01 Rock 'n' Roll is Undead - Veronica Mason

by Rose Pressey

  I grabbed the microphone. “Okay.”

  Buzz helped the guys load the other stuff. And while Craig thanked him, Frank didn’t say a word.

  “Frank,” I whispered when he approached. I didn’t want Buzz to hear. “Don’t you think you’re being rude to Buzz?”

  “I get it. You don’t want me to be rude to your boyfriend.”

  “Look, he’s not my boyfriend. And if you don’t stop, I’ll—”

  “You’ll what?” he snapped. “You need me, so I don’t think you’ll do anything. You’d never find another guitarist.”

  “You know, I didn’t think you were like this, Frank. I thought you were a decent guy. Now I’m seeing another side to you, and I don’t like what I see.”

  He looked down at his feet for a minute, his white sneakers suddenly very interesting. “You’re right.” He let out a sigh. “I've been under a lot of stress lately. I'm sorry.”

  “Is there anything I can help with?” I touched his arm. I halfway expected him to jerk away like an untamed cat. His skin was clammy and cold. His fangs seemed more pronounced.

  “No, no, it’ll be okay. Again, I'm sorry. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”

  “Okay.” I hesitated. “See you tomorrow.”

  “And you were right, he's good.” He gestured toward Buzz. “Better than the two I brought by. I heard it, and I shouldn’t have let my friendship with those guys stand in the way.”

  I nodded but wasn't sure what else to say.

  “You ready?” Craig walked up the drive toward us. Buzz fell in step beside him.

  “Yeah,” Frank mumbled.

  Frank touched my arm. “I'll see you in the morning.”

  “Okay.” I nodded. “Bye, Craig. I'll see you tomorrow.”

  “Good job tonight, man,” Craig said to Buzz.

  “Yeah, good job.” Frank didn’t stop walking as he spoke, but he’d said the words and that was shocking enough.

  “I think he’s coming around to me.” Warm deep laughter escaped Buzz’s lips.

  “Yeah, as much as he comes around to anyone.” I chuckled. “I think he’s just in a permanent bad mood, that’s all.”

  My parents returned from their chat. “Why don’t you stay the night here, dear?”

  “Buzz is following me home.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “Oh, I see.”

  I wanted to say, no it's not like that, but refrained. She’d have us married off in her mind with three babies and a dog and cat. But if it meant they’d not worry and not insist I spend the night, well, it was worth it.

  “Buzz will take good care of her, honey,” Dad said

  “Don't forget to lock the doors and windows. And keep the phone with you at all times,” Mom added.

  I nodded. “Yes, mom.” I continued walking down the driveway toward the car and Buzz strolled beside me. My parents trailed behind us. I wouldn’t put it past them to jump in the car with me. I’d forgotten they might want to come home with me, too.

  “You be careful. Call when you’re safely locked in.”

  “He’ll take care of her,” Dad said.

  Bless him, dad was trying to help.

  “Well, I want to know she’s locked in safe.” She scowled at Dad.

  “I’ll call you, Mom.”

  “Oh, honey,” she yelled and ran toward the back of the house. She returned with a big hunk of cake wrapped in aluminum foil. “Here.” She pushed it toward me. No sense in arguing, after all it was chocolate. “Do you have any new colors I might like? I’m almost down to my last tube,” she said.

  Ugh, this was why I didn’t want to bring a date around my parents.

  “I’ll bring some next time,” I called over my shoulder. Please don’t let me have to explain to Buzz about my lipstick-producing abilities.

  Buzz held the door open for me and my parents beamed. He sure knew how to get on their good side. I think they were in love with him already. I hopped in and he shut the door.

  “Okay, I’ll be right behind you. You know,” he paused, “you're doing me a favor, too.”

  “I am?” I raised an eyebrow.

  “Yeah, I doubt I’d ever find my way out of here.”

  I laughed. “It can be confusing. I’ll try not to lose you.”

  “Any other time, I’d take that as a challenge, but tonight I’ll let you think you’d win.”

  “Ha,” I said. “I’d give you a run for your money.”

  “I bet you would.” He smiled. “I just might take you up on that sometime.” Much longer around Buzz and I’d need a heart monitor.

  I turned the ignition and my car roared to life. I waved to my parents and pulled out onto the road. As I made my way to the first stop sign, I glanced back in the rear-view mirror at Buzz. He looked like trouble on that bike with the leather jacket, cuffed jeans and white t-shirt. He waved and I waved back. I made a right and didn’t spot any other vehicles. It figured. When I had an escort was the time the mysterious car wouldn’t show up. The stars twinkled in the sky, not a cloud in sight. The moon partially lit up the road. It was almost light enough to see the lines without my headlights.

  I made my way around a curve and could almost see the neon signs from businesses up ahead. But there were different kinds of lights, too. Police lights flickered. At least three cop cars, from what I could tell. I hoped there hadn’t been an accident. As I approached, I slowed my car down. I recognized the truck. There hadn’t been an accident. Instead, Frank was outside of the vehicle with his hands placed on the hood. An officer stood behind him patting his legs, looking for a weapon.

  I eased onto the shoulder of the road and glanced in my rear-view mirror. Buzz pulled up behind me. I turned off the car to listen, but I couldn’t make out any of the conversation. An officer noticed us and moved toward my car. Did I really want to deal with more law enforcement tonight? I should’ve kept driving.

  “Can I help you?” he asked.

  “Yes, sir, my name is Veronica Mason, and they’re members of my band.” I pointed. “Is there something wrong?”

  “He was speeding and there’s a warrant for his arrest.” He gestured. “The driver, he’s going to jail.” Frank looked back and noticed us. Damn, Frank. I definitely should have left his ass here.

  “Can I talk to him?”

  “Sure, but make it fast.”

  The policeman looked in Buzz’s direction. He squinted and frowned, then walked back to him. I watched as they talked. In the other direction, another officer placed Frank in the backseat of a cruiser.

  I walked over to him. “Frank, what’s going on?”

  “I have no idea. Would you call my wife, please?”

  I sighed. “Sure.”

  “Tell her to get me out.”

  I nodded. “I will. I’ll call her as soon as I get back to the car.”

  The police closed the door on our conversation. I mouthed that I’d call his wife and turned around toward the Bel-Air. I wasn’t sure what Frank had gotten himself into this time, but the timing was horrible. Everything was falling apart at once, and I didn’t have the thread and needle to sew it back together.

  Chapter 41

  Craig sat on the curb, talking to another police officer. When I moved toward my car, he stood and walked over.

  “What’s going on, Craig?”

  “I'm driving the truck home. I’m so sorry.”

  “What are you sorry for? It’s Frank who can’t stay out of trouble.”

  “I know, I know.” He let out a deep breath.

  “What did he do this time?”

  “I don’t know. What if he can’t get out of jail?”

  “We’ll think of something. Let me figure out what’s going on and we’ll go from there. I’ll call you when I know more. Frank wanted me to call his wife. She won’t be happy.”

  Craig blew out another deep breath. “No, she won’t. I guess he wants her to get him out of jail. Well, if she won’t, I will.”

  I nodded. “Okay. I’ll call
you soon. Thanks, Craig.”

  “Don’t worry, Veronica. If we can’t get Frank out, I have a brother-in-law who can play a little guitar.”

  I sighed. “Yeah, let me know.”

  A guy who could play a little guitar was probably worse than no guitar at all. But I didn’t tell Craig. He was trying and that was all I could ask for at the moment. He turned and headed toward the truck and I moved toward my car.

  Buzz still sat on his bike talking with the policeman. As I approached, the conversation stopped, and the officer turned and walked toward me. As he strolled past, he tipped his hat, gave a half-hearted grin, and said, “Ma’am.” He continued walking.

  I approached Buzz. “What was that all about?”

  He shook his head. “He was asking about my motorcycle.”

  “What about it?”

  “He has one, so I guess it’s a bike owner thing.”

  “Kind of awkward timing, don’t you think? To ask about a bike?”

  “Yeah.” He grinned. “So what’s going on?” He motioned with his head toward Frank.

  “I don’t know. He’s being arrested. For what, I don’t know. He asked me to call his wife. So I guess we’ll head on to my apartment, I’ll call her on the way.”

  “Gotcha.” He cranked his motorcycle back to life and I slid behind my wheel and did the same. I pulled my phone from my purse and dialed Frank’s home number.

  His wife didn’t seem to be in the best of moods by the tone of her voice. I guess handling three kids alone and a husband who’s always out doesn’t make someone want to do the happy dance. To top it off, I wasn’t one of her favorite people, either. I started the band, so I was the reason Frank was gone so much. If he hadn’t joined my band, it would have been another, but she didn’t want to hear that.

  “Beth? Hi, it’s Veronica.”

  “Frank’s not here,” she said. “He’s supposed to be practicing with you.” A baby cried in the background.

  “Yeah, that’s why I'm calling.”

  “Don’t tell me he didn’t show up. ’Cause his ass should be here helping me.”

  “No, no, he showed up. He wanted me to call you. He’s been arrested.”

  She spewed a dozen cuss words. “If he thinks I’m getting him out of jail…I have kids to take care of, how am I supposed to go save his ass?”

  “I don’t know.” I didn’t have an answer. She married him.

  “Fine.” She hung up.

  I couldn’t say I blamed her, but Frank was in a band when they met, she thought she could change him, but it never happened. I felt sorry for the kids.

  I tossed the phone back in my purse. How the heck was I going to get another guitarist if Frank didn’t get out of jail? Not sure I trusted Craig’s option. Should I try to get him out? I didn’t even know why he was there. It could be for unpaid parking tickets or...well, something a hell of a lot worse…like murder. My stomach jumped. I shouldn’t even think something like that. But Frank had been there that night. Maybe he was responsible. Although, it seemed he’d been stopped for speeding. If the police wanted to arrest Frank for murder, they knew where to find him and would have done so before now. I should be ashamed of myself for even thinking such things. Frank had problems, but he was no murderer. He liked Johnny. Maybe he wanted to kill Buzz, but he was all bark and no bite. Well…sometimes bite, but that was different.

  I turned into my parking lot so consumed in my thoughts that I’d almost forgotten Buzz had been following me. He pulled his bike beside my car. Another nice perk, tenants were allowed two parking spots. Mrs. Stevens didn’t even have a car so we always had extra spaces.

  I grabbed my purse and hopped out. “Well, thanks for following me home.”

  “Whoa, where do you think you’re headed?”

  “To my apartment.” I arched a brow. What was he talking about?

  “You don’t think you're walking into that apartment without me checking it out first, do you?”

  “Well I had planned—”

  “You had planned, huh?” He jumped off his bike. His arm muscles flexed as he eased off. “Well, you planned wrong.”

  “You’re awfully sassy, you know that?”

  “I’m not sure sassy is the word I’d use. It sounds too much like a sissy.”

  “Oh, sorry. Sassy isn’t macho enough, huh?”

  He looped his arm through mine. “Come on.”

  Butterflies danced in my stomach. A trillion stars gleamed in the pitch-black, cloudless sky. No one else was around, just Buzz, the half-crescent moon and me.

  “You got your key?”

  I looked at him through my lashes. Was I giving him a flirty look? “Here.” I handed him the keys.

  He reached for them, but stared at my lips as I spoke. “Thanks.”

  Buzz unlocked the front door.

  “See the main door was locked this time. I’m sure my apartment is fine. I don’t want you to go to any trouble,” I said.

  “It’s no trouble. Now come on.” He grabbed my arm again and gently directed me into the foyer.

  He closed, then locked the door behind us. I climbed the stairs, very aware of Buzz’s face in such close proximity to my ass. I felt his eyes on me. I glanced back once and almost tripped.

  “Easy does it.” He reached up and put his hand on my back. His touch was full of heat. Did I want him this close to my bedroom? With his smoky bedroom eyes burning a hole right through me.

  We reached the top of the stairs and he stopped me just before the door.

  “Give me your keys and I’ll unlock the door.”

  I eyed him. He held out his hand and I released my hold on the keys. He unlocked the door.

  “I really don’t think this is necessary,” I said as he eased the door open.

  He motioned for me to stay where I was. I rolled my eyes, but he was too busy playing policeman to notice. All he was missing was the gun. He eased into the apartment, moving across the perimeters with his back against the walls. I stood in the living room with my hands on my hips. Everything was exactly as I’d left it. He moved into my kitchen and after a couple minutes returned. Buzz held his index finger up to his lips and moved across the room into my bedroom. Exactly the room I didn’t want him in. Did I really want this guy in my apartment, alone and at night? I didn’t even know him for heaven’s sake. Now all of a sudden he was in my house and had met my parents. Everything had happened so quickly. A couple of minutes elapsed and I wondered what he was doing in there. Just as I’d moved across the floor to find him, he emerged.

  “Everything seems to be fine.” He walked over to the windows and checked the locks. He pulled down the shades.

  “You seem to be very good at this. Are you accustomed to checking apartments for intruders? Or have you been watching too many episodes of Law and Order?”

  “Very funny.” Buzz’s lips twisted at the corners releasing a sexy grin. His dimples dented his cheeks. I’d always fallen for the ones with great smiles. But he had so much more.

  “You can never be too safe. I check my sister’s apartment every time I go over there.”

  “What about the times you’re not there?”

  “Then I worry about her.”

  “You seem a little paranoid.”

  “I’m not paranoid, just cautious. This is a nice place you got. Glad you didn’t lose anything during the break-in. It was odd the person didn’t take anything.”

  “Well I don’t exactly have anything worth taking.”

  “Buzz moved across the room to the wall of bookshelves. “You got a lot of books.”

  I shouldn’t have allowed him in my place. There was no way to hide what he was looking at.

  “Spells, Charms and Potions? The Only Spell Book You’ll Ever Need? Are these your books?”

  “Um, yes.” I stood next to him.

  He pulled a book from the shelf. “Do they work?” He picked up the book with Love Spells written on the spine. “This one work?”

  Maybe I
could spare myself the misery and jump out the window now.

  “That’s not mine.” I grabbed the book and placed it back on the shelf.

  “Oh, I guess it’s a friend’s?”

  “No smart-butt, as a matter of fact it was my aunt’s. She left it here.”

  “Uh huh, whatever you say.”

  So he really didn’t know about spell books? Or was he teasing me? Did that rule out him being a witch? Maybe he was a werewolf? That might be kind of cool. It would certainly round out the band.

  “Well, thanks again for coming by.” I hurried him toward the door. “Oh, wait. I’ll have to walk you down. I have to lock the door behind you when you leave.”

  “You really need one of those locks that lock themselves,” he said.

  “You’re telling me. I’ve tried convincing my landlord of that for over a year.”

  “Is that how long you’ve lived here?”

  “Yeah, I lived, um, somewhere else before.”

  He laughed. “I kind of figured that.”

  Duh, yeah, that was a stupid statement.

  “Where’d you live? Wait, you don't have to answer that. I can tell by the look on your face it’s not a subject you want to revisit anytime soon. You weren’t in prison, were you?” He chuckled.

  Ouch. Did he think I was a criminal now because I’d stumbled upon a couple expired vampires?

  “No.” My hand bumped his chest as I walked past. Honest. I didn’t do it on purpose. It didn’t register how near he stood until that moment. His chest was hard. Was the air conditioner not working? Or was it just me? I wondered what he looked like without his t-shirt. Standing next to him in my apartment felt comfortable. Did I really need to feel cozy with Buzz? No, what I needed was to lasso my hormones. In spite of what Kitty thought, we had a business relationship. It was nothing more than that. I needed to get him out of there. “I lived with my ex,” I said.

  “Oh.” His lips pursed in recognition of my unhappiness with the subject. “Gotcha. Bad breakup?”

  “Kind of, yeah…and he was the bass player for the band.”