Page 76 of Is Anyone Listening?
The cheeseburger was so delicious that I stopped thinking and concentrated on eating. It was the first real meal I'd had since lunch yesterday, and I was suddenly starving.
Finn came over when I'd finished. By then, the pub had cleared out with only a few tables finishing their meals.
"How was it?" he asked.
"Great," I said. "Best meal I've had in a long time."
"Good." His blue-eyed gaze clung to mine for a long second, sending an odd tingle down my spine. "So, you're full of surprises, Cassidy. I thought the podcast was your only secret, but you were holding on to a much bigger one."
I nodded. "Yes, I'm Ellen's granddaughter. My father is David Clarke."
"And Ellen didn't know? She didn't recognize you?"
"She didn't even know I existed. She told me she has never had any contact with my father since he left, and that she never looked him up. He knew where she was. If he wanted to get in touch, he would have."
"That's cold but also sounds like Ellen."
"I don't really understand her, but there's a lot I don't know or understand. I didn't just come to Stonecross for the podcast; I came because I wanted to know who she was and why my father left. But she told me I need to ask my father if I want to know why, and I've already done that, so I'm not sure how I'm ever going to get any answers."
"I'm sure someone around here knows something."
"I doubt anyone will talk to me. I just asked Margaret, and she declined to answer. I'm an outsider, and, clearly, this town protects its own."
An odd light entered his eyes. "Well, I'm not an outsider, and I know some people who might be able to help."
"Really?" A tiny seed of hope took hold. "Who?"
"My father went to school with David Clarke. And I think my mom was a year or two younger but also in the same school."
"Would your father talk to me about him?"
"Well, he'd talk to me, and if you're there, too…"
"When can we go?" I asked impatiently.
He smiled. "Why don't we go now? I'm ready for a break. Just give me a minute."
"Of course. Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet. We haven't learned anything."
"I'm just appreciative that you're willing to help me. I'm sorry I accused you of running me off the road."
"I can see how you jumped to that conclusion."
"It wasn't just that you were there so fast; it was also what happened with Tessa," I said honestly.
He frowned. "I get it. How is she doing?"
"She's hanging in there. Improving every day."
"Good. I'll be back in a minute."
"Let me pay for this."
He held up a hand. "It's on me."
"You don't have to do that."
