By Degrees by Elle Casey Read Free Book Online Page A

answer.
    “Come on, man … you remember Austin,” says the bassist.   “He was totally there for us.   He got us that show where we met Mel.”
    “Yeah, remember that?” says Dave, laughing while he travels down memory lane.   “He snuck around and fucked up that band’s amps so they couldn’t go on.   We got their slot and then bam .   Mel saw us and that was the start of it all.   Where would we be without Austin?   Probably still in my parents’ garage.”
    I try not to let my shock show on my face.   It feels like someone just walked over my grave.   I imagine Austin’s ghost whispering in my ear, telling me he was the one who set me on the path into Tarin’s life all those years ago.   It’s a small world, babe.   There are hidden connections everywhere.
    I shake my head to get the specter out.   There’s no such thing as destiny.   Only memories, regrets, and the desire to do better next time.   I will do better this time.   I will save Tarin’s life.
    “Fine.”   The guitarist looks at me with a guarded expression.   I know I haven’t won the entire war with him … just this one battle.   “I’m in until I see shit going wrong.   Then I’ll be out, and I won’t be going anywhere.”   He glares at Mel.   “No one can force me out of the band I helped put together.”
    Mel raises an eyebrow but wisely says nothing.   I do the same.
    Once I see all the expressions relaxing around the room, I smile.   “Excellent. Thank you for coming. Please put your contact information on that sheet over there.   Be sure to fill in all the boxes.   My assistant Scott will be in touch for our next meeting.   He’s Austin’s little brother, so please be gentle and forgive him if he drops a load of f-bombs on you.”   I pause to wait for the laughter to stop.   “Please consider yourselves on-call for the next thirty days.   If I call, I’ll expect you to answer and respond ASAP.   Last, but not least, please do not say anything to Tarin or the crew or any of the other people who hang around.   I’ll be discussing this situation with Tarin personally tomorrow and then all the rest of them after.” I pause to scan their faces.   “Are we good?”
    I get affirmative nods from everyone.   Some of them are reluctant, but I’m okay with that.   Acceptance will come slower for some, but I will get it.   Failure is not an option.
    “I’m meeting with the crew and other people who spend time with Tarin tomorrow. I’ll be getting rid of the ones who I deem to be counterproductive to our task.   Just to be clear, anyone I dismiss is permanently gone, so if you have friends who are not here right now, who you know I’ll speak with, please wait until after I’ve talked to them to discuss it with them.   I don’t mind if you try to get them on board, because we need all the help we can get, but just know that I don’t give second chances. Once they’re gone, they’re gone. Even after I’ve left.   But I don’t want any of them speaking to Tarin until I do, so mum’s the word.”   I put my finger to my lips for effect.
    Eyebrows go up, but no one argues.   I let out a long breath in relief as Mel walks up to me and the crowd filters over to the door where my contact sheet is waiting for their information.
    “That went better than I expected,” he says quietly, standing very close so no one will hear as they leave.
    “I was happy with it.   I know you wanted to discuss our plan for tomorrow, but would you mind if I call into my office first?”
    “Not a problem.”
    “Do you have a quiet spot where I can do that?”
    He walks me to his private office and waits until I’m seated to leave me alone.   At the door he turns and faces me.   “Thank you, Scarlett.   And for what it’s worth, I’m sorry for your loss.   Austin was very special.   Now I understand why you do what you do, and I respect it very much.”
    I nod, unable to answer.
    He seems to