Chapter Sixteen
Another episode of We Got Hitched aired, and the ratings once again broke a new high. The producer had capitalized on the whole stalker issue, and the edited film made Kristen’s condition looked a hundred times worse than it really was.
Concerns poured in on the Internet. Some blamed Spencer, most thought the fear he’d shown when Kristen was sick proved their relationship was the real thing.
When Kurt drove his car into the parking garage, Spencer noticed the production team standing around, seemingly having a serious discussion right in front of where Kristen’s and his cars were parked.
“I think something’s wrong,” Kurt said.
Spencer nodded, and Kristen peered out of the window on his side. The production team turned to stare at their car as it neared, and Spencer saw why.
Next to the black BMW that the production crew had rented and fixed with cameras were Kristen’s convertible white Beetle and his black Audi. All three cars were smeared with bright red paint spelling out the word ‘murderer.’
Spencer clenched his jaws.
“What the …” Kristen allowed the words to trail off. “Do you think it’s Melody’s father? Should we do something about him? Maybe we should file a restraining order.”
“Let’s talk to Samantha first,” he said. “She said she’d have a chat with Melody’s father.”
When they stepped out of Kurt’s car, Spencer waited for Kristen and put his arm around her shoulders before heading over to the production team who was still crowded in front of their cars.
“We’ve called the police,” the producer said.
Spencer nodded and turned to Kurt. “When the police are done with the cars, send them for cleaning, repainting. Whatever needs to be done. Make sure you take care of Kristen’s car, too.”
“Okay.”
“I could get Ana—”
“It’s all right,” Kurt interrupted Kristen. “It’s not a big deal. I might as well just get them settled together.”
“There’s a note.” The producer waved a small white piece of paper and read from it, “You should be ashamed of yourselves for having fun.”
Spencer’s eyes swept the parking garage. “Kristen and I will head up first. If the police officers need to ask us anything, we’ll be upstairs.”
The producer nodded.
“This isn’t your fault,” Kristen said the moment the elevator doors closed. “And I’m perfectly safe.”
“Where’s Ana?” he asked.
“I told her to come back tomorrow. I didn’t think we’d be going anywhere today. I have nothing planned.” She looked at Spencer through their reflection in the elevator doors. “Are you angry with Ana for giving the chocolates to me?”
Spencer stared back at Kristen. He wasn't going to bring it up since he had already suspected what Kristen would tell him: that it wasn't Ana’s fault.
Still, he couldn't help thinking it was unacceptable for Ana to assume that the chocolates were safe for Kristen just because the delivery guy had said it was from Spencer.
“You pretend as if she doesn't exist,” Kristen said. “Whenever you wanted something done, even if it was for me, you would ask Kurt to do it.”
“Kurt’s my assistant.”
Kristen narrowed her eyes.
If it were up to him, Spencer would’ve fired Ana that day in the hospital.
“She thought the chocolates were from you.”
“Someone claimed it was from me so she assumed it was? As celebrities, we receive a lot of things. She should know better than to assume.”
Kristen nodded slowly. “She made a mistake.”
He sighed and tugged her closer. “I know you don't want me to blame her for what happened. I’m just … I just hate that you were hurt.”
She hooked her arms around his neck. “Don’t.”
“What?”
“Don’t start sulking.” She stood on tiptoe and kissed him.
“Is that what you’re going to do from now on? Distract me with kisses whenever I’m sulking?”
Her lips curled. “I just hate it that you blame yourself for things that are out of your control.” She looped her hand around his and rested against his shoulder. “It wasn't your fault that I was poisoned. Ana and I should have been more careful, and I promise we will be. And it isn't your fault that our cars got vandalized.”
He turned and kissed her hair. “The security detail won’t be back until tomorrow.” Besides the production team, Kurt, and Ana, no one knew what time their flight back was. And as Kristen said, he didn’t think they’d be heading out today.
“Maybe I’ll visit Melody’s father with Samantha. I’ll ask Kurt to stay home with you,” Spencer said.
Kristen shook her head. “If you’re going to see Melody’s father, I want to go with you.”
“No.”
“He’s way more likely to listen to me than you.”
“I think he’s made it clear that his reason for showing up is to make sure that you stay away from me.”
“But that was before Samantha found out about the delivery guy. Anyway, I feel much safer with you than with anyone else.”
He sighed. “I don’t know what to do with you.”
“You say the sweetest things.” She grinned and moved forward as the elevator door opened.
Spencer moved in front of her. “We’ll see what Samantha says before deciding.” Her phone rang just as they were entering the house, and Kristen winced when she saw the name on the screen: Mom.
“What’s with that face?”
“I just realized I didn’t tell them about the poisoning and the trip to the E.R. She’s going to be so pissed.” She puffed her cheeks, and Spencer took the phone from her.
Kristen’s eyes widened.
“Hi, Hannah.” He locked the door behind them.
“Spencer?” Kristen’s mother asked on the other end of the line.
“Yes. I’m sorry. I should’ve called you or Dave when Kristen ended up in the E.R.”
“Is it true? Someone poisoned her?”
“Yes. My private investigator believes it’s my stalker.” He went on to assure Hannah that Kristen was safe and told her about the security detail they’d hired. “I’m so sorry. I told Kristen to focus on getting as much rest as possible. Then I was busy making sure the Maldives would be safe and forgot to inform you and Dave.”
“As long as you guys got it handled. I knew you two were in the Maldives, so I didn’t want to disturb you. Did you have fun?”
“Yeah, we did. Hang on. I’ll hand the phone back to her.”
“What did she say?” Kristen asked.
“You’ll be fine. Just blame me if you need to.” He kissed her hair.
“Hi, mom. I’m fine. I threw up most of the poison almost immediately. Yeah, I’ll be careful. Okay. Bye.” She ended the call with her brows raised. “She must really like you.”
“She just wants to know you’re safe.”
Kurt came into the house with their bags. “The officers are downstairs. I’ve told them that you guys just got back from the Maldives so you have no clue on what’s going on. I don’t think they’ll be coming to talk to you guys.”
“Okay.” Kristen headed toward her room. “I need a shower.”
“And I’ll call Samantha.” He turned to Kurt after Kristen went into her room. “When you get the cars fixed, I want you to install one of those cameras under the rear-view mirror that captures the outside of the car.”
“Noted. You want the kind that can access a live feed? I think you’ll be able to trace the feed if you ever need to.”
“Yeah, why not?” He pulled out his phone. “And get the security detail to come over now. Looks like we’ll have to head out.”
“Do you want me to call Ana as well?”
Spencer shook his head. “Kristen already gave her the day off, but I want you to keep an eye on Kristen if we do head out.”
“I won’t let her out of my sight.”
Spencer went into his room and called Samantha.
“Back from your honeymoon?”
“To find our cars vandalized. Have you spoken to Melody’s father?”
“Are you sure it’s Thomas Leigh? I told him everything, and he seemed to believe me.”
“Do you think he’d talk to us? I’d like to meet him, and Kristen wants to come along.”
“Do you need me to go down with you?”
“No,” he said. “But it’d be nice if you’d warn him that we’ll be heading down.”
“I’ll give him a call.”
“Have you found anything new?”
She sighed. “No. Everything’s a dead end. I reviewed the footage at the radio station, but Ana said the delivery woman found her just as she was coming out of the bathroom. There’s no camera there. I think this stalker of yours knows the place well.”
“You think she could be working there?”
“No. I’m not sure. Anyway, your manager is a dead end too. You have a few obsessive fans, but I don’t see anything in the letters that really bothers me.”
“Wait,” Spencer said. “Did you say woman? Ana told me it was a man, and the photos showed a guy in a hoodie.”
“The photos weren't clear. It could very well be a woman with short hair. And Ana told me it was a ’she.’ Maybe she was confused. Anyway, I’m still waiting on the results from the hospital. Once we know what she was poisoned with, we may be able to come up with a list of suspects.”
“So what now?”
“Make sure your security detail is always with Kristen. You guys need to be careful.”
“I’ll keep her safe.”
“Spencer, your stalker may have hurt Melody because she made a scene. Did something happen with you and Kristen? Did you guys get into a fight?”
He frowned and thought about what Samantha had said. “We haven’t fought over anything.”
“Did anything out of the ordinary happen?”
He tried to remember all that had happened before the poisoning. “Thomas Leigh showing up?”
“That was the day you called me,” she said. “Did anything else happen that day?”
“No.” That was the day he kissed Kristen again, but he doubted that was what Samantha was referring to.
“Nothing?”
“Well … Kristen and I kissed that day.”
“That was your first kiss? Did anyone else see?”
“No, that wasn’t on the show. And the show aired our first kiss.”
“So that isn’t the trigger. Think about it. If you remember anything, call me. Stay safe.”
He sighed and sat down. Did anything else happen that day? He racked his brain, but all he could remember of that day was the kiss. He put his phone down and headed into the living room. “Kurt, order takeout.”
“What would you like?”
“Ask Kristen when she comes out. I’ll just have whatever she’s having.” He went back to his room and took a shower.
“Spence?”
Spencer stepped out of the shower area and wrapped the towel around his hips before walking out of the bathroom.
“Oh.” Kristen turned, and he laughed.
“It’s okay. I don’t mind you ogling.”
She spun back to him and gave him a head to toe scan. “Nice.”
“That’s it?”
“That’s it.” She pursed her lips. “I have to go somewhere tonight.”
“Where?”
“I think you’ll be more interested in the who part.”
He arched a brow. “And who will you be meeting?”
“Alvin.”
He drew a slow deep breath through his nose. “Okay.”
“Okay?”
A corner of his lips hooked into a wry smile. He grabbed his phone and tapped into the settings. “Here.” He put her thumb on the phone’s button, registering her thumb print.
“What are you doing?”
“I can access your phone. Seems fair that you can access mine.”
She broke into a bright smile. “Anyway, he says there’s something he needs to return to me. We’re meeting at a café. Do you want to come along?” She returned his phone to him.
“I want to. Not because I don’t trust you or that I’ll be insanely jealous.” He flashed a grin. “But with all that’s been happening …”
“I know.”
“I’ve told Kurt to call the security detail. So I just want you to promise you’ll stay with them.”
Her lips parted into a brilliant smile. “I love you.”
“I must have said something right.”
“You did.” She reached over and took his hand. “I want you to come along.”
He grinned, then leaned in and gave her a peck on the lips. He pulled her lower lip between his teeth. “I love you too, and I’ll go change before you lose all control.”
She laughed and waved him off. “I’ll be outside. Oh.” She stopped by the door. “Your assistant is so pushy.” She leaned back, and her lips curled as she looked back into the hall.
Spencer arched his brow, and she waved it off.
Looking out of the car, Kristen locked eyes with Thomas Leigh who was standing in front of a window with parted white curtains.
“Do you want us to go with you?” Kurt, seated in the passenger seat, asked with a glance at Spencer and her through the rear-view mirror.
Next to Kurt, Eric had his eyes on the wing mirror. “The rest of the team is here,” he said as a black sedan pulled up behind them.
Eric was the only security person with them in the car. The other three security personnel were in a second car that drove behind theirs, making sure no one else was following them.
“It’s okay. I don’t think he’ll do anything stupid.” Spencer opened the door and got out of the car. He held the door open for Kristen. “I can’t say the same for me if he tries to put a finger on you.”
“You’re so cute when you’re jealous.”
“Cute?”
She slipped her hand into his and trotted up the walkway to the sky blue house with light gray shingles. Weeds, wilted flowers, and fallen leaves had taken over both sides of what Kristen assumed used to be a beautiful garden.
Thomas opened the door for them as she and Spencer headed up the stairs. “Miss Park, Mr. Rowe.”
“Just call me Kristen.”
“I’m sorry about Melody, Mr. Leigh.”
“There seems to be a chance that it may not be your fault.”
“If she was pushed by my stalker, then it still is.”
“Then we’ll have to agree to disagree.” Mr. Leigh gestured toward the couch. “Samantha said the two of you would be dropping by.”
“Did she tell you why?” Kristen asked. If Mr. Leigh believed Samantha, then there shouldn't be any reason for him to vandalize their cars.
“Something about your cars being vandalized?”
Kristen and Spencer sat on the couch while Mr. Leigh took the seat on the single chair next to the couch.
“Yes.” Spencer rubbed his hand over his mouth. “So I’m going to come out straight and ask.”
“I didn't do it,” Mr. Leigh said. “I know what was painted on the cars, but it wasn't my doing.” He looked over at Kristen. “I’m sorry about ambushing you the last time. I’m sorry about how inappropriately I behaved.”
Kristen pursed and licked her lips. “We’re really sorry about Melody.”
“Samantha says she’s working to find out who the stalker is.”
Spencer nodded.
“Please be careful,” Mr. Leigh said to Kristen. “I read about your being poisoned.”
“I’ll make sure I keep my hands off chocolates for now.”
Mr. Leigh’s lips twitched.
“Was Melody seeing anyone? Is there someone else who may be coming after me because he thinks I hurt her?”
“No. She wasn't seeing anyone, not that I know of.”
“Family members?”
“We’re not close with our extended family.”
Spencer sighed.
Kristen knew Spencer was hoping Mr. Leigh would have something he could go on, especially with Samantha having met nothing but dead ends. “Thank you,” she said and stood after a glance at Spencer.
“You will let me know if Samantha finds anything?”
“Definitely,” Spencer said as Mr. Leigh opened the door.
“Miss Park.”
Kristen turned back to Thomas.
“Please be careful.”
Spencer draped his arm around her shoulders. “I’m sorry to say this, but I think it’ll be best if you don't show up where Kristen and I are.”
“Spence,” she hissed.
“He did kiss you.”
Kristen shot him a glare.
“I understand,” Mr. Leigh said, and they headed back to the car.
Kristen elbowed Spencer in the ribs. “You shouldn't have said that.”
“I didn’t like the way he was looking at you.” He opened the door to the back seat for her. “Are you sure you want me to go with you?”
Kristen got into the car and waited for him to close the door behind him before saying, “Yes. I want you there.” She leaned into him when he put his arm around her shoulders.
“That guy kissed you.” He skimmed his fingers casually down her arm.
“I know. You’re just worried.” She closed her eyes and relaxed against him, allowing the heat from his body to warm hers.
When Kristen had agreed to take on this project, she was just doing it so Heidi wouldn’t rat out her moping to her parents. She’d never imagined that over a month in, she would be in love—head over heels in love with Spencer—the Mr. Party of Hollywood.