“Good. Great. Fully recovered.” Physically, at least.
She squeezes my shoulder. “I’m so glad to hear it.”
“How about you? What have you been up to?”
“Working for the city of Cleveland mostly. I run the Permits and Zoning Department now.”
“You’re not practicing law?”
“Nah. I figured out pretty soon after graduation that practicing law isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. My background is in community development, so the job’s a good fit. The hours are steady, the stress is fairly low—compared to firm life, at least.” She chuckles. “I like it. What about you?”
“I recently started at Smith & Boone.”
She whistles low. “Damn, girl. If anyone has the brains and stamina for big law life, it’s you. Cass was a year below me in law school, and we were on Law Review at the same time,” she explains to the man standing next to her, who nods. “Oh, this is my fiancé, Eric, by the way.”
“You’re engaged? Congratulations!” I hug each of them in turn. “How do you know the Szymanskis?” I ask.
“I’m one of them.” Eric grins, and I see the family resemblance in his high cheekbones and broad-shouldered build. “Roger Szymanski is my uncle.”
I raise my eyebrows. “So you’re Devin’s cousin?”
“On my mom’s side. How do you know Devin?”
“We started seeing each other about a month ago.”
“Nice. Well, I’m very glad to meet you, Cass.”
“Same here.” An idea coalesces, and I sidle closer to Val. “So hey, random question. Can you remember if there was ever a party or law school event over the last few years that Devin and I would have both attended? Maybe something you or Eric hosted?”
She cocks her head. “I don’t think so. Why?”
“When Devin and I first met we both had this strange flash of déjà vu, like we’d met somewhere before.” My gut twists at the white lie, but I keep going. “We’ve been racking our brains ever since, trying to figure out where our paths might have crossed. You’re only the second mutual connection we’ve found. Any ideas?”
Pinching her eyebrows together, Val taps a finger against her lips. “No, sorry. I know Devin through Eric, and Eric and I didn’t meet until after I graduated law school.”
I haven’t seen her since she graduated, which means she can’t be the connection we’re looking for. My stomach sinks, the flash of hope that we finally had a lead gone. I smooth my features. “No biggie, I was just curious.”
“Val?” a man calls from several yards away. “I thought that was you! What are you doing here?”
“Victor, hey. One second.” Turning, she leans in. “What am I doing here? What is he doing here?” At my confused expression, she clarifies. “That’s my boss. He’s in charge of community development projects for the city of Cleveland.”
“He’s probably friends with my uncle. Roger knows everyone,” says Eric.
“We should go say hi.” She sighs. “Cass, it was so good to see you. Let’s hang out soon, yeah?”
“For sure. Are you still on Instagram?”
She shakes her head. “My therapist recommended I take a break from social media for my mental health, and I haven’t looked back.” That explains why she didn’t pop up as a mutual contact when Devin and I compared social media accounts last month. “I’m pretty sure I still have your number though…” Checking her phone, she nods. “Here’s mine, just in case.”
From inside my bag, my phone buzzes. “Text me. We’ll do lunch.”
“I’d love that.”
“See you later.” Taking her plate back from Eric, she disappears into the crowd.
* * *
A pleasant breeze wafts from the lake when I finally reach the concrete facility, cooling my overheated skin. The building is located on the edge of a short cliff, and I peer down the eight-foot decline to the rocky shore below. No one else is around, and I’m grateful for the quiet. My mind’s still buzzing from my encounter with Val. For a second, I thought I’d finally found the connection that could explain how and why I imagined Devin, but I was wrong.
Back to square one, I guess.
My bladder reminds me why I’m here, and I pick up the pace. After all the seltzers and water I drank, I really do have to pee. Following the curve of the squat, round towers, I scan for a door. After fifty or so feet I find one. I tug the handle. The door doesn’t budge. I knock, pressing my ear against the thick metal. No one answers. I walk around the entire facility, trying every door I find, but none of them are unlocked. “Damn it,” I mumble.