New/returning readers:
Start here: Let it Rock Chapters 1 & 2
Click here to read the previous chapter or click here instead, to see the full Table of contents
Listen along to our custom Spotify Playlist
LYNN
After a few heartbeats, Angie said, "Lynn, why do you have to get yourself in so much trouble?"
"Because it's what I do, remember? I told you that, the first time we met." I tried to laugh at myself but it hurt too much. "Detective Lynn, on the case."
"Well, I'm guessing you did the last bit of investigation yourself, and that's why you came to the bar? You know that it was the band who stole the music from the school?"
"What?! I mean, I figured it out, yeah. But not until I got there, and saw the boxes. How did you figure it out?"
Angie said, "Just let us off here, Kanu, and we'll wait for you to park." She continued to me, "I told you, I talked to your brother. He told me the whole story."
I sighed. "I don't understand."
The car stopped. Angie reached back and gently pulled me toward her, away from the door, and tried to put me in more of a sitting position. Just a rag doll. From my new viewpoint, I could see that we were back on campus, near Jim's office.
Angie got out and closed the door behind her with a muffled thump. I didn't turn my head, but I heard the door open on my side, and then I felt Angie's arms slide underneath me; one under my back, another under my legs, and she lifted me gently. Just like a baby. Ugh. I hate feeling helpless like this.
Eager for something else to think about, I asked, "So, what did Jim say? And why did that bring you to the bar?" My head was now resting on Angie's shoulder.
She kicked the door shut, then replied. "Well, first I went to Jim's office. I mean, I ended up there, at least, after walking around for a bit. But I did go to his office. Have you been there? It's completely a dump, his office mate is a total slob."
"Nuh-uh." I croaked.
"Well, I'll try to be brief so you don't have to talk much. Jim was...well he was..." Angie paused as Kanu approached, then she continued as we walked to the building. "Jim has been working with criminals to make extra money. He's been working for thieves since school started."
What? Jim, my big brother, was a criminal? Working for thieves? I closed my eyes and remembered him hanging out with friends in his room back home, or smiling at me and lending me the tape of some new band he had discovered. Then I remembered what Mom had said when he went to jail in his teens. She hoped he learned never to get in that kind of trouble again. And now, from just this morning, the look on his face as he drove away. No way. I mean, no. No way. I don't believe it. "No. That couldn't be true," I replied. "He's just lying again like he always does."
"Not this time, Lynn. I believe he was telling the truth, this time."
She's wrong. She has to be wrong. Jim's okay, right? He can't be stealing - that would send him back to jail. He loves me, and mom. He wouldn't do that to us. "Why? Why do you believe him?"
Angie sighed. "Do you remember that day, at the record store? You got that Giants tape, and I overheard a conversation between Aburra and someone else? That someone else was Jim. Jim was the one who was the second person, the one who was trying to steal the music before someone else stole it first. I know he was stealing because that was him."
"No. Just....what? That makes no sense!" I tried to look up. I want to see her face. My friend. I want to see her say these horrible things. To tell me about my big wonderful brother who I love so much and who isn't a criminal or a thief. He was kind and sweet and he would remember how much he loved me and he would go back to taking care of me and he would never do that ever ever ever!
But I don't want to know. But I do. I want to run away. But I need to hear it. "Tell me more, Angie. I need to know all of it. Everything."
Angie's voice was gentle, but firm. "It's true. I'm sorry, Lynn. He was working for Aburra the whole time." Angie had stopped walking, waiting for Kanu to hold open the door to the building. "I guess they were going to sell the collection, him and Aburra and the Twins that own that record shop. You remember me telling you how much it was worth?"
I nodded. It didn't hurt as much as before.
"But before they could, the band got there first. I'm pretty sure that's it, we know everything now, Lynn."
"Right. The band." How could he?
"He couldn't have." I said aloud. "It's not him. Let's forget about Jim for just a minute. Tell me about these real criminals. The band, they stole the music? Is that why it was all at the bar? Why? When did you figure that out? I mean, they were talking earlier about their guitarist and somehow it's connected."
We had made it to the elevator, and Kanu pushed the button.
"Yes, well that's the other thing I didn't get a chance to tell you yet," said Angie as the elevator arrived. "Mr. Lee was there, at the bar last night, remember? Well it was Jonathan who told me, that the reason he was there is because Mr. Lee used to be in the band. They are auditioning to replace him, but the signer really wants Mr. Lee back. I believe she stole the music to mess up his classes, so he would have to come back to her."
"So, let me try to summarize. Jim, working for Aburra, has been stealing for a long time. Last week, he tried to steal the music."
"Yes."
"But he didn't actually steal it, because the band stole it first."
"Right."
"To mess up our teacher's life, and so to get him to rejoin their band."
"That's about it."
We stepped into the elevator.
Click below to subscribe and get alerted for new chapters.
Click the little heart below and help others find this story.
Think this is worth paying for? Please click here to add a tip.
Thanks for reading!
Janet