Rapid Falls(54)

As I walk outside, the warmth of the day is welcome after the artificial air conditioning. I turn the corner toward the restaurant and see a few familiar faces on the patio who smile at me. Despite the success we are celebrating, I can’t shake Anna’s haunting description of her nightmare, as if I had dreamed it instead of her. I see Larry holding court with a couple of people I know vaguely. One is a new guy, a tall, good-looking senior manager. Brian or Cameron—something generic. The other is a plain woman pulling nervously at her blouse. About twenty people I recognize from the office are standing around the tables beside them. I walk over, and someone hands me a glass of wine.

“Well, it’s the woman of the hour. Hi, Cara.” Larry is exuberant as he welcomes me into the circle. He doesn’t usually drink, let alone in the afternoon, so his spirited greeting makes me smile. I’ve always admired his public persona. Friendly and charming but distant, as if slightly removed from each interaction. He knows how to be inviting and professional at the same time: the perfect politician.

“Hello. Congratulations to you. I was just there to hold your coat.” I smile at him self-deprecatingly, then turn to the others.

“Hello, Cara,” says the tall man, stretching out his hand confidently. “We met last week.”

“Of course. Brian?”

He grins. My gamble in guessing his name pays off. I see Larry nod in approval out of the corner of my eye.

“Yeah, Brian Campbell. And this is Sara.”

I nod in her direction.

“Cheers!” I say, lifting my glass to clink against hers.

“Cara, I wanted to thank you for your work with the mayors this morning. I hope you’ll let Rick know how much I appreciate your dedication. Cara has a young daughter at home. Maggie’s three now, right?”

“That’s right,” I say with a smile. “It’s been a while since I’ve been out for a drink, unless a smoothie at my daughter’s swimming lesson counts.” Both men laugh and I take a large sip, surprised to find the glass now less than half-full.

“I have a daughter as well,” says Sara. I see a wedding band on her finger. She looks too young to have children.

“How old is your daughter?”

“She’s two.”

“That’s great,” I say flatly, grateful for the sudden buzz of my phone. I demonstratively fish it out of my pocket. It looks good to be in demand.

It’s a text from Rick:

Anna’s acting strange. Talking a lot about Rapid Falls. Can you call me?

My hands go cold and my shoulders tighten.

“Sorry, I need to take this,” I say, and Larry nods as I take a step back. I raise my glass to the waiter and nod for another. I text Rick quickly.

Let me handle it. I’ll contact her now.

I don’t want Rick involved. I start a text to Anna, but before I’ve typed two words, another message from Rick comes in.

Don’t think she’s got her phone, they only let her use the landline there. She said she’d try to call again tomorrow. She was asking about that boy who was killed, kept asking me if you still had his graduation jacket? Why would you have that?

I swear, unintentionally. Larry looks up and steps over to me.

“Everything okay, Cara?” He sounds genuinely concerned, but his presence registers as admonishment. I shouldn’t swear in public, especially in front of my boss. My phone buzzes again and I jump slightly, forcing myself to look at Larry, not at the screen.

“Fine. Actually, not really. My sister . . . she’s hurt,” I blurt out. Larry knows nothing about Anna. I’ve made sure of it. I’ve never told anyone at work about Anna’s downward spiral. I don’t want to let on that I’ve got a sister who is a few bad decisions away from living on the street.

“Cara, that’s terrible. Is it serious?” Now he’s sympathetic.

“She’s okay, I think. Car accident. Fender bender. Not her fault.” My words won’t stop.

“Feel free to leave. I’ll be ducking out shortly for a dinner engagement.” Larry pats my shoulder. “Run of bad luck for you. Hope it gets better.”

“What do you mean?” I snap quickly. Had he found out about Anna’s arrest?

“Maggie’s illness.” He looks at me closely.

“Oh, right. Thanks.” I try my best to sound sad but calm. In control. He gives me one last pat before he steps away and begins to circle the crowd, making his exit. My second glass of wine arrives, and I take a deep gulp. “Can you come back with a double gin and tonic?” I ask the waiter. He nods, and I take another generous sip. I need to talk to Rick, but I’m not even sure which way to go to head Anna off. She’s falling apart. How could she ask Rick something so stupid? I finish my glass and dial Rick, nodding to Larry as he waves goodbye.

“Hi, sweetheart.” He sounds distracted. As I begin to speak, he interrupts me with a shout.

“Are you okay, Rick?”

“Maggie is pouncing on me like a little kitty!”

His breath sounds short, and I hear her giggles in the background. I speak quickly. “Rick, about Anna?”

“Yeah, I’m not really sure what’s going on with her.” Maggie begins meowing in the background and Rick responds, “Is the little kitty hungry?”

“Yes!” Maggie cries.