Welles continued, “I’m sure he’s going to want to be the one to break the news to Carmella.”
Inez wanted to slap her forehead and curse. Of course Nico would want to tell Carmella. And Carmella, thinking Jamie’s death was still a secret, would be caught completely off guard. Lies and secrets, they always complicated matters. She added another task to her day’s activities: getting word to Carmella that the others knew of Jamie’s death and that his body was taken care of. The rest of the story would have to come later.
Welles glanced toward the showroom. “I might as well open the store. How are the music lessons going?”
For a moment she couldn’t figure out what he was talking about. Then she remembered. “Oh, very well, very well, indeed. I have more lined up this afternoon. Before you open, I’d like your help with something.” She pulled out the folded list from her pocket and handed it to him. “Do you have any idea what this is?”
He took the list and held it up close and then further away, frowning. “The hand is atrocious. It is difficult to make heads or tails.”
“I agree. But look, here is your name on the last page. And Nico is also listed.”
Welles gave her a sharp glance. Inez realized she had inadvertently called Nico by his given name. Her face grew hot, and she said quickly, “They are the only names I recognize. Do any of the others seem familiar to you?”
Welles carried the papers over to the alley window, where the light was stronger. “Ah. Now I see. Hmmm. I can’t be entirely certain, but this appears to be a list of the union members from the time we organized in the mid-70s. The numbers, though, look like dues paid or accounts.” He pursed his lips and cut his eyes to Inez. “Where did you come by this?”
“Does it matter?” Inez shot back. She quickly retreated, injecting an apologetic overtone, “Otto found it in the room he had shared with Jamie. Any thoughts on who might have more information about this?”
“Try Haskell. He and the treasurer were friends from back then. I believe Haskell took all the books, records, and so on when the union dissolved. No one else had the space or desire to hang onto all that. Besides, as I’m sure you’ve heard, no one was all that keen on the stuff. Once the treasurer vamoosed with the funds, he was dead to us all.”
“What was the treasurer’s name?”
Welles hesitated for what seemed a long time before finally saying, “Greer. Eli Greer. I hate even saying his name. Brings it all back. Why do you ask?”
Inez folded the paper and tucked it into her pocket. “Curiosity, mostly. I have heard bits and pieces about the demise of the union, but not the full story.”
Welles’ face darkened, casting a chill shadow over Inez. He said, “Sorry. It still gets my goat. If not for Nico, me and my family would’ve been out on the streets. I’d been counting on the return of my portion of the funds to make ends meet. It taught me a valuable lesson, though. Never count on the cash until it’s in your pocket.”
“It sounds as if it was a very painful time for those of you in the union. No wonder you were not particularly interested in Jamie’s efforts to organize.”
“It wasn’t just that.” Welles pressed his lips together in a slight grimace, as if he was trying to keep from blurting something out.
Inez waited, certain that he would eventually fill the silence between them.
He did.
“I hate to speak ill of the dead, but this particularly rankles. You see, Jamie was great at getting folks fired up, saying we musicians had to band together and stand firm, be comrades, arm-in-arm, and insist on better wages and working conditions. Then, not a week ago, he walked right in and underbid me on a position that I’d been counting on.”
Up to this point, Welles’ tone had been carefully controlled. Now, it became more intense. “It would’ve been long-term, steady. My kids are growing, we’ve got another on the way. I want to move us to a bigger place, but for that, I need a steady income. No more of this hand-to-mouth life. It’s fine when you’re young and single, but not when you’re a family man with responsibilities. Anyhow, I’d told Jamie about it, telling him the job was as good as mine. So what does he do but go in and offer to do the job for less.”
“That’s awful!” Even as she exclaimed in sympathy, Inez thought of Jamie and his apparent financial woes. He’d bought a gold ring for Carmella. He’d promised they would wed, run away if need be. All that cost money. And he’d stopped paying his board, leaving it to Otto to make up the shortfall. She could understand the temptation. But to underbid a friend, one who needed the job just as much, if not more…
Welles bobbed his head, a jerk of agreement. “Not exactly comradely, is it? So, that’s why I find it a little difficult to join in all the songs of praise for him, now that he’s gone.”
“Can’t you get the job back?”
Welles almost sneered. “When a musician doesn’t show, they yank in a replacement off the streets. There’s always someone banging on the door, looking for work.” He shook his head. “I’m just grateful Nico came when he did and asked if I was willing to help in the store. Trust me, Mrs. Stannert, I’ll do whatever I can around here to make your life easier. Funny, isn’t it? Nico has always been there for me, since the early days, and especially after the union went bust. Whenever he needed a pianist for a performance, and one wasn’t already lined up, he’d bring me in. Threw jobs my way. Me and my family owe him everything.”
Inez said, “It sounds like Mr. Donato has been a true friend
