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Xane
“Xane… Xane. Laura Beswick,MusicMania. Do you have any comments on today’s verdict?”
Years of being hounded by photographers had prepared him for this moment. As cameras and boom mics were thrust at him, Xane kept his expression neutral. On the court steps flanked by their lawyers, Sally Kettering, levelled her gaze at the assembled press. “Earlier this year, a number of very serious allegations were levelled at my clients, the majority pertaining to Black Halo’s rhythm guitarist Spook Mortensen. This unprovoked witch hunt produced a barrage of hateful media content that led to seismic repercussions for the lives of both Mr Mortensen and the rest of the band, including but not limited to serious financial loss, damage to the band’s reputation and personal injury. Today, we are relieved to bring this matter to a close and thank Judge Ashbee for ensuring justice was served. We look forward to receivingBang! Magazine’ssincere apology and a full retraction of their defamatory content.
“Black Halo would also like to take this moment to thank their fans and supporters who have been so steadfast in their love and support during this difficult time. It helps enormously to know that you are out there thinking of us and holding our music in your hearts. We look forward to sharing our unique musical vision with you again in the near future.”
Sally concluded with a thank you, then security hustled in around him and opened a pathway through the crowd towards the waiting cars.
“Xane, is there a reason Spook wasn’t here in court today?”
“Why haven’t we seen him during the trial?”
“Does this mean Black Halo will be resuming their tour?”
“Is it true he’s been dropped from the line-up?”
“When was the last time you spoke to him?”
“Xane, when did you last talk to Dani?”
The last one caused him a misstep, but the guys in black were behind him and put a hand on his shoulder to guide him into the waiting vehicle. He slid onto the back seat, while they closed the door, shutting out the barrage of noise and light. The driver pulled them out into the tide of early evening traffic. Xane tugged loose the knot in his tie, wishing only peace, quiet and that a different blond Swede was facing him across the back seat.
“It’s done.” Luthor stretched an arm across the middle seat and grasped his hand. “You fixed it.”
“Unless you’ve got him stashed in the boot, have I shit!”
“It’s still a victory, Xane. They shouldn’t be allowed to get away with printing that stuff. Maybe, just maybe they’ll think twice about it in the future. I mean, it wouldn’t have taken much effort to fact check what they were printing, would it?”
It’d never been about printing the truth. It was about Ava Leigh scoring points, and somehow Alle Hutton’s older brother had got dragged into it. It’d been all too fucking personal.
On the other hand, he’d never really doubted the win. The case was cut and dry. Clearly defamatory content. The evidence to refute it was available in the court records of the time to anyone who looked and could read Swedish. Turns out they had plenty of Swedish fans willing to translate. The first of them had appeared within hours of the originalBang!article going live. Siv Gyllensköld was a liar.
Hell,Bang!had realised it too, which is why they’d tried to settle it out of court, waving around their pocketbook like it would save the world. Money couldn’t fix the damage they’d done to Spook. It couldn’t glue the remnants of the band together. A printed retraction and an apology on the other hand—well, they might not fix things either, but at least it’d set the record straight.
“You seem….”
“It feels kind of hollow.”
Luthor’s fingers entwined his. Squeezed. “It’s progress. A step forward.”
Xane pulled his tie free of his collar and opened three shirt buttons. “It’s not enough.”
“I know how much this is killing you. I see it. Even if the others don’t.”
His phone pinged. Forlorn hope meant he checked it every time.
“Alle?” Luthor asked.
Xane nodded. He shoved the phone back in his pocket without answering. He couldn’t give her what she wanted and talking to her had become too uncomfortable. He got that he was probably making things worse for her, but what the hell was he supposed to say?
“Do we need to bail on this evening?”
Tempting as that was, Xane shook his head. They’d promised Ronnie that Black Halo would get on stage with him. It was only two songs, still… It hurt. The last gig they’d played because they couldn’t back out. It’d taken copious amounts of arm twisting to even make it happen. He’d called on the only person he was willing to entertain standing in for Spook, good old Captain Recluse himself, his cousin Ric.
But that was never happening again. It’d been a strictly one-time favour. Tonight, he was just going to have to play rhythm and sing. Even if it broke him to do it.
