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“I agree. Unless…”

“Unless what?” Eryn prompted.

“He’s hiding something.” Harlow blew air through thinned lips. “If it was me, I would’ve spent every last dime I had trying to find out how the fire started. Something isn’t adding up.”

“Perhaps ifyouoffer to fund the investigation, he would be more receptive,” her aunt said.

“I will.” Harlow made a mental note to mention it to her father. Timing was key. David needed to be in the right mood to broach the subject.

The conversation shifted to talking about Harlow’s movie deal. She outlined the timeframe of when she was scheduled to show up on the set. “Robert will be on hand to make sure things go smoothly. Robert and a small army of staff, including Jillian.”

“What about your entourage?” Birdie asked. “You mentioned your bodyguard, Vic, who was also a close friend, the one you sent a message to. Have you heard from him yet?”

“Nope. Not a peep. I was also close to my publicist Janice. I haven’t heard from her either.” Harlow picked at what was left of her burger, suddenly losing her appetite at the thought the people she had considered friends had abandoned her.

“Why don’t you pick up the phone and call Janice?” Eryn asked.

“Now?”

“Sure.” Birdie drummed her fingers on the table. “Unless she’s on the other side of the world and it’s the middle of the night.”

“She’s in California. It’s Saturday, but Janice keeps her cell phone close by at all times, even on weekends.” Harlow toyed with her salad.

Birdie made a clicking sound with her teeth.

“What?”

“Call her.”

“Now?”

“There’s no time like the present.”

“Fine.” Harlow set her fork aside and reluctantly removed her cell phone from her pocket. She scrolled through the screen until finding Janice’s number. “She might not answer.”

“There’s only one way to find out.”

“You’re relentless,” Harlow teased.

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” her aunt quipped.

“Here goes nothing.” Harlow sucked in a breath and pressed the call button.

Janice must’ve been sitting on her phone. She picked up almost immediately. “Harlow. How are you?”

“Okay. I mean, I’m going to be all right.” Harlow told her she was in Michigan and working with a physical therapist.

“I’ve been worried about you.” The woman began rambling on about the accident, wondering how she was.

Finally, she took a breath and Harlow jumped in. “You could have called me.”

“Unfortunately, calling you wasn’t an option.”

Harlow began to feel lightheaded at what her publicist said next.

Chapter 6

“Robert gave me strict orders not to bother you.”