Harlan Coben - Play Dead

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.

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.’

‘Fine, but you want me to stop seeing Stan, right?’ Laura hesitated. ‘I’m not exactly saying – ’

‘You don’t fully approve,’ Gloria tried.

‘I’m not sure, that’s all.’

‘But you won’t tell me why you feel this way.’

Silence.

‘Look, Laura, I’m over thirty. Hard to believe, isn’t it? Stan is just about forty. We’re not children anymore. I love him, Laura. I love him very much.’

‘I don’t mean to try – ’

‘I really hoped you of all people would be happy for me,’ Gloria interrupted. ‘But if you’re not, it doesn’t change a thing. I’m in love and I’m going to keep on seeing him.’

‘You don’t know what you’re saying,’ Laura snapped. ‘He’s wrong for you.’

‘Who the hell do you think you are?’

‘He’s crazy, Gloria! He hurts people! He’s even – ’

‘I don’t have to listen to this! You’re not my keeper!’

Gloria stormed out of the office, slamming the door behind her.

Laura fell back in her chair. Good going, Laura. Way to be. Keep your cool. She sighed. Her whole body felt drained by the encounter. What was she supposed to do now?

She went over their conversation in her head. Something kept gnawing at Laura’s subconscious, something her sister had said. Laura thought for a moment. When she realized what it was, her whole body went cold. Gloria’s words of defense… they rang so familiar in Laura’s ears. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that Gloria was, after all, right. When you thought about it, what right did Laura have to interfere in Gloria’s love life? Her sister was an adult. She had the right to do as she pleased. Laura replayed her conversation with Gloria in her mind one more time. The whole scenario reminded Laura of…