Page 94 of Tumbling Hearts

“What the hell?” Ray says.

“Is there anything we can do?” Santiago offers.

“We can go to the courthouse. If he’s granted bail, we can pick him up. I’m heading there now; who’s coming with me?”

“Me,” Gene says instantly.

“Count me in, too,” Santi says.

“If Gene’s going, I’m going,” Ray says.

“Alright.” Dennis nods. “Anyone else?”

“I’m, uh… gonna stay here,” Maurice says. “Someone should stay behind here at the studio to watch all our stuff.”

“I’ll stay behind, too,” Pat says.

“Same,” Stefan chimes in.

“What about you, Toshiko?” Gene asks her. “You don’t need to come if you don’t want to.”

“I can keep you company,” Pat offers.

“Thank you, Pat,” Toshiko says, sitting on a folding chair by one of the mixing boards. “This is… distressing. I’d rather wait here. Will you be back soon, Gene?”

“I hope so.” He nods. He takes a deep breath, in, and out. “We’ll find more information when we get there. I can always call you.”

“Please, if you could,” she says, a concerned look on her face.

“Alright.”

Nausea plagues Gene’s gut. Nicky had sold him some of his stash just before the show yesterday—including some smack. It was quite a lot, at least more than Gene initially thought he’d be getting. He assumed Nicky gave him so much because he was going to buy more, but now… that plan seems to have changed.

What if the cops come after me next?

Everything Gene has is pretty well hidden in his things. He remembers all the tips that Toshiko’s publicist Pete let him know. Plus, just because Nicky is associated with the Brooms doesn’t mean the cops would have a reason to raid their hotel. No, this is because of his other friends, the people he was staying with last night. Nothing to do with Gene or the Brooms.

I’ll be fine. I’ll be fine.

But he still has to make sure Nicky is fine, too.

“Then that settles it.” Dennis claps his hands together. “Alright, boys. Let’s get a move on.”

Gene’s heart never stops racing as they ride in the taxi to the courthouse. It thuds even harder as they wait during Nicky’s arraignment hearing. The pianist is charged with possession of cannabis. That doesn’t surprise Gene. Thankfully Nicky isn’t charged with anything worse, like drug trafficking. He’s released on bail, which Dennis takes care of—grumbling along the way, but trying his best to hold back his frustration. Nicky will be due back in California for his court date in about a month, and during this time in-between, he can’t contact the other guys from the house he was staying at, and he can’t leave the country.

Will he be able to go with us when we eventually tour Europe?

Gene can’t know for sure until Nicky’s court date. But Dennis is confident, reassuring them all the lawyers he has are the best of the best. His lawyer in LA has worked on criminal cases of famous musicians before, knowing just the right loopholes to look for, winning multiple cases in dropping all charges. Hopefully, this lawyer can work the same magic for Nicky.

As they exit the courthouse, flashes of light blind them from all directions. For Christ’s sake. Apparently, some photographers must’ve noticed them enter and stayed around until they were ready to leave. Gene waves at them, hurrying by as he heads toward the taxis parked on the side of the road.

“Gene Hillard, can you comment on why you’re here?”

“Raymond Roderick, please, a moment?”

“Santiago Arteaga! ¿Una palabra, por favor?”

“We’re here to support our colleague, Nicky Emerson,” Dennis butts in, standing in front of Gene and his friends. “That’s all we’ll comment on, at the moment. Now, if you please…”