Nashville Nights (10 page)

“So to keep your secret, you waited until everyone left the studio,” AJ said. “You knew how to pick locks because you know how to do magic tricks. You picked the lock and stole the tape.”

Maxine was shaking her head. “That seems awfully desperate, sugar. Why not let Calista do her thing, and have a sweet solo career of your own?”

“I don't WANT a solo career!” Cadence said, standing up. She was shaking with anger. “Calista and I have been performing together since we were babies. After we left that stupid TV show we could have faded away into oblivion, but we worked hard. We developed a multimillion-dollar pop act. Our fans want to see Cadence and Calista—not just plain Cadence. Or Cadence and
Megan,
for that matter. It's just not the same.”

The hotel room door opened, and Megan—the fake Calista walked in.

“Oh, hey everybody,” she said, looking surprised. “I was just—”

“It's okay, Megan, they know,” Cadence said, flopping back on the bed.

Megan turned pale. “Oh, I'm so sorry,” she said. “It was—it was Cadence's idea, and I didn't see the harm in it, and it's my fault that I took off my sweater, only I never thought we'd have to steal your tape, and then we burned it, and I—”

“You
burned
it!” Hope said in disbelief. She and Faith faced Cadence and Megan now, angry.

Megan nodded. “It was so important to Cadence,” she said in a small voice. “If everyone finds out I'm fake, her whole life will be ruined.”

Aly and AJ exchanged glances. Things were getting tense in the room.

“Should we get the police involved?” AJ whispered to Aly.

But Maxine took control. She put an arm around Faith and Hope. “Now sweethearts, don't get all flustered. I firmly believe that things always work out for the best, and this is one of those times. That new video is going to be better than the old one, by far. You'll see.”

Faith and Hope just nodded. They were still stunned.

Maxine turned her attention to Cadence and Megan. “I understand that desperate women do desperate things. You're going to make it up to these girls by introducing the video live at the National Music Awards. ‘Faith and Hope, our favorite new sister act.' ”

“She's good,” Aly whispered to AJ. “She reminds me of Mom.”

“We'll do whatever you want,” Megan said tearfully. But Cadence looked suspicious.

“So you're going to keep our secret?” she asked.

“Oh, no, honey. I don't believe in secrets,” Maxine replied. “I think you two just need some good management to make this little act of yours work. You don't have a manager, do you?”

Cadence shook her head. “Calista and I fired ours when we turned eighteen. We don't trust them.”

“But you just never met the right person,” Maxine said, her voice like butter. She put her arm around Megan now. “Sugar, how do you feel about changing your name to Clarissa?”

On Saturday afternoon, Aly and AJ sat in director's chairs and watched Faith and Hope sing their hit for the new video. Maxine sat next to them, smiling and tapping her foot on the ground.

The last notes of the song faded away.

“Cut!” Lionel yelled. “Great work, everybody. I just want to check this last round of footage before I let everyone go. We've only got a day to edit this thing—I need to make sure we've got what we need.”

Faith and Hope walked off the set. They looked happy.

“Making videos is so much fun,” Hope said.

“Maxine, you were right,” Faith added. “This is definitely going to be better than the first one.”

“I like this one better because it really shows off what you two can do,” Maxine said. “We didn't need Cadence and Calista in this video at all.”

AJ held a copy of the afternoon newspaper up. “Speaking of Cadence and Calista, you sure work fast, Maxine,” she said. She turned to a page and began to read an article out loud. “ ‘Megastar sisters Cadence and Calista will be making a special appearance at the National Music Awards Monday night. They will be introducing a brand-new video by hot new act the Walker Sisters, and rumor has it they have a special announcement of their own.' ”

“Ooh, it sounds mysterious,” Aly said.

Maxine leaned in. “Can y'all keep a secret?” she asked. Everyone nodded.

“Calista is flying out from Montana,” she said. “Cadence and Megan are going to come out first and sing a few lines from a song. Then Calista will come out, and everyone will realize that there are
two
Calistas. Calista will explain that she's becoming a fashion designer, and she'll announce her replacement,
Clarissa.
Of course, Cadence and Clarissa will be wearing gorgeous dresses designed by Miss Calista herself.”

Faith shook her head. “You are truly amazing,” she said. She turned to Aly and AJ. “I wish you guys could be at the music awards with us.”

“We'd love to, but we have to head to the next stop on our tour,” Aly explained. “We'll be watching on our Hello Kitty TV, though.”

AJ pointed to the newspaper. “There's more gossip in here. Check this out: ‘Rumor has it, Saturday will be the last performance by HeavenSent. The sisters are rumored to be seeking solo careers.' ”

“Hmm,” Maxine said. “That is true, although I didn't let the cat out of the bag on that one. Must have been Sabrina or Eve's new manager.”

“So you're managing Holly, then?” Aly asked. “She told us she was going to talk to you.”

Maxine nodded. “That girl's got major talent. All of those sisters do. I'm sure they'll all do well.”

“Faith! Hope! I need you for a moment!” Lionel called.

The Walker Sisters headed off, followed by Maxine, and Aly and AJ stood up and stretched.

“This week went by so fast,” Aly said. “I can't believe we found another mystery here in Nashville. It's weird.”

“I'm used to it by now,” AJ said. “What I can't believe is that we actually solved this mystery. I was ready to give up.”

“You? Give up?” Aly teased. “No way.”

“I couldn't have done it without you,” AJ said. “Faith and Hope are right. There's nothing like a sister.”

Aly looked around the studio. “It's our last night in Nashville. I guess we'd better get back to the hotel and pack.”

“That would make Mom happy,” AJ agreed.

“Did you girls say it's your last night in Nashville?”

Brady and Michael, the two models from the shoot, walked up to them.

“Michael and I would love to take you out tonight,” Brady said, a little shyly.

“I don't know,” AJ teased. “We've had some pretty bad dates with you already.”

Michael put his hand over his heart. “We're nothing like our video characters. Promise.”

Aly and AJ looked at each other, their green eyes twinkling.

“I think Mom would understand,” Aly said.

AJ nodded. “Looks like we're ready for another night in Nashville!”