They shook hands self-consciously. It was a few minutes after ten o’clock, both the coffee shop and Maxie’s would be too crowded for privacy, he thought. “We can talk in here,” he said, leading the way to a consultation room.

“I’ve come to see you about Elizabeth,” Samourian said as they sat down.

“I know,” Rafe said. “I’ve had the two of you observed by a detective for some time.”

The man nodded, watching him. “I see.”

“What are your plans?”

“She and the boy are on the West Coast. I’m going to join them there.”

“I was told that you’re a doctor,” Rafe said.

Samourian smiled. “Of philosophy. I teach economics at M.I.T. but in September I’ll be teaching at Stanford,” he said. “She plans to file for divorce immediately. We’re hoping that you won’t contest.”

“I want my son,” Rafe said. His throat thickened. Until that moment he had not realized how much he wanted him.

“She wants him, too. Generally divorce courts feel it best for children to stay with their mothers.”

“Perhaps that won’t be so this time. If she tries to keep him from me I’ll contest and file on my own. I have sufficient evidence. Written reports,” he said, thinking glumly that Kittredge was the only winner.

“We should keep in mind what is best for the child.”

“I’ve kept that in mind for a long time,” Rafe said. “I’ve tried to keep my marriage going to make some kind of a life for him.”

Samourian sighed. “I’m just trying to make things as easy as possible for her. She’s very fine-drawn. She won’t survive too much of a battle. Her uncle’s illness has affected her terribly, as of course you know. She loves him very much.”

“If that’s so, she left at a peculiar time,” Rafe said.

The other man shrugged. “People show their love in peculiar ways. She couldn’t stay here and see him suffering.” He looked at Meomartino. “I understand there isn’t a great deal of hope.”

“No.”

“When he dies I’m afraid I’m going to have a very hard time keeping her stable.”

Meomartino studied him. “I’m afraid you are,” he said. “I didn’t realize you knew her that well.”

Samourian smiled. “Oh, I know Beth,” he said quietly.

“Beth?”

“It’s what I call her. A new name, a new life.”

Rafe nodded. “There’s only one thing wrong with that picture,” he said. “She has the same old little boy, and he’s mine.”

“Yes,” Samourian said. “These things are likely to take time. Lawyers and judges don’t hurry. I give you my word that until everything is decided Miguel will have a good home. As soon as we have an address in Palo Alto I’ll send it to you.”