AllFreeNovel
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Hailey’s brow wrinkles. “I’m sure.” She stares at Vanessa as if wondering how a rabid fan got into her house, then says, “Why don’t we take this out to the pool deck? It’s such a lovely afternoon.”
“You have such a big, beautiful home,” Vanessa gushes. “It’s everything I imagined it would be.”
“It is?” Hailey seems confused that Vanessa would spend time imagining her home.
“Oh yes.” Vanessa throws her arms out, nearly hitting both me and Hailey. “I bet there’s at least five bedrooms here and look at all this artwork! You must have a really accomplished curator.” She skips ahead, stopping in front of a painting. She grins at Hailey. “An authentic Giorgio Griffa.”
Hailey’s expression descends into confusion. “How do you know?” She quickly regains her composure as she joins Vanessa. “I mean, of course it is, but how can you tell?”
“See these brush strokes, the way the canvas stretches here? His spare use of paint while leaving large sections of the canvas unfinished?”
Hailey leans in, the skin around her eyes crinkling as she squints. “Yes?”
“It’s his personal signature. He uses the process of creating art as the art itself. When not displayed, his canvases are folded and put away. His unique style is his signature.”
Hailey thaws as the two women discuss the painting. Outside, she invites us to sit down for a drink and snacks. As we settle at the shaded outdoor table next to a pool with lily pads floating in it, I listen as the conversation turns from artwork to acting.
I’m eager to ask my questions, but allowing Vanessa to talk is giving me more insight into Hailey Whitmore than I might have otherwise gleaned. Soon, they’re discussing the movie set like long lost friends.
“And what about Ginger Abbot?” Hailey leans closer, lowering her voice as she takes a sip of her iced tea. “The mouse? Is she still hanging around? She once told me she loves the movie magic on set. She helped reconnect the power to my trailer.”
“She’s still there,” I tell her taking the opportunity to steer the conversation in the direction I want it to go. “How did you know she was a shifter?” It’s unusual for shifters to reveal themselves to humans they don’t trust, which means the two must’ve formed a bond.
Hailey’s eyes slide away from me. “We liked each other.”
I don’t beat around the bush. “What are you hiding?”
“Don’t be rude,” Vanessa scolds me.
“I’m here to ask questions,” I remind her.
Hailey’s gaze moves back and forth between us as she sighs heavily. “You want to know about the accidents, right?” At my nod, she adds, “Rachel warned me, but I’m not sure what I can tell you.”
“Were you the target of any incidents while you were on set?”
She tilts her head as she thinks. “They weren’t really incidents or outright attacks. They were more like pranks. Everyone was a target, and the pranks continued after I left the film. If they haven’t stopped, why would you think I might be involved?”
“Your name keeps coming up.”
“It would,” she admits. “I was the lead actress before Vanessa took over.” She smiles at Vanessa. “I was involved in every part of that set.” Her brow wrinkles as she ponders out loud, “The worst prank was when the power was cut to my trailer and I was locked inside.”
Vanessa frowns. “But the door lock isn’t electronic, it’s keyed. How would you get trapped in your trailer?”
“Someone jammed the door and left me in the dark.” A shudder ripples through her. “I hate the dark.”
“Does anyone on set know you hate the dark?” I ask.
She starts to shake her head, then stops, her eyes widening. “I hadn’t thought of it at the time because we were…” Heat stains her cheeks.
“You were having a relationship with someone on set?”
She nods. “We hook up whenever we’re on set together. In fact, I’m the reason he got the job.” As if assuming judgement, she rushes to add, “He’s damn good at his job or I wouldn’t recommend him.”
“Who?” I demand.
“Stelios Diaz.”
Vanessa grins her relief. “Well, there’s no way it’s Stelios.”
