Terror On Tour Chapter 1

Terror On Tour

Chapter 1

The guy in the black t-shirt, ripped jeans and green Mohawk turned to me and made a throat slitting motion. I just stared back at him, stunned.

Who is that guy, and what the heck is he doing here? A voice yelled in my ear a second later. My buddy Van Gilman had to yell for me to hear him over the roar of the crowd. In two minutes my other friend Corey Cross’ band, ComfortZone, was heading onstage and the crowd in the auditorium was almost in a frenzy.

Standing backstage at the Port Salser arena, I had a good view of the crowd and they were certainly wild tonight.

The guy in the Mohawk turned and headed to the fire exit, pushing open the door and heading out into the rainy night. I followed him with Van on my tail. Justin, who was that guy? He asked again.

I don’t know, I said. But I’m going to find out. He may have written the note the band got earlier.

I pushed open the fire door and went out into the downpour. I was only wearing a t-shirt and cargo shorts so the cold rain blasted against my bare arms and legs. I was soon soaked but kept walking. The guy in the mohawk got into a van parked at the back of the arena parking lot. A young woman was in the driver’s seat. She turned to me and gave me a smirk. Then she gunned the engine, and it took off out onto the street and disappeared.

Van came up beside me. Who was that punk? He said, wiping water from his eyes. Come on, let’s get back inside. It’s cold out here. And believe it or not, I’m getting wet.

I followed Van back inside the arena where the roar of the crowd had intensified. Then, ComfortZone came onstage at that moment, the guitar player Dylan Price launching into a riff that began their song “The Great Pretender”, the song that got them their recording contract only a few months earlier.

Corey Cross the lead singer strutted out on stage and started singing, the crowd in a wild frenzy. These guys were just new on the music scene and had just completed their first album, but in Port Salser they were like rock gods. Hometown heroes. This was their first concert back in town since their first big break and the response was wild.

Van and I stood transfixed as Corey launched into the song. We had heard this song hundreds of times, but to hear it now—tonight was magical. The performance was flawless—they nailed it right on.

I gotta say, Cross has some talent, Van said in my ear as the song ended and the crowd cheered. Van and Corey had been friends as long as I knew them, but they were polar opposites in personality. Van was outgoing and played sports, namely hockey where he was the goalie for the local team, the Porcupines.  Corey was more into drama and acting and singing. Once he got this group together they clicked and were moving fast to becoming famous, at least in Canada. They were about to embark on a mini tour of Europe. I only hoped that the threat they had received that morning wouldn’t derail them.

The band finished the song and then launched into another upbeat song, “The Day After The Night Before” which happened to be their first radio single and was currently rising on the Canadian music charts. I think the last I checked (this morning) the song was #74 with a bullet.

So Cross wants us to go with him and the band on tour? Van said as he watched Corey get into the new song. Van was tapping his foot so he must like the song. I personally loved it and hoped it hit #1.

Yeah, I exclaimed. He just asked me before he went on tonight. He’s worried about the note they got earlier. I’m going to talk to Canning about the punk guy we just saw. I didn’t recognize him from around town. Not sure what he was doing back stage here.

Why does Corey want me along on the tour?, Van remarked. What can I do? I’m not the detective like you. Besides I’m giving up hockey camp for a week. Coach Summers understood and let me out of it—only because I don’t need the practice, he added smugly. Van was known as “Gatekeeper Gilman” in the surrounding area. The Porcs finished last season 30-1-3, the loss coming when Van was out sick with the flu.

Because he likes you and wants you along for the ride, I added. It’s going to be a wild ride. Ever been on tour with a rock band before?

Not recently, Van muttered. Yeah, it is gonna be fun, though. I only wish Raj could come with us.

Raj Mistry was another one of our buddies but he was away visiting his family in India.

A few more songs and the concert was over. The band came backstage and passed by us. Dylan Price was the lead guitarist and his long dark hair was plastered to his head and his beard was drenched in sweat. He was dressed in leather pants and combat boots.

Teresa Simmons was the keyboard player and the lone female in the group. She wore a jean skirt and black leggings and black boots, with a black lace top, her long curly dark hair cascading down her back. Her eyes were dark with eye shadow and a small ring pierced her left nostril She winked at me and Van as she passed.

The youngest and newest member of the group was my friend Nathan Sanderson and he played the drums. He was only 17 and had recently joined the group after the last drummer tried to sabotage the groups chances at a big break a while back. I was glad to see he was fitting in as if he wasn’t here he would be out spray painting walls over at Port Salser Collegiate, or some other delinquent activity.

Hey dudes, he muttered as he walked past, his recently shaved head gleaming in the backstage lights. His sleeveless jean jacket was covered in rock band logos and he had cut off jeans and black combat boots. A silver hoop earring in the shape of a serpent gleamed in his left ear.

Good to see you, Nathan, I said as he passed.

He turned back to me and Van. I changed my name, guys, he said with a bright smile. I’m now Nate Shade. How do you bozos like it?

It’s radical, Van said and I shook my head in agreement. Nate nodded and moved away. Catch you guys later—at Billy Burger?

Wouldn’t miss it, I called back.

The bass player was new as well. Sam Hunter was a bit of a loner and didn’t have many friends, but he could sure play the bass. He passed by us with a nod. He wore a denim jacket and cut-off jeans and high top sneakers. His blond hair was normally combed high on top of his head but the heat from the lights and sweat had plastered it to his head.  

Corey came up to us then. He was covered in sweat. His blond spiky hair glinted in the overhead lights. He was dressed in black t-shirt with the band’s logo on it. Purple denim shorts and purple skateboard shoes completed his outfit. He sported a gold hoop earring in his left ear.

So, what do you think? He said, beaming at us. Did we rock the place or not?

Ah, I don’t know, you were a little flat on “Great Pretender”, Van muttered

Really? Corey said looking at Van.

No, not really, Van said with a laugh. Corey just grinned back at him then turned to me. So have you guys decided? Are you flying with us to London in the morning? We really want you guys to come along.

Look we can talk about it later at Billy Burger. Meet you there in about half an hour.

A bunch of screams suddenly went up down the hallway. Fans! Corey blurted. Maybe an hour, he said beaming. My public awaits. Catch you dudes later.

Van and I headed to the exit leaving Corey and the band to their adoring fans. It was still raining outside so we hurried to my SUV and got inside. Since Alice Cooper is going to be a while, I said, motioning to the arena, we have some time before we hook up at Billy Burger. I’d like to talk to Officer Canning about the guy in the mohawk and about the note.

Van nodded. Sure, he said.  I don’t know if I can handle Alice—I mean Corey tonight anyway.

Why, what’s wrong?

Nothing, Van said turning to me. It’s just—you know with our history and his—depression it just seems like things are going well for him now and—don’t get me wrong I’m happy for the guy, but I have a feeling it’s all going to come crashing down. With this new tour and now the note we got.

That’s why we have to get to the bottom of this before it gets out of hand. Let’s go talk to Paul and see what he thinks.

The Port Salser Police Station was a few block away in the downtown core. It was early evening and Paul Canning was still on duty. Paul was a family friend and a well-respected officer of the Port Salser force. Dad had been a member of the local force until he retired to become a private investigator many years ago, but he still maintained a good relationship with Dad and me.

Hey, Justin, Van, he said when we entered his office. I’m just finishing up some work and was about to leave, but what’s on your mind, gentlemen?

You’ve heard about Corey’s band, ComfortZone leaving for London in the morning for their promotional tour?

Canning nodded. That’s great news. I’m happy for them. But there’s a problem?

Maybe, I said, pulling the note from my pocket of my cargo shorts. The band got this note this morning as they were rehearsing for their concert tonight at the arena.

Paul took the note and read:

Your delushunal if you think your going to make it in Europe

Canning turned to me and Van. Besides the bad spelling and bad grammar, you think this is a serious threat?

I don’t know. I think it’s just a crank but something weird happened at the concert tonight. Some guy in a green mohawk was hanging around backstage just before the band went on. He threatened me—well he gave me a throat slitting motion then took off. I tried to follow him but the car took off too quickly and it was dark and raining. I don’t know who the guy was—but he wasn’t part of the crew. I had never seen him before.

Me neither, Van remarked.

Someone could just be jealous of the band. They had that trouble a while ago when one of their former band members tried to sabotage their chances at a big concert. The band has come to us a few times over the past few months with similar notes and threats. It comes with the territory. Once they build up a following of fans there’s always the crackpots who want to jeopardize their career.

I nodded. Sure, I said. Corey wants me and Van to go with them tomorrow and I said we would go. Van nodded.

Very good, Canning said. I’ll file a report about this tomorrow and once you’re in London, if anything happens let me know and I can give this information to the authorities over there. I’ll be on the lookout for the guy with the green mohawk. There can’t be many of them around at least here in Port Salser. I’ll let you know what I find, if anything. Now if you gentlemen will excuse me, I have a daddy-daughter date with Michaela at the movies in an hour. I think Kimmy is going with your father as well?, he asked me, referring to my 12 year old sister.

Yes, I said. You’re going to see “Love in the Pouring Rain”? I wish you luck, I added with a chuckle. Paul just sighed. Thanks.

An hour later Van and I were seated at Billy Burger, the premiere burger establishment in town. Home of the Ginormous Bacon double cheeseburger with fresh cut fries and chocolate milk shakes made with real cream and cocoa.

Van and I had already ordered our culinary masterpieces, but Corey and the band were not there yet which was not surprising with the amount of fans at the arena.

Did you see that mob? I asked Van as we dug into our artery hardening meals.

Crazy, he said, slopping Billy sauce on his t-shirt. It was black and wouldn’t show the stain. Who knew Cross would be a rock star one day.

I nodded. Yeah, crazy is the word for it alright.

A few minutes later Corey came in with Dylan, Teresa, Sam and Nate and headed over to our table. Corey didn’t look happy.

What’s wrong? Van asked. Your wrist sore from signing all those autographs, buddy? Not able to lift up your burger now?

No, much worse, Dylan said ruefully. We can’t make the flight to London tomorrow.

Why, what’s up?

Someone’s gone and cancelled our flights, Teresa said with a scowl. There’s no other flights available at the last minute. We won’t be able to make our tour.