Dead Ringer

“Oh, please.”

“It’s the truth. Think about it.” Alice blinked. “Now that Dad is gone, we’re the only family we have left.”

“We’re not family!” Be

“The day you left me off at the train station, I knew I’d made enemies in town. I was framed for murder, if you remember. And then you didn’t matter to me. Now, you do. We’re family.”

“We’ve never been family!”

“Of course we were, and we still are. You and I, we have the same parents, Bill and Carmella. So what if we never lived together or even knew each other? In the world, there’s only us now. You and me. Sisters. Twins.”

“So what?” Be

“Really?” Alice’s eyes narrowed. “That’s not what you used to think, when you defended me on that murder rap.”

“And look where it got me! You tried to kill me! You tried to kill my dog!” Even if Be

“I said I’m sorry, for everything. It seems like a very nice dog.”

“He’s a great dog! He’s one of the greatest dogs of all time! He never did anything to you, and you tried to run him into traffic!”

“I’m sorry.”

“You’re damn right you’re sorry! You’d better be sorry!” Be

“Hold on a minute.” Alice reached into a purse on the floor, pulled out Be

“What a gal.” Be

“I know. I’m ready to take what comes. And I’ll never pretend to be you again, I swear.” Alice’s eyes narrowed. “I do have a question, though. If I really don’t mean anything to you, why did you save my life?”

Ouch. “Everybody makes mistakes.”

“You didn’t make a mistake. You stepped in front of a bullet. For me. I’d like to know why.”

“None of your business.”

“How can it not be?” Alice laughed, Be

“Well, it’s my reason, so it isn’t.”

“Thank you for it, whatever the reason.” Alice gestured at Be

My God. Be

“Do you believe in redemption? Well, I’m redeeming myself. You’ll see. I’m starting by turning myself in. I figure I’ll get maybe probation or county time for the earrings. When I get out, I’m going to stay in Philly.”

“Philly? Why?”

“I have family here,” Alice answered with a smile, but Be

“But what would you do here?”

“I thought I’d get a job.”

“What, in sales? Cocaine or crack?”

“No. A legitimate job, a straight job. I went to college, I majored in criminal justice. I could do something in a law office.”

“You asking me for a job?” Be

“No, not at all. It’s too weird, with us being twins and all, but I think it wouldn’t be the worst thing if we got to know each other. I’ve been staying in a little efficiency in town, on Bainbridge, nice and clean, and I take care of it. I bought curtains with ruffles and ordered HBO. It’s a cute place. Su

Do you believe in redemption? Be

“I’m changing, I really am. I’m going to change, whether I’m in the joint or out. So let’s call the cops.”

Be

Alice watched her in silence, her expression turning grave.

“This you?” Be

“Karen,” Be

Alice straightened in her chair, and an incredulous smile spread across her face.

“She’s smart and resourceful and I think she’d work hard. She says she wants to change, and I’m fool enough to believe her. She hasn’t been given a lot of chances in her life. I think I’d bet on her this one time. You might recognize her when you meet her. Who is she?” Be

“Her name is Alice Co