What? Asked her to stay?
She couldn’t stay, could she? She had a life in New York City. And Zoey...
Zoey.
She put the mic back on the stand and came off the stage. “How does it sound?”
Goldie’s eyes narrowed, then she sighed. “You sound very Janis Joplin.”
“So not terrible.”
“Not terrible. Just don’t hold any high Cs.” She slid off the bar stool. “Your voice is ... so husky.”
“It’s fine. It doesn’t hurt. And maybe this is the new me.”
Goldie’s lips pursed.
So, clearly not happy. “I’m going to check on Zoey. You sure you’re okay to keep an eye on her during the show?”
“Apparently it’s what I do.”
“You’re a gem, Goldie.”
“I know, I know. You’re breakin’ my heart here with this sabbatical.”
“Yeah, you’ll be crying all the way to the bank when I release these new singles.” She winked.
Goldie wrinkled her nose. “I’m going to check on the security. There’s already a line at the door. Good thing your Blissfuls know how to get the word out.”
Keely had released a soft version of the first two lines of “Hear My Name” recorded on her phone, sent out a video about the charity performance, and her rabid fans took it from there.
The venue, even with the high price tag, sold out in four hours, and the GoFundMe account for Donald and Wren had six figures, on the way to seven.
So, the money would help. But Wren ...please God,saveher.
Goldie headed for the front door, and Keely slipped behind the stage to the dressing room. Just a large room with a wall of mirrors and a dressing table, a couple sofas and overstuffed chairs around a wooden coffee table, and a flat-screen. She’d left Zoey coloring at the coffee table with Goldie’s assistant, Kaya, an intern and wannabe musician.
Petite, early twenties, with her dark hair pulled back, Kayawas sitting on the sofa, curled up, watching her phone when Keely came in.
Zoey’s crayons lay on the table, along with her coloring page. But no Zoey. “Um, Kaya ... where’s Zoey?”
Kaya searched the room, sat up, looked at Keely again. “She was right here.”
“Oh my—she’s four. Four. Kids who are four wander off—for the love!” Keely turned and went back out into the darkened backstage area. “Zoey?” Shoot. “I need lights!”
Don’t shout.But still ... she rounded back to the room and nearly mowed over Kaya. “Get lights on in the backstage area—”
Kaya took off, her expression stricken. Yeah, well—
Keely headed past the stage into the hallway behind the stage that led out to the back entrance, a loading dock, and...
The night.
Danger.
Aw—She hit the door to the back entrance and stopped.
Zoey stood, a black dog barring her exit, just still as the little girl’s arms clutched his neck.
