“It was in a filing cabinet,” Ryan corrected.
“That makes even less sense. What else did you find?”
“An empty file with your name on it.”
Layla piped up, “The contents were sent to me.”
“Let me guess: It was full of diary entries and whatever else you posted on your blog or saw fit to give to Trena Moretti?” She glared at Layla, but Layla refused to confirm or deny. “Clearly someone planted the blood kit and empty file folder,” Madison said. “What would Paul want with my diary entries?”
“I thought you suspected Paul?” Aster’s tone was softer than Tommy expected.
Madison shook her head. “Now I realize he was trying to protect me from knowing the truth. But I panicked and ran, and he’s probably freaking out trying to find me.”
“It’s equally possible he’s trying to hunt you down so he can harm you,” Tommy said, prompting Madison to send him a searching look that was not lost on Layla, who made a point of sighing and rolling her eyes.
Before it could go any further, Aster broke in. “If Paul is behind it, I don’t think he’d want us to see any of those documents, much less the blood kit. Ira, on the other hand, could’ve easily made all that happen.”
Tommy kept quiet. His head was spinning with theories.
“Look—” Ryan bumped Aster’s shoulder with his. “I don’t know if Ira’s behind it or not. What I do know is that scandal is sexy. And this particular scandal is tailor made for a celebrity-obsessed public who never tires of rehashing the grisly details. There isn’t a person left on the planet who hasn’t heard of Jewel, the Vesper, or Night for Night, which is now one of the top five tourist destinations in town. It’s pretty much the best thing that ever happened to Ira. Though it’s definitely the worst thing that’s ever happened to us.” Ryan’s voice rang of anger, and the color rose to his face. He was getting seriously heated. Tommy could relate.
“So . . .” Aster shifted toward him. “Let’s assume Ira is behind this.” She frowned. “I mean, what now? What am I supposed to do? I’ve pretty much given him control of my life! Do I find a way to disconnect? Or do I hang in there with the hope that it’s entirely possible that the reason he’s gone out of his way to help is because he knows the charges won’t stick? Like, maybe at the very last second he’s planning a big reveal that’ll prove my innocence. And then, in addition to building his business, he can be a hero for believing in me when everyone else turned away. God, that sounds cynical.” She sank her head in her hands and rubbed at her face.
“Cynical and entirely possible.” Ryan sighed.
“But would he really go that far just for an epic PR play?” Aster smoothed her hair behind her ears, her expression thoughtful as she considered the idea.
On the surface, it sounded crazy and woefully far-fetched.
In reality, Tommy knew Ira was capable of all that and more.
Still, he said, “But why would he kidnap Madison? I mean, it’s one thing to be an amoral businessman. It’s another to actually abduct someone and hold them captive for weeks on end. That takes planning, patience, deliberation, resources.”
“All of which Ira has in abundance,” Madison said.
“So if Ira is behind it, do you think he planned to trot you in front of the courtroom at the last minute so my case would be dismissed? You think that’s his big reveal?” Aster stared at Madison as though she had the answer. When Madison failed to reply, Aster frowned and slumped low in her seat. “I know, it sounds insane—like the worst sort of magical thinking. But at this point, it’s all I’ve got. Ira controls my whole life! And the worst part is, I went along with it.”
They all fell quiet, until Layla said, “While I’m not saying Ira isn’t behind it, I’m not sure how he’s connected to Madison’s past. And clearly, whatever’s going on here, it’s connected to the night her parents died. We need a better strategy.”
“I wasn’t aware you had a strategy.” Madison frowned.
“Last time we came up with a plan, it didn’t turn out so well,” Tommy said.
“Meaning . . .” Layla narrowed in on him, and Tommy couldn’t help but cringe.
“Meaning we ended up charged with a crime we didn’t commit! What do you think he means?” Aster rolled her eyes and shook her head.
Yep, the band was back together again.
“Well, we can’t just sit back and do nothing.” Layla refused to give in. “Or actually, I guess we can. One phone call to Larsen and we can all walk away and be done with it. Let the LAPD unravel this mess.”
Madison looked terrified. Layla looked like she was about to make good on her word, and Tommy had no idea whether or not she was bluffing but knew he had to stop it from happening.
“No one’s suggesting that.” The second it was out, Tommy knew it was the final death knell of whatever he had with Layla, but it was the right thing to do. Madison was scared, and whoever had harmed her the first time was still out there. He couldn’t live with himself if he didn’t at least try to help. “But whatever we do from here, we have to be smart. I can’t take another night in jail, curled up in the fetal position on the top bunk, breathing through my mouth in order to avoid all the foul smells. Or maybe that was just me.” It was a lame attempt to add a little levity, and he instantly regretted it.
“No competing over which of us had the nastiest cell,” Aster said. “Because I win. Hands down, I win. I won the first time I was locked up.”
“Jeez, you’re competitive.” Layla rolled her eyes, but the smile that followed smoothed away all the snark.
Madison glared.
