After dessert, everyone went into the drawing room. In front of the fireplace was a huge Christmas tree. There were gifts for everyone, but Kemal got the lion's share: computer games, Rollerblades, a sweater, gloves, and videotapes.
The time passed swiftly. The joy of being with such friendly people, after the stress of the last few days, was immense. I just wish Jeff were here.
Dana Evans was sitting at the anchor desk, waiting for the eleven o'clock news to begin. Beside her was coanchor, Richard Melton. Maury Falstein was seated in the chair usually occupied by Jeff. Dana tried not to think about that.
Richard Melton was saying to Dana, "I miss you when you're away."
Dana smiled. "Thanks, Richard. Miss you, too."
"You've been gone quite a bit. Is everything all right?"
"Everything's fine."
"Let's go for a bite afterward."
"I have to see that Kemal's all right first."
"We can meet somewhere."
We must meet somewhere else. I think I'm being watched. The aviary section at the zoo.
Melton continued. "They say that you're checking out some big story. Want to talk about it?"
"There's nothing to talk about yet, Richard."
"I heard on the grapevine that Cromwell isn't too happy that you're away so much. I hope you don't get into trouble with him."
Let me give you some advice. Don't go looking for trouble, or you're going to find it. That's a promise. Dana was finding it hard to concentrate on what Richard Melton was saying.
"He likes to fire people," Melton said.
Bill Kelly disappeared the day after the fire. He didn't pick up his check, just left.
Richard Melton kept talking. "As God is my witness, I don't want to work with a new anchor."
The witness to the accident was an American tourist, Ralph Benjamin. A blind man.
"Five - four - three - two..." Anastasia Mann pointed a finger at Dana. The camera's red light flashed on.
The announcer's voice boomed out, "This is the eleven o'clock news on WTN with Dana Evans and Richard Melton."
Dana smiled into the camera. "Good evening. I'm Dana Evans."
"And I'm Richard Melton."
They were back on the air.
"Today in Arlington, three students at Wilson High School were arrested after police searched their lockers and found seven ounces of marijuana and various weapons, including a stolen handgun. Holly Rapp has more on this story."
Back to tape.
We don't have too many art thefts, and the MO is always the same. This is different.
The broadcast was over. Richard Melton looked at Dana.
"Do we meet later?"
"Not tonight, Richard. There's something I have to do."
He rose. "Okay." Dana had a feeling he wanted to ask her about Jeff. Instead he said, "See you tomorrow."
Dana stood up. "Good night, everybody."
Dana walked out of the studio and went to her office. She sat down, turned on her computer, logged on to the Internet, and began searching again through the myriad articles about Taylor Winthrop. On one of the Web sites, Dana came across an item about Marcel Falcon, a French government official who had been ambassador to NATO. The article mentioned Marcel Falcon negotiating a trade agreement with Taylor Winthrop. In the middle of negotiations, Falcon had given up his government post and retired. In the middle of a government negotiation? What could have happened?
Dana tried other Web sites, but there was no further information on Marcel Falcon. Very strange. I have to look into that, Dana decided.
By the time Dana was finished, it was twoA. M . Too early to telephone Europe. She went back to the apartment. Mrs. Daley was waiting up for her.
"I'm sorry I'm so late," Dana said. "I - "
"No problem. I saw your broadcast tonight. I thought it was wonderful as always, Miss Evans."
"Thank you."
Mrs. Daley sighed. "I just wish all the news wasn't so dreadful. What kind of world are we living in?"
"That's a good question. How is Kemal?"
"The little devil's fine. I let him beat me at rummy."
Dana smiled. "Good. Thank you, Mrs. Daley. If you want to come in late tomorrow - "
"No, no. I'll be here bright and early to get you all off to school and work."
Dana watched Mrs. Daley leave. A gem, she thought gratefully. Her cell phone rang. She ran to pick it up. "Jeff?"
"Merry Christmas, dearest." His voice washed through her body. "Am I calling too late?"
"Never too late. Tell me about Rachel."
"She's back home."
Jeff means she's back at her house.
"There's a nurse here, but Rachel will only let her stay until tomorrow."
Dana hated to ask. "And then?"
"The test results indicate that the cancer has spread. Rachel doesn't want me to leave yet."
"I see. I don't mean to sound selfish, but isn't there someone else who - ?"
"She has no one, darling. She's all alone and panicky. She won't have anyone else here. I honestly don't know what Rachel would do if I left."
And I don't know what I'm going to do if you stay.
"They want to start chemotherapy immediately."
"How long will it take?"
"She'll need a treatment every three weeks for four months."
Four months.
"Matt has asked me to take a leave of absence. I'm so sorry about all this, honey."
How did he mean that? Sorry about his job? Sorry about Rachel? Or sorry that our lives are being torn apart? How can I be so selfish? Dana asked herself. The woman may be dying.