Chapter 13
Prisha’s house was technically next door, but there was so much space between houses, combined with the long driveways, that it still took a good few minutes of walking to get there. The house came into view as they went down the drive. It was beautiful, as Harper was sure all of the houses in Hideaway Bay were.
Prisha’s home was done in a Mediterranean style. It was a pale, creamy gold with terracotta accents, a tile roof, and cobalt blue shutters. The landscaping was lush and just slightly wild with climbing, flowering vines, and hanging pots dripping with more flowers.
The overall effect was really lovely. And while Harper had only just met Prisha, the house felt like a reflection of the woman she’d met on the beach, warm, welcoming, and happy.
Frankie rang the bell.
A young woman in a white and powder blue maid’s outfit answered the door. “Good evening. Are you here for book club?”
“We are,” Harper said.
The young woman stepped back. “Please, come in. I’ll show you to the living room.”
They followed her through the house. It was bright and colorful, just like the exterior, with lots of gorgeous fabrics and jewel tones.
Prisha was in the living room with two other women, one young and blond, one older and brunette. All three were holding glasses of wine. Prisha smiled when she saw them. “Harper. I’m so glad you could come.”
The young woman who’d ushered them in discretely disappeared.
“Thanks for inviting us,” Harper said. “This is my sister, Frankie. And she’s actually read the book.”
Prisha laughed. “No worries that you haven’t, Harper. I think you’ll still have a good time.” She gestured to the other women. “Let me introduce my friends. This is Sugarlynn Boudreaux-Grant.”
The blonde stepped forward with a bright, pageant-worthy smile. The diamond on her ring finger could have doubled as a weapon. “It’s so nice to meet y’all.”
Next, Prisha gestured to the brunette. “And this is Suzanne Collinsworth.”
Suzanne gave them a sedate nod, lifting the glass of wine in her hand. “Lovely of you to join us.”
The doorbell rang, soft, melodious chimes, and a moment later, another woman walked in. She had jet-black hair down to the middle of her back and blood-red lipstick that matched her sleeveless jumpsuit. She held a black lacquered tray with a lid.
“And this,” Prisha announced. “Is Azumi Kaneko.”
“Hello, all.” Azumi lifted the tray. “I brought sushi.”
“Fabulous,” Suzanne said. “Let’s eat and get some more wine.”
Prisha led them into the dining room where plates and cutlery awaited, along with more food and a full bar. The maid went with them but stayed by the door.
“Nice to meet you, Azumi,” Harper said. “I met Prisha on the beach, and she invited me. I’m Harper and this is my sister, Frankie.”
“Pleasure,” Azumi said. “Always nice to have some fresh blood. So you’re new here?”
“I am.”
“Which house did you move into?”
“The Marshes’.”
Her brows, thin and delicately arched, rose slightly, but whatever questions she had remained unasked. “Welcome to the neighborhood.”
“Thank you.”
Frankie already had a plate in her hand. “I’m just visiting.”
“Nice to have you all the same.”
“The sushi looks great,” Harper said as the lid came off the lacquered tray. “Did you make it?”
Azumi laughed. “No. Our chef did. But thank you for thinking me capable of it.”
“Well, in case you’re wondering, I didn’t make the wine I brought, either.” Harper helped herself to several pieces of the sushi, which looked as good, if not better, than anything she’d had in California.
Azumi’s smile widened. “Did you bring that merlot?”
“I did.” Harper added some crudité and slices of cheese to her plate as well. Frankie followed behind, doing the same.
Azumi nodded. “Nice choice.”
“Thank you. My sister picked it out. Did you read the book?”
“Most of it.” Azumi sighed. “I was counting on gymnastics practice to get it finished, but one of the other moms started talking to me about a fundraiser and before I knew it, practice was over, and I hadn’t read a page.”
“Good,” Harper said. “I mean, not good that you got sidetracked, but I haven’t finished it, either. I only just found out about it. Frankie’s read it, though.”
Azumi looked past Harper to her sister. “I hear the ending’s a killer.”
Frankie nodded enthusiastically. “It is so good.”
Azumi shook her head. “I know I’m going to find out tonight because it’s inevitable, but I don’t want to know.”
“Same here,” Harper said.
On the other side of the table, helping herself to fresh fruit, Sugarlynn waved a strawberry at them. “Did I hear you say you’re in the Marshes’ house?”
Harper nodded. She’d known she was going to get questions. And that there was very little point in lying, because the truth wouldn’t be hard to find out. “That’s right.”
“I didn’t even know the place was for sale. So sad about Arlington. He was a real peach. Not to mention a genuine legend.”
Suzanne, who’d been watching them, nodded. “Arlington Marsh was a wonderful man. He and my husband used to golf together. Well, they did before my husband’s new job. Now I barely see him.”
Azumi leaned in. “Bryant was hired as the CEO of ABN about six or seven years ago and Suzanne won’t let us forget it.”
Harper knew instantly who he was. Bryant Collinsworth was the face of the American Broadcasting Network, a major media player. They were headquartered in Atlanta. Bryant must not be around much. “I’m sure he’s very busy.”
She was already wondering about the other women and what they or their spouses did to allow them to live in a place like Hideaway Bay.
She felt very out of place. These were the kind of people she worked for, not mingled with. It was a prickly sensation and the feeling that she was an imposter about to be found out loomed large.
Thankfully, Frankie stepped in. “I love that show, Ryder’s Revenge, on ABN. Have you seen it? The guy who plays Ryder is gorgeous.” She looked at Harper. “He’s a Federal Marshall out to catch the guy who killed his father. It’s a great show.”
Suzanne smiled faintly. “Bryant doesn’t deal with programming. He could, I suppose, but generally he’s involved in…bigger things.”
“Oh, I’m sure,” Frankie said. “But that show’s a keeper.” She turned to Sugarlynn without giving Suzanne a moment to speak. “What does your husband do?”
“Carlton’s in pharmaceuticals. That’s how Prisha and I met. He was selling and her husband was buying.” Sugarlynn laughed like that was hysterical.
They all smiled out of courtesy, except for Suzanne, who just sipped her wine.
Azumi put a spoonful of pasta salad on her plate. “Ren, my husband, is in tech. He mostly works remotely, but he occasionally drives down to the Cape to do some hands-on stuff. He’s with Centrifuge.”
The Cape as in Cape Canaveral. Harper’s brows shot up. That could only mean one Centrifuge. “The space exploration people?” Centrifuge was currently building a space station that would allow human exploration of deep space. It was something right out of Star Trek. Arlington had been fascinated by their work.
“That would be them.”
“Wow. Very cool.”
Frankie nodded. “Very. Have you been to any of the launches?”
Azumi grinned. “We went to the launch of Leviathan I. The kids loved it. We hope to go again when they launch Stage Two. I can show you some pictures later, if you’re interested.”
“I’d love to see them,” Harper said. “Arlington was fascinated by what Centrifuge was doing.”
Azumi nodded. “Ren got him in to see the first launch.”
“I knew he went,” Harper said. “That was nice of your husband.”
Suzanne held her glass of wine in front of her like a weapon. “You knew Arlington well then?”
“Pretty well.” Harper regretted bringing his name up now. She could already anticipate what the next questions would be.
Suzanne didn’t disappoint. “How did you meet him?”
“Through his son, who I worked with.” Vague on purpose, but not a lie.
Suzanne looked perplexed. “Are you an actress? You do look somewhat familiar.”
“No. More of a behind the scenes person.”
Suzanne took a step closer, her eyes narrowing. “Wait a moment. I know who you are.”
Frankie laughed nervously. “She’s got one of those faces. Always reminds people of someone else.”
Harper appreciated her sister’s attempt to deflect, but the train was barreling down the tracks and there was no stopping it now.
Suzanne shook her head. “No, it’s not that. I have seen you.” She gestured with her wine glass, a peculiar gleam in her eyes. “You’re the woman who was dating Ford Keating.”