Read Online Killer Riff by Sheryl J. Anderson - Free Book Online Page B

veritas.”
    She paused uncomfortably. “I don’t remember.”
    “Then I can’t help you.”
    She walked away from me suddenly, as though that would put distance between her and my question. Perching on the edge of a sofa, she laced her fingers in her lap and was quiet so long that I almost thought she was waiting for me to leave. Finally, she said in a crisp, detached tone, “Everything had turned out to be a lie, and what was most precious to him had been used against him.”
    That would be hard to hear anyone you care about say, much less your father. And then when it turns out to be the last thing he says to you, ouch. I gave her a moment before asking, “Do you know what he was talking about?”
    “Guess,” she said unhappily.
    “You.”
    She gave me a withering look, thinking I was making fun of her, then looked away when she realized I was serious. Watching her face, I could see her censoring the answer until there was almost nothing left. “His work.”
    “How could that have been used against him?”
    “I don’t know. It didn’t make any sense to me. But I know it has something to do with Claire. Everything has something to do with Claire. She’s been his work since Micah died. I mean, Dad took care of her, got her back on her feet emotionally, watched over her in every possible way.”
    “Then why would you suspect her of having something to do with his death?”
    “I think she came to resent it. Him. That more and more over the years, people talked about how important Dad was, not how important she was. And after Adam’s career tanked, Claire blamed that whole thing on Dad, and things eroded from there.”
    “I thought Adam decided to quit performing.” After he wowed everyone at the memorial concert for Micah, Adam had recorded an album under Russell’s tutelage. My recollection was that it had been successful. I owned it, though truth be told, I hadn’t played it in ages. But I did remember reading about Adam giving up his music and moving on to other pursuits, and I hadn’t heard anything about him in a couple of years.
    Olivia managed a smile. “That was Dad’s magic, putting everything in the best possible light. Adam’s album was actually pretty strong, but when everyone’s expecting the Second Coming, anything else is a disappointment.”
    “It hasn’t hurt Jordan.” Jordan’s album had come out eighteen months ago, torn up the charts, and was still getting decent airplay. It was eerie how much he sounded like Micah, as both a singer and a writer. Even more so than Adam. Jordan had captured those of us old enough to remember and adore his father, as well as the teenagers who embraced him as the next rock legend. Critics and the public were clamoring for his new album.
    “Which drives Claire crazy. That the ‘other son’ is the one to inherit Micah’s crown. Something else she blamed on Dad.”
    “Because he produced the album.”
    “Because he treated Adam and Jordan the same.”
    Claire struck me as the kind of mother who could turn tigress and devour anyone who threatened her young, but I needed to fill in some of the gaps in my knowledge of this intriguing group before I could decide whether there was something to Olivia’s theory or not. And how the tapes fit in.
    “Who has the tapes?” I asked.
    “I do.”
    “Where?”
    “I don’t see how that’s relevant.”
    “Fine. But you know they’re safe, secure.”
    Olivia rose, hands clamped to her sides. “You think the tapes have something to do with this?”
    “I don’t know what I think yet. That’s why I’m asking so many questions.” I smiled, wanting to end our first encounter on a somewhat positive note, to ensure there would be a second. “I need to go back to the office, but I would like to continue our conversation.”
    “Of course. I’ll see you tonight, make sure you meet the right people.”
    “Thank you.”
    Olivia let out a long breath, as though we’d crossed a finish line. “Thank you.