‘Wait a mo,’ Douglas said, raising a finger. ‘Have any of you thought this may be connected to Harry’s disappearance?’
‘Someone targeting violists?’ Cat said. ‘Come off it, Doug. Lightning doesn’t strike twice.’
‘We never discovered the reason.’
‘That was four years ago in Budapest. It’s history now and we’re in England in case you haven’t noticed. We’ve moved on. Don’t put scary ideas into Mel’s head. The poor lad has suffered enough.’
‘Even so, we must take care of him. How are you getting back to Bath?’
‘Taxis as usual,’ Ivan said.
‘I’ll give Mel a lift in the Aston Martin. I’m still thinking we should report this incident to the police. Did you know they were here tonight? I met two of them before the concert.’
‘A big guy called Diamond?’ Cat said.
‘Yes, and a blonde with a foreign-sounding name.’
‘We knew they were coming,’ Cat said. ‘It’s all about this unfortunate Japanese girl.’
‘The police said something about this,’ Douglas said. ‘There’s so much to catch up on.’
‘She was found dead in the river, murdered apparently. They’re saying she was a fan of ours.’
‘Doesn’t mean you’re responsible.’
Ivan said, ‘A point we all made clear. Once the police get a sniff of something they think is suspicious, watch out. They’re well capable of planting evidence. What’s the term?’
‘Stitching us up?’ Cat said.
‘That might be true in your country,’ Douglas said. ‘I can’t believe the British bobby would stoop to anything so low.’
Ivan rolled his eyes. ‘It’s quite possible that the man who knocked Mel down was a plain clothes policeman keeping him under observation. Maybe we’re all being spied on. There was a suspicious-looking car outside the Tippett Centre yesterday and he drove off fast when we spotted him. Mel saw it, too.’
‘I’m totally confused now,’ Douglas said.
‘So am I,’ Mel said. ‘Some of these theories must be wrong. A sex pest, an instrument thief, a kidnapper of violists and a police spy? Let’s try and keep a grip on reality.’
Douglas turned to Mel and smiled. ‘Well said. This seems as good a moment as any to announce some good news.’
‘We could certainly use some,’ Cat said. ‘What is it?’
He rubbed his hands. ‘News travels fast these days, as we all know. There’s a real buzz among concert managers around the world that the Staccati have re-formed. The enquiries are coming in thick and fast and I’m now in a position to offer you a five-week South American tour as soon as you’ve completed your stint here in Bath. You’ll be going to some wonderful places – Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Montevideo, Buenos Aires, Santiago, Lima and Bogotá. Some of these cities have facilities you wouldn’t believe, amazing concert halls that will sell out within hours. Five star hotels all the way.’
‘And fees?’ Ivan said.
‘The best I’ve ever negotiated for you. South Americans adore their music and they’re passionate about the chance of hearing you. I know it’s a lot of travelling, but, believe me, you get well rewarded.’
‘I’m tempted,’ Cat said. ‘As you know, I prefer longer stays, but this will be new territory, new shopping opportunities.’
‘And a new market for your backlist,’ Douglas added. ‘A huge boost to your CD and video sales. Already several of them are talking about press calls and TV appearances.’
‘What do you say, boys? Are we up for it?’ Cat said.
After the build-up, the decision was low-key, a matter of looks, shrugs and nods, but no one disagreed.
‘Super,’ Douglas said. ‘I’ll confirm it all when I get back to London tomorrow.’ At a stroke he’d removed all the negative feelings after the concert. ‘And on that high note, I recommend a well-earned sleep. I’ll bring the car round to the front entrance. I can find room for one more.’
It was agreed Ivan would travel with Douglas and Mel, leaving Cat to share a taxi with Anthony.
Mel and Ivan walked together to the main entrance, an opportunity for Mel to raise a point that had caused him some concern. ‘I didn’t say anything back there because everyone seemed to be getting paranoid, but there’s something I should tell you about the car you and I saw out at the Tippett Centre.’
‘What’s that?’ Ivan’s tone was as friendly as a January night in Riga.
‘I’m almost certain it followed my taxi home. It was the same car that knocked me down.’