Page 74 of Not Another Rockstar
“Axel!” she squeaked, covering her flaming cheeks. Her knees buckled as they hit the mattress.
“I love how you say my name,” he teased, leaning over her on the bed. Kissing her neck, her shoulders, as she squirmed. He pinned her arms above her head and settled between her legs.
“It tickles,” she said against his lips as the droplets from his skin landed on her. The smell of his orange body wash made him even more irresistible. She was beginning to wonder if she’d ever tire of his caresses; he showed no sign of tiring of hers.
They were interrupted by his phone, and his disgruntled groan made her laugh.
She squirmed out from beneath him and tossed him his phone. He paused, eyeing the box of cookies. “You got me cookies?”
“I know how much you love dessert,” she said with a smirk, only for his smile to drop when he looked at his phone.
He settled close to her as he answered, putting it on speaker.
“Axel? Hi, it’s Isaiah. I wanted to give you an update. I’ve talked to the officers who were looking into the break-in, and I managed to find Sheen. I tried to get through to Ms Fletcher, but there was no answer. If you’d like to wait to discuss it together later, I can call back.”
Phoebe shook her head, glad Axel was with her.
“She’s with me now,” Axel told him. “I have you on speaker.”
“What did he say?” Phoebe asked, nervous about what Sheen might have said about the damage she did to his car, even if it was deserved.
“Nothing he didn’t tell you. That he was paid to break into the gallery and report it to the media. His own company leaked the incident, and they have confirmed that he was paid and don’t believe any law was broken,” Isaiah explained.
Axel frowned at her.
“Not breaking any law? Sheen ruined thousands of euros worth of artwork,” Phoebe raged.
Axel took her hand, calming her so she didn’t clench her injured hand.
“I’m afraid LouderTech’s legal department is stating that you paid them. That the break-in was a publicity stunt. When I spoke to the police, they said they received the same information from LouderTech’s legal team. I’m worried that you could be charged with filing a false report. If you weren’t aware of the stunt, then we will need to prove it.”
“Proof? How about that I was in a coma when the money was left on his desk? This is insane. What about the camera footage?”
“I’m afraid I’ll need a warrant, and even if I got one, I’d say it’s long gone by now. I don’t think they care whether Sheen is telling the truth or not, they are just protecting themselves,” Isaiah said. She didn’t doubt it. “LouderTech is supplying Mr Sheen with legal aid. He is also saying that you destroyed his jeep as a threat to keep him quiet about your involvement.”
“Framing Phoebe must be part of his plan,” Axel said. “He comes up with a story to say that he was paid, and now the person behind him is Phoebe. There is no way Phoebe would ever pay someone to break into her own studio. Her work is a part of her, it would be like me setting my drums on fire.”
“I understand your frustration, but I’m afraid LouderTech have supplied the investigating officers with security footage of Ms Fletcher entering their underground parking on the day his jeep was vandalised, which backs up Sheen’s version of events. The officers had their own suspicions, given the substantial insurance payout on her work. Since Ms Fletcher took out the claim only a few months before the break-in, it doesn’t look good. I’m not accusing her, but it’s why you haven’t heard from them.”
So that’s why they weren’t giving us updates,Phoebe realised.I’m their key suspect.
She rested her head in her hands, not believing this was happening.
“My agent took out that policy because of the show I had before Munich. The gallery insisted that I have substantial coverage, given the notoriety. Why would I destroy work that I could have easily sold?”
“Someone is orchestrating this to make you look guilty,” Isaiah told her. “Sheen was contacted through a burner phone and paid in cash, so he can point the finger at you. If there is someone behind Sheen, they’re too good at covering their tracks. If you’re called in by the investigating officers, do as they ask, but do not say a word without a lawyer, and ask them to call me. Given the press attention, they are looking to wrap this up quickly.”
“Did you get any prints off the fan mail package we gave you?” Phoebe asked. She had dug it out of the recycling as soon as they had got back from Italy.
“Only yours, your manager’s and the head of your security. There was no postage or customs stamp, which means it was left at your studio personally. I’m afraid it doesn’t help you offer the officers another culprit.”
“Great, so the media sees me as a villain, and now the police are going to prove it,” Phoebe said.
“Don’t lose heart, I’m looking into a few loose ends. I’ll update you when I know more.” Isaiah didn’t sound all that hopeful.
Phoebe let out a long sigh. “What about my show this weekend? Should I cancel?”
“Our security team is going to be attending, and it will be invitation and ticket only,” Axel explained. She knew he didn’t want her to have to cancel, but she didn’t want any of them to be put at risk.
