Hush_ A Novel Part 34

"How's your report coming, by the way?" Lake asked, shifting the topic off Keaton.

"Great," Archer said. "I did a few quick items on the show this week as the story was breaking, but we're putting a much bigger piece together. I'm hoping you'll let me interview you. You should get credit for all of this."

Lake smiled and shook her head. "I'm flattered but I think it's best for me to stay in the background-especially in light of everything with the police. Plus, I just want my life to get back to normal.

"Oh, by the way," she said, before he could push further. "They solved the mystery of my missing doorman that afternoon. He thought he was having a heart attack and hopped in a cab for the hospital without telling anyone. Turned out to be a panic attack."

"Ah. And what about your cat?" he asked. "What do you think the story was there?"

"Just a coincidence, I guess," she said, taking a piece of bread from the basket. "I think some teenagers must have shaved Smokey, just to be mean." There was no way she could tell him that Rory had admitted doing it. That would raise the question of why Rory had been fixated on Lake at that point-and the answer pointed back to Keaton. She hoped he wouldn't remember the catnip and ask about it.

"You were also worried about your doorbell ringing late one night."

"Actually, I may have solved that one this morning," Lake said. "There was a girl I'd never seen on the floor, and I think one of my neighbors, Stan, may be having a little fling with her-while his wife is out at the beach for the summer. We may be adding another divorce to the building."

To Lake's surprise, Archer picked up her hand and held it between both of his. Blood immediately rushed to her cheeks, as if it had been waiting in the wings.

"I haven't wanted to pry, but the other night you mentioned that you were in a crazy custody battle."

"Yes," she said, sighing. "But the worst of that may be over."

It was true. Hotchkiss had called her Monday with news. The weekend had provided evidence of Molly and Jack on board the bliss train all around Manhattan, and Hotchkiss had reported this news to Jack's lawyer. Then on Tuesday night Molly had shown up at Lake's apartment and broken down, admitted not only to having an affair with Jack during the marriage but also to keeping up the friendship with Lake to stay in the know about Jack's intentions. Lake had filled Hotchkiss in immediately. It was perfect leverage, he'd said, just what they needed. He'd called back the following day to say Jack would accept joint custody.

"Excellent," Archer said after hearing the full scoop. "Well, look, I don't know how you have to play it in a situation like that, but I'd love to take you to dinner one night-in the not so distant future."

The pure pleasure she felt at his words surprised her.

"I'd love that, Kit, but it's still a little dicey until the final agreement gets signed," she said. "For the time being, though, would you settle for a series of fun, thought-provoking lunches?"

"Absolutely," he said, smiling.

The waitress arrived then to take their orders. When she'd departed, Lake looked back at Archer. She wanted to change the subject completely, to leave behind everything connected with the clinic, but there was still one thing she needed to ask.

"Question," she said. "Do you think the police would have figured out that Rory was the murderer if she hadn't attacked me?"

"Possibly. From what I know, they felt the wound on Keaton had been made by a woman."

She reached for her winegla.s.s and twirled it between her fingers.

"Oh-so then maybe they would have."

"Of course there's still that little mystery," Archer said.

Lake swallowed, raised her eyebrows.

"Mystery?" she asked.

"A woman had s.e.x with Keaton the night he died, and it doesn't sound like Rory Deever took the time to make love to him before she slit his throat. Clearly this person hightailed it out of the apartment just in time. So, as I said once before, there's a very lucky lady out there somewhere."

"Yes, very lucky," Lake said. She met his eyes and smiled.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.

I want to say a big thank you to those who helped me so generously while I was doing research for the book: Mary Dodge, PhD, a.s.sociate professor and director of Criminal Justice Programs, University of Colorado, Denver; Caleb White, police officer, White Plains, New York police; Abigail Greene, managing editor, Cosmopolitan Cosmopolitan; Dr. Mark Howell, psychotherapist; David Razner, Esq., partner and co-chair of the Family Law Group at Fox Rothschild, LLP; Deb Shriver, PR guru; Dr. Paul Paganelli, chief of Emergency Medicine, Milton Hospital, Milton, Ma.s.sachusetts; Chet W. Lerner, M.D., chief of Infectious Diseases, New York Downtown Hospital; Barbara Butcher, chief of staff and director of the Forensics Sciences Training Program at the New York City office of the chief medical examiner; Rachel Hayes, editor in chief, DailyMakeover.com; Bobbi Casey Howell, partner, chief customer strategy officer, Deutsch.

Also thank you to my fabulous editor, Sally Kim, and my killer agent, Sandy Dijkstra.

About the Author.

KATE WHITE, the editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan Cosmopolitan magazine, is the magazine, is the New York Times New York Times bestselling author of the Bailey Weggins mystery series- bestselling author of the Bailey Weggins mystery series-If Looks Could Kill; A Body to Die For; 'Til Death Do Us Part; Over Her Dead Body; and, most recently, Lethally Blond Lethally Blond. White is also the author of popular career books for women, including Why Good Girls Don't Get Ahead but Gutsy Girls Do. Hush Why Good Girls Don't Get Ahead but Gutsy Girls Do. Hush is her first stand-alone thriller. She lives in New York City with her family. is her first stand-alone thriller. She lives in New York City with her family.

www.katewhite.com Visit www.AuthorTracker.com for exclusive information on your favorite HarperCollins author.

ALSO BY KATE WHITE.

FICTION.

If Looks Could Kill

A Body to Die For

'Til Death Do Us Part

Over Her Dead Body

Lethally Blond

NONFICTION.

Why Good Girls Don't Get Ahead but Gutsy Girls Do

9 Secrets of Women Who Get Everything They Want

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