Read Online Blood Ties by Ralph McInerny - Free Book Online Page B

light of all that. Not that she was tempted to unburden herself to Janet. Or anyone else.
    Then the unsettling thought came that Catherine Adams knew her secret, that in a way she was as much a menace as Nathaniel himself. What if Catherine decided to look her up? She would remember Mark Lorenzo’s name. She knew him; she had been at the wedding. The terrible news of Nathaniel’s death had not seemed terrible at first. Reading of the strange incident in Fox River, Madeline’s first reaction was relief. Thank God, the Monster was dead. It was not a thought she could hold on to, however, rejoicing in another’s death, even someone who had treated her as he had.
    The women parted outside the coffee shop, repeating their intention to keep in touch.
    Mark was already home when Madeline returned. “Did you talk to her?” he asked.
    â€œI ran into Janet, an old classmate. We had coffee. She lives in Barrington!”
    â€œI meant Catherine. I saw you at the memorial.”
    â€œBut you had class.”
    â€œI canceled it. In honor of our famous alumnus. What did you think of Catherine?”
    â€œIt was quite a performance. Janet and I decided not to talk to her.”
    â€œYou told me once she was your closest friend.”
    â€œShe was.”
    â€œBeware of close friends.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œJust before we married, she came to my office. There was something she felt I ought to know.”
    Madeline felt that the blood was draining from her body. She stared at Mark.
    â€œShe seemed to think it would change things. That I wouldn’t marry you.” He ran a hand through his beard. “I always wish you had told me.”
    â€œOh my God.”
    He took her in his arms, and at first she tried to break free. Then she submitted to his embrace, weeping helplessly.
    â€œOh, Mark, what can I say?”
    â€œYou don’t have to say a thing.”
    What a wonderful man he was, knowing all along that she had had Nathaniel’s baby and saying nothing. There had never ever been anything in his manner that suggested he knew her secret. Dear God, she could have shown him Nathaniel’s letter. He would have known what to do. She thought of the days when she had kept the letter, before she had burned it, days during which he might have come upon it.
    â€œMark, I went to Amos Cadbury, the lawyer who arranged everything. The adoption.”
    â€œTell me about it later. I’ve got to get back to campus.”
    â€œWhy did you come home?”
    â€œTo make sure you were all right.”
    *   *   *
    Half an hour later, Madeline opened the door to a handsome man whose blond hair seemed to owe more to art than to nature. His smile was radiant, if questioning.
    â€œTell me you remember me.”
    â€œMaurice! Maurice Dolan.”
    â€œRight the first time. I thought of calling first.”
    â€œCome in, for heaven’s sake.”
    â€œThat’s as good a reason as any.”
    â€œHow many years has it been?”
    â€œPlease.” He laughed and studied her. “I won’t say you’ve aged well, but you look wonderful.”
    â€œI’ll make coffee.”
    How weird it was that the past seemed suddenly to be rushing into the present. While she made coffee, he looked around the house. He liked the study.
    â€œYou married a professor.”
    â€œI suppose that’s obvious.”
    â€œSometimes I think I was meant for the academic life.”
    She managed not to smile. What an unlikely professor he would have made. She poured the coffee, and they sat in the living room. He liked the living room, too.
    â€œAnd you have kids.”
    â€œFour sons.”
    â€œHostages to fortune. Isn’t that the phrase?”
    â€œAnd you?”
    â€œStill singular.”
    She sipped her coffee. “I saw Catherine Adams.”
    â€œAt the memorial for Fleck?”
    â€œWere you