Bass Case

Chapter 20: Allies

I walk, aimlessly along the darkened road. The wind whispers in my ear, taunting my ever thinking thoughts. The streets are empty. Nothing moves beside the steadily swaying tree branches, and the world slowly fades into darkness. My thoughts fade into a fog, clouded by the unnerving fears that dwell inside me. First Sarah, Angelica, and now even Josh is gone as well. I make my way up to our old apartment, fiddling with the keys in my hand. Hesitant, as though it is a forbidden door to a threshold that I must not cross. I sigh, throwing my head back in frustration as I jam the key into the door. The door swings open swiftly past me, and I jump as I see the dark figure standing before me.

"A-Angelica!" I shout, quickly closing the door behind me. My eyes narrow at her, my frustration overpowering the joy upon seeing her again. "What are you doing here? I saw you get on the plane!"

"Yeah, well. I couldn't go. I'm sorry." The tan girl states, authoritatively, sitting down on the leathery couch.

I blink at her a few times in bewilderment. "What do you mean you couldn't go?" I ask demandingly.

She sighs, frustration imminent in her voice. She glares at me with her dark brown orbs. "Daniel, I respect you, but this is my sister! I know you both want what's best for me, but I can't just sit idly by and do nothing!"

"Sure you can!" I retort. "It's safer! Besides, you'll just get in my way."

Her eyes narrow and me, and her face falls straight. "Daniel," her voice is hollow, "if I told you go home, it's safer. Sarah would want you to be safe. Would you go?" I feel myself stiffen, and my eyes begin to trail the dark carpet. I can feel my heart clench. "Well? Would you?!" She shouts, and I give in.

"No! No...I wouldn't." I reply, trailing off into my thoughts once more.

"Then don't stop me from staying..." She retorts, turning back towards her room. "I'm auditioning for next months entry, and when I pass, I'm getting to the bottom of this mystery."

My head pops up, scared out of my mind. I want to hold her back, keep her from putting herself in harms way, but I can't. I know that I can't stop her. She's made up her mind... "Fine." I utter. "You win."

She stops in her tracks, turning back towards me in shock. "You're...okay with this?" She questions me carefully as though I may retract my response.

"Well, I wouldn't say that I'm okay with it, but I know that I can't change your mind." I fairly smile at her, and she nods approvingly. "We'll solve this mystery together. No one else is going to get hurt or killed. We'll protect each other. No matter what."

"And trust in each other." Angelica adds, confronting me once more. "You can't treat me as a kid anymore Daniel. Even if I'm Sarah's younger sister, I am not that much younger than you. I'm not stupid. I can handle myself as well."

"I know." I utter, "I trust you." She smiles at me and pulls in to embrace me. I hold her tightly in my arms. Her small figure fits in my grasp. I can't say that I'm not scared, but I will admit, it is nice to have company.
***
I meet up with Mr. Vibrato again. He's in a very casual blue t-shirt and jeans. Definitely one of the more laid back professors at the University. His office is fairly organized though. Stacks of cabinets line the walls, all filled with scores of sheet music. His large desk stretches along the blue wall, and the single lamp casts a shadow over the dimly lit room. "So," he asks, "any ideas?"

"I was thinking perhaps during class would be the best time. I never see him with his brief case as we rehearse. Perhaps that would be the best time to distract him." I suggest.

"Distract him during your rehearsal...Daniel, if he's not the killer he will definitely become one if I interrupt his rehearsal." Mr. Vibrato retorts with a frightened chuckle rumbling in his throat.

"Please." I reply, begging for his cooperation.

The tall man sighs, rubbing his temple with his pointer finger. "Fine."

"Thank you!"

As I wait for class I reflect upon my current situation. Angelica is at home diligently rehearsing for her audition. I promised to help her with her performance piece. It's a different piece than last time. No one is allowed to perform with the same piece twice. She's good enough already, but she wants me to help her with some minor things. As much as I would like her to not get involved, I know that she will do whatever it takes to assure victory this time... That's why, I need to find evidence soon.

I enter the white classroom, blaring with the same familiar lights. I watch as everyone grabs their instruments, swiftly, taking up merely a few seconds to set everything up. My throat tightens as I see the second chair cellist take Sarah's seat. I remove my bow from the case with my chin holding my viola in place as I tighten it. Once I complete my task, I grab the viola by the neck and take a seat. I pull out one of our current songs. The one that gives off the atmosphere of a desert. I begin practicing the sandy notes, fixing a few flats that I had missed. My head felt light from the pressure as I came in, but now my brain is starting to drown into the music. Eleviating me of my stress.

The office door opens, and out comes my instructor. He locks the door behind him swiftly, jamming the key into his pocket. Okay...so how am I going to get in...I could attempt to pick it, but everyone is watching as well... Mr. Forte stands on the podium before us. His glasses reflect the surrounding light, making his eyes glow with a terrifying intensity. "Good morning class. Concert order." That's all he had to say to get us to summon the first piece. He raises his button, the bows come up, and we commence. We start out with a quick tap of the string on the G string. Quickly gliding across it's rough surface. I can feel the intensity of the vibration rumble through the instrument. This repeats for several verses as my fingers slowly climb up the finger board. Then a distant knock pounds the door. We ignore the disturbance until it proceeds further. Mr. Forte stops his conducting, pursing his lips in annoyance as he answers the door with all of us still progressing through the song, following his ghost. Mr. Forte opens the door, propping his head outside for a moment and then retreating in annoyance. As he returns to the podium, the knock proceeds again. Then he gets up in frustration, on the verge of a full on rage. He pops his head out again and then slithers out the door.

After another minute of self conducting, the piece finally ends, and we all fall silent. A minute past, and then two. I can't keep wasting time. I get up, slowly making my way to his office as the other members of the orchestra proceed to laugh and talk to each other. I look as though I'm trying to see where the professor went as I shake the handle with my hand. Nothing. I glance at the door again, making sure that he isn't returning. I take a peek into the office, and there it is, the brief case sitting right in the corner of the room, hidden behind a couple of files. I turn to see Mr. Forte's tall figure approaching the door, and I rush back to my seat. He looks absolutely infuriated. "Sorry about that. Next song."