“Yep, that’s just up my alley partner. Sounds like a place that has meat and potatoes.”
He took her hand and said, “Come on Calamity Jane. Let’s head ‘em in.”
“Somehow I think we got a whole mess of mixed metaphors going on, but I won’t tell if you don’t.”
On the ride back to uptown Sedona, Erin described with enthusiasm her interdimensional trip. She tried to hum the music but decided that Aunt Dottie had gotten the musical talent in the family.
“Did it go like this?” Sean then sang the tune.
“Oh my gosh. Do the girls know about your voice? It’s gorgeous.”
“Just a shower singer and unless they’ve been in my bathroom, I would say the answer is no.”
“You have to let them hear you. You should be singing your own songs. Look at Willie Nelson, great songwriter, no voice, yet he sings his own stuff.”
“Here we are. Prepare yourself for some culinary treats straight out of the old west.”
Over large loaded hamburgers, sweet potato fries and sarsaparilla, they explored each other’s background and plans for the future. Sean wanted to give up his job as a freelance accountant and write music full time. He told her that he was full of songs waiting to come out. She revealed that her dream was to become a full time detective for a large city police department.
While they enjoyed coffee, the waitress brought an envelope and handed it to Sean. “A man up front said to give this to you,” she told him.
“Who? What man?” Sean asked turning toward the entry.
“Oh, he left right after he gave it to me. I asked him his name and he said you would know.”
“Okay, thank you.” Sean opened the letter and turned white.
“What is it Sean?” Erin asked taking the envelope and note from him using her napkin to handle it out of habit from being a PI. She read the note which was obviously printed from a computer. It read:
WE WARNED YOU. THAT SONG IS OURS. IF YOUR OLD LADY FRIENDS RELEASE IT, YOU AND YOUR MOTHER WILL SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES. ALSO THE MARVELS WILL NO LONGER BE MYSTICAL. THEY WILL BE DEAD. THE SAME GOES FOR BRINGING IN THE COPS.
“Let’s go Sean.” She waved for the waitress to bring the check. “Are you okay enough to drive? Maybe I should.”
He looked at her. “No, I’m fine. Just give me a minute to get my temper under control. Give me the check.” He pulled cash from his pocket and laid it on top of the check. “Ready,” he said softly to her.
“When you are.”
Chapter Five
Back on the highway going south, Erin broke the silence. “Where is your mother now?”
“She lives in a house in Tempe. She’s probably there.”
Erin pressed a speed dial on her phone. “Brad, need your help.”
“What’s wrong Erin, you okay? Where are you? What did he do to you?”
“Brad settle down and listen. I need for you to go get Sean’s mother immediately. Use the rental car. Here’s the address.” She handed the phone to Sean so that he could relate the address. “Now listen Brad, ask Lou to go with you and to keep a ‘heads up’. There may be some disagreeable lots there. Hurry and be careful. I’ll explain later. We should be back to the resort in about an hour and a half. Sooner, if Sean would let me drive. It’s alright, he’s shaking his head no.”
“That’s done.” Erin took a deep breath. “You’ve got one and a half hours to tell me everything that’s behind this threat. Start with who wrote this demand and what do they mean ‘they own the song’?”
“Let me start at the beginning. About a year ago I was doing accounting for a recording company. I got acquainted with one of the recording artists. A gal named Daisy Dawson. We hit it off and started seeing each other. After a while I let her know that in my spare time I wrote music. Of course she wanted to hear my songs. One night when she stayed over and I had had a few drinks of courage, I played some of them for her.”
“Let me guess, in the morning she and your songs were gone.”
He blushed. “It’s embarrassing to admit what a fool I was. I thought we had something going. Anyway I dropped working for the company and never saw Daisy again. Fortunately I have copyrights for all my writing. My brother-in-law is a lawyer back east and gave me that sage advice and told me how to do it.”
“Did she know you copyrighted all your music?”
“I never told her. Thought I had no reason to. Anyway I think that note is from her manager. His name is Harry Conti. He goes back and forth between LA and Phoenix.”
“Does he have muscle enough to follow through on his threats?”
Sean nodded his head. “He has some mob friends. I would occasionally see him meet one or two of them at the studio.”
Sean explained what he knew about Daisy and her career. Erin didn’t know for certain but could make a pretty good educated guess that Miss Daisy was a wannabe famous, ‘do anything for it’ singer. Over the years, being around her aunts, she had seen many a young star-struck girl fall into that gutter.
Waiting in Erin and Dottie’s suite were the three Marvels. “Okay let’s have it,” Dottie demanded. “Sit down Sean. You’re making me nervous. Lou called and they already have your mother. They’re on their way here. I’ve booked a room for each of you. She’s packing a bag.”
“She remembers us and can’t wait to meet us in person. All her grandchildren want autographs from the famous singers grandma knows. I have a feeling the kids said old singers, but your mother was gracious enough not to add old.”
Right then there was a knock at the door. Birdie opened it and Brad, Lou and a petite, trim, spunky woman walked in. “Mom are you alright?” Sean asked hugging his mother.
“Yes of course, Lou and Brad waited for me to pack and made sure that the cat was looked after by Agnes next door.” She walked over to the famous ladies in the room. “I’m Clara Dooley. I would know you three anywhere. You haven’t changed since the ‘70s.”
“Buy this lady a drink. I really want to believe her,” Vi said joking.
“I’m sorry about Eula. May she rest in peace. She had a beautiful voice.”
“Come sit down. We’ll let your son and the detectives figure out all this nasty stuff while we get to know one another better,” Birdie said taking her arm and guiding her to a sofa.
“We’ll be out on the balcony,” Erin announced. The women waved her on.
Chapter Six
Lou started the conversation. “Okay you two, spill.”
Erin handed him the note and envelope from a shop bag she had picked up in a store in Sedona. She explained how Sean had received it. Sean gave them the story of Daisy Dawson and her manager Harry Conti.
“I feel so stupid. Trusting that girl like I did,” Sean told them. “I’m so sorry to get you and the girls into this. Maybe I should just forget about the song, it’s not worth someone getting hurt.”
“If you knew how many men I let con me, you wouldn’t feel so badly,” Erin volunteered.
“She’s right about that. As a kid I was always bailing her out. Actually even as an adult,” Brad said mock punching her in the arm.
“I hate to admit it, but he’s right. What they’re doing is extortion,” Erin said gruffly. “And I detest bullies.”
“I think we’re going to have to bring the police in on it eventually, but they probably won’t do much until we have more than a letter delivered in a restaurant,” Lou explained. “I think now we have to wait for their next step.”
“You telling me that we can’t do anything? We just wait for them to come after us,” Sean said with disgust.
“Not exactly do nothing.” Brad opened his notebook. “Let’s find out what we can about Miss Dawson, if that’s her real name as well as this Mr. Conti.”
“That’s not her real name. She told me she changed it from Teresa Garcia when she started singing. In fact I think she said she changed it several times.”
Brad got to work typing. As he received info he sen
t it to Erin’s notebook so they all could read it while he continued his search. Erin read to the others. “Says she grew up in Laredo, Texas. One of six children. Father unknown. Mother worked in a slaughter house. Records of her going to school through the eighth grade. No school records after that. In fact no records of our Teresa Garcia after that.”
“Now look up Daisy Dawson,” Erin suggested.
“Here we go. ‘Singer since sixteen, recorded one song under the name of Mariah Mendoza. Presently under contract as Daisy Dawson to Desert Recording in Phoenix, Arizona. Recorded one album with them one year ago. Never was released. Singing in various clubs around Phoenix and Tucson.’ ”
“She had just recorded that album when I met her. She had already recorded a single for them that sold only a few copies. I remember the boss telling me that she was a loser. I thought at the time that he must be banging her. That was his mode of operation for new artists. To think I felt sorry for her. I guess she got him to record an album for her,” Sean said looking down at the floor mumbling.
“Do we know where she is now?” Erin asked. “I might have a plan.”
Brad clicked some more keys and it showed her singing at a dive club in Phoenix, La Pulque, a topless bar.
“Brad you’re going to love my plan,” Erin grinned. “You go visit La Pulque with the purpose of scouting the young singer you have heard so many good things about. Your company is looking for fresh new talent.”
“Hold on Erin. We can’t send Brad into a place like that alone. He’s too much of a gringo,” Lou stated.
“That why his father and partner Luis Rodriguez is going with him. Italian, Mexican, they all look the same.” Everyone laughed but Lou.
“My Italian forefathers would not like hearing you say that,” Lou said in his best godfather dialect.
“Anyway, you string her along until she has to bring in her manager, Harry Conti. Set up a meeting and discuss a contract. Ask them what new songs they have …. that you’re looking for something fresh. Not the same old stuff rehashed. Brad you ask Daisy out to dinner so that you can get close to her while Lou talks business with Harry. How does it sound so far?”
Lou and Brad looked at one another. “How about it Pops? Can we do this, go undercover at a titty bar?”
“Well, sonny, I’m willing if you are. I suggest however as a policeman we pick up a couple of blades.”
Chapter Seven
That afternoon Lou and Brad went shopping for some proper attire for the topless bar scene and yet look like somewhat prosperous business men. Erin and Sean filled the older women in on the undercover operation. Erin was surprised at Sean’s mother’s reaction to the impending danger.
“Hello, I’m Clara Dooley,” she said reaching her hand out to Erin. “You’re a very pretty young woman. I understand you’re a PI and are studying criminal justice. Something tells me you are really good at what you do. Has my son hired you to handle this situation?”
“We haven’t really gotten that far,” Sean said defensively. “We were all more worried about everyone’s safety.”
“Well, I’m hiring you. My late husband’s family was loaded and when they died, my husband inherited everything. We’re simple people and because of the clever investing we did, I’m now loaded. Will you work for me?”
Erin’s mouth fell open. To look at and talk to the woman, you would never guess that she was richer than the queen. “Of course, but I would be doing it anyway. They threatened my aunts.”
“Yes, but I want you to follow it all the way so that my son’s music can be heard by the world. I feel that he has tremendous talent. Have you heard him sing?” she asked looking at the aunts.
“No we haven’t, but we certainly agreed with you on his writing talents. Why don’t you sing your song for us, Sean? Do you play the piano or guitar?” Dottie asked.
“Actually both,” he murmured a bit embarrassed by the attention. Not much different as when he was a young boy and his sisters made him sing at shows they put on for the neighborhood kids and charged them a quarter to see it. “I’d prefer the guitar if you have one.”
“I’ll get my guitar,” Birdie said leaving the room. “Be right back.”
“Aunt Dottie, I’ve heard him sing. You all are in for a treat. By the way Sean, what’s the name of this song that people are willing to kill for?”
“The Last Note,” he said quietly looking down.
“His father’s favorite phrase after giving advice to the children and me was ‘on that note’. Then he would change the subject. Sean wrote the song right after his father suddenly died,” Clara explained to the group. “He sang it at the Memorial service. There was so much sobbing that you could hardly hear the song toward the end. The funeral director had to wait ten minutes before it subsided enough for him to be heard.”
“You exaggerate, Mom,” Sean chided her.
“No I don’t and how would you know? You ran out and never showed up again until evening. By the way, I never asked you. Where did you go?”
“I went to Boyington Canyon. I needed some time alone.”
Right then Birdie came back in with her guitar. “Here you go.”
Sean took the guitar and sat on one of the stools at the bar. The room was totally silent until the first chord was struck and his rich voice filled the suite. There was not a dry eye in the room. When he finished, Sean just looked down and mumbled. “It’s probably not as professional as you’re used to, but maybe it’ll be better when pros like the Mystical Marvels sing it.”
“Oh my god, is this kid for real?” Vi exclaimed in her own unfiltered way.
“He’s the youngest of four. All his siblings are extremely talented and successful girls. He’s struggled with self confidence all his life,” Clara told them.
“Mom, I’m sitting right here, thank you very much for revealing my weaknesses to strangers.”
Dottie laughed. “Erin didn’t have siblings to blame for her lack of self confidence. She had four overprotective aunts who just happened to be very famous.”
“What? Is this pick on the kids day?” Erin remarked, faking being perturbed. “How about a drink while they air all our weak traits?”
“Make it a double,” Sean answered going behind the bar. “Whata ya have?”
The three Marvels looked at one another and nodded. “We’ve got a proposition for you Sean. When we play the lounge here, we want you to sing your song. Tomorrow morning we are going to the lounge and listening to all of your original music. We’re going to redesign the show accordingly.”
“I don’t know what to say, but I’m not doing this song if it’ll endanger anybody.”
“You let us worry about that,” said Lou as he and Brad entered.
“And me,” Erin added. “I can’t carry a note in a bucket, but I’m a damn good detective.”
“That she is,” Brad confirmed. “How about we go to my room and do a little internet reconnaissance? You four girls going to be all right alone for a little while?”
Chapter Eight
“Let’s see what we can find out about Harry Conti,” Brad said while typing. “Well, hello there Mr. Conti. He’s got quite a history with the fraud and vice squads of several police departments. He’s on the Phoenix PD watch list.”
“Does it say that on there?” Sean asked perplexed about how such common knowledge could be accessible over the internet.
“Sean, you really do not want to ask,” Lou said. “I just turn my head any more when he does this and pretend I’m somewhere else.”
Sean smiled. “What internet?”
Lou slapped him on the back. “Now you’re getting it.”
Brad had hooked up his notebook to the printer that came with room. He pressed print when he brought up Conti’s financial records. As they came off the printer, Erin grabbed them and started reading. When she finished a page she handed it to Lou. “Interesting reading, huh Lou?”
“Better than most fiction I’ve read. You’ve been a
busy guy Harry and have some extremely interesting friends. You didn’t hear me ask this, but can you access any phone records for our little Bonnie and Clyde team?”
“Your wish is my command. Oh ho, our conniving duo has a phone for every hand,” Brad said as his notebook continued to click.
Lou pulled the sheets from the printer and compared them to the financials. “Just what I thought. I don’t think our Mr. Conti has the brains for this kind of operation. He’s got a steady source of income which corresponds to his phone calls. Can you backtrack who answers at the other end of this number?”
“Sure.”
“This is amazing and scary,” Sean commented. “There really aren’t any secrets in the world, are there?”
“Nope,” Brad said as he reversed the incoming phone number on Harry’s cell. “Interesting. Come here Lou. Does this guy ring a bell to you? He’s from New York.”
“Yeah, but I can’t place him. Give me a minute while I make a few calls.”
“In the meantime, I’m going to get some personal history on our man Conti for tonight’s meeting.”
“So this is what you do for a living?” Sean asked Erin while the other two were busy. “Isn’t it dangerous dealing with all these culprits?”
“Not any more so than writing songs that the culprits want. At least we’re trained to defend ourselves.”
He laughed. “Touche.”
“Glad you brought this up. You or your mother and the girls go nowhere without one of us with you. Got that?” she said more sternly than she meant to.
“Yes ma’am.”
“Sorry about that. Didn’t mean to sound like a drill sergeant.”
“No problem, but maybe the girls need to be brought up to snuff on that order. They’re an independent lot and not used to taking orders.”
“You’re preaching to the choir there,” Brad said swinging in their direction. “This is what I got on Conti’s personal life before his life of crime began, which is on record as nine years old.
The Last Note (Mystical Marvels Mysteries Book 2) Page 2
