Evan Horne [01] Solo Hand by Bill Moody

Author:Bill Moody [Moody, Bill]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Detective & Mystery
ISBN: 9780440223221
Google: ftIOAAAACAAJ
Amazon: 0964413833
Goodreads: 2117195
Publisher: Down & Out Books
Published: 1994-02-15T05:00:00+00:00

After I grab some lunch, I call Cindy. I’m convinced there’s nothing more to worry about with her, but I’m uneasy when I get only her answering machine. She could be anywhere, but I hope she’s gone back to work and far out of town. I tell the machine where I’ll be.

If I’d come five minutes later I would have missed Megan Charles. She’s just leaving Carlton’s office as I arrive. Apparently Carlton didn’t waste the morning. Megan glares at me, then says to Carlton, “What’s he doing here?”

“Nice to see you too, Megan,” I say. “Nice outfit.” I’ve caught her on an off day. She’s dressed in her version of Saturday casual—designer jeans, a silk blouse, and leather jacket.

“Always the smart mouth aren’t you, Evan? We’ll see what you have to say when the police get through with you.” She turns on her heel and stalks out.

“What does she mean?” I ask Carlton.

“Nothing really,” Carlton says. “She’s upset that the police haven’t matched your typewriter to the notes.”

“You don’t really think I wrote those, do you, Carlton?”

“No, Evan, I don’t. I’m sure this will all clear itself up soon. Well, shall we?”

Carlton shows me to a small room adjacent to his office. “You can have some privacy here,” he says. There’s only a table and a couple of chairs and some cartons stacked against the wall. “I use it for storage primarily,” Carlton says.

There are three thick file folders on the table, a yellow legal pad, some pens, and an ashtray. “You’ve thought of everything,” I say.

Carlton explains the three files. One is Lonnie’s royalty statements; one is his personal financial records. The third is tax records dating back three years. “I don’t suppose you’ll have much use for that one, but I thought I’d include it,” Carlton says. “Lonnie said to give you everything. If you have any questions, I’ll be here.”

I nod at Carlton and sit down at the table. Carlton watches me for a moment, his hand on the doorknob, as if reluctant to leave me alone. “Well, I’ll leave you to it,” he says.

I skim the tax record file first. Everything looks in order and one very recent investment deal is noted with a memo. Was this the one to cover Lonnie’s blackmail money? Carlton had mentioned there would be some property manipulation. Other than that, there’s nothing out of the ordinary—inasmuch as a recording star’s tax records are ever ordinary.

The royalty file from Angeles Records is crammed with statements, shipping invoices, and payment receipts. Lonnie’s had two gold albums, half-million sellers, and one that almost went platinum, nearly twice that many. There are separate sheets for returns, which show that in the past year those figures have shot up considerably. They are all accounted for, however, and charged against the royalty statements, as are the promotional copies that were shipped to radio stations.

The new recording with Charlie Crisp will no doubt change this picture and put The Soul of Country on the Billboard Hot 100 the minute it’s released.

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