Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
“I know this might not be fun. But we need to ask you some questions so we can properly investigate this,” Xavier said as he eased his muscular frame down on the couch across from the leather chair Nova sat in.
John sat on the couch next to Xavier. Breaker was in a nearby chair. Marco stood even though there was plenty of seating.
The Littles were off getting ready for the day, giving the guys and Nova some privacy.
“And I’m sorry this view isn’t as nice as where we chatted early this morning,” he said, referring to the amazing panoramic view from her penthouse window.
She giggled—and it was maybe the sweetest sound Xavier had ever heard.
“Hey, this place has a ball pit. It’s even better,” she said.
“Fair enough.” Holding up his phone, he asked, “Mind if I record? If you’d rather me not, I can just take notes the old-fashioned way.”
“You can record. I trust you.”
“Thank you.”
John chuckled. “Once a cop, always a cop.” Looking at Nova, he said, “That’s why he’s leading this here. We’ve never interviewed victims before. He has.”
“He’s the only one who was a police officer?” she inquired.
“Yes, ma’am,” John replied.
“You weren’t?”
“No. A firefighter.”
“They told me Breaker was in the CIA,” Nova said. “What about you, Marco?”
Marco laughed a little, but his friendly tone when he spoke let her know he wasn’t mocking. “No, ma’am. About the furthest thing from being a cop as you can get.”
Breaker nodded. “Let’s just say he, uh, had some mob ties until recently.”
“More than ties! I was the mob!”
Xavier watched Nova to see if she recoiled at all. But instead of shock or disgust, she lit up.
“But you’re a good man now. I can tell. You’re all good men,” she said.
“Thank you,” Xavier said. There were things he wanted to say back, but he reminded himself once again that it was imperative he keep it professional.
So, instead, he told her, “Okay, we’re recording now.
” Leaning forward, he put the phone on the coffee table between them and then leaned back.
“I’m going to ask you a series of questions.
It might seem as if I’m jumping around. But please try to answer them to the best of your ability.
I don’t want to make you uncomfortable, but I will have to get personal. Is that all right?”
Nova bobbed her head. “I’m an open book. With you.”
A smile accompanied that statement, and he wondered if there was some hidden meaning to it.
Probably not, he realized. Now wasn’t exactly a good time to flirt. She was more than likely just referring to their limited shared history together.
Or maybe there was something about him that called to her.
Either way, now wasn’t the time for him to explore a possible chemistry that existed between them.
“Let’s start with obvious places. And again, I’m sorry I have to get personal. But are you currently involved with anyone romantically?”
“No.”
She kept her eyes trained on his for a moment. Again, he wondered if she meant something by that. But he kept going.
“How about exes? Has there been anyone who might feel jaded or bitter?”
“No. I mean, all my boyfriends have been pretty superficial and just… sort of for fun. Know what I mean? I’ve never been in what I’d call a serious relationship.”
He nodded. “Sure. But do you think they’d all agree with that or could there be someone who felt closer to you than you did to them?”
She shook her head. “Nope. They were all other musicians.”
“Famous, you mean?” Xavier had followed Nova and her career enough over the years since they’d last seen each other to know that she had a string of high-profile relationships.
“Yeah. All famous and busy doing their own thing. I mean, most of them are on tour right now themselves. We could easily look at their schedules and see where they’re at.”
Xavier smiled. “It’s all good. I don’t think that will be necessary. Let’s pivot. How about anyone in the industry that might feel you’ve wronged them?”
“Oh my gosh! You think this is really someone I know? That’s terrifying!”
He nodded. “I understand it’s scary. And stalking cases are a little different with a celebrity because it might very well be someone who just became obsessed with your music or you.
But in the vast majority of crimes, it’s someone you have a connection with.
So, we need to rule some things out before we move forward. ”
“Sure, that makes sense,” she said. After a shrug, she said, “I can’t think of anyone. I don’t have bad blood with anyone that I know of.”
“You get along with your agent?” Breaker asked.
“Oh yeah. She’s great. And well respected in the biz.”
“Okay, what about family and friends? Please think of anyone, even if they’re a very unlikely suspect.
” Xavier shifted a little in his seat. “I’m not trying to offend you or accuse anyone.
But you know, sometimes you hear these stories about a parent who wanted to manage a career and they had to be cut off. Jealous siblings. Things like that.”
“I’ve heard of those stories, too. Even know some people who went through it. But I don’t really have any family. I was placed in foster care early, both parents giving up rights. I don’t even remember them. So, I sort of bounced from house to house and group home to group home.”
Xavier remembered that now. She was a self-made woman, a story of major success. Persevering through stacked odds, she’d built something big. He admired her for it.
He asked her a few more questions, and by the time she’d answered them, he felt it most likely wasn’t anyone from her personal life.
“What about fans? Has anyone written you a lot of letters or maybe been a little too enthusiastic?”
“Not that I’m aware of. I don’t mean to sound snobby, but I can’t read them all.
My agent has people who do that. But nothing has stood out to them,” she stated.
“At least, they haven’t brought anything to my attention.
” Her face morphed into an expression of pure worry.
“Does this mean you can’t find who it is? ”
Xavier tried to reassure her the best he could with a smile. “No. It would be easier if signs pointed to someone obvious. But don’t worry. There are still ways to crack this thing and I can assure you we’re going to try our hardest.”
She thanked them and the meeting broke up about the time the other Littles started filing into the room. Xavier could tell they were trying not to overreact to having a superstar like Nova Monroe there, but Stephanie, Kelsey, and Trixie were clearly excited.
Before they could approach Nova, she came up to Xavier and, in a low voice, said, “Hey. Thank you for what you’re doing. I hope I was able to help a little.”
“You did.”
“Well, if I think of anyone else, I’ll let you know.”
He nodded.
They stood there in heavy silence for a moment and he could tell there was something else she wanted to say.
Finally, after a long few seconds stretched on, she said, “I know you want to investigate. And that’s why I called you.
But, well… I have to meet with my backup dancers at one. Would you accompany me, please?”
He could see the terror in her eyes and it broke his heart. It also wasn’t lost on him that she felt safer in his presence.
How could he turn her down?
“Of course,” he said.
She thanked him, hugged him, and then turned to meet up with the other ladies.
Xavier was left there watching her go, wondering how on earth he was going to protect her, fight the already powerful feelings he had for her, and investigate this mess all at the same time.
It sure was going to be a challenge.