Chapter 14 - The Concert Announcement
The announcement went online at 8:00 a.m.
By noon, Chicago had noticed.
FORMER CONSERVATORY PIANIST MELINE RHODES RETURNS FOR ONE-NIGHT CHARITY PERFORMANCE
The concert would benefit memory-care patients and families struggling with long-term care costs.
Meline refused to make it about the Vances.
Adrian disagreed.
“It will attract attention either way.”
“I don’t care.”
“Media will come.”
“Fine.”
“They’ll ask about us.”
Meline looked up.
“Us?”
Adrian pretended to read his phone.
“Interesting word.”
“You said it.”
“I did.”
“What are we?”
“Busy.”
“Coward.”
“Careful.”
Meline smiled.
Eli entered carrying sheet music.
“I want to play.”
Both adults looked at him.
“At the concert?” Adrian asked.
“Yes.”
“No.”
Eli rolled his eyes.
Meline pointed.
“Do not do that.”
“You do it.”
“I am an adult.”
“That seems unfair.”
Adrian laughed.
Eli placed the score on the piano.
“I can play the opening.”
Meline looked at him.
He could.
Almost.
“You’d have to practice every day.”
“I will.”
“Stage will be scary.”
“I was kidnapped.”
Meline winced.
“Fair argument.”
Adrian looked horrified.
“Not fair.”
Eli folded his arms exactly like Meline.
Adrian noticed.
“This is your fault.”
“My teaching methods are excellent.”
Eventually Adrian agreed.
The program would begin with Eli playing the first measures.
Then Meline would continue.
Norah would attend if medically able.
The concert became more than music.
A declaration.
Victor had used silence.
They would answer publicly.
But danger remained.
Federal investigators warned Adrian that several members of Victor’s network were still free.
One name appeared repeatedly.
Caleb Mercer.
Former Vance security contractor.
Possible shooter in Elena’s ambush.
Still missing.
Adrian wanted the concert canceled.
Meline refused.
“You cannot protect everyone by hiding them.”
“I can try.”
“That’s what you did to Elena’s room.”
He flinched.
She regretted it.
“That was unfair.”
“No.”
Adrian looked toward the piano.
“You’re right.”
Three days before the performance, Meline received an email.
No subject.
One sentence.
Your mother should have died the first time.
She showed Adrian.
His reaction was immediate.
“Concert canceled.”
“No.”
“Meline.”
“No.”
“I’m not debating.”
“Then debate yourself.”
He stared.
“You’re impossible.”
“You’ve mentioned.”
“Meline, someone threatened Norah.”
“They already tried.”
“That makes it worse.”
“It makes it familiar.”
Adrian slammed his palm against the table.
Meline jumped.
He immediately regretted it.
“Sorry.”
She remained quiet.
Adrian lowered his voice.
“I cannot lose another person I love.”
The word hung between them.
Love.
Neither moved.
Adrian looked almost annoyed with himself.
Meline’s anger dissolved.
“You love me?”
He exhaled.
“That was not how I planned to say it.”
“Answer.”
“Yes.”
Her eyes filled.
He looked uncomfortable.
“You don’t have to—”
“I love you too.”
Adrian stopped.
Meline smiled.
“That was easier.”
“For you.”
“Apparently.”
He pulled her close.
For a few seconds the threats, prosecutors, Victor, money, and past disappeared.
Then Eli entered.
“Are you kissing?”
They separated instantly.
“No,” Adrian said.
“Yes,” Meline said.
Eli looked between them.
“Dad lies badly.”
“I know.”
“Can Meline live here?”
Adrian nearly choked.
Meline laughed.
“One crisis at a time.”
The day before the concert, federal agents found Caleb Mercer.
Dead.
Apparent suicide.
Beside him was a handwritten note.
Victor lied. Raymond ordered the hit. I only drove. I’m sorry.
Adrian read it.
Then destroyed nothing.
He photographed it.
Bagged it.
Turned it over.
The old Adrian might have burned evidence and pursued vengeance.
The new Adrian documented it.
Meline saw the difference.
“You’re becoming very boring.”
“Thank you.”
“I mean legally responsible.”
“Disgusting.”
“Tragic.”
They smiled.
The concert hall sold out.
People came because of the scandal.
Others because of the Vance name.
Many because Riverbend families shared Meline’s story.
Twenty-seven thousand dollars in debt was not unusual.
Thousands of families understood exactly what thirty days could feel like.
Meline’s charity fund raised $310,000 before the first note was played.
She cried when told.
Norah laughed.
“See? Piano pays better than cleaning.”
“Sometimes.”
Concert night arrived.
Meline stood backstage wearing a pale blue dress inspired by Norah’s favorite childhood recital dress.
Eli wore a dark vest and bow tie.
Exactly as in their practice sessions.
Adrian wore black.
No tie.
Meline fixed his collar.
“You look nervous.”
“I’m surrounded by federal agents.”
“You’re nervous about the music.”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
“Why good?”
“Means you’re alive.”
Norah arrived in a wheelchair.
When she saw Meline, she gasped.
“My baby.”
Meline knelt.
“You remember?”
“Of course.”
Norah touched her face.
“You look like yourself again.”
Meline almost lost control.
Then stage management called.
Two minutes.
Eli grabbed her hand.
“I’m scared.”
“So am I.”
“You don’t look scared.”
“That’s because adults lie.”
Eli smiled.
They walked toward the stage.
The curtain opened.
Applause thundered.
Eli sat at the grand piano.
Adrian watched from the wings.
Meline stood beside him.
The boy placed his hands on the keys.
First note.
Second.
Third.
Fourth.
Perfect.
Then—
The lights went out.
The audience gasped.
Meline froze.
Adrian immediately reached for her.
Emergency lighting activated.
A single red indicator blinked backstage.
Security radios erupted.
Someone shouted:
“Fire alarm!”
Then Bennett’s voice came through Adrian’s earpiece.
“Sir.”
“What?”
“No fire.”
Adrian’s face changed.
Bennett continued.
“The alarm was triggered manually.”
“Where?”
A pause.
“Riverbend.”
Meline’s blood turned cold.
May you like
Norah’s wheelchair backstage was empty.
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