Infamous (Beautiful Idols 3)

TRENA MORETTI: Good evening and welcome to In-Depth. Tonight, we delve deeper into the investigation of Madison Brooks’s disappearance, and the four teens recently arrested for their alleged involvement. We’ll hear from the suspect’s friends:

SAFI NASSERI (from video): I’ve known Aster for as long as I can remember. We even had those best-friends necklaces at one point, you know those hearts that are cracked down the middle? Aster was obsessed with Madison. She even kept a file on her, filled with pictures and articles and stuff. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but now . . . (she visibly shivers). Once she started promoting Night for Night, she totally changed. She started seeing Ryan Hawthorne, and it seemed like she was trying to claim Madison’s life. That’s also about the time we stopped hanging out, and I’m glad I got away when I did. To think I was best friends with a possible murderer . . . (closes her eyes and shakes her head). The whole thing gives me the creeps.

AMY STREETER (from video): I dated Tommy Phillips back in high school. What’s to say? He was cute, talented, and a total player who only cares about himself and never stops to think about the sort of heartbreak he causes. Without any warning whatsoever, he told me he was moving to LA, and then, less than twenty-four hours later, he was gone. He acted like he was too good for our small town. (Rolls her eyes.) Nothing about him would surprise me.

TRENA MORETTI: We’ll hear from rising young star Heather Rollins, who will be live in our studio. Heather was a close friend of Madison’s and knows all the suspects involved.

[Clips from Heather Rollins’s sultry photo shoot with up-and-comer and former boyfriend of Layla Harrison, Mateo Luna]

TRENA MORETTI: And of course, at the center of it all, Ira Redman, the enigmatic owner of the Unrivaled brand, which includes a recently launched tequila label, along with a string of exclusive nightclubs that Madison was known to frequent. Ira is also rumored to be financing Aster Amirpour’s legal defense team.

IRA REDMAN (from video): Listen—don’t be so quick to judge here. These are good, hardworking kids with a healthy entrepreneurial spirit. But instead of being lauded for their endeavors, they’re being demonized for having big dreams. Sure they’re ambitious and willing to do what it takes. So what? That doesn’t make them criminals! This is America—it’s part of our national DNA to yearn for a bigger, better life. Since when did that become illegal?

TRENA MORETTI: We’ll also discuss the explosive journal entry posted just hours ago on Layla Harrison’s Beautiful Idols blog, which got the whole world talking. As you remember, Layla was one of the four teens recently arrested in Joshua Tree for her alleged connection to Madison’s disappearance. Moments after being freed from jail earlier today, the incendiary post, titled “Through the Looking Glass,” appeared on her site. Was it an act of revenge? Only Layla knows. If the words truly are Madison’s, then it leaves us to question everything we ever thought we knew about the young star. If not, then it’s a risky move on Ms. Harrison’s part that could be met with serious legal action. Stay with us, as we keep you updated on the latest developments regarding the disappearance of Madison Brooks on tonight’s special live edition of In-Depth with Trena Moretti.

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It was all there. Nothing Trena didn’t already know. Of course, Heather was a wild card, since there was no way to guess how their on-air interview would go.

Then again, Heather had so far proved herself to be a consummate pro who seemed eager to attach herself to the scandal, if for no other reason than to build her own platform. Trena frowned at the thought until she realized she’d done the same thing. Standing on another’s back for a faster rise to the top was the very foundation Hollywood was built on.

She’d tried to get Mateo, but he’d been quick to deny her request. It wa

s too bad. With his laid-back vibe and his obvious disdain for the very spotlight that seemed to adore him, he would’ve made a perfect addition. Still, Trena hadn’t completely surrendered. There was always the possibility of filming a segment on childhood leukemia. She’d already put out feelers to the hospital that was treating Mateo’s little sister. A big donation to accompany it just might make for an offer he wouldn’t refuse.

Ira had claimed he was too busy to provide anything more than a video clip, but Trena didn’t buy it. Ira was never one to turn down a chance at free publicity. It was as though he was trying to distance himself from the very scandal he’d used to propel his own brand. It didn’t make sense.

She reached for her phone and tried once again to reach Layla. Trena hoped she had a good reason for making that blog post, because if not, she’d soon be facing serious consequences. When Layla’s phone went straight to voice mail, Trena left another message, her third that day. She was about to review her script one final time when her assistant, Priya, opened the door a crack, poked her head in, and said, “You have a visitor.”

Assuming it was one of the producers, Trena tossed the script onto the table and ran a hand over her wild mane of bronze curls. It was important to look her absolute best, both on and off camera.

“Been a while.”

The mere sound of his voice was enough to make Trena freeze. Turning slowly, she watched James advance as Priya shut the door behind him.

“You don’t write. You don’t call. Not even so much as a text.” He stood before her, all dark gleaming skin and well-honed muscles. His brown eyes flashed as his lips slid into a wide feral grin.

“I have to be on camera soon.” Trena rose to her feet and brushed a hand down the front of her dress, straightening the seams in a way that enhanced her lean curves. She might not trust him, but she was still vain enough to want to impress him.

James peeked at his shiny gold Rolex. “In exactly six minutes,” he said. “Give or take.”

“What’re you doing here?” Trena fussed with the random items strewn across her dressing table, trying to appear unconcerned about being alone in a room with him.

“I thought I’d try for a better ending. I got a strange vibe last time we said good-bye.”

It was then that Trena noticed he clutched a long, rectangular box behind him.

She swallowed hard, fought to compose herself. Last time she’d received a similar package before a show, it contained a threatening message that continued to haunt her.

“Wow, you’re a tough one.” He laughed softly when she hesitated to take it. “You’re really going to make me earn my way back, aren’t you? Tell you what—I’m up for the challenge. But can’t a guy at least give you flowers?”

As long as they have their heads. She bit back the words and, with a shaky hand, accepted the package and opened the box.

“Did someone die?” She glanced in dismay between the dozen long-stemmed white roses and James.

“What? No!” He looked perplexed. “The woman behind the counter told me they stood for new beginnings.”