3. Hearses and Heartbreak
T he skies cleared as the crowds dispersed, leaving Poppy alone at the grave.
A rare lightness filled her heart. She twirled a vibrant poppy between her fingers, reminding herself to bring flowers to her parents’ grave next week.
Poppy had chosen this site for her aunt, who was buried here against her wishes.
This burial felt like a final act of defiance against a woman who had always kept her from visiting her parents.
A tear rolled down her cheek as she mourned the life that had been stolen the day her parents had passed away.
“Don’t worry, I won’t leave you alone too long,” she murmured. “The press will expect me to stop by in the coming weeks, so at least I’ll be able to see my parents and spend some time here with those who love me.” She sniffled, dabbing her eyes.
“Excuse me?”
The soft voice startled her; she’d been so lost in thought she hadn’t heard the woman’s approach.
“You made me jump! Do you want me to fall in?” Poppy clutched her chest.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you. I wanted to wait until you were alone before we spoke.” The woman looked around the same age as Poppy, though she was heavily tattooed and wore far more black eyeliner. Her gothic style suited the cemetery.
“Thank you for coming,” Poppy said, quickly remembering to wear her mask. “How did you know my aunt?”
“I didn’t. I came here to talk to you,” the woman said bluntly.
Poppy glanced over her shoulder at her security team, waiting by her car on the main road. Joshua was with them in a cloud of smoke. She wasn’t sure what she hated more – smoking or vaping.
“Me? I’m not giving interviews right now. Unless you want me to sign something?” This really wasn’t the time or place.
“Oh, I’m not a journalist. I’d never be so disrespectful. I’m not really a fan of yours either,” admitted the woman. “Sorry, no offence.”
“None taken,” Poppy said, slightly amused but wondering if she should be concerned. The woman didn’t seem dangerous– just nervous.
“Today probably wasn’t the best day for this,” she babbled, “but it was the only way to see you. I know you have no reason to trust someone approaching you in a cemetery, butI had to tell you… I don’t think Ms Roe’s death was an accident.”
Poppy’s blood ran cold. She kept her face blank.
“And you are…?” she asked cautiously, wondering if this woman knew her aunt, or if this was some kind of hoax. She could be wearing a hidden camera.
“I’m Mina – Minerva, but everyone calls me Mina. I work at Heaven’s Heart, the nightclub. I overheard some patrons in our VIP section talking about your aunt’s death.”
“Okay?” Poppy had been to that nightclub once or twice. It was very exclusive.
“Before it happened,” Mina added, nervously picking at a button hanging off her coat.
Poppy took a breath. She knew her aunt had had enemies; it wouldn’t be the first time a hater had plotted her death. She herself wasn’t a stranger to hate mail or death threats.
“You have my attention; explain. But if you’re from the press trying to spin a twisted story, I have a team of lawyers who will make mincemeat of you.”
“No, no!” Mina waved her hands frantically.
“I swear I’m not with the press. I’m a bar manager.
I heard two men plotting to kill you and your aunt when I was delivering a bottle of champagne to the VIP area.
No one pays attention to what they say around staff, especially not in Heaven’s Heart.
We’re paid to be discreet, but then I saw the news about your aunt’s death, and I panicked.
I know coming here and blindsiding you isn’t appropriate, but I didn’t think going to the police was a good idea.
My boss wouldn’t like me mentioning the clients’ business to the police. ”
Poppy shook her head. “I appreciate your concern for my safety, but you’ve wasted your time coming here.
My aunt’s death was an accident. I was there.
As for the threats you heard, I can’t count the number of threats we’ve received throughout our careers from strangers.
” The last thing she wanted was the police looking into her aunt’s death.
“They weren’t strangers! I saw you on TV when they mentioned her death. Two men were standing with you – the same men I heard plotting.” Mina fumbled for her phone.
Poppy’s heart stopped. She knew instantly who the woman was talking about.
“I managed to record some of their conversations when they ordered another round of drinks.” Mina stepped closer, holding up her phone.
Poppy leaned in to see Joshua and her now-fired manager talking closely. They had never been close, and they certainly weren’t drinking buddies. If anything, Joshua despised Dug for being too involved in her life. He also resented him for never taking him on as a client when he had asked.
“It’s hard to hear with the music,” Mina said, handing Poppy a wireless earbud. “I tried to stay in the room as long as possible, but I missed parts of the conversation.”
The sound was choppy, but she could hear enough.
“You don’t always want to be in Poppy’s shadow, do you?
” Dug was saying. “Your relationship is a means to an end. I understand you’re her friend– but is she yours?
What has she done for you? She’ll drop you one day, when the arrangement no longer suits her.
What will you have to show for it? I was a fool for not taking you on as a client sooner.
Forgive me for not seeing your talent. I’ll take care of Martha; it won’t take much.
You know how much she loves her pills. And Poppy…
well, what’s another pop star going off the rails? ”
Poppy pressed the earbud closer to hear better, waiting for Joshua to defend her, but the silence was deafening. Glancing at her aunt’s casket, she couldn’t help but wonder what Dug would say if he knew that she’d beat him to it.
“Poppy has been distant recently. Obsessed with the idea of acting. She’s meant to be the singer, and I’m the actor – the perfect pair. But now I audition, and they ask if she’d be interested in being the leading lady,”Joshua slurred, clearly drunk.
“Exactly. You’ve been so good to her over the years, and you don’t want people to only think of you as Mr Poppy Roe.
What about your dreams? How many producers and directors did you introduce her to?
How many want her now instead of you? You’ve pretended to be her boyfriend as a favour to her, to help her, but what has she done for you? ”
“But killing her seems too extreme.”
“I understand your hesitation.” Duggery clapped him on the shoulder.
“But I know about the girl you’ve been seeing on the side.
If it comes out that you cheated on the Princess of Pop, it’ll be over for you.
Even I wouldn’t be able to save you from that scandal; her fans would skin you alive.
In a few weeks, when you’re on that cruise, just slip a few pills in her drink.
It’s not your fault if she accidentally goes overboard. ”
“I don’t think—”
“Poppy will never be found, and you’ll be in the clear to start afresh, without a shadow hanging over you, and with the woman you love on your arm. It’s time for Joshua Clark to stand in the spotlight.”
Joshua said something Poppy couldn’t make out. But when they clinked their glasses, a pit formed in her stomach. He really wanted her dead because he was threatened by her success?
“Why come to me with this?” she asked when the video finished. “You could have brought this to them and blackmailed them. You could’ve made a fortune for yourself.”
“To be honest, I’ve got my own problems to deal with. I don’t need your death on my conscience,” Mina said.
“I respect your honesty.” Poppy took a moment to process, figuring she should keep Mina close to stop this information from getting out.“How would you like a job?” she asked calmly.
“A job?” Mina frowned. “I don’t understand.”
“I need a new assistant. I fired mine this morning, and I need someone I can trust. Not wanting me to die is a good foundation for trust.”
“It’s a great offer, but I like my work at the club,” Mina said hesitantly.
“I’ll triple your yearly salary, and you only have to work for me for three months. Three years’ pay for three months of work – and then you can return to the club, if you wish, or stay on with me.” Mina had mentioned troubles, and more often than not, that meant money.
Mina perked up. “I don’t have any experience being a personal assistant.”
“That’s okay – there’s only one thing I need your help with.”
“Okay, but if you want to go to the police, I can’t be a witness. My boss won’t want me to get the club involved. I can give you the footage?”
“I don’t want to go to the police.”
“Then what do you need my help with?” Mina asked, putting her phone back in her pocket.
“That cruise they’re talking about in the video is next week. That’s when they plan on taking me out. So, I need you to help me kill my boyfriend,” Poppy said flatly, watching Joshua walk down the hill towards them.
Mina gaped.
Poppy was only half serious. She wanted to see what Mina was made of.
She wasn’t going to kill him unless she had to, but she did need to know if he was still plotting her death– something that would be harder to pull off now that she’d let go of Dug.
Did Joshua try and talk me out of firing him because it would ruin their plan to kill me?
“I can do that,” Mina said.
Poppy smiled. She loved a girl’s girl.
“You can do what?” Joshua asked, reaching them. “Pops, is everything alright?”
“Everything’s fine.” Swallowing her anger, Poppy took his hand. “This is my new assistant, Mina. I don’t think you two have met. She couldn’t attend the church service.”
“What happened to Gabriella?”
Poppy eyed him. Dug had mentioned he was sleeping with someone else; she wondered if it was her ex-assistant.
They had always been a tad too friendly, and Joshua wasn’t the type to stray far enough to have to put in effort.
Not that she cared; he could sleep with whoever he wanted, so long as he didn’t try to kill her to be with them.
It wasn’t like they had feelings for each other.
She sighed. “Sadly, Gabs found a new position. Something about wanting a more challenging role? With all the funeral chaos, I didn’t get to tell you.”
“That’s a pity. I don’t know why she didn’t tell me,” Joshua said, frowning.
“Oh. I didn’t realise you were close,” Poppy said, enjoying watching him squirm.
He flushed and scratched his brow, his tell when he was nervous. “I wouldn’t say we were close, but we got to know each other when we were on tour with you.”
He was definitely sleeping with her.
“Not that it matters now.” Joshua held out a hand to Mina. “Anyway, it’s nice to meet you. I hope you look after our girl.”
“Of course! I won’t let anything happen to her,” Mina replied, shaking his hand.
“We should get back to the hotel. The guests are waiting,” Joshua said, glancing over his shoulder at the cars.
“You two go ahead. I just want to say one final goodbye,” Poppy said, and they both nodded solemnly.
Standing at the grave’s edge, she watched them walk up the hill before she dropped the poppy atop her aunt’s casket.
“I always told you I’d come out on top.” She smiled, turning her back on her aunt.