Maureen squeezed Claire’s forearm. “I truly appreciate what you’ve done, and I agree with you. I’m not a mushy sort of person, but I want you to know how lucky I feel to have you, not only in Ryan’s life, but in ours, as well.”
“The feeling is mutual,” Claire replied. “Being an only child, and not one who comes from a close-knit and loving family, I feel privileged to be so much a part of yours. Thank you.”
Their emotional moment was interrupted by Kennedy, who called out: “Look! I did it!” She proudly held up her new charm bracelet.
Maureen beamed. “That’s excellent, lovey. Fiona, you’d best get Kennedy on board quickly. Otherwise, the competition might steal her away.”
“You’re right.” Fiona shoved waves of black hair off her face. “I’ll draw up an employment contract right away.”
Kennedy giggled, for once holding another piece of jewelry other than her pendant. “I probably won’t understand the legal stuff. So I’ll let Nolan and Garret read it over.”
Fiona grinned. “Smart girl.”
Maureen clapped her hands. “Movie time. And, instead of zombies, spies, and martial arts, why don’t we choose a classic? That way, we can all enjoy it.”
Kennedy didn’t look the least bit upset. Instead, she gave an eager nod. “A musical,” she announced. “I love those. So do you, Aunt Maureen.”
“I certainly do.” Rising, Maureen gestured toward the den. “Let’s get settled and choose.”
“I’ll make the popcorn,” Fiona offered, already on her way to the kitchen. “But I vote for My Fair Lady. Let me know if I win. There’s no one like Audrey Hepburn, especially in those gorgeous diamonds she wears to the ball.”
“No, there’s not,” Maureen agreed. “She’s in a class by herself.” Abruptly, she sucked in her breath, pausing as Kennedy headed into the den.
Claire heard her slight gasp, and somehow knew to lag behind. “What is it?” she asked.
“Audrey,” Maureen replied. “That’s the friend of Caitlin’s I couldn’t think of, the one who calls herself @mimosagirl121. I remember Caitlin telling me that she was her oldest, if not closest, friend, and that every January 21 they got together for a delicious buffet of some kind.”
“Just like the amazing brunch in the photo Casey showed you.” Claire’s heart was pounding. “Did Caitlin ever mention Audrey’s last name? Or anything else about her? A spouse? Children?”
Maureen slowly shook her head. “No. But I am sure that Caitlin brought her up to meet me one day when we had lunch.” Her brow furrowed. “It seems to me that they went to school together—grade school through high school. Then, they went their separate way for college, and afterward.”
“Did Audrey move away?” Claire pressed. “Because Caitlin pretty much stayed put.”
“I’m not sure.” A frustrated shrug. “But somehow…I did get the feeling that Audrey lived elsewhere, but not so far that they couldn’t make their annual buffet happen.”
“Was January 21 one of their birthdays? Is that why they had the celebration?”
A small smile touched Maureen’s lips. “Funny how things come back to you. Caitlin told me they chose that date because January felt so depressing that they wanted to reprise the holidays.” A pause, accompanied by an irritated sigh. “I wish I could remember more.”
Claire had already whipped out her cell phone. “You’ve already given me more than I ever hoped for. Go in and start the movie. I need to call the office.”
One of Maureen’s brows rose. “Say hello to my son for me.” She turned and followed Kennedy into the den.
Excitement pumped through Claire’s veins as she called Ryan’s cell. As expected, it took five rings for him to answer.
“Claire?” He sounded disoriented and surprised.
“Sorry, but this couldn’t wait,” she replied. Quickly, she recapped everything Ryan’s mother had said. “Can Yoda help?”
“He sure as shit can.” Ryan sounded excited now, too. “I’ll have him find every Audrey in Caitlin’s high school yearbook. She and Shane went to the same school, but she graduated a year after him. Once we zero in on the right Audrey, we’ll track her, see if she’s using a married name, etc. But this is just what we needed.”
“And, Ryan, Boston is driving distance from New Rochelle, at least for an annual get-together. And every one of my instincts is screaming that that’s no coincidence. I—” Claire broke off, images flashing through her head. “A cobblestone walkway. Stone structure. White shingles. Soft gray shutters. Trees all around…”
“You’re describing Audrey’s house,” Ryan clarified. “Can you sense where it is?”
“A relatively high-end suburb.” Claire frowned. “I keep seeing figs.”
“Figs?” Ryan asked. “Like the fruit?”
