“Why?”
Another pause.
Then Ethan said, “Because Claire contacted her last week.”
My eyes opened.
“What?”
“She asked Rebecca about you.”
I stopped breathing.
“About me?”
“Yes.”
“What did she ask?”
“Whether you were still married to me.”
Marisol stood.
I gripped the edge of the desk.
“What else?”
“Whether you had a daughter.”
My eyes went immediately to Lily.
She was sitting on the carpet, coloring.
Safe.
Happy.
Purple crayon moving across paper.
“Why would she ask that?”
“I don’t know.”
“Did Rebecca answer?”
“Yes.”
I pressed my fingers to my temple.
“Why?”
“She thought Claire was asking because of me.”
“Because of your investigation?”
“Yes.”
“What exactly did Claire say?”
“I don’t have the full conversation.”
“Get it.”
“I’m trying.”
“Try faster.”
The words came out sharper than I intended.
Ethan went quiet.
Then said, “I will.”
For once, he didn’t correct my tone.
