The Tenth Justice - Brad Meltzer [56]
“Ben, is it okay to call you now?”
“Mom? Is everything okay?”
“Yes, everything’s fine. Are you in court?”
“No, we don’t have court on Fridays,” Ben said nervously. “Why? What’s wrong at home?”
“Well, I was wondering if there was something you had to tell me,” his mother said.
Either she was talking about Eric’s story or she’d gotten another letter from Rick. Either way, Ben saw trouble. Hoping to pry before he gave up any information, Ben said, “I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Benjamin, don’t play games with me. Now, do you have anything you’ve been meaning to tell me?”
“Mom, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Well, then, perhaps you can explain why I had to hear secondhand from Barbara that you have a very serious girlfriend.”
“Oh, my God,” Ben said as Lisa looked up from her desk. “Mom, I don’t have a serious girlfriend. Ober’s mom doesn’t know what she’s talking about.”
“Don’t lie to me, Benjamin.”
“Mom, I swear I’m not lying.”
“Then who was the woman your friends were raving about at Katie’s house last week?”
“They were probably talking about my co-clerk,” Ben said, frowning at Lisa.
“You’re sleeping with your co-clerk?”
“I’m not sleeping with anybod—Mom, I’m not sleeping with Lisa. Nathan and Ober were just joking around with Aunt Katie. We’re just co-workers.”
“Well, Ober seemed to say it was more than just a working relationship.”
“When did you speak to Ober?”
“This morning. You had already left for work. What time do you go in anyway? They must be working you like a dog there.”
“It’s the Supreme Court. We tend to work hard,” Ben said. “Now tell me what Ober said.”
“That’s none of your business. William and I had a wonderful conversation. Now, tell me, is this co-clerk from Washington?”
“No. She’s from Los Angeles.”
“Is she there now?”
“No, she’s not here now,” Ben said, looking up at Lisa. “She’s taking depositions.”
“HI, MRS. ADDISON!” Lisa called out.
“I knew she was there!” Ben’s mother said. “Put her on the phone.”
“Mom, I’m not putting her on. Get it through your head.”
“Ask her if she’s going home for Thanksgiving.”
“Mom—”
“If I need to, I’ll get her number from Ober and call her myself.”
Laughing, Ben said, “Lisa, my mom wants to know if you’re going home for Thanksgiving.” Ben mouthed the words “Say yes.”
“No, I’m completely free!” Lisa shouted.
“Wonderful,” Ben’s mother said. “Tell her she’s invited to spend it with us. She’ll come home with you.”
Glancing over at Lisa, Ben said, “My mother wants me to tell you that she’s glad you’re going to be alone on Thanksgiving. She hopes you have a miserable night, and that your heat gets turned off, and that you die alone without the comfort of family and friends.”
“Benjamin!”
“She wants you to come home for Thanksgiving.”
“I’d love to,” Lisa said, sticking out her tongue at Ben.
“Great,” Ben said, turning back to the phone. “Mom, you may want to prepare an extra turkey or two. I don’t know if Ober told you, but Lisa eats like a cow and a horse and a whole barnyard of animals.”
“If you’re seeing her, I want to meet her,” his mother said.
“Fine, I give in. You caught us. We’re going out. Mom, this one’s the one. Lisa and I are in love, and she’s pregnant, and we’re thinking of naming the baby Hercules, after Aunt Flo.”
“That’s not funny,” his mother said.
“Listen, I really have to go.”
“Just tell me one last thing: What happened between you and Eric?”
“Mom, nothing happened. Why? Who said something happened?”
“Ober.”
Closing his eyes, Ben spoke in a calm voice. “Nothing happened between me and Eric. We just had a small argument. That’s it. We’ll make up later tonight.”
“Just remember what I said to you when you left for college: ‘There’s nothing like childhood friends.’”
“That’s great, Mom. Thanks for sharing that for the eighty-fourth time. Can I go now?”
“So Lisa is coming to Thanksgiving?”
“Yes, Mom. Thanks to your meddling, she’ll be there.”
“Wonderful. I’ll call you later. I love you.”
“I love you, too. Say hi