Murder on Music Row by Stuart Dill

Author:Stuart Dill
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780895875679
Publisher: John F. Blair, Publisher
Published: 2011-01-10T00:00:00+00:00

After getting cleared by the guards, Judd drove up to Ripley’s palatial home and walked to the front door. He thought, Megan was right, as usual—no party, no valets.

Inside, a housekeeper welcomed him into the grand foyer. “Please, make yourself at home. Some drinks are over on the wet bar. Ripley will be right down.”

Judd walked toward the fireplace, passing the rustic da Vinci dining-room set and life-sized wooden cross. How can I make myself at home when I’m afraid to touch anything? Judd thought. The standing candelabras and wall lanterns were lit, and the fire was roaring. Judd sat in one of two French bergère chairs facing the hearth.

“Judd!” Ripley made a grand entrance. “I’m so glad you could come.”

“Thank you.” Judd stood, and they shook hands.

“Please, have a seat. Do you care for something to drink?”

“I’m good, thanks.”

“I have Coke, beer, whatever.”

“Maybe just some water.”

“By all means. Let me get it for you.”

Okay, so far so good, Judd thought. Maybe tonight he’ll be the polite Ripley, not the different Ripley.

Ripley walked over to the wet bar. “Megan said you were feeling better. How’s your shoulder?”

“It’ll be fine. I was lucky.”

“Well, thanks again for coming. I wanted to see you. I had heard you were doing well and would make a full recovery, but I wanted to see for myself.”

“That’s very kind.”

“Judd, you and I don’t know each other well, but I’m a God-fearing man.”

Judd looked around the room. “I gathered that.”

Ripley reached for a Bud Light and screwed off the top after handing Judd a bottled water. “This has been a trying time for me—and for you, I know. God tests each of us. This is nothing more than a test.” He lifted his beer toward Judd and added, “And to be honest, I could use some company as well. It can get lonely inside these walls.”

Judd didn’t quite know how to respond. He broke eye contact and took a sip of water.

Ripley looked toward the cross. “Who do you think is the most influential person in history?”

Judd thought about Megan’s advice: Don’t let anything throw you. “In music?” he asked.

“No, no, in all of history.”

Judd responded with an answer he never would have thought of in a different setting: “Jesus Christ?”

Ripley beamed. “That’s correct! It would have to be the Lord Jesus Christ. Are you a believer?”

Judd felt a bit of panic. “I did not grow up in a religious family. We didn’t go to church, but I believe in God.”

“I grew up with a man that was all sin. He was hell on earth. That’s why my life has been a test.”

Trying to avoid discussion of Ripley’s father, Judd asked, “Is your mother still living?”

“No. I’ve been orphaned since I was eighteen. My mother, my old man, and my twin brother have all passed.”

Twin brother? Judd thought. He couldn’t let that slip by. “I never knew you had a twin brother.”

“Not many people do. I tend not to talk about my family. It’s a sad history. Both my mother and brother died before I got into the music business.

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