The Stars Shine Down

"No."

He looked at Lara in surprise. "I beg your pardon?"

"I'm not interested."

"You're not? Why?"

"The neighborhood," Lara said. "I don't think people are going to move into this area. Los Angeles is moving west. People are like lemmings. You aren't going to get them to reverse direction."

"But..."

"I'll tell you what I am interested in. Condos. Find me a good location."

Lara turned to Howard. "I'm sorry I wasted our time. We'll fly back this afternoon."

When they returned to their hotel, Keller bought a newspaper at the newsstand. "Let's see what the market is doing today."

They looked through the paper. In the entertainment section was a large advertisement that read: "TONIGHT AT THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL-PHILIP ADLER." Lara's heart gave a little jump.

"Let's go back tomorrow," Lara said.

Keller studied her a moment. "Are you interested in the music or the musician?"

"Get us two tickets."

Lara had never been to the Hollywood Bowl before. The largest natural amphitheater in the world, it is surrounded by the hills of Hollywood, the grounds a park, open year-round for visitors to enjoy. The Bowl itself seats eighteen thousand people. It was filled to capacity, and Lara could sense the anticipation of the crowd. The musicians began to come onto the stage, and they were greeted with expectant applause. Andre Previn appeared, and the applause grew more enthusiastic. There was a hush, then loud applause from the audience as Philip Adler walked out on the stage, elegant in white tie and tails.

Lara squeezed Keller's arm. "Isn't he handsome?" she whispered.

Keller did not answer.

Philip sat down at the piano, and the program began. His magic took over instantly, enveloping the audience. There was a mysticism about the night. The stars were shining down, lighting the dark hills surrounding the Bowl. Thousands of people sat there silently, moved by the majesty of the music. When the last notes of the concerto died away, there was a roar from the audience, as the people leaped to their feet, applauding and cheering. Philip stood there, taking bow after bow.

"Let's go backstage," Lara said.

Keller turned to look at her. Her voice was trembling with excitement.

The backstage entrance was at the side of the orchestra shell. A guard stood at the door, keeping the crowd out. Keller said, "Miss Cameron is here to see Mr. Adler."

"Is he expecting you?" the guard asked.

"Yes," Lara said.

"Wait here, please." A moment later the guard returned. "You can go in, Miss Cameron."

Lara and Keller walked into the greenroom. Philip was in the center of a crowd that was congratulating him.

"Darling, I've never heard Beethoven played so exquisitely. You were unbelievable..."

Philip was saying, "Thank you..."

"...thank you...with music like that, it's easy to be inspired..."

"...thank you...Andre is such a brilliant conductor..."

"...thank you...I always enjoy playing at the Bowl..."

He looked up and saw Lara, and again there was that smile. "Excuse me," he said. He made his way through the crowd, toward her. "I had no idea you were in town."

"We just flew in this morning. This is Howard Keller, my associate."

"Hello," Keller said curtly.

Philip turned to a short, heavyset man, standing behind him. "This is my manager, William Ellerbee." They exchanged hellos.

Philip was looking at Lara. "There's a party tonight at the Beverly Hilton. I was wondering..."

"We'd love to," Lara said.

When Lara and Keller arrived at the Beverly Hilton's International Ballroom, it was filled with musicians and music lovers, talking music.

"...have you ever noticed that the closer you get to the equator, the more demonstrative and hot-blooded the fans are..."

"...when Franz Liszt played, his piano became an orchestra...."

"...I disagree with you. De Groote's talent is not for Liszt or Paganini etudes, but more for Beethoven...."

"...you have to dominate the concerto's emotional landscape...."

Musicians speaking in tongues, Lara thought.

Philip was surrounded, as usual, by adoring fans. Just watching him gave Lara a warm glow.

When Philip saw her arrive, he greeted her with a broad smile. "You made it. I'm so glad."

"I wouldn't have missed it."

Howard Keller watched the two of them talking, and he thought, Maybe I should have learned to play the piano. Or maybe I should just wake up to reality. It seemed so long ago when he had first met the bright, eager, ambitious young girl. Time had been good to her, and it had stood still for him.

Lara was saying, "I have to go back to New York tomorrow, but perhaps we could have breakfast."

"I wish I could. I'm leaving for Tokyo early in the morning."

She felt a sharp pang of disappointment. "Why?"

He laughed. "That's what I do, Lara. I give a hundred and fifty concerts a year. Sometimes two hundred."

"How long will you be gone this time?"

"Eight weeks."

"I'll miss you," Lara said quietly. You have no idea how much.

Chapter Twenty-two

During the next few weeks Lara and Keller flew to Atlanta to investigate two sites at Ansley Park and one at Dunwoody.

"Get me some prices on Dunwoody," Lara said. "We might put some condos there."

From Atlanta they flew to New Orleans. They spent two days exploring the central business district and a day at Lake Pontchartrain. Lara found two sites she liked.