All Dressed in White (Under Suspicion #2)(62)

By the time dessert arrived, Laurie knew in her gut what she had to do. She just wanted one final talk with Alex alone before committing to a final decision.

“I really thought we’d solve another one before calling it a wrap,” she said wistfully.

“That’s not always going to happen, Laurie. And look at how much you’ve accomplished. You’ve brought closure to a family who were forgotten by the system. Sandra told me today how grateful she was to finally have an answer about Amanda.”

“But it’s a bad answer. She’s dead, and we still don’t know who killed her.”

“But at least they’re able to say good-bye,” Alex said. “It sounds like you’ve reached a decision.”

“I have. We’ll have one more film session tomorrow when you can lay out everything we know. You might want to repeat some of what you just said to me about saying good-bye,” she said with a sad smile. “It would be the perfect way to end a story that doesn’t really have an ending.”


Alex stopped walking and turned to face her. “Speaking of my wrap-up for the program, there’s something I need to tell you.”

“That sounds ominous.” Maybe my father was right, she thought. I told him Alex and I were fine, but maybe we aren’t.

“No, not at all. But I won’t always be able to keep working on the show.”

“Is it because of us—”

“No, not at all. It’s my practice. As much as I love an excuse to leave New York for days at a time, and with you no less, it’s too hard to juggle my schedule. So far, it has worked out, but that won’t always be the case.”

It was hard to imagine ever doing the show without Alex. And Laurie immediately wondered how it would affect their relationship. She didn’t want him to see how disappointed she was. “You mean judges won’t halt the wheels of justice so you can be a TV star?”

“Apparently not,” he said.

His smile made her heart swell. Laurie grasped his hand more tightly and continued walking along the beach. “Brett won’t be happy until I find another narrator as handsome as you.”

“Well, that’s impossible, of course,” he said dryly. “But I already have someone in mind. Besides, it’s about time Brett realizes you’re the show’s real special ingredient.”

? ? ?

They were on their way back to the hotel when Laurie felt her cell phone vibrate in her pocket. If that’s Brett again, she thought, I’m throwing this thing into the ocean. She checked the screen to find a New York phone number, but not Brett’s.

“This is Laurie,” she answered.

“Ah, good, I caught you. I’m sorry to call at night. It’s Mitchell Lands.”

It took Laurie a moment to place the name of the lawyer who had written Amanda’s prenuptial agreement and will. “Oh hi, Mitchell. You’re working awfully late.” She whispered an apology to Alex. She shouldn’t have even answered.

“The life of a lawyer, I’m afraid.”

“I imagine you’re calling because you heard the terrible news about Amanda. I’m so sorry.”

“I hate to say it, but in my business, you get accustomed to hearing about death. I feel terrible for poor Sandra and Walter. They must be heartbroken.”

“They are. Is there something I can help you with?” she asked.

“No, but something’s been eating at me all night, and I finally thought I better call you. It’s about Jeff Hunter. He told me he’s down there as part of your show.”

“You spoke to Jeff?” She stopped walking. Alex’s expression grew concerned.

“Yes, I called him as soon as I heard about the discovery of Amanda’s remains. I thought he should know the next steps before Amanda’s estate enters probate.”

“Not to question your tactics, Mitchell, but isn’t that awfully soon? The identity hasn’t even been officially confirmed yet.”

“I know, it’s not my usual process, either. But since there seemed to be an urgency to have the funds dispersed, I figured there was no harm in getting the ball rolling. But then he told me he was being questioned for your show. Is Jeff considered a suspect? If so, Amanda’s parents could intervene to try to freeze the assets until the investigation is complete. I hate to call them about a legal matter at a time like this, but, as I said, it’s been eating at me all night. Maybe I shouldn’t have phoned Jeff after all.”

“What do you mean an urgency? I thought Jeff had never sought to collect on the will before?”

“He hadn’t. And I guess he still hasn’t. So I was a little surprised this morning when I got a phone call asking me about the inheritance.”

“Jeff called this morning about the will?”

Alex’s eyes widened.

“No, not Jeff,” Lands said. “His wife, Meghan.”

Laurie’s suspicions had been right. “Meghan was the one asking about the inheritance? What time was this?”

“First thing when I showed up at nine A.M.”

Not even Amanda’s parents had known yet about the discovery of her body. Laurie remembered Detective Henson saying that the person who called in the anonymous tip could even have been a woman, given the easy availability of voice-distortion equipment.