Page 81 of Ms Perfectly Fine
“I’m sorry, I know we haven’t met, but Elijah said he was going to talk to you. I don’t know if he got the chance because I knew he was signing today with Francis—” The words came out in a hurried tumble as she jumped to her feet.
“Take a breath. There’s no hurry. I have an officer taking Heather’s statement,” Aiden said, his eyes warm and trustworthy.
“She’s the one who’s been leaving roses. I don’t know why, but I knew something was off. I feel so stupid. She must have just been laughing at me every day.” Autumn cursed herself for not going to the police sooner, but she’d never expected the sender to be someone so close.
“Please take a seat,” he said gently.
Nina took Autumn’s hand. “Do you want me to call Elijah?”
“No”—she shook her head—“please don’t; it’s an important day for him.” She didn’t mention Francis; she didn’t want to embarrass Aiden by highlighting their personal connection any further when he was obviously so determined to be professional.
“Why didn’t you tell us someone was harassing you? We would have helped you,” Nina said, sitting on the arm of the chair to comfort her.
Autumn couldn’t give an answer that would matter now, and Aiden didn’t wait for a response. “Can you tell me what happened? Elijah has already filled me in on the roses.”
“I went to my dressing room and Heather was just standing there, frozen. When she realised I was there, she looked shocked and started to back away, then I noticed the flowers. She said it wasn’t her. Then I noticed what was at the bottom of the vase—I think it was blood.”
“Blood? We can test it to make sure,” Aiden said gently, writing everything she said down on a notepad.
Autumn nodded, resting her head in her hands. She felt like bees were buzzing in her ears with all the questions she had.
“But you didn’t see her enter the room with the flowers?” Aiden asked.
Autumn’s head snapped up. “No. Does that matter?” Suddenly, she was afraid her discovery would amount to nothing.
“I’m afraid so, if she says she found them and there’s no evidence of her purchasing or delivering the flowers. But don’t panic—we’ll check her accounts to see her recent purchases.”
Autumn took a deep breath. “What happens now? Will she be arrested?”
“We’ll take the vase in to get the prints. Elijah already gave me the note you received this morning, and we’ll send them both to the lab,” Aiden told her.
Her shoulders relaxed with gratitude that Elijah had already spoken to him so she wouldn’t have to explain everything right now. Her limbs felt numb, which was a change for her. She guessed it was the shock.
“How long is that going to take?” Nina asked for her. Autumn squeezed her hand, relieved to have her friend here since Elijah couldn’t be.
“I’ll put a rush on it, but I can’t be certain.”
“Can you hold her?” Autumn asked, afraid that Heather would come after her now that she knew her identity. Then again, part of her couldn’t believe she was even thinking of quiet, shy Heather as dangerous.
“We’ll hold her for twenty-four hours and see what she has to say, but without more evidence, that’s all we can do for now,” Aiden said, closing his notepad.
“And then she’s free to come to work and be around me?” Autumn asked, her nails digging into her palms. How was she supposed to focus with Heather around?
“No,” Sasaki said from the doorway. “I’ve told her she can only return once she’s been cleared.”
“What about the showcase? Surely, Autumn can’t perform—for her safety,” Nina said.
Autumn stared at her in horror. Even though her friend meant well, the last thing she wanted was to be locked away in her house.
“That’s up to Autumn,” Sasaki said, “but either way, I will support her decision.”
“No. I want to perform. She didn’t want me to make my comeback, and I’m not going to give her the satisfaction of keeping me off the stage,” Autumn said, determined not to let fear stand in her way.
“Can you give us a minute?” Aiden said to Nina and Sasaki.
Both left without protest, but they didn’t go far; Autumn could see them outside the office window.
“I’m sorry this is happening, Autumn. This isn’t how I would have liked us to meet,” Aiden said, now as more of a friend than a detective.
