Read Online Played to Death by Meg Perry - Free Book Online

Detective Aguilar suspects.”
    “Who’s this guy you know that works there?”
    “Mark Gladwell. He was in my class in library school, but I haven’t seen him much since then.”
    Pete tapped on my plate with his fork. “Be careful. If it was an inside job, and someone’s feeling jumpy, they may react badly to someone asking questions.”

 
    Tuesday, June 9
    Jamie
    When I got to work the next morning, I dealt with the immediate issues in my email then told Liz and Olga that I was going to the music library. I took a folder so it would look like I was on official business and went to track down Mark Gladwell.
    On the way over, I considered whether or not I could trust Mark. I thought I could. He had to know about the theft and that the cops had been asking questions. He may have already been questioned. I wasn’t sure my visit would do any good, but at least it would familiarize me with the security system in the music library.
    The library was on the first floor of the Schoenberg Building, right inside the main entrance. When I went through the library doors, I could feel the tension in the air. The student at the front desk scowled at me. “Can I help you?”
    Good thing I wasn’t a “secret shopper” testing this girl on her customer service skills. I showed her my BruinCard, on its lanyard around my neck. “I’m Jamie Brodie from YRL. I’m here to see Mark Gladwell.”
    “Fine.” She jerked her thumb over her shoulder. “First door in the back right corner.”
    I went to the door she indicated and stuck my head in. “Mark?”
    He looked up and smiled widely. “Jamie! What brings you here?”
    “Do you have a minute?”
    “Absolutely. Come in.”
    I went in and closed the door behind me. “How have you been?”
    His smile faded a bit when I closed the door. “Fine. Busy. How about you?”
    “The same.” I smiled at him, hoping to put him at ease. “I’m here about the theft.”
    “Oh.” Mark’s face cleared, then he looked puzzled. “What does it have to do with you? The police have already been here. Twice.”
    “I know. I’ve - um - helped the cops out a couple of times, and they asked me if I’d do a little ear-to-the-ground investigating for them.”
    “Ah.” Mark leaned back and grinned. “The insider’s perspective. I got the distinct impression from the LAPD cop that she thought it was an inside job.”
    “So did I. Do you think it could be?”
    He shook his head emphatically. “No. Not counting the work-study students, there are only five of us in this library. We all know each other well. I’d be shocked if anyone here was involved. Besides - if one of us was going to take something, it would be worth taking.”
    “More valuable.”
    “Right. That missing piece is pretty rare, but the composer is obscure, and it’s only 28 years old.”
    I asked, “The value would go up in time, wouldn’t it?”
    “It might, but not much. The composer was young when he died. He’s never going to be famous.”
    “I was talking to a friend of mine who’s a cellist with the Philharmonic, and he said there might be a collector who’s interested in that particular composer.”
    Mark nodded. “Yes. That’s what I told the police. If a collector wanted a complete set of the composer’s work, for his or her own reasons, they wouldn’t care if it wasn’t that valuable on the open market. It’s valuable to them .”
    “Right. Do you know anyone like that?”
    “No. The only collectors I know of are the ones who leave their collections to us when they die.”
    I laughed. “Is that how you all came to own this piece?”
    “I’m not sure. Do you want me to find out?”
    “Nah. I’m sure the cops have asked that question.” I’d check with Aguilar. “Are your scores tagged?”
    “Yes, on the cover. And this one was in the reference collection, not circulation.”
    “Do you allow reference materials into other parts of the building?”
    “Only to faculty, and we keep their