Family Matters

by Aiden Vaughan

  After talking to the neighbors, Captain Antonio Garcia felt that he wasn’t any closer to knowing the true path that Ben Kessler had taken yesterday afternoon. There just wasn’t enough information yet. With no physical evidence found so far, the investigation was at an impasse until new evidence turned up. Garcia had been involved with a number of these missing children investigations over the past years, but very seldom did a case have so little to go on. The last case he remembered that was like this was the kidnapping of Jason Hunter about a year ago. Jason had also disappeared in broad daylight with no clues or physical evidence to be found. “I wonder if Jason could provide any insight into this case?” he thought to himself.

  On a whim, Garcia picked up his cell phone and dialed Jason’s number. “What a pleasant surprise to hear from you,” Jason said when he picked up his cell phone and saw who was calling him. “I just saw you on the morning news earlier, so I am guessing that this isn’t a social call,” Jason continued.

  “Unfortunately, no,” Captain Garcia replied. “This latest disappearance has everyone baffled. There is very little to go on. And that’s why I am calling you, Jason. In many ways, this case reminds me of your kidnapping last year. I hope I am not upsetting you by bringing that up!”

  “No it’s okay, Captain. I’m beyond the impact of that time in my life.”

  “Since it sounds like you are familiar with this boy’s disappearance, I was wondering if you might have any insights into the case. Is there anything that strikes you about it, or any similarities in its execution that you could comment on.”

  “The one thing that I would suggest is to look for a local connection somewhere. For the boy to vanish so quickly and then be totally off the radar makes me think that he had to be grabbed and stashed somewhere nearby, just like I was. The longer someone is moving around, the more likely it is that someone would see something. Also I think the kidnapper would have to know something about the boy’s habits. Even though the boy’s trip to the store was a spontaneous event, if someone was aware that he often made solo bike trips through the back roads it could be similar to fishing for trout in a stream. You know that the fish is there, sooner or later he will take your bait or stumble into your net!”

  “Those are good points, Jason. Do you have any other observations?”

  “Yes. I am wondering if you have any thoughts on whether this case is linked to any other attacks on children in the San Matthias area? In fact I was thinking of calling you because I have been asked to look in on another boy in the area who apparently has been the victim of a predatory attack.”

  “How did you know about the other attacks?”

  “I received a heads up from Jaime Orlando about that.”

  “Who is this boy you are checking out?”

  “His name is Nicolo Feraducci. He is a very talented musician, a prodigy according to some people.”

  “Please keep me informed if you do find out anything more. It could very well be that something is very wrong in this little town. Be very careful, Jason. Whoever grabbed this boy is very clever and very dangerous!”

  “I know, Captain. I definitely will keep you in the loop if I find out anything new. And by the way how is Arthur doing? Daniel and I are so proud of you and Mrs. Garcia for taking him in.”

  Jason and Daniel had first met Arthur Vincenzo when they were looking for Tim at Camp Chinquapin last spring. Arthur had no desire to return to his home where his absentee father, who was married to another woman, had never even acknowledged his existence and had paid his mother off to keep their relationship secret. The Garcias had agreed to take in Arthur until his internship at a camp for troubled teens started. When Arthur arrived, the three discovered that they were very compatible and enjoyed doing the same activities together. Captain Garcia and his wife took great pride in showing Arthur around the Silicon Valley. Arthur enjoyed being with adults who genuinely seemed to care about him and were providing him with family-like activities that he had never had before in his life. Jason and Daniel were hoping that the Garcias would eventually adopt Arthur.

  “He’s doing great, and I know he would like to visit with you when he gets back from his camp internship. We’ll definitely have you over for a barbeque. Thanks for your assistance.”

  After Captain Garcia hung up, Jason put in a call to Daniel. He told Daniel all about the story on the news regarding the disappearance of Ben Kessler and his conversation with Captain Garcia. “Daniel, I am now more than ever determined to go to the recital! I feel that I have to at least touch base with Nicolo. With this latest news about another kid going missing in San Matthias, I have to try and help him because it sounds like he is in great danger. Dude, you have to go with me! Hunter & Holmes are a team. I need you!”

  “All right, Jason. I’ll go with you,” Daniel relented. “I guess circumstances have changed. But I still think we should just warn Nicolo and then get out of there!”

  “Thanks, Daniel. I already feel a lot better knowing that you will be there with me at that recital. There will be a lot to absorb and observe.”

  “Just remember you owe me one, Jason. And I will collect some day!”

  Chapter 12

  The Recital

  (Friday Evening)

  The flyer for the piano recital that Enrico Feraducci had given Daniel stated that the performance would be held at the studios of Leonardo Ponticelli. Ponticelli was a retired concert pianist who now gave private lessons to gifted young pianists. The recital was scheduled for 7:30 PM, so Daniel picked up Jason at 6:30, allowing plenty of time for the trip to San Matthias.

  Ponticelli’s studio was actually part of his residence, which was on a large two acre lot on the northeastern side of town. The residence had been custom built with an entire music wing where Ponticelli taught his pupils, and contained a large domed recital room that could hold about two hundred people. Adjacent to the recital hall was a large reception room, two studios, and a kitchen.

  As the recital was free, and there were no reserved seats, Jason and Daniel were fortunate to have arrived with twenty minutes to spare. Already 75 people were inside the recital hall, and quickly it began to fill. Jason and Daniel were able to get seats on the left side of the room so that they could see the pianists' hands when they played. There was a large Steinway grand piano in the center of the stage, and a second grand piano covered up over in the corner. Promptly at 7:30 the audience lights dimmed and Mr. Ponticelli came out to warm applause. He thanked everyone in the audience for coming and then introduced the first performer.

  The program was set up so that in the first half of the recital, three students would perform, and then Nicolo Feraducci would be the last performer. The first student to perform was a high school senior named Angela Chen. She performed a Mozart sonata which was very credible but hardly inspiring. Daniel gave Jason a look that said, “What have you dragged me into tonight?” Angela received polite applause for her efforts, and then the next performer came out. His name was Alfred Comstock, and he performed a set of Beethoven variations on a simple theme. The crowd was more enthusiastic over this performance, because Alfred was only eleven years old.

  The third performer was Arlene Caravaglia. She was a junior in high school and performed a set of contemporary piano selections by the Russian composers Prokofiev and Shostakovich. Her performance was quite good, and she received sustained applause from the audience. Jason then whispered to Daniel, “I think we are being warmed up for the big act.”

  “Yes, she is the best performer yet,” Daniel replied.

  Finally it was time for Nicolo to perform. Jason and Daniel watched intensely when Nicolo came out on the stage. He was 14 years old, had jet black hair and eyes, arched eyebrows and a pronounced Roman nose. He had a winning smile that just lit up the room as he walked to the piano and sat down. His hair was very much like Daniel’s. Nicolo was tall for his age, had a slender build, pale colored skin, and he had very large hands. Even though he was wearing a black suit and
tie, Daniel noticed right away that he was wearing a pair of chucks. “Look, Jason, he is wearing chucks!” Daniel said in a whisper. They didn’t particularly stick out with his suit, because they were brand new black monochrome high tops.

  One thing that Nicolo had was stage presence. By the time he had sat down at the piano and adjusted the height of bench, every eye in the room was watching intensely. The minute he started playing the piano, it was obvious why. Nicolo’s first selection was Chopin’s Fantaisie Impromptu in C# Minor. The music started with undulating triplet chords in the left hand. Quickly the right hand entered with agitated sixteenth note figures that extended over the several octaves of the upper keyboard. Nicolo’s technique was amazingly flawless, and the audience was swept into the sea of sound that came crashing down into a very slow, romantic interlude in Db major. The simple yet poignant melody made the audience feel like they were transported back in time to a nineteenth century drawing room. Then the music returned to the first idea, fast, agitated and building up in a long crescendo of sound to a loud fortissimo. As the Impromptu concluded, the music became softer and softer, eventually dying out on two long pianissimo rolled chords.

  When Nicolo finished, there was an intense silence for several seconds while the audience absorbed what they had just heard. Then the audience erupted into thunderous applause. Jason and Daniel were caught up in the magic of it and applauded and cheered loudly. Nicolo got up from the piano, gave the audience his big smile, and then bowed.

  Eventually the applause died down, and Nicolo returned to the piano. His second piece was even more amazing. He had chosen the very difficult Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 by Franz Lizst. Also in the key of C# Minor, the music started with dramatic chords and the familiar ornamented melody. Again Nicolo’s playing quickly transported the audience into a world of sound and emotion. Then the pyro-techniques started. There were dramatic cadenzas, passages of amazing technical prowess, constantly surging and receding tempos, and finally a super fast ending section in C# Major that was breathtaking in its use of the entire range of the piano. When the rhapsody finally came to an end on three slow then three very fast final chords, the audience again erupted into thunderous applause, and as one got up out of their seats and gave Nicolo a standing ovation.

  Jason looked at Daniel and said, “I’m no musical expert, but wasn’t what we just heard as good as the performance of Sergei Korkovitz last year.” Korkovitz was a touring concert pianist whom the boys had heard perform with the Silicon Valley honor youth orchestra.

  “Oh, yes, Jason. I am totally blown out by what we have just heard. This kid is amazing and super talented. I apologize for being so negative about coming to this recital. Now I am looking forward to meeting him!”

  The audience gradually moved from the recital room into the adjacent reception room. The performers and Mr. Ponticelli were lined up to greet the audience. As they worked their way through the line, the first person they met was Mr. Ponticelli. “You have done a fabulous job teaching your students,” Daniel said as he introduced himself and Jason. “You should be very proud of their accomplishments, especially of Nicolo.”

  “Thank you. They are all good students, but Nicolo is my prized pupil. He has great potential as a concert artist, if he is willing to stick with it.”

  “What do you mean, Mr. Ponticelli? It seems that he was born for the concert stage.”

  “Perhaps so, but lately I sense that he is developing other musical interests, in composing and in popular music.”

  “I think that is normal for kids of our generation,” Daniel replied. He then explained about his background in choirs but also his interest in starting a band to play original popular music.

  “I think it is very difficult to serve two masters,” Mr. Ponticelli replied. “But good luck in your endeavors, young man.”

  Eventually Daniel and Jason got to Nicolo in the reception line. “Hello,” Daniel said to Nicolo as he was shaking his hand. “My name is Daniel Holmes and this is my friend Jason Hunter. We were both very impressed with your performance. You are an awesome musician!”

  “Yes, congratulations, Nicolo!” Jason exclaimed as he shook hands. “Your music was transforming! I was very impressed!”

  “Daniel and Jason!” Nicolo exclaimed. “I was told you might be coming and I am so happy that you did! Since my grandfather mentioned you might be coming, I checked you guys out. I’m honored to meet you. We have to sit down and talk for a while. There is a private reception at my house after this is over. Please come over as my guests! And call me Nick!” Nick gave them both a big smile. He slipped a piece of paper into Daniel’s hand. “Here are the directions. Will you be able to come over?”

  Jason looked at Daniel who nodded ‘yes’ enthusiastically. “That’s super, guys!” Nick replied. “I will look forward to seeing you there shortly.” Jason and Daniel went over to a table where punch and cookies were being served. They nibbled on some cookies and then had a couple glasses of punch until they saw that the reception was breaking up. They left the studio and followed the directions to Nick’s house.

  When Jason and Daniel arrived at the front door, Nick’s mother Caterina was there greeting the guests. Jason said ‘hello’ and introduced himself and Daniel. “Oh, yes, Nicolo mentioned that he asked you over. Welcome to our home. Nick is changing. Please make yourselves comfortable in the living room. Help yourselves to drinks and snacks.”

  Caterina and Nick’s home was a beautiful two story older home, built in the colonial style. It was nicely furnished with quality furniture, rugs, and paintings, but the highlight of the living room was a large eight foot long piano. While they were waiting for Nick to come downstairs, Jason and Daniel introduced themselves to the other guests, who were mostly relatives of Caterina. There were two aunts and uncles, Caterina’s mother, and two of Nick’s first cousins who were eight and ten years of age.

  About ten minutes later, Nick came back downstairs. He had changed into more comfortable clothes, a music festival tee shirt, jeans, and a pair of well worn gray high top chucks. Nick circulated around the room greeting his family members and guests. Finally he got to Jason and Daniel. “I’m so glad you guys could come over,” he said shaking their hands. “Mom,” he said to Caterina, “ these are the two guys I was telling you about. They are famous detectives!”

  “Hey, we are just teenagers who like to help people,” Jason said.

  “From what I hear, you are being way too modest about your accomplishments,” Caterina replied.

  “Daniel is also a talented musician. He is just starting his own band in which he sings and plays the guitar,” Jason continued.

  “You have a band?” Nick said with excitement in his voice. “You have to tell me all about it! One of my great dreams in life is to play in a band! Guys, come with me to my room where we can talk undisturbed. Let’s grab some food and drinks on the way. I’m starving!” The three boys stopped by the spread of food, loaded up three plates, and poured themselves glasses of soft drinks over ice. Nick’s room upstairs was spacious and was decorated with all kinds of music memorabilia.

  “This is a great room, Nick,” Daniel said. “It has been a very pleasant surprise to meet you! I must admit I totally misjudged you when Jason said we were coming to your recital. I was expecting someone quiet and introverted and sort of square. Instead I discover that you are a world class musician, are real outgoing and pleasant, and, just like Jason and I do, like to wear chucks everywhere!”

  “Thanks for the compliments, Daniel. Yeah, I love wearing chucks. They are the cool shoes for musicians, although mostly people think of rock musicians wearing chucks. You guys look pretty cool yourselves!” Jason and Daniel had both dressed up a little for the recital. Jason was wearing light blue polo shirt and tan khaki pants along with his red high top chucks while Daniel was wearing a purple dress shirt, black twill pants and his favorite black high tops.

  The boys munched on their snacks and got to know each other. Jason talked
about their school and some of their adventures they had as detectives. Daniel talked about singing in school choirs and how he decided to become a professional musician. Nick then described about how his days were mostly occupied with practicing the piano. He was attending an exclusive private school for boys, but he didn’t particularly like it. “My life seems very narrow in scope. I really don’t have any normal friends. Everyone at school has wealthy parents who seem more concerned with keeping their kids isolated from the rest of the world rather than expanding their minds and learning new things.”

  “But you do have the gift of music,” Daniel said. “You have an awesome talent on the piano. It seems you are destined for a career as a concert pianist.”

  “I know. In one sense I know I am extremely privileged to have this talent, yet at the same time, it is another box that I am placed in. As much as I love playing Chopin and Lizst, I also am most interested in modern music. I really would like to stretch out and experience other types of music and also the creative side of music — you know, writing and performing my own music. Now tell me about your band, Daniel. I really envy you having that opportunity!”

  Daniel took some time to describe how he started the band and some of the stories behinds how Eric and Tim came to be members of the band. When Daniel mentioned that the next stage of the band was to add a keyboard player, Nick interrupted him. “You are looking for a keyboard player? I would really like a chance to audition! Could I at least see what your band is like? I would love to attend a rehearsal!”

  “Wow, you are actually interested in playing with my band? Are you sure? I think that you play rings around us. Wouldn’t you be bored playing our simple popular music?”

  “But I have never had the experience. It’s hard to be bored with something when you have never even tried it!” Nick replied. “Besides you said that one of the main goals of your band was to start developing your own unique sound and write your own original music. What could be more exciting and positive in music than creating and performing your own music!”