Bombshell Part 7

And the Spanish lizard shrugged yet again. As if that said it all, Griffin thought, and excused any behavior. He said, "I see. So as long as one is careful and exercises a bit of discretion, these connections are overlooked, ignored?"

"It is the civilized thing to do."

"Then why were you so angry with Dr. Hayman for wanting to forge a connection to Delsey?"

"I suppose because she was hurt last night and because Elliot is not what she needs. She is an innocent, though she is a brilliant musician, more driven than most. It is unfortunate she continues to pursue a commercial path. I am endeavoring to guide her away from that profane choice." He lightly flicked a spot of lint from his smoking jacket. "Naturally, Delsey, like all gifted musicians, needs guidance."

"And you wish to be the one to provide this guidance?"

If Salazar suspected irony, he didn't show it. He merely nodded. "That is correct. We are like spirits, she and I."

Amazing.

"But tell me, Agent, what happened to her last night? What really happened to her, not the press version you gave out to those credulous girls in the living room."

Griffin smiled. "What happened was exactly what I said. I have nothing more to add for the moment." He realized he really wanted to punch out the lizard-not good, he had to get control of himself. He said, "I a.s.sume you're enjoying your year here at Stanislaus?"

"Yes, certainly. So many talented musicians, and the atmosphere here is intimate and congenial and conducive to study and performance. Not like all the distractions that plague Juilliard, for example."

"Professor Salazar, you said Delsey slipped out without anyone seeing her?"

"Hardly anyone. I went looking for her, but I could not find her. Clarice-she is one of our flautists-told me she saw Delsey slip out the back door. She saw her do this, so it is not supposition. I know she was escaping him. There is no doubt in my mind."

"Did you notice if anyone else left the party about the same time Delsey snuck out?"

This gave Salazar pause. He slowly shook his head. "Not that I can remember. One of the students demanded my attention, and I was occupied. Always the students need my attention."

"Was Delsey drunk from the margaritas Dr. Hayman gave her?"

"It is possible."

"Did you ever hear Delsey mention she was worried about someone? Another student, perhaps? Another professor here at Stanislaus?"

"No, certainly not. Well, the students-you must understand that compet.i.tion is not only encouraged, it is necessary. There are few truly major orchestra seats available for talented musicians to win. For those students, like Delsey, who wish to gain success in composition, there are also many others vying for recognition. Talent is not enough. It is drive that gains the bra.s.s ring. Delsey's fingers could close on the ring, if she would fight for it."

"Could all that compet.i.tion have led to violence? Out of jealousy, perhaps?"

"Surely not, but it is a thought that must intrude, is it not?" He frowned toward one of his guitars. "Drive and effort are what are needful in every worthwhile pursuit in life. Perhaps even in yours?" Again, a whiff of contempt.

"Perhaps you will be able to observe that for yourself, Professor," Griffin said.

When Griffin left Salazar's study, he heard him shout for Barbara to bring him his nonfat mocha cinnamon latte. Griffin returned to the living room, settled in on the sofa with the stain, and started asking questions.

Gabrielle DuBois said, "There was no earthly raison for Dr. Hayman to single her out, but Professor Salazar is right. He did last night, gave her drink after drink. And why, I ask you?" Her French accent was very p.r.o.nounced, this time for dramatic effect, enough to make Griffin grin. "I mean, does she sing like Edith Piaf? Non, she does not. She has not the talent to achieve any sort of magnificent height." Like mine, he heard her add under her breath.

If Gabrielle was edgy and harsh in her dislike of Delsey, Griffin soon got the impression several of the other women also didn't appreciate Delsey's getting so much of Dr. Hayman's attention. Simple jealousy or ambition? He realized some of the women were frightened about the attack because it was too close to home. Others appeared to be worried about Delsey, but none of them admitted to anything strange or unusual having happened at the party the previous evening or to having any idea who might have hurt her.

Griffin asked the group, "Why do you think Professor Salazar and Dr. Hayman don't get along?"

Barbara of Starbucks fame, a full-bodied future opera singer with an incredibly rich speaking voice, said, "They're brothers, twins. I'll bet they've competed since they were kids, fought all the time. And now here they are together again at Stanislaus, both fis.h.i.+ng in the same pond."

The little fairy, Gloria of viola fame, said, "Really, Barbara, I don't like to think of myself as a tuna. Professor Salazar and Dr. Hayman have made it into a fine art. But, you know, I can't recall ever hearing Dr. Hayman saying anything about Professor Salazar."

"Professor Salazar, on the other hand," Barbara said, "is always insulting, snipping, but only when Dr. Hayman isn't around."

Gloria said, "It is true, though, many of the professors who aren't married or near death are the same way." She grinned at him. "But the professors aren't stupid. Most of them steer really clear of the undergraduate students."

Black Pigtails said, "No one wants to be lonely, do they? Everyone wants some attention and intimacy now and then, and what's wrong with that? I only wish Professor Salazar would pay for our gas to come here."

Gabrielle said, "Yes, but Professor Salazar is not like his brother. He is seeing me, only me."

Black Pigtails said matter-of-factly, "Yes, and since Professor Salazar told you you sing like Edith Piaf, you've practically had it tattooed on your b.u.t.t."

There was one lone sn.i.g.g.e.r.

Salazar strolled into the room, his Starbucks cup in one hand. He didn't look at Griffin, but told Gabrielle he was certain he'd seen a small sausage roll beneath the sofa. She was on her hands and knees in an instant, her b.u.t.t in the air, and he stood behind her, smoking another cigarette.

Griffin had to admit it, he was shocked, though none of the other women seemed to find her display unusual.

Griffin left Salazar's rented house on Golden Meadow Terrace a thoughtful man. Would Delsey have ever told him about this soap opera?

Henderson County Hospital

Sat.u.r.day afternoon

The door to Delsey's memory wouldn't open even a crack. The more she shoved at the door, the more it made her head hurt.

Griffin strode into the hospital room, paused for a moment in the doorway to study her. "Stop it, Delsey, you're thinking too hard."

She flapped her hand at him. "It doesn't matter how hard I try, I still can't remember much. Where have you been? n.o.body knew."

He walked to her bed, took her hand. "You were sleeping, so I went to see Professor Salazar. The snow's been coming down so hard again you can barely see a foot in front of you, but the good professor had managed to convince half a dozen students to drive to his house and clean up the mess from last night. The place was gossip central, once I told them what had happened to you."

"I'll bet they were all women, and Professor Salazar won't pay them a cent. There's not even any extra credit."

Griffin smiled. He told her about Gabrielle DuBois in her summer-pink shorts, on her hands and knees searching under the sofa and putting on a show for Professor Salazar.

"Gabrielle has been after him from the moment he stepped out of his brand-new Fiat in September. Then he made the mistake of paying attention to her. She's having an affair with him, but still, he likes to be among his musicians, especially the women. As you probably saw, this doesn't make Gabrielle happy. You know, even if he does play like a G.o.d and looks really good, he's still got too many notches on his belt-I wouldn't want to sleep with him."

Griffin said, "You've always been clear-sighted about people, and living in the melting pot of L.A., I imagine you've seen it all before. None of these personalities is new to you. True?"

"Yes, all right, but I sometimes think I saw too much in L.A." She brightened. "But at least in L.A. the guys on the beach were buff. Hey, did Gabrielle bring him his chilled gla.s.s of fresh- squeezed orange juice, the pulp removed?"

"That must have been before I arrived. He was obsessing about a latte. Oh, yes, Gloria sends her best wishes. Now, Salazar told me the director, Dr. Hayman-his twin brother-was all over you last night, plying you with too many margaritas. I think Salazar wants you to replace Gabrielle."