“SO, WHAT DO YOU think?” Catherine said to Liam, who pulled the car into the lot of Café Sorrento and handed the keys to the valet.
“I think I’m starving.”
“I mean about Lena, smart guy.”
Liam grinned. “I know what you mean. I think unless she comes up with some hard facts telling us who they are and where they lived, it will be impossible to locate these two girls. If they’re still alive after seventy years.”
“She must have some basis for believing they’re still alive. She wouldn’t come in and use up her savings to locate her friend’s children unless she had reason to believe we’d find them. There must be something else involved.”
“Like what?”
“I have no idea.”
“First things first,” Liam said as the waitress approached the table. “We’ll both have the eggplant Parmesan and the house salads. Vinaigrette. And water is fine for both of us.”
“Liam!” Catherine protested. “I hate when you order for me. I’m a grown-up woman.”
“Okay, I’m sorry.”
“What would you like, ma’am?” the woman said with a smile, mocking Liam with her raised eyebrows.
Catherine sighed. “I’ll have the eggplant Parmesan and a house salad.”
“With vinaigrette dressing?” the waitress said.
“That’ll be fine.”
“Water okay?”
Catherine nodded, and the waitress left to fill the order.
“Why is Lena doing this, Liam? Why is she so driven to find these girls?”
“I’m sure she’ll get there if you give her the time. Of course, you could always tell her to cut to the chase.”
“Very funny, and I’m not trying to rush her. I’m taking copious notes.”
“Good. You never know what piece of information will be important.”
“That, and because she deserves it. She’s held this story in for seventy years. She’s a survivor, Liam. Just like Ben. I’m not going to cut her short. Her narrative may never result in finding these people, but the telling may very well be a catharsis for her, and I’m going to give her that.”
Liam leaned over and kissed her. “That’s my Cat. That’s why I love you.”
They clinked their water glasses and Liam added, “I can’t join you tomorrow. I have an appointment.”
Catherine sighed and closed her eyes. “Isn’t that just like Liam. Bring a client to my office with a problem for us to work on and then leave it all to good ol’ Cat.”
“Just tomorrow, Cat. I’ll catch up with you.”