Dark Memories (The Phantom Diaries, #2) Read Free Page B

Kristine seemed to find the vehicle to be an oddity, I wondered if Annette remembered the night I’d driven her through the darkened tunnels on that bike. I could still smell the sweet fragrance of her hair as she sat before me, her gaze intent on every turn we made. The warmth of her body had pressed me to drive at a reckless speed, so desperate was my need to bring her to my home and be alone with her.
    “I have to admit, I’m more than a little surprised. I didn’t think you had it in you to accumulate such wealth.” Her gaze found the sporty silver Mercedes.
    I shook the thoughts of that night with Annette aside and concentrated on Kristine.   “I’ve had many years to do so. I’ve also worked hard and made many sacrifices. What you see here is the result of many long nights pouring over the harmonious melody, the most touching lyric and perfect tempo to every song I’ve ever written.”
    “I knew you had the talent, Eric, but I had never imagined this. Your love of the opera has finally paid off.”
    “Yes, but so has my willingness to delve into other types of music. Opera alone would never have afforded me all this.”
    “You sold out?”
    “Popular music can be immensely profitable,” I said, refusing to feel guilty for my journey into the world of pop culture. “It began merely as a way to make ends meet. Turned out I had a flair for writing songs people wanted to hear again and again. Some of today’s brightest singing sensations owe their success to the songs I wrote for them.”
    I opened the passenger door for her.
    “Always the gentleman.” She brushed against me as she approached the car and got in.
    The drive to the
Empire
State
Building
was quick and quiet. Kristine stared at the series of tall buildings, but set her lips in a line determined not to be impressed. As I parked the car, Kristine remained thoroughly unmoved by it all.
    Clouds had already begun to obscure the morning sun and the scent of impending precipitation foretold of the snow to come.
    Chilled and clasping her coat tightly to her chin with her gloved hands, Kristine emerged from the car and hurried to my side. “This had better be worth it. On the sunniest of days this city is bleak. With the cold, gray skies, it’s downright intolerable.”
    “Let’s hurry to the top before the clouds completely engulf the magnificent view.”
    “Top?” She glanced up.
    Amused by her surprise, I smiled and nodded. “
Paris
isn’t the only city to offer a bird’s eye view.”
    Her skepticism didn’t diminish on the elevator ride up, but once those doors opened, she was unable to contain her delight. With eyes as wide as a child’s and her lips parted in awe, she ran onto the observation deck and quickly looked around. She seemed unable to take it all in quickly enough as her eyes darted from one building to another.
    Pleased to finally see her appreciation of the city I’d come to love, I stepped up behind her. “Over there is
Chinatown
where I’ve often strolled the streets and taken in the various aspects of a culture I’d never known.” I pointed out various spots that had marked my life here.   “And over there is Greenwich Village where I spent a few years collaborating with some rather free-spirited people on a few psychedelic and groovy songs.”
    I guided her around the deck. “There’s our gift to the new world,” I said, proudly pointing to the Statue of Liberty.
    “Ah, yes,” she said with a smile. “I do recall hearing about the regal statue
France
bestowed to this new world.”
    “The Brooklyn Bridge, the Garment District, Soho , Times Square.”
    “You seem to know the city well.”
    “I do. Although much of my time here has been difficult and lonely, I have come to feel in tune with this city. Granted, it will never be Paris, there is still a vibrancy and exuberance that is forever exciting.”
    “Do you miss
Paris
?”
    “Every day. New York
is fabulous and undeniably one of the world’s