Sheet Music - A Rock 'n' Roll Love Story

“The kind of shit even your fancy New York lawyers will have trouble tap dancing around,” the second detective added with a smirk.

“Well, that’s your opinion, Detective.  As far as I’m concerned, until I talk to Brian, no crime has been committed.  I believe the word you use is ‘alleged’.”

“So you said you haven’t seen Mr. Lofgren since last Thursday?”

“That’s right, I’ve been away,” Michael answered evasively.

“Where were you?”

Michael eyes narrowed in anger.  “New Hampshire, not that it’s any of your business.”

“Were you alone?”

Michael’s back stiffened.  “No.  I was with my wife.  Look, am I a suspect or something?”

“Don’t get an attitude with us, Mr. Wade.”

Michael’s eyes burned into the detective’s and held a silent stand-off until the second officer broke their trance.

“So, you didn’t see Mr. Lofgren all weekend?”

“That’s what I’m saying.”  Michael shifted his weight.  His anger near the boiling point.  “I’ve already told you, I haven’t seen or heard from Brian since last week.  So, unless you’re here to arrest me for something, I’m going inside.”

The detective handed Michael a business card as he pushed his way past him.  “Here – take this.  It has my telephone number on it.  If you should happen to hear from your pedophile friend, call me.”

Michael’s fist coiled back, as if to punch the detective.  The man made no attempt to move, and instead, provokingly smiled.  “Don’t even give me a reason, Mr. Wade,” he chuckled, pushing a pencil behind his ear.  “Arresting you for assaulting an officer would be the highlight of my day.”

“Fuck you,” Michael muttered under his breath.  He flicked the paper card into the air as if he were discarding a cigarette butt, and headed toward the house.

“Oh, and Mr. Wade, let me remind you, aiding and abetting a criminal is a felony.  So, don’t do anything stupid.  Okay?”

Without replying, Michael slammed the door behind him.

“Brian’s in big trouble, Michael,” Annie cried, hurrying to his side.  “It’s all over the news!”

Michael stepped beyond her and into the kitchen.  The television was releasing another updated report on the attack.  He listened carefully before shutting it off and nervously raked his fingers through his hair.

“I’m going to go over and talk to Barbara,” he announced, reaching for his car keys.  “She’ll know what really happened.”

“I’ll come too,” Annie volunteered.

“Annie, the last thing you need to do is get stressed over this.  Besides, in case Brian calls, someone should be here to answer the phone so he doesn’t get the machine.”

He kissed her quickly on the cheek.  “Relax, babe.  I’m sure it’s not as serious as the press is making it out to sound on the television.  You know how reporters love to blow a story like this out of proportion.  They hear the names involved and suddenly it becomes national news.”

Annie sighed.  “I hope you’re right, Michael.”

“I’ll be back as soon as I can,” he smiled, opening the front door.  “Call me at Barbara’s if you hear from him.”

The unmarked police cruiser remained parked outside the gates.  Michael cursed loudly as he watched them pull in behind traffic to follow him.  Never leaving his sight, they stayed on his tail until he came to a stop outside the call box at Brian’s front gate.

“Who is it?” Barbara’s maid asked.

“It’s Michael Wade.”

A few seconds later the gate slid open and Michael sped his car up the long driveway toward the house.  Before Michael could knock, the door flew open and Barbara jumped into his arms.

“Jesus, where the hell have you been?” she asked, tears distorting her voice.

“Annie and I went away for our anniversary but I’m beginning to think we shouldn’t have.”

Barbara reluctantly released her grip on him and stepped away, rubbing at her eyes.

“Are you alone?” he asked.

“Yes, except for the maid.  She’s been trying to retain some sense of control around here.  Between the phone ringing and the front gate buzzing every five seconds, I can’t take any more of this!  Everyone else is at my nanny’s house.”

Barbara began to pace like a caged animal.  “You know the police have the phone’s tapped and they’re watching the house.  Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised if they had your phone lines tapped too!  I’m not sure what they expect.  Brian’s not that stupid to come back or call here anytime soon.”

“I was followed here,” Michael casually added, pushing his hands into his pockets.  “Wanna tell me what the hell happened?”

Barbara stopped and slouched against the refrigerator.  Her swollen eyes stared out the back window.  “Apparently, Brian was screwing my sister’s step-daughter,” she spoke somberly, suddenly making eye contact with Michael.  “She’s fifteen, for Christ sakes!”