The Mirror and the Mask Read Free Page B

her at the time that I didn’t really deal with her loss. I see the world very differently now. I wish I’d had the chance to put things right.”
    Jane had been thirteen when her own mother died. Deaths always left unfinished business behind.
    They talked for a while about Jane’s past—how she’d grown up in England, returning to the United States with her family when she was nine. She explained that her father was a criminal defense lawyer and her brother a photographer and videographer. Their conversation ranged widely, and yet, over the course of the next few hours, they kept coming back to the loss of their mothers.
    â€œHow come you left home right after high school?” asked Jane, pulling the last bag of sugar off one of the racks.
    â€œI wanted to be on my own. Make my own decisions, my own mistakes. You know what it’s like when you’re that age. You think you know everything.”
    â€œIt takes a bit more living to grow some healthy humility.”
    â€œTell me about it.”
    They worked in the storage room for the better part of four hours.
    When they finished, Jane invited Annie up to her second-floor office. As Annie sat at the desk filling out a W-4 form, Jane sat down in the love seat behind her.
    â€œI might be able to help you find your dad.”
    Annie turned around. “Are you serious? How?”
    â€œI have a friend who’s a PI. I’ve worked with him on a couple of his cases.”
    â€œYou worked with him?”
    â€œAnother one of those long stories. For now, let’s just say that I’ll talk to him, see what he can do to help. I promise, he won’t charge you.” She saw a faint glow of hope rise in Annie’s eyes, which in turn gave Jane a sense of satisfaction. It made her feel as if she was doing something real, something tangible for another human being. Maybe that’s what was missing in her life.
    â€œI’d be so grateful.”
    â€œWrite down where you’re staying and be sure to include your cell number. Oh, do you have a picture of your dad?”
    â€œI made a bunch of copies before I left home,” she said, digging a small stack out of a pocket in her cargo pants. “Here.” She handed them over.
    Jane glanced at the snapshot. John Archer, wearing nothing but swim trunks, was sitting at the edge of a pool holding a beach towel and mugging for the camera. He was nice enough looking. A square face and prominent chin. Shaggy brown hair.
    Annie turned back and finished filling out the form. “If you can help me, I’ll owe you forever.”
    â€œLet’s not get ahead of ourselves. I’ll talk to my friend, get his thoughts on the subject, and then I’ll see what we can do.”
    â€œWould it be pushing too hard to ask if you needed any more help around here?” She handed Jane the form.
    Jane checked the phone number at the top of the page to make sure she could read it. “Count on it. I’ll give you a call tomorrow, okay?”
    Speaking slowly but with evident emotion, Annie said, “You know, I’ve never considered myself lucky before, but thanks to you, maybe that’s about to change.”

2
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    S usan Bowman stood at the window in her office, eyes closed, hands clenched, waiting for the fear to go away. Her best friend, Kristjan Robbe, the man she’d counted on for years to listen to her troubles and offer not only a compassionate ear but also sage advice, had somehow morphed into a risky, even dangerous association.
    Susan had known Kristjan longer than she’d known her second husband, Jack. They’d first met in a real estate class twelve years ago, when they were hoping to become licensed agents. Susan’s first husband, Yale Llewelyn, had died the year before, leaving behind a massive debt. Everyone told Susan to get into real estate, that if she worked hard, she could make a good life for herself and her two