Read Hokus Pokus for Free Online Page B

ask it anyway. What do you think I’ll be doing if you even try to spread that lie?”
    Pearl Barnes drained her glass. “What do you mean?” She brushed again at the gray locks of hair that kept falling over her forehead.
    â€œLook alive here, Pearl. I will retaliate by telling everyone the story you told me the other night. Your son-in-law, since he seems to be at the crux of your angst, will back me up, I’m sure. Blackmailers have no backbone.”
    Pearl looked around and snapped her fingers to gain their waiter’s attention. She held up her glass to indicate she wanted a refill.
    â€œWell, that was certainly ladylike, Pearl. You really must be upset. Now, tell me what I can personally do to help you.”
    â€œYou would jeopardize the lives of all those women and children I’ve been helping?” Pearl asked, anger ringing in her voice.
    â€œWell, hell yes, Pearl. Do you think I’m going to let you blackmail me and ruin my life? I don’t think so. Survival of the fittest is the name of the game. You know how it is in this crazy town.”
    â€œOh, God! Oh, God! I’m being watched and I don’t mean by my own security detail. Grant said he thought there were people watching him also. Please, Nellie, help me. Call Myra or Annie and explain my situation. And stop lying to me. I can’t tolerate a liar.”
    â€œGuess what, Pearl, I can’t tolerate someone who tries to blackmail me. I think what we have here is a Mexican standoff. One more time, how can I help you?”
    â€œYou can kill that son of a bitch Hughes who is blackmailing me, that’s what you can do. What if he goes after my daughter and granddaughter? I’m afraid that if I don’t do what he wants, they’re his next target. I’ll be in prison and won’t be able to help them. Please, Nellie. I didn’t mean to threaten you. No, no, that’s a lie, I did mean it because I was so desperate.” Suddenly Justice Barnes deflated like a pricked balloon. Her eyes filled with tears. “I wouldn’t have said a word, Nellie. I thought if I . . . Oh, hell, I don’t know what I thought. I’m sorry. Tell the others, Myra and Annie, I didn’t mean it. I was so sure . . . so sure, almost positive you . . . It doesn’t matter anymore. I’ll take care of that bastard myself. Did we order, Nellie?” She looked around and seemed startled that she was sitting in a restaurant.
    Nellie watched as Pearl let her gaze rake the room. When she turned back to face Nellie, her expression was set, her eyes cold and hard. “You set me up! Damn you, Nellie, how could you do that to me? Don’t tell me you don’t know what I’m talking about. There’s District Attorney Emery, and that jujitsu expert, and look over there, that’s Lizzie Fox and wonder of wonders, she’s lunching with a Post reporter. Isn’t that another Post reporter sitting at the bar? Looks like old-home week. Damn you, Nellie. I thought we were friends.” A lone tear rolled down Justice Barnes’s wrinkled cheek.
    Alarmed, Nellie leaned forward. The only thing she heard was “a Post reporter sitting at the bar.” Ted Robinson. In a frenzy, she started to tug at her ear. When Jack remained seated, she started to tug on both ears, hoping Harry Wong would notice. He did. Within minutes, Jack was making his third trip to the men’s room.
    â€œJudge Easter, fancy meeting you here,” he said cheerfully. “I miss your slap downs. Court isn’t the same without you. How have you been? Are you enjoying retirement?”
    â€œJack! Nice to see you. Allow me to introduce Justice Pearl Barnes. We’re old friends. Pearl, this good-looking young man is District Attorney Jack Emery.”
    Justice Barnes held out her hand. Jack shook it and said something that sounded like, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Justice