But nothing was foolproof. They had kept in touch the old-fashioned way—snail mail. When Yasmine first wrote to him by hand, he couldn’t answer her back, a source of frustration. Finally, she got a POB. It was strange, writing real letters instead of e-mails, but after a while he really enjoyed the personality that came through her handwriting. His stamp output was one of his main expenses.
He hadn’t heard her voice in almost a year. It was simply thrilling. He sat up, curling his knees to his chest. “Where are you?”
“In bed with the covers pulled over my head. I borrowed my friend’s phone to call you. How was it today?”
“Really tiring.”
“What’d they ask you?”
“It was Nurit Luke—the state’s lawyer. She just led me through that day.”
“Was it horrible?”
“It was … it took up a lot of time, but at least she was on our side. Tomorrow I have the cross with Dylan’s lawyers. That’ll probably be horrible, especially because of my background.”
“I’m so sorry.” There was a catch in Yasmine’s voice. “Gabriel, I miss you so much.”
“I miss you too, cuckoo bird.” He felt his eyes water. “We’ll get through this. The good news is you don’t have to worry about Dylan. The guy is major league messed up physically. You don’t ever have to be afraid again.”
“I hope you’re right.” But her voice was cracked.
“When you see him, you’ll know I’m right. It breaks my heart to hear you so anxious.”
“I’m okay.” But she wasn’t.
“The lieutenant thinks that there’s even a chance for a plea bargain. If that’s the case, you won’t even have to testify.”
“That would be fantastic!” A long pause. “Too much to hope for.”
“One step at a time, Yasmine. It’s the only way to stay sane. How are you otherwise?”
“Most of the time, it’s like I’m on autopilot. Just kinda numb.”
“Are you talking to anyone?”
“You mean like a therapist? I already went down that road. It didn’t work. It’s better for me to just throw myself into school work.” A pause. “So afterward … like you’re going back to New York?”
“Probably. Why? What do you need?”
“Nothing.”
“What’s on your mind? Tell me.”
“I was just hoping that you could wait until I’m done testifying before you go back. But that’s just being selfish.”
“I don’t have to do anything specific. I’m caught up, and my next performance is six weeks from now. If you need me, I’m here. End of story.”
“What are you playing?”
“A Schubert four-hand piece with a guy I know from Germany and a sonata by a contemporary composer named Jettley who lectures part-time at Juilliard. I’m also doing Beethoven’s fourteenth sonata—Moonlight.”
“Oh … that’s not so bad. Even I can play that … not like you of course.”
Gabe smiled. “The first two movements are all emotion and finesse. The third movement’s a little trickier. You can hear it on YouTube. Glen Gould. If you want to see the fingering, look at Valentina Lisitsa.”
“Okay. I’ll do that right after we hang up.”
“If you want, sure. The point is I can practice in Los Angeles as easily as in New York. If you need me, I’m here for you.”
“I just thought that maybe we could see each other after it was over.”
“I’m in.” Gabe’s heart started thumping. “Tell me when and where.”
“It can’t be until after I’m done testifying. Can you wait that long?”
“I’d do anything for you. Like I said, when and where?”
“I was thinking about next Sunday. I’ve already told my mom that I’m going to the library to study. I don’t think she fully believes me, but maybe by the time she finds out, you’ll be back in New York.”
“Perfect. Where should I pick you up?”
“You don’t have to pick me up, Gabe. I drive now, remember.”
“Yeah, that’s right.” A pause. “Wow. Where did the year go? So Sunday is great. Where do you want to meet?”
“Somewhere private.” Yasmine’s voice started to crack again. “It’s been so long and I’ve been so miserable. And I’m sure after they shred me to bits, I’ll be even more miserable. No one except you can understand. I just want a couple of hours to be alone with you, Gabriel.”
“I feel the same way, Yasmine. You know how much I love you.”
“Do you still?”
“One hundred percent.”
“It’s just we’re so far apart and I never get to talk to you. And I’m sure you have a zillion girls around you all the time, now that you’re a movie star.”
“You’re joking, right?” No response. Gabe said, “Yasmine, I’m bald, broken out, and I lost the weight that I gained because I’ve been so nervous. I look like Supergeek. I’ve got nothing in my life except a piano. I work all the time. I haven’t had a moment to be bad, even if I had wanted to. I pine for you like a pathetic old dog. Just tell me where you want to meet and I’ll be there.”
She didn’t speak for a long time, so long that Gabe thought she had disconnected. “Hello?”
“I’m still here.” Another pause. “There’s a motel not far from my school.” She gave him the name and the street. “Can you do something with that?”
His heart was beating so fast, he felt faint. “Yeah, definitely.” A long pause. “Are you sure? I don’t want to get you in serious trouble.”
“So what if my mom found out. What could she do? Ground me again?”
“She’d ship you off to Israel.”
“She can’t keep us apart forever. Let me worry about my mom. You take care of the arrangements, okay?”
Gabe’s mouth was dry. “Okay.”
“And bring something to eat. I’ll meet you there at three, so I might be a little hungry. And be outside in the parking lot, so I don’t have to go up to the desk or anything. That would be real embarrassing.”
“I’ll be outside in the parking lot at three with food, waiting for you. Be on time—for a change.”
“I swear I will.” Then Yasmine said, “You know what happens when we get together, Gabe. It’s like instant chemistry.”
“I know. I can’t help it.”
“I can’t, either.” A pause. “I’m not saying yes or anything, but you should bring something … just in case. You know what I mean?”
“Yeah.” His voice was hoarse and his heart was galloping in his chest. “I know exactly what you mean.”
“We’ve got a Bengal female.” Wilner stepped aside and allowed Decker to look through the