All She Ever Wanted - Barbara Freethy [54]
"Is Jessica Holbrook there?" Laura asked.
"This is she. Who's calling?" Jessica asked, a brisk edge to her voice.
"Hi, Jessica, it's Laura Hart. Actually, Laura Hart McKinney now. Do you remember me?"
"Of course. How nice to hear from you. What can I do for you?"
Laura licked her lips, then said, "I was calling about planning a reunion. I know you weren't in my class, but I thought you might be able to help me track some people down. I hear you're working in the Panhellenic Office with Diane Thomas."
"Yes, I am, and both Diane and I would be happy to help. But—" Jessica paused. "I hope you're not thinking of inviting your entire pledge class."
"Isn't everyone usually invited?" Laura countered.
"Not in this case. I know you were very good friends with Madison and Natalie, but you simply cannot invite them to any reunion that would be held at the sorority house. Do you still keep in touch with them?" Jessica asked.
"I lost track of them after they left," Laura said. "But I don't see what would be wrong with inviting them."
"Some people think Natalie had something to do with Emily's death."
"They do?" Laura asked. "Why?"
"Apparently someone saw Natalie up on the roof that night."
Natalie's jaw dropped at that comment. Laura and Madison also looked stunned.
"Laura, are you there?" Jessica asked when the silence lengthened.
"I'm here," Laura said hastily. "Who saw Natalie up on the roof?"
"Well, I really can't say, and I'm not sure there's any proof, but where there's smoke, there's fire. And look how fast Natalie transferred. She couldn't wait to get out of there. Maybe Madison was in on it, too. She moved out even faster. Diane and I were talking about it all just the other day. Emily was such a beautiful person. It was tragic the way she died. And so unfair. She had so much to offer the house, far more than Madison or Natalie did. You know, we really only took Natalie because of Emily, because they were best friends. I know most of the sisters feel the same way I do, Laura. Any reunion that includes Natalie or Madison would not be well attended. I'm only telling you this so you don't waste a lot of time and energy. It's nothing against you. We all love you. You know that, don't you?"
"I really don't think Natalie had anything to do with Emily's fall."
"You always were a sweetheart, Laura."
"It's not about being a sweetheart," Laura said with spunk. "I knew Natalie and Madison better than anyone. Emily, too."
"Sometimes it's easier to read people's true intentions when you're standing farther back. Now, I have to run, but call me tomorrow at my office," Jessica said. "I have the alumni directory there. I can fax you the names and addresses."
"Thanks." Laura pressed the button to disconnect the call. "Well, what do you think? Who's this witness? Garrett Malone?"
"He did say in the book that someone saw me push Emily off the roof," Natalie replied, feeling discouraged by Jessica's comments. She'd thought she was one of the sorority sisters, accepted by everyone, just as Emily was. Now it appeared that they'd only pledged her because of Emily.
"We know it wasn't you," Laura said.
"But if there was someone on the roof," Madison continued, "then Emily didn't fall by accident."
They stared at each other—for the first time forced to address the idea that Emily had been deliberately pushed off the roof.
"We know a lot of people didn't like me," Natalie said slowly. "But who didn't like Emily?"
Chapter 9
Natalie was still pondering that question as she finished her shift late Monday afternoon. It had been a hell of a day, starting with an early-morning bus crash and multiple victims, followed by a blur of cases ranging from poison oak to a heart attack and everything in between. Dropping off her last chart at the desk, Natalie headed to the lounge. There were two other doctors in the room, one stretched out on the couch, another reading the newspaper, which did not provide the privacy she was looking for. Grabbing a cup of coffee, Natalie walked outside and found an empty bench in the hospital garden.