Page 33 of What They'll Say About Us
"Well, Tessa has always been more interesting than me," Morgan said with a laugh.
"I doubt that. Tessa said you all worked together and got laid off at the same time. Were you also in marketing for that company?"
"No. I was in HR and recruiting. My job involved more paperwork and less fun."
"Morgan is very good at analyzing people," I interjected. "She's also super organized, detailed, and great at research."
"Please, you're being way too complimentary," Morgan said. "The truth is that I'm not nearly as brave as Tessa or Cassidy. I prefer to read and talk about true crime rather than to live it. So, I'm more comfortable with the research aspect than anything else. I'm still a little shaky after what happened in the theater."
"What happened in the theater?" Vivienne asked.
"Oops," Morgan said, sending me an apologetic look.
"It's fine," I told Morgan. Then I turned to my aunt. "I don't want to alarm you, but after you left us alone on the stage, Morgan and I were chatting. We thought everyone was gone and as we turned to leave, a heavy sandbag fell from the catwalk and almost knocked me out. Morgan could have been hurt, too. Some guy named Henry came onto the stage. He said he'd come back for his sweatshirt and heard a crash. He didn't know how it could have fallen."
Vivienne was shaking her head in anger before I even finished talking. "That's completely unacceptable. I run a safe set. I have numerous backup procedures in place involving our sets, the catwalks, everything. I'm going to look into this. Rest assured."
"I don't think anyone will admit to it because it was another warning."
"Well, maybe you should heed that warning. Seriously, Tessa. What if you had been hurt? Would this really have been worth it? You can't bring Paige back. But you still have a life."
"I didn't get hurt, and incidents like that only make me think that Paige's death wasn't an accident. Otherwise, why would everyone be so nervous?"
"I don't know, but now I'm nervous for you. You should go back to New York."
"I'm going to stay for at least a few more days. There are people I need to talk to. I'll be careful."
"I'm sure you thought you were being careful today." Vivienne turned to Morgan. "You should convince her to leave."
"I understand why she wants to stay," Morgan said, not admitting that's exactly what she had been trying to do before dinner.
Vivienne let out a sigh as she gave me a frustrated look. "I've never been able to talk you out of anything you have set your mind on, Tessa. Is there anything I can do to help?"
"There is one person I don't have contact information for yet, and that's Sloane. You mentioned that she does some artwork for you. Do you have her number? Actually, her address would be even better. I'd like to surprise her."
Vivienne hesitated. "I'm not sure I should give you her address, Tessa. She's a sweet woman and a private person. I have her number if you want to call."
"Then I'll take that."
"I'll text it to you." Vivienne gave me another troubled look, then said, "If you happen to pick up a copy of last month's Chicago Living, her house was featured, and they did an interview with Sloane and her husband. You might find that interesting."
"Thank you," I said, meeting her gaze.
"That information comes with a price."
"You don't have any leverage. You already gave me the information," I told her, quite sure I knew where this was going.
"Your dad is playing at The Independent on Saturday night. He comes in Saturday morning and is planning to stay until at least Monday. He'll be at my house. I'd really like for you to see him. He is your dad."
"He was never much of a dad, Aunt Viv."
"I know. And your mother was never much of a mother, but they're still your parents, and they both care about you, even if they don't know how to show it."
"We'll see how the week goes. That's the best I can do for now."
"I'll take that." Vivienne motioned for the waiter to bring our check. "I am glad we had a chance to sit down and talk. I'm happy you're doing so well in New York now."
"Me, too."
