Thinking about Paige made Cece go on TikTok. Maybe Joe should start a channel for his music. That would be cool. Just suggesting it ought to earn her a few hipness points. Although no one said “hipness,” did they?
Ugh. She’d kept herself from the living for too long. It was time to do something more. She sipped her coffee. Joe was pursuing his dream and making a whole new life for himself.
What was her dream?
She sighed and sat back in her chair, staring at the television without paying it any attention. She still loved doing what she’d always done. Telling stories. Uncovering the truths about people and events. What she did for theBuzzwas nothing compared to what she’d done once upon a time.
How did she do that now? That was the real question. Joe was a perfect example of someone who was so much more than they appeared. His was a story that deserved to be told. But in what way? Another Meet Your Neighbor interview for theBuzz? That held no appeal.
Those were short and shallow. The questions were all softballs, which was all management would allow. Nothing too in-depth. Nothing too personal.
She thought about what else she enjoyed. She watched some true crime documentaries on television, but she obviously wasn’t about to start her own TV show. There were a few podcasts she listened to, as well.
Her eyes narrowed. Could she start a podcast? How hard was that? What if she focused on the people here in the Colony, at least to start with? Her own new group of friends were some pretty strong contenders for guests. Who wouldn’t tune in to hear about Blaise Monroe, former supermodel? Or Maude Harrigan, secret hacker.
Cece laughed. Maude would never admit to that, for sure, but maybe she could come on as an anonymous guest using one of those voice changers so she couldn’t be recognized. Cece was gettingwayahead of herself, but it was fun to be excited about something.
It had been a while since that had happened.
Just for kicks, she did a search on her phone for podcast equipment. She was about to click on an article that supposedly detailed how to get started when her screen showed an incoming phone call from Natalie.
Cece answer. “Good morning.”
“Mom, I found ahair.” Natalie’s voice trembled with upset and anger.
Cece struggled to find context. “What do you mean a hair? Whose hair? Where?”
“In Jim’s laundry from the conference. A long,blondhair.”
Natalie was a brunette. Cece’s stomach pitched. She tried to stay calm. “Maybe it’s nothing.”
“And maybe he’s aliar,” she growled softly.
Nat was clearly spiraling. Cece inhaled. “Maybe he is, but a hair isn’t proof of anything just yet. What can I do to help?”
“I don’t know. Look into him again? I know you started but then I had that call with him and thought everything was all right and…” Quiet sobs filled the phone line.
“Is he there?” It was Sunday. What was he doing home from the conference already? Cece glanced at the time. It was a little after eleven. “Isn’t it early for him to be home from that conference?”
“I actually thought he’d be home sooner since he drove. I started doing laundry right after he unpacked. He’s in the shower now.” She sniffed. “What am I going to do? I really think he lied to me. To us.” A louder sob this time. “I feel like I’m going to lose it, Mom.”
“Okay, listen to me. Pull yourself together. This could be nothing. It might be from a woman who hugged him or someone he brushed up against. It might even be from the housekeeper who cleaned his room. You don’t know. Until you find out more, you’ve got to do your best to get through the day. I willimmediately restart my search. I will work every angle I can think of.”
“I looked through our bank accounts and credit card statements again and still didn’t find anything, but that doesn’t mean he might not have one I don’t know about.”
“True. Again, I’ll see what I can do. But you have to give me some time.” Cece wondered if Jim might have a company credit card Natalie wouldn’t know about.
A big sniff. “I know.” Natalie cleared her throat. “I’ll be all right.”
“I know you will. You’re incredibly strong. And you want to protect Tyler from this until you have facts. No reason for him to be affected.”
“Right.” Natalie sighed. “I’m sorry. You’re the only person I can really go to with this.”
“That’s what I’m here for. And there’s nothing to be sorry for.”
“Thanks. You’ll let me know as soon as you find something?”
“Yes, if I find something, you’ll hear from me right away.”
