The conductor rapped his baton against the metal of the stand. A hush fell over the audience. Nora subtly nodded and placed her violin under her chin. She stood at the top of the stage. Tonight, she would play Tchaikovsky’sViolin Concerto.For the next thirty minutes, Sabrina watched from the fifth row as Nora became engrossed in the music.
She kept her eyes closed whilst playing and swayed in time to the notes. Her bow became a magic wand. With fascination, Sabrina sat in awe of the catlike skill and speed with which Nora’s nimble fingers flew up and down the neck of the instrument. Sabrina had heard violin music before, but when she compared it to the soulful tone coming out of Nora’s Guarneri, it was night and day. She wondered how an equally rare and valuable Stradivarius violin would compare.
All too soon, Nora was playing the finishing notes. The audience, which had doubled in size, jumped to its feet.
“Brava!” they exclaimed, whistling and shouting.
Sabrina jumped to her feet and clapped as loudly as she dared for her friend.
A few people behind her shouted, “Encore! Encore!”
The title sponsor of the evening’s festivities walked out onto the stage, gave a short speech, and presented the conductor and Nora with voluptuous bouquets of scarlet-red roses. As Sabrina pulled her phone out to take a few pictures, she noticed a familiar face sitting off to the side of the front row, deadly handsome in form-fitting charcoal-gray trousers and a periwinkle-blue shirt.
She rubbed her eyes and froze. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach. “Lorenzo!” she breathed in shock.
Was Nora aware that her brother was present? Had he been here the entire duration of the concert? Why hadn’t she noticed him earlier?
With eagle eyes, she viewed him clapping hard and wolf whistling. She stared blankly, studying as he licked his lips, ran a hand through his hair, and slipped on a pair of sunglasses. She rubbed her hands against her dress. While everyone’s attention was focused upon the occupants on the stage, he quietly slipped out of sight and into the evening sunset.
She swallowed hard, touching the garnet necklace, turning it over in her fingers. Her chest constricted. Her legs quivered. Should she go after him? What would happen if she did? The longer she stood there, the smaller the dot of his figure became until he had disappeared from sight completely.
Around her, the crush of audience members mingled amongst one another. Others walked up the aisle toward the exit. She frowned. Seeing Lorenzo’s person had rattled her, yet it had also set afire a desire within her. She was more certain than ever that she still had feelings for Lorenzo Toscani.
I’m in trouble.
Sabrina assumed her seat again, pondering what her next move should be. If she wanted to have any chance at overcoming the now-tangible emotions, she would have to nip them before they had an opportunity to further grow and develop.
All I have to do is avoid thinking about Lorenzo, and more importantly, avoid seeing him at all costs. It should be as simple as that.
About twenty minutes later, a euphoric Nora found Sabrina. Plastering a smile on her face, Sabrina slow-clapped. “If it isn’t the lady of the hour herself.”
“Oh, stop it.” Nora waved her off.
Sabrina stood from her perch and stretched. “Tonight was my first time seeing a classical concert live, and you exceeded all my expectations. It was glorious to see you not just perform, but become a part of the music. Nothing I’ll ever hear will ever be able to match your playing.”
“You’re giving me entirely too much credit. A violinist is only as good as her conductor and orchestra, but I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it.” Nora picked up her violin case. Had the lighting been better, Sabrina was certain she would see her friend’s face colored from embarrassment.
They started walking toward the exit of the performance area and out toward the pathway leading to the street.
“I was just speaking to Maestro Umberto, and from some of the early returns, the Spring Fling has garnered double the amount of donations we were expecting!” Nora gushed. “If the trend continues at our next concert, we’re going to be able to expand our outreach efforts this year. I have so many ideas for adding more interactive programs to the museum’s current offerings for kids and young families. We often attract older adults, but the youths are our future.”
Sabrina grinned. “You’re a woman on a mission, and no doubt you’ll—”
Suddenly, there was the sound of heavy footsteps coming up from behind them. The hairs on the back of Sabrina’s neck prickled. The women stopped speaking and turned. A figure dressed in dark clothing forcefully shoved the two of them apart, causing them to both fall hard upon the ground. With the two of them dazed and scrambling to their feet, the figure seized the opportunity and grabbed Nora’s violin case, fleeing the scene.
Fifteen
Rescuing the Guarneri
Nora stared in shock, momentarily frozen. Sabrina experienced a rush of energy and wasn’t about to let the attacker get away without a fight. She couldn’t let her friend lose her priceless violin.
She could still make out the thief’s bulky silhouette only a few seconds ahead of her. For all she was worth, she took off at a sprint, pumping her arms, feet pounding against the gravel. She’d never run this fast in her life.
She put every ounce of strength into the pursuit and could sense that she was gaining ground. Ignoring the stitch in her side, with every step she inched closer. Her mind whirled at lightning speed.
I have one shot to get this right.
Taking a gamble, she wheezed out, “Hey! You forgot something!”
