The Widow and the Rock Star

by J. Thomas-Like

  Vivienne’s mouth snapped shut.

  “I don’t know,” she finally muttered. “I just wasn’t thinking. Jake is really going to murder me.”

  “No he won’t,” Pepper snapped. “Here, give me that.” She took the iPad back and put it under her towel.

  “They refer to you as the ‘hot new novelist’,” Will pointed out. “They hardly mentioned the foundation.”

  “Ugh.” Vivienne buried her face in her hands. “Is this what I’m in for?” she asked through her fingers. “Are the paparazzi going to stalk me just because I had one dinner with a famous rock star?”

  “Probably,” Will admitted. Pepper kicked him again more sharply. “Ow!”

  “No, you aren’t going to be stalked. You’ll go home in a few days and no one will follow you to Michigan.” Pepper hugged her in assurance. She regretted having brought any of it to Vivienne’s attention. She probably would have never known or at least not found out until she got home. Dammit.

  “Oh God,” Vivienne moaned. “A far cry…” she sounded close to tears and that got Will’s attention. He sat up straighter and leaned his elbows on his knees.

  “Vivienne, please don’t. Do not take a word of that shit seriously. The vipers spew venom just to get a rise. This is really no big deal. All I have to do is have my publicist release a statement saying you’re just a friend and that I took you out to dinner while you were visiting LA. Or, better yet, we can tell the press you were talking to me about the foundation and how the band could help out or something.”

  He looked around for his phone and picked it up.

  “I can tweet something right now, post on Facebook. Would that make you feel better?”

  Pepper rubbed her back, trying to get her to relax. Vivienne peeked through her hands, which she kept cupped around her eyes. “But it looks like we were on a date. No one’s going to believe that.”

  “No, it looks like he’s shielding you from the photographers. I swear.” Pepper tried to show her the iPad again, but Vivienne refused to look. “He’s right, Viv.” Pepper leaned into her line of sight to nod.

  Shaking her head, Vivienne covered her eyes again.

  “I’m going to cancel the rest of my meetings and appearances. I’m not leaving this hotel again until it’s time to go to the airport.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous.” Pepper hoped she didn’t sound too harsh. But that’s Vivvy. The first sign of trouble and down the rabbit hole she runs.

  “Best thing you could do is go out again,” Will said matter-of-factly. “I told you before, the harder you try to hide, the harder they work to find you. Give them what they want and they get bored.”

  “Exactly!” Pepper’s eyes flashed.

  Still shaking her head, Vivienne jumped up and reached for her bag to dig out her cell phone.

  “I need to call Jake.” She stalked off and Pepper watched intently as her friend had a very animated conversation with her agent. She could only catch snippets of the conversation, but judging by the slump of Vivienne’s shoulders, she was hearing the same advice from Jake that Will had just given.

  Not more than two minutes later, Vivienne returned, none too pleased. She flopped onto her chair, looking frightened and ill. Pepper waited for her to speak, staring at her silently, willing her to spit out the details of what she’d been told.

  Finally, Vivienne sighed.

  “Jake knew all about it. He won’t let me cancel anything.”

  “Told ya,” Will whispered. Vivienne glared at him, her eyes crackling with fury.

  “I bet he told you this is a good thing.” Pepper looked up at the sky when Vivienne turned the stink eye her way.

  “As a matter of fact, smarty pants, he did say that.” Vivienne tossed her phone back into the bag and groaned loudly. “Don’t worry about tweeting, Will. Jake’s going to put out a statement for me.”

  “Cool.” Will was busy on his own phone, typing something. “But I already posted on Facebook. How’s this? ‘Had dinner last night with the coolest writer ever, check out The Widow’s Path Foundation. Totally worthy cause.’”

  Vivienne’s face softened and she gave him a strained smile.

  “Thanks, Will.”

  “It’s settled, then.” Pepper stood up and put her hands on her hips. “We’ll all go out tonight. The three of us. Somewhere fancy and obvious. We’ll dress to the nines and shove that ‘a far cry’ shit right down their throats!”

  Vivienne’s mouth dropped open again.

  “You’re joking, right?” She shook her head vehemently. “You can’t be serious.”

  “I am!” Pepper grabbed Vivienne’s hands. “Then you can have your revenge. You can be seen out on the town and look like a billion bucks.”

  “Not just a million.” Will pointed his finger at her.

  “You could cash in on your own growing celebrity, Viv. Maybe if you’re seen out, it’ll help your negotiations or the foundation.”

  “No way. I can’t cancel all the stuff Jake set up, but I don’t have to leave the hotel until I have to.”

  “Oh yes, you do,” Pepper insisted, glaring at her friend. She sighed knowing she was going to have to fight tooth and nail to get Viv to give in.

  “You know…” Will pursed his lips in thought. “I had an invitation to some red carpet thing tonight, but I blew it off. I bet I could get us back on the list.”

  “Yes!” Pepper shouted, as Vivienne yelled, “No!”

  “It was just a thought.” Will shrugged.

  “Make the call.” Pepper pointed her finger at Will. He raised his eyebrows in question and she nodded her head and waggled her finger.

  “No one is going to be able to convince me to leave.” Vivienne sounded adamant.

  Except me, Pepper thought.

  Chapter 28

  “Read me the statement again,” I demanded. I was upstairs in my room talking to Jake while Pepper and Will went in search of suitable “costumes” for the evening out they thought I’d participate in. I was relieved when they left because then I could talk to Jake again and work on damage control.

  “I’m not reading it to you again. I already did twice, and I sent it by email. It’s out and there’s nothing you can do about it.” Jake was getting irritated with me but I couldn’t help it. I was beside myself with worry thinking all publicity was bad and the foundation would continue to suffer in spite of all my attempts to protect it.

  “I’m sorry, Jake,” I sighed. “I just feel awful about this. I’m glad it was just a dinner that got caught on film and nothing else.”

  “Is there something else I should know?”

  My hesitation confirmed what I wouldn’t say out loud.

  “Where were you last night, Vivienne?”

  “That’s none of your business,” I snapped, waiting for Jake to explode. Instead he belly laughed.

  “You don’t have to answer, I know all I need to know.”

  “Don’t you dare breathe a word of this—”

  “Don’t worry, Vivienne, I won’t release anything more. But I suggest you be more discreet if you don’t want to the press making up stories of their own.”

  I sat on the edge of the bed and rubbed my eyes, trying not to regret every single action since the moment I left The Relic the previous night.

  “I just don’t want to make any more mistakes that could hurt the foundation. Have you heard anything from the police?”

  “Nothing yet, but I called the detectives with the new information you gave me.”

  Earlier, when we had been together, Jake and I discussed Tony Lyleson and everything I could possibly think of from the one meeting and multiple phone calls we’d had after I’d put him in charge of the foundation.

  “Tell me more about where you’re going tonight.”

  “If I go,” I reminded him. “I don’t have the slightest idea. Something about a premiere for a television show.”

  “Which one?”

  “I don’t know! Does it matter? I ca
n’t believe you’re supporting this cockamamie idea!” I yelled.

  “When are you going to get it through your thick skull?” Jake hollered right back. “Nothing you’ve done is wrong or bad for the foundation. It is all working to your benefit. It just looks like you’re developing relationships and connections to help the foundation recover from what amounts to nothing more than a robbery.”

  I grimaced as he chastised me, logically understanding every word he said, unable to take it to heart.

  “You’ll go tonight. You’ll smile when you need to smile and if you’re asked any questions, you’ll answer them. You’re probably the only one of my clients I completely trust to speak coherently and intelligently.”

  “Thank you, Jake,” I whispered, stunned by his supportive tone.

  “Seriously, Vivienne. You’re every agent’s dream client. You don’t create drama or scandal, but if it happens, you can handle it with dignity and grace. It leaves me able to focus on the real issue without having to handle you at the same time. Most of my other clients could take lessons from you.”

  I knew all along Jake was the best agent I could have chosen, but his words instantly lifted my spirits.

  “I appreciate that, Jake.”

  “You should.”

  There he is, back to his usual self. I laughed. I wanted to say more, but another call was coming through. I checked the display on my phone, seeing Pepper’s name and face on the screen.

  “Pepper’s beeping in, Jake. I’ll let you go and call if anything else comes up.” I started to say goodbye, but changed my mind. “Thank you again for everything you’re doing. I’m sorry I’ve turned in to such a pain in the ass.”

  Jake chuckled.

  “It’s okay, Vivienne. This is my job. You just have to trust me when I tell you everything will be okay.”

  “All right. I’ll talk to you later.”

  “Bye.”

  I clicked over to catch Pepper, but she’d already gone to voicemail. Not bothering to listen to it, I dialed her number and wasn’t surprised when she answered before the first ring was finished. She was with Will at his house getting his clothes and would be back in less than half an hour. I could detect the surprise in her voice when I told her I would still be here waiting because I knew she expected another round of protestations.

  “Tell me what size shoe you wear again,” Pepper commanded.

  “Six-and-a-half.”

  “Okay, great. I’ll be bringing shoes too. You’re lucky I know so many people in Hollywood, my friend.” Then she hung up on me before I could say another word.

  I tossed my phone onto the bed and walked to the windows to peer out over the Los Angeles skyline. I couldn’t believe how much had happened and how much things had changed in less than a week. It was one thing to publish a book and gain a certain amount of notoriety for it, but this was way beyond what even my imagination could have come up with.

  I cursed Tony Lyleson with every ounce of my heart for the scoundrel he was. I knew this type of scandal wasn’t new. Hell, lots of charities and organizations had gotten ripped off for way more money than mine had, causes just as vital and meaningful as the widows and widowers of fallen soldiers. But I still couldn’t help feeling a certain amount of righteous indignation because I was one of those widows. My husband was a fallen soldier. I started the foundation, wanting to help without wanting anything for myself, and this dirty rotten bastard had ruined it all. I couldn’t give a rat’s ass about paying the money back out of my own funds, if I had to, but he had effectively cheated hundreds of people out of the opportunity to begin their lives anew. If not for him, I might not have been in California at all. Oh sure, there were the negotiations for the movie rights going on, but I probably could have stayed home in Michigan for those and allowed Jake to handle it all.

  Wanting some fresh air, I went to the balcony door and stepped outside. I could hear the traffic below and took quite a few deep breaths to try and begin gearing myself up for the festivities later in the evening. From a quiet existence in suburban Detroit to the noise and constant activity of Los Angeles was a huge leap for me.

  I was lucky I even heard it, but my phone ringing brought me back to the moment and I walked back to the bed to see who could be calling now. The display said “unknown” and I hesitated before answering. Praying it wasn’t some reporter or more bad news, I tapped the screen to answer.

  “Hello?”

  “Hello, Vivienne.”

  I recognized Tony Lyleson’s voice instantly, wondering if all my evil thoughts about him had actually tempted him into calling me.

  “You bastard!” I hissed. “I don’t suppose you’d like to tell me where the hell you are and where all the money is?”

  “Don’t be silly! I’d never do that.” His tone was syrupy and patronizing, making my blood boil. I stomped my foot, grateful for the deep-pile carpeting.

  “How dare you call and gloat!” I was losing control and I knew it’s what he wanted, but I couldn’t stop the anger from overflowing out of my mouth any more than I could have held back vomit during a bout of food poisoning.

  “Oh, I’m not gloating. I just wanted to tell you to drop the investigation. You’ll never find me, so don’t waste your time.” His oily voice was filled with confidence. “And if you don’t stop, I may just have to hack into your personal accounts as well.”

  “You sorry son of a bitch!” I hissed.

  “Ta-ta for now, dear!” he chortled and then hung up on me.

  And that’s when I really lost it. I threw the phone across the room and it crashed against the door just as Will came through it.

  Chapter 29

  “That guy has balls,” I said, completely shocked at what Vivienne related to us after I almost got beaned with her phone.

  “And I’ll cut ’em off myself if I ever get my hands on him,” Vivienne spat. Her eyes were crackling with rage and her face was flushed. I was embarrassed to find her exquisitely beautiful in that moment, so I found something else to look at. Angry Vivienne was hotter than hell.

  “Down, girl.” Pepper grabbed her by the arms and made her sit down. “Have you called the police?” She sat down beside her and clasped hands with her.

  “No, I was too busy throwing a fit.” Vivienne’s flush grew deeper with her shame and I glanced at her in the mirror so she couldn’t see me.

  “Well you better call them or Jake.” Pepper stood and went to the minibar. She retrieved a tiny bottle of brandy and cracked it open, handing it to her friend. “Have a drink. It’ll calm your nerves.”

  Vivienne snatched the bottle and tipped it up, downing the entire thing in four large gulps.

  Tossing the bottle into the trash, Vivienne stomped over to where her phone was still on the floor. Grabbing it, she rolled her eyes. “Thank goodness for a good case, eh?” Then she marched out to the balcony leaving me alone with Pepper.

  “Remind me never to piss her off,” I said softly, craning to see her through the window.

  Pepper laughed and smacked me in the arm.

  “I’ve known her all my life and, I have to say, I don’t think I’ve ever seen her this mad before.”

  I nodded and flopped onto the bed, throwing my arms above my head. Pepper had dropped the four dresses she’d been carrying when we arrived and she began picking them up off the floor. Hanging them on the back of the bathroom door, she took the plastic off each one.

  “You think this is still a good idea? Going out tonight?”

  “Yes,” Pepper insisted. “We need to keep her busy and active. Distracted from all this bullshit, as much as possible.”

  “She’s pretty nervous about it.”

  “Viv thinks too much,” Pepper sniffed. “When she stops thinking and just goes with the flow, she has a great time.” She winked at Will and smirked. “Look at the other night. You got a taste of the real Vivienne.”

  I snorted.

  “Pun intended?”

  “Of course!”
/>   Pepper was still laughing as she arranged the shoes when Vivienne came back into the room.

  “Well?” we asked in unison.

  Vivienne sighed and stretched out beside me on the bed. She laced the fingers of her hands together and rested them on her stomach.

  “Jake said he would call the police. I don’t know if they can trace the call through phone records or not, but I sure as hell hope so.”

  I brought my arms down to put one around her shoulders. She instinctively raised her head so I could get it under there. I squeezed her in support and she snuggled up next to me. Pepper tried not to show her pleasure, but I caught the grin spreading across her face as she turned around to continue her busy work.

  “So are we still on for tonight?” I asked quietly.

  “Yeah. Jake wouldn’t let me bow out. He said I probably looked quite fetching in my pique and I would photograph better that way.”

  Pepper and I both burst out laughing at that, and Vivienne muttered her favorite phrase. “Good grief.”

  Chapter 30

  Pepper emerged from the bathroom. Feeling like a Greek Goddess, she was wearing a floor-length, silver, toga-style gown and black, strappy, high-heel sandals. Her hair was piled high onto her head, held up with crystal-encrusted bobby pins. She knew she looked good.

  “Wow!” Will whistled as she grinned and rummaged through her purse, frowning when her favorite lipstick played hide and seek.

  “Thanks love,” Pepper said, grasping the tube at last. “But I’m not the one who will need the compliments.” She jerked her head back in the direction of the closed bathroom door.

  Will gave her two thumbs up and turned to the mirror to continue working on his tie. Pepper playfully nudged him out of the way. She didn’t notice when Vivienne came out, but knew she had by the stunned look on Will’s face. It made her smile because she could see his eyes smolder in the mirror’s reflection.