Bass Case

Chapter 14: Conflicts

    The door clicks shut behind me, and a wave of relief washes over me. I turn around to see Sarah sitting on the edge of the couch with her sister, her hands buried into her face. I walk over to her, rubbing her shoulder as I look at her sister who also has a petrified stare in her eyes. "It's okay. It's okay. It's over. We're safe."

    Sarah shakes her head, her brown hair bounces on her smooth shoulders. "No. No. It's not over. We're not safe. We can't stay here Daniel." My eyes widen as I look over her hardened stare. Angelica's eyes narrow at her comment, but she stays silent. "I don't want to leave either Daniel, but just look! This nightmare, it's not ending!"

    I grab her shoulders gently, looking her in the eyes and say, "I know. And I don't disagree with you. Not even school is safe. The orchestra is not safe. I think...I think the killer is Mr. Forte."

    Sarah's brown eyes widen in disbelief. "Mr. Forte? No. No. It can't be him. He actually cares about us."

    "Sarah, as much as people tell me that, I highly doubt it." I state. "I remember that night when I was chased by the killer. I saw a black brief case next to the bass case that looked exactly like Mr. Forte's." Sarah and Angelica stay silent and stare at each other as I continue, "You can't deny that it adds up. He has access to the instruments. He's been replacing the old bass cases. He was conducting the concert and then all of a sudden he just up and vanishes?"

    "I will admit, it does sound pretty shady." Angelica states, pushing back a strand of hair away from her face. "He didn't seem like a bad guy though. We were talking to him while you were getting our drinks."

    I lurch backwards, stunned by what I heard. "What do you mean you talked to him?"

    "He saw us sitting there," Sarah states, "and he just came up to talk to us. Pretty casual conversation. He just asked how the concert was and for our critique. He had a few criticisms regarding his own performance. It was interesting. He did seem off from normal though. He was so much more...much more...casual."

    Though the time has passed I can't help but feel anxiety well up within me. He was there! With them! When I wasn't there! What if something had happened? What if I came back to find both of them were gone? "Casual, you say."

    "Yeah." Angelica replies. "He seemed really nice."

    "Well he's not. Not even in orchestra." I retort.

    "Wait Daniel if you thought it was Mr. Forte then why didn't you mention this to anyone or even the police?" Sarah questions me.

    I open my mouth to start, but my voice gets caught in my throat like a spiderweb. "I...I didn't feel like I had enough evidence. I only came across this the other day when...you know..."

    "I see." Sarah looks up to me with pleading eyes. "Then that's all the more reason to leave." She places her hand in mine, and I nod in approval of the decision.

    "You two can go, but I'm staying." Angelica states, standing in her scarlet dress. Her brown eyes are hallow as she stares at us. We both look at her in shock.

    "What do you mean?" Sarah probes her.

    "Yeah, you mean you want to stay?" I ask in confusion.

    Angelica nods. "Like what I said before. If I pass the audition I'll stay. If not I will leave. That was the agreement."

    I recoil back in shock. "But that's crazy! You can see the danger around us can't you?"

    She huffs at me as she crosses her arms. "And to think last time you supported me on the matter."

    "Angelica, come on. Things were different."