reached their alcove, the conversation between them instantly hushed, and she saw irritation and anger in more than a few gazes.
"What are you doing here, Maya?" Sylvia asked.
"I have some news. I'm glad you're all here."
"This isn't the time—" Sylvia began.
Constantine waved his hand at Sylvia, cutting her off. "Let her speak. Please go ahead, Maya."
"Thank you. I went to speak to Julia Poplova earlier today."
"What did she tell you?" Constantine asked.
"She didn't tell me anything. She was dead."
Wallace gasped. "What did you say?"
"Julia was dead when I got to her house," she said, fixing her gaze on Wallace, who appeared to have the most emotional reaction to her news. "She killed herself in the same way that Natasha did."
"Oh, my God," Victoria said. "This is awful. I only met her one time, but she was a sweet woman. Why would she kill herself?"
"She left a note in which she confessed to killing Natasha in a jealous rage. She apologized and said the guilt had weighed heavily on her all these years. When she heard I was asking questions, she was afraid it would all come out. I only got a quick look at the note before the police took it into evidence, but that was basically what it said."
"I—don't—understand," Wallace said, coughing with each word.
"Dad," Ryland said with alarm, patting his father on the back. "Are you all right?"
"Water," Wallace got out.
"I'll get it for you," Sylvia said with concern, as she jumped up and walked toward the bar.
The gray-haired man gave her a speculative look. "We haven't met."
"No, we haven't," she said.
"I'm Edward Coleman."
"I know who you are."
"I knew Julia a very long time ago. She and Natasha were friends. You're telling me that Julia killed Natasha?" Edward asked. "That doesn't make sense."
Before she could reply, a man said, "What? What did you say?"
She turned around to see Daniel Bragin standing behind her. He was accompanied by a young woman she thought was his daughter.
"Julia Poplova committed suicide," she told him. "She said she could no longer live with the guilt of killing her friend Natasha."
Daniel paled. "I can't believe this. No. That's wrong."
"Dad, don't get upset," the younger woman said, putting a hand on his arm.
"How can I not be upset, Lindsay? Julia is dead."
"I know you cared about her," Lindsay said.
"Julia was heartbroken when Natasha died," Daniel said. "Was that all an act? Was I a fool?"
"You're not a fool, Dad. But you had a blind spot when it came to Julia. I always thought she was hiding something."
Maya's gaze slid around the group as Lindsay comforted her father. Alexander looked the most disinterested in what was going on. Victoria was shooting Constantine suspicious looks, but Constantine seemed lost in thought. Louisa met her sharp gaze with one of her own, as if daring Maya to suspect she knew anything. Edward seemed less interested in Daniel's reaction and more concerned with Wallace, who was still coughing. Sylvia returned a moment later, handing Wallace a glass of water.
Wallace took several long gulps and then sat back in his chair. The news of Julia's death seemed to have aged him another five years.
"So, what now?" Ryland asked, shooting her an angry look. "What are you going to do with the information?"
She drew in a breath, wanting to appear hesitant and conflicted but also resolute. "I've decided not to make the movie. I really just wanted the truth for my family, and now I have it. I thought you should all know the truth, too. If there's someone else who needs to know who isn't here, I hope you'll fill them in." She paused. "I just wish someone could tell me why Julia was so angry with my grandmother. Do any of you know?"
"Natasha turned her back on her roots," Constantine said. "I told you that last night."
"It seems like there had to be more to it."
"We'll never know," Louisa put in. "But it was probably jealousy. Julia's career was going down while Natasha was riding high."
"This is very sad," Edward said.
"It is," Wallace agreed. "I need to get some air."
"I'll go with you," Ryland said, helping his father to his feet. "And I think you should also consider taking a pass on the chess tournament. You've had a shock."
"I'll be all right," Wallace said. "Chess relaxes me. I'd rather think about the game than all this."
As the Jagger men headed toward the door, Maya saw Jax slip into the room. Their eyes connected, and she let herself linger