Shades of Blue by Bill Moody Read Free Book Online Page A

“So do I,” she says. “And look at the way he’s smiling.”
    I nod. “It’s hard to know. Coop also made a wild stab at things.”
    “Oh?”
    “He said, maybe that’s me in the carriage.” I force a laugh.
    Dana doesn’t laugh. “I didn’t want to say anything but I think it’s a possibility.”
    “But I told you my parents are still alive and live in Boston.”
    “I know but…oh well, I guess it is a crazy idea.”
    She glances at her watch. “I have to get out of here. I’m meeting with my advisor at three. If you want I’ll come back and cook dinner tonight unless you have some other plans.”
    “No, that would be fine.” I take out some money. “Here, get whatever you need.”
    “I do a pretty mean pasta and shrimp. That okay?”
    “Sound great. See you then.”
    “Okay, I should be back around six or so. I thought I’d leave Milton here. He’s getting a little disoriented going back and forth.”
    “Sure.”
    I watch her go then call Andie at her office. “Special agent Lawrence please,” I tell the receptionist when she answers. “Evan Horne.”
    “One moment.”
    I listen to a few clicks then Andie comes on. “Evan, how’s it going.”
    “Hi. I was going to ask you the same.”
    “I’ve been swamped, Evan. I haven’t had time to do anything. When are you coming back?”
    “Probably tomorrow or the next day. Things are mostly in control here.” I pause for a moment. “Cal was cremated. I have to decide what to do about his ashes.”
    “God,” Andie says. “I’m sorry, Evan. That’s a rough one.”
    “Yeah, well at least I don’t have to worry about the house or Milton. Dana is ready to move in and she got the place looking great.”
    Andie’s voice is suddenly chilly. “How domestic of her.”
    “Andie.”
    “Okay, okay. I’m sorry, I’m just not ecstatic about you sharing that house with a hot coed. Did you talk to Coop about the note and the photo?”
    “Yeah, had lunch with him today.”
    “And?”
    “He’s pretty intrigued and has some wild theories.”
    “Oh?” Is it my imagination or is her voice guarded? “He say anything else?”
    “No. Like what?”
    “I don’t know. Nothing I guess. I gotta go, Evan. We’re having a briefing in five minutes. Let me know when you’re coming in. I miss you.”
    “Yeah, me too. Talk to you later.”
    I hang up and get the file from the lawyer, and look through the unopened mail. I look around again in the living room. Under the table on a small shelf are some magazines and two copies of the
International Federation of Musicians
newspaper. I flip quickly through both copies and I find what I want on the Notice to Members page.
    I start for the door then turn back and go into the bedroom and take the photo of Cal with Miles Davis and the other man out of the frame and put it in the file. Milton looks up at me questioningly with those deep brown eyes.
    “It’s okay pal, I’ll bring it back.” I give him a pet and head for my car.
    ***
    Musicians Union Local #47 is not far from the house, on Vine Street just south of Santa Monica Boulevard. I pull the rental car into the parking lot and find a space easily so I know there’s not much happening today, and it must not be studio musicians payday. Getting out of the car, I hear a big band from one of the rehearsal studios, and across the street, in front of the Professional Drum Shop, there are a lot of cars. Walking to the front entrance of the union, I think about dropping in over there. It’s more than a drum shop, kind of a hangout for L.A. drummers. Maybe a good idea to show the photo of Miles and Cal.
    “Hi,” I say to the woman at the Directory booth in the lobby. She has a headset on. She glances at me and holds up one finger from the keyboard while she finishes with the phone.
    “Yes?” She looks tired, as if she’s seen and heard it all and hasn’t been very impressed with any of it.
    “Calvin Hughes, pianist. You have a listing for him?”
    She