Page 40 of Little Child Gone

Nikki pointed to his sweaty forehead. “Is that all from conducting?”

“I’m very animated,” Cohen said. “Keeps me skinny.”

“Can you think of any other band kids I should talk to other than Neena and Logan?”

Cohen shook his head, his blond hair flopping in his face. “I’ve only ever seen him with those two.” He leaned forward. “He’s just run off, right? You don’t think something bad has happened?”

“My job is to assume something bad has happened,” Nikki said. “What makes you think he might run away?”

“He wouldn’t,” Cohen answered. “He’s working on a solo for the state competitions, along with two different quartets. He’s serious about his music.”

“What about his family?” Nikki asked. “Do you think he’d leave them?”

“I have no idea,” Cohen said. “I don’t talk to students about their personal lives. We barely have enough time to practice as it is.”

Normally, Nikki would press the issue, but Cohen’s sincerity was impossible to ignore. “Isn’t it unusual in such a big marching band to have two freshmen quads?”

Cohen sat up straighter. “Last year, I would have said yes. But Neena and Taylor are both exceptional. Their commitment level blew me away. And they knew the music and routine better than some of the other kids in the line. That’s all I care about.”

“Do you do individual lessons with every kid?”

“God, no. Individual lessons are reserved for kids competing in state competitions,” Cohen answered. “In addition to regular band practice, I practice with each instrument group twice a week, after school.”

“Taylor was preparing for a competition, right?”

“Yes,” Cohen answered. “He practiced with me during the lunch hour. I play the drums as well. I don’t know how familiar you are with high school band culture, but most percussionists don’t do individual solos. I did when I was in school, so I was excited for Taylor.”

“So even though you didn’t talk about personal things, you spent frequent time with him during the school day?”

“I suppose so.”

“Did you guys practice at lunch yesterday?”

Cohen’s brow furrowed. “Not as long as usual. Taylor said he had a headache, so we just ran through a few things.”

“Did you notice anything else other than him having a headache?”

“Honestly, I wasn’t sure that he had a headache,” Cohen said. “He didn’t seem to be suffering from the noise. He did seem like he had something on his mind.”

“How so?”

“He was very quiet,” Cohen said. “I assumed it was illness or whatever, but he just didn’t have his usual energy or focus. When he didn’t arrive this morning, along with Logan, I assumed they’d both gotten sick.”

“How was he before the holiday break?”

“Normal. Excited for Christmas and time off school.”

“Did you have any band practice that week?”

“No,” Cohen said. “The obsessive director in me wants to have practice that week, but I remember how much that can mess up a break. That just turns kids off band.”

“I know you don’t talk about personal things with the kids because of time constraints?—”

“Not just that,” Cohen said. “I don’t want to get involved in their personal lives. It’s about music for me.”

Nikki nodded. “Even so, would Taylor come to you if he were in danger or if something was wrong at school?”

“I doubt it,” Cohen answered. “The only personal conversations I’ve had are about his prior music experience and whether his sister will play next year. I do know he’s close with his dad. He plays drums, too.”

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