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Contents (63)
  1. ALSO BY CAROL HIGGINS CLARK
  2. Acknowledgments
  3. ZAPPED
  4. July 14th, 9 P.M.
  5. 1
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  13. 9
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  60. 56
  61. July 15th, 9 P.M.
  62. 57
  63. Contents

Alexis turned and gave her a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here!” she said excitedly, her brown eyes sparkling, her gold hoop earrings dangling. “A couple of my friends just left, and Dodie is chatting up some guy at the other end of the bar. I walked away to give them some space. Do you want a beer?”

“Sure. I’ll be right back, okay?”

“No problem.”

It wasn’t easy to make out all the faces, but Becky wanted to take a quick look through the joint to see if by any chance the infamous couple who’d left the comedy club tonight were there. She squeezed her way through the crowd back toward the bathrooms, turned around, and came back. There was no sign of them. She passed Dodie, who was engrossed in a conversation and didn’t notice her. That guy is cute, Becky thought.

Two beers were on the counter in front of Alexis. “That was fast,” she said, handing one over.

“Let me give you some money.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Thanks.” Becky took a sip of the warm brew. “Alexis, you are so not going to believe what happened tonight.” Rapidly, she told the story of Georgina and being questioned by a private investigator.

“Are you serious?” Alexis asked. “I thought Lorraine was bad news. She might have spent loads of my Dad’s money but I don’t think she ever, like, physically hurt him. I’d tear her hair out if she did.”

“I don’t blame you! I’d feel the same way if someone tried to hurt my dad.”

“You’re lucky he’s still with your mom,” Alexis said, a wistful tone in her voice. She took a quick sip of her beer.

“I know,” Becky said, feeling slightly uncomfortable. “Alexis, they think the guy that this girl picked up was interested in taking a comedy class and lives on the Upper East Side. You never heard of a Chip Jones, did you?”

“No,” Alexis answered, twirling a strand of her hair. “Most of the guys around here are more into business and stuff.”

Becky nodded. “Thanks for inviting me to your dad’s tonight. I can’t tell you how glad I am not to be alone. You’re such a good friend.”

“No problem. Now that Lorraine is history, the coast is clear. My dad has a fabulous pool. Tomorrow we can catch some rays. Can you believe that Lorraine checked into the Treetops Hotel tonight? It costs a fortune! Of course my dad sold the loft downtown a couple months ago without telling her. I was so psyched.”

Becky laughed. Alexis’s and her lives were so different. “Hey, here comes Dodie.”

Alexis turned. Dodie was walking toward them, the guy she’d been talking to right behind. He looked distracted.

“Hi, Becky!” Dodie said. “Becky, this is Phil.”

“Nice to meet you,” he said as he shook her hand. “Sorry I can’t join you but I’ve got to get going…”

34

B ack in the car, Regan showed Kit and Billy the college ring. “It has the initials CRJ. It must be his. The bartender thinks he was here for last call,” Regan said, frustration in her voice. She pulled out her cell phone and called Jack.