Hannah set her phone on the bar, then flipped open a notebook. “It’s nice to see you again. I think the last time we talked was about this time last year, when your first hit went big. How does it feel to be back in Lancaster?”
“Good. Really good. I noticed the new planters on Thirteenth Street, and there’s a building going up in the big hole in the ground behind Eye Candy.”
“No grass growing here,” Eve said, to polite laughter.
Hannah’s pen moved swiftly across the page but her eyes never left Cady’s. “You were on the road for six months?”
“Eight. Not that I’m counting,” Cady said. More polite laughter. “The opportunities just kept coming, each too good to pass up, a regional tour, then a national tour. I was fortunate enough to sing in new venues, in front of different audiences. I couldn’t ask for more.”
“Beats the state fair circuit?”
“Oh, I like the state fairs. The midways and the crowds, they’re just this fabulous cross section of humanity, and the smell of machine oil and sweat and funnel cakes. I like wandering through the barns, too.”
“Really? I’ve covered my share of state fairs. You must have been seeing something I wasn’t.”
“I liked watching people get their animals ready to show. The girls grooming horses, or fluffing the cow’s hide so it shows better. Bathing sheep. It’s so different from anything I know.”
Conn all but gaped at her. The woman swaying on her feet from exhaustion after eight months on the road was gone, replaced by the smiling shell who was always ready to give her fans more of what they wanted.
“Speaking of the music business, what’s next for you?”
“I’m taking some time off around the holidays,” she said smoothly. “Christmas is an important time for my family, and I’m happy to be home for longer than a couple of days.”
“You missed all of the excitement that happened here last summer,” the reporter said.
“Eve told me what happened. I was so afraid for her, but also really proud. We have to take a stand if we’re going to transform the East Side and ensure all of Lancaster continues to grow. Eve’s done the hard work for us. Now it’s up to the rest of the community to build on the momentum.”
“Is that the reason for the concert tonight?”
“We are taking a free-will donation to support the community center, but the main reason for the concert is to give back to the people who’ve supported me and my music from the beginning.”
“How do you keep your voice fresh?”
“I’ve got a comprehensive regime designed specifically to take care of it.”
Cady launched into a description of steam, hot soothing drinks, no caffeine or alcohol or soft drinks, enforced rest periods between shows, which lead to the question everyone seemed to want answered.…
“When is your next album coming out?”
“We’ve been working on material for a while now, and I’m pretty hopeful it will be ready to go soon.”
Nice. All true, nothing specific. Which occurred to Hannah too. “Come on. Throw me a bone here,” she said, like they were besties.
Cady shook her head, smiling that big smile all the while. “I understand people are excited for new material, and I’m so grateful for their enthusiasm. We’re just making sure what we release is worthy of their excitement.”
Hannah looked at her list of questions. “And what about Harry Linton?”
The big smile never faded. Conn was absolutely amazed how she handled such personal questions, asked as if people had every right to know all the details of her personal life. “He’s a friend, that’s all.”
“So you’re not planning to fly over to see him? That was on Twitter earlier today.”
“Was it? I can assure you the last thing I want to do right now is get on another bus, or plane, or train.” She and Hannah both laughed. “No, I’m spending the holidays with my family.”
“So you’re broken up?”
“I don’t believe either of us confirmed we were together, so I can’t say we’re broken up.” A response worthy of a defense attorney. “I’m fortunate to call Harry a good friend.”
The interview wound down as Eve’s staff started to set up seating for the show, carrying chairs from a storeroom out the back door to the patio, now enclosed in a big white tent. Cady posed for a few official pictures, then with Hannah, the photographer, and a couple of Eve’s staff.
“I’ll take care of the mic and amp myself,” Cady said.
Eve flashed her a thumbs-up and stepped out of the path of an employee wheeling out another stack of chairs. Conn’s eyes narrowed. Most of the back-office staff had gang ink he recognized.
“Eve certainly puts her money where her mouth is,” Hannah said. Her observant gaze followed Conn’s and connected the dots. “Even after what happened. It’s commendable.”
“She doesn’t back down,” Cady said. “That’s why I’m happy to be here, supporting her work. Thanks for the interview. I need to get ready to sing.”
Hannah’s gaze flashed over to Conn. “Officer McCormick, you were part of the team that rescued Eve when Hector Santiago kidnapped her.”