The Sleeping Beauty Killer

45

As soon as Gabrielle Lawson was gone, Laurie checked her watch. They had about half an hour before they needed to pack up their equipment. She looked for the General’s assistant, Mary Jane, but did not see her.

Spotting a young woman placing flower arrangements near the podium, Laurie asked where she could find Mary Jane. If they moved quickly, Ryan could interview her now, leaving tomorrow’s session at the country house entirely for Andrew and James Raleigh.

The woman with the flowers said she’d seen Mary Jane getting into a car on 42nd Street less than ten minutes ago.

Laurie pulled up Mary Jane’s number on her phone and hit enter. She recognized the stern voice on the other end of the line. “Yes,” Mary Jane said coolly.

“It’s Laurie Moran. We have some time left in the schedule if we could have a few minutes with you.”

“Why don’t we speak tomorrow when things won’t be so rushed.”

“It will be quick,” Laurie promised. “And since you were so instrumental in planning the gala that night, it seems only fitting that you should speak to us at Cipriani rather than the country house.”

“Well, I’m afraid that’s impossible. You see, I’m on my way to pick up tonight’s seating charts, which I managed to leave behind at the townhouse. With traffic, I won’t be back for at least another forty-five minutes.”

Laurie thought the woman was more likely to forget her own birthday than the seating arrangements for a Raleigh Foundation event. She was tired of Mary Jane stonewalling her.

“Is there a reason you don’t want to be interviewed, Mary Jane?”

“Of course not. But you’re not the only person who has a job to do.”

“Speaking of jobs, were you aware that Hunter actively disliked you and was trying to get you fired from your job?”

There was a long pause before she spoke. “I’m afraid someone has misinformed you, Ms. Moran. Now, please, keep your word and have your camera crew off the premises by the time I return.”

As the line went silent, Laurie was certain that Mary Jane was hiding something.