The Sleeping Beauty Killer Part 26

She couldn't help but notice that he was using the past tense. No, she thought, please don't let this happen.

"I was willing to wait as long as it took. But this . . . thing that happened with your show is troubling. I just can't ignore it. We've both been telling ourselves that it's all going to work out in time, but maybe the problem is that you just don't trust me."

"I said I'm sorry. It's not going to happen again."

"But you can't control your own heart, Laurie. Greg was a hero. He saved lives in an emergency room. You were his one true love. Then you had Timmy to make you a family. And I've seen how you wors.h.i.+p your father, too, who's also one of the good guys. He fights crime and helps victims. And that's what you do now with your show. But who am I? Just some lonely bachelor who makes a living as a hired gun, defending the guilty."

"That's not true-"

He shook his head. "I certainly don't think so, but you do. Admit it, Laurie: you'll never admire me, not like Greg. So you can keep telling yourself you're trying to move on. But you won't. Not until you find the right person, and then it will just happen. It will be effortless. But this?" He gestured between the two of them. "This has been nothing but effort."

"What are you saying?"

"I care for you deeply. I loved you deeply. I probably still do. But I can't wait in the wings forever. Now I think it's time for us to stop trying. I'm letting you go."

"But I don't want that."

Alex let out a sad laugh. "That's not how the whole 'if you love someone, set them free' thing works, Laurie. You don't get a say in this. If you ever feel like you're truly ready to be with me, let me know and maybe we'll go from there. But that's not going to be today, or tomorrow, or next week."

In other words, he was done waiting.

When he hugged her at the door, it felt like good-bye.

No, Laurie thought, as she stepped into the elevator. This is not the end of this story. I'm ready to live again-not in limbo, but freely and happily, the way Greg would want me to. Alex is the one I want to share my life with, and I'll find a way to prove that to him.

Alex was about to pour gin into a metal shaker when Ramon emerged from his room. Shooing Alex out of the way, he stepped in to take over.

"Your martinis are always better than mine," Alex said gratefully.

"I couldn't help but notice that you were smiling," Ramon observed. "Did everything go well?"

Alex knew that causing Laurie pain now was the price to be paid for the future.

"This has been a tough case, Ramon," Alex said, as he reached for the gla.s.s Ramon set in front of him. "But I just gave a good summation, and I believe the jury's going to decide in our favor."

He leaned back and began to sip the martini.

Check out the whole Under Suspicion series by Queen of Suspense Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke, and be sure to look for Mary Higgins Clark's next standalone novel, All by Myself, Alone, in Spring 2017 In a first-time collaboration, Queen of Suspense Mary Higgins Clark partners with bestselling author Alafair Burke to deliver a brand new suspense series about a television program featuring cold case murders.

The Cinderella Murder.

Laurie Moran sets out to investigate the case of a missing bride-five years ago, Amanda Pierce was excitedly preparing to marry her college sweetheart in a lavish ceremony. Then, with their guests and families on site, Amanda vanished.

All Dressed in White.

Coming in Spring 2017, a glamorous cruise on a luxurious ocean liner turns deadly in the latest mystery from Queen of Suspense and #1 New York Times bestselling author Mary Higgins Clark.

All by Myself, Alone.

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Photograph Bernard Vidal.

The #1 New York Times bestselling author MARY HIGGINS CLARK has written thirty-six suspense novels, four collections of short stories, a historical novel, a memoir, and two children's books. With her daughter Carol Higgins Clark, she has coauth.o.r.ed five more suspense novels, and also wrote The Cinderella Murder and All Dressed in White with bestselling author Alafair Burke. More than one hundred million copies of her books are in print in the United States alone. Her books are international bestsellers.

Deborah Copaken.

ALAFAIR BURKE is the New York Times bestselling author of eleven novels, including The Ex, Long Gone, and the Ellie Hatcher series. A former prosecutor and a graduate of Stanford Law School, she now teaches criminal law and lives in Manhattan.

BY MARY HIGGINS CLARK.

As Time Goes By.

The Melody Lingers On Death Wears a Beauty Mask.

I've Got You Under My Skin Daddy's Gone A Hunting The Lost Years.

The Magical Christmas Horse (Ill.u.s.trated by Wendell Minor) I'll Walk Alone The Shadow of Your Smile.

Just Take My Heart Where Are You Now?

Ghost s.h.i.+p (Ill.u.s.trated by Wendell Minor) I Heard That Song Before.

Two Little Girls in Blue No Place Like Home.

Nighttime Is My Time The Second Time Around Kitchen Privileges Mount Vernon Love Story Silent Night/All Through the Night Daddy's Little Girl On The Street Where You Live.

Before I Say Good-Bye We'll Meet Again All Through the Night.

You Belong to Me Pretend You Don't See Her My Gal Sunday Moonlight Becomes You.

Silent Night Let Me Call You Sweetheart The Lottery Winner.

Remember Me I'll Be Seeing You All Around the Town Loves Music, Loves to Dance The Anastasia Syndrome and Other Stories While My Pretty One Sleeps Weep No More, My Lady.

Stillwatch A Cry in the Night The Cradle Will Fall A Stranger Is Watching Where Are the Children?.

BY MARY HIGGINS CLARK AND CAROL HIGGINS CLARK.

Das.h.i.+ng Through the Snow.

Santa Cruise.

The Christmas Thief He Sees You When You're Sleeping Deck the Halls.

BY MARY HIGGINS CLARK AND ALAFAIR BURKE.

All Dressed in White The Cinderella Murder.

BY ALAFAIR BURKE.

The Ex.

If You Were Here Long Gone.

THE ELLIE HATCHER SERIES.

All Day and a Night.

Never Tell..

212.

Angel's Tip.

Dead Connection.

THE SAMANTHA KINCAID SERIES.

Close Case.

Missing Justice.

Judgment Calls.

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