The rest of the day went off without a hitch. Even with the museum’s tight time constraints, they managed to film the spot where Virginia was believed to have been thrown from the roof, plus their interviews with Gerard Bennington and Marco Nelson. Laurie was confident that Gerard’s description of Carter and Peter arguing at the party, followed by Marco’s description of a rattled Virginia asking for privacy, would be two of the most dramatic moments in the special.
By the time they wrapped up filming, it had been several hours since she had powered up her cell phone. She knew Timmy could always call her father in the event of an emergency, but she was still anxious to make sure that everything was all right.
She scanned the list of new voice mails. Nothing from either Timmy or Leo. Her eyes moved immediately to Alex’s name on her screen. Her hand was nearly shaking when she hit the play button on his message.
Laurie, it was great to hear your voice. I’m so sorry for the delay. I was at the Capitol all day yesterday meeting with senators on the Judiciary Committee, and then had a dinner with the White House aides who are preparing me for confirmation hearings. By the time I finished, it was too late to call, and, well, now I’m babbling. There was a long pause. I’m glad you called. Give me a ring when you’re free.
She started to put her phone back into her bag and realized she didn’t want to wait a second longer. She found a quiet spot on the roof, away from where the gaffer and grips were packing up the lighting and camera equipment, and redialed Alex’s number.
He picked up after only half a ring. “Laurie,” he said. He sounded happy, maybe even a little nervous.
“How is the D.C. charm offensive going?” she asked.
“It’s miserable. I feel as though I’m in a beauty pageant for lawyers, as I’m marched from office to office, delivering my carefully practiced, judicious responses with a smile. I have a thirty-minute break in my schedule and I’m tempted to run while no one’s looking. I can’t wait to get back to my regular life tomorrow.”
“So you’re coming home tonight?”
“The first shuttle in the morning.”
“Are you free tomorrow night?”
“I have no plans. Is this about Timmy’s recital? He mentioned it when I saw them last week at Madison Square Garden.”
“No, that’s Thursday.”
“The Knicks have an away game tomorrow or else I’d invite you all there. I know how much Leo and Timmy enjoy going.”
“Nope. No sports. No recitals. I’d like to take you to dinner, just the two of us—if you’re open to that.”
She could almost hear him smiling on the other end of the line, and she felt her heart swell.
“That sounds like the best invitation I’ve received in a long time, Laurie,” Alex said fervently.