Call to the Chancellor

Jude paused. "You know who I am?"

"Yes," she said. "I'm a sophomore in the strings department. A lot of students saw you in the auditorium yesterday."

She looked genuinely relieved, standing there in a worn coat with scraped hands, without the attitude common among the crowd Jude usually dealt with.

"What's your name?" Jude asked. "Are you taking the masterclass today?"

"Sophie Reed," she answered. "I didn't have the credits to register, but I watched from the upper tier yesterday."

Jude looked down at her bicycle; the front wheel was bent out of shape and unrideable. He pointed toward the black Koenigsegg parked at the curb.

"The bike is done," Jude said. "Leave it by the rack and put your violin inside. I'm heading to the main gates anyway; you can pick up a replacement after class."

Sophie hesitated, looking at the car, then nodded quickly. "Thank you, Mr. Lawson."