Chapter 6 #2
Weston looked up from his own research. "That suggests either he significantly underbid the competition, or he had leverage that others didn't."
"There's more," Amalie continued. "This article from Southern Music Business Weekly talks about the 'unconventional methods' some newer labels are using to establish market presence. It doesn't name Thornton specifically, but the timeline matches, and some of the described tactics sound familiar."
Abe felt his detective instincts sharpening. "What kind of tactics?"
"Pressure on venue owners, interference with competitor bookings, rumors spread about other artists' reliability," Amalie read out. "The article presents it as industry gossip, but when you look at the pattern…"
"That matches what Jason did to Genevieve last night," Gabriel said.
Weston had been typing rapidly while listening to Amalie's findings. "I'm seeing some interesting patterns in the business filings, too. Thornton Music Group was incorporated with significant initial capital, but the source of that funding isn't immediately obvious."
"How significant?" Abe asked.
"Enough to suggest either he had a major investor, or he had access to funding sources that aren't reflected in the public records," Weston said. "I'll need to dig deeper, but those are definitely questions worth pursuing."
Amalie turned back to her laptop. "The social media presence is interesting too. Thornton Music Group has all the right industry connections, but they developed awfully quickly for a new label. Some of these relationships typically take years to build."
Gabriel stood and began pacing, a habit Abe remembered from their police days when his partner was working through a complex case. "To recap, we have a guy who launched a record label with mysterious funding who quickly established industry relationships that usually take years to develop."
"And regarding Genevieve, he's escalated from intimidation to personal stalking," Abe said. "We need to find out what fuels this guy, and what we're up against."
Weston looked up from his screens. "I can pull some strings, access databases beyond the typical ones. If there are connections between Thornton and less legitimate business interests, I'll find them."
"How long will that take?" Abe asked.
"Give me twenty-four hours for the preliminary work," Weston said. "Longer if we need to go deeper."
Amalie closed her laptop and looked at the three men. "I'll keep working on the social media angle. Maybe others are aware of his behavior. And if Jason mistreated artists besides Genevieve, there will be digital breadcrumbs."
"Good thinking," Gabriel said, his pride in his daughter evident.
Abe had a lot to share with Genevieve when he picked her up. He was glad that she'd had a chance to visit with Brooke. At a time like this, she needed her sister.
*****
The morning reunion with Brooke had been everything Genevieve had hoped for and more. Her sister practically glowed with happiness, her face radiant in a way that had nothing to do with the Caribbean sun.
Jasper had greeted her, then insisted on brewing fresh coffee and giving the sisters privacy in the dining room, while he worked in the kitchen.
"You look amazing," Genevieve said, settling into one of the comfortable chairs at a table near the window. "Married life suits you."
Brooke's smile was radiant. "I never thought I'd feel this way again. After the divorce, after everything with David's father, I'd convinced myself that part of my life was over."
"And now?"
"Now I wake up every morning grateful that Gabriel found me," Brooke said. "Or that I was brave enough to let him catch me when I was falling."
The metaphor wasn't lost on Genevieve. Her sister had been in danger when she met Gabriel, and their relationship had developed while he was protecting her from criminals.
"Speaking of catching people who are falling," Brooke said with a knowing smile, "how are things with Abe?"
Genevieve glanced away. "What do you mean?"
"Genevieve, I've seen the way that man looks at you. And I saw how you looked at him at the wedding. There's definitely something brewing there."
There was no point in denying it to her sister. Brooke knew her too well. "It's complicated. Jason showing up has turned everything upside down. The timing couldn't be worse."
"Or maybe it's exactly the right timing," Brooke said. "Sometimes we need someone strong beside us to help us through difficult times."
"I'm anxious, though," Genevieve said, "not only about Jason, though that's worrisome enough.
I'm hesitant about getting involved with someone whose job puts him in danger every day.
And then my career is an issue. That hasn't changed.
I'm concerned about messing up something that could be really good. "
Brooke reached across the table and squeezed her hand. "Those are all valid fears. But you know what I learned? When you find love, embrace it, despite the risk."
Before Genevieve could respond, the kitchen doors swung open and Lisle Garnier appeared, carrying a tray with what looked like a gourmet feast. The chef's blonde hair was braided down her back, and she wore a crisp white apron over her chef's coat.
"I hope you two are hungry," she said. "I've been experimenting with some new dishes, and you're my test subjects."
She put down plates of crab cakes with a delicate sauce, accompanied by a colorful salad and artisan bread that smelled heavenly.
"Lisle, this looks incredible," Genevieve said. "You didn't have to go to all this trouble."
"Are you kidding? It's not every day I get to cook for our local blues sensation," Lisle said, settling into the third chair at their table. "Besides, I wanted to hear more about the honeymoon."
As they ate, Genevieve marveled at Lisle's culinary skills. The crab cakes were perfectly seasoned, the sauce adding just the right amount of complexity without overwhelming the delicate seafood. It was the kind of meal that reminded her of why Jasper's had such an excellent reputation.
"This meal is amazing," Brooke said. "Gabriel is going to be so impressed when I tell him about this."
"Speaking of Gabriel," Lisle said, "you mentioned that he and Abe are working together again?"
Genevieve had filled her sister in on the highlights of Jason's recent antics, but she'd been careful not to share the more frightening details. Her sister was just back from her honeymoon and deserved to enjoy her happiness without worrying about family drama.
"Abe is being very protective," Genevieve said. "And Gabriel has agreed to consult on the case."
"Good," Lisle said. "I remember what those two were like when Brooke was in danger. They make a good team."
Around them, the restaurant began to stir with the preparations for lunch service.
Staff members arrived and began setting up tables, filling water glasses, and reviewing the day's specials.
The intimate atmosphere of the morning conversation gave way to the bustling energy of a successful restaurant preparing for customers.
"I should probably get going soon," Genevieve said, checking her phone. "I don't want to be in the way when you open."
"You're never in the way," Brooke said, "but I understand. Just promise me you'll be careful. And don't shut Abe out because you're scared. He's one of the good ones."
At noon, Jasper unlocked the front door and flipped the sign to Open . Customers began filtering in. Some were clearly regulars who knew the lunch routine, while others were tourists drawn by the bistro's reputation.
Genevieve relaxed watching the familiar dance of restaurant service begin. Servers moved efficiently between tables, the kitchen doors swung open and closed with a steady rhythm, and the sound of conversation and clinking silverware created a comforting backdrop.
She was so absorbed in the activity that she almost missed Lisle motioning toward a table across the dining room. "There's something off about that guy," she said.
Genevieve followed her gaze to see a man in a tailored suit sitting alone at a table for two. He appeared to be in his forties, well dressed in a navy sport jacket, and was starting to eat lunch. His dark hair was neatly styled, and he had the polished appearance of a successful businessman.
"What do you mean?" Brooke said.
"He's been watching your table since he sat down," Lisle said. "At first I thought maybe he recognized Genevieve from her performances, but then I noticed his phone."
Genevieve looked closer and saw that the man's phone was positioned beside his plate, angled in their direction. As she watched, he picked it up and appeared to take a photo, though he held the device casually as if checking messages.
"He's taking pictures," Brooke said.
"That's what I think," Lisle said. "I was about to get Jasper, but…"
As if sensing their attention, the man suddenly stood and tossed several bills on the table. He walked toward the front door then left without looking their way.
Genevieve recognized the professional surveillance, the careful positioning, and the quick exit when he realized he'd been noticed. It felt too coordinated to be coincidental. "That wasn't a music fan," she said. "Someone hired him to watch me."
Brooke's face went pale. "Jason?"
"I must be, but how did he know I'd be here? How did he know about my lunch with you?"
The implications were disturbing. Jason was having her watched even with her family, which made her situation worse than she'd realized.
Lisle stood up. "I'm getting Jasper."
"No," Genevieve said quickly. "The man's already gone, and I don't want to create a scene that might hurt the restaurant's reputation." She pulled out her phone. "I'll text Abe."
Her fingers trembled slightly as she typed: Need to leave Jasper's soon. Something happened.
Abe's response came immediately: On my way. Are you safe?
She replied: For now.
Brooke stared at the table where the man had been sitting. "This is really serious, isn't it? It's not simply an ex-bandleader with hurt feelings."
"No," Genevieve said. "It's not that simple."
The cheerful atmosphere of their sisterly reunion evaporated. As they waited for Abe to arrive, Genevieve scanned the dining room, wondering if there were other observers she hadn't noticed. The thought that her precious family time had been violated angered her.
Her phone buzzed with another text from Abe: Two minutes away.
Whatever Jason had in mind, she would fight back. But she didn't have to fight alone.