Page 6 of The Situation Ship
Poppy’s blood ran cold. She kept her face blank.
“And you are…?” she asked cautiously, wondering if this woman knew her aunt, or if this was some kind of hoax. She could be wearing a hidden camera.
“I’m Mina – Minerva, but everyone calls me Mina. I work at Heaven’s Heart, the nightclub. I overheard some patrons in our VIP section talking about your aunt’s death.”
“Okay?” Poppy had been to that nightclub once or twice. It was very exclusive.
“Before it happened,” Mina added, nervously picking at a button hanging off her coat.
Poppy took a breath. She knew her aunt had had enemies; it wouldn’t be the first time a hater had plotted her death. She herself wasn’t a stranger to hate mail or death threats.
“You have my attention; explain. But if you’re from the press trying to spin a twisted story, I have a team of lawyers who will make mincemeat of you.”
“No, no!” Mina waved her hands frantically. “I swear I’m not with the press. I’m a bar manager. I heard two men plotting to kill you and your aunt when I was delivering a bottle of champagne to the VIP area. No one pays attention to what they say around staff, especially not in Heaven’s Heart. We’re paid to be discreet, but then I saw the news about your aunt’s death, and I panicked. I know coming here and blindsiding you isn’t appropriate, but I didn’t think going to the police was a good idea. My boss wouldn’t like me mentioning the clients’ business to the police.”
Poppy shook her head. “I appreciate your concern for my safety, but you’ve wasted your time coming here. My aunt’s death was an accident. I was there. As for the threats you heard, I can’t count the number of threats we’ve received throughout our careers from strangers.” The last thing she wanted was the police looking into her aunt’s death.
“They weren’t strangers! I saw you on TV when they mentioned her death. Two men were standing with you – the same men I heard plotting.” Mina fumbled for her phone.
Poppy’s heart stopped. She knew instantly who the woman was talking about.
“I managed to record some of their conversations when they ordered another round of drinks.” Mina stepped closer, holding up her phone.
Poppy leaned in to see Joshua and her now-fired manager talking closely. They had never been close, and they certainly weren’t drinking buddies. If anything, Joshua despised Dug for being too involved in her life. He also resented him for never taking him on as a client when he had asked.
“It’s hard to hear with the music,” Mina said, handing Poppy a wireless earbud. “I tried to stay in the room as long as possible, but I missed parts of the conversation.”
The sound was choppy, but she could hear enough.
“You don’t always want to be in Poppy’s shadow, do you?” Dug was saying. “Your relationship is a means to an end. I understand you’re her friend– but is she yours? What has she done for you? She’ll drop you one day, when the arrangement no longer suits her. What will you have to show for it? I was a fool for not taking you on as a client sooner. Forgive me for not seeing your talent. I’ll take care of Martha; it won’t take much. You know how much she loves her pills. And Poppy… well, what’s another pop star going off the rails?”
Poppy pressed the earbud closer to hear better, waiting for Joshua to defend her, but the silence was deafening. Glancing at her aunt’s casket, she couldn’t help but wonder what Dug would say if he knew that she’d beat him to it.
“Poppy has been distant recently. Obsessed with the idea of acting. She’s meant to be the singer, andI’mthe actor – the perfect pair. But now I audition, and they ask if she’d be interested in being the leading lady,”Joshua slurred, clearly drunk.
“Exactly. You’ve been so good to her over the years, and you don’t want people to only think of you as Mr Poppy Roe. What aboutyourdreams? How many producers and directors did you introduce her to? How many want her now instead of you? You’ve pretended to be her boyfriend as a favour to her, to help her, but what has she done for you?”
“But killing her seems too extreme.”
“I understand your hesitation.” Duggery clapped him on the shoulder. “But I know about the girl you’ve been seeing on the side. If it comes out that you cheated on the Princess of Pop, it’ll be over for you. Even I wouldn’t be able to save you from that scandal; her fans would skin you alive. In a few weeks, when you’re on that cruise, just slip a few pills in her drink. It’s not your fault if she accidentally goes overboard.”
“I don’t think—”
“Poppy will never be found, and you’ll be in the clear to start afresh, without a shadow hanging over you, and with the woman you love on your arm. It’s time for Joshua Clark to stand in the spotlight.”
Joshua said something Poppy couldn’t make out. But when they clinked their glasses, a pit formed in her stomach. He really wanted her dead because he was threatened by her success?
“Why come to me with this?” she asked when the video finished. “You could have brought this to them and blackmailed them. You could’ve made a fortune for yourself.”
“To be honest, I’ve got my own problems to deal with. I don’t need your death on my conscience,” Mina said.
“I respect your honesty.” Poppy took a moment to process, figuring she should keep Mina close to stop this information from getting out.“How would you like a job?” she asked calmly.
“A job?” Mina frowned. “I don’t understand.”
“I need a new assistant. I fired mine this morning, and I need someone I can trust. Not wanting me to die is a good foundation for trust.”
“It’s a great offer, but I like my work at the club,” Mina said hesitantly.
