Blood of the Rainbow (45 page)

Sara pouted. “But, that’s how I’ve always had them in the past.”

“Not anymore,” he said, kissing her. “It’s too easy to suck one of those down your windpipe, and I don’t want to risk losing you.” Sara sighed, disappointed, but willing to abide by his wishes. “Do you want to come in with me?”

“Yeah,” she said unbuckling her seatbelt, and reaching for the door handle. “I’ll just dash to the bathroom while you get the drinks. If you’re not going to let me put my peanuts in my Coke, just get me a pack of crunchy Cheetoez.”

Sara walked to the front of the car and waited for him. Jared took her hand, and they went inside. While Sara was in the bathroom, she bought a plastic toothbrush from a vending machine. She was aware she hadn’t had the opportunity to brush her teeth since they’d left Arizona.

Sara looked at herself in the mirror and gasped. Her hair was tangled, so she quickly fixed that too, and sprayed on an extra touch of perfume, just to be sure before she went back outside. Jared was lounged against the outside doorframe, waiting for her. He put his arm around her waist, and they walked back to the car. Steve and Carl were already waiting for them when they crawled in the back.

Steve looked at Jared in the rear-view mirror. “Jared, could you do me a favor?”

Jared took a sip of his Coke. “What’s that?”

Steve grinned. “If you two are going back to sleep, put some tape over Sara’s mouth.”

Jared furrowed his brow. “Why?”

“So she won’t snore so loud.”

Sara narrowed her eyes and punched Steve in the arm, hard. “Ow!” he responded, rubbing it. Carl and Jared laughed.

“I do not snore!” Sara said, emphasizing each word.

“Ok, ok!” Steve said, rubbing his arm. “We must have picked up a grizzly in Dallas then.”

“Steve,” Jared said, dryly.

“Yeah, man?”

“Drive!”

“Right!” Steve said, turning the car around and heading back on the Interstate. They drove in silence as they drank their Cokes and ate their snacks. Then Steve spoke again, excited this time. “Oh, I almost forgot. You got the schedule for the gig.”

Jared raised an eyebrow. “How do you know?”

“He kinda, sorta, opened the letter when he saw where it was from,” Carl said, ratting on Steve.

“You traitor. I had a good lie all lined up too!”

Jared’s attention was piqued. “So, what did it say?”

Steve opened the glove box and handed Jared an official looking, white envelope with the logo for the HMC on the face of it. Jared turned on the map light above him and Sara. He opened the letter and started glancing through it. “Shit!”

Sara looked worried. “What is it?”

“They want us to be there tomorrow morning to rehearse, and get the sound system setup.”

“What? Tomorrow morning! I’m not ready for that, Jared!” Sara protested profusely.

“Easy, Sara. They don’t want us there until eleven. We’ll still have a chance to work a while before we have to leave.”

Sara kept shaking her head. “No, I’m not ready! I’ll throw up, Jared!”

Jared smiled at her. “Sara, you’re going to do just fine and you’re not going to faint. You’re not going to throw up, and you’re not going to forget the lyrics either. Trust me. You don’t give yourself enough credit. You’re good.”

“You’re biased!” Sara grumbled.

Jared laughed. “Yes, but I know talent when I hear it.”

Sara groaned and slid to the other side of the car, staring out the side glass at the blur of lights as they flew past them. Just, as they started through Shreveport, Jared phoned Gary again to let him know they were back. Gary said he would leave now, and meet them there, but he would be bringing his cousin with him. Jared also phoned ahead, and gave Cassie instructions to entertain Gary if he arrived before he and Sara did.

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When they got to Wisteria Hall it was nearly half past ten. As promised, Gary and his cousin were sitting in the lounge, drinking coffee, and visiting with Cassie.

“Well it’s about time you got here,” Gary laughed, as he gave Jared a warm handshake. “Jared, this is my cousin, Donna Rigden. Donna, this is Jared Thundercloud of ‘Raging Storm’. Donna will be taking over for me at D’Netics.”

Oh my God!
Donna’s heart rate quickened, as she stared at him, smiling. She swallowed hard, holding out her hand. “Nice to ah – to meet you Jared. ‘Raging Storm’ is one of the few country bands I’ll listen to.”

Jared grinned and chuckled. It wasn’t the first time a woman’s eyes had widened when they met him. “So I assume you don’t like country music Donna?”

Donna sighed, her cheeks showing some color. “Well, not a lot – I mean I didn’t, but I like ‘Raging Storm,’” she added quickly.
If you were involved, I could learn to appreciate opera!

What the…?
“I’m glad,” Jared said, shaking Donna’s hand. A slight tingle ran through him as he locked eyes with her. By the way, Donna’s eyes widened, Jared could tell she felt something too.  
That’s odd. I’ve already found my perfect match - Sara. Why am I getting these feelings from Donna?

Donna furrowed her brow. “Pardon?” Seeing the confused look on Sara’s face, reluctantly, Donna eased her hand away from Jared’s.

Jared blinked a couple of times and cleared his throat. “I – ah – I didn’t…”

Gary glanced from Donna to Jared wondering what was going on. “Jared, has being in Arizona destroyed your southern hospitality...?” Gary asked, motioning with his head to the woman standing beside Jared.

“Oh – yes,” he smiled at Sara and wrapped his free arm around her waist. “Gary, Donna, this is Sara Foster, my fiancée.”

Donna glanced at her feet.
Typical – he’s taken. I’d hoped she was his sister or cousin or anything but his fiancée.

Jared quickly glanced in Donna’s direction.
Can Donna hear my thoughts? Better still, can I hear Donna’s? How is that possible? This isn’t supposed to happen!

Donna looked up. “Excuse me…?”

Great!
Jared thought, quickly putting up a mental barrier.
There are only two reasons this could happen, and I don’t even want to think about one of them.

Gary smiled. “So this is ‘Raging Storm’s’ new female vocalist. This is the Sara Foster from the CD you sent me?”

“The one and only,” Jared said, smiling at Sara.

Sara narrowed her eyes at Jared. “Is there anybody you
haven’t
told?”

Gary shook Sara’s hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Sara. I’m looking forward to the performance on Saturday. I want an autograph picture and CD to take with me to England. I have a feeling it will be a long time before I’ll be able to enjoy live country music.”

“Well, let’s sit. Cassie,” Jared said. “Would you bring out a pitcher of ice-tea and some glasses please?” Cassie nodded and disappeared. “So it’s official. You’re really doing it, you’re moving to the UK?”

Gary laughed. “Triplet International made me an offer I couldn’t turn down,” he replied. “Bigger salary, all the funding I want to use as I choose,
plus
fringe benefits. Who could turn that down?”

“I hear that,” Jared commented, “but I’m going to miss you.”

Gary chuckled. “I’m probably going to miss you more. Country music is not that big in the UK.”

“Donna, Gary tells me you’re pretty good with the music department yourself.”

Donna smiled again. “I’m not bad I guess,” she chuckled.

Wonder what we would sound like together?
“Well, I’m sure we could always find a spot for you in ‘Raging Storm’, if you’re interested.”
Jared what is wrong with you? Stop this! You’re just tired. That’s it. I’m tired from the trip and the stress. Please don’t accept Donna….

Donna sighed. “I would love that Jared, but I just don’t have the time. I wouldn’t mind the odd jamming session with you though – just for fun.”
Since, that’s obviously all it could be.

Jared grinned.
Could I have been wrong?
“I’m sure we could find some time for that too,” Jared laughed.
Jared! Good god what’s wrong with you? You’ve got what you wanted. You’ve committed to her. You’ve given her the ring. You can’t hurt Sara. It would kill her. You love her. Yes, I do love her. I need sleep. That’s it, I just need sleep.
Get professional with her Jared. Talk about work!
“So Donna, you’re taking over the research department at D’Netics?”

Donna smiled. “I guess you could say that.”
I’m going to kill Gary for not telling me about you sooner!

Jared cleared his throat.
You know you’re not being fair to Donna Jared. You’re still eavesdropping on her thoughts, but you’ve cut her off of yours.
What’s it going to hurt? Who’s going to know I can hear her thoughts but me? They’re just thoughts, it’s not as if I’m going to act on them – am I?
“So, Donna, any idea which direction you’ll be going with the research?”

“Yes. I’d like to work with stem cells as a possible cure for heart conditions.”

Shit! I remember that. This is too coincidental.
“That’s right,” Jared smiled. “I read your article on using stem cells to cure major heart conditions and diseases. It was a very interesting piece.”

Donna blushed. “Well, it wasn’t my best.”

“I thought it was,” Jared said.

 “Gary said you think your grandmother might have been murdered?”

“I think it’s a strong possibility Donna. Grandmother was fine one day and in the hospital on life support the next. According to her doctor, he believed it was some kind of respiratory infection. Before they could find out for sure, she died.”

Donna furrowed her brow. “Did they do an autopsy on her? Do you have a copy of her medical records and treatment?”

Gary smiled. Donna was in her element.

“No Donna,” Jared replied. “My father adheres to some of our older traditions.”

“Please don’t say she was cremated!”

“No, she wasn’t cremated, but her body was burned after the normal funeral ceremony.”

Donna sighed and pressed her lips together. “Let me guess. Your father doesn’t want your grandmother exhumed either – does he?”

Jared furrowed his brow and studied Donna’s eyes. He smiled knowingly. “No, he doesn’t.”

Donna took a long, deep breath. “Well, would there be any possibility of getting blood, or tissue samples from when she was admitted to the hospital?”

“I don’t know yet,” Jared replied. “I intend to chase that up as soon as I get back down there.”

“Where did your grandmother die Jared?” Gary asked.

“In the hospital at Wickenburg, back in Arizona. The same place my grandfather died.”

 Gary and Donna shared an uneasy glance. “Jared, I’d love to help you, and I’d be happy to have a look at her medical records. But, without something to go on, at least with our current technology,” Donna said. “I don’t think your chances are going to be good.”

Gary glanced at his watch. “Jared, I’m sorry to cut this short, but I still have some packing to do.”

“When are you leaving?”

“On Saturday, after the performance. I’m being flown over on a company jet.”

“Wow!” Jared said. “Are there any other openings?”

Gary chuckled. “Unless you’re a genetic engineer or biochemists, I’m afraid not. They already have a head doctor in the infirmary. I think his name is Sam Kaliea. He’s Australian, and from what my best friend Richard says, Sam thinks he’s god’s gift to women. Who knows, maybe he’ll slip up and get fired. If anything comes open, I’ll be glad to put in a good word with the boss for you. I tried to convince Donna here to go with me too, but she’s not keen on the idea.”

“You go right ahead and fly to England on big company jets all you want to,” Donna commented. “I’m happy right here in the USA with my feet firmly on the ground.”

Jared laughed. “Not fond of flying eh Donna?”

“No I’m not!” she laughed.

“Well, look,” Jared said standing. “Thanks for meeting with us so late at night.”

Gary chuckled. “Jared, you know that never bothered me. I just wished I could have done more, but I’m leaving you in capable hands. I’ll see you at the performance.”

“All right, and thanks again. Nice to meet you Donna. I’ll check on those samples for you, and let you know what I find out.”

“Ok Jared,” Donna smiled. “Anything I can do to help.”

Jared and Sara waved from the door as Gary and Donna drove off.

By the time Gary and Donna left, it had been almost eleven. Jared hated calling Lucy to come rehearse that late, but he knew they needed the practice. With Carl and Steve already there, they went out to the studio as soon as Sara and Jared had unpacked and changed.

Jared told Cassie, their cook, to throw an assortment of sandwiches and fresh vegetables together for them to snack on, and they got busy. They’d gone through several songs, including the new ones Sara wrote while they were in Arizona. Carl and Steve loved the new duet, and they had no difficulty working out the fill-ins and turnarounds.

------------

Since they’d left Wisteria Hall, Gary had noticed Donna was surprisingly quiet. On the trip out, she was all chatty. Her mood seemed to change when Jared introduced Sara to them. Gary glanced across at her.

“D… are you all right?”

Donna sighed deeply, staring out the window. “Yeah, I’m fine. Why do you ask?”

Gary pressed his lips together. “Are you upset that I’m leaving?”

Donna swallowed hard as tears glossed her eyes. “Well, yeah, I am. Who am I going to talk to? Who am I going to have lunch with?”

Gary grinned. “You could always reconsider and come with me. I’d love to have you as my partner. Who knows what kind of mischief we could get into with the money Triplet International is going to be paying me. We might even be able to save the World. I’m sure I could get you on.”

Donna smiled. “Gary, we’ve already been through this. I have a life here. If, you’d been a little more informative it might have been a little more exciting though.”

Gary smiled knowingly. “I knew it!”

Donna narrowed her eyes at Gary. “You knew what?”

Gary chuckled. “You think I didn’t see that look in your eyes when Jared introduced Sara as his fiancée?”