Read Online Alice Fantastic by Maggie Estep - Free Book Online Page A

now.
    â€œNo,” Clayton said, a little too quickly.
    â€œIt was in the papers awhile back. Maybe you forgot?” The brunette this time.
    â€œOh. I don’t read the paper,” said Clayton.
    This was true. But it seemed to make them even more suspicious. And their questions went on. And on. They never told us what led them to Clayton at this stage, weeks after the incident, just when he and I had started breathing easier.
    â€œI’m going to call a lawyer,” I told Clayton after the cops had left and we were sitting at the kitchen table, stunned and, for a time, speechless.
    â€œHow much does that cost?”
    â€œNothing yet. I have a friend who’s a criminal defense lawyer.”
    â€œI’m not a criminal.”
    â€œYou still need a criminal defense lawyer.”
    Clayton looked down toward his hands which were folded in his lap.
    â€œWhat am I going to do?” he asked very quietly.
    â€œIt’ll be all right,” I lied. “I’ll call Abe, my lawyer friend, then let’s get out of the house. I’m almost done working for the day. Let’s go to Central Park. Candy can run around, we can get some air. It’s a pretty day,” I said, like the beauty of any given day would matter to Clayton anytime in the immediate future.
    â€œThat’s okay,” he replied, barely a whisper. “You go on. I’ll be here.”
    I tried to cajole him. It got me nowhere. He went to the couch and plopped down, face first.
    I put in a call to Abe, told him the situation. Abe grunted.
    â€œDoesn’t look good after him not coming forward right away. Makes it look like it wasn’t an accident. What, he thought he’d just get away with it?”
    â€œIt was an accident, Abe.”
    â€œRight. Well, if they pull him in for questioning, just tell him not to answer anything and call me.”
    â€œHow much?”
    â€œHow much what?”
    â€œWhat’s it gonna cost?”
    â€œIt goes to trial, we’re talking some bucks.”
    â€œTrial?” I nearly screamed. “They just asked him some questions.”
    â€œI’m giving you a worst-case scenario, Alice. You know me. Glass-half-empty kinda guy.”
    I thanked Abe and hung up. I wrote his name and number on a piece of paper then walked into the living room to give it to Clayton.
    â€œThis is the lawyer’s name and number. If the cops try talking to you again, just call Abe.”
    Clayton barely lifted his head.
    â€œI thought you were going to the park,” he said.
    â€œI am. What, are you trying to get rid of me?”
    â€œI just don’t want to bring you down,” he said so quietly I could barely hear him.
    â€œDon’t be depressing, Clayton, you’ll make it worse,” I snapped, then felt bad and tried to think of something soothing to say. Nothing came to mind.
    â€œOkay then,” I said, “I’m going.”
    â€œOkay.”
    I took my red coat off the hook, put Candy’s leash on, and went out the door. My neck was hurting and my shoulders were up to my ears.
    Technically, dogs aren’t allowed on the subway unless they’re contained in a crate or bag. But I’d frequently taken Candy on, bagless and crateless, and no one had bothered me about it. She looks harmless enough, though if you’re a squirrel, or another small, fast-moving thing, she’s lethal.
    Every imbecile in the city was in Central Park so I took Candy onto a wooded path then let her go even though off-leash hours weren’t in effect yet. Another benefit of having a little dog, I’m less likely to get a ticket for letting her run loose.
    We’d been walking for about twenty minutes, through wooded areas in the upper quadrant of the park, trying to pretend the place was ours alone, when I saw a guy down on all four with his head in some bushes. Next to him stood a thick brown dog. It was a strange sight. Man and dog on all