Chapter 46: Laura Monigal Explains
Turtle Bay
Monigal Estate
7:00 P.M.
“Good to know you arrived on time,” Laura said, studying me with her inquisitive eyes, taking me in as an old crow looking for food. Her steady stare scanned my khakis, sandals, and tight T-shirt. Judgment stalked me, but I really wasn’t sure what it entailed, nor did I care.
I thought her navy blue capris too dark and her French perfume beneath her earlobes a touch too strong. She looked exhausted, almost sheet white, and irritated by my presence.
No matter how we perceived each other, we had a meeting to execute. She would be the chatterer and I the listener. Sometimes, roles at meetings were interchangeable, but not that evening. Not at all.
We sat in her study across from each other in Chippendale chairs. Pur
