“Do you need medical attention?”
“I don’t think so.”
“What’s your name?”
“Carol.”
Mary hurried toward us carrying a glass of water.
Before I could take it, Christopher called from behind the counter.
“She’s fine. She was leaving with her ugly dog.”
The stranger slowly turned toward him.
Something in his expression changed.
“Your name is Christopher, right?”
Christopher straightened.
“Yes. Why?”
The stranger glanced at Benny, then back at him.
“Tell me something, Christopher. Does the name Victoria mean anything to you?”
Christopher went pale.
“What?”
“Victoria.”
Christopher stared at him.
The stranger waited until I was steady before letting go of my arm.
Then he said,
“I’m Steven.”
Christopher’s mouth fell open.
“Victoria’s father?”
Steven nodded.
Christopher changed immediately.
“Sir, there’s been a misunderstanding.”
Steven’s expression remained calm.
“I’ve been standing here.”
“You came in at the end. You didn’t hear everything.”
