AT 29 (53 page)

Over lunch in the cafeteria Leslie produced a slip of paper with Nigel Whitehurst's address. “He's not always there. When the surfs up he hits the waves with his board. If you don't find him go over to Willies Tavern on Green Street. He gets dinner there, sings for his supper so to speak.”

Seated across from her, Jimmy's heart pounded. Everything about her captured his attention. The movement of her hands, the way she held her fork between statements, even her voice, kind and engaging, so new and so familiar. He took the slip of paper and put it in his shirt pocket little interested in the purpose of his visit.

“You're American?”

“Yes, from New Hampshire.”

“I grew up in Massachusetts, Chillingham, if you know it.”

“Sure. I wasn't far away. Just over the line in a town called Amherst. Passed your exit many times to and from school in Boston.”

“College?”

“Yes, Bentley. Accounting and finance, but I went on to B. U. to get a Masters in History.”

“How did you wind up here?”

“I took a semester abroad my junior year, interned here at Saint Malachy's. When I finished my Masters, Sister Marie invited me to come back. “

“Circuitous route.”

“What do you mean?”

“Finance and accounting then history. Here for a while and then back again.”

She took this in, seeming to think. “Sister Marie said you had questions about the contract.”

“Just that it seems odd that she signed it, too.”

“She wants me to tell you the truth about this.” Leslie turned away briefly then came back to look at him. His heart pounded harder. “I sent the tape to Daisy Overton.”

“I was going to ask about that. Do you know Daisy?”

“We were roommates for a short time at Bentley.”

“Short time?”

“She only lasted one semester, flunked out.”

“That would be Daisy.” He smiled. Leslie smiled back. “But you stayed in touch?”

“She's a bit older than me, but we got along well. When I'm in the States we get together. Missed her wedding, though. Did you go? I heard it was the talk of New York.”

“No. I missed it, too.”

“I made the tape one night at Willies. I brought it back so Sister Marie could hear it. I'd mentioned Blossom Records to her a few times. She's the one who urged me to send it to Daisy.”

“The rest is history. Here we are.”

“Not quite.” She squeezed a napkin in her hands, fidgeting. “I don't know the best way to explain this so I'll just say it. He doesn't know.”

Jimmy looked for some sign, “Doesn't know what?”

Her face colored, “That you have a tape of him or that there's a contract.”

“He has to know. He's been taking money from Blossom.”

“He may have guessed, but that's not his signature on the contract.”

Jimmy sat up in his chair. “I don't understand.”

“After Daisy heard the tape she called me. She said she wanted to meet Nigel and get him under contract. I told her he didn't know I'd sent the tape. I also explained that he might not be interested. The whole point was simply to make a tape for Sister Marie. She loves his singing. It was only supposed to be a gift to her, unbeknownst to him and no harm done. They don't talk much because they always end up arguing. She doesn't approve of his current lifestyle.”

“Daisy never came. I know that much because she left Blossom to get married.”

“That's where it gets dicey. I want you to know we never intended for things to get out of hand.”

“We?”

“Sister Marie and me. She's my boss and I love her dearly, but she can be devious when she wants something. She wants Nigel to sing. When Daisy decided to stay back in the States she called me again and said she was sending the contract to me. She asked me to take it to Nigel and get him to sign it. She said she would authorize a twenty thousand dollar signing bonus. I went to Sister Marie with Daisy's request. I thought she'd tell me to say no, but she was all for it. As soon as the contract arrived she had me in a car to Aireys Inlet. Nigel brushed me off without even taking a look.

“When I went back to Sister Marie she wrote a short note to Nigel. I don't know what it said, but she had her name typed onto the signature page and signed it. Later, she told me she hoped he'd have a change of heart when he saw her name next to the line for his. Then she sent me back to Aireys Inlet.”

“Maybe she wanted the signing bonus for the orphanage.”

“Devious, but not greedy. Her signature was just a stamp of approval. Her way of saying please when she wants him to do something just for her.”

“I take it he said no again.”

“That's right. He read her note, then read the contract. He made a joke about her signing it and gave it back to me with a shake of his head.”

“So who signed his name?”

“I'm afraid to say it was me, Sister's idea. She hoped Nigel would come around once someone from Blossom reached out to him. We both thought our charade would be harmless. He'd see the forgery, hear Blossom's pitch and either sign for real or walk away. Neither of us expected the whole deal to sit idle for two years.”

After lunch she walked him to the entrance. Jimmy's head was swimming.

“So, what will you do now?” Leslie asked.

“I'm not sure. I have to call the record label.”

“Please don't think ill of Sister Marie or me. We know it was a mistake.”

“She didn't seem to be too concerned.”

“She still wants him to sing. She's hoping you can change his mind.”

“I'm not a businessman. I'm only here to evaluate his talent.”

“If you see him will you come back and tell us what happened?”

“I need to get back to the States. We're due to release my album.”

“You'll be flying out of Melbourne?”

“Yes.”

“Could you stop by before you leave?” She wasn't pleading, but he sensed something.

“It's not his signature on the contract.” Jimmy had Miles on the phone as soon as he returned to the hotel.

“What do you mean?”

“It was all a ploy by Sister Marie Bonaventuri to convince him to sing.” Jimmy explained everything he'd learned.

“What kind of bush league operation was Daisy Overton running?”

“Not her fault this time. She never knew.”

“Even the tape is bogus?”

“No, it's him. He just doesn't know we have it. I'm going to catch a plane.”

“No, don't do that.”

“Look Miles, There's no contract. You can take it up with the lawyers.”

“I still want to know if he's any good.”

“Okay, let's say he's good. Then what?”

“We convince him to sign a new contract. Just check him out. Then we'll see.”

“I've got
Back and Blue
coming out. I need to get ready.”

“
We
have the album coming out,” Miles emphasized. “I have the east coast tour in the works. A few days won't make a difference. Anyhow, I need more time to set everything up. Which, by the way, brings me to a question. Who is Benson LaSalle?”

“Drummer in my old band. Why?”

“He's coming to see me with a lawyer. What do I need to know?”

“Beats me. He quit the band after our last gig in Atlantic City.”

“He knows you have an album coming out. He says he has a contract and wants in.” Jimmy looked around his empty hotel room, trying to understand. Miles spoke again. “Is he any good?”

“He can play.”

“You're going to need someone on the drums.”

“We haven't spoken since Atlantic City.”

“Then you don't want him?” Jimmy paused. He knew Benson was talking to Sonny. He did need a drummer and he still felt guilty about what happened to The Jimmy Button Band. As difficult as Benson could be, he was reliable. He showed up for rehearsals and did an adequate job onstage. There was something else, too. Something George said. ‘It ain't always about you.' Deep down, Jimmy wanted to make amends, even with Benson. Miles broke into his thoughts. “I'm not worried about lawyers. It's your call. I'll play it any way you want. I can send him away.”

“No, it'll save time. Tell him I'll be in touch when I get back.”

His attempts at sleep were fitful. He dozed lightly only to wake up with thoughts of Leslie racing through his head. He couldn't get her out of his mind. Her face was stamped into his brain and he could hear her voice as he rewound every second of their time together. He tried everything to push her out of his head, knowing he needed to sleep before heading off to find Nigel Whitehurst in the morning. Still, it was his heart that ruled the odd emotion that came over him. He could feel the softness of her hand, see the shine of her hair and even smell her sweet fragrance. Sleep was impossible. He finally left his bed and walked over to the window overlooking the huge football stadium across
the street. He remembered Fitzroy Gardens next door to the hotel. Suddenly, it seemed inviting despite the late hour. He dressed and left the room.

It was midnight and no one was in the lobby. A friendly doorman addressed him as he stepped out into the warm night air.

“Out for a walk on this beautiful night?” he asked, pleasantly.

“I thought I'd take a stroll through the park.”

“No worries. People do it all the time. A perfect cure for jetlag.”

He walked for an hour, stopping briefly at Captain James Cook's boyhood cottage, shipped from England as a gift to the Australian people in honor of his discovery of the land ‘Down Under'. Then he continued downtown to Flinders Street Railway Station and beyond, to the tiny park where Jonathan Whitehurst once told his story to the English reporter. The same park where his grandson, Aaron, waited before his doctor's appointment. Occasionally, he saw others hustling home from the train station. Police cars angled down the streets at casual speed, but none took note of the American singer strolling, hands in his pockets, deep in thought ten thousand miles from his home. He could not banish Leslie from his mind.

Back in his room, he gave up. He threw some clothes into an overnight bag and sat down on the bed, wondering what to do to idle the time until sunrise. The television held no interest. His last novel was long since finished. Even the Gibson could not tear him from his conflicted desire to dwell on Leslie. What he would do and say when he met Nigel Whitehurst never entered his mind. In desperation, he opened his wallet and took out Peggy's telephone number in Vermont.

“Did you get the album?”

“It's been playing non-stop for three days. Hubby has the words committed to memory, but I won't let him sing a note in the house. He's probably out in the barn serenading the cows right now. Wait a minute, Alice is here visiting, and she wants to talk to you.” There was a moment of silence then Jimmy heard shuffling as Alice came on the line.

“Jimmy, it's been a long time!”

“Hello Alice.”

“Your album's soooo good, I can't believe it!”

Jimmy remembered Alice's ebullient manner. “Thanks. Do you like
Peg
?”

“Best song you've ever done. My sister's in love with you!”

“Are you still writing?”

“Gotta eat. That's something I want to talk to you about.”

“Okay.” He drew out the word suspiciously.

“I've already done a full review of
Button's Back and Blue
for my editor. Now, I need an exclusive interview with you.”

“It's not out in the States yet.”

“I know. When are you coming home?”

“Alice, you're getting ahead of things.”

“This isn't about promotion. I'm a reporter, remember?”

“I'm not ready to do a stateside interview yet.”

“C'mon, this is Alice you're talking to. I want an exclusive. Besides, bootleg copies are already making the rounds in New York. The cat's outta the bag.”

“Tapes are making the rounds?” Jimmy was caught off guard.

“Street vendors around Central Park and Herald Square, cassettes. Now, do you want to talk to me here on the phone or when you get back? Now's better.”

“What magazine?”

“Backbeat, but I have a deal that says I can let the wire services in on it.”

“I don't know, Alice. I have to think this through.”

“Jimmy, it's not gonna wait too long.”

“I'll be in New York in a few days.”

“So, you'll talk to me first?”

“Yes.”

“Exclusive?”

“I need to touch base with Blossom.”

“Screw that. When did you ever need permission to talk to me?”

“It's not permission. I just want them in the loop.”

“I won't let someone get between me and my story.”

“That won't happen.”

“Promise?”

“Yes.”

“Call me the second your plane lands.”

“I will. Now let me talk to Peggy.” He gathered his thoughts before Peggy came on the line. He didn't know exactly how to put it to her. He's met someone? He's confused? What should he do now? What is this feeling?”

“Jimmy, pay her no mind, just Alice being Alice. You can't let her interfere with your plans.”

“I know. Do you really like the album?”

“Love the album.
Peg
is beyond beautiful. I cried when I heard it the first time.”

“Listen, I want to talk to you about something, but I don't want anyone to hear your end of the conversation. Can you pick up in another room, alone?”

“This sounds serious. Wait a minute.”

He went back to thinking about what to say to his best friend. Then Peggy was back on the line. He heard her shout to Alice. “Okay, you can hang up now!” There was a click on the line then he heard a door shut. “Jimmy, I'm in the bedroom with the door closed. First, are you okay?”