‘What do you want me to do?’

‘Just help me up.’

‘Are you sure?’

‘Positive,’ Stan grimaced. ‘I’ll stand under a hot shower for a while and clean myself off.’ He smiled at her encouragingly. ‘It looks worse than it is, believe me.’ With a struggle, Gloria helped him to his feet. He looked at her solemnly. ‘I’m going to pay you back. Every last cent.’

‘Don’t worry about that now,’ she replied.

‘I mean it. Every cent. I’m so sorry about all this, Gloria. I would understand if you wanted to stop seeing me.’

‘I don’t want to stop seeing you,’ she said.

‘You don’t?’

‘No, of course not.’

‘I’m not going to gamble anymore. I promise.’

‘It won’t be that easy, Stan. But I know you can stop if you really want to.’

‘I do. I promise. I’ll never gamble again.’

‘Good,’ Gloria answered. ‘We’re going to need a first-aid kit. Will you be okay while I run down to the front desk and get it?’

‘Sure,’ he managed. ‘I’ll be in the shower when you get back.’

She started toward the door. ‘Gloria?’ he called to her.

‘Yes?’

‘I love you,’ he said.

‘I love you, too, Stan.’

She closed the door. Stan listened to her footsteps echo down the hallway. He quickly moved toward the phone and dialed.

‘Hi, it’s Stan,’ he said, ‘Put five hundred dollars on Broadway Lew in the third race.’

Monday morning came to Brookline, Massachusetts. T.C. drove Mark through Brookline’s town center on the way to the college’s gymnasium. Mark had been silent for most of the trip, which was no surprise to T.C. After all, today was the big day. T.C. and Mark had spent nearly all the weekend going over the plan, trying to figure out a solution to every conceivable problem that could arise. T.C. thought that they had covered it all. The plan was actually very simple – and completely dependent on Mark.

Would he be able to pull it off?

Up ahead was the school’s gym. T.C. glanced at his companion. Mark was stone-faced, his blue eyes staring straight ahead, his curly blond hair pushed back. He remained silent as he stepped out of the car.

‘Thanks,’ Mark said when he closed the door.

‘Good luck,’ T.C. answered.

T.C. watched Mark walk into the gym. The Boston cop realized that today was the biggest day in the life of Mark Seidman, that there was little room for mistakes. T.C. also knew that a few months ago, Mark’s plan would have had no chance of failing. But a lot had happened in the last few months, things that had changed both of their perspectives and goals. A few months ago, Mark might have pulled this maneuver to bring happiness and joy into his life. But that was when things like happiness and joy meant something to him.

Now, this plan was his only chance for survival.

12

The intercom buzzed.

‘Yes?’ Laura replied.

‘Gloria just arrived in her office,’ Estelle announced.

‘Thank you.’

Laura pushed back her chair. Gloria was back. With a deep sigh, Laura stood and made her way to the door. She walked past Estelle, who was typing a letter. Estelle did not look up. Her boss was in a mood this Monday morning – something to do with her sister – and when Laura was in a mood, it was best to be as inconspicuous as possible, lest one get in the way of her wrath.

‘I’ll be back. I’m not taking any calls.’

Laura disappeared around the corner, her back straight, her mind fighting off the mounting anger. She reminded herself of what Dr Harris had said about treading gently with Gloria. It was not going to be easy. Her sister had been missing all weekend, had just up and left without telling anyone where she was going. Of course, Laura told herself, it would be wrong for her to jump to any conclusions. She didn’t even know for sure that her sister had spent the weekend with Stan.

Bullshit.

Laura fumed. To think she had been taken in by that demented psychopath… True, she had been vulnerable, but it frightened her that she could be so easily conned.

Laura entered the marketing department and knocked on a door that read Gloria Ayars.

A cheerful voice chirped, ‘Come in.’

Laura peeked her head into the doorway. ‘Hey, sis.’

Gloria crossed the room, her face bright. ‘Laura! Come on in.’

‘Thanks. How’s it going?’

‘Great,’ Gloria replied. ‘I’m sorry about running out on Friday.’

‘No problem,’ Laura said, plastering a fake smile onto her face. ‘You’ve been working hard lately. You deserved a little time off.’

‘Still, I feel bad about just leaving.’

‘Forget it. Mind if I sit down?’

‘Of course not.’

The two sisters sat down and faced one another, both smiling pleasantly like a couple of game-show hosts. Laura felt ridiculous. ‘So did you have a good time on your mystery weekend?’

‘The best!’

Laura tried to maintain the smile. ‘Oh? Where did you go?’

‘Up to the Deerfield Inn. Remember when we used to go there as kids?’

Laura remembered. ‘Sounds like fun.’

‘It was. Laura?’

‘Yes?’

‘I’m in love.’

Laura felt her heart sink, but she locked her smile onto autopilot. ‘Really? Who’s the lucky guy?’

‘Stan!’ Gloria enthused. ‘Can you believe it? Isn’t it great?’

Laura nodded mechanically. ‘So when did all this start?’

‘Last week. I know I haven’t known him for long but he’s so wonderful. He’s so warm, caring, funny… well, you know him! He’s just like David.’

Laura winced at the comparison. ‘You should forget about David,’ she said. ‘You should judge Stan like you would any other man.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Nothing really,’ Laura ventured. ‘I’m just saying that you should treat Stan Baskin the same as you would any other man you’ve only been seeing for a week. Don’t behave differently just because he’s David’s brother.’

Gloria’s puzzlement turned into a smile. ‘Oh, I get it. You know about his past. You’re worried about it.’

‘Well maybe a little…’

‘He told me all about it,’ Gloria continued. ‘I know all about his gambling problem. He’s going to get help.’

Bullshit, Laura thought yet again. Dr Harris had told her not to push too hard so there was no way she could tell Gloria about all the wonderful things that warm, caring Stan had done to his family. She bit down on her tongue for a moment. ‘Still, Gloria, you should keep both eyes open.’

‘The past is the past, Laura. You said so yourself when he first came to Boston.’

‘Yes, I know I did. I just want you to be careful, okay?’

‘Careful?’ Gloria repeated, her smile fleeing off her face. ‘Stan and I are in love.’

‘I’m not denying that,’ Laura said, trying her best to sound diplomatic, ‘but didn’t you think the same thing in the past? What about that guy in California?’

Gloria’s eyes narrowed. ‘I’m not the same person I was back then.’

‘I know,’ Laura assured her, ‘but maybe you shouldn’t rush into anything.’

‘Laura, what are you trying to say?’

‘Nothing.’

‘Come off it, Laura. It’s his past that’s bothering you, isn’t it? I thought you said that the past was not important.’

‘It’s not. Really. But you shouldn’t completely ignore it either.’

‘Oh, now I see,’ Gloria said slowly, her voice growing loud with anger. ‘The past does matter! You’re wondering why Stan would want someone with my past…’

‘No, not at all!’

‘A drugged-out slut! A no-good whore…’

‘That’s not true! That’s not what I’m saying at all! The man who wins your heart will be the luckiest man in the world. I’m just not sure Stan Baskin is the right man.’

‘And what makes you say that?’ Gloria asked.

‘I… nothing, Gloria. I just have a feeling, that’s all.’ Gloria stood. ‘Laura, you know how much I love you. I owe you my life.’

‘You don’t owe me anything. We’re sisters. You’ve helped me. I’ve helped you.’