Page 9 of Two Hearts' Ploy

“Whatever you think, Marc. I just can’t sit back and do nothing anymore. Who knows what’ll happen next if I do.”

He sighed. “I definitely agree.”

* * *

Early Monday morning, Wren’s cell phone began ringing from where it rested on the bedside table.

“Is this Wren Matthews?”

“It is,” she replied.

“I’m sorry to disturb you so early, but I’m Sarah, Barry’s assistant at the recording studio. There’s been a horrific fire this morning, in studio. The police aren’t exactly sure what caused it, but for now we’re blaming it on faulty equipment or wiring. Anyway, we have no idea how long it will take to get everything repaired. We’re just glad they were able to contain it rather quickly, since there are a lot of wildfires doing damage not too far from here.”

“Oh, no. That’s justawful. I understand, Sarah. I won’t hold you up by asking questions. I’m sure you have dozens of calls to make. Be safe. Tell Barry that I’m sorry this has happened.”

“Thank you so much,” Sarah replied. “Hopefully, we’ll see you back in the studio soon.”

After glancing at the time on her sports watch, Wren sighed, getting out of bed. Nine a.m. was a little early to call Marc since they’d been at the beach house pretty late last night, cleaning up the damage, so she’d get some coffee started while trying to decide what to do next. She really needed to get this album recorded right away so that she’d have time to take a break before returning on tour in the fall.

Heading downstairs into the kitchen, she switched on the television before starting the coffee.

Pausing with her coffee mug in hand ten minutes later, she couldn’t believe her eyes, as she watched the studio on fire. Apparently, the fire had started in one of the larger recording rooms and had spread throughout the building.

But there’d been casualties, she was shocked to discover.

Wren’s cell phone suddenly rang and when she saw it was Marc, she switched it on.

“Did you hear about the fire at the studio, Wren? Two people are dead and another five are critically injured,” Marc muttered.

“I was going to give you a call shortly. Someone from the studio got in touch with me less than an hour ago but didn’t mention anything about casualties. They haven’t quite got the fire under control, I can see on TV. I’m watching the local news channel.”

“I’m switching on the television myself right now. Damn, it looks bad. Lots of damage.”

“I need to get this album recorded, so I suppose I’d better call Mike and see what he suggests.”

Mike Malone was her manager. Although he was pretty busy these days, somehow, he always managed to keep her on schedule.

“Let’s talk it out ourselves before you contact Mike. There’s something I’m kind of worried about. I’ll explain when I come over. Shall we make it noon?” Marc asked.

“I just need about ninety minutes to work out, shower, and get dressed. Feel free to come a little earlier if you’d like,” she said.

* * *

A few hours later, Wren was sitting with Marc in the kitchen, her mouth gaped open.

“I’m sorry, but it’s really true, Wren. I followed up with someone who does the scheduling at the recording studio. And then I talked to an investigator who was on the scene before heading into the police station to drop off that note you received last night. Arnett, the detective who’s supposedly on your case is taking the situation a lot more seriously now and is going to investigate further. The studio that was originally booked for you at eight a.m. this morning was where the fire originated. Andthe two artists who were set to record were the ones who were killed.”

Tears filled Wren’s eyes. They hadn’t released the names of the performers who’d booked the time slot to the public, but Barry had mentioned their names. They were a couple of up-and-coming country music vocalists.

Wiping away the tears, Wren turned to Marc. “I gather you have some suggestions about what my next move should be.”

“I’ve got a list of other studios that you’ve worked with before, but if someone really has it in for you, Wren, it would probably be better to cover your tracks. Maybe you should try somewhere new. Even Detective Arnett thought it was a good idea for you to get out of town for a while since they’re going to begin digging deeper.”

“Then I suppose I’d better get together a list of other studios, possibly in some more remote locations,” she decided.

Marc held up some pages. “As it just so happens…”

“Of course, you came prepared,” Wren said dryly.

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