The Tenth Justice - Brad Meltzer [81]
Lisa sat down and let her feet dangle off the edge of the dock. “You were right. This place is fantastic.”
“Eric’s older brother found it, and he showed it to us,” Ben said, sitting next to Lisa. “This is where I was when I wrote my college essay to get into Columbia, and it’s where I wrote my essay to get into Yale.”
“We should’ve brought the Grinnell decision with us.”
Ben glanced at his watch. “We’ll be able to see the sunset in about twenty minutes.”
“This city gets dark too early. It’s only four-thirty.”
“Wait until the dead of winter,” Ben said. “It’s pitch-black by four-fifteen. By having the country’s earliest sunset, we also get the highest winter suicide rate.”
“Now that’s something to be proud of.” Silent for the next few minutes, they waited for the sun to descend on Boston’s gray horizon. When she saw Ben staring at her, Lisa raised an eyebrow. “You’re thinking about kissing me, aren’t you?”
“You wish,” Ben said, drawing back.
“Oh, please,” Lisa said. “You have that fawning look in your eyes.”
“Lisa, I realize I’ve brought you to a magical place, but not all fantasies come true here.”
“Don’t pull that crap with me,” Lisa said, pointing at Ben. “You have the same look you had the night we worked on the death penalty case.”
“That severely-tired-so-my-exhaustion-is-mistaken-for-passion look? I think you’re right—that’s exactly the same look I had then.”
“Forget it,” Lisa said, shaking her head. “You’re right. Let’s just enjoy the sunset.”
Leaning back on his elbows, Ben stared at the golden-orange hue that colored the top of the State House. After a few minutes, he asked, “Do you really think we’ll be able to catch him?”
“I’m not sure,” Lisa said, shrugging her shoulders. “I mean, I hope we can. He just always seems so prepared for us. Why?”
“Forget I asked.” Ben sat up straight and brushed the dirt and pebbles from his hands. “Just drop it.”
“C’mon, Ben. Is that your answer every time you get upset? Just tell me what you’re thinking. I know you’re scared shitless by this whole thing.”
Ben was silent.
“And you ought to be.”
“What do you want me to say?” Ben finally asked. “Of course I’m scared. My whole professional career is on the line. And at the one point when I’m finally calming down about it, the lowlife calls my house for no purpose except to unnerve me! Let’s see, what else do you want to hear? That I have nightmares about it? That I can’t get it out of my head? That I think I’m way out of my league? Washington is one thing, but it’s different at home.”
“How is it so different?” Lisa asked.
“My parents are here,” Ben said. “That’s it. Period. I don’t want them involved in this.”
“That’s probably why Rick called,” Lisa pointed out. “He knew it’d make you crazy.”
“No? Really?” Ben said sarcastically. “And here I thought he was trying to establish a real friendship between us. After that nice ride in his limo, we have a ton of memories to look back and laugh about.”
Lisa didn’t respond.
“I’m sorry,” Ben said, taking a deep breath. “Can we please start over?”
“Absolutely,” Lisa said with a small smile. “So tell me; what’d Rick say?”
“He said he just wanted to wish me a happy Thanksgiving. I’m sure it’s his way of saying, ‘Don’t forget what we talked about in the limo.’”
“We really should find him and beat the snot out of him,” Lisa said, dangling her feet off the dock.
“You are so right,” Ben said, leaning back on his hands.
“Y’know, if you ever want to talk about it, I’m an open ear.”
“I appreciate it,” Ben smiled. “Now, can we just enjoy the sunset?”
“Is everyone ready to eat?” Ben’s mother asked at precisely seven the following evening.