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Rush never has trouble expressing his feelings. Maybe because he’s learned the hard way that any day could be his last.
“Love you, too.”
We hang up, and I yank on my shirt, then emerge from the bathroom. At the end of the hall, Sophie sits on the sofa in some cross-legged pose that would make me feel like a pretzel, curled up with a book about Texas gardening.
I breathe a sigh of relief. “Learning anything?”
She looks up at me with a tired grin. “Yes. Why I have a brown thumb. Apparently, you have to be home to water your plants more than occasionally.”
“That would help.”
“Is your thumb greener than mine?”
“I’d be lying if I said it was.” I cross the room and sit in the big navy-blue chair opposite her, then set my weapon on the nearby table. “Sophie, I need to ask you some questions.”
She sets the book aside with a sigh. “I know. But I really don’t know who would want me dead.”
“You’re sure it’s not a disgruntled family member?”
“No. Like I said, my dad has written me off, my mom has moved on, and my half siblings are all too young.”
“Crazed fan?”
“I guess it’s always possible, but I can’t think of one. Usually, there are hallmarks—at least according to other celebs I’ve talked to. You know, they contact you, try to get your attention, make it personal, develop a relationship with you…”
“And resort to violence when they feel spurned, yeah. None of that?”
She shakes her head. “I got good advice early on to make fans feel important but to keep them at arm’s length. I do backstage meet-and-greets but rarely invite the same person twice. I almost never respond to people on social media except with a vague ‘thanks’ or ‘glad you enjoyed it.’ I never engage the haters or the crazies. And until today, I’ve never had a serious problem.”
“Sounds like you’ve done a good job. This shooter didn’t function like someone acting out of emotion. He was too organized. He had a plan, a backup, and an exit strategy, which is the hallmark of someone experienced. He may even be a professional.”
Sophie sucks in a breath. “A professional? Who would pay to have me killed?”
“Someone who feels you’ve done them wrong, who can’t afford to get their hands dirty, and who has the cash to throw at an assassin. That should narrow your list. Anyone who feels you’ve stabbed them financially?”
“Other than a change of agents a few years ago, I’ve been doing business with essentially the same people since I started. Same label, same producers…”
“How’s your relationship with David?”
“It’s great.”
“And your former agent? How did he or she take the split?”
“She was pissed, but after an initial outburst, she reined it in because she’s getting residuals from my older material, which still racks up airplay and downloads.”
Sophie has a point, but I’m not writing off either agent yet. “Former lovers?”
“There aren’t that many, and I still speak to all of them.” She wrinkles her nose. “In some ways, the music industry is like living in a small town.”
“Everyone knows everyone?”
“Mostly.”
I think back to the list of men who have been associated with Sophie in gossip rags, but their public personas come off like the sensitive coffeehouse sorts, not anyone dangerous. But I’m not judging a book by its cover. “Ever felt unsafe with any of them?”
“No.”
“Have you ever been involved with a noncelebrity?”
