Wolf Tones (Standalone Psychological Thriller) by JJ Marsh

Author:JJ Marsh [Marsh, JJ]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9783906256054
Publisher: Prewett Bielmann Ltd.
Published: 2021-08-18T16:00:00+00:00

The day lasted seventy-two hours, if not more. The morning was excruciating and Rolf’s playing worse than amateurish. He was not the only one. The entire string section, including concertmaster René, had lost their sense of timing, and even when they got it right it was a mechanical rendering of the notes on page. In exasperation, the maestro released them early for lunch and advised going out into the sunshine to clear their minds. They did as they were bidden, at least the going-outside part. Rolf made sure he took his sunglasses as the midday light seemed unusually harsh. Conversations circled like a Möbius strip, unable to deviate from their repeated assertions.

“I’ve known him for years. There’s absolutely no way he would do such a thing.”

“Of course not! I saw him conduct two pieces at last year’s Children’s Festival. He is fantastic with young people.”

“Kids often get the wrong idea and say something that can be misinterpreted. I’m sure when the police get to the bottom of this, Anton will be cleared of any wrongdoing.”

Bertrand was the first to inject a doubt. “We all know Anton well as a friend. But how well do we know him as a man?”

A furious defence leapt into Rolf’s mouth but Trudi got there first.

“Don’t be so stupid! Anton is a friend and colleague we trust. Accusations of paedophilia are the last resort of the desperate. Someone wants to harm him and in most underhand possible way. We know he’s not fussy about sexual partners – he says so himself – but they are all consenting adults. Anyway, that is irrelevant. Anton is one of the most principled and compassionate people I know. He is innocent. What I want to know is the name of the nasty little shit who made the accusation.”

Jun nodded, making a noise of agreement. “You’re right. My worry is that Anton already upset the board once and got demoted. This is their opportunity to get rid of him completely. Even if he’s declared innocent and completely exonerated, it makes no difference. He’s going to get fired and nobody can stop it. Not us, not the maestro, no one.”

Her point was valid, and the total absence of a dissenting voice brought them all down. They finished their sandwiches in grim silence and returned to the venue to work on the second half of the programme.

Although the afternoon’s rehearsals were a vast improvement on the morning, it was still a disheartening experience. The usual invitations to Friday night drinks went unmentioned and everyone left quietly, wishing each other a nice weekend. Rolf asked the new apprentice on stage door for the key to dressing room 506. She handed it over without quibble and Rolf took his cello downstairs. Locked in the room where he and Anton had eaten sandwiches naked, Rolf sat at the dressing table and looked at himself in the mirror. He switched on the square frame of light bulbs but his eyes were still photosensitive. He recoiled and turned them off.

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