He flattened his tie again – maybe it was his tell that he was being honest.
‘Marcie got Jessica and her band blacklisted – with promoters, music publishers, record labels. She ruined Jessica’s music career – on purpose. And she’s had to live with that ever since.’
I sat back, absorbing what he’d said. It sounded ridiculous, but it also made perfect sense.
‘Marcie must trust you a lot to tell you all this, Nick.’
He frowned. ‘It’s not some big secret, Zoë. Her inner circle has always known. I’m surprised Patrick never told you.’
Had he not told me because he knew I idolised her? And that she would be tarnished in my eyes? It was touching, but sometimes Pat forgot I wasn’t the starry-eyed fourteen-year-old he’d met all those years ago.
‘Why didn’t you tell me all this from the start?’
‘It’s not the sort of thing I wanted all over the music press.’
‘Why hasn’t Jessica come forward with any of this? It would be a hell of a launch pad story to restart her career.’
‘Probably because she did sleep with Benedict, but also because of that necklace.’
We were back to the seahorse necklace again. ‘What do you mean?’
‘Well, this part I’m guessing, but I suspect Jessica did steal it from Marcie to get back at her. And given the circumstances, do you blame her?’
I found myself agreeing with him. ‘So, how do we go forward?’
‘I’m persona non grata with Jessica now,’ said Nick. ‘But if you can persuade Jessica to talk to Marcie, she’d be your friend for life. Hell, she’d give you an interview a week if you wanted it.’
‘Is Marcie’s conscience plaguing her that much, Nick?’
‘Losing Patrick brought back all the memories of losing Benedict,’ said Nick. ‘And what she did to Jessica all those years ago.’
The waiter returned with our soup, but I could tell that Nick had been about to say more. It didn’t help that the waiter came back three more times, bringing two different sauces and taking and refilling our teapot. I started eating while all this was going on, happy to find the soup tasted as good as it smelt.
‘Patrick died before Marcie could make amends with him. His death has affected her more deeply than you can imagine.’
Did Nick’s voice crack, or had I imagined it? ‘Are you okay, Nick?’
His chest rose and fell slowly. ‘Marcie’s in a dark place. We don’t leave her alone for any length of time and not only because she drinks.’
‘What are you saying?’
He swallowed. ‘We found her in the bath with a razor blade. The blood...’ His voice dropped. ‘I’d never seen anything like it.’
I gasped. ‘Nick, I’m so sorry.’
‘Marcie needs help, Zoë. And you’ve got a chance with Jess that none of the rest of us have. You’ll be saving a lot more than just your magazine.’
