“I suppose,” Liam allowed, shoveling a candied carrot into his mouth.
“He looked hungry. They both did,” Finn persisted.
“Well, damn,” Liam said, dropping his fork. “How am I supposed to enjoy my meal now?”
Finn chuckled. “You’re not. You’re supposed to high-tail it over there tomorrow and give them some money, which you plainly have and they don’t.”
“Damn,” Liam repeated.
“The boy could be yours. They could live here with you.”
“Not a chance in hell, mate. She might’ve been with every bloke on Hull Street, and that guttersnipe could be any of theirs, too.”
Finn tried again.
“Still, it wouldn’t hurt you to give them some money, would it? If the fatherisa resident of the North End, it’s doubtful the man will have a cent to spare. Not like you.”
Liam sighed. “You’re right.” He started eating again. “It’s no fat off my bacon if I give them a few dollars.”
Suddenly, the rest of Finn’s meal tasted like sawdust. He’d hoped Liam would be a little more magnanimous, but at least Tessa and her son would get something — if Liam was as good as his word.
In any case, Finn had his own problems to deal with. “I guess I’d best be going.”
Liam shook his head. “No, no, hold on, none of that. Don’t go getting all morose on me. You are alive, Finn Bennet, and that’s the best thing in the world. Let’s figure out what you’re going to do next, right? Obviously, you can’t stay here in Boston if you can’t work at the yard.”
Finn was taken aback. Was Liam still set on pushing him out of the city, and after only just discovering that he was alive?
“If not Portsmouth, how about going into the transportation industry?” Liam continued. “I tell you, it’s still a boom.”
“I’m a shipbuilder,” Finn said, unable to keep the firmness out of his voice as well as a strain of bitterness. “Besides, I want to see justice for those who died. Don’t you?”
“Of course. If there are men left alive who didn’t sink with the ship who are to blame in any way, then yes, they should be held accountable.”
Finn laid down his napkin and stood. “We won’t be solving my work problems tonight, so I’ll be going.”
Liam stood up, too. “I insist you spend the night. Where are you staying anyway? At your old rooming house on Bowdoin Square?”
“No, it was full up.” Plus the memories of Rose in his arms there would have been torture. “I have a room above an old friend’s business.”
“Where?” Liam smiled. “In case I need to reach you before I hear from you again.”
“I’m above The Restaurant Parisien.”
Liam looked surprised. “Great food. So you know Chef Louis?”
Finn nodded.
“Anyway,” Liam continued. “Stay here tonight, and we can put our heads together in the morning on what to do next. I know a lawyer, if that helps.”
Considering he’d never needed the services of one before, it seemed quite odd that he might have two handling his business, one for a divorce and one to sue on behalf of the men and boys who died on theGarrard.
Finn declined. He wasn’t sure why. Maybe because it stung too badly to think how Liam had stayed behind and made his fortune and even worked at the very yard at which Finn couldn’t get employment.
If he’d stayed behind, would he own a house such as Liam’s in the Back Bay and have Rose in his bed?
He didn’t know. He also didn’t know why something about Liam had made him uneasy.
Returning to The Parisien, Finn considered his own constant anxiety. Was it paranoia? Madness? Rose’s sweet face materialized like a vision before his tired eyes. Even if he could win her back from the seemingly perfect Woodsom, he shouldn’t try. Not if he loved her. Not if he wanted what was best for her — a luxurious life with an entirely sane and whole husband.
