“What is your stage name?” Jack asked, expression full of concentration and focus.
This was how Cassie imagined Jack in PI mode.
“It’s Katie-Jo,” Emma said. “She’s big in country music.”
“Country isn’t as popular here, but I wear stage costumes and a wig. It makes it easier for me to have a private life,” Cassie said. “Although it’s not impossible that someone has penetrated my disguise, it’s unlikely. My agent put out the story that I was going home to rest and take a vacation. My official bio says my home is in Washington DC where my parents live. I usually keep a low profile. The only person who knows my identity is Emma.”
“That explains the guitar and the singing,” Hone said. “I heard you and Manu before…” He glanced at Jack and Emma, then his father before shrugging. “You’re good.”
“Thanks.” Her fans enjoyed her singing, but it was nice to have someone who knew her—if two day’s acquaintance counted—tell her she wasn’t wasting time with her music.
Her mother…
Cassie blanked the rest of that thought. Her parents, her mother in particular, didn’t approve of many things. Something Cassie tried to ignore.
“Emma is right,” Hone said. “You can’t go to the concerts on your own, not until we discover if the clown was a coincidence.”
“Clown?” George asked.
“My prowler last night was dressed as a clown,” Cassie said. “He played a creepy song about clowns. I used to laugh about people with clown phobias. Considered them precious. After last night, I have sympathy. I’m not sure how I feel about someone tagging after me all the time,” she added.
“I’ll go with you.” Hone leaned back and stretched his arms above his head. He reminded her of a spring-loaded door. “We’ll keep it casual. I’ll go as your boyfriend.”
His words fell into silence loaded with indecipherable undercurrents. It left Cassie drifting and cranky. She hated people managing her and bossing her around. This felt like a takeover.
“Is that all right with you, Miss Miller-Pope?” George picked up a pen, tapped it on his desktop twice.
“Call me Cassie,” she said. “I guess we can try that and see how it works. Given the weird things happening to me, it would be silly to refuse your help.”
“What about from now until the concert?” Emma demanded. “You can’t be alone.”
“I don’t need a babysitter,” Cassie snapped, stung by her friend’s words.
“Be reasonable. You could’ve been killed when that truck ran you off the road. You’re lucky you got away with bruising.”
Cassie sighed, admitting Emma was right. Things seemed to happen whenever she was alone. “I wanted to go to the house and do more painting. I need to work through my bracket of songs. Rehearse.”
“I could probably shift around my jobs. I don’t mind painting,” Hone said.
“It’s settled then,” George said. “Hone, a word before you go.”
Hone waited while Cassie, Emma and Jack left the office.
“Shut the door behind you,” George called to Jack.
The door closed with an abrupt click.
“June is right. Cassie is a lovely girl.” His father grinned at him. “June is gonna be pissed when she learns about you and Cassie.”
“Dad, I met her two days ago.”
“Your taniwha wants her.”
“Rubbish.” Hone lied without a blink.
“He flickers in your pupils. You’re having trouble controlling him. Jack told me although I see it for myself.”
“Jack is a blabbermouth.”
