Lauren expected this question and had her answer. “I spoke with her, but that’s it. I didn’t have anything to tell her then, and I still don’t, but we can cross our fingers and send up a prayer that this friend of my friend can help out.” Lauren knew she was sounding like a broken record, yet she couldn’t give false hope to Charlotte, or Lee.

She knew in her heart that James would most likely come through, and that thought alone warmed her. There were good people in the world, despite all the negativity one heard on the news and read in the papers.

“If you hear from your friend, can you call my mom if it’s good news?” Charlotte asked.

“Of course.” Lauren jotted down her cell phone and her home phone number, and gave them to the girls. “You can call me anytime, too. You’ve been great advocates for Lee. I’m sure she’s proud of all three of you.”

She walked the girls to the front door, promising to call the minute she had any news.

Back in her office, Lauren made a note to get a new coat for Charlotte. With the temps expected in the low teens, the thin jacket she was wearing would do little to keep her warm.

She turned her thoughts to Angela’s call and what she’d agreed to do. If, and that now was another very big if, John Gerard Giampalo still wanted her as his biographer, she’d agree to whatever terms he wanted. She needed the money more than ever. There was much more at stake. Lee’s life. If she had to eat a bit of crow, then she would do so, happily.

Chapter 7

Her cell phone rang. Angela.

“He’s agreed,” she said, as usual not bothering with niceties.

Lauren breathed a sigh of relief. She’d felt sure he’d tell her to go eat rocks. “And the conditions are the same?” she asked.

“Pretty much. How soon can you leave for Seattle?” Angela asked her.

Lauren mentally checked all that a trip to Seattle would entail and just how quickly she could put her mental list into action. Knowing what was at stake, she said, “I can catch the first flight out.”

“That’s my girl,” Angela said, a new zing to her voice.

“Of course, Mr. G will take care of your flight and accommodations. Let me call him, tell him you’re a go for tomorrow, if we can get a flight out, though I’m sure that won’t be a problem. I’ll call you back with the details.”

“I’ll be waiting,” Lauren said, then hung up. Now all she had to do was find someone to fill in at the store for a few days.

Maggie, her mother’s best friend. She quickly dialed her number, using the store’s phone. In case Angela called back on her cell, she didn’t want to tie up the line, even though she knew she could put Maggie on hold.

Quickly dialing the number, she heard Maggie answer on the second ring. “Hello, Lauren. Is everything okay with your dad? And Ilene?”