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Keith’s smile falls, and his face clouds as he lets a hint of his anger pierce the happy buzz of this morning’s announcements. “Well, that’s the bad side of this business. Most people have been nothing but positive and are happy to read stories about my background and music. I’ve tried when I do go out to perform to give back to them, because I know if it wasn’t for them, I’d be still working honky tonks out in Boise. But there are others out for blood and dirt and any juicy tidbit they can find. Vultures, that’s what I call them. And they take that information and exploit it, looking for a way to make a buck off someone else’s life. I was recently given an ultimatum to either pay three point five million dollars hush money to one of these people, or he would publish a story exposing Carsen’s existence. Total blackmail.”
The host gasps, and I can see the crew members’ shock and disgust. These people might like a little titillation themselves, but they’re legit journalists, not tabloid bottom-feeders. “Oh, my gosh, that’s awful! I’m so sorry.”
One of the camera guys adjusts his angle to get what I assume is a full-frame close-up of Keith as he continues. “This man had his mistress, who is also a reporter, follow us . . . me, Elise, Carsen, and my sister. She took pictures of all of us, both in public and in private, using a telephoto lens, which is illegal and feels like such a personal violation. He was counting on his belief that he had all the power because he knew about my desire to keep Carsen out of the public eye.” Keith pauses, his eyes meeting Carsen’s with an apology obvious in the stress on his face. “So my choices were to pay him off or let him publish the story, which would let him get richer from clicks and sales. I couldn’t let that happen. Schemers like that shouldn’t be rewarded for their misdeeds.”
The host nods. “So, by coming forward on your own, you preemptively cut him off at the knees?”
Keith nods. “I just want the opportunity to tell the truth of my story. I have a daughter, who is an amazing young woman, and I’m in love with Elise Warner, who through some stroke of luck is actually in love with me too. And as much of a bombshell as I know this is, I hope everyone will be respectful in their handling of this news and not overwhelm my family.”
Keith looks at Carsen, then me, and I can feel his gaze like a physical touch, knowing that he’ll protect us no matter what. The host is obviously trying to think of a next question, and when she touches her ear, I know that someone in the booth is feeding her words because she’s so stunned.
Finally, she gets it together. “Wow, Keith. That’s horrifying, and I’m so sorry that’s happened, but I’m glad you came to Good Morning! to dispel any rumors before they got started.” Her voice takes on a more serious tone as she asks, “Can you tell us who attempted to blackmail you?”
There’s a sense of breath-holding suspense as I see more than one person lean forward, eager to see if Keith is going to name names. While all of them show some signs of disgust at the idea of blackmail, they’ve all got the secret shame that they’re just as gossipy as the next person, wanting to feed on someone’s secrets. To some degree, it’s human nature to be nosy, but this is well beyond curiosity.
“Yes, the man who tried to blackmail me is Donnie Jardine, the editor-in-chief at The Daily Spot. The reporter who took the illegal photos and was complicit in his plan is Francesca Knauss, also of the The Daily Spot.”
The host’s eyes snap to me, her eyes widening. “Elise, isn’t that the online magazine you work for? The one who’s published your articles about Keith?”
I nod, knowing this was something we’d have to answer. “Yes, it is. Donnie Jardine is my boss.” I look directly into the camera. “However, effectively immediately, I quit.”
Chapter 26
Keith
My strength holds out until we get backstage, where in the dressing room, I’ve had enough. I sag into the couch, too exhausted to even unbutton my shirt.
“Enough . . . no more,” I say, leaning back. “Tell the whole world to piss off.”
“Once we get home,” Elise says, kneeling next to me. “You can let us take care of you . . . family.”
I nod, leaning back and attempting to relax for a second. I shouldn’t be so tired, but that was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I’ve spent so long keeping quiet about Carsen, and serving her up on a fucking platter for the morning news went against every code of honor I have. But I have to trust that it’s the right call.
