“Victoria and I went to college together. She was a finance major, I was a biology major. We were roommates freshman year and just clicked. We stuck together for all four years. After college I went to medical school here in New York. Victoria entered the financial world. We stayed close during all those years, and never really drifted too far apart even as we both became busy with life. I was getting through medical school and residency, and she was starting her career. I got married and had kids. Vic got married and talked about having kids. My husband and I used to see her and Jasper for dinners and that sort of thing. Not as often as we wanted, but that’s the way life works.”

“Just a curious fan girl question. You went to medical school but now you write books. How did that happen?”

Natalie smiled. “I’m not really sure. I’ve always loved to read, since I was a young girl. Writing was something I dreamed of doing someday but never figured I’d actually get around to. But finally, I sat down one day and did it. The fact that the first manuscript actually sold is still mesmerizing to me. That I had it in me to write another still shocks me just the same.”

“And another and another,” Avery said. “You are quite prolific.”

“I’ve had a good run and have been terribly lucky.”

“I’m assuming your love of reading and writing also brought you and Victoria together? Emma tells me that she, too, was interested in writing.”

“She was. Much more than I ever was, in fact. We both talked about it in school. You know, writing a book someday. Danielle Steel style. But the realities of life got in the way and we both put those dreams on hold as we started our careers.”

“And look at you now. A legitimate powerhouse in publishing,” Avery said. “Life has a way of coming full circle, doesn’t it?”

“I suppose it does.”

Avery pulled out a yellow legal pad and scribbled some notes. “Were you in touch with Victoria after Cameron Young’s death?”

“Not much. That was obviously a tough time in Victoria’s life. I reached out to her, but she didn’t return my calls. I knew she was busy mounting a defense and, you know, everything that goes into that.”

“Did you speak with her at all about it?”

“Briefly. She had called once to ask if she could borrow money in case she needed it. The cost of her defense was going to be astronomical.”

“But that was it? Nothing about the case or . . . her involvement with Cameron Young? Or . . . if any of the accusations against her were true?”