Her voice sharpened. “You’re going?”
“I told you. I’m leaving for Miami. Overnight in Los Angeles. Fly tomorrow. I always try to travel nonstop when heading to a performance. It cuts down on the risk.” When Kari did not respond, he said, “Hello?”
“You’re leaving.” Her voice had gone very soft.
“Rehearsal is the next morning. Concert that night. Remember? You’re invited.”
“Ian, I must absolutely see you. I need this so much.” A pause. “Does that sound awful?”
“No, Kari. It’s beautiful.”
“I have these moments of sheer terror. I think that’s partly why I’ve been so involved in this new work. Then I stop, and it’s like an avalanche hits me.”
He liked saying it again. “How can I help?”
“Be my friend.”
“Okey dokey.”
“Look at what you’ve done. The day’s first smile. Just a second.” He listened as a door chimed, voices spoke. Then she said, “We’re having lunch at a diner on the main street, just up from Castaways. Come join us.”
“I’d love that.”
“Graham says we need another forty-five minutes. I’m done now. I was done before we got here.”
When Ian returned to the studio for his guitar, he was met by happy chatter and numerous smiles. The crew treated him as one of their own. All of them save Connor.
Arthur walked him out. “You handled that like a seasoned pro. Again.”
“You notice Connor didn’t have much to say?”
“What everybody saw was how you responded, lad. Sooner or later, Connor will recognize everything you’ve done. And are doing.”
“I wish I could be so certain.”
Arthur waited until they had rounded the side of the house, cutting them off from the view of all the others. “Danny is starting work on a new film next week. A feature. He’s already sold the project to Apple Plus. It’s a big step for him. Good mid-level budget. Three solid stars.”
“I’m glad for him.”
“He wants you to do the score.”
Ian took his time settling his guitar case in the rear hold, shutting the liftgate, straightening. “Why am I hearing this from you?”
“Because I asked. Lad, I know you’re going through a rough patch. And having this kerfuffle with Connor has only made things worse. The temptation is to doubt every step. Question. Hesitate. I’ve had fifty-two years’ experience in this trade. And I’m telling you the best thing you can do just now is forge straight on.”
Ian stared at the closed front gate, reflecting on how closely Arthur’s words aligned with what Indrid had said. “All right.”
“All right, you’ll think about it?”
“No. Tell Danny I’m in.”
Arthur squinted at him. “Don’t think for an instant this means I’ll go easy on you. You give me one ounce less than your best, I’ll toss you on the bug zapper.”
“Understood.”
Arthur offered his hand. “In that case, I’ll see you in Miami.”
