Page 83 of A First Sight

DRAKE

After a magical morningwaking up with Maggie, I was glad she’d let me drive her to work. Leaving her there, however, was more difficult than I’d imagined.

I would never suggest she quit her job, but my stomach was in knots as I watched her disappear into the rehearsal room. Would I always be this anxious every time she was near Dale?

As I walked out of the building, I heard a voice behind me.

“Mr. Mac Gilleain?”

I turned to see Nehemiah Plight, the principal conductor, coming toward me, a smile stretched from ear to ear. Next to him was the first violinist, Irene Sheppard.

“To what do we owe this honor?” Nehemiah asked, enthusiastically shaking my hand.

“I came with Maggie.” I smiled at them both. “You’re both looking well this morning.”

“You brought Maggie?” One of Irene’s eyebrows went up. “Are the two of you…?”

She let her question trail off, but only an idiot wouldn’t have known where she was going with it.

I kept it simple. “We had brunch this morning, and I thought it’d be nice to drive her here.”

Irene looked me up and down. “I know we’re not supposed to tell Maggie that we don’t believe a single word Dale says, but perhaps you can pass that along? Let her know she has our support.”

I looked at Nehemiah.

“I agree with Irene.” His expression grew serious. “Whatever you do, watch out for Maggie. I don’t think Dale is going to let her go without a fight.”

I didn’t say it, but I agreed with him. However, if Dale wanted a fight, I’d be there, taking him up on it.

SIXTY

MAGGIE

Rehearsal went surprisingly well.

With Dale’s promise to leave everyone alone and my renewed relationship with Drake, it was easier to focus on playing and enjoying the music.

After practice, I took a cab to the police station to withdraw my destruction of property complaint against Dale.

It wasn’t that I didn’t want him held accountable for what he did, but if it ended his persecution of the people I cared about, that meant more. The expression on the face of the officer I spoke with said he didn’t understand. I didn’t explain the situation.

I asked if I could have my mom’s violin back, but he informed me it would have to be processed first through evidence. Could still take weeks.

I thanked the officer, and left the police station to go to the bank. It was literally across the street.

“I’d like to deposit this,” I said as I walked up to the window.

The woman looked at the check and my ID.

“Ma’am, I’m sorry, but the check…there are insufficient funds to cover it.”

It took me a moment to process what she meant. Dale was pulling more tricks.

“All right, uh, thanks for your help.” I gave her a polite smile and walked away, my mind racing, trying to decide how to handle this.

Directly accusing Dale of giving me a bad check would be the wrong way. He’d get defensive and go on the attack, probably twisting the truth to say I was trying to get more money out of him.

Since I didn’t need the money, it wasn’t worth the effort.

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