‘Sure, we’ve done what we can with the song she wants on the album. All the tracks have been laid down, except Luna’s vocals. Thanks to Dee-Dee, we’ve been able to do a preliminary mix with her singing instead, but unless Luna turns up soon, we’re going to have to scrap the change. Pretty rude, especially considering that she was the one who insisted on making changes in the first place. Assuming nothing bad has happened to her, obviously,’ he adds.

‘And that decision was made on Saturday night, right, at her house?’

‘Yes, that’s why we went over there. Brynn was against it and Leo probably didn’t know what to say. And neither did I.’

‘How come?’

‘Well, because Luna wanted to sub in one of Leo’s songs instead of one of mine, so I was trying to stay out of it. And I assume Leo felt the same way. Besides, he doesn’t really get a vote since he’s not one of the owners. Either way, Luna won the tug of war and we decided to call in the musicians we needed for two more days of recording. Who do you want to start with?’

‘Why not the new dad himself,’ Karen says, looking over at reception. ‘Since he’s coming over anyway.’

Chapter 7

7

Brynn Englund collapses onto one of the sofas, takes two quick swigs from the beer bottle he picked up on his way past the bar, slumps back, and runs a hand over his shaved head. Karen notices his eyes darting between her, his phone, and the people moving about at the other end of the room. She hasn’t seen him since the New Year’s party at Kore and Eirik’s and the dark circles under his eyes are new.

‘Stressed?’ she says.

‘You’re kidding, right? This is a fucking nightmare. First the baby and now this.’

‘That’s right, I heard it was a boy. Congratulations!’

‘Thanks,’ Brynn replies with a wan smile. ‘Took almost twenty-four hours and it drove Shanna crazy that I was on my phone half the time, but there was no helping it.’

‘Well, then, let’s get right to it. Were you able to reach Luna’s ex, Jarred Kostas?’

‘Yes, eventually. Talked to him an hour ago and it wasn’t easy. I obviously didn’t want to worry him needlessly, so I lied.’

‘And what lie did you tell him?’

‘I asked if he’d heard from her. Said we’d discussed making a change to the song list and that she’d wanted to think about it for a few days. Implied that she was travelling around by herself and that we were running out of time and needed to know what she wanted to do.’

‘Did he buy it?’