“Yeah, that’s probably it. Do you have to head out right away?” I asked, reaching for the bag.
“I’m on my way to the on-campus library, but I can stay for a bit if you’ve got time.”
“I’ve always got time for you.”
“That’s why you’re my favorite brother.”
I laughed, well aware that Gina often said the same thing to Nick, Vinnie, and Dom.
I gestured for her to head to the conference room while discreetly relocking the door behind me. She unpacked the takeout containers and set them out on the table while I grabbed some bottled waters and napkins from the small kitchenette.
I nodded toward the backpack she’d set on one of the chairs. Gina was working on her master’s in graphic design and illustrative arts, no doubt the motivation for her evening trek to the library.
“How’s it going?”
“Slowly,” she said on an exhale. “I’ve got a massive website-branding project due by midnight tomorrow, and I can’t get five consecutive minutes to complete a thought. I’m looking at an all-nighter just to make the deadline.”
I could sympathize. Gina was still living at home, and nothing about our parents’ place was conducive to uninterrupted quiet time. Not only did they run the most successful Italian restaurant in Cecilton, but it was also the central meeting place for our large, boisterous, extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins, and grands.
However, while I understood Gina’s desire for the solitude of the library, I didn’t like the thought of her being out alone late at night.
I offered what I thought was a reasonable and preferable alternative. “Study here.” I waved my hand around the room.
“I’ve got a lot to do. Like I said, I’m looking at an all-nighter.”
“Me too,” I told her. “In fact, I’ll probably be here most of the night myself.”
“In that case, I accept.”
I stopped chewing, my big-brother instincts on high alert. “That was too easy. Something you’re not telling me, Gina?”
She shrugged. “There’s a new guy at the library, and he creeps me out.”
“Has he done anything? Said anything?”
She shook her head.
“You mention it to Vinnie?”
“No.”
“Maybe you should.”
“If I have a reason to, I will. It’s probably nothing.”
“Trust your instincts, Gina. Always.”
“I know. I will.” She twirled some pasta on her fork and changed the subject. “FYI, Ma’s not happy that you missed last Sunday’s dinner.”
In our family, not showing up to family dinner was practically a mortal sin, but I had a good excuse. I’d driven six hours to get a signed affidavit for a custody hearing coming up.
“Couldn’t be helped. What did I miss?”
“Not much, really. You know Ma and Sunday dinner. It’s important to her to have everyone together.”
I frowned. I understood that, but I had cases to prepare for, cases that were important to my clients. It was hard to justify taking time for myself when I had so much to do.
My face must have displayed some of my thoughts because Gina followed up with, “You will be there this Sunday, won’t you?”
“Of course.” I’d make it work. Somehow. I still had a few days before then.
“You should hire someone to help.”
“I did. I hired Stella.”
Gina rolled her eyes. “I mean, someone who actually does something. Why do you even keep her around anyway?”
I didn’t admit that I’d asked myself the same question only a few minutes earlier. I knew why. “She’s had it rough. I’m just giving her a break. A chance to put some cash in her pocket while pursuing her paralegal certification.”
Gina snorted and shook her head. “You’re such a sucker. She’s playing you. The only certification she’s interested in is an M.R.S. degree from PCU.”
“PCU?”
“Paulie Cerasino University.” She grinned and then grew somber again. “Seriously though, the longer you keep stringing her along, the harder it’s going to be.”
“I’m not stringing her along!”
“Maybe you don’t think so, but some people mistake kindness for something else. Trust me on this, okay? Before things get ugly.”
“I’ll take it under advisement,” I said to appease her.
“You do that. In the meantime, it’s getting late. We’d both better get to it.”
We cleaned up, and I brewed a fresh pot of coffee. It wasn’t nearly as good as the stuff I got from the café downstairs, but it was hot and caffeinated and would have to suffice. Then, I left her in the conference room and went back to my office to get more of my own work done. It was going to be a long night for both of us.
Chapter Three: Allison
The Wilkins building wasn’t hard to find. I walked into the lobby and checked the directory, confirming I was in the right place. As long as I was in town for a few days, I would do what I could to lay the groundwork for a backup plan when Miriam’s restraining order against Caleb expired. As much as I wanted to believe that Caleb had realized the error of his ways and would leave Miriam alone, my instincts told me otherwise. If I could vet a potential local legal ally in case things went south, I would.
My heels clacked on the tiles as I made my way over to the set of elevators, drawing the brief attention of several suited professionals hovering near the coffee shop. I fit right in. I was dressed in my court attire—conservative charcoal pencil skirt and matching blazer over a sleeveless blush-pink silk shirt. My thinking was, if I dressed like a colleague, I was more likely to be treated like one.
I pressed the button with the upward facing arrow, pleased when the doors opened right away. I stepped inside and selected the sixth floor.
The doors were beginning to shut when I heard a male voice call out, “Hold, please.”
I wasn’t in a rush, and seeing Miriam safe and happy had me feeling generous. I shifted my finger to the open button and did my good deed for the
