“Sleeping with the groom and being the maid of honor is a delicate balancing act,” Ellie said.
Grace smiled at Ellie. “Why are you being a bitch?”
“I’m trying to protect you.”
“Thank you. But it’s only a balancing act if Daniel and I were still involved.” Grace turned to the mirror and went back to her lashes. “And the subject is only delicate if someone starts talking. And I’m certainly finished discussing it.”
Grace looked into the mirror and locked eyes with Ellie.
“Just be careful, Gracie. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
“Hurt happened a long time ago. Everyone’s over it. Now get dressed, we’ve gotta go.”
CHAPTER 19
Tuesday, June 6, 2017
ON TUESDAY MORNING, THE DAY AFTER SIDNEY VISITED THE SEBOLDSin Fayetteville, she and Derrick left the network headquarters in Midtown and cabbed to Bellevue Hospital. Inside, directions came from the information desk, and after two elevator rides and a quarter mile of fluorescent-lit hallways, they found the OB-GYN ward.
“Sidney Ryan to see Dr. Reiser,” she said to the receptionist.
“Through the doors and to your left.”
Derrick lifted his camera and set it on his shoulder. He peered through the viewfinder and adjusted for the bright lighting on the obstetrics ward. After a moment, he put his thumb and index finger together to give Sidney theokaysign as the automatic glass doors opened.
A brief perusing of Grace’s visitors over the years showed only a couple of nonrelatives that had consistently made the trip to Bordelais Correctional Facility in St. Lucia: Ellie Reiser was one of them. As Sidney knocked on the door frame, Dr. Reiser was already moving across the office to greet her.With a broad smile, she shook hands with Sidney as Derrick backed into the corner of the office to capture the meeting. Heels pushed her to nearly six feet tall. Dressed in a chic, slim-fitted dress, Ellie Reiser looked more like a model than a surgeon. But Sidney knew well the preparation people took when they were about to be recorded.
“Thanks for meeting with me,” Sidney said.
“Of course. When Grace told me you finally contacted her, we were elated.”
“I received your letters,” Sidney said. “I read all of them.”
Over the years, Ellie Reiser had been nearly as persistent as Grace with letters and e-mails asking for Sidney’s help.
“I’m sure you’re swamped with requests,” Ellie said. “I’m just grateful Grace’s story will finally be told. So much of what’s out there was distorted during her trial.”
“We’re going to work to clear that up,” Sidney said. “Derrick will record while we talk. You’ll get used to the camera. Just ignore it the best you can.”
Ellie pointed to the desk and they both sat down. Derrick moved into position.
“How much of what we discuss will be used?”
“As much as is relevant,” Sidney said. “But I’ll let you know what I think we’ll use before I cut the episode. All I need is for you to answer the questions honestly. I know we’re talking about events from ten years ago, and longer, so do the best you can. Like you said, the public knows only Grace Sebold, the convicted murderer. In the next episode, we’re going to show them who Grace was before Sugar Beach. I spoke with the Sebolds yesterday and understand a lot about Grace that I didn’t know before. I’m hoping to expand on that history today. Are you ready?”
Ellie Reiser nodded.
“Tell me how you know Grace.”
Ellie offered a small laugh. “Grace and I have been friendssince grade school. Gosh, third or fourth grade, I suppose. We’ve been inseparable since then, all the way through high school. We stayed close through college and medical school. I was at SUNY and Grace was at Boston University.”
“And you were with Grace in St. Lucia at Sugar Beach?”
“Yes. Charlotte Brooks, one of our best friends from high school, invited us to her wedding. She was marrying Daniel Greaves, another friend of ours. We all gathered at Sugar Beach, like it was a high-school reunion. Julian was Grace’s plus one.”
“And for the last ten years, you’ve practiced medicine?”
“Yes, obstetrics.”
