Broadway Baby (19 page)

“Hate what?”

“Cora. Sober she actually has bits of the mother I remember before my father left. Drunk she’s out for herself and nobody else. I called my publicist, Shelby. Cora is going to try something.”

“What do you mean?”

Reaching toward her nightstand Lily handed Shelby her phone. “Look at the text.” Looking at the picture and message Shelby growled. It was the same picture that had accompanied Shelby’s text message along with a similar message.

“Did you answer Cora?” Shelby asked.

“Yeah, I told her to do what she wanted. I wasn’t going to let her blackmail me.”

“Good girl,” Shelby gave Lily a gentle kiss. “And just so you know I called my publicist too.”

Lily gave a wry smile. “And I imagine Jodi said the same thing that Marshall told me.”

“And that was?”

“To lay low, ignore everything and anything put out in the public eye while he looks into things and tries to figure out damage control before anything comes out.”

Shelby nodded, “Yep. Essentially the same thing. So what do you want to do now?”

“I want cookies,” Lily grinned at Shelby. “We need cookies, and ice cream, and don’t forget the chocolate syrup.”

“No ice cream.”

“But we don’t have to sing tomorrow,” Lily protested.

“Cookies are fine, but not ice cream.”

“Fine,” Lilly huffed. “I still want to dip them in chocolate syrup.” Slipping from the bed Lily ran from the room. “I’ll get the syrup, you get the cookies!”

Groaning, Shelby followed at a slower pace knowing that whatever met her in the kitchen was going to be interesting.

When Shelby entered the kitchen she couldn’t help laughing heartily as she caught Lily standing in front of the refrigerator drinking the syrup from the bottle. Stopping her laughter, Shelby crossed the room and took the bottle from Lily’s hands. “You aren’t supposed to drink it from the container, Lily,” Shelby scolded gently.

“But it is sooo good when you drink it like that, Mama,” Lily giggled. “I love chocolate. Now where are those cookies?”

“Still in the pantry,” Shelby shook her head. “No more chocolate, Lily.”

“But I need the chocolate to dip the cookies,” Lily protested.

“You had enough chocolate, Lily. I will let you dip your cookies in soy or almond milk though.”

“Ewww,” Lily’s face fell. “That’s gross.”

“Then you can eat your cookies with water or juice.”

“Seriously, Mama, you need to learn to have fun with your cookies.”

Laughing again, Shelby put the bottle of chocolate syrup in the trash before moving to the pantry. Looking at the shelf where the cookies were typically stored Shelby frowned. Grabbing the step stool she moved it into place and checked the entire shelf, confused when the cookies were no place to be found.

Turning around, Shelby found the kitchen empty. “She wasn’t alone for more than two minutes how did she get to the cookies?” Shelby muttered to herself. She then called out, “Lily Anne, where are you?”

Getting no answer Shelby moved to Lily’s bedroom. Searching the room she found nothing and called out again, “Lily come out please.”

“That’s not how to play hide and seek, Mama,” a voice came from the hallway followed by running feet and Shelby shook her head.

“Of course, we’re playing hide and seek,” Shelby groaned as she realized she was talking to Albie who was lying on Lily’s pillow. “I’m coming to find you, Lily,” Shelby called out and then decided to head to the living room.

Not finding Lily there, Shelby heard giggling from her formal living area. Following the sound Lily was making, Shelby made her way to the baby grand piano. Bending over she poked her head underneath. “I found you, baby.”

Lily shoved another cookie into her mouth and then handed Shelby the bag. “We need more cookies, Mama. The bag is empty.”

Taking Lily’s hand, Shelby tried to remain calm. “You ate an entire bag of cookies?”

Lily shook her head. “Of course not, Mama; I ate half a bag.”

Lifting Lily up, Shelby put her on top of the closed piano lid. “Lily, that bag was full three days ago.”

Giggling Lily nodded, “But it was only half full two days ago.”

“What do you mean?”

“Remember when you decided to take a really long shower?” Lily giggled again.

“You mean when you were taking a nap?” Shelby confirmed.

“Yep. I woke up early and wanted a snack.”

“How did you get the cookies?”

“I used the barstool,” Lily grinned. “Wasn’t that smart of me, Mama?”

“It was something, baby.” Putting Lily back on the floor Shelby took Lily’s hand and led her from the room. “You and I are going to have a chat, little girl, about using furniture as ladders.”

“The barstools make good ladders,” Lily announced.

“Uh-huh,” Shelby moved into the kitchen with Lily. “We are also going to have a chat about the cookies and how I am going to find another place to hide them.”

“Aw Mama,” Lily groaned. “I don’t want to have to play hide and seek with the cookies.”

“And you won’t,” Shelby admonished. Patting one of the barstools she had Lily climb onto it and then sat on the other. “Okay Lily, no more using any furniture as a ladder. We have a step stool and that is what you need to use if you can’t reach something. I am speaking to big Lily and little Lily. If either of them crawls on the furniture again they will be spanked.”

Gulping Lily nodded, “Okay.”

“Now, as for liberating the cookies, we have had this discussion before. You were naughty, Lily, and I am going to have a reminder chat with your bottom about that.”

Sliding off the stool, Lily used both hands to cover her bottom. “No Mama, there’s no need to talk to my hiney. It didn’t take the cookies so you don’t need to talk to it at all. Nope, not one reason.” Backing up Lily turned and tried to run but was stopped by Shelby grabbing her shirt.

Pulling out a kitchen chair, Shelby sat down and pulled Lily over her lap easily. “I think that I do need to have a chat with your hiney, Lily. You’re right that your hiney didn’t take the cookies, but you did. And since your hiney is attached to you I think we need to discuss what happened.” Saying this Shelby divested Lily of her leggings and panties allowing Lily to squirm a bit in the uncomfortable position over her lap.

“This is not the first time we’ve had this conversation about you taking the cookies, Lily.” Shelby began to pat the white orbs in front of her with just enough force to make Lily know that Mama was serious. “I didn’t think I’d have to have this conversation with you again.” Shelby’s hand began to come down harder and Lily began to kick her feet as Shelby made her bottom burn.

“Mama, my hiney didn’t take the cookies,” Lily tried.

“It didn’t but maybe your hiney will do a better job of helping you remember not to take them this time.” Shelby’s hand sped up and increased in strength causing Lily to wiggle and try to squirm from Shelby’s lap.

“Mama! Please, my hiney reminded me this time, I just didn’t listen!” Lily kicked and almost fell from Shelby’s lap.

Stopping the spanking for a moment Shelby pulled Lily back onto her lap properly and adjusted her hold. Having Lily over her lap while sitting on a chair wasn’t a usual position for them but Shelby had no doubt she was making her point if the crying coming from Lily as well as the glowing cheeks she now had were any indication.

“Do not move like that again. I don’t want you getting hurt,” Shelby directed.

“My hiney is already getting hurt,” Lily wailed as Shelby’s hand descended in crisp swats two dozen times with enough sting that Lily would remember what happens when cookies are freed without Mama’s approval.

“All done, baby.” Shelby righted Lily’s clothing and sat Lily on her lap. Rubbing Lily’s back Shelby hummed quietly while Lily calmed down.

“My hiney doesn’t like talking with your hand, Mama,” Lily sniffed as Shelby wiped away the tears from her face.

“Then you need to remember not to do naughty things, Lily.”

“I’ll try, Mama, but it’s really hard sometimes.”

“I know, baby. I know.”

* * *

Looking down at her phone again Shelby shook her head. After the fourth day of texts and threats from Cora she had decided to take matters into her own hands. Entering the police station, Shelby was directed to the proper floor upon her inquiry. Becoming lost in thought as she rode the elevator to the fifth floor, she hoped that Lily would understand her motivation.

Pushing her way through the glass doors Shelby finally stopped one of the people walking past her. “Excuse me but I’m looking for Detective Kalter.”

“I’m Detective Kalter,” a slim man with caramel colored skin approached her. “How may I help you?”

“My name is Shelby Bishop, and you and I spoke on the phone earlier today.”

Recognition of the conversation showed in the detective’s eyes and he nodded, “Of course, Ms. Bishop. If you’ll follow me we’ll go somewhere a bit more private.”

“Thank you.”

Shelby followed Detective Kalter through the squad room and through another set of double doors before being led into a small room that contained a small table and a few padded chairs. “Please have a seat, Ms. Bishop. Would you like some water or a cup of coffee?”

“No thank you, Detective Kalter.” Shelby sat down in the offered chair and crossed her legs placing her purse on an empty seat. “I would just like to show you what I have and discuss what we need to do after you’ve seen and heard everything.”

Sitting down across from Shelby, Detective Kalter nodded. “I understand Ms. Bishop, please start from the beginning and I’ll take notes.”

Moving to her purse Shelby opened the large bag and removed some papers, “I’ve printed out all of our communication regarding the blackmail. I thought you might like to have these.” Passing the papers across the table Shelby then sat back and began to talk.

Chapter Nine

Entering the restaurant Shelby found the person she was looking for with ease. The week had passed with more texts showing various photos of her with Lily along with numerous threats of exposure. She’d had enough and it was time to end things.

“Cora.” Shelby sat down without invitation and put her phone on the table. “Tell me how you got the photos.”

“Not one for small talk, are you, Mama?” Cora spat.

“Do not call me that.” Shelby’s eyes narrowed and Cora sat back.

“I have a friend who needed to do me a favor.”

“A friend?”

“Let’s just say I gave him some photos a few years back that brought him some money and he returned the favor no questions asked.”

“And the memory card?”

“I have it and made sure he didn’t download them anywhere else.”

“Tell me why, Cora?”

“You had my daughter cut off my money. A mother needs to make a living.”

“You’ve been living off of Lily since she was nine. She didn’t stop your paycheck, like I suggested, she merely adjusted it.”

Cora leaned forward again. “So are you going to pay me for the pictures or not?”

“I get the memory chip as well?”

Cora nodded, “I get that fifty grand from you along with the promise that Lily reinstates my original salary and you can have the memory chip and I delete them permanently from my phone and laptop.” Cora brought her laptop from the empty chair next to her onto the table.

“Do we have a deal?”

“Tell me, Cora, do you blackmail people often?”

“Only ones who can give me what I want,” Cora smirked.

“Fine.” Removing the oversized purse from her body Shelby placed it on the table and passed it to Cora. “It’s all in there, Cora.”

Opening the bag the woman smiled. “Here’s your memory chip, Shelby,” she said as she passed over a small black chip. “And now the laptop.” Turning it on, Shelby watched as the pictures were deleted.

“How can I be sure you don’t have them stored anyplace else?” Shelby asked.

“You kept your word and I’ve kept mine. It’s been nice doing business with you.” Standing Cora moved toward the exit only to be stopped by a man and a woman sitting by the door.

Turning around Shelby watched as Cora was handcuffed and led from the building by the man. The female came toward Shelby and gave her a small smile. “You did very well, Ms. Bishop.”

“Thank you. Is there enough on the recording to charge Cora?”

The woman nodded, “There is.” Holding out her hand she waited until Shelby placed the memory chip in it. “Thank you.”

“Detective, are you sure that these photos won’t be made public?”

“Unless there is a trial, which I doubt, then they should remain under wraps. As soon as the case is over, I will return them to you.”

“Thank you.”

The detective nodded and grabbed Cora’s laptop before moving toward the door. “After you, Ms. Bishop. We need to retrieve the recording device.”

Shaking her head Shelby nodded, “Of course.”

* * *

Walking off stage after the curtain call, Shelby took Lily’s hand and walked with her to Lily’s dressing room. Closing the door she shut it and locked it before moving to the couch and patting her lap. “Come sit with me, baby. I have something to tell you.”

Looking into dark eyes Shelby took a deep breath. She hadn’t wanted to have this conversation until they’d reached the apartment but news of Cora’s arrest had reached the media and John had let her know that they might be confronted at the stage door after the performance.

“What’s wrong?” Lily snuggled into Shelby and relaxed.

“Do you remember the text you got from Cora? The one asking for money?”

Lily nodded, “Yeah. She never sent another one.”

“That’s because she started sending them to me,” Shelby admitted.

“Shelby what did you do? Please don’t tell me you paid her.”

“Yes and no,” Shelby shook her head.

“What the hell does that mean?”

“Lily calm down please. Just let me talk and then you can yell all you want.”

Lily nodded and waited for the older woman to speak. “I answered Cora’s texts and she sent a lot more pictures that could have been put in the tabloids with various captions. I didn’t want that for you, so I decided to go to the police. Baby, I set Cora up and she was arrested just before the show tonight.”