Page 52 of Vinny

“I’m trying to get her to commit to another trip. That’d be a perfect time to have the harp alone.”

“Why the hell can’t you get the harp when she has it out now?”

“It’s too chancy. Too many witnesses. Listen, I’ve got this. Promise.”

“You’d better or we’re all dead.” Jawan hung up this time, still pacing his office.

Annalissa was dreading the meeting. She was at the Richmond Concert Hall practicing for her next performancewith them, but needed to meet with her father afterwards. She had gone to see him a couple of days after she had gotten back, but found that after the initial “you look fine and how’s Easnadh” there was little he had to say.

Earlier, when she had been walking around the stage, she felt ill at ease. As the sound technicians and stage hands greeted her, she smiled, but secretly wondered if they were involved in the transferring of drugs.

As other string members of the orchestra came into practice together with her, the same feelings rose to the surface.I hate this! I’m beginning to see everyone as a threat.

Backstage was a hub of activity. Musicians, hall personnel, costume designers working on the next play performance, sound technicians, lighting technicians…they all began to blur. Some even looked at her suspiciously…or is that my imagination?

Moving to one of the practice rooms on the lower floor, she and a string quartet that she had performed with before, settled in.

“You seem tense,” one of them commented.

Forcing a smile, she lied, “I just didn’t sleep very well last night.”

“No worries,” the first violinist said. “It’s just not like you to make any mistakes. Let’s continue.”

An hour later, Annalissa was glad the practice was over. Her talent and professionalism had been called upon to play her very best, but it was difficult when all she wanted to do was try to figure out who had usedher.Exhausted, she left the practice room, carrying Easnadh’s case.

Walking up the stairs to her father’s office, she hesitated at the door. She remembered coming here as a child when her mother was still alive. It was so different. She and her mother would skip up the steps calling out chords as they went.She could make anything fun,she thought.I miss you mom. You would have liked Vinny so much.

Steeling herself, she entered. Stewart O’Brian looked up as she made her way over to him. A distinguished man in his mid-fifties, his dark hair was only slightly graying at the temples. His sharp eyes scanned her up and down, before nodding toward a seat.

Before she could speak, he began, “Todd tells me that you’re reticent to accept his proposal for the next year’s tours.”

Pursing her lips, she lifted her chin slightly. “If my manager cannot keep my confidences then perhaps it’s time for me to find another manager.”

“I pay half of his salary, my dear, so I don’t think that now’s the time to be making demands that you cannot meet.”

Sucking in a deep breath, she said, “Father, I don’t want to travel for a week every month. I would like to take on teaching here in Richmond and then only travel when necessary.”

“Annalissa, you need to develop a name for yourself. I’ve gone to great expense to make sure that happens. Teaching is something you can do when you’re older but for now, performing is what your focus must be.That is where you’ll gain more of the financial freedom you so crave.”

She cringed.He has me and he knows it. I barely make ends meet on my salary, but he pays for the expenses of being a performer.

“I’ll look over the schedule carefully with Todd and see which ones I feel that I can make.”

He eyed her suspiciously. “Where are you staying, by the way?” he asked.

This was the moment she had been dreading.

Taking a deep breath, she looked her father in the eyes and stated firmly, “I’m still staying with Vinny Malloy. He’s the employee of Alvarez Security that was hired to escort me back from LA.”

The silence in the room resounded all around as though a bass drum was pounding in her ears.

“Staying?” he asked, the one-word question hanging in the air between them.

Licking her lips, she lifted her head slightly. “Yes, father. Staying. My apartment was trashed and Alvarez Security is concerned about my continued safety.”

“Are they really? That’s interesting since they’ve been paid in full for the escorting service from LA to Virginia. Our contract is over so why are they continuing to perform security services?”

“They’re not. That is to say, they aren’t providing security services for me other than what they provide for…um…people that…um…”