Page 8 of Hidden Truths

“You babysat throughout high school and college.”

I nod slowly, hoping she’ll elaborate.

“Plus, I just talked to your dad,” she smiles. That evil glint in her eyes is what tips me off. She’s messing with me.

“Oh? And what did my dad have to say about this nanny position?” I ask, going along with whatever this is.

“That this position is actually for the daughter of Callahan Griffin.” The triumphant smirk on her face when she sees the shock on mine is annoying as hell.

“I have a lot of questions. First, how did you get my dad to tell you that? He never gossips with me. Second, since when does Cal have a daughter?”

“Harrison and I are besties.” I roll my eyes, and she ignores me. “I actually texted him to see if I could take over your position as his assistant since you said you didn’t want to work for your dad again. He sent me job listings in the area instead.”

I laugh. My dad isn’t great at saying no to me or to Jo, so he redirects. “And that led to him divulging information?”

“Well, not exactly. He said the nanny position was for a new client of his. And I know his new client is Shattered Halo. You told me you’ve seen Belle and Willa recently and since you didn’t mention either being pregnant, I ruled them out. Maverick has been photographed in bars with different women, so probably not him. Callahan, on the other hand, hasn’t been spotted in months. So by process of elimination, it’s his child.”

I blink at her. Sometimes I forget how smart she is when she acts like a fool most days on purpose. Her logic is sound. I helped my dad over the winter while the show was on hiatus and met with both Belle and Willa a few times to go over Ezra’s case. Cal becoming a father never came up, but why would it?

“You can use your connection to them to get the job and then find out more about Ezra. You know your dad won’t give up anything. If we can break the case and figure out what happened to him before it hits mainstream media . . . I mean, that would be huge, Harlow. It would send our podcast straight to number one.”

I graduated with Willa and Belle, but we weren’t exactly friends. We just swam in different circles. We’re friendly enough when we come in contact now, but I’m not sure that’s enough to get me a job as a nanny. Especially considering I don’t really know Cal at all.

“We haven’t even named the podcast or put out any episodes yet,” I lamely point out. It’s a good idea. I need a job, and it would put me directly in contact with people who have information on one of the biggest cases to ever hit my hometown. It’s even bigger now with how famous Shattered Halo has become. The twin brother of the lead guitarist going missing right before their big break was and still is a huge story. Ezra was declared dead a lot faster than most in the true crimecommunity would consider being a fair amount of time. There are so many conspiracy theories about how that happened or where Ezra really is right now.

“Harlow. You know this is the best idea I’ve ever had,” Jo pleads, folding her hands like she’s begging me to agree to her plan.

I sigh and pinch the bridge of my nose. I know she’s right. It’s an opportunity we really can’t pass up. “What do I need to do?”

Jo claps and jumps like she just won the lottery. I glare at her until she stops. The smile never drops from her face.

“I was thinking you could text Belle or Willa and see if you can get in that way. I bet it would be a quick way in.”

I pull my phone out and pull up Willa’s contact information. She gave it to me the first time I met with her and my dad. I don’t have Belle’s, so I’m hoping this will be good enough.

Hey Willa, this is Harlow Ray. This is kind of out of left field, but the radio station I work for just shut down, and I was wondering if you had heard about any job openings around you guys. My dad wasn’t any help, and I don’t really want to work for him again if I could avoid it.

I hit send, feeling slightly guilty for twisting the truth. It wasn’t entirely a lie, but enough of one to hopefully get me an interview without seeming suspicious.

Willa

Hi Harlow! So good to hear from you! I’m sorry to hear about your job. Is there any chance you have childcare experience?

I smile, knowing I got the in, but keeping my phone from Jo when she tries to look. I’m still annoyed by the way she explained this idea of hers.

I do! I babysat all through high school and college.

Willa

Great! Can you come in for an interview tomorrow at 10am?

She sends an address that’s about thirty minutes from my dad’s office in Boston.

I’ll be there! Can you give me more information? Did you have a baby? I don’t babysit adults lol.

Willa

No babies for me! And don’t worry, no adult babysitting. I promise you’ll get all the information if the interview goes well!

---