Page 39 of Wynns of Change
“Yes. Even longer, if needed, or at least until the property sells,” Harlow said. “Speaking of which, is there anything I need to be aware of, repairs or issues needing attention before the listing agent shows it?”
“No. Now that Jillian McElroy has taken her stuff and cleaned out the office, it’s tidy and ready to show to potential buyers.”
“Robert told me he let her go.”
“Let her go?” The housekeeper laughed out loud. “More like the other way around. Jillian waltzed in here a couple of days ago, packed up her stuff, and left. You should’ve seen the look on Mr. Barbetz’s face when she told him she was quitting.”
Chapter 17
“Jillian quit?” Harlow stared at her housekeeper in disbelief.
“I was trying not to eavesdrop, but they were arguing very loudly,” Selma said. “It was Thursday. Jillian came here. I could tell something was wrong. Mr. Barbetz has been in a bad mood since he returned from Vancouver.”
“Because Jillian had a small part in the movie that I starred in. During filming she was asked to leave.”
Selma’s eyes grew round as saucers. “Jillian is an actress? I had no idea.”
“Robert pulled a few strings and landed her a minor part. She flubbed up, got escorted off the set and was replaced by someone else.”
“I bet she wasn’t happy.”
“Sounds like neither one of them were,” Aunt Birdie muttered. “So Jillian came here, she and Robert argued, and then she quit?”
“Not quite,” Selma said. “You are going to think I am a busybody.”
“No. Please. This is important because Robert’s version is that he fired Jillian.”
“Jillian quit and Robert got mad,” Selma said. “He was breaking stuff, swearing, throwing one of his tantrums. He kept saying someone’s name, about Jillian regretting she went with Zenwith.”
“Charles Zenwith?” Harlow asked.
Selma shrugged. “I’m not sure. All I remember is the name Zenwith.”
“If it’s the same person, Charles Zenwith is a big name producer in the industry. It appears Jillian is moving up in the world.” Harlow tapped her lower lip. “No wonder he’s begging me to take him back. Robert’s promising young starlet dumped him for a bigger fish.”
“Mr. Barbetz wants to reconcile?”
“He does, and now it all makes perfect sense,” Harlow grimly replied. “I knew getting back together wouldn’t work. This just confirms it.”
“You are better off without him.”
“He’s a trip. Thank you, Selma. I needed to hear this.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Aunt Birdie and I are going to pack up some stuff.”
“I have boxes.” Selma hurried off, returning moments later with a small stack of packing boxes. “Let me know if you need more.”
“This should be fine. We’ll make it work.” Harlow thanked her and began making her way down the hall. “We’ll be in California for a couple of days.”
“The guest bedroom at the end of the hall has fresh linens.” Selma trailed after them, following Harlow and Birdie to the grand staircase. “If you want, I can keep my ear to the ground when Robert is around.”
“I wouldn’t mind being kept in the loop about what he’s up to.”
Selma held a finger to her lips. “I will do it for you, Harlow. Robert is not a good person. I’m glad you have realized it.”
“I am too.”
