The Alpine Legacy Read Online Free PDF Page A

what you are in Alpine.”
    I let out a hissing sound. “I may be a public figure, but am I a lumplike one? That's how Crystal described me last week.”
    Marisa waved a slim hand. “Define lumplike under the law. You're aware that I'm no libel expert. If I find that you have a case, I may refer you to someone who specializes in the field.”
    I nodded. “I understand. Maybe I'm being impulsive or overreacting. But this sort of personal attack drives me nuts. Last week, after Crystal charged that I'd been sleeping with the enemy, I got some of the nastiest letters and phone calls in my tenure at
The Advocate.
And that's saying something! Luckily, most of the letters, as well as the phone messages, were anonymous.”
    Marisa gave me a knowing look. “But you recognized most of them, I imagine.”
    “Oh, yes.” I sighed. “The worst of it was that there were voices belonging to people who until now had never gotten nasty with me.”
    “And Sheriff Dodge?” Marisa asked. “Was he also the butt of the article?”
    “I don't know,” I answered. “Milo's been out of town until last night. He had to attend a sheriffs' conference in Bellingham.”
    “All right.” Marisa sat back in her handsome black leather chair. “I'll get the rest of the issues of
Crystal Clear.
When I've come to a decision, I'll call you. Meanwhile,” she added, “this consultation is free.”
    I hadn't thought of the financial aspect. Contrary to Crystal's allegations, my bank account was far from fat.
Puny
was the word I'd have chosen.
    “Thanks, Marisa,” I said in surprise. “But you really don't—”
    Marisa waved her hand again. “Occasionally, I don't charge for a consultation if it involves a fellow parishioner. I don't have time to volunteer at St. Mildred's, so this is my contribution.”
    “That's very generous,” I said, getting to my feet. “By the way, have you ever met Crystal Bird?”
    “Yes,” Marisa replied, but didn't elaborate.
    I should have known better than to press an attorney for information. But my job involves persistence. “The other people she's attacked in print—have any of them consulted you?”
    “I've had inquiries,” Marisa admitted, her gaze level but her face expressionless.
    “Elected officials?” I waited, but Marisa said nothing. “Academic types?”
    Marisa still didn't respond, though the faintest of smiles touched her mouth.
    “I wondered,” I said, and made my exit. The county commissioners might remain on their dead butts, as was their habit, but Nat Cardenas wasn't likely to take criticismlying down. If nothing else, the college president had a shrewd sense of his political presence in the community.
    Shortly after lunch, Paula Rubens called me. “I just read Crystal's latest,” she said in a sympathetic voice. “I assume you're furious.”
    “Assumption correct,” I replied. “I've been in a funk ever since I saw it. At this rate, I'm not only going to have to go back on Doc Dewey's sleeping pills, but get him to prescribe some tranquilizers, too.”
    Paula uttered a truncated laugh. “Just tie one on. In the long run, it's probably easier on your constitution.”
    I started to tell Paula that I'd seen Marisa Foxx, but thought better of it. So far, I hadn't even confided in Vida. “If I showed up at the liquor store too often, Crystal would start calling me a drunk,” I said bitterly.
    “Possibly. But I didn't call merely to commiserate.” Paula's tone was quite serious. “It occurred to me that maybe you two should get together. Frankly, I can see why Crystal is picking on you. She's frustrated.”
    “She's
frustrated?” I shot back. “How do you think I feel?”
    “I know, I know,” Paula said hastily. “That's my point. It's ridiculous for the two of you, who are both involved in publishing—and never mind how silly you may consider
Crystal Clear
—to be at odds. She's obviously angry with you because you're the only other woman around with a real voice in