Lisa Scottoline - Everywhere That Mary Went

That’s what he thinks, whispers the devil.

I take my seat in front of the notes, and Pete comes in.

Congratulations on your partnership, Mary. It’s your choice.

Pete sits down behind the stenography machine. “You ready?”

I nod, but I’m not. I can’t decide what to do. I look down at the notes and ask a couple of stupid questions about them. All the time, the devil pours poison in my ear, tempting me, taunting me. I look at Hank, sitting so proudly at his father’s side. If I ask about Lu Ann, what will his cherubic face look like? What will happen at home that night, with his mother? And Lu Ann, will this Kevin-

Save it, Mary! You’ve represented worse. You’ve done worse. You and I know that, don’t we? Mary and Bobby, sittin’ in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G. First comes love…

“Mr. Hart, were you ever rude to Harbison’s employees?”

“I don’t understand the question.”

See, he deserves it. Give it to him. Right between the legs.

“What part of the question didn’t you understand, Mr. Hart?”

“Any of it, Mrs. DiNunzio.”

“Then let me change it slightly. Have you ever been reprimanded by anyone at Harbison’s for being rude to its employees?”

“I have never been rude to anyone at Harbison’s.”

“That’s not my question, Mr. Hart. My question is, Have you ever been reprimanded by anyone at Harbison’s for being rude to its employees?”

“No.”

“Has anyone at Harbison’s ever told you that they thought you were rude to company employees?”

“Yes.”

God, I hate this man. I should do it, I should.

Sure you should. But will you?

“And who told you this?”

“Frank Stapleton.”

A break for me. If Hart admits that Stapleton talked to him about his rudeness, I can prove that Harbison’s had a business motive to demote him. That makes it a “mixed motive” case under the law-a tough defense for me to win, but it’s the best I’ve got.

Hank makes a note on his legal pad.

Just breathe the little slut’s name.

“How many times did Mr. Stapleton discuss this subject with you?”

“I wouldn’t call it a discussion. That would be making too much of it, and I’m not about to let you do that.”

“Fine. How many times did Mr. Stapleton make a statement to you about rudeness?”

“Only once.”

“Was anyone else present when he made this statement?”

“No.”

“Where did it take place?”

“On the golf course. Ninth hole.” At this he smirks.

Hank makes another notation.

“What did Mr. Stapleton say about the subject?”

“It was just a comment between friends. Former friends, I should say.”

“What did Mr. Stapleton say, Mr. Hart?”

“Just that sometimes I could be a little hard on the staff. That’s all.”

“Are you sure that’s all you can recall?”

“Yes.”

“What did you say in reply?”

“Nice drive.” Hart glances at Pete to see if he appreciates the joke. Pete’s face is stony.

“Mr. Hart, what did you say to Mr. Stapleton in reply?”

“Nothing. That was the end of it.”

“Are you sure?”

“Sure as God made little green apples.”

“Did you make any notes of any kind regarding this conversation?”

“On the golf course? With those sawed-off pencils?” Hart rolls his eyes.

“Anywhere at all.”

“Why would I? It wasn’t important enough.”

“Is that a no, Mr. Hart?”

“Yes, it’s a no, Mrs. DiNunzio.”

I need more detail to sell this to the jury. “Mr. Hart, was there a specific incident Mr. Stapleton referred to when he discussed this with you?”

“No.”

“Do you know what occasioned this discussion with you?”

“You’d have to ask him.”

“I take it that’s a no, Mr. Hart?”

“You’re getting pretty good at this, Mrs. DiNunzio.”

How long are you going to eat his shit?

“Mr. Hart, did Mr. Stapleton refer to any employee in particular during this conversation?”

“Just the kitchen help.”

“Kitchen help?”

“The people who work in the company cafeteria. The Jell-O slingers in the hairnets.”

“Anyone in particular?”

“Lu Ann, I think he said her name was.”

Whoa, baby. That’s a surprise.

Whoa, baby, is right, mocks the devil. He sounds less surprised.

Hank writes the name on his pad, then looks at me, expectantly, innocently, for the next question.

His father’s sneer betrays nothing as he awaits the next question.

Pete waits too, his long fingers poised in midair over the black keys.

Do-it do-it do-it do-it do-it!screeches the devil.

It’s out of my mouth before I can stop it.

It’s the little voice inside me talking. The Mike-voice, chirping up. It hasn’t deserted me after all. It’s still with me, and it says, “I have no further questions.”

It’s over. Everybody packs up and shakes hands, except for Hart. “See you in court,” he says, with a braying laugh. The derisive sound is echoed by a more distant infernal laughter.

Get thee behind me, Satan!

I wonder if I’m losing my mind. I gather up the file and practically flee the conference room.

Outside, the firm is alive with commerce and industry. Secretaries fly to the mailroom to get out that last letter. Associates beg another draft out of Word Processing. Partners rush to review briefs before they’re filed, the better to leave their distinctive mark on it, like a poodle does a hydrant. Everyone’s following the Stalling commandmentTHOU SHALT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE, THEN GO CRAZY. The life signs at Stalling ground me, and I don’t hear the devil anymore. By the time I reach Gluttony, I’m feeling normal, almost good, for the first time in a long time.

“Miss DiNunzio, here I am!” It’s Miss Pershing, looking up at me from the bottom of the stairs. Her rubber pocketbook’s slung over her wrist, and she’s holding an Agatha Christie paperback. Secretaries flow around her to get to the stairwell, following the first in a set of counter-commandments,THOU SHALT BOLT AT FIVE O’CLOCK. Miss Pershing’s too single-minded to notice the activity around her, like an aged pointer who’s found her quarry.

“Miss Pershing, step over here.” I take her by the elbow and she does a mincing side step out of the path of travel. The Amazing Stella sashays behind her, making the crazy sign at her forehead, but I don’t laugh.

Miss Pershing looks suspiciously at the secretaries passing by. “I got that information you wanted.” She leans toward me; her soft breath smells like Altoids. “You know which information I mean?The information.”

“Theinformation, Miss Pershing?”

“Theinformation. Thepolice information.”

“Oh. Thank you.”

“The papers are on your desk. Your theory is confirmed.”

“My theory? You mean about who-”

“Yes.”

“Good. Thank you. I appreciate it.”

“That’s all right. It’s my job.”

I suppress a smile. “Well, thank you, just the same.”

“Also, Mr. Starankovic telephoned. He said-”

“Starankovic? Oh, fuck!”

Her eyes flare open.

“I’m sorry, Miss Pershing.”

“No need to apologize, Miss DiNunzio. I’m getting used to it.”

“Thanks.”

“Mr. Starankovic said you didn’t call him back about the interviews, so he had to file a motion. I put the papers on your desk. I hope this doesn’t mean you need me to stay late tonight, because I can’t. I have my book club tonight.”

“Agatha Christie, right?”

She nods happily.

“It’s okay, Miss Pershing. I don’t need you to stay.”

“Well, then, nighty-night,” she says, and smiles. She’s about to turn toward the elevator when Martin comes charging out of nowhere and knocks her over.