Page 46 of Symphony for Lies

“Tell me everything.”

I swallowed hard and hurriedly reached into my jacket pocket, pulling out my notepad and pen. My movements were rushed as I tried to explain my thoughts before I lost them.

“The first method is subtle,” I began, flipping open the notebook. “Some composers hide tiny mistakes or slight variations in well-known melodies. They’re so minute that only someone who knows the original peace inside out would notice.” I paused briefly, my pen scurrying across the paper.“The second method is more direct. They use the notes as an alphabet; D stands for D, A for A, and so on. You can spell out all the messages if you figure out the right sequence.”

I glanced at Spencer. He was listening intently, and that made it easier to focus.

“The third method I know of is the hardest. It’s all about the arrangement. The real message could be hidden in the pauses, the emphasis on certain notes, or even the choice of instruments. It’s like a puzzle… and only the one who knows the rules can solve it.”

Spencer didn’t say a word, but the way he leaned slightly forward made it clear he was taking this seriously.

Encouraged, I flipped out a new page and began writing out the eerie melody I had heard when I found the body.

“I remember the pavilion had numbered columns, and each wind chime had a different tone. The sequence could be important.” My fingers tightened around my pen.“I don’t remember the exact order… but I tried to reconstruct the sounds.” I turned my notebook toward him.“This is what I came up with.”

Spencer’s eyes darkened as he scanned my notes.“This is just the beginning.”

“I don’t know if I’m right,” I admitted quietly. “This is just a theory. If I’m wrong—”

“Amelia. You might not be wrong. And even if you are… this is still more than we had before.”

His words should have comforted me, but they didn’t.

Still, I nodded slowly. “But to figure that out, I’d have to hear them myself. And check if there are numbers.”

He nodded, exhaling deeply.

“I’m sorry,” I murmured, pushing the sheets back toward him. “I’m not much help…”

At least that’s how it felt.

Spencer gave me a small approximation of a smile. “You don’t need to apologize. If anything, I should be thanking you.”

I wasn’t sure I had done anything worth thanking.

“I’ll go back to the scene and document the tones and numbers,” Spencer promised, tucking the papers back into the briefcase.

A sharp pang of anxiety twisted in my stomach.“I’m not an expert.”

“You don’t have to be. You’re helping me. And I believe you might be onto something.”

I nodded reluctantly, and he took that as a good sign.

“Sorry for ruining your break.”

I waved him off. I no longer had an appetite. That was the least of my concerns.

“I get the feeling. That this won’t be the last time I come to you.”

A shiver ran down my spine.“That’s possible. Especially considering Moonlight Sonata has three movements.”

The first two had already appeared.

A heavy silence hung between us.

Spencer tilted his head back. His tired eyes darkened under the dim light, and he suddenly looked older, as if the weight of the case was physically dragging him down.

“Seems like it,” he muttered under his breath.“Be careful, Amelia. Stay alert. And try not to be out alone too much.”