Jennifer L. Jordan - Kristin Ashe Mystery 6 - Selective Memory by Jennifer L. Jordan

Author:Jennifer L. Jordan [Jennifer L. Jordan]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, pdf
ISBN: 9781883523886
Google: 8zwvGQAACAAJ
Amazon: 1883523885
Publisher: Spinsters Ink
Published: 2007-11-19T03:00:00+00:00

Ellen said reluctantly, "A short time before."

"Why?" I blurted out, a beat before Alex could.

"I'm so sorry, Alex, but I had to find someone I could rely on. Shelly had been kind enough to fill in when you missed rehearsals. I didn't want to leave a message on your voice mail. I would have preferred to tell you in person, but I was acting in the best interest of the chorus ..." Ellen's voice trailed off.

"Not in my interest?"

"I was afraid we'd arrive at the hour of the performance and you'd disappear again."

Alex began to breathe shallowly. "Disappear?"

"For weeks, you'd been coming to rehearsals late, and eventually, you skipped them altogether."

"Did that matter, the lead-up to the climax?"

"Very much."

"I must have had a reason. Did you consider that?"

"If you did, you wouldn't share it. When I inquired about personal issues, you changed the subject. I wondered if your disposition had anything to do with Clara Schumann."

"Who is she, one of the members of the chorus?" I asked.

Ellen laughed gently. "She was a pianist and composer, one of the best of the Romantic Era. The last time I saw you, Alex, you asked if I felt Clara had suffered enough for her betrayal."

Alex blanched but didn't speak.

"I'm not following," I said.

"Alex was fascinated by the love triangle of Clara, her husband, Robert, and Johannes Brahms." Ellen reached across the table to touch Alex's hand, and Alex recoiled. "I'm sorry about the way we left things. I tried everything I could to get through to you the night of the dress. You weren't answering your phone. I couldn't come up with a better solution than to tell you in a message on your cell phone."

"When was this, the dress rehearsal?" I asked.

"August sixteenth."

Alex began to shake, and I gasped. "You're sure about the date?"

Ellen nodded. "It was three days before our summer concert."

"The date of my accident," Alex said, faltering.

"What time did you leave the message on Alex's voice mail?"

"Around six, shortly after dress was scheduled to begin."

"Do you remember receiving Ellen's message?"

Alex clutched at her hair. "I was preoccupied."

They think I can't remember, but I can.

Clarissa was lying on her back on the couch, hands behind her head, while I sat rigidly on a chair next to her. Sheets of rain were falling, streaking her apartment window.

"I'd love to meet Stacey, "she said.

"That's not possible."

"Why?"

"Stacey works unpredictable hours."

"But that's not why you won't introduce us, is it?"

"No."

"How long have you been together?"

"Eleven years."

"Where did you meet?"

"At a community garden. We had plots next to each other."

"What did you grow?"

"Strawberries." I was past the point of small talk. "Can I ask your advice on something?"

"Of course."

"I'm afraid I'm falling in love with someone."

Clarissa rolled onto her side for a better view of me. "Does Stacey know?"

"No."

"Does the other woman know?" She lowered her voice. "I assume it's a woman."

I held her gaze, careful not to move a muscle. "Yes, she's a woman, and no, I don't think she knows."

"What advice do you need?"

I took a deep breath, releasing it in a prolonged exhale.

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