He Had $17, One Broken Guitar, and Nowhere to Sleep — Then America’s Biggest Band Called His Name
CHAPTER 9
Weeks passed.
Ethan stopped speaking to Maya.
The band’s new album became a massive success.
But something was wrong.
The songs were polished.
Perfect.
Empty.
One evening, Ethan found Daniel drinking alone.
“Do you know what happened to Maya?”
Daniel looked at him.
“What did you do?”
Ethan showed him the documents.
Daniel read them.
Then laughed.
Not because they were funny.
Because they were fake.
“Where did you get these?”
“Victor.”
Daniel stared at him.
“Did you verify them?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because they looked real.”
Daniel shook his head.
“That’s how Victor works.”
Ethan’s face went pale.
“What are you saying?”
“Victor wanted her gone.”
Ethan stood.
“Why?”
“Because she was asking questions.”
“About what?”
Daniel looked at him.
“Your father.”
Ethan suddenly understood.
He drove to Maya’s apartment.
Empty.
Her camera was gone.
Her phone was disconnected.
Only one envelope remained.
Inside was a photograph.
Victor.
Standing beside Samuel.
And behind them—
a recording studio.
The date was the night before Samuel disappeared.
On the back:
Ask Daniel what happened at 2:17 a.m.
Ethan found Daniel.
“Tell me.”
Daniel looked exhausted.
“Your father discovered Victor was stealing money.”
“And?”
“He confronted him.”
“What happened?”
Daniel swallowed.
“Victor threatened him.”
“Then what?”
“Samuel left.”
“Alive?”
Daniel nodded.
Ethan stared.
“Then why did everyone say he died?”
Daniel looked away.
“I never said he died.”
Ethan’s blood ran cold.
“Where is my father?”
Daniel whispered:
“I don’t know.”
