Chapter 46

There are those who are never happy to see someone else make money and they aren’t getting their share. Generally, they want you to pay them so you can keep working.

The mob tried to muscle in. Joe A had connections ... sometimes connections fail. A cold solder joint loses contact and the song dies. A tube flashes or the glass cracks and the song dies. A fuse blows and the song dies.

We had three more days to play when Joe A was killed in his office. When we showed up to play we couldn’t get in. We were questioned, superficially in the parking lot. But the cops checked us out throughly. We were who and what we said we were and they let us go ... No warnings about leaving town ... just go home ... you’re not getting in.

“We have three days left on our contract,” Bobby told the DIC (Detective in charge.)

The Police line tape was up ... CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS ... black printing on yellow plastic but our instruments were inside.

“You might as well go home. Your paymaster is dead.”

“All my equipment is on the bandstand,” I said.

“And it’s going to stay right there until we’re through,” he said.

I shrugged, “Come on, guys. Let’s go to my house.”

The parking lot wasn’t taped ... just the building. We got in our cars and left before the cops decided to tape off the lot ... which they did ... after we left.

At the house, George, Tommy and Bobby, decided they’d stay in town until the instruments were released. I just wanted to go home. I had a feeling ... but it wasn’t the voices in my head. It was that uncomfortable feeling that I get when I’m not supposed to leave the house but I do. I just don’t go by Soldier Creek. Instead I’d use the cut across and go to Dayton or take Wolf Creek to the highway ... and every time I have that feeling ... Don’t Go That Way ... something happens on the road I was going to take ... but didn’t.

It might happen to someone else ... but I wasn’t there. Later, I’d find out that so and so had a wreck, or that someones car was found on the road but there was never a sign of the person. Thin air ... disappeared into thin air ... So ... I had this feeling of Get out of Town, Karen and I did.

Essie had a million dollars in the house account, the boats were paid for. I had money ... I’m gone. Instruments I can replace ... I can’t replace me.

Women’s intuition couldn’t convince the band to leave with me. But...

The girls? Packed and ready to go before I knew I was going. Strange. Spring Breaked out ... they were ready to get out. From the house I called the Museum in Jacksonville.

“I need my aircraft. Today.”

“No ... I don’t want to donate it ... and I’m not interested in a trade.”

“In about fifteen minutes, it’ll take that long to load the limo.”

“Mel?” She came out of the kitchen.

“Do you want to drive us or do I put the Caddy in long term storage?”

“I’ll drive.”

“Let’s get loaded up.”

The A1A to US1. US1 to Fl736. Fl736 to I95. I95 to Jacksonville NAS.

We weren’t the only rats deserting the ship. Spring Break is a great deal of fun ... but ... there is only so much irresponsible behavior one can take before boredom sets in. The road was littered with north bound students.

Took us 5 and a half hours. The extra hour was the traffic.

The SNB was fueled, current, and ready to go. I was thanked profusely and there were photo opportunities galore. Politicians glad handing and a military honor guard ... I was impressed ... but not impressed enough to give them the aircraft.

One thousand thirty-two miles later we were touching down in Columbia Missouri and tying down. Enquiring, we were informed that the hotel in Ashland might not be a five star but it was three stories ... and the FBO loaned us an old flat nosed Dodge van to get there.