Chapter 15
FIFTEEN
Fisher
I’m in the next lodge over from Byron and Rosey, but of course, I can’t tell if they’re in there or not.
I know for a fact that Byron has an office over at the main building, but he always works from his lodge.
As does Rosey. So, I’m taking my chances and popping by for a cup of sugar. And their input on an idea I have.
I knock on the door and wait, glance back at the incredible views behind us.
The mountains on the other side of the valley aren’t as tall as the one we’re on, but they’re still imposing.
This place is like a different planet to New York.
I’m not sure how it’s possible we all speak the same language.
Byron throws the door open and stares at me like he’s been waiting for me. “Come in,” he says.
I follow him to the back of their place. Their lodge is three times the size of mine. I have no idea why they’re building a place outside of the Club when this place is an almost-palace.
I head to the fridge to grab a can of seltzer for me and one for Byron. “Where’s Rosey?”
“Down at the new house,” Byron says. “Keeping the contractors on their toes.”
“Good for her. I still don’t understand why you don’t want to stay here. It’s beautiful, and you have gourmet food yards away and—”
“But whenever I step out of my door, everyone knows I’m the boss. I don’t want to be the boss all the time.”
I hand him a seltzer and collapse onto the sofa.
Byron sits opposite me. “I have a call in twenty minutes, so what’s up?” he asks.
I chuckle and take a swig of my drink. “I had a call with Grace Astor.”
“Sam Shaw’s wife?”
“Yeah, you know, she’s got galleries throughout the US. But she also has an advisory service.”
“Advisory?” he asks. “Advising on what? Art?”
“Exactly. She doesn’t make a big thing about it. It’s something she does herself for a few exclusive clients who want her help finding art for a new home or a refurb, that kind of thing. The clients that she works with are the kinds of people who are members of the Club.”
“Okay,” Byron says, trying to figure out what I’m going to say next. Or more likely, he knows exactly what I’m going to say, but he’s wondering why I’m here in the middle of the day to talk to him about it.
“I thought it might be a service you want to offer your guests or members or whatever you call them while they’re here.”
“You want me to hand out a flyer or what?”
I chuckle. “Yeah. Or maybe wear a sandwich board and stand in the gym. But seriously, you could invite her to come to the Club and inform members they have an opportunity to have an initial meeting with her, while they’re in the relaxed environment of the Club.
Some of them might decide they want to work with her. Grace is a big name in the art world.”
Byron’s silent for a beat. “Won’t they have people for stuff like this?
My designer takes care of art at my place and here.
” He nods toward a painting that I can tell Juniper painted.
Realization dawns on his face. “Oh, you want her out here so she can meet Juniper, and Juniper can’t go to New York because of Riley. ”
“Partly,” I say. “Juniper is why I called Grace, and we got to talking, and she told me of this consultancy service she offers. And she likes Juniper’s work.
She loves connecting with new artists. Even if she can’t give Juniper a show at one of her galleries, she might be a fit for one of her clients she consults for.
But Juniper and Grace need to meet. I’m sure if they do, Grace will be impressed with Juniper’s work.
But for some reason, Juniper won’t call Grace.
Or can’t call her. I can see she wants it.
But she won’t… I don’t know if she’s scared or if she doesn’t think she’s good enough. ”
“Both probably,” Byron says.
“Right. Makes sense. But Grace isn’t coming to Star Falls just for Juniper.”
“So, you want her to come and meet with Club members,” he says out loud.
“That way, she’ll connect with potential clients for the work in her galleries and for her consultancy services.
And she’ll have an opportunity to meet Juniper and see her work.
It’ll give her an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. ”
He pulls in a breath. “Club members don’t like the hard sell, but we’re talking about Grace Astor, so I don’t have that to worry about. I think it’s a good idea. But speak to marketing. The Club manager, Hart, can put you in touch with the right person.”
He pauses, but I can tell he hasn’t finished speaking.
“You’re a good guy, Fisher, don’t get me wrong. And honestly, I’d be a very happy man if you and Juniper ended up together. But she’s never left Star Falls. I don’t see you moving here—”
“We’re just having fun. We both know this isn’t a long-term thing,” I say.
I like Juniper. I really like her, and the sex… it was more than phenomenal. But we don’t work from a logistical perspective.
“And she definitely knows that?” he asks.
“Absolutely,” I say. “I’m not about to make promises I can’t keep.”
“I know that’s not what you would ever intend, but I would hate it if things got misconstrued. Juniper is a lovely woman.”
“I know,” I say. I get that Byron feels protective over his friend. Over this entire town. I’m not going to break Juniper’s heart. “Juniper made it clear that we could only be casual.”
Byron nods, satisfied. “It’s good of you to help.”
“She’s talented,” I reply. “And you know how I like to network.”
“It’s your greatest strength. Is there anyone in New York you don’t know?”
“No one worth knowing,” I say on a grin. I slide the seltzer onto the coffee table in front of me.
“Everything okay with Vivian?”
I nod. “I got to go back into the studio the other day. I helped her out on a couple of things.”
“Like as a producer?”
I nod, skimming my palm over my jaw. “Yeah. I hadn’t done it in a long while, but it felt good.”
“Getting your hands dirty?”
“Getting back to basics. I love the music industry because I love music. All this other stuff sometimes takes away from that. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t hate the business side of what I do, but sometimes the music can get lost, you know?”
Byron stays silent for a beat, like he knows I’ve got more I need to get off my chest.
“Did I ever tell you about Gerry Banks?” I ask.
“The guy who used to steal all your artists before you could sign them when you were in A&R at EMG records. Haven’t heard that name in a while.”
“He went into artist management, but now he’s running a rival record label. He’s been reaching out to my clients.”
“I guess he’s trying to make a splash.”
“It feels personal,” I say.
“It’s always felt personal to you. It’s probably jealousy. It can drive people mad.”
“Maybe it’s that.”
I just don’t know why he would single me out. Especially now. As head of Re Records, he has more power than me. Yes, he answers to shareholders, and I don’t, but Gerry could have done what I did and created his own label. I don’t understand why he would be jealous of me. It doesn’t make sense.
“You’re not convinced?”
I shrug. There’s something in my gut that tells me it’s more than that, but I don’t know what it could be. But my gut was wrong about Juniper. Or maybe it wasn’t.
“Maybe you slept with his sister. Or mother. Or wife or something.”
“It’s something. I just don’t know what. Being here makes me feel vulnerable, like he’ll be picking over my business while I’m gone.”
“Did you hear that we have the internet now? You can stay in touch with anyone wherever they are. It’s a goddamn miracle.”
“I have no idea why your career in stand-up never took off.”
“Me neither,” he deadpans. “Most of your artists aren’t based in New York anyway, are they?”
“Some of them are, and a lot of them fly in and out all the time. So I catch up with people a lot in New York. And I fly to LA most months. I like doing things face-to-face. It builds trust. And looking someone in the eye it... I think you see more.”
“Well, you certainly see their irises,” Byron says.
“I mean about their intentions and character. And also, people tell you things face-to-face that they wouldn’t tell you over a call. They’ll gossip or mention something that wouldn’t otherwise have come up. I never think you get the full picture over a call—even if it’s video.”
“So, go back. I’m sure Vivian wouldn’t mind.”
“It’s not Vivian I’m worried about. I’m sure she’d be fine with it.
Her manager and I made a deal that I’d be here because he can’t be.
I know he will mind if I take off. And I can’t afford to piss him off.
I could ask him—Vivian is so incredibly low-maintenance.
I just don’t want to rock the boat. Maybe I could suggest to him that I go back for a few days over a weekend.
Vivian seems to treat recording like a nine-to-five job.
Gotta admire her for it. She wants to carve out time with her family, but I’ve never seen anything like it.
I’m used to rock stars who don’t open their eyes before dinnertime and then work all through the night. ”
“She probably doesn’t have the required drug habit.”
I chuckle. “Right.”
“Sounds like a good compromise. Go back to New York over a weekend. Check things out. But there’s plenty you can do from here to figure out what Gerry’s up to.”
“Yeah, maybe I need to be more proactive instead of waiting to see what his next move is.”
I need to take action instead of sitting here, waiting for Gerry to strike.
I’m going to start by calling all the managers of my signed artists and catching up.
Even if Vivian wants me in the studio, I can fit those calls in around that.
And then I’ll figure out the best time to fly back to New York.