Pushing me aside, he checks for a pulse, and frowns. “I got this.”
“Yes, please, thank you.” I turn my attention toward Sienna, crying softly.
“This can’t be happening.” Tears drip down her face.
She and her band move aside as a young cop trots onto the stage and taps my fiancé on the shoulder. “You need relief?”
Suds, counting internally, shakes his head, no, and continues with the compressions.
“Okay. The ambulance is almost here.” He speaks into his walkie-talkie, notices I’m not doing anything and frowns. “You should wait outside with the others, miss.”
No way.He should be thankful we were the first on the scene, not trying to get rid of me. “I’m Samantha Russo, former FBI. That’s Sebastian Sutcliff. We’re Suds and Sam, private investigators.”
“Suds and Sam? Huh.” He whistles through his teeth. “Don’t go anywhere.”
A smart-alecky response is on the tip of my tongue until my partner shoots me a warning glance.
Fine. I’ll play nice.
“You got nine-one-one on the line?” He holds out his hand, Sienna nods, and hands the cop my phone.
He puts it to his ear. “Officer Mike O’Shay, I’ve responded to the scene.”
When he hangs up, I hold out my palm. “That’s mine.”
My precious Samsung back where it belongs, he herds the band backstage. “You, too, Ms. Russo.”
Suds indicates with a small nod I should leave but my inner detective bristles. I’m used to being the one who asks questions and demands answers, not the other way around. This rookie should start his investigation while everyone’s memories are intact. Obviously, he is going to need my help.
With me at the end, the musicians and I stroll single file past the curtains and Italian scenery. We wander down a dark hall and enter a room with lime green walls, couches and carpet. The only thing absent is a horse and a wizard.
I’m so horrified by the décor, I miss how everyone stopped and slam right into the famous star. When she turns, she looks so sad, I hug her.
“I’m so sorry. This must come as quite a shock. I’m Sam Russo.” My face heats at my unfortunate choice of words but thankfully she seems not to notice and shakes my outstretched hand.
“I’m Sienna. Was that your boyfriend who jumped on stage?”
I nod.
“My God, he was fast.” Snatching a bottled water off the coffee table, she perches on the edge of the putrid couch. “How did he know?”
I recall his behavior before the show. “He’s got a heightened awareness for danger. I think the government has a secret drug they give Navy SEALs.”
Her eyes go wide and her mouth drops open. “Wait… He’s not Suds?”
I nod and she smiles. “Right. And you’re Sam? Holy shit. You’re not at all what I pictured.”
I hope that’s a positive but I’ll ask later. “Can you tell me what happened on stage? It was dark and I only caught a little.”
Sienna takes a sip of water and studies the bottle. “I saw Calvin start to play but nothing came out.”
She turns to me, eyes wide. “Then, the lights blinked and he… he just stood like he was glued to the spot. It wasn’t until your boyfriend jumped onstage I thought to pull the power cord. Maybe if I’d done it sooner… I can’t believe… How? Is it even possible?”
I google‘electrocuted by guitar’and turn my phone so Sienna can see the results. “It’s happened, but it’s rare.”
“Oh my God.” The country singer sniffles. “Do we know what hospital he’s at? I need to tell his family.”
“No, I don’t but the officer should know and he’ll probably be joining us soon.”
