FIRST LIGHT
1398 Words
MAYA
Maya drove back to Leo’s house. The gates were closed, but a small crowd had gathered outside—fans with signs that said "WE LOVE YOU LEO" and ''JUSTICE FOR CHLOE", and reporters with cameras.
She pressed the intercom. Julian’s voice, tired, answered. The gate swung open.
Leo was in the living room, sitting on the huge white sofa. He wore gray sweatpants and a plain t-shirt. He looked like he hadn’t slept. In front of him, a laptop was open to a news site. The headline was huge: "COULD LEO VANCE BE A KILLER?
“You shouldn’t be reading that,” Maya said quietly.
He looked up. His eyes were red. “They’re saying we were having an affair. That I got her pregnant and didn’t want the baby. They’re saying I’m a monster.”
“They’re saying anything that gets clicks,” Maya said, closing the laptop. “It’s noise. We focus on facts.”
She sat across from him. “I need to ask you some hard questions. About Chloe. About her life.”
He took a deep breath. “Okay.”
“Was she seeing anyone?”
“Yes. But she wouldn’t tell me who. She said it was… complicated.”
“Did she seem scared of him?”
“Not scared. Anxious. Like she was keeping a secret.”
“Did she have any problems with anyone? Other dancers? Someone at the label?”
Leo thought. “No. Everyone loved her. But…” He paused. “A few weeks ago, she asked me about her contract. She said she felt like she was being underpaid. I told her to talk to Julian.”
Maya made a note. Money was always a motive.
“And your label,” she said carefully. “Titan Records. How was your relationship with them?”
Leo laughed, a short, bitter sound. “They loved me when I was making hits. Now they’re scared I’m a liability. Clayton Ford called Julian this morning. They’re ‘reviewing our partnership.’”
That was fast. A motive for the label, too—to cut him loose before he cost them more money.
“Is there anyone,” Maya asked slowly, “who would want to hurt you by hurting her?”
The question hung in the air. Leo’s face went still. After a long moment, he whispered, “Isabella.”
---
Isabella Whitlock lived in a penthouse downtown. Maya went alone.
The elevator opened directly into her living room. The space was all white and glass, like a museum. Isabella stood by the window, wearing a sleek black dress. She turned, a cool smile on her face.
“The lawyer,” she said. “I wondered when you’d show up.”
“Ms. Whitlock. I have a few questions.”
“About poor Chloe? I barely knew her. We met at a few events. She seemed sweet.”
“What about your relationship with Leo?”
Isabella’s smile didn’t move. “Ancient history. He wasn’t ready for something real. I’ve moved on.”
“You were at the awards show. You offered him a business deal.”
“I offer lots of people business deals. It’s what I do.” She walked to a crystal decanter and poured herself a drink. “If you’re looking for someone who wanted to hurt Leo, look at his own label. Or that jealous pop star, Alyssa May. She’s always hated how talented he is.”
Maya watched her. Isabella was too polished, too ready with answers.
“Where were you two nights ago?” Maya asked.
“Here. Entertaining friends. I have a dozen people who can confirm it.” She sipped her drink. “You’re wasting your time with me, Ms. Sterling. The person you should be looking at is Leo himself. He’s not the sad artist he plays on TV. He has a temper. He’s controlling. Ask anyone on his tour.”
It was a direct hit. Maya kept her face blank. “Thank you for your time.”
As she turned to leave, Isabella’s voice stopped her.
“You know, he’ll ruin you. They always do. He’s a black hole. He’ll pull you in and you’ll lose everything. Be careful.”
Maya didn’t answer. She stepped into the elevator.
When the doors closed, she let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding.
---
THE FRIEND
Chloe’s best friend was another dancer named Sasha. She agreed to meet Maya at a quiet café.
Sasha was small, with bright pink hair and puffy eyes. She’d been crying.
“Chloe was happy about the baby,” she whispered, stirring her tea. “Scared, but happy. She was going to tell the father soon.”
“Do you know who he was?” Maya asked gently.
Sasha hesitated. “She wouldn’t say his name. But she said he was powerful. That he couldn’t know yet. That it would ‘complicate things.’”
“Was he married?”
“I don’t know. Maybe. She just said it was a secret.”
“Was she in any trouble? Did she owe anyone money?”
Sasha shook her head. “No. But…” She bit her lip. “A few weeks ago, she said someone was following her. She thought maybe it was a fan. But she was scared.”
“Did she tell the police?”
“She said she didn’t have proof.” Sasha’s eyes filled with fresh tears. “Do you think someone killed her? Do you think it was because of the baby?”
“I don’t know,” Maya said honestly. “But I’m going to find out.”
---
THE LABEL
Titan Records was housed in a shiny silver skyscraper. Maya didn’t have an appointment, but she used the firm’s name and was sent up to see Clayton Ford’s assistant.
She waited for an hour.
Finally, a young man in a tight suit led her to a huge corner office. Clayton Ford stood looking out the window. He was a big man, with a loud voice and expensive watch.
“Ms. Sterling,” he said, not turning around. “Here to convince me not to drop your client?”
“I’m here to find out who might want to frame him,” Maya said.
Ford turned. He had a businessman’s smile all teeth, no warmth. “Leo’s a great artist. Was. But this… this is a mess. We have sponsors calling. Investors are nervous.”
“So it would be better for you if he just… went away.”
“It would be better for everyone. Look, maybe he did it, maybe he didn’t. But the smell is on him now. And in my business, smell is everything.”
Maya stepped closer. “Did Chloe Reyes ever come to you about money? About her contract?”
Something shifted in Ford’s eyes. Just for a second. Then it was gone. “Dancers complain. It’s what they do. I don’t handle contracts. Talk to legal.”
“I will,” Maya said. “And if I find out anyone at Titan knew more about Chloe’s death than they’re saying, I’ll make sure the whole world knows.”
Ford’s smile vanished. “Be careful with threats, lawyer. This town is small. You might need a job when this is over.”
Maya held his gaze. “I’m not worried.”
She walked out, her heart pounding. But she felt alive. This was why she became a lawyer. To stand in a room with a powerful man and not back down.
---
She went back to Leo’s house that evening. He was in his studio this time, sitting at the piano. He wasn’t playing. Just resting his fingers on the keys.
“Any news?” he asked softly.
“We’re making progress,” she said. “We have leads. The police will do an autopsy. That will tell us more.”
He nodded, staring at the piano. “I wrote a song for her. Months ago. Just a melody. Now I’ll never get to play it for her.”
Maya didn’t know what to say. So she just stood there, in the doorway, watching him.
After a moment, he spoke again. “Thank you. For not running away. Everyone else is.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” she said.
And she meant it.
- Writer
