Gina crossed her arms and looked around to make sure no one could hear her. “Rumor has it that he got kicked out of his pricey prep school in Manhattan for selling drugs and for assaulting another student.”
“So you think Julian might have something to do with my daughter’s attack and the disappearance of these two other kids?”
“I understand your daughter is good friends with Willow. Have you heard about the wild parties the Briggses are known to throw? It’s why I never let my Bella attend them.”
“Katie told me she and Willow had sleepovers . . . watching movies and playing music.”
“Sleepovers? Now there’s a laugh. Most everyone on Harper’s Point knows about the parties, especially the McCallisters. I know you’re fond of Samantha, and that she’s helped you build your business, but be careful of her. She’ll turn on you in a heartbeat if she suspects you’re not being loyal to her.”
“What about the Briggses?”
“Don’t get me going on that crazy couple. Bella put up a big fight when I refused to sign those waiver forms and let her be a part of that reality show. Luckily, she’ll be off to college next year and away from all this insanity.”
My mood soured at hearing this, and before I could reply, I heard a familiar woman’s voice calling out to us. I turned and saw Samantha approaching with a glass of champagne in hand. Did I detect a look of suspicion on her face? It alarmed me. It made me feel guilty for talking behind her back.
“What are you two girls whispering about over here?” she said, a big smile on her face. A string quartet started to play Mozart on the far end of the deck.
“The usual girl stuff,” Gina said, smiling stiffly.
“Tell me, tell me. I love gossipy girl stuff.”
Gina glanced at Isla with suspicion in her eyes.
“We were just talking about the latest hair trends and what might work on her,” Isla said, bailing out Gina. She took a few strands of Gina’s hair between her fingers. “I was thinking something more spiked and jangly, with sharp lines and an edgy look. Maybe a razor cut.”
“Ooh, that sounds amazing,” Samantha said, clapping excitedly. “Maybe I’ll try something like that next time.”
Gina was about to say something when Isla heard banging and a loud commotion coming from the opposite end of the deck. The quartet stopped playing as heads turned to see what was happening. A woman screamed and swung her arms to keep people away. Isla pushed through the crowd. By the time she reached the third row of the chairs that had just been set up for listeners, she could see the woman responsible for the ruckus: Jessica James.
“Don’t put your filthy hands on me,” she shouted at the security guard assigned to escort her out. She scanned the crowd, her eyes glossy from crying. “Look at you all. You people make me sick. The police just discovered my baby’s body in a shed, and all you can think to do is have a big party and drink champagne and congratulate yourselves on how incredibly fortunate you are.”
She went on. “Is some stupid tax proposal really worth it?” The security kid tried to grab her elbow, but she snapped at him. “He was my only child, and now he’s gone. Lost too soon. And now Willow Briggs is missing, too, and all you people can do is stand around and tell yourselves how wonderful life is. Well, my beautiful baby’s dead, so I think you all suck to the high heavens.” The security kid reached for her arm again, but this time she turned and left of her own accord.
The crowd buzzed, and the mood changed almost instantly. Samantha waltzed around the deck, trying to bring back the cheer, but the appearance of Jessica James had soured everyone’s mood. She ordered the quartet to resume playing, only when they did, their music sounded like a sad dirge to Isla’s ears. After the woman’s outburst, Isla felt sick to her stomach and wanted to leave this party as soon as possible. But judging by the look on Samantha’s face, she knew she couldn’t leave just yet. She’d have to stay and bide her time until the end. Not a second sooner if she hoped to keep her salon open and profitable. She thought of Raisin and Katie, and it helped her put on a happy face, despite the tragedy of Dakota James