Lisa Scottoline - Think Twice

THINK TWICE

Also by Lisa Scottoline

FICTION
Look Again
Lady Killer
Daddys Girl
Dirty Blonde
Devils Corner
Killer Smile
Dead Ringer
Courting Trouble
The Vendetta Defense
Moment of Truth
Mistaken Identity
Rough Justice
Legal Tender
Running from the Law
Final Appeal
Everywhere That Mary Went

NONFICTION
Why My Third Husband Will Be a Dog

Lisa Scottoline

ST. MARTINS PRESS NEW YORK

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously.

THINK TWICE . Copyright 2010 by Lisa Scottoline. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. For information, address St. Martins Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.

www.stmartins.com

ISBN 978-0-312-38075-5

First Edition: March 2010

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

For my mother, with love and gratitude

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

Edgar Allan Poe, William Wilson

THINK TWICE

Bennie Rosato didnt have anything in common with her identical twin, except their DNA. They shared the same blue eyes, strong cheekbones, and full mouth, but whenever Bennie looked at Alice Connelly, all she could see were their differences. Tonight, Bennie had on a khaki suit, white shirt, and brown pumps, her lawyer uniform. Alice had on tight shorts with a low-cut black top, flaunting cleavage that Bennie didnt even know they had. She made a mental note to look down her shirt, after she got home.

Alice was making dinner and she opened the oven door, releasing the aroma of roasting chicken. Finally, its ready.

Smells great.

You sound surprised.

Not at all. Bennie changed the subject. I like your new house, its great.

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

Im not.

You are, too. Itll look better when I move all my stuff in, and the rent is low, since the estate cant sell it. Thats the only way I could afford it. I dont have your money.

Bennie let it go. Its good that it came furnished.

This crap? Its 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. Bennie let her hair curl naturally and thought ChapStick was makeup.

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 Pennsylvania, an hour or so outside of Philadelphia.

Alice plopped the chicken on the table, then sat down. Dont panic, its organic.

Youre eating healthy now, huh?

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

No.

How longs it been since you got laid?

Nice talk. Bennie bit into a potato, which tasted good. If I remembered sex, Id miss it.

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

Grady Wells. Bennie felt a pang. Shed get over Grady, any decade now.

So what happened?

Didnt work out. Bennie ate quickly. It had taken forever to get here from Philly, in rush-hour traffic. She wouldnt get home until midnight, which wasnt the way she wanted to end an exhausting week.

Whod you see after Grady?

Nobody serious.

So hes the one that got away?

Bennie kept her head down, hiding her expression. She couldnt understand how Alice always intuited so much about her. Theyd never lived together, even as babies, though Alice claimed to have memories from the womb. Bennie couldnt even remember where she put her car keys.

So, whats new in your life? Dont give me the official version. I read the website.

Nothing but work. How about you?

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

Good. Bennie had been an elite rower in her time, but shed been too busy lately to exercise. By the way, I hear great things about the job youre doing at PLG. Karen thinks youre terrific.

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. Bennie felt a headache coming on. Shed lost a motion in court this morning, and it was turning out to be the high point of her day.

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

It wasnt like that. Bennie sipped her wine, but it didnt help. All she said was that they like you. They have you doing office administration, payroll, and personnel, in addition to the paralegal work.

Not anymore. I quit.

What? Bennie said, blind-sided. You quit PLG? When?

The other day. It wasnt for me, and the money sucked.

But you have to start somewhere. Bennie couldnt hide her dismay. Shed stuck her neck out for Alice and now her friends at PLG would be left in the lurch. They would have promoted you, in time.

When, ten years? Alice rolled her eyes. The work was boring, and the people were so freaking annoying. Id rather work with you, at Rosato & Associates.

Bennies mouth went dry. She couldnt imagine Alice at her firm. I dont need a paralegal.

I can answer phones.

I already have a receptionist.

So fire her ass.

Bennie felt cranky. Maybe it was the headache, which was a doozy. I like her. I would never do that to her.

Not even for me? Were the only family we have.

No. Bennie tried to keep a civil tongue. Being her sisters keeper was getting old. I cant fire her. I wont.

Okay, fine, then think outside the box. You need somebody to run the office, dont you?

I run the office.

Alice snorted. If you ask me, you could use a hand with personnel. Those girls who work for you need a life lesson, especially the little one, Mary DiNunzio. Time for girlfriend to grow up.

Thats not true. Bennie wished she hadnt come. Her stomach felt queasy. Her appetite had vanished. She set down her fork. DiNunzios a good lawyer. She should make partner next month.

Whatever, then Ill be your assistant. Ill take ninety grand, to start.

Listen, I cant always be the solution to your problems. Bennies head thundered. I got you a job, and you quit it. If you want another job, go out and find one.

Thanks, Mom. Alice smiled sourly. The economys in the toilet, if you havent noticed.

You should have thought of that before, and youll 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 Bennie collapsed onto the table. Her face landed on the edge of her dirty plate, and her hand upset her water glass.

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

Bennie didnt know what was happening. She felt impossibly drunk. Her eyes wouldnt stay open.

Youre such a fool. You think Id really want to work for you?