Free White Lies by Evelyn Glass

e’ d never had an urge to introduce himself. He was afraid, if he was willing to admit it to himself, that when he held out his hand to grip hers, she would give some kind of signal, some accidental sign, that would confirm whose daughter she was.
     
    Over the years, Philip Blankenship had been connected with scores of women. Several of them had children, several of them had suddenly married, or quietly demurred when they were asked who the father was. But h e’ d never openly acknowledged any children other than Alex, and eventually, Claire.
     
    It should n’ t have been a surprise that Cindy could put him in mind of his father so easily. It was small things that had been so obvious. Sh e’ d thrown her shoulders back, ever so slightly, before she addressed him. Her hands had clutched at the hem of her suit coat in a certain way. He doubted she was even aware of these things. But he was quite sure she had no doubt who her father was. He wondered if she had modeled herself after Philip consciously, or if it had just been a natural progression. If it had seemed as inevitable for her as it had been for Alex.
     
    It was a shitty move to send Zoey out of the room like a child, and he would need to make that up to her later. But for no w— for now, he needed to address Walden directly.
     
    He walked into the large living room. Clearly unintentionally, Cindy Walden had taken the same spot that Claire had taken the night before. On the large sofa, pressed into the arm farthest from where he would enter, but her body turned facing towards him. Sophia had brought in three cups of coffee, left behind the polished silver coffee pot, as well as a sugar bowl and milk jug. He fixed himself a cup; Cindy followed his lead. He did not take the spot opposite her on the couch, instead choosing a separate door, though still far from the entryway to the room.
     
    “ Zoey will join us in a moment , ” he said, sipping at his coffee .“ I want you to know she will be recording our conversation. For both of our protection, of course . ”
     
    “ I understand . ” Walden look completely unconcerned, just quiet and still as she sipped at her cup.
     
    “ I need you to understand, Ms. Walden, that while I will hear you out, if I find that yo u’ ve intentionally misled me in any wa y— well, I believe that experience will be quite unpleasant for both of us . ”
     
    Walden gave Alex a long look that came straight out of Phili p’ s playbook .“ Perhaps we should wait for your friend , ” the emphasis on the word was not to be missed ,“ to join us. For both of our protection . ”
     
    He could n’ t help but smile. He sipped in silence until Zoey joined them. It looked like sh e’ d taken a moment to swipe on some makeup. It added to the finished look sh e’ d picked up with the new clothes that actually complemented her body, instead of the body of some mannequin in a department store, though Alex found himself missing, just a little, the tousled, just out of bed look sh e’ d had a few minutes before. This was more polished, but less private. It was an interesting feeling, one he hadn't ever had before.
     
    The pull he felt towards Zoey was something he needed to put aside to examine at a later time. He needed her, that was part of it, but there was something else, something so very much more. But now was n’ t the time.
     
    Zoey inclined her head slightly towards Alex, then took the seat on the other side of the sofa from Cindy Walden. She very clearly laid her tablet down, orienting what he assumed was the mic towards the other woman, then tapped something on the screen .“ Ms. Walden , ” she said .“ I assume Alex told you that he had asked me to record this conversation ? ”
     
    “ Yes, tha t’ s fine , ” she said, setting down her coffee cup .“ I do n’ t understand why sh e’ s here . ”
     
    Zoey started to speak, but Alex quickly spoke over her .“ Tha t’ s not your concern , ” he said .“