Page 12 of Hidden Truths

“It’s the stations that play all the trendy stuff you really have to worry about. Those DJs love to break a celebrity story. They’re bigger gossips than old ladies in hair salons.” Harlow is still pale, even though she seems to understand better than most people what our lives are like.

I reach out with the hand that isn’t holding my daughter and grab hers. I don’t even think about it. It’s like some inner partof me needs to comfort her. “You’re safe and out of the spotlight here. The community is gated as you know, and I’ve kept the knowledge of Cora’s existence out of the media so far.” Harlow squeezes my hand as she listens. “I understand if you’ve changed your mind and don’t want to work for someone in the spotlight.”

Harlow smiles before dropping my hand. I instantly feel the loss of her warm skin against mine. “I didn’t change my mind. I just panicked for a minute. I don’t want to accidentally tell my dad or my best friend something when I’m just talking to them about my day.”

I nod at her explanation. “The NDA is to protect Cora. Your dad is going to know you’re working for me. Especially since he’s working with us on Ezra’s case, which I’m sure you know. He’s also signed an NDA because of that. I don’t know about your friend, though. We can talk about that more.”

“Do you have anyone that needs an assistant?” she asks with a laugh, like she’s joking.

Willa raises her eyebrows. “Actually, yeah. Can you send me her info? Is she actually qualified, or was that a joke?”

“She worked with me at the station. She was the vice president’s personal assistant,” Harlow says with a small shrug. “I was just joking, but if you actually know someone, I’m sure she would really appreciate it.”

Harlow agrees to send Willa her friend’s information and then reminds me that she’ll be here at six the next morning before taking her leave.

“Holy shit, you hired a nanny,” Belle says with a giant smile on her face. She pats my arm before heading for the door. “I have to get going. Kai bought a car seat for Cora to put in his car and wants to take it to the fire station to have it installed properly.” She rolls her eyes as she leaves, but I smile. It’s nice having friends that are as insane about your daughter’s safety as you are.

“You’re welcome,” Willa singsongs as she follows Belle out.

I roll my eyes are her back and snuggle my daughter. All I can do is hope I made the right choice for her.

four

HARLOW

“Earth to Harlow,”Jo says, waving her hand in front of my face.

“Sorry,” I mutter.

“Where did you go? All I asked was how the interview went.”

“Good. I start tomorrow.”

“Then why do you look like someone kicked your puppy?” she asks, moving closer to me where we sit on my childhood bed. She’s currently staying in my dad’s guest room while we sort through our lives. It made the most sense since her parents are in New Mexico, and we didn’t want to be apart.

It’s weird being in this bedroom. My dad didn’t move here until I was in college, but he took all the stuff from my room and set it up here. I think he wanted me to feel at home when I came to visit. Which I appreciate more now that I’ve been here for a few weeks. I kind of wish I didn’t have a twin bed, though.

I sigh and flop backwards. “I have to sign an NDA. I don’t know how I’m supposed to dig for information on Ezra if I can’t even share it. What’s the point?”

“I think they’d be more than forgiving if we figure out what happened to him,” Jo points out.

“Sure, but not publicly and before they even know.”

Jo shrugs. “So we don’t do it that way. We tell them first and then go public.”

“And you think they’re all going to be fine with that?”

“Maybe. Maybe not, but they’re in the public eye. Ezra’s case is huge, not only in true crime circles but also in the music industry. It’s going to be out there and it’s going to be picked apart. You can convince them that us breaking the story will be the best course of action.”

“That’s if we’re even able to do that. There hasn’t been any progress in years. My dad is on the case now and was the lead on it from the start and even he doesn’t know what happened. How the hell am I supposed to figure it out?” I ask, seriously questioning this genius plan of ours for the first time.

Jo shrugs again, and I have the urge to pinch her. I don’t because I’m that good of a friend. “They could easily say something in passing that they don’t even realize will help the case. Just pay attention.”

She makes it sound so simple. I sigh and stare at the ceiling.

“What else? There’s something else going on.”

“I just feel like I’m somehow taking advantage of a five-month-old. That’s really fucked up, Jo,” I admit.

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