23
Laurie felt the safety that comes with tagging home base as she entered the lobby of her apartment building. She waited while Ron the doorman transferred a tower of neatly stacked packages from the storage closet to a young woman whom Laurie recognized from the building.
“Do you need a hand with that?” Laurie offered.
“That’s okay,” the woman said. “This is my punishment for a hardcore online shopping addiction.”
Laurie watched in awe as the woman cautiously began her trek toward the elevator, the tower of boxes teetering with each step.
Ron gave Laurie a knowing smile once they were alone. “She’s not kidding about an addiction. That girl will be down here tomorrow sending all that stuff back for a refund. The UPS guy is threatening to drop our building if she doesn’t rein it in.”
Once again, Laurie realized how much she was going to miss this place if she and Alex ever managed to find an apartment. “Hey, Primo. Weird question, but has anyone been around the building asking for me?”
A concerned look crossed his face. “Not that I know of. Are you expecting someone?”
Laurie shook her head, but she could feel the worry lines furrowing her brow. “No, just wanted to make sure.”
“We’ve always got your back down here. You know that, right?”
“Always, but, really, no need to sound an alarm.” But I still have a feeling of being followed, Laurie thought. Obviously it wasn’t the tall guy who met that woman. But something is warning me to be careful.
“Primo, do me a favor. If you notice anybody that appears to be watching the building, please let me know.”
“We always look out for you, Miss Laurie, but we’ll pay extra attention.”
• • •
When Laurie stepped from the elevator, she was greeted by the smell of garlic and rosemary. She found herself wishing she had ordered dinner to go from the Italian restaurant where she’d met with Kendra. She was surprised when the smell became stronger as she opened the front door of her apartment. She could barely make out the soothing sound of the “Almost Blue” song by Chet Baker beneath a cacophony of voices. How lucky I am, she thought, that my ten-year-old son loves jazz instead of the noise I hear on the radio.
She hooked her shoulder bag on the coat rack and was immediately greeted by Timmy calling out “Hi, Mom!” She found him in the kitchen, expertly wielding a wooden spoon in her largest saucepan, under Ramon’s watchful eye. “What are you doing here?” she asked, giving Ramon a quick squeeze around his shoulders.
“The boss’s idea,” he said with a smile, hitching a thumb toward the living room.
Alex was already on his feet enfolding her tightly in his arms. He was still dressed for work, but had loosened his tie and taken off his suit jacket.
“Well, this is a nice surprise,” she said.
Leo was positioned in his favorite chair. His daily ESPN program, Pardon the Interruption, was on. The format involved the hosts debating the sports topics of the day, and Laurie found herself grateful that the sound was muted.
“I could tell you were discouraged by the apartment walk-through today,” Alex said, leading her to the spot next to him on the sofa. “I thought we could use a family night at home even if hot-shot Rhoda hasn’t found us our perfect home yet.”
Leo made a disapproving face at the mention of Rhoda’s name. “Alex filled me in. I can’t believe she suggested that any co-op in the city wouldn’t jump at the opportunity to welcome the two of you and my grandson into their fold. She’s only saying that to make you antsy. She wants you to lower your sights so she can swoop in for a fast sale. You tell her that any building that even inquires about Alex’s old cases can pound salt.”
Leo’s invocation of the old police phrase was a sign that he was agitated. She was used to Leo rising to her defense, but she suspected that Leo had a specific reason for being critical of Rhoda. He didn’t want Laurie and Timmy to move too far away from his own apartment.
“Nothing to worry about, Dad. We made it very clear that we have no interest in living in a building that takes issue with either of our professions—or a former profession, in Alex’s case. She also knows that we need enough room for an office and for Ramon, and that we need to be close to both Timmy’s school and your apartment,” she added.
Leo’s eyes brightened. “And a nursery,” he suggested with a wry smile.
“Shhh,” Laurie said, with a dismissive wave. “If Timmy hears that, it will be all around his school the next day.”
Leo laughed. “I don’t hear a denial in there.”
“Maybe we should change the subject to Chief Judge Maureen Russell,” Laurie suggested.
“Oh, I saw her today,” Alex said. “Leo, she said how much she enjoyed speaking to you at the reception.”
Laurie was delighted to see her father blush. “Leo and Maureen, I think it has a nice ring to it.”
Leo rolled his eyes, but was still smiling. “You win. I tap out. I cry uncle. No more nursery talk. You buy as many rooms as you want, no questions asked.”
Laurie and Alex exchanged knowing glances. They had, in fact, told the Realtor they wanted room to grow . . . just in case, someday.