When Laurie showed up at the studio the next morning, Grace greeted her with a whistle. “Well, look at you, Queen Moran. Are you thinking about joining Ryan in front of the camera today?”
Laurie knew that she was an attractive woman, but she wasn’t the type who went for heavy makeup or fussy hair. Today, however, she had put a little more effort into her morning routine than her usual wash-and-wear bob and single coat of mascara. She also knew that the bright green wrap dress was a perfect fit and made the flecks of color in her hazel eyes pop.
“Let’s just say I have plans after work,” Laurie said.
Grace pressed her palms together in a small clap. “Oh, is this who I think it might be? Rhymes with Malex Duckley?”
“He would hate that you called him that.”
“He loves me. Not as much as he loves you, but—”
“All right. I think that’s enough gossip for now. Don’t get ahead of your skis, Grace.”
“Me? On skis? No thank you. Snow and I do not get along. Thank goodness that gunk finally melted.”
“Where’s Jerry?” Laurie asked, peering into his empty office.
“He headed up to Greenwich already to make sure the equipment got all set up.” Today they were interviewing Anna Wakeling and her husband, Peter Browning, at the Wakeling family home in Greenwich, Connecticut.
All the better for me, Laurie thought. The sooner we finish, the sooner I can head back to the city for my dinner with Alex.
• • •
The driver finally came to a stop at the turn of the long U-shaped drive. Laurie and Ryan stepped out to look up at what could only be described as a mansion. The Wakeling home was a magnificent Georgian with meticulously groomed ivy creeping up the stone exterior. The estate’s gardens rivaled Versailles.
“Not too shabby,” Ryan whispered.
Anna Wakeling answered the door, but was distracted by something happening inside the house. “Please be careful with the floors in there.” She looked annoyed when she turned to greet Laurie. “Come in. When we agreed to this, I didn’t realize there’d be so many cameras. We should have just done this at the office.”
“Seeing where your mother lived will give viewers a better sense of her,” Laurie said. “The more viewers engage, the more likely it is we turn up new information about your mother’s murder.”
“And the better the ratings for your program,” she said cuttingly. “Sorry, I’m just being crabby. I get it. I’m a businesswoman, too.”
“Do you and Peter have any questions before we get started?” Ryan asked.
“Not a single one,” she said firmly. “Ask us anything you’d like, Mr. Nichols. My husband and I are open books.”