Aria in Ice by Flo Fitzpatrick Read Free Book Online

Franz to stiffen, but
he did. So slightly that I wasn’t sure he’d even made a movement. I
was lost. The two of them seemed to be playing a chess game and I
wasn’t even the referee.
    This little café served sweet goodies, but
also doubled as a bar. My waiter returned just when I was about to
dive in and get nosy. I kept silent. Johnny ordered a bourbon and
coke, and Franz went with white wine. I threw caution and calories
to the wind and asked for my fourth Kahlua and chocolate, wishing
the amount of Kahlua was more than just a taste. Then we all sat
back in our chairs and played “avoid Mozart” for the next hour.
    Johnny started with “Franz? You’re playing
the hero for this movie Abby’s involved in?”
    A nod.
    “So, how’d you land the role?”
    Franz relaxed. “I sent Miss Bohacek clips
from the last two films I was in. Both leads. Both in German, but
she saw in me the mysterious nobleman she wanted and sent her
recommendation on to Miss Martin.” He added, “I also sing and
dance, which is good for this movie.”
    Johnny took a sip of his drink. Franz let him
swallow before asking, “And what exactly do you do, Mr.
Gerard?”
    “ In the off season, when you’re not
breaking into castle turrets.” Oh lordy, had I said that out
loud?
    Apparently not. Neither man looked at me with
any change of expression.
    Gerard finished his entire drink, waved to
the waiter for another, then smiled with absolute ease. “Many
things. I’m an actor and singer.” Understatement. Johnny had
both a Dayt ime Drama Emmy and a Best Actor Tony under his
belt . “I’m also a musician. I’ve done studio recordings;
sometimes I play down in Soho with a group.”
    This was news. When had this started?
    Franz and I spoke at once.
    Him: “What instrument do you play?”
    Me: “What’s the name of the band?”
    Johnny answered me first. “Band is called Noble Posse . We’re very eclectic in our choice of music.
Classic rock, early garage punk, big band, C & W.” He shot me
what I call his ‘Irish choirboy caught naked with two Irish
milkmaids in the church vestry’ look. “I use a different name
though in the group. Gregory Noble.”
    Typical. Another plot twist for the cop who
does everything. I wondered when Johnny had filmed these musical
episodes for Endless Time. Before, during or after his
African safari? Why hadn’t I been invited to at least watch since
my character of Vanessa had been cancelled?
    I smiled, a bit grimly. “I like it. Sounds
fun. I’m impressed.”
    “Thanks. And it is fun.” He glanced at Franz.
“I play guitar. Other stuff as well, but that’s my primary
instrument.” He smiled. “ So, Franz? Tell us about Vienna, would
you? I’ve never been there, but heard it’s gorgeous and the people
are friendly—and the pastries? Wicked.”
    Franz complied with the request and began to
regale Johnny and me with a guide through Olde Vienna, talking
about the great sights such as the Spanish Riding School where the
Lipizzaner horses are trained. I heard about St. Stephen’s
Cathedral and the Baroque Schonbruan, aka the Hapsburg dynasty
palace. My attention was wandering after the list of orchestras in
the city, but I perked up at the mention of the Giant Ferris Wheel,
which was portrayed in the classic movie, The Third Man . And
I began to drool when he described the dream dessert of carboholic
freaks the world over— Sachertorte , named for the restaurant
that originally served the dish.
    Franz did not mention that Vienna had
premiered The Magic Flute . He also did not mention that
Vienna was the place where Mozart died; or whether that death had
come by means of cup of poison administered by rival composer
Salieri, by simple ill health, or perhaps by someone with motive
even nastier than jealousy.
    When Franz finished his whirlwind tour
through Vienna, we all simply sat in silence. Other than the Ferris
wheel and the visions of torte running through my head, I had no
idea what other bits