As she walked through the entrance of the independent-living residence, Eve spotted Marian feeding the fish in the lobby’s huge aquarium. Even with her back to Eve, Marian was instantly recognizable. That straight spine. The white hair that she still wore in a pageboy. It was hard to believe she was nearly ninety.

Eve came up behind her. “How’s my favorite octogenarian?” she asked, slipping an arm around Marian’s shoulders.

“Well, hello, Eve!” Marian said as she bussed her cheek.

“I thought I’d stop by to invite you to a play,” Eve said. “Jack and Dru are both in it and it runs for a couple more weekends.”

“I’d love that,” Marian said. She used a key to open a cupboard near the aquarium and put the box of food inside. “Let’s have a seat and catch up.” She motioned toward the large area off the lobby where residents played cards or read or people-watched. There were a lot of those—the people watchers—and Eve felt exposed as she walked across the room. Several residents looked up from their card games. A couple of women, recognizing her from previous visits, waved.

Marian guided her toward the alcove near the window, and Eve wondered if she’d intentionally selected the spot for privacy. Did she know what was going on and want to talk to her about it?

“How are you doing?” Eve asked Marian, as she took a seat in the corner. “You look terrific, as always.”

“Fantastic,” Marian said. “And how about you?”

“I’m fine.”

“Jack and the girls? Is Cory talking to you these days?”

“Not much,” she said.

“She’s still engaged to that fool?”

Eve laughed. “I’m trying to be more kindhearted about him.”

“Well, you’re welcome to think of him however you like,” Marian said. “But I don’t like a man who comes between a woman and her family.”

“Cory loves him, though.”

“I’m hoping she’ll outgrow it.”

A moment of silence stretched between them as Eve readied herself to dance around the issue she’d come to discuss. Did Marian remember her long-ago reaction to the news about Genevieve’s kidnapping? Are you aware of the situation with the wife of UVA’s president? she could ask. She’d planned to question her carefully. Instead, she blurted out in a whisper, “Have the police come here to see you?”

“The police?”

“Shh,” Eve said. “Have they?”

“No. Why would they?”

Eve hesitated. Maybe Marian didn’t remember any of it. Maybe she didn’t remember that she’d taken her in under an assumed name or that she’d supplied her with a high-school transcript. She’d only known her as Eve Bailey, and she’d known her that way for a very long time.

“I just—”

“Are you in trouble, Eve?”

Eve hesitated. “I hope not,” she said.

“The past catching up to you?”

“I hope not,” she repeated. “I—”

“Hush,” Marian said quickly. “Don’t tell me anything. Don’t remind me of anything. All I remember is that you came to my house to help me with my day care. In return, I gave you room and board. Then I took care of Cory while you went to school. I introduced you to Jack. You married him, and we’re the best of friends. I don’t remember more than that.” She looked hard at Eve.

“You really don’t?” Eve asked, not sure if she believed her.

“That’s right. But I would remember if the cops had come to see me. That you can be sure of.”

“And they haven’t.”

“No, dear. They haven’t.” She cocked her head, narrowed her eyes. “You’re really scared, aren’t you?”

Eve nodded.

“How realistic is it that they could be looking for you?”

“Very realistic. Frighteningly so.”

“Then you’ll be in my prayers,” Marian said. “I never knew what brought you to me. I didn’t know what had happened to you or what you’d done. But whatever it was, you are not that person—that little girl—anymore. If the police come, that’s what I’ll tell them. That you’re a marvelous woman. A marvelous mother.”

“I haven’t been that marvelous when it comes to Cory,” Eve said. “I smothered her. I made her fearful.”

“A mother never loved her daughter more,” Marian said. “Every mother I know screwed up somehow with her kids and only with the best of intentions. If I’d had kids, I’m sure I would have screwed up, too.” She leaned forward to pat Eve’s hand. “Now, tell me what night we’re going to this play.”