same Chase. She took in a deep breath. This was only his job. He told her so.

A startling thought shook her into reality. This could be her last, her only night, to enjoy Chase Reiss as both boyfriend and rock star. She was going to give herself this memory. She would not be the uptight attorney, but a fan…If only for tonight….