Studio A

(An unedited version of Chapter 4 in Falling Roses: The Years Between.)

“Is Bobbie late again?” John asked, then chuckled.

            “John, her light’s off and the door is locked,” Jamie answered.

            “She’s here,” Mick said, replacing the string on his bass guitar.

            John looked at the wall clock. “Lenny, what’s going on?”

            “Bobbie’s here,” Lenny responded. He pulled his cell phone from his sweatshirt pocket, and then showed him. John gave Lenny a “for certain” stare. He groaned, “I’ll call Roy upstairs.”

            “Bobbie’s with J.J. Shedel,” Brandon said.

            Trevor lit his cigar. “I’m not worried,” he said, exhaling. He snubbed out the cigar in the ashtray.

            Lenny told them, “Roy said she went into the elevator about forty-five minutes ago. Wait here. I’ll go visit Shedel.”

            “I’ll check the ladies’ restroom----” everyone gave Brandon a look of disgust “----to see if she’s sick,” he explained.

            “I’ll meet up with Lenny. If she’s not with Shedel,” Trevor added, “I’ll check the hallways----”

            “And the stairwells,” John added.

            “Jamie?” Mick called out to her, as her hand squeezed the brass handle.

            “I’ll be with Suzie,” Jamie told Mick and John. She wiped her tearful eyes.

            “Thank you,” John said, looking into her line of vision.

            “Ask Suzie if she’s seen Bobbie,” Mick said in a tender way.

            “But,” John said. “Jamie”----he paused----“I’m not worried.” She gave him a brief nod before leaving the room. “You don’t think----?”

            “She’d walk past you to see Shedel first?” Mick asked.

            “Do you?” John lowered a microphone.

            “No. No way,” Mick said, as he hung his bass onto the stand. “Don’t worry, man. I’m not worried.” His voice was nervous. “Although, she’s never done this before, Bobbie’s with Shedel; she just has to be.”

            Lenny entered the studio room. “She’s not with J.J.”

            “Shit,” Mick muttered.

            “Where’s Dillon?” John asked him.

            “They’re all in Studio B,” Lenny said. “And they haven’t seen her.”

            “Bobbie’s been sick; I’m sure Brandon will find her in the bathroom.” John stared through the glass, into the hallway, hoping.

            “What about the elevator?” Lenny asked them.

            “She’s not in the elevator,” John said.

            “Did anyone see Bobbie get off of it?” Mick mentioned.

            “She would’ve sounded the alarm.” John swung open the door. “Not the ...” He ran toward the elevator corridor, followed by Mick and Lenny.