“That’s what I meant about you. Unspoiled. Half your joint property and your mucho thanks. Is that your bottom line?”

The lingering delight from Daniel's lovemaking blended with a gust of sadness. “That’s fair. Neither one of us could have done it without the other. But what about future income? Half the royalties of anything that’s out there?”

Keith took his Palm Pilot out of the shirt pocket and entered some notes. “He’ll want a bite out of all your future earnings. He’ll claim they’re generated based upon past success.” He looked up. “That will entitle him to review your income sources and question every expense.”

“No way.” She shook her head. “I’m going on the road without him. How much will it cost to buy him out?”

“Wade has made some very shrewd investments, because he’s keyed me in to some deals. Without looking at the books, I’d estimate that with your share you’ll be able to buy him out.”

Nola peeked at the noon sky. The blue pulsated. “I must keep my New York apartment. Calculate it within my half.”

The Sound was calm, with tiny ripples of white foam, like bridal lace. On the mansion’s front lawn, Lulu held court from her stroller. Daniel, Leslie, the nanny and half-a-dozen teenage residents of the house sat in a circle at her feet. Nola longed to feel Daniel's body again. She wanted to twirl around the lawn and sing, to sweep Lulu and Daniel in her dance. She felt alive.

“She’s star material,” Keith said about Lulu.

Nola chuckled. “It took her half a second to capture my heart.” She slouched deeper on the bench, her legs stretched forward. “As soon as you can release my foundation, please find a clandestine way to transfer a million dollars to China.”

He looked at her quizzically.

“There’s a friend—a woman doctor—who does good work. I want to help her causes. I’ll send more after we see if she can manage it without her government getting upset.”

How many babies would Ming-Ji help cure with this money? How many political prisoners’ lives could be bought? It occurred to Nola that the money might cause adverse results. Corrupted local officials in out-of-control provinces might arrest innocent people on trumped-up charges of insubordination, because they’d know it to be a source of easy money. She’d talk it over with Daniel.

“The problem I see now is to get you working again. And very soon,” Keith said, bringing her back. “Industry rumors are that BRW—in the form of a pissed-off George Mauriello—has put a freeze on marketing your music. I’ve checked their website. Your name is no longer listed, and your CDs are ‘out of stock’ on Amazon and other music sellers.”