Face of Betrayal Read Online Free PDF Page A

chicken guts around your neck.”
    Cassidy slipped her cardigan back on, hiding her slender wrist. “Allison goes to church, and you don’t tease her .”
    “At least she’s consistent.” Nicole gestured with her wine glass. “You have a new thing you’re into every month. It’s feng shui or a palm reader or some new ritual you read about in a magazine.”
    Nicole was smiling, but there was an edge to it that made Allison anxious. She liked them both so much, but sometimes it felt like they needed her as a buffer. The three of them had much in common—women trying to make their way in a man’s world of crime and punishment—but there were times their differences were all too apparent.
    “Well, I think it’s good to be open to new ideas,” Cassidy said. “I don’t think there’s only one answer, like Allison. And I don’t think there are no answers, like you do, Nic. You won’t admit that there are things we can’t see or touch, but that still exist. You don’t leave any room for magic or serendipity.”
    Sometimes Allison thought they were still locked in the same roles they had held in high school. Cassidy was still the cheerleader. Her enthusiasm was intense—and short-lived. Nicole was still a realist. As a black woman living in an overwhelmingly white city, she strove to be better than the best. And Allison herself ? She guessed she was still the good girl, smoothing things over, cleaning up other people’s messes. The one who put herself last. She reached out and put her hand on Cassidy’s wrist, asking her without words to pull back a little.
    “I do believe in something,” Nicole declared. “I believe if you think the universe is looking out for you or that God is watching over you or what-ever, then life’s going to come around and bite you in the butt. That red string doesn’t protect you any more than Allison’s going to church on Sunday protects her.”
    Nicole took another sip of wine, but as she tipped her head back, Allison thought her eyes looked lost and sad.
    “I think you’re wrong, Nic.” Cassidy shook her head. “Maybe it’s not the church, and maybe it’s not the string. But sometimes if you believe there’s a force at work for good, it can change your perspective.”
    Their food arrived, and for a minute they were all quiet as they ate.
    Eventually Nicole picked up the wine bottle and gestured toward Cassidy. “More wine?” It was a peace offering.
    “I’ll have a splash. What about you, Allison? You haven’t even touched your glass.”
    Allison opened her mouth, but nothing came out. She hadn’t prepared any statements yet. She wasn’t ready.
    Cassidy narrowed her eyes. “You’re not!”
    Her friend leaped to the truth so fast it made Allison feel even more off balance.
    “Sh! I don’t want to jinx it. It doesn’t feel real yet.” She was surprised to feel the prick of tears.
    “So you’re sure?”
    “I know how to pee on a stick. I’ve had lots of practice.”
    “Marshall must be over the moon,” Nicole said with a grin. But when Allison didn’t say anything, she tilted her head. “Don’t tell me you haven’t told him.”
    “I was going to, but when I went out to talk to him, he was on the phone with a client who wanted to change an ad at the last minute, and I could tell he was going to be in a bad mood when he got off. And then I was going to tell him this morning, but he had an early meeting and was rushing around.” Allison realized she was spinning her plain gold wedding ring around her finger. “I’ll tell him tonight.”
    “This calls for a celebration.” Cassidy waved the waiter over. “Do you have any sparkling cider?”
    He shook his head. “The closest I’ve got is Italian soda.”
    Cassidy looked at Nicole. “Maybe we should order another bottle.”
    Nicole shook her head. “I’m already past my limit. You know how rigid the Bureau is.”
    FBI agents were required to be “fit for duty” at all times—which meant that