Page 42 of Bold Encounter
"How can you be sure?"
"Because that would defeat his purpose," he said in a calm voice."Think about it.He expects you to capitulate to the pressure and join forces with him.If he destroys your reputation completely, he will have to undo all that damage later.That would be disadvantageous to his ultimate goal."
Genevieve felt a small measure of relief at his reasoning."So, you think this was targeted specifically because of how important the House of Blues performance was?"
"I think Jason is strategic," Abe said."I'm starting to figure out how he thinks.He plans ahead.He's calculating and conniving.Everything he does serves a purpose.It's always about how he can get what he wants, and in that way, he's predictable."
"Predictable how?"
"He'll keep pressing until you give him what he wants, but he won't completely destroy what he's trying to possess."Abe squeezed her hand."You're valuable to him.He wants to control your career, not end it."
Genevieve took a shaky breath."My next performance is at The Spotted Cat Music Club.It's completely different from the House of Blues."
"How so?"
"The Spotted Cat is tiny, maybe holds a hundred and fifty people on a good night.It's this intimate little club on Frenchmen Street where locals go to hear authentic New Orleans music.There are no corporate sponsors involved, and no major industry presence.It will be an audience of music lovers and tourists who stumble in looking for the real thing."
"That sounds like it would be harder for Jason to influence."
"That's what I'm hoping," Genevieve said."The venue doesn't announce their lineup with much advance notice, either.They're more casual about it, sometimes just posting the acts on social media a day or two before.And my performance schedule is confidential.Only my agent would know the details."
Abe nodded slowly."That is a different setup, but I won't assume anything when it comes to Jason."
"I don't know how I'd handle another cancellation," she said."The House of Blues was supposed to be my breakthrough moment.If The Spotted Cat falls through too…"
Her phone buzzed with a text message.She glanced at the screen and saw Cadie's name.
"She's still upset," Genevieve said after reading the message."This is a big deal for her too.The whole band was counting on that exposure.She wants me to come over."
"That's a good idea," Abe said, starting the engine."Tell her I'll drop you off now.I need to meet with Gabriel and review where we stand."As he pulled away from the curb, his voice had an edge."I'm done with taking what Jason dishes out.It's time to turn the tables and go for his throat."
*****
Cadie's apartment reflected her life as a working musician.A baby grand piano dominated the small living room.Sheet music and lead sheets covered its surface.Guitar cases leaned against one wall, and a keyboard stood on a stand near the window.The walls were decorated with vintage posters from famous New Orleans jazz clubs and photographs of legendary musicians.
But today, the creative chaos didn't mask Cadie's distress.She opened the door with teary eyes and pulled Genevieve into a fierce hug.
"I can't believe this happened," she said, then walked to the couch."I've been pacing around here for an hour.I'm furious."
"I know.I'm sorry this happened."
"Don't you dare apologize," Cadie said, then sat on the worn leather sofa."This affects me too, but not only personally.We're a team, Genevieve.Your success is my success, but more than that, you're my best friend.I hate watching someone systematically destroy what you've built."She gestured expressively with her hands as she spoke, a habit Genevieve had noticed intensified when her friend was emotional."The whole band was counting on that gig."
"I agree that this would impact everyone else."Genevieve sat at the other end of the sofa."We were all going to benefit from that performance."
"That's another reason why this is so infuriating."Cadie stood and paced."It's not just about you.Jason is hurting multiple people to get to you.It's so unfair.You've done nothing wrong, you're incredibly talented, and you work harder than anyone I know."
Genevieve curled up in the corner of the couch, drawing her knees to her chest."What if he does this to The Spotted Cat too?"
"He won't," Cadie said with more confidence than Genevieve felt."The Spotted Cat is different.It's owned by a local family who've been running it for twenty years.They book acts based on talent and audience appeal, not corporate sponsorship.It's the kind of place where real musicians go to hear real music."
"But what if Jason finds a way?What if he has more reach than we think?"
Cadie stopped pacing and sat back down, taking Genevieve's hands in hers."Then we'll figure out something else.We'll book our own venues if we have to.We'll play in coffee shops and bars that don't care about sponsors or industry politics."
"That's not the career I've been working toward."
"I know," Cadie said softly."But your music is too important to let some idiot silence it.The House of Blues would have been amazing, but it's not the only path to success."
