Chapter Twenty-Eight
Wren and Jeff spent the remainder of the week more or less dating as they concentrated on the work at the recording studio, while Jake, along with Marc and her agent Mike, worked on a plan to trap whoever was after her. It would be tricky to try and arrange the perfect setup with an influx of individuals arriving – first the advisors who’d be directing and producing both the video and single – Searching – which they’d decided to try and release within a month after production, and then a few other directors from her label would more than likely show if they decided to film more videos in Crystal Rock.
The video would also require multiple wardrobe and makeup changes, so Wren’s go-to stylist along with her hair and makeup artist should probably be included in the invitation to Crystal Rock, she decided. She’d mention that to both Marc and Jake. Maybe the sooner the better, since Wren might also require some new looks that would need to be developed for the filming. And she would like some of her former backup musicians to be invited if they were available. Some of the vocals they recorded would still be reminiscent of her hits from the past, because after all, that’s what had won her the Grammys.
Finally, the day she would be moving into Jeff’s had arrived. She’d already had Jeff take most of her things along with him during the week so that her move wouldn’t be obvious. Jake had decided that it would be better if no one saw her traveling with Jeff back and forth to his house for now – although why she wasn’t sure. She’d still be working at the studio during the next several weeks, so people were bound to notice anyway.
It was late afternoon, and Jeff would be arriving soon so they could have a quick talk with Jake before Jeff followed Wren as she drove over to his place in her SUV.
Jeff walked into the lobby just as Wren stepped out from the elevator.
“Fancy meeting you here,” he said, grinning.
“I’m kind of anxious to hear what Jake has to say. He’s been awfully quiet these past couple days,” she said.
“I hear you,” Jeff replied as they headed through the lobby and through the hallway to the lakefront breezeway elevator that led up to Jake’s office.
Another five minutes later, they were knocking on the door.
“Come on in, guys,” Jake called out from inside.
As they stepped in from the hallway, Jake made a motion for Jeff to lock the door.
“Help yourself to coffee,” he said. “I need to grab a few more things from inside my office if you want to take a seat at the island.”
After Jeff and Wren sat down with their coffee, Jake joined them, easing down onto his stool.
“Okay,” he muttered. “It looks like the best time to try and draw out Wren’s adversaries will be during the video filming. We’ve definitely concluded that there’s more than one person involved, although there might only be one individual who actually has it out for you. I still think you’ll be relatively safe during the next few weeks while you’re working on your album, although when you begin recording with the orchestra next week, everyone is going to be vetted beforehand. Eve and I decided to draw up temporary non-disclosure agreements for the musicians who will be working with you. We won’t let them know who they’ll be working with for sure until after the agreement is signed.”
“That’s a really good idea,” Wren admitted.
“It’s a simple safeguard, although it may not prevent your presence in Crystal Rock from being leaked out,” Jake replied, heaving a sigh. “When you start filming your video, we’re going to quadruple security everywhere you’re working. I’ve been considering other modes of transportation to your locations, which appear to all be easily accessible by water. Since Jeff has a cruiser, it might be a good idea to go back and forth by way of the lake if weather allows, as long as you’re staying at Jeff’s and he’s serving as your bodyguard anyway, Wren. You should probably begin wearing disguises again after all your people begin arriving in town.”
She grimaced, nodding her agreement.
“So, I guess we’re sure that it’s someone she’s worked with, stalking her?” Jeff asked.
“It only makes sense,” Jake agreed. “It’s the stalking aspect that no longer meshes with the profile. Someone is trying to kill her, and the person that was sent to sabotage the wiring was then in turn killed himself. There’s something else going on here, so it’s the motive that I’ve been trying to puzzle out ever since Wren arrived in town.” Jake sighed. “I hate to have to ask this of you, but Wren, will you give me permission to look into your personal affairs and finances?”
“Sure,” she agreed. “Right from the start, I’ve felt that I can trust you.”
“I’m not mentioning that I’m going to go over everything to anyone except for you and Jeff. Here’s the obvious question. Who inherits all your wealth if something happens to you?”
Wren blinked. “No one. Everything will go to various designated charities. I have no living relatives. My mom supposedly passed away eight years ago, right before my dad died.”
Jake pursed his lips.
“That kind of puts a damper on my theory. What’s the name and location of the attorney representing you?”
“Any kind of business disputes are handled by my label’s attorneys. But my personal attorney is Garret Mason Junior. Senior was actually a lawyer from my former hometown of Lawton, Illinois who my dad hired when I was a kid. He was a friend of Dad’s and a pretty good guy. After making a few provisions, I decided to leave everything as it was when Senior died since I went to high school with Junior before I had a tutor. That way, I’m more or less supporting my hometown.”
Jake wrote down the name.
“And you have a business manager?”
“I do. Although I’m not completely sure that I’m going to keep him on. His name is Tim Roberts. He’s been handling the distribution of my assets since my dad hired him years ago. I’ve been keeping a roundabout eye on my own finances since I turned eighteen and it looked like he was doing a pretty good job, but I started studying the numbers more closely when I wasn’t bringing in as much on tour as I used to. I’m pretty sure he’s been doing some skimming. I’ll give you access to the thumb drive I’ve been using. Marc can send you the file since I have it stashed in my desk in L.A.”
Jake nodded. “It’s hard to find trustworthy people these days. Roberts could be involved somehow.”
“Maybe,” she agreed. “Although it hasn’t been a huge amount I’ve noticed missing. Of course, someone else at his company might know about the discrepancy and is using it against him. I’ve been waiting to confront him since he’s been handling everything for so long.”
Jake handed over a small laptop. “This is yours to keep. I can’t believe you managed to get along without one during the past couple weeks. You’ve got a new email address set up with only your manager and head of security as contacts. I’ve put everything in my name, except for the charge card I arranged for you to use online. It’s in Jeff’s name, because he insisted it would be easier for you if you’re staying at his place to receive deliveries, like additional clothing since you’d didn’t bring much along with you.”
“I kind of figured you were good for it,” Jeff said dryly.
She gave him a smile, patting him on the hand.
“Why don’t you go ahead and open the laptop, Wren, so we can over a few things. You can just sign in with your initials WM in caps,” Jake instructed. “There’s some paperwork I’d like for you to fill out and send to me as soon as possible since it should help speed up the investigation.”
Opening the computer, she checked out the documents Jake had prepared.
“It’s a list of my employees,” she murmured, studying the names.
“It’s a pretty long list but the names toward the top are the people who’ve worked with you the longest. I had Marc assemble the list for you. I’d like for you to think about everyone on that list and fill out what comes immediately to mind about each of them – their behavior in particular.”
“Okay. I’ll see if I can get it done within the next day or two.”
“That would work. Now tell me about your last boyfriend.”
“Vin Desmond. He didn’t take me breaking up with him well. We thought he trashed my beach house but decided that he might be telling the truth when he said he didn’t, even though the cops caught him there. We didn’t think he could have been there long enough to do all the damage that was done.”
“I remember you talking about that with us when you first arrived,” Jake replied. “But you and Marc decided that someone might have broken in sometime earlier that day and whoever it was really did the damage.”
“That’s right,” she answered, giving Jeff a side glance when he suddenly appeared distant, zoning out of the conversation.
She heaved a sigh, realizing her reputation had proceeded her again. Hopefully, it wasn’t going to ruin things between them. Especially since Vin was…insignificant, she supposed would be the right way to describe him. Just one man in a string of many relationships that hadn’t really been real.
“Okay then. As hard as I’ve tried to work out strategy that’s more concise, the plan is something we can’t really define unless we take it one day at a time. We’re just going to be handling your security when you’re filming your video as we go along. We’ll keep in close touch as you’re moving to and from each location. We’ll go on high alert during the week or two that it’s being made,” Jake said, standing from the island. “I’ve been a little more cautious this week because I’ve had an investigator keeping an eye on you Wren. But he hasn’t seen anyone following you or even taking an interest. So far, so good. I’m pretty certain you haven’t been recognized. I suppose it helps that you’ve been dressing casually and wearing little makeup. It should be safe for you to drive your SUV for now. If that should change, I’ll let you know.”
“Good,” she answered, holding out her hand. “Thank you, Jake.”
“You’re welcome,” he replied, shaking her hand. “From now on, we can video chat, so that’ll make it a little easier for us to communicate.”
“Great,” she replied, glancing at Jeff, who remained tight-lipped.
Jake winked at Wren, noticing Jeff’s sullen look. “Jeff kind of reminds me of me when I began dating Danielle. I was jealous as hell.”
“Huh?” Jeff asked, apparently snapping out of it. “I’m…,” he glanced at Wren, “fine.”
“Sure, you are,” Jake muttered, snickering.
When Jeff snorted, Wren started laughing.