The Spire by Richard North Patterson Read Free Book Online Page A

Hall serving drinks at the other end.
    She held herself tall, suggesting pride and a certain distance. As far as he could remember, they had never spoken. He knew only that her father was dead'much like Mark, she had fended for herself. They had both been in one of Farr's philosophy classes; she had impressed Mark as smart and conscientious, though on occasion, exposed by Farr's sharp questions, she seemed to have fallen behind.
    Now Mark took in how pretty she was. Spotting Steve, she gave him a smile that, while fleeting, seemed friendly enough. Casually, Steve waved.
    The brief interaction made Mark curious. 'Thought you didn't like black folks.'
    'Times change.' Gazing at Angela, Steve added softly, 'Who wouldn't like that''
    Angela came up to them. 'Hey,' she said to Steve.
    'Hey, yourself. How's life''
    Angela laughed ruefully. 'What life' I go to class, I tend Mom's bar, I go upstairs to the flat I got born in and crack the books until my eyes close. Not exactly
Melrose Place
'which, by the way, I don't have time to watch.'
    'Life's tough,' Steve allowed. 'Maybe I should take you away from all this.'
    Her smile was at once flirtatious and amused. 'Like to a movie, you mean' I'll be waiting by the phone.' She glanced at Mark. 'So what do you guys want''
    'Two beers,' Steve answered. 'Is Carl around''
    Displeasure seemed to surface in her eyes, and then they fixed on the door. With quiet distaste, she said, 'Speak of the devil.'
    Mark turned. Gliding through the door, Carl stopped to look around. He summoned an expression of mild surprise at the sight of Steve Tillman, then came over to the bar. Ignoring his sister, he asked Steve, 'Passing the time with Princess Angela''
    There was an edge in his voice, though Mark could not tell whether it was for Angela or Steve. 'Yup,' Steve said evenly. 'Waiting for you to show up. You guessed right again last Sunday'your goddamn Pittsburgh Steelers beat the spread.'
    Her face closing, Angela turned away. She surely recognized, as Mark did, the charade through which Carl sold pot and powder cocaine to his Caldwell clientele. They gave him money in advance, paying off a fictitious 'bet'; a day or so later they found a bag behind some musty tome in a corner of the public library, or beneath the rear seat of an unlocked car. But at the Alibi Club Carl was, at worst, a bookie.
    Steve passed him a wad of bills. 'Got a second'' he asked.
    Carl glanced mistrustfully at Mark. 'Let's grab a table.'
    Steve put a hand on Mark's shoulder, excusing himself. Mark nodded his understanding: in Carl's mind, Mark was a potential witness, a needless risk to a business built on subterfuge and discretion. When Angela brought back two beers, Mark was sitting alone. The dislike she clearly felt for her twin brother had left her silent.
    Awkwardly, Mark said, 'I'm Mark Darrow, by the way.'
    Angela laughed at this. 'The whole damn campus knows who you are. Even the people you never talk to'in college
or
in high school.'
    Embarrassed, Mark said, 'So let's talk now.'
    Angela put her hands on her hips, a mocking gesture. 'Concerning what''
    'How about what you're studying so hard for. Seems like you've got a plan besides running Mom's bar.'
    She paused to look at him, and then her expression became serious. 'My plan'if you really want to know'is to put this whole period of my life in the rearview mirror. Right along with Wayne, Ohio.'
    'And go where''
    'Same place you are, I guess. The best law school that'll pay me to show up. Which narrows the field a little.' Picking up a cloth, she began wiping the bar. 'So what kind of law are you thinking about''
    Mark shrugged. 'Not sure yet. Maybe criminal, I guess. And you''
    Still wiping, Angela said, 'Not that'I've seen enough criminals to last a lifetime. Corporate law, I'm thinking. Or maybe teach if I do well enough.'
    Though quiet, her voice held a determination close to longing, the sense'or hope'that she was bigger than the life she had been given. At once Mark