The Cinderella Murder

58

When Laurie knocked on Nicole’s hotel door, Alex was at her side. He and Leo had insisted that she not leave the house alone. They finally agreed that Leo would stay home with Timmy and Grace while Alex accompanied Laurie to the hotel.

When the door cracked open, it was Nicole’s husband, Gavin, who answered.

“Laurie, hi. It’s after nine o’clock. Were we expecting you?”

“We need to talk to Nicole.”

“I hope this is important. My wife is in bed.”

He stepped aside, allowing them to enter. Laurie was surprised to find a large living area, with a separate dining room to the side. Clearly Gavin had used his own money to upgrade them beyond the standard suite provided by the show. “She’s not in any danger, is she?” Gavin asked. “She’s been so darn nervous ever since Rosemary called her about this show.”

Laurie heard Alex intentionally clear his throat. He was reminding her not to slip into her normal mode of trying to comfort her witnesses. “Actually, yes, there’s a real possibility she’s in danger, Gavin.”

“That’s impossible,” he snapped. “Nicole, you need to get out here.”

When she emerged from the separate bedroom, Nicole was wearing a pajama set topped by a robe. “Sorry, I was getting ready for bed.”

She did not sound sorry.

“They said you’re in danger.”

“I said you might be in danger,” Laurie emphasized. “Have you ever seen this man?” Laurie handed her a printout of Steve Roman’s driver’s license photograph, monitoring Nicole’s face for a reaction.

Her expression was blank. “No, I don’t think so.”

“His name is Steve Roman. We believe he’s the man who killed Rosemary’s neighbor, Lydia Levitt.”

“How would I know a burglar?”

“We think Lydia interrupted this man snooping behind Rosemary’s house, but he wasn’t a burglar. He was trying to learn more about the people involved in Under Suspicion. In fact, just days after Lydia’s death, he was following my family and me in San Francisco. He was probably watching you as well. He could also be the person who attacked my assistant producer, Jerry.”

“I’m afraid I’m not following your logic,” Nicole said.

“Steve Roman is a longtime member of Advocates for God.”

Laurie had been prepared to lay out AG’s connections to Keith Ratner and her theory that Keith may have sent one of his church friends, Steve Roman, to sabotage the show and stop production. But the expression on Nicole’s face at the mention of Advocates for God made it clear that Nicole already knew something about them.

“Today during the shoot, you said you didn’t remember what you argued about with Susan. And when I first met you, you were vague about your reasons for leaving Los Angeles. It has something to do with this church, doesn’t it?”

“I don’t-I don’t know anything about it.”

Alex handed her the file folder they had prepared before leaving the house. Laurie slipped the first photograph from the file, an eight-by-ten of nineteen-year-old Susan, smiling up at the camera. Laurie quickly followed it up with a second picture, this one of Lydia Levitt.

“These two women are dead. This is no longer about whatever personal history you want to keep private,” Laurie said. “People are being hurt. My friend Jerry is in the hospital right now. And it has something to do with Advocates for God.”

Gavin wrapped a protective arm around his wife’s shoulder. “Nicole, if you know something-”

“I never meant to hide anything from you, Gavin. I was trying to protect myself. To protect us.” Nicole took Gavin’s hand in hers and faced Laurie directly. “I’ll tell you. But only to help. No cameras.”

Laurie nodded. At this point, the truth mattered more than the show.