Page 104 of Hidden Truths

“What are your plans for the first podcast episode?” I ask Harlow. It’s coming out next week. It coincides with the date that was supposed to be our last show in Boston before we had to move everything. The girls didn’t want to wait, thinking a delay before they even start wouldn’t help them gain listeners. We did our interviews as soon as we got home from Green Peak.

“We already recorded it,” Harlow says. “We went heavy on his disappearance and probable interference with the case. We asked the public for help specifically regarding that and asked them not to inundate our email with Ezra sightings.”

“That’s smart,” Harrison says.

“We don’t want people searching for him while we do, but I knew changing the topic of our first episode would either bring negative attention or get people’s curiosity so high that they interfere inadvertently.”

“So you kept it, but with a specific focus. That’s a great idea,” Willa says.

“Thanks,” Harlow says, blushing.

“So, uh, not that I’m not glad you’re here, Harrison, but why are you here?” I ask.

“I just wanted to deliver the good news myself,” he says. “Police were able to find enough evidence to connect the men who kidnapped Harlow to Wolfe. Those charges are pending the district attorney reviewing them, but you can sleep easy knowing the guy that caused you pain is behind bars.”

Harlow sighs in relief, and slumps in her seat, her posture mirroring Maverick’s. Cora giggles and squishes Harlow’s cheeks together, making her laugh.

“There’s more,” Harrison says. “The guard at the prison that shot Brad and then herself. I found wire transfers from an offshore account for hundreds of thousands of dollars. She willed it all to her sick mother.”

“Jesus,” Willa mutters.

“I was able to trace those accounts back to Wolfe.”

“So he did it. All of it,” Mav says, his expression unreadable.

“It would appear that way,” Harrison confirms.

“Now what?” I ask, genuinely not knowing what to do with myself.

“Now we find Ezra,” Harlow says with so much confidence I believe her.

And if anyone can do it, it’s my wife.

forty-four

HARLOW

I don’t bother hidingin the shadows this time. I’m right where Cal can see me while he’s on stage. He glances over during every song and smiles at me. His eyes stayed locked with mine for the entirety of Firecracker. I swear my heart is about to burst from all the attention he’s giving me by the end of the show. That or my panties are going to go up in flames.

The fans with backstage passes are on the other side of the stage and are slowly making their way over to an area that Nate has designated for them if they want to meet the band. I decide to join them and eavesdrop on what they talk about. Nate notices me but says nothing. I don’t think he ever says anything unless it’s barking out directions.

“Do you think they told him the wrong side of the stage? He kept looking in the opposite direction from us,” a girl with neatly curled green hair says. I’m standing behind the group, hoping no one will notice me. I don’t think I’m overly recognizable normally, but Cal has posted a few pictures of us, and these people are super fans. It would ruin my fun if they noticed me.

“He’s married,” her friend with bright blue curls tells her.

“It could just be a publicity stunt. You know, to clean up his image or something,” the green-haired one says with a hint of desperation.

I get it, girl. Callahan Griffin is a catch. A fucking hot one at that. I would be sad too.

Her friend shakes her head, making her blue curls bounce, and sighs in a way that tells me this isn’t the first time they’ve had this discussion. “Maverick is still single,” she offers.

Maverick is the most unsingle single person there is. Not that I can tell them that. It would be hard to explain. Actually, it would be impossible to explain since Mav is still waiting to find Ezra before announcing there was or is something between them.

The girls start bouncing on the balls of their feet and squealing through clenched teeth as the band makes their way over. I only have eyes for the tall one with floppy dark hair and deep brown eyes.

“Callahan is so hot!” I yell.

“He issohot,” the green-haired girl says without turning to look at me.

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