The Cinderella Murder

68

Madison tightened her robe’s sash around her waist. “Laurie. Hi. What are you doing here?”

“Um, I was here to see Rosemary,” she said, pointing down the hall. “I- Did I just see Richard Hathaway leave your room?”

Madison’s face broke out into a wide smile, then she let out a girlish giggle. “Fine. I guess there’s no harm in admitting it now that we’re both grown-ups.”

“You and Hathaway?”

“Yep. I mean, not this whole time, of course. But let’s just say those rumors about the handsome young computer science professor were true. I heard he was down here for the production, so I figured I should say hi-see how my older crush turned out. I’m actually surprised myself, but we’re… rekindling.”

Laurie found herself with nothing to say. There was too much happening on the case right now to carry on with Madison about her love life. Madison wanted to know if the search for Steve Roman was going to affect the filming schedule. “Just so I can tell my agent,” she added.

Laurie refrained from rolling her eyes. “We’ll know more soon, Madison. Congratulations on your romance with Hathaway.”

As Laurie pressed the elevator button, she realized that something was bothering her about discovering Hathaway in Madison’s room. The facts themselves certainly weren’t surprising. After all, Hathaway had a reputation as a ladies’ man, Madison was an obvious flirt, and they were both extremely attractive.

But, still, something was nagging at her. She’d had this same feeling the previous night when she’d spoken to Nicole about her fight with Susan. Maybe this case had her second-guessing every conversation.

As she stepped onto the elevator, she noticed the eye of a security camera in the upper corner to her left. Surveillance was ubiquitous in the modern world, she thought, shuddering at the idea of Dwight’s secretly monitoring them these past days.

Secretly. The cameras. Unlike this hotel security camera, Dwight’s equipment had been hidden behind the walls.

Once she stepped from the elevator, she pulled up Detective Reilly’s number on her cell and hit ENTER. Come on, she thought. Please answer.

“Reilly.”

“Detective, it’s Laurie Moran. I’ve got something for you-”

“Like I said, Ms. Moran. We’re working every angle. It takes time. Just ask your dad.”

“Dwight Cook had the house in Bel Air wired for surveillance.”

“I know. I’m the one who told you, remember?”

“But the equipment was hidden behind the walls, and he only offered us the house last week. He didn’t rebuild those walls on a week’s notice. This has to be his regular MO.”

“The boat,” he said, following her logic.

“Yes. Be sure to check the boat for hidden cameras. If Dwight’s death wasn’t an accident-if he really was murdered-you might have it all on video.”

“I’ll call the team at the boat and have them check. And good work, Laurie. Thanks.”

She had just hung up from Reilly when her cell rang. It was Alex.

“Where are you?” she asked. “I’m in the lobby but don’t see you. You won’t believe who I spotted Madison with-”

Alex interrupted. “I pulled the SUV around out front. You ready for some good news?”

“After the last couple days? Definitely.”

“It’s Jerry. He’s conscious. And he’s asking for visitors.”