“That’s exactly right.” She risked laying a hand on his shoulder as they started toward Crawford’s. She thought she felt him stiffen and casually let her hand drop away. “And we can always call them on my cell phone.”

“Yeah? Way cool. Can I do it?”

“Sure, why not?”

• • •

TWENTY MINUTES LATER Sybill was at her desk, fingers racing over her keyboard.

Though I spent less than an hour with him, I would conclude that the subject is extremely bright. Phillip informed me that he achieves high grades academically, which is admirable. It was satisfying to discover that he has a questioning mind. His manners are perhaps a bit rough, but not unpleasant. He appears to be considerably more outgoing socially than his mother or I were at his age. In that, I mean he seems quite natural with relative strangers without the polite formality that was stressed in my own upbringing. Part of this may be due to the influence of the Quinns. They are, as I have noted previously, informal, casual people.

I would also conclude from watching both the children and the adults with whom he interacted today, that he is generally well liked in this community and accepted as part of it. Naturally I cannot, at this early stage, conclude whether or not his best interest would be served by remaining here.

It’s simply not possible to ignore Gloria’s rights, nor have I attempted, as yet, to discover the boy’s wishes as concern his mother.

I would prefer that he grow accustomed to me, feel comfortable around me, before he learns of our family connection.

I need more time to . . .

She broke off as the phone rang and, scanning her hastily typed notes, picked up the receiver.

“Dr. Griffin.”

“Hello, Dr. Griffin. Why do I suspect I’ve interrupted your work?”

She recognized Phillip’s voice, the amusement in it, and with a flare of guilt lowered the top of her computer. “Because you’re a perceptive man. But I can spare a few minutes. How are things in Baltimore?”

“Busy. How’s this? The visual is a handsome young couple, beaming smiles as they carry their laughing toddler to a mid-size sedan. Caption: ‘Myerstone Tires. Your family matters to us.” ’

“Manipulative. The consumer is led to believe that if he or she buys another brand, the family doesn’t matter to that other company.”

“Yeah. It works. Of course, we’re hitting the car mags with a different image. Screaming convertible in kick-ass red, long, winding road, sexy blonde at the wheel. ‘Myerstone Tires. You can drive there, or you can BE there.” ’

“Clever.”

“The client likes it, and that takes a load off. How’s life in St. Chris?”

“Quiet.” She bit her lip. “I ran into Seth a bit ago. Actually, I drafted him to help me with an experiment. It went well.”

“Oh, yeah? How much did you have to pay him?”

“An ice cream cone, double scoop.”

“You got off cheap. The kid’s an operator. How about dinner tomorrow night, a bottle of champagne to celebrate our mutual successes?”