The Sleeping Beauty Killer

42

Two days later, Laurie stood in the Cipriani ballroom. She remembered coming here with Greg when they were choosing a venue for their wedding. Despite the astronomical prices, her parents had insisted that they look at it. “Are they crazy, Greg?” she had asked, as she marveled at the size and beauty of the space. “We could invite every person we know and still fill only half the room. This place is fit for royalty, with a price tag to match.”

Despite Leo’s protests of you’re my only daughter and this is the only wedding I’ll ever pay for, they had insisted on using a more reasonably priced place. And everything had been perfect.

She remembered Greg smiling at her as Leo walked her down the aisle.

A voice pulled her back into the present. “It’s very festive, isn’t it?”

“Beautiful,” Laurie echoed. In fact, the only thing in the room that was not festive was the person standing next to her, General Raleigh’s assistant, Mary Jane. The woman looked as though her face might crack if she tried to smile.

“At the General’s instruction, I had the tables decorated early so you could film prior to our event tonight. As you requested, we even used decor similar to the gala that took place the night before Hunter was killed.” Mary Jane’s deepening frown conveyed her disapproval.

Laurie did not remind her that her studio had agreed to make a generous donation to the foundation, which more than covered the expense. “The family was seated at the head table,” Mary Jane said, gesturing toward the round table closest to the dais.

“And by the family, you mean…?” Laurie already knew who was seated there, but she wanted to hear what Mary Jane had to say.

She seemed put out by the question, but began listing the family members: “Andrew and Hunter, Casey and her cousin, the General and I.”

Laurie noticed the way Mary Jane listed herself with the General, as if they were a pair. “Only six?” Laurie asked. “These look like eight-tops.”

“Of course, the foundation’s chief financial officer was the other person. His wife did not attend because at the last minute their babysitter canceled.”

“Right,” Laurie said, as if her memory was being triggered. “What was his name again?”

Mary Jane’s expression was flat, and she said nothing in response. “You’ll probably want to get started soon. You absolutely must have these cameras out of here in three hours. Guests will begin arriving shortly thereafter.”

“On that note, Mary Jane, you scheduled General Raleigh’s interview with us tomorrow in Connecticut.” Their plan was to question both James and Andrew Raleigh at the country house where Hunter had been shot. “But, as I hope my assistant made clear, we’d like to tape your segment today.”

“Let’s see how the day goes. Right now, the fundraiser is my priority.”

“But you’ve already agreed to participate. We need to keep to a schedule.”

“And you will. Now, your three hours are fading fast. If worse comes to worst, you’ll have me at your disposal tomorrow. I’ll be accompanying the General to New Canaan.”

Of course you will, Laurie thought. The man had served his country on every part of the globe, but if you believed Mary Jane, he could do nothing without her at his side.

Other people might ooh and aah over the setting’s soaring ceilings, marble columns, and perfectly placed centerpieces, but Laurie was energized by this room for reasons that had nothing to do with the party that would start here in a few hours. Laurie was excited because she loved being on set. She loved the feeling that came with knowing that she was about to tell a story-not just with words, but with images, dramatic pauses, and sound effects. No matter what happened, she knew she would make a high-quality program. And with a little bit of luck, they might also obtain some justice.

She found Ryan pacing in the hallway, next to the pay phones. “Are you ready for your Under Suspicion debut?”

He held up a finger until he finished mouthing words to himself from a note card. “I’m good.”

He did not look good. He looked nervous and was still wearing the towel that the makeup technician had tucked into his front collar. Laurie had been afraid this was going to happen. Alex had been the rare attorney who was comfortable doing his job in front of a television camera. In contrast, some of the most gifted courtroom lawyers turned to stone once cameras were rolling, while the “talking head” types might be good on camera, but only with a teleprompter or canned sound bites. She had no idea whether Ryan could combine the two talents.

“Are you starting a new fashion trend?” she asked, pointing to her own neck.

He looked down, seemingly confused. “Right,” he said, pulling off the towel.

“Have you found out anything more about Mark Templeton hiring a defense lawyer?”

“I’m working on it.” He was still paying more attention to his notes than to her.

“When you called the U.S. Attorney’s Office, what did they say?”

“Like I said, Laurie, I’m working on it. Give me a little more time.”

For all she knew, I’m working on it was code for I forgot all about it. But now was not the time to lecture him about workplace communication. They were about to start shooting and needed to focus.

Their first witness, Jason Gardner, had arrived.