Chapter 32
As soon as Wes and Rowan walked back into Refuge Cove, Wes went still.
Ruby and Naomi both sat at the kitchen table. Based on their expressions, they’d been waiting for Rowan to return.
“Ro.” Naomi looked up from her phone, her expression tight. “Have you seen . . . ? There’s an article about you. In the national news.”
Another one? He had a feeling this was just the beginning too.
Rowan went still. “Is there? What does it say?”
Naomi looked at her phone again and began reading. “Sources close to the investigation into Thayer Holt’s death have noted that actress Rowan King departed the production the same night Holt died.”
Her mom stared at her. “Is that true?”
The color drained from Rowan’s face. “It sounds bad, but everything is fine. Really, it is.”
Wes waited, knowing she needed to give her family more of an explanation.
“You were there when that man died?” Naomi asked.
There was no accusation in her voice. But Wes hoped Rowan interpreted the question that way as well. He knew how touchy the situation was.
“I didn’t hurt him,” Rowan said.
“I know you didn’t. But it must have been traumatic for you . . .” Ruby murmured.
Rowan’s shoulders relaxed just slightly. “It was. It was really hard. I probably should have stayed. But I didn’t. And I can’t change that now.”
“Unless you go back, people might keep feeding these nasty rumors about you, sweetie.” Her mom frowned. “I hate to see that.”
Rowan opened her mouth to respond.
Then her phone buzzed.
Wes could almost see the relief in her gaze at the interruption.
She glanced at the screen, and something moved across her expression too quickly to read. “I need to take this. Give me a few minutes.”
She hurried from the kitchen.
But Wes knew this conversation was far from over.
“I’ve been trying to reach you for two hours.” Tessa’s voice made it clear she was running out of patience.
“I know.” Rowan sat on the edge of her bed, her phone pressed to her ear. “I saw the newest article.”
“Then you know things have gotten worse.” She paused.
“Rowan, the press isn’t just talking about erratic behavior anymore.
They’re saying an anonymous witness came forward, placing you at the scene when Thayer died.
The implication isn’t direct—not yet—but it’s there, and anyone reading it is going to feel it. ”
“I know what the implication is.”
“Then you know we’re running out of time to get in front of this.” Tessa’s voice dropped. “I’ve had three calls today. Two from production and one from the producer. Everyone wants a statement. Everyone wants to know where you are and what happened and why you left when you did.”
Her throat tightened. “And you’ve been telling them . . . ?”
“I’ve been telling them you’re dealing with a family matter and that you’ll be in touch. But that story has about forty-eight more hours in it before it stops being believable.”
Rowan closed her eyes.
“There’s something else. Vince gave an interview this morning.” Tessa’s voice sounded careful and precise. “He expressed concern and said he hopes you’re getting the support you need. He said that the pressure of the production had clearly taken a toll.”
Her back muscles tightened. Vince was a manipulative scumbag.
Instead of saying that, she kept her voice level and asked, “Is that right?”
“He said he bears no ill will and that the door remains open if you want to return to the project.”
Her jaw tightened. Vince was so good at this.
“Rowan, I need you to tell me what happened,” Tessa said. “Because whatever I say on your behalf, I need to know what I’m working around.”
Rowan looked at the door. On the other side of it, her family awaited.
This wasn’t just about her. Her actions affected them as well.
Which made everything more complicated.
“I can’t tell you everything right now,” Rowan murmured. “I have reasons. Good reasons.”
Tessa didn’t say anything for a moment. Then, “Here’s what I need you to do. I need you to let me put out a brief statement—nothing specific, nothing that commits you to anything. Just enough to stop the bleeding on the narrative until you’re ready to say more.” She paused. “Can you give me that?”
Rowan thought about it a moment before saying, “Yes. A brief statement. Nothing specific.”
“I’ll draft something and send it to you in the next hour.” Tessa paused. “Rowan—whatever is happening, you need to deal with it soon. I can hold things together for a little while longer, but this story is moving, and it’s not moving in your direction.”
“I know it isn’t,” Rowan said.
She ended the call and remained on the edge of the bed.
Vince had given an interview.
He hopes she’s getting the support she needs.
Anger burned through her at the thought.
She thought about Thayer Holt’s family reading those words. If she didn’t speak up, Vince would get away with this. Could she really live with herself if she let that happen?
She didn’t have to think about that for long.
No, she couldn’t.