Think Twice

Lisa Scottoline

Think Twice

Book 13 in the Rosato and Associates series, 2010

For my mother, with love and gratitude

You have conquered, and I yield. Yet, henceforth art thou also dead-dead to the world, to Heaven, and to Hope! In me didst thou exist-and in my death, see by this image, which is thine own, how utterly thou hast murdered thyself.

– Edgar Allan Poe, “William Wilson”

Chapter One

Be

Alice was making di

“Smells great.”

“You sound surprised.”

“Not at all.” Be

“Yeah, right.” Alice turned, carving fork in hand. “Why are you being so condescending?”

“I’m not.”

“You are, too. It’ll look better when I move all my stuff in, and the rent is low, since the estate can’t sell it. That’s the only way I could afford it. I don’t have your money.”

Be

“This crap? It’s dead people furniture.” Alice pushed back a smooth strand of hair, yet another difference between them. She blew-dry her hair straight, and her eyeliner was perfect. Be

She sipped her wine, feeling warm. There was no air-conditioning, and the kitchen was small and spare except for knobby wooden chairs and a dark wood table. A greenish glass fixture gave little light, and cracks zigzagged down the plaster like summer lightning. Still the cottage had a rustic charm, especially set in the rolling countryside of southeastern Pe

Alice plopped the chicken on the table, then sat down. “Don’t panic, it’s organic.”

“You’re eating healthy now, huh?”

“What do you mean? I always did. So, are you dating anybody?” Alice asked.

“No.”

“How long’s it been since you got laid?”

“Nice talk.” Be

“Whatever happened to that lawyer you lived with? What was his name again?”

“Grady Wells.” Be

“So what happened?”

“Didn’t work out.” Be

“Who’d you see after Grady?”

“Nobody serious.”

“So he’s the one that got away?”

Be

“So, what’s new in your life? Don’t give me the official version. I read the website.”

“Nothing but work. How about you?”

“I’m seeing a few nice guys, and I’m working out. I even joined a gym.” Alice made a muscle of her slim arm. “See?”

“Good.” Be

“Are you keeping tabs on me, now?”

“Of course not. I ran into her, at a benefit.”

Alice arched an eyebrow. “Does she have to report to you just because you got me the job?”

“No, but if I see her, we talk. She knows me, like she knows most of the bar association. She has to, we all support the Public Law Group.” Be

“So what did she say, exactly? She loves to gossip.”

“It wasn’t like that.” Be

“Not anymore. I quit.”

“What?” Be

“The other day. It wasn’t for me, and the money sucked.”

“But you have to start somewhere.” Be

“When, ten years?” Alice rolled her eyes. “The work was boring, and the people were so freaking a

Be

“I can answer phones.”

“I already have a receptionist.”

“So fire her ass.”

Be

“Not even for me? We’re the only family we have.”

“No.” Be

“Okay, fine, then think outside the box. You need somebody to run the office, don’t you?”

“I run the office.”

Alice snorted. “If you ask me, you could use a hand with perso

“That’s not true.” Be

“Whatever, then I’ll be your assistant. I’ll take ninety grand, to start.”

“Listen, I can’t always be the solution to your problems.” Be

“Thanks, Mom.” Alice smiled sourly. “The economy’s in the toilet, if you haven’t noticed.”

“You should have thought of that before, and you’ll find something, if you try. You went to college, and you have lots of… abilities and, oh, my head…” Suddenly the kitchen whirled like spin art, and Be

“Aww, got a headache?” Alice chuckled. “Too bad.”

Be

“You’re such a fool. You think I’d really want to work for you?”

Be

“Give it up. It’s over.”

Be