Author's Note: Thanks to you all for reading and reviewing!
Alright, I want to underline another time that I don't claim my account of orchestras to be authentic. It's fiction, so the competition may seem stronger (and more violent) than it is of course. I don't believe that musicians actually do that all the time, or at all. I hope no one is feeling offended.
And I know that the part about the first violin might seem far-fetched at this point, but this whole ensemble may not be what it seems to be, so... forgive me that for now. It's all part of the mystery ;)
As always, don't own anything.
Read, review, and hopefully enjoy ;)
The following day, Deeks, Hetty, and Kensi head to the opera for Deeks's first audition with the ensemble. He actually managed to stay calm most of the time this morning (he even managed to eat and drink without spilling everything over the table). However, once Kensi came to pick him up, his heart rate instantly increased to the point that he could hear his heart beating in his ears. And now... it's even worse. Yeah, he really doesn't like this.
"How are the hands, Mr. Ambrose?" Hetty asks as they are heading down the hallways.
"Better, thanks. Found some magical trick to keep me from making this a horror show by splashing blood on the front row," Deeks snickers.
"And how?" Hetty asks curiously.
"Dug up some candles, from the last candlelight dinner," Deeks smirks, winking at Kensi briefly. She rolls her eyes. Last candlelight dinner was with her... and it consisted of burgers, fries, and some tealights after the latest power outage. One of the best nights ever, not that she'd ever admit it in front of Deeks, though.
To Hetty's questioning frown, Deeks holds his fingers out to her.
"Wax?" Kensi grimaces, glancing at the fingertips.
"That way I still feel my fingers, but won't start to bleed whenever I touch the strings," Deeks shrugs. He read about some musicians using superglue, but that only brought up bad memories of last year's April Fools' Day where Callen and Sam decided to put that on his coffee mug and he had to walk around with a mug glued to his hand for almost an hour until Kensi and he managed to peel it off (and with it some skin). That was no pleasure... though he got back at them a few days later (patience is everything). He unscrewed some of Sam's chair screws so that he fell backwards when he sat down. Callen laughed his heart out as he settled down himself, but that was only until the air horn attached underneath his stool went off as he sat down – and even the infamous G Callen had to jump. Of course Hetty put an end to it and threatened them to never do that again... So yeah, maybe no superglue, but the wax should do for the day, so Deeks decided. As they come closer to the room, Mr. Parker comes over to them.
"Oh, Mr. Parker!" Hetty greets him cheerfully. The gentleman he is, he kisses her on the back of the hand, old school, before he says, "Ms. Lange, it's such a delight to see you, and you as well, Ms. Finnegan, Mr. Ambrose. I was looking forward to this, after all. I hope you had no trouble with the list I gave you?"
"What? No, I was very glad that I could prepare at least some. I don't want to disappoint anyone, after all," Deeks lies with a smile on his face. He could still lynch him for that, but... not so much of a good idea with the one advocate he has. The older man flashes a smile at him, shaking his head, "Oh, that is the least of my concerns. So now, they'll have their first session very soon."
"Oh, alright, that's great," Deeks swallows, his mind already figuring out an exit route, out of habit.
"Just go inside. The conductor will give you the instructions needed once he comes in. And Ms. Lange, how about we catch up on the old times a bit?" Mr. Parker offers. Hetty pats him on the lower arm as she says with a wink of her eyes, "That would be absolutely wonderful... oh, Ms. Finnegan?"
Kensi glances at her, "Yes?"
"Would you be so kind to gather the equipment from my car, thank you?" Hetty nods at her. Kensi gets the hint, "Of course, Ma'am."
Kensi walks off to go look around a bit.
"Mr. Ambrose? I think you will handle without us from here on?" Hetty suggests with a smile. Deeks nods, bowing politely, "Of course. And Mr. Parker, another time, thank you for the opportunity."
The older man nods, and then walks off along with Hetty. That means Deeks is... alone now. Great, how about running now? Maybe not so good, it might (will) cost him his job. He lets out a weary sigh before he walks into the audition room, just to be greeted by stares over stares over stares, and none of them seem to be filled with... nice.
"Awesome...," he mutters under his breath before he speaks up in a purposely cheerful voice, "Hi, everyone. I'm Julian Ambrose, the new violinist."
He is only met with another wave of mistrust and hatred, really. If this mattered to him on the personal level... he might cry right here. But as a detective, of course he can take that, so he simply asks the group of violinists with extra-cheerfulness, "So, are we going to start playing or how is the order here?"
The other violinists walk off wordlessly. Well, that went amazing. Sam and Callen will give him hell for this, that much is for sure. Great. However, Deeks can't contemplate further on the bad success, because a young woman holding a saxophone comes over to him with, yes, a smile: "Hi."
Thank God, someone is talking to him! Deeks flashes the hugest of smiles at her, "Hi, uhm... did I say something wrong or so, or why are they pissed?"
"That's how they greet anyone. Just don't mind. They don't like new people... or people in general," the girl snorts dismissively... so much to the big family this orchestra is supposed to be. In the end... bloody competition after all.
"And you?" Deeks asks.
"Me?" she frowns at him.
"You are the first one to talk to me. I thought the others were going to eat my face, so I'm surprised you even bother with me," Deeks smirks at her, figuring it might be good to play the slightly insecure but funny freestyle musician for now, after all it fits his actual character. If he can't get through to the violinists right away, he should at least start talking to the rest.
"Oh, us saxophones are way more... social, I guess, already because saxophones are normally meant to play good old jazz, you know, so we're a bit smoother... Our violinists are more reserved, for the most part... you don't seem to be, though," she makes a face. Deeks already starts to like the girl. He winks at her, "Up to that point I think I'm actually still... sociable, whatever."
"Yeah, well, I'll keep the fingers crossed for you that you don't end up as social cripple," she jokes, to which he replies, "I hope that'll do."
"For now, you can hang around with us," the girl offers. Yes, success!
"Us?" he asks innocently. The girl shrugs at him as she explains, "The saxophones, oboes, the smaller parts. We may not be the highest in the ranking, but..."
"Social. And more than anything I need social. Thanks," he nods gladly... and he is actually glad. Because Deeks won't come forward if no one is talking to him.
"Not for that," she shrugs.
"So, again, I'm Julian. You are?" Deeks introduces himself, holding out his hand. She takes it and says, "Katy Gray."
"Katy. Nice to meet you," he winks at her, flashing his signature smile.
"Nice to meet you, too. So okay, since you're new, you get a brief briefing from me so that you don't screw up as much: we always start practice at 7.58, for some reason, at least the conductor, Mr. Smith makes us. I think the violinists came up with that to feel even more special, though. Never run late – they hate late. And if they hate you, that means you go. Plus, if I were you, I'd stay away from this guy over there," she explains, thumbing over her shoulder to one of the violinists. Deeks frowns, "Why?"
"He's the second violin," Katy grimaces.
"Okay," Deeks makes a face. Katy shrugs as she goes on, "Adrian's been the second for three years now."
"Right, which means he moves up to first now," Deeks nods, but she shakes her head, "That is not out yet."
"What? Why? That is how it always goes," Deeks shakes his head. That is not making any sense.
"Well, our actual first violin was the most charismatic guy ever – and filled the seats, you see? Now with him gone... the committee, or so I heard, is actually looking for an outsider as a replacement... and from the sound of it, they might consider you," she goes on. Okay, this ensemble is more than odd. They just screw with every order even Deeks knows about, and he is no expert.
"Why would they risk the harmony of the entire ensemble by putting a new guy as the first violin when they have someone already in-tune with their second?" Deeks argues.
"Because it's Adrian," she shrugs, "Okay, so I'll tell you this one thing about him."
"Shoot," he nods. Now, that will be interesting. Katy licks her lips, coming a little closer so that no one hears them, "If you asked me, he's just destined to always play second. Some are just, well, second. And he simply didn't accept that yet."
"But why does the committee consider not to take him first... when they actually make him second?" Deeks argues. She exhales, "He's antisocial, like really. They tried to make him the first violin before the other came, but he just royally screwed up. And as for his onstage performance... you'll see, that guy's technique may be perfect, but he has the charisma of an empty water bucket, there's just nothing in it."
"Ouch," Deeks grimaces. Those guys don't hold back when it comes to criticism.
"And that is why the rumor goes around that he won't be the first... maybe you'll be. Though that is, of course, dependent on your performance today," she snickers. Deeks licks his lips. He makes a mental note to make the others check on the committee. This is more than plain bullying they do with Adrian, it's against any order. And just because he is not that charismatic, they risk the performance? There must be something behind all that... but before Deeks can think about it any further, Katy says, "So, either way, don't be impressed by what those guys over there do. The other violins are just jealous that you earned yourself such a placement that fast."
"Thanks," he smirks.
"Not for that. And either way, you'll have to prove yourself now – you're aware of that, I hope?" she grimaces. Deeks nods with a smile, "Yeah."
Katy pats him on the shoulder, "Well, then good luck. I'd like to keep you. You're the first social violinist I've met in this ensemble in ages, if not... ever."
"I'll try my best," he makes a mock salute at her.
"Keep it up," she winks before she goes over to the stage. Deeks follows her and takes his spot also. The conductor comes in through the side door, a short man with grey hair, formally dressed... and looking more than creepy. You can see the discipline literally oozing out of his body, just as the stiffness, and that doesn't come from the starch surely in his white dress shirt.
"Good day, everyone. I see we got a new member. I hope Mr. Parker informed you about the schedule?" Mr. Smith begins, his voice almost a hiss. Deeks flashes the nicest of smiles he can mange, "Yes."
"Alright, Mr. Ambrose. Then we shall lose no time, but get started. The next event is only two weeks away – and you have a huge gap to fill," Mr. Smith carries on. Great, if he didn't feel any pressure until now, Deeks surely does at this moment, but still he manages a shy smile, "I'll give all I can."
"And let's hope that is enough. Either way, we start with L'estate by Vivaldi in G minor. I want to hear only the violins," Mr. Smith turns to the group. Awesome, that means they'll hear any flaw Deeks makes... he really hates tests. However, Deeks knows he can't chicken out of this, so he takes up his bow and violin, earning a few jealous glances from the other violinists who instantly recognize the pricey and antique instrument Hetty gave him. And God bless the Lady for that foresight.
Deeks and the others get ready to play. The conductor gives the sign and they begin. The detective tries to let go, sink into the piece, into the music, but he can't shake off the last bit of nervousness – because Mr. Smith, of course, chose the one play he didn't know and had to learn overnight... and the hardest on tops.
Deeks sucks in another deep breath during the break, closes his eyes and starts to play again, leaning into the touch of the instrument to forget everything else. And he actually gets the feeling that the music creeps its way into his system, thus pushing the last nervousness out of his system.
Once it's over, Deeks searches the conductor's eyes to find, yes, defeat. That means he wasn't as bad as Mr. Smith thought he'd be. Ha! After that his eyes wander off to Katy, who smiles at Deeks, showing her thumb. He winks at her in turn. Mr. Smith coughs lightly to get attention. Deeks glances up to the man as he speaks, "Very well... Mr. Ambrose, you were a little speedy throughout the Allegro non molto."
"Yes, of course. It won't happen again, I'm sorry," Deeks replies sheepishly. That is the problem. If you are nervous, your heart beat increases and that is when you move too fast... and out of tune. Sucks.
"Now, tutti," Mr. Smith announces, addressing the entire ensemble.
And so the orchestra starts to play its tunes. Deeks does his best to keep up, but eventually he even finds himself... slightly enjoying this. Deeks loves the music. And even if he hates playing it... the sound is breathtaking, and to be that close... it just blows your mind.
Once it's over, the violinists take off without a word, leaving Deeks rather confused. He hoped that the performance would maybe get one of them talking to him, but... nope.
Katy comes over to him, "That was awesome."
"What? I didn't play my best, be sure," Deeks grunts. Katy shrugs, "Yeah, no, heard that, but it's never been about playing your best. You should know how it is about these tests. They are meant to, well, test you. They wanted to know if you manage the pressure, but you were so calm that they were upset themselves. That was awesome. Normally, no one gets to make the other violins take off like that, twice."
"It was mean... coz I threw two of them off-tune," Deeks admits. Katy tilts her head at him, "I know! I had to try really hard not to laugh, but how did you manage? Coz you sounded fine – in contrast to them."
"... Well, they tried to get me out of tune by leaning too close... so I did the same, just with my feet," Deeks shrugs. If this is a competition Julian is supposed to win... then he has to compete also, right? And that means he has to fight dirty at times also.
"Cool. You come with to have a coffee with the rest of the group?" Katy offers. Deeks smirks, "Sure, unless there's more tests. I think I had enough for a day."
"We'll do that some other time," she threatens playfully. Deeks nudges her into the arm, "Thanks."
The two make their way over to the others. Katy waves at them, "Guys, this is Julian. I said it's fine he hangs around with us. Anyone who's against that... can go to hell. So okay, those are, from right to left... Jimmy, Susanne, Carter, Christian, Tom, and Judith."
"Call me Judy, please. I hate my full name," the redhead grumbles.
"Okay, even if I find that name pretty, Judy then. Hi to all of you. Is nice to meet you, and to have someone to hang around with. Coz I think my nearest colleagues... are not made for that," Deeks winks at them.
"Then you got at least one thing right," Carter laughs.
"C'mon, I need a coffee, ever since we started playing," Katy claps her hands together. So she is the leader, that much is for sure. If he keeps up his friendship with her, Deeks has at least good chances to get information from this group. About the violinists... he'll have to see.
They walk over to the small café on the other side of the street and start to chat.
"I really miss Mike, he would've given Adrian hell by now," Tom grumbles, sipping some of his espresso.
"Right," Katy sighs sadly. Deeks asks, faking curiosity, "Mike's the former first violin who died onstage, right?"
"Yeah, Michael Gallagher, he called himself Mike, though. He was a great sport," Katy grimaces. If Gallagher hung around with them, Deeks has good chances to get some info. So he made a good call joining this group after all.
"I heard he was Marine, right?" Deeks asks, "I'm sorry, but I don't know too much about it. I was abroad for long and am only back to L.A. shortly – so I am not fully updated on the orchestra yet."
"Yeah, he was a Marine," Katy nods. Susanna adds faintly, "He's had an injury to the leg in service, and thus had to leave the Marines."
Deeks grimaces. Something is odd about that girl, though he can't put his finger on it.
"At first he was really stiff and reserved, you know? The usual soldier type of a guy, saluted and all. But after some time he was the one to, well, stand up for us against the starlets here," Jimmy shrugs.
"So what's that anyways? I mean, I get it that they are mad at me coz I'm a rival, but what do the other violins have with you guys?" Deeks questions.
"Quite easy. There are the top instruments and then... the instruments that are not at the top of the food chain," Christian shrugs, to which Deeks nods, "Like... cello, percussion, flutes?"
"Yep, and here we have the lower level of the food chain. Katy – saxophone, Judith – third oboe, Jimmy and Tom – percussion, Carter – second trumpet, Susanne – harp and I'm second bass fiddle," Christian explains to Deeks.
"These instruments are just not as prestigious, because we're mostly playing in the background," Tom shrugs.
"And they get the better payment, you see? So lucky you," Jimmy laughs.
"Yeah, I guessed as much... so okay, and Mike was different from that in how far?" Deeks asks curiously.
"He usually hung around with us and never made the difference, you know? To him it just didn't matter. That was really great. And he kept those guys away from us for the most part. He just had to stand up once and they were scared outta their pants. Pays off to have a Marine as a friend," Judith chuckles at the memory.
"I picture. So the starlets are kinda picking on you, I take?" Deeks asks.
"They'd scratch our eyes out if they could," Tom nods.
"But why? I seriously don't get that... I mean, if they climb on the high horse, fine, but wouldn't it be more normal to just be aloof or whatever?" Deeks argues. Of course competition is strong, but it seems weird that the violins actually make the effort to pick on the other instruments. Really, this ensemble is awkward, to say the least. Something is definitely not right about this.
"It's Adrian who's bringing up all that crap. He's nuts," Carter snorts dismissively. So Adrian again. That guy seems to be the real trouble-maker here, so Deeks figures.
"Has been even before Mike came here, but since Mike's been around, he went through the roof, kept away from everybody, and then those... accidents happened," Jimmy snorts.
"Accidents?" Deeks blinks. That wasn't in the reports. Now it's getting interesting.
"Jimmy...," Tom sighs.
"What? Is no secret – and is not like he's never gonna find out," Jimmy argues, and Katy agrees, "Jimmy's right. Then Julian knows at least what he may have coming."
"What accidents?" Deeks asks again.
"Well, we think Adrian's been behind all that, like... instruments suddenly disappeared, that the fine tuning, for some reason wasn't good anymore, water over the instruments," she explains. Deeks already starts to get the idea. Jimmy adds, "Went on with manipulating instruments so that Mike would get hurt."
"So scratching the strings so that they break or so?" Deeks grimaces. Jimmy nods at him, "Exactly. Well, and then that there were appointments Mike should've attended, but, mysteriously, never got the memo... little too much of coincidences, huh?"
"Wow, that's tough," Deeks exhales, leaning back in his chair. So someone was really after Gallagher, long before his death, and even planned to hurt him, and possibly Adrian.
"So you see, you didn't choose the easiest of places," Katy jokes.
"So Mike and Adrian were competing?" Deeks concludes. Katy grimaces, "Adrian was with Mike, but Mike... well, he had his role – and it was clear to anyone that Adrian wouldn't take his place, so he had no reason to compete with him."
"And you have any idea why he was so much against Mike, other than him being he first violin?" Deeks questions. Competing is one thing, hurting someone another... and killing someone... well, something entirely different.
"Well, Adrian's got one big problem – he lacks social qualities whatsoever," Carter snorts.
"I already told Julian about that," Katy huffs.
"And that's why it's tough for him to, well, get better placements," Carter shrugs.
"Coz even if your play's perfect, if you're just not likable... it gets tough for you, unless you have a blind audition and all. Did Adrian never think about that?" Deeks argues. He can't imagine that all ensembles are so set on charisma as this one seemingly is.
"Hm, I once overheard a heart-to-heart conversation he's had with Mr. Parker in the hallways, after Adrian tried to accuse Mike of messing with some of the instruments, which was of course a lie, either way...," Katy explains, "... I was just passing by when I heard it that Mr. Parker actually recommended him to try out for blind auditions, if he was so unhappy in this orchestra. After all, everyone's been aware of him wanting to be first violin, and up to that point, chances for him were nearly zero. Adrian got really upset and told him that he'd never purposely go for blind auditions only – because people just didn't find him likable or whatever."
"You can say about him what you want, but Adrian's the type of guy to take any challenge, even if there isn't. And managing to become first violin in an audition where people would actually see him and get to know him before the audition was his second biggest challenge, right after competing with Mike. And... he'd never give up before he's accomplished that goal. He's persistent till the end – and that makes him the great violinist he is, despite his lousy character," Judith adds.
"Some people are just... difficult, I guess," Deeks summarizes, trying to lighten up the mood a bit. To himself, he notes Adrian as a main suspect, though.
"Right – and Adrian is the perfect example for that," Carter snorts.
"So, watch out for him. I think you're his new Mike – and now he's probably even madder than before," Katy warns Deeks. He winks at her, "Thanks for the advice."
They go on with some chat about instruments as Deeks contemplates on this new situation... well, that is more than he ever expected.
Later on, Hetty, Deeks and Kensi are back in the office. Once they come to the bullpen, Callen and Sam greet them.
"How did it go, Deeks? Did they throw you out yet?" Sam smirks.
"Nope, managed not to suck," Deeks shrugs. And that still comes as a miracle to him.
"Congrats," Sam smirks, "We should write that on a banner... 'Congratulations: You didn't suck'."
"I'll get you one for your next birthday and then add... you didn't suck this year... as much," Deeks retorts. Sam makes a face, but Deeks ignores it and simply goes on with the case, because that is their focus after all, "So, what's on your card?"
"We've been through Gallagher's neighborhood, nothing, really nothing," Callen shrugs.
"Same for his family. Two children, one who'll go to one of the best colleges once he finishes high school, and the twins are the parents' pride. His wife didn't seem to bear him any grudges, after all, big house, always paid the bills on time, good husband, fine family father," Sam adds. Callen nods, "Same for his troop. Everyone liked him, he's a hero. As we figure, it's gotta be in the orchestra. Since that's been his only hobby once he came back."
"I looked around the place a bit, but didn't find anything spectacular. I only heard from the janitor that Gallagher had trouble with one of the others... uhm...," Kensi thinks about the name, but Deeks already jumps in, "Adrian Carson, second violin."
"Right! How you know?" Kensi blinks. She actually thought she had the best information with this.
"I talked to the ensemble during the break. I managed to get the trust of at least some of them and made friends with a fairly talkative group. They told me some interesting facts about this guy. I think he's definitely a suspect," Deeks tells them.
"Just coz he may be jealous doesn't mean he's been the one to do it," Kensi argues, but Deeks argues, "I don't say he is. I just say that he's damn good candidate, to say the least. Mike never had to fight to keep his position because everyone liked him, in contrast to Adrian. Has always played the second violin, in both the orchestra as well as in real life, as far as I'm concerned. The others said that the rumor goes around that he was the one to sabotage Mike even far before he was killed, by messing with his instruments, telling him wrong appointments, and even messing with Mike's violin so he'd hurt himself, such things. Of course it doesn't make him murderer, but he's at least worth a suspect."
"We should look into his case then, too," Callen nods. That's at least a start.
"Did you run a check on the committee yet?" Deeks asks, to which Callen shakes his head, "Coz those guys seem rather weird."
"Why is that?" Kensi questions.
"Katy, she plays the saxophone, told me that the rumor goes around that Adrian won't be made first violin," Deeks explains.
"How is that weird?" Sam questions, to which Deeks replies, "Normally, if the first violin is out, the second gets his place. Katy says that actually I may have chances to get Mike's spot. They seemingly want an outsider."
"Wow, okay... but maybe they do that because they don't want it to appear as though Carson killed Gallagher to get his spot," Callen argues.
"I was thinking about that, too, but... it may fall back on the performance. I mean, it's not out yet, so it may be just a rumor, but...," Deeks grimaces, and Callen completes, "We'll look into it."
Deeks quickly adds, "And while you're at it, can you check a girl by name Susanne Bigsby?"
"What about her? She been competing with Mike, too?" Kensi asks curiously, but Deeks shakes his head, "No, plays the only harp, so no competition there."
"Then why do you want to check her?" Callen frowns.
"Just a feeling. It's the way she talked about Mike," Deeks shrugs.
"Yeah?" Callen makes a face, demanding more input. Deeks exhales, "I think she may have had feelings for him."
She even blushed when she talked about him. She looked just like a teenager having a crushing on her teacher, at least she did to Deeks.
"I'll eat my hat if that guy's had an affair with her, or at all," Sam snorts.
"Maybe it was one-sided, happens, too," Deeks argues, "and you don't have a hat."
"Fine, we'll check her background, too, if your gut tells you so," Sam shrugs.
"Thank-you," Deeks rolls his eyes. If Callen had said it, they'd already be on the computers, but well... it might be a hunch anyway, so for now... Deeks lets it be.
They are one step closer to figuring this out.