Chapter 56I was waiting nervously near where Cindy was standing with the other four nominees. All four were nervous, waiting for the announcement of the winner. Then I saw him open a stage door, and just before going through it, he looked around. His eyes and mine met; it was the rat, the one I knocked out in the alley. He went through the door. I made my way across the area and through the door right behind him.
The other side of the door led to a passageway and stairs going down under the stage. I got to the bottom of the stairs and looked around. The area was large and was dimly lit with long dark shadows. It had the smell of musty, stale air. I stood a moment allowing my eyes to adjust. The area was crowded with crates and instrument cases of all sizes. I heard a noise close by and he
