Chapter 8
Caleb continued. “This isn’t under my jurisdiction, but seeing how we’re friends, I offered to be the one to hand-deliver the bad news.”
The subject line of the email caught Harlow’s attention first. Destruction of state property is a felony!
“What on earth?”
“Someone anonymously reported that you or your construction crew have maliciously and intentionally destroyed state property, specifically the trees out back.”
“This isn’t true.” Harlow’s hand shook. “The Mackies and I were just back there. We walked all the way to the property line. I can assure you my workers haven’t touched a single tree belonging to the state.”
“So you didn’t notice any damaged trees?”
“No, but then I wasn’t paying attention. Trust me, I would not cut down a tree.”
“I believe you. Unfortunately, I’ll still need to see for myself.”
“Of course.” Harlow handed the paper back. “The first question that comes to mind is, how would someone know unless they were trespassing? Who’s to say that they didn’t damage it themselves and is blaming me or my workers for it?”
“To be honest, I had the same thought.” Caleb fell into step, keeping up with Harlow’s brisk pace. “I’m sure you’re already aware that not everyone on the island is thrilled with the fact that you bought this place.”
“Including Cheyenne Clifton, I’m sure,” she mumbled. “I wasn’t paying attention, but out of curiosity, exactly when did the zoning and permit department receive this?”
“First thing this morning.”
“My money is on Cheyenne.”
“Why? I mean, I heard she’s working with your ex, trying to break into acting, but what does that have to do with you?”
“She’s jealous. Maybe it’s the fact I told her she had a snotty, snooty attitude, that pretty faces in Hollywood were a dime a dozen and I was hedging my bets she would be an epic failure.”
Caleb’s jaw dropped. “Seriously? I can’t envision you saying that.”
“I wouldn’t have had she not cornered me in the Corner Grocery last night, bragging about how big a star she was going to be and how I wouldn’t be where I was without Robert’s help.”
A slow smile spread across his face. “Cheyenne has a way of pushing people’s buttons.”
“She did a heck of a job pushing mine, so I gave her an earful.” Despite the seriousness of the situation, Harlow chuckled. “I should’ve been the bigger person and walked away, huh?”
“She’s envious, and for good reason. So it’s true? She’s on her way to becoming a megastar like the famous Harlow Wynn?” he teased.
“Maybe.” Harlow confided what Steven Treb had told her. “Steven knows his stuff. He said she might have the sparkle it takes to attract fans. She filmed a commercial but it’s stuck in ‘review,’ code word for it may or may not ever be aired.”
“Why?”
Harlow shrugged. “Could be a number of reasons. Breaking into any sort of acting gig is tough as nails. Cheyenne would have to stand out, to catch the attention of the bigwigs. Commercials are expensive to make and expensive to run. Hence, they only air what they consider the cream of the crop.”
“I wonder what kind it is.”
“Me too.” Harlow abruptly stopped. “Which reminds me. I know someone who might be able to get their hands on a copy.”
Caleb stood quietly waiting while Harlow dialed Janice’s number.
“Hello, Harlow.” Her publicist’s chirpy voice echoed. “You made it home from LA? How did it go with the reading for Steven?”
“The reading went well. I’m memorizing my lines every day and on track to travel to Pittsburgh next month.”
“Good girl. Did you get a chance to check out your Studio City apartment?”
“I did. It’s vanilla.”
“Meaning it’s Plain Jane but will do the trick,” Janice guessed.
“Exactly. There’s enough room for Vic and me to hang out without tripping over each other. It’s close to the studio and has a halfway-decent view.”
“I was getting ready to give you a call. I have the new press release ready.”
Tink. Harlow’s cell phone chimed.
“Take a look at it and let me know if you want to change anything.”
“Will do. It might take me a couple of hours to go over it. I’m walking into the woods as we speak.”
“Walking into the woods?” Janice coughed loudly. “Better you than me. Are you going on a nature hike?”
“Someone filed a complaint against me, claiming I cut down trees belonging to the state.”
“Did you?”
“Cut down trees? No.”
“Kidding. I was kidding. I’m sure chopping down state property is the last thing on your mind,” Janice said. “Good luck.”
“Hey.” Harlow stopped her. “I have a quick favor to ask.”
“Ask away.”
“Robert has a new protégé. Her name is Cheyenne Clifton. She recently filmed a commercial. It hasn’t been released and is stuck in review.”
“Because it sucks and will never see the light of day?” Janice joked.
“It’s possible. I was wondering…”
“If I could get my hands on a copy? Consider it done. I have my sources.”
“Which is why I’m asking. Could you please keep it on the down low? I don’t want it getting back to Robert.”
“My lips are zipped,” she quipped. “You’ll have it by the end of the day.”
“Thanks, Janice. You’re the best.”
“Right back atcha,” her publicist replied. “Good luck with the tree complaint.”
“Thanks.” Harlow ended the call and waved her phone in the air. “I’ll have a copy by the end of the day.”
“It pays to have connections.” Caleb, with Harlow at his side, reached the top of the incline. They stepped onto the dirt path and walked deeper into the woods. “You should seriously consider adding motion-detector lights to the back of your house.”
“Already in the works.”
“What about a fence? You mentioned constructing a mini-fortress to keep curiosity-seekers, fans, and wackos off your property.”
“This was my original plan but I’ve changed my mind.”
Caleb’s brows knitted with concern. “I’ve read the stories. People have tried scaling the walls around your homes trying to get to you.”
“Some succeeded, including a guy who made it past security at our condo in Palm Beach. The cops found he had all sorts of fun devices in his backpack.”
“I don’t see the humor,” he said. “Now, I really am worried.”
“It isn’t funny. It’s scary as all get out. However, I’m paying big bucks for my view. I don’t want to block it with an ugly brick wall and electric gate. I have a plan.”
“What?”
“To get a furry protector, maybe even a German Shepherd.”
“A good choice. Let’s say a determined intruder makes it past your dog, then what?”
“I’ll shoot them.”
Caleb cast her an amused side glance. “When’s the last time you shot a gun?”
“When I was a teen. Dad taught me.”
“Do you own a gun?”
“I do.”
He grew quiet, contemplating her answers. “What if you don’t hear them breaking in and don’t have time to go for your gun?”
“I’m installing shatter-proof windows top to bottom.
All doors will be reinforced. I’m also installing a state-of-the-art security system.
” Harlow slowed. “I appreciate your concern, and I’m well aware of what I need to do to stay safe.
Having said that, I refuse to live like a prisoner in my own home.
A last resort will be hiring Vic or another security guard to protect me. ”
“I’m sorry if I sound pushy. I’m concerned about your safety, that’s all.”
She touched his arm. “Thank you. I appreciate it. Truly, I do. I’ll do everything in my power to stay safe. Despite all of the safety features we paid to have installed at the Malibu house, an intruder still managed to sneak onto the property.”
“I suppose if there’s a will, there’s a way.”
“Absolutely.” Harlow stopped again. “This is my property line. The survey company’s marker is still here.”
Caleb walked over to the stake. With his hands on his hips, he surveyed the surrounding area. “I don’t see any malicious destruction.”
“Not even a bent branch.”
He made his way along the property line, stopping halfway down. Caleb knelt on the ground.
Harlow, curious to find out what he was doing, tiptoed over. “What is it?”
“According to the stake, your property ends here.”
“Correct.”
Caleb pointed to a nearby pine tree. “Check it out.”
She crept closer, noticing fresh marks in the pine, as if someone had made a half-hearted attempt at taking it down. “This isn’t my tree.”
“It’s on state land.”
“I didn’t try cutting it down. Why would I?”
“You wouldn’t. It appears the goal was to get you into trouble.” Removing his cell phone from his pocket, Caleb snapped a picture. “I’ll report it. The zoning department might send you a warning letter seeing how this is next to your property, warning you not to cut the trees.”
“Which I haven’t,” she assured him. “It doesn’t mean someone won’t come back, cut even more and report me. Jerks.”
“Hopefully, this was a one and done.”
Moving at a faster clip, the couple backtracked to Harlow’s cottage.
“They have your place gutted.”
“Down to the studs.” Harlow reached for the doorknob. “Would you like a tour?”
“I don’t want to impose.”
“You’re not imposing.” She grabbed his arm and ushered him inside. “Welcome to my cozy cottage.”
Caleb stopped in the center of the living room. “It’s bigger than it looks from the outside.”
“Until they start installing drywall and cabinets.”
Moving from room to room, Harlow shared her vision, her plan to turn Lighthouse Lane into a home she would love and live in for what she hoped would be a very long time.
Their final stop was the top floor. Caleb wandered to the window. “The view is even better than I thought it would be. I don’t blame you for not wanting to install an ugly fence.”
“Right?” Harlow’s eyes shined. “Think of all the amazing sunsets I’ll be able to see right from my bedroom.”
“It’ll be a showpiece,” he said. “I noticed a few boxes with the original fixtures sitting on the fireplace hearth.”
“Which will be put back in place. I plan to have modern touches but also want to retain the original charm.”
“Good for you. Maybe…”
“Maybe what?” she prompted.
“Once it’s finished, you’ll invite me over.”
Harlow licked her finger and made an invisible checkmark. “You’re at the top of the list.”
“I feel honored.”
She turned to go, and Caleb grasped her hand. “Hold on. I see something.”
“See what?”
“You have a hitchhiker who appears to be settling in.”