Page 10 of Bargain with Fate
I hesitated. If I spoke to Vanessa, then I’d have to speak to Valerie. The twin sisters were known as the “dueling seers” because of their highly competitive natures. Upon receipt of their applications to the Neighborhood, Justine had asked themif they’d be happier on separate retirement islands. They’d responded with such profound horror that Justine immediately dropped the suggestion. They were twins, after all, and that bond transcended even the most competitive bones in their nearly identical bodies.
Still, it wasn’t a terrible idea.
“Thanks, Bernice. I think I’ll head over there now.” Which was perfect timing because the meeting had progressed to the song-choice portion of the event, and I expected the noise level to increase tenfold.
“Good luck,” Bernice said.
“Same to you.” I nodded toward Gerry McKinley, Buck’s brother, who was currently taking his guitar out of its case. “I hope you and Louise can get to a better place, so you don’t need to subject yourself to Gerry’s live version of ‘Jolene.’”
Bernice frowned. “‘Jolene’ is an amazing song.”
“Not the way he sings it.” I sailed out of the clubhouse before my eardrums suffered any permanent damage.
Vanessa and Valerie Pollockshared a two-bedroom condo in the Palmetto section of the Neighborhood. They were twin seers who were descendants of a long line of temple oracles. Given their abilities, they were banned from many community activities, especially games like bingo and raffles where Neighbors feared the twins might be able to identify the winning numbers in advance. This made life extra challenging for the sisters, who were also fiercely competitive with each other, as well as everybody else in their orbit.
They kept their white hair cut short and sassy, like a sixties housewife. For fraternal twins, they looked identical. They also insisted on dressing in the same outfits in different colors, which aggravated other Neighbors to no end. They seemed toenjoy confusing people, which was another reason they weren’t popular. I’d bet good money they hadn’t been included in Gina’s cat’s birthday party, and that was hardly a sought-after invitation.
“Well, well,” one of the sisters greeted me at the door. “If it isn’t the director of security herself. To what do we owe this great honor?”
“Acting director of security,” I corrected her. “It’s only temporary until Justine hires Judd’s replacement.”
“Is that so?” She smiled as though her lips protected a secret—the Mona Lisa of Evermore.
“May I come in, Vanessa? I could use your insight.” I clocked her sister to my right, partially hidden behind a floral screen. “Yours too, Valerie, if you can spare the time.”
Valerie leaned forward so that her angular face was no longer concealed by the shadows. “How can you tell us apart so easily? I’ve had lovers with less success than you.”
“You part your hair in the middle. Vanessa’s part is slightly off center and to the left.”
The twins exchanged an impressed look. “I suppose that’s why you’re so good at your job,” Valerie said. “Attention to detail.”
“What brings you to see us, Maya?” Vanessa asked.
“There’s an issue that could useyourattention to detail.”
Valerie emerged from behind the screen, holding a book. “In an official capacity, I presume?”
“Yes.”
“Which one of us are you really here to see?” Vanessa asked. “No need to be polite. We can take it.”
There was only one right answer to that question. “Both of you.”
“Aren’t you going to joke that we should’ve known you were coming?” Valerie asked.
“You’re seers. Your gifts don’t work that way.”
Valerie grinned at her sister. “She gets us.”
“She does,” Vanessa agreed.
“I’ve known a lot of seers.”
“A bold claim for such a young lady,” Valerie said. “You can’t be a day over thirty.”
“Thirty-five.”
She released a dramatic sigh. “Oh, sister. Do you remember life at thirty-five?”
