Lisa Scottoline - Think Twice

“I know you do.” Anthony hesitated. “But that’s only part of it, because here’s what I finally understood. To back up a minute, it’s all because Judy almost died. When I saw on the news that she was in critical condition, I thought, if she dies, it will kill Mary. She can’t take it, after her husband’s dying.”

Mary swallowed hard. She hadn’t seen this coming.

“So, yes, I know you love me. But you also love him.”

Mary felt her face burn.

“You bring him up all the time. It’s like he’s always with you, still. You compare us, in your mind. You said as much, the other day in the house.” Anthony paused. “Don’t get me wrong, I understand your grief. I know how grief works. My father, you know.”

Mary did. Anthony still mourned his father, who had passed five years ago.

“But you don’t know what it’s like, from my side of the equation, to be in love with someone in grief. It’s not good. I can’t fight a ghost, and I don’t want to. You said you can’t win, but it’s me. I’m the one who can’t win.”

Mary felt stricken. His words rang true. She hadn’t seen it from his side, before.

“So here’s my proposition, for us. Let’s not stay apart. I hate it. I miss you.”

“I miss you, too!” Mary’s heart leapt up.

“But let’s not move in together, either. Not until you’re ready to move on. Really ready.”

Mary blinked, taken aback.

“The ball’s in your court. Take your time. Make sure. We’ll take it slow. When you’re ready, tell me. You don’t have to be all the way over him, either. Just a little more than now. Sound good?”

“Great!”

“You’ll know when you’re ready, and the money is beside the point. It’ll work itself out. Who’s on the deed doesn’t matter. We’re who matters.”

Mary heard him, maybe for the first time.

“ Capisce, cara? ”

Mary smiled. She liked it when he spoke Italian. They spoke the same language, after all. “Okay, I understand, and you’re right.”

“I’m sorry for what I said, when we fought.”

“I’m sorry, too.”

“I hate when we fight.”

Mary thought of what Judy had told her. She’d had to eat a lot of crow lately, for a partner. “It’s okay to fight. That’s how we know we care.”

“Right.” Anthony fell silent a minute. “Now go to sleep.”

“Talk tomorrow?”

“Yes, of course. Love you.”

“Love you, too.”

Mary watched the call disconnect, flopped backwards, and thought about what Anthony had said.

She fell asleep with the BlackBerry in her hand.

Bennie and Grady were ushered to the opposite gate with Officer Stern and Special Agent Wingate while the Philly cops, TSA, airport security, the A.D.A., and the other FBI agents whipped out cell phones and radios. Across the way, the Miami flight was boarding, the passengers disgruntled and weary.

“Sorry about that.” Bennie could’ve kicked herself. “I thought it was her.”

“Me, too.” Officer Stern shook his head. “It happens.”

“So what do we do now?”

“We’re searching all terminals, the garage, the remote lot, area hotels and restaurants. We’re checking other flights, other airports, even though it’s late.”

“Didn’t we do that before?”

“Frankly, we’re not sure what got done and what didn’t. There are a lot of different agencies working the case, each with different jurisdictions. Something must’ve gotten missed. We didn’t have much time, and this time of year, everybody’s short-staffed. She could still be here.”

“Not necessarily.” Bennie wracked her brain. “I have to get her.”

Grady glanced over, saying nothing.

“We’ll stop her,” Officer Stern said, with confidence. “An APB’s out already. We’re on it.”

“But what will you do? Your jurisdiction ends in Philly.” Bennie turned to Special Agent Wingate, who looked like a straight arrow, with dark eyes, short black hair, and a military bearing. “You’re FBI. She’s going down to the Bahamas. What can you do?”

“We’ll contact Bahamian authorities and alert them to be on the lookout for her at the Nassau airport. They’ll pick her up as soon as she gets off a plane.” Special Agent Wingate flexed his jaw. “I understand that the Bahamian bank is freezing the accounts. In addition, we’ll follow up and put them on security alert. They won’t let her withdraw the money.”

“What if they slip up?” Bennie looked over at the Miami gate, where the last of the passengers was disappearing into the jetway.

“They won’t. They have procedures. It’s not like they tape her picture on the cash register.”

“But she has all my ID. She’s me.” Bennie made a decision. “I have to get to Nassau tonight.”

“Why?” Grady looked over, alarmed. “You don’t have to go yourself. The accounts will be frozen. She can’t get the money.”

Special Agent Wingate nodded. “He’s right. The Bahamian authorities can handle this.”

“No. She’ll be down there. I have to go.” Bennie crossed the aisle to the Miami gate, and Grady caught up.

“Bennie, you really want to do this?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“I just do.” Bennie headed for the ticket counter at the gate, and Grady matched her, stride for stride.

“Then I’m going with you, too.”

“I’d rather go alone.”

“Look, I know we have to talk, and we will, but it’s not safe for you to go down there.”

“I’ll be fine.” Bennie reached the counter, which was staffed by an airlines employee. “My name’s Bennie Rosato. I’m booked on this flight and I want to go.”

“It’s already boarded,” the employee said, frowning.

“Come on, you see the situation. I have to get on that plane. It hasn’t left yet.”

“Hmph. May I see your ID?”

“I don’t have any.”

“I can’t board you without ID. TSA regs.”

Bennie turned to Officer Stern, who had walked up beside her. “Vouch for me, will you? I have to get on this flight.”

Officer Stern addressed the employee. “This is a police emergency. She’s Bennie Rosato, and she’s ticketed on this flight. We’d appreciate your full cooperation.”

“That’s not the way we usually do it, but I suppose so.”

Grady touched her arm. “What about in Miami? And Nassau? They won’t let you into the Bahamas without a passport. You’ll have to go through immigration.”

Bennie turned to Special Agent Wingate. “Can’t you help me with that? Call down to Miami and Bahamian immigration? Tell them I’ll be there tonight?”

“I can call down to our people in Miami, but I can’t promise they’ll work with you, in the islands. I’ll try my best, though.”

“Try, please. I have to go.” Bennie headed for the jetway door, but Grady stopped her, his hand on her arm.

“You’re sure about this?”

“Yes.”

“Then you’ll need money.” Grady opened his wallet and handed her his Amex card and all his cash. “It’s six hundred and change. If they give you a problem with the card, call me.”

“Thanks.” Bennie avoided his eye and took off, hurrying down the jetway. Grady never would have believed that she would have three grand of drug money in her purse.

She never would have believed it herself.

Alice was nude in the leather seat, enjoying the afterglow. The mile-high sex had been terrific, and Knox was stepping into his pants, standing up in the moving jet. She tugged him into the chair opposite hers, and his pants were still unzipped, so she slipped her fingers inside his boxers, finding him with knowing fingers.