The Tenth Justice - Brad Meltzer [175]
“Who is it?” Lisa asked, peeking through the eyehole.
“It’s me,” Ben said.
“Wait a minute. Aren’t you that guy I saw on the news? That genius legal clerk who redeemed himself by catching the criminal mastermind?”
“Just open the door,” Ben pleaded.
When Lisa opened the door, Ben saw that most of the cuts on Lisa’s face and hands had fully healed. All that remained were a few thin, pink scars in the places where the glass cut deepest.
“Nice to see you,” she said. As Lisa leaned in to give Ben a kiss, she was surprised when he turned his cheek. “That’s what I get? A peck on the cheek?”
Ben walked inside and sat on Lisa’s couch. “Please don’t start,” he begged.
“What’s wrong?” Lisa asked.
“Nathan’s definitely moving out. He found an apartment, and he’s leaving this week.”
Lisa pulled out her desk chair and sat down. “I don’t know why you’re surprised. He said he was moving out when he got back from Boston.”
“I know,” Ben said, “but I thought he’d get past it. I figured—”
“You figured what?” Lisa interrupted. “That he’d forget about the fact that Ober’s dead? That he’d forgive you for almost getting him killed? That he’d eventually look back and laugh about the whole thing? This was a big deal, Ben. It’s been all over the news for the past two weeks. It’s not something that just goes away.”
“But I can still be upset when he leaves. He’s one of my closest friends, and he won’t talk to me.”
“You should be upset,” Lisa said. “But you should also give him some space. If you’re that close, he may eventually come around.”
“I don’t know,” Ben said. “I really think I’ve lost him.”
“That’s the problem with competitive friendships—they shatter at the slightest impact.”
“I don’t think this impact was slight. This was more like a freight train running over us.”
“Either way, it’s going to take a long time to put back together,” Lisa said. “How is Eric reacting? Is he taking sides?”
“He could care less,” Ben said. “You’ve seen what’s happened to him. He’s in his glory. As far as his boss is concerned, he broke this story wide open.”
“Are you still mad he used your quotes?”
“I’m not thrilled he quoted our private conversation, but what am I going to do? Besides, if it wasn’t for the slant Eric put on the original story, I don’t know if everything would’ve worked out as well. He’s the one who first called me the King of the Court.”
“King of the Court,” Lisa repeated, shuddering. “Is that the stupidest thing you ever heard?”
“It makes me sound noble and honorable,” Ben said, sticking his chest out.
“It makes you sound like an overhyped basketball star.”
“Make fun if you want, but that corny title has served me well. The media loves it.”
“Whatever you say, Your Lordship.”
Smiling, Ben asked, “How’s everything at the Court?”
“It’s fine,” Lisa said. “Same as yesterday. The new clerk sucks. He’s about as exciting as sawdust.”
“He can’t be that bad.”
“Trust me, he’s that bad. I brought him a sesame-seed bagel from the cafeteria last week, and he said he couldn’t eat it because he has a gap in his back teeth. He said the seeds would get caught.”
“I don’t believe it,” Ben said. “And you didn’t kick his ass right there?”
“I’m serious,” Lisa said. “You try and spend the day with someone who’s allergic to cheese. The guy’s a loser.”
“Is he smart?”
“Academically, yeah. He’s brilliant. But he can’t operate in the real world. He wouldn’t recognize a daring thought if it got lodged in his back teeth.”
“If he’s so drab, why’d Hollis pick him?”
“I think it’s because he was so drab. After you, they couldn’t afford another dynamic personality. They needed someone safe. And allergic to cheese.”
“Well, at least he has the job,” Ben said.
“Don’t give me that. Who cares about the job?”
“I care.”
“You of all people should not care. The only reason you worked there was to be in the position you currently occupy. Every clerk wishes they were in your shoes. You’re the talk of the entire town—the center of every legal circle. Wayne and Portnoy offered you another extra