Water Music by Margie Orford

enjoy.
    The merest hint of a frown as she noticed Clare in the crowd.
    Dr Hart. This Winter Gala is the highlight of our calendar. I must ask you whatyou are doing here. Surely this is not a time for an investigation?
    Irina, darling, this is wonderful, what a crowd. It was the good-looking man. He smiled at Clare.
    Dr Hart, may I introduce Mr Savić, said Irina Petrova. Mr Savić is one of our sponsors, he is the one who has kept this college alive, is that not so, Milan?
    She laid a hand on his arm. Savić patted it. I give money to soccer teams,of course. But who could resist you, Irina? Who could resist all this? he said, with a sweep of his hand.
    Clare felt his dark eyes on her before he said, You are a music lover?
    Irina coldly interrupted, Dr Hart thinks there may have been an incident with a former student.
    Which one? he asked.
    Rosa Wagner, Clare replied.
    The lovely cellist? he asked. What has happened? She cannot be allowedto drop out. I was so looking forward to hearing her this evening. That beautiful piece she played last time she entertained us. Shes one of the highlights, you know.
    Rosas grandfather reported her missing this morning, said Clare. She called him before dawn this morning, very distressed, there has been nothing since.
    You were up at my residence this morning, no? Savić was looking intently atClare.
    One of your men let me through, said Clare.
    Mikey, said Savić. He told me. He seemed pleased at the surprise on Clares face. Weve had security issues. Not everyone in the valley appreciates our conservation efforts. There were some beehives up there that we had to move.
    Paradys Honey, you mean? asked Clare.
    Yes, them, Noah Stern and his wife, said Savić. You know them?
    I was up theretoday, said Clare. Seems as if Rosa Wagner spent some time there.
    An eccentric man, Stern, said Savić. We have not been able to see eye to eye. But hes a hippy type. Harmless, I believe.
    Clare ignored the observation and said, How well do you know Rosa?
    Shes one of Irinas special girls, said Savić. Shes played at events at my residence. I have a yacht, The Siren you may know it?
    Clare nodded,recalling news reports of the luxury vessel.
    In the summer, she played there too. I hope she returns soon. She has a great gift.
    Irina Petrova was clearly impatient with the conversation. Rosa is young and impulsive. She will turn up, she said. It would be a pity for the name of the school to be sullied. She rested her hand on Savićs arm, and said, I assure you, this has nothing to do with theschool; it has nothing to do with our partners.
    The thought never crossed my mind, Irina, said Savić.
    Im truly sorry about this, said Petrova. But you will still be able to hear the piece. Bach. I know you love it.
    With a tight smile, she said to her companions, Come, theyre due to start in half an hour. Lets first find my lovely Lily, and then we take our seats.
    Clare watched as the directorand the patron walked towards the front row. It was then that she became aware of being watched herself. She turned to look for Katarina. Instead, she saw Jonny Diamond, without the luminous Lily this time, leaning against a wall. Clare worked her way around the room towards him.
    Hello, Im looking for Katarina, she said. Do you know where she is?
    The bathroom, Im sure. Throwing up, said Diamond.

    Is she sick?
    Nervous, said Jonny Diamond. An ugly sister trying to fit into Cinderellas shoes.
    You do have a charming way with women, Jonny, said Clare, turning on her heel.
    She found Katarina in the bathroom splashing her face.
    Hello, said Clare. The girl looked up, startled.
    I have to go on soon, she said.
    I need to ask you more about the farm Rosa used to go to. The one up the valley.Paradys.
    Yes, said Katarina, drying her hands.
    Rosa went back.
    Thats no big deal. Rosa liked the little boy. He was home-schooled like her, and she taught him a bit. The person she really liked was Nancy, though. I thought she was a bit weird, but