SI DNEY SHELDON

THE SKY I S FALLI NG

Copyr i ght ( c) The Si dney Shel don Fami l y Li mi t ed
Par t ner shi p 2000
Si dney Shel don asser t s t he mor al r i ght t o be i dent i f i ed as
t he aut hor of t hi s wor k
I SBN 0 00 710188 0
For Al exandr a The Angel On My Shoul der
The sky i s f al l i ng! The sky i s f al l i ng! - Chi cken Li t t l e
Show me a her o and I wi l l wr i t e you a t r agedy.
- F. Scot t Fi t zger al d
PROLOGUE
CONFI DENTI AL MI NUTES TO ALL OPERATI ON PERSONNEL: DESTROY
I MMEDI ATELY AFTER READI NG.
LOCATI ON: CLASSI FI ED DATE: CLASSI FI ED
Ther e wer e t wel ve men i n t he heavi l y guar ded under gr ound
chamber , r epr esent i ng t wel ve f ar - f l ung count r i es. They wer e
seat ed i n comf or t abl e chai r s set i n si x r ows, sever al f eet
apar t . They l i st ened i nt ent l y as t he speaker addr essed t hem.
' I amhappy t o i nf or myou t hat t he t hr eat wi t h whi ch we
have al l been so deepl y concer ned i s about t o be el i mi nat ed.
I need not go i nt o det ai l s because t he whol e wor l d wi l l hear
about i t wi t hi n t he next t went y- f our hour s. Rest assur ed t hat
not hi ng wi l l st op us. The gat es wi l l r emai n open. We wi l l now
begi n t he auct i on. Do I have a f i r st bi d? Yes. One bi l l i on
dol l ar s. Do I have t wo? Two bi l l i on. Do I have t hr ee?'
One
She was hur r yi ng al ong Pennsyl vani a Avenue, a bl ock f r om
t he Whi t e House, shi ver i ng i n t he col d December wi nd, when
she hear d t he t er r i f yi ng, ear - spl i t t i ng scr eamof ai r - r ai d
si r ens and t hen t he sound of a bomber pl ane over head, r eady
t o unl oad i t s car go of deat h. She st opped, f r ozen, engul f ed
i n a r ed mi st of t er r or .
Suddenl y she was back i n Sar aj evo, and she coul d hear t he
shr i l l whi st l e of t he bombs dr oppi ng. She cl osed her eyes
t i ght l y, but i t was i mpossi bl e t o shut out t he vi si on of what
was happeni ng al l ar ound her . The sky was abl aze, and she was
deaf ened by t he sounds of aut omat i c- weapons f i r e, r oar i ng
pl anes, and t he wump of deadl y mor t ar shel l s. Near by
bui l di ngs er upt ed i nt o shower s of cement , br i cks, and dust .
Ter r i f i ed peopl e wer e r unni ng i n ever y di r ect i on, t r yi ng t o
out r ace deat h.
Fr omf ar , f ar away, a man' s voi ce was sayi ng, ' Ar e you al l
r i ght ?'
Sl owl y, war i l y, she opened her eyes. She was back on
Pennsyl vani a Avenue, i n t he bl eak wi nt er sunl i ght , l i st eni ng
t o t he f adi ng sounds of t he j et pl ane and t he ambul ance si r en
t hat had t r i gger ed her memor i es.
' Mi ss - ar e you al l r i ght ?'
She f or ced her sel f back t o t he pr esent . ' Yes. I ' m- I ' m
f i ne, t hank you. '
He was st ar i ng at her . ' Wai t a mi nut e! You' r e Dana Evans.
I ' ma bi g f an of your s. I wat ch you on WTN ever y ni ght , and I
saw al l your br oadcast s f r omYugosl avi a. ' Hi s voi ce was
f i l l ed wi t h ent husi asm. ' I t must have been r eal l y exci t i ng
f or you, cover i ng t hat war , huh?'
' Yes. ' Dana Evans' s t hr oat was dr y. Exci t i ng t o see peopl e
bl own t o shr eds, t o see t he bodi es of babi es t hr own down
wel l s, bi t s of human j et samf l owi ng down a r i ver of r ed.
She suddenl y f el t si ck t o her st omach. ' Excuse me. ' She
t ur ned and hur r i ed away.
i sl and. What happens t o one, happens t o us al l , f or we ar e
al l made of day and St ar dust . We shar e t he same moment s of
t i me. The uni ver sal second hand st ar t s i t s unf or gi vi ng sweep
t owar d t he next mi nut e:
I n Sant i ago, a t en- year - ol d gi r l i s bei ng r aped by her
gr andf at her . . .
I n New Yor k Ci t y, t wo young l over s ar e ki ssi ng by
candl el i ght . . .
I n Fl ander s, a sevent een- year - ol d gi r l i s gi vi ng bi r t h t o
a cr ack baby . . .
I n Chi cago, a f i r eman r i sks hi s l i f e t o save a cat f r oma
bur ni ng bui l di ng . . .
I n Sao Paul o, hundr eds of f ans ar e t r ampl ed t o deat h at a
soccer mat ch as t he st ands col l apse . . .
I n Pi sa, a mot her cr i es wi t h j oy as she wat ches her baby
t ake i t s f i r st st eps . . .
Al l t hi s and i nf i ni t el y mor e i n t he space of si xt y
seconds, Dana t hought . And t hen t i me t i cks on unt i l i t
f i nal l y sends us i nt o t he same unknown et er ni t y.
Dana Evans had r et ur ned f r omYugosl avi a j ust t hr ee mont hs
ear l i er . The memor i es wer e st i l l t oo f r esh. I t seemed unr eal
t o wal k down st r eet s i n br oad dayl i ght wi t hout f ear , t o hear
bi r ds si ngi ng and peopl e l aughi ng. Ther e had been no l aught er
i n Sar aj evo, onl y t he sounds of expl odi ng mor t ar s and t he
angui shed scr eams t hat f ol l owed. J ohn Donne was r i ght , Dana
t hought . No man i s an
Dana Evans, at t went y- seven, was l ovel y l ooki ng, wi t h a
sl i mf i gur e, mi dni ght - bl ack hai r , l ar ge, i nt el l i gent gr ay
eyes, a hear t - shaped f ace, and a war m, cont agi ous l augh. Dana
had gr own up as an ar my br at , t he daught er of a col onel who
t r avel ed f r ombase t o base as an ar mament i nst r uct or , and
t hat ki nd of l i f e had gi ven Dana a t ast e f or advent ur e. She
was vul ner abl e and at t he same t i me f ear l ess, and t he
combi nat i on was i r r esi st i bl e. Dur i ng t he
year t hat Dana had cover ed t he war i n Yugosl avi a, peopl e
al l over t he wor l d wer e spel l bound by t he beaut i f ul , young,
i mpassi oned woman br oadcast i ng i n t he mi ddl e of bat t l e,
r i ski ng her l i f e t o r epor t on t he deadl y event s occur r i ng
ar ound her . Now, wher ever she went , she was awar e of si gns
and whi sper s of r ecogni t i on. Dana Evans was embar r assed by
her cel ebr i t y.
Hur r yi ng down Pennsyl vani a Avenue, passi ng t he Whi t e
House, Dana l ooked at her wat ch and t hought , I ' mgoi ng t o be
l at e f or t he meet i ng.
i ngt on Tr i bune Syndi cat e. He was i n hi s t hi r t i es, t al l and
l ean, wi t h boyi sh l ooks and an easy, l ai d- back char mt hat
at t r act ed peopl e t o hi m. J ef f and Dana had f al l en i n l ove,
and t hey had t al ked about mar r i age.
I n t he t hr ee mont hs si nce Dana had r et ur ned f r omSar aj evo,
event s i n Washi ngt on had moved swi f t l y. Lesl i e St ewar t , t he
f or mer owner of Washi ngt on Tr i bune Ent er pr i ses, had sol d out
and di sappear ed, and t he cor por at i on had been bought by an
i nt er nat i onal medi a t ycoon, El l i ot Cr omwel l .
Washi ngt on Tr i bune Ent er pr i ses t ook up an ent i r e bl ock of
Si xt h St r eet NW, wi t h f our separ at e bui l di ngs: a newspaper
pr i nt i ng pl ant , newspaper st af f of f i ces, an execut i ve t ower ,
and a t el evi si on br oadcast i ng compl ex. The Washi ngt on Tr i bune
Net wor k t el evi si on st udi os occupi ed t he si xt h f l oor of
bui l di ng f our . The pl ace was al ways char ged wi t h ener gy, i t s
cubi cl es hummi ng wi t h peopl e at wor k on t hei r comput er s. Wi r e
copy f r omhal f a dozen news ser vi ces const ant l y spewed out
updat ed news f r omar ound t he gl obe. The i mmensi t y of t he
oper at i on never ceased t o amaze and exci t e Dana.
I t was t her e t hat Dana had met J ef f Connor s. An Al l - St ar
pi t cher unt i l he i nj ur ed hi s ar mi n a ski i ng acci dent , J ef f
was now an on- ai r spor t s r epor t er f or WTN and al so wr ot e a
dai l y col umn f or t he Wash-
The mor ni ng meet i ng wi t h Mat t Baker and El l i ot Cr omwel l
was about t o begi n. When Dana ar r i ved, she was gr eet ed by
Abbe Lasmann, Mat t ' s sexy r edheaded assi st ant .
The f el l ows ar e wai t i ng f or you, ' Abbe sai d.
' Thanks, Abbe. ' Dana wal ked i nt o t he cor ner of f i ce. ' Mat t
. . . El l i ot
' You' r e l at e, ' Mat t Baker gr umbl ed.
Baker was a shor t , gr ay- hai r ed man i n hi s ear l y f i f t i es,
wi t h a gr uf f , i mpat i ent manner f uel ed by a br i l l i ant ,
r est l ess mi nd. He wor e r umpl ed sui t s t hat l ooked as i f t hey
had been sl ept i n, and Dana suspect ed t hat t hey had been. He
r an WTN, t he Washi ngt on Tr i bune Ent er pr i ses t el evi si on
oper at i on.
El l i ot Cr omwel l was i n hi s si xt i es, wi t h a f r i endl y, open
manner and a r eady smi l e. He was a bi l l i onai r e, but t her e
wer e a dozen di f f er ent account s of
how he had achi eved hi s vast f or t une, some of t hemnot
f l at t er i ng. I n t he medi a busi ness, wher e t he obj ect was t o
di ssemi nat e i nf or mat i on, El l i ot Cr omwel l was an eni gma.
He l ooked at Dana and sai d, ' Mat t t el l s me we' r e beat i ng
t he compet i t i on agai n. Your r at i ngs keep goi ng up. '
' I ' mgl ad t o hear t hat , El l i ot . '
' Dana, I l i st en t o a hal f - dozen newscast s ever y ni ght , but
your s i s di f f er ent f r omt he ot her s. I ' mnot exact l y sur e why,
but I l i ke i t . '
Dana coul d have t ol d El l i ot Cr omwel l why. Ot her
newscast er s wer e t al ki ng at - not t o - audi ences of mi l l i ons,
announci ng t he news. Dana had deci ded t o make i t per sonal . I n
her mi nd, she woul d be t al ki ng one ni ght t o a l onel y wi dow,
t he next ni ght t o a shut - i n, l yi ng hel pl ess i n bed, and t he
next t o a sol i t ar y sal esman somewher e f ar away f r omhi s home
and f ami l y. Her news r epor t s sounded pr i vat e and i nt i mat e,
and vi ewer s l oved t hemand r esponded t o t hem.
' I under st and you' r e goi ng t o have an exci t i ng guest t o
i nt er vi ew t oni ght , ' Mat t Baker sai d.
Dana nodded. ' Gar y Wi nt hr op. '
Gar y Wi nt hr op was Amer i ca' s Pr i nce Char mi ng. A member of
one of t he count r y' s most pr omi nent f ami l i es, he was young,
handsome, char i smat i c.
' He doesn' t l i ke per sonal publ i ci t y, ' Cr omwel l sai d. ' How
di d you get hi mt o agr ee?'
' We have a common hobby, ' Dana t ol d hi m.
Cr omwel l ' s br ows f ur l ed. ' Real l y?'
' Yes. ' Dana smi l ed. ' I l i ke t o l ook at Monet s and van
Goghs, and he l i kes t o buy t hem. Ser i ousl y, I ' ve i nt er vi ewed
hi mbef or e, and we' ve become f r i endl y. We' l l r un a t ape of
hi s news conf er ence, whi ch we' l l cover t hi s af t er noon. My
i nt er vi ew wi l l be a f ol l ow- up. '
' Wonder f ul . ' Cr omwel l beamed.
They spent t he next hour t al ki ng about t he new show t he
net wor k was pl anni ng, Cr i me Li ne, an i nvest i gat i ve hour t hat
Dana was goi ng t o pr oduce and anchor . The obj ect i ve was
t wof ol d: t o cor r ect i nj ust i ces t hat had been done and t o spur
i nt er est i n sol vi ng f or got t en cr i mes.
' Ther e ar e a l ot of ot her r eal i t y shows on t he ai r , ' Mat t
war ned, ' so we' ve got t o be bet t er t han t hey ar e. I want us
t o st ar t out wi t h a gr abber . Somet hi ng t hat wi l l capt ur e t he
audi ence' s at t ent i on and- '
The i nt er combuzzed. Mat t Baker f l i cked down a key. ' I
t ol d you, no cal l s. Why- ?'
Abbe' s voi ce came over t he i nt er com. ' I ' msor r y. I t ' s f or
Mi ss Evans. I t ' s Kemal ' s school cal l i ng. I t sounds ur gent . '
Mat t Baker l ooked at Dana. ' Fi r st l i ne. '
Dana pi cked up t he phone, her hear t poundi ng. ' Hel l o . . .
I s Kemal al l r i ght ?' She l i st ened a moment . ' I see . . . I see
. . . Yes, I ' l l be r i ght t her e. ' She r epl aced t he r ecei ver .
' What ' s wr ong?' Mat t asked.
Dana sai d, ' They' d l i ke me t o come t o t he school t o pi ck
Kemal up. '
El l i ot Cr omwel l f r owned. That ' s t he boy you br ought back
f r omSar aj evo. '
' Yes. '
' That was qui t e a st or y. '
' Yes, ' Dana sai d r el uct ant l y.
' Di dn' t you f i nd hi ml i vi ng i n some vacant l ot ?'
' That ' s r i ght , ' Dana sai d.
' He had some di sease or somet hi ng?'
' No, ' she sai d f i r ml y, di sl i ki ng even t o t al k about t hose
days. ' Kemal l ost an ar m. I t was bl own of f by a bomb. '
' And you adopt ed hi m?'
' Not of f i ci al l y yet , El l i ot . I ' mgoi ng t o. For now, I ' m
hi s guar di an. '
' Wel l , go get hi m. We' l l di scuss Cr i me Li ne l at er . '
When Dana ar r i ved at t he Theodor e Roosevel t Mi ddl e School ,
she went di r ect l y t o t he assi st ant pr i nci pal ' s of f i ce. The
assi st ant pr i nci pal , Ver a Kos- t of f , a har assed- l ooki ng,
pr emat ur el y gr ay- hai r ed woman i n her f i f t i es, was at her
desk. Kemal was seat ed acr oss f r omher . He was t wel ve year s
ol d, smal l f or hi s age, t hi n and sal l ow, wi t h t ousl ed bl ond
hai r and a st ubbor n chi n. Wher e hi s r i ght ar mshoul d have
been was an empt y sl eeve. Hi s sl i ght body seemed dwar f ed by
t he r oom.
When Dana wal ked i n, t he at mospher e i n t he of f i ce was
gr i m.
' Hel l o, Mr s Kost of f , ' Dana sai d br i ght l y. ' Kemal . '
Kemal was st ar i ng at hi s shoes.
' I under st and t her e' s a pr obl em?' Dana cont i nued.
' Yes, t her e cer t ai nl y i s, Mi ss Evans. ' She handed Dana a
sheet of paper .
Dana st ar ed at i t , puzzl ed. I t r ead: Vodj a, pi zda, zbost i ,
f ukat i , nezakonski ot r ok, umr et i , t epee. She l ooked up. ' I - 1
don' t under st and. These ar e Ser bi an wor ds, ar en' t t hey?'
Mr s Kost of f sai d t i ght l y, ' I ndeed t hey ar e. I t ' s Kemal ' s
mi sf or t une t hat I happen t o be Ser bi an. These ar e wor ds t hat
Kemal has been usi ng i n school ' Her f ace was f l ushed.
' Ser bi an t r uck dr i ver s don' t t al k l i ke t hat , Mi ss Evans, and
I won' t have such l anguage comi ng f r omt he mout h of t hi s
young boy. Kemal cal l ed me a pi zda. '
Dana sai d, ' A pi - ?'
T r eal i ze t hat Kemal i s new t o our count r y, and I ' ve t r i ed
t o make al l owances, but hi s - hi s behavi or i s r epr ehensi bl e.
He' s const ant l y get t i ng i nt o f i ght s, and when I r epr i manded
hi mt hi s mor ni ng, he - he i nsul t ed me. That was t oo much. '
Dana sai d t act f ul l y, ' I ' msur e you know how di f - Bcul t i t
must be f or hi m, Mr s Kost of f , and- '
' As I t ol d you bef or e, I ' mmaki ng al l owances, but he' s
t r yi ng my pat i ence. '
I under st and. ' Dana l ooked over at Kemal . He was st i l l
st ar i ng down, hi s f ace sul l en.
' I do hope t hi s wi l l be t he l ast i nci dent , ' Mr s Kost of f
sai d.
' So do I . ' Dana r ose.
' I have Kemal ' s r epor t car d f or you. ' Mr s Kost of f opened a
dr awer , t ook out a car d, and handed i t t o Dana.
' Thank you, ' Dana sai d.
On t he way home, Kemal was si l ent .
' What amI goi ng t o do wi t h you?' Dana asked. ' Why ar e you
al ways get t i ng i nt o f i ght s, and why do you use wor ds l i ke
t hat ?'
' I di dn' t know she spoke Ser bi an. '
When t hey r eached Dana' s apar t ment , she sai d, ' I ' mgoi ng
t o have t o go back t o t he st udi o, Kemal . Wi l l you be al l
r i ght her e al one?'
' Wor d. '
The f i r st t i me Kemal had sai d t hat t o her , Dana had
t hought he had not under st ood her , but she qui ckl y l ear ned
t hat i t was par t of t he ar cane i di omspoken by t he young.
' Wor d' meant ' yes. ' That ' descr i bed member s of t he opposi t e
sex: pr et t y hot and t empt i ng. Ever yt hi ng was cool or sweet or
t i ght or r ad. I f t her e was somet hi ng t hey di dn' t l i ke, i t
sucked.
Dana t ook out t he r epor t car d t hat Mr s Kost of f had gi ven
her . As she st udi ed i t , her l i ps t i ght ened. Hi st or y, D.
Engl i sh, D. Sci ence, D. Soci al St udi es, F. Mat h, A.
Looki ng at t he car d, Dana t hought , Oh, Lor d, what amI
goi ng t o do? ' We' l l di scuss t hi s anot her t i me, ' she sai d.
' I ' ml at e. '
Kemal was an eni gma t o Dana. When t hey wer e t oget her , he
behaved beaut i f ul l y. He was l ovi ng and t hought f ul and
endear i ng. On weekends, Dana and J ef f t ur ned Washi ngt on i nt o
a pl aygr ound f or hi m. They went t o t he Nat i onal Zoo, wi t h i t s
spect acul ar ar r ay of wi l d ani mal s, st ar r i ng t he exot i c gi ant
panda. They vi si t ed t he Nat i onal Ai r and Space Museum, wher e
Kemal saw t he f i r st Wr i ght br ot her s pl ane dangl i ng f r omt he
cei l i ng, and t hen wal ked t hr ough Skyl ab and t ouched moon
r ocks. They went t o t he Kennedy Cent er and t he Ar ena St age.
They i nt r oduced Kemal t o pi zza at TomTom, t acos at Mext ec,
and sout her n f r i ed chi cken at Geor gi a Br own' s. Kemal l oved
ever y moment of i t . He ador ed bei ng wi t h Dana and J ef f .
But . . . when Dana had t o l eave t o go t o wor k, Kemal
t ur ned i nt o anot her per son. He became host i l e and
conf r ont at i onal . I t was i mpossi bl e f or Dana t o hol d on t o a
housekeeper , and si t t er s t ol d hor r or st or i es about eveni ngs
wi t h Kemal .
J ef f and Dana t r i ed r easoni ng wi t h hi m, but i t had no
ef f ect . Maybe he needs pr of essi onal hel p, Dana t hought . She
had no i dea of t he t er r i bl e f ear s t hat pl agued Kemal .
The WTN eveni ng news was on t he ai r . Ri char d Mel t on,
Dana' s per sonabl e co- anchor , and J ef f Connor s wer e seat ed
besi de her .
Dana Evans was sayi ng, ' . . . and i n f or ei gn news, Fr ance
and Engl and ar e st i l l l ocki ng hor ns over mad cow di sease.
Her e i s Rene Li naud r epor t i ng f r omRhei ms. '
I n t he cont r ol boot h, t he di r ect or , Anast asi a Mann,
or der ed, ' Go t o r emot e. '
A scene i n t he Fr ench count r ysi de f l ashed on t he
t el evi si on scr eens.
The st udi o door opened and a gr oup of men came i n and
appr oached t he anchor desk.
Ever yone l ooked up. TomHawki ns, t he ambi t i ous young
pr oducer of t he eveni ng news, sai d, ' Dana, you know Gar y
Wi nt hr op. '
' Of cour se. '
I n per son, Gar y Wi nt hr op was even mor e handsome t han i n
phot ogr aphs. He was i n hi s f or t i es, wi t h br i ght bl ue eyes, a
war msmi l e, and enor mous char m.
' We meet agai n, Dana. Thanks f or i nvi t i ng me. '
' I appr eci at e your comi ng. '
Dana l ooked ar ound. Hal f a dozen secr et ar i es had suddenl y
f ound ur gent r easons t o be i n t he st udi o. Gar y Wi nt hr op must
be used t o t hat , Dana t hought , amused.
' Your segment i s comi ng up i n a f ew mi nut es. Why don' t you
si t her e next t o me? Thi s i s Ri char d
Mel t on. ' The t wo men shook hands. ' You know J ef f Connor s,
don' t you?'
' You bet I do. You shoul d be out t her e pi t chi ng, J ef f ,
i nst ead of t al ki ng about t he game. '
' I wi sh I coul d, ' J ef f sai d r uef ul l y.
The r emot e f r omFr ance came t o an end and t hey swi t ched t o
a commer ci al . Gar y Wi nt hr op sat down and wat ched as t he
commer ci al ended.
Fr omt he cont r ol boot h, Anast asi a Mann sai d, St and by.
We' r e goi ng t o t ape. ' She si l ent l y count ed of f wi t h her i ndex
f i nger . ' Thr ee . . . t wo . . . one
The scene on t he moni t or f l ashed t o t he ext er i or of t he
Geor get own Museumof Ar t . A comment at or was hol di ng a
mi cr ophone i n hi s hand, br avi ng t he col d wi nd.
' We' r e st andi ng i n f r ont of t he Geor get own Museumof Ar t ,
wher e Mr Gar y Wi nt hr op i s i nsi de at a cer emony mar ki ng hi s
f i f t y- mi l l i on- dol l ar gi f t t o t he museum. Let ' s go i nsi de
now. '
The scene on t he scr een changed t o t he spaci ous i nt er i or
of t he ar t museum. Var i ous ci t y of f i ci al s, di gni t ar i es, and
t el evi si on cr ews wer e gat her ed ar ound Gar y Wi nt hr op. The
museum' s di r ect or , Mor gan Or mond, was handi ng hi ma l ar ge
pl aque.
' Mr Wi nt hr op, on behal f of t he museum, t he many vi si t or s
who come her e, and i t s t r ust ees, we want t o t hank you f or
t hi s most gener ous cont r i but i on. '
Camer a l i ght s f l ashed.
Gar y Wi nt hr op sai d, ' I hope t hi s wi l l gi ve young Amer i can
pai nt er s a bet t er chance not onl y t o
expr ess t hemsel ves but t o have t hei r t al ent s r ecogni zed
ar ound t he wor l d. '
Ther e was appl ause f r omt he gr oup.
The announcer on t ape was sayi ng, ' Thi s i s Bi l l Tol and at
t he Geor get own Museumof Ar t . Back t o t he st udi o. Dana?'
The camer a' s r ed l i ght came on.
' Thank you, Bi l l . We' r e f or t unat e enough t o have Mr Gar y
Wi nt hr op wi t h us t o di scuss t he pur pose of hi s enor mous
gi f t . '
The camer a pul l ed back t o a wi der angl e, r eveal i ng Gar y
Wi nt hr op i n t he st udi o.
Dana sai d, ' Thi s f i f t y- mi l l i on- dol l ar donat i on, Mr
Wi nt hr op, wi l l i t be used t o buy pai nt i ngs f or t he museum?'
' No. I t ' s f or a new wi ng t hat wi l l be dedi cat ed t o young
Amer i can ar t i st s who mi ght not ot her wi se have a chance t o
show what t hey can do. A por t i on of t he f und wi l l be used f or
schol ar shi ps f or gi f t ed chi l dr en i n i nner ci t i es. Too many
youngst er s gr ow up wi t hout knowi ng anyt hi ng about ar t . They
may hear about t he gr eat Fr ench i mpr essi oni st s, but I want
t hemt o be awar e of t hei r own her i t age, wi t h Amer i can ar t i st s
l i ke Sar gent , Homer , and Remi ngt on. Thi s money wi l l be used
t o encour age young ar t i st s t o f ul f i l l t hei r t al ent s and f or
al l young peopl e t o t ake an i nt er est i n ar t . '
Dana sai d, ' Ther e' s a r umor t hat you' r e pl anni ng t o r un
f or t he Senat e, Mr Wi nt hr op. I s t her e any t r ut h t o i t ?'
Gar y Wi nt hr op smi l ed. ' I ' mt est i ng t he wat er s. '
' They' r e pr et t y i nvi t i ng. I n t he st r aw pol l s we' ve seen,
you' r e way ahead. '
Gar y Wi nt hr op nodded. ' My f ami l y has had a l ong r ecor d of
gover nment ser vi ce. I f I can be of any use t o t hi s count r y, I
wi l l do what ever I amcal l ed on t o do. '
' Thank you f or bei ng wi t h us, Mr Wi nt hr op. '
' Thank you. '
Dur i ng t he commer ci al br eak, Gar y Wi nt hr op sai d good- bye
and l ef t t he st udi o.
J ef f Connor s, si t t i ng next t o Dana, sai d, ' We need mor e
l i ke hi mi n Congr ess. '
' Amen. '
' Maybe we coul d cl one hi m. By t he way - how i s Kemal ?'
Dana wi nced. ' J ef f - pl ease don' t ment i on Kemal and
cl oni ng i n t he same br eat h. I can' t handl e i t . '
' Di d t he pr obl emat school t hi s mor ni ng wor k out ?'
' Yes, but t hat was t oday. Tomor r ow i s - '
Anast asi a Mann sai d, ' We' r e back. Thr ee . . . t wo . . .
one . . . '
The r ed l i ght f l ashed on. Dana l ooked at t he
Tel e- Pr ompTer . ' I t ' s t i me f or spor t s now wi t h J ef f Connor s. '
J ef f l ooked i nt o t he camer a. ' Mer l i n t he Magi ci an was
mi ssi ng f r omt he Washi ngt on Bul l et s t oni ght . J uwan Howar d
t r i ed hi s magi c and Gheor ghe Mur esan and Rasheed Wal l ace
hel ped st i r up t he
br ew, but i t was bi t t er , and t hey had f i nal l y t o swal l ow
i t al ong wi t h t hei r pr i de
At 2: 00 AM, i n Gar y Wi nt hr op' s t own house i n t he el i t e
nor t h- west sect i on of Washi ngt on, t wo men wer e r emovi ng
pai nt i ngs f r omt he wal l s of t he dr awi ng r oom. One man wor e
t he mask of t he Lone Ranger , t he ot her t he mask of Capt ai n
Mi dni t e. They wor ked at a l ei sur el y pace, cut t i ng t he
pi ct ur es out of t he f r ames and put t i ng t hei r l oot i nt o l ar ge
bur l ap sacks.
The Lone Ranger asked, ' What t i me does t he pat r ol come by
agai n?'
Capt ai n Mi dni t e r epl i ed, ' Four AM. '
' I t ' s ni ce of t hemt o keep t o a schedul e f or us, i sn' t
i t ?'
' Yeah. '
Capt ai n Mi dni t e r emoved a pai nt i ng f r omt he wal l and
dr opped i t ont o t he oak f l oor wi t h a l oud noi se. The t wo men
st opped what t hey wer e doi ng and l i st ened. Si l ence.
The Lone Ranger sai d, ' Tr y i t agai n. Louder . '
Capt ai n Mi dni t e t ook down anot her pai nt i ng and t hr ew i t
heavi l y agai nst t he f l oor . ' Now l et ' s see what happens. '
I n hi s bedr oomupst ai r s, Gar y Wi nt hr op was awakened by t he
noi se. He sat up i n bed. Had he hear d a sound, or had he
dr eamed i t ? He l i st ened a moment l onger . Si l ence. Unsur e, he
r ose and
st epped out i nt o t he hal l way and pr essed t he l i ght swi t ch.
The hal l way r emai ned dar k.
' Hel l o. I s anyone down t her e?' Ther e was no answer .
Downst ai r s, he wal ked al ong t he cor r i dor unt i l he r eached t he
door of t he dr awi ng r oom. He st opped and st ar ed i n di sbel i ef
at t he t wo masked men.
' What t he hel l ar e you doi ng?'
The Lone Ranger t ur ned t o hi mand sai d, ' Hi , Gar y. Sor r y
we woke you up. Go back t o sl eep. ' A Ber et t a wi t h a si l encer
appear ed i n hi s hand. He pul l ed t he t r i gger t wi ce and wat ched
Gar y Wi nt hr op' s chest expl ode i nt o a r ed shower . The Lone
Ranger and Capt ai n Mi dni t e wat ched hi mf al l t o t he f l oor .
Sat i sf i ed, t hey t ur ned and cont i nued t o r emove t he pai nt i ngs.
Two
Dana Evans was awakened by t he r el ent l ess r i ngi ng of t he
t el ephone. She st r uggl ed t o si t up and l ooked at t he bedsi de
cl ock, bl ear y- eyed. I t was f i ve o' cl ock i n t he mor ni ng. She
pi cked up t he phone. ' Hel l o?'
' Dana . . . '
' Mat t ?'
' See how f ast you can get down t o t he st udi o. '
' What ' s happened?'
I ' l l f i l l you i n when you get her e. '
' I ' mon my way. '
Fi f t een mi nut es l at er , hast i l y dr essed, Dana was knocki ng
on t he door of t he Whar t ons' apar t ment , her next - door
nei ghbor s.
Dor ot hy Whar t on opened t he door , wear i ng a r obe. She
l ooked at Dana i n al ar m. ' Dana, what ' s wr ong?'
' I hat e t o do t hi s t o you, Dor ot hy, but I ' ve been cal l ed
t o t he st udi o on an emer gency. Woul d you mi nd get t i ng Kemal
t o school ?'
' Why, of cour se not . I ' d be happy t o. '
Thank you so much. He has t o be t her e at seven- f or t y- f i ve,
and he' l l need br eakf ast . '
' Don' t you wor r y. I ' l l t ake car e of i t . You r un al ong. '
' Thanks, ' Dana sai d gr at ef ul l y.
Abbe Lasmann was al r eady i n her of f i ce, l ooki ng sl eepy.
' He' s wai t i ng f or you. '
Dana wal ked i nt o Mat t ' s of f i ce.
' I have some awf ul news, ' he sai d. ' Gar y Wi nt hr op was
mur der ed ear l i er t hi s mor ni ng. '
Dana sank i nt o a chai r , st unned. ' What ? Who- ?'
' Appar ent l y hi s house was bei ng r obbed. When he conf r ont ed
t he bur gl ar s, t hey ki l l ed hi m. '
' Oh, no! He was so wonder f ul ! ' Dana r emember ed t he
f r i endl i ness and war mt h of t he at t r act i ve phi l ant hr opi st , and
she f el t i l l .
Mat t shook hi s head i n di sbel i ef . Thi s makes - my God - t he
f i f t h t r agedy. '
Dana was puzzl ed. ' What do you mean, t he f i f t h t r agedy?'
Mat t l ooked at her i n sur pr i se, t hen suddenl y r eal i zed,
' Of cour se - you wer e i n Sar aj evo. I guess over t her e, wi t h a
war goi ng on, what happened t o t he Wi nt hr ops dur i ng t he l ast
year woul dn' t have been such headl i ne news. I ' msur e you know
about Tayl or Wi nt hr op, Gar y' s f at her ?'
' He was our ambassador t o Russi a. He and hi s wi f e di ed i n
a f i r e l ast year . '
' Ri ght . Two mont hs l at er , t hei r ol der son, Paul , was
ki l l ed i n an aut omobi l e acci dent . And si x weeks af t er t hat ,
t hei r daught er , J ul i e, di ed i n a ski i ng acci dent . ' Mat t
paused f or a moment . ' And now, t hi s mor ni ng, Gar y, t he l ast
of t he f ami l y. ' Dana was st unned i nt o si l ence. ' Dana, t he
Wi nt hr ops ar e a l egend. I f t hi s count r y had a r oyal f ami l y,
t hey woul d hol d t he cr own. They i nvent ed char i sma. They wer e
wor l d- f amous f or t hei r phi l ant hr opy and gover nment ser vi ce.
Gar y was pl anni ng t o f ol l ow i n hi s f at her ' s f oot st eps and r un
f or t he Senat e, and he' d have been a shoo- i n. Ever yone l oved
hi m. Now he' s gone. I n l ess t han one year , one of t he most
di st i ngui shed f ami l i es i n t he wor l d has been t ot al l y wi ped
out . ' I - I don' t know what t o say. ' ' You' d bet t er t hi nk of
somet hi ng, ' Mat t sai d br i skl y. ' You' r e on t he ai r i n t went y
mi nut es. '
The news of Gar y Wi nt hr op' s deat h sent shock waves ar ound
t he wor l d. Comment s f r omgover n- ment l eader s f l ashed
ont o uni ver sal t el evi si on scr eens. I t ' s l i ke a Gr eek
t r agedy
' Ubel i evabl e . . . ' ' An i r oni c t wi st of f at e The wor l d has
sust ai ned a t er r i bl e l oss. . . ' The br i ght est and t he
best , and t hey' r e al l
Gar y Wi nt hr op' s mur der seemed t o be al l t hat anyone was
t al ki ng about . A wave of sadness swept over t he count r y. Gar y
Wi nt hr op' s deat h had br ought back t he memor y of t he ot her
t r agi c deat hs i n hi s f ami l y.
' I t ' s unr eal , ' Dana t ol d J ef f . The whol e f ami l y must have
been so wonder f ul . '
' They wer e. Gar y was a r eal spor t s f an and a bi g
suppor t er . ' J ef f shook hi s head. ' I t ' s har d t o bel i eve t hat
some t wo- bi t t hi eves wi ped out such a wonder f ul per son. '
Dr i vi ng t o t he st udi o t he next mor ni ng, J ef f sai d, ' By t he
way, Rachel ' s i n t own. '
By t he way? How casual . Much t oo casual , Dana t hought .
J ef f had been mar r i ed t o Rachel St evens, a t op model . Dana
had seen her pi ct ur e i n t el evi si on ads and on magazi ne
cover s. I t was har d t o bel i eve how beaut i f ul she was. But she
pr obabl y doesn' t have a wor ki ng br ai n cel l i n her head, Dana
deci ded. On t he ot her hand, wi t h t hat f ace and body, she
doesn ' t need any br ai ns.
Dana had di scussed Rachel wi t h J ef f . ' What happened t o t he
mar r i age?'
I t was gr eat i n t he begi nni ng, ' J ef f t ol d her . ' Rachel was
so suppor t i ve. Even t hough she hat ed basebal l , she used t o
come t o t he games t o wat ch me pl ay. Besi des t hat , we had a
l ot i n common. '
I ' l l bet you di d.
' She' s r eal l y a wonder f ul woman, compl et el y unspoi l ed. She
l oved t o cook. When she was on a shoot , Rachel woul d cook f or
t he ot her model s. '
Gr eat way t o get r i d of t he compet i t i on. They wer e
pr obabl y dr oppi ng l i ke f l i es.
' What ?'
' I di dn' t say anyt hi ng. '
' Anyway, we wer e mar r i ed f or f i ve year s. '
' And t hen?'
' Rachel was ver y successf ul . She was al ways booked, and
her wor k t ook her al l over t he wor l d. I t al y . . . Engl and . .
. J amai ca . . . Thai l and . . . J apan . . . You name i t .
Meanwhi l e, I was pl ayi ng bal l ar ound t he count r y. We di dn' t
get t oget her ver y of t en. Li t t l e by l i t t l e t he magi c f aded. '
The next quest i on seemed l ogi cal because J ef f l oved
chi l dr en. ' Why no chi l dr en?'
J ef f smi l ed wr yl y. ' Not good f or a model ' s f i gur e. Then
one day Roder i ck Mar shal l , one of Hol l ywood' s ace di r ect or s,
sent f or her . Rachel went t o Hol l ywood. ' He hesi t at ed. ' She
cal l ed me a week l at er t o t el l me she want ed a di vor ce. She
f el t we had dr i f t ed t oo f ar apar t . I had t o agr ee. I gave her
t he di vor ce. Shor t l y af t er t hat I br oke my ar m. '
' And you became a spor t scast er . What about Rachel ? She
di dn' t make i t i n movi es?'
J ef f shook hi s head. ' She wasn' t r eal l y i nt er est ed. But
she' s doi ng j ust f i ne. ' ' And you' r e st i l l f r i endl y?' A l oaded
quest i on.
' Yes. As a mat t er of f act , when she cal l ed me, I t ol d her
about us. She want s t o meet you. '
Dana f r owned. ' J ef f , I don' t t hi nk- '
' She' s r eal l y ver y ni ce, honey. Let ' s al l have l unch
t omor r ow. You' l l l i ke her . '
I ' msur e I wi l l , ' Dana agr eed. Snowbal l i n hel l , Dana
t hought . But I don' t get t o t al k t o many ai r heads.
The ai r head t ur ned out t o be even mor e beaut i f ul t han Dana
had f ear ed. Rachel St evens was t al l and sl ender , wi t h
l ust r ous, l ong bl ond hai r , f l awl ess t anned ski n, and st r i ki ng
f aci al f eat ur es. Dana hat ed her on si ght .
' Dana Evans, t hi s i s Rachel St evens. '
Dana t hought , Shoul dn' t i t have been ' Rachel St evens, t hi s
i s Dana Evans' ?
Rachel St evens was sayi ng, ' . . . your br oadcast s f r om
Sar aj evo whenever I coul d. They wer e i ncr edi bl e. We coul d al l
f eel your hear t br eak and shar e i t . '
How do you r espond t o a si ncer e compl i ment ? ' Thank you, '
Dana sai d l amel y.
' Wher e woul d you l i ke t o have l unch?' J ef f asked.
Rachel suggest ed, ' Ther e' s a mar vel ous r est aur ant cal l ed
t he St r ai t s of Mal aya. I t ' s j ust t wo bl ocks of f Dupont
Ci r cl e. ' She t ur ned t o Dana and asked, ' Do you l i ke Thai
f ood?'
As i f she r eal l y car es. ' Yes. '
J ef f smi l ed. ' Fi ne. Let ' s t r y i t . '
Rachel sai d, ' I t ' s onl y a f ew bl ocks f r omher e. Shal l we
wal k?'
I n t hi s f r eezi ng weat her ? ' Sur e, ' Dana sai d gamel y. She
pr obabl y wal ks naked i n t he snow.
They headed f or Dupont Ci r cl e. Dana f el t ugl i er by t he
second. She was bi t t er l y sor r y she had accept ed t he
i nvi t at i on.
The r est aur ant t ur ned out t o be packed, wi t h a dozen
peopl e at t he bar , wai t i ng f or t abl es. The mai t r e d' came
bust l i ng up.
' A t abl e f or t hr ee, ' J ef f sai d.
' Do you have a r eser vat i on?'
' No, but we - '
' I ' msor r y, but - ' He r ecogni zed J ef f . ' Mr Connor s, i t ' s a
pl easur e t o see you. ' He l ooked at Dana. ' Mi ss Evans, t hi s i s
an honor . ' He made a smal l moue. ' I ' maf r ai d t her e wi l l be a
shor t del ay. ' Hi s gl ance moved t o Rachel , and hi s f ace l i t
up. ' Mi ss St evens! I r ead t hat you wer e doi ng a l ayout i n
Chi na. '
' I was, Somchai . I ' mback. '
' Wonder f ul . ' He t ur ned t o Dana and J ef f . ' Of cour se we
have a t abl e f or you. ' He l ed t hemt o a t abl e i n t he cent er
of t he r oom.
I hat e her , Dana t hought . / t r ul y hat e her .
When t hey wer e seat ed, J ef f sai d, ' You l ook gr eat , Rachel .
What ever you' r e doi ng agr ees wi t h you. '
And we can al l guess what t hat i s.
' I ' ve been doi ng a l ot of t r avel i ng. I t hi nk I ' mgoi ng t o
st ar t t aki ng i t easy f or a whi l e. ' She l ooked
i nt o J ef f ' s eyes. ' Do you r emember t he ni ght t hat you and
I - '
Dana l ooked up f r omt he menu. ' What i s udang gor eng?'
Rachel gl anced at Dana. ' That ' s shr i mp i n coconut mi l k.
I t ' s ver y good her e. ' She t ur ned back t o J ef f . ' The ni ght you
and I deci ded t hat we want ed t o - '
' What i s l aksa?'
Rachel sai d pat i ent l y, ' That ' s spi cy noodl e soup. ' She
t ur ned back t o J ef f . ' You sai d you want ed t o - '
' And poh pi a?'
Rachel l ooked at Dana and sai d sweet l y, ' That ' s j i cama
st i r - f r i ed wi t h veget abl es. '
' Real l y?' Dana deci ded not t o ask what j i cama was.
But as t he meal went on, Dana was sur pr i sed t hat i n spi t e
of her sel f , she began t o l i ke Rachel St evens. She had a war m
and char mi ng per sonal i t y. Unl i ke most wor l d- cl ass beaut i es,
Rachel seemed t o be compl et el y unsel f - consci ous about her
l ooks and di spl ayed no ego. She was i nt el l i gent and
ar t i cul at e, and when she gave t he l uncheon or der t o t he
wai t er i n Thai , t her e was no hi nt of super i or i t y. How di d
J ef f ever l et t hi s one get away? Dana wonder ed.
' How l ong wi l l you be i n Washi ngt on?' Dana asked.
' I have t o l eave t omor r ow. '
' Wher e ar e you headi ng f or t hi s t i me?' J ef f want ed t o
know.
Rachel hesi t at ed. ' Hawai i . But I ' mf eel i ng r eal l y
t i r ed, J ef f . I was even t hi nki ng of cancel i ng t hi s. ' ' But
you won' t , ' J ef f sai d knowi ngl y. Rachel si ghed. ' No, I
won' t . ' ' When wi l l you be back?' Dana asked. Rachel l ooked at
her f or a l ong moment and t hen sai d sof t l y, ' I don' t t hi nk
I ' l l be comi ng back t o Washi ngt on, Dana. I hope you and J ef f
wi l l be ver y happy. ' Ther e was an unspoken message i n her
wor ds.
Out si de, af t er l unch, Dana sai d, ' I have some er r ands t o
do. You t wo go on ahead. '
Rachel t ook Dana' s hand i n her s. ' I ' mver y gl ad we met . '
' So amI , ' Dana sai d, and t o her sur pr i se she r eal l y meant
i t .
Dana wat ched J ef f and Rachel st ar t down t he st r eet . A
st r i ki ng coupl e, she t hought .
Because i t was ear l y December , Washi ngt on was pr epar i ng
f or t he hol i day season. The st r eet s of t he capi t al wer e
decor at ed wi t h Chr i st mas l i ght s and wr eat hs of hol l y, and on
al most ever y cor ner Sal vat i on Ar my Sant a Cl auses st ood,
t ol l i ng t hei r bel l s f or coi ns. The si dewal ks wer e cr owded
wi t h shopper s br avi ng t he i cy wi nds.
The t i me has come, Dana t hought . I have t o get st ar t ed
wi t h my own shoppi ng. Dana t hought about t he peopl e f or whom
she shoul d buy gi f t s. Her mot her ; Kemal ; Mat t , her boss; and,
of cour se, wonder f ul
J ef f . Dana j umped i n a cab and headed f or Hecht ' s, one of
Washi ngt on' s l ar gest depar t ment st or es. The pl ace was j ammed
wi t h peopl e cel ebr at i ng t he Chr i st mas spi r i t by r udel y
el bowi ng ot her shopper s out of t he way.
When Dana f i ni shed shoppi ng, she headed back t o her
apar t ment t o dr op of f her gi f t s. The apar t ment was on Cal ver t
St r eet , i n a qui et r esi dent i al sect i on. At t r act i vel y
f ur ni shed, i t consi st ed of one bedr oom, a l i vi ng r oom, a
ki t chen, a bat hr oom, and a st udy, wher e Kemal sl ept .
Dana put t he gi f t s i n a cl oset , l ooked ar ound t he smal l
apar t ment , and t hought happi l y, We' l l have t o get a l ar ger
pl ace when J ef f and I get mar r i ed. As she headed f or t he door
t o r et ur n t o t he st udi o, t he t el ephone r ang. Mur phy' s l aw.
Dana pi cked up t he phone. ' Hel l o. '
' Dana, dar l i ng. '
I t was her mot her . ' Hel l o, Mot her . I was j ust l eav - '
' My f r i ends and I l i st ened t o your br oadcast l ast ni ght .
You wer e ver y good. '
' Thank you. '
' Al t hough we t hought you coul d have br i ght ened up t he news
a bi t . '
Dana si ghed. ' Br i ght ened up t he news?'
' Yes. Al l t he t hi ngs you t al k about ar e so depr essi ng.
Can' t you f i nd somet hi ng cheer f ul t o di scuss?'
' I ' l l cer t ai nl y see what I can do, Mot her . '
' That woul d be ni ce. By t he way, I ' mr unni ng j ust a l i t t l e
shor t of cash t hi s mont h. I wonder i f you coul d hel p me out
agai n?'
Dana' s f at her had di sappear ed year s ago. I n t i me, Dana' s
mot her had moved t o Las Vegas. I t seemed t hat she was al ways
shor t of cash. The mont hl y al l owance Dana gave her mot her
never seemed t o be enough.
' Do you gambl e, Mot her ?'
' Of cour se not , ' Mr s Evans sai d i ndi gnant l y. ' Las Vegas i s
a ver y expensi ve ci t y. By t he way, when ar e you goi ng t o come
out her e? I woul d l i ke t o meet Ki mbal . You shoul d br i ng hi m
her e. '
' Hi s name i s Kemal , Mot her . I can' t get away r i ght now. '
Ther e was a sl i ght hesi t at i on at t he ot her end. ' You
can' t ? My f r i ends ar e al l sayi ng how f or t unat e you ar e t o
have a j ob wher e you onl y have t o wor k an hour or t wo a day. '
Dana sai d, ' I guess I ' mj ust l ucky. '
As anchor woman, Dana ar r i ved at t he t el evi si on st udi o at
ni ne o' cl ock ever y mor ni ng and spent much of t he day on
i nt er nat i onal conf er ence cal l s, get t i ng t he l at est news f r om
London, Par i s, I t al y, and ot her f or ei gn l ocat i ons. The r est
of t he day was devot ed t o meet i ngs, put t i ng al l t he news
t oget her , and deci di ng what woul d be br oadcast and i n what
or der when she went on t he ai r . She di d t wo eveni ng
br oadcast s.
' I t ' s ni ce t hat you have such an easy j ob, dar l i ng. '
' Thank you, Mot her . '
' You' l l come and see me soon, won' t you?'
' Yes, I wi l l . '
' I can' t wai t t o meet t hat dar l i ng l i t t l e boy. '
I t wi l l be good f or Kemal t o meet her , t oo, Dana t hought .
He' l l have a gr andmot her . And when J ef f and I ar e mar r i ed,
Kemal wi l l have a r eal f ami l y agai n.
As Dana st epped out i nt o t he cor r i dor of her apar t ment
bui l di ng, Mr s Whar t on appear ed.
' I want t o t hank you f or t aki ng car e of Kemal t he ot her
mor ni ng, Dor ot hy. I r eal l y appr eci at e i t . '
' I t was my pl easur e. '
Dor ot hy Whar t on and her husband, Howar d, had moved i nt o
t he bui l di ng a year ago. They wer e Canadi ans, a del i ght f ul
mi ddl e- aged coupl e. Howar d Whar t on was an engi neer who
r epai r ed monument s.
As he had expl ai ned t o Dana at di nner one ni ght , ' Ther e' s
no bet t er ci t y i n t he wor l d t han Washi ngt on f or my ki nd of
wor k. Wher e el se coul d I f i nd oppor t uni t i es l i ke t hi s?' And
he answer ed hi s own quest i on. ' Nowher e. '
' Howar d and I bot h l ove Washi ngt on, ' Mr s Whar t on conf i ded.
' We' r e never goi ng t o l eave. '
When Dana got back t o her of f i ce, t he l at est edi t i on of
t he Washi ngt on Tr i bune was on her desk. The f r ont page was
f i l l ed wi t h st or i es and phot ogr aphs of t he Wi nt hr op f ami l y.
Dana l ooked at t he phot ogr aphs f or a l ong t i me, her mi nd
r aci ng. Fi ve of t hemal l dead i n l ess t han a year .
I ncr edi bl e.
The cal l was made t o a pr i vat e phone i n t he execut i ve
t ower of Washi ngt on Tr i bune Ent er pr i ses.
' I j ust got t he i nst r uct i ons. '
' Good. They' ve been wai t i ng. What do you want t hemt o do
wi t h t he pai nt i ngs?'
' Bur n t hem. '
' Al l of t hem? They' r e wor t h mi l l i ons of dol l ar s. '
' Ever yt hi ng' s gone per f ect l y. We can' t al l ow any l oose
ends. Bur n t hemnow. '
Dana' s secr et ar y, Ol i vi a Wat ki ns, was on t he i nt er com.
' Ther e' s a cal l f or you on l i ne t hr ee. He' s cal l ed t wi ce
al r eady. '
' Who i s i t , Ol i vi a?'
' Mr Henr y. '
Thomas Henr y was t he pr i nci pal of Theodor e Roosevel t
Mi ddl e School .
Dana r ubbed her hand agai nst her f or ehead t o wi pe away t he
headache t hat was about t o st ar t . She pi cked up t he
t el ephone. ' Good af t er noon, Mr Henr y. '
' Good af t er noon, Mi ss Evans. I wonder i f you coul d st op by
and see me?'
' Cer t ai nl y. I n an hour or t wo, I ' m- ' ' I woul d suggest now,
i f t hat ' s possi bl e. ' ' I ' l l be t her e. '
Thr ee
School was an unbear abl e or deal f or Kemal . He was smal l er
t han t he ot her ki ds i n hi s cl asses, and t o hi s deep shame,
t hat i ncl uded t he gi r l s. He was ni cknamed ' t he r unt ' and ' t he
shr i mp' and ' t he mi nnow' . As f ar as hi s st udi es wer e
concer ned, Kemal ' s onl y i nt er est was i n mat h and comput er s,
wher e he i nvar i abl y got t he hi ghest gr ades of anyone. An
of f shoot of t he cl ass was t he chess cl ub, and Kemal domi nat ed
i t . I n t he past , he had enj oyed soccer , but when he had gone
t o t r y out f or t he school var si t y t eam, t he coach had l ooked
at Kemal ' s empt y sl eeve and sai d, ' Sor r y, we can' t use you. '
I t was not sai d unki ndl y, but i t was a devast at i ng bl ow.
Kemal ' s nemesi s was Ri cky Under wood. At l uncht i me some of
t he st udent s at e i n t he encl osed pat i o i nst ead of t he
caf et er i a. Ri cky Under wood woul d wai t t o see wher e Kemal was
havi ng l unch and t hen j oi n hi m.
' Hey, or phan boy. When i s your wi cked st epmot her goi ng t o
send you back wher e you came f r om?'
Kemal i gnor ed hi m.
' I ' mt al ki ng t o you, f r eak. You don' t t hi nk she' s goi ng t o
keep you, do you? Ever yone knows why she br ought you over
her e, camel f ace. Because she was a f amous war cor r espondent ,
and i t made her l ook good t o save a cr i ppl e. '
' Fukat ! ' Kemal shout ed. He got up and l eaped at Ri cky.
Ri cky' s f i st went i nt o Kemal ' s st omach, and t hen cr ashed
i nt o Kemal ' s f ace. Kemal f el l on t he gr ound, wr i t hi ng i n
pai n.
Ri cky Under wood sai d, ' Anyt i me you want mor e, j ust t el l
me. And you bet t er do i t f ast , because f r omwhat I hear ,
you' r e hi st or y. '
Kemal l i ved i n an agony of doubt . He di d not bel i eve t he
t hi ngs t hat Ri cky Under wood sai d and yet . . . What i f t hey
wer e t r ue? What i f Dana does send me back? Ri cky i s r i ght ,
Kemal t hought . I ama f r eak. Why woul d someone as wonder f ul
as Dana want me?
Kemal . had bel i eved hi s l i f e was over when hi s par ent s and
si st er wer e ki l l ed i n Sar aj evo. He had been sent t o t he
Or phans I nst i t ut i on out si de of Par i s, and i t was a ni ght mar e.
At t wo o' cl ock ever y Fr i day af t er noon, t he boys
and gi r l s i n t he or phanage woul d l i ne up as pr ospect i ve
f ost er par ent s ar r i ved t o eval uat e t hemand sel ect one t o
t ake home. As each Fr i day appr oached, t he exci t ement and
t ensi on among t he chi l dr en r ose t o an al most unbear abl e
pi t ch. They woul d wash and dr ess neat l y, and as t he adul t s
wal ked al ong t he l i ne, each chi l d woul d i nwar dl y pr ay t o be
chosen.
I nvar i abl y, when t he pr ospect i ve par ent s saw Kemal , t hey
woul d whi sper , ' Look, he' s got onl y one ar m, ' and t hey woul d
move on.
Ever y Fr i day was t he same, but Kemal woul d st i l l wai t
hopef ul l y as t he adul t s exami ned t he l i ne of candi dat es. But
t hey al ways pi cked ot her chi l dr en. St andi ng t her e, i gnor ed,
Kemal woul d be f i l l ed wi t h humi l i at i on. I t wi l l al ways be
someone el se, he t hought despai r i ngl y. No one want s me.
Kemal wi shed desper at el y t o be par t of a f ami l y. He t r i ed
ever yt hi ng he coul d t hi nk of t o make i t happen. One Fr i day he
woul d smi l e br i ght l y at t he adul t s t o l et t hemknow what a
ni ce, f r i endl y boy he was. The next Fr i day he woul d pr et end
t o be occupi ed wi t h somet hi ng, showi ng t hemt hat he di dn' t
r eal l y car e whet her he was chosen or not , and t hat t hey woul d
be l ucky t o have hi m. At ot her t i mes, he woul d l ook at t hem
appeal i ngl y, si l ent l y beggi ng t hemt o t ake hi mhome wi t h
t hem. But week af t er week, i t was al ways someone el se who was
chosen and t aken away t o wonder f ul homes and happy f ami l i es.
Mi r acul ousl y, Dana had changed al l t hat . She was
t he one who had f ound hi ml i vi ng homel ess on t he st r eet s
of Sar aj evo. Af t er Kemal was ai r l i f t ed by t he Red Cr oss t o
t he or phanage, Kemal wr ot e Dana a l et t er . To hi s
ast oni shment , she had t el ephoned t he or phanage and sai d t hat
she want ed Kemal t o come l i ve wi t h her i n Amer i ca. That was
t he happi est moment of Kemal ' s l i f e. I t was an i mpossi bl e
dr eamcome t r ue, and i t t ur ned out t o be a j oy even gr eat er
t han he had ever i magi ned.
Kemal ' s l i f e had changed compl et el y. He was gr at ef ul now
t hat no one had chosen hi mbef or e. He was no l onger al one i n
t he wor l d. Someone car ed about hi m. He l oved Dana wi t h al l
hi s hear t and soul , but wi t hi n hi mwas al ways t he t er r i bl e
f ear t hat Ri cky Under wood had i nst i l l ed, t hat someday Dana
woul d change her mi nd and send hi mback t o t he or phanage, t o
t he l i f e of hel l he had escaped. He had a r ecur r i ng dr eam: He
was back i n t he or phans' asyl um, and i t was Fr i day. A l i ne of
adul t s was i nspect i ng t he chi l dr en, and Dana was t her e. She
l ooked at Kemal and sai d, That ugl y l i t t l e boy has onl y one
ar m, and she moved on and pi cked t he boy next t o hi m. Kemal
woul d wake up i n t ear s.
Kemal knew t hat Dana hat ed f or hi mt o get i nt o f i ght s at
school , and he di d ever yt hi ng he coul d t o avoi d t hem, but he
coul d not bear t o have Ri cky Under wood or hi s f r i ends i nsul t
Dana. As soon as t hey r eal i zed t hat , t he i nsul t s about Dana
i ncr eased, and so di d t he f i ght s.
Ri cky woul d gr eet Kemal wi t h ' Hey, have you packed your
sui t case, shr i mp? On t he news . t hi s mor ni ng i t sai d your
bi t ch st epmot her i s goi ng t o send you back t o Yugosl avi a. '
' Zbost i ! ' Kemal woul d yel l .
And t he f i ght woul d begi n. Kemal woul d come home wi t h
bl ack eyes and br ui ses, but when Dana asked hi mwhat had
happened, he coul d not t el l her t he t r ut h, f or he was
t er r i f i ed t hat i f he put i t i nt o wor ds, what Ri cky Under wood
had sai d mi ght happen.
Now, as Kemal wai t ed i n t he pr i nci pal ' s of f i ce f or Dana t o
ar r i ve, he t hought , When she hear s what I ' ve done t hi s t i me,
she i s goi ng t o send me away. He sat t her e mi ser abl e, hi s
hear t r aci ng.
When Dana ent er ed t he of f i ce of Thomas Henr y, t he
pr i nci pal was paci ng t he f l oor , l ooki ng gr i m. Kemal sat i n a
chai r acr oss t he r oom.
' Good mor ni ng, Mi ss Evans. Pl ease si t down. '
Dana gl anced at Kemal and t ook a seat .
Thomas Henr y pi cked up a l ar ge but cher kni f e f r omhi s
desk. ' One of Kemal ' s t eacher s t ook t hi s f r omhi m. '
Dana swi vel ed t o l ook at Kemal , f ur i ous. ' Why?' she asked
angr i l y. ' Why di d you br i ng t hi s t o school ?'
Kemal l ooked at Dana and sai d sul l enl y, ' I di dn' t have a
gun. '
' Kemal ! '
Dana t ur ned t o t he pr i nci pal . ' May I speak t o you al one,
Mr Henr y?'
' Yes. ' He l ooked over at Kemal , hi s j aw t i ght . ' Wai t i n
t he hal l way. '
Kemal got t o hi s f eet , t ook one l ast l ook at t he kni f e,
and l ef t .
Dana began, ' Mr Henr y, Kemal i s t wel ve year s ol d. He' s
l i ved most of t hose year s goi ng t o sl eep wi t h t he sound of
expl odi ng bombs i n hi s ear s, t he same bombs t hat ki l l ed hi s
mot her and f at her and si st er . One of t hose bombs t ook of f hi s
ar m. When I f ound Kemal i n Sar aj evo, he was l i vi ng i n a
car dboar d box i n a vacant l ot . Ther e wer e a hundr ed ot her
homel ess boys and gi r l s t her e, l i vi ng l i ke ani mal s. ' She was
r emember i ng, t r yi ng t o keep her voi ce st eady.
' The bombs have st opped, but t he boys and gi r l s ar e st i l l
homel ess and hel pl ess. The onl y way t hey can def end
t hemsel ves agai nst t hei r enemi es i s wi t h a kni f e or a r ock or
a gun, i f t hey' r e l ucky enough t o get hol d of one. ' Dana
cl osed her eyes f or an i nst ant and t ook a deep br eat h. ' These
chi l dr en ar e scar r ed. Kemal i s scar r ed, but he' s a decent
boy. He j ust needs t o l ear n t hat he' s saf e her e. That none of
us i s hi s enemy. I pr omi se you he won' t do t hi s agai n. '
Ther e was a l ong si l ence. When Thomas Henr y spoke, he
sai d, ' I f I ever need a l awyer , Mi ss Evans, I ' d l i ke you t o
def end me. '
Dana managed a r el i eved smi l e. ' I pr omi se. '
Thomas Henr y si ghed. ' Al l r i ght . Have a t al k wi t h Kemal .
I f he does anyt hi ng l i ke t hi s agai n, I ' maf r ai d I ' l l have t o
- '
' I ' l l t al k t o hi m. Thank you, Mr Henr y. '
Kemal was wai t i ng i n t he hal l way.
' Let ' s go home, ' Dana sai d cur t l y.
' Di d t hey keep my kni f e?'
She di d not bot her t o answer .
Dur i ng t he r i de home, Kemal sai d, ' I ' msor r y I got you i n
t r oubl e, Dana. '
' Oh, no t r oubl e. They' ve deci ded not t o ki ck me out of
school . Look, Kemal - '
' Okay. No mor e kni ves. '
When t hey r et ur ned t o t he apar t ment , Dana sai d, ' I have t o
get back t o t he st udi o. The si t t er wi l l be her e any mi nut e.
Toni ght you and I ar e goi ng t o have t o have a l ong t al k. '
When t he eveni ng br oadcast was f i ni shed, J ef f t ur ned t o
Dana. ' You l ook wor r i ed, honey. '
T am. I t ' s Kemal . I don' t know what t o do about hi m, J ef f .
I had t o go see hi s pr i nci pal agai n t oday, and t wo mor e
housekeeper s have qui t because of hi m. '
' He' s a gr eat ki d, ' J ef f sai d. ' He j ust needs war m- up
t i me. '
' Maybe. J ef f ?'
' Yes?'
' I hope I di dn' t make a t er r i bl e mi st ake br i ngi ng hi m
her e. '
When Dana r et ur ned t o t he apar t ment , Kemal was wai t i ng.
Dana sai d, ' Si t down. We have t o t al k. You must st ar t
obeyi ng t he r ul es, and t hese f i ght s at school have t o st op. I
know t he ot her boys ar e maki ng i t di f f i cul t f or you, but
you' ve got t o come t o some under st andi ng wi t h t hem. I f you
keep get t i ng i nt o f i ght s, Mr Henr y i s goi ng t o t hr ow you out
of school . '
' I don' t car e. '
' You have t o car e. I want you t o have a wonder f ul f ut ur e,
and t hat can' t happen wi t hout an educat i on. Mr Henr y i s
gi vi ng you a br eak, but - '
' Fuck hi m. '
' Kemal ! ' Wi t hout t hi nki ng, Dana sl apped hi macr oss t he
f ace. She was i nst ant l y sor r y. Kemal st ar ed at her , a l ook of
di sbel i ef on hi s f ace, got up, r an i nt o t he st udy, and
sl ammed t he door shut .
The t el ephone r ang. Dana pi cked i t up. I t was J ef f . ' Dana
- '
' Dar l i ng, I - I can' t t al k r i ght now. I ' mt oo upset . '
' What happened?'
' I t ' s Kemal . He' s i mpossi bl e! '
' Dana
' Yes?'
' Wal k i n hi s shoes. '
' What ?'
' Thi nk about i t . Sor r y, I ' mon a deadl i ne. Love you, and
we' l l t al k l at er . '
Wal k i n hi s shoes? That doesn ' t make any sense, Dana
t hought . How can I know what Kemal i s f eel i ng? I ' mnot a
t wel ve- year - ol d war or phan wi t h one ar mwho' s gone t hr ough
what he' s gone t hr ough. Dana sat t her e f or a l ong t i me,
t hi nki ng. Wal k i n hi s shoes. She r ose, went i nt o her bedr oom,
cl osed t he door , and opened her cl oset door . Bef or e Kemal had
ar r i ved, J ef f had spent sever al ni ght s a week at t he
apar t ment and had l ef t some of hi s cl ot hes t her e. I n t he
cl oset wer e pant s, shi r t s and t i es, a sweat er , and a spor t s
j acket . Dana t ook out some of t he cl ot hes and pl aced t hemon
t he bed. She went t o a bur eau dr awer and r emoved a pai r of
J ef f ' s J ockey shor t s and socks. Then Dana got compl et el y
undr essed. She pi cked up J ef f ' s J ockey shor t s wi t h her l ef t
hand and st ar t ed put t i ng t hemon. She l ost her bal ance and
f el l . I t t ook her t wo mor e at t empt s bef or e she coul d get t hem
on. Next , she pi cked up one of J ef f ' s shi r t s. Usi ng onl y her
l ef t hand, i t t ook t hr ee f r ust r at i ng mi nut es t o sl i p i nt o i t
and but t on i t . She had t o si t on t he bed t o don t he t r ouser s,
and t hey wer e di f f i cul t t o zi p up. I t t ook anot her t wo
mi nut es t o put on J ef f ' s sweat er .
When Dana was f i nal l y dr essed, she sat down t o cat ch her
br eat h. Thi s was what Kemal had t o go t hr ough ever y mor ni ng.
And t hat was onl y t he begi nni ng. He had t o bat he and br ush
hi s t eet h and
comb hi s hai r . And t hat was now. What about t he past ?
Li vi ng i n t he hor r or of war , wat chi ng hi s mot her , f at her ,
si st er , and f r i ends mur der ed.
J ef f ' s r i ght , she t hought . I ' mexpect i ng t oo much t oo
soon. He needs mor e t i me t o adj ust . I coul d never gi ve up on
hi m. My f at her abandoned my mot her and me and I ' ve never
r eal l y f or gi ven hi mf or t hat . Ther e shoul d be a t hi r t eent h
commandment : Thou shal t not abandon t hose who l ove you.
Sl owl y, as Dana got dr essed i n her own cl ot hes, she
t hought about t he l yr i cs of t he songs t hat Kemal l i st ened t o
over and over agai n. The CDs of Br i t ney Spear s, t he
Backst r eet Boys, Li mp Bi zki t . ' Don' t want t o l ose you, ' ' I
need you t oni ght , ' ' As l ong as you l ove me, ' I j ust want t o
be wi t h you, ' ' I need l ove. '
Al l t he l yr i cs wer e about l onel i ness and want i ng.
Dana pi cked up Kemal ' s r epor t car d. I t was t r ue t hat he
was f ai l i ng i n most of hi s cl asses, but he had an A i n mat h.
I t ' s t he A t hat ' s i mpor t ant , Dana t hought . That ' s wher e he
excel s. That ' s wher e he has a f ut ur e. We ' l l wor k on t he
ot her gr ades.
When Dana opened t he door t o t he st udy, Kemal was i n bed,
wi t h hi s eyes t i ght l y cl osed and hi s pal e f ace st ai ned wi t h
t ear s. Dana l ooked at hi ma moment , t hen l eaned over and
ki ssed hi mon t he cheek. ' I ' mso sor r y, Kemal / she whi sper ed.
' For gi ve me. '
Tomor r ow wi l l be a bet t er day.
Ear l y t he f ol l owi ng mor ni ng Dana t ook Kemal t o a pr omi nent
or t hopedi c sur geon, Dr Wi l l i amWi l cox. Af t er t he exami nat i on,
Dr Wi l cox t al ked t o Dana al one.
' Mi ss Evans, t o f i t hi mwi t h a pr ost hesi s woul d cost
t went y t housand dol l ar s and t her e' s a pr obl emher e. Kemal i s
onl y t wel ve year s ol d. Hi s body wi l l keep gr owi ng unt i l he' s
sevent een or ei ght een. He coul d out gr ow t he pr ost hesi s ever y
f ew mont hs. I ' maf r ai d f i nanci al l y i t ' s not pr act i cal . '
Dana had a si nki ng f eel i ng. ' I see. Thank you, Doct or . '
Out si de, Dana sai d t o Kemal , ' Don' t wor r y, dar l i ng. We' l l
f i nd a way. '
Dana dr opped Kemal of f at school and t hen headed f or t he
st udi o. Hal f a dozen bl ocks away, her cel l phone r ang. She
pi cked i t up. ' Hel l o?'
' I t ' s Mat t . Ther e' s goi ng t o be a pr ess conf er ence on t he
Wi nt hr op mur der at pol i ce headquar t er s at noon. I want you t o
cover i t . I ' msendi ng over a camer a cr ew. The pol i ce have
r eal l y got t hei r asses i n a sl i ng. The st or y i s get t i ng
bi gger ever y mi nut e, and t he cops don' t have a cl ue. ' ' I ' l l
be t her e, Mat t . '
Pol i ce Chi ef Dan Bur net t was i n hi s of f i ce on t he
t el ephone when hi s secr et ar y sai d, ' The mayor i s on l i ne
t wo. ' Bur net t snapped, ' Tel l hi mI ' mt al ki ng t o t he
gover nor on l i ne one. ' He went back t o t he phone.
' Yes, Gover nor . I know t hat . . . Yes, si r . I t hi nk . . .
I ' msur e we can . . . As soon as we . . . Ri ght . Good- bye,
si r . ' He sl ammed t he phone down.
' The Whi t e House pr ess secr et ar y i s on l i ne f our . '
The whol e mor ni ng went l i ke t hat .
At noon, t he conf er ence r oomi n t he Muni ci pal Cent er at
300 I ndi ana Avenue i n downt own Washi ngt on was cr owded wi t h
member s of t he medi a. Pol i ce Chi ef Bur net t ent er ed and wal ked
t o t he f r ont of t he r oom.
' Let ' s have i t qui et , pl ease. ' He wai t ed unt i l t her e was
si l ence. ' Bef or e I t ake your quest i ons, I have a st at ement t o
make. The savage mur der of Gar y Wi nt hr op i s a gr eat l oss not
onl y t o t hi s communi t y, but t o t he wor l d, and our
i nvest i gat i on i s goi ng t o cont i nue unt i l we appr ehend t he
ones r esponsi bl e f or t hi s t er r i bl e cr i me. I ' l l t ake your
quest i ons. '
A r epor t er st ood up. ' Chi ef Bur net t , do t he pol i ce have
any l eads?'
' At about t hr ee AM a wi t ness saw t wo men l oadi ng up a
whi t e van i n t he dr i veway of Gar y Wi nt hr op' s house. Thei r
act i ons l ooked suspi ci ous, and he t ook down t he l i cense
number . The pl at es wer e f r oma st ol en t r uck. '
' Do t he pol i ce know what was t aken f r omt he house?'
' A dozen val uabl e pai nt i ngs ar e mi ssi ng. '
' Was anyt hi ng st ol en besi des t he pai nt i ngs?'
' No. '
' What about cash and j ewel r y?'
' The j ewel r y and cash i n t he house wer e unt ouched. The
t hi eves wer e j ust af t er t he pai nt i ngs. '
' Chi ef Bur net t , di dn' t t he house have an al ar msyst em, and
i f so, was i t t ur ned on?'
' Accor di ng t o t he but l er , i t was al ways t ur ned on at
ni ght . The bur gl ar s f ound a way t o ci r cumvent i t . We' r e not
sur e yet how. '
' How di d t he bur gl ar s gai n ent r ance t o t he house?'
Chi ef Bur net t hesi t at ed. ' That ' s an i nt er est i ng quest i on.
Ther e wer e no si gns of a br eak- i n. We don' t have t he answer
t o t hat yet . '
' Coul d i t have been an i nsi de j ob?'
' We don' t t hi nk so. Gar y Wi nt hr op' s st af f has been wi t h
hi mf or many year s. '
' Was Gar y Wi nt hr op al one i n t he house?'
' As f ar as we know, yes. The st af f was of f . '
Dana cal l ed out , ' Do you have a l i st of t he st ol en
pai nt i ngs?'
' We do. They' r e al l wel l known. The l i st has been
ci r cul at ed t o museums, ar t deal er s, and col l ect or s. The
mi nut e one of t hose pai nt i ngs appear s, t he case wi l l be
sol ved. '
Dana sat down, puzzl ed. The ki l l er s must have been awar e
of t hat , so t hey woul dn ' t dar e t r y t o sel l t he pai nt i ngs.
Then what was t he poi nt of st eal i ng t hem? And
commi t t i ng a mur der ? And why di dn' t t hey t ake t he money
and j ewel r y? Somet hi ng doesn ' t add up.
The f uner al ser vi ces f or Gar y Wi nt hr op wer e hel d at t he
Nat i onal Cat hedr al , t he si xt h l ar gest i n t he wor l d. Wi sconsi n
and Massachuset t s Avenues had been cl osed of f t o t r af f i c.
Secr et Ser vi ce men and Washi ngt on pol i ce wer e out i n f ul l
f or ce. I nsi de, wai t i ng f or t he ser vi ce t o begi n, wer e t he
vi ce pr esi dent of t he Uni t ed St at es, a dozen senat or s and
member s of Congr ess, a Supr eme Cour t J ust i ce, t wo cabi net
of f i cer s, and a host of di gni t ar i es f r omar ound t he wor l d.
The pol i ce and pr ess hel i copt er s beat a t at t oo i n t he sky. On
t he st r eet out si de wer e hundr eds of onl ooker s who had come
ei t her t o pay t hei r r espect s or t o get a gl i mpse of t he
cel ebr i t i es i nsi de. Peopl e wer e payi ng t r i but e not j ust t o
Gar y, but t o t he ent i r e i l l - f at ed Wi nt hr op dynast y.
Dana cover ed t he f uner al wi t h t wo camer a cr ews. I nsi de,
t he cat hedr al was hushed.
' God moves i n myst er i ous ways, ' t he mi ni st er was i nt oni ng.
The Wi nt hr ops spent t hei r l i ves bui l di ng hopes. They donat ed
bi l l i ons of dol l ar s t o school s and chur ches and t o t he
homel ess and t he hungr y. But j ust as i mpor t ant , t hey
sel f l essl y gave of t hei r t i me and t al ent . Gar y Wi nt hr op
car r i ed on t he gr eat f ami l y t r adi t i on. Why t hi s f ami l y, wi t h
al l i t s achi evement s and gener osi t y, has been t aken f r omus
so cr uel l y i s beyond our knowl edge. I n one sense, t hey ar e
not r eal l y gone, f or t hei r l egacy wi l l l i ve on f or ever . What
t hey have done f or us wi l l al ways make us pr oud.
God shoul dn' t l et peopl e l i ke t hat di e t hose ki nds of
hor r i bl e deat hs, Dana t hought sadl y.
Dana' s mot her cal l ed. ' My f r i ends and I wat ched you cover
t he f uner al , Dana. For a moment t her e, when you wer e t al ki ng
about t he Wi nt hr op f ami l y, I t hought you wer e goi ng t o cr y. '
' So di d I , Mot her . So di d I . '
Dana had di f f i cul t y get t i ng t o sl eep t hat ni ght . When she
f i nal l y di d f al l asl eep, her dr eams wer e a wi l d kal ei doscope
of f i r es and aut omobi l e acci dent s and shoot i ngs. I n t he
mi ddl e of t he ni ght , she awakened suddenl y and sat up. Fi ve
member s of t he same f ami l y ki l l ed i n l ess t han a year ? What
ar e t he odds?
Four
' What ar e you t r yi ng t o t el l me, Dana?'
' Mat t , I ' msayi ng t hat f i ve vi ol ent deat hs i n one f ami l y
i n l ess t han a year i s t oo much of a coi nci dence. '
' Dana, i f I di dn' t know you bet t er , I ' d cal l a
psychi at r i st and t el l hi mChi cken Li t t l e i s i n my of f i ce
sayi ng t hat t he sky i s f al l i ng. You t hi nk we' r e deal i ng wi t h
some ki nd of conspi r acy? Who' s behi nd i t ? Fi del Cast r o? The
CI A? Ol i ver St one? For God' s sake, don' t you know t hat ever y
t i me someone pr omi nent i s ki l l ed, t her e ar e a hundr ed
di f f er ent conspi r acy t heor i es? A guy came i n her e l ast week
and sai d he coul d pr ove t hat Lyndon J ohnson ki l l ed Abr aham
Li ncol n. Washi ngt on i s al ways dr owni ng i n conspi r acy
t heor i es. '
' Mat t , we' r e get t i ng r eady t o do Cr i me Li ne. You want t o
st ar t wi t h a gr abber ? Wel l , i f I ' mr i ght , t hi s coul d be i t . '
Mat t Baker sat t her e f or a moment , st udyi ng her . ' You' r e
wast i ng your t i me. ' ' Thanks, Mat t . '
The Washi ngt on Tr i bune' s mor gue was i n t he bui l di ng' s
basement , f i l l ed wi t h t housands of t apes f r omear l i er news
shows, al l neat l y cat al oged.
Laur a Lee Hi l l , an at t r act i ve br unet t e i n her f or t i es, was
seat ed behi nd her desk cat al ogi ng t apes. She l ooked up as
Dana ent er ed.
' Hi , Dana. I saw your br oadcast of t he f uner al . I t hought
you di d a gr eat j ob. '
Thank you. '
' Wasn' t t hat a t er r i bl e t r agedy?'
' Ter r i bl e, ' Dana agr eed.
' You j ust never know, ' Laur a Lee Hi l l sai d somber l y. ' Wel l
- what can I do you f or ?'
' I want t o l ook at some t apes of t he Wi nt hr op f ami l y. '
' Anyt hi ng i n par t i cul ar ?'
' No. I j ust want t o get a f eel of what t he f ami l y was
l i ke. '
' I can t el l you what t hey wer e l i ke. They wer e sai nt s. '
' That ' s what I keep hear i ng, ' Dana sai d.
Laur a Lee Hi l l r ose. ' I hope you have pl ent y of t i me,
honey. We have t ons of cover age on t hem. '
' Good. I ' mi n no hur r y. '
Laur a Lee l ed Dana t o a desk wi t h a t el evi si on
moni t or on i t . ' I ' l l be r i ght back, ' she sai d. She
r et ur ned f i ve mi nut es l at er wi t h a f ul l ar ml oad of t apes.
' You can st ar t wi t h t hese, ' she sai d. ' Ther e ar e mor e
comi ng. '
Dana l ooked at t he huge pi l e of t apes and t hought , Maybe I
amChi cken Li t t l e. But i f I ' mr i ght . . .
Dana put i n a t ape, and t he pi ct ur e of a st unni ngl y
handsome man f l ashed on t he scr een. Hi s f eat ur es wer e st r ong
and scul pt ed. He had a mane of dar k hai r , candi d bl ue eyes,
and a st r ong chi n. By hi s si de was a young boy. A comment at or
sai d, ' Tayl or Wi nt hr op has added anot her wi l der ness camp t o
t he ones he has al r eady est abl i shed f or under pr i vi l eged
chi l dr en. Hi s son Paul i s her e wi t h hi m, r eady t o j oi n i n t he
f un. Thi s i s t he t ent h i n a ser i es of such camps t hat Tayl or
Wi nt hr op i s bui l di ng. He pl ans at l east a dozen mor e. '
Dana pr essed a but t on and t he scene changed. An
ol der - l ooki ng Tayl or Wi nt hr op, wi t h f l ecks of gr ay i n hi s
hai r , was shaki ng hands wi t h a gr oup of di gni t ar i es. ' . . .
has j ust conf i r med hi s appoi nt ment as consul t ant t o NATO.
Tayl or Wi nt hr op wi l l be l eavi ng f or Br ussel s i n t he next f ew
weeks t o . . . '
Dana changed t he t ape. The scene was t he f r ont l awn of t he
Whi t e House. Tayl or Wi nt hr op was st andi ng next t o t he
pr esi dent , who was sayi ng, ' . . . and I have appoi nt ed hi mt o
head up t he FRA, t he Feder al Resear ch Agency. The agency i s
dedi cat ed t o hel pi ng devel opi ng count r i es al l ar ound t he
wor l d, and I can t hi nk of no one bet t er qual i f i ed t han Tayl or
Wi nt hr op t o l ead t hat or gani zat i on
The moni t or f l ashed ont o t he next scene, t he Leonar do da
Vi nci ai r por t i n Rome, wher e Tayl or Wi nt hr op was debar ki ng
f r oma pl ane. ' Sever al heads of st at e ar e her e t o gr eet
Tayl or Wi nt hr op as he ar r i ves t o negot i at e t r ade deal s
bet ween I t al y and t he Uni t ed St at es. The f act t hat Mr
Wi nt hr op was sel ect ed by t he pr esi dent t o handl e t hese
negot i at i ons shows how si gni f i cant t hey ar e
The man had done ever yt hi ng, Dana t hought .
She changed t apes. Tayl or Wi nt hr op was at t he pr esi dent i al
pal ace i n Par i s, shaki ng hands wi t h t he pr esi dent of Fr ance.
' A l andmar k t r ade agr eement wi t h t he Fr ench has j ust been
compl et ed by Tayl or Wi nt hr op
Anot her t ape. Tayl or Wi nt hr op' s wi f e, Madel i ne, was i n
f r ont of a compound wi t h a gr oup of boys and gi r l s. ' Madel i ne
Wi nt hr op t oday dedi cat ed a new car e cent er f or abused
chi l dr en, and - '
Ther e was a t ape of t he Wi nt hr ops' own chi l dr en pl ayi ng at
t hei r est at e f ar mi n Manchest er , Ver mont .
Dana put t he next t ape i n. Tayl or Wi nt hr op at t he Whi t e
House. I n t he backgr ound wer e hi s wi f e, hi s t wo handsome
sons, Gar y and Paul , and hi s beaut i f ul daught er , J ul i e. The
pr esi dent was pr esent i ng Tayl or Wi nt hr op wi t h a Medal of
Fr eedom. ' . . . and f or hi s sel f l ess devot i on t o hi s count r y
and f or al l hi s wonder f ul accompl i shment s, I ampl eased t o
pr esent Tayl or Wi nt hr op wi t h t he hi ghest ci vi l i an awar d we
can gi ve - t he Medal of Fr eedom. '
Ther e was a t ape of J ul i e ski i ng . . . Gar y f undi ng a
f oundat i on t o hel p young ar t i st s . . .
The Oval Of f i ce agai n. The pr ess was out i n f ul l f or ce. A
gr ay- hai r ed Tayl or Wi nt hr op and hi s wi f e wer e st andi ng next
t o t he pr esi dent . 1 have j ust appoi nt ed Tayl or Wi nt hr op our
new ambassador t o Russi a. I know you ar e al l f ami l i ar wi t h Mr
Wi nt hr op. ' s i nnumer abl e ser vi ces t o our count r y, and I ' m
del i ght ed t hat he has agr eed t o accept t hi s post i nst ead of
spendi ng hi s days pl ayi ng gol f . ' The pr ess l aughed.
Tayl or Wi nt hr op qui pped, ' You haven' t seen my gol f game,
Mr Pr esi dent . ' Anot her l augh . . .
And t hen came t he ser i es of di sast er s. Dana i nser t ed a new
t ape. The scene out si de a bur ned- out home i n Aspen, Col or ado.
A f emal e newscast er was poi nt i ng t o t he gut t ed house. ' The
chi ef of pol i ce of Aspen has conf i r med t hat Ambassador
Wi nt hr op and hi s wi f e, Madel i ne, bot h per i shed i n t he
t er r i bl e f i r e. The f i r e depar t ment was al er t ed i n t he ear l y
hour s of t hi s mor ni ng and ar r i ved wi t hi n f i f t een mi nut es, but
i t was t oo l at e t o save t hem. Accor di ng t o Chi ef Nagel , t he
f i r e was caused by an el ect r i cal pr obl em. Ambassador and Mr s
Wi nt hr op wer e known wor l dwi de f or t hei r phi l ant hr opy and
dedi cat i on t o gover nment ser vi ce. ' Dana put i n anot her t ape.
The scene was t he
Gr and Cor ni che on t he Fr ench Ri vi er a. A r epor t er sai d,
' Her e i s t he cur ve wher e Paul Wi nt hr op' s car ski dded of f t he
r oad and pl ummet ed down t he mount ai nsi de. Accor di ng t o t he
cor oner ' s of f i ce, he was ki l l ed i nst ant l y by t he i mpact .
Ther e wer e no passenger s. The pol i ce ar e i nvest i gat i ng t he
cause of t he acci dent . The t er r i bl e i r ony i s t hat onl y t wo
mont hs ago Paul Wi nt hr op' s mot her and f at her di ed i n a f i r e
at t hei r home i n Aspen, Col or ado. '
Dana r eached f or anot her t ape. A mount ai n ski i ng t r ai l i n
J uneau, Al aska. A heavi l y bundl ed- up newscast er : ' . . . and
t hi s i s t he scene of t he t r agi c ski i ng acci dent t hat occur r ed
l ast eveni ng. Aut hor i t i es ar e not sur e why J ul i e Wi nt hr op, a
champi on ski er , was ski i ng al one at ni ght on t hi s par t i cul ar
t r ai l , whi ch had been cl osed, but t hey ar e i nvest i gat i ng. I n
Sept ember , j ust si x weeks ago, J ul i e' s br ot her Paul was
ki l l ed i n a car acci dent i n Fr ance, and i n J ul y of t hi s year ,
her par ent s, Ambassador Tayl or Wi nt hr op and hi s wi f e, di ed i n
a f i r e. The pr esi dent has expr essed hi s sympat hy. '
The next t ape. Gar y Wi nt hr op' s home i n t he nor t hwest
sect i on of Washi ngt on, DC. Repor t er s wer e swar mi ng ar ound t he
out si de of t he t own house. I n f r ont of t he house, a
newscast er was sayi ng, ' I n a t r agi c, unbel i evabl e t ur n of
event s, Gar y Wi nt hr op, t he l ast r emai ni ng member of t he
bel oved Wi nt hr op f ami l y, has been shot and ki l l ed by
bur gl ar s. Ear l y t hi s mor ni ng a secur i t y guar d not i ced t hat
t he al ar ml i ght was of f , ent er ed t he
home, and f ound Mr Wi nt hr op' s body. He had been shot
t wi ce. Appar ent l y t he t hi eves wer e af t er val uabl e pai nt i ngs
and wer e i nt er r upt ed. Gar y Wi nt hr op was t he f i f t h and l ast
member of t he f ami l y t o meet a vi ol ent deat h t hi s year . '
Dana t ur ned of f t he t el evi si on moni t or and sat t her e f or a
l ong t i me. Who woul d want t o wi pe out a wonder f ul f ami l y l i ke
t hat ? Who? Why?
Dana ar r anged an appoi nt ment wi t h Senat or Per r y Lef f at
t he Har t Senat e Of f i ce Bui l di ng. Lef f was i n hi s ear l y
f i f t i es, an ear nest and i mpassi oned man.
He r ose as Dana was usher ed i n. ' What can I do f or you,
Mi ss Evans?'
' I under st and t hat you wor ked cl osel y wi t h Tayl or
Wi nt hr op, Senat or ?'
' Yes. We wer e appoi nt ed by t he pr esi dent t o ser ve on
sever al commi t t ees t oget her . '
' I know what hi s publ i c i mage i s, Senat or Lef f , but what
was he l i ke as a per son?'
Senat or Lef f st udi ed Dana f or a moment . ' I ' l l be gl ad t o
t el l you. Tayl or Wi nt hr op was one of t he f i nest men I ' ve ever
met . What was most r emar kabl e about hi mwas t he way he
r el at ed t o peopl e. He r eal l y car ed. He went out of hi s way t o
make t hi s a bet t er wor l d. I ' l l al ways mi ss hi m, and what ' s
happened t o hi s f ami l y i s j ust t oo goddamn awf ul t o t hi nk
about . '
Dana was t al ki ng t o Nancy Pat chi n, one of Tayl or
Wi nt hr op' s secr et ar i es, a woman i n her si xt i es, wi t h a l i ned
f ace and sad eyes.
' You wor ked f or Mr Wi nt hr op f or a l ong t i me?'
' Fi f t een year s. '
I n t hat per i od of t i me, I i magi ne you got t o know Mr
Wi nt hr op wel l . '
' Yes, of cour se. '
Dana sai d, ' I ' mt r yi ng t o get a pi ct ur e of what ki nd of
man he was. Was he - ?'
Nancy Pat chi n i nt er r upt ed. ' I can t el l you exact l y what
ki nd of man he was, Mi ss Evans. When we di scover ed my son had
Lou Gehr i g' s di sease, Tayl or Wi nt hr op t ook hi mt o hi s own
doct or s and pai d al l t he medi cal bi l l s. When my son di ed, Mr
Wi nt hr op pai d t he f uner al expenses and sent me t o Eur ope t o
r ecover . ' Her eyes f i l l ed wi t h t ear s. ' He was t he most
wonder f ul , t he most gener ous gent l eman I ' ve ever known. '
Dana ar r anged f or an appoi nt ment wi t h Gener al Vi ct or
Boost er , t he di r ect or of t he FRA, t he Feder al Resear ch
Agency, whi ch Tayl or Wi nt hr op had headed. Boost er had r ef used
t o t al k t o Dana at f i r st , but when he l ear ned whomshe want ed
t o t al k t o hi mabout , he agr eed t o see her .
I n mi dmor ni ng, Dana dr ove t o t he Feder al Resear ch Agency,
near For t Mead, Mar yl and. The agency' s headquar t er s wer e
set on ei ght y- t wo
cl osel y guar ded acr es. Ther e was no si gn of t he f or est of
sat el l i t e di shes hi dden behi nd t he heavi l y wooded ar ea.
Dana dr ove up t o an ei ght - f oot - hi gh Cycl one f ence t opped
wi t h bar bed wi r e. She gave her name and showed her dr i ver ' s
l i cense t o an ar med guar d at t he sent r y boot h and was
admi t t ed. A mi nut e l at er she appr oached a cl osed el ect r i f i ed
gat e wi t h a sur vei l l ance camer a. She spoke her name agai n and
t he gat e aut omat i cal l y swung open. She f ol l owed t he dr i veway
t o t he enor mous whi t e admi ni st r at i on bui l di ng.
A man i n ci vi l i an cl ot hes met Dana out si de. ' I ' l l t ake you
t o Gener al Boost er ' s of f i ce, Mi ss Evans. '
They t ook a pr i vat e el evat or up f i ve f l oor s and wal ked
down a l ong cor r i dor t o a sui t e of of f i ces at t he end of t he
hal l .
They ent er ed a l ar ge r ecept i on of f i ce wi t h t wo
secr et ar i es' desks. One of t he secr et ar i es sai d, ' The gener al
i s expect i ng you, Mi ss Evans. Go r i ght i n, pl ease. ' She
pr essed a but t on and a door t o t he i nner of f i ce cl i cked open.
Dana f ound her sel f i n a spaci ous of f i ce, wi t h cei l i ngs and
wal l s heavi l y soundpr oof ed. She was gr eet ed by a t al l , sl i m,
at t r act i ve man i n hi s f or t i es. He hel d out hi s hand t o Dana
and sai d geni al l y, ' I ' mMaj or J ack St one. I ' mGener al
Boost er ' s ai de. ' He i ndi cat ed t he man seat ed behi nd a desk.
' Thi s i s Gener al Boost er . '
Vi ct or Boost er was Af r i can- Amer i can, wi t h a
chi sel ed f ace and har d obsi di an eyes. Hi s shaved head
gl eamed under t he cei l i ng l i ght s.
' Si t down, ' he sai d. Hi s voi ce was deep and gr avel l y.
Dana t ook a seat . ' Thank you f or seei ng me, Gener al . '
' You sai d t hi s was about Tayl or Wi nt hr op?'
' Yes. I want ed- '
' Ar e you doi ng a st or y on hi m, Mi ss Evans?'
' Wel l , I - '
Hi s voi ce har dened. ' Can' t you f ucki ng j our nal i st s l et t he
dead r est ? You' r e al l a bunch of muckr aki ng coyot es pi cki ng
at dead bodi es. '
Dana sat t her e i n shock.
J ack St one l ooked embar r assed.
Dana cont r ol l ed her t emper . ' Gener al Boost er , I assur e you
I amnot i nt er est ed i n muckr aki ng. I know t he l egend about
Tayl or Wi nt hr op. I ' mt r yi ng t o get a pi ct ur e of t he man
hi msel f . Anyt hi ng you can t el l me woul d be gr eat l y
appr eci at ed. '
Gener al Boost er l eaned f or war d. ' I don' t know what t he
hel l you' r e af t er , but I can t el l you one t hi ng. The l egend
was t he man. When Tayl or Wi nt hr op was head of FRA, I wor ked
under hi m. He was t he best di r ect or t hi s or gani zat i on ever
had. Ever ybody admi r ed hi m. What ' s happened t o hi mand hi s
f ami l y i s a t r agedy I can' t even begi n t o compr ehend. ' Hi s
f ace was t i ght . ' Fr ankl y, I don' t l i ke t he pr ess, Mi ss Evans.
I t hi nk you peopl e have got t en way out of hand. I wat ched
your cover age i n
Sar aj evo. Your hear t s- and- f l ower s br oadcast s di dn' t hel p
us any. '
Dana was t r yi ng har d t o cont r ol her anger . ' I wasn' t t her e
t o hel p you, Gener al . I was t her e t o r epor t what was
happeni ng t o t he i nnocent - '
' What ever . For your i nf or mat i on, Tayl or Wi nt hr op was as
gr eat a st at esman as t hi s count r y has ever had. ' Hi s eyes
f i xed on her s. ' I f you i nt end t o t ear down hi s memor y, you' r e
goi ng t o f i nd your sel f wi t h a l ot of enemi es. Let me gi ve you
some advi ce. Don' t go l ooki ng f or t r oubl e, or you' r e goi ng t o
f i nd i t . That ' s a pr omi se. I ' mwar ni ng you t o st ay t he hel l
away. Good- bye, Mi ss Evans. '
Dana st ar ed at hi ma moment , t hen r ose. ' Thank you ver y
much, Gener al . ' She st r ode out of t he of f i ce.
J ack St one hur r i ed af t er her . ' I ' l l show you out . '
I n t he cor r i dor , Dana t ook a deep br eat h and sai d angr i l y,
' I s he al ways l i ke t hat ?'
J ack St one si ghed. ' I apol ogi ze f or hi m. He can be a
l i t t l e abr upt . He doesn' t mean anyt hi ng by i t . '
Dana sai d t i ght l y, ' Real l y? I had t he f eel i ng he di d. '
' Anyway, f or what i t ' s wor t h, I ' msor r y, ' J ack St one sai d.
He st ar t ed t o t ur n away.
Dana t ouched hi s sl eeve. ' Wai t . I ' d l i ke t o t al k t o you.
I t ' s t wel ve o' cl ock. Coul d we have l unch somewher e?'
J ack St one gl anced t owar d t he gener al ' s door . ' Al l r i ght .
Shol l ' s Col oni al Caf et er i a on K St r eet i n an hour ?'
' Gr eat . Thank you. '
' Don' t t hank me t oo soon, Mi ss Evans. '
Dana was wai t i ng f or hi mwhen he wal ked i nt o t he
hal f - deser t ed caf et er i a. J ack St one st ood i n t he door way f or
a moment maki ng sur e t her e was no one he knew i n t he
r est aur ant , t hen he j oi ned Dana at a t abl e.
' Gener al Boost er woul d have my ass i f he knew I was
t al ki ng t o you. He' s a f i ne man. He' s i n a t ough, sensi t i ve
j ob, and he' s ver y, ver y good at what he does. ' He hesi t at ed.
' I ' maf r ai d he doesn' t l i ke t he pr ess. '
' I gat her ed t hat , ' Dana sai d dr yl y.
' I have t o make somet hi ng cl ear t o you, Mi ss Evans. Thi s
conver sat i on i s compl et el y of f t he r ecor d. '
' I under st and. '
They pi cked up t r ays and sel ect ed t hei r f ood. When t hey
sat down agai n, J ack St one sai d, ' I don' t want you t o get t he
wr ong i mpr essi on of our or gani zat i on. We' r e t he good guys.
That ' s why we got i nt o i t i n t he f i r st pl ace. We' r e wor ki ng
t o hel p under devel oped count r i es. '
' I appr eci at e t hat , ' Dana sai d.
' What can I t el l you about Tayl or Wi nt hr op?'
Dana sai d, ' Al l I ' ve got t en so f ar ar e t al es of sai nt hood.
The man must have had some f l aws. '
' He di d, ' J ack St one admi t t ed. ' Let me t el l you t he good
t hi ngs f i r st . Mor e t han any man I ' ve ever known, Tayl or
Wi nt hr op car ed about peopl e. ' He paused. ' I mean r eal l y
car ed. He t ook not i ce of bi r t hdays and mar r i ages, and
ever yone who wor ked f or hi mador ed hi m. He had a keen,
i nci si ve mi nd, and he was a pr obl emsol ver . And even t hough
he was so i nvol ved i n ever yt hi ng he was doi ng, he was at
hear t a f ami l y man. He l oved hi s wi f e and he l oved hi s
chi l dr en. ' He st opped.
Dana sai d, ' What ' s t he bad par t ?'
J ack St one sai d r el uct ant l y, ' Tayl or Wi nt hr op was a magnet
f or women. He was char i smat i c, handsome, r i ch, and power f ul .
Women f ound t hat har d t o r esi st . ' He went on: ' So ever y once
i n a whi l e, Tayl or . . . sl i pped. He had a f ew af f ai r s, but I
can assur e you t hat none of t hemwas ser i ous, and he kept
t hemver y pr i vat e. He woul d never do anyt hi ng t o hur t hi s
f ami l y. '
' Maj or St one, can you t hi nk of anyone who woul d have had a
r eason t o ki l l Tayl or Wi nt hr op and hi s f ami l y?'
J ack St one put down hi s f or k. ' What ?'
' Someone wi t h t hat hi gh a pr of i l e must have made some
enemi es down t he l i ne. '
' Mi ss Evans - ar e you i mpl yi ng t hat t he Wi nt hr ops wer e
mur der ed! '
' I ' mj ust aski ng, ' Dana sai d.
J ack St one consi der ed i t a moment . Then he shook hi s head.
' No, ' he sai d. ' I t doesn' t make sense. Tayl or Wi nt hr op never
har med anyone i n hi s l i f e. I f you' ve t al ked t o any of hi s
f r i ends or associ at es, you woul d know t hat . '
' Let me t el l you what I ' ve l ear ned so f ar , ' Dana sai d.
' Tayl or Wi nt hr op was - '
J ack St one hel d up a hand. ' Mi ss Evans, t he l ess I know,
t he bet t er . I ' mt r yi ng t o st ay out si de t he l oop. I can hel p
you best t hat way, i f you know what I mean. '
Dana l ooked at hi m, puzzl ed. ' I ' mnot sur e exact l y. '
' Fr ankl y, f or your sake, I wi sh you woul d dr op t hi s whol e
mat t er . I f you won' t , t hen be car ef ul . ' And he st ood up and
was gone.
Dana sat t her e, t hi nki ng about what she had j ust hear d. So
Tayl or Wi nt hr op had no enemi es. Maybe I ' mgoi ng about t hi s
f r omt he wr ong angl e. What i f i t wasn' t Tayl or Wi nt hr op who
made a deadl y enemy? What i f i t was one of hi s chi l dr en? Or
hi s wi f e?
Dana t ol d J ef f about her l uncheon wi t h Maj or J ack St one.
' That ' s i nt er est i ng. What now?'
' I want t o t al k t o some of t he peopl e who knew t he
Wi nt hr op chi l dr en. Paul Wi nt hr op was engaged t o a gi r l named
Har r i et Ber k. They wer e t oget her f or al most a year . '
' I r emember r eadi ng about t hem, ' J ef f sai d. He hesi t at ed.
' Dar l i ng, you know I ' mbehi nd you one hundr ed per cent
' Of cour se, J ef f . '
' But what i f you' r e wr ong about t hi s? Acci dent s do happen.
How much t i me ar e you goi ng t o spend on t hi s?'
' Not much mor e, ' Dana pr omi sed. ' I ' mj ust goi ng t o do a
l i t t l e mor e checki ng. '
Har r i et Ber k l i ved i n an el egant dupl ex apar t ment i n
nor t hwest Washi ngt on. She was a sl i mbl onde i n her ear l y
t hi r t i es, wi t h a ner vousl y engagi ng smi l e.
' Thank you f or seei ng me, ' Dana sai d. ' I ' mnot exact l y
sur e why I amseei ng you, Mi ss Evans. You sai d i t was
somet hi ng about Paul '
' Yes. ' Dana chose her wor ds car ef ul l y. ' I don' t mean t o
pr y i nt o your per sonal l i f e, but you and Paul wer e engaged t o
be mar r i ed, and I ' msur e you pr obabl y knew hi mbet t er t han
anyone el se. ' ' I l i ke t o t hi nk so. '
' I ' d l ove t o know a l i t t l e mor e about hi m, what he was
r eal l y l i ke. '
Har r i et Ber k was si l ent f or a moment . When she spoke, her
voi ce was sof t . ' Paul was l i ke no ot her man I ' ve ever known.
He had a zest f or l i f e. He was ki nd and t hought f ul of ot her s.
He coul d be ver y f unny. He di dn' t t ake hi msel f t oo ser i ousl y.
He was
gr eat f un t o be ar ound. We wer e pl anni ng t o be mar r i ed i n
Oct ober . ' She st opped. ' When Paul di ed i n t he acci dent , I - I
f el t as t hough my l i f e was over . ' She l ooked at Dana and sai d
qui et l y, ' I st i l l f eel t hat way. '
' I ' mso sor r y, ' Dana sai d. ' I hat e t o pr ess t hi s, but do
you know i f he had any enemi es, someone who woul d have a
r eason t o ki l l hi m?'
Har r i et Ber k l ooked at her and t ear s came t o her eyes.
' Ki l l Paul ?' Her voi ce was choked. ' I f you had known hi m, you
woul dn' t have even asked t hat . '
mi ght have . . . j i l t ed? Or someone who mi ght want t o har m
her or her f ami l y?'
St eve Rexf or d shook hi s head sl owl y. ' Mi ss J ul i e wasn' t
t hat sor t of per son. She coul d never hur t anyone. No. She was
ver y gener ous wi t h her t i me and wi t h her weal t h. Ever yone
l oved her . '
Dana st udi ed hi ma moment . He meant i t . They al l meant i t .
What t he hel l amI doi ng? Dana wonder ed. I f eel l i ke Dana
Qui xot e. Onl y t her e ar e no wi ndmi l l s.
Dana' s next i nt er vi ew was wi t h St eve Rexf or d, t he but l er
who had wor ked f or J ul i e Wi nt hr op. He was a mi ddl e- aged,
el egant - l ooki ng Engl i shman.
' How may I hel p you, Mi ss Evans?'
' I want ed t o ask you about J ul i e Wi nt hr op. '
' Yes, ma' am?'
' How l ong di d you wor k f or her ?'
' Four year s and ni ne mont hs. '
' What was she l i ke t o wor k f or ?'
He smi l ed r emi ni scent l y. ' She was ext r emel y pl easant , a
l ovel y l ady i n ever y way. I - I coul dn' t bel i eve i t when I
hear d t he news about her acci dent . '
' Di d J ul i e Wi nt hr op have any enemi es?'
He f r owned. ' I beg your par don?'
' Was Mi ss Wi nt hr op i nvol ved wi t h anyone she
Mor gan Or mond, t he di r ect or of t he Geor get own Museumof
Ar t , was next on Dana' s l i st .
' I under st and you want ed t o ask me about Gar y Wi nt hr op?'
' Yes. I wonder ed - '
' Hi s deat h was a t er r i bl e l oss. Our nat i on has l ost i t s
gr eat est ar t pat r on. '
' Mr Or mond, i sn' t t her e a gr eat deal of compet i t i on i n t he
ar t wor l d?'
' Compet i t i on?'
' Doesn' t i t somet i mes happen t hat sever al peopl e mi ght be
af t er t he same wor k of ar t and get i nt o - '
' Of cour se. But never wi t h Mr Wi nt hr op. He had a f abul ous
pr i vat e col l ect i on, yet at t he same t i me he was ver y gener ous
wi t h museums. Not j ust wi t h t hi s museum, but wi t h museums al l
over t he wor l d. Hi s ambi t i on was t o make gr eat ar t avai l abl e
t o ever ybody. '
' Di d you know of any enemi es he - ' ' Gar y Wi nt hr op? Never ,
never , never . '
Dana' s f i nal meet i ng was wi t h Rosal i nd Lopez, who had
wor ked f or Madel i ne Wi nt hr op f or f i f t een year s as her
per sonal mai d. She was now wor ki ng at a cat er i ng busi ness she
and her husband owned.
' Thank you f or seei ng me, Mi ss Lopez, ' Dana sai d. ' I
want ed t o t al k t o you about Madel i ne Wi nt hr op. '
That poor l ady. She - she was t he ni cest per son I ' ve ever
known. '
I t ' s begi nni ng t o sound l i ke a br oken r ecor d, Dana
t hought .
' I t was j ust t er r i bl e t he awf ul way she di ed. '
' Yes, ' Dana agr eed. ' You wer e wi t h her a l ong t i me. '
' Oh, yes, ma' am. '
' Do you know of anyt hi ng she mi ght have done t hat woul d
have of f ended anybody or made enemi es of t hem?'
Rosal i nd Lopez l ooked at Dana i n sur pr i se. ' Enemi es? No,
ma' am. Ever yone l oved her . '
I t i s a br oken r ecor d, Dana deci ded.
Dana went i n t o see Mat t Baker . She was gr eet ed by Abbe
Lasmann.
' Hi , Dana. '
' I s Mat t r eady f or me?'
' Yes. You can go i n. '
Mat t Baker l ooked up as Dana wal ked i nt o hi s of f i ce.
' How' s Sher l ock Hol mes t oday?'
' I t ' s el ement ar y, my dear Wat son. I was wr ong. Ther e i s no
st or y t her e. '
On her way back t o t he of f i ce, Dana t hought , I guess I was
wr ong. I n spi t e of t he odds, t hei r deat hs must have been
coi nci dent al .
Fi ve
The cal l f r omDana' s mot her , Ei l een, came wi t hout war ni ng.
' Dana, dar l i ng. I have t he most exci t i ng news f or you! '
' Yes, Mot her ?'
' I ' mget t i ng mar r i ed. '
Dana was st unned. ' What ?'
' Yes. I went up t o West por t , Connect i cut , t o vi si t a
f r i end, and she i nt r oduced me t o t hi s l ovel y, l ovel y man. '
' I ' m- I ' mt hr i l l ed f or you, Mot her . That ' s wonder f ul . '
' He' s - he' s so- ' She gi ggl ed. ' I can' t descr i be hi m, but
he' s ador abl e. You' l l l ove hi m. '
Dana sai d caut i ousl y, ' How l ong have you known hi m?'
' Long enough, dar l i ng. We' r e per f ect f or each ot her . I ' m
so l ucky. '
Does he have a j ob?' Dana asked.
' St op act i ng l i ke my f at her . Of cour se he has a j ob. He' s
a ver y successf ul i nsur ance sal esman. Hi s name i s Pet er
Tomki ns. He has a beaut i f ul home i n West por t , and I ' mdyi ng
f or you and Ki mbal t o come up her e and meet hi m. Wi l l you
come?'
' Of cour se we wi l l . '
' Pet er i s so anxi ous t o meet you. He' s t ol d ever yone about
how f amous you ar e. Ar e you sur e you can make i t ?'
' Yes. ' Dana was of f t he ai r weekends, so t her e woul d be no
pr obl em. ' Kemal and I ar e l ooki ng f or war d t o i t . '
When Dana pi cked Kemal up at school , she sai d, ' You' r e
goi ng t o meet your gr andmot her . We' r e goi ng t o be a r eal
f ami l y, dar l i ng. '
' Dope. '
Dana smi l ed. ' Dope i s r i ght . '
Ear l y Sat ur day mor ni ng Dana and Kemal dr ove t o
Connect i cut . Dana l ooked f or war d t o t he t r i p t o West por t wi t h
gr eat ant i ci pat i on.
' Thi s i s goi ng t o be wonder f ul f or ever yone, ' Dana assur ed
Kemal . ' Al l gr andpar ent s need gr andchi l dr en t o spoi l . That ' s
t he best par t of havi ng chi l dr en. And you' l l be abl e t o st ay
wi t h t hemsome of t he t i me. '
Kemal sai d ner vousl y, ' Wi l l you be t her e, t oo?' Dana
squeezed hi s hand. ' I ' l l be t her e. '
Pet er Tomki ns' s home was a char mi ng ol d cot t age on Bl i nd
Br ook Road, wi t h a smal l st r eamr unni ng al ongsi de i t .
' Hey, t hi s i s cool , ' Kemal sai d. Dana r uf f l ed Kemal ' s
hai r . ' I ' mgl ad you l i ke i t . We' l l come her e of t en. '
The f r ont door of t he cot t age opened, and Ei l een Evans
st ood t her e. Ther e wer e st i l l vague t r aces of beaut y l ef t ,
l i ke cl ues t o what once was, but bi t t er ness had over l ai d t he
past wi t h a har sh br ush. I t was a Dor i an Gr ay si t uat i on. Her
beaut y had gone i nt o Dana. St andi ng besi de Ei l een was a
mi ddl e- aged, pl easant - f aced man wear i ng a br oad smi l e.
Ei l een r ushed f or war d and t ook Dana i n her ar ms. Dana,
dar l i ng! And t her e' s Ki mbal ! '
' Mot her . . . '
Pet er Tomki ns sai d, ' So t hi s i s t he f amous Dana Evans, eh?
I ' ve t ol d al l my cl i ent s about you. ' He t ur ned t o Kemal . ' And
t hi s i s t he boy. ' He not i ced Kemal ' s mi ssi ng ar m. ' Hey, you
di dn' t t el l me he was a cr i ppl e. '
Dana' s bl ood f r oze. She saw t he shock on Kemal ' s f ace.
Pet er Tomki ns shook hi s head. ' I f he had had sur ance wi t h
our company bef or e t hat happened, he' d be a r i ch ki d. ' He
t ur ned t owar d t he door . ' Come on i n. You must be hungr y. '
' Not anymor e, ' Dana sai d t i ght l y. She t ur ned t o Ei l een.
' I ' msor r y, Mot her . Kemal and I ar e goi ng back t o
Washi ngt on. '
' I ' msor r y, Dana. I - '
' So amI . I hope you' r e not maki ng a bi g mi st ake. Have a
ni ce weddi ng. '
' Dana- '
Dana' s mot her wat ched i n di smay as Dana and Kemal got i nt o
t he car and dr ove away.
Pet er Tomki ns l ooked af t er t hemi n ast oni shment . ' Hey,
what di d I say?'
Ei l een Evans si ghed. ' Not hi ng, Pet er . Not hi ng. '
Kemal was si l ent on t he r i de home. Dana gl anced
at hi mf r omt i me t o t i me.
' I ' mso sor r y, dar l i ng. Some peopl e ar e j ust i gnor ant . '
' He' s r i ght , ' Kemal sai d bi t t er l y. ' I ama cr i ppl e. ' ' You' r e
not a cr i ppl e, ' Dana sai d f i er cel y. ' You
don' t j udge peopl e by how many ar ms or l egs t hey
have. You j udge t hemby what t hey ar e. ' ' Yeah? And what am
I ?' ' You' r e a sur vi vor . And I ' mpr oud of you. You
know, Mr Char mi ng was r i ght about one t hi ng -
I ' mhungr y. I guess i t woul dn' t i nt er est you, but I
see a McDonal d' s ahead. ' Kemal smi l ed. ' Awesome. '
Af t er Kemal went t o bed, Dana wal ked i nt o t he l i vi ng r oom
and sat down t o t hi nk. She t ur ned on t he t el evi si on set and
st ar t ed sur f i ng t he news channel s. They wer e al l doi ng
f ol l ow- up st or i es on t he Gar y Wi nt hr op mur der .
' . . . hopi ng t hat t he st ol en van mi ght of f er some cl ues
t o t he i dent i t y of t he mur der er s. . . '
' . . . t wo bul l et s f r oma Ber et t a. Pol i ce ar e checki ng al l
gun shops t o . . . '
' and t he br ut al mur der of Gar y Wi nt hr op i n t he excl usi ve
nor t hwest ar ea pr oved t hat no one i s . . . '
Ther e was somet hi ng at t he back of Dana' s mi nd, t easi ng
her . I t t ook her hour s t o get t o sl eep. I n t he mor ni ng, when
Dana awakened, she suddenl y r eal i zed what had been bot her i ng
her . Money and j ewel s wer e l yi ng i n t he open. Why hadn ' t t he
ki l l er s t aken t hem?
Dana got up and made a pot of cof f ee whi l e she r evi ewed
what Chi ef Bur net t had sai d.
Do you have a l i st of t he st ol en pai nt i ngs?
We do. They' r e al l wel l known. The l i st i s bei ng
ci r cul at ed t o museums, ar t deal er s, and col l ect or s. The
mi nut e of t hose pai nt i ngs appear s, t he case wi l l be sol ved.
The bur gl ar s must have known t hat t he pai nt i ngs coul dn' t
be sol d easi l y, Dana t hought , whi ch coul d mean t hat t he t hef t
was ar r anged by a weal t hy col l ect or who
i nt ends t o keep t he pai nt i ngs f or hi msel f . But why woul d a
man l i ke t hat put hi msel f i n t he hands of t wo mur der ous
odi ums?
On Monday mor ni ng when Kemal got up, Dana f i xed br eakf ast
and dr opped hi mof f at school .
' Have a good day, dar l i ng. '
' See you, Dana. '
Dana wat ched Kemal wal k i nt o t he f r ont door of t he school ,
and t hen she headed f or t he pol i ce st at i on on I ndi ana Avenue.
I t was snowi ng agai n and t her e was a sadi st i c wi nd t ear i ng
at ever yt hi ng i n i t s pat h.
Det ect i ve Phoeni x Wi l son, i n char ge of t he Gar y Wi nt hr op
mur der , was a st r eet - smar t mi sant hr ope, wi t h a f ew scar s t o
show how he had got t en t hat way. He l ooked up as Dana wal ked
i nt o hi s of f i ce.
' No i nt er vi ews, ' he gr owl ed. ' When t her e' s any new
i nf or mat i on on t he Wi nt hr op mur der , you' l l hear i t at t he
pr ess conf er ence wi t h ever ybody el se. '
' I di dn' t come t o ask you about t hat , ' Dana sai d.
He eyed her skept i cal l y. ' Oh, r eal l y?'
' Real l y. I ' mi nt er est ed i n t he pai nt i ngs t hat wer e st ol en.
You have a l i st of t hem, I assume?'
' So?'
' Coul d you gi ve me a copy?'
Det ect i ve Wi l son asked suspi ci ousl y, ' Why? What di d you
have i n mi nd?'
' I ' d l i ke t o see what t he ki l l er s t ook. I mi ght do a
segment on t he ai r . '
Det ect i ve Wi l son st udi ed Dana a moment . ' That ' s not a bad
i dea. The mor e publ i ci t y t hese pai nt i ngs
get , t he l ess chance t he ki l l er s wi l l have t o sel l t hem. '
He r ose. ' They t ook t wel ve pai nt i ngs and l ef t a l ot mor e. I
guess t hey wer e t oo l azy t o car r y t hemal l . Good hel p i s har d
t o f i nd t hese days. I ' l l get you a copy of t hat r epor t . '
He was back i n a f ew mi nut es wi t h t wo phot ocopi es. He
handed t hemt o Dana. ' Her e' s a l i st of t he ones t aken. Her e' s
t he ot her l i st . '
Dana l ooked at hi m, puzzl ed. ' What ot her l i st ?'
' Al l t he pai nt i ngs Gar y Wi nt hr op owned, i ncl udi ng t he
pai nt i ngs t he ki l l er s l ef t behi nd. '
' Oh. Thank you. I appr eci at e i t . '
Out i n t he cor r i dor , Dana exami ned t he t wo l i st s. What she
was seei ng was conf usi ng. Dana wal ked out i nt o t he f r i gi d ai r
and headed f or Chr i st i e' s, t he wor l d- f amous auct i on house. I t
was snowi ng har der , and t he cr owds wer e hur r yi ng t o f i ni sh
t hei r Chr i st mas shoppi ng and get back t o t hei r war mhomes and
of f i ces.
When Dana ar r i ved at Chr i st i e' s, t he manager r ecogni zed
her i mmedi at el y. ' Wel l ! Thi s i s an honor , Mi ss Evans. What
can we do f or you?'
Dana expl ai ned, ' I have t wo l i st s of pai nt i ngs her e. I
woul d appr eci at e i t i f someone coul d t el l me what t hese
pai nt i ngs ar e wor t h. '
' But of cour se. I t woul d be our pl easur e. Come t hi s way,
pl ease . . . '
Two hour s l at er Dana was i n Mat t Baker ' s of f i ce.
' Ther e' s somet hi ng ver y st r ange goi ng on, ' Dana began.
' We' r e not back t o t he Chi cken Li t t l e conspi r acy t heor y
agai n, ar e we?'
' You t el l me. ' Dana handed Mat t t he l onger of t he t wo
l i st s. ' Thi s has al l t he ar t wor ks Gar y Wi nt hr op owned. I j ust
had t hese pai nt i ngs appr ai sed at Chr i st i e' s. '
Mat t Baker scanned t he l i st . ' Hey, I see some heavy
hi t t er s her e. Vi ncent van Gogh, Hal s, Mat i sse, Monet ,
Pi casso, Manet . ' He l ooked up. ' So?'
' Now l ook at t hi s l i st , ' Dana sai d. She handed Mat t t he
shor t er l i st , whi ch had t he st ol en ar t on i t .
Mat t r ead t hemal oud. ' Cami l l e Pi ssar r o, Mar i e Laur enci n,
Paul Kl ee, Maur i ce Ut r i l l o, Henr y Leb- asque. So what ' s your
poi nt ?'
Dana sai d sl owl y, ' A l ot of t he pai nt i ngs on t he compl et e
l i st ar e wor t h mor e t han t en mi l l i on api ece. ' She paused.
' Most of t he pai nt i ngs on t he shor t er l i st , whi ch wer e
st ol en, ar e wor t h t wo hundr ed t housand api ece or l ess. '
Mat t Baker bl i nked. The bur gl ar s t ook t he l ess val uabl e
pai nt i ngs?'
' That ' s r i ght . ' Dana l eaned f or war d. ' Mat t , i f t hey wer e
pr of essi onal bur gl ar s, t hey woul d al so have t aken t he cash
and j ewel r y l yi ng ar ound. We wer e meant t o assume t hat
someone hi r ed t hemt o st eal onl y t he mor e val uabl e pai nt i ngs.
But accor di ng t o t hese l i st s, t hey di dn' t know a t hi ng about
ar t . So
why wer e t hey r eal l y hi r ed? Gar y Wi nt hr op wasn' t ar med.
Why di d t hey ki l l hi m?'
' Ar e you sayi ng t hat t he r obber y was a cover - up, and t he
r eal mot i ve f or t he br eak- i n was mur der ?'
' That ' s t he onl y expl anat i on I can t hi nk of . '
Mat t swal l owed. ' Let ' s exami ne t hi s. Suppose t hat Tayl or
Wi nt hr op di d make an enemy and was mur der ed - why woul d
anyone want t o wi pe out hi s ent i r e f ami l y?'
' I don' t know, ' Dana sai d. ' That ' s what I want t o f i nd
out . '
Dr Ar mand Deut sch was one of Washi ngt on' s most r espect ed
psychi at r i st s, an i mposi ng- l ooki ng man i n hi s sevent i es, wi t h
a br oad f or ehead and appr opr i at el y pr obi ng bl ue eyes. He
gl anced up as Dana ent er ed. ' Mi ss Evans?'
' Yes. I appr eci at e your seei ng me, Doct or . What I need t o
see you about i s r eal l y ver y i mpor t ant . ' ' And what i s i t
t hat ' s so ver y i mpor t ant ?' ' You' ve r ead about t he deat hs i n
t he Wi nt hr op f ami l y?'
' Of cour se. Ter r i bl e t r agedi es. So many acci dent s. ' Dana
sai d, ' What i f t hey wer en' t acci dent s?' ' What ? What ar e you
sayi ng?' ' That t her e' s a possi bi l i t y t hey wer e al l mur der ed. '
' The Wi nt hr ops mur der ed? That seems ver y f ar f et ched, Mi ss
Evans. Ver y f ar - f et ched. '
' But possi bl e. '
' What makes you t hi nk t hey mi ght have been mur der ed?'
' I t ' s - i t ' s j ust a hunch, ' Dana admi t t ed.
' I see. A hunch. ' Dr Deut sch sat t her e, st udyi ng her . ' I
wat ched your br oadcast s f r omSar aj evo. You ar e an excel l ent
r epor t er . '
' Thank you. '
Dr Deut sch l eaned f or war d on hi s el bows, hi s bl ue eyes
f i xed on her s. ' So, not l ong ago, you wer e i n t he mi ddl e of a
t er r i bl e war . Yes?'
' Yes. '
' Repor t i ng about peopl e bei ng r aped, ki l l ed, babi es
mur der ed
Dana was l i st eni ng, war y.
' You wer e obvi ousl y under gr eat st r ess. '
Dana sai d, ' Yes. '
' How l ong have you been back - f i ve, si x mont hs?'
' Thr ee mont hs, ' Dana sai d.
He nodded, sat i sf i ed. ' Not much t i me t o get adj ust ed t o
ci vi l i an l i f e agai n, i s i t ? You must have ni ght mar es about
al l t he t er r i bl e mur der s you wi t nessed, and now your
subconsci ous mi nd i magi nes - '
Dana i nt er r upt ed hi m. ' Doct or , I ' mnot par anoi d. I have no
pr oof , but I have r eason t o bel i eve t he Wi nt hr op deat hs wer e
not acci dent al . I came t o see you because I was hopi ng you
coul d hel p me. '
' Hel p you? I n what way?'
' I need a mot i ve. What mot i ve coul d anyone have f or wi pi ng
out an ent i r e f ami l y?'
Dr Deut sch l ooked at Dana and st eepl ed hi s f i nger s. ' Ther e
ar e pr ecedent s, of cour se, f or such vi ol ent aggr essi on. A
vendet t a . . . vengeance. I n I t al y, t he Maf i a has been known
t o ki l l ent i r e f ami l i es. Or i t coul d possi bl y i nvol ve dr ugs.
I t mi ght be r evenge f or some t er r i bl e t r agedy t hat t he f ami l y
caused. Or i t coul d be a mani ac who mi ght not have any
r at i onal mot i ve t o - '
' I don' t t hi nk t hat ' s t he case her e, ' Dana sai d.
' Then, of cour se, t her e' s one of t he ol dest mot i ves i n t he
wor l d - money. ' Money. Dana had al r eady t hought of t hat .
Wal t er Cal ki n, head of t he f i r mof Cal ki n, Tayl or &
Ander son, had been t he Wi nt hr ops' f ami l y l awyer f or mor e t han
t went y- f i ve year s. He was an el der l y man, cr i ppl ed wi t h
ar t hr i t i s, but whi l e hi s body was f r ai l , hi s mi nd was st i l l
keen.
He st udi ed Dana a moment . ' You t ol d my secr et ar y t hat you
want ed t o t al k t o me about t he Wi nt hr op est at e?'
' Yes. '
He si ghed. ' I t ' s i ncr edi bl e t o me what happened t o t hat
wonder f ul f ami l y. I ncr edi bl e. '
' I under st and t hat you handl ed t hei r l egal and f i nanci al
af f ai r s, ' Dana sai d.
' Yes. '
' Mr Cal ki n, i n t he l ast year , was t her e anyt hi ng unusual
about t hose af f ai r s?'
He was l ooki ng at Dana cur i ousl y. ' Unusual i n what sense?'
Dana sai d car ef ul l y, ' Thi s i s awkwar d, but - woul d you be
awar e of i t i f any member of t he f ami l y was . . . bei ng
bl ackmai l ed?'
Ther e was a moment ar y si l ence. ' You mean, woul d I know i f
t hey wer e r egul ar l y payi ng out l ar ge sums of money t o
somebody?'
' Yes. '
' I suppose I woul d, yes. '
' And was t her e anyt hi ng l i ke t hat ?' Dana pur sued.
' Not hi ng. I assume you' r e suggest i ng some sor t of f oul
pl ay? I must t el l you I f i nd t hat ut t er l y r i di cul ous. '
' But t hey ar e al l dead, ' Dana sai d. ' The est at e must be
wor t h many bi l l i ons of dol l ar s. I woul d ver y much appr eci at e
i t i f you coul d t el l me who st ands t o r ecei ve t hat money. '
She wat ched t he l awyer open a bot t l e of pi l l s, t ake one
out , and swal l ow i t wi t h a si p of wat er . ' Mi ss Evans, we
never di scuss our cl i ent s' af f ai r s. ' He hesi t at ed. ' I n t hi s
i nst ance, however , I see no har mi n i t , because a pr ess
announcement i s goi ng t o be made t omor r ow. '
And t hen t her e' s al ways one of t he ol dest mot i ves i n t he
wor l d - money.
Wal t er Cal ki n l ooked at Dana. ' Wi t h t he deat h of
Gar y Wi nt hr op, t he l ast sur vi vi ng member of t he f ami l y - '
' Yes?' Dana was hol di ng her br eat h.
' The ent i r e Wi nt hr op f or t une goes t o char i t y. '
Si x
The st af f was get t i ng r eady f or t he eveni ng news.
Dana was i n st udi o A at t he anchor desk, goi ng t hr ough
l ast - mi nut e changes f or t he br oadcast . The news bul l et i ns
t hat had been comi ng i n al l day f r omwi r e ser vi ces and pol i ce
channel s had been st udi ed and sel ect ed or r ej ect ed.
Seat ed at t he anchor t abl e next t o Dana wer e J ef f Connor s
and Ri char d Mel t on. Anast asi a Mann st ar t ed t he count down and
ended 3- 2- 1 wi t h her ext ended f or ef i nger . The camer a' s r ed
l i ght f l ashed on.
The announcer ' s voi ce boomed out , Thi s i s t he el even
o' cl ock news l i ve on WTN wi t h Dana Evans' - Dana smi l ed i nt o
t he camer a - ' and Ri char d Mel t on. ' Mel t on l ooked i nt o t he
camer a and nodded. ' J ef f Connor s wi t h spor t s and Mar vi n Gr eer
wi t h t he weat her . The el even o' cl ock news begi ns r i ght now. '
Dana l ooked i nt o t he camer a. ' Good eveni ng. I ' mDana
Evans. '
Ri char d Mel t on smi l ed. ' And I ' mRi char d
Mel t on. '
Dana r ead f r omt he Tel ePr ompTer . ' We have a br eaki ng
st or y. A pol i ce chase ended ear l i er t hi s eveni ng af t er a
hol dup at a downt own l i quor st or e. '
' Rol l t ape one. '
The scr een f l ashed t o t he i nt er i or of a hel i copt er . At t he
cont r ol s of t he WTN hel i copt er was Nor man Br onson, a f or mer
mar i ne pi l ot . Next t o hi msat Al yce Bar ker . The camer a angl e
changed. On t he gr ound bel ow wer e t hr ee pol i ce car s
sur r oundi ng a sedan t hat had cr ashed i nt o a t r ee.
Al yce Bar ker sai d, ' The chase began when t wo men wal ked
i nt o t he Hal ey Li quor St or e on Pennsyl vani a Avenue and t r i ed
t o hol d up t he cl er k. He r esi st ed and pr essed t he al ar m
but t on t o summon pol i ce. The r obber s f l ed, but t he pol i ce
pur sued t hemf or f our mi l es unt i l t he suspect s' car cr ashed
i nt o a t r ee. '
The chase was cover ed by t he st at i on' s news hel i copt er .
Dana l ooked at t he pi ct ur e and t hought : The best t hi ng Mat t
ever di d was t o get El l i ot t o buy t hat new hel i copt er . I t
makes a bi g di f f er ence t o our cover age.
Ther e wer e t hr ee mor e segment s, and t he di r ect or si gnal ed
f or a br eak. ' We' l l be r i ght back af t er t hi s, ' Dana sai d.
A commer ci al came on.
Ri char d Mel t on t ur ned t o Dana. ' Have you l ooked out si de?
I t ' s a bi t ch out t her e. '
' I know. ' Dana l aughed. ' Our poor weat her man i s goi ng t o
get a l ot of hat e mai l . '
The r ed camer a l i ght f l ashed on. The Tel ePr ompTer was
bl ank f or a moment , t hen began t o r ol l agai n. Dana st ar t ed t o
r ead, ' On New Year ' s Eve I ' d l i ke- ' She st opped, st unned, as
she l ooked at t he r est of t he wor ds. They r ead: . . . us t o
get mar r i ed. We' l l have a doubl e r eason t o cel ebr at e ever y
New Year ' s Eve.
J ef f was st andi ng next t o t he Tel ePr ompTer , gr i nni ng.
Dana l ooked i nt o t he camer a and sai d awkwar dl y, ' We' l l -
we' l l pause f or anot her br i ef commer ci al . ' The r ed l i ght went
of f .
Dana st ood up. ' J ef f ! '
They moved t owar d each ot her and embr aced. ' What do you
say?' he asked.
She hel d hi mt i ght l y and whi sper ed, ' I say yes. '
The st udi o echoed wi t h cheer s f r omt he cr ew.
When t he br oadcast was over and t hey wer e al one, J ef f
sai d, ' What woul d you l i ke, honey? Bi g weddi ng, smal l
weddi ng, medi umweddi ng?'
Dana had t hought about her weddi ng f r omt he t i me she was a
l i t t l e gi r l . She had vi sual i zed her sel f i n a beaut i f ul , l acy
whi t e gown wi t h a l ong, l ong t r ai n. I n t he movi es she had
seen, t her e was t he f r ant i c exci t ement of get t i ng r eady f or
t he weddi ng . . . t he guest l i st t o pr epar e . . . t he cat er er
t o choose
. . . t he br i desmai ds . . . t he chur ch . . . Al l her
f r i ends woul d be t her e, and her mot her . I t was goi ng t o be
t he most wonder f ul day of her l i f e. And now i t was a r eal i t y.
J ef f sai d, ' Dana . . . ?' He was wai t i ng f or her answer .
I f I have a bi g weddi ng, Dana t hought , I woul d have t o
i nvi t e Mot her and her husband. I can' t do t hat t o Kemal .
' Let ' s el ope/ Dana sai d.
J ef f nodded, sur pr i sed. ' I f t hat ' s what you want , t hen
i t ' s what I want . '
Kemal was t hr i l l ed when he hear d t he news. ' You mean J ef f
i s goi ng t o l i ve wi t h us?'
' That ' s r i ght . We' l l al l be t oget her . You' l l have a r eal
f ami l y, dar l i ng. ' Dana sat at Kemal ' s bedsi de f or t he next
hour , exci t edl y di scussi ng t hei r f ut ur e. The t hr ee of t hem
wer e goi ng t o l i ve t oget her , vacat i on t oget her , and j ust be
t oget her . That magi c wor d.
When Kemal was asl eep, Dana went i nt o her bedr oomand
t ur ned on t he comput er . Apar t ment s. Apar t ment s. We' l l need
t wo bedr ooms, t wo bat hs, a l i vi ng r oom, ki t chen, di ni ng ar ea,
and maybe an of f i ce and a st udy. That shoul dn ' t be t oo
di f f i cul t . Dana t hought of Gar y Wi nt hr op' s t own house si t t i ng
empt y, and her mi nd began t o wander . What had r eal l y happened
t hat
ni ght ? And who had t ur ned of f t he al ar m? I f t her e wer e no
si gns of a br eak- i n, t hen how had t he bur gl ar s got t en i n?
Al most i nvol unt ar i l y her f i nger s t yped i n ' Wi nt hr op' on t he
keyboar d. What t he devi l i s t he mat t er wi t h me? Dana saw t he
same f ami l i ar i nf or mat i on she had seen ear l i er .
Regi onal > US St at es > Washi ngt on DC > Gover nment >
Pol i t i cs > Feder al Resear ch Agency
* Wi nt hr op, Tayl or - ser ved as Ambassador t o
Russi a and negot i at ed an i mpor t ant t r ade agr eement
wi t h I t al y. . .
* Wi nt hr op, Tayl or - sel f - made bi l l i onai r e Tayl or
Wi nt hr op devot ed hi msel f t o ser vi ng hi s count r y . . .
* Wi nt hr op, Tayl or - Wi nt hr op f ami l y set up
phi l ant hr opi c t r ust s t o hel p school s, l i br ar i es, and
i nner - ci t y pr ogr ams . . .
Ther e wer e f i f t y- f our Web si t es f or t he Wi nt hr op f ami l y.
Dana was about t o change t he sear ch t o Apar t ment s when a
r andoment r y caught her eye.
* Wi nt hr op, Tayl or - Lawsui t . J oan Si ni si , f or mer
secr et ar y t o Tayl or Wi nt hr op, f i l ed a l awsui t and l at er
dr opped i t .
Dana r ead t he i t emagai n. What ki nd of l awsui t ? Dana
wonder ed.
She swi t ched t o sever al mor e Wi nt hr op Web si t es, but t her e
was no f ur t her ment i on of any l awsui t .
Dana t yped i n t he name J oan Si ni si . Not hi ng came up.
' I s t hi s a secur e l i ne?' ' Yes. ' ' I want a r epor t on t he
Web si t es t he subj ect i s
checki ng. '
' We wi l l t ake car e of i t i mmedi at el y. '
The f ol l owi ng mor ni ng, when Dana ar r i ved at her of f i ce
af t er dr oppi ng Kemal of f at school , she l ooked t hr ough t he
Washi ngt on t el ephone di r ect or y. No J oan Si ni si . She t r i ed t he
Mar yl and di r ect or y . . . Vi r gi ni a . . . No l uck. She' s pr obabl y
moved away, Dana deci ded.
TomHawki ns, t he show' s pr oducer , wal ked i nt o Dana' s
of f i ce. ' We beat t he compet i t i on agai n l ast ni ght . '
' Gr eat . ' Dana was t hought f ul f or a moment . Tom, do you
know anyone at t he t el ephone company?'
' Sur e. You need a t el ephone?'
' No. I want t o see i f someone has an unl i st ed number . Do
you t hi nk you coul d check i t out ?'
' What ' s t he name?'
' Si ni si . J oan Si ni si . '
He f r owned. ' Why i s t hat name f ami l i ar ?'
' She was i nvol ved i n a l awsui t wi t h Tayl or Wi nt hr op. '
' Ah, yes. I r emember now. That was about a year ago. You
wer e i n Yugosl avi a. I t hought t her e was goi ng t o be a j ui cy
st or y t her e, but i t got hushed up pr et t y qui ckl y. She' s
pr obabl y l i vi ng somewher e i n Eur ope, but I ' l l t r y t o f i nd
out . '
Fi f t een mi nut es l at er Ol i vi a Wat ki ns sai d, ' Tomi s on t he
l i ne f or you. '
' Tom?'
' J oan Si ni si i s st i l l l i vi ng i n Washi ngt on. I have her
unl i st ed number f or you, i f you want i t . '
' Wonder f ul , ' Dana sai d. She pi cked up a pen. ' Go ahead. '
' Fi ve- f i ve- f i ve- t wo- si x- ni ne- zer o. '
' Thank you. '
' For get t he t hanks. Make i t a l unch. '
' You' ve got i t . '
The of f i ce door opened and Dean Ul r i ch, Rober t Fenwi ck,
and Mar i a Toboso, t hr ee wr i t er s who wor ked on t he t el evi si on
news, came i n.
Rober t Fenwi ck sai d, ' I t ' s goi ng t o be a bl oody newscast
t oni ght . We have t wo t r ai n wr ecks, a pl ane cr ash, and a maj or
l andsl i de. '
The f our of t hembegan t o r ead t hr ough t he i ncomi ng news
bul l et i ns. Two hour s l at er , when t he meet i ng was over , Dana
pi cked up t he pi ece of paper wi t h J oan Si ni si ' s number on i t
and cal l ed
A woman answer ed. ' Mi ss Si ni si ' s r esi dence. ' ' Coul d I t al k
t o Mi ss Si ni si , pl ease? Thi s i s Dana
Evans. '
The woman sai d, ' I ' l l see i f she' s avai l abl e. J ust a
moment , pl ease. '
Dana wai t ed. Anot her woman' s voi ce came on t he phone, sof t
and hesi t ant . ' Hel l o
' Mi ss Si ni si ?'
' Yes. '
' Thi s i s Dana Evans. I wonder ed i f - '
' The Dana Evans?'
' Er - yes. '
' Oh! I wat ch your br oadcast ever y ni ght . I ' ma t r emendous
f an of your s. '
' Thank you, ' Dana sai d. ' That ' s ver y f l at t er i ng. I wonder
i f you coul d spar e a f ew mi nut es of your t i me. Mi ss Si ni si .
I ' d l i ke t o t al k t o you. '
' You woul d?' Ther e was a happi l y sur pr i sed not e i n her
voi ce.
' Yes. Coul d we meet somewher e?'
' Wel l , cer t ai nl y. Woul d you l i ke t o come her e?'
' That woul d be f i ne. When woul d be conveni ent f or you?'
Ther e was a br i ef hesi t at i on. ' Any t i me. I ' mher e al l
day. '
' What about t omor r ow af t er noon, say ar ound t wo o' cl ock?'
' Al l r i ght . ' She gave Dana t he addr ess.
' I ' l l see you t omor r ow, ' Dana sai d. She r epl aced t he
r ecei ver . Why amI goi ng on wi t h t hi s? Wel l , t hi s wi l l be t he
end of i t .
At t wo o' cl ock t he f ol l owi ng af t er noon, Dana dr ove up i n
f r ont of J oan Si ni si ' s hi gh- r i se apar t ment bui l di ng on Pr i nce
St r eet . A uni f or med door man st ood i n f r ont of t he bui l di ng.
Dana l ooked at t he i mposi ng st r uct ur e and t hought , How can a
secr et ar y af f or d t o l i ve her e? She par ked t he car and went
i nsi de t o t he l obby. Ther e was a r ecept i oni st at t he desk.
' May I hel p you?'
' I have an appoi nt ment t o see Mi ss Si ni si . Dana Evans. '
' Yes, Mi ss Evans. She' s expect i ng you. J ust t ake t he
el evat or t o t he pent house. I t ' s apar t ment A. '
The pent house?
When Dana ar r i ved at t he t op f l oor , she got out of t he
el evat or and r ang t he door bel l of apar t ment A. The door was
opened by a uni f or med mai d.
' Mi ss Evans?' ' Yes. '
' Come i n, pl ease. '
J oan Si ni si l i ved i n a t wel ve- r oomapar t ment wi t h a huge
t er r ace over l ooki ng t he ci t y. The mai d l ed Dana t hr ough a
l ong hal l way i nt o a l ar ge dr awi ng r oomdone i n whi t e and
beaut i f ul l y decor at ed. A smal l , sl ender woman was seat ed on
t he couch. She r ose as Dana ent er ed.
J oan Si ni si was a sur pr i se. Dana had not known what t o
ant i ci pat e, but t he woman who got up
t o gr eet her was t he l ast t hi ng she woul d have expect ed.
J oan Si ni si was smal l and pl ai n l ooki ng, wi t h dul l br own eyes
hi dden behi nd t hi ck gl asses. Her voi ce was shy and al most
i naudi bl e.
I t ' s a r eal pl easur e t o meet you i n per son, Mi ss Evans. '
' Thank you f or seei ng me, ' Dana sai d. She j oi ned J oan
Si ni si on a l ar ge whi t e couch near t he t er r ace.
' I was j ust about t o have some t ea. Woul d you car e f or
some?'
' Thank you. '
J oan Si ni si t ur ned t o t he mai d and sai d al most
di f f i dent l y, ' Gr et a, woul d you mi nd br i ngi ng us some t ea?'
' Yes, ma' am. '
' Thank you, Gr et a. '
Ther e was a f eel i ng of unr eal i t y about t hi s. Dana t hought ,
J oan Si ni si and t he pent house don' t f i t t oget her at al l . How
coul d she af f or d t o l i ve her e? What ki nd of set t l ement had
Tayl or Wi nt hr op made? And what had t he l awsui t been about ?
' . . . and I never mi ss your br oadcast s, ' J oan Si ni si was
sayi ng sof t l y. ' I t hi nk you' r e wonder f ul . '
' Thank you. '
' I r emember when you wer e br oadcast i ng f r omSar aj evo wi t h
al l t hose t er r i bl e bombs and guns goi ng of f . I was al ways
af r ai d somet hi ng was goi ng t o happen t o you. '
' To be honest , so was I . '
I t must have been a hor r i bl e exper i ence. '
' Yes, i n one way i t was. '
Gr et a came i n wi t h a t r ay of t ea and cakes. She set i t on
t he t abl e i n f r ont of t he t wo women.
' I ' l l pour , ' J oan Si ni si sai d.
Dana wat ched as she pour ed t he t ea.
' Woul d you l i ke a cake?'
' No, t hanks. '
J oan Si ni si handed Dana a cup of t ea, t hen pour ed a cup
f or her sel f . ' As I sai d, I ' mr eal l y del i ght ed t o meet you,
but I - I can' t i magi ne what you want t o t al k t o me about . '
' I want ed t o t al k t o you about Tayl or Wi nt hr op. '
J oan Si ni si gave a st ar t and some of t he t ea spi l l ed on
her l ap. Her f ace had gone whi t e.
' Ar e you al l r i ght ?'
' Yes, I ' m- I ' mf i ne. ' She dabbed at her ski r t wi t h a
napki n. ' I - I di dn' t know t hat you want ed Her voi ce t r ai l ed
of f .
The at mospher e had suddenl y changed. Dana sai d, ' You wer e
Tayl or Wi nt hr op' s secr et ar y, wer en' t you?'
J oan Si ni si sai d car ef ul l y, ' Yes. But I l ef t Mr Wi nt hr op' s
empl oy a year ago. I ' maf r ai d I can' t hel p you. ' The woman
was al most t r embl i ng.
Dana sai d soot hi ngl y, ' I ' ve hear d such good t hi ngs about
Tayl or Wi nt hr op. I j ust wonder ed i f you coul d add t o t hem?'
J oan Si ni si l ooked r el i eved. ' Oh, yes, of cour se I can. Mr
Wi nt hr op was a gr eat man. ' ' How l ong di d you wor k f or hi m?'
' Al most t hr ee year s. '
Dana smi l ed. ' I t must have been a wonder f ul exper i ence. '
' Yes, yes, i t was, Mi ss Evans. ' She sounded much mor e
r el axed.
' But you br ought a l awsui t agai nst hi m. '
The f ear was back i n J oan Si ni si ' s eyes. ' No - I mean yes.
But i t was a mi st ake, you see. I made a mi st ake. '
' What ki nd of mi st ake?'
J oan Si ni si swal l owed. ' I - I mi sunder st ood somet hi ng Mr
Wi nt hr op sai d t o someone. I behaved ver y f ool i shl y. I ' m
ashamed of mysel f . '
' You sued, but you di dn' t t ake hi mt o cour t ?'
' No. He - we set t l ed t he l awsui t . I t was not hi ng. '
Dana gl anced ar ound t he pent house. ' I see. Can you t el l me
what t he set t l ement was?'
' No, I ' maf r ai d I can' t , ' J oan Si ni si sai d. ' I t ' s al l ver y
conf i dent i al . '
Dana wonder ed what i t coul d have been t hat made t hi s t i mi d
woman br i ng a l awsui t agai nst a t i t an l i ke Tayl or Wi nt hr op
and why she was t er r i f i ed t o t al k about i t . What was she
af r ai d of ?
Ther e was a l ong si l ence. J oan Si ni si was wat chi ng Dana,
and Dana had t he f eel i ng t hat she want ed t o say somet hi ng.
' Mi ss Si ni si - '
J oan Si ni si r ose. ' I ' msor r y I can' t be mor e - i f t her e' s
not hi ng el se, Mi ss Evans . . . '
' I under st and, ' Dana sai d. I wi sh I di d.
He put t he t ape i nt o t he machi ne and pr essed t he st ar t
but t on.
I - I mi sunder st ood somet hi ng Mr Wi nt hr op sai d
t o someone. I behaved ver y f ool i shl y. I ' mashamed
of mysel f .
You sued, but you di dn ' t t ake hi mt o cour t ?
No. He - we set t l ed t he l awsui t . I t was not hi ng.
I see. Can you t el l me what t he set t l ement was?
No, I ' maf r ai d I can' t . I t ' s al l ver y conf i dent i al .
Mi ss Si ni si -
I ' msor r y I can' t be mor e - i f t her e' s not hi ng el se,
Mi ss Evans . . .
I under st and.
Tape ends.
I t had begun.
Dana had made ar r angement s f or a r eal est at e br oker t o
show her apar t ment s, but i t was a wast ed mor ni ng. Dana and
t he br oker cover ed Geor get own, Dupont Ci r cl e, and t he
Adams- Mor gan di st r i ct . The apar t ment s wer e t oo smal l , or t oo
l ar ge, or t oo expensi ve. By noon, Dana was r eady t o gi ve up.
' Don' t wor r y, ' t he r eal est at e agent sai d r eassur i ngl y.
' We' l l f i nd exact l y what you' r e l ooki ng f or . '
' I hope so, ' Dana sai d. And soon.
Dana coul d not get J oan Si ni si out of her mi nd. What di d
she have on Tayl or Wi nt hr op t hat woul d make hi mpay her of f
wi t h a pent house and God onl y knew what el se? She want ed t o
t el l me somet hi ng, Dana t hought . I ' msur e of i t . I have t o
t al k t o her agai n.
Dana t el ephoned J oan Si ni si ' s apar t ment . Gr et a answer ed:
' Good af t er noon. '
' Gr et a, t hi s i s Dana Evans. I ' d l i ke t o speak t o Mi ss
Si ni si , pl ease. '
' I ' msor r y. Mi ss Si ni si i s not t aki ng any cal l s. '
' Wel l , woul d you t el l her t hat i t ' s Dana Evans, and I
need- '
' I ' msor r y, Mi ss Evans. Mi ss Si ni si i s not avai l abl e. ' The
l i ne went dead.
The f ol l owi ng mor ni ng Dana dr opped Kemal of f at school . I n
a f r ozen sky, a pal e sun was t r yi ng t o come out . On st r eet
cor ner s al l over t he ci t y, t he same f aux Sant a Cl auses wer e
r i ngi ng t hei r char i t y bel l s.
I must f i nd an apar t ment f or t he t hr ee of us bef or e New
Year ' s Eve, Dana t hought .
When Dana got t o t he st udi o, she spent t he mom- i ng i n a
conf er ence wi t h t he news st af f , di scussi ng whi ch st or i es t o
go wi t h and t he l ocat i ons t hey needed t o have t aped. Ther e
was a st or y of a par t i cul ar l y br ut al unsol ved mur der , and
Dana t hought of t he Wi nt hr ops.
She cal l ed J oan Si ni si ' s number agai n.
' Good af t er noon. '
' Gr et a, i t ' s ver y i mpor t ant t hat I t al k t o Mi ss Si ni si .
Tel l her t hat Dana Evans - '
' She won' t t al k t o you, Mi ss Evans. ' The l i ne went dead.
What i s goi ng on? Dana wonder ed.
Dana went i n t o see Mat t Baker . Abbe Lasmann gr eet ed her .
' Congr at ul at i ons! I under st and t he weddi ng dat e i s al l
set . '
Dana smi l ed. ' Yes. '
Abbe si ghed. ' What a r omant i c pr oposal . '
' That ' s my f el l a. '
' Dana, our Advi ce t o t he Lovel or n col umni st sai d t hat
af t er t he weddi ng, you shoul d go out and buy a coupl e bags of
canned gr ocer i es and st ash t hemi n t he t r unk of your car . '
' Why on ear t h . . . ?'
' She says t hat one day down t he r oad, you mi ght deci de t o
have a l i t t l e ext r acur r i cul ar f un and get home l at e. When
J ef f asks wher e you' ve been, you j ust show hi mt he bags and
say, " Shoppi ng. " He' l l - '
' Thank you, Abbe dear . I s Mat t avai l abl e?'
' I ' l l t el l hi myou' r e her e. '
Moment s l at er , Dana was i n Mat t Baker ' s of f i ce.
' Si t down, Dana. Good news. We j ust got t he l at est
Ni el sens. We cl obber ed t he opposi t i on agai n l ast ni ght . '
' Gr eat . Mat t , I t al ked t o an ex- secr et ar y of Tayl or
Wi nt hr op' s and she - '
He gr i nned. ' You Vi r gos never l et go, do you? You t ol d me
t hat you - '
' I know, but l i st en t o t hi s. When she was wor ki ng f or
Tayl or Wi nt hr op, she f i l ed a l awsui t agai nst hi m. I t never
came t o t r i al because he set t l ed wi t h her . She' s l i vi ng i n an
enor mous pent house she coul dn' t possi bl y have af f or ded on a
secr et ar y' s sal ar y, so t he set t l ement must have been r eal l y
heavy. When I ment i oned Wi nt hr op' s name, t hi s woman was
t er r i f i ed, absol ut el y t er r i f i ed. She act ed as t hough she wer e
i n f ear f or her l i f e. '
Mat t Baker sai d pat i ent l y, ' Di d she say she was i n f ear
f or her l i f e?'
' No. '
' Di d she say she was i n f ear of Tayl or Wi nt hr op?'
' No, but - '
' So f or al l you know, she mi ght be af r ai d of a boyf r i end
who beat s her up or bur gl ar s under her bed. You have
absol ut el y not hi ng t o go on, do you?'
' Wel l , I - ' Dana saw t he expr essi on on hi s f ace. ' Not hi ng
concr et e. '
' Ri ght . About t he Ni el sens. . . '
J oan Si ni si was wat chi ng t he eveni ng news on WTN. Dana was
sayi ng, ' . . . and i n l ocal news, accor di ng t o t he l at est
r epor t , t he cr i me r at e i n t he Uni t ed St at es has gone down
t went y- seven per cent i n t he l ast t wel ve mont hs. The l ar gest
decr eases i n cr i me have been i n Los Angel es, San Fr anci sco,
and Det r oi t
J oan Si ni si was st udyi ng Dana' s f ace, l ooki ng i nt o her
eyes, t r yi ng t o come t o a deci si on. She wat ched t he ent i r e
newscast , and by t he t i me i t was over . she had made her
deci si on.
Seven
When Dana wal ked i nt o her of f i ce on Monday mor ni ng, Ol i vi a
sai d, ' Good mor ni ng. You' ve had t hr ee cal l s f r omsome woman
who won' t l eave her name. '
' Di d she l eave a number ?'
' No. She sai d she woul d cal l back. '
Thi r t y mi nut es l at er Ol i vi a sai d, ' That woman' s on t he
l i ne agai n. Do you want t o t al k t o her ?'
' Al l r i ght . ' Dana pi cked up t he phone. ' Hel l o, t hi s i s
Dana Evans. Who i s- '
Thi s i s J oan Si ni si . '
Dana' s hear t qui ckened. ' Yes, Mi ss Si ni si
' Do you st i l l want t o t al k t o me?' She sounded ner vous.
' Yes. Ver y much. '
' Al l r i ght . '
' I can be at your apar t ment i n - '
' No! ' Pani c was i n her voi ce. ' We must meet
somewher e el se. I - I t hi nk I ' mbei ng wat ched. '
' Wher ever you say. Wher e?'
' The avi ar y sect i on at t he zoo i n t he par k. Can you be
t her e i n an hour ?'
I ' l l be t her e. '
The par k was vi r t ual l y deser t ed. The i cy December wi nds
t hat swept t hr ough t he ci t y wer e keepi ng t he usual cr owds
away. Dana st ood i n f r ont of t he avi ar y wai t i ng f or J oan
Si ni si , shi ver i ng i n t he col d. Dana l ooked at her wat ch. She
had been t her e f or over an hour . I ' l l gi ve her anot her
f i f t een mi nut es.
Fi f t een mi nut es l at er Dana t ol d her sel f , Anot her hal f
hour , and t hat ' s i t . Thi r t y mi nut es l at er she t hought , Damn
i t ! She' s changed her mi nd.
Dana r et ur ned t o her of f i ce, chi l l ed and wet . ' Any cal l s?'
she asked Ol i vi a hopef ul l y.
' Hal f a dozen. They' r e on your desk. '
Dana l ooked at t he l i st . J oan Si ni si ' s name was not on i t .
Dana cal l ed J oan Si ni si ' s number . She l i st ened t o t he phone
r i ng a dozen t i mes bef or e she hung up. Maybe she' l l change
her mi nd agai n. Dana t r i ed t wi ce mor e, but t her e was no
answer . She debat ed whet her t o go back t o t he apar t ment but
deci ded agai nst i t . I ' l l have t o wai t unt i l she comes t o me,
Dana deci ded.
Ther e was no f ur t her wor d f r omJ oan Si ni si .
At si x o' cl ock t he f ol l owi ng mor ni ng, Dana was wat chi ng
t he news whi l e she got dr essed. ' . . . and t he si t uat i on i n
Chechnya has wor sened. A dozen mor e Russi an bodi es have been
f ound, and i n spi t e of t he Russi an gover nment ' s assur ance
t hat t he r ebel s have been def eat ed, t he f i ght i ng i s st i l l
goi ng on . . . I n l ocal news, a woman f el l t o her deat h f r om
her t hi r t i et h- f l oor pent house apar t ment . The vi ct i m, J oan
Si ni si , was a f or mer secr et ar y t o Ambassador Tayl or Wi nt hr op.
The pol i ce ar e i nvest i gat i ng t he acci dent . ' Dana st ood t her e,
par al yzed.
' Mat t , r emember t he woman I t ol d you I went t o see - J oan
Si ni si , Tayl or Wi nt hr op' s f or mer secr et ar y?'
' Yes. What about her ?'
' She was on t he news t hi s mor ni ng. She' s dead. '
' What ?
' Yest er day mor ni ng she cal l ed and made an ur gent
appoi nt ment t o meet me. She sai d she had somet hi ng ver y
i mpor t ant t o t el l me. I wai t ed f or her at t he zoo f or mor e
t han an hour . She never showed up. '
Mat t was st ar i ng at her .
' When I t al ked t o her on t he phone, she sai d she t hought
she was bei ng wat ched. '
Mat t Baker sat t her e, scr at chi ng hi s chi n. ' J esus. What
t he hel l have we got her e?'
' I don' t know. I want t o t al k t o J oan Si ni si ' s mai d. '
' Dana ' Yes?' ' Be car ef ul . Be ver y car ef ul . '
When Dana wal ked i nt o t he l obby of t he apar t ment bui l di ng,
t her e was a di f f er ent door man on dut y.
' May I hel p you?'
' I ' mDana Evans. I came about Mi ss Si ni si ' s deat h. I t was
a t er r i bl e t r agedy. '
The door man' s f ace gr ew sad. ' Yes, i t was. She was a
l ovel y l ady. Al ways qui et and kept t o her sel f . '
' Di d she have many vi si t or s?' Dana asked casual l y.
' No, not r eal l y. She was ver y pr i vat e. '
' Wer e you on dut y yest er day when t he' - Dana' s t ongue
t r i pped on t he wor d - ' acci dent happened?'
' No, ma' am. '
' So you don' t know whet her anyone was wi t h her ?'
' No, ma' am. '
' But someone was on dut y her e?'
' Oh, yes. Denni s. The pol i ce quest i oned hi m. He was out on
an er r and when poor Mi ss Si ni si f el l . '
' I ' d l i ke t o t al k t o Gr et a, Mi ss Si ni si ' s mai d. '
I ' maf r ai d t hat ' s i mpossi bl e. '
' I mpossi bl e? Why?'
' She' s gone. '
' Wher e?'
' She sai d she was goi ng home. She was t er r i bl y upset . '
' Wher e i s her home?'
The door man shook hi s head. ' I have no i dea. ' ' I s anyone
up i n t he apar t ment now?' ' No, ma' am. '
Dana t hought f ast . ' My boss woul d l i ke me t o do a st or y
f or WTN on Mi ss Si ni si ' s deat h. I wonder i f I mi ght see t he
apar t ment agai n? I was her e a f ew days ago. '
He t hought f or a moment , t hen shr ugged. ' I don' t see any
pr obl em. I ' l l have t o go up wi t h you. ' ' That ' s f i ne, ' Dana
sai d.
They r ode up t o t he pent house i n si l ence. When t hey
r eached t he t hi r t i et h f l oor , t he door man t ook out a passkey
and opened t he door t o apar t ment A. Dana st epped i nsi de. The
apar t ment was exact l y as Dana had l ast seen i t . Except t hat
J oan Si ni si i s mi ssi ng.
' Di d you want t o see anyt hi ng i n par t i cul ar , Mi ss Evans?'
' No, ' Dana l i ed. ' I j ust want ed t o r ef r esh my memor y. '
She wal ked down t he hal l way t o t he l i vi ng r oomand moved
t owar d t he t er r ace.
' That ' s wher e t he poor l ady f el l of f , ' t he door man sai d.
Dana st epped out ont o t he huge t er r ace and wal ked over t o
t he edge. A f our - f oot wal l r an compl et el y ar ound t he t er r ace.
Ther e was no possi bl e way anyone coul d have acci dent al l y
f al l en over i t .
Dana l ooked down at t he st r eet bel ow, bust l i ng wi t h
Chr i st mas t r af f i c, and t hought , Who coul d be
r ut hl ess enough t o do a t hi ng l i ke t hat ? She shudder ed.
The door man was at her si de. ' Ar e you al l r i ght ?' Dana t ook a
deep br eat h. ' Yes, f i ne. Thank you. ' ' Di d you want t o see
anyt hi ng el se?' ' No, I ' ve seen enough. '
The l obby of t he downt own pol i ce pr eci nct was cr owded wi t h
f el ons, dr unks, pr ost i t ut es, and desper at e t our i st s whose
wal l et s had myst er i ousl y di sappear ed.
' I ' mher e t o see Det ect i ve Mar cus Abr ams, ' Dana t ol d t he
desk ser geant .
' Thi r d door on t he r i ght . '
' Thank you. ' Dana wal ked down t he cor r i dor .
Det ect i ve Abr ams' s door was open.
' Det ect i ve Abr ams?'
He was at t he f i l i ng cabi net , a bi g man wi t h a paunch and
t i r ed br own eyes. He l ooked over at Dana. ' Yes?' He
r ecogni zed her . ' Dana Evans. What can I do f or you?'
' I ' mt ol d t hat you' r e handl i ng t he J oan Si ni si ' - agai n
t hat wor d - ' acci dent . '
' That ' s r i ght . '
' Can you t el l me anyt hi ng about i t ?'
He wal ked over t o hi s desk car r yi ng a handf ul of paper s
and sat down. ' Ther e' s not much t o t el l . I t was ei t her an
acci dent or sui ci de. Si t down. '
Dana t ook a chai r . ' Was anyone wi t h her when i t happened?'
' J ust t he mai d. She was i n t he ki t chen at t he t i me. She
sai d no one el se was t her e. '
' Do you have any i dea wher e I can r each t he mai d?' Dana
asked.
He t hought i t over . ' She' s goi ng t o be on t he news
t oni ght , eh?'
Dana smi l ed at hi m. ' Ri ght . ' Det ect i ve Abr ams wal ked back
t o t he f i l i ng cabi net and sear ched t hr ough some paper s. He
t ook out a car d. ' Her e we ar e. Gr et a Mi l l er . El even- ei ght y
Connect i cut Avenue. That do i t ?'
Twent y mi nut es l at er Dana was dr i vi ng on Connect i cut
Avenue, l ooki ng at t he house number s: 1170 . . . 1172 . . .
1174 . . . 1176 . . . 1178 . . . Number 1180 was a par ki ng
l ot .
' You r eal l y bel i eve t he Si ni si woman was t hr own f r omt he
t er r ace?' J ef f asked.
' J ef f , you don' t cal l t o make an ur gent appoi nt ment and
t hen commi t sui ci de. Someone di dn' t want her t o t el l me
somet hi ng. I t ' s f r ust r at i ng. I t ' s l i ke t he Hound of t he
Basker vi l l es. No one hear d t he dog bar k. No one knows
anyt hi ng. '
J ef f sai d, ' Thi s i s get t i ng scar y. I ' mnot sur e you shoul d
go on wi t h i t . '
' I can' t st op now. I have t o f i nd out . ' ' I f you' r e r i ght ,
Dana, si x peopl e have been mur der ed. ' Dana swal l owed. ' I
know. '
' . . . and t he mai d gave t he pol i ce a phony addr ess and
di sappear ed, ' Dana was sayi ng t o Mat t Baker . ' When I t al ked
t o J oan Si ni si , she seemed ner vous, but she cer t ai nl y di dn' t
st r i ke me as bei ng sui ci dal . Someone hel ped her of f t hat
bal cony/
' But we have no pr oof . '
' No. But I know I ' mr i ght . When I f i r st met wi t h her , J oan
Si ni si was f i ne unt i l t he second I ment i oned Tayl or
Wi nt hr op' s name. That ' s when she pani cked. Thi s i s t he f i r st
t i me I ' ve seen a cr ack i n t he wonder f ul l egend t hat Tayl or
Wi nt hr op has bui l t up. A man l i ke Wi nt hr op di dn' t pay of f a
secr et ar y unl ess she had somet hi ng r eal l y bi g on hi m. I t had
t o be bl ackmai l . Ther e' s somet hi ng wei r d goi ng on. Mat t , do
you know anyone who wor ked wi t h Tayl or Wi nt hr op who mi ght
have had a pr obl emwi t h hi m, someone who' s not af r ai d t o
speak up?'
Mat t Baker was t hought f ul f or a moment . ' You mi ght go see
Roger Hudson. He was t he maj or i t y l eader i n t he Senat e bef or e
he r et i r ed, and he wor ked wi t h Tayl or Wi nt hr op on a commi t t ee
or t wo. He mi ght know somet hi ng. He' s a man who' s not af r ai d
of anybody. '
' Coul d you ar r ange a meet i ng f or me?'
' I ' l l see what I can do. '
An hour l at er , Mat t Baker was on t he l i ne. ' You have an
appoi nt ment t o see Roger Hudson Thur sday at noon at hi s home
i n Geor get own. '
' Thanks, Mat t . I appr eci at e i t . '
' I have t o war n you, Dana . . . '
' Yes?'
' Hudson can be pr et t y pr i ckl y. '
' I ' l l t r y not t o get t oo cl ose. '
Mat t Baker was about t o l eave hi s of f i ce when El l i ot
Cr omwel l came i n.
' I want t o t al k t o you about Dana. '
' Any pr obl em?'
' No, and I don' t want t her e t o be. Thi s Tayl or Wi nt hr op
t hi ng she' s i nvest i gat i ng- '
' Yes. '
' She' s r uf f l i ng a f ew f eat her s, and I t hi nk she' s wast i ng
her t i me. I knew Tayl or Wi nt hr op and hi s f ami l y. They wer e
al l wonder f ul peopl e. '
Mat t Baker sai d, ' Good. Then t her e' s no har mi n Dana goi ng
ahead. '
El l i ot Cr omwel l l ooked at Mat t a moment , t hen shr ugged.
' Keep me i nf or med. '
' I s t hi s a secur e l i ne?' ' Yes, si r . '
' Good. We' r e count i ng heavi l y on t he i nf or mat i on f r omWTN.
Ar e you cer t ai n your i nf or mat i on i s r el i abl e?'
' Absol ut el y. I t ' s comi ng r i ght f r omt he execut i ve t ower . '
Ei ght
Wednesday mor ni ng, as Dana was pr epar i ng br eakf ast , she
hear d l oud sounds out si de. She l ooked out t he wi ndow and was
sur pr i sed t o see a movi ng van i n f r ont of t he apar t ment
bui l di ng, wi t h men l oadi ng f ur ni t ur e ont o i t .
Who coul d be movi ng out ? Dana wonder ed. Ever y apar t ment
was occupi ed, and t hey wer e al l on l ong- t er ml eases.
Dana was put t i ng t he cer eal on t he t abl e when t her e was a
knock at t he door . I t was Dor ot hy Whar t on.
" Dana, I have some news f or you, ' she sai d exci t edl y.
' Howar d and I ar e movi ng t o Rome t oday. '
Dana st ar ed at her i n ast oni shment . ' Rome? Today?'
' I sn' t i t i ncr edi bl e! Last week a man came t o see Howar d.
I t was ver y hush- hush. Howar d t ol d me I coul dn' t say
anyt hi ng. Wel l , l ast ni ght t he man
cal l ed and of f er ed Howar d a j ob wi t h hi s company i n I t al y
at t hr ee t i mes Howar d' s pr esent sal ar y. ' Dor ot hy was beami ng.
' Wel l , t hat ' s - t hat ' s wonder f ul , ' Dana sai d. ' We' r e goi ng
t o mi ss you. '
' We' r e goi ng t o mi ss you, t oo. '
Howar d came t o t he door . ' I guess Dor ot hy t ol d you t he
news?'
' Yes. I ' mdel i ght ed f or you. But I t hought you wer e set
her e f or l i f e? And suddenl y - '
Howar d j ust kept on t al ki ng. ' I can' t bel i eve i t . Ri ght
out of t he bl ue. I t ' s a gr eat company, t oo. I t al i ano
Ri pr i st i no. They' r e one of t he bi ggest congl omer at es i n
I t al y. They have a subsi di ar y t hat ' s i nt o r est or at i on of
r ui ns. I don' t know how t hey hear d about me, but t hey f l ew a
man al l t he way her e j ust t o make a deal wi t h me. Ther e ar e
l ot s of monument s i n Rome t hat need r epai r s. They' r e even
payi ng t he r est of our r ent her e f or t he year and we get back
our deposi t . The onl y t hi ng i s, we have t o be i n Rome by
t omor r ow. That means we have t o be out of t he apar t ment
t oday. '
Dana sai d t ent at i vel y, That ' s ver y unusual , i sn' t i t ?'
' I guess t hey' r e i n a bi g hur r y. '
' Do you need hel p packi ng?'
Dor ot hy shook her head. ' No. We' ve been up al l ni ght . Most
of t he st uf f ' s goi ng t o Goodwi l l . On Howar d' s new sal ar y, we
can af f or d much bet t er . '
Dana l aughed. ' Keep i n t ouch, Dor ot hy. ' One hour l at er t he
Whar t ons had l ef t t hei r apar t ment and wer e on t hei r way t o
Rome.
When Dana got t o her of f i ce, she sai d t o Ol i vi a, ' Woul d
you check out a company f or me?'
' Cer t ai nl y. '
' I t ' s cal l ed I t al i ano Ri pr i st i no. I bel i eve i t s
headquar t er s ar e i n Rome. '
' Ri ght . '
Thi r t y mi nut es l at er Ol i vi a handed a paper t o Dana. ' Her e
i t i s. I t ' s one of t he l ar gest compani es i n Eur ope. '
Dana f el t a sense of deep r el i ef . ' Good. I ' mgl ad t o hear
t hat . '
' By t he way, ' Ol i vi a sai d, ' i t ' s not a pr i vat e
company. '
' Oh?'
' No. I t ' s owned by t he I t al i an gover nment . '
When Dana br ought Kemal home f r omschool t hat af t er noon, a
bespect acl ed mi ddl e- aged man was movi ng i nt o t he Whar t on
apar t ment .
Thur sday, t he day of Dana' s appoi nt ment wi t h Roger
Hudson, st ar t ed out hel l i shl y.
At t he f i r st t el evi si on meet i ng, Rober t Fenwi ck
sai d, ' I t l ooks l i ke we' r e i n t r oubl e on t oni ght ' s
br oadcast . '
' Gi ve i t t o me, ' Dana sai d.
' You know t he cr ew t hat we sent t o I r el and? We wer e goi ng
t o use t hei r f i l mt oni ght ?'
' Yes?'
' They' ve been ar r est ed. Al l t hei r equi pment has been
conf i scat ed. '
' Ar e you ser i ous?'
' I never j oke about t he I r i sh. ' He handed Dana a sheet of
paper . ' Her e' s our l ead st or y about t he Washi ngt on banker
who' s bei ng char ged wi t h f r aud. '
' I t ' s a good st or y, ' Dana sai d. ' And i t ' s our excl usi ve. '
' Our l egal depar t ment j ust ki l l ed i t . '
' What ?'
' They' r e af r ai d of bei ng sued. '
' Wonder f ul , ' Dana sai d bi t t er l y.
' I ' mnot t hr ough. The wi t ness i n t he mur der case t hat we
schedul ed f or a l i ve i nt er vi ew t oni ght - '
' Yes . . . '
' He' s changed hi s mi nd. He' s a no- show. '
Dana gr oaned. I t was not even t en o' cl ock i n t he mor ni ng.
The onl y t hi ng Dana had t o l ook f or war d t o on t hi s day was
her meet i ng wi t h Roger Hudson.
When Dana r et ur ned f r omt he news meet i ng, Ol i vi a sai d,
' I t ' s el even o' cl ock, Mi ss Evans. Wi t h t hi s
weat her , you pr obabl y ought t o be l eavi ng now f or your
appoi nt ment wi t h Mr Hudson. '
' Thanks, Ol i vi a. I shoul d be back i n t wo or t hr ee hour s. '
Dana l ooked out t he wi ndow. I t was begi nni ng t o snow agai n.
She put on her coat and scar f and st ar t ed f or t he door . The
phone r ang.
' Mi ss Evans
Dana t ur ned.
' Ther e' s a cal l f or you on l i ne t hr ee. '
' Not now, ' Dana sai d. ' I have t o go. '
' I t ' s someone f r omKemal ' s school . '
' What ?' Dana hur r i ed back t o her desk. ' Hel l o?'
' Mi ss Evans?'
' Yes. '
Thi s i s Thomas Henr y. '
' Yes, Mr Henr y. I s Kemal al l r i ght ?'
' I r eal l y don' t know how t o answer t hat . I ' mver y sor r y t o
t el l you t hi s, but Kemal i s bei ng expel l ed. '
Dana st ood t her e i n shock. ' Expel l ed. Why? What has he
done?'
' Per haps we shoul d di scuss i t i n per son. I woul d
appr eci at e i t i f you woul d come and pi ck hi mup. '
' Mr Henr y - '
' I ' l l expl ai n when you get her e, Mi ss Evans. Thank you. '
Dana r epl aced t he r ecei ver , st unned. What coul d have
happened?
Ol i vi a asked, ' I s ever yt hi ng al l r i ght ?'
' Gr eat . ' Dana gr oaned. ' Thi s makes t he mor ni ng j ust about
per f ect . '
' Can I do anyt hi ng?'
' Say an ext r a pr ayer f or me. '
Ear l i er i n t he mor ni ng, when Dana had dr opped Kemal of f at
school , waved good- bye, and dr i ven away, Ri cky Under wood was
wat chi ng.
As Kemal st ar t ed t o wal k past hi m, Ri cky sai d, ' Hey, i t ' s
t he war her o. Your mommust be r eal f r ust r at ed. You onl y have
one ar m, so now when you pl ay st i nky f i nger wi t h her - '
Kemal ' s movement s wer e al most t oo swi f t t o be seen. Hi s
f oot sl ammed har d i nt o Ri cky' s gr oi n, and as Ri cky scr eamed
and st ar t ed t o doubl e over , Kemal ' s l ef t knee shot up and
br oke hi s nose. Bl ood spur t ed i nt o t he ai r .
Kemal l eaned over t he moani ng f i gur e on t he gr ound. ' Next
t i me I ' l l ki l l you. '
Dana dr ove as f ast as she coul d t o Theodor e Roosevel t
Mi ddl e School , wonder i ng what coul d have happened. What ever
i t i s, I have t o t al k Henr y i nt o keepi ng Kemal i n school .
Thomas Henr y was wai t i ng f or Dana i n hi s of f i ce. Kemal was
seat ed i n a chai r opposi t e hi m. As Dana wal ked i n, she had a
sense of dej a vu.
' Mi ss Evans. '
Dana sai d, ' What happened?'
' Your son br oke a boy' s nose and cheekbone. An ambul ance
had t o t ake hi mt o t he emer gency r oom. '
Dana l ooked at hi mi n di sbel i ef . ' How - how coul d t hat
have happened? Kemal has onl y one ar m. '
' Yes, ' Thomas Henr y sai d t i ght l y. ' But he has t wo l egs. He
br oke t he boy' s nose wi t h hi s knee. '
Kemal was st udyi ng t he cei l i ng.
Dana t ur ned t o hi m. ' Kemal , how coul d you do t hat ?'
He l ooked down. ' I t was easy. '
' You see what I mean, Mi ss Evans, ' Thomas Henr y sai d. ' Hi s
whol e at t i t ude i s - I - I don' t know how t o descr i be i t . I ' m
af r ai d we can no l onger put up wi t h Kemal ' s behavi or . I
suggest you f i nd a mor e sui t abl e school f or hi m. '
Dana sai d ear nest l y, ' Mr Henr y, Kemal doesn' t pi ck f i ght s.
I ' msur e t hat i f he got i nt o a f i ght , he had a good r eason
f or i t . You can' t - '
Mr Henr y sai d f i r ml y, ' We' ve made our deci si on, Mi ss
Evans. ' Ther e was f i nal i t y i n hi s t one.
Dana t ook a deep br eat h. ' Al l r i ght . We' l l l ook f or a
school t hat ' s mor e under st andi ng. Come on, Kemal . '
Kemal got up, gl ar ed at Mr Henr y, and f ol l owed Dana out of
t he of f i ce. They wal ked t owar d t he cur b i n si l ence. Dana
l ooked at her wat ch. She was now l at e f or her appoi nt ment ,
and she had no pl ace t o put Kemal . I ' l l have t o t ake hi mwi t h
me.
When t hey got i nt o t he car , Dana sai d, ' Al l r i ght , Kemal .
What happened?'
Ther e was no way he woul d ever t el l her what
Ri cky Under wood had sai d. ' I ' mver y sor r y, Dana. I t was my
f aul t . ' Rad, Dana t hought .
The Hudson est at e was nest l ed on f i ve acr es of gr ound i n
an excl usi ve ar ea of Geor get own. The house, i nvi si bl e f r om
t he st r eet , was a t hr ee- st or y Geor gi an- st yl e mansi on on a
hi l l . I t had a whi t e ext er i or and a l ong, sweepi ng dr i veway
l eadi ng up t o t he f r ont ent r ance.
Dana st opped t he car i n f r ont of t he house. She l ooked at
Kemal . ' You' r e comi ng i n wi t h me. '
' Why?'
' Because i t ' s col d out her e. Come on. '
Dana went t o t he f r ont door and Kemal r el uct ant l y f ol l owed
her .
Dana t ur ned t o hi m. ' Kemal , I ' mher e t o do a ver y
i mpor t ant i nt er vi ew. I want you t o be qui et and pol i t e.
Okay?'
' Okay. '
Dana r ang t he bel l . The door was opened by a
pl easant - f aced gi ant of a man i n t he uni f or mof a but l er .
' Mi ss Evans?'
' Yes. '
' I amCesar . Mr Hudson i s expect i ng you. ' He l ooked at
Kemal , t hen back at Dana. ' May I have your coat s?' A moment
l at er he was hangi ng t hemup i n t he f r ont hal l guest cl oset .
Kemal kept st ar i ng up at Cesar , who t ower ed above hi m.
' How t al l ar e you?'
Dana sai d, ' Kemal ! Don' t be r ude. '
' Oh, i t ' s al l r i ght , Mi ss Evans. I ' mqui t e used t o i t . '
' Ar e you bi gger t han Mi chael J or dan?' Kemal asked.
' I ' maf r ai d so. ' The but l er smi l ed. ' I ' mseven f eet one.
Come t hi s way, pl ease. '
The ent r y was enor mous, a l ong hal l wi t h a har dwood f l oor ,
ant i que mi r r or s, and mar bl e t abl es. Al ong t he wal l s wer e
shel ves of pr eci ous Mi ng Dynast y f i gur i nes and Chi hul y
bl own- gl ass st at ues.
Dana and Kemal f ol l owed Cesar down t he l ong hal l way t o a
st ep- down l i vi ng r oom, wi t h pal e yel l ow wal l s and whi t e
woodwor k. The r oomwas f ur ni shed wi t h comf or t abl e sof as,
Queen Anne end t abl es, and Sher at on wi ng chai r s cover ed i n
pal e yel l ow si l k.
Senat or Roger Hudson and hi s wi f e, Pamel a, wer e seat ed at
a backgammon t abl e. They r ose as Dana and Kemal wer e
announced by Cesar .
Roger Hudson was a st er n- l ooki ng man i n hi s l at e f i f t i es,
wi t h col d gr ay eyes and a war y smi l e. Ther e was a caut i ous
al oof ness about hi m.
Pamel a Hudson was a beaut y, sl i ght l y younger t han her
husband. She seemed war mand open and down t o ear t h. She had
ash- bl ond hai r and a t r ace of gr ay t hat she had not bot her ed
t o di sgui se.
' I ' mso sor r y I ' ml at e, ' Dana apol ogi zed. ' I ' mDana Evans.
Thi s i s my son, Kemal . '
I ' mRoger Hudson. Thi s i s my wi f e, Pamel a. '
Dana had l ooked up Roger Hudson on t he I nt er net . Hi s
f at her had owned a smal l st eel company, Hudson I ndust r i es,
and Roger Hudson had bui l t i t i nt o a wor l dwi de congl omer at e.
He was a bi l l i onai r e, had been t he Senat e maj or i t y l eader ,
and at one t i me had headed t he Ar med Ser vi ces Commi t t ee. He
had r et i r ed f r ombusi ness and was now a pol i t i cal advi ser t o
t he Whi t e House. Twent y- f i ve year s ear l i er he had mar r i ed a
soci et y beaut y, Pamel a Donnel l y. The t wo of t hemwer e
pr omi nent i n Washi ngt on soci et y and i nf l uent i al i n pol i t i cs.
Dana sai d, ' Kemal , t hi s i s Mr and Mr s Hudson. ' She l ooked
at Roger . 1 apol ogi ze f or br i ngi ng hi mwi t h me, but - '
That ' s per f ect l y al l r i ght , ' Pamel a Hudson sai d. ' We know
al l about Kemal . '
Dana l ooked at her i n sur pr i se. ' You do?'
' Yes. A gr eat deal has been wr i t t en about you, Mi ss Evans.
You r escued Kemal f r omSar aj evo. I t was a wonder f ul t hi ng t o
do. '
Roger Hudson st ood t her e, si l ent .
' What can we get you?' Pamel a Hudson asked.
' Not hi ng f or me, t hank you, ' Dana sai d.
They l ooked at Kemal . He shook hi s head.
' Si t down, pl ease. ' Roger Hudson and hi s wi f e t ook seat s
on t he couch. Dana and Kemal sat i n t he t wo easy chai r s
acr oss f r omt hem.
Roger Hudson sai d cur t l y, ' I ' mnot sur e why
you' r e her e, Mi ss Evans. Mat t Baker asked me t o see you.
What i s i t I can do f or you?'
' I want ed t o t al k t o you about Tayl or Wi nt hr op. '
Roger Hudson f r owned. ' What about hi m?'
1 under st and t hat you knew hi m?'
' Yes. I met Tayl or when he was our ambassador t o Russi a.
At t he t i me, I was head of t he Ar med Ser vi ces Commi t t ee. I
went t o Russi a t o eval uat e t hei r weapon capabi l i t i es. Tayl or
spent t wo or t hr ee days wi t h our commi t t ee. '
' What di d you t hi nk of hi m, Mr Hudson?'
Ther e was a t hought f ul pause. To be qui t e candi d, Mi ss
Evans, I was not over l y i mpr essed by al l t hat char m. But I
must say, I t hought t he man was ver y capabl e. '
Kemal , bor ed, l ooked ar ound, got up, and wander ed i nt o t he
next r oom.
' Do you know i f Ambassador Wi nt hr op got i n any t r oubl e
when he was i n Russi a?'
Roger Hudson gave her a puzzl ed l ook. I ' mnot sur e I
under st and. What ki nd of t r oubl e?'
' Somet hi ng . . . somet hi ng wher e he woul d have made
enemi es. I mean, r eal l y deadl y enemi es. '
Roger Hudson shook hi s head sl owl y. ' Mi ss Evans, i f
anyt hi ng l i ke t hat had happened, not onl y woul d I have known
about i t , t he whol e wor l d woul d have known. Tayl or Wi nt hr op
l i ved a ver y publ i c l i f e. May I ask wher e t hese quest i ons ar e
l eadi ng?'
Dana sai d awkwar dl y, ' I t hought possi bl y Tayl or
Wi nt hr op mi ght have done somet hi ng t o someone t hat was bad
enough t o be a mot i ve t o want t o ki l l hi mand hi s f ami l y. '
The Hudsons wer e bot h st ar i ng at her .
Dana went on qui ckl y. 1 know i t sounds f ar f et ched, but so
i s t hei r al l dyi ng vi ol ent deat hs i n l ess t han a year . '
Roger Hudson sai d br usquel y, ' Mi ss Evans, I ' ve l i ved l ong
enough t o know t hat anyt hi ng i s possi bl e, but t hi s - what do
you base i t on?'
' I f you mean har d evi dence, I have none. '
' I ' mnot sur pr i sed. ' He hesi t at ed. ' I di d hear t hat . . . '
Hi s voi ce t r ai l ed of f . ' Never mi nd. '
The t wo women wer e l ooki ng at hi m.
Pamel a sai d gent l y, ' That ' s not f ai r t o Mi ss Evans,
dar l i ng. What wer e you goi ng t o say?'
He shr ugged. ' I t i s not i mpor t ant . ' He t ur ned t o Dana.
' When I was i n Moscow, t her e was a r umor t hat Wi nt hr op was
i nvol ved i n some t ype of pr i vat e deal wi t h t he Russi ans. But
I don' t deal i n r umor s, and I ' msur e t hat you don' t , Mi ss
Evans. ' Hi s t one was al most a r epr oach.
Bef or e Dana coul d r espond, t her e was a l oud cr ash f r omt he
adj oi ni ng l i br ar y.
Pamel a Hudson r ose and hur r i ed t owar d t he sound. Roger and
Dana f ol l owed. They st opped at t he door . I n t he l i br ar y, a
bl ue Mi ng vase had f al l en t o t he f l oor and shat t er ed. Kemal
st ood next t o i t .
' Oh, my God, ' Dana sai d, hor r i f i ed. ' I ' mso sor r y. Kemal ,
how coul d you- ?'
I t was an acci dent . '
Dana t ur ned t o t he Hudsons, her f ace f l ushed wi t h
embar r assment . ' I ' mt er r i bl y sor r y. I ' l l pay f or i t , of
cour se. I - '
' Pl ease don' t wor r y about i t , ' Pamel a Hudson sai d wi t h a
ni ce smi l e. ' Our dogs do much wor se. '
Roger Hudson' s f ace was gr i m. He st ar t ed t o say somet hi ng,
but a l ook f r omhi s wi f e st opped hi m.
Dana l ooked down at t he r emai ns of t he vase. I t was
pr obabl y wor t h about t en year s of my sal ar y, she t hought .
' Why don' t we go back t o t he l i vi ng r oom, ' Pamel a Hudson
suggest ed.
Dana f ol l owed t he Hudsons wi t h Kemal at her si de. ' St ay
wi t h me, ' she mut t er ed, f ur i ous. They sat down agai n.
Roger Hudson l ooked at Kemal . ' How di d you l ose your ar m,
son?'
Dana was sur pr i sed at t he bl unt ness of t he quest i on, but
Kemal answer ed r eadi l y.
' A bomb. '
' I see. What about your par ent s, Kemal ?'
' They wer e bot h ki l l ed i n an ai r r ai d al ong wi t h my
si st er . '
Roger Hudson gr unt ed. ' Goddamn war s. '
At t hat moment , Cesar came i nt o t he r oom. ' Luncheon i s
ser ved. '
The l uncheon was del i ci ous. Dana f ound Pamel a war mand
char mi ng and Roger Hudson wi t hdr awn.
' What ar e you wor ki ng on now?' Pamel a Hudson asked Dana.
' We' r e t al ki ng about a new show t o be cal l ed Cr i me Li ne.
We' r e goi ng t o expose some of t he peopl e who have got t en away
wi t h commi t t i ng cr i mes, and we' l l t r y t o hel p peopl e i n
pr i son who ar e i nnocent . '
Roger Hudson sai d, ' Washi ngt on i s a gr eat pl ace t o st ar t .
I t ' s f ul l of hol i er - t han- t hou phoni es i n hi gh pl aces who have
got t en away wi t h ever y cr i me you can t hi nk of . '
' Roger ' s on sever al gover nment - r ef or mcommi t t ees, ' Pamel a
Hudson sai d pr oudl y.
' And a l ot of good i t does, ' her husband gr umbl ed. ' The
di f f er ence bet ween r i ght and wr ong seems t o have got t en
bl ur r ed. I t shoul d be t aught at home. Our school s cer t ai nl y
don' t t each i t . '
Pamel a Hudson l ooked at Dana. ' By t he way, Roger and I ar e
gi vi ng a l i t t l e di nner par t y Sat ur day ni ght . Woul d you be
f r ee t o j oi n us?'
Dana smi l ed. ' Why, t hank you. I ' d l ove t o. '
' Do you have a young man?'
' Yes. J ef f Connor s. '
Roger Hudson sai d, ' The spor t s r epor t er on your st at i on?'
' Yes. '
' He' s not bad. I wat ch hi msomet i mes, ' he sai d. ' I ' d l i ke
t o meet hi m. '
Dana smi l ed. ' I ' msur e J ef f woul d l ove t o
come. '
As Dana and Kemal wer e l eavi ng, Roger Hudson t ook Dana
asi de.
' I n al l candor , Mi ss Evans, I f i nd your conspi r acy t heor y
about t he Wi nt hr ops i n t he r eal mof f ant asy. But f or Mat t
Baker ' s sake, I ' mwi l l i ng t o check ar ound and see i f I can
f i nd anyt hi ng t hat coul d possi bl y subst ant i at e i t . '
' Thank you. '
I n al l candor , Mi ss Evans, I f i nd your conspi r acy t heor y
about t he Wi nt hr ops i n t he r eal mof f ant asy. But f or Mat t
Baker ' s sake, I ' mwi l l i ng t o check ar ound and see i f I can
f i nd anyt hi ng t hat coul d possi bl y subst ant i at e i t . Thank you.
Tape ends.
Ni ne
They wer e i n t he mi ddl e of t hei r mor ni ng meet i ng about
Cr i me Li ne, and Dana was i n t he conf er ence r oomwi t h hal f a
dozen st af f r epor t er s and r esear cher s.
Ol i vi a poked her head i n. ' Mr Baker woul d l i ke t o see
you. '
' Tel l hi mI ' l l be t her e i n a mi nut e. '
' The boss i s wai t i ng f or you. '
' Thanks, Abbe. You' r e l ooki ng cheer f ul . '
Abbe nodded. ' I f i nal l y got a good ni ght ' s sl eep. For t he
l ast - '
' Dana? Come i n her e/ Mat t yel l ed.
' To be cont i nued, ' Abbe sai d.
Dana wal ked i nt o Mat t ' s of f i ce. ' How di d t he meet i ng wi t h
Roger Hudson go?'
' I have a f eel i ng he wasn' t ver y i nt er est ed. He t hi nks my
t heor y i s cr azy. '
' I t ol d you he' s not Mr War mt h. '
' He does t ake a l i t t l e get t i ng used t o. Hi s wi f e i s
l ovel y. You shoul d hear her on t he subj ect of Washi ngt on
soci et y madness. Tal k about wi ckedness. '
' I know. She' s a wonder f ul l ady. '
Dana r an i nt o El l i ot Cr omwel l i n t he execut i ve di ni ng
r oom.
' J oi n me/ El l i ot Cr omwel l sai d.
' Thank you. ' Dana sat down.
' How' s Kemal ?'
Dana hesi t at ed. ' At t he moment , I ' maf r ai d t her e' s a
pr obl em. '
' Oh? What ki nd of pr obl em?'
' Kemal was expel l ed f r omschool . '
' Why?'
' He got i n a f i ght and sent a boy t o t he hospi t al . '
' That woul d do i t . '
' I ' msur e t he f i ght wasn' t Kemal ' s f aul t , ' Dana sai d
def ensi vel y. ' He get s t eased a l ot because he has onl y one
ar m. '
El l i ot Cr omwel l sai d, ' I suppose i t ' s r eal l y di f f i cul t f or
hi m. '
' I t i s. I ' mt r yi ng t o get hi ma pr ost hesi s. Ther e seemt o
be pr obl ems. '
' What gr ade i s Kemal i n?'
' Sevent h. '
El l i ot Cr omwel l was t hought f ul . ' Ar e you f ami l i ar wi t h t he
Li ncol n Pr epar at or y School ?'
' Oh, yes. But I under st and i t ' s ver y di f f i cul t t o get
i nt o. ' She added, ' And I ' maf r ai d Kemal ' s gr ades ar en' t ver y
good. '
' I have a f ew cont act s t her e. Woul d you l i ke me t o speak
t o someone?'
' I - t hat ' s ver y ki nd of you. '
I t wi l l be my pl easur e. '
Lat er t hat day El l i ot Cr omwel l sent f or Dana.
' I have good news f or you. I spoke t o t he pr i nci pal at t he
Li ncol n Pr epar at or y School , and she' s agr eed t o have Kemal
enr ol l ed t her e on a t r i al basi s. Coul d you t ake hi mover
t omor r ow mor ni ng?'
' Of cour se. I - ' I t t ook Dana a moment t o l et i t si nk i n.
' Oh, t hat ' s wonder f ul ! I ' mso pl eased. Thank you so much. I
r eal l y appr eci at e i t , El l i ot . '
' I want you t o know t hat I appr eci at e you, Dana. I t hi nk
i t was wonder f ul of you t o have br ought Kemal t o t hi s
count r y. You' r e a ver y speci al per son. '
' I - t hank you. '
When Dana l ef t t he of f i ce, she t hought , That t ook a l ot of
cl out . And a l ot of ki ndness.
Li ncol n Pr epar at or y School was an i mposi ng compl ex
consi st i ng of a l ar ge Edwar di an bui l di ng, t hr ee smal l er
annexes, spaci ous, wel l - t ended gr ounds, and ext ensi ve,
mani cur ed pl ayi ng f i el ds.
St andi ng i n f r ont of t he ent r ance, Dana sai d,
' Kemal , t hi s i s t he best school i n Washi ngt on. You can
l ear n a l ot her e, but you have t o have a posi t i ve at t i t ude
about i t . Do you under st and?'
' Sweet . '
' And you can' t get i nt o any f i ght s. '
Kemal di d not answer .
Dana and Kemal wer e usher ed i nt o t he of f i ce of Rowana
Tr ot t , t he school ' s pr i nci pal . She was an at t r act i ve woman
wi t h a f r i endl y manner .
' Wel come, ' she sai d. She t ur ned t o Kemal . ' I ' ve hear d a
gr eat deal about you, young man. We' r e al l l ooki ng f or war d t o
havi ng you her e. '
Dana wai t ed f or Kemal t o say somet hi ng. When he was
si l ent , she sai d, ' Kemal i s l ooki ng f or war d t o bei ng her e. '
' Good. I t hi nk you' r e goi ng t o make some ver y ni ce f r i ends
at our school . '
Kemal st ood t her e wi t hout answer i ng.
An ol der woman came i nt o t he of f i ce. Mr s Tr ot t sai d, ' Thi s
i s Becky. Becky, t hi s i s Kemal . Why don' t you show Kemal
ar ound? Let hi mbecome acquai nt ed wi t h some of hi s t eacher s. '
' Cer t ai nl y. Thi s way, Kemal . '
Kemal l ooked at Dana beseechi ngl y, t hen t ur ned and
f ol l owed Becky out t he door .
' I want t o expl ai n about Kemal , ' Dana began. ' He- '
Mr s Tr ot t sai d, ' You don' t have t o, Mi ss Evans. El l i ot
Cr omwel l t ol d me about t he si t uat i on and about Kemal ' s
backgr ound. I under st and he' s been
t hr ough mor e t han any chi l d shoul d ever have t o go
t hr ough, and we' r e pr epar ed t o make al l owances f or t hat . '
' Thank you, ' Dana sai d.
' I have a t r anscr i pt of hi s gr ades f r omTheodor e Roosevel t
Mi ddl e School . We' r e goi ng t o see i f we can' t bet t er t hem. '
Dana nodded. ' Kemal ' s a ver y br i ght boy. '
' I ' msur e he i s. Hi s gr ades i n mat h pr ove t hat . We' r e
goi ng t o t r y t o gi ve hi man i ncent i ve t o excel i n al l hi s
ot her subj ect s. '
' The f act t hat he has onl y one ar mi s ver y t r aumat i c f or
hi m, ' Dana sai d. ' I hope t o be abl e t o sol ve t hat . '
Mr s Tr ot t nodded under st andi ngl y. ' Of cour se. '
When Kemal was t hr ough wi t h hi s t our of t he school and he
and Dana wer e wal ki ng back t o t he car , Dana sai d, ' I know
you' r e goi ng t o l i ke i t her e. '
Kemal was si l ent .
' I t ' s a beaut i f ul school , i sn' t i t ?'
Kemal sai d, ' I t sucks. '
Dana st opped. ' Why?'
Kemal ' s voi ce was choked. ' They have t enni s cour t s and a
f oot bal l f i el d and I can' t - ' Hi s eyes f i l l ed wi t h t ear s.
Dana wr apped her ar ms ar ound hi m. ' I ' msor r y, dar l i ng. '
And she t hought t o her sel f , I ' ve got t o do somet hi ng about
t hi s.
The di nner par t y at t he Hudsons' on Sat ur day ni ght was a
gl amor ous, bl ack- t i e af f ai r . The beaut i f ul r ooms wer e f i l l ed
wi t h t he mover s and shaker s of t he nat i on' s capi t al ,
i ncl udi ng t he Secr et ar y of Def ense, sever al member s of
Congr ess, t he head of t he Feder al Reser ve, and t he ambassador
f r omGer many.
Roger and Pamel a wer e st andi ng at t he door when Dana and
J ef f ar r i ved. Dana i nt r oduced J ef f .
' I enj oy your spor t s col umn and br oadcast s, ' Roger Hudson
sai d.
' Thank you. '
Pamel a sai d, ' Let me i nt r oduce you t o some of our guest s. '
Many of t he f aces wer e f ami l i ar , and t he gr eet i ngs wer e
cor di al . I t seemed t hat most of t he guest s wer e f ans of
ei t her Dana or J ef f or bot h of t hem.
When t hey wer e al one f or a moment , Dana sai d, ' My God. The
guest l i st her e r eads l i ke Who' s Who. '
J ef f t ook her hand. ' You' r e t he bi ggest cel ebr i t y her e,
dar l i ng. '
' No way, ' Dana sai d. ' I ' mj ust - '
At t hat moment , Dana saw Gener al Vi ct or Boost er and J ack
St one headi ng t owar d t hem.
' Good eveni ng, Gener al , ' Dana sai d.
Boost er l ooked at her and sai d r udel y, ' What t he hel l ar e
you doi ng her e?'
Dana f l ushed.
' Thi s i s a soci al eveni ng, ' t he gener al snapped. ' I di dn' t
know t he medi a was i nvi t ed. '
J ef f l ooked at Gener al Boost er , f ur i ous. ' Hol d i t ! ' he
sai d. ' We have as much r i ght - '
Vi ct or Boost er i gnor ed hi m. He l eaned cl ose t o Dana.
' Remember what I pr omi sed you i f you go l ooki ng f or t r oubl e. '
He wal ked away.
J ef f l ooked af t er hi mdi sbel i evi ngl y. ' J esus. What was
t hat al l about ?'
J ack St one st ood t her e, r ed- f aced. ' I ' m- I ' mt er r i bl y
sor r y. The gener al get s t hat way somet i mes. He i sn' t al ways
t act f ul . '
' We not i ced, ' J ef f sai d i ci l y.
The di nner i t sel f was f ant ast i c. I n f r ont of each coupl e
was a beaut i f ul l y handwr i t t en menu
I t was a Lucul l an banquet .
To Dana' s sur pr i se, she f ound t hat she had been seat ed
next t o Roger Hudson. Pamel a' s doi ng, she t hought .
' Pamel a ment i oned t hat Kemal i s enr ol l ed i n t he Li ncol n
Pr epar at or y School . '
Dana smi l ed. ' Yes. El l i ot Cr omwel l ar r anged i t . He' s a
r emar kabl e man. '
Roger Hudson nodded. ' So I ' ve hear d. '
He hesi t at ed a moment . ' Thi s may mean not hi ng, but i t
seems t hat shor t l y bef or e Tayl or Wi nt hr op became our
ambassador t o Russi a, he t ol d cl ose f r i ends t hat he had
def i ni t el y r et i r ed f r ompubl i c l i f e. '
Dana f r owned. ' And t hen he accept ed t he ambassador shi p t o
Russi a?'
' Yes. '
St r ange.
On t he way home, J ef f asked Dana, ' What di d you do t o make
such a f an of Gener al Boost er ?'
' He doesn' t want me i nvest i gat i ng t he deat hs i n t he
Wi nt hr op f ami l y. '
' Why not ?'
' He doesn' t expl ai n. He j ust bar ks. ' J ef f sai d sl owl y,
' Hi s bi t e i s wor se t han hi s bar k, Dana. He' s a bad enemy t o
have. ' She l ooked at J ef f cur i ousl y. ' Why?' ' He' s head of FR
A, t he Feder al Resear ch Agency. ' ' I know. They devel op
t echnol ogy t o hel p under devel oped count r i es l ear n
moder n pr oduct i on and- '
J ef f sai d dr yl y, ' And t her e r eal l y i s a Sant a Cl aus. ' Dana
l ooked at hi m, puzzl ed. ' What ar e you t al ki ng about ?'
' The agency i s a cover - up. The r eal f unct i on of FRA i s t o
spy on f or ei gn i nt el l i gence agenci es and i nt er cept t hei r
communi cat i ons. I t ' s i r oni c. " Fr at er " means br ot her i n Lat i n
- onl y t hi s i s Bi g Br ot her , and Bi g Br ot her sur e as hel l i s
wat chi ng ever ybody. They' r e mor e secr et i ve t han even t he
NSA. '
Dana sai d t hought f ul l y, ' Tayl or Wi nt hr op was once t he head
of FRA. That ' s i nt er est i ng. '
' I woul d advi se you t o st ay as f ar away as you can f r om
Gener al Boost er . '
' I i nt end t o. '
' I know you have a si t t er pr obl emt oni ght , honey, so i f
you have t o get home - '
Dana nest l ed agai nst hi m. ' No way. The si t t er can wai t . I
can' t . Let ' s go t o your pl ace. '
J ef f gr i nned. ' I t hought you' d never ask. '
J ef f l i ved i n a smal l apar t ment i n a f our - st or y bui l di ng
on Madi son St r eet . J ef f l ed Dana i nt o t he bedr oom.
' I ' l l be gl ad when we move i nt o a bi gger apar t ment / J ef f
sai d. ' Kemal has t o have hi s own r oom. Why don' t we- ?'
' Why don' t we st op t al ki ng?' Dana suggest ed.
J ef f t ook her i n hi s ar ms. ' Gr eat i dea. ' He r eached behi nd
her and cur ved hi s hands ar ound her hi ps, st r oki ng her sof t l y
and gent l y. He st ar t ed t o undr ess her .
' Do you know you have a gr eat body?'
' Al l t he f el l ows t el l me t hat , ' Dana sai d. ' I t ' s t he t al k
of t he t own. Ar e you pl anni ng t o get undr essed?'
' I ' mt hi nki ng i t over . '
Dana moved up agai nst hi mand st ar t ed t o unbut t on hi s
shi r t .
' Do you know you' r e a hussy?'
She smi l ed. ' You bet . '
When J ef f f i ni shed undr essi ng, Dana was i n bed wai t i ng f or
hi m. She war med her sel f i n t he summer of hi s ar ms. He was a
wonder f ul l over , sensual and car i ng.
' I l ove you so much, ' Dana whi sper ed.
' I l ove you, my dar l i ng. '
As J ef f r eached f or her , a cel l phone r ang.
' Your s or mi ne?'
They l aughed. I t r ang agai n.
' Mi ne, ' J ef f sai d. ' Let i t r i ng. '
' I t mi ght be i mpor t ant , ' Dana sai d. ' Oh, al l r i ght . ' J ef f
sat up, di sgr unt l ed. He pi cked up t he phone. ' Hel l o?' Hi s
voi ce changed. ' No, i t ' s al l r i ght . . . Go ahead . . . Of cour se
. . . I ' msur e t her e' s not hi ng t o wor r y about . I t ' s pr obabl y
j ust st r ess. '
The conver sat i on went on f or f i ve mi nut es. ' Ri ght . . . So
t ake i t easy . . . Fi ne . . . Good ni ght , Rachel . ' He cl i cked
t he phone of f .
I sn' t i t awf ul l y l at e at ni ght f or Rachel t o be cal l i ng?
' I s anyt hi ng wr ong, J ef f ?'
' Not r eal l y. Rachel ' s been doi ng t oo much. She j ust needs
a r est . She' l l be f i ne. ' He t ook Dana i n hi s ar ms and sai d
sof t l y, ' Wher e wer e we?' He pul l ed her naked body t o hi s and
t he magi c began. Dana f or got about t he pr obl ems wi t h t he
Wi nt hr ops and J oan Si ni si and gener al s and housekeeper s and
Kemal and school s, and l i f e became a j oyous, passi onat e
cel ebr at i on.
Lat er , Dana sai d r el uct ant l y, ' I ' maf r ai d i t ' s t i me f or
Ci nder el l a t o t ur n i nt o a pumpki n, dar l i ng. ' ' And what a
pumpki n! I ' l l get my car r i age r eady. ' She l ooked down at hi m.
' I t hi nk i t ' s r eady. One mor e t i me?'
When Dana got home, t he woman f r omt he si t t er [ ser vi ce was
i mpat i ent l y wai t i ng t o l eave. ' I t ' s one- t hi r t y, ' she sai d
accusi ngl y. ' I ' msor r y. I got t i ed up. ' Dana gave t he woman
some ext r a money. ' Take a t axi , ' she sai d. ' I t ' s danger ous
out t her e. I ' l l see you t omor r ow ni ght . '
The si t t er sai d, ' Mi ss Evans, I t hi nk you shoul d know . .
. '
' Yes?'
' Al l eveni ng Kemal kept pest er i ng me about when you wer e
comi ng home. That chi l d i s ver y i nsecur e. '
' Thank you. Good ni ght . '
Dana went i nt o Kemal ' s r oom. He was awake, pl ayi ng a
comput er game.
' Hi , Dana. '
' You' r e supposed t o be asl eep, pal . '
' I was wai t i ng f or you t o come home. Di d you have a good
t i me?'
' I t was l ovel y, but I mi ssed you, dar l i ng. '
Kemal t ur ned of f t he comput er . ' Ar e you goi ng t o go away
ever y ni ght ?'
Dana t hought about al l t he emot i ons behi nd t he quest i on.
' I ' l l t r y t o spend mor e t i me wi t h you, dar l i ng. '
Ten
The cal l came out of t he bl ue on Monday mor ni ng.
' Dana Evans?'
' Yes. '
' Thi s i s Dr J oel Hi r schber g. I ' mwi t h t he Chi l dr en' s
Foundat i on. '
Dana l i st ened, puzzl ed. ' Yes?'
' El l i ot Cr omwel l ment i oned t o me t hat you t ol d hi myou' r e
havi ng a pr obl emget t i ng a pr ost het i c ar mf or your son. '
Dana had t o t hi nk a moment . ' Yes, I guess I di d. '
' Mr Cr omwel l gave me t he backgr ound. Thi s f oundat i on has
been set up t o hel p chi l dr en f r omwar - t or n count r i es. Fr om
what Mr Cr omwel l t ol d me, your son cer t ai nl y comes under t hat
headi ng. I wonder i f you woul d l i ke t o br i ng hi mi n t o see
me?'
' Wel l , I - wel l , yes, of cour se. ' They made t he
appoi nt ment f or l at er t hat day.
When Kemal got home f r omschool , Dana sai d
exci t edl y, ' You and I ar e goi ng t o see a doct or about get t i ng
a new ar mf or you. Woul d you l i ke t hat ?'
Kemal t hought about i t . ' I don' t know. I t won' t be a r eal
ar m. '
' I t wi l l be as cl ose t o a r eal ar mas we can get . Okay,
pal ?'
' Cool . '
Dr J oel Hi r schber g was i n hi s l at e f or t i es, an at t r act i ve,
ear nest - l ooki ng man wi t h an ai r of qui et compet ence.
When Dana and Kemal exchanged hel l os, Dana sai d, ' Doct or ,
I want t o expl ai n up f r ont t hat we' d have t o wor k out some
ki nd of f i nanci al ar r angement , because I was t ol d t hat
because Kemal i s gr owi ng, a new ar mwoul d be out dat ed ever y
- '
Dr Hi r schber g i nt er r upt ed. ' As I t ol d you over t he phone,
Mi ss Evans, t he Chi l dr en' s Foundat i on has been set up
especi al l y t o hel p chi l dr en f r omwar - t or n count r i es. We' l l
t ake car e of t he expenses. '
Dana f el t a sur ge of r el i ef . ' That ' s wonder f ul . ' She sai d
a si l ent pr ayer . God bl ess El l i ot Cr omwel l .
Dr Hi r schber g t ur ned t o Kemal agai n. ' Now, l et ' s, t ake a
l ook at you, young man. '
Thi r t y mi nut es l at er Dr Hi r schber g sai d t o Dana, ' I t hi nk
we can f i x hi mup al most as good as new. ' He pul l ed down a
char t on t he wal l . ' We have t wo ki nds of pr ost heses,
myoel ect r i c, whi ch i s st at e- of - t he- ar t , and a cabl e- oper at ed
ar m. As you can see her e, t he myoel ect r i c ar mi s made of
pl ast i cs and cover ed wi t h a handl i ke gl ove. ' He smi l ed at
Kemal . ' I t l ooks as good as t he or i gi nal . ' Kemal asked, ' Does
i t move?' Dr Hi r schber g sai d, ' Kemal , do you ever t hi nk about
movi ng your hand? I mean t he hand t hat . i sn' t t her e any
l onger . ' ' Yes, ' Kemal sai d.
Dr Hi r schber g l eaned f or war d. ' Wel l , now, whenever you
t hi nk about t hat phant omhand, t he muscl es t hat used t o wor k
t her e wi l l cont r act and aut omat i cal l y gener at e a myoel ect r i c
si gnal . I n ot her wor ds, you' l l be abl e t o open and cl ose your
hand j ust by t hi nki ng about i t . '
Kemal ' s f ace l i t up. ' I wi l l ? How - how do I put t he ar m
on and t ake i t of f ?'
' I t ' s r eal l y ver y si mpl e, Kemal . You' l l j ust pul l on t he
new ar m. I t ' s a suct i on f i t . Ther e wi l l be a t hi n nyl on sock
over t he ar m. You can' t swi mwi t h i t , but you can do j ust
about anyt hi ng el se. I t ' s l i ke a pai r of shoes. You t ake i t
of f at ni ght and put i t on i n t he mor ni ng. '
' How much does i t wei gh?' Dana asked. ' Anywher e f r omsi x
ounces t o a pound. ' Dana t ur ned t o Kemal . ' What do you
t hi nk, spor t ? Shoul d we t r y i t ?'
Kemal was t r yi ng t o conceal hi s exci t ement . ' Wi l l i t l ook
r eal ?'
Dr Hi r schber g smi l ed. ' I t wi l l l ook r eal . '
' I t sounds r ad. '
' You' ve had t o become l ef t - handed, so you' r e goi ng t o have
t o unl ear n t hat . That wi l l t ake t i me, Kemal . We can get you
f i t t ed i mmedi at el y, but you' l l have t o see a t her api st f or a
l i t t l e whi l e t o l ear n how t o make t hi s a par t of you and how
t o cont r ol t he myoel ect r i c si gnal s. '
Kemal t ook a deep br eat h. ' Cool . '
Dana hugged Kemal t i ght l y. ' I t ' s goi ng t o be wonder f ul , '
she sai d. She was f i ght i ng back t ear s.
Dr Hi r schber g wat ched t hema moment , t hen smi l ed. ' Let ' s
go t o wor k. '
When Dana r et ur ned t o t he of f i ce, she went i n t o see
El l i ot Cr omwel l .
' El l i ot , we j ust l ef t Dr Hi r schber g. '
' Good. I hope he can hel p Kemal . '
I t l ooks as t hough he can. I can' t t el l you how ver y, ver y
much I appr eci at e t hi s. '
' Dana, t her e' s not hi ng t o appr eci at e. I ' mgl ad I coul d be
hel pf ul . J ust l et me know how i t goes. '
' I wi l l . ' Bl ess you.
' Fl ower s! ' Ol i vi a wal ked i nt o t he of f i ce wi t h a l ar ge
bouquet of f l ower s.
' They' r e beaut i f ul ! ' Dana excl ai med.
She opened t he envel ope and r ead t he car d. Dear
Mi ss Evans, Our f r i end' s bar k i s wor se t han hi s bi t e.
Enj oy t he f l ower s. J ack St one.
Dana st udi ed t he car d a moment . That ' s i nt er est i ng, she
t hought . J ef f sai d hi s bi t e i s wor se t han hi s bar k. Whi ch one
i s r i ght ? Dana had t he f eel i ng t hat J ack St one hat ed hi s j ob.
And hat ed hi s boss. I ' l l r emember t hat .
Dana t el ephoned J ack St one at FRA.
' Mr St one? I j ust want ed t o t hank you f or t he beaut i f ul - '
' Ar e you at your of f i ce?'
' Yes. I - '
' I ' l l cal l back. ' Di al t one.
Thr ee mi nut es l at er J ack St one cal l ed.
' Mi ss Evans, i t woul d be bet t er f or us bot h i f a mut ual
f r i end di dn' t know we wer e t al ki ng. I ' ve t r i ed t o change hi s
at t i t ude, but he' s a st ubbor n man. I f you ever need me - I
mean r eal l y need me - I ' mgoi ng t o gi ve you my pr i vat e cel l
phone number . I t wi l l r each me anyt i me. '
' Thank you. ' Dana wr ot e down t he number .
' Mi ss Evans - '
' Yes. '
' Never mi nd. Be car ef ul '
When J ack St one had got t en i n t hat mor ni ng, Gener al
Boost er had been wai t i ng f or hi m.
' J ack, I have a f eel i ng t hat Evans bi t ch i s a
t r oubl emaker . I want you t o st ar t a f i l e on her . And keep me
i n t he l oop. '
I ' l l t ake car e of i t . ' Onl y t her e' s not goi ng t o be any
l oop. And he had sent Dana f l ower s.
cancel ed her shoot i n Ri o. She' s never done anyt hi ng l i ke
t hat bef or e. '
' Why i s she cal l i ng you, J ef f ?'
' She has no one el se, honey. She' s al l al one. '
Dana and J ef f wer e i n t he t el evi si on st at i on' s execut i ve
di ni ng r oomt al ki ng about Kemal ' s pr ost hesi s.
Dana sai d, ' I ' mso exci t ed, dar l i ng. Thi s i s goi ng t o make
al l t he di f f er ence i n t he wor l d. He' s been bel l i ger ent
because he f eel s i nf er i or . Thi s i s goi ng t o change al l t hat . '
' He must be t hr i l l ed, ' J ef f sai d. ' I know I am. '
' And t he wonder i s t hat t he Chi l dr en' s Foundat i on i s goi ng
t o pay f or al l of i t . I f we can - '
J ef f ' s cel l phone r ang. ' Excuse me, honey. ' He pr essed a
but t on and t al ked i nt o t he phone. ' Hel l o? . . . Oh . . . ' He
gl anced at Dana. ' No . . . I t ' s al l r i ght . . . Go ahead . . . '
Dana sat t her e, t r yi ng not t o l i st en.
' Yes . . . I see . . . Ri ght . . . I t ' s pr obabl y not hi ng
ser i ous, but maybe you shoul d see a doct or . Wher e ar e you
now? Br azi l ? They have some good doct or s t her e. Of cour se . . .
I under st and . . . No The conver sat i on seemed t o go on and
on. J ef f f i nal l y sai d, ' Take car e. Good- bye. ' He put t he
phone down.
Dana sai d, ' Rachel ?'
' Yes. She' s havi ng some physi cal pr obl ems.
' Good- bye, J ef f . '
Rachel hung up r el uct ant l y, hat i ng t o l et go. She l ooked
out t he wi ndow at Sugar l oaf i n t he di st ance and I panema Beach
f ar bel ow. She wal ked i nt o her bedr oomand l ay down,
exhaust ed, t he day r eel i ng t i psi l y t hr ough her mi nd. I t had
st ar t ed of f wel l . That mor ni ng she had been shoot i ng a
commer ci al f or Amer i can Expr ess, posi ng on t he beach.
Ar ound noon t he di r ect or sai d, ' That l ast one was gr eat ,
Rachel . But l et ' s do one mor e. '
She st ar t ed t o say yes and t hen hear d her sel f sayi ng, ' No.
I ' msor r y. I can' t . ' He had l ooked at her i n sur pr i se.
' What ?' ' I ' mver y t i r ed. You' l l have t o excuse me. ' She had
t ur ned and f l ed t o t he hot el , t hr ough t he l obby, i nt o t he
saf et y of her r oom. She was t r embl i ng and f el t nauseat ed.
What i s t he mat t er wi t h me? Her f or ehead was f ever i sh.
She pi cked up t he t el ephone and cal l ed J ef f . The ver y
sound of hi s voi ce made her f eel bet t er . Bl ess hi m. He i s
al ways t her e f or me, my l i f el i ne. When t he conver sat i on was
over , Rachel l ay i n bed, t hi nki ng. We had some good t i mes. He
was al ways f un. We enj oyed doi ng t he same t hi ngs, and we
l oved shar i ng t hi ngs. How coul d I have l et hi mgo? She made
her sel f r emember how t he mar r i age had ended.
I t had st ar t ed wi t h a t el ephone cal l .
' Rachel St evens?'
' Yes. '
' Roder i ck Mar shal l i s cal l i ng. ' One of t he most i mpor t ant
di r ect or s i n Hol l ywood.
A moment l at er he was on t he l i ne. ' Mi ss St evens?'
' Yes?'
' Roder i ck Mar shal l . Do you know who I am?'
She had seen sever al of hi s movi es. ' Of cour se I do, Mr
Mar shal l . '
' I ' ve been l ooki ng at phot ogr aphs of you. We need you her e
at Fox. Woul d you be wi l l i ng t o come t o Hol l ywood t o do a
scr een t est ?'
Rachel hesi t at ed about i t f or a moment . ' I don' t know. I
mean, I don' t know i f I can act . I ' ve never - '
' Don' t wor r y. I ' l l t ake car e of t hat . We' l l pay al l your
expenses, of cour se. I ' l l di r ect t he t est mysel f . How soon
can you be out her e?'
Rachel t hought about her schedul e. ' I n t hr ee weeks. '
' Good. The st udi o wi l l make al l of t he ar r angement s. '
When Rachel hung up she r eal i zed she had not consul t ed
J ef f .
He won' t mi nd, she t hought . We' r e sel domt oget her anyway.
' Hol l ywood?' J ef f had r epeat ed.
' I t wi l l be a l ar k, J ef f . '
He nodded. ' Al l r i ght . Go f or i t . You' l l pr obabl y be
gr eat . '
' Can you come wi t h me?'
' Honey, we' r e pl ayi ng i n Cl evel and on Monday, t hen we' r e
goi ng on t o Washi ngt on and t hen t o Chi cago. We st i l l have a
l ot of games l ef t on t he schedul e. I t hi nk t he t eamwoul d
not i ce i f one of t hei r st ar t i ng pi t cher s was mi ssi ng. '
' Too bad. ' She t r i ed t o sound casual . ' Our l i ves never
seemt o come t oget her , do t hey, J ef f ?'
' Not of t en enough. '
Rachel st ar t ed t o say somet hi ng mor e, but she t hought ,
Thi s i sn ' t t he t i me.
Rachel was pi cked up at Los Angel es ai r por t by a st udi o
empl oyee i n a st r et ch l i mousi ne.
' My name i s Henr y For d. ' He chuckl ed. ' No r el at i on. They
cal l me Hank. '
The l i mousi ne gl i ded out i nt o t r af f i c. On t he way, he gave
Rachel a r unni ng comment ar y.
' Fi r st t i me i n Hol l ywood, Mi ss St evens?'
' No. I ' ve been her e many t i mes. The l ast t i me was t wo
year s ago. '
' Wel l , i t ' s sur e changed. I t ' s bi gger and bet t er t han
ever . I f you' r e i nt o gl amour , you' r e goi ng t o l ove i t . '
I f I ' mi nt o gl amour .
The st udi o booked you at t he Chat eau Mar mont . That ' s wher e
al l t he cel ebr i t i es st ay. '
Rachel pr et ended t o be i mpr essed. ' Real l y?'
' Oh, yes. J ohn Bel ushi di ed t her e, you know, af t er
over dosi ng. '
' My. '
' Gabl e used t o st ay t her e, Paul Newman, Mar i l yn Monr oe. '
The name- dr oppi ng went on and on. Rachel had st opped
l i st eni ng.
The Chat eau Mar mont was j ust nor t h of t he Sunset St r i p,
l ooki ng l i ke a cast l e f r oma movi e set .
Henr y For d sai d, ' I ' l l pi ck you up at t wo o' cl ock t o t ake
you t o t he st udi o. You' l l meet Roder i ck Mar shal l t her e. '
' I ' l l be r eady. '
Two hour s l at er Rachel was i n t he of f i ce of Roder i ck
Mar shal l . He was i n hi s f or t i es, smal l and compact , wi t h t he
ener gy of a dynamo.
' You' l l be gl ad you came, ' he sai d. ' I ' mgoi ng t o make you
a bi g st ar . We' l l shoot your t est t omor r ow. I ' l l have one of
my assi st ant s t ake you over t o war dr obe t o choose somet hi ng
ni ce f or you. You' r e goi ng t o do a t est scene f r omone of our
bi g pi ct ur es, End of a Dr eam. Tomor r ow mor ni ng at seven
o' cl ock we' l l do makeup and hai r . I guess t hat ' s not hi ng new
t o you, huh?'
Rachel sai d t onel essl y, ' No. '
' Ar e you al one her e, Rachel ?'
' Yes. '
' Why don' t we have di nner t oget her t oni ght ?' Rachel
t hought about i t f or a moment . ' Fi ne. ' ' I ' l l pi ck you up at
ei ght o' cl ock. '
Di nner t ur ned out t o be a whi r l wi nd eveni ng on t he t own.
' I f you know wher e t o go - and you can get i n, ' Roder i ck
Mar shal l t ol d Rachel , ' LA has some of t he hot t est cl ubs i n
t he wor l d. '
The eveni ng' s r ounds began at t he St andar d, a t r endy bar ,
r est aur ant , and hot el on Sunset Boul evar d. As t hey passed t he
f r ont desk, Rachel st opped t o st ar e. Next t o t he desk, behi nd
a f r ost ed gl ass wi ndow, was a l i ve human pai nt i ng, a nude
model .
' I sn' t t hat gr eat ?'
' Unbel i evabl e, ' Rachel sai d.
Ther e was a mont age of noi sy, cr owded cl ubs, and by t he
end of t he eveni ng, Rachel was exhaust ed.
Roder i ck Mar shal l dr opped her of f at t he hot el . ' Sl eep
wel l . Tomor r ow' s goi ng t o change your whol e l i f e. '
At 7: 00 AM, Rachel was i n t he makeup r oom. Bob Van Dusen,
t he makeup man, l ooked at her appr eci at i vel y and sai d,
' And t hey' r e payi ng me f or t hi s?' She l aughed.
' You don' t need much makeup. Nat ur e t ook car e of t hat . '
' Thank you. '
When Rachel was r eady, a war dr obe woman hel ped her i nt o
t he dr ess t hey had f i t t ed t he af t er noon bef or e. An assi st ant
di r ect or t ook her t o t he huge soundst age.
Roder i ck Mar shal l and t he cr ew wer e wai t i ng. The di r ect or
st udi ed Rachel a moment and sai d, ' Per f ect . We' r e goi ng t o do
a t wo- par t t est , Rachel . You' r e goi ng t o si t i n t hi s chai r
and I ' l l ask you some quest i ons of f - camer a. J ust be
your sel f . '
' Ri ght . And t he second par t ?'
' The shor t t est scene I ment i oned. '
Rachel sat down and t he camer aman set hi s f ocus. Roder i ck
Mar shal l was st andi ng of f - camer a. ' Ar e you r eady?'
' Yes. '
' Good. J ust r el ax. You' r e goi ng t o be wonder f ul . Camer a.
Act i on. Good mor ni ng. '
' Good mor ni ng. '
' I hear you' r e a model . '
Rachel smi l ed. ' Yes. '
' How di d you get st ar t ed?'
' I was f i f t een. The owner of a model agency saw me i n a
r est aur ant wi t h my mot her , went up and t al ked t o her , and a
f ew days l at er I was a model . '
The i nt er vi ew went on f or f i f t een easy mi nut es, and
Rachel ' s i nt el l i gence and poi se shone t hr ough.
' Cut ! Wonder f ul ! ' Roder i ck Mar shal l handed her
a shor t t est scene. ' We' r e goi ng t o t ake a br eak. Read
t hi s. When you' r e r eady, t el l me, and we' l l shoot i t . You' r e
a ci nch, Rachel . '
Rachel r ead t he scene. I t was about a wi f e aski ng her
husband f or a di vor ce. Rachel r ead i t agai n. I ' mr eady. '
Rachel was i nt r oduced t o Kevi n Webst er , who was goi ng t o
pl ay opposi t e her - a handsome young man i n t he Hol l ywood
mol d.
' Al l r i ght , ' Roder i ck Mar shal l sai d. ' Let ' s shoot i t .
Camer a. Act i on. '
Rachel l ooked at Kevi n Webst er . ' I t al ked t o a di vor ce
l awyer t hi s mor ni ng, Cl i f f . '
' I hear d about i t . Shoul dn' t you have t al ked t o me f i r st ?'
' I di d t al k t o you about i t . I ' ve t al ked t o you about i t
f or t he l ast year . We don' t have a mar r i age anymor e. You j ust
wer en' t l i st eni ng, J ef f . '
' Cut , ' Roder i ck sai d. ' Rachel , hi s name i s Cl i f f . ' Rachel
sai d, embar r assed, I ' mso sor r y. ' ' Let ' s go agai n. Take t wo. '
The scene r eal l y i s about J ef f and me, Rachel t hought . We
don' t have a mar r i age anymor e. How coul d we? We l i ve separ at e
l i ves. We har dl y see each ot her . We bot h meet at t r act i ve
peopl e, but we can' t get i nvol ved because of a cont r act t hat
no l onger means anyt hi ng. ' Rachel ! ' ' Sor r y. ' The scene began
agai n.
By t he t i me Rachel f i ni shed t he t est , she had made t wo
deci si ons: She di d not bel ong i n Hol l ywood. And she want ed a
di vor ce . . .
Now, l yi ng i n bed i n Ri o, f eel i ng i l l and exhaust ed,
Rachel t hought , I made a mi st ake. I never shoul d have
di vor ced J ef f .
Tuesday when Kemal f i ni shed school , Dana t ook hi mt o t he
t her api st who was wor ki ng wi t h Kemal and hi s new ar m. The
ar t i f i ci al ar ml ooked r eal and f unct i oned wel l , but i t was
di f f i cul t f or Kemal t o get used t o i t , bot h physi cal l y and
psychol ogi cal l y.
' I t wi l l f eel l i ke he' s at t ached t o a f or ei gn obj ect , ' t he
t her api st had expl ai ned t o Dana. ' Our j ob i s t o get hi mt o
accept i t as a par t of hi s own body. He has t o get used t o
bei ng ambi dext r ous agai n. Ther e' s usual l y a t wo- t o
t hr ee- mont h l ear ni ng per i od. I must war n you t hat i t can be a
ver y di f f i cul t t i me. '
' We can handl e i t , ' Dana assur ed hi m.
I t was not t hat easy. The f ol l owi ng mor ni ng Kemal wal ked
out of t he st udy wi t hout hi s pr ost hesi s. ' I ' mr eady. '
Dana l ooked at hi mi n sur pr i se. ' Wher e' s your ar m, Kemal ?'
Kemal r ai sed hi s l ef t hand def i ant l y. ' Her e i t i s. '
' You know what I mean. Wher e' s your pr ost hesi s?'
' I t ' s f r eak. I won' t wear i t anymor e. ' ' You' l l get used t o
i t , dar l i ng. I pr omi se. You have t o gi ve i t a chance. I ' l l
hel p you t o - '
' No one can hel p me. I ' ma f ukat i cr i ppl e . . . ' Dana went
t o see Det ect i ve Mar cus Abr ams agai n. When Dana wal ked i n,
Abr ams was at hi s desk busi l y f i l l i ng out r epor t s. He l ooked
up, scowl i ng.
' You know what I hat e about t hi s damned j ob?' He i ndi cat ed
t he pi l e of paper s. ' Thi s, I coul d be out on t he st r eet
havi ng f un shoot i ng per ps. Oh, I f or got . You' r e a r epor t er ,
ar en' t you? Don' t quot e me. ' ' Too l at e. '
' And what can I do f or you t oday, Mi ss Evans?' ' I came t o
ask about t he Si ni si case. Has t her e been an aut opsy?'
' Pr o f or ma. ' He t ook out some paper s f r omhi s desk dr awer .
' Was t her e anyt hi ng suspi ci ous i n t he r epor t ?' She wat ched
Det ect i ve Abr ams scan t he paper . ' No al cohol . . . no dr ugs . .
. No. ' He l ooked up. ' I t l ooks l i ke t he l ady was depr essed
and j ust deci ded t o end i t al l . That i t ?' ' That ' s i t , ' Dana
sai d.
Dana' s next st op was Det ect i ve Phoeni x Wi l son' s of f i ce.
' Good mor ni ng, Det ect i ve Wi l son. '
' And what br i ngs you t o my humbl e of f i ce?'
' I wonder ed whet her t her e was any news on Gar y Wi nt hr op' s
mur der . '
Det ect i ve Wi l son si ghed and scr at ched t he si de of hi s
nose. ' Not one damn t hi ng. I woul d have t hought t hat by now
one of t hose pai nt i ngs woul d have t ur ned up. That ' s what
we' ve been count i ng on. '
Dana want ed t o say, I woul dn' t i f I wer e you, but she hel d
her t ongue. ' No cl ues of any ki nd?'
' Not a t hi ng. The bast ar ds got away cl ean as a whi st l e. We
don' t have t oo many ar t t hef t s, but t he MO i s al most al ways
t he same. That ' s what ' s so sur pr i si ng. '
' Sur pr i si ng?'
' Yeah. Thi s one i s di f f er ent . '
' Di f f er ent . . . how?'
' Ar t t hi eves don' t ki l l unar med peopl e, and t her e was no
r eason f or t hese guys t o shoot down Gar y Wi nt hr op i n col d
bl ood. ' He st opped. ' Do you have any speci al i nt er est i n t hi s
case?'
' No, ' Dana l i ed. ' Not at al l . J ust cur i ous. I - '
' Ri ght , ' Det ect i ve Wi l son sai d. ' Keep i n t ouch. '
At t he end of a meet i ng i n Gener al Boost er ' s of f i ce at t he
secl uded FRA headquar t er s, t he gener al t ur ned t o J ack St one
and asked, ' What ' s happeni ng wi t h t he Evans woman?'
' She' s goi ng ar ound aski ng quest i ons, but I t hi nk i t ' s
har ml ess. She' s not get t i ng anywher e. '
' I don' t l i ke her snoopi ng ar ound. Ki ck i t up t o a code
t hr ee. '
' When do you want i t t o st ar t ?' ' Yest er day. '
Dana was i n t he mi ddl e of pr epar i ng f or t he next br oadcast
when Mat t Baker wal ked i nt o her of f i ce and sank i nt o a chai r .
' I j ust got a phone cal l about you. '
Dana sai d l i ght l y, ' My f ans can' t get enough of me, can
t hey?'
' Thi s one' s had enough of you. '
' Oh?'
' The cal l was f r omt he FRA. They' r e aski ng you t o st op
your i nvest i gat i on of Tayl or Wi nt hr op. Not hi ng of f i ci al . J ust
what t hey cal l ed a f r i endl y suggest i on. Looks l i ke t hey want
you t o mi nd your own busi ness. '
' I t does, doesn' t i t ?' Dana sai d. She l ocked eyes wi t h
Mat t . ' I t makes you wonder why, doesn' t i t ? I ' mnot backi ng
away f r omt he st or y because some gover nment agency want s me
t o. I t st ar t ed i n Aspen, wher e Tayl or and hi s wi f e wer e
ki l l ed i n t he f i r e: I ' mgoi ng t her e f i r st . And i f t her e' s
somet hi ng t her e, i t shoul d be a gr eat ki ckof f st or y f or Cr i me
Li ne. '
' How much t i me do you need?'
' I t shoul dn' t t ake mor e t han a day or t wo. ' ' Go f or i t . '
El even
I t was an ef f or t f or Rachel t o move. J ust wal ki ng f r om
r oomt o r oomi n her Fl or i da home was exhaust i ng. She coul d
not r emember when she had ever been so t i r ed. I pr obabl y have
a f l u of some ki nd. J ef f was r i ght . I shoul d see a doct or . A
hot bat h wi l l r el ax me. . .
I t was whi l e Rachel was st r et ched out i n t he soot hi ng war m
wat er t hat her hand went t o her br east and f el t t he l ump.
Her f i r st r eact i on was shock. Then deni al . I t ' s not hi ng.
I t ' s not cancer . I don' t smoke. I exer ci se and t ake car e of
my body. Ther e i s no cancer i n my f ami l y. I ' mf i ne. I ' l l have
a doct or l ook at i t , but i t ' s not cancer .
Rachel got out of t he t ub, dr i ed her sel f , and made a
t el ephone cal l .
' Bet t y Ri chman Model Agency. '
' I ' d l i ke t o speak t o Bet t y Ri chman. Pl ease t el l her i t ' s
Rachel St evens. '
A moment l at er Bet t y Ri chman was on t he l i ne.
' Rachel ! I t ' s gr eat t o hear f r omyou. Ar e you al l r i ght ?'
' Of cour se I am. Why do you ask?'
' Wel l , you cut t he Ri o shoot shor t , and I t hought t hat
maybe- '
Rachel l aughed. ' No, no. I was j ust t i r ed, Bet t y. I ' m
eager t o go t o wor k agai n. '
' That ' s gr eat news. Ever yone' s been t r yi ng t o book you. '
' Wel l , I ' mr eady. What ' s on t he agenda?'
' Hol d on a moment . '
A mi nut e l at er Bet t y Ri chman was back on t he l i ne. ' The
next shoot i s i n Ar uba. I t st ar t s next week. That gi ves you
pl ent y of t i me. They' ve been aski ng f or you. '
' I l ove Ar uba. Book me f or i t . '
' You' ve got i t . I ' mgl ad you' r e f eel i ng bet t er . '
' I f eel gr eat . '
' I ' l l send al l t he det ai l s. '
At t wo o' cl ock t he f ol l owi ng af t er noon, Rachel had an
appoi nt ment wi t h Dr Gr ahamEl gi n.
' Good af t er noon, Dr El gi n. '
' And what can I do f or you?'
' I have a smal l cyst i n my r i ght br east and - '
' Oh, you' ve seen a doct or ?'
' No, but I know what i t i s. I t ' s j ust a l i t t l e cyst . I
know my body. I ' d l i ke you t o use mi cr osur ger y t o get i t
out . ' She smi l ed. I ' ma model . I can' t af f or d
t o have a scar . Wi t h j ust a t i ny bl emi sh, I can cover i t
wi t h makeup. I ' ml eavi ng next week f or Ar uba, so woul d i t be
possi bl e t o schedul e t he oper at i on t omor r ow or t he next day?'
Dr El gi n was st udyi ng her . Consi der i ng t he si t uat i on, she
seemed unnat ur al l y cal m. ' Let me exami ne you f i r st , t hen I ' l l
have t o do a bi opsy. But yes, we can schedul e t he oper at i on
wi t hi n t he week, i f necessar y. '
Rachel was beami ng. ' Wonder f ul . ' Dr El gi n st ood up. ' Let ' s
go i nt o t he ot her r oom, shal l we? I ' l l have t he nur se br i ng
you a hospi t al gown. '
Fi f t een mi nut es l at er , wi t h a nur se l ooki ng on, Dr El gi n
was pal pat i ng t he l ump i n Rachel ' s br east .
' I t ol d you, Doct or , i t ' s j ust a cyst . ' ' Wel l , t o be
cer t ai n, Mi ss St evens, I ' d l i ke t o do t he bi opsy. I can do i t
r i ght her e. '
Rachel t r i ed not t o wi nce as Dr El gi n i nser t ed a t hi n
needl e i nt o t he si de of her br east t o dr aw out t i ssue.
' Al l f i ni shed. That wasn' t t oo bad, was i t ?'
' No. How soon . . . ?'
' I ' l l send t hi s i n t o t he l ab, and I can have a
pr el i mi nar y cyt ol ogy r epor t t omor r ow mor ni ng. '
Rachel smi l ed. ' Good. I ' mgoi ng home t o pack f or Ar uba. '
When Rachel got home, t he f i r st t hi ng she di d was t ake out
t wo sui t cases and l ay t hemon t he bed. She went t o t he cl oset
and st ar t ed col l ect i ng cl ot hes t o t ake t o Ar uba.
J eanet t e Rhodes, her cl eani ng woman, came i nt o t he
bedr oom.
' Mi ss St evens, ar e you goi ng away agai n?'
' Yes. '
' Wher e ar e you goi ng t hi s t i me?'
' To Amba. '
' Wher e' s t hat ?'
' I t ' s a beaut i f ul i sl and i n t he Car i bbean Sea, j ust nor t h
of Venezuel a. I t ' s a par adi se. Gr eat beaches, beaut i f ul
hot el s, and wonder f ul f ood. '
' Sounds gr eat . '
' By t he way, J eanet t e, whi l e I ' mgone, I ' d l i ke you t o
come i n t hr ee t i mes a week. '
' Of cour se. '
At ni ne o' cl ock t he f ol l owi ng mor ni ng, t he phone r ang.
' Mi ss St evens?'
' Yes. '
' Thi s i s Dr El gi n. '
' Hel l o, Doct or . Wer e you abl e t o schedul e t he oper at i on?'
' Mi ss St evens, I j ust got t he cyt ol ogy r epor t . I ' d l i ke
you t o come i nt o t he of f i ce so we can - '
' No. I want t o hear i t now, Doct or . '
Ther e was a sl i ght hesi t at i on. ' I don' t l i ke t o di scuss
t hi s sor t of t hi ng on t he phone, but I ' maf r ai d t he
pr el i mi nar y r epor t shows you do have cancer . '
J ef f was i n t he mi ddl e of wr i t i ng hi s spor t s col umn when
t he phone r ang. He pi cked i t up. ' Hel l o?'
' J ef f . . . ' She was cr yi ng.
' Rachel , i s t hat you? What ' s t he mat t er ? What ' s happened?'
' I - I have br east cancer . '
' Oh, my God. How ser i ous i s i t ?'
' I don' t know yet . I have t o have a mammogr am. J ef f , I
can' t f ace t hi s al one. I know I ' maski ng a l ot , but coul d you
come down her e?'
' Rachel , I - I ' maf r ai d I - '
' J ust f or a day. J ust t i l l I . . . know. ' She was cr yi ng
agai n.
' Rachel . . . ' He was t or n. ' I ' l l t r y. I ' l l cal l you
l at er . '
She was sobbi ng t oo har d t o speak.
When Dana r et ur ned f r oma pr oduct i on meet i ng, she sai d,
' Ol i vi a, make a r eser vat i on f or me on a mor ni ng pl ane t o
Aspen, Col or ado. Get me i nt o a hot el . Oh, and I ' l l want a car
r ent al . '
' Ri ght . Mr Connor s i s wai t i ng f or you i n your of f i ce. '
' Thanks. ' Dana wal ked i nsi de. J ef f was st andi ng t her e
l ooki ng out t he wi ndow. ' Hi , dar l i ng. '
He t ur ned ar ound. ' Hi , Dana. '
Ther e was a st r ange expr essi on on hi s f ace. Dana l ooked at
hi m, concer ned. ' Ar e you al l r i ght ?'
' That ' s a t wo- par t quest i on, ' he sai d heavi l y. ' Yes and
no. '
' Si t down, ' Dana sai d. She t ook a chai r opposi t e hi m.
' What ' s wr ong?'
He l et out a deep br eat h. ' Rachel has br east cancer . '
She f el t a l i t t l e shock. ' I - I ' mso sor r y. I s she goi ng
t o be al l r i ght ?'
' She cal l ed t hi s mor ni ng. They' r e goi ng t o l et her know
how ser i ous i t i s. She' s pani cky. She want s me t o come t o
Fl or i da t o hel p her f ace t he news. I want ed t o t al k t o you
f i r st . '
Dana wal ked over t o J ef f and put her ar ms ar ound hi m. ' Of
cour se you must go. ' Dana r emember ed t he l uncheon wi t h Rachel
and how wonder f ul she had been.
' I ' l l be back i n a day or t wo. '
J ef f was i n Mat t Baker ' s of f i ce.
' I have an emer gency si t uat i on, Mat t . I have t o l eave f or
a f ew days. '
' Ar e you okay, J ef f ?'
' Yes. I t ' s Rachel '
' Your ex?'
J ef f nodded. ' She j ust l ear ned she has cancer . '
' I ' msor r y. '
' Anyway, she needs a l i t t l e mor al suppor t . I want t o f l y
t o Fl or i da t hi s af t er noon. '
' You go ahead. I ' l l have Maur y Fal st ei n f i l l i n f or you.
Let me know how i t goes. '
' I wi l l . Thanks, Mat t . '
Two hour s l at er J ef f was on an ai r pl ane t o Mi ami .
Dana' s most i mmedi at e pr obl emwas Kemal . I can' t go t o
Aspen wi t hout havi ng someone r el i abl e her e t o t ake car e of
hi m, Dana t hought . But who can handl e cl eani ng and l aundr y
and t he most or ner y l i t t l e boy i n t he wor l d?
She t el ephoned Pamel a Hudson. ' I ' mso sor r y t o bot her you,
Pamel a, but I have t o l eave t own f or a l i t t l e whi l e, and I
need someone t o st ay wi t h Kemal . Woul d you happen t o know of
a good housekeeper wi t h t he pat i ence of a sai nt ?'
Ther e was a moment ' s si l ence. ' I t j ust so happens t hat I
do. Her name i s Mar y Rowane Dal ey, and she wor ked f or us
year s ago. She' s a t r easur e. Let me f i nd her and have her
cal l you. '
' Thanks, ' Dana sai d.
An hour l at er Ol i vi a sai d, ' Dana, t her e' s a Mar y Dal ey on
t he phone f or you. ' Dana pi cked up t he phone. ' Mr s Dal ey?'
' Yes. Thi s i s her sel f . ' The war mvoi ce had a r i ch I r i sh
br ogue. ' Mr s Hudson sai d you mi ght be needi ng someone t o t ake
car e of your son. '
' That ' s r i ght / Dana sai d. ' I have t o go out of t own f or a
day or t wo. I wonder i f you coul d dr op by ear l y t omor r ow
mor ni ng - say, seven o' cl ock - so we can t al k?'
' I t ' s sur e I can. As l uck woul d have i t , I ' mf r ee at t he
moment . '
Dana gave Mr s Dal ey her addr ess.
' I ' l l be t her e, Mi ss Evans. '
Mar y Dal ey ar r i ved t he next mor ni ng pr ompt l y at seven. She
appear ed t o be i n her f i f t i es, a dumpl i ng of a woman, wi t h a
cheer y manner and a br i ght smi l e. She shook hands wi t h Dana.
' I ' mver y gl ad t o meet you, Mi ss Evans. I wat ch you on t he
TV when I can. '
' Thank you. '
' And wher e' s t he young l ad of t he house?'
Dana cal l ed out , ' Kemal . '
A moment l at er Kemal came out of hi s r oom. He l ooked at
Mr s Dal ey and hi s expr essi on sai d Fr eak.
Mr s Dal ey smi l ed. ' Kemal , i s i t ? I ' ve never met anyone
named Kemal bef or e. You l ook l i ke a young devi l . ' She wal ked
over t o hi m. ' You must t el l me al l t he f avor i t e t hi ngs you
l i ke t o eat . I ' ma gr and cook. We' r e goi ng t o have a good
t i me t oget her , Kemal . '
I hope so, Dana t hought pr ayer f ul l y. ' Mr s Dal ey, wi l l you
be abl e t o st ay her e wi t h Kemal whi l e I ' maway?'
' Cer t ai nl y, Mi ss Evans. '
' That ' s wonder f ul , ' Dana sai d gr at ef ul l y. ' I ' maf r ai d
t her e i sn' t t oo much r oom. The sl eepi ng accommodat i ons ar e - '
Mr s Dal ey smi l ed. ' Don' t you wor r y. That f ol d- out couch
wi l l do ni cel y. '
Dana br eat hed a si gh of r el i ef . She l ooked at her wat ch.
' Why don' t you come wi t h me t o dr op Kemal of f at school ? Then
you can pi ck hi mup at one- f or t y- f i ve. '
' That wi l l be f i ne. '
Kemal t ur ned t o Dana. ' You' r e goi ng t o come back, ar en' t
you, Dana?'
Dana put her ar ms ar ound hi m. ' Of cour se I ' mgoi ng t o come
back t o you, dar l i ng. '
' When?'
' I ' l l be back i n a f ew days. ' Wi t h some answer s.
When Dana ar r i ved at t he st udi o, on her desk was a smal l ,
beaut i f ul l y wr apped package. She l ooked at i t , cur i ous, and
opened i t . I nsi de was a l ovel y gol d pen. The car d r ead ' Dear
Dana, have a saf e t r i p. ' I t was si gned The Gang.
Thought f ul . Dana put i t i nt o her pur se.
At t he same t i me Dana was boar di ng a pl ane, a man i n a
wor kman' s out f i t r ang t he bel l of t he Whar t ons' f or mer
apar t ment . The door opened and t he new t enant l ooked at hi m,
nodded, and cl osed t he door . The man moved on t o Dana' s
apar t ment and r ang t he bel l .
Mr s Dal ey opened t he door . ' Yes?'
' Mi ss Evans sent me t o r epai r her TV set . '
' Ver y wel l . Come i n. '
Mr s Dal ey wat ched t he man go t o t he t el evi si on set and
st ar t t o wor k.
Twel ve
Rachel St evens was at Mi ami I nt er nat i onal Ai r por t t o meet
J ef f when hi s pl ane ar r i ved.
My God, she' s so beaut i f ul , J ef f t hought . I can' t bel i eve
she' s si ck.
Rachel t hr ew her ar ms ar ound hi m. ' Oh, J ef f ! Thank you f or
comi ng. '
' You l ook amazi ng, ' J ef f assur ed her . They wal ked t owar d a
wai t i ng l i mousi ne.
' Al l t hi s wi l l t ur n out t o be not hi ng. You' l l see. '
' Of cour se. '
On t he dr i ve home, Rachel asked, ' How i s Dana?'
He hesi t at ed. Wi t h Rachel so i l l , he di dn' t want t o par ade
hi s own happi ness. ' She' s f i ne. '
' You' r e l ucky t o have her . Di d you know I ' mschedul ed t o
do a shoot i n Ar uba next week?'
' Ar uba?'
' Yes. ' She went on, ' Do you know why I accept ed t hat j ob?
Because we honeymooned t her e. What was t he name of t he hot el
we st ayed at ?'
' The Or anj est ad. '
' I t was beaut i f ul , wasn' t i t ? And what was t he name of
t hat mount ai n we cl i mbed?'
' The Hooi ber g. '
Rachel smi l ed and sai d sof t l y, ' You haven' t f or got t en,
have you?'
' Peopl e don' t usual l y f or get t hei r honeymoon, Rachel . '
She put her hand on J ef f ' s ar m. ' I t was heaven, wasn' t i t ?
I ' ve never seen such i ncr edi bl e whi t e beaches. '
J ef f smi l ed. ' And you wer e af r ai d t o get a t an. You
wr apped your sel f up l i ke a mummy. '
Ther e was a moment of si l ence. ' That ' s one of my deepest
r egr et s, J ef f . '
He l ooked at her , not under st andi ng. ' What ?'
' Our not havi ng a - never mi nd. ' She l ooked at hi mand
sai d qui et l y, 1 l oved bei ng wi t h you i n Ar uba. '
J ef f sai d evasi vel y, ' I t ' s a gr eat pl ace. Fi shi ng,
wi ndsur f i ng, snor kel i ng, t enni s, gol f
' And we di dn' t have t i me f or any of t hem, di d we?'
J ef f l aughed. ' No. '
' I ' mhavi ng a mammogr ami n t he mor ni ng. I don' t want t o be
al one when t hey do i t . Wi l l you come wi t h me?'
' Of cour se, Rachel . '
When t hey ar r i ved at Rachel ' s home, J ef f car r i ed hi s bags
i nt o t he spaci ous l i vi ng r oomand l ooked ar ound. ' Ni ce. Ver y
ni ce. '
She put her ar ms ar ound hi m. ' Thanks, J ef f . ' He coul d f eel
her t r embl i ng.
The mammogr amt ook pl ace at Tower I magi ng i n downt own
Mi ami . J ef f st ayed i n t he wai t i ng ar ea whi l e a nur se t ook
Rachel t o a r oomt o change i nt o a hospi t al gown and t hen
escor t ed her t o an exami nat i on r oomf or X r ays.
' Thi s wi l l t ake about f i f t een mi nut es, Mi ss St evens. Ar e
you r eady?'
' Yes. How soon can I get t he r esul t s?'
' That wi l l have t o come f r omyour oncol ogi st . He shoul d
have t hemt omor r ow. '
Tomor r ow.
The oncol ogi st ' s name was Scot t Young. J ef f and Rachel
wal ked i nt o hi s of f i ce and sat down.
The doct or l ooked at Rachel a moment and sai d, ' I ' msor r y
t o say I have bad news f or you, Mi ss St evens. '
Rachel gr i pped J ef f ' s hand. ' Oh?'
The r esul t s of your bi opsy and mammogr amshow t hat you
have an i nvasi ve car ci noma. '
Rachel ' s f ace t ur ned whi t e. ' What - what does t hat mean?'
' I ' maf r ai d i t means you need a mast ect omy. '
' No! ' I t came out i nst i nct i vel y. ' You can' t - I mean,
t her e must be some ot her way. '
' I ' maf r ai d, ' Dr Young sai d gent l y, ' i t ' s gone t oo f ar . '
Rachel was si l ent f or a moment . ' I can' t do i t r i ght away.
You see, I ' mschedul ed t o do a phot ogr aphi c shoot i n Ar uba
next week. I can do i t af t er t hat . '
J ef f was st udyi ng t he wor r i ed expr essi on on t he doct or ' s
f ace. ' When woul d you suggest she have i t , Dr Young?'
He t ur ned t o J ef f . ' As soon as possi bl e. '
J ef f l ooked at Rachel . She was t r yi ng har d not t o cr y.
When she spoke, her voi ce was t r embl i ng. ' I ' d l i ke a second
opi ni on. '
' Of cour se. '
Dr Aar on Camer on sai d, ' I ' maf r ai d I ' ve come t o t he same
concl usi on as Dr Young. I ' d r ecommend a mast ect omy. '
Rachel t r i ed t o keep her voi ce l evel . ' Thank you, Doct or . '
She t ook J ef f ' s hand and squeezed i t . ' I guess t hat ' s i t ,
i sn' t i t ?'
sur geon t o di scuss t he r econst r uct i on of your br east wi t h
you. We can do mi r acl es t oday. '
J ef f put hi s ar ms ar ound her as Rachel bur st i nt o t ear s.
Ther e wer e no di r ect f l i ght s f r omWashi ngt on, D C, t o
Aspen. Dana boar ded a Del t a Ai r l i nes f l i ght t o Denver , wher e
she changed t o a Uni t ed Expr ess pl ane. Lat er , she had no
memor y of t he j our ney. Her mi nd was f i l l ed wi t h t hought s of
Rachel and t he t or ment she must be goi ng t hr ough. I ' mgl ad
t hat J ef f wi l l be t her e t o make i t easi er f or her . And Dana
was wor r i ed about Kemal . What i f Mr s Dal ey qui t s bef or e I
come back? I have -
The f l i ght at t endant ' s voi ce came over t he l oudspeaker .
' We wi l l be l andi ng i n Aspen i n j ust a f ew mi nut es. Pl ease
see t hat your seat bel t i s f ast ened and r et ur n your seat back
t o t he upr i ght posi t i on. '
Dana began t o concent r at e on what l ay ahead of her .
Dr Young was wai t i ng f or t hem.
' I t l ooks l i ke you wer e r i ght , ' Rachel sai d. ' I j ust can' t
- ' Ther e was a l ong, sad si l ence. Fi nal l y Rachel whi sper ed,
' Al l r i ght . I f you' r e sur e i t ' s - i t ' s necessar y. '
' We' l l make you as comf or t abl e as possi bl e, ' Dr Young
sai d. ' Bef or e I oper at e, I ' l l br i ng i n a pl ast i c
El l i ot Cr omwel l wal ked i nt o Mat t Baker ' s of f i ce.
' I under st and Dana' s not doi ng t he br oadcast s t oni ght . '
That ' s r i ght . She' s i n Aspen. '
' Fol l owi ng up on her Tayl or Wi nt hr op t heor y?'
' Yeah. '
' I want you t o keep me i nf or med. '
' Ri ght . ' Mat t wat ched Cr omwel l l eave and
t hought , He' s r eal l y t aken an i nt er est i n Dana.
When Dana di sembar ked, she headed f or t he car - r ent al
count er . I nsi de t he t er mi nal , Dr Car l Ramsey was sayi ng t o
t he cl er k behi nd t he count er , ' But I r eser ved a car a week
ago. '
The cl er k sai d apol oget i cal l y, ' I know, Dr Ramsey, but I ' m
af r ai d t her e' s been a mi x- up. We don' t have a si ngl e car
avai l abl e. Ther e' s an ai r por t bus out si de, or I can cal l a
t axi f or - '
' Never mi nd, ' t he doct or sai d, and st or med out .
Dana ent er ed t he ai r por t l obby and wal ked up t o t he r ent al
desk. ' I have a r eser vat i on, ' she sai d. ' Dana Evans. '
The cl er k smi l ed. ' Yes, Mi ss Evans. We' ve been expect i ng
you. ' He gave her a f or mt o si gn and handed her some keys.
' I t ' s a whi t e Lexus i n par ki ng space one. '
' Thank you. Can you t el l me how t o get t o t he Li t t l e Nel l
Hot el ?'
' You can' t mi ss i t . I t ' s r i ght i n t he mi ddl e of t own.
Si x- sevent y- f i ve East Dur ant Avenue. I ' msur e you' l l enj oy
i t . '
' Thank you, ' Dana sai d.
The cl er k wat ched her wal k out t he door . What t he hel l i s
goi ng on? he wonder ed.
The Li t t l e Nel l Hot el was bui l t i n an el egant chal et
st yl e, nest l ed at t he base of t he pi ct ur esque Aspen
mount ai ns. The l obby had a f l oor - t o- cei l i ng f i r epl ace wi t h a
cheer y f i r e const ant l y bur ni ng i n t he wi nt er , and l ar ge
wi ndows wi t h vi ews of t he snowcapped Rocki es. Guest s i n ski
cl ot hes wer e si t t i ng ar ound on couches and over si ze chai r s,
r el axi ng. Dana l ooked ar ound and t hought , J ef f woul d l ove
t hi s. Maybe we' l l come up her e . . .
When Dana had f i ni shed si gni ng i n, she sai d t o t he cl er k,
' Do you happen t o know wher e t he Tayl or Wi nt hr op home i s?'
He l ooked at her st r angel y. ' The Tayl or Wi nt hr op home?
I t ' s not t her e anymor e. I t bur ned t o t he gr ound. '
Dana sai d, ' I know. I j ust want ed t o see - '
' Ther e' s not hi ng up t her e now but a l ot of ashes, but i f
you want t o see i t , you go out east t o Conundr umCr eek
Val l ey. That ' s about si x mi l es f r omher e. '
' Thank you, ' Dana sai d. ' Woul d you have my bags t aken t o
my r oom, pl ease?'
' Cer t ai nl y, Mi ss Evans. '
Dana headed back t o t he car .
The si t e of t he Tayl or Wi nt hr op home i n Conundr umCr eek
Val l ey was sur r ounded by Nat i onal For est l ands. The house had
been a one- st or y dwel l i ng made of nat i ve st one and r edwood,
set i n a
l ovel y, secl uded l ocat i on wi t h a l ar ge beaver pond and a
cr eek r unni ng t hr ough t he pr oper t y. The vi ew was spect acul ar .
And i n t he mi dst of al l t hat beaut y, l i ke an obscene scar ,
wer e t he bur ned- out r emnant s of t he house i n whi ch t wo peopl e
had di ed.
Dana st r ol l ed ar ound t he gr ounds, vi sual i zi ng what had
once been t her e. I t had obvi ousl y been a ver y l ar ge one- st or y
house. Ther e must have been many door s and wi ndows at gr ound
l evel .
And yet t he Wi nt hr ops had not been abl e t o escape t hr ough
any of t hem. I t hi nk I ' d bet t er vi si t t he f i r e depar t ment .
As Dana wal ked i nt o t he f i r e st at i on, a man appr oached
her . He was i n hi s t hi r t i es, t al l , t an, and at hl et i c l ooki ng.
He pr obabl y l i ves on t he ski sl opes, Dana t hought .
' Can I hel p you, ma' am?'
Dana sai d, ' I r ead about t he Tayl or Wi nt hr op house bur ni ng
down and I was cur i ous about i t . '
' Yeah. That was a year ago. Pr obabl y t he wor st t hi ng t hat
ever happened i n t hi s t own. '
' What t i me of day di d i t happen?'
I f he t hought her quest i on odd, he gave no si gn. ' I t was
t he mi ddl e of t he ni ght . We got t he cal l at t hr ee AM. Our
t r ucks wer e out t her e by t hr ee- f i f t een, but i t was t oo l at e.
The house was bur ni ng l i ke a t or ch. We di dn' t know anybody
was i nsi de unt i l l at er when we put down t he f i r e and f ound
t he t wo bodi es. That was a hear t br eaki ng moment , l et me
t el l you. '
' Do you have any i dea what st ar t ed t he f i r e?'
He nodded. ' Oh, yeah. I t was an el ect r i cal pr obl em. '
' What ki nd of el ect r i cal pr obl em?'
' We don' t know exact l y, but t he day bef or e t he f i r e,
someone cal l ed an el ect r i ci an t o t he house t o f i x i t . '
' But you don' t know what t he pr obl emwas?'
' I t hi nk t her e was somet hi ng wr ong wi t h t he f i r e al ar m
syst em. '
Dana t r i ed t o sound casual . ' The el ect r i ci an who went out
t o f i x i t - woul d you happen t o have hi s name?'
' No. I guess t he pol i ce woul d have i t . '
' Thanks. '
He l ooked at Dana cur i ousl y. ' Why ar e you so i nt er est ed i n
t hi s?'
Dana sai d ear nest l y, ' I ' mwr i t i ng an ar t i cl e about
ski - r esor t f i r es ar ound t he count r y. '
The Aspen pol i ce st at i on was a r edbr i ck one- st or y
bui l di ng, hal f a dozen bl ocks f r omDana' s hot el .
The of f i cer at hi s desk l ooked up and excl ai med, ' You' r e
Dana Evans, t he TV l ady?'
' Yes. '
' I ' mCapt ai n Tur ner . What can I do f or you, Mi ss Evans?'
I ' mcur i ous about t he f i r e t hat ki l l ed Tayl or Wi nt hr op and
hi s wi f e. '
' My God, what a t r agedy t hat was. The f ol ks her e ar e st i l l
i n shock. '
' I can under st and t hat . '
' Yep. Too bad t hey wer en' t abl e t o save t hem. '
' I under st and t he f i r e st ar t ed f r omsome ki nd of
el ect r i cal pr obl em?'
' That ' s r i ght . '
' Coul d i t have been ar son?'
Capt ai n Tur ner f r owned. ' Ar son? No, no. I t was el ect r i cal
f ai l ur e. '
' I ' d l i ke t o t al k t o t he el ect r i ci an who went out t her e
t he day bef or e t he f i r e. Do you have hi s name?'
' I ' msur e i t ' s her e i n our f i l es. Want me t o check i t
out ?'
' I ' d appr eci at e i t . '
Capt ai n Tur ner pi cked up t he phone and spoke i nt o i t
br i ef l y, t hen t ur ned back t o Dana. ' Fi r st t i me i n Aspen?'
' Yes. '
' Gr eat pl ace. Do you ski ?'
' No. ' But J ef f does. When we come up her e . . .
A cl er k wal ked up and handed Capt ai n Tur ner a sheet of
paper . He passed i t on t o Dana. I t r ead: Al Lar son El ect r i cal
Company, Bi l l Kel l y.
' They' r e j ust down t he st r eet . '
Thank you so much, Capt ai n Tur ner . '
' My pl easur e. '
As Dana l ef t t he bui l di ng, a man acr oss t he st r eet t ur ned
away and spoke i nt o a cel l phone.
The Al Lar son El ect r i cal Company was i n a smal l gr ay
cement bui l di ng. A cl one of t he man at t he f i r e depar t ment ,
t anned and at hl et i c l ooki ng, was seat ed at a desk. He st ood
up as Dana came i n. ' Mor ni ng. '
' Mor ni ng, ' Dana sai d. ' I ' d l i ke t o t al k t o Bi l l Kel l y, '
The man gr unt ed. ' So woul d I . '
' I beg your par don?' "
' Kel l y. He di sappear ed al most a year ago. '
' Di sappear ed?'
' Yeah, j ust l ef t . Di dn' t say a wor d. Di dn' t even st op t o
pi ck up hi s pay. '
Dana sai d sl owl y, ' Do you r emember exact l y when t hat was?'
' Sur e do. I t was t he mor ni ng of t hat f i r e. The bi g one.
You know, t he one t he Wi nt hr ops di ed i n. '
Dana f el t a chi l l . ' I see. And you have no i dea wher e Mr
Kel l y i s?'
' Nope. Li ke I sai d, he j ust di sappear ed. '
The r emot e i sl and at t he t i p of Sout h Amer i ca had been
buzzi ng al l mor ni ng wi t h t he ar r i val of j et pl anes. Now i t
was t i me f or t he meet i ng, and t he t went y- odd par t i ci pant s
wer e seat ed i n a guar ded, newl y bui l t st r uct ur e t hat was
schedul ed t o be
demol i shed as soon as t he meet i ng was over . The speaker
st epped t o t he f r ont of t he r oom.
' Wel come. I amhappy t o see many f ami l i ar f aces her e and
some new f r i ends. Bef or e we begi n our busi ness, some of you
ar e concer ned about a pr obl emt hat has ar i sen. A t r ai t or i s
among us, t hr eat eni ng t o expose us. We do not know who i t i s
yet . But I assur e you t hat he wi l l be caught qui ckl y, and
t hat he wi l l suf f er t he f at e of al l t r ai t or s. Not hi ng and no
one can st and i n our way. '
Ther e wer e mur mur s of sur pr i se f r omt he cr owd.
' Now. Let us begi n our si l ent bi d. Ther e ar e si xt een
packages t oday. Let ' s st ar t wi t h t wo bi l l i on. Do I have t he
f i r st bi d? Yes. Two bi l l i on dol l ar s. Do I have t hr ee?'
Thi r t een
That eveni ng when Dana r et ur ned t o her r oom, she st opped
i n sudden al ar m. Ever yt hi ng l ooked t he same, and yet . . . she
had a f eel i ng somet hi ng was di f f er ent . Had her t hi ngs been
moved? I t ' s Chi cken Li t t l e t i me, Dana t hought wr yl y. She
pi cked up t he t el ephone and cal l ed home.
Mr s Dal ey answer ed t he phone. ' The Evans r esi dence. '
Thank God she was st i l l t her e. ' Mr s Dal ey?'
' Mi ss Evans! '
' Good eveni ng. How i s Kemal ?'
' Wel l , he can be a bi t of a devi l , but I can handl e hi m.
My boys wer e l i ke t hat . '
' Then ever yt hi ng i s . . . al l r i ght ?'
' Oh, yes. '
Dana' s si gh was of pur e r el i ef . ' Coul d I speak t o hi m?'
' Cer t ai nl y. ' Dana hear d her cal l , ' Kemal , i t ' s your
mot her . '
A moment l at er Kemal was on t he phone. ' Hi , Dana. '
' Hi , Kemal . How ar e you doi ng, pal ?'
' Cool . '
' How was school ?'
' I t was okay. '
' And ar e you get t i ng al ong al l r i ght wi t h Mr s Dal ey?'
' Yes, she' s r ad. '
She' s mor e t han r ad, Dana t hought . She' s a mi r acl e.
' When ar e you comi ng home, Dana?'
' I ' l l be home t omor r ow. Have you had your di nner ?'
' Yes. I t wasn' t t oo bad, act ual l y. '
Dana was al most t empt ed t o say, I s t hat you, Kemal ? She
was t hr i l l ed at t he change i n hi m.
' Al l r i ght , dar l i ng. I ' l l see you t omor r ow. Good ni ght . '
' Good ni ght , Dana. '
As Dana was get t i ng r eady f or bed, her cel l phone r ang.
She pi cked i t up. ' Hel l o. '
' Dana?'
She f el t a sur ge of j oy. ' J ef f ! Oh, J ef f ! ' She bl essed t he
day she had pur chased t he i nt er nat i onal cel l phone.
' I had t o cal l you t o t el l you I mi ss you l i ke bl oody
hel l . '
' I mi ss you, t oo. Ar e you i n Fl or i da?'
' Yes. '
' How ar e t hi ngs t her e?'
' Not good. ' She hear d t he hesi t at i on i n hi s voi ce. ' I n
f act , i t ' s pr et t y bad. Tomor r ow Rachel i s schedul ed t o have a
mast ect omy. '
' Oh, no! '
' She' s not handl i ng i t wel l . '
' I ' mso sor r y. '
' I know. I t ' s r ot t en l uck. Dar l i ng, I can' t wai t t o get
back t o you. Di d I ever t el l you I ' mmad about you?'
' I ' mmad about you, dar l i ng. '
' I s t her e anyt hi ng you need, Dana?'
You. ' No. '
' How' s Kemal ?'
' He' s get t i ng al ong f i ne. I have a new housekeeper he
l i kes. '
' That ' s good news. I can' t wai t unt i l we' r e al l t oget her
agai n. '
' Nei t her can I . '
' You t ake car e of your sel f . '
' I wi l l . And I can' t t el l you how sor r y I amabout
Rachel . '
' I ' l l t el l her . Good ni ght , baby. '
' Good ni ght . '
Dana opened her sui t case and t ook out a shi r t of J ef f ' s
t hat she had t aken f r omt he apar t ment . She put i t on under
her ni ght - gown and hugged i t t o her . Good ni ght , dar l i ng.
Ear l y t he f ol l owi ng mor ni ng Dana f l ew back t o Washi ngt on.
She st opped at t he apar t ment bef or e goi ng t o t he of f i ce and
was gr eet ed by a cheer f ul Mr s Dal ey.
' I t ' s gr and t o see you back, Mi ss Evans. That boy of your s
i s wear i ng me out . ' But i t was sai d wi t h a t wi nkl e.
' I hope he i sn' t gi vi ng you t oo much t r oubl e. '
' Tr oubl e? Not one bi t . I ' mpl eased at how wel l he' s doi ng
wi t h hi s new ar m. '
Dana l ooked at her i n sur pr i se. ' He' s wear i ng i t ?'
' Of cour se. He wear s i t t o school . '
' That ' s wonder f ul . I ' mver y pl eased. ' She l ooked at her
wat ch. ' I have t o get t o t he st udi o. I ' l l be back t hi s
af t er noon t o see Kemal . '
' He' l l be so gl ad t o see you. He mi sses you, you know. You
go on ahead. I ' l l unpack your bags f or you. '
Thank you, Mr s Dal ey. '
Dana was i n Mat t ' s of f i ce t el l i ng hi mwhat she had l ear ned
i n Aspen.
He was l ooki ng at her i ncr edul ousl y. ' The day af t er t he
f i r e, t he el ect r i ci an j ust goddamn di sappear ed?'
' Wi t hout col l ect i ng hi s paycheck. '
' And he was at t he Wi nt hr op house t he day bef or e t he f i r e
happened. '
' Yes. '
Mat t shook hi s head. ' I t ' s l i ke Al i ce i n Wonder l and. Thi s
get s cur i ouser and cur i ouser . '
' Mat t , Paul Wi nt hr op was t he next one i n t he f ami l y t o
di e. He was ki l l ed i n Fr ance not l ong af t er t he f i r e. I ' d
l i ke t o go t her e. I want t o see i f t her e wer e any wi t nesses
t o hi s aut omobi l e acci dent . '
' Ri ght . ' Then Mat t added, ' El l i ot Cr omwel l has been aski ng
about you. He want s you t o t ake car e of your sel f . '
' That ' s t wo of us, ' Dana r epl i ed.
When Kemal ar r i ved home f r omschool , Dana was wai t i ng f or
hi m. Kemal was wear i ng hi s new ar m, and i t seemed t o Dana
t hat he appear ed t o be much cal mer .
' You' r e back. ' He gave her a hug.
' Hel l o, dar l i ng. I ' ve mi ssed you. How was school ?'
' Not bad. How was your t r i p?'
' I t was f i ne. I br ought somet hi ng back f or you. ' She
handed Kemal a Nat i ve Amer i can handwoven sat chel and a pai r
of l eat her moccasi ns she had pi cked up i n Aspen. The next
par t was di f f i cul t . ' Kemal , I ' maf r ai d I ' mgoi ng t o have t o
go away agai n f or a f ew days. '
Dana br aced her sel f f or hi s r eact i on, but al l Kemal sai d
was ' Okay. '
No si gn of an out bur st .
I ' l l br i ng you back a ni ce pr esent . '
' One f or ever y day you' r e away?'
Dana smi l ed. ' You' r e supposed t o be i n sevent h gr ade, not
l aw school . '
He was comf or t abl y set t l ed i n an ar mchai r , wi t h t he
t el evi si on set on and a scot ch i n hi s hand. On t he scr een,
Dana and Kemal wer e at t he di nner t abl e and Mr s Dal ey was
ser vi ng what l ooked l i ke an I r i sh st ew.
' Thi s i s del i ci ous, ' Dana sai d.
' Thank you. I ' mgl ad you l i ke i t . '
' I t ol d you she was a good cook, ' Kemal sai d.
I t was l i ke bei ng i n t he same r oomwi t h t hem, he t hought ,
i nst ead of wat chi ng t hemf r omt he apar t ment next door .
' Tel l me about school , ' Dana sai d.
' I l i ke my new t eacher s. My mat h t eacher i s t i ght
' That ' s gr eat . '
The boys ar e a l ot ni cer at t hi s school . They t hi nk my new
ar mi s r ad. '
' I ' l l bet t hey do. '
' One of t he gi r l s i n my cl ass i s r eal l y pr et t y. I t hi nk
she l i kes me. Her name i s Li zzy. '
' Do you l i ke her , dar l i ng?'
' Yeah. She' s phat . '
He' s gr owi ng up, Dana t hought wi t h an unexpect ed pang.
When i t was t i me, Kemal went t o bed and Dana wal ked i nt o t he
ki t chen t o see Mr s Dal ey.
' Kemal seems so . . . so peacef ul . I can' t t el l you how
appr eci at i ve I am, ' Dana sai d.
' You' r e doi ng me a f avor . ' Mr s Dal ey smi l ed. ' I t ' s l i ke
havi ng one of my own chi l dr en back. They' r e al l gr own now,
you know. Kemal and I ar e havi ng a gr and t i me. '
' I ' mgl ad. '
Dana wai t ed up unt i l mi dni ght , and when J ef f st i l l had not
cal l ed, she went t o bed. She l ay t her e wonder i ng what J ef f
was doi ng, whet her he was maki ng l ove t o Rachel , and she was
ashamed of her sel f f or her t hought s.
The man i n t he next apar t ment r epor t ed i n. ' Al l qui et . '
Her cel l phone r ang.
' J ef f , dar l i ng. Wher e ar e you?'
' I ' mat Doct or s Hospi t al i n Fl or i da. The mast ect omy i s
over . The oncol ogi st i s st i l l r unni ng t est s. '
' Oh, J ef f ! I hope i t hasn' t spr ead. '
' I hope so, t oo. Rachel want s me t o st ay wi t h her f or a
f ew days. I want ed t o ask you i f - '
' Of cour se. You must . '
' I t wi l l onl y be f or a l i t t l e whi l e. I ' l l cal l Mat t and
t el l hi m. Anyt hi ng exci t i ng goi ng on t her e?'
For an i nst ant Dana was t empt ed t o t el l J ef f about Aspen
and t hat she was goi ng ahead wi t h t he
i nvest i gat i on. He has enough on hi s mi nd. ' No, ' Dana sai d.
' Al l qui et . '
' Gi ve my l ove t o Kemal . The r est i s f or you. '
J ef f r epl aced t he r ecei ver . A nur se came up t o hi m.
' Mr Connor s? Dr Young woul d l i ke t o see you. '
' The oper at i on went wel l / Dr Young t ol d J ef f , ' but she
wi l l need a l ot of emot i onal suppor t . She i s goi ng t o f eel
l ess of a woman. When she wakes up, she' l l be pani cky. You
have t o l et her know t hat i t ' s al l r i ght t o be af r ai d. '
' I under st and, ' J ef f sai d.
' And her f ear and depr essi on ar e goi ng t o st ar t al l over
agai n when we begi n r adi at i on t r eat ment s t o t r y t o st op t he
spr ead of t he cancer . That can be ver y t r aumat i c'
J ef f sat t her e, t hi nki ng about what l ay ahead.
' Does she have someone t o t ake car e of her ?'
' Me. ' And as J ef f sai d i t , he r eal i zed he was t he onl y one
Rachel had.
The Ai r Fr ance f l i ght t o Ni ce was unevent f ul . Dana t ur ned
on her l apt op comput er t o r eexami ne t he i nf or mat i on she had
col l ect ed so f ar . Pr ovocat i ve, but cer t ai nl y not concl usi ve.
Pr oof , Dana t hought . Ther e i s no st or y wi t hout pr oof . I f I
can -
' Ni ce f l i ght , i sn' t i t ?'
Dana t ur ned t o t he man seat ed next t o her . He
was t al l and at t r act i ve and had a Fr ench accent .
' Yes, i t i s. '
' Have you been t o Fr ance bef or e?'
' No, ' Dana sai d. ' Thi s i s my f i r st t i me. '
He smi l ed. ' Ah, you ar e i n f or a t r eat . I t i s a magi cal
count r y. ' He smi l ed soul f ul l y and l eaned cl ose t o her . ' Do
you have f r i ends t o show you ar ound?'
' I ' mmeet i ng my husband and t hr ee chi l dr en, ' Dana sai d.
' Dommage. ' He nodded, t ur ned away, and pi cked up hi s copy
of Fr ance- Soi r .
Dana went back t o her comput er . An ar t i cl e caught her eye.
Paul Wi nt hr op, who had di ed i n an aut omobi l e acci dent , had
had a hobby.
Raci ng car s.
When t he Ai r Fr ance pl ane l anded at t he Ni ce ai r por t , Dana
went i nt o t he busy t er mi nal t o t he car - r ent al of f i ce. ' My
name i s Dana Evans. I have a - '
The cl er k l ooked up. ' Ah! Mi ss Evans. Your car i s r eady. '
He handed her a f or m. ' J ust si gn t hi s. '
Now t hat ' s r eal ser vi ce, Dana t hought . ' I ' l l need a map of
t he sout h of Fr ance. Woul d you happen t o- ?'
' Of cour se, mademoi sel l e. ' He r eached behi nd t he count er
and sel ect ed a map. ' Voi l a. ' He st ood t her e wat chi ng Dana
l eave.
I n t he execut i ve t ower of WTN, El l i ot Cr omwel l was sayi ng,
' Wher e i s Dana now, Mat t ?'
' She' s i n Fr ance. '
' I s she maki ng any pr ogr ess?'
' I t ' s t oo ear l y. '
' I wor r y about her . I t hi nk maybe she' s t r avel i ng t oo
much. Today t r avel can be danger ous. ' He hesi t at ed. ' Ver y
danger ous. '
The ai r i n Ni ce was col d and cr i sp, and Dana wonder ed what
t he weat her had been l i ke on t he day Paul Wi nt hr op was
ki l l ed. She got i nt o t he Ci t r oen wai t i ng f or her and st ar t ed
dr i vi ng up t he Gr ande Cor ni che, passi ng pi ct ur esque l i t t l e
vi l l ages al ong t he way.
The acci dent had happened j ust nor t h of Beau- sol ei l , on
t he hi ghway at Roquebr une- Cap- Mar t i n, a r esor t t hat
over l ooked t he Medi t er r anean Sea.
As Dana appr oached t he vi l l age, she sl owed down, obser vi ng
t he shar p, pr eci pi t ous cur ves, wonder i ng whi ch one Paul
Wi nt hr op had gone over . What had Paul Wi nt hr op been doi ng
her e? Was he meet i ng someone? Was he t aki ng par t i n a r ace?
Was he on vacat i on? Busi ness?
Roquebr une- Cap- Mar t i n i s a medi eval vi l l age wi t h an
anci ent cast l e, chur ch, hi st or i c caves, and l uxur i ous vi l l as
t hat dot t he l andscape. Dana dr ove t o t he
cent er , par ked t he car , and went t o l ook f or t he pol i ce
st at i on. She st opped a man comi ng out of a shop.
' Excuse me, can you t el l me wher e t he pol i ce st at i on i s?'
' J e ne par l e pas angl ai s, j ' ai peur de ne pouvoi r vous
ai der , mai s - '
' Pol i ce. Pol i ce. '
' Ah, oui . ' He poi nt ed. ' La deuxi eme r ue a gauche. '
' Mer ci . '
' De r i en. '
The pol i ce st at i on was i n an ol d, cr umbl i ng, whi t e- wal l ed
bui l di ng. I nsi de a mi ddl e- aged, uni f or med pol i ceman sat
behi nd a desk. He l ooked up as Dana wal ked i n.
' Bonj our , madame. '
' Bonj our . '
' Comment pui s- j e vous ai der ?'
' Do you speak Engl i sh?'
He t hought about i t . ' Yes, ' he sai d r el uct ant l y.
' I woul d l i ke t o speak t o whoever i s i n char ge her e. '
He l ooked at her a moment , a puzzl ed expr essi on on hi s
f ace. Then he suddenl y smi l ed. ' Ah, Commandant Fr asi er . Oui .
One moment . ' He pi cked up a t el ephone and spoke i nt o i t . He
nodded and t ur ned t o Dana. He poi nt ed down t he cor r i dor . ' La
pr emi er e por t e. '
' Thank you. ' Dana wal ked down t he cor r i dor unt i l she
r eached t he f i r st door . Commandant
Fr asi er ' s of f i ce was smal l and neat . The commandant was a
dapper man wi t h a l i t t l e must ache and i nqui si t i ve br own eyes.
He st ood up as Dana ent er ed.
' Good af t er noon, Commandant . '
' Bonj our , mademoi sel l e. I n what manner can I be of
assi st ance?'
TmDana Evans. I ' mdoi ng a st or y f or st at i on WTN i n
Washi ngt on, DC, about t he Wi nt hr op f ami l y. I under st and t hat
Paul Wi nt hr op was ki l l ed i n an acci dent ar ound her e?'
' Oui . Ter r i bl e! Ter r i bl e. One must be so car ef ul dr i vi ng
t he Gr ande Cor ni che. I t can be t r es danger eux. '
' I hear d t hat Paul Wi nt hr op was ki l l ed dur i ng a r ace and
- '
' Non. Ther e was no r ace t hat day. '
' Ther e wasn' t ?'
' Non, mademoi sel l e. I mysel f was per sonal l y on dut y when
t he acci dent occur r ed. '
' I see. Was Mr Wi nt hr op i n hi s car al one?'
' Oui '
' Commandant Fr asi er , di d t hey do an aut opsy?'
' Oui . Of cour se. '
' Was t her e any al cohol i n Paul Wi nt hr op' s bl ood?'
Commandant Fr asi er shook hi s head. ' Non. '
' Dr ugs?'
' Non. '
' Do you r emember what t he weat her was l i ke t hat day?'
' Oui . I I pl euvai t . I t made r ai n. '
Dana had one l ast quest i on, but she asked i t wi t hout any
hope. ' I don' t suppose t her e wer e any wi t nesses?'
' Mai s oui , i l y en avai t . '
Dana was st ar i ng at hi m, her pul se qui ckeni ng. ' Ther e
wer e?'
' One wi t ness. He was dr i vi ng behi nd Wi nt hr op' s car and saw
t he acci dent happen. '
Dana f el t a qui ck sense of exci t ement . ' I woul d appr eci at e
i t ver y much i f you woul d gi ve me t he wi t ness' s name, ' Dana
sai d. 1 want t o t al k t o hi m. '
He nodded. ' I see no har m. ' He cal l ed out , ' Al exandr e! '
and a moment l at er hi s assi st ant came hur r yi ng i n.
' Oui , Commandant ?'
' Appor t ez- moi l e dossi er de l ' acci dent Wi nt hr op. '
' Tout de sui t e. ' He hur r i ed out of t he r oom.
Commandant Fr asi er t ur ned t o Dana. ' Such an unf or t unat e
f ami l y. Li f e i s t r es f r agi l e. ' He l ooked at Dana and smi l ed.
' One must t ake one' s pl easur e when he can. ' He added subt l y,
' Or when she can. Ar e you al one her e, mademoi sel l e?'
' No, my husband and chi l dr en ar e wai t i ng f or me. '
' Dommage. '
Commandant Fr asi er ' s assi st ant r et ur ned wi t h a sheaf of
paper s and t he commandant scanned t he paper s, nodded, and
l ooked up at Dana.
' The wi t ness t o t he acci dent was an Amer i can
t our i st , Ral ph Benj ami n. Accor di ng t o hi s st at ement , he
was dr i vi ng behi nd Paul Wi nt hr op when he saw a chi en - a dog
- r un i n f r ont of Wi nt hr op' s car . Wi nt hr op t ur ned t he wheel
t o not hi t hi m, went i nt o a bi g ski d, and pl unged of f t he
cl i f f and cr ashed i nt o t he sea. Accor di ng t o t he cor oner ' s
r epor t , Wi nt hr op di ed i nst ant l y. '
' Do you have Mr Benj ami n' s addr ess?' Dana asked hopef ul l y.
' Oui . ' He gl anced at t he paper agai n. ' He l i ves i n
Amer i ca. Ri chf i el d, Ut ah. Four - t went y Tur k St r eet . '
Commandant Fr asi er wr ot e t he addr ess down and handed i t t o
Dana.
She t r i ed har d t o cont r ol her exci t ement . ' Thank you so
much. '
' Avec pl ai si r . ' He l ooked at Dana' s bar e r i ng f i nger .
' And, madame?'
' Yes?'
' Say hel l o t o your husband and chi l dr en f or me. '
Dana t el ephoned Mat t .
' Mat t , ' she sai d exci t edl y. ' I f ound a wi t ness t o Paul
Wi nt hr op' s acci dent . I ' mgoi ng t o i nt er vi ew hi m. '
That ' s gr eat . Wher e i s he?'
' I n Ut ah. Ri chf i el d. I shoul d be back i n Washi ngt on r i ght
af t er t hat . '
' Al l r i ght . By t he way, J ef f cal l ed. '
' Yes?'
' You know he' s i n Fl or i da wi t h hi s ex- wi f e. ' He sounded
di sappr ovi ng.
' I know. She' s ver y i l l . '
' I f J ef f st ays away much l onger , I ' mgoi ng t o have t o ask
hi mt o t ake a l eave of absence. '
' I ' msur e he' l l be back ver y soon. ' She wi shed she
bel i eved i t .
' Ri ght . Good l uck wi t h t he wi t ness. '
' Thanks, Mat t . '
Dana' s next cal l was t o Kemal . Mr s Dal ey answer ed t he
phone.
' Mi ss Evans' s r esi dence. '
' Good eveni ng, Mr s Dal ey. I s ever yt hi ng al l r i ght t her e?'
Dana was hol di ng her br eat h.
' Wel l , your son al most bur ned down t he ki t chen hel pi ng me
cook di nner l ast ni ght . ' She l aughed. ' But ot her t han t hat ,
he' s f i ne. '
Dana sai d a si l ent pr ayer of t hanks. ' That ' s gr eat . ' The
woman r eal l y i s a mi r acl e wor ker , Dana t hought .
' Wi l l you be comi ng home now? I can pr epar e di nner and - '
' I have t o make one mor e st op, ' Dana sai d. ' I ' l l be home
i n t wo days. May I t al k t o Kemal ?'
' He' s asl eep. Shal l I wake hi mup?'
' No, no. ' Dana l ooked at her wat ch. I t was onl y f our
o' cl ock i n Washi ngt on. ' He' s t aki ng a nap?'
She hear d Mr s Dal ey' s war ml augh. ' Yes. The l ad
has had a l ong day. He' s wor ki ng har d, and he' s pl ayi ng
har d. '
' You gi ve hi mmy l ove. I ' l l see hi msoon. '
I have t o make one mor e st op. I ' l l be home i n t wo
days.
May I t al k t o Kemal ?
He' s asl eep. Shal l I wake hi mup?
No, no. He' s t aki ng a nap?
Yes. The l ad has had a l ong day. He' s wor ki ng
har d, and he' s pl ayi ng har d.
You gi ve hi mmy l ove. I ' l l see hi msoon.
Tape ends.
The woman st udi ed Dana cur i ousl y. ' I s he expect i ng you?'
' No. I - I j ust happened t o be passi ng by, and I t hought
I ' d dr op i n f or a moment . I s he her e?'
' Yes. Come i n. '
' Thank you. ' Dana st epped i nsi de and f ol l owed t he woman
i nt o t he l i vi ng r oom.
' Ral ph, you have a vi si t or . '
Ral ph Benj ami n r ose f r oma r ocki ng chai r and moved t owar d
Dana. ' Hel l o? Do I know you?'
Dana st ood t her e, f r ozen. Ral ph Benj ami n was bl i nd.
Ri chf i el d, Ut ah, i s a comf or t abl e, r esi dent i al t own set i n
a bowl i n t he mi ddl e of t he Monr oe mount ai n r ange. Dana
st opped at a f i l l i ng st at i on and got di r ect i ons t o t he
addr ess Commandant Fr asi er had gi ven her .
Ral ph Benj ami n' s home was a weat her beat en one- st or y house
t hat st ood i n t he mi ddl e of a bl ock of i dent i cal houses.
Dana par ked t he r ent al car , wal ked up t o t he f r ont door ,
and r ang t he door bel l . The door opened and a mi ddl e- aged
whi t e- hai r ed woman i n an apr on st ood t her e. ' Can I hel p you?'
' I woul d l i ke t o see Ral ph Benj ami n, ' Dana sai d.
Four t een
Dana and Mat t Baker wer e i n t he conf er ence r oomat WTN.
' Ral ph Benj ami n was i n Fr ance vi si t i ng hi s son, ' Dana was
expl ai ni ng. ' One day hi s br i ef case di sappear ed f r omhi s hot el
r oom. I t r eappear ed t he next day, but hi s passpor t was
mi ssi ng. Mat t , t he man who st ol e i t and t ook Benj ami n' s
i dent i t y and t ol d t he pol i ce he was a wi t ness t o t he acci dent
i s t he man who mur der ed Paul Wi nt hr op. '
Mat t Baker was si l ent f or a l ong t i me. When he spoke he
sai d, ' I t ' s t i me t o cal l t he pol i ce i n on t hi s, Dana. I f
you' r e r i ght , we' r e l ooki ng f or someone who col d- bl oodedl y
mur der ed si x peopl e. I don' t want you t o be number seven.
El l i ot i s wor r i ed about you, t oo. He t hi nks you' r e get t i ng i n
t oo deep. '
' We can' t br i ng t he pol i ce i n yet , ' Dana pr ot est ed.
' Ever yt hi ng i s ci r cumst ant i al . We have no pr oof . We have no
i dea who t he ki l l er i s, and we have no mot i ve. '
' I have a bad f eel i ng about t hi s. I t ' s get t i ng t oo
danger ous. I don' t want anyt hi ng t o happen t o you. '
' I don' t ei t her , ' Dana sai d ear nest l y.
' What ' s your next st ep?'
' Fi ndi ng out what r eal l y happened t o J ul i e Wi nt hr op. '
' Not yet . I don' t know what I ' l l do i f you l eave. '
A nur se came i nt o t he hospi t al r oom. ' Woul d you excuse us,
Mr Connor s?'
Rachel di d not want t o l et go of J ef f ' s hand. ' Don' t go- '
' I ' l l be back. '
' The oper at i on was a success. '
Rachel opened her eyes sl owl y. She was l yi ng i n a st er i l e
whi t e hospi t al bed. Her eyes f ocused bl ear i l y on J ef f . ' I s i t
gone?'
' Rachel - '
' I ' maf r ai d t o f eel . ' She was f i ght i ng back t ear s. ' I ' m
not a woman anymor e. No man wi l l ever l ove
me. '
He t ook her t r embl i ng hands i n hi s. ' You' r e wr ong. I never
l oved you because of your br east s, Rachel . I l oved you
because of who you ar e, a war m, wonder f ul human bei ng. '
Rachel managed a t i ny smi l e. ' We r eal l y di d l ove each
ot her , di dn' t we, J ef f ?'
' Yes. '
' I wi sh. . . ' She l ooked down at her chest , and
her f ace const r i ct ed.
' We' l l t al k about t hi s l at er . '
She squeezed hi s hand har der . ' I don' t want t o be al one,
J ef f . Not unt i l t hi s i s al l over . Pl ease don' t l eave me. '
' Rachel , I have t o - '
Lat e t hat eveni ng Dana' s cel l phone r ang. She r ushed
acr oss t he r oomt o pi ck i t up. ' Dana. ' I t was J ef f .
She f el t a l i t t l e t hr i l l when she hear d hi s voi ce. ' Hel l o.
How ar e you, dar l i ng?'
' I ' mf i ne. '
' How i s Rachel ?'
' The oper at i on went wel l , but Rachel ' s sui ci dal . '
' J ef f - a woman can' t j udge her sel f by her br east s or - '
' I know, but Rachel i s not your aver age woman. She' s been
j udged by her l ooks si nce she was f i f t een. She' s one of t he
hi ghest - pai d model s i n t he wor l d. Now she t hi nks al l t hat i s
over f or her . She f eel s l i ke a f r eak. She bel i eves she has
not hi ng mor e t o l i ve f or . '
' What ar e you goi ng t o do?'
' I ' l l st ay wi t h her f or a f ew mor e days and hel p her get
set t l ed i n her home. I t al ked t o t he doct or . He' s st i l l
wai t i ng f or t he t est r esul t s t o see whet her t hey got i t al l .
They t hi nk t hey' l l need t o f ol l ow up wi t h chemot her apy
t r eat ment s. '
Ther e was not hi ng Dana coul d say.
1 mi ss you, ' J ef f sai d.
' I mi ss you, my dear est . I have some Chr i st mas pr esent s
f or you. '
' Hol d t hemf or me. '
' I wi l l . '
' Ar e you wi ped out f r omal l t he t r avel i ng?'
' Not yet . '
' Make sur e you l eave your cel l phone t ur ned on, ' J ef f
sai d. ' I pl an t o make some obscene phone cal l s. '
Dana smi l ed. ' Pr omi se?'
' Pr omi se. Take car e of your sel f , dar l i ng. '
' You, t oo. ' The conver sat i on was over . Dana hung up and
sat t her e f or a l ong t i me, t hi nki ng about J ef f and Rachel .
She got up and went i nt o t he ki t chen.
Mr s Dal ey was sayi ng t o Kemal , ' Mor e pancakes, dar l i n' ?'
' Yes, t hank you. '
Dana st ood t her e wat chi ng t he t wo of t hem. I n t he shor t
t i me Mr s Dal ey had been t her e, Kemal had changed so much. He
was cal mand r el axed and happy. Dana f el t a shar p pang of
j eal ousy. Maybe I ' mt he wr ong per son f or hi m. Gui l t i l y, she
r emember ed her l ong days and l at e ni ght s at t he t el evi si on
st udi o. Maybe someone l i ke Mr s Dal ey shoul d have adopt ed hi m.
She shook her sel f out of i t . What ' s t he mat t er wi t h me? Kemal
l oves me.
Dana sat down at t he t abl e. ' St i l l enj oyi ng t he new
school ?'
' I t ' s cool . '
Dana t ook hi s hand. ' Kemal , I ' maf r ai d I ' mgoi ng t o have
t o go away agai n. '
He sai d i ndi f f er ent l y, ' That ' s okay. '
The pang of j eal ousy came back.
' Wher e ar e you of f t o now, Mi ss Evans?' Mr s Dal ey asked.
' Al aska. '
Mr s Dal ey was t hought f ul f or a moment . ' Wat ch out f or
t hose gr i zzl y bear s, ' she advi sed.
The f l i ght f r omWashi ngt on t o J uneau, Al aska, t ook ni ne
hour s, wi t h a st opover i n Seat t l e. I nsi de t he J uneau ai r por t ,
Dana wal ked over t o t he car - r ent al count er .
' My name i s Dana Evans. I - '
' Yes, Mi ss Evans. We have a ni ce Land Rover f or you. St al l
t en. J ust si gn her e. '
The cl er k handed her t he keys and Dana wal ked ar ound t o
t he l ot i n back of t he bui l di ng. Ther e wer e a dozen car s i n
number ed st al l s. Dana wal ked over t o st al l t en. A man was
kneel i ng i n back of t he car , wor ki ng on t he t ai l pi pe of a
whi t e Land Rover . He l ooked up as Dana appr oached.
' J ust t i ght eni ng t he t ai l pi pe, mi ss. You' r e al l set . ' He
r ose.
' Thank you, ' Dana sai d.
He wat ched her dr i ve away.
I n t he basement of a gover nment bui l di ng, a man was
l ooki ng at a di gi t al map on a comput er .
He wat ched t he whi t e Land Rover make a r i ght t ur n.
The subj ect i s headi ng f or St ar r Hi l l . '
J uneau was a sur pr i se t o Dana. At f i r st si ght , i t appear ed
t o be a l ar ge ci t y, but t he nar r ow, wi ndi ng st r eet s gave
Al aska' s capi t al ci t y t he smal l - t own at mospher e of a vi l l age
nest l ed i n t he mi ddl e of an i ce- age wi l der ness.
Dana checked i nt o t he popul ar I nn at t he Wat er f r ont , a
f or mer br ot hel l ocat ed i n t he cent er of t own.
' You' r e i n t i me f or some gr eat ski i ng, ' t he hot el desk man
t ol d her . ' We' r e havi ng a good snow season. Br i ng your own
ski s?'
' No, I - '
' Wel l , t her e' s a ski shop r i ght next door . I ' msur e t hey
can f i x you up wi t h anyt hi ng you' d l i ke. '
' Thank you, ' Dana sai d. I t ' s a good pl ace t o st ar t . Dana
unpacked and went i nt o t he ski shop.
The cl er k i n t he shop was a nonst op t al ker . The moment
Dana wal ked i n he sai d, ' Hi . I ' mChad Donohoe. Wel l , you' ve
sur e come t o t he r i ght pl ace. ' He i ndi cat ed a bat ch of ski s.
' We j ust got t hese Fr eer i der s i n. These babi es can r eal l y
handl e t he bumps and j umps. ' He poi nt ed t o anot her sect i on.
' Or - t hese ar e t he Sal omon X- Scr eam9s. They' r e i n bi g
demand. Last year we r an out and coul dn' t get any mor e. ' He
saw t he i mpat i ent expr essi on on Dana' s f ace and hur r i ed over
t o t he
next gr oup. I f you pr ef er , we have t he Vocal Ver t i go G30
or t he At omi c 10. 20. ' He l ooked at Dana expect ant l y. ' Whi ch
woul d you - ?'
' I came f or some i nf or mat i on. '
A di sappoi nt ed l ook cr ossed hi s f ace. ' I nf or mat i on?'
' Yes. Di d J ul i e Wi nt hr op get her ski s her e?'
He st udi ed Dana mor e cl osel y. ' Yes. As a mat t er of f act ,
she used t he t op- of - t he- l i ne Vol ant Ti power ski s. Loved
t hem. Ter r i bl e t hi ng t hat happened t o her up at Eagl ecr est . '
' Was Mi ss Wi nt hr op a good ski er ?'
' Good? She was t he best . She had a t r ophy case f ul l of
pr i zes. '
' Do you know i f she was al one her e?'
' Far as I know, she was. ' He shook hi s head. ' What ' s so
sur pr i si ng i s t hat she knew Eagl ecr est l i ke t he back of her
hand. Used t o ski her e ever y year . You' d t hi nk an acci dent
l i ke t hat coul dn' t happen t o her , woul dn' t you?'
Dana sai d sl owl y, ' Yes, I woul d. '
The J uneau Pol i ce Depar t ment was t wo bl ocks f r omt he I nn
at t he Wat er f r ont .
Dana st epped i nt o a smal l r ecept i on of f i ce t hat cont ai ned
t he Al aska st at e f l ag, t he J uneau f l ag, and t he St ar s and
St r i pes. Ther e was a bl ue car pet , a bl ue couch, and a bl ue
chai r .
A uni f or med of f i cer asked, ' May I hel p you?'
' I ' d l i ke some i nf or mat i on about J ul i e Wi nt hr op' s deat h. '
He f r owned. The man you want t o t al k t o i s Br uce Bowl er .
He' s head of Sea Dog Rescue. He has an of f i ce upst ai r s, but
he' s not i n r i ght now. '
' Do you know wher e I can f i nd hi m?'
The of f i cer l ooked at hi s wat ch. ' Ri ght now you shoul d be
abl e t o cat ch hi mat Hanger on t he Whar f . That ' s down t wo
bl ocks on Mar i ne Way. '
' Thank you ver y much. '
Hanger on t he Whar f was a l ar ge r est aur ant cr owded wi t h
noont i me di ner s.
The host ess sai d t o Dana, ' I ' msor r y, we don' t have a
t abl e r i ght now. Ther e wi l l be a t went y- mi nut e wai t i f - '
I ' ml ooki ng f or Mr Br uce Bowl er . Do you - ?'
The host ess nodded. ' Br uce? He' s over at t hat t abl e. '
Dana l ooked. Ther e was a pl easant - f aced, r ugged- l ooki ng
man i n hi s ear l y f or t i es, seat ed al one.
' Thank you. ' Dana made her way t o t he t abl e. ' Mr Bowl er ?'
He l ooked up. ' Yes. '
' I ' mDana Evans. I need your hel p. '
He smi l ed. ' You' r e i n l uck. We have one r oomavai l abl e.
I ' l l cal l J udy. '
Dana l ooked at hi m, puzzl ed. ' I beg your par don?'
' Ar en' t you aski ng about Cozy Log, our bed- and- br eakf ast
i nn?'
' No. I want ed t o t al k t o you about J ul i e Wi nt hr op. '
' Oh. ' He was embar r assed. ' Sor r y. Pl ease si t down. J udy
and I own a smal l i nn out si de of t own. I t hought you wer e
l ooki ng f or a r oom. Have you had l unch?'
' No, I - '
' J oi n me. ' He had a ni ce smi l e.
' Thank you, ' Dana sai d.
When Dana had or der ed, Br uce Bowl er sai d, ' What do you
want t o know about J ul i e Wi nt hr op?'
' I t ' s about her deat h. Was t her e any chance t hat i t was
not an acci dent ?'
Br uce Bowl er f r owned. ' Ar e you aski ng i f she coul d have
commi t t ed sui ci de?'
' No. I ' maski ng i f . . . i f someone coul d have mur der ed her . '
He bl i nked. ' Mur der ed J ul i e? Not a chance. I t was an
acci dent . '
' Can you t el l me what happened?'
' Sur e. ' Br uce Bowl er was t hought f ul f or a moment ,
wonder i ng wher e t o begi n. ' We have t hr ee di f f er ent set s of
sl opes her e. Ther e' s t he begi nner s' sl opes, t he Muskeg, Dol l y
Var den, and Sour dough . . . Ther e' s t he mor e di f f i cul t ones,
Sl ui ce Box, Mot her Lode, and Sundance . . . Ther e' s t he
r eal l y t ough ones, I nsane, Spr uce Chut e, Hang Ten . . . And
t hen t her e' s St eep Chut es. That ' s t he t oughest . '
' And J ul i e Wi nt hr op was ski i ng . . . ?'
' St eep Chut es. '
' So she was an exper t ski er ?'
' She sur e was, ' Br uce Bowl er sai d. He hesi t at ed. ' That ' s
what was so unusual . '
' What was?'
' Wel l , we have ni ght ski i ng ever y Thur sday f r omf our PM t o
ni ne PM. Ther e wer e a l ot of ski er s out t her e t hat ni ght .
They wer e al l back by ni ne o' cl ock except J ul i e. We went
l ooki ng f or her . We f ound her body at t he bot t omof St eep
Chut es. She had sl ammed i nt o a t r ee. Had t o have ki l l ed her
i nst ant l y. '
Dana cl osed her eyes f or an i nst ant , f eel i ng t he hor r or
and pai n of i t . ' So- so she was al one when t he acci dent
happened?'
' Yeah. Ski er s usual l y t r avel t oget her , but somet i mes t he
best ones l i ke t o hot dog i t by t hemsel ves. We have an ar ea
boundar y mar ked her e, and anyone who ski s out si de i t does so
at hi s own r i sk. J ul i e Wi nt hr op was ski i ng out si de t hat
boundar y, on a cl osed t r ai l . Took us a good whi l e t o f i nd her
body. '
' Mr Bowl er , what i s t he pr ocedur e when a ski er i s l ost ?'
' As soon as someone' s r epor t ed mi ssi ng, we st ar t wi t h a
bast ar d sear ch. '
' A bast ar d sear ch?'
' We t el ephone f r i ends t o see i f t he ski er i s wi t h t hem.
We' l l cal l a f ew bar s. I t ' s a qui ck- and- di r t y sear ch. That ' s
t o save our cr ews t he t r oubl e of con-
duct i ng an al l - out sear ch f or some dr unk who' s si t t i ng
st oned i n a bar . '
' And i f someone i s r eal l y l ost ?' Dana asked. ' We get a
physi cal descr i pt i on of t he mi ssi ng ski er , hi s or her ski i ng
abi l i t y, and t he l ast - seen l ocat i on. We al ways ask i f t hey
had a camer a. ' ' Why?'
' I f t hey di d, i t gi ves us a cl ue t o t he sceni c ar eas t hey
mi ght have gone t o. We check t o see what pl ans t he ski er
mi ght have had f or t r anspor t at i on back t o t own. I f our sweep
doesn' t t ur n anyt hi ng up, t hen we assume t hat t he mi ssi ng
ski er i s l ocat ed out si de t he ski - ar ea boundar y. We not i f y t he
Al aska st at e t r ooper s f or sear ch and r escue and t hey put a
hel i copt er i n t he ai r . Ther e ar e f our peopl e i n each sear ch
par t y, and t he ci vi l ai r pat r ol j oi ns i n. ' ' That ' s a l ot of
manpower . ' ' Sur e i s. But r emember , we have si x hundr ed and
t hi r t y acr es of ski i ng ar ea ar ound her e, and we aver age f or t y
sear ches a year . Most of t hemar e successf ul . ' Br uce Bowl er
l ooked out t he wi ndow at t he col d sl at e sky. ' I sur e wi sh
t hi s one had been. ' He t ur ned back t o Dana. ' Anyway, t he ski
pat r ol does a sweep ever y day af t er t he l i f t s cl ose. '
Dana sai d, ' I was t ol d t hat J ul i e Wi nt hr op was used t o
ski i ng t he t op of Eagl ecr est . '
He nodded. ' That ' s r i ght . But t hat ' s st i l l no guar ant ee.
Cl ouds can come i n, you can get di sor i ent ed, or you can get
pl ai n unl ucky. Poor Mi ss Wi nt hr op got unl ucky. '
' How di d you f i nd her body?'
' Mayday f ound her . '
' Mayday?'
' That ' s our t op dog. The ski pat r ol wor ks wi t h bl ack
Labr ador s and shepher ds. The dogs ar e pr et t y i ncr edi bl e. They
wor k downwi nd, pi ck up a human scent , go up t o t he edge of
t he scent zone, and wor k t he gr i d up and back. We sent up a
bombar di er t o t he scene of t he acci dent , and when - '
' A bombar di er ?'
' Our snow machi ne. We br ought J ul i e Wi nt hr op' s body back
on a St okes l i t t er . The t hr ee- man ambul ance cr ew checked her
out wi t h an EKG moni t or and t hen t ook phot ogr aphs and cal l ed
a mor t i ci an. They t ook her body t o Bar t l et t Regi onal
Hospi t al . '
' And no one knows how t he acci dent happened?'
He shr ugged. ' Al l we know i s she met an unf r i endl y gi ant
spr uce. I saw i t . I t wasn' t a pr et t y si ght . '
Dana l ooked at Br uce Bowl er a moment . ' Woul d i t be
possi bl e f or me t o see t he t op of Eagl ecr est ?' ' Why not ?
Let ' s f i ni sh l unch, and I ' l l t ake you up mysel f . '
They dr ove i n a J eep t o t he t wo- st or y l odge at t he base of
t he mount ai n.
Br uce Bowl er t ol d Dana, ' Thi s bui l di ng i s wher e we meet t o
make our sear ch- and- r escue pl ans. We
car r y ski - r ent al equi pment her e and we have ski
i nst r uct or s f or t hose who want t hem. We' l l t ake t hi s l i f t up
t o t he t op of t he mount ai n. '
They sl i d ont o t he Pt ar mi gan chai r l i f t , headi ng f or t he
t op of Eagl ecr est . Dana was shi ver i ng.
' I shoul d have war ned you. For t hi s ki nd of weat her , you
need pr opyl ene cl ot hi ng, l ong under wear , and you have t o
dr ess i n l ayer s. '
Dana shi ver ed. ' I ' l l r - r emember . '
Thi s i s t he chai r l i f t J ul i e Wi nt hr op came up i n. She had
her backpack wi t h her . '
' Her backpack?'
' Yes. They cont ai n an aval anche shovel , a, beacon t hat
t r ansmi t s up t o f i f t y yar ds, and a pr obe pol e. ' He si ghed.
' Of cour se, t hat doesn' t hel p any when you sl ami nt o a t r ee. '
They wer e near i ng t he summi t . As t hey r eached t he pl at f or m
and t hey gi nger l y st epped of f t he chai r s, a man at t he t op
gr eet ed t hem.
' What br i ngs you up her e, Br uce? Someone l ost ?'
' No. I ' mj ust showi ng a f r i end t he si ght s. Thi s i s Mi ss
Evans. '
They exchanged hel l os. Dana l ooked ar ound. Ther e was a
war mi ng hut t hat was al most l ost i n t he heavy cl ouds. Had
J ul i e Wi nt hr op gone i n t her e bef or e she went ski i ng? And was
someone f ol l owi ng her ? Someone who was pl anni ng t o ki l l her ?
Br uce Bowl er t ur ned t o Dana. ' Pt ar mi gan her e i s t op of t he
mount ai n. I t ' s al l downhi l l f r omher e. '
Dana t ur ned and l ooked at t he unf or gi vi ng gr ound f ar , f ar
bel ow and shudder ed.
' You l ook chi l l y, Mi ss Evans. I ' d bet t er t ake you down. '
Thank you. '
I t t ook Dana t en mi nut es t o pack. I ' ve got t o get out of
her e and f i nd anot her pl ace. She suddenl y r emember ed. Ar en' t
you aski ng about Cozy Log, our bed- and- br eakf ast i nn? You ' r e
i n l uck. We have one r oomavai l abl e. Dana went down t o t he
l obby t o check out . The cl er k gave her di r ect i ons t o t he i nn
and dr ew a smal l map.
Dana had j ust r et ur ned t o t he I nn at t he Wat er f r ont when
t her e was a knock at her door . Dana opened i t . A l ar ge,
pal e- f aced man st ood t her e.
' Mi ss Evans?'
' Yes. '
' Hi . My name i s Ni chol as Ver dun. I ' mf r omt he J uneau
Empi r e newspaper . '
' Yes?'
' I under st and you' r e i nvest i gat i ng t he J ul i e Wi nt hr op
deat h? We' d l i ke t o do a st or y on t hat . '
An al ar msounded i n Dana' s mi nd. ' I ' maf r ai d you' r e
mi st aken. I ' mnot doi ng any i nvest i gat i on. '
The man l ooked at her skept i cal l y. ' I hear d - '
' We' r e doi ng a show on ar ound- t he- wor l d ski i ng. Thi s i s
j ust one st op. '
He st ood t her e a moment . ' I see. Sor r y t o have bot her ed
you. '
Dana wat ched hi ml eave. How woul d he know what I ' mdoi ng
her e? Dana t el ephoned t he J uneau Empi r e. ' Hel l o. I want ed t o
t al k t o one of your r epor t er s, Ni chol as Ver dun . . . ' She
l i st ened a moment . ' You don' t have anyone t her e by t hat name?
I see. Thank you. '
I n t he basement of t he gover nment bui l di ng, t he man
l ooki ng at t he di gi t al map on t he comput er sai d, ' The subj ect
i s l eavi ng t he downt own ar ea, headi ng west . '
The Cozy Log Bed- and- Br eakf ast I nn was a neat one- st or y
Al askan l og house, hal f an hour away f r omdownt own J uneau.
Per f ect . Dana r ang t he f r ont door bel l and t he door was opened
by an at t r act i ve, cheer f ul woman i n her t hi r t i es.
' Hel l o. Can I hel p you?'
' Yes. I met your husband, and he ment i oned t hat you had a
r oomavai l abl e. '
' I ndeed we do. I ' mJ udy Bowl er . '
' Dana Evans. '
' Come i n. '
Dana st epped i nsi de and l ooked ar ound. The i nn consi st ed
of a l ar ge, comf or t abl e l i vi ng r oomwi t h a st one f i r epl ace, a
di ni ng r oomwher e t he boar der s at e, and t wo bedr ooms wi t h
bat hr ooms.
' I do al l t he cooki ng her e, ' J udy Bowl er sai d. ' I t ' s
pr et t y good. '
Dana smi l ed war ml y. ' I ' ml ooki ng f or war d t o i t . '
J udy Bowl er showed Dana t o her r oom: I t was cl ean and
homey l ooki ng. Dana unpacked.
Ther e was one ot her coupl e boar di ng t her e, and t he
conver sat i on was casual . Nei t her of t hemr ecogni zed Dana.
Af t er l unch, Dana dr ove back i nt o t own. She wal ked i nt o
t he bar of t he Cl i f f House and or der ed a dr i nk. Al l t he
empl oyees l ooked t an and heal t hy. Of cour se.
' Beaut i f ul weat her , ' Dana sai d t o t he young bl ond
bar t ender .
' Yeah. Gr eat ski i ng weat her . '
' Do you ski a l ot ?'
He smi l ed. ' Whenever I can st eal t i me of f . '
' Too danger ous f or me. ' Dana si ghed. ' A f r i end of mi ne got
ki l l ed her e a f ew mont hs ago. '
He put down t he gl ass he was pol i shi ng. ' Ki l l ed?'
' Yes. J ul i e Wi nt hr op. '
Hi s expr essi on cl ouded. ' She used t o come i n her e. Ni ce
l ady. '
Dana l eaned f or war d. ' I hear d i t wasn' t an
acci dent . '
Hi s eyes wi dened. ' What do you mean?'
' I hear d she was mur der ed. '
' Mur der ed?' he sai d i ncr edul ousl y. ' Not a chance. I t was
an acci dent . '
Twent y mi nut es l at er Dana was t al ki ng t o t he bar t ender at
t he Pr ospect or Hot el .
' Beaut i f ul weat her . '
' Good ski i ng weat her , ' t he bar t ender sai d.
Dana shook her head. ' Too danger ous f or me. A f r i end of
mi ne got ki l l ed her e ski i ng. You mi ght have met her . J ul i e
Wi nt hr op. '
' Oh, sur e. I l i ked her a l ot . I mean, she di dn' t put on
ai r s, l i ke some peopl e. She was r eal down- t o- ear t h. '
Dana l eaned f or war d. ' I hear d her deat h wasn' t an
acci dent . '
The expr essi on on t he bar t ender ' s f ace changed. He l ower ed
hi s voi ce. ' I know damn wel l i t wasn' t . '
Dana' s hear t qui ckened. ' You do?'
' You bet . ' He l eaned f or war d conspi r at or i al l y. ' Those damn
Mar t i ans
She was at t he t op of Pt ar mi gan Mount ai n on ski s, and she
coul d f eel t he col d wi nd bi t i ng at her . She l ooked down at
t he val l ey bel ow, t r yi ng t o deci de whet her t o r et ur n, when
suddenl y she f el t a push f r ombehi nd, and she was hur t l i ng
down t he sl opes, f ast er and f ast er , headi ng t owar d a huge
t r ee. J ust bef or e she hi t t he t r ee, she woke up, scr eami ng.
Dana sat up i n bed, t r embl i ng. I s t hat what had happened
t o J ul i e Wi nt hr op? Who pushed her t o her deat h?
El l i ot Cr omwel l was i mpat i ent .
' Mat t , when t he hel l i s J ef f Connor s comi ng back? We need
hi m. '
' Soon. He keeps i n t ouch. '
' And what about Dana?'
' She' s i n Al aska, El l i ot . Why?'
' I woul d l i ke t o see her back her e. The r at i ngs on our
eveni ng br oadcast s have gone down. '
And Mat t Baker l ooked at hi mand wonder ed i f t hat was t he
r eal r eason f or El l i ot Cr omwel l ' s concer n.
I n t he mor ni ng, Dana dr essed and dr ove back i nt o t he
cent er of t own.
At t he ai r por t , wai t i ng f or her f l i ght t o be cal l ed, Dana
not i ced a man si t t i ng i n a cor ner l ooki ng at her f r omt i me t o
t i me. He l ooked st r angel y f ami l i ar . He was dr essed i n a dar k
gr ay sui t , and he r emi nded her of someone. And Dana
r emember ed who i t was. A di f f er ent man at t he Aspen ai r por t .
He had al so wor n a dar k gr ay sui t . But i t was not t he cl ot hes
t hat t r i gger ed Dana' s memor y. I t was somet hi ng i n t hei r
bear i ng. Bot h of t hemhad an unpl easant aur a of ar r ogance. He
was wat chi ng her wi t h a l ook t hat al most bor der ed on
cont empt . She f el t a chi l l .
Af t er Dana boar ded t he f l i ght , he spoke i nt o a cel l phone
and l ef t t he ai r por t .
Fi f t een
When Dana ar r i ved home, she f ound a beaut i f ul l i t t l e
Chr i st mas t r ee t hat Mr s Dal ey had bought and decor at ed.
' Look at t hi s or nament , ' Mr s Dal ey sai d pr oudl y. ' Kemal
made i t hi msel f . '
The t enant next door was wat chi ng t he scene on hi s
t el evi si on set .
Dana ki ssed t he ol der woman' s cheek. ' I l ove you, Mr s
Dal ey. '
Mr s Dal ey bl ushed. ' Oh, what a f uss over not hi ng. '
' Wher e i s Kemal ?'
' He' s i n hi s r oom. Ther e ar e t wo messages f or you, Mi ss
Evans. You' r e t o cal l Mr s Hudson. I put t he number on your
dr esser . And your mot her cal l ed. '
' Thank you. '
When Dana wal ked i nt o t he st udy, Kemal was at hi s
comput er .
He l ooked up. ' Hey, you' r e back. '
' I ' mback, ' Dana sai d.
' That ' s dope. I was hopi ng you' d be her e f or Chr i st mas. '
Dana hugged hi m. ' You bet . I woul dn' t have mi ssed i t f or
t he wor l d. How ar e you get t i ng al ong her e?'
' Mad. '
Good. ' You l i ke Mr s Dal ey?'
He nodded. ' She' s cool . '
Dana smi l ed. ' I know. I have a coupl e of cal l s t o make.
I ' l l be back. '
Bad news f i r st , Dana t hought . She cal l ed her mot her ' s
number . She had not spoken t o her si nce t he i nci dent i n
West por t . How coul d she have mar r i ed a man l i ke t hat ? Dana
l i st ened t o t he phone r i ng sever al t i mes, t hen her mot her ' s
r ecor ded voi ce came on.
' We' r e not home r i ght now, but i f you l eave a message, we
wi l l cal l you back. Wai t f or t he t one. '
Dana wai t ed. ' Mer r y Chr i st mas, Mot her . ' She hung up.
The next cal l was t o Pamel a. ' Dana, I ' mso gl ad you' r e
back! ' Pamel a Hudson excl ai med. ' We hear d on t he news t hat
J ef f i s away, but Roger and I ar e havi ng a f ew peopl e over
f or an ear l y Chr i st mas di nner t omor r ow, and we want you and
Kemal her e. Pl ease don' t t el l me you have ot her pl ans. ' ' No, '
Dana sai d. ' As a mat t er of f act , I don' t .
And we woul d l ove t o come. Thank you, Pamel a. ' ' Wonder f ul .
We' l l expect you at f i ve o' cl ock.
Casual . ' She paused. ' How ar e t hi ngs goi ng?' ' I don' t
know, ' Dana sai d f r ankl y. ' I don' t know
i f t hey' r e goi ng anywher e. '
' Wel l , f or get about ever yt hi ng f or now. Get some
r est . We' l l see you bot h t omor r ow. '
When Dana and Kemal ar r i ved at t he Hudsons' on Chr i st mas
Day, t hey wer e gr eet ed at t he door by Cesar . Hi s f ace l i t up
when he saw Dana.
' Mi ss Evans! I ' mso pl eased t o see you. ' He smi l ed at
Kemal . ' And Mast er Kemal . '
' Hi , Cesar , ' Kemal sai d.
Dana handed Cesar a br i ght l y wr apped package. ' Mer r y
Chr i st mas, Cesar . '
' I don' t know what - ' He was st ammer i ng. ' I di dn' t -
you' r e t oo ki nd, Mi ss Evans! '
The gent l e gi ant , as Dana t hought of hi m, was bl ushi ng.
Dana handed hi mt wo mor e packages. ' These ar e f or Mr and Mr s
Hudson. '
' Yes, Mi ss Evans. I wi l l put t hemunder t he t r ee. Mr and
Mr s Hudson ar e i n t he dr awi ng r oom. ' Cesar l ed t he way.
Pamel a sai d, ' You' r e her e! We' r e so gl ad you t wo coul d
make i t . '
' So ar e we, ' Dana assur ed her .
Pamel a was l ooki ng at Kemal ' s r i ght ar m. ' Dana, Kemal has
a - t hat ' s wonder f ul ! '
Dana gr i nned. I sn' t i t ? Cour t esy of my boss. He' s qui t e a
f el l ow. I t hi nk i t ' s changed Kemal ' s whol e l i f e. '
' I can' t t el l you how pl eased I am. '
Roger nodded. ' Congr at ul at i ons, Kemal . '
' Thank you, Mr Hudson. '
Roger Hudson sai d t o Dana, ' Bef or e t he ot her guest s
ar r i ve, t her e' s somet hi ng I shoul d ment i on. Remember I sai d
t hat Tayl or Wi nt hr op t ol d f r i ends he had r et i r ed f r ompubl i c
l i f e and t hen became ambassador t o Russi a?'
' Yes. I suppose t he pr esi dent pr essur ed hi mt o - '
' That ' s what I t hought . But i t seems t hat i t was Wi nt hr op
who pr essur ed t he pr esi dent t o appoi nt hi mambassador . The
quest i on i s, why?'
The ot her guest s began t o ar r i ve. Ther e wer e onl y t wel ve
ot her peopl e at t he di nner , and t he eveni ng was war mand
f est i ve.
Af t er desser t , ever yone went i nt o t he dr awi ng r oom. I n
f r ont of t he f i r epl ace was a huge Chr i st mas t r ee. Ther e wer e
gi f t s f or ever yone, but Kemal got t he l i on' s shar e: comput er
games, Rol l er bl ades, a sweat er , gl oves, and vi deot apes.
The t i me passed swi f t l y. The j oy of bei ng wi t h such
f r i endl y peopl e, af t er t he st r ess of t he l ast f ew days, was
i mmense. I j ust wi sh J ef f wer e her e.
Dana Evans was si t t i ng at t he anchor desk, wai t i ng f or t he
el even o' cl ock news t o begi n. Besi de her was coanchor ,
Ri char d Mel t on. Maur y Fal st ei n was seat ed i n t he chai r
usual l y occupi ed by J ef f . Dana t r i ed not t o t hi nk about t hat .
Ri char d Mel t on was sayi ng t o Dana, ' I mi ss you when you' r e
away. '
Dana smi l ed. ' Thanks, Ri char d. Mi ss you, t oo. ' ' You' ve
been gone qui t e a bi t . I s ever yt hi ng al l r i ght ?'
' Ever yt hi ng' s f i ne. ' ' Let ' s go f or a bi t e af t er war d. ' ' I
have t o see t hat Kemal ' s al l r i ght f i r st . ' ' We can meet
somewher e. ' We must meet somewher e el se. I t hi nk I ' mbei ng
wat ched. The avi ar y sect i on at t he zoo.
Mel t on cont i nued. ' They say t hat you' r e checki ng out some
bi g st or y. Want t o t al k about i t ?' ' Ther e' s not hi ng t o t al k
about yet , Ri char d. ' ' I hear d on t he gr apevi ne t hat Cr omwel l
i sn' t t oo happy t hat you' r e away so much. I hope you don' t
get i nt o t r oubl e wi t h hi m. '
Let me gi ve you some advi ce. Don' t go l ooki ng f or t r oubl e,
or you' r e goi ng t o f i nd i t . That ' s a pr omi se. Dana was
f i ndi ng i t har d t o concent r at e on what Ri char d Mel t on was
sayi ng.
' He l i kes t o f i r e peopl e, ' Mel t on sai d. Bi l l Kel l y
di sappear ed t he day af t er t he f i r e. He di dn ' t pi ck up hi s
check, j ust l ef t .
Ri char d Mel t on kept t al ki ng. ' As God i s my
wi t ness, I don' t want t o wor k wi t h a new anchor . '
The wi t ness t o t he acci dent was an Amer i can t our i st , Ral ph
Benj ami n. A bl i nd man.
' Fi ve - f our - t hr ee - t wo . . . ' Anast asi a Mann poi nt ed a
f i nger at Dana. The camer a' s r ed l i ght f l ashed on.
The announcer ' s voi ce boomed out , Thi s i s t he el even
o' cl ock news on WTN wi t h Dana Evans and Ri char d Mel t on. '
Dana smi l ed i nt o t he camer a. ' Good eveni ng. I ' mDana
Evans. '
' And I ' mRi char d Mel t on. '
They wer e back on t he ai r .
Today i n Ar l i ngt on, t hr ee st udent s at Wi l son Hi gh School
wer e ar r est ed af t er pol i ce sear ched t hei r l ocker s and f ound
seven ounces of mar i j uana and var i ous weapons, i ncl udi ng a
st ol en handgun. Hol l y Rapp has mor e on t hi s st or y. '
Back t o t ape.
We don' t have t oo many ar t t hef t s, and t he MO i s al ways
t he same. Thi s i s di f f er ent .
The br oadcast was over . Ri char d Mel t on l ooked at Dana.
' Do we meet l at er ?'
' Not t oni ght , Ri char d. Ther e' s somet hi ng I have t o do. '
He r ose. ' Okay. ' Dana had a f eel i ng he want ed t o ask her
about J ef f . I nst ead he sai d, ' See you t omor r ow. '
Dana st ood up. ' Good ni ght , ever ybody. ' Dana wal ked out of
t he st udi o and went t o her of f i ce. She sat down, t ur ned on
her comput er , l ogged on t o t he I nt er net , and began sear chi ng
agai n t hr ough t he myr i ad ar t i cl es about Tayl or Wi nt hr op. On
one of t he Web si t es, Dana came acr oss an i t emabout Mar cel
Fal con, a Fr ench gover nment of f i ci al who had been ambassador
t o NATO. The ar t i cl e ment i oned Mar cel Fal con negot i at i ng a
t r ade agr eement wi t h Tayl or Wi nt hr op. I n t he mi ddl e of
negot i at i ons, Fal con had gi ven up hi s gover nment post and
r et i r ed. I n t he mi ddl e of a gover nment negot i at i on? What
coul d have happened?
Dana t r i ed ot her Web si t es, but t her e was no f ur t her
i nf or mat i on on Mar cel Fal con. Ver y st r ange. I have t o l ook
i nt o t hat , Dana deci ded.
By t he t i me Dana was f i ni shed, i t was t wo AM. TOO ear l y t o
t el ephone Eur ope. She went back t o t he apar t ment . Mr s Dal ey
was wai t i ng up f or her . ' I ' msor r y I ' mso l at e/ Dana sai d.
' I - ' ' No pr obl em. I saw your br oadcast t oni ght . I t hought i t
was wonder f ul as al ways, Mi ss Evans. ' Thank you. '
Mr s Dal ey si ghed. ' I j ust wi sh al l t he news wasn' t so
dr eadf ul . What ki nd of wor l d ar e we l i vi ng i n?' That ' s a good
quest i on. How i s Kemal ?' The l i t t l e devi l ' s f i ne. I l et
hi mbeat me at r ummy. '
Dana smi l ed. ' Good. Thank you, Mr s Dal ey. I f you want t o
come i n l at e t omor r ow - '
' No, no. I ' l l be her e br i ght and ear l y t o get you al l of f
t o school and wor k. '
Dana wat ched Mr s Dal ey l eave. A gem, she t hought
gr at ef ul l y. Her cel l phone r ang. She r an t o pi ck i t up.
' J ef f ?'
' Mer r y Chr i st mas, dear est . ' Hi s voi ce washed t hr ough her
body. ' AmI cal l i ng t oo l at e?'
' Never t oo l at e. Tel l me about Rachel . '
' She' s back home. '
J ef f means she' s back at her house.
' Ther e' s a nur se her e, but Rachel wi l l onl y l et her st ay
unt i l t omor r ow. '
Dana hat ed t o ask. ' And t hen?'
' The t est r esul t s i ndi cat e t hat t he cancer has spr ead.
Rachel doesn' t want me t o l eave yet . '
' I see. I don' t mean t o sound sel f i sh, but i sn' t t her e
someone el se who - ?'
' She has no one, dar l i ng. She' s al l al one and pani cky. She
won' t have anyone el se her e. I honest l y don' t know what
Rachel woul d do i f I l ef t . '
And I don' t know what I ' mgoi ng t o do i f you st ay.
' They want t o st ar t chemot her apy i mmedi at el y. '
' How l ong wi l l i t t ake?'
' She' l l need a t r eat ment ever y t hr ee weeks f or f our
mont hs. '
Four mont hs.
' Mat t has asked me t o t ake a l eave of absence. I ' mso
sor r y about al l t hi s, honey. '
How di d he mean t hat ? Sor r y about hi s j ob? Sor r y about
Rachel ? Or sor r y t hat our l i ves ar e bei ng t or n apar t ? How can
I be so sel f i sh? Dana asked her sel f . The woman may be dyi ng.
' I ' msor r y, t oo, ' Dana f i nal l y sai d. ' I hope ever yt hi ng
t ur ns out al l r i ght . ' Tur ns out al l r i ght f or whom? For
Rachel and J ef f ? For J ef f and me?
When J ef f put down t he phone, he l ooked up and saw Rachel
st andi ng t her e. She was wear i ng a ni ght gown and a r obe. She
l ooked l ovel y, wi t h an al most t r ansl ucent l i ght about her .
' That was Dana?'
' Yes, ' J ef f sai d.
Rachel moved cl oser t o hi m. ' Poor dar l i ng. I know how much
t hi s i s hur t i ng you bot h. I - I j ust coul dn' t have gone
t hr ough al l t hi s wi t hout you. I needed you, J ef f . I need you
now. '
Dana ar r i ved at her of f i ce ear l y i n t he mor ni ng and l ogged
on t o t he I nt er net agai n. Two i t ems caught her at t ent i on.
Separ at el y, t hey wer e i nnocuous, but t oget her , t hey suggest ed
a myst er y.
The f i r st i t emr ead: ' Vi ncent Manci no, t he I t al i an
mi ni st er of commer ce, has unexpect edl y r esi gned dur i ng t r ade
cont r act negot i at i ons wi t h Tayl or Wi nt hr op, t he
r epr esent at i ve f or t he Uni t ed St at es. Mandno' s assi st ant , I vo
Val e, t ook over . '
The second i t emr ead: ' Tayl or Wi nt hr op, speci al advi ser t o
NATO i n Br ussel s, has asked t o be r epl aced and has r et ur ned
t o hi s home i n Washi ngt on. '
Mar cel Fal con had r esi gned, Vi ncent Mandno had r esi gned,
Tayl or Wi nt hr op had qui t unexpect edl y. Wer e t hey connect ed?
Coi nci dence?
I nt er est i ng.
Dana' s f i r st cal l was t o Domi ni ck Romano, who wor ked f or
t he I t al i a I net wor k i n Rome.
' Dana! I t ' s good t o hear f r omyou. What ' s up?'
I ' mcomi ng t o Rome, and I ' d l i ke t o t al k. '
' Bene! What about ?'
Dana hesi t at ed. ' I ' d r at her di scuss i t when I get t her e. '
' When ar e you comi ng?'
' I ' l l be t her e Sat ur day. '
1 wi l l br i ng out t he f at t ed past a. '
Dana' s next cal l was t o J ean Somvi l l e, who was wor ki ng i n
Br ussel s at t he pr ess headquar t er s of NATO on t he r ue des
Chapel i er s.
' J ean? Dana Evans. '
' Dana! I haven' t seen you si nce Sar aj evo. Those wer e some
t i mes. You ever goi ng back t her e?'
She gr i maced. ' Not i f I can hel p i t . '
' What can I do f or you, cher i e?'
I ' mcomi ng t o Br ussel s i n t he next f ew days. Wi l l you be
ar ound?'
' For you? Cer t ai nl y. Somet hi ng speci al goi ng on?'
' No, ' Dana sai d qui ckl y.
' Ri ght . You' r e j ust si ght - seei ng, huh?' Ther e was a
skept i cal not e i n hi s voi ce.
' Somet hi ng l i ke t hat , ' Dana sai d.
He l aughed. ' I l ook f or war d t o i t . Au r evoi r . '
' Au r evoi r . '
' Mat t Baker woul d l i ke t o see you. '
' Tel l hi mI ' l l be r i ght t her e, Ol i vi a. '
Two mor e phone cal l s and Dana was on her way t o Mat t ' s
of f i ce.
He sai d wi t hout pr eambl e, ' We may have l ucked i nt o
somet hi ng. I hear d a st or y l ast ni ght t hat mi ght be a cl ue t o
what we' r e l ooki ng f or . '
Dana f el t her hear t qui cken. ' Yes?'
' Ther e' s a man named' - he consul t ed a sl i p of paper on
hi s desk - ' Di et er Zander , i n Dt i ssel dor f . He was i n some
ki nd of busi ness wi t h Tayl or Wi nt hr op. '
Dana was l i st eni ng i nt ent l y.
' I don' t have t he whol e st or y, but appar ent l y somet hi ng
ver y bad happened bet ween t hem. They had a vi ol ent
f al l i ng- out , and Zander swor e t o ki l l Wi nt hr op. I t sounds
l i ke i t mi ght be wor t h checki ng on. '
' I t cer t ai nl y does. I ' l l l ook i nt o i t r i ght away, Mat t . '
They chat t ed f or a f ew mor e mi nut es, t hen Dana l ef t .
I wonder how I can f i nd out mor e about i t ? She suddenl y
t hought of J ack St one and FRA. He mi ght know somet hi ng. She
f ound t he pr i vat e number he had gi ven her and cal l ed i t .
Hi s voi ce came on t he l i ne. ' J ack St one. '
' I t ' s Dana Evans. '
' Hel l o, Mi ss Evans. What can I do f or you?'
' I ' mt r yi ng t o f i nd somet hi ng out about a man named Zander
i n Di i ssel dor f . '
' Di et er Zander ?'
' Yes. You know hi m?'
' We know who he i s. '
Dana r egi st er ed t he we. ' Can you t el l me anyt hi ng about
hi m?'
' I s t hi s i n connect i on wi t h Tayl or Wi nt hr op?'
' Yes. '
' Tayl or Wi nt hr op and Di et er Zander wer e par t ner s i n a
busi ness deal . Zander was sent t o pr i son f or mani pul at i ng
some st ock, and whi l e he was i n pr i son, hi s house bur ned
down, ki l l i ng hi s wi f e and t hr ee chi l dr en. He bl ames Tayl or
Wi nt hr op f or what happened. '
And Tayl or Wi nt hr op and hi s wi f e had di ed i n a f i r e. Dana
l i st ened i n shock. ' I s Zander st i l l i n pr i son?'
' No. I bel i eve he got out l ast year . Anyt hi ng el se?'
' No. Thank you ver y, ver y much. '
' Thi s i s j ust bet ween us. '
' I under st and. '
The l i ne went dead.
Now t her e ar e t hr ee possi bi l i t i es, Dana t hought .
Di et er Zander i n Dussel dor f .
Vi ncent Manci no i n Rome.
Mar cel Fal con i n Br ussel s.
I ' l l go t o Dussel dor f f i r st .
Ol i vi a sai d, ' Mr s Hudson i s on l i ne t hr ee. '
' Thank you. ' Dana pi cked up t he phone. ' Pamel a?'
' Hel l o, Dana. I know t hi s i s sudden, but a good f r i end has
j ust come t o t own and Roger and I ar e gi vi ng hi ma l i t t l e
par t y next Wednesday. I know J ef f i s st i l l out of t own, but
we woul d l ove t o have you come. Ar e you f r ee?'
' I ' maf r ai d I ' mnot . I ' ml eavi ng f or Dussel dor f t oni ght . '
' Oh. I ' msor r y. '
' And, Pamel a - '
' Yes?'
' J ef f may be gone f or a whi l e. '
Ther e was a si l ence. ' I hope ever yt hi ng i s al l r i ght . '
' Yes. I ' msur e i t wi l l be. ' I t has t o be.
Si xt een
That eveni ng at Dul l es ai r por t , Dana boar ded a Luf t hansa
j et t o Di l ssel dor f . She had t el ephoned St ef f an Muel l er , who
wor ked at Kabel Net wor k t o t el l hi mshe was on her way.
Dana' s mi nd was f i l l ed wi t h what Mat t Baker had t ol d her . I f
Di et er Zander bl amed Tayl or Wi nt hr op f or -
' Gut en Abend. I ch hei sse Her mann Fr i edr i ch. 1st es das
er st en mal das si e Deut schl and besuchen?
Dana t ur ned t o l ook at her seat par t ner . He was i n hi s
f i f t i es, t r i m, wi t h an eye pat ch and a f ul l must ache.
' Good eveni ng, ' Dana sai d.
' Ah, you ar e Amer i can?'
' Yes. '
' Many Amer i cans come t o Di i ssel dor f . I t i s a beaut i f ul
ci t y. '
' So I ' ve hear d. ' And hi s f ami l y had di ed i n af i r e.
' Thi s i s your f i r st vi si t ?'
' Yes. ' Coul d i t have been a coi nci dence?
' I t i s beaut i f ul , beaut i f ul . Di l ssel dor f i s di vi ded by t he
Rhi ne Ri ver , you know, i nt o t wo par t s. The ol der par t i s on
t he r i ght bank - '
St ef f an Muel l er can t el l me mor e about Di et er Zander .
' - and t he moder n par t i s on t he l ef t bank. Fi ve br i dges
connect t he t wo si des. ' Her mann Fr i edr i ch moved a l i t t l e
cl oser t o Dana. ' You ar e vi si t i ng f r i ends, per haps, i n
Dussel dor f ?'
I t ' s begi nni ng t o f i t t oget her .
Fr i edr i ch l eaned a l i t t l e cl oser . ' I f you ar e al one, I
know a - '
' What ? Oh. No, I ' mmeet i ng my husband t her e. '
Her mann Fr i edr i ch' s smi l e f aded. ' Gut . Er i st ei n
gl i i ckl i cher Mann. '
' Let me show you t o t he di ni ng sal on. ' Upst ai r s i n Dana' s
r oom, t wo el ect r oni cs exper t s wer e put t i ng a camer a i n a wal l
cl ock.
Thi r t y mi nut es l at er Dana was i n her r oom, unpacki ng. Her
f i r st t el ephone cal l was t o Kabel Net wor k.
' I ' ve ar r i ved, St ef f an/ Dana sai d.
' Dana! I coul d not bel i eve you wer e r eal l y comi ng. What
ar e you doi ng f or di nner ?'
' I hope I ' mhavi ng i t wi t h you. '
' You ar e. We' r e goi ng t o I mSchi f f chen. Ei ght o' cl ock?'
' Per f ect . '
Ther e was a l i ne of t axi s out i n f r ont of t he Dussel dor f
I nt er nat i onal Ai r por t . Dana t ook one t o t he Br ei denbacher Hof
i n t he cent er of t own. I t was an el egant ol d hot el wi t h an
or nat e l obby.
The cl er k behi nd t he desk sai d, ' We wer e expect i ng you,
Mi ss Evans. Wel come t o Dussel dor f . '
' Thank you. ' Dana si gned t he r egi st er .
The cl er k pi cked up t he t el ephone and spoke i nt o i t . ' Der
Raumsol l t e bet r i ebsber ei t sei n. Hast . ' He r epl aced t he
r ecei ver and t ur ned t o Dana. ' I ' mso sor r y, Fr aul ei n, your
r oomi s not qui t e r eady. Pl ease have a bi t e t o eat as our
guest , and I wi l l cal l you as soon as t he mai d i s t hr ough
cl eani ng i t . '
Dana nodded. ' Ver y wel l . '
Dana was dr essed and goi ng out t he door when her cel l
phone r ang. She hur r i edl y t ook i t out of her pur se.
' Hel l o?'
' Hel l o, dar l i ng. How ar e you?'
' I ' mf i ne, J ef f . '
' And wher e ar e you?'
' I ' mi n Ger many. Dussel dor f . I t hi nk I ' mf i nal l y ont o
somet hi ng. '
' Dana, be car ef ul . God, I wi sh I wer e wi t h you. '
So do I , Dana t hought . ' How i s Rachel ?'
' The chemot her apy t r eat ment s ar e dr ai ni ng her . I t ' s pr et t y
r ough. '
' I s she goi ng t o be- ?' She coul d not f i ni sh t he sent ence.
' I t ' s t oo ear l y t o t el l . I f t he chemot her apy i s ef f ect i ve,
she has a good chance of goi ng i nt o r emi ssi on. '
' J ef f , pl ease t el l her how sor r y I am. '
' I wi l l . I s t her e anyt hi ng I can do f or you?'
' Thanks, I ' mf i ne. '
' I ' l l cal l you t omor r ow. I j ust want ed t o t el l you I l ove
you, sweet hear t . '
' I l ove you, J ef f . Good- bye. '
' Good- bye. '
Rachel came out of her bedr oom. She had on a r obe and
sl i pper s, and a Tur ki sh t owel was wr apped ar ound her head.
' How i s Dana?'
' She' s f i ne, Rachel . She asked me t o t el l you how sor r y
she i s. '
' She' s ver y much i n l ove wi t h you. '
' I ' mver y much i n l ove wi t h her . '
Rachel moved cl oser t o hi m. ' You and I wer e i n l ove,
wer en' t we, J ef f ? What happened?'
He shr ugged. ' Li f e. Or I shoul d say ' l i ves. ' We l ed
separ at e ones. '
' I was t oo busy wi t h my model i ng car eer . ' She was t r yi ng
t o f i ght back t ear s. ' Wel l , I won' t be doi ng t hat agai n, wi l l
I ?'
He put hi s ar ms on her shoul der s. ' Rachel , you' r e
goi ng t o be f i ne. The chemot her apy i s goi ng t o wor k. ' ' I
know. Dar l i ng, t hank you f or bei ng her e wi t h
me. I coul dn' t have f aced t hi s al one. I don' t know
what I woul d do wi t hout you. ' J ef f had no answer t o t hat .
I mSchi f f chen was an el egant r est aur ant i n a f ashi onabl e
par t of Dt i ssel dor f . St ef f an Muel l er wal ked i n and gr i nned as
he saw Dana.
' Dana! Mei n Got t . I haven' t seen you si nce Sar aj evo. '
' I t seems f or ever , doesn' t i t ?'
' What ar e you doi ng her e? Di d you come f or t he f est i val ?'
' No. Someone asked me t o l ook up a f r i end of hi s,
St ef f an. ' A wai t er came up t o t he t abl e and t hey or der ed
dr i nks.
' Who' s t he f r i end?'
' Hi s name i s Di et er Zander . Have you hear d of hi m?'
St ef f an Muel l er nodded. ' Ever yone has hear d of hi m. He' s
qui t e a char act er . He was i n a bi g scandal . He' s a
bi l l i onai r e, but he was st upi d enough t o swi ndl e some
st ockhol der s and get caught . He shoul d have got t en t went y
year s, but he pul l ed some st r i ngs and t hey l et hi mout i n
t hr ee. He cl ai ms he' s i nnocent . '
Dana was st udyi ng hi m. ' I s he?'
' Who knows? At t he t r i al he sai d Tayl or Wi nt hr op
f r amed hi mand st ol e mi l l i ons of dol l ar s. I t was an
i nt er est i ng t r i al . Accor di ng t o Di et er Zander , Tayl or
Wi nt hr op of f er ed hi ma par t ner shi p i n a zi nc mi ne, supposed
t o be wor t h bi l l i ons. Wi nt hr op used Zander as a f r ont man,
and Zander sol d mi l l i ons of dol l ar s' wor t h of st ock. But i t
t ur ned out t he mi ne was sal t ed. '
' Sal t ed?'
' Ther e was no zi nc. Wi nt hr op kept t he money and Zander
t ook t he f al l . '
' The j ur y di dn' t bel i eve Zander ' s st or y?'
' I f he had accused anyone but Tayl or Wi nt hr op, t hey mi ght
have. But Wi nt hr op i s ki nd of a demi god. ' St ef f an l ooked at
her cur i ousl y. ' What ' s your i nt er est i n t hi s?'
Dana sai d evasi vel y, ' As I sai d, a f r i end asked me t o l ook
up Zander . '
I t was t i me t o or der di nner .
The meal was del i ci ous. When i t was over , Dana sai d, ' I ' m
goi ng t o hat e mysel f i n t he mor ni ng. But i t was wor t h ever y
bi t e. '
When St ef f an dr opped Dana of f at t he hot el , he sai d, ' Di d
you know t he t eddy bear was i nvent ed her e by a woman named
Mar gar et e St ei f f ? The cuddl y l i t t l e ani mal became popul ar al l
over t he wor l d. '
Dana was l i st eni ng, wonder i ng wher e t hi s was l eadi ng.
' We have r eal bear s her e i n Ger many, Dana, and t hey' r e
danger ous. When you meet Di et er Zander , be car ef ul . He l ooks
l i ke a t eddy bear , but he' s not . He' s a r eal bear . '
Zander El ect r oni cs I nt er nat i onal occupi ed an
enor mous bui l di ng on t he i ndust r i al out ski r t s of Di i ssel dor f .
Dana appr oached one of t he t hr ee r ecept i oni st s i n t he busy
l obby. ' I want t o see Mr Zander . ' ' Do you have an
appoi nt ment ?' ' Yes. I ' mDana Evans. '
' Ger ade ei n Moment , bi t t e. ' The r ecept i oni st spoke i nt o
t he t el ephone, t hen l ooked up at Dana. ' Fr au- l ei n, when di d
you make t he appoi nt ment ?' ' Sever al days ago, ' Dana l i ed. ' Es
t ut mi r ki d. Hi s secr et ar y has no r ecor d of i t . ' She spoke
i nt o t he phone agai n, t hen r epl aced t he r ecei ver . ' I t i s not
possi bl e t o see Mr Zander wi t hout an appoi nt ment . '
The r ecept i oni st t ur ned t o a messenger at t he desk. A
gr oup of empl oyees was comi ng i n t he door . Dana st epped away
f r omt he desk and j oi ned t hem, movi ng i nt o t he cent er . They
got i nt o t he el evat or . As i t st ar t ed up, Dana sai d, ' Oh,
dear . I f or got what f l oor Mr Zander i s on. ' One of t he women
sai d, ' Vi er . ' ' Danke, ' Dana sai d. She got of f on t he f our t h
f l oor and wal ked over t o a desk wi t h a young woman
behi nd i t . ' I ' mher e t o see Di et er Zander . I ' mDana
Evans. '
The woman f r owned. ' But you have no appoi nt ment ,
Fr dul ei n. '
Dana l eaned f or war d and sai d qui et l y, ' You t el l Mr Zander
t hat I ' mgoi ng t o do a nat i onal t el evi si on br oadcast i n t he
Uni t ed St at es about hi mand hi s f ami l y unl ess he t al ks t o me,
and t hat i t woul d be i n hi s i nt er est t o t al k t o me now. '
The secr et ar y was st udyi ng her , conf used. ' J ust a moment .
Bi t t e. ' Dana wat ched her get up, open a door mar ked PRI VAT,
and st ep i nsi de.
Dana l ooked ar ound t he r ecept i on of f i ce. Ther e wer e f r amed
phot ogr aphs of Zander El ect r oni cs f act or i es ar ound t he wor l d.
The company had out l et s i n Amer i ca, Fr ance, I t al y . . .
count r i es wher e t he Wi nt hr op mur der s had t aken pl ace.
The secr et ar y came out a mi nut e l at er . ' Mr Zander wi l l see
you, ' she sai d di sappr ovi ngl y. ' But he onl y has a f ew
mi nut es. Thi s i s most - most unusual . '
' Thank you, ' Dana sai d.
Dana was usher ed i nt o a l ar ge panel ed of f i ce. ' Thi s i s
Fr aul ei n Evans. '
Di et er Zander was seat ed behi nd an enor mous desk. He was
i n hi s si xt i es, a l ar ge man wi t h a gui l el ess f ace and sof t
br own eyes. Dana r emember ed St ef f an' s st or y of t he t eddy
bear .
He l ooked at Dana and sai d, ' I r ecogni ze you. You wer e t he
cor r espondent i n Sar aj evo. '
' Yes. '
' I do not under st and what you want wi t h me. You ment i oned
my f ami l y t o my secr et ar y. '
' May I si t down?'
' Bi t t e. '
' I want ed t o t al k t o you about Tayl or Wi nt hr op. '
Zander ' s expr essi on nar r owed. ' What about hi m?'
' I ' mdoi ng an i nvest i gat i on, Mr Zander . I bel i eve Tayl or
Wi nt hr op and hi s f ami l y wer e mur der ed. '
Di et er Zander ' s eyes t ur ned col d. ' I t hi nk you had bet t er
l eave now, Fr dul ei n. '
' You wer e i n busi ness wi t h hi m, ' Dana sai d. ' And- '
' Leave! '
' Her r Zander , I suggest t hat i t woul d be bet t er f or you t o
di scuss t hi s wi t h me pr i vat el y t han f or you and your f r i ends
t o wat ch i t on t el evi si on. I want t o be f ai r . I want t o hear
your si de of t he st or y. '
Di et er Zander was si l ent f or a l ong t i me. When he spoke,
t her e was a deep bi t t er ness i n hi s voi ce. ' Tayl or Wi nt hr op
was schei sse. Oh, he was cl ever , ver y cl ever . He f r amed me.
And whi l e I was i n pr i son, Fr dul ei n, my wi f e and chi l dr en
di ed. I f I had been home . . . I coul d have saved t hem. ' Hi s
voi ce was f i l l ed wi t h pai n. ' I t was t r ue I hat ed t he man. But
mur der Tayl or Wi nt hr op? No. ' He smi l ed hi s t eddy- bear smi l e.
' Auf wi eder sehen, Mi ss Evans. '
Dana t el ephoned Mat t Baker . ' Mat t , I ' mi n Dt i ssel - dor f .
You wer e r i ght . I may have hi t pay di r t . Di et er Zander was
i nvol ved i n a busi ness deal wi t h Tayl or Wi nt hr op. He cl ai ms
t hat Wi nt hr op f r amed hi mand sent hi mt o pr i son. Zander ' s
wi f e and chi l dr en di ed i n a f i r e whi l e he was behi nd bar s. '
Ther e was a shocked si l ence. ' They di ed i n a f i r e?'
' That ' s r i ght , ' Dana sai d.
' The same way Tayl or and Madel i ne di ed. '
' Yes. You shoul d have seen t he l ook i n Zander ' s eyes when
I t al ked about mur der . '
' I t al l f i t s, doesn' t i t ? Zander had a mot i ve t o wi pe out
t he ent i r e Wi nt hr op f ami l y. You wer e r i ght about t he mur der s
al l t he t i me. I - I can har dl y bel i eve i t . '
' I t sounds good, Mat t , but t her e' s no pr oof yet . I have
t wo mor e st ops t o make. I ' ml eavi ng f or Rome i n t he mor ni ng, '
Dana sai d. I ' l l be home i n a day or t wo. '
' Take car e of your sel f . '
' Deal . '
At FRA headquar t er s, t hr ee men wer e wat chi ng Dana on a bi g
wal l t el evi si on scr een t al ki ng on t he t el ephone i n her hot el
r oom.
' I have t wo mor e st ops t o make, ' she sai d. ' I ' l l be home
i n a f ew days . . . I ' ml eavi ng f or Rome t omor r ow mor ni ng. '
The men wat ched as Dana r epl aced t he r ecei ver . r ose, and
wal ked i nt o t he bat hr oom. The scene on t he scr een swi t ched t o
a hi dden peephol e camer a i n a bat hr oommedi ci ne cabi net . Dana
st ar t ed t o undr ess. She sl i pped of f her bl ouse and br a.
' Man, l ook at t hose t i t s! '
' Spect acul ar . '
' Wai t . She' s t aki ng of f her ski r t and pant i es. '
' Fel l ows, l ook at t hat ass! I want a pi ece of t hat . '
They wat ched Dana get i nt o t he shower and cl ose t he shower
door . The door began t o st eamup.
One of t he men si ghed. ' That ' s i t f or now. Fi l mat
el even. '
The chemot her apy t r eat ment s wer e hel l f or Rachel . The
chemi cal s Adr i amyci n and Taxot er e wer e gi ven i nt r avenousl y
f r oma bag, and t he pr ocess t ook f our hour s.
Dr Young sai d t o J ef f , ' Thi s i s a ver y di f f i cul t t i me f or
her . She' s goi ng t o f eel nauseous and dr ai ned and she' l l
suf f er a l oss of hai r . For a woman, t hat can be t he most
devast at i ng si de ef f ect of al l . '
' Ri ght . '
The f ol l owi ng af t er noon J ef f sai d t o Rachel , ' Get dr essed.
We' r e goi ng f or a r i de. '
' J ef f , I r eal l y don' t f eel up t o - '
' No ar gument s. '
And t hi r t y mi nut es l at er t hey wer e i n a wi g shop and
Rachel was t r yi ng on wi gs, smi l i ng and sayi ng
t o J ef f , They' r e beaut i f ul . Do you l i ke t he l ong one or
t he shor t one?'
' I l i ke t hembot h, ' J ef f sai d. ' And i f you get t i r ed of
t hese, we' l l come back and change you i nt o a br unet t e or a
r edhead. ' Hi s voi ce sof t ened. ' Per sonal l y, I l i ke you t he way
you ar e. '
Rachel ' s eyes f i l l ed wi t h t ear s. ' I l i ke you t he way you
ar e. '
Sevent een
Each ci t y has i t s own r hyt hm, and Rome' s i s l i ke t hat of
no ot her ci t y i n t he wor l d. I t i s a moder n met r opol i s
cocooned i n t he hi st or y of cent ur i es of gl or y. I t moves at
i t s own measur ed pace, f or i t has no r eason t o hur r y.
Tomor r ow wi l l come i n i t s own good t i me.
Dana had not been i n Rome si nce she was t wel ve year s ol d,
when her mot her and f at her had t aken her t her e. Landi ng at
t he Leonar do da Vi nci ai r por t t r i gger ed a host of memor i es.
She r emember ed her f i r st day i n Rome when she had expl or ed
t he Col osseum, wher e t he Chr i st i ans had been t hr own t o t he
l i ons. She had not sl ept f or a week af t er t hat .
She and her par ent s had vi si t ed t he Vat i can and t he
Spani sh St eps, and she had t hr own l i r e i nt o t he Tr evi
Fount ai n, wi shi ng t hat her par ent s woul d st op quar r el i ng.
When her f at her di sappear ed, Dana f el t t hat t he f ount ai n had
bet r ayed her .
She had seen a per f or mance of t he oper a Ot el l o at t he
Ter me di Car acal l a, t he Roman bat hs, and i t was an eveni ng
she woul d never f or get .
She had eat en i ce cr eamat t he f amous Doney' s on t he Vi a
Venet o and expl or ed t he cr owded st r eet s of Tr ast ever e. Dana
ador ed Rome and i t s peopl e. Who coul d have i magi ned t hat I
woul d r et ur n her e af t er al l t hese year s, l ooki ng f or a ser i al
ki l l er ?
' I ' d l i ke t o speak t o Howar d Whar t on, pl ease. ' ' Woul d you
spel l t hat ?' Dana spel l ed i t . ' Thank you. One moment . ' One
moment t ur ned out t o be f i ve mi nut es. The woman came back on
t he l i ne.
' I ' msor r y. We have no Howar d Whar t on her e. ' The onl y
t hi ng i s, we have t o be i n Rome by t omor r ow.
Dana checked i n at t he Hot el Ci cer oni , near t he Pi azza
Navona.
' Buongi or no. ' The hot el manager gr eet ed her . ' We ar e
del i ght ed t hat you ar e st ayi ng wi t h us, Mi ss Evans. I
under st and t hat you wi l l be her e f or t wo days?'
Dana hesi t at ed. ' I ' mnot qui t e sur e. '
He smi l ed. ' No pr obl em. We have a beaut i f ul sui t e f or you.
I f t her e i s anyt hi ng we can do f or you, l et us know. '
I t al y i s such a f r i endl y count r y. And Dana t hought about
her f or mer nei ghbor s, Dor ot hy and Howar d Whar t on. I don' t
know how t hey hear d about me, but t hey f l ew a man al l t he way
her e j ust t o make a deal wi t h me.
On an i mpul se, Dana deci ded t o cal l t he Whar t ons. She had
t he oper at or get her t he I t al i ano Ri pr i st i no Cor por at i on.
Dana cal l ed Domi ni ck Romano, t he anchor man at I t al i a 1
t el evi si on.
' I t ' s Dana. I ' mher e, Domi ni ck. '
' Dana! I ' mdel i ght ed. When can we meet ?'
' You name i t . '
' Wher e ar e you st ayi ng?'
' At t he Hot el Ci cer oni . '
' Take a t axi and t el l your dr i ver t o t ake you t o Toul a. I
wi l l meet you t her e i n t hi r t y mi nut es. '
Toul a, on Vi a Del i a Lupa, was one of Rome' s most f amous
r est aur ant s. When Dana ar r i ved, Romano was wai t i ng f or her .
' Buon gi or no. I t i s good t o see you wi t hout t he bombs. '
' You, t oo, Domi ni ck. '
' What a f ut i l e war . ' He shook hi s head. ' Per haps mor e t han
most war s. Bene! What ar e you doi ng i n Roma?'
' I came t o see a man her e. '
' And t he name of t hi s l ucky man?'
' Vi ncent Manci no. '
Domi ni ck Romano' s expr essi on changed. ' Why do you want t o
see hi m?'
' I t ' s pr obabl y not hi ng, but I ' mf ol l owi ng up on an
i nvest i gat i on. Tel l me about Manci no. '
Domi ni ck Romano t hought car ef ul l y bef or e he spoke.
' Manci no was t he mi ni st er of commer ce. Manci no' s backgr ound
i s Maf i a. He car r i es a ver y bi g st i ck. Anyway, he suddenl y
qui t a ver y i mpor t ant posi t i on and no one knows why. ' Romano
l ooked at Dana cur i ousl y. ' What i s your i nt er est i n hi m?'
Dana evaded t he quest i on. ' I under st and t hat Manci no was
negot i at i ng a gover nment t r ade deal wi t h Tayl or Wi nt hr op when
he qui t . '
' Yes. Wi nt hr op f i ni shed t he negot i at i ons wi t h someone
el se. '
' How l ong was Tayl or Wi nt hr op i n Rome?'
Romano t hought f or a moment . ' About t wo mont hs. Manci no
and Wi nt hr op became dr i nki ng buddi es. ' And t hen he added,
' Somet hi ng went wr ong. '
' What ?'
' Who knows? Ther e ar e al l ki nds of st or i es f l oat i ng
ar ound. Manci no had onl y one chi l d, a daught er , Pi a, and she
di sappear ed. Manci no' s wi f e had a ner vous br eakdown. '
' What do you mean hi s daught er di sappear ed? Was she
ki dnapped?'
' No. She j ust ki nd of - he t r i ed vai nl y t o f i nd t he r i ght
wor d - ' di sappear ed. No one knows what happened t o her . ' He
si ghed. ' I can t el l you, Pi a was a beaut y. '
' Wher e i s Manci no' s wi f e?'
' The r umor i s t hat she' s i n some ki nd of sani t ar i um. '
' Do you know wher e?'
' No. You don' t want t o, ei t her . ' Thei r wai t er came t o t he
t abl e. ' I know t hi s r est aur ant , ' Domi ni ck Romano sai d. ' Woul d
you l i ke me t o or der f or you?'
' I woul d. '
' Bene. ' He t ur ned t o t he wai t er . ' Pr i ma, past a f agi - ol i .
Dopo, abbacchi o ar r ost a con pol ent a. '
' Gr azi e. '
The f ood was super b and t he conver sat i on t ur ned l i ght and
casual . But when t hey got up t o l eave, Romano sai d, ' Dana,
st ay away f r omManci no. He i s not t he ki nd of man you
quest i on. '
' But i f he- '
' For get hi m. I n a wor d - omer t a. '
' Thank you, Domi ni ck. I appr eci at e your advi ce. '
Vi ncent Manci no' s of f i ces wer e i n a moder n bui l di ng he
owned on Vi a Sar degna. A heavyset guar d sat at t he r ecept i on
desk i n t he mar bl e l obby.
He l ooked up as Dana ent er ed. ' Buona gi or no. Posso
ai ut ar l a, si gnor i na?'
' My name i s Dana Evans. I ' d l i ke t o see Vi ncent Manci no. '
' You have an appoi nt ment ?'
' No. '
' Then I ' msor r y. '
' Tel l hi mi t ' s about Tayl or Wi nt hr op. '
The guar d st udi ed Dana a moment , t hen r eached f or a
t el ephone and spoke i nt o i t . He r epl aced t he r ecei ver . Dana
wai t ed.
What i n t he wor l d wi l l I f i nd?
The phone r ang, and t he guar d pi cked i t up and l i st ened a
moment . He t ur ned t o Dana. ' Second f l oor . Ther e wi l l be
someone t her e t o meet you. '
' Thank you. '
' Pr ego. '
Vi ncent Manci no' s of f i ce was smal l and uni mpr essi ve, not
at al l what Dana had expect ed. Manci no sat behi nd an ol d,
bat t er ed desk. He was i n hi s si xt i es, a medi um- si ze man, wi t h
a br oad chest , t hi n l i ps, whi t e hai r , and a hawk nose. He had
t he col dest eyes Dana had ever seen. On t he desk was a
gol d- f r amed phot ogr aph of a beaut i f ul t eenager .
As Dana ent er ed hi s of f i ce, Manci no sai d, ' You come about
Tayl or Wi nt hr op?' Hi s voi ce was r aspy and deep.
' Yes. I want ed t o t al k about - '
' Ther e i s not hi ng t o t al k about , si gnor i na. He di ed
i n a f i r e. He i s bur ni ng i n hel l , and hi s wi f e and hi s
chi l dr en ar e bur ni ng i n hel l . '
' May I si t down, Mr Manci no?'
He st ar t ed t o say, ' No. ' I nst ead he sai d, ' Scusi .
Somet i mes when I get upset , I f or get my manner s. Pr ego, si
accomodi . Pl ease, have a seat . '
Dana t ook a chai r acr oss f r omhi m. ' You and Tayl or
Wi nt hr op wer e negot i at i ng a t r ade deal bet ween your t wo
gover nment s. '
' Yes. '
' And you became f r i ends?'
' For a l i t t l e whi l e, f or se. '
Dana gl anced at t he phot ogr aph on t he desk. ' I s t hat your
daught er ?'
He di d not answer .
' She' s beaut i f ul . '
' Yes, she was ver y beaut i f ul . '
Dana l ooked at hi m, puzzl ed. ' I sn' t she st i l l al i ve?' She
wat ched hi mst udyi ng her , t r yi ng t o make up hi s mi nd whet her
t o t al k t o her .
When he f i nal l y spoke, he sai d, ' Al i ve? You t el l me. ' Hi s
voi ce was f i l l ed wi t h passi on. ' I t ook your Amer i can f r i end,
Tayl or Wi nt hr op, i nt o my home. He br oke br ead wi t h us. I
i nt r oduced hi mt o my f r i ends. Do you know how he r epai d me?
He made my beaut i f ul vi r gi n daught er pr egnant . She was
si xt een year s ol d. She was af r ai d t o t el l me because she knew
I woul d ki l l hi m, so she . . . she had an abor t i on. ' He spat
out t he wor d l i ke anat hema. ' Wi nt hr op was af r ai d of
publ i ci t y, so he di d not send
Pi a t o a doct or . No. He . . . he sent her t o a but cher . ' Hi s
eyes f i l l ed wi t h t ear s. ' A but cher who t or e out her womb. My
si xt een- year - ol d daught er , si gnor i na. . . ' Hi s voi ce was
choked. Tayl or Wi nt hr op not onl y dest r oyed my daught er , he
mur der ed my gr andchi l dr en and al l t hei r chi l dr en and t hei r
gr andchi l dr en. He wi ped out t he Manci no f ami l y' s f ut ur e. ' He
t ook a deep br eat h t o cal mhi msel f . ' Now he and hi s f ami l y
have pai d f or hi s t er r i bl e si n. '
Dana sat si l ent , speechl ess.
' My daught er i s i n a convent , si gnor i na. I wi l l never see
her agai n. Yes, I made a deal wi t h Tayl or Wi nt hr op. ' Hi s col d
st eel - gr ay eyes bor ed i nt o Dana' s. ' But i t was a deal wi t h
t he devi l . '
So t her e ar e t wo of t hem, Dana t hought . And Mar cel Fal con
st i l l t o meet .
On t he KLM f l i ght t o Bel gi um, Dana was consci ous of
someone t aki ng t he seat next t o her . She l ooked up. I t was an
at t r act i ve, pl easant - f aced man, and he had obvi ousl y asked
t he st ewar dess t o swi t ch hi s seat .
He l ooked at Dana and smi l ed. ' Good mor ni ng. Per mi t me t o
i nt r oduce mysel f . My name i s Davi d Haynes. ' He had an Engl i sh
accent .
' Dana Evans. '
Ther e was no r ecogni t i on on hi s f ace. ' I t ' s a l ovel y day
f or f l yi ng, i sn' t i t ?'
' Beaut i f ul , ' Dana agr eed.
He was eyei ng her admi r i ngl y. ' Ar e you t r avel i ng t o
Br ussel s on busi ness?'
' Busi ness and pl easur e. '
' Do you have f r i ends t her e?'
' A f ew. '
' I ' mwel l acquai nt ed i n Br ussel s. '
Wai t unt i l I t el l J ef f about t hi s, Dana t hought . And t hen
t he r eal i zat i on hi t her agai n. He' s wi t h Rachel .
He was st udyi ng her f ace. ' You l ook f ami l i ar . '
Dana smi l ed. ' I have t hat ki nd of f ace. '
When t he pl ane l anded at t he Br ussel s ai r por t and Dana
depl aned, a man st andi ng i nsi de t he t er mi nal pi cked up hi s
cel l ul ar phone and r epor t ed i n.
Davi d Haynes sai d, ' Do you have t r anspor t at i on?'
' No, but I can - '
' Pl ease al l ow me. ' He l ed Dana t o a wai t i ng st r et ch
l i mousi ne wi t h a chauf f eur . ' I ' l l dr op you at your hot el , ' he
t ol d Dana. He gave an or der t o t he chauf f eur and t he
l i mousi ne moved i nt o t r af f i c. ' I s t hi s your f i r st t i me i n
Br ussel s?'
' Yes. '
They wer e i n f r ont of a l ar ge, skyl i ght ed shoppi ng ar cade.
Haynes sai d, ' I f you pl an t o do any shoppi ng, I woul d suggest
her e - t he Gal er i es St - Huber t . '
' I t l ooks l ovel y. '
Haynes sai d t o t he dr i ver , ' St op a moment , Char l es. ' He
t ur ned t o Dana. ' Ther e' s t he f amous
Manneken Pi s f ount ai n. ' I t was a br onze st at ue of a l i t t l e
boy ur i nat i ng, pl aced hi gh i n a scal l op- shel l ni che. ' One of
t he most f amous st at ues i n t he wor l d. '
Whi l e I was i n pr i son, my wi f e and chi l dr en di ed. I f I had
been f r ee, I coul d have saved t hem.
Davi d Haynes was sayi ng, I f you' r e f r ee t hi s eveni ng, I ' d
l i ke - '
' I ' msor r y, ' Dana sai d. ' I ' maf r ai d I ' mnot . '
Ei ght een
Mat t had been summoned t o El l i ot Cr omwel l ' s of f i ce.
' We' r e mi ssi ng t wo of our key pl ayer s, Mat t . When i s J ef f
comi ng back?'
I ' mnot sur e, El l i ot . As you know, he' s i nvol ved i n a
per sonal si t uat i on wi t h hi s ex- wi f e, and I ' ve suggest ed he
t ake a l eave of absence. '
' I see. And when i s Dana comi ng back f r omBr ussel s?'
Mat t l ooked at El l i ot Cr omwel l and t hought : I never t ol d
hi mt hat Dana was i n Br ussel s.
The headquar t er s of NATO, t he Nor t h At l ant i c Tr eat y
Or gani zat i on, i s at Bui l di ng Leopol d I I I , and over t he r oof
t he Bel gi an f l ag f l i es, t hr ee equal ver t i cal bands of bl ack,
yel l ow, and r ed.
Dana had been sur e i t woul d be easy t o f i nd t he
i nf or mat i on about Tayl or Wi nt hr op' s pr emat ur e r et i r ement f r om
hi s post at NATO, and t hen she woul d be on her way home. But
NATO t ur ned out t o be a ni ght mar e of al phabet soup. Besi de
i t s si xt een member st at es, t her e wer e of f i ces f or NAC, EAPC,
NACC, ESDI , CJ TF, CSCE, and at l east a dozen mor e acr onyms.
Dana went t o NATO' s pr ess headquar t er s on r ue des
Chapel i er s and f ound J ean Somvi l l e i n t he pr essr oom.
He r ose t o gr eet her . ' Dana! '
' Hel l o, J ean. '
' What br i ngs you t o Br ussel s?'
' I ' mwor ki ng on a st or y, ' Dana sai d. ' I need some
i nf or mat i on. '
' Ah. Anot her st or y about NATO. '
' I n a way, ' Dana sai d caut i ousl y. ' Tayl or Wi nt hr op was t he
Uni t ed St at es advi ser t o NATO her e at one t i me. '
' Yes. He di d a f i ne j ob. He was a gr eat man. I t ' s such a
t r agedy about t hat f ami l y. ' He l ooked at Dana, cur i ous. ' What
i s i t you wi sh t o know?'
Dana chose her next wor ds car ef ul l y. ' He l ef t hi s post i n
Br ussel s ear l y. I wonder ed what t he r eason was. '
J ean Somvi l l e shr ugged. That ' s ver y si mpl e. He f i ni shed
what he had come her e f or . '
Dana f el t a shar p sense of di sappoi nt ment . ' Whi l e Wi nt hr op
was ser vi ng her e, di d anyt hi ng . . . unusual happen? Was
t her e any scandal about hi mof any ki nd?'
J ean Somvi l l e l ooked at her i n sur pr i se. ' Cer t ai nl y not !
Di d someone say t hat Tayl or Wi nt hr op was i n a scandal at
NATO?'
' No, ' Dana of f er ed qui ckl y. ' What I hear d was t her e was a
. . . a quar r el , some ki nd of di sagr eement bet ween Wi nt hr op and
someone her e. '
Somvi l l e f r owned. ' You mean a quar r el of a pr i vat e
nat ur e?'
' Yes. '
He pur sed hi s l i ps. ' I don' t know. I can possi bl y f i nd
out . '
' I woul d appr eci at e t hat ver y much. '
Dana t el ephoned J ean Somvi l l e t he f ol l owi ng day.
' Wer e you abl e t o f i nd out anyt hi ng mor e about Tayl or
Wi nt hr op?'
' I ' msor r y, Dana. I t r i ed. I ' maf r ai d t her e i s not hi ng t o
f i nd out . ' Dana had hal f expect ed J ean Som- vi l l e' s answer .
' Thanks, anyway. ' She f el t l et down.
' No pr obl em. I ' msor r y you wast ed t he t r i p. '
' J ean, I r ead t hat t he Fr ench ambassador t o NATO, Mar cel
Fal con, unexpect edl y r esi gned and went back t o Fr ance. I sn' t
t hat unusual ?'
' I n t he mi ddl e of a post i ng, yes. I suppose so. '
' Why di d he r esi gn?'
' Ther e' s no myst er y about t hat . I t was because of an
unf or t unat e acci dent . Hi s son was ki l l ed by a hi t - and- r un
dr i ver . '
' A hi t - and- r un dr i ver ? Di d t hey ever cat ch hi m?'
' Oh, yes. Shor t l y af t er t he acci dent , he t ur ned hi msel f
over t o t he pol i ce. '
Anot her dead end. ' I see. '
' The man was a chauf f eur by t he name of Ant oni o Per si co.
He was Tayl or Wi nt hr op' s chauf f eur . '
Dana f el t a sudden chi l l . ' Oh? Wher e i s Per si co now?'
' St Gi l l es Pr i son, her e i n Br ussel s. ' Somvi l l e added
apol oget i cal l y, I ' msor r y I coul d not be mor e hel pf ul . '
Dana had a r esume of t he st or y t axed t o her f r om
Washi ngt on. Ant oni o Per si co, a chauf f eur t o Ambassador Tayl or
Wi nt hr op, was sent enced t o l i f e i mpr i sonment by a Bel gi an
cour t t oday when he pl eaded gui l t y t o t he hi t - and- r un deat h
of Gabr i el Fal con, t he son of t he Fr ench ambassador t o t he
Uni t ed Nat i ons.
St Gi l l es Pr i son i s near t he cent er of Br ussel s, i n an ol d
whi t e bui l di ng wi t h t ur r et s t hat make i t r esembl e a cast l e.
Dana had t el ephoned ahead and got t en per mi ssi on t o i nt er vi ew
Ant oni o Per si co. Dana wal ked i nt o t he pr i son cour t yar d and
was escor t ed t o t he war den' s of f i ce.
' You ar e her e t o see Per si co. '
' Yes. '
' Ver y wel l . '
Af t er a br i sk sear ch, Dana was l ed by a guar d i nt o t he
i nt er vi ew r oom, wher e Ant oni o Per si co was wai t i ng. He was a
smal l , pal e man, wi t h wi de- set gr een eyes and a f ace t hat was
const ant l y t wi t chi ng.
When Dana wal ked i n, Per si co' s f i r st wor ds wer e ' Thank God
someone has f i nal l y come! You' l l get me out of her e now. '
Dana l ooked at hi m, puzzl ed. ' I - I ' msor r y. I ' maf r ai d I
can' t do t hat . '
Per si co' s eyes nar r owed. ' Then why have you come? They
pr omi sed someone woul d come t o get me out . '
' I came t o t al k t o you about t he deat h of Gabr i el Fal con. '
Per si co' s voi ce r ose. ' I had not hi ng t o do wi t h t hat . I am
i nnocent . '
' But you conf essed. '
' I l i ed. '
Dana sai d, ' Why woul d you . . . ?'
Ant oni o Per si co l ooked i nt o her eyes and sai d bi t t er l y, ' I
was pai d. Tayl or Wi nt hr op ki l l ed hi m. ' Ther e was a l ong
si l ence.
' Tel l me about i t . '
The t wi t chi ng got wor se. ' I t happened on a Fr i day ni ght .
Mr Wi nt hr op' s wi f e was i n London t hat weekend. ' Hi s voi ce was
st r ai ned. ' Mr Wi nt hr op was al one. He went t o t he Andenne
Bel gi que, a ni ght cl ub. I of f er ed t o dr i ve hi m, but he sai d he
woul d dr i ve hi msel f . ' Per si co st opped, r emember i ng.
' What happened t hen?' Dana ur ged.
' Mr Wi nt hr op came home l at e, ver y dr unk. He t ol d me t hat a
young boy had r un i n f r ont of t he car . He - he r an hi mdown.
Mr Wi nt hr op di dn' t want a scandal , so he kept dr i vi ng. Then
he became af r ai d t hat someone mi ght have seen t he acci dent
and gi ven t he l i cense number t o t he pol i ce and t hat t hey
woul d come f or hi m. He had di pl omat i c i mmuni t y, but he sai d
i f t he news came out , i t woul d spoi l t he Russi an pl an. '
Dana f r owned. ' The Russi an pl an?'
' Yes. That ' s what he sai d. '
' What i s t he Russi an pl an?'
He shr ugged. ' I don' t know. I hear d hi msay i t on t he
t el ephone. He was l i ke a cr azy man. ' Per si co shook hi s head.
' Al l he kept sayi ng on t he phone was ' The Russi an pl an must
go on. We' ve gone t oo f ar t o l et anyt hi ng st op i t now. " '
' And you have no i dea what he was t al ki ng about ?'
' No. '
' Can you r emember anyt hi ng el se he sai d?'
Per si co t hought f or a moment . ' He sai d somet hi ng l i ke " Al l
t he pi eces have f al l en i nt o pl ace. ' He l ooked at Dana.
' What ever i t was, i t sounded ver y i mpor t ant . '
Dana was absor bi ng ever y wor d. ' Mr Per si co, why woul d you
t ake t he bl ame f or t he acci dent ?'
Per si co' s j aw t i ght ened. ' I t ol d you. I was pai d. Tayl or
Wi nt hr op sai d t hat i f I woul d conf ess t hat I was t he one
behi nd t he wheel , he woul d gi ve me one mi l l i on dol l ar s and
t ake car e of my f ami l y whi l e I was i n pr i son. He sai d he
coul d ar r ange f or a shor t sent ence. ' He was gr i t t i ng hi s
t eet h. ' Li ke a f ool , I sai d yes. ' He bi t down on hi s l i p.
' And now he i s dead, and I wi l l spend t he r est of my l i f e i n
t hi s pl ace. ' Hi s eyes wer e f i l l ed wi t h despai r .
Dana st ood t her e, shocked by what she had hear d. Fi nal l y
she asked, ' Have you t ol d t hi s t o anyone?'
Per si co sai d bi t t er l y, ' Of cour se, As soon as I hear d t hat
Tayl or Wi nt hr op was dead, I t ol d t he pol i ce about our
bar gai n. '
' And?'
' They l aughed at me. '
' Mr Per si co, I ' mgoi ng t o ask you somet hi ng ver y
i mpor t ant . Thi nk car ef ul l y bef or e you answer . Di d you ever
t el l Mar cel Fal con t hat i t was Tayl or Wi nt hr op who ki l l ed hi s
son?'
' Cer t ai nl y. I t hought he woul d hel p me. '
' When you t ol d hi m, what di d Mar cel Fal con say?'
' Hi s exact wor ds wer e " May t he r est of hi s f ami l y j oi n hi m
i n hel l . " '
Dana t hought , My God. Now t her e ar e t hr ee.
I have t o t al k t o Mar cel Fal con i n Par i s.
I t was i mpossi bl e not t o f eel t he magi c of Par i s, even as
t hey f l ew over t he ci t y, pr epar i ng t o l and. I t was t he ci t y
of l i ght , i t was t he ci t y of l over s. I t was no pl ace t o come
by onesel f . The ci t y made Dana ache f or J ef f .
Dana was i n t he Rel ai s i n t he Hot el Pl aza At henee t al ki ng
t o J ean- Paul Huber t , wi t h Met r o 6 t el e- vi si on. ' Mar cel
Fal con? Of cour se. Ever yone knows who
he i s. ' What can you t el l me about hi m?' He' s qui t e a
char act er . He' s what you Amer i cans cal l " bi g t i me. " ' What
does he do?' ' Fal con owns a huge phar maceut i cal company. A
t ew year s ago he was accused of f or ci ng smal l er compani es
out of busi ness, but he has pol i t i cal connect i ons, and
not hi ng happened. The Fr ench pr emi er even made hi mambassador
t o NATO. '
' But he qui t , ' Dana sai d. ' Why?'
' I t ' s a sad st or y. Hi s son was ki l l ed i n Br ussel s by a
dr unk dr i ver , and Fal con coul dn' t handl e i t . He l ef t NATO and
r et ur ned t o Par i s. Hi s wi f e had a ner vous br eakdown. She' s at
a sani t ar i umi n Cannes. ' J ean- Paul l ooked at Dana and sai d
ear nest l y, ' Dana, i f you' r e t hi nki ng about doi ng a st or y on
Fal con, be ver y car ef ul what you wr i t e. He has t he r eput at i on
of bei ng a ver y vi ndi ct i ve man. '
I t t ook Dana a day t o get an appoi nt ment wi t h Mar cel
Fal con.
When she was f i nal l y usher ed i nt o hi s of f i ce, he sai d, ' I
agr eed t o see you because I aman admi r er of your wor k,
mademoi sel l e. Your br oadcast s f r omt he war zone wer e ver y
cour ageous. '
' Thank you. '
Mar cel Fal con was an i mposi ng- l ooki ng man, heavyset , wi t h
st r ong f eat ur es and pi er ci ng bl ue eyes. ' Pl ease si t down.
What can I do f or you?'
' I want ed t o ask you about your son. '
' Ah, yes. ' Hi s eyes l ooked desol at e. ' Gabr i el was a
wonder f ul boy. '
Dana sai d, ' The man who r an hi mdown - '
' The chauf f eur . '
Dana l ooked at hi mi n ast oni shment .
Thi nk car ef ul l y bef or e you answer . Di d you ever t el l
Mar cel Fal con t hat i t was Tayl or Wi nt hr op who was r esponsi bl e
f or hi s son' s deat h?
Cer t ai nl y. As soon as I l ear ned t hat Wi nt hr op was dead.
What di d Mar cel Fal con say?
Hi s exact wor ds wer e ' May t he r est of hi s f ami l y j oi n hi m
i n hel l . '
And now Mar cel Fal con was act i ng as t hough he wer e unawar e
of t he t r ut h.
' Mr Fal con, when you wer e at NATO, Tayl or Wi nt hr op was
al so t her e. ' Dana was wat chi ng Fal con' s f ace, l ooki ng f or t he
sl i ght est change of expr essi on. Ther e was none.
' Yes. We met . ' Hi s t one was casual .
That ' s i t ? Dana wonder ed. Yes. We met . What i s he hi di ng?
' Mr Fal con, I woul d l i ke t o speak wi t h your wi f e i f - '
' I ' maf r ai d she i s away on a hol i day. ' She had a ner vous
br eakdown, and she' s i n a sani - t ar i umi n Cannes. Mar cel
Fal con was ei t her i n a st at e of compl et e deni al or he was
pr of essi ng i gnor ance f or a mor e si ni st er r eason.
ana t el ephoned Mat t f r omher r oomat t he Pl aza i henee.
' Dana, when ar e you comi ng home?'
' I have j ust one mor e l ead t o f ol l ow, Mat t . Tayl or
Wi nt hr op' s chauf f eur i n Br ussel s t ol d me t hat Wi nt hr op t al ked
about some secr et Russi an pl an t hat he di dn' t want
i nt er r upt ed. I have t o see i f I can f i nd out what he was
t al ki ng about . I want t o speak wi t h some of hi s associ at es i n
Moscow. '
' Al l r i ght . But Cr omwel l want s you back i n t he st udi o as
soon as possi bl e. Ti mDr ew i s our cor r espondent i n Moscow.
I ' l l have hi mmeet you. He can be hel pf ul . '
' Thanks. I shoul dn' t be i n Russi a mor e t han a day or t wo. '
' Dana?'
' Yes?'
' Never mi nd. Good- bye. '
Thanks. I shoul dn ' t be i n Russi a mor e t han a day
or t wo.
Dana?
Yes?
Never mi nd. Good- bye.
Tape ends.
Dana t el ephoned home.
' Good eveni ng, Mr s Dal ey - or r at her , good af t er noon. '
' Mi ss Evans! I t ' s gr and t o hear f r omyou. '
' How i s ever yt hi ng t her e?'
' J ust l ovel y. '
' How i s Kemal ? Ar e t her e any pr obl ems?'
' None at al l . He cer t ai nl y mi sses you. '
' I mi ss hi m. Wi l l you put hi mon?'
' He' s t aki ng a nap. Woul d you l i ke me t o wake hi mup?'
Dana sai d i n sur pr i se, ' Taki ng a nap? When I cal l ed t he
ot her day, he was t aki ng a nap. '
' Yes. The l ad came home f r omschool , and he f el t t i r ed, so
I t hought a nap woul d be good f or hi m. '
' I see . . . Wel l , j ust t el l hi mI l ove hi m. I ' l l cal l
t omor r ow. Tel l hi mI ' mgoi ng t o br i ng hi mback a bear f r om
Russi a. '
' A bear ? Wel l ! He' l l be t hat exci t ed. '
Dana cal l ed Roger Hudson.
' Roger , I hat e t o i mpose, but I need a f avor . '
' I f t her e' s somet hi ng I can do . . . '
' I ' ml eavi ng f or Moscow, and I want t o t al k t o Edwar d
Har dy, t he Amer i can ambassador t her e. I was hopi ng t hat you
mi ght know hi m. '
' As a mat t er of f act , I do. '
' I ' mi n Par i s. I f you coul d f ax me a l et t er of
i nt r oduct i on, I woul d r eal l y appr eci at e i t . '
' I can do bet t er t han t hat . I ' l l gi ve hi ma cal l and t el l
hi mt o expect you. '
' Thank you, Roger . I ' mver y gr at ef ul . '
I t was New Year ' s Eve. I t was a shock t o r emember t hat
t hi s was t o have been her weddi ng day. Soon, Dana t ol d
her sel f . Soon. She put on her coat and went out si de.
The door man sai d, ' Taxi , Mi ss Evans?'
' No, t hanks. ' She had nowher e t o go. J ean- Paul Huber t was
away vi si t i ng hi s f ami l y. Thi s i s no ci t y t o be al one i n,
Dana deci ded.
She began t o wal k, t r yi ng not t o t hi nk about J ef f and
Rachel . Tr yi ng not t o t hi nk. Dana passed a smal l chur ch t hat
was open, and on an i mpul se, she went i nsi de. The cool , qui et
vaul t ed i nt er i or gave Dana a sense of peace. She sat down i n
a pew and sai d a si l ent pr ayer .
At mi dni ght , as Dana was wal ki ng t he st r eet s, Par i s
expl oded i n a cacophony of noi se and conf et t i . She wonder ed
what J ef f was doi ng. Ar e he and Rachel maki ng l ove? He had
not cal l ed. How coul d he have f or got t en t hat t hi s ni ght was
so speci al ?
I n Dana' s hot el r oom, on t he f l oor , nea, r t he dr esser , t he
cel l phone t hat had f al l en f r omher pur se was r i ngi ng.
goi ng t o be my weddi ng ni ght . Oh, J ef f why don' t you cal l
me?
She cr i ed her sel f t o sl eep.
When Dana r et ur ned t o t he Pl aza At henee, i t was t hr ee i n
t he mor ni ng. She wal ked i nt o her r oom, got undr essed, and
cr awl ed i nt o bed. Fi r st her f at her and now J ef f . Abandonment
r an t hr ough her l i f e l i ke a dar k t hr ead i n a t apest r y. I ' m
not goi ng t o f eel sor r y f or mysel f , she swor e. So what i f
t hi s was
Ni net een
The f l i ght t o Moscow on Sabena Ai r l i nes t ook t hr ee and a
hal f hour s. Dana not ed t hat most of t he passenger s wer e
dr essed i n war mcl ot hi ng, and t he baggage r acks wer e l oaded
wi t h f ur coat s, hat s, and scar ves.
I shoul d have dr essed mor e war ml y, Dana t hought . Wel l , I
won' t be i n Moscow f or mor e t han a day or t wo.
She coul d not st op t hi nki ng about Ant oni o Per - si co' s
wor ds. Wi nt hr op was l i ke a cr azy man. Al l he kept sayi ng on
t he phone was ' The Russi an pl an must go on. We ' ve gone t oo
f ar t o l et anyt hi ng st op i t now. '
What i mpor t ant pl an was Wi nt hr op wor ki ng on? What pi eces
had f al l en i nt o pl ace? And soon af t er , t he pr esi dent had
appoi nt ed hi mambassador t o Moscow.
The mor e i nf or mat i on I get , t he l ess sense i t makes, Dana
deci ded.
To Dana' s sur pr i se, Sher emet yevo I I , Russi a' s
i nt er nat i onal ai r por t , was cr owded wi t h t our i st s. Why woul d
any sane per son vi si t Russi a i n t he wi nt er ? Dana wonder ed.
When Dana r eached t he baggage car ousel , a man st andi ng
near by was sur r ept i t i ousl y wat chi ng her . Dana' s hear t ski pped
a beat . They knew I was comi ng her e, she t hought . How coul d
t hey have?
The man was appr oachi ng her . ' Dana Evans?' He had a t hi ck
Sl ovak accent .
' Yes. . . '
He br oke i nt o a br oad smi l e and sai d exci t edl y, ' You ar e
my bi ggest f an! You wat ch me on t el evi si on al l t he t i me. '
Dana f el t a sur ge of r el i ef . ' Oh. Yes. Thank you. '
' I wonder i f you woul d be so pl easant t o gi ve me your
aut ogr aph?'
' Of cour se. '
He t hr ust a pi ece of paper i n f r ont of Dana. ' I do not
have a pen. '
' I do. ' Dana t ook out her new gol d pen and gave hi mher
aut ogr aph.
' Spasi ba! Spasi ba! '
As Dana st ar t ed t o put t he pen back i n her pur se, someone
j ost l ed her and t he pen f el l t o t he concr et e f l oor . Dana
r eached down and pi cked i t up. The casi ng had cr acked.
I hope I can get t hi s r epai r ed, Dana t hought . And t hen she
l ooked at i t mor e cl osel y. A t i ny wi r e was showi ng t hr ough
t he cr ack. Puzzl ed, she pul l ed i t
out gent l y. Ther e was a mi cr ot r ansmi t t er at t ached t o i t .
Dana st ar ed at i t i n di sbel i ef . That ' s how t hey al ways knew
wher e I was! But who put i t t her e and why? She r emember ed t he
car d t hat had come wi t h i t .
Dear Dana, have a saf e t r i p. The Gang.
Fur i ous, Dana r i pped out t he wi r e, t hr ew i t t o t he gr ound,
and cr ushed i t wi t h her heel .
I n an i sol at ed l abor at or y r oom, t he si gnal mar ker on a map
suddenl y di sappear ed.
' Oh, shi t ! '
' Dana?'
She t ur ned. WTN' s Moscow cor r espondent st ood t her e.
' I ' mTi mDr ew. Sor r y I ' ml at e. The t r af f i c out t her e i s a
ni ght mar e. '
Ti mDr ew was i n hi s f or t i es, a t al l , r ed- hai r ed man wi t h a
war msmi l e. ' I have a car wai t i ng out si de. Mat t t el l s me t hat
you' r e her e f or j ust a coupl e of days. '
' That ' s r i ght . '
They pi cked up Dana' s l uggage at t he car ousel and headed
out si de.
The dr i ve i nt o Moscow was l i ke a scene f r omDoct or
Zhi vago. I t seemed t o Dana t hat t he ent i r e ci t y was wr apped
i n a mant l e of pur e whi t e snow.
' Thi s i s so beaut i f ul ! ' Dana excl ai med. ' How l ong have you
been her e?'
' Two year s. '
' Do you l i ke i t ?'
' I t ' s a l i t t l e scar y. Yel t si n i s al ways t wo r ol l s shor t of
a baker ' s dozen, and no one knows what t o expect f r om
Vl adi mi r Put i n. The i nmat es ar e r unni ng t he asyl um. ' He
sl ammed t o a st op t o l et some j aywal ker s pass. ' You' r e booked
at t he Sevast opol Hot el . '
' Yes. How i s i t ?'
' I t ' s one of your t ypi cal I nt our i st hot el s. You can be
sur e t her e wi l l be someone on your f l oor t o keep an eye on
you. '
The st r eet s wer e cr owded wi t h peopl e bundl ed up i n f ur s
and heavy sweat er s and over coat s. Ti mDr ew gl anced over at
Dana. ' You' d bet t er get some war mer cl ot hes or you' r e goi ng
t o f r eeze. '
' I ' l l be f i ne. I shoul d be on my way home t omor r ow or t he
next day. '
Ahead of t hemwas Red Squar e and t he Kr eml i n. The Kr eml i n
i t sel f st ood hi gh on a hi l l t hat t ower ed over t he l ef t bank
of t he Moskva Ri ver .
' My God, t hat ' s i mpr essi ve, ' Dana sai d.
' Yeah. I f t hose wal l s coul d t al k, you' d hear a l ot of
scr eami ng. ' Ti mDr ew went on: ' I t ' s one of t he most f amous
bui l di ngs i n t he wor l d. I t si t s on a pl ot of l and cover i ng
Li t t l e Bor ovi t sky Hi l l on t he nor t h bank and. . . '
Dana had st opped l i st eni ng. She was t hi nki ng, What i f
Ant oni o Per si co l i ed? What i f he made up t he st or y about
Tayl or Wi nt hr op ki l l i ng t he boy? And l i ed about t he Russi an
pl an.
' That ' s Red Squar e out si de t he east wal l . The Kut - af ya
Tower t her e i s t he vi si t or s' ent r ance at t he west wal l . '
But t hen why was Tayl or Wi nt hr op so desper at e t o come t o
Russi a? Si mpl y bei ng ambassador woul d not have meant t hat
much t o hi m.
Ti mDr ew was sayi ng, ' Thi s i s wher e al l t he Russi an power
has been f or cent ur i es. I van t he Ter r i bl e and St al i n had
t hei r headquar t er s her e, and Leni n and Khr ushchev. '
Al l t he pi eces f el l i nt o pl ace. I have t o f i nd out what he
meant by t hat .
They had pul l ed up i n f r ont of an enor mous hot el . ' Her e we
ar e, ' Ti mDr ew sai d.
' Thanks, Ti m. ' Dana got out of t he car and was hi t by a
sol i d wave of f r eezi ng ai r .
' You go on i nsi de, ' Ti mcal l ed. ' I ' l l br i ng your bags i n.
By t he way, i f you' r e f r ee t hi s eveni ng, I ' d l i ke t o t ake
you t o di nner . '
' Thank you ver y much. '
' Ther e' s a pr i vat e cl ub t hat has good f ood. I t hi nk you' l l
enj oy i t . '
' Lovel y. '
The l obby of t he Sevast opol Hot el was l ar ge and or nat e,
and f i l l ed wi t h peopl e. Ther e wer e sever al cl er ks wor ki ng
behi nd t he r ecept i on desk. Dana wal ked up t o one of t hem.
He l ooked up. ' Da?
' I ' mDana Evans. I have a r eser vat i on. '
The man l ooked at her a moment and sai d ner vousl y, ' Ah,
yes. Mi ss Evans. ' He handed her a r eser vat i on car d. ' Woul d
you f i l l t hi s out , pl ease? And I ' l l need your passpor t . '
As Dana began t o wr i t e, t he cl er k l ooked acr oss t he l obby
at a man st andi ng i n t he cor ner and nodded. Dana handed t he
r egi st r at i on car d t o t he cl er k.
' I ' l l have someone t ake you t o your r oom. '
' Thank you. '
The r oomhad a vague ai r of onet i me gent i l i t y, and t he
f ur ni t ur e l ooked wor n and shabby and smel l ed must y.
A heavyset woman i n a shapel ess uni f or mbr ought i n Dana' s
bags. Dana t i pped her , and t he woman gr unt ed and l ef t . Dana
pi cked up t he t el ephone and cal l ed 252- 2451.
' Amer i can Embassy. '
' Ambassador Har dy' s of f i ce, pl ease. '
' One moment . '
' Ambassador Har dy' s of f i ce. '
' Hel l o. Thi s i s Dana Evans. May I speak t o t he
ambassador ?'
' Coul d you t el l me what i t ' s concer ni ng?'
' I t ' s - i t ' s per sonal . '
' J ust a moment , pl ease. '
Thi r t y seconds l at er Ambassador Har dy was on t he phone.
' Mi ss Evans?'
' Yes. '
' Wel come t o Moscow. '
' Thank you. '
' Roger Hudson cal l ed t o say you wer e comi ng. What can I do
f or you?'
' I wonder i f I coul d come and see you?'
' Cer t ai nl y. I ' m- hol d on a moment . ' Ther e was a br i ef
pause, and t he ambassador came back on t he l i ne. ' What about
t omor r ow mor ni ng? Ten o' cl ock?'
' That wi l l be f i ne. Thank you ver y much. '
' Unt i l t hen. '
Dana l ooked out t he wi ndow at t he cr owds hur r yi ng t hr ough
t he bi t t er col d and t hought , Ti mwas r i ght . I had bet t er buy
some war mer cl ot hes.
GUM Depar t ment St or e was not f ar f r omDana' s hot el . I t was
an enor mous empor i um, st ocked wi t h cheap goods t hat r anged
f r omcl ot hi ng t o har dwar e. Dana wal ked over t o t he women' s
sect i on, wher e t her e wer e r acks of heavy coat s. She sel ect ed
a wool en r ed one and a r ed scar f t o mat ch. I t was t went y
mi nut es bef or e she coul d f i nd a cl er k t o handl e t he
t r ansact i on.
When Dana r et ur ned t o her r oom, her cel l phone was
r i ngi ng. I t was J ef f .
' Hel l o, dar l i ng. I t r i ed t o cal l you on New Year ' s Eve,
but you di dn' t answer your cel l phone, and I di dn' t know
wher e t o r each you. '
' I ' msor r y, J ef f . ' So he di dn' t f or get ! Bl ess hi m.
' Wher e ar e you?'
I ' mi n Moscow. '
' I s ever yt hi ng al l r i ght , honey?'
' Wonder f ul . J ef f , t el l me about Rachel . '
I t ' s t oo soon t o say. They' r e goi ng t o t r y a new t her apy
on her t omor r ow. I t ' s st i l l ver y exper i ment al . We' l l have t he
r esul t i n a f ew days. '
' I hope i t wor ks, ' Dana sai d.
' I s i t col d t her e?'
Dana l aughed. ' You woul dn' t bel i eve i t . I ' ma human
i ci cl e. '
' I wi sh I wer e t her e t o mel t you. '
They spoke f or anot her f i ve mi nut es, and Dana coul d hear
Rachel ' s voi ce cal l i ng J ef f .
J ef f sai d on t he phone, ' I have t o go, dar l i ng. Rachel
needs me. '
I need you t oo, Dana t hought . ' I l ove you. '
' I l ove you. '
The Amer i can Embassy at 19- 23 Novi nsky Bul ' var was an
anci ent , r un- down bui l di ng, wi t h Russi an guar ds st andi ng i n
sent r y boot hs out si de. A l ong queue of peopl e wai t ed
pat i ent l y. Dana passed t he
l i ne and gave her name t o a guar d. He l ooked at a r ost er
and waved her i n.
I nsi de t he l obby, an Amer i can mar i ne st ood i n a
bul l et pr oof gl ass secur i t y boot h. An Amer i can f emal e guar d i n
uni f or mchecked t he cont ent s of Dana' s pur se.
' Okay. '
' Thank you. ' Dana wal ked t o t he desk. ' Dana Evans. '
A man st andi ng near t he desk sai d, ' The ambassador i s
expect i ng you, Mi ss Evans. Come wi t h me, pl ease. '
Dana f ol l owed hi mup some mar bl e st ai r s i nt o a r ecept i on
of f i ce at t he end of a l ong hal l way. As Dana ent er ed, an
at t r act i ve woman i n her ear l y f or t i es smi l ed and sai d, ' Mi ss
Evans, t hi s i s a pl easur e. I ' mLee Hopki ns, t he ambassador ' s
secr et ar y. You may go r i ght i n. '
Dana wal ked i nt o t he i nner of f i ce. Ambassador Edwar d Har dy
r ose as she appr oached hi s desk.
' Good mor ni ng, Mi ss Evans. '
' Good mor ni ng, ' Dana sai d. ' Thank you f or seei ng me. '
The ambassador was a t al l , f l or i d- l ooki ng man wi t h t he
hear t y manner of a pol i t i ci an.
I ' mdel i ght ed t o meet you. Can I get you anyt hi ng?'
' No t hanks, I ' mf i ne. '
' Pl ease have a seat . '
Dana sat down.
' I was del i ght ed when Roger Hudson t ol d me t o expect your
vi si t . You' ve come at an i nt er est i ng t i me. '
' Oh?'
' I hat e t o say t hi s, but bet ween you and me, I ' maf r ai d
t hi s count r y i s i n f r ee f al l . ' He si ghed. ' To be per f ect l y
f r ank, I have no i dea what ' s goi ng t o happen her e next , Mi ss
Evans. Thi s i s a count r y wi t h ei ght hundr ed year s of hi st or y,
and we' r e wat chi ng i t go down t he dr ai n. The cr i mi nal s ar e
r unni ng t he count r y. '
Dana l ooked at hi mcur i ousl y. ' What do you mean?'
The ambassador l eaned back i n hi s chai r . ' The l aw her e
says t hat no member of t he Duma - t hat ' s t he l ower par l i ament
- can be pr osecut ed f or any cr i me. The r esul t i s t hat t he
Duma i s f i l l ed wi t h men who ar e want ed f or al l ki nds of
f el oni es - gangst er s who have ser ved t i me i n pr i son, and
cr i mi nal s who ar e i n t he pr ocess of commi t t i ng cr i mes. None
of t hemcan be t ouched. '
That ' s i ncr edi bl e, ' Dana sai d.
' Yes. The Russi an peopl e ar e wonder f ul , but t hei r
gover nment . . . Wel l , what can I do f or you, Mi ss Evans?'
' I want ed t o ask you about Tayl or Wi nt hr op. I ' mdoi ng a
st or y about t he f ami l y. '
Ambassador Har dy shook hi s head i n sor r ow. ' I t ' s l i ke a
Gr eek t r agedy, i sn' t i t ?'
' Yes. ' That phr ase agai n.
Ambassador Har dy l ooked at Dana cur i ousl y. ' The wor l d has
hear d t hat st or y over and over . I woul dn' t t hi nk t her e' s much
mor e t o say about i t . '
Dana sai d car ef ul l y, ' I want t o t el l i t f r oma per sonal
angl e. I want t o know what Tayl or Wi nt hr op r eal l y l i ke, what
ki nd of man he was, who hi s f r i ends wer e her e, i f he had any
enemi es
' Enemi es?' He l ooked sur pr i sed. ' No. Ever yone l oved
Tayl or . He was pr obabl y t he best ambassador we ever had
her e. '
' Di d you wor k wi t h hi m?'
' Yes. I was hi s deput y chi ef of mi ssi on f or a year . '
' Ambassador Har dy, do you know i f Tayl or Wi nt hr op was
wor ki ng on anyt hi ng wher e- ' She st opped, not sur e how t o
phr ase i t . ' - al l t he pi eces had t o come t oget her ?'
Ambassador Har dy f r owned. ' You mean some ki nd of busi ness
deal or gover nment deal ?'
' I ' mnot sur e what I mean, ' Dana conf essed.
Ambassador Har dy t hought f or a moment . ' I ' mnot , ei t her .
No, I have no i dea what t hat coul d be. '
Dana sai d, ' Some of t he peopl e who ar e wor ki ng her e i n t he
embassy now - di d t hey wor k wi t h hi m?'
' Oh, yes. As a mat t er of f act , my secr et ar y, Lee, was
Tayl or ' s secr et ar y. '
' Woul d you mi nd i f I t al ked t o her ?'
' Not at al l . I n f act , I ' l l gi ve you a l i st of some of t he
peopl e her e who mi ght be hel pf ul . '
' That woul d be wonder f ul . Thank you. '
He r ose. ' Be car ef ul whi l e you' r e her e, Mi ss Evans.
Ther e' s a l ot of cr i me on t he st r eet s. '
' So I ' ve hear d. '
' Don' t dr i nk t he t ap wat er . Not even t he Russi ans dr i nk
i t . Oh, and when you eat out , al ways speci f y chi st i st ol -
t hat means a cl ean t abl e - or you' l l f i nd your t abl e l oaded
wi t h expensi ve appet i zer s t hat you don' t want . I f you' r e
goi ng shoppi ng, t he Ar bat i s t he best pl ace. The shops t her e
have ever yt hi ng. And be car ef ul of t he t axi s her e. Take t he
ol der , shabbi er ones. The con ar t i st s most l y dr i ve new ones. '
' Thank you. ' Dana smi l ed. ' I ' l l r emember . '
Fi ve mi nut es l at er Dana was speaki ng t o Lee Hopki ns, t he
ambassador ' s secr et ar y. They wer e i n a smal l r oomal one wi t h
t he door cl osed.
' How l ong di d you wor k f or Ambassador Wi nt hr op?'
' Ei ght een mont hs. What i s i t you want t o know?' ' Di d
Ambassador Wi nt hr op make any enemi es when he was her e?'
Lee Hopki ns l ooked at Dana i n sur pr i se. ' Enemi es?'
' Yes. I n a j ob l i ke t hi s, I i magi ne t hat somet i mes
you have t o say no t o peopl e who mi ght r esent i t .
I ' msur e t hat Ambassador Wi nt hr op coul dn' t pl ease
ever ybody. '
Lee Hopki ns shook her head. ' I don' t know what you' r e
af t er , Mi ss Evans, but i f you' r e i nt endi ng
t o wr i t e bad t hi ngs about Tayl or Wi nt hr op, you' ve come t o
t he wr ong per son f or hel p. He was t he ki ndest , most
consi der at e man I ' ve ever known. '
Her e we go agai n, Dana t hought .
I n t he next t wo hour s, Dana t al ked t o f i ve mor e peopl e who
had wor ked at t he embassy dur i ng Tayl or Wi nt hr op' s t er m.
He was a br i l l i ant man . . .
He r eal l y l i ked peopl e . . .
He went out of hi s way t o hel p us . . .
Enemi es? Not Tayl or Wi nt hr op . . .
I ' mwast i ng my t i me, Dana t hought . She went t o see
Ambassador Har dy agai n.
' Di d you get what you want ed?' he asked. He seemed l ess
f r i endl y.
Dana hesi t at ed. ' Not exact l y, ' she sai d honest l y.
He l eaned f or war d. ' And I don' t t hi nk you wi l l , Mi ss
Evans. Not i f you' r e l ooki ng f or negat i ve t hi ngs about Tayl or
Wi nt hr op. You have ever yone upset ar ound her e. They l oved t he
man. So di d I . Don' t t r y t o di g up skel et ons t hat don' t
exi st . I f t hat ' s al l
you came her e f or , you can l eave. '
' Thank you, ' Dana sai d. ' I wi l l . '
Dana had no i nt ent i on of l eavi ng.
The VI P Nat i onal Cl ub, di r ect l y opposi t e t he Kr eml i n and
Manezh Squar e, was a pr i vat e r est aur ant and casi no. Ti mDr ew
was wai t i ng t her e f or Dana when she ar r i ved.
Wel come, he sai d. I t hi nk you' l l enj oy t hi s. Thi s pl ace
ent er t ai ns t he cr eamof Moscow' s hi gh- soci et y mover s and
shaker s. I f a bomb f el l on t hi s r est aur ant , I t hi nk t he
gover nment woul d be out of busi ness. '
The di nner was del i ci ous. They st ar t ed wi t h bl i ni and
cavi ar and f ol l owed t hat wi t h bor scht , Geor gi an st ur geon wi t h
a wal nut sauce, beef st r oganof f and s ' l oukomr i ce, and
vat r ushki cheese t ar t l et s f or desser t .
Thi s i s wonder f ul , ' Dana sai d. ' I had hear d t hat t he f ood
i n Russi a was t er r i bl e. '
' I t i s, ' Ti mDr ew assur ed her . Thi s i sn' t Russi a. Thi s i s
a speci al l i t t l e oasi s. '
' What i s i t l i ke l i vi ng her e?' Dana asked.
Ti mDr ew was t hought f ul f or a moment . ' I t ' s l i ke st andi ng
near a vol cano, wai t i ng f or i t t o er upt . You never know when
i t ' s goi ng t o happen. The men i n power ar e st eal i ng bi l l i ons
f r omt he count r y and t he peopl e ar e st ar vi ng. That ' s what
st ar t ed t he l ast r evol ut i on. God knows what ' s goi ng t o happen
now. To be f ai r , t hat ' s onl y one si de of t he st or y. The
cul t ur e her e i s i ncr edi bl e. They have t he Bol shoi Theat er ,
t he gr eat Her mi t age, t he Pushki n Museum, t he Russi an bal l et ,
t he Moscow Ci r cus - t he l i st goes on and on. Russi a pr oduces
mor e books t han t he r est of t he wor l d combi ned, and t he
aver age Russi an r eads t hr ee t i mes as many books a year as t he
aver age Uni t ed St at es ci t i zen. '
' Maybe t hey' r e r eadi ng t he wr ong books, ' Dana sai d dr yl y.
' Maybe. Ri ght now t he peopl e ar e caught i n t he mi ddl e,
bet ween capi t al i smand communi sm, and nei t her i s wor ki ng.
Ther e' s bad ser vi ce, i nf l at ed cost s, and a hel l of a l ot of
cr i me. ' He l ooked at Dana. ' I hope I ' mnot depr essi ng you. '
' No. Tel l me, Ti m, di d you know Tayl or Wi nt hr op?'
' I i nt er vi ewed hi ma f ew t i mes. '
' Di d you ever hear anyt hi ng about some bi g pr oj ect he was
i nvol ved i n?'
' He was i nvol ved i n a l ot of pr oj ect s. Af t er al l , he was
our ambassador . '
' I ' mnot t al ki ng about t hat . I ' mt al ki ng about somet hi ng
di f f er ent . Somet hi ng ver y compl i cat ed - wher e al l t he pi eces
had t o f al l i nt o pl ace. '
Ti mDr ew t hought f or a moment . ' I t doesn' t r i ng a bel l . '
' I s t her e anyone her e t hat he had a l ot of cont act
wi t h?'
Some of hi s Russi an count er par t s, I suppose. You mi ght
t al k t o t hem. '
' Ri ght , ' Dana sai d. ' I wi l l . '
The wai t er br ought t he check. Ti mDr ew scanned i t and
l ooked up at Dana. ' Thi s i s t ypi cal . Ther e ar e t hr ee separ at e
sur char ges on t he bi l l . And don' t Mot her aski ng what any of
t hemar e f or . ' He pai d t he bi l l .
When t hey wer e out on t he st r eet , Ti mDr ew sai d t o Dana,
' Do you car r y a gun?'
She l ooked at hi mi n sur pr i se. ' Of cour se not . Why?'
' Thi s i s Moscow. You never know. ' He got an i dea. ' I ' l l
t el l you what . We' r e goi ng t o make a st op. '
They got i nt o a t axi , and Ti mDr ew gave t he dr i ver an
addr ess. Fi ve mi nut es l at er t hey pul l ed up i n f r ont of a gun
shop and got out of t he t axi .
Dana l ooked i nsi de t he shop and sai d, ' I ' mnot goi ng t o
car r y a gun. '
Ti mDr ew sai d, ' I know. J ust come wi t h me. ' The count er s
of t he shop wer e f i l l ed wi t h ever y t ype of weapon i magi nabl e.
Dana l ooked ar ound. ' Can anybody wal k i n and buy a gun
her e?'
' Al l t hey need i s t he money, ' Ti mDr ew sai d.
The man behi nd t he count er mut t er ed somet hi ng i n Russi an
t o Ti m. Ti mt ol d hi mwhat he want ed.
' Da. ' He r eached under t he count er and pul l ed out a smal l ,
bl ack, cyl i ndr i cal obj ect .
' What ' s t hi s f or ?' Dana asked.
' I t ' s f or you. I t ' s pepper spr ay. ' Ti mDr ew pi cked i t up.
' Al l you have t o do i s pr ess t hi s but t on at t he t op and t he
bad guys wi l l be i n t oo much pai n t o bot her you. '
Dana sai d, 1 don' t t hi nk - '
' Tr ust me. Take i t . ' He handed i t t o Dana, pai d t he man,
and t hey l ef t .
' Woul d you l i ke t o see a Moscow ni ght cl ub?' Ti mDr ew
asked.
' Sounds i nt er est i ng. '
' Gr eat . Let ' s go. '
The Ni ght Fl i ght Cl ub on Tver skaya St r eet was l avi sh and
or nat e and cr owded wi t h wel l - dr essed Russi ans di ni ng,
dr i nki ng, and danci ng.
' Ther e doesn' t seemt o be any economi c pr obl emher e, ' Dana
comment ed.
' No. They keep t he beggar s out si de on t he st r eet . '
At t wo o' cl ock i n t he mor ni ng, Dana r et ur ned t o her hot el ,
exhaust ed. I t had been a l ong day. A woman was seat ed at a
t abl e i n t he hal l way, keepi ng a r ecor d of t he movement s of
t he guest s.
When Dana got t o her r oom, she l ooked out t he wi ndow. She
had a pi ct ur e- post car d vi ew of sof t snow f al l i ng i n t he
moonl i ght .
Tomor r ow, Dana t hought det er mi nedl y, I ' l l know what I ' ve
come her e f or .
The noi se f r omt he j et over head was so l oud i t sounded
l i ke t he pl ane mi ght hi t t he bui l di ng. The man qui ckl y r ose
f r omhi s desk, snat ched up a pai r of bi nocul ar s, and st epped
t o t he wi ndow. The t ai l of t he r ecedi ng ai r cr af t was r api dl y
descendi ng as i t pr epar ed t o l and at t he smal l ai r por t a hal f
mi l e away. Except f or t he r unways, ever yt hi ng i n t he st ar k
l andscape was cover ed wi t h snow as f ar as hi s eyes coul d see.
I t was wi nt er and t hi s was Si ber i a. ' So, ' he sai d t o hi s
assi st ant , ' t he Chi nese ar e t he f i r st t o ar r i ve. ' Hi s comment
di d not cal l f or a r epl y. I amt ol d t hat our f r i end Li ng Wong
wi l l not be back. When he r et ur ned f r omour l ast meet i ng
empt y- handed, i t was not a happy homecomi ng f or hi m. Ver y
sad. He was a decent man. '
At t hat moment , a second j et r oar ed over head. He di d not
r ecogni ze t he make. Af t er i t had l anded, he t r ai ned hi s
hi gh- power ed gl asses on t he men descendi ng f r omt he cabi n
ont o t he t ar mac. Some of t hemmade no ef f or t t o hi de t he
machi ne pi st ol s t hey wer e car r yi ng.
' The Pal est i ni ans ar e her e. '
Anot her j et r oar ed over head. St i l l t wel ve t o go, he
t hought . When we st ar t negot i at i ons t omor r ow, i t wi l l be t he
bi ggest auct i on yet . Not hi ng must go wr ong.
He t ur ned agai n t o hi s assi st ant . Take a memo. '
CONFI DENTI AL MEMO TO ALL OPERATI ON PERSONNEL: DESTROY
I MMEDI ATELY AFTER READI NG.
CONTI NUE CLOSE SURVEI LLANCE ON SUBJ ECT TARGET. REPORT
ACTI VI TI ES AND STAND BY FOR HER POSSI BLE ELI MI NATI ON.
Twent y
When Dana awakened, she t el ephoned Ti mDr ew.
' Have you hear d any mor e f r omAmbassador Har dy?' he asked.
' No. I t hi nk I of f ended hi m. Ti m, I need t o t al k t o you. '
' Al l r i ght . Gr ab a cab and meet me at t he Boyr sky Cl ub at
one- f our t h Tr eat r i l ny Pr oyez St r eet . '
' Wher e? I ' l l never - '
' The cabbi e wi l l know. Take one t hat ' s beat - up. '
' Ri ght . '
Dana st epped out si de t he hot el i nt o a f r eezi ng, scr eami ng
wi nd. She was gl ad she was wear i ng her new r ed wool en coat . A
si gn on a bui l di ng acr oss t he st r eet i nf or med her i t was - 29
degr ees Cent i gr ade. My God, she t hought . I n Fahr enhei t ,
t hat ' s about 20 bel ow zer o.
Ther e was a shi ny new t axi i n f r ont of t he hot el . Dana
st epped back and wai t ed unt i l a passenger got i nt o i t . The
next t axi l ooked ol d. Dana t ook i t . The
dr i ver l ooked at her i nqui r i ngl y i n t he r ear vi ew mi r r or .
Dana sai d car ef ul l y, 1 want t o go t o one- quar t er Teat - '
She hesi t at ed. ' - r i my- ' She t ook a deep br eat h. ' - Pr oyez
- '
The dr i ver sai d i mpat i ent l y, ' You want t he Boyr - sky Cl ub?'
' Da. '
They t ook of f . They dr ove al ong avenues heavy wi t h mot or
t r af f i c and f or l or n pedest r i ans hur r yi ng al ong t he f r ozen
st r eet s. The ci t y seemed over l ai d wi t h a dul l , gr ay pat i na.
And i t i sn' t j ust t he weat her , Dana t hought .
The Boyr sky Cl ub t ur ned out t o be moder n and comf or t abl e,
wi t h l eat her chai r s and couches. Ti mDr ew was i n a chai r near
t he wi ndow wai t i ng f or her .
1 see you f ound i t al l r i ght . '
Dana t ook a seat . ' The cabdr i ver spoke Engl i sh. '
' You' r e l ucky. Some of t hemdon' t even speak Russi an, t hey
come f r omso many di f f er ent di st ant pr ovi nces. I t ' s amazi ng
t hat t hi s count r y can f unct i on at al l . I t r emi nds me of a
dyi ng di nosaur . Do you know how bi g Russi a i s?'
' Not exact l y. '
' I t ' s al most t wi ce as bi g as t he Uni t ed St at es. I t has
t hi r t een t i me zones and bor der s on f our t een count r i es.
Four t een count r i es. '
' That ' s amazi ng, ' Dana sai d. ' Ti m, I want t o t al k t o some
Russi ans who had deal i ngs wi t h Tayl or Wi nt hr op. '
' That i ncl udes about ever ybody i n t he Russi an gover nment . '
Dana sai d, ' I know. But t her e must have been some Russi ans
he was cl oser t o t han ot her s. The pr esi dent - '
' Per haps someone a l i t t l e l ower i n r ank, ' Ti mDr ew sai d
dr yl y. ' I woul d say t hat of al l t he peopl e he deal t wi t h, he
was pr obabl y cl osest t o Sasha Shdanof f . '
' Who i s Sasha Shdanof f ?'
' He' s t he commi ssar of t he Bur eau f or I nt er nat i onal
Economi c Devel opment . I bel i eve Wi nt hr op saw hi msoci al l y as
wel l as of f i ci al l y. ' He l ooked at Dana cl osel y. ' What ar e you
af t er , Dana?'
' I ' mnot sur e, ' she sai d honest l y. ' I ' mnot sur e. '
The Bur eau f or I nt er nat i onal Economi c Devel opment was an
enor mous r edbr i ck bui l di ng on Ozer - naya St r eet , t aki ng up a
f ul l bl ock. I nsi de t he mai n ent r ance, t wo uni f or med Russi an
pol i cemen st ood by t he door , and a t hi r d uni f or med guar d sat
behi nd a desk. Dana wal ked up t o t he desk. The guar d l ooked
' Dobr y dyen, ' Dana sai d.
' Zdr ast vuyt ye. Ne - '
Dana st opped hi m. ' Excuse me. I ' mher e t o see Commi ssar
Shdanof f . I ' mDana Evans. I ' mwi t h t he Washi ngt on Tr i bune
Net wor k. '
The guar d l ooked at a sheet i n f r ont of hi mand shook hi s
head. ' Do you have an appoi nt ment ?'
' No, but - '
' Then you wi l l have t o make an appoi nt ment . You ar e an
Amer i can?'
' Yes. '
The guar d sear ched t hr ough some f or ms on hi s desk and
handed one t o Dana. ' You wi l l f i l l t hi s out , pl ease. '
' Ri ght , ' Dana sai d. ' Woul d i t be possi bl e t o see t he
commi ssar t hi s af t er noon?'
He bl i nked. ' Ya ne poni mayu. You Amer i cans ar e al ways i n a
hur r y. What hot el ar e you at ?'
' The Sevast opol . I j ust need a f ew mi n - '
He made a not e. ' Someone wi l l i nf or myou. Dobr y dyen. '
' But - ' She saw hi s expr essi on. ' Dobr y dyen. '
Ear l y t he f ol l owi ng mor ni ng, Dana went back t o t he Bur eau
f or I nt er nat i onal Economi c Devel opment . The same guar d was at
t he desk.
' Dobr y dyen, ' Dana sai d.
He l ooked up at her , st one- f aced. ' Dobr y dyen. '
' Di d Commi ssar Shdanof f get my message yest er day?'
' Your name?'
' Dana Evans. '
' You l ef t a message yest er day?'
' Yes, ' she sai d t onel essl y, ' wi t h you. '
The guar d nodded. ' Then he r ecei ved i t . Al l messages ar e
r ecei ved. '
' May I t al k t o Commi ssar Shdanof f ' s secr et ar y?'
' Do you have an appoi nt ment ?'
Dana t ook a deep br eat h. ' No. '
The guar d shr ugged. ' I zvi ni t ye, nyet . '
' When can I - ?'
' Somebody wi l l cal l you. '
Dana st ayed i n her r oomal l af t er noon wai t i ng f or a phone
cal l . At si x o' cl ock, she t el ephoned Ti mDr ew.
' Di d you get t o see Shdanof f ?' he asked.
' No. They' r e goi ng t o cal l me back. '
' Don' t hol d your br eat h, Dana. You' r e deal i ng wi t h a
bur eaucr acy f r omanot her pl anet . '
On her way back t o t he hot el , Dana passed Det sky Mi r , a
chi l dr en' s depar t ment st or e, and she went i nsi de and l ooked
ar ound. Ther e was a sect i on devot ed t o games. I n one cor ner
was a shel f of comput er games. Kemal wi l l l i ke one of t hose,
Dana t hought . She bought a game and was sur pr i sed at how
expensi ve i t was. She headed back t o t he hot el ai t f or t he
phone cal l . At si x o' cl ock she gave up hope. She was about t o
go downst ai r s t o di nner
when t he phone r ang. Dana hur r i ed over t o i t and pi cked i t
up.
' Dana?' I t was Ti mDr ew.
' Yes, Ti m. '
' Any l uck yet ?'
' I ' maf r ai d not . '
' Wel l , whi l e you' r e i n Moscow, you shoul dn' t mi ss what ' s
gr eat her e. The bal l et i s on t oni ght . They' r e doi ng Gi sel l e.
Ar e you i nt er est ed?'
' Ver y much, t hank you. '
I ' l l pi ck you up i n an hour . '
The bal l et was hel d at t he si x- t housand- seat Pal ace of
Congr esses i nsi de t he Kr eml i n. I t was a magi cal eveni ng. The
musi c was wonder f ul , t he danci ng was f ant ast i c, and t he f i r st
act f l ew by swi f t l y.
As t he l i ght s came on f or t he i nt er mi ssi on, Ti mgot t o hi s
f eet . ' Fol l ow me. Qui ck. '
A st ampede was st ar t i ng up t he st ai r s.
' What ' s goi ng on?'
' You' l l see. '
When t hey ar r i ved at t he t op f l oor , t hey wer e gr eet ed by
t he si ght of hal f a dozen ser vi ng t abl es l aden wi t h bowl s of
cavi ar and bot t l es of vodka on i ce. The t heat er goer s who had
ar r i ved upst ai r s f i r st wer e busi l y hel pi ng t hemsel ves.
Dana t ur ned t o Ti m. ' They r eal l y know how t o put on a show
her e. '
Ti msai d, Thi s i s how t he upper cl ass l i ves.
Remember t hat t hi r t y per cent of t he peopl e l i ve bel ow t he
pover t y l i ne. '
Dana and Ti mmoved t owar d t he wi ndows, away f r omt he
cr owd.
The l i ght s st ar t ed t o f l ash. ' Ti me f or t he second act . '
The second act was enchant i ng, but Dana' s mi nd kept
f l ashi ng back t o snat ches of conver sat i ons.
Tayl or Wi nt hr op was schei sse. He was cl ever , ver y cl ever .
He f r amed me . . .
I t was an unf or t unat e acci dent . Gabr i el was a wonder f ul
boy. . .
Tayl or Wi nt hr op wi ped out t he Manci no f ami l y' s f ut ur e. . .
When t he bal l et ended, and t hey wer e i n t he car , Ti mDr ew
sai d, ' Woul d you l i ke t o have a ni ght cap at my apar t ment ?'
Dana t ur ned t o l ook at hi m. He was at t r act i ve,
i nt el l i gent , and char mi ng. But he was not J ef f . What came out
was ' Thank you, Ti m. But no. '
' Oh. ' Hi s di sappoi nt ment was obvi ous. ' Maybe t omor r ow?'
I ' d l ove t o, but I have t o be r eady ear l y i n t he mor ni ng. '
And I ' mmadl y i n l ove wi t h someone el se.
Ear l y t he next mor ni ng Dana was at t he Bur eau f or
I nt er nat i onal Economi c Devel opment agai n. The same guar d was
behi nd t he desk.
' Dobr y dyen. '
' Dobr y dyen. '
' I ' mDana Evans. I f I can' t see t he commi ssar , can I see
hi s assi st ant ?'
' Do you have an appoi nt ment ?'
' No. I - '
He handed Dana a sheet of paper . ' You wi l l f i l l t hi s out
When Dana r et ur ned t o her r oom, her cel l phone was
r i ngi ng, and Dana' s hear t ski pped a beat .
' Dana . . . '
' J ef f ! '
Ther e was so much t hey want ed t o say. But Rachel st ood
bet ween t heml i ke a ghost l y shadow, and t hey coul d not
di scuss what was upper most i n t hei r mi nds: Rachel ' s i l l ness.
The conver sat i on was guar ded.
The cal l f r omCommi ssar Shdanof f ' s of f i ce came
unexpect edl y at ei ght o' cl ock t he f ol l owi ng mor ni ng. A
heavi l y accent ed voi ce sai d, ' Dana Evans?'
' Yes. '
' Thi s i s Yer i k Kar bava, t he assi st ant t o Commi ssar
Shdanof f . You wi sh t o see t he commi ssar ?'
' Yes! ' She hal f expect ed hi mt o say, ' Do you have an
appoi nt ment ?' I nst ead he sai d, ' Be at t he Bur eau
f or Economi c Devel opment i n exact l y one hour . ' ' Ri ght .
Thank you ver y- ' The l i ne went dead.
One hour l at er Dana was ent er i ng t he l obby of t he huge
br i ck bui l di ng agai n. She wal ked up t o t he same guar d seat ed
behi nd t he desk.
He l ooked up. ' Dobr y dyen7
She f or ced a smi l e. ' Dobr y dyen. I ' mDana Evans, and I ' m
her e t o see Commi ssar Shdanof f . '
He shr ugged. ' I ' msor r y. Wi t hout an appoi nt ment - '
Dana hel d on t o her t emper . ' I have an appoi nt ment . '
He l ooked at her skept i cal l y. ' Da? He pi cked up a
t el ephone and spoke i nt o i t f or a f ew moment s. He t ur ned t o
Dana. ' Thi r d f l oor , ' he sai d r el uct ant l y. ' Someone wi l l meet
you. '
Commi ssar Shdanof f ' s of f i ce was huge and shabby and l ooked
as t hough i t had been f ur ni shed i n t he ear l y 1920s. Ther e
wer e t wo men i n t he of f i ce.
As Dana ent er ed, t hey bot h st ood up. The ol der man sai d,
' I amCommi ssar Shdanof f . '
Sasha Shdanof f appear ed t o be i n hi s f i f t i es. He was shor t
and compact , wi t h wi spy gr ay hai r , a pal e, r ound f ace, and
r est l ess br own eyes t hat const ant l y dar t ed ar ound t he r oomas
t hough sear chi ng f or somet hi ng. He had a heavy accent . He was
wear i ng a shapel ess br own sui t and scuf f ed bl ack shoes. He
i ndi cat ed t he second man.
' Thi s i s my br ot her , Bor i s Shdanof f . '
Bor i s Shdanof f smi l ed. ' How do you do, Mi ss Evans?'
Bor i s Shdanof f l ooked t ot al l y unl i ke hi s br ot her . He
appear ed t o be about t en year s younger . He had an aqui l i ne
nose and a f i r mchi n. He was dr essed i n a l i ght bl ue Ar mani
sui t wi t h a gr ay Her mes t i e. He had al most no accent at al l .
Sasha Shdanof f sai d pr oudl y, ' Bor i s i s vi si t i ng f r om
Amer i ca. He i s at t ached t o t he Russi an embassy i n your
capi t al , Washi ngt on, DC
' I ' ve admi r ed your wor k, Mi ss Evans, ' Bor i s Shdanof f sai d.
' Thank you. '
' What can I do f or you?' Sasha Shdanof f asked. ' Do you
have a pr obl emof some ki nd?'
' No, not at al l , ' Dana sai d. ' I want ed t o ask you about
Tayl or Wi nt hr op. '
He l ooked at her , puzzl ed. ' What i s i t you wi sh t o know
about Tayl or Wi nt hr op?'
' I under st and t hat you wor ked wi t h hi m, and t hat you saw
hi msoci al l y, on occasi on. '
Sasha Shdanof f sai d caut i ousl y, ' Da. '
' I want ed t o get your per sonal opi ni on of hi m. '
' What i s t her e t o say? I t hi nk he was a f i ne ambassador
f or your count r y. '
' I under st and he was ver y popul ar her e and - '
Bor i s Shdanof f i nt er r upt ed. ' Oh, yes. The embassi es i n
Moscow have many par t i es, and Tayl or Wi nt hr op was al ways - '
Sasha Shdanof f scowl ed at hi s br ot her . ' Dovol no! ' He
t ur ned back t o Dana. ' Ambassador Wi nt hr op somet i mes went t o
t he embassy par t i es. He l i ked peopl e. The Russi an peopl e
l i ked hi m. '
Bor i s Shdanof f spoke up agai n. ' As a mat t er of f act , he
t ol d me t hat i f he coul d - '
Sasha Shdanof f snapped, ' Mol chat ! ' He t ur ned. ' As I sai d,
Mi ss Evans, he was a f i ne ambassador . '
Dana l ooked at Bor i s Shdanof f . He was obvi ousl y t r yi ng t o
t el l her somet hi ng. She t ur ned back t o t he commi ssar . ' Di d
Ambassador Wi nt hr op ever get i n any ki nd of t r oubl e whi l e he
was her e?'
Sasha Shdanof f f r owned. ' Tr oubl e? No. ' He was avoi di ng her
eyes.
He' s l yi ng, Dana t hought . She pr essed on. ' Commi ssar , can
you t hi nk of any r eason why someone woul d mur der Tayl or
Wi nt hr op and hi s f ami l y?'
Sasha Shdanof f ' s eyes wi dened. ' Mur der ? The Wi nt hr ops?
Nyet . Nyet . '
' You can' t t hi nk of anyt hi ng at al l ?'
Bor i s Shdanof f sai d, ' As a mat t er of f act - '
Sasha Shdanof f cut hi mof f . ' Ther e was no r eason. He was a
gr eat ambassador . ' He t ook a ci gar et t e f r oma si l ver case,
and Bor i s hur r i ed t o l i ght i t f or hi m.
' Was t her e anyt hi ng el se you want t o know?' Sasha Shdanof f
asked.
Dana l ooked at t he t wo of t hem. They' r e hi di ng somet hi ng,
she t hought , but what ? Thi s whol e t hi ng i s l i ke wal ki ng
t hr ough a maze wi t h no exi t . ' No. ' She
gl anced at Bor i s as she sai d sl owl y, I f you t hi nk of
anyt hi ng, I ' l l be at t he Sevast opol Hot el unt i l t omor r ow
mor ni ng. '
Bor i s Shdanof f sai d, ' You ar e goi ng back home?'
' Yes. My pl ane l eaves t hi s eveni ng. '
' I - ' Bor i s Shdanof f st ar t ed t o say somet hi ng, l ooked at
hi s br ot her , and was qui et .
' Good- bye, ' Dana sai d.
' Pr oshchayt e. '
' Pr oshchayt e. '
scanned t he cr owd, but she coul d not si ngl e out anyone i n
par t i cul ar . They' r e out t her e somewher e. And t he r eal i zat i on
made her shi ver .
When Dana got back t o her r oom, she t el ephoned Mat t Baker .
' Ther e' s somet hi ng goi ng on her e, Mat t , but I can' t f i nd
out what i t i s, damn i t . I have a f eel i ng t hat I coul d st ay
her e f or mont hs and not get any usef ul i nf or mat i on. I ' l l be
home t omor r ow. '
Ther e' s somet hi ng goi ng on her e, Mat t , but I can' t f i nd
out what i t i s, damn i t . I have a f eel i ng t hat I coul d st ay
her e f or mont hs and not get any usef ul i nf or mat i on. I ' l l be
home t omor r ow.
Tape ends.
Sher emet yevo I I Ai r por t was cr owded t hat ni ght . Wai t i ng
f or her pl ane, Dana had t he same uncomf or t abl e f eel i ng t hat
she was bei ng wat ched. She
Twent y- one
Mr s Dal ey and Kemal wer e wai t i ng at Dul l es ai r por t t o meet
Dana. She had not r eal i zed how much she had mi ssed Kemal . She
f l ung her ar ms ar ound hi mand hugged hi mt i ght l y.
Kemal sai d, ' Hi , Dana. I ' mgl ad you' r e home. Di d you br i ng
me a Russi an bear ?'
' I di d, but dar n i t , he escaped. '
Kemal gr i nned. ' Ar e you goi ng t o st ay home now?'
Dana sai d war ml y, ' You bet I am. '
Mr s Dal ey smi l ed. ' That ' s good news, Mi ss Evans. We' r e
t hat gl ad you' ve come back. '
' I ' mt hat gl ad t o be back, ' Dana sai d.
I n t he car , dr i vi ng t o t he apar t ment , Dana sai d, ' How do
you l i ke your new ar mnow, Kemal ? Ar e you get t i ng used t o
i t ?' ' I t ' s cool . '
I ' mso gl ad. How ar e you get t i ng al ong i n school ?'
I t ' s not t he pi t s. '
' No mor e f i ght s?'
' No. '
' That ' s wonder f ul , dar l i ng. ' Dana st udi ed hi ma moment . He
seemed di f f er ent somehow, al most subdued. I t was as t hough
somet hi ng had happened t o change hi m, but what ever i t was, he
cer t ai nl y seemed a happy chi l d.
When t hey r eached t he apar t ment , Dana sai d, 1 have t o go
t o t he st udi o, but I ' l l be back, and we' l l have di nner
t oget her . We' l l go t o McDonal d' s. ' Wher e we used t o go wi t h
J ef f .
When Dana ent er ed t he huge WTN bui l di ng, i t seemed as
t hough she had been away f or a cent ur y. As she made her way
t o Mat t ' s of f i ce, she was gr eet ed by hal f a dozen f el l ow
wor ker s.
' Gl ad you' r e back, Dana. We' ve mi ssed you. '
' Gl ad t o be back. '
' Wel l , l ook who' s her e. Di d you have a good t r i p?'
' Wonder f ul . Thanks. '
' The pl ace i sn' t t he same wi t hout you. '
When Dana wal ked i nt o Mat t ' s of f i ce, he sai d, ' You' ve l ost
wei ght . You l ook t er r i bl e. '
' Thank you, Mat t . '
' Si t down. '
Dana t ook a seat .
You haven t been sl eepi ng?
' Not much. '
' By t he way, our r at i ngs have gone down si nce you' ve been
away. '
' I ' mf l at t er ed. '
' El l i ot wi l l be gl ad you' ve gi ven t hi s up. He' s been
wor r i ed about you. ' Mat t di d not ment i on how wor r i ed he
hi msel f had been about Dana.
They t al ked f or hal f an hour .
When Dana got back t o her of f i ce, Ol i vi a sai d, ' Wel come
back. I t ' s been- ' The phone r ang. She pi cked i t up. ' Mi ss
Evans' s of f i ce . . . J ust a moment , pl ease. ' She l ooked at
Dana. ' Pamel a Hudson on l i ne one. '
' I ' l l t ake i t . ' Dana went i nt o her own of f i ce and pi cked
up t he phone. ' Pamel a. '
' Dana, you' r e back! We wer e so wor r i ed. Russi a i s not t he
saf est pl ace t o be t hese days. '
' I know. ' She l aughed. ' A f r i end bought me pepper spr ay. '
' We' ve mi ssed you. Roger and I woul d l ove t o have you come
by f or t ea t hi s af t er noon. Ar e you f r ee?'
' Yes. '
' Thr ee o' cl ock?'
' Per f ect . '
The r est of t he mor ni ng was t aken up wi t h pr epar at i ons f or
t he eveni ng br oadcast s.
At t hr ee o' cl ock, Cesar was gr eet i ng Dana at t he door .
' Mi ss Evans! ' Ther e was a bi g smi l e on hi s f ace. ' I ' mso
pl eased t o see you. Wel come home. '
' Thank you, Cesar . How have you been?'
' J ust wonder f ul , t hank you. '
' Ar e Mr and Mr s- ?'
' Yes. They' r e wai t i ng f or you. May I t ake your coat ?'
When Dana wal ked i nt o t he dr awi ng r oom, Roger and Pamel a
bot h excl ai med at once, ' Dana! '
Pamel a Hudson gave her a hug. ' The pr odi gal i s back. '
Roger Hudson sai d, ' You l ook t i r ed. '
' That seems t o be t he gener al consensus. '
' Si t down, si t down, ' Roger sai d.
A mai d came i n car r yi ng a t r ay of t ea, bi scui t s, scones,
and cr oi ssant s. Pamel a pour ed t ea.
They t ook seat s, and Roger sai d, ' Wel l , t el l us what ' s
happeni ng. '
' What ' s happeni ng i s I ' maf r ai d I ' ve got t en nowher e. I ' m
compl et el y f r ust r at ed. ' Dana t ook a deep br eat h. ' I met a man
named Di et er Zander who sai d he was f r amed by Tayl or Wi nt hr op
and sent t o pr i son. Whi l e he was t her e, hi s f ami l y was wi ped
out i n a f i r e. He bl ames Wi nt hr op f or t hei r deat hs. '
Pamel a sai d, ' So he had a mot i ve f or ki l l i ng t he whol e
Wi nt hr op f ami l y. '
' That ' s r i ght . But t her e' s mor e, ' Dana sai d. ' I
t al ked t o a man named Mar cel f al con i n t r ance. Hi s onl y
son was ki l l ed by a hi t - and- r un dr i ver . Tayl or Wi nt hr op' s
chauf f eur pl eaded gui l t y, but t he chauf f eur now cl ai ms t hat
Tayl or Wi nt hr op was t he dr i ver . '
Roger sai d t hought f ul l y, ' Fal con was on t he NATO
Commi ssi on i n Br ussel s. '
' Ri ght . And t he chauf f eur t ol d hi mt hat i t was Tayl or
Wi nt hr op who ki l l ed hi s son. '
' That ' s i nt er est i ng. '
' Ver y. Have you ever hear d of Vi ncent Mandno?'
Roger Hudson t hought f or a moment . ' No. '
' He' s Maf i a. Tayl or Wi nt hr op got hi s daught er pr egnant ,
sent her t o a quack, and she had a bot ched abor t i on. The
daught er i s i n a convent and t he mot her i s i n a sani t ar i um. '
' My God. '
' The poi nt i s t hat al l t hr ee have st r ong mot i ves f or
r evenge. ' Dana si ghed i n f r ust r at i on. ' But I can' t pr ove
anyt hi ng. '
Roger l ooked at Dana t hought f ul l y. ' So Tayl or Wi nt hr op was
r eal l y gui l t y of doi ng al l t hose t er r i bl e t hi ngs. '
' Ther e' s no quest i on about i t , Roger . I ' ve t al ked t o t hose
peopl e. Whi chever one of t hemi s behi nd t he mur der s
or chest r at ed t hembr i l l i ant l y. Ther e ar e no cl ues - none.
Each mur der had a di f f er ent modus oper andi , so t her e i s no
obvi ous pat t er n. Ever y det ai l was car ef ul l y wor ked out .
Not hi ng was l ef t t o chance. Ther e was not one wi t ness t o any
of t he deat hs. '
Pamel a sai d t hought f ul l y, I know t hi s may sound
f ar - f et ched, but - i s i t possi bl e t hat t hey' r e al l i n t hi s
t oget her t o get r evenge?'
Dana shook her head. ' I don' t bel i eve t her e was col l usi on.
The men I t al ked t o ar e ver y power f ul . I t hi nk each woul d
want t o do i t on hi s own. Onl y one of t hemi s gui l t y. '
But whi ch one?
Dana suddenl y l ooked at her wat ch. ' Pl ease excuse me. I
pr omi sed t o t ake Kemal t o McDonal d' s f or di nner , and i f I
hur r y, I can do i t bef or e I go t o wor k. '
' Of cour se, dar l i ng, ' sai d Pamel a. ' We under st and
compl et el y. Thank you f or st oppi ng by. '
Dana got up t o go. ' And t hank you bot h f or t he l ovel y t ea
and f or your mor al suppor t . '
Dr i vi ng Kemal t o school on Monday mor ni ng, Dana sai d,
' I ' ve mi ssed doi ng t hi s, but I ' mback now. '
' I ' mgl ad. ' Kemal yawned.
Dana r eal i zed t hat he had been yawni ng ever si nce he had
awakened. Dana asked, ' Di d you sl eep wel l l ast ni ght ?'
' Yeah, I guess so. ' Kemal yawned agai n.
' What do you do at school ?' Dana asked.
' You mean besi des hor r i bl e hi st or y and bor i ng Engl i sh?'
' Yes. '
' I pl ay soccer . '
' You' r e not doi ng t oo much, ar e you, Kemal ?'
' Nah. '
She gl anced at t he f r ai l f i gur e next t o her . I t seemed t o
Dana t hat al l t he ener gy had gone out of Kemal . He was
unnat ur al l y qui et . Dana wonder ed i f she shoul d have a doct or
l ook at hi m. Maybe she coul d check and see i f t her e wer e some
vi t ami ns t hat woul d gi ve hi mener gy. She l ooked at her wat ch.
The meet i ng f or t hi s eveni ng' s br oadcast was hal f an hour
away.
The mor ni ng went by swi f t l y, and i t f el t good t o be back
i n her wor l d. When Dana r et ur ned t o her of f i ce, t her e was a
seal ed envel ope on her desk wi t h her name on i t . She opened
i t . The l et t er i nsi de r ead:
' Mi ss Evans: I have t he i nf or mat i on you want . I have made
a r eser vat i on i n your name at t he Soyuz Hot el i n Moscow. Come
i mmedi at el y. Tel l no one about t hi s. '
I t was unsi gned. Dana r ead t he l et t er agai n,
unbel i evi ngl y. I have t he i nf or mat i on you want .
Of cour se i t was some ki nd of t r i ck. I f someone i n Russi a
had t he answer she was l ooki ng f or , why hadn' t whoever i t was
t ol d her about i t when she was over t her e? Dana t hought about
t he meet i ng she had had wi t h Commi ssar Sasha Shdanof f and hi s
br ot her Bor i s. Bor i s had seemed anxi ous t o t al k t o her , and
Sasha had kept cut t i ng hi mof f . Dana
sat at her desk, t hi nki ng. How had t he not e got t en on her
desk? Was she bei ng wat ched?
I ' mgoi ng t o f or get i t , Dana deci ded. She st uf f ed t he
l et t er i n her pur se. I ' l l t ear i t up when I get home.
Dana spent t he eveni ng wi t h Kemal . She had t hought he
woul d be f asci nat ed by t he new comput er game she had bought
hi mi n Moscow, but he seemed i ndi f f er ent . At ni ne o' cl ock hi s
eyes st ar t ed t o cl ose.
' I ' msl eepy, Dana. I ' mgoi ng t o bed. ' ' Al l r i ght ,
dar l i ng. ' Dana wat ched hi mgo i nt o t he st udy and t hought ,
He' s changed so much. He seems l i ke a di f f er ent boy. Wel l ,
f r omnow on we ' r e goi ng t o be t oget her . I f somet hi ng' s
bot her i ng hi m, I ' l l f i nd out what i t i s. I t was t i me t o l eave
f or t he st udi o.
I n t he apar t ment next door , t he t enant l ooked at t he
t el evi si on set and spoke i nt o a t ape r ecor der .
' The subj ect has l ef t f or t he t el evi si on st udi o t o do her
br oadcast . The boy has gone t o bed. The housekeeper i s
sewi ng. '
' We' r e l i ve! ' The camer a' s r ed l i ght f l ashed on.
The announcer ' s voi ce boomed out , ' Good eveni ng. Thi s i s
your el even o' cl ock news on WTN wi t h Dana Evans and Ri char d
Mel t on. '
Dana smi l ed i nt o t he camer a. ' Good eveni ng. I ' mDana
Evans. '
Seat ed next t o her , Ri char d Mel t on sai d, ' And I ' mRi char d
Mel t on. '
Dana began, ' We st ar t our news t oni ght wi t h a t er r i bl e
t r agedy i n Mal aysi a
Thi s i s wher e I bel ong, Dana t hought , not r unni ng ar ound
t he wor l d on some wi l d- goose chase.
The br oadcast went wel l . When Dana r et ur ned t o t he
apar t ment , Kemal was asl eep. Af t er sayi ng good ni ght t o Mr s
Dal ey, Dana went t o bed, but she was unabl e t o sl eep.
I have t he i nf or mat i on you want . I have made a r eser vat i on
i n your name at t he Soyuz Hot el i n Moscow. Come i mmedi at el y.
Tel l no one about t hi s.
I t ' s a t r ap. I ' d be a f ool t o go back t o Moscow, Dana
t hought . But what i f i t ' s r eal ? Who woul d go t o al l t hi s
t r oubl e? And why? The l et t er coul d onl y have come f r omBor i s
Shdanof f . What i f he r eal l y knows somet hi ng? She was awake
al l ni ght .
When Dana ar ose i n t he mor ni ng, she t el ephoned Roger
Hudson and t ol d hi mabout t he not e.
' My God. I don' t know what t o say. ' He sounded exci t ed.
' Thi s coul d mean t hat someone i s r eady t o t el l t he t r ut h
about what happened t o t he Wi nt hr ops. '
' I know. '
' Dana, i t coul d be danger ous. I don' t l i ke t hat . '
I f I don' t go, we' l l 1 never f i nd out t he t r ut h. He
hesi t at ed. ' I suppose you' r e r i ght . ' ' I ' l l be car ef ul , but I
must go. ' Roger Hudson sai d r el uct ant l y, ' Ver y wel l . I want
you t o st ay i n cl ose t ouch. ' ' I pr omi se, Roger . '
Dana was at t he Cor ni che Tr avel Agency buyi ng a r ound- t r i p
t i cket t o Moscow. I t was Tuesday. I hope I won' t be gone t oo
l ong, Dana t hought . She l ef t a message f or Mat t t o t el l hi m
what was happeni ng.
When Dana r et ur ned t o her apar t ment , she sai d t o Mr s
Dal ey, ' I ' maf r ai d I have t o go away agai n. I t ' s j ust f or a
coupl e of days. Take good car e of Kemal . '
' You don' t have t o wor r y about anyt hi ng, Mi ss Evans. We' l l
be f i ne. '
The t enant next door t ur ned away f r omt he t el evi si on set
and made a hast y t el ephone cal l .
Boar di ng t he Aer of l ot pl ane t o Moscow, Dana t hought , I t ' s
dej a vu. Maybe I ' mmaki ng a bi g mi st ake. I t coul d be a t r ap.
But i f t he answer i s i n Moscow, I ' mgoi ng t o f i nd i t . She
set t l ed back f or t he l ong f l i ght .
When t he pl ane l anded t he next mor ni ng at t he now f ami l i ar
Sher emet yevo I I ai r por t , Dana col l ect ed her bag and wal ked
out si de i nt o a bl i ndi ng snowst or m. Ther e was a l ong l i ne of
t r avel er s wai t i ng f or t axi s. Dana st ood i n t he col d wi nd,
gr at ef ul f or her war mcoat . For t y- f i ve mi nut es l at er , when i t
was f i nal l y Dana' s t ur n, a bur l y man t r i ed t o push i n ahead
of her .
' Nyet ! ' Dana sai d f i r ml y. ' Thi s i s my cab. ' She got
i nsi de.
The dr i ver sai d, ' Da?
' I want t o go t o t he Soyuz Hot el . '
He t ur ned t o l ook at her and sai d i n hal t i ng Engl i sh, ' You
sur e you wi sh t o go t her e?'
Dana sai d, puzzl ed, ' Why? What do you mean?'
' That i s ver y not ni ce hot el . '
Dana f el t a f r i sson of al ar m. AmI sur e? Too l at e t o back
of f now. He was wai t i ng f or an answer . ' Yes. I - I ' msur e. '
The dr i ver shr ugged, put t he t axi i n gear , and st ar t ed of f
i nt o t he snowbound t r af f i c.
Dana t hought , What i f t her e i s no r eser vat i on at t he
hot el ? What i f al l t hi s i s some st upi d j oke?
The Soyuz Hot el was l ocat ed i n a wor ki ng- cl ass di st r i ct on
t he out ski r t s of Moscow on Levober ezh- naya St r eet . I t was an
ol d, unpr epossessi ng bui l di ng wi t h br own pai nt peel i ng of f
t he ext er i or .
' You want I wai t ?' t he dr i ver asked.
Dana hesi t at ed f or onl y an i nst ant . ' No. ' She pai d t he
dr i ver , got out of t he t axi , and t he i cy wi nd
pushed her i nt o t he smal l , shabby l obby. An el der l y woman
sat behi nd t he desk, r eadi ng a magazi ne. She l ooked up i n
sur pr i se as Dana ent er ed. Dana wal ked up t o t he desk.
' Da?'
' I bel i eve I have a r eser vat i on. Dana Evans. ' She was
hol di ng her br eat h.
The woman nodded sl owl y. ' Dana Evans, yes. ' She r eached
behi nd her and pul l ed out a key f r oma r ack. ' Four - oh- t wo,
f our t h f l oor . ' She handed i t t o Dana.
' Wher e do I r egi st er ?'
The woman shook her head. ' No r egi st er . You pay now. One
day. '
Dana f el t a new sense of al ar m. A hot el i n Russi a wher e
f or ei gner s di dn' t have t o r egi st er ? Somet hi ng was ver y wr ong.
The woman sai d, ' Fi ve hundr ed r ubl es. '
' I ' l l have t o get some money changed, ' Dana sai d. ' Lat er . '
' No. Now. I t ake dol l ar s. '
' Al l r i ght . ' Dana r eached i nt o her pur se and t ook out a
handf ul of bi l l s.
The woman nodded, r eached out , and ext r act ed hal f a dozen
of t hem.
I t hi nk I coul d have bought t he hot el wi t h t hat . Dana
l ooked ar ound. ' Wher e i s t he el evat or ?'
' No el evat or . '
' Oh. ' A por t er was obvi ousl y out of t he quest i on. Dana
pi cked up her bag and st ar t ed wal ki ng up t he st ai r s.
Her r oomwas even wor se t han she had ant i ci pat ed. I t was
smal l and shabby, t he cur t ai ns wer e t or n and t he bed unmade.
How was Bor i s goi ng t o cont act her ? Thi s coul d be a hoax,
Dana t hought , but why woul d anyone go t o t hi s much t r oubl e?
Dana sat on t he edge of t he bed and l ooked out of t he
unwashed wi ndow at t he busy st r eet scene bel ow.
I ' ve been a bl oody f ool , Dana t hought . I coul d be si t t i ng
her e f or days, and not hi ng -
Ther e was a sof t r ap on t he door . Dana t ook a deep br eat h
and st ood up. She was ei t her goi ng t o sol ve t he myst er y now
or f i nd out t hat t her e was no myst er y. Dana wal ked over t o
t he door and opened i t . Ther e was no one i n t he hal l way. On
t he f l oor was an envel ope. Dana pi cked i t up and car r i ed i t
i nsi de. The pi ece of paper i nsi de sai d VDNKh 9: 00 PM. Dana
st ar ed at i t , t r yi ng t o make sense of i t . She opened her
sui t case and t ook out t he gui debook she had br ought . Ther e i t
was, VDNKh. The t ext r ead USSR, economi c achi evement s
exhi bi t i on, and i t gave an addr ess.
At ei ght o' cl ock t hat eveni ng, Dana hai l ed a t axi . ' VDNKh.
The par k?' She was not sur e of her pr onunci at i on.
The dr i ver t ur ned t o l ook at her . ' VDNKh? Ever yt hi ng
cl osed. '
' Oh. '
' You st i l l go t her e?'
' Yes. '
The dr i ver shr ugged and t he cab l eaped f or war d.
The vast par k was i n t he nor t heast sect i on of Moscow.
Accor di ng t o t he gui debook, t he l avi sh exhi bi t i ons had been
pl anned as a monument t o Sovi et gl or y, but when t he economy
f el l , f unds wer e cut of f , and t he par k had become a decayi ng
monument t o Sovi et dogma. The gr andi ose pavi l i ons wer e
cr umbl i ng and t he par k was deser t ed.
Dana st epped out of t he t axi and t ook out a handf ul of
Amer i can money. ' I s t hi s - ?'
' Da. ' He gr abbed t he bi l l s and a moment l at er was gone.
Dana l ooked ar ound. She was al one i n t he f r eezi ng,
wi ndswept par k. She wal ked t o a near by bench and sat down and
wai t ed f or Bor i s. She r emember ed how she had wai t ed at t he
zoo f or J oan Si ni si . What i f Bor i s- ?
A voi ce f r ombehi nd Dana st ar t l ed her . ' Hor oshi y
vyecher ni y. '
Dana t ur ned, and her eyes wi dened i n sur pr i se. She had
expect ed Bor i s Shdanof f . I nst ead, she was l ooki ng at
Commi ssar Sasha Shdanof f . ' Commi ssar ! I di dn' t expect - '
' You wi l l f ol l ow me, ' he sai d cur t l y. Sasha Shdanof f
st ar t ed wal ki ng r api dl y acr oss t he par k. Dana hesi t at ed an
i nst ant , t hen got up and hur r i ed af t er
hi m. He wal ked i nt o a smal l , r ust i c- l ooki ng caf e at t he
edge of t he par k and t ook a seat at a back boot h. Ther e was
onl y one ot her coupl e i n t he caf e. Dana cr ossed over t o hi s
boot h and sat down.
A sl ovenl y wai t r ess i n a soi l ed apr on came up t o t hem.
' Da?'
' Dva cof e, pozhal ooyst a, ' Shdanof f sai d. He t ur ned back t o
Dana. ' I was not sur e you woul d come, but you ar e ver y
per si st ent . That can be danger ous somet i mes. '
' You sai d i n your not e you coul d t el l me what I want t o
know. '
' Yes. ' The cof f ee ar r i ved. He t ook a si p, and was si l ent
f or a moment . ' You want t o know i f Tayl or Wi nt hr op and hi s
f ami l y wer e mur der ed. '
Dana' s hear t began t o beat f ast er . ' Wer e t hey?'
' Yes. ' I t came out i n an eer i e whi sper .
Dana f el t a sudden chi l l . ' Do you know who ki l l ed t hem?'
' Yes. '
She t ook a deep br eat h. ' Who?'
He r ai sed a hand t o st op her . ' I wi l l t el l you, but f i r st
you must do somet hi ng f or me. '
Dana l ooked at hi mand sai d caut i ousl y, ' What ?'
' Get me out of Russi a. I amno l onger saf e her e. '
' Why can' t you j ust go t o t he ai r por t and f l y away? I
under st and t hat f or ei gn t r avel i s no l onger f or bi dden. '
' Dear Mi ss Evans, you ar e nai ve. Ver y nai ve. Tr ue, i t i s
not l i ke t he ol d days of communi sm, but i f I
wer e t o t r y what you suggest , t hey woul d ki l l me bef or e I
even got cl ose t o an ai r por t . The wal l s st i l l have ear s and
eyes. I ami n gr eat danger . I need your hel p. '
I t t ook a moment f or hi s wor ds t o si nk i n. Dana l ooked at
hi mi n di smay. ' I can' t get you - I woul dn' t know wher e t o
begi n. '
' You must . You must f i nd a way. My l i f e i s i n danger . '
Dana was t hought f ul f or a moment . ' I can t al k t o t he
Amer i can ambassador and- '
' No! ' Sasha Shdanof f ' s voi ce was shar p.
' But t hat ' s t he onl y way - '
' Your embassy has t r ai t or s' ear s. No one must know about
t hi s but you and whoever i s goi ng t o hel p you. Your
ambassador cannot hel p me. '
Dana f el t suddenl y depr essed. Ther e was no possi bl e way
she coul d sneak a t op Russi an commi ssar out of Russi a. I
coul dn' t sneak a cat out of t hi s count r y. And she had anot her
t hought . Thi s whol e t hi ng was pr obabl y a r use. Sasha Shdanof f
had no i nf or mat i on. He was usi ng her as a means t o get t o
Amer i ca. Thi s t r i p had been f or not hi ng.
Dana sai d, I ' maf r ai d I can' t hel p you, Commi ssar
Shdanof f . ' She got t o her f eet , f ur i ous.
' Wai t ! You want pr oof ? I wi l l gi ve you pr oof . '
' What ki nd of pr oof ?'
I t t ook hi ma l ong t i me t o answer . When he spoke, he sai d
sl owl y, ' You ar e f or ci ng me t o do somet hi ng
I have no wi sh t o do. ' He r ose. ' You wi l l come wi t h me. '
Thi r t y mi nut es l at er , t hey wer e goi ng up t he pr i vat e back
ent r ance t o Sasha Shdanof f ' s of f i ces at t he Bur eau f or
I nt er nat i onal Economi c Devel opment .
' I coul d be execut ed f or what I amabout t o t el l you, '
Sasha Shdanof f sai d when t hey ar r i ved. ' But I have no
choi ce. ' He made a hel pl ess gest ur e. ' Because I wi l l be
ki l l ed i f I st ay her e. '
Dana wat ched as Shdanof f wal ked over t o a l ar ge saf e bui l t
i nt o t he wal l . He spun t he combi nat i on, pul l ed open t he saf e,
and t ook out a t hi ck book. He car r i ed i t t o hi s desk. On t he
f r ont of t he book i t sai d i n r ed l et t er i ng Kl assi f i t si r ovann
' gy.
' Thi s i s hi ghl y cl assi f i ed i nf or mat i on, ' Commi ssar
Shdanof f t ol d Dana. He opened t he book.
Dana l ooked cl osel y as he sl owl y st ar t ed t o t ur n t he
pages. Each page cont ai ned col or phot ogr aphs of bomber s,
space l aunch vehi cl es, ant i bal l i st i c mi ssi l es, ai r - t o- sur f ace
mi ssi l es, aut omat i c weapons, t anks, and submar i nes.
' Thi s i s Russi a' s compl et e ar senal . ' I t l ooked enor mous,
deadl y.
' At t hi s moment , Russi a has mor e t han one t housand
i nt er cont i nent al bal l i st i c mi ssi l es, mor e t han t wo t housand
at omi c war heads, and sevent y st r at egi c bomber s. ' He poi nt ed
t o var i ous weapons as he t ur ned t he pages. ' Thi s i s t he Awl .
. . Acr i d . . .
Aphi d . . . Anab . . . Ar cher . . . Our nucl ear ar senal
r i val s t hat of t he Uni t ed St at es. '
' I t ' s ver y, ver y i mpr essi ve. '
' The Russi an mi l i t ar y has gr ave pr obl ems, Mi ss Evans. We
ar e f aci ng a cr i si s. Ther e i s no money t o pay t he sol di er s,
and t he mor al e i s ver y l ow. The pr esent of f er s l i t t l e hope,
and t he f ut ur e l ooks wor se, so t he mi l i t ar y i s bei ng f or ced
t o t ur n t o t he past . '
Dana sai d, ' I - I ' maf r ai d I don' t under st and how t hi s - '
' When Russi a was t r ul y a super power , we bui l t mor e weapons
t han even t he Uni t ed St at es. Al l t hose weapons ar e si t t i ng
her e now. Ther e ar e dozens of count r i es hungr y f or t hem. They
ar e wor t h bi l l i ons. '
Dana sai d pat i ent l y, ' Commi ssar , I under st and t he pr obl em,
but - '
' Thi s i s not t he pr obl em. '
Dana l ooked at hi m, puzzl ed. ' No? Then what i s?'
Shdanof f chose hi s next wor ds car ef ul l y. ' Have you hear d
of Kr asnoyar sk- 26?'
Dana shook her head. ' No. '
' I amnot sur pr i sed. I t i s not on any map, and t he peopl e
who l i ve t her e do not of f i ci al l y exi st . '
' What ar e you t al ki ng about ?'
' You wi l l see. Tomor r ow I wi l l t ake you t her e. You ar e t o
meet me at t he same caf e at noon. ' He put hi s hand on Dana' s
ar m, squeezi ng har d. ' You
must not t el l anyone about t hi s. ' He was hur t i ng her . ' Do
you under st and?'
' Yes. '
' Or obopeno. I t i s agr eed. '
At noon, Dana ar r i ved at t he l i t t l e caf e i n VDNKh Par k.
She wal ked i n and sat at t he same boot h, wai t i ng. Thi r t y
mi nut es l at er Shdanof f had st i l l not appear ed. What happens
now? she wonder ed anxi ousl y.
' Dobr y dyen. ' Sasha Shdanof f was st andi ng at t he boot h.
' Come. We must go shoppi ng. '
' Shoppi ng?' she asked i ncr edul ousl y.
' Come! '
Dana f ol l owed hi mout i nt o t he par k. ' Shoppi ng f or what ?'
' For you. '
' I don' t need- '
Shdanof f hai l ed a t axi and t hey r ode i n a st r ai ned si l ence
t o a mal l . They got out of t he t axi , and Shdanof f pai d t he
dr i ver .
' I n her e, ' Sasha Shdanof f sai d.
They wal ked i nsi de t he mal l past hal f a dozen st or es. When
t hey came t o a shop wi t h a di spl ay of pr ovocat i ve, sexy
l i nger i e i n t he wi ndow, Shdanof f st opped.
' Her e. ' He l ed Dana i nsi de.
Dana l ooked ar ound at t he sl eazy gar ment s. ' What ar e we
doi ng her e?'
YOU ar e goi ng t o change cl ot hes. '
A sal esl ady appr oached t hem, and t her e was a r api d
exchange i n Russi an. The sal esl ady nodded and a f ew moment s
l at er r et ur ned wi t h a hot pi nk mi ni ski r t and a ber i bboned,
ver y l ow- cut bl ouse.
Shdanof f nodded hi s appr oval . ' Da. ' He t ur ned t o Dana.
' You wi l l put t hese on. '
Dana r ecoi l ed. ' No! I ' mnot goi ng t o wear t hat . What do
you - '
' You must . ' Hi s voi ce was f i r m.
' Why?'
' You wi l l see. '
Dana t hought , The man i s some ki nd of sex mani ac. What t he
devi l have I got t en mysel f i nt o?
Shdanof f was wat chi ng her . ' Wel l ?'
Dana t ook a deep br eat h. ' Al l r i ght . ' She went i nt o a t i ny
dr essi ng r oomand put t he out f i t on. When she came out , she
l ooked i n a mi r r or and gasped. ' I l ook l i ke a whor e. '
' Not yet , ' Shdanof f i nf or med her . ' We ar e goi ng t o get you
some makeup. '
' Commi ssar - '
' Come. '
Dana' s cl ot hes wer e st uf f ed i nt o a paper bag. Dana put on
her wool coat , t r yi ng t o hi de her out f i t as much as possi bl e.
They st ar t ed wal ki ng t hr ough t he mal l agai n. Passer sby wer e
st ar i ng at Dana, and men wer e gi vi ng her knowi ng smi l es. A
wor kman wi nked at her . Dana f el t degr aded.
' I n her e! '
They wer e i n f r ont of a beaut y sal on. Sasha Shdanof f went
i nsi de. Dana hesi t at ed, t hen f ol l owed hi m. He wal ked t o t he
count er .
' Ano t yomnyj , ' he sai d.
The beaut i ci an showed hi ma t ube of a br i ght r ed l i pst i ck
and a j ar of r ouge.
' Savi r shehnst va' Shdanof f sai d. He t ur ned t o Dana. ' Put i t
on. Heavy. '
Dana had had enough. ' No, t hanks. I don' t know what ki nd
of game you t hi nk you' r e pl ayi ng, Commi ssar , but I ' mnot
goi ng t o be a par t of i t . I ' ve had- '
Hi s eyes bor ed i nt o her s. ' I assur e you i t i s not a game,
Mi ss Evans. Kr asnoyar sk- 26 i s a cl osed ci t y. I amone of t he
sel ect f ew wi t h access t o i t . They al l ow a ver y, ver y f ew of
us out si der s t o br i ng i n pr ost i t ut es f or t he day. That i s t he
onl y possi bl e way I can get you past t he guar ds. That and a
case of excel l ent vodka as payment f or your ent r y. Ar e you
i nt er est ed or not ?'
Cl osed ci t y? Guar ds? How f ar ar e we goi ng wi t h t hi s?
' Yes, ' Dana r el uct ant l y deci ded. ' I ' mi nt er est ed. '
Twent y- t wo
Ther e was a mi l i t ar y j et wai t i ng at a pr i vat e ar ea of
Sher emet yevo I I ai r por t . Dana was sur pr i sed t o see t hat she
and Sasha Shdanof f wer e t he onl y passenger s.
' Wher e ar e we goi ng?' Dana asked.
Sasha Shdanof f gave her a mi r t hl ess smi l e. ' To Si ber i a. '
Si ber i a. Dana f el t a knot i n her st omach. ' Oh. '
The f l i ght t ook f our hour s. Dana t r i ed t o make
conver sat i on, hopi ng t o get an i nkl i ng of what she was
f aci ng, but Shdanof f sat i n hi s seat , si l ent and gr i m- f aced.
When t he pl ane l anded at a smal l ai r por t i n what seemed t o
Dana t o be t he mi ddl e of nowher e, a Lada 2110 sedan was
wai t i ng on t he f r ozen t ar mac f or t hem. Dana l ooked ar ound at
t he most desol at e l andscape she had ever seen.
Thi s pl ace we' r e goi ng t o - i s i t f ar f r omher e?' And wi l l
I be comi ng back?
' I t i s a shor t di st ance. We must be ver y car et ul . ' Car ef ul
of what ?
Ther e was a shor t , bumpy dr i ve t o what l ooked l i ke a smal l
t r ai n st at i on. Hal f a dozen heavi l y bundl ed- up uni f or med
guar ds st ood on t he pl at f or m.
As Dana and Shdanof f appr oached t hem, t he guar ds wer e
ogl i ng Dana' s ski mpy out f i t . One of t hempoi nt ed t o Dana and
smi r ked. ' Ti vezuchi ! '
' Kakaya kr asi vaya zhenshi na! '
Shdanof f gr i nned and sai d somet hi ng i n Russi an and al l t he
guar ds l aughed.
I don' t want t o know, Dana deci ded.
Shdanof f boar ded t he t r ai n and Dana f ol l owed, mor e
conf used t han ever . Wher e coul d a t r ai n be goi ng i n t he
mi ddl e of a bl eak, f r ozen t undr a? The t emper at ur e i n t he
t r ai n was f r eezi ng.
The engi ne st ar t ed, and a f ew mi nut es l at er t he t r ai n was
ent er i ng a br i ght l y l i t t unnel cut i nt o t he hear t of a
mount ai n. Dana l ooked at t he r ock on bot h si des, i nches away,
and had t he f eel i ng she was i n some wei r d, sur r eal i st i c
dr eam.
She t ur ned t o Shdanof f . ' Wi l l you pl ease t el l me wher e
we' r e goi ng?'
The t r ai n j er ked t o a st op. ' We ar e her e. '
They debar ked f r omt he t r ai n and st ar t ed t owar d an
odd- shaped cement bui l di ng one hundr ed yar ds away. I n f r ont
of t he bui l di ng st ood t wo f or bi ddi ng- l ooki ng bar bed- wi r e
f ences, pat r ol l ed by heavi l y
ar med sol di er s. As Dana and Sasha Shdanof f appr oached t he
gat es, t he sol di er s sal ut ed.
Shdanof f whi sper ed, ' Put your ar mi n mi ne and ki ss me and
l augh. '
J ef f wi l l never bel i eve t hi s, Dana t hought . She put her
ar mi n Shdanof f ' s, ki ssed hi mon t he cheek, and f or ced a
hol l ow l augh.
The gat es swung open and t he t wo of t hemwent t hr ough, ar m
i n ar m. The sol di er s wat ched envi ousl y as Commi ssar Shdanof f
wal ked i n wi t h hi s beaut i f ul whor e. To Dana' s ast oni shment ,
t he st r uct ur e t hey ent er ed was t he t op of an el evat or st at i on
t hat went bel ow t he gr ound. They st epped i nt o t he cab of t he
el evat or and t he door banged cl osed.
As t hey st ar t ed down, Dana asked, ' Wher e ar e we goi ng?'
' Beneat h t he mount ai n. ' The el evat or was pi cki ng up speed.
' How f ar beneat h t he mount ai n?' Dana asked ner vousl y.
He sai d, ' Si x hundr ed f eet . '
Dana l ooked at hi mi ncr edul ousl y. ' We' r e goi ng si x hundr ed
f eet under a mount ai n. Why? What ' s down t her e?'
' You wi l l see. '
I n a f ew mi nut es, t he el evat or began t o sl ow down.
Fi nal l y, i t st opped, and t he door opened aut omat i cal l y.
Commi ssar Shdanof f sai d, ' We ar e her e, Mi ss Evans. '
But wher e i s her e?
They st epped out of t he el evat or and had wal ked no mor e
t han t went y f eet when Dana st opped i n shock. She f ound
her sel f l ooki ng down t he st r eet of a moder n ci t y, wi t h shops
and r est aur ant s and t heat er s. Men and women wer e wal ki ng
al ong t he si dewal ks, and Dana suddenl y r eal i zed t hat no one
was wear i ng an over coat . Dana began t o f eel war m. She t ur ned
t o Shdanof f . ' We' r e under neat h a mount ai n?'
That ' s r i ght . '
' But - ' She l ooked at t he i ncr edi bl e si ght spr ead out
bef or e her . ' I don' t under st and. What i s t hi s pl ace?'
' I t ol d you. Kr asnoyar sk- 26. '
' I s t hi s some ki nd of bomb shel t er ?'
' On t he cont r ar y, ' Shdanof f sai d eni gmat i cal l y.
Dana l ooked agai n at al l t he moder n bui l di ngs ar ound her .
' Commi ssar , what i s t he poi nt of t hi s pl ace?'
He gave Dana a l ong, har d l ook. ' You woul d be bet t er of f
not knowi ng what I amabout t o t el l you. '
Dana f el t a f r esh sense of al ar m.
' Do you know anyt hi ng about pl ut oni um?'
' Not ver y much, no. '
' Pl ut oni umi s t he f uel of a nucl ear war head, t he key
i ngr edi ent i n at omi c weapons. Kr asnoyar sk- 26' s sol e pur pose
f or exi st i ng i s t o make pl ut oni um. One hundr ed t housand
sci ent i st s and t echni ci ans l i ve and wor k her e, Mi ss Evans. I n
t he begi nni ng,
t hey wer e gi ven t he f i nest f ood and cl ot hes and housi ng.
But t hey ar e al l her e wi t h one r est r i ct i on. '
' Yes?'
' They must agr ee never t o l eave. '
' You mean - '
' They cannot go out si de. Ever . They must cut t hemsel ves
of f compl et el y f r omt he r est of t he wor l d. '
Dana l ooked at t he peopl e wal ki ng al ong t he war mst r eet s
and t hought t o her sel f , Thi s can' t be r eal . ' Wher e do t hey
make t he pl ut oni um?'
' I wi l l show you. ' A t r amwas appr oachi ng. ' Come. '
Shdanof f boar ded t he t r am, and Dana f ol l owed hi m. They r ode
down t he busy mai n st r eet , and at t he end ent er ed a maze of
di ml y l i t t unnel s.
Dana t hought of t he i ncr edi bl e wor k and al l t he year s t hat
must have gone i nt o bui l di ng t hi s ci t y. I n a f ew mi nut es, t he
l i ght s began t o get br i ght er , and t he t r amst opped. They wer e
at t he ent r ance t o an enor mous, br i ght l y l i t l abor at or y.
' We get of f her e. '
Dana f ol l owed Shdanof f and l ooked ar ound i n awe. Ther e
wer e t hr ee gi ant r eact or s housed i n t he i mmense cave. Two of
t he r eact or s wer e si l ent , but t he t hi r d one was i n oper at i on
and sur r ounded by a busy cadr e of t echni ci ans.
Shdanof f sai d, ' The machi nes i n t hi s r oomcan pr oduce
enough pl ut oni umt o make an at omi c bomb ever y t hr ee days. ' He
i ndi cat ed t he one t hat was wor ki ng. ' That r eact or i s st i l l
pr oduci ng hal f a
t on of pl ut oni uma year , enough t o make a hundr ed bombs.
The pl ut oni umst ockpi l ed i n t he next r oomi s wor t h a czar ' s
r ansom. '
Dana asked, ' Commi ssar , i f t hey have al l t hat pl ut oni um,
why ar e t hey st i l l maki ng mor e?'
Shdanof f sai d wr yl y, ' I t i s what you Amer i cans cal l a
cat ch- t went y- t wo. They can' t t ur n t he r eact or of f because t he
pl ut oni umf ur ni shes t he power f or t he ci t y above. I f t hey
st op t he r eact or , t her e wi l l be no l i ght and no heat , and t he
peopl e up t her e wi l l qui ckl y f r eeze t o deat h. '
' That ' s awf ul , ' Dana sai d. ' I f - '
' Wai t . What I have t o t el l you get s wor se. Because of t he
st at e of t he Russi an economy, t her e i s no l onger t he money t o
pay t he sci ent i st s and t echni ci ans who wor k her e. They have
not been pai d i n mont hs. The beaut i f ul homes t hey wer e gi ven
year s ago ar e det er i or at i ng, and t her e i s no money t o r epai r
t hem. Al l t he l uxur i es have di sappear ed. The peopl e her e ar e
get t i ng desper at e. You see t he par adox? The amount of
pl ut oni umst or ed her e i s wor t h unt ol d bi l l i ons of dol l ar s,
yet t he peopl e who cr eat ed i t have not hi ng and ar e st ar t i ng
t o go hungr y. '
Dana sai d sl owl y, ' And you t hi nk t hey mi ght sel l some of
t he pl ut oni umt o ot her count r i es?'
He nodded. ' Bef or e Tayl or Wi nt hr op became ambassador t o
Russi a, f r i ends t ol d hi mabout Kr as- noyar sk- 26 and asked hi m
i f he want ed t o make a deal . Af t er he t al ked t o some of t he
sci ent i st s her e
who f el t bet r ayed by t hei r gover nment , Wi nt hr op was eager
t o make a deal . But i t was compl i cat ed, and he had t o wai t
unt i l al l t he pi eces f el l i nt o pl ace. '
He was l i ke a cr azy man. He sai d somet hi ng l i ke ' Al l t he
pi eces have f al l en i nt o pl ace. '
Dana was f i ndi ng i t di f f i cul t t o br eat he.
' Shor t l y af t er t hat , Tayl or Wi nt hr op became t he Amer i can
ambassador t o Russi a. Wi nt hr op and hi s par t ner col l abor at ed
wi t h some of t he r ebel sci ent i st s and began smuggl i ng
pl ut oni umt o a dozen count r i es, i ncl udi ng Li bya, I r an, I r aq,
Paki st an, Nor t h Kor ea, and Chi na. '
Af t er al l t he pi eces had f al l en i nt o pl ace! The
ambassador shi p was i mpor t ant t o Tayl or Wi nt hr op onl y because
he had t o be on hand t o cont r ol t he oper at i on.
The commi ssar was goi ng on. I t was easy, because a mass of
pl ut oni umt he si ze of a t enni s bal l i s enough t o make a
nucl ear bomb, Mi ss Evans. Tayl or Wi nt hr op and hi s par t ner
wer e maki ng bi l l i ons of dol l ar s. They handl ed ever yt hi ng ver y
cl ever l y, and no one suspect ed a t hi ng. ' He sounded bi t t er .
' Russi a has become a candy st or e - onl y i nst ead of buyi ng
candy, you can buy at omi c bombs, t anks, f i ght er pl anes and
mi ssi l e syst ems. '
Dana was t r yi ng t o di gest ever yt hi ng she was hear i ng. ' Why
was Tayl or Wi nt hr op ki l l ed?'
' He got gr eedy and deci ded t o go i nt o busi ness f or
hi msel f . When hi s par t ner l ear ned what Wi nt hr op was doi ng, he
had hi mki l l ed. '
' But - but why mur der hi s whol e f ami l y?'
Al t er Tayl or Wi nt hr op and hi s wi f e di ed i n t he f i r e, hi s
son Paul t r i ed t o bl ackmai l t he par t ner , so he had Paul
ki l l ed. And t hen he deci ded he coul d not t ake a chance t hat
t he ot her chi l dr en mi ght know about t he pl ut oni um, so he
or der ed t he ot her t wo mur der ed and ar r anged f or t hei r deat hs
t o l ook l i ke an acci dent and a bur gl ar y gone wr ong. '
Dana l ooked at hi m, hor r i f i ed. ' Who was Tayl or Wi nt hr op' s
par t ner ?'
Commi ssar Shdanof f shook hi s head. ' You know enough f or
now, Mi ss Evans. I wi l l gi ve you t he name when you get me out
of Russi a. ' He l ooked at hi s wat ch. ' We must l eave. '
Dana t ur ned t o t ake one l ast l ook at t he r eact or t hat
coul d not be shut of f , t hat was t ur ni ng out deadl y pl ut oni um
t went y- f our hour s a day. ' I s t he gover nment of t he Uni t ed
St at es awar e of Kr as- noyar sk- 26?'
Shdanof f nodded. ' Oh, yes. They ar e t er r i f i ed of i t . Your
St at e Depar t ment i s wor ki ng f r ant i cal l y wi t h us t o t r y t o
f i nd a way t o t ur n t hese r eact or s i nt o somet hi ng l ess l et hal .
Meanwhi l e . . . ' He shr ugged.
I n t he el evat or , Commi ssar Shdanof f asked, ' Ar e you
f ami l i ar wi t h t he FRA?'
Dana l ooked at hi mand sai d caut i ousl y, ' Yes. '
' They ar e i nvol ved i n t hi s al so. '
' What ?' And t hen t he r eal i zat i on hi t her . That ' s why
Gener al Boost er kept war ni ng me away.
They ar r i ved at t he sur f ace and st epped out of t he
el evat or . Shdanof f sai d, ' I keep an apar t ment heee. We
wi l l go t her e. '
As t hey st ar t ed t o wal k al ong t he st r eet , Dana not i ced a
woman dr essed as she was, cl i ngi ng t o t he ar ms of a man.
' That woman - ' Dana st ar t ed.
' I t ol d you. Cer t ai n men ar e per mi t t ed t o use pr ost i t ut es
dur i ng t he day. But at ni ght t he pr ost i t ut es must r et ur n t o a
guar ded compound. They must know not hi ng of what goes on
bel ow t he gr ound. '
As t hey wal ked al ong, Dana not i ced t hat most of t he shops'
wi ndows wer e empt y.
The l uxur i es ar e gone. The st at e no l onger has money t o
pay t he sci ent i st s and t echni ci ans who wor k her e. They have
not been pai d i n mont hs. Dana l ooked at a t al l bui l di ng on
t he cor ner and not i ced t hat i nst ead of a cl ock i t had a l ar ge
i nst r ument mount ed on t op.
' What i s t hat ?' Dana asked.
' A Gei ger count er , a war ni ng i n case anyt hi ng goes wr ong
wi t h t he r eact or s. ' They t ur ned i nt o a si de st r eet f i l l ed
wi t h apar t ment bui l di ngs. ' My apar t ment i s i n her e. We must
st ay t her e f or a l i t t l e whi l e so no one wi l l be suspi ci ous.
The FSB checks on ever yone. '
' The FSB?'
' Yes. I t used t o be cal l ed t he KGB. They changed t he name,
but t hat i s al l t hey changed. '
The apar t ment was l ar ge and was once l uxur i ous, but i t had
become shabby. The cur t ai ns wer e t or n,
t he car pet s wer e wor n, and t he f ur ni t ur e needed
r euphol st er i ng.
Dana sat down, t hi nki ng about what Sasha Shdanof f had t ol d
her about t he FRA. And J ef f had sai d, The agency i s a
cover - up. The r eal f unct i on of t he FRA i s t o spy on f or ei gn
i nt el l i gence agenci es. Tayl or Wi nt hr op had once been t he head
of FRA, wor ki ng wi t h Vi ct or Boost er .
I woul d st ay as f ar away as you can f r omGener al Boost er .
And her meet i ng wi t h Boost er . Can' t you f ucki ng
j our nal i st s l et t he dead r est ? I ' mwar ni ng you t o st ay t he
hel l away. Gener al Vi ct or Boost er had an enor mous secr et
or gani zat i on t o car r y out t he mur der s.
And J ack St one was t r yi ng t o pr ot ect her . Be car ef ul . I f
Vi ct or Boost er knew I was even t al ki ng t o you. . .
FRA spi es wer e ever ywher e, and Dana f el t suddenl y naked.
Sasha Shdanof f l ooked at hi s wat ch. ' I t i s t i me t o l eave.
Do you know yet how you ar e goi ng t o get me out of t he
count r y?'
' Yes, ' Dana sai d sl owl y. ' I t hi nk I know how t o ar r ange
i t . I need a l i t t l e t i me. '
When t he pl ane l anded back i n Moscow, t her e wer e t wo car s
wai t i ng. Shdanof f handed Dana a pi ece of paper .
I amst ayi ng wi t h a f r i end at t he Chi aka Apar t ment s. No
one knows I amt her e. I t i s what you cal l a " saf e house" .
Her e i s t he addr ess. I can' t go back t o my own pl ace. Come
her e at ei ght o' cl ock t hi s eveni ng. I must know your pl an. '
Dana nodded. ' Al l r i ght . I have a phone cal l t o make. '
When Dana got back t o t he l obby of t he Soyuz Hot el , t he
woman behi nd t he desk st ar ed at her . I don' t bl ame her , Dana
t hought . I ' ve got t o get out of t hi s dr eadf ul out f i t .
I nsi de her r oom, Dana changed i nt o her own cl ot hes bef or e
maki ng a phone cal l . She pr ayed as t he phone kept r i ngi ng at
t he ot her end. Pl ease be i n. Pl ease be i n. Dana hear d Cesar ' s
bl essed voi ce.
The Hudson r esi dence. '
' Cesar , i s Mr Hudson i n?' Dana f ound t hat she was hol di ng
her br eat h.
' Mi ss Evans! How ni ce t o hear f r omyou. Yes, Mr Hudson i s
her e. Hol d on, pl ease. '
Dana f el t her body t r embl e wi t h r el i ef . I f t her e was
anyone who coul d hel p her get Sasha Shdanof f i nt o t he Uni t ed
St at es, Roger Hudson woul d be t he one per son abl e t o do i t .
Hi s voi ce came on t he l i ne a moment l at er . ' Dana?'
' Roger , oh, t hank God I got you! '
' What ' s t he mat t er ? Ar e you al l r i ght ? Wher e ar e you?'
' I ' mi n Moscow. I f ound out why Tayl or Wi nt hr op and hi s
f ami l y wer e mur der ed. '
' What ? My God. How di d you - '
' I ' l l t el l you al l about i t when I see you. Roger , I hat e
t o i mpose on you agai n, but I have a pr obl em. Ther e' s an
i mpor t ant Russi an of f i ci al who want s t o escape t o Amer i ca.
Hi s name i s Sasha Shdanof f . Hi s l i f e i s i n danger her e. He
knows t he answer s t o ever yt hi ng t hat ' s happened. We have t o
get hi mout , and qui ckl y! Can you hel p?'
' Dana, nei t her of us shoul d be i nvol ved i n anyt hi ng l i ke
t hi s. We coul d bot h get i n t r oubl e. '
' We have t o t ake t hat chance. We have no choi ce. Thi s i s
t oo i mpor t ant . I t has t o be done. '
' I don' t l i ke t hi s, Dana. '
' I ' msor r y t o dr ag you i nt o t hi s, but I have no one el se
t o t ur n t o. '
' Dammi t , I - ' He st opped. ' Al l r i ght . The best t hi ng t o do
r i ght now i s t o get hi mt o t he Amer i can embassy. He' l l be
saf e t her e unt i l we can wor k out a pl an t o get hi mi nt o t he
Uni t ed St at es. '
' He doesn' t want t o go t o t he Amer i can embassy. He doesn' t
t r ust t hem. '
' Ther e i s no ot her way. I ' l l cal l t he ambassador on a
secur e l i ne and t el l hi mt o see t hat he get s pr ot ect i on.
Wher e i s Shdanof f now?'
' He' s wai t i ng f or me at t he Chi aka Apar t ment s. He' s
st ayi ng wi t h a f r i end. I ' mgoi ng t her e t o meet hi m. '
' Al l r i ght . Dana, when you pi ck hi mup, go di r ect l y t o t he
Amer i can embassy. Don' t st op anywher e on t he way. ' .
Dana f el t a sur ge of r el i ef . ' Thank you, Roger . I mean
t hank you! '
' Be car ef ul , Dana. '
' I wi l l . '
' We' l l t al k l at er . '
Thank you, Roger . I mean t hank you.
Be car ef ul , Dana.
I wi l l .
We' l l t al k l at er .
Tape ends.
At seven- t hi r t y, Dana sl i pped out of t he ser vi ce ent r ance
of t he Soyuz Hot el . She went down an al l ey, r i pped by t he i cy
wi nd. She pul l ed her coat ar ound her t i ght l y, but t he col d
was i n her bones. Dana wal ked t wo bl ocks, maki ng sur e t hat
she was not bei ng f ol l owed. At t he f i r st busy cor ner , she
hai l ed a t axi and gave t he dr i ver t he addr ess Sasha Shdanof f
had gi ven her . Fi f t een mi nut es l at er t he t axi st opped i n
f r ont of a nondescr i pt apar t ment bui l di ng.
' Me wai t ?' t he dr i ver asked.
' No. ' Commi ssar Shdanof f woul d pr obabl y have a car . Dana
t ook some dol l ar s f r omher pur se, hel d
out her hand, and t he dr i ver gr unt ed and t ook t hemal l .
Dana wat ched hi mdr i ve of f , and she went i nsi de t he bui l di ng.
The hal l way was deser t ed. She l ooked at t he sl i p i n her hand,
apar t ment 2BE. She appr oached a f l i ght of shabby st ai r s and
wal ked up t o t he second f l oor . Ther e was no one ar ound. A
l ong hal l way l ay i n f r ont of her .
Dana began t o wal k al ong i t sl owl y, l ooki ng at t he number s
on t he door s. 5BE . . . 4BE . . . 3BE . . . The door t o 2BE
was aj ar . Dana t ensed. Caut i ousl y, she pushed t he door open
wi der and st epped i nsi de. The apar t ment was dar k.
' Commi ssar . . . ?' She wai t ed. Ther e was no answer .
' Commi ssar Shdanof f ?' A heavy si l ence. Ther e was a bedr oom
ahead, and Dana moved t owar d i t . ' Commi ssar Shdanof f
As Dana ent er ed t he dar k bedr oom, she t r i pped over
somet hi ng and f el l t o t he f l oor . She was l yi ng on somet hi ng
sof t and wet . Fi l l ed wi t h r evul si on, Dana scr ambl ed t o her
f eet . She f el t al ong t he wal l unt i l she f ound a swi t ch. She
pr essed i t , and t he r oomwas f l ooded wi t h l i ght . Her hands
wer e cover ed wi t h bl ood. On t he f l oor l ay t he obj ect she had
st umbl ed over : Sasha Shdanof f ' s body. He was on hi s back, hi s
chest soaked i n bl ood, hi s t hr oat sl i t f r omear t o ear .
Dana scr eamed. As she di d, she l ooked at t he bed and saw
t he bl oody body of a mi ddl e- aged woman wi t h a pl ast i c bag
t i ed ar ound her head. Dana f el t her f l esh cr awl .
Hyst er i cal , she r an down t he st ai r s of t he apar t ment
bui l di ng.
He was st andi ng at t he wi ndow of an apar t ment i n t he
bui l di ng acr oss t he st r eet , l oadi ng a t hi r t y- shot r i f l e cl i p
i nt o an AR- 7 r i f l e wi t h a si l encer . He was usi ng a 3- 6
power ed scope, accur at e up t o si xt y- f i ve yar ds. He moved wi t h
t he easy, cal mgr ace of a pr of essi onal . Thi s was a si mpl e
j ob. The woman shoul d be comi ng out of t he bui l di ng at any
mi nut e. He smi l ed at t he t hought of how she must have
pani cked when she f ound t he t wo bl oody bodi es. Now i t was her
t ur n.
The door t o t he apar t ment bui l di ng acr oss t he st r eet f l ew
open, and he car ef ul l y r ai sed t he r i f l e t o hi s shoul der .
Thr ough t he scope, he saw Dana' s f ace as she r an out ont o t he
st r eet , f r ant i cal l y l ooki ng ar ound, t r yi ng t o deci de whi ch
way t o go. He ai med car ef ul l y t o make sur e she was i n t he
exact cent er of t he scope and gent l y squeezed t he t r i gger .
At t hat i nst ant , a bus st opped i n f r ont of t he bui l di ng,
and t he spr ay of bul l et s hi t t he t op of t he bus and bl ew par t
of t he r oof of f . The sni per l ooked down, unbel i evi ngl y. Some
of t he bul l et s had r i cochet ed i nt o t he br i cks of t he
bui l di ng, but t he t ar get was unhar med. Peopl e wer e pour i ng
out of t he bus, scr eami ng. He knew he had t o get out of
t her e. The woman was r unni ng down t he st r eet . Not t o wor r y.
The ot her s woul d deal wi t h her .
The st r eet s wer e i cy and t he wi nd was howl i ng, but Dana
never not i ced. She was i n a compl et e pani c. Two bl ocks away
she came t o a hot el and r an i nt o t he l obby.
' Tel ephone?' she sai d t o t he cl er k behi nd t he desk.
He l ooked at her bl oody hands and dr ew back.
' Tel ephone! ' Dana was al most scr eami ng.
Ner vousl y, t he cl er k poi nt ed t o a phone boot h i n a cor ner
of t he l obby. Dana hur r i ed i nt o i t . Fr omher pur se, she t ook
out a phone car d and, wi t h t r embl i ng f i nger s, t el ephoned t he
oper at or .
' I want t o pl ace a cal l t o Amer i ca. ' Her hands wer e
shaki ng. Thr ough chat t er i ng t eet h, she gave t he oper at or her
car d number and Roger Hudson' s number and wai t ed. Af t er what
seemed t o be an et er ni t y, Dana hear d Cesar ' s voi ce.
' The Hudson r esi dence. '
' Cesar ! I need t o t al k t o Mr Hudson. ' Her voi ce was
choked.
' Mi ss Evans?'
' Hur r y, Cesar , hur r y! '
A mi nut e l at er Dana hear d Roger ' s voi ce. ' Dana?'
' Roger ! ' Tear s wer e st r eami ng down Dana' s f ace. ' He' s -
he' s dead. They m- mur der ed hi mand hi s f r i end. '
' What ? My God, Dana. I don' t know what - ar e you hur t ?'
' No . . . but t hey' r e t r yi ng t o ki l l me. '
' Now, l i st en car ef ul l y. Ther e' s an Ai r Fr ance pl ane t hat
l eaves f or Washi ngt on at mi dni ght . I ' l l get you a r eser vat i on
on i t . Make sur e you' r e not f ol l owed t o t he ai r por t . Don' t
t ake a t axi t her e. Go di r ect l y t o t he Hot el Met r opol . The
hot el has ai r por t buses l eavi ng r egul ar l y. Take one of t hem.
Mi ngl e wi t h t he cr owds. I ' l l be wai t i ng f or you i n Washi ngt on
when you ar r i ve. For God' s sakes, wat ch your sel f ! '
' I wi l l , Roger . Th - t hank you. '
Dana hung up t he phone. She st ood t her e a moment , unabl e
t o move, f i l l ed wi t h t er r or . She coul d not get t he bl oody
i mages of Shdanof f and hi s f r i end out of her mi nd. She t ook a
deep br eat h and wal ked out of t he boot h, past t he suspi ci ous
cl er k, out i nt o t he f r eezi ng- col d ni ght .
A t axi pul l ed up t o t he cur b next t o her , and t he dr i ver
sai d somet hi ng t o her i n Russi an.
' Nyet , ' Dana sai d. She began t o hur r y down t he st r eet . She
had t o go back t o her hot el f i r st .
As Roger r epl aced t he phone, he hear d Pamel a come i n t he
f r ont door .
' Dana' s t el ephoned t wi ce f r omMoscow. She' s f ound out why
t he Wi nt hr ops wer e mur der ed. '
Pamel a sai d, ' Then we must t ake car e of her r i ght away. '
' I al r eady t r i ed. We sent a sni per , but somet hi ng went
wr ong. '
Pamel a l ooked at hi mwi t h cont empt . ' You f ool . Cal l t hem
agai n. And, Roger ' Yes?' ' Tel l t hemt o make i t l ook l i ke an
acci dent . '
Twent y- t hr ee
I n Raven Hi l l , a r ed NO TRESPASSI NG si gn and hi gh i r on
f ence excl uded t he wor l d f r omt he wooded acr es of t he
headquar t er s t he FRA had est abl i shed i n Engl and. Behi nd t he
cl osel y guar ded base, a ser i es of sat el l i t e- t r acki ng di shes
moni t or ed i nt er nat i onal cabl e and mi cr owave communi cat i ons
passi ng t hr ough Br i t ai n. I n a concr et e house i n t he cent er of
t he compound, f our men wer e wat chi ng a l ar ge scr een.
' Beamher up, Scot t y. '
They wat ched t he t el evi si on pi ct ur e shi f t away f r oma f l at
i n Br i ght on as t he sat el l i t e moved. A moment l at er an i mage
of Dana came up on t he l ar ge scr een as she ent er ed her r oom
at t he Soyuz Hot el .
' She' s back. ' They wat ched as Dana hur r i edl y washed t he
bl ood of f her hands and st ar t ed t o undr ess.
' Hey, her e we go agai n. ' One of t he men gr i nned.
They wat ched as Dana st r i pped. ' Man, I ' d sur e l i ke t o bonk
t hat . ' Anot her man hur r i ed i nt o t he r oom. ' Not unl ess you' r e
i nt o necr ophi l i a, Char l i e. ' ' What ar e you t al ki ng about ?'
' She' s about t o have a f at al acci dent . '
Dana f i ni shed dr essi ng and l ooked at her wat ch. Ther e was
st i l l pl ent y of t i me t o cat ch t he Met r opol bus t o t he
ai r por t . Wi t h gr owi ng anxi et y, she hur r i ed downst ai r s t o t he
l obby. The f at woman was nowher e i n si ght .
Dana wal ked out ont o t he st r eet . I mpossi bl y, i t had got t en
col der . The wi nd was a r el ent l ess, howl i ng banshee. A t axi
st opped i n f r ont of Dana.
' Taksi ?'
Don' t t ake a t axi . Go di r ect l y t o t he Hot el Met r opol . The
hot el has ai r por t buses l eavi ng r egul ar l y.
' Nyet . '
Dana st ar t ed wal ki ng al ong t he i cy st r eet . Cr owds wer e
pushi ng past her , hur r yi ng t o t he war mt h of homes or of f i ces.
As Dana r eached a busy cor ner , wai t i ng t o cr oss, she f el t a
vi ol ent shove f r ombehi nd and she went f l yi ng i nt o t he st r eet
i n f r ont of an oncomi ng t r uck. She sl i pped on a pat ch of i ce
and f el l on her back, l ooki ng up i n hor r or as t he huge t r uck
sped t owar d her .
At t he l ast second, t he whi t e- f aced dr i ver managed t o t ur n
hi s wheel so t hat t he t r uck passed
di r ect l y over Dana. For a moment , she l ay i n dar kness, her
ear s f i l l ed wi t h t he r oar of t he engi ne and t he cl anki ng
chai ns f l appi ng agai nst t he huge t i r es.
Suddenl y she coul d see t he sky agai n. The t r uck was gone.
Dana gr oggi l y sat up. Peopl e wer e hel pi ng her t o her f eet .
She l ooked ar ound f or t he per son who had pushed her , but i t
coul d have been anyone i n t he cr owd. Dana t ook sever al deep
br eat hs and t r i ed t o r egai n her composur e. The peopl e
sur r oundi ng her wer e shout i ng at her i n Russi an. The cr owd
was begi nni ng t o pr ess i n on Dana, maki ng her pani cky.
' Hot el Met r opol ?' Dana sai d hopef ul l y.
A gr oup of young boys had appr oached. ' Sur e. We t ake you. '
The l obby of t he Hot el Met r opol was bl essedl y war m,
cr owded wi t h t our i st s and busi nessmen. Mi ngl e wi t h t he
cr owds. I ' l l be wai t i ng f or you i n Washi ngt on when you
ar r i ve.
Dana sai d t o a bel l man, ' What t i me does t he next bus l eave
f or t he ai r por t ?'
' I n t hi r t y mi nut es, gaspazha. '
' Thank you. '
She sat i n a chai r , br eat hi ng har d, t r yi ng t o wi pe t he
unspeakabl e hor r or f r omher mi nd. She was f i l l ed wi t h dr ead.
Who was t r yi ng t o ki l l her and why? And was Kemal saf e?
The bel l man came up t o Dana. ' The ai r por t bus i s her e. '
Dana was t he f i r st one on t he bus. She t ook a seat at t he
r ear and st udi ed t he f aces of t he passenger s. Ther e wer e
t our i st s f r omhal f a dozen count r i es; Eur opeans, Asi ans,
Af r i cans, and a f ew Amer i cans. A man acr oss t he ai sl e was
st ar i ng at her .
He l ooks f ami l i ar , Dana t hought . Has he been f ol l owi ng me?
She f ound her sel f hyper vent i l at i ng.
One hour l at er , when t he bus st opped at Sher e- met yevo I I
ai r por t , Dana was t he l ast one t o di sembar k. She hur r i ed i nt o
t he t er mi nal bui l di ng and over t o t he Ai r Fr ance desk.
' May I hel p you?'
' Do you have a r eser vat i on f or Dana Evans?' Dana was
hol di ng her br eat h. Say yes, say yes, say yes. . .
The cl er k sor t ed t hr ough some paper s. ' Yes. Her e' s your
t i cket . I t ' s pai d f or . '
Bl ess Roger . ' Thank you. '
' The pl ane i s on schedul e. That ' s f l i ght t wo- t went y. I t
wi l l be l eavi ng i n one hour and t en mi nut es. '
' I s t her e a l ounge' - Dana al most sai d, wi t h a l ot of
peopl e - ' wher e I can r est ?'
' Down t he end of t hi s cor r i dor and t o t he r i ght . '
' Thank you. '
The l ounge was cr owded. Not hi ng i n t her e seemed unusual or
t hr eat eni ng. Dana t ook a seat .
I n a l i t t l e whi l e, she woul d be on her way t o Amer i ca and
saf et y.
' Ai r Fr ance f l i ght t wo- t went y i s now boar di ng at gat e
t hr ee f or Washi ngt on, D C. Wi l l al l passenger s pl ease have
t hei r passpor t s and boar di ng passes r eady?'
Dana r ose and st ar t ed t owar d gat e 3. A man who had been
wat chi ng her f r oman Aer of l ot count er spoke i nt o hi s cel l
phone.
' The subj ect i s headi ng f or t he boar di ng gat e. '
Roger Hudson pi cked up t he phone and cal l ed a number .
' She' s on Ai r Fr ance f l i ght t wo- t went y. I want her met at t he
ai r por t . '
' What do you want done wi t h her , si r ?' ' I woul d suggest a
hi t - and- r un acci dent . '
They wer e f l yi ng at a smoot h f or t y- f i ve t housand f eet i n a
cl oudl ess sky. Ther e was not an empt y seat on t he pl ane. An
Amer i can was i n t he seat next t o Dana.
' Gr egor y Pr i ce, ' he sai d. ' I ' mi n l umber . ' He was i n hi s
f or t i es, wi t h a l ong aqui l i ne f ace, br i ght gr ay eyes, and a
must ache. ' That ' s some ki nd of count r y we' r e l eavi ng, huh?'
Kr asnoyar sk- 26' s sol e pur pose f or exi st i ng i s t o
make pl ut oni um, t he key i ngr edi ent i n nucl ear weapons.
' The Russi ans ar e sur e di f f er ent f r omus, but you get used
t o t hemaf t er a whi l e. '
One hundr ed t housand sci ent i st s and t echni ci ans l i ve and
wor k her e.
' They sur e don' t cook l i ke t he Fr ench. When I come her e on
busi ness, I br i ng my own car e package. '
They cannot go out si de. They cannot have vi si t or s. They
must cut t hemsel ves of f compl et el y f r omt he out si de wor l d.
' Wer e you i n Russi a on busi ness?'
Dana br ought her sel f back t o t he pr esent . ' Vacat i on. '
He l ooked at her i n sur pr i se. ' I t ' s a hel l of a t i me t o
t ake a vacat i on i n Russi a. '
When t he f l i ght at t endant came down t he ai sl e wi t h a f ood
car t , Dana st ar t ed t o decl i ne, t hen r eal i zed she was
f ami shed. She coul d not r emember when she had eat en l ast .
Gr egor y Pr i ce sai d, ' I f you' d l i ke a shot of bour bon, I ' ve
got t he r eal st uf f her e, l i t t l e l ady. '
' No t hanks. ' She l ooked at her wat ch. They woul d be
l andi ng i n a f ew hour s.
One of t hemsai d, ' Do you have t he hypoder mi c?'
' Yes. '
' Take her out t o Rock Cr eek Par k. The boss want s a
hi t - and- r un. '
' Ri ght . '
Thei r eyes t ur ned back t o t he door . Passenger s wer e
st r eami ng out , dr essed i n heavy wool en cl ot hes, par kas,
ear muf f s, scar ves, and gl oves. Fi nal l y t he f l ow of passenger s
st opped.
One of t he men f r owned. ' I ' l l go and see what ' s keepi ng
her . '
He made hi s way down t he r amp i nt o t he pl ane. A cl eani ng
cr ew was busi l y at wor k. The man wal ked t hr ough t he ai sl e.
Ther e wer e no si gns of any passenger s. He opened t he l avat or y
door s. They wer e empt y. He hur r i ed f or war d and sai d t o a
f l i ght at t endant who was j ust l eavi ng, ' Wher e was Dana Evans
si t t i ng?'
The f l i ght at t endant l ooked sur pr i sed. ' Dana Evans? You
mean t he TV anchor woman?'
' Yes. '
' She wasn' t on t hi s f l i ght . I wi sh she had been. I woul d
have l oved t o have met her . '
When Ai r Fr ance f l i ght 220 l anded at Dul l es ai r por t , f our
men wer e wat chi ng as t he passenger s began t o come t hr ough t he
exi t r amp f r omt he pl ane. The men st ood t her e, conf i dent ,
knowi ng t her e was no way she coul d escape.
Gr egor y Pr i ce was sayi ng t o Dana, ' Do you know what ' s
gr eat about t he l umber busi ness, l i t t l e l ady? Your pr oduct
gr ows al l by i t sel f . Yes, si r , you j ust si t ar ound and wat ch
Mot her Nat ur e make money f or you. '
A voi ce came over t he l oudspeaker .
' We' l l be l andi ng i n Chi cago' s O' Har e Ai r por t i n a f ew
mi nut es. Pl ease f ast en your seat bel t and r et ur n your seat
back t o t he upr i ght posi t i on. '
The woman seat ed acr oss t he ai sl e sai d cyni cal l y, ' Yeah,
put your seat back upr i ght . I woul dn' t want t o be l eani ng
back when I di e. '
The wor d ' di e' gave Dana a j ol t . She coul d hear t he sound
of t he bul l et s r i cochet i ng i nt o t he wal l of t he apar t ment
bui l di ng and she coul d f eel t he st r ong hand shovi ng her i nt o
t he pat h of t he oncomi ng t r uck. She shudder ed when she
t hought of t he t wo nar r ow escapes she had had.
Hour s ear l i er , seat ed i n t he wai t i ng l ounge at
Sher emet yevo I I ai r por t , Dana had t ol d her sel f t hat
ever yt hi ng was goi ng t o be f i ne. The good guys ar e goi ng t o
wi n. But t her e was somet hi ng bot her i ng her about a
conver sat i on she had had wi t h someone. The per son had sai d
somet hi ng di st ur bi ng, but i t had sl i pped by. Had i t been i n a
conver sat i on wi t h Mat t ? Commi ssar Shdanof f ? Ti mDr ew? The
mor e Dana t r i ed t o r ecal l i t , t he mor e i t el uded her .
A f l i ght at t endant announced over t he l oudspeaker , ' Ai r
Fr ance f l i ght 220 i s r eady t o depar t f or Washi ngt on, DC.
Pl ease have your passpor t s and boar di ng passes i n hand. '
Dana r ose and headed f or t he gat e. As she st ar t ed t o show
her t i cket t o t he guar d, she suddenl y r emember ed what i t was.
I t was her l ast conver sat i on wi t h Sasha Shdanof f .
No one knows I amt her e. I t i s what you cal l a saf e
house' .
The onl y per son t o whomshe r eveal ed Sasha Shdanof f ' s
hi de- out was Roger Hudson. And i mmedi at el y af t er t hat ,
Shdanof f had been mur der ed. Fr omt he ver y begi nni ng, Roger
Hudson had been subt l y al l udi ng t o some dar k connect i on
bet ween Tayl or Wi nt hr op and Russi a.
When I was i n Moscow, t her e was a r umor t hat Wi nt hr op was
i nvol ved i n some t ype of pr i vat e deal wi t h t he Russi ans. . . .
Shor t l y bef or e Tayl or Wi nt hr op became our ambassador t o
Russi a, he t ol d cl ose f r i ends t hat he had def i ni t el y r et i r ed
f r ompubl i c l i f e. . . .
I t was Wi nt hr op who pr essur ed t he pr esi dent i nt o
appoi nt i ng hi mambassador . . . .
She had t ol d Roger and Pamel a her ever y move. They had
been spyi ng on her al l t he t i me. And t her e coul d have been
onl y one r eason:
Roger Hudson was Tayl or Wi nt hr op' s myst er i ous par t ner .
When t he Amer i can Ai r l i nes f l i ght l anded at O' Har e ai r por t
i n Chi cago, Dana peer ed out t he wi ndow l ooki ng f or anyt hi ng
suspi ci ous. Not hi ng. I t was qui et . Dana t ook a deep br eat h
and st ar t ed t o depl ane. Her ner ves wer e on f i r e. She managed
t o keep as many passenger s ar ound her as possi bl e as she
wal ked i nt o t he t er mi nal , st ayi ng wi t h t he chat t er i ng cr owd.
She had an ur gent cal l t o make. Dur i ng t he f l i ght , somet hi ng
so t er r i bl e had occur r ed t o her t hat i t made her own danger
seemuni mpor t ant . Kemal . What i f he wer e i n danger because of
her ? She coul d not bear t he t hought of anyt hi ng happeni ng t o
hi m. She had t o f i nd someone t o pr ot ect Kemal . I mmedi at el y,
she t hought of J ack St one. He was wi t h an or gani zat i on
power f ul enough t o gi ve her t he ki nd of pr ot ect i on she and
Kemal needed, and she was sur e t hat he woul d ar r ange i t f or
her . He had been sympat het i c t o her f r omt he begi nni ng. He' s
not r eal l y one of t hem.
I ' mt r yi ng t o st ay out si de t he l oop. I can best hel p you
t hat way, i f you know what I mean.
Dana wal ked over t o a deser t ed cor ner of t he t er mi nal ,
r eached i n her pur se, and t ook out t he pr i vat e number J ack
St one had gi ven her . She cal l ed i t . He answer ed i mmedi at el y.
' J ack St one. '
' I t ' s Dana Evans. I ' mi n t r oubl e. I need hel p. '
' What ' s goi ng on?'
Dana coul d hear t he concer n i n hi s voi ce. ' I can' t go i nt o
i t al l now, but some peopl e ar e af t er me, t r yi ng t o ki l l me. '
' Who?
' I don' t know. But i t ' s my young son, Kemal , I ' mwor r i ed
about . Can you hel p me get someone t o pr ot ect hi m?'
He r esponded i nst ant l y. I ' l l see t o i t . I s he at home
now?'
' Yes. '
' I ' l l send someone over . Now what about you? You say
someone i s t r yi ng t o ki l l you?'
' Yes. They' ve - t hey' ve t r i ed t wi ce. '
Ther e was a moment ar y si l ence. ' I ' l l l ook i nt o t hat and
see what I can do. Wher e ar e you?'
' I ' mat Amer i can Ai r l i nes at O' Har e, and I don' t know when
I can get out of her e. '
' St ay r i ght wher e you ar e. I ' l l get someone t her e t o
pr ot ect you. Meanwhi l e, you can st op wor r yi ng about Kemal . '
Dana f el t a sense of deep r el i ef . ' Thank you. Thank you. '
She hung up.
I n hi s of f i ce at t he FRA, J ack St one r epl aced t he
r ecei ver . He pr essed down t he i nt er combut t on. ' The t ar get
j ust cal l ed. She' s i n an Amer i can Ai r l i nes t er mi nal at
O' Har e. Take her . '
' Yes, si r . '
J ack St one t ur ned t o an ai de. ' When i s Gener al Boost er
r et ur ni ng f r omt he Far East ?'
' He' l l be back t hi s af t er noon. '
' Wel l , l et ' s get t he hel l out of her e bef or e he f i nds out
what ' s been goi ng on. '
Twent y- f our
Dana' s cel l phone r ang.
' J ef f ! '
' Hel l o, dar l i ng. ' And t he sound of hi s voi ce was a bl anket
wr apped ar ound her , war mi ng her .
' Oh, J ef f ! ' She f ound t hat she was t r embl i ng.
' How ar e you?'
How amI ? I ' mr unni ng f or my l i f e. But she coul d not t el l
hi mt hat . Ther e was no way he coul d hel p her , not now. I t was
t oo l at e. ' I ' m- I ' mf i ne, dar l i ng. '
' Wher e ar e you now, wor l d t r avel er ?'
' I ' mi n Chi cago. I ' l l be back i n Washi ngt on t omor r ow. '
When ar e you goi ng t o be wi t h me? ' How - how i s Rachel ?'
' She seems t o be doi ng okay. '
' I mi ss you. '
Rachel ' s bedr oomdoor opened, and she st epped i nt o t he
l i vi ng r oom. She st ar t ed t o cal l J ef f ' s name and st opped when
she saw t hat he was on t he phone.
' I mi ss you mor e t han you can ever i magi ne, ' J ef f sai d.
' Oh, I l ove you so much. ' A man near by seemed t o be
st ar i ng at her . Dana' s hear t began poundi ng. ' Dar l i ng, i f -
i f anyt hi ng happens t o me . . . al ways r emember t hat I - '
J ef f was i nst ant l y al ar med. ' What do you mean i f anyt hi ng
happens t o you?'
' Not hi ng. I - 1 can' t go i nt o i t now, but - I ' msur e
ever yt hi ng wi l l be f i ne. '
' Dana, you can' t l et anyt hi ng happen t o you! I need you. I
l ove you mor e t han anyone I ' ve ever l oved i n my l i f e. I
coul dn' t bear t o l ose you. '
Rachel l i st ened a moment l onger , t hen qui et l y went back
i nt o her bedr oomand cl osed t he door .
Dana and J ef f spoke f or t en mi nut es mor e. When Dana
f i nal l y hung up, she f el t bet t er . I ' mgl ad I had a chance t o
say good- bye. She l ooked up and saw t he man st i l l st ar i ng at
her . Ther e' s no way one of J ack St one' s men coul d have
ar r i ved so qui ckl y. I need t o get out of her e. She f el t a
r i si ng pani c.
Mr s Dal ey went i nt o t he ki t chen, t ook t he oat meal of f t he
st ove, and opened a bot t omcabi net dr awer f i l l ed wi t h packet s
of dr ugs l abel ed BuSpar . Dozens of empt y packet s wer e at t he
bot t omof t he dr awer . Mr s Dal ey opened t wo new packet s,
hesi t at ed, t hen added a t hi r d. She mi xed t he powder i n wi t h
t he oat meal , pour ed sugar on t op, and car r i ed t he cer eal i nt o
t he di ni ng r oom. Kemal came i n f r omt he st udy.
' Her e you ar e, l ove. Ni ce, hot oat meal . '
' I ' mnot ver y hungr y. '
' You must eat , Kemal . ' Her voi ce was shar p i n t he way t hat
f r i ght ened hi m. ' We don' t want Mi ss Dana t o be di sappoi nt ed
i n us, do we?'
' No. '
' Good. I ' l l bet you can f i ni sh ever y bi t of t hat f or Mi ss
Dana. '
Kemal sat down and began t o eat .
He shoul d sl eep f or about si x hour s, Mr s Dal ey cal cul at ed.
Then I ' l l see what t hey want me t o do wi t h hi m.
Dana' s next - door nei ghbor knocked on Dana' s
door . Mr s Dal ey opened i t . ' Hel l o. '
' Keep Kemal home. We' r e goi ng t o need hi m. ' ' I ' l l t ake
car e of i t . ' Mr s Dal ey cl osed t he door
and cal l ed t o Kemal . ' Your oat meal i s al most r eady,
dar l i ng. '
Dana r aced t hr ough t he ai r por t unt i l she passed a l ar ge
dr ess shop.
I need t o hi de my i dent i t y. She went i nsi de and l ooked
ar ound. Ever yt hi ng seemed nor mal . Cust omer s wer e busi l y
buyi ng mer chandi se and cl er ks wer e t aki ng car e of t hem. And
t hen Dana l ooked out t he shop door and she coul d f eel her
f l esh cr awl . Two menaci ng- l ooki ng men wer e st andi ng t her e at
each si de of t he ent r ance. One of t hemhel d a
wal ki e- t al ki e.
How had t hey f ound her i n Chi cago? Dana t r i ed t o cont r ol
her pani c. She t ur ned t o t he cl er k. ' I s t her e anot her way out
of her e?'
The cl er k shook her head. I ' msor r y, mi ss. That ' s onl y f or
t he st af f . '
Dana' s t hr oat was dr y. She l ooked out at t he men agai n. I
have t o escape, Dana t hought desper at el y. Ther e has t o be a
way.
Suddenl y, she gr abbed a dr ess of f t he r ack and st ar t ed t o
wal k t o t he ent r ance.
' Wai t a mi nut e! ' t he cl er k cal l ed. ' You can' t - '
Dana was appr oachi ng t he door , and t he t wo men st ar t ed t o
move t owar d her . As Dana st epped t hr ough t he door , t he sensor
on t he dr ess t ag t r i gger ed an al ar m. A st or e guar d came
r ushi ng out . The t wo men l ooked at each ot her and st epped
back.
' J ust a mi nut e, mi ss, ' t he guar d sai d. ' You' l l have t o
come back i nsi de t he st or e wi t h me. '
' Why shoul d I ?' Dana pr ot est ed.
' Why? Because shopl i f t i ng i s agai nst t he l aw. ' The guar d
t ook Dana' s ar mand pul l ed her back i nsi de. The men st ood
t her e, f r ust r at ed.
Dana smi l ed at t he guar d. ' Okay. I admi t i t . I was
shopl i f t i ng. Take me t o j ai l . '
Shopper s began t o st op t o see what was happeni ng. The
manager came hur r yi ng over . ' What ' s t he pr obl emher e?'
' I caught t hi s woman t r yi ng t o st eal t hi s dr ess. '
' Wel l , I ' maf r ai d we' l l have t o cal l t he pol - He t ur ned
and r ecogni zed Dana. ' My God! I t ' s Dana Evans. '
Whi sper s r i ppl ed t hr ough t he gr owi ng cr owd.
' I t ' s Dana Evans . . . '
' We wat ch her on t he news ever y ni ght
' Do you r emember her br oadcast s f r omt he war . . . ?'
The manager sai d, ' I ' mso sor r y, Mi ss Evans. Obvi ousl y
t her e' s been a mi st ake. '
' No, no, ' Dana sai d qui ckl y. ' I was shopl i f t i ng. ' She hel d
out her hands. ' You can ar r est me. '
The manager smi l ed. ' I woul dn' t dr eamof i t . You can keep
t he dr ess, Mi ss Evans, wi t h our compl i ment s. We' r e f l at t er ed
t hat you l i ke i t . '
Dana st ar ed at hi munbel i evi ngl y. ' You' r e not goi ng t o
ar r est me?'
Hi s smi l e wi dened. I ' l l t el l you what . I ' l l t r ade you t he
dr ess f or an aut ogr aph. We' r e bi g f ans of your s. '
One of t he women gat her ed ar ound excl ai med, ' Me, t oo! '
' Can I have an aut ogr aph?'
Mor e peopl e wer e appr oachi ng.
' Look! I t ' s Dana Evans. '
' Can I have your aut ogr aph, Mi ss Evans?'
' My husband and I wat ched you ever y ni ght when you wer e i n
Sar aj evo. '
' You r eal l y made t he war come al i ve. '
I ' d l i ke an aut ogr aph, t oo. '
Dana st ood t her e, gr owi ng mor e desper at e by t he second.
She gl anced out si de. The t wo men wer e st i l l t her e, wai t i ng.
Dana' s mi nd was r aci ng. She t ur ned t o t he cr owd and
smi l ed. I ' l l t el l you what I ' l l do. Let ' s go out si de i n t he
f r esh ai r , and I ' l l gi ve each of you an aut ogr aph. '
Ther e wer e cr i es of exci t ement .
Dana handed t he dr ess t o t he manager . ' You can keep t hi s.
Thank you. ' She st ar t ed t owar d t he door , f ol l owed by her
f ans. The t wo men out si de backed of f , conf used, as t he cr owd
descended on t hem.
Dana t ur ned t o her f ans. ' Who' s f i r st ?' They wer e pr essi ng
ar ound her , hol di ng out pens and pi eces of paper .
The t wo men st ood t her e, uneasy. As Dana si gned
aut ogr aphs, she kept movi ng t owar d t he t er mi nal exi t . The
cr owd f ol l owed her out si de. A t axi pul l ed up at t he cur b,
di schar gi ng a passenger .
Dana t ur ned t o t he cr owd. ' Thank you. I have t o go now. '
She j umped i nt o t he cab and a moment l at er i t di sappear ed
i nt o t he t r af f i c.
J ack St one was on t he phone wi t h Roger Hudson. ' Mr Hudson,
she got away f r omus, but - '
' Goddammi t ! I don' t want t o hear t hat . I want her t aken
out of t he pi ct ur e - now. '
' Don' t wor r y, si r . We' ve got t he l i cense number of t he
t axi . She can' t get f ar . '
' Don' t f ai l me agai n. Roger Hudson sl ammed t he r ecei ver
down.
Car son Pi r i e Scot t & Company, i n t he hear t of Chi cago' s
Loop, was cr owded wi t h shopper s. At t he scar f count er , a
cl er k was f i ni shi ng wr appi ng a package f or Dana.
' Wi l l t hat be cash or char ge?'
' Cash. ' No sense l eavi ng a paper t r ai l .
Dana t ook her package and had al most r eached t he exi t when
she suddenl y st opped, f i l l ed wi t h f ear . Two di f f er ent men
wer e st andi ng out si de t he door wi t h wal ki e- t al ki es. Dana
l ooked at t hem, her mout h suddenl y dr y. She t ur ned and
hur r i ed back t o t he count er .
The cl er k asked, ' Was t her e somet hi ng el se, mi ss?'
' No. I - ' Dana l ooked ar ound i n desper at i on. ' I s t her e
anot her door l eadi ng out of her e?'
' Oh, yes, we have sever al ent r ances. '
I t ' s no use, Dana t hought . They' l l have t hemal l cover ed.
Thi s t i me t her e woul d be no escape.
Dana not i ced a woman shopper i n a shabby ol d gr een coat
l ooki ng at a scar f i n a gl ass case. Dana st udi ed her a
moment , t hen wal ked over .
' Beaut i f ul , ar en' t t hey?' Dana sai d.
The woman smi l ed. ' They cer t ai nl y ar e. '
The men out si de wer e wat chi ng t he t wo women i n
conver sat i on. They l ooked at each ot her and shr ugged. They
had ever y exi t cover ed.
I nsi de Dana was sayi ng, ' I l i ke t hat coat you' r e wear i ng.
I t ' s exact l y my col or . '
' I ' maf r ai d t hi s ol d t hi ng i s about wor n out . Your s i s
ver y pr et t y. '
The t wo men out si de wat ched as t he conver sat i on cont i nued.
' I t ' s damned col d, ' one of t he men compl ai ned. ' I wi sh
she' d get t he hel l out her e and l et us get t hi s over wi t h. '
Hi s compani on nodded. Ther e' s no way she can get - ' He
br oke of f as he saw t he t wo women i n t he st or e st ar t t o
exchange coat s. He gr i nned. ' J esus, l ook what she' s t r yi ng t o
get away wi t h. They' r e swappi ng coat s. What a dumb br oad. '
The t wo women di sappear ed f or a moment behi nd a cl ot hes
r ack. One of t he men spoke i nt o t he wal ki e- t al ki e. ' The
subj ect i s swi t chi ng f r omher r ed coat i nt o a gr een coat . . .
Hol d i t . She' s headi ng f or exi t f our . Pi ck her up t her e. '
At exi t f our , t wo men wer e wai t i ng. A moment l at er one of
t hemsai d i nt o hi s cel l ul ar phone, ' We' ve got her . Get t he
car . '
They wat ched as she came out t he door i nt o t he col d ai r .
She wr apped her gr een coat t i ght l y ar ound her and st ar t ed
down t he st r eet . They cl osed i n on her . As she r eached t he
cor ner and st ar t ed hai l i ng a cab, t he men gr abbed her ar ms.
' You don' t need a cab. We have a ni ce car f or you. '
She l ooked at t hemi n ast oni shment . ' Who ar e you? What ar e
you t al ki ng about ?'
One of t he men was st ar i ng at her . ' You' r e not Dana
Evans! '
' Wel l , of cour se I ' mnot . '
The men l ooked at each ot her , l et go of her , and r aced
back t o t he st or e. One of t he men cl i cked on hi s
wal ki e- t al ki e. ' Wr ong t ar get . Wr ong t ar get . Do you r ead me?'
By t he t i me t he ot her s pi l ed i nt o t he st or e, Dana had
di sappear ed.
She was caught i n a l i vi ng ni ght mar e, t r apped i n a host i l e
wor l d wi t h unknown enemi es t r yi ng t o ki l l her . She was
enmeshed i n a web of t er r or , al most par al yzed wi t h f ear . When
Dana got out of t he t axi , she st ar t ed wal ki ng f ast , t r yi ng
not t o r un and cal l at t ent i on t o her sel f , havi ng no i dea
wher e she was goi ng. She passed a st or e wi t h a si gn t hat sai d
FANTASY HEADQUARTERS: FANCY DRESS FOR ALL OCCASI ONS. On an
i mpul se, Dana went i nsi de. I t was f i l l ed wi t h cost umes, wi gs,
and makeup.
' Can I hel p you?'
Yes. Cal l t he pol i ce. Tel l t hemsomeone i s t r yi ng t o ki l l
me.
' Mi ss?'
' Er - yes. I woul d l i ke t o t r y on a bl ond wi g. '
' Thi s way, pl ease. '
A mi nut e l at er Dana was l ooki ng at her bl ond i mage i n t he
mi r r or .
I t ' s amazi ng how much i t changes your appear ance. '
I hope so.
Out si de t he st or e, Dana f l agged down a t axi . ' O' Har e
ai r por t . ' I must get t o Kemal .
When t he t el ephone r ang, Rachel pi cked i t up. ' Hel l o . . .
Dr Young? . . . The f i nal r esul t s of t he t est ?'
J ef f saw t he sudden t ensi on i n her f ace.
' You can t el l me over t he phone. J ust a mi nut e. ' Rachel
l ooked at J ef f , t ook a deep br eat h, and t ook t he phone i nt o
t he bedr oom.
He coul d hear her voi ce, f ai nt l y.
' Go ahead, Doct or . '
Ther e was a si l ence t hat l ast ed a f ul l t hr ee mi nut es, and
as J ef f , concer ned, was about t o go i nt o t he bedr oom, Rachel
came out , and she had a gl ow on her f ace t hat he had never
seen bef or e.
' I t wor ked! ' She was al most br eat hl ess wi t h exci t ement .
' J ef f , I ' mi n r emi ssi on. The new t her apy wor ked! '
J ef f sai d, ' Thank God! That ' s wonder f ul , Rachel . '
' He want s me t o st ay her e f or anot her f ew weeks, but t he
cr i si s i s over . ' Her voi ce was f i l l ed wi t h el at i on.
' We' l l go out and cel ebr at e, ' J ef f sai d. ' I ' l l st ay wi t h
you unt i l - '
' No. '
' No, what ?'
' I don' t need you anymor e, J ef f . '
' I know, and I ' mgl ad we - '
' You don' t under st and. I want you t o l eave. '
He l ooked at Rachel , sur pr i sed. ' Why?'
' Dear , sweet J ef f . I don' t want t o hur t your f eel i ngs, but
now t hat I ' mi n r emi ssi on, i t means I can go back t o wor k.
I t ' s my l i f e. I t ' s what I am. I ' mgoi ng t o cal l and see what
j obs ar e avai l abl e. I ' ve f el t t r apped her e wi t h you. Thanks
f or hel pi ng me, J ef f . I r eal l y do appr eci at e i t . But i t ' s
t i me t o say good- bye. I ' msur e Dana mi sses you. So pl ease,
why don' t you j ust l eave, dar l i ng?'
J ef f l ooked at her a moment and nodded. ' Ri ght . '
Rachel wat ched hi mgo i nt o t he bedr oomand st ar t t o pack.
Twent y mi nut es l at er , when J ef f came out wi t h hi s sui t case,
Rachel was on t he phone.
' . . . and I ' ve come back t o t he r eal wor l d, Bet t y. I ' l l
be abl e t o go back t o wor k i n a f ew weeks . . . I know. I sn' t
i t wonder f ul ?'
J ef f was st andi ng t her e, wai t i ng t o say good- bye. Rachel
waved t o hi mand t ur ned back t o t he t el ephone. ' I ' l l t el l you
what I want . . . get me a shoot on a ni ce t r opi cal
Rachel wat ched J ef f wal k out t he door . Sl owl y, she l et t he
phone dr op. She wal ked over t o t he wi ndow and st ood t her e,
wat chi ng t he onl y man she had ever l oved wal k out of her
l i f e.
Dr Young' s wor ds wer e st i l l r i ngi ng i n her ear s. ' Mi ss
St evens, I ' msor r y, but I have bad news. The t r eat ment di dn' t
wor k . . . The cancer has met ast as- i zed . . . I t has spr ead t oo
f ar . I ' maf r ai d t hat i t ' s t er mi nal . . . maybe anot her mont h
or t wo
Rachel r emember ed t he Hol l ywood di r ect or Roder i ck Mar shal l
sayi ng t o her , ' I ' mgl ad you came. I ' mgoi ng t o make you a
bi g st ar . ' And as t he excr uci at i ng r ed r i ver of pai n began t o
r ack Rachel ' s body agai n, she t hought : Roder i ck Mar shal l
woul d have been pr oud of me.
When Dana' s pl ane l anded, Washi ngt on' s Dul l es ai r por t was
cr owded wi t h passenger s wai t i ng f or t hei r l uggage. Dana
wal ked past t he car ousel s out i nt o t he st r eet and cl i mbed
i nt o one of t he wai t i ng t axi s. Ther e wer e no
suspi ci ous- l ooki ng men ar ound, but her ner ves wer e scr eami ng.
Dana t ook out her pur se and l ooked i n t he smal l mi r r or f or
r eassur ance. Her bl ond wi g di d gi ve her a compl et el y
di f f er ent l ook. I t wi l l have t o do f or now, Dana t hought .
I ' ve got t o get t o Kemal .
Kemal opened hi s eyes sl owl y, awakened by t he sounds of
voi ces comi ng t hr ough t he cl osed st udy door . He f el t gr oggy.
' The boy' s st i l l asl eep, ' he hear d Mr s Dal ey say. ' I
dr ugged hi m. '
A man r epl i ed, ' We' l l have t o wake hi mup. '
A second man' s voi ce sai d, ' Maybe i t woul d be bet t er i f we
car r i ed hi mt her e whi l e he' s asl eep. '
' You coul d do i t t o hi mher e, ' Mr s Dal ey sai d. ' And t hen
get r i d of hi s body. '
Kemal was suddenl y wi de awake.
' We have t o keep hi mal i ve f or a whi l e. They' r e goi ng t o
use hi mas bai t t o cat ch t he Evans woman. '
Kemal sat up, l i st eni ng, hi s hear t poundi ng.
' Wher e i s she?'
' We' r e not sur e. But we know she' l l be comi ng her e f or t he
ki d. '
Kemal j umped out of bed. He st ood t her e f or a moment ,
r i gi d wi t h f ear . The woman he had t r ust ed want ed t o ki l l hi m.
Pi zda! I t won' t be t hat easy, Kemal swor e t o hi msel f . They
coul dn' t ki l l me i n Sar aj evo. They' r e not goi ng t o ki l l me
her e. He began f r ant i cal l y t hr owi ng on hi s cl ot hes. When he
r eached f or hi s ar t i f i ci al ar mon t he chai r , i t sl i pped out
of hi s hand and f el l t o t he f l oor wi t h what sounded t o Kemal
l i ke a t hunder ous cr ash. He f r oze. The men out si de wer e st i l l
t al ki ng. They had not hear d i t . Kemal at t ached hi s ar mand
f i ni shed dr essi ng qui ckl y.
He opened t he wi ndow and was hi t by a bl ast of f r i gi d ai r .
Hi s over coat was i n t he ot her r oom. Kemal moved out ont o t he
wi ndow l edge i n hi s t hi n j acket , hi s t eet h chat t er i ng. Ther e
was a f i r e escape l eadi ng t o t he gr ound, and he cl i mbed ont o
i t , car ef ul t o duck out of si ght of t he l i vi ng- r oomwi ndow.
As Kemal r eached t he gr ound, he l ooked at hi s wat ch. I t
was 2: 45. Somehow he had sl ept hal f t he day away. He began t o
r un.
' Let ' s t i e t he ki d down, j ust i n case. '
One of t he men opened t he st udy door and l ooked ar ound t he
r oomi n sur pr i se. ' Hey, he' s gone! '
The t wo men and Mr s Dal ey r ushed t o t he open wi ndow i n
t i me t o see Kemal r aci ng down t he st r eet .
' Get hi m! '
Kemal r an as i f i n a ni ght mar e; hi s l egs gr owi ng weaker
and mor e r ubber y wi t h ever y st ep. Each br eat h was a kni f e i n
hi s chest . I f I can get t o t he school bef or e t hey cl ose t he
gat es at t hr ee o' cl ock, he t hought , I ' l l be saf e. They won' t
dar e hur t me wi t h al l t he ot her ki ds ar ound.
Ther e was a r ed t r af f i c l i ght ahead. Kemal i gnor ed i t and
dar t ed acr oss t he avenue, dodgi ng car s, obl i vi ous t o t he
out r aged sounds of aut omobi l e hor ns and scr eami ng br akes. He
r eached t he ot her si de of t he st r eet and kept r unni ng.
Mi ss Kel l y wi l l cal l t he pol i ce, and t hey' l l pr ot ect
Dana.
Kemal was begi nni ng t o get shor t of br eat h and he f el t a
t i ght ness i n hi s chest . He gl anced at hi s wat ch agai n: 2: 55.
He l ooked up. The school was j ust ahead. Two mor e bl ocks t o
go.
I ' msaf e, Kemal t hought . They haven' t di smi ssed cl asses
yet . A mi nut e l at er he r eached t he f r ont gat e. He st opped i n
f r ont of i t and st ar ed at i t , unbel i ev-
i ngl y. I t was l ocked. Suddenl y, f r ombehi nd, Kemal f el t an
i r on gr i p on hi s shoul der . ' I t ' s Sat ur day, st upi d. '
' St op her e, ' Dana sai d. The t axi was t wo bl ocks f r omher
apar t ment . Dana wat ched t he cab dr i ve away. She wal ked
sl owl y, her body t ense, ever y sense al er t , scanni ng t he
st r eet s, l ooki ng f or anyt hi ng out of t he or di nar y. She was
sur e t hat Kemal was saf e. J ack St one woul d be pr ot ect i ng hi m.
When Dana r eached t he apar t ment - house cor ner , she avoi ded
t he f r ont ent r ance and st epped i nt o t he al l ey t hat l ed t o t he
back of t he bui l di ng. I t was deser t ed. Dana went i nsi de t he
ser vi ce door and qui et l y wal ked up t he st ai r s. She r eached
t he second f l oor and st ar t ed down t he hal l and suddenl y
st opped. The door t o her apar t ment was wi de open. Dana was
i nst ant l y f l ooded wi t h f ear . She r an t owar d t he door and
r aced i nsi de. ' Kemal ! '
No one was t her e. Dana dashed t hr ough t he apar t ment ,
f r ant i c, wonder i ng what coul d have happened. Wher e was J ack
St one? Wher e was Kemal ? I n t he ki t chen, a cabi net dr awer had
f al l en t o t he f l oor and i t s cont ent s had spi l l ed out . Ther e
wer e dozens of smal l packet s, some f ul l , some empt y. Cur i ous,
Dana pi cked one up and l ooked at i t . The l abel sai d, BuSpar
15 mg t abl et s mar ked NDC D087 D822- 32.
What wer e t hey? Was Mr s Dal ey on dr ugs, or had she been
gi vi ng t hese t o Kemal ? Coul d i t have anyt hi ng t o do wi t h t he
change i n hi s behavi or ? Dana put one of t he packet s i n her
coat pocket .
Fi l l ed wi t h dr ead, Dana sl i pped out of t he apar t ment . She
went out t he back way, i nt o t he al l ey, and headed f or t he
st r eet . As Dana t ur ned t he cor ner , a man hi dden behi nd a t r ee
spoke i nt o a wal ki e- t al ki e t o hi s conf eder at e st andi ng on t he
opposi t e cor ner .
Ahead of Dana was t he Washi ngt on Phar macy. Dana went
i nsi de.
The phar maci st sai d, ' Ah, Mi ss Evans. Can I hel p
you?'
' Yes, Coqui na. I ' mcur i ous about t hi s. ' She t ook out t he
smal l packet . The phar maci st gl anced at i t . ' BuSpar . I t ' s an
ant i - anxi et y agent . Whi t e cr yst al , wat er sol ubl e. '
' What does i t do?' Dana asked.
' I t ' s a r el axant . I t has a cal mi ng ef f ect . Of cour se, i f
you over dose, i t can cause dr owsi ness and f at i gue. '
He' s asl eep. Shal l I wake hi mup?
When he came home f r omschool , he f el t t i r ed, so I t hought
a nap woul d be good f or hi m. . .
So t hat expl ai ned what had been goi ng on. And i t had been
Pamel a Hudson who had sent Mr s Dal ey.
And I put Kemal i n t hat bi t ch' s hands, Dana t hought . She
f el t si ck t o her st omach.
She l ooked at t he phar maci st . ' Thank you, Coqui na. '
' My pl easur e, Mi ss Evans. '
Dana went out t he door back i nt o t he st r eet . The t wo men
wer e appr oachi ng her . ' Mi ss Evans, coul d we t al k t o you f or a
mi n - ' Dana t ur ned and r an. The men wer e at her heel s. Dana
r eached t he cor ner . A pol i ceman i n t he mi ddl e of t he
i nt er sect i on was di r ect i ng t he heavy t r af f i c.
Dana r an out i nt o t he st r eet t owar d hi m.
' Hey! Go back, mi ss. '
Dana kept comi ng.
' You' r e movi ng agai nst t he l i ght ! Di d you hear me? Get
back! '
The t wo men wer e wai t i ng at t he cor ner , wat chi ng.
' Ar e you deaf ?' t he pol i ceman yel l ed.
' Shut up! ' She sl apped t he pol i ceman har d acr oss t he f ace.
The f ur i ous of f i cer gr abbed Dana' s ar m.
' You' r e under ar r est , ma' am. '
He pul l ed Dana back t o t he si dewal k and hel d on t o her
whi l e he t al ked i nt o hi s r adi o. ' I need a bl ack- and- whi t e. '
The t wo men st ood t her e l ooki ng at each ot her , uncer t ai n
what t o do.
Dana l ooked acr oss at t hemand smi l ed. Ther e was t he sound
of an appr oachi ng si r en and a f ew seconds l at er a pol i ce car
came t o a st op i n f r ont of t hem.
The t wo men wat ched hel pl essl y as Dana was put i nt o t he
backseat of t he pat r ol car and dr i ven away.
At t he pol i ce st at i on, Dana sai d, ' I ' ment i t l ed t o one
phone cal l , r i ght ?'
The ser geant sai d, ' Ri ght . '
He handed Dana a phone. She made her cal l .
A dozen bl ocks away t he man hol di ng Kemal by hi s shi r t
col l ar was pul l i ng hi mt owar d a l i mousi ne wai t i ng at t he
cur b, i t s mot or r unni ng.
' Pl ease! Pl ease l et me go, ' Kemal pl eaded.
' Shut up, ki d. '
Four uni f or med mar i nes wer e passi ng by.
' I don' t want t o go i n t he al l ey wi t h you, ' Kemal yel l ed.
The man l ooked at Kemal puzzl ed. ' What ?'
' Pl ease don' t make me go i n t he al l ey. ' Kemal t ur ned t o
t he mar i nes. ' He want s t o pay me f i ve dol l ar s t o go i n t he
al l ey wi t h hi m. I don' t want t o. '
The mar i nes st opped, st ar i ng at t he man. ' Why, you di r t y
per ver t
The man backed away. ' No, no. Wai t a mi nut e. You don' t
under st and
One of t he mar i nes sai d gr i ml y, ' Yes, we do, buddy. Get
your hands of f t he ki d. ' They sur r ounded t he man. He put hi s
hands up t o def end hi msel f , and Kemal qui ckl y sl i pped away.
A del i ver y boy wi t h a package was get t i ng of f a bi cycl e
and st ar t i ng t owar d a house. Kemal j umped ont o t he bi cycl e
and pedal ed f ur i ousl y away. The
man wat ched, f r ust r at ed, as Kemal r ounded t he cor ner and
di sappear ed. The mar i nes wer e cl osi ng i n on hi m.
At t he pol i ce st at i on, Dana' s cel l door cl anged open.
' You' r e f r ee t o go, Mi ss Evans. You' r e out on bai l . '
Mat t ! The phone cal l wor ked, Dana t hought happi l y. He di dn
' t l ose any t i me.
As Dana st ar t ed t owar d t he exi t , she st opped i n shock. One
of t he men was st andi ng t her e, wai t i ng f or her .
He smi l ed at Dana and sai d, ' You' r e f r ee, si s. Let ' s go. '
He gr i pped Dana' s ar mt i ght l y and st ar t ed her di ng her out t o
t he st r eet . As t hey st epped out si de, t he man st opped i n
ast oni shment . A f ul l t el evi si on cr ew f r omWTN was wai t i ng i n
f r ont .
' Look t hi s way, Dana
' Dana, i s i t t r ue t hat you sl apped a pol i ceman?'
' Can you t el l us what happened?'
' Di d he har ass you?'
' Ar e you goi ng t o pr ess char ges?'
The man was shyi ng away, cover i ng hi s f ace.
' What ' s t he mat t er ?' Dana cal l ed. ' Don' t you want your
pi ct ur e t aken?'
He f l ed.
Mat t Baker appear ed at Dana' s si de. ' Let ' s get t he hel l
out of her e. '
They wer e i n Mat t Baker ' s of f i ce at t he WTE bui l d- i ng.
El l i ot Cr omwel l , Mat t Baker , and Abbe Las- mann had been
l i st eni ng t o Dana f or t he l ast hal f hour i n shocked si l ence.
' . . . and t he FRA i s i nvol ved, t oo. That ' s why Gener al
Boost er t r i ed t o st op me f r omi nvest i gat i ng. '
El l i ot Cr omwel l sai d, ' I ' mst unned. How coul d we al l have
been so wr ong about Tayl or Wi nt hr op? I t hi nk we shoul d i nf or m
t he Whi t e House about what ' s happeni ng. Let t hemcal l i n t he
at t or ney gener al and t he FBI . '
Dana sai d, ' El l i ot , so f ar we onl y have my wor d agai nst
Roger Hudson' s. Who do you t hi nk t hey' r e goi ng t o bel i eve?'
Abbe Lasmann sai d, ' Don' t we have any pr oof ?'
' Sasha Shdanof f ' s br ot her i s al i ve. I ' msur e he' l l t al k.
Once we pul l a si ngl e t hr ead, t he whol e st or y i s goi ng t o
unr avel . '
Mat t Baker t ook a deep br eat h and l ooked at Dana
admi r i ngl y. ' When you go af t er a st or y, you go af t er a
st or y. '
Dana sai d, ' Mat t , what ar e we goi ng t o do about Kemal ? I
don' t know wher e t o l ook. '
Mat t sai d f i r ml y, ' Don' t wor r y. We' l l f i nd hi m. Meanwhi l e,
we have t o get a pl ace f or you t o hi de wher e no one can f i nd
you. '
Abbe Lasmann spoke up. ' You can use my apar t ment . No one
wi l l t hi nk of l ooki ng f or you t her e. '
' Thank you. ' Dana t ur ned t o Mat t . ' About Kemal . . . '
' We' l l get t he FBI on i t r i ght away. I ' l l have a dr i ver
t ake you t o Abbe' s apar t ment . I t ' s i n our hands now, Dana.
Ever yt hi ng' s goi ng t o be f i ne. I ' l l cal l you t he mi nut e I
hear somet hi ng. '
Kemal pedal ed al ong t he i cy st r eet s, anxi ousl y l ooki ng
behi nd hi mever y f ew moment s. Ther e was no si gn of t he man
who had gr abbed hi m. I ' ve got t o get t o Dana, Kemal t hought ,
desper at el y. I can' t l et t hemhur t her . The pr obl emwas t hat
t he WTN st udi o was at t he ot her end of downt own Washi ngt on.
When Kemal came t o a bus st op, he got of f t he bi cycl e and
pushed i t ont o t he gr ass. As a bus appr oached, Kemal f el t i n
hi s pocket s and r eal i zed he had no money.
Kemal t ur ned t o a passer by. ' Excuse me, coul d I have a - '
' Get l ost , ki d. '
Kemal t r i ed a woman who was appr oachi ng. ' Excuse me, I
need bus f ar e t o - ' The woman hur r i ed by.
Kemal st ood i n t he col d, wi t hout a coat , shi ver i ng. No one
seemed t o car e. I ' ve got t o get bus f ar e, Kemal t hought .
He yanked of f hi s ar t i f i ci al ar mand l ai d i t on t he gr ass.
When t he next man passed by, Kemal hel d out hi s st ump and
sai d, ' Excuse me, si r . Coul d you gi ve me enough money f or bus
f ar e?'
The man st opped. ' Of cour se, son, ' he sai d, ana handed
Kemal a dol l ar .
' Thank you. '
When t he man wal ked away, Kemal qui ckl y put hi s ar mback
on. A bus was appr oachi ng, j ust a bl ock away. I ' ve made i t ,
Kemal t hought j ubi l ant l y. And at t hat moment , he f el t a st i ng
i n t he back of hi s neck. As he st ar t ed t o t ur n, ever yt hi ng
gr ew f ai nt . I nsi de hi s head a voi ce was scr eami ng, No! No!
Kemal sl umped t o t he gr ound, unconsci ous. Passer sby began t o
gat her .
' What happened?'
' Di d he f ai nt ?'
' I s he al l r i ght ?'
' My son i s di abet i c, ' a man sai d. I ' l l t ake car e of hi m. '
He l i f t ed Kemal up and car r i ed hi mi nt o a wai t i ng l i mousi ne.
Abbe Lasmann' s apar t ment was i n nor t hwest Washi ngt on. I t
was l ar ge and comf or t abl y decor at ed wi t h cont empor ar y
f ur ni t ur e and whi t e r ugs. Dana was i n t he apar t ment al one,
paci ng back and f or t h, pani cky, wai t i ng f or t he phone t o
r i ng. Kemal must be al l r i ght . They have no r eason t o har m
hi m. He' l l be f i ne. Wher e i s he? Why can' t t hey f i nd hi m?
When t he phone r ang, i t st ar t l ed Dana. She snat ched i t up.
' Hel l o. ' The l i ne was dead. I t r ang agai n, and Dana r eal i zed
i t was her cel l phone. She f el t a sudden sense of r el i ef . She
pr essed t he but t on. ' J ef f ?'
Roger Hudson' s voi ce sai d qui et l y, ' We' ve been l ooki ng f or
you, Dana. I have Kemal her e. '
Dana st ood t her e, unabl e t o move, unabl e t o t al k. She
whi sper ed at l ast , ' Roger - '
' I ' maf r ai d I can' t cont r ol t he men her e much mor e. They
want t o cut of f Kemal ' s good ar m. Shal l I l et t hem?'
' No! ' I t was a scr eam. ' What - what do you want ?'
' I j ust want t o t al k t o you, ' Roger Hudson sai d
r easonabl y. ' I want you t o come t o t he house, and I want you
t o come al one. I f you br i ng anyone, I won' t be r esponsi bl e
f or what happens t o Kemal . '
' Roger - '
I ' l l expect you i n t hi r t y mi nut es. ' The l i ne went dead.
Dana st ood t her e, numb wi t h f ear . Not hi ng must happen t o
Kemal . Not hi ng must happen t o Kemal . Wi t h t r embl i ng f i nger s,
Dana punched i n Mat t Baker ' s phone number . Mat t ' s r ecor ded
voi ce came on.
' You have r eached t he of f i ce of Mat t Baker . I ' mnot i n
r i ght now, but l eave a message and your cal l wi l l be r et ur ned
as soon as possi bl e. '
Ther e was t he sound of a beep. Dana t ook a deep br eat h and
spoke i nt o t he phone. ' Mat t , I - I j ust got a cal l f r omRoger
Hudson. He' s hol di ng Kemal at hi s house. I ' mgoi ng t her e now.
Pl ease hur r y bef or e somet hi ng happens t o Kemal . Br i ng t he
pol i ce. Hur r y! '
Dana t ur ned of f her cel l phone and headed f or t he door .
Abbe Lasmann was put t i ng some l et t er s on Mat t Baker ' s desk
when she saw t he message di spl ay f l ashi ng on Mat t ' s
t el ephone. She di al ed Mat t ' s passwor d and pl ayed Dana' s
r ecor di ng. She st ood t her e a moment , l i st eni ng t o i t . Then
she smi l ed and pr essed t he er ase but t on.
The moment J ef f ' s pl ane l anded at Dul l es ai r por t , he
cal l ed Dana. Al l t hr ough t he f l i ght , he had t hought of t hat
st r ange not e i n her voi ce, t hat di st ur bi ng ' I f anyt hi ng
shoul d happen t o me. ' Her cel l phone kept r i ngi ng. Next J ef f
t r i ed her apar t ment . Ther e was no answer . He got i nt o a t axi
and gave t he addr ess of WTN.
When J ef f wal ked i nt o Mat t ' s r ecept i on of f i ce, Abbe sai d,
' Wel l , J ef f ! I t ' s good t o see you. '
' Thanks, Abbe. ' He wal ked i nt o Mat t Baker ' s of f i ce.
Mat t sai d, ' So, you' r e back. How' s Rachel ?'
The quest i on t hr ew J ef f f or an i nst ant . ' She' s f i ne, ' he
sai d t onel essl y. ' Wher e' s Dana? She' s not answer i ng her
phone. '
Mat t sai d, ' My God, you don' t know what ' s been goi ng on,
do you?'
' Tel l me, ' J ef f sai d t i ght l y.
I n t he r ecept i on of f i ce, Abbe pr essed her ear agai nst t he
cl osed door . She coul d onl y hear snat ches of t he
conver sat i on. ' . . . at t empt s on her l i f e . . . Sasha
Shdanof f . . . Kr asnoyar sk- 26 . . . Kemal . . . Roger Hudson
Abbe had hear d enough. She hur r i ed t o her desk and pi cked
up t he t el ephone. A mi nut e l at er she was t al ki ng t o Roger
Hudson.
I nsi de t he of f i ce, J ef f was l i st eni ng t o Mat t , st unned. ' I
can' t bel i eve i t . '
' I t ' s al l t r ue, ' Mat t Baker assur ed hi m. ' Dana' s at
Abbe' s. I ' l l have Abbe t r y her apar t ment agai n. ' He pr essed
down t he i nt er com, but bef or e he coul d speak, he hear d Abbe' s
voi ce.
' . . . and J ef f Connor s i s her e. He' s l ooki ng f or Dana. I
t hi nk you' d bet t er get her out of t her e. They' r e goi ng t o be
comi ng over t her e . . . Ri ght . I ' l l t ake car e of i t , Mr Hudson.
I f - '
Abbe hear d a sound and t ur ned. J ef f Connor s and Mat t Baker
wer e st andi ng i n t he door way, st ar i ng at her .
Mat t sai d, ' You bi t ch. '
J ef f t ur ned t o Mat t , f r ant i c. ' I have t o get t o t he Hudson
house. I need a car . '
Mat t Baker gl anced out t he wi ndow. ' You' l l never get t her e
i n t i me. The t r af f i c i s bumper - t o- bumper . '
Fr omt he hel i por t on t he r oof , t hey hear d t he sound of t he
WTN hel i copt er l andi ng. The t wo men l ooked at each ot her .
Twent y- Fi ve
Dana managed t o f l ag down a t axi i n f r ont of Abbe
Lasmann' s apar t ment bui l di ng, but t he r i de t o t he Hudsons'
home seemed t o t ake f or ever . The t r af f i c on t he sl i pper y
st r eet s was hor r endous. Dana was t er r i f i ed she woul d be t oo
l at e.
' Hur r y, ' she pl eaded wi t h t he dr i ver .
He l ooked at her i n t he r ear vi ew mi r r or . ' Lady, I ' mnot an
ai r pl ane. '
Dana sat back, f i l l ed wi t h anxi et y, t hi nki ng about what
l ay ahead. Mat t woul d have got t en her message by now and
cal l ed t he. pol i ce. By t he t i me I get t her e, t he pol i ce wi l l
be t her e. I f t hey' r e not t her e yet , I can st al l unt i l t hey
ar r i ve. Dana opened her pur se. She st i l l had t he can of
pepper spr ay. Good. She di d not i nt end t o make i t easy f or
Roger or Pamel a.
As t he t axi appr oached t he Hudson house, Dana l ooked out
t he wi ndow f or some si gn of pol i ce
act i vi t y. Ther e was none. When t hey went up t he dr i veway,
i t was deser t ed. She f el t choked wi t h f ear .
Dana r ecal l ed t he f i r st t i me she had come her e. How
wonder f ul Roger and Pamel a had seemed t o be. And t hey wer e
J udases, mur der ous monst er s. They had Kemal . Dana was f i l l ed
wi t h an over power i ng hat r ed.
' You want me t o wai t ?' t he t axi dr i ver was aski ng.
' No. ' Dana pai d hi mand wal ked up t he st eps t o t he f r ont
door and r ang t he bel l , her hear t r aci ng.
Cesar opened t he door . When he saw Dana, hi s f ace l i t up.
' Mi ss Evans. '
And wi t h a r ush of exci t ement , Dana suddenl y r eal i zed t hat
she had an al l y. She hel d out her hand. ' Cesar . '
He t ook i t i n hi s huge hand. ' I ' mgl ad t o see you, Mi ss
Evans, ' Cesar sai d.
' I ' mgl ad t o see you. ' And Dana meant i t . She was sur e
t hat Cesar woul d hel p her . The onl y quest i on was when she
shoul d appr oach hi m. She l ooked ar ound. ' Cesar - '
' Mr Hudson i s wai t i ng f or you i n t he st udy, Mi ss Evans. '
' Ri ght . ' Thi s was not t he t i me.
Dana f ol l owed Cesar down t he l ong hal l way, r emember i ng t he
i ncr edi bl e t hi ngs t hat had happened si nce she f i r st wal ked
down t hi s hal l . They r eached t he st udy. Roger was at hi s desk
packi ng some paper s.
' Mi ss Evans, ' Cesar sai d.
Roger l ooked up. Dana wat ched Cesar wal k away. She was
t empt ed t o cal l hi mback.
' Wel l , Dana. Come i n. '
Dana wal ked i nt o t he r oom. She l ooked at Roger , and she
was f i l l ed wi t h a bl i ndi ng r age. ' Wher e i s Kemal ?'
Roger Hudson sai d, ' Ah, t hat dear boy. '
The pol i ce ar e on t hei r way her e, Roger . I f you do
anyt hi ng t o ei t her of us - '
' Oh, I don' t t hi nk we have t o wor r y about t he pol i ce,
Dana. ' He wal ked over t o her , and bef or e Dana knew what he
was doi ng, he had gr abbed her pur se and was st ar t i ng t o
sear ch t hr ough i t . ' Pamel a t ol d me you have pepper spr ay.
You' ve been busy, haven' t you, Dana?' He t ook out t he can of
pepper spr ay, r ai sed i t , and spr ayed t he cont ent s i nt o Dana' s
f ace. She scr eamed out wi t h t he st i ngi ng pai n.
' Oh, you don' t know what pai n i s yet , my dear , but I
assur e you, you' r e goi ng t o f i nd out . '
Tear s wer e st r eami ng down Dana' s f ace. She t r i ed t o wi pe
t he l i qui d away. Roger pol i t el y wai t ed unt i l she had
f i ni shed, t hen spr ayed her i n t he f ace agai n.
Dana was sobbi ng. ' I want t o see Kemal . '
' Of cour se you do. And Kemal want s t o see you. The boy i s
t er r i f i ed, Dana. I ' ve never seen anyone so t er r i f i ed. He
knows he' s goi ng t o di e, and I t ol d hi myou' r e goi ng t o di e,
t oo. You t hi nk you' ve been cl ever , don' t you, Dana? The t r ut h
i s t hat you' ve been ver y nai ve. We' ve been usi ng you. We knew
t hat someone i n t he Russi an gover nment was awar e
of what we wer e doi ng and was about t o expose us. But we
coul dn' t f i nd out who i t was. But you f ound out f or us,
di dn' t you?'
The memor y of t he bl oody bodi es of Sasha Shdan- of f and hi s
f r i end f l ashed t hr ough Dana' s mi nd.
' Sasha Shdanof f and hi s br ot her , Bor i s, wer e ver y cl ever .
We haven' t f ound Bor i s yet , but we wi l l . '
' Roger , Kemal has not hi ng t o do wi t h any of t hi s. Let hi m
- '
' I t hi nk not , Dana. I f i r st began t o wor r y about you when
you met poor i l l - f at ed J oan Si ni si . She over hear d Tayl or
t al ki ng about t he Russi an pl an. He was af r ai d t o have her
ki l l ed because she was associ at ed wi t h hi m. So he f i r ed her .
When she sued f or unf ai r di smi ssal , he made a set t l ement , on
t he condi t i on t hat she never di scuss t he mat t er . ' Roger
Hudson si ghed. ' So I ' maf r ai d t hat you wer e r eal l y
r esponsi bl e f or J oan Si ni si ' s " acci dent " . '
' Roger , J ack St one knows - '
Roger Hudson shook hi s head. ' J ack St one and hi s men have
been wat chi ng your ever y move. We coul d have got t en r i d of
you at any t i me, but we wai t ed unt i l you got us t he
i nf or mat i on we needed. We r eal l y have no f ur t her use f or
you. '
' I want t o see Kemal . '
' Too l at e. I ' maf r ai d poor Kemal has had an acci dent . '
Dana l ooked at hi mi n hor r or . ' What have you - '
' Pamel a and I deci ded t hat a ni ce l i t t l e f i r e i s t he best
way t o end Kemal ' s pi t i f ul l i t t l e l i f e. So we' ve sent hi m
back t o scnool . Naught y of hi mt o br eak i nt o t he school on a
Sat ur day. He was j ust smal l enough t o f i t t hr ough t he
basement wi ndow. '
She was f i l l ed wi t h a bl i ndi ng r age. ' You col dbl ooded
monst er . You' l l never get away wi t h t hi s. '
' You di sappoi nt me, Dana. Resor t i ng t o cl i ches? What you
don' t under st and i s t hat we have got t en away wi t h i t . ' He
wal ked back t o hi s desk and pr essed a but t on. A moment l at er
Cesar appear ed.
' Yes, Mr Hudson. '
' I want you t o see t o Mi ss Evans. And make sur e she' s
st i l l al i ve when t he acci dent happens. '
' Yes, Mr Hudson. I ' l l t ake car e of i t . '
He was one of t hem. Dana coul d not bel i eve i t . ' Roger ,
l i st en t o me - '
Cesar t ook Dana by t he ar mand st ar t ed l eadi ng her out of
t he r oom.
' Roger - '
' Good- bye, Dana. '
Cesar t i ght ened hi s gr i p on Dana' s ar mand mar ched her
down t he hal l , t hr ough t he ki t chen, and out t o t he si de of
t he house, wher e a l i mousi ne was par ked.
The WTN hel i copt er was appr oachi ng t he Hudson est at e.
J ef f sai d t o Nor man Br onson, ' You can set i t down on t he
l awn and - ' He st opped as he l ooked down
bel ow and saw Cesar put t i ng Dana i nt o a l i mousi ne. ' No!
Wai t a mi nut e. '
The l i mousi ne st ar t ed movi ng down t he dr i veway and ont o
t he st r eet .
' What do you want me t o do?' Br onson asked.
' Fol l ow t hem. '
hope t hat bi t ch bur ns i n hel l f or put t i ng me t hr ough
t hi s. '
' What about Kemal ?' Roger Hudson asked.
' The f i r e at t he school i s set t o go of f i n t went y
mi nut es. The ki d i s i n t he basement . He' s heavi l y sedat ed. '
I n t he l i mousi ne, Dana sai d, ' You don' t want t o do t hi s,
Cesar . I - '
' Shut up, Mi ss Evans. '
' Cesar , l i st en t o me. You don' t know t hese peopl e. They' r e
mur der er s. You' r e a decent man. Don' t l et Mr Hudson f or ce you
t o do t hi ngs t hat - '
' Mr Hudson i sn' t f or ci ng me t o do anyt hi ng. I ' mdoi ng t hi s
f or Mr s Hudson. ' He l ooked at Dana i n t he r ear vi ew mi r r or and
gr i nned. ' Mr s Hudson t akes good car e of me. '
Dana l ooked at hi m, st unned. I can' t l et t hi s happen.
' Wher e ar e you t aki ng me?'
' To Rock Cr eek Par k. ' He di dn' t need t o add: wher e I ' m
goi ng t o ki l l you.
Dana was gr owi ng mor e desper at e. They wer e near - i ng Rock
Cr eek Par k, and t he t r af f i c was begi nni ng t o t hi n out .
Kemal i s t er r i f i ed, Dana. I ' ve never seen anyone so
t er r i f i ed. He knows he' s goi ng t o di e, and I t ol d hi mt hat
you ' r e goi ng t o di e, t oo.
I n t he hel i copt er t r ai l i ng t he l i mousi ne, Nor man Br onson
sai d, ' He' s t ur ni ng, J ef f . I t l ooks l i ke he' s headi ng f or
Rock Cr eek Par k. ' ' Don' t l ose hi m. '
Roger Hudson, Pamel a Hudson, J ack St one, and Mr s Dal ey
wer e i n a st at i on wagon, headi ng f or Washi ngt on Nat i onal
Ai r por t .
J ack St one sai d, ' The pl ane i s al l r eady. Your pi l ot has
t he f l i ght pl an t o Moscow. '
Pamel a Hudson sai d, ' God, I hat e col d weat her .
At FRA, Gener al Boost er st or med i nt o hi s of f i ce. ' What t he
hel l has been goi ng on her e?' he asked one of hi s ai des.
' I t ol d you, Gener al . Whi l e you wer e away. Maj or St one
r ecr ui t ed a f ew of our best men, and t hey' r e i nt o some bi g
deal wi t h Roger Hudson. They' ve t ar get ed Dana Evans. Look at
t hi s. ' The ai de pul l ed up a scr een on hi s comput er , and a
moment l at er
t her e was a pi ct ur e of Dana naked, get t i ng i nt o t he shower
i n t he Br ei denbacher Hof Hot el .
Gener al Boost er ' s f ace t i ght ened. ' J esus! ' He t ur ned t o
hi s ai de. ' Wher e i s St one?'
' He' s gone. He' s l eavi ng t he count r y wi t h t he Hudsons. '
Gener al Boost er snapped. ' Get me t he Nat i onal Ai r por t . '
I n t he hel i copt er , Nor man Br onson l ooked down and sai d,
' They' r e headi ng t owar d t he par k, J ef f . Once t hey get t her e,
we won' t be abl e t o l and because of t he t r ees. '
J ef f sai d ur gent l y, ' We have t o st op t hem. Can you l and i n
f r ont of t hemon t he r oad?'
' Sur e. '
' Do i t . '
Br onson pushed t he cont r ol s f or war d and t he hel i copt er
began t o descend. He passed over t he l i mousi ne, and t hen
began gent l y t o br i ng t he hel i copt er down. I t l anded on t he
r oad, t went y yar ds ahead of t he l i mousi ne. They wat ched as
t he car scr eeched t o a st op.
' Tur n of f t he engi nes, ' J ef f sai d.
' We can' t do t hat . We' l l be at t he guy' s mer cy i f - '
' Tur n t hemof f . '
Br onson l ooked at hi m. ' Ar e you sur e you know what you' r e
doi ng?'
' No. '
Br onson si ghed and t ur ned of f t he i gni t i on. The huge
bl ades of t he hel i copt er began t o sl ow down unt i l t hey came
t o a st op. J ef f l ooked out t he wi ndow.
Cesar had opened t he back door of t he l i mousi ne. He sai d
t o Dana, ' Your f r i end i s t r yi ng t o cause us t r oubl e. ' Hi s
f i st shot out and punched Dana i n t he j aw. She f el l back on
t he seat , unconsci ous. Then Cesar st ood up and st ar t ed t owar d
t he hel i copt er .
' Her e he comes, ' Br onson sai d ner vousl y. ' My God, he' s a
gi ant ! '
Cesar was appr oachi ng t he hel i copt er , hi s f ace f i l l ed wi t h
ant i ci pat i on.
' J ef f , he' s got t o have a gun. He' s goi ng t o ki l l us. '
J ef f yel l ed out t he wi ndow, ' You and your bosses ar e goi ng
t o pr i son, you bast ar d! '
Cesar st ar t ed wal ki ng f ast er .
' I t ' s al l over f or you. You mi ght as wel l gi ve up. '
Cesar was f i f t een yar ds f r omt he hel i copt er .
' You' l l be j ai l bai t f or t he boys. '
Ten yar ds.
' You' l l l i ke t hat , won' t you, Cesar ?'
Cesar was r unni ng now. Fi ve yar ds.
J ef f pr essed hi s t humb down har d on t he st ar t but t on and
t he huge vanes of t he hel i copt er sl owl y began t o t ur n. Cesar
pai d no at t ent i on, hi s eyes wer e f ocused on J ef f , hi s f ace
was f i l l ed wi t h hat r ed. The vanes began t o spi n f ast er and
f ast er . As Cesar r an t o t he door of t he hel i copt er , he
suddenl y r eal i zed what was happeni ng, but i t was t oo l at e.
Ther e was a l oud spl ash, and J ef f cl osed hi s eyes. The
out si de and t he i nsi de of t he hel i copt er wer e i nst ant l y
cover ed wi t h bl ood.
Nor man Br onson sai d, I ' mgoi ng t o be si ck. ' He t ur ned of f
t he i gni t i on.
J ef f gl anced at t he decapi t at ed body on t he gr ound, j umped
out of t he hel i copt er , and r aced t o t he l i mousi ne. He opened
t he door . Dana was unconsci ous.
' Dana . . . dar l i ng
Dana sl owl y opened her eyes. She l ooked at J ef f and
mumbl ed, ' Kemal
The l i mousi ne was al most a mi l e f r omLi ncol n Pr epar at or y
School when J ef f yel l ed, ' Look. ' Ahead of t hemi n t he
di st ance, t hey coul d see smoke st ar t i ng t o dar ken t he sky.
' They' r e bur ni ng t he school down, ' Dana shr i eked. ' Kemal
i s i n t her e. He' s i n t he basement . '
' Oh, my God. '
A mi nut e l at er t he l i mousi ne r eached t he school . A heavy
cl oud of smoke was r i si ng f r omt he bui l di ng. A dozen f i r emen
wer e wor ki ng t o put down t he f i r e.
J ef f j umped out of t he car and moved t owar d t he school . A
f i r eman st opped hi m.
' You can' t go any near er , si r . '
' Has anyone been i nsi de?' J ef f demanded.
' No. We j ust br oke open t he f r ont door .
' Ther e' s a boy i n t he basement . ' Bef or e anyone coul d st op
hi m, J ef f went t hr ough t he spl i nt er ed door way and r an i nsi de.
The pl ace was f i l l ed wi t h smoke. J ef f t r i ed t o yel l Kemal ' s
name, but onl y a cough came out . He put a handker chi ef over
hi s nose and r an down t he hal l way t o t he st eps t hat l ed t o
t he basement . The smoke was acr i d and t hi ck. J ef f f umbl ed hi s
way down t he st ai r s, hol di ng on t o t he bani st er .
' Kemal ! ' J ef f cal l ed. Ther e was no answer . ' Kemal . '
Si l ence. J ef f made out a vague shape at t he ot her end of t he
basement . He moved t owar d i t , t r yi ng not t o br eat he, hi s
l ungs bur ni ng. He al most t r i pped over Kemal . He shook hi m.
' Kemal . ' The boy was unconsci ous. Wi t h an enor mous ef f or t ,
J ef f pi cked hi mup and st ar t ed car r yi ng hi mt owar d t he
st ai r s. He was choki ng and was bl i nded by t he smoke. He
l ur ched dr unkenl y t hr ough t he swi r l i ng bl ack cl oud, car r yi ng
Kemal i n hi s ar ms. When he r eached t he st eps, J ef f hal f
car r i ed hi m, hal f dr agged hi mup t he st ai r s. He hear d di st ant
voi ces, and he passed out .
Gener al Boost er was on t he phone wi t h Nat han Nover o, t he
ai r por t admi ni st r at or at Washi ngt on
Nat i onal Ai r por t .
' Does Roger Hudson keep hi s pl ane t her e?' ' Yes, Gener al .
As a mat t er of f act , he' s her e now.
I bel i eve t hey' ve j ust been cl ear ed f or t akeof f . '
Abor t i t . '
' What ?'
' Cal l t he t ower and abor t i t . '
' Yes, si r . ' Nat han Nover o cal l ed t he t ower . ' Tower , abor t
t he t akeof f of Gul f st r eamR3487. '
The ai r t r af f i c cont r ol l er sai d, ' They' r e al r eady t axi i ng
down t he r unway. '
' Cancel t hei r cl ear ance. '
' Yes, si r . ' The ai r t r af f i c cont r ol l er pi cked up hi s
mi cr ophone. ' Tower t o Gul f st r eamR3487. Per mi ssi on t o t ake
of f i s cancel ed. You wi l l r et ur n t o t er mi nal . Abor t t akeof f .
I r epeat , abor t t akeof f . '
Roger Hudson st epped i nt o t he cockpi t . ' What t he hel l i s
t hi s?'
' Ther e must be some ki nd of del ay, ' t he pi l ot sai d. ' We' l l
have t o r et ur n t o t he - '
' No! ' Pamel a Hudson sai d. ' Keep goi ng. '
' Wi t h al l due r espect , Mr s Hudson, I ' d l ose my pi l ot ' s
l i cense i f - '
J ack St one moved next t o t he pi l ot wi t h a gun poi nt ed at
t he pi l ot ' s head. ' Take of f . We' r e headi ng f or Russi a. '
The pi l ot t ook a deep br eat h. ' Yes, si r . '
The pl ane sped down t he r unway, and t went y seconds l at er ,
i t was ai r bor ne. The ai r por t admi ni st r at or wat ched i n di smay
as t he Gul f st r eamsoar ed hi gher and hi gher i nt o t he sky.
' J esus! He went agai nst - '
On t he phone, Gener al Boost er was demandi ng, ' What ' s goi ng
on? Di d you st op t hem?'
' No, si r . They - t hey j ust t ook of f . Ther e' s no way we can
make t hem- '
And at t hat moment t he sky expl oded. As t he cr ew on t he
gr ound wat ched i n hor r or , par t s of t he Gul f st r eamst ar t ed
r ai ni ng down t hr ough t he cl ouds i n f i er y pi eces. I t seemed t o
go on f or ever .
At t he f ar edge of t he f i el d, Bor i s Shdanof f wat ched f or a
l ong t i me. Fi nal l y he t ur ned and wal ked away.
Twent y- si x
Dana' s mot her t ook a bi t e of t he weddi ng cake.
' Too sweet . Much t oo sweet . When I was younger and I used
t o bake, my cakes woul d mel t i n your mout h. ' She t ur ned t o
Dana. ' I sn' t t hat t r ue, dar l i ng?'
' Mel t i n your mout h' woul d have been t he l ast phr ase t hat
came t o Dana' s mi nd, but i t was not i mpor t ant . ' Absol ut el y,
Mot her , ' she sai d wi t h a war msmi l e.
The weddi ng cer emony had been per f or med by a j udge at Ci t y
Hal l . Dana had i nvi t ed her mot her at t he l ast mi nut e, af t er a
t el ephone cal l .
' Dar l i ng, I di dn' t mar r y t hat dr eadf ul man af t er al l . You
and Kemal wer e r i ght about hi m, so I ' mback i n Las Vegas. '
' What happened, Mot her ?'
' I f ound out t hat he al r eady had a wi f e. She di dn' t l i ke
hi m, ei t her . '
' I ' msor r y, Mot her . '
' So her e I amal one agai n. '
Lonel y was t he i mpl i cat i on. So Dana had i nvi t ed her t o t he
weddi ng. Seei ng her mot her chat t i ng wi t h Kemal and even
r emember i ng hi s name, Dana smi l ed. We' l l t ur n her i nt o a
gr andmot her yet . Her happi ness seemed t oo i mmense t o absor b.
J ust bei ng mar r i ed t o J ef f was a bl i ssf ul mi r acl e, but t her e
was mor e.
Af t er t he f i r e, J ef f and Kemal had br i ef l y gone t o t he
hospi t al t o be t r eat ed f or smoke i nhal at i on. Whi l e t hey wer e
t her e, a nur se t al ked t o a r epor t er about Kemal ' s advent ur es
and t he st or y had been pi cked up by t he medi a. Kemal ' s
phot ogr aph was i n t he newspaper s and hi s st or y was t ol d on
t el evi si on. A book was bei ng wr i t t en about hi s exper i ences
and t her e was even t al k of a t el evi si on ser i es.
' But onl y i f I get t o st ar i n i t , ' Kemal i nsi st ed. Kemal
was t he her o of hi s school .
When t he adopt i on cer emony t ook pl ace, hal f of Kemal ' s
school mat es t ur ned out t o appl aud hi m.
Kemal sai d, ' I ' mr eal l y adopt ed now, huh?'
' You' r e r eal l y adopt ed, ' Dana and J ef f sai d. ' We bel ong t o
one anot her . '
' Rad. ' Wai t unt i l Ri cky Under wood hear s about t hi s. Ha!
The t er r i bl e ni ght mar e of t he past mont h was gr adual l y
f adi ng away. The t hr ee of t hemwer e a f ami l y now, and home
was a saf e haven. I don' t need any mor e advent ur es, Dana
t hought . I ' ve had enough t o l ast me a l i f et i me.
One mor ni ng, Dana announced, ' I j ust f ound a gr eat new
apar t ment f or t he f our of us. '
' You mean t he t hr ee of us, ' J ef f cor r ect ed her .
' No, ' Dana sai d sof t l y. ' The f our of us. '
J ef f was st ar i ng at her .
' She means she' s havi ng a baby, ' Kemal expl ai ned. ' I hope
i t ' s a boy. We can shoot hoops. '
Ther e was mor e good news t o come. Cr i me Li ne' s openi ng
show, ' The Roger Hudson St or y, A Mur der Conspi r acy, ' r ecei ved
bot h cr i t i cal accl ai mand phenomenal r at i ngs. Mat t Baker and
El l i ot Cr omwel l wer e el at ed.
' You' d bet t er get a pl ace r eady t o put your Emmy, ' El l i ot
Cr omwel l t ol d Dana.
Ther e was onl y one sober i ng not e. Rachel St evens had
succumbed t o cancer . The st or y had been pr i nt ed i n t he
newspaper s, and Dana and J ef f wer e awar e of what had
happened. But when t he st or y appear ed on t he Tel ePr ompTer ,
Dana l ooked at i t and choked up.
' I can' t r ead i t , ' she whi sper ed t o Ri char d Mel t on. So he
had r ead i t .
Rest i n peace.
They wer e doi ng t he el even o' cl ock Br oadcast .
' . . . And her e at home, a guar dsman i n Spokane,
Washi ngt on, i s char ged wi t h t he mur der of a si xt een- year - ol d
pr ost i t ut e and i s suspect ed i n t he deat hs of si xt een ot her s
. . . I n Si ci l y, t he body of Mal col mBeaumont , t he
sevent y- year - ol d hei r t o a st eel f or t une, was f ound dr owned
i n a swi mmi ng pool . Beaumont was honeymooni ng wi t h hi s
t went y- f i ve- year - ol d br i de. They wer e accompani ed by t he
br i de' s t wo br ot her s. Now, her e' s t he weat her wi t h Mar vi n
Gr eer . '
When t he br oadcast was over , Dana went i n t o see Mat t
Baker .
' Somet hi ng i s bot her i ng me, Mat t . '
' What i s i t ? Name i t and I ' l l sl ay i t . '
' I t ' s t he st or y about t hat sevent y- year - ol d mi l l i onai r e
who dr owned i n a swi mmi ng pool whi l e he was honeymooni ng wi t h
hi s t went y- f i ve- year - ol d br i de. Don' t you t hi nk t hat was
awf ul l y conveni ent ?'
Aut hor ' s Not e
Thi s i s a wor k of f i ct i on, but t he secr et under gr ound ci t y
of Kr asnoyar sk- 26 i s r eal , one of t hi r t een cl osed ci t i es
engaged i n nucl ear pr oduct i on. Kr asnoyar sk- 26 i s l ocat ed i n
cent r al Si ber i a, t wo t housand mi l es f r omMoscow, and si nce
i t s cr eat i on i n 1958, i t has pr oduced mor e t han f or t y- f i ve
t ons of weapons- gr ade pl ut oni um. Al t hough t wo of i t s
pl ut oni um- pr oduci ng r eact or s wer e shut down i n 1992, one
r emai ns act i ve, cur r ent l y pr oduci ng hal f a t on of pl ut oni uma
year , whi ch can be used t o make at omi c bombs.
Ther e have been r epor t ed t hef t s of pl ut oni um, and t he
Uni t ed St at es Ener gy Depar t ment i s wor ki ng wi t h t he Russi an
gover nment on i ncr eased secur i t y measur es t o pr ot ect nucl ear
mat er i al .
Thanks For Reading...
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