The Wages of Cin (Cin Fin-Lathen Mysteries Book 4) by Alexie Aaron Read Free Book Online

drugged-up creature tonight.
    Harry was leaning against the wall chatting with Elijah who seemed to be enjoying the chaos of the room.  I walked over and stood there, not wanting to interrupt the conversation.
    Elijah turned around and surveyed me with his green eyes.  “We meet again, Cin.”
    I held out my hand.  Elijah took it and drew me in and planted a kiss on my cheek.  I pondered this a moment.  Was it just a band thing, or was it done for the benefit of someone in the room?  Either way, I didn’t enjoy it.
    “Have a great time out there,” I said lamely.
    “You are sticking around after the concert.  We’re going to party until they toss us out of here,” he informed me.
    “Don’t know, we’ll see.”
    The door opened and a big burly man came in calling my name.  I excused myself and could have kissed the man for rescuing me from the band lounge and its lizards.
    I followed him through the maze of corridors.
    “This door gets us to the center aisle.  Follow close behind me, and I’ll get you to Sidney’s booth.”
    “Thank you!” I shouted as the sound of the crowd almost overwhelmed me.  They were chanting for the band.  I was surprised as we passed through the multi-generational crowd.  The audience ranged from people older than me to young teens standing there waiting for the band to hit the stage.
    Sidney, who was now dressed in a uniform of all black, similar to the security team, nodded to me as the bouncer lifted me over the barrier to his booth.  No wonder he sent the Incredible Hulk.  Once I was in the booth, Sidney wiggled his finger, and he put a headset on my head.  The crowd sound was muted, but I could hear Sidney loud and clear.
    “Cin, you can hear me and the band through these.  Don’t worry, no one can hear you, so if you feel like singing along, feel free.  Before we start, I want to tell you what a wonderful time I had with you.”  He helped me climb into the high, control booth chair, and as I turned around, he kissed me long and hard.
    “Ready?” he asked, looking into my eyes.
    I nodded.
    He approached the mammoth console and started to work his magic.  He communicated with the gentlemen running the lightshow and put on a recording of one of Ely’s Coming's more driving songs.
    The crowd got to their feet.  Fortunately, I had no trouble seeing from my vantage point.  Sidney cued the band.  “Move to stairs, guys. Good luck,” he said.  “Meyer and Lathen, take up positions.”
    I watched my son climb the stairs, following Meyer who held his drumsticks in the air and saluted the crowd.  Alex moved to his position and began a steady beat.  Meyer got comfortable and joined him.  Together, they matched the music.  Sidney gently eased the prerecorded track out, and now the crowd only heard the duet between bass guitar and drummer.  “Cue, Manny,” Sidney said.  “Come on, old boy, you can make the stairs.”
    “Fuck you, Stoneridge,” Manuel said before entering the stage.  He walked on, picking up his cord, and started playing.  The crowd went wild.  Alex and Manny faced the drummer and played that way until it was time for Elijah to enter the stage.  At this point, Alex and Manuel moved to their positions.  From my viewpoint, it looked like my son was enjoying himself.  If that were me, I would have already soiled myself.  The crowd jumped up and down.
    “Elijah, they’re waiting for you,” Sidney said.
    For one agonizing minute, there was only breathing coming from Elijah’s mic.  He said, “For Mandy,” and walked onto the stage.
    Elijah plugged in and walked to the center of the stage.  I watched as Sidney worked his magic, and now the crowd could hear Elijah.  They went wild.  Elijah started singing.  I was thankful that I had the headset; the noise of the screaming fans at this point could have deafened me.  Sidney brought up the sound.  The whole concert, he worked hard to give the crowd the best sound no matter how