Page 37 of The Curse Breaker

“It’s great,” Benny said as Catherine watched her. “Thank you.”

“Wally Ingram must take good care of you,” said Mr. Kellman. “His family has been working with the Terrys for generations.” He turned. “Good evening, Cora.”

“I’m sorry, I thought your name was Candace,” Mr. Tapper asked.

Catherine laughed. “You’re both wrong. My name is Catherine Cannon.”

Benny froze. They both had her name wrong? Catherine winked at her, and all Benny could think was, Who are you really?

“Catherine! Tonight’s generous benefactor,” Mr. Tapper shook Catherine’s hand harder as Benny tried to make sense of what was going on. “Thank you for stepping in. With so many people in town for the lighthouse fundraiser, we had to scramble to find a new venue after the storm.”

“Saving the lighthouse Evelyn Terry built is a worthy cause,” Catherine said. “I’m happy to help however I can.”

Benny side-eyed Catherine, trying not to seem obvious. Hadn’t she said she knew everyone in Greenport? Why did everyone have her name wrong? Benny felt a strange flutter in her stomach. This situation reminded her of Charlotte/Calia in Evelyn’s diary. It wasn’t possible they were all the same person, was it? Her heart began to thud in her chest.

“What about you two gentlemen?” Catherine placed a hand on Mr. Tapper’s arm and smiled at Mr. Kellman. “I doubt being on the Terry estate board is a paid position. How do you both spend your days?”

“I’m a retired lawyer who is also on the Harrison School board of directors.” Mr. Kellman smiled at Benny. “You should consider going there, young lady. Best school on the East End.”

“I will mention it to my mother,” Benny said politely. She wouldn’t. Private school? Her? She didn’t even know if she’d be here next week.

“Ahh, school. What grade are you in, Benny?” Catherine asked.

“Did you call her Benny?” Mr. Kellman asked, confused.

“That’s what Everly chooses to be called,” Catherine told him. She clearly had been paying attention. “What do you prefer to be called, Mr. Kellman and Mr. Tapper? I’ve always found names so tiresome. Who wants to be one person their whole life?” Her voice was almost a purr. Benny recognized her technique. The hand touch. Standing close. Showing interest. Her mom did the same thing. Mr. Tapper and Catherine started talking closely.

“You remind me of someone,” Mr. Kellman said suddenly.

“Me?” Catherine removed her hand from Mr. Tapper’s arm and placed her right hand on her chest, showing off the giant gem again. It was hard to miss. “Do tell.”

“You look like an actress I used to be in love with as a boy. What was her name?” Mr. Kellman snapped his fingers. “She was in all those Mickey Rooney movies.”

Catherine quirked an eyebrow. “Who is Mickey Rooney?”

Mr. Tapper laughed. “You’re showing your age, Roger.”

Mr. Kellman glanced at Benny for help. “He was a big actor. Catherine looks like his costar in a movie with Cary Grant and Judy Garland.” His eyes widened. “Cate Callahan was her name! Big actress. I had a poster of her. She was really something. Died too young.”

“A famous actress by the name of Cate Callahan?” Catherine put a hand on her hip and winked at Benny. “Are you trying to flatter me, Mr. Kellman? I don’t know who she is, but if you had a poster of her, I’m sure she was divine.”

Divine. Another word Benny didn’t hear often. She committed the name Cate Callahan to memory and realized something else. Cate Callahan. Candace. Cora. Catherine Cannon. All names with C. Just like Charlotte had given Evelyn’s family C names. Could that be a coincidence? Benny felt her stomach roll and wondered.

“Aaron!” someone yelled from across the lawn. “Roger!”

“Excuse us,” Mr. Kellman looked at Benny. “We look forward to speaking with you more later, young lady.”

“Yes sir,” she said. Mr. Kellman looked pleased.

“Lovely to see you, Catherine,” Mr. Tapper added. “Maybe we can have a drink later?”

“Sounds lovely.” She maintained a smile till both men were out of earshot. When they were gone, she groaned. “I thought they’d never leave.” She threw her arms dramatically on the table and turned to Benny. “You didn’t tell me you had an estate, dear! What else are you hiding?”

Dear. “Hiding? Nothing,” Benny said, on guard now.

“Come on, we’re gal pals, aren’t we?” Catherine stared at her. “Tell me about this big inheritance everyone is talking about.”

Benny dug her fingernails into her dress and tried to think of a way to spin this. Why do you want to know? “My mother said it’s impolite to talk money at a party.”