“You are certain about tomorrow?” the doctor asked.
Mother Caridad did not look up from the envelope she was sealing.
“No.”
Paloma removed her gloves.
“But you are going.”
“Yes.”
The doctor sat in the chair beside the desk.
“I telephoned the clinic listed on the appointment card.”
Mother Caridad’s hand stopped.
“And?”
“They confirmed that a patient named Ana Valdés attended an appointment seven weeks ago.”
“Esperanza?”
“They would not provide details without written permission.”
“That is proper.”
“Yes.”
“Did they describe the patient?”
“No. But they gave me the name of the physician.”
Mother Caridad waited.
“Doctor Mateo Serrano.”
She recognized the surname.
“Do you know him?”
“Professionally. He specializes in reproductive medicine and complex fertility cases.”
“Was he involved six years ago?”
“No.”
“Then how did he become involved now?”
“I do not know.”
Mother Caridad leaned back.
“You believe someone has continued arranging procedures under Esperanza’s former name.”
