"If you want to know their relationship, why don't you simply ask the housekeeper?"
"She has always told us that she has no living relatives, and that she has never been married. She had a discussion with this man, Thor, and I heard him say that he loved her."
"Why is that so strange?"
"You would have to know Maddie to understand. If she loved a man, she would have told me. We have always been close. She is keeping a secret from me, and I know she will not confide in me if I ask her."
"If she has a secret, you are not as close as you believe."
"Please---see if you can find out who this man is. That is all I am asking."
"How will I be able to contact you?"
"I can meet you whenever it is most convenient."
"I should be able to meet with you on Thursday, concerning my research."
"We could meet in the park on Windsor Boulevard. It is between here and our cottage."
"Is three o' clock on Thursday, good for you?"
Hayley nodded and reached for the door. "Yes, I will look forward to seeing you."