Page 39 of Glamorize

“How come she didn’t know who you were because of Declan and me?” Jack asked with his arms folded across his chest and a scowl on his face.

“We both used aliases while we were there and she never mentioned you. She said she didn’t watch the show when I was in it. When I saw her here at your party I was as surprised as she was. Avery insisted we keep it private so I said nothing.”

“Well, you are both old enough and stupid enough to know what you want. Hurt her though and like I said before, I will punch your lights out. So will Jack.”

I wanted to tell them I would rather hurt myself than her, but then I saw Jenny walk in.

“We’ll go and see her now. Looks like you have some explaining to do,” Jack said.

I went back to my cubicle and got dressed. Then the whole story was repeated again for my publicist. She was on the phone with my agent when my cellphone rang. It was the police officer I had spoken to earlier.

“I’ve had a chat with the fire investigator, and it seemed that something was thrown through your kitchen window. It didn’t contain an accelerant but was more of a smoke machine. It broke open and spilled its contents, and that is why the fire took hold so quickly. We will be contacting you later. The area is taped off, but you should be able to go in and see what you can retrieve later.”

“Thank you. Look there was someone recently parking opposite, and I took the registration number because I thought they looked suspicious. I’ll send it to you. I think I suspect everyone since I had an incident with a strange powder coming in the mail.”

“I’ll look into it and let you know what we find out.”

I sent the number through.

“So, what did they say?” Jenny asked when she came off the phone.

“They said it was on purpose. Someone threw something in the widow. What the hell. Avery could have been killed.” I wanted to hit something. “I need to find out who did this, but we both know who I think it was.”

“Now don’t go jumping to conclusions. I can’t imagine someone as big as Brad Sendler would do anything like that.”

“Maybe not him but I bet he knows people who would. Before I thought they were just trying to scare me, but this is getting too real.”

“Look, I’ll deal with the press, and we will take this slow and not say anything yet. Let’s give the cops time to do their work. Now you need to tell me about Avery, before the press grill me.”

I told her what about Australia and hoped that would be enough.

The doctor came back in and said I could go home, but I wanted to see Avery again. She was still waiting to be transferred upstairs to a room. I would get this over and done with in one go. Her cousins were still with her.

I bent down and kissed Avery on her forehead. When I glanced back at Declan, he had a raised eyebrow. Jack was still scowling. I held Avery’s hand as I spoke. She now had nasal specula on, and her breathing was slower and deeper.

“I’ve just heard from the police who were at the house. It seems it was suspicious.”

“What the fuck,” Declan said. “You put Avery in danger.”

“Shut it, Declan, Flynn didn’t know and saved me,” Avery said in a steely tone.

“He said something was thrown in through the window and started it. We had the music blaring in the bathroom so didn’t hear it. The smoke was so thick when we ran through, I didn’t notice anything. I just wanted to get Avery out.”

“So, is there any idea who did it? Or does this have anything to do with the powder thing? I overheard the guys talking about a letter you received?” Avery asked. “Is someone really trying to hurt you, Flynn?”

This woman was amazing. She had nearly been caught in a deadly fire, and all she worried about was whether I was okay.

“A short while back someone sent me some white powder in an envelope with a cryptic message, but it was nothing. Recently I noticed a car over the street I didn’t know. The cops are checking the number plate. I shouldn’t have brought you to my place. I’m sorry.”

“You couldn’t have known that someone would do something like this,” Avery said. She waited until she got her breath back. “Maybe they didn’t know anyone was home.”

“The doctors said I can go, but I’d like to stay with you if I can. I can go to my hotel later.”

“I’d like that.” The porter came in to take her to her room. Declan touched my arm as I went to follow. “She said she likes you and is her own woman, but we don’t want her in danger. Not from strangers and not from you.”

“Neither do I. I’ve never met anyone like Avery before and I’m not going to mess up. I’ll let you know as soon as the cops tell me anything.” For the first time I saw Declan relax a little bit.

“When Callie and I were having problems with her ex I used my friend, Drake, he is from the security company I use. He can ask questions where the police don’t want to go.”

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