Janice inspected her hands. “It’s just my third year after graduation. In smaller firms, I would make even less.”

“Your father is a partner. Shouldn’t he pay you more?”

“He said I have to make it on my own. I was lucky he got me a job at his firm at all.” Janice starred into her half-empty coffee cup.

They had known each other since their last year of high school. It was the longest friendship she had ever had with anybody. Besides Danielle. Madison shook her head to get rid of the memory and focused on Janice instead. They had never slept together. Maybe that was the reason why their close friendship had lasted so many years. Close friendship? Really? In this moment, she had no idea what Janice might be thinking. It doesn’t matter what she thinks. Focus! Madison extended her hand. “I bet you one hundred thousand dollars that not only will I go through with it, but I will also get what I want in the end.”

Janice’s eyes widened in an almost comical way. “Are you out of your mind?”

“Why? Afraid to lose?”

“Ha. Never.” Janice hesitated but then grabbed Madison’s hand. “Ten. I bet you ten thousand dollars that something will go wrong. Either you don’t get the waitress to do it, you mess up, or your grandmother won’t fall for it.”

“Deal.” Madison pumped Janice’s hand wildly. After she let go, she ate the rest of her pie. A giggle threatened to escape her lips. Yes, this would be a piece of cake or, in this instance, perhaps a piece of pie. She stood up.

“Where are you going?”

“Where do you think? I have to ask where I can find my better half.” Madison strolled to the counter.

Less than five minutes later, Janice couldn’t stop her snickering while they walked across the parking lot. She stopped abruptly and tapped one finger against her lips.

“What?” Madison growled.

“Oh, I was just thinking about what to do with my ten thousand dollars when you lose this bet.”

Madison clenched her fists. Everybody could be bought. So why hadn’t the stupid guy at the diner told her where to find Sherry? Who cares? She wouldn’t give up so fast. “Hold your horses. The game has barely started.”

“If you say so.”

Without giving her a second glance, Madison stomped toward her BMW convertible. She pressed the key fob, tore open the door, climbed in, and pulled the door closed with more force than necessary. As soon as the engine was running, she sped from the parking lot as fast as the car would allow, her hair flying in the breeze.

Think! Where can I find her? Her son was sick. Yes! That’s it. Sherry would take him to a nearby hospital. It was at least worth a try.

Chapter 4

Chapter 4