*
Two hours later, Naomi arrives at her hotel in Haverhill, Massachusetts, about an hour south of Colton’s hometown in Maine. It’s late and she knows she should get some sleep before tomorrow’s event. But, once again, her anxiety keeps her up.
She decides against re-opening Emily’s email, vowing not to view the autopsy report again until after Colton’s funeral; she’ll need to be focused for that and obsessing over connections between Faye and Jade’s death isn’t going to help. So instead she tries to be productive, spending time practicing her cover story for tomorrow and scanning photos of people attending, trying to memorize the different faces she can expect to see. She wants to be prepared and know who to avoid. Not that anyone should recognize her, but some people, like Colton’s and Harlow’s manager Sam Brixton, might be able to poke holes in Naomi’s cover story of previously working on Colton’s PR team. So as much as she wants to talk to him, especially now she knows Jade was last seen at his pre-VMAs party, the funeral probably won’t be the best place. She jots down certain questions and notes for herself before checking her outfit one last time, feeling somewhat confident in her plan.
Naomi turns the light out again, desperate for her brain to shut off and stop tormenting her for a few hours, but her heart and mind are still racing, made worse by the copious amounts of caffeine flowing through her system. All she can picture is Harlow Hayes attacking her sister. Strangling her like Jade and then pumping her full of drugs before lighting the house on fire.
Groaning in frustration at knowing how sleep-deprived she’s going to feel tomorrow, she rolls over and grabs her phone, intending to put on a sleep story from the Calm app, but instead she instinctively opens Twitter one more time.
None of the posts contain anything new, just more of the same hate-filled posts lacking actual substance or evidence. Nothing like @BobTheFloppp’s first video, which actually contained facts and brought new information to light. She goes to @BobTheFloppp’s profile, but he hasn’t posted any updates since his original video. In fact, she can’t find the video at all. She feels unsettled, wondering if he was forced to take it down. Threatened.
Naomi realizes she didn’t do much digging into the Bill Lever case aside from asking Bobby a few questions. She hasn’t even looked into Harlow’s whereabouts the night of Bill’s death. Her heart races as a new wave of adrenaline shoots through her.
Bill Lever was found deceased in his home in Los Angeles the morning of February 1, 2022, so Naomi searches for “Harlow Hayes February 1, 2022.”
She breathes a sigh of both relief and disappointment when she sees a post from user @MilaLovesHH from the date in question. It’s a photo of Harlow in the window of an Italian restaurant, sitting across from another thin blonde woman. According to Mila, Harlow was spotted out for dinner with Colton’s sister-in-law Casey Scott, on the night of Bill Lever’s death. In Maine. On the other side of the country from where Bill Lever died.
Naomi frowns, confused by a different photo of Harlow in the post below, also dated February 1, 2022. This one is from @CrazieHazie414HH:Harlow grabbing a green juice on Rodeo Drive this AM. BRB actually dying.
Naomi looks back up at the previous post, rereading it. She realizes the fan must have meant that Harlow was out the night before, judging by the nighttime shot. Of course, Naomi thinks.The one day I need to know where she was, it can’t be simple. Spotted in Los Angeles the morning of, but on the other side of the country the night before. So did she kill Bill Lever and then go get a green juice? Was that her pick-me-up after a kill?
She zooms in on the photo of Harlow and Casey Scott, interested that Harlow was still hanging out with Casey after her final breakup with Colton. That means they must have been close. That Casey felt some sort of loyalty to Harlow, and not just to the Scott family.
Naomi shuts her eyes, finally able to relax now that she has a specific person to target at the funeral tomorrow.
DAILY NEWS
COLTON SCOTT: LAVISH MEMORIAL SERVICES TO TAKE PLACE TODAY FOR THE BELOVED ACTOR
By Felice James, Showbiz Editor
09:35 Sunday, 29 September 2024
Actor Colton Scottwill be laid to rest today in Port Wendigo, Maine. The coastal community, usually a playground for the rich and influential, will take a pause from golfing on pristine greens and sailing along its shores to mourn the death of one of its own.
The late star, who tragically passed away last week, will be buried in a small ceremony attended by close family and friends. A larger, invite-only memorial reception will then be held at the local Country Club. It’s rumored that Scott’sMr. Americaco-stars will be in attendance, among other Hollywood titans and political magnates.
The investigation into Colton’s death is still ongoing, although a statement from the family noted that his body was no longer needed for analysis: “On Sunday, we will bury our beloved son, brother, nephew, and grandson. We’re thankful to the NYPD and the coroner’s office for completing all autopsies and examinations in a swift manner so we can lay him to rest sooner rather than later. Please note that this is a private memorial service, only to be attended by invited family and friends. We ask the public and the media to please respect our privacy during this difficult time.”
While we anxiously await news on the investigation, our hearts go out to Colton Scott, his family, friends, and all of his fans who continue to share tributes for their beloved actor. Musician Nikki Rix recently released a tribute song for his longtime friend Colton along with a music video in his memory. In the video for “Cielo,” Colton Scott makes a final appearance via CGI imaging, before disappearing into the clouds. An angel called to heaven, indeed.
Chapter 20
Naomi glances at the choppy waves of the deep-blue Atlantic as she drives north toward Port Wendigo. A red-and-white-striped lighthouse comes into view as she turns the corner, surrounded by rocky shores.
She imagines Harlow driving along this same route with Colton, the first inspiration for “Once Upon a Summer” stirring in her mind. Instead of gray and cold late September, it would’ve been a sapphire and golden July, tranquil water sparkling under the high sun and boats filling the bay. Naomi pictures their beginning like a polaroid-perfect romance. Old money, new money, young, beautiful, famous, and in love. Skinny-dipping under starry skies. Sunbathing on the rocks. Lobster dinners. Sailing into the sunset… Little did the lovers know they were heading into a deadly storm.
Or maybe Harlow did know, but didn’t care, Naomi muses. It’s clear their relationship was more complicated than it appeared.
Goosebumps prickle Naomi’s arm as she takes another bend. Across the inlet, perched atop a tall cliffside, a large Georgian-style mansion peeks through a row of pine trees. Harlow’s vacation home.
According to an article Naomi read in Architectural Digest, Harlow purchased the property when she and Colton were still dating but continued to spend her downtime there well after their final split. Maybe she loved the location. Or maybe she wanted Colton to have a constant reminder of her, even in his hometown.
Naomi casts her gaze to the cliff below the mansion and, seeing how the waves crash violently against the rocks, her picture-perfect visions of Harlow and Colton become spliced with scenes more fitting of a horror film than a romance. Colton’s laughter is replaced by a scream. Harlow’s kind eyes, usually clear and bright, are bloodshot, devoid of emotion.
The thought unnerves Naomi as she pictures her sister in Colton’s place, and she wishes she could forget everything she learned yesterday. Just for now. She’s already on edge as it is, knowing she’s sneaking into the wake, and obsessing over Faye’s death—wondering if she was actually murdered, like Jade—isn’t something she can handle now. She can’t spiral, not today.
Naomi exhales loudly, telling herself to focus on the scenic drive in front of her instead. The rocky coastline soon turns into rolling hills of green grass, lined with trees in rich tones of red and orange, and the nervous pit in her stomach flares as she drives up the freshly paved road toward her destination.
