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is thinking,” Pratt muttered under his breath.
    â€œI checked his call history. There were several recent calls to a number on the other side of the country.”
    â€œAnd?”
    â€œI did a reverse lookup of it. It’s the phone number of the president of a rival orchestra—one that’s currently looking for a new conductor.”

CHAPTER NINE
    T his is unexpected, Pratt thought.
    â€œDid you call that number?” he asked Ellis.
    â€œNaturally,” the younger man answered. “My mother always says I was born curious. And what’s more interesting, the phone number is for the chairman of the board’s home phone number, not his office number.”
    â€œThat’s suggestive.”
    â€œI thought so too.”
    â€œSo tell me about your phone call,” Pratt said.
    â€œThe man himself answered on the first ring.”
    â€œWhat was his response when you told him what had happened?”
    â€œHe already knew. One of the other board members had just called him with the news,” Ellis said.
    â€œLordy, that was quick.”
    â€œThis is a really big deal. Spadafini was the hottest young conductor on the planet. And I checked out the street. You wouldn’t believe the number of reporters and trucks out there.”
    Pratt could feel the pressure rising several more notches. “So did you learn anything else helpful?”
    â€œI think you should get this information firsthand.” Ellis handed over his cell phone. “I told him you’d call right away.”
    The detective had to admit he was impressed with Ellis. The lad could think on his feet—not that he’d say anything. The last thing a green detective needed was too much praise. That route led to a big head and sloppy work.
    Pratt took the offered phone. It was already ringing. “This guy’s name?”
    â€œJulius Roseman.”
    The phone line clicked to life. “Hello?”
    â€œJulius Roseman, please,” Pratt said.
    â€œThis is he. Detective Pratt?”
    â€œYes. Would you be willing to answer some questions informally?”
    â€œCertainly, although I have to say I’m still reeling from shock at what’s happened. I spoke to Maestro Spadafini just this morning, quite early.”
    â€œMay I ask what the conversation was about?”
    â€œWell, there’s no use hiding it now. It’s all going to come out, I suppose. Spadafini was in talks with our orchestra’s board to become our conductor.”
    Pratt opened his eyes wide at that news. Ellis flashed a quick smile and nodded.
    â€œAnd does the management of his current orchestra know about this?”
    â€œI know what you’re thinking, Detective Pratt, but I assure you this is all above board. Although we’ve obviously had to be careful to keep everything under wraps.”
    â€œBut did they know they were about to lose their star conductor?”
    The phone was silent for a moment. “Spadafini was going to tell them,” Roseman finally answered carefully. “He felt their offer of a bit more money was, shall we say, an insult to his current international standing. Our orchestra was prepared to pay him what he wanted. It’s as simple as that.”
    â€œSo he was going to jump ship.”
    â€œWell, you put it less delicately than I would, but yes. He was going to come to us.”
    Pratt frowned. “Was a contract signed?”
    â€œMy secretary was here preparing it. That is, until we got the news. Now, Detective Pratt, unless you have any more pressing questions, I have an emergency meeting of our board to attend. I’m sure you understand.”
    Pratt thought for a moment. “I will be asking your local police to come over and take a statement. They’ll contact you to arrange a time. I’d also like to ask you to keep this information to yourself for the moment.”
    Roseman laughed. “Believe me, the last thing I want is our