“Not for a while. My law practice was gone—every client, every file, every computer. I don’t remember hearing that Victoria Ford had died for weeks. It took that long to salvage the practice, and Victoria was a new client. I hadn’t started the process of defending her. She hadn’t paid me a retainer. I had more urgent clients to attend to, and court dates to prepare for, once the dust of 9/11 settled. It was some time before I heard that Victoria had died.”

Avery nodded. “Well, I don’t want to take up too much of your time. Thanks so much for recounting what I’m sure are difficult memories.”

“Of course.”

“Would you mind if I called you another time, perhaps later this summer, if I get this story off the ground and start formal interviews? By then I will have had the chance to look at all the evidence against Victoria and I would love your opinion on it, and what sort of defense you might have constructed had you been given the opportunity.”

“It would be my pleasure.”

A few moments later, Avery was outside. She looked in the direction of where the Twin Towers had once stood. She couldn’t kick the thought that kept popping into her mind. Roman Manchester and everyone else in his office had gone to the stairwell and started down. Victoria Ford had gone up. Had she simply followed the crowd, would things have been different?

CHAPTER 29 - Manhattan, NY Friday, July 2, 2021

CHAPTER 29

Manhattan, NY Friday, July 2, 2021

INCLUDED IN THE LIST OF CONTACTS EMMA PUT TOGETHER WAS VICTORIA’S best friend, Natalie Ratcliff. Avery hadn’t noticed the name until she was back in her hotel room, and had to do a double take. Natalie Ratcliff was one of the best-selling authors in the country. Her books were in every bookstore, pharmacy, and mall kiosk. With over a hundred million copies of her novels sold worldwide, reaching her was not as simple as making a phone call. Avery’s research revealed that Natalie Ratcliff’s publisher was a subsidiary of HAP Media, so she worked her contacts until a connection was made and a meeting arranged.

Natalie Ratcliff lived in a Manhattan high rise that overlooked Central Park, in the same block of buildings that made up the boisterous penthouses on Billionaire’s Row where Avery grew up. Once an emergency room physician working twelve-hour shifts, Natalie Ratcliff was today far removed from her nights in a hospital. She wrote novels now—chick-lit mystery that was panned by critics but devoured by her adoring fans. The woman had produced fifteen novels in fifteen years, every one a best seller. Victoria Ford’s best friend and college roommate, Natalie Ratcliff was high on the list of folks Avery was interested in talking with.