The Sleeping Beauty Killer

9

Two days later, Laurie examined her face in the mirror of her bedroom vanity. She swore the crease between her eyebrows hadn’t been there yesterday. Was that possible? Could wrinkles literally appear overnight? She started to reach for concealer, but stopped. She preferred to look like herself, and if that meant a few more lines, she’d take them-not happily, but accepting nonetheless.

In the mirror’s reflection she saw Timmy bound into her room, iPad in hand. “Mom, you’re going to get caught in traffic both ways. You need to leave Connecticut by three o’clock at the latest if you’re going to make it to Alex’s in time for kickoff. You’ll be stop-and-go all the way down the Bruckner.”

She couldn’t believe how quickly her son was growing up. He had mastered all the online traffic apps while serving as backseat “navigator” during last month’s trip to Florida.

She saw no need to tell him that she actually needed to hit the road even earlier. She had her meeting with Brett and his choice for her new host at four.

She gave Timmy a quick hug before guiding him into the living room. “I’m the one who taught you never to be late, including to school,” she reminded him. “Get your shoes on and your backpack. And don’t forget your math assignment. It was on the coffee table last night.”

While Timmy trudged back to his room, her father came in and handed her a mug of coffee. “I even remembered to use that horrible almond milk you’re so enamored with.”

The truth was that she’d originally bought it hoping her father would take to it. Ever since he had two stents inserted in his right ventricle last year, he was following a heart-healthy diet, but still insisted on using pure cream in his coffee. Oh well, she thought, if anyone deserves a small vice, it’s my father. Six years ago, her father was NYPD First Deputy Police Commissioner Leo Farley, a potential contender to be the next commissioner. Then one late afternoon, while pushing Timmy on a swing, Laurie’s husband, Greg, was killed by a gunshot to the forehead. Laurie was suddenly a single mother with no idea who murdered her husband. Leo walked away from the job he loved, all for her and Timmy.

Now he was about to walk Timmy to school, as he did every single day after walking the few blocks from his own apartment to pick up his grandson here. If he wanted cream in his coffee, he could have it.

“I can tell Timmy’s excited to see Alex tonight,” he said.

“Of course he is,” she said. “He adores Alex.”

“We all do,” her father said. “Sorry,” he immediately added, “I wasn’t trying to make a point.”

“I know, Dad, it’s fine.”

It was an open secret that Leo wanted Laurie to find her happily-ever-after with Alex. Part of her desperately wanted that, too. But every time she thought she might be ready, she would picture Greg, and could feel herself pull back from Alex. Her husband still filled her heart to the point that she wondered whether there’d ever be room for someone else.

Since leaving her show, Alex said he’d been keeping a busy travel schedule on a major case, but she knew why he hadn’t been picking up the phone. He had fallen in love with her and was keeping his distance until she was ready to feel the same way. She had to give him some space and hope he’d still be there if and when she could make a commitment.

“Timmy said something about you going to a prison?” Leo asked. “What’s that about?”

Timmy had a way of hearing only the most exciting words to escape his mother’s mouth. “I’m not literally visiting a prison, but I am seeing someone who was released on Tuesday. Dad, what do you remember about the Sleeping Beauty Killer?”

“That she murdered a damn fine man and then tried to blame the police for railroading her. She should’ve gone to prison for life, but that jury got suckered into feeling sorry for her.” A worried look passed over his face. “Oh, Laurie, please tell me she’s not the one you’re meeting with.”