Page 10 of Birdie by the Bay (Wynn Harbor Inn #2)
Tears welled up in Harlow’s eyes at the sight of her friend, Vic. “I left a message on your cell phone letting you know where I was.”
“I never got the message. Robert fired me not long after your accident. He took my cell phone, seeing how it was company property and all, and told me you wanted nothing to do with me. I was getting ready to track your father down when Janice called.”
Harlow’s stoic demeanor crumpled. Vic, her friend. Her trusted confidant was here. For her.
“I hope it’s okay for me to show up on your doorstep. Looking back, I guess I should’ve called first.”
“We’re glad you’re here.” David stepped forward and shook Vic’s hand. “My daughter speaks highly of you.”
“And I think the world of Harlow. Like I said, Robert told me she didn’t want me around any longer, that she had planned to have me replaced and now, with the accident, it was time for me to vamoose.”
“He’s lying. Robert lied to you.” Harlow rambled on about him taking money from their bank account, about him all but abandoning her. “He’s been hinting around to others that I’m emotionally unstable.”
Vic looked away.
“It’s true. He fed you the same lies.”
“He made an offhand comment about how you may have intentionally wrecked your car. Between you and me, I wouldn’t be surprised to hear he plans to petition for your guardianship.”
Harlow began to feel lightheaded. Vic had voiced her greatest fear.
For all she knew, Robert was already putting the wheels in motion.
But he would wait…he would wait for their big, fat lucrative movie deal to wrap up to collect the money, and then what?
Call in his own mental health specialist to have her deemed unfit and put her in a mental institution?
Meanwhile, he had taken money from their bank accounts, maybe even already stashing it away in an offshore account. He wasn’t going to get away with it. Not by a longshot. “I’m beginning to think he wishes I would have died. It would have saved him a lot of trouble.”
“I’m sorry, Harlow. Robert doesn’t have your best interests in mind,” Vic said. “What happened that day?”
“I dropped my cell phone and reached down to grab it. When I looked back up, a big box truck was coming right toward me. I jerked the wheel. It’s the last thing I remember until I woke up in the hospital.”
“What about Robert?”
“He’s been around.”
Her father cleared his throat.
“To make sure I make it to the filming location in Vancouver,” she added.
Vic rubbed his thumb against his fingers. “It’s all about the money. I won’t mince words. You know how I feel about Robert.”
Harlow knew exactly how Vic Stern felt. The two had never hit it off. Vic refused to take any of Robert’s crap because he didn’t report to Robert. He worked solely for Harlow. Knowing what she knew now, he probably resented how close they were.
In fact, more than once, he’d accused her and Vic of having an affair. Harlow had laughed in his face. Vic was in love with Makena, a gorgeous woman with soft brown eyes, and a warm, infectious laugh.
The moment Harlow met her, she knew she had “the look” and had promptly called one of her contacts, a top modeling scout, to arrange for Makena and the scout to meet.
The introduction had helped set the groundwork for her career. Makena was fast becoming one of the most sought-after models in the industry.
“And your gut instinct this entire time has been spot on. Based on what I’m discovering, I’ll have to fight for every penny I’ve earned, fight to defend my reputation, you name it.”
“Did Robert mention he landed a movie role for Jillian?”
“No, but I’m not surprised.”
“It’s in A City of Glass.”
Harlow’s brows furrowed. “The movie I’m starring in?”
“It’s a small part. He bragged about it right before he fired me.”
“Great. Not only do I have to deal with Robert, but I’ll also have to put up with his girlfriend.”
Vic hung his head. “You…know?”
“About Jillian and Robert? I don’t have proof, but I would be an idiot not to see what’s going on right under my nose. We argued before my car accident. I told Robert that I wanted her gone.”
“I bet that went over like a lead balloon.”
“He told me she was staying. He stormed out of the house. I left not long after and that’s when I flipped my car.”
“During my day off,” Vic said. “I wish I had been there. It never would have happened.”
Harlow placed her head in her hands. Even Vic knew her husband and Jillian were having an affair. “So it’s true.”
“I caught them in a…shall we say…compromising situation right before Robert fired me.”
“Ah. It all makes sense. You caught him. He knew it would get back to me, so he fired you.”
“In a nutshell.” Vic glanced at his watch. “I should get going. I booked a room at a hotel near the docks.”
“You can stay here,” David suggested. “We have an empty cottage.”
Vic hesitated. “I don’t want to impose.”
“It’s not an imposition. I’m sure Harlow would love to have you nearby.”
“Please, Vic?” Harlow clasped her hands.
“I appreciate the offer. Money is kind of tight right now.” He patted his backpack. “I’m traveling light.”
“Has Robert paid you?”
“He still owes me my last paycheck.”
“As soon as I get some of the money moved back into the business’s bank account, I’ll get you caught up.”
“Thanks, Harlow. No worries. I know you’re good for it.” Vic knelt next to her. “We’re friends.”
“We are,” she confirmed.
“I’m gonna be a straight shooter with you.”
“You always have. I expect nothing less.”
“So you’ll be okay with me giving you some advice?”
“Of course.”
“You better hire the best lawyer you can afford and get rid of the money-grubbing, two-timing, thieving loser,” Vic said. “In the meantime, someone needs to keep an eye on the dude.”
“I’m working on hiring a lawyer,” Harlow said. “And I’ve already got boots on the ground, a couple of people who hopefully have Robert in their sights as we speak.”