Chapter Two: The Clue of the Anonymous Letter

Alex Cummings had never been one to easily give up. The mysterious phone call had made him realize that this case was far more complex than he had initially imagined. Early the next morning, he made his way to his office—a nondescript little building tucked away in the heart of New York City. Though the office was small, it was quiet enough for thoughtful work.

He powered on his computer and began to delve into the background of Rick Evans. Although Evans had shot to fame overnight with "Only Me," prior to that, he had been just another nameless figure in the music industry. Alex sifted through media interviews with Evans, social media posts, and several of his earlier songs, trying to uncover any anomalies.

Yet everything seemed normal. Evans was a talented young musician, and his rise to stardom appeared entirely logical. But Alex knew that calm waters often concealed deeper currents.

During his search, Alex recalled the mention of an "anonymous letter" in the phone call. He began to look for news reports from before Evans released "Only Me," hoping to find any mention of the letter. However, the public information revealed nothing.

Realizing he needed a more direct approach, Alex decided to contact Evans's manager, Jason Hopkins—a name that resonated throughout the music industry as the mastermind behind many pop stars. Jason was sharp and adept at securing the best positions for his clients in a fiercely competitive market. Alex knew this man wouldn't easily divulge any information, but he had to try.

After dialing the number, Alex spoke in as calm a tone as he could muster. "Mr. Jason Hopkins? This is Alex Cummings, a copyright attorney. I'm investigating some matters regarding Rick Evans's new song 'Only Me' and would like to discuss it with you."

"Alex Cummings?" The voice on the other end was laced with skepticism. "I've heard of you. You've represented some well-known musicians, but I don't understand your connection to Rick."

"I have some concerns regarding the song's copyright," Alex replied. "I need to confirm a few details. For instance, did Rick receive an anonymous letter containing a recording of a melody before the song was released?"

There was a moment of silence on the line, and Jason's voice grew more cautious. "Those are internal matters. I don't understand how you know about this. The creation of 'Only Me' was entirely Rick's inspiration; as for the letter—it's completely fictitious."

Alex felt an invisible pressure. Clearly, Jason was trying to cover something up. But Jason's reaction only strengthened Alex's conviction that the anonymous letter was indeed real.

"Mr. Hopkins," Alex said with a firmer tone, "if you wish to keep this matter discreet, it would be best for us to cooperate in uncovering the root of the issue. Otherwise, once it enters the courtroom, things could become far more complicated."

Jason did not respond immediately. After a moment of silence, he finally relented. "Fine, come to my office. We can talk, but it has to be just you."

Alex hung up the phone, mentally preparing himself. He knew this meeting would be a pivotal turning point. He had to tread carefully to ensure he could unearth the truth.

A few hours later, Alex arrived at Jason Hopkins's office. It was a luxurious workspace on one of the upper floors of a skyscraper, with a breathtaking view of the city outside. Jason sat behind a massive desk, wearing a professional smile, but his eyes betrayed a hint of displeasure.

"Alex, have a seat," Jason gestured to the chair in front of him. "I don't have much time, so let's get straight to the point."

Once seated, Alex locked eyes with Jason. "I want to know everything about that anonymous letter. Who sent it? What did it say?"

Jason stared at Alex as if assessing his motives. Finally, he sighed and pulled an envelope from his drawer, handing it to Alex. "Here's the letter you're looking for."

Alex took the envelope, opened it, and found only a thin sheet of paper and a CD inside. The handwriting was scrawled and seemed deliberately designed to conceal the writer's identity:

"Inspiration does not always belong to the creator. Here is a melody; perhaps you will discover its worth."

Alex inserted the CD and played the track. The moment the music began, his heart raced—there it was, the melody of Rachmaninoff! Though the tune had been cleverly altered, the core was unmistakably reminiscent of the Second Piano Concerto.

He looked up at Jason, who appeared somewhat uneasy. "This melody—Rick began working on 'Only Me' right after he received the letter. I admit, this has left me puzzled too, but we decided to proceed with the song's release because it is indeed a good piece."

Alex realized that this letter might conceal a larger conspiracy. Who had sent it? What were their motives? All of this pushed Alex into an even more dangerous situation.