Page 59 of The Secrets We Treasure

“Oh, I’m sorry. I was talking to someone else. Please continue.”

“Before Ethan started working for you, he managed a pop singer by the name of Sabrina Sanchez.”

“Yes. I knew that.”

“I spoke to Sabrina. She describes Ethan as jealous and controlling. According to Sabrina, Ethan became fixated on her and did everything he could to come between her and her boyfriend.”

An iron band wrapped around Treasure’s chest, making it hard to breathe.

“Sabrina asserted that Ethan misrepresented situations to suit his own wants. She caught him in several lies.”

Dizziness rolled over Treasure as the pieces shifted into place to form a frightening picture. Ethan’s proposal. Joan Whitmer’s insistence that Ethan was the one who turned down the opportunity for Treasure to star on the TV reality show.

“The straw that broke the camel’s back was when Sabrina learned that Ethan had been stealing from her.”

Treasure’s stomach roiled. Ethan could be robbing her blind for all she knew. She never should’ve given him so much control over her business … or her life, for that matter. It was all she could do to force the next words from her mouth. “Do you think Ethan is the stalker?” She looked at Greer, whose eyes widened a fraction of a second before fury overtook his features.

“That would be my guess,” Howard answered solemnly.

This was a nightmare! All this time, she’d been living in fear. Not only her but Helen, Kevin, and Tray. White-hot anger scalded her blood. “Where do we go from here?”

“I’m going to contact the detectives and let them know everything I’ve told you. I suspect that the detectives will want to launch a full investigation into Ethan. In the meantime, I would urge you not to confront Ethan about anything I’ve told you or alert him in any way.”

She recoiled. “I can’t just continue like normal. What if Ethan is dangerous?” Her skin crawled with the remembrance of her mother’s warning that Treasure was in danger.

“I understand your frustration, but all we have at this point are Sabrina’s accusations. We need some proof. Let me talk to the detectives to see if we can come up with a plan. One thought that comes to mind is getting independent auditors to go over your books.”

“Good idea.”

“Hold off on that for now. I need to talk to the police first.”

Treasure swallowed, her mind spinning. “How am I supposed to keep myself and my family safe?”

“The threatening texts and emails have stopped?”

“Yes.”

“If the stalker is, in fact, Ethan, then it would seem that Ethan is mollified at the moment.”

Her voice rose. “You don’t know that for sure. We don’t know what evil plan Ethan could be concocting. Maybe he stopped sending the texts and emails so he could lure me into a false sense of security. Or maybe he thinks he has me in his clutches and can manipulate me into marrying him.” She looked at Greer, a new and chilling thought racing through her mind. “What happens when Ethan realizes that I’m involved with someone else?”

“That could get sticky,” Howard answered. “Maybe you should keep your relationship with the other guy on the down-low … at least until we can find out if Ethan is the culprit. Like I said, we need proof.”

“No!” Treasure blurted. “I’m tired of living in fear.”

Howard’s voice remained controlled and rational. “If you confront Ethan head-on, then you’ll be giving him the chance to cover his tracks. We may never know the extent of his criminal activities. That’s the best-case scenario.” He paused, enunciating his next words. “Worst case scenario, you could back him in a corner and put yourself and your family at risk.”

She pinched the bridge of her nose as she squeezed her eyes shut. “I can’t believe this is happening.” She wished it would all go away. She was here in this beautiful place with the love of her life. It infuriated her that she was sick with fear. Greer rubbed her back. His comforting touch helped restore a measure of calm amid the insanity.

“As soon as I get off the phone with you, I’m calling the police detectives. I’ll let you know what I hear from them.”

“Thanks,” Treasure said tonelessly as she ended the call. Tears pressed against her eyes as she shook her head. “The wolf has been among us the entire time.”

“I only caught bits and pieces. Start at the beginning and tell me everything.”

She nodded, launching in. After she’d told Greer everything, his face darkened with indignation. “If your manager is the one behind this, I’ll strangle him with my bare hands.”

“No, you won’t.” She placed a hand on his arm, giving him a pointed look. “I won’t have you putting yourself in jeopardy because of me.” Now that she’d calmed down somewhat, her mind could work more efficiently to sift through the information. “I haven’t heard from Ethan for three days, which is not like him.” A chill went through her. “Do you think he’s planning something?” She looked to Greer for an answer. His jaw was hard as granite, eyes narrowed.

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