Page 105 of High Society

“I could use a little more ‘therapy,’ ” Holly says, focusing her attention back on the shrub. “But I’ll join you soon.”

Holly trims more leaves and branches, moving from bush to bush. She gets so lost in the chore that when she finally stops to consult her watch, she realizes that if she doesn’t hurry, she will be late for her first appointment of the morning.

In the light traffic, she reaches her office in under fifteen minutes and enters through the main door. Her first client of the day—Howard, a meek, balding man with a debilitating obsessive-compulsive disorder—is already seated in the waiting room, crossing and uncrossing his legs. Holly is surprised to see Reese seated two chairs over from him, but the lawyer is so focused on the computer on her lap that she doesn’t look up as Holly strides past.

Behind the reception desk, Tanya motions to a Post-it note on the desk that reads, “She just showed up.”

“It’s OK, Tanya.” Holly taps her watch and then holds up three fingers.

Three minutes later, Reese is seated in the interview chair across from Holly. “What brings you in today?”

Reese interlocks her hands in her lap and offers a wisp of a smile. “I’m back to represent the tribe.”

“Regarding?”

“We heard Liisa is missing.”

“Apparently.”

“Are you worried about her?”

“Very,” Holly says, seeing no point in hiding it.

“It’s strange, isn’t it, Dr. Danvers? These happenings in our group.”

“That might be the understatement of the century, Reese.”

“Do you think it could all be connected?” she asks. “Elaine’s and JJ’s deaths? Liisa’s disappearance?”

Holly feels as if she is being cross-examined. “Can you be more specific?”

“We heard the police are still looking into JJ’s death,” Reese says.

Holly only shrugs.

“A detective spoke to Simon. He was asking questions about JJ.”

“That may be,” Holly says. “But I don’t disclose my clients’ names to anyone. That detective tracked down Simon on his own. If that’s what concerns you.”

“Simon had to go tell the world about his therapy, didn’t he?” Reese sighs. “No, it’s not that. He made his own bed.”

“What then?”

“Simon told us that during one of the sessions you were questioning him about the rest of the tribe. He can’t remember the specifics because he was quite… sedated.”

Holly’s stomach flip-flops. “I can’t discuss other group members with you.” But even as she utters the sentence, she recognizes how convenient it must sound to Reese.

“Even though you were questioning Simon about Liisa and the rest of us?”

“I had my reasons.” Holly feels too sheepish to meet Reese’s gaze.

“All right,” Reese says evenly. “Can you at least tell us whether you think Liisa was involved in Elaine’s and/or JJ’s death?”

“The detective is looking into the possibility. But as far as I know, he hasn’t found any concrete connections. Besides, Liisa’s well-being is the more immediate concern.”

“No one’s heard from her?”

“No.” Holly hesitates but decides there’s no harm in elaborating. “And I can’t see Liisa abandoning her daughter like this. Not voluntarily, anyway.”