The Other Emily by Barbara Freethy

Author:Barbara Freethy [Barbara Freethy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Thrillers, Domestic, Psychological, Crime, Mystery & Detective, Amateur Sleuth, Women Sleuths, Women, General, Suspense, Romance, Action & Adventure
ISBN: 9781951656683
Google: 7um6EAAAQBAJ
Publisher: Fog City Publishing, LLC
Published: 2023-09-11T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

As I left my office to go to the conference room, I ran into Tara Gray, Mitchell's wife. She was standing next to Kaitlyn's desk, and they were chatting like they were old friends. What the hell was going on? When did Kaitlyn become so chummy with Tara? It had to have happened Friday night. I really should not have left that party early.

Tara looked attractive in a mid-length sleeveless dress and wedge heels, her brown hair falling around her shoulders, much like mine was today. I frowned at that thought. But we weren't close to the same age. Tara was forty-six years old. Although, she probably could pass for someone in their thirties. I didn't know if she'd been blessed with good genes or a generous cosmetic surgery budget, but something was working for her.

"Hello, Tara," I said, putting a polite smile on my face. "It's nice to see you again."

"Emily," she said, an odd glint in her eyes, as if she knew something I didn't, which she probably did. "I'm sorry about all the trouble."

"If you're referring to the sex tape that Ashton is in, it's his problem not mine. I wasn't the woman in the pictures or the video."

"Really?" Tara asked doubtfully. "The woman in the photos I saw looked just like you. And Ashton said they're claiming it's you."

"It wasn't Emily," Kaitlyn cut in. "Emily went home early Friday night." She gave me an earnest look. "I know it wasn't you."

"Does everyone here know about the pictures and the video?" I asked.

"I don't know about everyone," Kaitlyn hedged. "But Tara just mentioned it to me, and after what you said about Ashton losing his phone, I put two and two together."

"Well, you're right. I was home Friday night. It wasn't me in the video or the still photos."

"So it was your boyfriend with someone else?" Tara asked. "That can't feel good, either."

"It doesn't. But Ashton was set up."

"That's what he told Mitchell," Tara said with a nod. "I can see how that could happen. Celebrities like Ashton will always be a target. Hollywood is a rough business. Someone is waiting for you to turn around so they can stab you in the back."

"Do you know who Ashton left the bar with Friday night?" I asked. "He said he spoke to you at Harry's."

"Yes. We talked for a bit, but I don't know where he went after that. Clearly, somewhere, he shouldn't have gone." Tara paused. "At first, Mitchell was upset about the video, because he's very interested in using Ashton in the upcoming film. I reminded him that any press can be good press. Ashton is a sexy guy. Girls will be dying to see that video and the guys will just think Ashton is doing okay for himself," she said, with a cynical note in her voice. "Men never really suffer from leaked videos. Women sometimes do."

I wondered if she was trying to warn me. Not that she'd care about giving me a warning.

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