No. This has some deeper meaning.
The tune has stopped, so I wind the key up again and listen to it in full.
It starts off with four disjunct notes and then plays an unrelated tune. It’s a lilting waltz in a minor key that sounds like something out of a Tim Burton movie. Something must be wrong with the cylinder inside the music box, though, because there’s a weird pause toward the beginning of the waltz, and then it keeps playing notes that sound like they don’t belong with the tune. Halfway through, a note plays that sounds too long. Pretty soon it starts over with the same weird four notes.
Very strange.
Who the hell left this in my car?
It’s not from Bianca. I’m pretty sure it’s not from Dinah. It’s certainly not from Maddox or Alissa. No one else has had access to my car the last few days.
Except…
The valet driver at Bianca’s apartment!
Of course, that’s a nonstarter. I have no idea what he looks like. His face was entirely obscured by a large scarf, a high collar, and a large pair of sunglasses.
Maybe he was disguised on purpose.
A different guy was on duty when we left Bianca’s apartment. He seemed confused when I told him someone else had taken my car. We told him it was a guy who was bundled up, and he said it was probably some guy named Chad.
But maybe it was somebody else entirely. Someone who dressed up as a valet driver to get access to my car, plant this mysterious gift in my trunk.
It must be a message, but I have no idea what on earth it could be.
Some of the notes sound like they’re wrong, but I have no idea where to start since I don’t know the actual tune that’s playing.
Maybe the move is to go back to Bianca’s apartment, see if there’s security footage of this valet driver, try to identify him.
That might help. It’s late, but I can hop in my car and go to Bianca’s apartment right now and?—
My phone buzzes.
It’s a text.
Two texts, actually. The first one came in a few minutes ago, but I didn’t notice it because I was looking at the teapot.
They’re both from Bianca.
The first just says, Made it home safe. Let me know how you are.
The second?
On my way to you now. Don’t move.
5
BIANCA
I didn’t give my sister any time to waylay me after my last set. I flew into my dressing room, grabbed my things, and went straight to the Aces parking garage.
Part of me wanted to leave right after that awkward conversation with her. If she suspects the worst, then the clock is ticking.
But an early departure would have really tipped her off, so I decided to stay. Keep things routine so as not to arouse any suspicion.
No matter what, our time is limited. It will only be so long before Rouge visits the Caterpillar Hotel. She’ll see that Maddox and Alissa’s rooms have both been broken into, and then she’ll follow our tracks and figure out what we know.
She checks the Caterpillar weekly. She won’t be there for a few more days.
