Chapter 72: Belongings The next day Lauralee couldn’t sleep that night so she sat by the pool, a blanket protecting her from the chill in the night, and overlooked the sunrise.  “It’s the first full day without you V.” She opened the French doors, and found Angel wagging her tail. “Waited up for me huh?” she scooped Angel in her arms.  “Wanna go out?”  She put the wiggling dog down as she darted outside.  She walked into the living room and looked at the picture of the girls on the mantle, placing her hand on the edge of the frame.  It was taken of them after they had helped Bianca move her stuff in her new house.  Sweating like pigs, all wearing tanks, messy ponytails and cutoffs, they collapsed onto some boxes.  Nick, being the all-time joker, wanted to snap a picture.  However, Veronica saw him out of the corner of her eye and managed to warn the girls, so they posed like they did for a magazine cover.  It was priceless.  “Hey,” Alex rubbed his eyes and walked over to her.  “I saw your side wasn’t slept in.” “Couldn’t sleep,” Lauralee took her hand off the frame. “Last time I checked the clock it was 4:30, so I got a few hours in.”  Alex looked at her tired eyes.  “You should at least try to get some sleep, Lau.” “I can’t, I got to make more calls.” “But babe…” Alex was interrupted by the phone ringing.  “Hello?  Yeah, one sec,” he cupped the receiver.  “Detective Robertson.” Lauralee grabbed the phone.  “Hello?” “Miss Deverson, did I catch you at a bad time?” “No, not at all.” “I called to confirm that the Passaro family has released the decisions of Miss Passaro to you, correct?” “Yes that’s right.” “We need you to come down and claim her belongings that we found in the car, I’m sorry I have to do this now, but…” “I understand, I’ve done this before.  About an hour?” “I’ll have everything ready, as well as some paperwork to release the… body… to the funeral home.” Those words sent a chill up her spine.  “An hour… bye.”  She hung up the phone.  “I have to go to the police station.” “I think you should rest first,” Alex leaned against the mantel. “No, I have to get this done first.  I have to get her stuff.” “Fine,” Alex sighed and threw his hands up in the air.  “But promise me you’ll get some sleep when you come back.” The thought of sleeping was the furthest from her mind and tried to change the subject.  “Why don’t you check on Howie while I’m gone OK?” She succeeded.  “OK.  Mario said to call him if you left, ‘cause you’ll need an escort.  I’m gonna head for the shower.” Alex gave her a hug and went upstairs as Lauralee once again looked at the picture. Can’t let everyone down… especially you V.  She rubbed her face furiously as she went to the bathroom. ~*~ Mario and Lauralee arrived at the police station, and he escorted her inside.  She went to the desk sergeant.  “I’m looking for Detective Robertson.” “Miss Deverson,” Detective Robertson walked up next to her and shook her hand.  “How are you holding up?” “As well as can be expected,” she was led to a conference room and took a seat. “I usually do this at my desk, but I figured with your status, we should keep this private,” Detective Robertson took out a file folder.  “You’ll need to go over these and sign.  They’re for the…” “I know what they’re for.  I don’t think you know Detective, but my father was killed the same way.” “I didn’t know, I’m so sorry,” Detective Robertson gave her a pen as she skimmed over each paper and signed it.  “So, tell me, did the other driver survive?” Lauralee kept her head down, reading the paper. “He was treated in the hospital and was released back into custody.  He’s in holding right now.” “Huh, amazing,” she mumbled to her self as she signed furiously.  “I hope you nail that son of a bitch.  I hope he remembers every last second of the accident for the rest of his life.” She signed the last paper and handed him the folder.  “Here you go.” Detective Robertson looked over the papers, went over to the end of the table, and grabbed a box.  “These are her belongings.” Lauralee looked at the box, her heart racing a mile a minute. “I’ll leave you alone.  Come out when you’re ready,” Detective Robertson closed the door behind him. Lauralee paused a moment, paralyzed with fear.  With a deep breath, she managed to open the box and look inside.  “Oh my God.” She took out Veronica’s purse.  She hugged it close to her as she looked inside: makeup, mirror and drops for her contact lenses.  She found her wallet and opened it: 100 dollars, her credit cards, license, and a book of pictures.  She grazed the plastic lining of the first one that had Veronica and Howie holding each other. Lauralee then took out a bag, which had her bathing suit, a towel, and an extra pair of shorts.  She breathed in the scent: chlorine mingled with Veronica’s perfume, Contradiction.  She found some paperback books and a pair of sunglasses, then a small baggie and opened it.  In it was the amethyst and diamond bracelet Howie gave her for their first Christmas, a pair of silver earrings, and a simple silver band.  Lauralee was overwhelmed.  She took another deep breath and swallowed hard.  Grabbing the box, she left the conference room, where Detective Robertson was waiting. “If there is anything else I can do for you or the family, please feel free to contact me.” “Thank you.” “My kids are big fans of you ladies.  They all cried when I told them the news.” “Well, thank you Detective,” she shook his hand and left the station, where Mario was waiting.  “Do me a favor?” she asked Mario as they put their seatbelts on. “Yeah?” Lauralee leaned against the headrest and stared straight out of the window.  “Put that box in my garage.  I don’t want the others to see that stuff yet.” Mario nodded slightly as they pulled off. Chapter 73 Contents Chapter 71