Page 18 of Knockin' on Heaven’s Noir

I slam the letter down on my desk. Don’t come looking for her? Forever grateful? When I do find Phoebe I’m going to redden her ass for thinking that what is between us means so little.

First, I need to find out what exactly happened with Sherry. I feel sick that she sold out Rosie and Alex. It’s a good thing that I always make an extra copy of all paperwork and put it in my safe until it’s not a current job.

I call Alex first.

He answers with a sigh. “I can’t tell you where she is.”

“I know, I got the letter. The twins delivered it early. I’m so sorry this is all fucked up.”

“It’s not your fault.”

“I hired the photographer and she’s had a thing for me. She might have done this to get back at me for picking Phoebe instead of her.”

“Fuck. It’s still not your fault.”

“I do have a solution. Phoebe said that all of the signed paperwork was gone. I have no idea how Sherry could have done that, but I have a copy in my safe. I always make an extra and keep it. No one knows I do it.”

“Are you serious? That’s genius and just what I needed to hear. Can you send me a screenshot of it so I can get my lawyer on it? I also may be able to get some of the more reputable news outlets to take things down if they know they got it illegally. It won’t put the cat back in the bag, but it might lessen the impact.”

“Is Rosie okay?” I feel awful that what should be happy news was blasted this way.

“Yeah, she cried for about an hour and then started teasing me about keeping my mouth shut. I guess she’s kind of right. I did scream it out to a room full of people.”

“I never did get to congratulate either of you. I know we’ve only known each other for a little bit, but I’m happy for you both.”

“You know I really would tell you where she was if I could. I don’t know where she is. The sisters aren’t telling me and she’s not at home. I’m pissed off about it. How can I protect her if I don’t know where she is?”

I start to worry about Phoebe even more. How could she not even tell Alex where she is? I know that they are close.

“I love her.”

“I know. Those Stone sisters are impossible not to fall for,” Alex laughs. “If I hear anything I’ll pass it along.”

“Thanks, Alex.”

I promise to send him the signed forms and we hang up. I sit back in my chair and close my eyes. How am I supposed to get through the day not knowing where she is or if she’s safe?

Chapter Twelve

Phoebe

“You need to call him,” Maggie says as we sit on my bed.

“I can’t.” I feel sick when I think about the letter I left him. I ran scared and used something that happened to my sister and Alex as an excuse. I wasn’t affected except that I was in some of the pictures.

“You love him and it’s stupid to deny yourself that.”

“How am I supposed to be with him and here with you and Rosie? We have the album to finish and then touring. I can’t be a good partner through that.” I throw my body into the pillows so maybe I won’t hear her tell me how ridiculous that all is, because I know it is.

“Like Rosie does it with Alex and is going to do it with our niece or nephew. We are all trying new things and growing up. You can’t turn away from love because of a record deal, Phoebe. I know you’ve been writing music like crazy. Not just pop music, but all kinds of music. Maybe that’s what you are meant to do next.”

“Do you really think we are going to move on?” I ask, afraid of her answer.

“I think we will always be The Pandemonium Pixies and will always play together. More importantly, we will always be sisters. But, I do think we will do different things as we grow up.”

“What do you want to do?”

“I think I want to try musicals,” she announces.

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