She signed in and waited. Soon, a young woman with a long brown ponytail greeted her.
“Ms. Lovett? I’m Sienna. I’m in charge of booking the models for Valende. Can I see your portfolio?”
Olathe handed it over and chatted easily as the woman flipped through the pages. Olathe was happy to note she took her time and studied each of the photos.
“You have a very classic look that can be high fashion or editorial,” Sienna said. “Let’s get you into one of Valende’s outfits, and I can assess your walk.”
As Olathe headed to the dressing room to change, she noticed Nari pacing back and forth. She felt the woman’s pain. It was hard to wait when they had so many places to visit in a short amount of time.
After sliding on the heels from her bag, she emerged from the dressing room and glided the length of the showroom, keeping the teaching points Kaycee had drilled into her. She paused at the end to give the imaginary camera a chance to focus on her.
“Very good,” Sienna praised. “You have a natural gait and strong pace. The clothes fit nicely on you.” She smiled in approval.
Olathe changed back into her outfit, thanked Sienna, wished Nari good luck, and headed out for the next location. Fortune was on her side when she made all five in the allotted time.
#
Gage chatted with Kaiya and Ryan as they waited for the contestants to arrive for judging. When his phone buzzed, he glanced at the screen and stepped away to take the call.
“Monahan.”
“Mr. Monahan? This is Bob Warren from Fontana Island.”
“Hi, Bob. What can I do for you?”
“I wanted to let you know that we just found Mr. Linc Chadha.”
Gage could tell by the sound of his voice that the news wasn’t good. He was right.
“His body washed up. We don’t have official word, but it looks like he’d been stabbed. I called you right after the authorities in Miami. His family hasn’t been notified yet, pending identification.”
“Thanks for letting me know, Bob. I appreciate it. Please keep me posted when you know more.”
“I will.”
He disconnected, feeling a sense of unease. It sounded like Linc had been stabbed and thrown in the ocean, just like Dominique Fisk. They both shared a connection to Brooklyn.
Gage wanted to shut everything down. He needed to tell Brooklyn to stay inside her apartment behind locked doors until they figured out what was happening. But he couldn’t do that. This was her life and her dream. He’d have to settle for never letting her out of his sight.
#
Brooklyn glanced at Gage as he talked on the phone. He looked troubled, and when he glanced up, his gaze was filled with concern. She wanted to go to him and find out what was wrong, but the four remaining women entered the room.
Clark gave her the cue, and she smiled, albeit forced, as she said, “You had your first go-sees today. Olathe and Alease, you both made it to all five. Congratulations, ladies. That’s impressive. Also, you both booked all five.”
They looked excited and hugged each other. “Genie, you made it to four and booked three, and Nari, you only made it to two.”
“I got so lost,” she whined, wiping tears from her face. “I ended up in the Bronx.”
“The good news is you booked both. I’m proud of you all. Let’s look at the photos from Saturday’s sporty shoot.”
Olathe posed as a tennis player, Alease a golfer, Genie a surfer, and Nari a basketball player. Genie was selected as the winner, with a teary Nari going home.
“Ladies, you’re the final three. Any of you could be crowned the winner.”
She waited for them to leave before she approached Gage. He was in conversation with Kaiya and Ryan. He stood when she walked over. She could tell by the look on his face that he had bad news.
“What is it?”
“Linc was found today.”
The bottom dropped out of her stomach. “He’s dead, isn’t he?”
“Yeah, honey. I’m sorry.”
It felt as if the air had been sucked from the room, and she couldn’t breathe. Gage guided her to a chair. “What happened?”
He looked like he didn’t want to answer. Finally, he said, “His body washed up. He’d been stabbed.”
Now the room began to spin. He was murdered the same way as Dominique Fisk and Shoshana Emery. Their deaths were all connected, and she had a horrible feeling she was the link.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
On Wednesday morning, Brooklyn stood in front of Olathe, Alease, and Genie. It’d been a long night, and she’d ended up breaking down in Gage’s arms. He’d held her as she mourned her friends, providing the solace and comfort she needed until she fell asleep. When she woke, he was still beside her instead of back in his room. He made love to her, and she felt cherished. She loved him so much.
Pushing aside her grief, she focused on the competition. She needed to get through the next two days, and then she’d deal with all that had happened.
“The last challenge before the runway show tomorrow night is a commercial for Fresh Face. You’ll be provided with a script you need to memorize, and then you’ll be in front of the cameras. The winner’s commercial will air on national television. Remember, you’re selling the product.”
An hour later, after the women had been through hair and makeup, Genie was the first to go. She looked into the camera, smiled, and totally blanked her lines. Jax finally had cue cards made for her, and she managed a clean take.
Alease was next. Her makeup was flawless, and her sparkling white smile accentuated her mocha skin. She was halfway through before she stuttered and had to start again. It took three more tries before she had a decent clip.
Olathe was last. She looked poised and beautiful as she spoke into the camera, her lines perfectly delivered. Jax had her run through two more times, with each take better than the last.
That evening, Brooklyn studied the women as they stood in front of her again. They looked equal parts excited and terrified.
“It’s down to you three. We’ve reviewed all of your pictures from the competition, as well as the Fresh Face ad. It’s hard at this point to lose anyone, but we need to narrow it down to the final two. I’ll start with Alease. Let’s watch your commercial.”
The clip played, and it could run on television now. Then her best photos were displayed on the screen. She’d steadily improved in each shot. Her pictures were stunning.
“Olathe, let’s see your commercial.” She looked like a natural, and the cameras loved her. She didn’t look the least bit intimidated. Olathe had been good to start, but she’d ended up great.
“Genie, let’s look at your clip.” The film played, and she appeared fresh and fun, but more like a cheerleader or beauty queen. Her photos were the same. She was a pretty girl, but not top model material.
The women left while Brooklyn, Kaycee, Jax, and Ginny debated the merits of each one. For Brooklyn, it was a formality. She’d already decided the two she wanted to be in the finale. The others came to the same conclusion, and the women were called back inside.
#
Olathe’s heart pounded so hard she was afraid it would beat right out of her chest. She’d wanted to be a model her entire life. If they cut her now, she wasn’t sure what she would do.
“Whatever happens, I’m happy to go through this with you two,” Alease said, squeezing their hands.
“Me, too,” Olathe agreed. She’d become good friends with both of them.
“Hey, what do you think about the three of us moving to New York and getting an apartment together as we pursue our modeling dreams?” Genie asked. “It would be so fun!”
Alease clapped her hands. “I love that idea.”
Olathe smiled and nodded, but she didn’t have money to move to New York with no guarantee of a contract. She would never ask her parents for financial support. They’d worked hard their whole lives to send her to college. Scholarships helped, thankfully. But apart
ments would require a deposit. She’d never ask Alease and Genie to cover it and then pay them back. And what if she couldn’t find representation and no one wanted to hire her? What would she do then?
“Okay, ladies, they’re ready for you.”
Alease hugged her and then Genie and they walked in holding hands. The judges seemed intimidating sitting behind the judging table. Brooklyn stood in front to greet them.
“I’m so proud of each of you,” she said. “I can see how nervous you are, so I won’t delay. It was a hard decision, but the model that won’t be continuing in the competition is Genie.”
Genie gasped and started to cry as Olathe and Alease embraced her. She finally gathered her composure and hugged Brooklyn, who encouraged her to continue to pursue modeling. As she was leaving, she said over her shoulder, “Remember what I said.”
Once she was gone, Brooklyn faced them. “Do you want to share?”
“She suggested that the three of us move to New York together to pursue our dreams,” Alease revealed.
Olathe felt ashamed again that she wouldn’t be able to if she didn’t win. She needed to tell them so they could plan for someone else.
“That’s a great idea,” Brooklyn said. “I’ve lived with other models in cramped apartments in New York, Paris, and Milan. It’s nice to have a support group of friends who know what you’re going through.”
“And who can share the bills,” Kaycee interjected.
“Exactly. Well, ladies, you are the last two standing. You’ll have all morning tomorrow to rest and relax before the fashion show. I’m so excited for you to model my dresses. After the show, we’ll announce the first winner of Supermodel Search.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Brooklyn woke early on Thursday morning. She’d been too keyed up to sleep last night. Thankfully, Gage helped her by wearing her out—in the best way possible.
Today was the culmination of years of plans and dreams. It would be her debut fashion show, plus the show’s finale where they named the winner. Everything she’d been working toward for so long was about to commence.
While Olathe and Alease rested, Brooklyn headed to the building where the fashion show would take place with Gage, Kaiya, Ryan, and Stella. Poor Stella had a major crush on Ryan, but he was too focused on his job to notice her. It didn’t stop her from trying.
Brooklyn was excited to see the set. It had been finished this past weekend, and though she’d seen pictures, this would be the first time she was viewing it in person.
The hair, makeup, and wardrobe items had been shipped from the island, and the crews were busy setting up the backstage area. People were scurrying about, much like it would be tonight during the show.
Walking up a small flight of steps, she turned on the lights that illuminated the catwalk and stepped out. It looked like a magical wonderland of twinkling lights with trees and leafy green plants. The runway had been constructed in the shape of a V. Women would walk down one side, pose at the point, and come back on the other side.
Satisfied with the set, she returned to the wardrobe area. Forty-five of her original designs hung on racks. She inspected them, happy to see they looked perfect. Charts had been made up for each model with the look they would wear for each walk.
The other three women in the top five would participate, along with ten additional models. Each woman would showcase three outfits.
The morning and afternoon passed quickly. She felt terrible that Gage and his coworkers had to sit around and watch. She knew they were bored to tears.
Brooklyn wanted to be out of hair and makeup before the women arrived. She thought about Linc as Jae applied foundation. He’d been missing almost a week, so she had known that probably meant he was dead, but having it confirmed was heart-wrenching. She’d worked with him for a long time. Brooklyn had called Jae personally to break the news, and the other woman’s eyes were still red and swollen.
Jax and Kaycee arrived with Olathe and Alease. Kaycee would also participate, so she headed to the makeup station. Jax escorted the women into a space that had been converted to a judging room for the final announcement.
Brooklyn met them inside. “I’m honored to have you two wear my designs tonight. Some special guests will join us.”
Jax led Genie, Carmelina, and Nari inside, and the women hugged each other.
“Listen to Jax. He’s done this many times and knows what he’s doing. Have fun tonight, and good luck.”
The women left to get ready, and Brooklyn inhaled deeply. She was on the cusp of her debut, the next step in her life. She couldn’t wait.
#
The day passed with no incidents, for which Gage was grateful. He was astounded at the preparations that went on behind the scenes of a fashion show—not that he ever thought about it before. Though it looked like absolute chaos, it was controlled. Everyone seemed to have a task, and they knew what they were doing.
Brooklyn had hired extra personnel to help, and that made him nervous. He didn’t have a chance to research them.
He recognized many people from Fontana Island, including the security team the network hired. Travis and his crew would stand guard, but Gage planned on having Kaiya and Ryan watching the crowd, too. He’d stay backstage with Brooklyn.
Gage had brought clothes to change into instead of having to go back to the penthouse. When it was almost time for the models to arrive, he ducked inside the bathroom and donned the suit. Kaiya and Ryan did the same.
#
Olathe followed Jax into the building where the fashion show would take place. She gawked at the elaborate set. The runway jutted out into the crowd in a V shape, and Jax told them they would walk out on one side, pose, and then return on the other.
She rarely let herself dream, but this was better than anything she’d conjured in her subconscious. As much as she wanted it for herself, she needed to take care of her parents. That was her goal: make enough money so they didn’t have to work themselves to the bone, as they had their entire lives. It would mean she’d need to move to New York, but she planned on returning home often and having them visit her as much as possible.
Olathe recognized several supermodels backstage, and nerves had her stomach cramping. She’d be walking with the best of the best. It was nice to see the familiar faces of Genie, Nari, and Carmelina.
She was proud to have made it to the final two. It would be hard to beat Alease, who was so beautiful and poised. They sat side by side in makeup chairs, and then she left to have her hair done. She barely recognized the image in the mirror when Judean Bickerton finished.
“Olathe, are you ready to see what you’ll be wearing tonight?”
Excitement coursed through her veins. “Absolutely.”
“Follow me.”
Her destiny was in front of her, and she couldn’t wait to grab it.
Chapter Thirty
“Where’s Olathe?”
Brooklyn turned when Jax shouted the question. “What’s wrong?”
He looked frazzled already, and the show hadn’t even started yet. “I can’t find Olathe, and we’re almost ready to roll.”
Brooklyn hurried to Olathe’s station, but her first outfit still hung on the rack.
She found the woman in charge. “Beatriz, have you seen Olathe?”
Beatriz spun around and searched the area. There were people everywhere. “No, I haven’t.”
“Who was scheduled to dress her?”
Beatriz consulted her clipboard. “Ester Ruiz.” She called the woman over. “Where is Olathe?”
Ester shook her head. “I don’t know. I’ve been looking for her.”
Jax grabbed Alease. “Have you seen Olathe?”
Her brown eyes widened. “No, not since we had our makeup done.”
Where could she be? Brooklyn understood nerves taking over, but Olathe wasn’t the kind of person to disappear without a trace. She’d nailed every photo session and was a finalist—the frontrunner.
#
>
“Mr. Monahan?”
Gage turned at the summons to see one of the security guards. “What do you need, Ron?”
“One of the girls said she knows something about sabotage. Does that mean anything to you?”
Dread filled Gage. “Yeah. It does.”
“She was adamant that I do not tell Brooklyn. She asked me to find you and said she would only talk to you.
Gage glanced at Brooklyn to see her in deep conversation with Jax and the woman in charge of wardrobe. They looked panicked about something. He didn’t want to upset her further, so he’d find out what was going on. “Lead the way.”
He followed Ron down a dark hallway, his unease growing by the second. Ron stopped at a door. “She’s in here.” He opened it, flipped on an overhead light, and stepped back.
Gage entered to see Olathe Lovett sitting on a chair with her hands tied behind her back and a piece of cloth wrapped around her mouth. Her eyes were filled with tears, and mascara ran down her cheeks like little black rivers. “What the—”
Those were the only words he got out before he felt a blinding pain in his head and the world went black.
#
“Ms. Fontana, I found Ms. Lovett.”
She turned to see one of the security guards standing beside her. She remembered his name was Ron. “Thank goodness. Is she okay?”
“Yes, but she’s having a major meltdown.”
At least she wasn’t hurt. That had been Brooklyn’s worry, especially after Linc’s murder. “Where is she?”
“She said she’d only talk to you and no one else.”
Olathe was the forerunner. If Brooklyn had to choose now, she’d pick her to win. “Lead the way.”
Brooklyn followed him down a dimly lit hallway to a door. When he opened it, Brooklyn’s brain couldn’t process what she was seeing. Olathe sat in a corner, tied up and looking terrified. That was bad enough, but the image of Gage lying unconscious on the floor with his hands bound behind his back stopped her heart. She started to go to him, but Ron grabbed her arm, preventing her from moving.
Dressed to Kill (COBRA Securities Book 22) Page 24
