Stars Over Alaska (Wild River #4) - Jennifer Snow Page 0,45

thought maybe you’d acted drastically, but now I think you’re right about not reaching out.” He lowered his voice. “You’re going to think this is crazy, but...”

Her heart raced, the pain returning instantly to her chest. “What?”

“I think someone inside the agency might be involved. Maybe working with someone on Selena’s management team.”

Her blood chilled in her veins and her stress level rose even higher. “Who?”

“I don’t know yet...just a gut feeling.”

Shit, time was up. “I’ll check in again soon,” she said, quickly disconnecting the call.

So, she was right about her instincts. She couldn’t trust the agency. What about her boss? Why on earth would he somehow be involved in this? A former navy SEAL, thirty years of active service, then building up the company to be one of the best, most trusted in LA. It didn’t make sense that he’d risk everything...for what? Why would he care about Selena Hudson or helping her stalker get to her?

Her mind raced; nothing added up. She pressed her fingers to her temples, hearing the television outside the bathroom door. Blaring.

She opened the door. “Can you turn it down a little? I’m going to take a bath.” Might as well take advantage of the jetted tub she was paying for.

“I’m on TV,” Selena said.

“That shouldn’t thrill you anymore,” Leslie said.

“No, I mean the case...the stalker.” Selena leaned closer to the television and Leslie rushed to join her as her picture appeared on the screen with the caption Hollywood royalty Selena Hudson in danger.

Leslie stood frozen as the reporter recounted the situation. Sweat pooled on her lower back and she was now ninety-nine percent certain she was experiencing a heart attack.

How the hell did this make the news? Had the agency gone to the media? The police? Looking for public assistance? Or had Selena’s management team needed to make a statement? “Do you think your team released a statement to explain your absence at the press conferences?” she asked tightly.

Selena shook her head. “Doubtful. They would rather hide this whole thing.”

They had at first, but now with Selena being gone, maybe they were rethinking strategy. Or worse—if someone on her team was her stalker or involved somehow, maybe they wanted her found quickly and thought this was the way to go. But Leslie was careful not to reveal that thought process to the star. Selena was a big enough headache when she wasn’t panicking or stressed about everything. “Isn’t all publicity good, even if it’s not positive?”

“Not in my case. I’ve been a poster child for wholesome, family content for so long and now all my movies are PG. I’ve been typecast as the good girl.” And she didn’t sound thrilled about it. “They wouldn’t want this to ruin that image.”

“You being in danger could ruin your image?”

“Having a stalker is typically associated with obsession and lust and in Hollywood, that could be misconstrued as my fault. Maybe my last few Instagram photos were too sexy or revealing,” she said, sounding disgusted.

Leslie was disgusted for her. The double standards in the movie industry were rampant. She turned her attention back to the screen. So, if it wasn’t the management team, maybe the media had been tipped off somehow... Would the stalker be that arrogant to go to them himself? Did they crave the spotlight, any way they could get it? It was LA after all.

“The security company assigned to extra detail for Ms. Hudson had this to say about the situation,” the reporter said.

“We firmly believe that Ms. Hudson’s life is in danger and we are doing everything we can to prevent the situation from escalating.” Her boss being interviewed on the screen made Leslie release a small sigh of relief. If Federico was part of this media release, then he knew how serious this was. They obviously believed Leslie.

“They believe Ms. Hudson is with their employee, Leslie Sanders...” the reporter continued.

A pic of Leslie appeared on the screen and she nearly hyperventilated. So much for staying undercover and flying under the radar. Her face all over the media was a very bad thing.

“Hey, you’re on TV too,” Selena said, glancing at her. “Not the greatest picture.”

“Shhh...”

“At this time, it is uncertain whether or not Ms. Sanders is involved in an abduction of the star,” the reporter said. “Or if she is in cahoots with whoever is responsible for the threats...”

Leslie’s mouth fell and she felt for the bed behind her, lowering herself onto it. Her body was frozen but her mind was frantic