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nodding. Leaning forward, Lang smiled politely at the townsfolk and spoke into the microphone. “If there are no other comments, the board wants all of you to know we appreciate your interest in coming to the meeting today. We also want to thank our new intern for his presentation. Although he has done his homework and made a strong case for closing the children’s unit, the board wants to assure you that this matter is far from decided.”
    Tanner grimaced. Nice. Make it sound like the whole thing had been his idea. He’d be lucky if he got out of the building alive.
    Lang was rhapsodizing about being a servant of the people and doing only that which was best for everyone, but the crowd was growing tired and more frustrated. Eventually Langcaught on. He smiled in Tanner’s direction. “We have therefore decided to postpone any decision on this matter until the first week of September.”
    Tanner wasn’t surprised. That was long enough for him to spend the summer researching a better way to balance the budget and save the children’s unit, and late enough that the supervisors could take credit for it.
Ah, the life of a political intern
.
    The meeting was over, and the atmosphere had done a one-eighty. The clusters of townspeople stood in bunches, congratulating each other. They had a lofty air about them now, as though they were far superior to the board of supervisors.
    Tanner watched as several of them approached the girl who had championed the children’s unit so well. Again he had the feeling he’d seen her somewhere before. What had Lang called her? The citizens talked to her in a manner that seemed far friendlier than their earlier reception. She remained aloof, an ice queen. But still there was something about her.
    Lang approached him. “Tanner, great job up there. We almost had ’em.”
    “Eastman.” Tanner’s eyes were trained on the girl.
    Lang’s face went blank. “What?”
    “My name. Tanner Eastman.”
    A beat. “What did I call you?”
    “Tanner Ghormsley. As in Professor John Ghormsley. The man who arranged my internship.”
    Lang shrugged. “Oh well, they don’t know who you are.”
    “Yeah, well, after what happened here today maybe I should thank you.” Tanner collected his file, but his eyes still followed the girl. Every move she made reminded him of something he’d seen before, someone he’d known before.
    Lang followed Tanner’s gaze and huffed. “She sure did us in.She’s worked the children’s unit for years. Obviously a bleeding heart—”
    “Wait a minute!” Tanner’s eyes widened and his heart pounded in his chest. It couldn’t be, but then … Where had she moved? Wasn’t it somewhere out west? Maybe even somewhere in Washington? Tanner’s mouth went dry as he stared at her, still standing there across the room. “What did you say her name was?”
    “Who?” Lang looked around, trying to make sense of Tanner’s question.
    The young nurse was gathering her things, making her move to leave, and Tanner was filled with a frantic sense of urgency. “The girl, the nurse. What’s her name?”
    Tanner knew he couldn’t wait another moment. He had to know if he was right. He began pulling away, heading toward her, and for a single moment he focused his gaze on Lang, desperate for his answer. “Come
on
, what’s her name? You said it earlier.”
    “Oh, her.” Lang nodded toward the girl. “Conner. What’s this all about? The meeting’s over, Tanner.”
    “I have to talk to her. What’s her first name?”
    “Ummm, I’m not sure. Wait a minute, I’ll think of it.” Lang concentrated and then pursed his lips, tapping a single finger on his chin. “Let’s see. Jean, was it? No, not Jean.…”
    Tanner thought his heart might burst. Lang was still concentrating. “Jane … no, that’s not it.”
    “Think, Lang. I have to know.” The girl was leaving, and he absolutely had to know her name, had to find out if it could possibly be her after all