All She Ever Wanted - Barbara Freethy [59]
"That's not what people are saying."
"What people?"
"I've had some calls from a few of the girls who were in the house that night. I guess they think since I'm a reporter, I can figure out what's going on. Have you read the book, Laura? I wasn't there, but a lot of it sounds familiar to me just from having heard everyone talk about it. You're in it. Although the names are changed, it's pretty clear it's you, and those two other girls you hung out with." She paused, the sound of paper rustling in the background. "Natalie and Madison, right?"
"It's just a novel," Laura said with a little laugh. "I can't believe everyone is so interested in it."
"The book suggests that Emily's accident was murder, and your friend Natalie was the murderer."
"She wasn't just my friend, Kathy. She was and still is our sorority sister. I hope people can remember that."
"You sound a little defensive," Kathy remarked.
"I stand by my friends. Don't you?"
"I didn't know Natalie. She was long gone by the time I got there. But I'm not out to get anyone. I'm just looking for the truth."
"Emily fell. That's the truth."
"That's the official version anyway. I spoke to a Detective Boland at the local precinct here. He remembers the case. And he said, off the record, that he always thought there was something funny about it. He also said that he would check out this book."
Laura's heart began to race. If the police reopened the case, it would garner even more publicity. What could she do to stop it? What could she tell Kathy to make her forget about it? The woman was a reporter. She wasn't going to let this go, especially when it involved her own sorority.
"You were easy to find," Kathy added. "I got your number from the alumni directory, but I haven't been able to locate Natalie or Madison. Do you know where they are?"
"No, I don't," Laura lied.
"I'll keep looking. With the Internet, it's not easy to hide."
"I doubt they're hiding."
"I hope you're right, Laura. It would be a terrible scandal to discover that one of our sisters committed murder, especially against a fellow sister. Even worse if the other two covered up for her."
"Thanks for the call, Kathy. I have to pick up my daughters now."
"I'm sure I'll talk to you again."
Laura hung up the phone with a shaky hand. She remembered Kathy now, a ruthless bitch who'd always loved to stir the pot, mix things up, then watch the fireworks. A little like Drew, she thought idly. He'd always loved a good fight. It was that trait that made him a good lawyer. What else did it make him? She looked down at the itinerary for Garrett Malone and wondered again if Malone was the real reason Drew had gone to L.A.
She knew Natalie and Madison and even Cole had Drew on their list of possible sources for Malone's book. She'd dismissed the idea out of hand earlier. Now she couldn't help wondering. Drew had been so secretive the past few months, working late at the office and even here at home in his study downstairs. She remembered the way he'd blacked out the screen the previous day, so she couldn't see what he was working on. He'd said it was business, but was it?
It was ridiculous to think Drew was behind the book. He was obsessed with his law job, with making partner, with setting himself up for a political career. Why would he make such a huge detour to the past? He and Emily had barely been friends. And he had no ax to grind with Natalie. She couldn't think of one good reason why he'd let himself get involved in the book.
Except for money. Drew had grown up poor, and she knew money was important to him. Financial security fueled his ambition.
Getting up from the bed, she walked down to the study and opened the filing cabinet. Drew took care of all the family finances. She was embarrassed to say that in this day and age of independent, smart women, she had no real idea of their monetary worth, because Drew handled everything. Their roles were very traditional. He was the provider. She was the homemaker. It had worked perfectly ... for a while.
But it