Chapter 47
“You have got to be kidding me. Is that really it? We’re staying here.” Willa leaned forward to stare through the windshield as they approached the house Harper had inherited.
She’d been talking nonstop since Frankie had picked her up from the airport and Frankie couldn’t be happier. Now, she just grinned as she turned down the drive. “That’s really it and we are really staying here. Can you believe it? Wait until you see the inside. Wait until you see the backyard! And the pool, and the river and the ocean and the beach.”
Willa laughed. “I get the idea. The house is just… Aunt Harper really landed in it, didn’t she. Wow.”
“That’s one way of putting it.” Frankie parked and turned the car off.
“I can’t wait to see her.” Willa smiled at her mom. “Thanks again for the ticket and for picking me up and everything. I don’t think I realized how much I needed this until I got on that plane. I owe you.”
Frankie shook her head. “You don’t owe me. I need time with my daughter, too, so this is really for both of us. Come on, let’s go in. I’m sure your aunt is dying to see you. You’re going to love her dog, Archie. He’s like a giant teddy bear.”
They exited the vehicle. Willa slung her big duffel bag over her shoulder while trying to manage her backpack, too. Frankie grabbed that and led her into the house. Once inside, she announced, “We’re home.”
They went up the stairs and found Harper on the couch, looking at her phone.
Archie was curled up by her feet, but he stood when he saw them, giving Willa an unsure expression. Harper had yet to say a word. Or even glance up at them.
“Look who I found at the airport,” Frankie said a little louder.
“Hi.” Harper’s voice was thin. She sniffed and turned to look at them. Her eyes were red, and it was clear she’d been crying.
Concerned, Frankie set the backpack down. “What happened? Are you all right? Is Archie all right?”
“We’re fine,” Harper’s voice cracked. “I’ve been…” She swallowed. “Suzanne must have done this.” She inhaled raggedly and gave Willa a quick smile that didn’t last. “Hi, Willa. Sorry about this. Just having a little crisis as I watch my life fall apart.”
Willa dropped her duffel bag and rushed forward. “What are you talking about, Aunt Harper?”
Harper turned her phone’s screen to face them.
One of the celebrity gossip sites had a picture of her, the same photo that had been going around earlier, but this time instead of “Keating’s Mystery Woman,” the headline read, “Hollywood Liar.”
Frankie sucked in a breath as a sick feeling filled her stomach. “Oh, no.”
“Oh, yes,” Harper said. She started sniffling again. “I’m ruined. As in I am done. Suzanne said she was going to do it and she did. I don’t know why. I never did anything to her. I was nice to her.” She pulled her knees to her chest, bent her head into them, and began to weep.
“This is about her and her narcissistic need for attention.” Frankie came around to sit next to her sister, putting her arm around her and hugging her close. “Maybe it’s not as bad as you think. Maybe it’ll all blow over.”
“I don’t get it,” Willa said softly. “What’s going on?”
Harper lifted her head. “I let my clients believe I was something I wasn’t. Now I’m paying the price.”
Frankie’s heart ached. “But you didn’t actually lie, did you? You never told anyone you were licensed or trained in anything.”
“No, but what does that matter? I’m actively being cancelled. I’m finished. No one’s going to want to associate with me now.” She held the phone up again. “Look! They’re dragging my name and my reputation through the mud.”
The screen turned green with an incoming phone call.
Harper looked at the name and groaned. “See? It’s starting. That’s Philip Deavers. One of my clients. I’m sure he’s calling to tell me he no longer requires my services. No one will want to be associated with me.” She tossed the phone onto the table with a loud thunk. “I can’t deal with that right now.”
“You don’t need to.” Frankie grabbed the phone and powered it down. Then she looked at Willa. “Get your aunt a glass of water, please.”
Willa nodded and went into the kitchen. Archie shifted from foot to foot, whining nervously.
Frankie hugged her sister, kissing the side of Harper’s head. “You’re going to get through this. We are going to get through this. You’re not alone in this. Not at all.”
Harper sniffed. “Thanks, but that’s my name out there. I’m the one being called a liar and a fake and a scam artist. A scam artist! Do you know how many people I’ve helped? Does anyone? No. No one does. And I can’t tell the press because I’ve signed an NDA. No one is ever going to know the truth. And I just have to sit here and be quiet, which is basically like an admission of guilt.”
Willa brought the water over. “Aunt Harper, would it help to hire an attorney? Or maybe put together some kind of press release? It seems like you ought to be able to do something.”
Harper took the glass and drank a third of it. “It’s nice to see you, Willa. You’re more beautiful than I remember. I’m sorry about all this. Not exactly how you thought your vacation was going to start, huh?”
“It’s okay,” Willa said.
“Archie needs to go out,” Harper said.
Willa nodded. “I can take him. If he’ll let me. Hi, Archie. You want to go out?”
Archie hesitated, then let out a little bark.
Harper pointed behind her. “His leash is on the kitchen counter. I was getting ready to take him when my phone started blowing up. Go through the big room downstairs to the backyard.”
“Got it,” Willa said. “Come on, Archie.”
He went to her, apparently over his concern about the new person, since she’d offered to walk him.
Frankie’s phone vibrated as Willa took Archie downstairs. Prisha was calling. “I better take this.” She got up and went out to the deck, answering as she stepped outside and closed the door behind her. Below her, Archie was leading Willa toward the water. “Hi.”
“Hello, Frankie. Have you seen the internet? I am very concerned.”
“If you mean what’s being said about Harper, then yes, I’ve seen it. None of it’s true. Not really. I mean, some is and some isn’t.” She sighed. “It’s complicated, but it’s not my place to explain.”
“I understand. I also know the media lies,” Prisha said. “I am so angry with Suzanne. As soon as I saw it, I called her and told her I never want to speak to her again.”
“Did you really?” That was bold move for someone who was not only intimidated by the woman, but who’d only just met Harper.
“I did. After I spoke with her, I called Sugarlynn and Azumi and told them I will no longer associate with them either if they remain friends with Suzanne. Azumi agreed. Sugarlynn was…Sugarlynn. But I am tired of Suzanne’s antics. I am done with her, as I should have been years ago. I’m sure I am not the only one who feels this way.”
Frankie’s mouth fell open. “Prisha, you’re amazing. But are you sure she did it?”
“Yes. When I spoke to her, I could hear the pride in her voice. Not only did she do it, she’s pleased with herself. That insufferable harpy.” Prisha sighed deeply. “How is your sister holding up?”
Frankie glanced toward the living room. “She’s a mess, to be honest.”
“That poor woman. You tell her I am on her side. If she needs me, she has only to call. The same goes for you.”
“That’s incredibly kind of you, but you’ve only just met her. And me. What makes you so sure Harper’s not what the media says she is?”
“I’ve only just met her, but I’ve known Suzanne a lot longer. I knew Mr. Marsh, too. If he thought enough of your sister to leave his house to her, she can’t be that bad. He was a discerning man with good judgment and wonderful taste.”
“That’s very kind of you, Prisha. I really appreciate it.”
“Give Harper my love.”
“I will. Thanks again. Bye.”
They hung up and Frankie took a breath, catching some of the salt air on her tongue. Willa and Archie were no longer visible below. Maybe they’d come in already. She went back inside.
Harper was still on the couch, but her head was tilted back and her arms were crossed over her face.
“Hey,” Frankie said softly. “That was Prisha. She sends her love, says she’s available if you need anything. She’s also positive Suzanne is behind this. Prisha called her and reamed her out, apparently. Told her she no longer wanted to be friends with her, and then told Sugarlynn and Azumi that if they continued to associate with Suzanne, Prisha was done with them, too. Azumi sided with Prisha. Sugarlynn I’m not so sure about.”
That brought Harper’s head up. “Seriously? That was so sweet of her. And Azumi.”
Frankie nodded. “Prisha is completely on your side.” She stood by the edge of the couch. “I think Willa’s idea was a good one. About contacting an attorney. Or at least coming up with some kind of statement to release.”
Harper shook her head. “I’m not against the attorney, but I don’t feel like I’m in any kind of mindset to write up a statement.”
Frankie sat near her sister. “Would you be all right with me asking Lucas for his advice on this? He’s used to being in the public eye. He might have an attorney he can recommend, too.”
Harper stared at the fireplace. “That’s fine. Not like he probably hasn’t seen what’s happening anyway.”
Frankie wished there were more she could do to help. “Do you need anything?”
“For all of this to go away.”
Frankie nodded. “I know. Maybe you should go lie down for a bit. Willa can get settled in and I’ll talk to Lucas. We’ll put some kind of game plan together.”
“Okay,” Harper answered without any enthusiasm. “Thanks.” She got up and headed into the bedroom, closing the door behind her.
Frankie went into the kitchen. She could really use another cup of coffee. She called Lucas while she made herself one.
He answered right away. “Hey, there. Did you get Willa from the airport?”
He’d remembered her daughter’s name. Points for him. “I did. We’re home now. And I need some help. I need the name of a good attorney. If you have one.”
“I do. He’s a good guy. Can I ask what’s going on? Not that it’s my business, so feel free to say butt out.”
She smiled. “No, you can ask.” She explained about Harper and what had happened as briefly as she could. “I called not just to see about an attorney, but to get your advice, too. You’re the most familiar with the world of social media. What would you do?”
“Like most people, I’d go on the offensive. Definitely would talk to my attorney. But Harper needs to do some damage control. If she doesn’t have a social media presence, she could set one up and release a statement that way. Tagging the right people would make sure it gets seen. I’m so sorry this is happening to her. The good news, if there is any, is that this stuff does tend to blow over when the next dustup comes along.”
Frankie sipped her coffee. “You don’t have a template for that kind of statement, do you? I don’t know where to begin and Harper’s not in any shape to write anything.”
“No, but I’d be happy to help. If you want my help.”
“I would love your help. Thank you for offering.” That was exactly what she’d hoped he’d do, and he’d come through. “Can you come over? You can bring Scout.”
“You got it. Give me ten minutes.”