Truth

with you in another thirty years, when you haven’t had contact with your child. Then we can discuss similarities.”
    His hand hit his desk. The pen set and wireless mouse helplessly jumped. “I’ve told you your daughter lost her adoptive parents. Yet, you don’t give a damn!”
    She leaned toward him, questioning, “Did you?”
    “ Of course not!” His eyebrows rose. “Did you?”
    “ You know, I don’t even know her name.”
    This was only their second open conversation on the subject of Catherine’s daughter.
    “ I doubt there is anything in this house you don’t know. Her information is in my private files.”
    Catherine exhaled, “How did it happen? How did her parents die?”
    “ I’m not sure.” Tony shrugged. “Her adoptive father was beginning to show signs of dementia. He was driving.”
    Catherine’s eyes closed. Dementia... her thoughts immediately went to Sharron Rawls. “How bad?” Her voice was but a whisper.
    Tony sat straighter, “He wasn’t like grandmother, not yet.”
    “ Then she’s better off. At least she didn’t need to witness...”
    Tony closed his eyes, “Catherine, she could use a parent.”
    Her gray eyes stared; the silence grew. Finally she replied, “ Mr. Rawlings , I am sure you will do whatever you feel is best. I have made my feelings clear.” She stood and started toward the door. Suddenly she turned back toward the desk, “Mr. Evergreen called -- again. He wants to speak with you in person.”
    Tony turned from Catherine back to the computer screen. The NASDEQ indicator for Rawlings Industries displayed the stock’s continued downward spiral. It didn’t matter that he wasn’t responsible for Claire’s disappearance. The effects of the Vandersol’s claims were also being felt on the Dow Jones. He checked his watch. At least the weekend would stall the continued drop. There were only a few more minutes until the end of Friday’s trading session. The fun would resume again on Monday.
    He picked up the telephone. “Hello, this is Anthony Rawlings. I’d like to speak to Marcus Evergreen.” “I see.” “Please inform him I have business taking me out of town for a few days. I should be back by Monday.” “Thank you.”
    Next, he used his iPhone and called Eric. “Get the plane ready. I’m leaving for Provincetown in a few hours.”
     
    *****
     
    Sophia shivered as she walked into her art studio. After record setting heat over the summer, she couldn’t believe the coolness of the autumn. She considered turning on the furnace to remove the cool dampness from the air and from her art.
    Looking out the front windows, she stared past the sidewalk full of Saturday tourists at the low clouds. She came to her studio to get out of the cottage. With Derek on his way back to Taiwan to attend a few unavoidable meetings, she needed a reprieve from life’s recent dealings. Next week they’d be back together in California.
    Sophia sighed as she set her purse in the back room. There were so many things to do regarding her parents’ estate. Never had she imagined they’d incurred so much debt helping with her dreams. Thankfully, due to her recent sales, she could settle their accounts. She wondered why they never said anything. No wonder they wouldn’t consider hiring someone to help with Pop. Sophia’s heart ached with what-ifs . Their love for her took everything, even their lives. Over the last few days, Derek repeatedly tried to convince Sophia they wouldn’t have wanted it any other way; she hoped and prayed he was right.
    The bell pulled Sophia from her sad spiral. Damn, she meant to lock the front door. It wasn’t that she was afraid. This was a great town. She just wanted some quiet time alone.
    As she stepped into the studio, the man at the counter looked familiar. Maybe he’d been at a gallery event, or she’d seen him on TV. She couldn’t be sure, but his eyes were so dark and mesmerizing. “I’m sorry; I’m not open today. I just forgot to lock the door,” Sophia said as she approached Tony.
    “ That is all right. I can come back,” Tony said with an agreeable smile. “It is just that I travel a lot and happened to be in town. A friend of mine told me about your gallery. He was here a week or so ago and bought three pieces. I’m very interested in nature, and he said you have a wonderful selection.”
    Sophia exhaled and smiled. Of course, talk of her art could lift the dark cloud that held her hostage. “Are you a friend