Chapter 9: The Girl He Hired

Russell took his lunch at the Westmore Club every Thursday at one.

I had known that for twenty years and had never once gone.

The hostess at the grill room tried to stop me.

"Members only, ma'am."

"I'm Mrs. Haldane," I said. "I'm a member's wife."

She let me through.

He sat at the window table with two men from his board.

One was the chairman, a heavy man with a white mustache who had been at our wedding.

The other I didn't know.

Russell saw me coming and put down his fork.

"Jo," he said, and smiled for the table. "What a surprise."

"Hello, Russell."

"You remember the chairman, and..."

"I remember everyone." I pulled out the empty chair and sat down.

The chairman half rose and sat again.

"Have you eaten?" Russell asked. "The sole is excellent."

"I just spoke to Cynthia," I said.

The smile stayed where it was.

"That's good," he said. "That's progress."

"She told me she's Hannah's mother."

The man I didn't know picked up his water glass and looked at it.

Russell's eyes moved once, quickly, to his two guests, and back.

"Let's find a quieter table," he said.

"No."

"Joanna."

"You told me she died in a car crash."

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