“That is a fact worth being suspicious about.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
She rested her head against him.
After a minute, James said, “For what it’s worth, I’m glad the kid found you.”
Evelyn closed her eyes.
“So am I.”
The next morning brought the first real break.
Simon Caldwell had lied about something else.
Nora had not arrived alone.
A man entered the building five minutes after her.
Seventy-two years old.
White hair.
Walking cane.
The receptionist recognized him immediately.
His name was Harold Keene.
He had been Arthur Caldwell’s attorney.
The same attorney Margaret claimed had brought her the adoption papers thirty-one years earlier.
Margaret had believed Harold died.
He had not.
He retired to Florida in 2004 and vanished from the family’s social circle.
Nora had found him three weeks earlier.
Police contacted him.
He agreed to speak.
Not to them first.
To Margaret and her daughters.
Evelyn nearly refused.
Then she heard the phrase her daughters.
She went.
The meeting took place in a private conference room at a downtown law office.
Evelyn sat beside James.
Margaret sat opposite them.
Rebecca had been discharged and remained with Maisie at James’s apartment.
Simon arrived with two attorneys.
Harold Keene entered last.
He looked fragile.
But his eyes remained sharp.
He sat.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then Evelyn asked the only question that mattered.
“Where is Nora?”
Harold looked at Simon.
Simon stared at him coldly.
Harold replied, “Safe.”
Evelyn stood.
James grabbed her wrist gently.
“Where?”
Harold reached into his coat.
“Before I tell you, you need to understand why she disappeared.”
“I don’t care why.”
“You will.”
He placed an envelope on the table.
Simon’s attorney immediately said, “My client has not authorized disclosure of any privileged material.”
Harold almost laughed.
“You ceased being my client thirty years ago.”
Simon leaned forward.
“Be very careful.”
Evelyn looked between them.
Harold opened the envelope.
Inside were photocopies.
The first was Nora’s adoption agreement.
Margaret stared.
Harold looked at her.
“You were right about one thing.”
“What?”
“You did not knowingly surrender Nora.”
Margaret began crying before he finished.
“You signed temporary guardianship documents.”
Evelyn stared at him.
“Then how was she adopted?”
Harold looked at Simon.
Simon’s face did not move.
Harold answered.
“Arthur Caldwell replaced pages after Margaret signed.”
James whispered, “Fraud.”
“Yes.”