Sarah settled Lily into the booth nearest the kitchen, away from the draft coming through the entrance. She brought a clean towel, a glass of water, and a small plate of buttered toast.
Lily watched her carefully.
"Am I in trouble?"
"No, sweetheart."
"The man was angry."
"He's not allowed to frighten you."
Sarah helped her remove the wet raincoat and draped it over the back of the booth.
"Now, can you tell me where you last saw your mom?"
Lily looked down at her handbag.
"At the big building with the shiny windows."
"Was it a hotel?"
"I don't know."
"Do you remember the street?"
Lily shook her head.
Sarah noticed the girl's hands were shaking. Rather than pressing her with more questions, she let her eat.
Across the dining room, Gregory stood near the register, watching them with increasing irritation.
Sarah's coworker, Denise Parker, approached quietly.
"You know he's serious about firing you."
Sarah nodded.
"I know."
"You can't afford to lose this job."
"I also can't send an eight-year-old into a storm."
Denise looked toward Lily and softened.
"I'll cover your tables."
Sarah thanked her before returning to the booth.
Lily was now holding a small photograph she had removed from her handbag.
It showed a smiling blond woman standing beside a little girl in a garden.
"Is that your mother?" Sarah asked.
Lily nodded.
"Her name is Evelyn."
"Do you know her phone number?"
Lily looked uncertain.
"Mommy makes me remember it, but I get mixed up when I'm scared."
Sarah found a clean piece of paper and sat beside her.
"That's okay. We can try together."
Lily managed to remember seven digits, but the area code was missing.
Sarah called the local police department's nonemergency number and explained that a young child had entered the diner alone, apparently separated from her parent.
The dispatcher asked them to remain inside while an officer was sent to assist.
Lily grew frightened again.
"Will they take me away?"
Sarah gently held her hand.
"They're coming to help us find your mom."
The child hesitated.
Then she whispered something Sarah hadn't expected.
"Mommy said if a man named Victor finds me, I have to run."
Sarah stopped writing.
"Who's Victor?"
Lily's eyes moved toward the front windows.
"He's the man who made Mommy cry."
And outside, a black sedan had just pulled into the parking lot.