The Seventh Time novel · Chapter 8 of 24

Chapter 8: Lunch at the Club

The Cleveland Athletic Club had a dining room with white tablecloths and a hush you could have cut with a butter knife.

Broderick was already seated at his table by the window when I arrived.

He rose, and the maître d' held my chair.

The three old men at the next table looked at me and then at their soup.

That morning's society page had run on schedule.

Killian Ashworth and Delphine Carraway, together at last.

I'd read it standing in the bakery downstairs with a cup of coffee going cold in my hand.

"I'm so glad you came," Broderick said.

"I'm not here to be glad."

"Of course not." He unfolded his napkin. "Order something. The sole is very good."

"I'll have a water."

"Then we'll both have water."

He ordered it with a small, courteous nod, and for a moment I almost liked him.

That was the genius of him.

He had never been cruel to my face.

"You wanted to explain yourself," I said.

"I wanted to apologize."

I waited.

"The announcement was a mistake," he said. "Delphine is an enthusiastic girl, and I let her draft it too soon."

"I'll have it retracted tomorrow," he added.

"And Killian?"

"Killian is a good boy who lost his way." He turned his water glass a quarter turn.

"A man should be tested, Romy. A woman too. In three years you have never once lied to me."

"I've never had to."

"That's the point."

"The point of what?"

"Of the tests." He smiled. "You passed all six. Do you know how rare that is?"

"I don't care."

"You should. It's the reason I'm sitting here."

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