Part 76 (1/2)

boy on. Robert Blackpool. I think I mentioned him.”

”Yes. You said you had high hopes.”

”And so I do. You'd like his style, Bri, which is why I want you to let

him recor. ”On the Wing.”$

Simple surprise had Brian pausing before he drank again. ”We always

record our own music.”

”So you have, thus far. But it's good business all around to expand a

bit.” Pete waited a moment, gauging Brian's mood. Because he sensed it

was more responsive than he'd expected, he pressed on. ”You pulled that

particular piece from the last alb.u.m, and it suits Blackpool to the

ground. It wouldn't hurt to have a new artist record a ditty you and

Johnno turned out. In fact in this case it'll only enhance your

reputations as songwriters.”

”I don't know.” He rubbed his hands over his eyes. It didn't seem to

matter. ”I'll run it by Johnno.”

”I already have.” Pete smiled. ”He's agreeable if you are.”

BRiAN FOUND BEV IN DARREN'S R00m. Though it cost him, he went inside,

trying not to look at the empty crib, at the toys neatly stacked on the

shelves, at the huge teddy bear he and Bev had bought before Darren had

been born.

”Bev.” He laid a hand on hers and waited, fruitlessly, for her to look

at him.

She was too thin. The bones in her face were too prominent for elegance

now. The l.u.s.ter in her eyes, her hair, her skin was gone. He found

himself gritting his teeth to keep from grabbing her by the shoulders

and shaking her until life bloomed in her again.