He changes the subject. “Here’s something I don’t get. You call Lawrence Quinn your father, but he isn’t your father. And Eleanor Quinn isn’t your mother. Your real parents are dead, correct?”

“Lawrence and Eleanor are my real parents. They raised me.”

“But they’re not your legal parents. Any reason why they didn’t adopt you?”

“Money. My trust becomes available next year. By not adopting me, Lawrence said my money is my money, and has nothing to do with my place in his family.”

“There are legal ways to protect money. But okay, that’s one story. What about Eleanor?”

“Eleanor pushed for adoption, but in the end, she agreed with Lawrence.”

“And you believe it? You seem like a skeptical woman. I mean, these reasons seem plausible.” He shrugs. “But there are always other interpretations.”

This pisses me off. “Like what?”

“First, the Quinns don’t need your money, so Lawrence’s argument is weak. Unless, of course, he and Eleanor divorce.” He pauses. “Second, if Eleanor wanted to adopt you, you would’ve been adopted. She isn’t a woman who defers to anyone. Especially a man who failed to fulfill his duties as husband and provider.”

“Lawrence hasn’t failed—”

“Cassie, the guy’s been sponging off her for thirty years, and seems to have forgotten the money isn’t his. I have to assume this makes Eleanor very angry. So, maybe the Quinns didn’t adopt you because they didn’t want you in their family. Not really. Not the same way you wanted them.”

As Haggerty baits me, panic sets in. My body grows numb, my throat closes. I’m splintering. I can hear and see Haggerty but he’s far off and fuzzy.

“That’s not true.” I choose my words carefully. I must be precise. If I’m not, Haggerty will realize I’ve checked out. “They took care of me.” I feel an aggressive need for a fight, for sex, anything to block the drilling in my ears.

“Cassie, they never claimed you as their own.”

A wave of cold sweeps over me. Haggerty has to stop talking. Another wave hits me. The cold is coming up through the ground into my bones.

Haggerty is studying me. “You okay?”

“Fine.”

“Billy’s story doesn’t add up.”

“Doesn’t make him a rapist.” It’s October, and this diner is overheated, but I can’t stop shivering. “Doesn’t make him a criminal.”

“Billy Quinn raped Diana Holly. He will be held accountable. Every man should be held accountable for his crimes.” He smiles. “Don’t you see? I’m on the side of the angels, Cassie. I want to get the monsters.”

Standing up, I knock the edge of the table. “I have to go.”

“We’re just talking, no need to be afraid.”