“Well it seems to be her style now.”
“Okay, let’s just say it wasn’t.” He rested his hands on his case and leaned on it. “She fell for you the minute you sat in on her rehearsal and listened. I thought she was crazy.” He looked at his watch and picked up his case. “I still think she’s crazy, but she’s in love with you so I give her credit. What I don’t like is that she’s on this tour, alone, and that bitch of a stepmother of yours has anything to do with it.”
“She didn’t know that either when she signed.”
“I know. That’s no one’s fault. I just don’t want that woman to hurt her. Who’s to say she didn’t order that attack on you personally?”
That thought had crossed Warner’s mind too and he didn’t like it.
“I think she’ll be fine. Only eight more cities after tonight.”
Randy laughed and headed toward the door. “You know, she owes me and now so do you. I think that first born kid needs my name. No matter if it’s a girl or boy.”
Warner laughed. “I’ll let her know your opinion on the situation.”
“I think she knows,” he said as she walked out of the room.
As Randy walked out Jeremy walked in. “You guys got a lot of work done today.”
“He’s pretty talented.”
“I think he was here for moral support. I was watching. You can crank them out can’t you? How do you write that many songs?”
Warner shrugged. “It’s just how I work, I guess.”
“Keep it up.” Jeremy said as he pulled up a stool and sat down. “How is your wife doing?”
“She’s good. I had the pleasure of watching her performance last night on the phone.”
“Technology is something, huh?”
“Yep.”
“She has a few days between shows coming up, doesn’t she?”
“Yes. She’ll be home for three days next week.”
“Good. I’ll see if I can’t get meetings set up during that time for you. It would be nice if she were here with you.”
Warner focused his eyes on Jeremy. “You’re going to tell me who’s looking into my music?”
He smiled. “It’ll be time by then.” He stood. “They want to do interviews with you tomorrow. Be in there by ten?”
“No problem. And thanks for the use of the studio.”
“Only the best for you.” He gave him a wave and walked out, but Warner stood and stared at the door that had closed behind him.
He squeezed his eyes shut and hoped that Jeremy Smith wasn’t just setting him up. He’d never had anyone, other than Clara, compliment him as much as Jeremy Smith did. It was nice, but Warner was skeptical.
***
Clara was counting down six more shows, but after tomorrow night she could go home for a few days and spend time with her husband.
It was already growing colder in Kansas City, but when the lights on the stage hit she warmed up just fine.
After her set, which she thought only got stronger each night, she would stand off to the side and watch The Broke Tourists’ set. It too sounded better every night.
“They are quite talented aren’t they? More so than you or your worthless husband.”
Clara turned to the woman who had spoken to her. It took her a moment in the shadows of backstage to realize that it was Patricia Little who was standing only a few feet from her.
She walked toward her and Clara felt her body begin to shake. “I don’t know what Jeremy sees in him—that show isn’t going to help him advance his stupid career. Besides, if he gets a lucky break he’ll fail.”
“No he won’t.” Her voice shook and she didn’t want that. For Warner’s sake she wanted to be strong. “Warner is the most talented song writer I’ve ever heard. He’s going to do just fine, even with your harsh words.”
“Harsh words?” Patricia moved in closer to her. “Do you know what he’s done to me? Do you know the pain he’s caused me?”
Patricia moved in even closer. Clara tried to back away, but she found she was already next to the wall.
“If you have a good marriage I assume you’ve already heard about my Mindy.”
Clara swallowed hard. “I’ve heard about Mindy. He told me everything about her.”
“Yes, well, if he hadn’t been the piece of trash he was she never would have gotten into all that stuff and followed him to Vegas.”
“She was already into all of that before she and Warner were together. You can’t blame him for her death.”
“You believe what you want to believe, but he’s feeding you lies. They are all lies.” She was so close Clara could feel the woman’s breath on her skin. “He ran out on her when she needed him most.”
“He left to pick up the pieces of his life. He changed.”
“And he left Mindy there in the hands of that man who killed her.”
“She took the drugs. She drank the booze.”
The piercing stare from Patricia was frightening. The look in her eyes was just like that of Alexander Hamilton’s before his hand knocked her to the ground that night he tried to burn down the theater and leave her locked inside.
“What about the baby? Huh? Oh he didn’t tell you she was pregnant?”
Clara was sure the woman had just kicked her in the gut.
“See, he’s been lying to you the whole time. He’s responsible for her death. And if you stay with him he’ll be responsible for your death—even if it’s only your career that dies.”
Clara felt the tears falling down her warm cheeks and the breath in her lungs was coming in short bursts.
The sound of the crowd beyond them erupted in applause. Patricia looked out onto the stage and then back at Clara. “He’s never going to change. He’s going to lie to you for the rest of his life. And if you think a man can walk away from that lifestyle forever you’re wrong. Dead wrong.”
Patricia turned and walked way into the dark hallway that lead to the corridor just as the band cleared the stage.
Clara stood at the wall where Patricia had left her. The tears streamed down her cheeks and her body shook with the sobs.
Trent noticed her right away and hurried to her.
“Clara, are you okay? Oh, God. What happened?”