Page 61 of Vinny

Lily spoke up and added, “But it wouldn’t be that difficult to figure out. All it takes is a comparison of frequent fliers, what luggage they check, how often and when they travel. That’s something that any person with enough IT knowledge could organize.”

“So I was just a random victim to begin with?” Annalissa asked hopefully, still not able to grasp the concept that she was targeted.

“We’re not sure, but still checking every angle. We don’t want to assume anything and let our guard down.”

“Give me the names of the major distributors and let me see if I can find a connection from anyone on our list,” BJ said.

Lily sat quietly, her lips pursed in thought. Her husband, Matt, Looked over. “What’s on your mind, babe?” he inquired.

“I keep going back to motive. If we’re just looking at the drugs being smuggled in a large container, then a harp makes sense. But if we are looking at something more personal, who would want Annalissa to suffer?”

Annalissa’s gaze cut over sharply to Lily. “What are you thinking?”

“Tell me more about some of the people you work with. What about Sharon and Parker?”

Laughing, Annalissa said, “If there were two people who were definitely not involved, it would be them! They’re the only ones that really talk to me, you know like they want for me the same things that I want for myself. Never demanding…always supportive. When I travel, I am surrounded by people who are pulling me in different directions. But Sharon and Parker keepme sane.”

“How did you meet them?” Vinny asked.

Her brow crinkled in thought as she tried to remember. “I think either Todd or Gordon arranged for them to be with me the first time I had a solo performance with the Richmond Symphony. I’m sure my father made the request,” she added ruefully.

“Okay,” Lily said. “What about Les and the members of the band that you play with sometimes?”

Feeling Vinny tense up next to her, Annalissa patted his knee. “Lester heard me practicing the harp one day and knocked on my door to talk. He was getting some friends together to play in a bar and wondered if I would ever consider playing with them too. We became friends and when I can, I work with them.”

“Any of them party hard?” Gabe asked.

Annalissa looked over at him, confusion knitting her brow. “I…don’t know,” she answered, not really understanding what he was asking.

Vinny leaned toward her, saying, “Any of them do drugs that you know of?”

“No,” she answered vehemently, her eyes flashing. “I mean I don’t know them very well, but no…not that I know of. Not in front of me.” Turning to glare at Vinny once again, she said, “I really hate this you know. You have me wondering about everyone I know. I had few friends before this mess and I’ll have even less now!”

Vinny wrapped his arm protectively around her shoulders, pulling her in closely. “I’m sorry, princess,” he whispered. “I know this is tough on you.”

“I just really don’t think that anyone I know would do this on purpose to me. I must have just been the random, large case at the airport that got picked.”

Lily smiled, but remained thoughtful.

Vinny dropped Annalissa off at Ross’ school where she met Jennifer. After having played for them at the Malloy’s pub, Ross had told his music teachers about her and she received a call to show some of the students her harp during their music class. Standing in front of the school, Vinny resisted the urge to kiss her. “Either I or Jobe will be back to pick you up in two hours, babe,” he said softly, knowing she hated to be reminded about needing security.

“There hasn’t been any threat to me for several weeks,” she protested. “Can’t I use the cabs again?”

“Not budging,” he announced as she huffed. Looking down into her eyes, he added, “Not taking any chances.”

Smiling, in spite of herself, she knew he cared. Nodding, she and Jennifer walked into the building.

Thirty minutes later, she sat with Easnadh in her lap playing songs to the fourth and fifth-grade classes. As she finished her performance, she allowed them to ask questions and to pluck the strings of the harp. The teachers allowed the most interested students to stay and she continued her mini-lessons for another hour.

“How do you know which strings to play?” one little girl asked.

“See the red ones?” Annalissa asked. “They’re for certain notes and as I play, I can quickly see where I should be by looking at them for guidance.”

“Don’t that hurt your fingers?” came the next boy, reaching out to feel the wires.

“I usually pluck the strings with my fingernails, but can use the pads as well. Here, try it,” she encouraged.

The time passed quickly and she looked up when she heard a noise at the door. Jennifer had returned and was standing there with Vinny. His warm eyes were on hers and the smile on his face took her breath away.

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