Rock and Roll Homicide by R.J. McDonnell

• Read an Excerpt

Read an Excerpt

CHAPTER:
Prologue

"I'd say that's a keeper, Terry," Jack said asthe band finished the 12^th take of Full Moon Following. Terryglanced at the recording engineer who nodded his approval.

"If I waited until everybody got it exactly right, thisCD wouldn't come out till our fans were all dead or in nursing homes,"Terry replied. Ten songs down, four to go.

"Take fifteen while I check my notes for the nextsong," Terry said authoritatively. "And, don't get lost."

As the band members exited the studio, Terry turned again tothe recording engineer behind a wall of soundproof glass and asked, "Do youneed a break?"

"No, I'm gonna review that last take, just to besure," he replied.

"Good man," Terry commented. He then set his guitaron its stand and carried a red nylon bag to a small table a few feet away. Heremoved an iPod, a set of headphones and a custom-made audio recorder. Heplugged in the recorder and inserted the iPod into its dock. Then he put on theheadphones, which were a heavy-duty model, guaranteed to eliminate almost allexternal noise. Terry hated when his concentration was interrupted by roadiesmaking equipment changes or other musicians tuning up for the next song.

He took a deep cleansing breath and assured himself that thelast take was fine. It was time to move on. The next song would probably be the#1 track on the CD. Cerise Records had already signed an accomplished directorfor the video. When the band returned from their break he would give them one ofhis infrequent compliments to set the tone for the making of their nextblockbuster. But first he needed to review hisaudio notes.

After one more deep breath Terry pushed the "Power"button on the recorder and both of the cups of his headphones exploded. Terrydied instantly. Blood and brain matter spattered his white guitar.

Chapter 1

Chelsea Tucker entered my office exuding the kind of attitudeI had come to expect from my financially privileged clientele. I took the lead."Before we get started let me express my condolences. Although I never metyour husband, I found him to be a truly gifted musician."

"Thank you," Chelsea replied. "I understandyou were a rock & roll musician yourself before you became an investigator.I've got to tell you, that's a major concern for me. For every responsibleadult I know in the music business there are a thousand flakes."

"I played the San Diego club scene for ten years. But Iwasn't in it for the party lifestyle. I financed two degrees playing covertunes until 2:00 AM most nights," I replied.

"I went to college too, Mr. Duffy. I met as many flakesthere as I did in the music business. Put my mind at ease. What can you do forme that other investigators can't?" she asked.

Since this would be my first homicide investigation I couldn'tdazzle her with a track record of success and, since I've only been aninvestigator for two years I couldn't impress her with my vast network ofcontacts. "The music business is very unique. Most PI's work either in aworld of corporate executives or unfaithful spouses. I understand what motivatesmusicians, promoters, club owners, agents, roadies and groupies. Also, I likedTerry's music and truly want to see his killer brought to justice."

Sitting forward in her chair, locking her intense green eyeswith mine, Chelsea asked, "Can you give me some references of clients you'veworked with in the past?"

"A very important part of the service I provide iscomplete confidentiality. I'm sure you'd like me to show you the sameconsideration when we conclude our business," I said.

"Right answer," said Chelsea.

"Why don't you tell me how I can help you," Isaid, assuming I passed the audition.

"The San Diego Police Department has been investigatingTerry's death for the past two weeks. I don't like the direction they'retaking. I have a pretty good idea of who did it. But, apparently they prefer tospend their time trying to link it to me because we took out an insurance policywithin the last year. I understand that the police have to investigate me, butit doesn't seem like they're doing much of anything to track down Terry'sreal murderer. That's why I'm here," she said and pushed her long blackhair away from her face.

"The police managed to keep many of the details out ofthe press about what actually happened in the recording studio. I know it was abomb that killed Terry. What else can you tell me?" I asked.

Chelsea replied, "Terry was a perfectionist. When theband was recording he'd work night and day to get just the right sound. He hada high-quality portable recorder that he worked with at home to note ideas,changes and things that needed improvement. During recording sessions he keptthe recorder on a little table next to him in the studio. Between songs helistened to his notes, then told the band what to do."

"Was the bomb in the recorder?" I asked.

"No, it was in the headphones. Terry complained that hisold headphones weren't able to screen outside noise. His band mates and soundtechs were distracting him. So, he asked me to buy a heavier set, designed fornoisy environments. On the day he died, the band finished one of their songs andtook a break. Terry put on the headphones, pushed play and they exploded,killing him instantly," she said as her voice shook noticeably for thefirst time.