Private Melody by Altonya Washington Read Free Book Online Page A

tight-lipped about it.” Vaughn shrugged beneath the crisp baby blue of his shirt. “Said he’d be back in a few days.”
    â€œGary, man, maybe if you checked out the general’s former staff, somethin’ might turn up.” Peter tugged at his earlobe and looked doubtful.
    â€œWe could be wasting our time,” Vaughn warned.
    â€œMaybe, but we need to be a step ahead on everything from here on out. Especially after what happened with Ruby.”
    Gary agreed with Peter’s assessment and raised his coffee mug in mock toast. “I’m on it,” he said on his way out of the office.
    â€œSay, Vaughn,” Peter called while they shuffled from Morgan’s office. “What’s up with Ther, seriously?”
    Vaughn clapped Peter’s back. “For a change, the guy has got something other than politics on his mind.”
    Â 
    â€œWho ever said musicians aren’t paid well?” Therin asked as he and Kianti rounded out their after-dinner tour of her home. It went without saying that he was very impressed.
    â€œWell, Dr. Chapin and his wife really loved my music.” Kianti smoothed her hands up and down her arms as memories resurfaced. “They came to all the shows I had in the area back when I was just starting out.” She stopped to lean against the railing along the walkway where they strolled.
    â€œLater, I found out they had all my CDs—even the little promotional ones I put out when I was trying to get noticed.” Her dark eyes held a poignant gleam as she stared out at the Pacific crashing against the rocks below. “They left me the house. His foundation got all the scientific equipment and the youth home they supported got all the furnishings.”
    â€œNice.” Therin appreciated the artwork lining the wall along the walkway. “Very nice,” he added when they entered the studio.
    â€œI do most of my practicing here. It’s one of the few places where I don’t feel pressured.”
    Therin watched her fingers graze the glossy top of the baby grand piano. “You’re lucky. There aren’t even a few places I could claim.”
    â€œMust be nice to be needed.”
    â€œIt’s been nicer.”
    Kianti leaned against the piano. “Do I sense another career change?” She braced her elbows back on the baby grand and regarded him with playful suspicion. “Just exactly what do you do for a living?”
    He chuckled, smoothing a hand down a sideburn. “Guess I do whatever I damn well please. But I choose to torture myself for a worthy cause. Basically, I connect people with similar interests.”
    â€œInterests here being educational.”
    He nodded. “I know a lot of philanthropists who not only like giving money to various endeavors but appreciate knowing about others who share their interests in those endeavors.” He shrugged and strolled around the piano. “My family and my work put me in contact with many of them. I spend a lot of time bringing them together for worthy causes.” He frowned, not wanting to speak much about work when he was with her.
    The feeling of serenity he’d experienced backstage with her after the concert, and again the next morning, had returned. He only wanted to savor the moment and cast out all the rest.
    â€œMay I make a request?” He motioned toward the piano.
    Kianti’s grin sparked the faint dimple she possessed.“Your request, sir?” she asked once she’d rounded the Baby Grand and claimed her place.
    â€œDo you know ‘Skating’?”
    Her laughter filled the room at his mention of the Peanuts tune by the Vince Guaraldi Trio. “Take a seat.” She waved in the direction of the navy-and-tan living set across the room.
    The performance began. Therin was, of course, captivated, mesmerized by the eloquence with which she played. Gradually, his attention turned from the playing to the woman.