Rachel and Jake both pulled up chairs and sat down. “We don’t want to bother you, but we’d like some information, if you have the time.”
“What kind of information?”
Jake glanced at Rachel, then said, “My parents had trouble conceiving me, and I didn’t want to run into the same problem when we get married.”
The old woman looked wary.
“I think my parents went to a fertility clinic in town,” Jake continued.
“It’s been closed for years.”
“You worked there?”
Her face tightened.
“You were quoted in a newspaper article about the place when there was a fire,” Rachel said gently.
Maven looked away from her.
“The Solomon Clinic,” Rachel prompted.
The woman’s lips compressed. “Dr. Solomon doesn’t like us to talk about it. He might get angry with me.”
“He’s still alive?” Jake asked.
Her gaze darted away from them. “I shouldn’t be talking about it.”
When she folded her arms across her chest, Jake continued in a soothing voice, “The clinic did a lot of good work, helping childless couples.”
“Yes,” Maven murmured.
“But they were doing something else, too,” Rachel said.
Maven shook her head vigorously. “We’re not supposed to talk about that.”
“Okay.”
The woman looked agitated and lowered her voice. “Don’t tell Dr. Solomon that I said anything.”
“Of course we won’t.”
The woman’s expression turned secretive, and she lowered her voice. “He wanted to make smarter children. That’s a noble goal, isn’t it?”
“What?” Rachel asked.
“Smarter children.” The old woman’s expression changed abruptly. “I want you to leave now,” she said.
Rachel and Jake glanced at each other. They’d justconfirmed one of their speculations, and they both wanted to keep pressing her.
“I’m already in trouble. Please leave,” she said.
Some of the other residents were looking at them. Which was probably their cue to get out of there.
They both stood. “Thank you for your time,” Jake said. “It means a lot to us.”
Maven nodded tightly, then looked down at the magazine in her lap.
They both walked toward the door, then into the hall.
