Free Karolina's Twins by Ronald H. Balson Page B

come with us when the time is right for us to leave. Until then, we do not speak of any plans.’
    â€œI stayed with the Tarnowskis through the end of the month helping out with the chores whenever I could. I’d never lived on a farm and my ignorance of even the most fundamental farming techniques was a source of constant entertainment for Mr. and Mrs. Tarnowski. We had dinner every night at six and they were in bed by eight. I know they had a son, but he was never home and no mention was ever made of him at the dinner table or anywhere else. I respected those unspoken wishes and never brought it up.
    â€œFinally, after a few weeks, my anxiety got the best of me and I told the Tarnowskis that I had to go back to Chrzanów and find my family. They cautioned me against it, but my need was stronger than my common sense. I would go into town the next morning with Mr. Tarnowski on his delivery route. It was a disastrous decision.”
    Lena’s eyes filled with tears and she paused to take a sip of water. She seemed ready to say something but stopped and shook her head. “This is a good place for me to stop. Do you suppose we could take a break? Pick it up in a few days?”
    â€œAnytime you’d like,” Catherine said. “Why don’t you call me whenever you’d like to resume?”

 
    S EVEN
    â€œA ND THAT’S HOW YOU left it?” Liam said.
    Catherine nodded. “I told her she could take all the time she wants—tell me the story at her own pace. These recollections are very hard on her.”
    â€œDid she say anything more about the two girls or Karolina?”
    â€œNothing yet. At this point in her story she doesn’t know what happened to Karolina, and there’s no mention of any twins.”
    â€œI got a call this morning from a man named Arthur Woodward. He says he’s Lena’s son and he wants us to stay away from his mother.”
    â€œShe has a son?”
    Liam nodded. “He sounded concerned, but irritated. He asked me if his mother was talking to me about a woman named Karolina. I told him I really couldn’t say, that any communications between an attorney and her client are privileged and confidential and that I was working for the attorney.”
    â€œPerfect,” Catherine said. “We can’t disclose any information, even if he is her son. Not without her permission.”
    â€œRight. And then Arthur said to me, ‘Is she repeating those crazy stories about two lost children? Is my mother telling you she wants you to find Karolina’s lost children? Can you at least tell me that much?’
    â€œI told him I was sorry but I couldn’t tell him anything. I suggested he ask his mother what she’d said. Then he got downright nasty.
    â€œâ€˜Look,’ he snapped, ‘she’s a senile, delusional old woman. There’s no babies, there’s no Karolina. Never was. I don’t know what your play is, but I don’t want some moneygrubbing lawyer leading her on and making bullshit promises. You’re not going to find any missing children. So leave her alone. And I better not find out you’re taking any of her money. Do you understand? Am I clear here?’ And then he hung up.”
    â€œWhoa. What a pleasant fellow,” Catherine said. “I know I’ve only had a couple of days with her, but I don’t get the feeling that Lena’s senile. To the contrary, her narrative is well structured, organized and detailed. She’s articulate. And Liam—she knows I’m pregnant!”
    â€œMaybe she’s also very observant.”
    â€œI’m not really showing, am I?”
    Liam shook his head. “Nah. And I keep a careful watch on all parts Catherine.”
    â€œDid you say something to her?”
    â€œI haven’t said anything to anybody.”
    â€œLena said she’s part Gypsy, so maybe she’s got mystical powers.” Catherine wiggled her