Forgotten Blues

Lex stepped out of the editing room, the cool night air hitting his face as the door clicked shut behind him. The city buzzed softly below—a restless hum of traffic and neon lights, alive even in its quieter hours. He took a deep breath, the sharp scent of rain lingering in the air.

His phone vibrated in his pocket. Jason Wilde.

Lex smirked, answering as he stepped into the alley behind the building. "Tell me you've got good news."

Jason's voice came through, casual but carrying that sharp edge of excitement that always meant something big was brewing. "Depends on how you feel about making a lot of money, fast."

Lex arched a brow as he crossed the street toward his car. "I'm listening."

Jason didn't skip a beat. "So, I've been working through the Riverstone catalog. You know, the one Marcus buried in paperwork for two decades? Turns out there's a lot more in there than forgotten blues tracks."

Lex paused, pulling his keys from his pocket. "How much more?"

Jason's voice grew lighter, teasing. "Think unreleased masters. And not just any artists—big ones. People who've blown up in the last decade. One of them? Sam Everett."

Lex froze, his fingers tightening around his keys. Sam Everett. A blues-rock legend whose gravelly voice and raw melodies had made him a cult icon in his prime. His music had seen a massive resurgence in the streaming age, captivating a whole new generation of fans.

"You're sure?" Lex asked, his tone sharper now. "Marcus never mentioned any unreleased Sam Everett tracks."

Jason chuckled. "Marcus probably forgot. That catalog was a mess, Lex. He sat on it for twenty years. Half of it was collecting dust in a storage unit. But I've got the tapes. I've heard the first track—it's rough, but it's pure Everett."

Lex leaned against the car, his thoughts already racing. Sam Everett's name alone could turn the catalog into a gold mine.

"How much is it worth?" Lex asked.

Jason paused for dramatic effect. "Depends. If we quietly license it for Silent Crossings, we're looking at six figures—easy. But if you release it outright? It could be seven figures over time. Everett's estate might throw a tantrum, but you own the masters. It's your call."

Lex slid into the driver's seat, resting his phone on the steering wheel. His gaze drifted over the city lights, sharp and calculating.

"I'll handle the estate," Lex said finally. "Send me the list. I want everything Marcus buried."

Jason laughed softly. "Done. You're sitting on a powder keg, Lex. This is going to stir things up."

"Good," Lex said. "Keep digging. Let me know if you find anything else."

Jason's voice softened slightly. "Oh, by the way—Aiden's happy. The Heartbroken EP? I saw him today. He was grinning like a damn kid."

Lex smiled faintly, leaning back in his seat. "I made sure. I arranged for the EP to get prime radio play all week. The DJs have it on rotation like clockwork. Figured it was time the world heard him singing something."

Jason's laugh came through the line. "You're pulling every lever, huh? Aiden probably thinks it's fate."

"Let him," Lex replied smoothly. "Happy artists make good albums."

Jason's tone shifted, curious. "And the blues tracks? The ones Marcus called 'forgotten'? You planning to do anything with those?"

Lex's smile grew. "Some of them are perfect for Silent Crossings. You hit Benny up with the details. He gets 4 songs max. The rest… I'll decide when I hear them. But if Everett's anything to go by, Marcus was sitting on a gold mine. And you'll be my shoval."

Jason couldn't help but chuckle.

Lex dropped his phone onto the passenger seat and gripped the steering wheel.

The pieces were moving faster than expected. First Silent Crossings, now unreleased masters from legends like Sam Everett.

Barnie's empire was towering, sprawling—filled with skyscrapers and accounts that shifted markets. It was big, imposing, and designed to ignore the small things.

But it was always the small things that turned into avalanches.

Lex stared out at the city, his smile faint but unshakable.

By the time Barnie caught on, Lex wouldn't just be in the game. He'd own the board.