The St ar s Shi ne Down [ 067- 011- 5.

0]
by si dney shel don.
Synopsi s:
Lar a Camer on i s t he most successf ul r eal est at e devel oper i n New Yor k
ci t y. Mar r i ed f or a year t o a successf ul r ock musi ci an, i nt er vi ewed on
Goodmor ni ng Amer i ca, she seems t o have t he wor l d i n t he pal mof her
hand. But Camer on Ent er pr i ses i s i n t r oubl e. Over - l ever aged and
hover i ng near t he br i nk, Lar a must keep up t he f r ont of a successf ul
busi nesswoman.
To what l engt hs wi l l she go t o keep t hi ngs t oget her ? Mur der ? And t o
what l engt hs wi l l pol i ce det ect i ves go t o nai l t he ' i r on but t er f l y' ?
Acknowl edgment s.
I owe a debt of gr at i t ude t o t hose who wer e so gener ous wi t h t hei r t i me
and exper t i se: Lar r y Russo, who l ed me t hr ough t he ar cane maze of t he
bi ggest gambl er s of al l - t he r eal est at e devel oper s.
The musi cal mavens who i nvi t ed me i nsi de t hei r pr i vat e wor l dMona
Gol l abeck, J ohn Li l l , Zubi n Meht a, Dudl ey Moor e, Andr e Pr evi n, and t he
Tr ust ees of t he Leonar d Ber nst ei n Est at e.
I wi sh al so t o expr ess my appr eci at i on t o t he ci t i zens of Gl ace Bay f or
t hei r war mhospi t al i t y. I hope t hey wi l l f or gi ve me f or t he f ew
dr amat i c l i censes I f el t i t necessar y t o t ake.
The exper t i se i n t he book bel ongs t o t hose l i st ed above. Any er r or s
ar e mi ne.
The st ar s shi ne down And wat ch us l i ve Our l i t t l e l i ves And weep f or
us.
Chapt er One.
Thur sday, Sept ember 10, 1992
8: 00 P. M. The 727 was l ost i n a sea of cumul us cl ouds t hat t ossed t he
pl ane ar ound l i ke a gi ant si l ver f eat her . The pi l ot ' s wor r i ed voi ce
came over t he speaker .
" I s your seat bel t f ast ened, Mi ss Camer on?"
Ther e was no r esponse.
" Mi ss Camer on. . . Mi ss Camer on She was shaken out of a deep r ever i e.
" Yes. " Her t hought s had been dr i f t i ng t o happi er t i mes, happi er
pl aces.
" Ar e you al l r i ght ? We shoul d be out of t hi s st or msoon. "
" I ' mf i ne, Roger . "
Maybe we' l l get l ucky and cr ash, Lar a Camer on t hought . I t woul d be a
f i t t i ng end. Somewher e, somehow, i t had al l gone wr ong. I t ' s t he
Fat es, Lar a t hought . You can' t f i ght t he Fat es. I n t he past year her
l i f e had spun wi l dl y out of cont r ol . She was i n danger of l osi ng
ever yt hi ng. At l east not hi ng el se can go wr ong, she t hought wr yl y.
Ther e i s not hi ng el se.
The door of t he cockpi t opened, and t he pi l ot came i nt o t he cabi n. He
paused f or a moment t o admi r e hi s passenger . The woman was beaut i f ul ,
wi t h shi ny bl ack hai r swept up i n a cr own, a f l awl ess compl exi on,
i nt el l i gent eyes, cat - gr ay. She had changed cl ot hes af t er t hey had
t aken of f f r omReno, and she was wear i ng a whi t e, of f - t he- shoul der
Scaasi eveni ng gown t hat accent ed a sl ender , seduct i ve f i gur e. Ar ound
her t hr oat was a di amond and r uby neckl ace. How can she l ook so damn
cal mwi t h her wor l d col l apsi ng ar ound her ? he wonder ed. The
newspaper s had been mer ci l essl y at t acki ng her f or t he past mont h.
" I s t he phone wor ki ng yet , Roger ?"
" I ' maf r ai d not , Mi ss Camer on. Ther e' s a l ot of i nt er f er ence because
of t he st or m. We' r e goi ng t o be about an hour l at e get t i ng i nt o La
Guar di a. I ' msor r y. "
I ' mgoi ng t o be l at e f or my bi r t hday par t y, Lar a t hought . Ever yone i s
goi ng t o be t her e. Two hundr ed guest s, i ncl udi ng t he Vi ce Pr esi dent of
t he Uni t ed St at es, t he gover nor of New Yor k, t he mayor , Hol l ywood
cel ebr i t i es, f amous at hl et es, and f i nanci er s f r omhal f a. dozen
count r i es. She had appr oved t he guest l i st her sel f .
She coul d vi sual i ze t he Gr and Bal l r oomof t he Camer on Pl aza, wher e t he
par t y was bei ng hel d. Baccar at cr yst al chandel i er s woul d hang f r omt he
cei l i ng, pr i sms of l i ght r ef l ect i ng a dazzl i ng di amondl i ke
br i l l i ance.
Ther e woul d be pl ace set t i ngs f or t wo hundr ed guest s, at t went y
t abl es.
The f i nest l i nens, chi na, si l ver , and st emwar e woul d ador n each pl ace
set t i ng, and i n t he cent er of each t abl e woul d be a f l or al di spl ay of
whi t e or chi ds mi xed wi t h whi t e f r eesi as.
Bar ser vi ce woul d have been set up at bot h ends of t he l ar ge r ecept i on
hal l out si de. I n t he mi ddl e of t he hal l woul d be a l ong buf f et wi t h an
i ce car vi ng of a swan, and sur r oundi ng i t , Bel uga cavi ar , gr avl ax,
shr i mp, l obst er , and cr ab, whi l e bucket s of champagne wer e bei ng
i ced.
A t en- her bi r t hday cake woul d be i n t he ki t chen wai t i ng.
Wai t er s, capt ai ns, and secur i t y guar ds woul d al l be i n posi t i on by
now.
I n t he bal l r ooma soci et y or chest r a woul d be on t he bandst and, r eady t o
t empt t he guest s t o dance t he ni ght away i n cel ebr at i on of her f or t i et h
bi r t hday. Ever yt hi ng woul d be i n r eadi ness.
The di nner was goi ng t o be del i ci ous. She had chosen t he menu
her sel f .
Foi e gr as t o begi n wi t h, f ol l owed by a cr eamof mushr oomsoup under a
del i cat e cr ust , f i l l et s of J ohn Dor y, and t hen t he mai n cour se: l amb
wi t h r osemar y and pommes soul f l es wi t h Fr ench beans and a mescl un sal ad
wi t h hazel nut oi l . Cheese and gr apes woul d be next , f ol l owed by t he
bi r t hday cake and cof f ee.
I t was goi ng t o be a spect acul ar par t y. She woul d hol d her head hi gh
and f ace her guest s as t hough not hi ng wer e wr ong. She was Lar a
Camer on.
When t he pr i vat e j et f i nal l y l anded at La Guar di a, i t was an hour and a
hal f l at e.
Lar a t ur ned t o t he pi l ot . " We' l l be f l yi ng back t o Reno l at er t oni ght ,
Roger . "
" I ' l l be her e, Mi ss Camer on. "
Her l i mousi ne and dr i ver wer e wai t i ng f or her at t he r amp.
" I was get t i ng wor r i ed about you, Mi ss Camer on. "
" We r an i nt o some weat her , Max. Let ' s get t o t he Pl aza as f ast as
possi bl e. "
" Yes, ma' am. "
Lar a r eached f or t he car phone and di al ed J er r y Townsend' s number . He
had made al l t he ar r angement s f or t he par t y. Lar a want ed t o make sur e
t hat her guest s wer e bei ng l ooked af t er . Ther e was no answer . He' s
pr obabl y i n t he bal l r oom, Lar a t hought .
" Hur r y, Max. "
" Yes, Mi ss Camer on. "
The si ght of t he huge Camer on Pl aza Hot el never f ai l ed t o gi ve Lar a a
gl ow of sat i sf act i on at what she had cr eat ed, but on t hi s eveni ng she
was i n t oo much of a hur r y t o t hi nk about i t . Ever yone woul d be
wai t i ng f or her i n t he Gr and Bal l r oom.
She pushed t hr ough t he r evol vi ng door and hur r i ed acr oss t he l ar ge
spect acul ar l obby. Car l os, t he assi st ant manager , saw her and came
r unni ng t o her si de.
" Mi ss Camer on. . . "
" Lat er , " Lar a sai d. She kept wal ki ng. She r eached t he cl osed door of
t he Gr and Bal l r oomand st opped t o t ake a deep br eat h. I ' mr eady t o
f ace t hem, Lar a t hought . She f l ung open t he door , a smi l e on her f ace,
and st opped i n shock. The r oomwas i n t ot al dar kness. Wer e t hey
pl anni ng some ki nd of sur pr i se? She r eached f or t he swi t ch behi nd t he
door and f l i cked i t up. The huge r oomwas f l ooded wi t h i ncandescent
l i ght . Ther e was no one t her e.
Not one si ngl e per son. Lar a st ood t her e, st unned.
What i n t he wor l d coul d have happened t o t wo hundr ed guest s? The
i nvi t at i ons had r ead ei ght o' cl ock.
I t was now al most t en o' cl ock. How coul d t hat many peopl e di sappear
i nt o t hi n ai r ? I t was eer i e. She l ooked ar ound t he enor mous empt y
bal l r oomand shi ver ed. Last year , at her bi r t hday par t y, t hi s same
r oomhad been f i l l ed wi t h her f r i ends, f i l l ed wi t h musi c and
l aught er .
She r emember ed t hat day so wel l . . . .
Chapt er Two.
The year ear l i er Lar a Camer on' s appoi nt ment schedul e f or t he day had
been r out i ne.
Sept ember 10, 1991
5: 00 A. M. Wor kout wi t h t r ai ner 7: 00 A. M. Appear ance on Good Mor ni ng
Amer i ca 7: 45 A. M. Meet i ng wi t h J apanese banker s 9: 30 A. M. J er r y
Townsend 10: 30 A. M. Execut i ve Pl anni ng Commi t t ee 11: 00 A. M. Faxes,
over seas cal l s, mai l 11: 30 A. M. Const r uct i on meet i ng 12: 30 P. M. S&L
meet i ng 1: 00 P. M. LunchFor t une magazi ne i nt er vi ewHugh Thompson 2: 30
P. M. Met r opol i t an Uni on banker s 4: 00 P. M. Ci t y Pl anni ng Commi ssi on
5: 00
P. M. Meet i ng wi t h mayor Gr aci e Mansi on 6: 15 P. M. Ar chi t ect s meet i ng
6: 30
P. M. Housi ng Depar t ment 7: 30 P. M. Cockt ai l s wi t h Dal l as i nvest ment
gr oup 8: 00 P. M. Bi r t hday par t y at Gr and Bal l r oomCamer on Pl aza She had
been i n her wor kout cl ot hes i mpat i ent l y wai t i ng when Ken, her t r ai ner ,
ar r i ved.
" You' r e l at e. "
" Sor r y, Mi ss Camer on. My al ar mdi dn' t go of f and. . . "
" I have a busy day. Let ' s get st ar t ed. "
" Ri ght . "
They di d st r et ches f or hal f an hour and t hen swi t ched t o ener get i c
aer obi cs.
She' s got t he body of a t went y- one- year - ol d, Ken t hought . I ' d sur e
l ove t o get t hat i nt o my bed. He enj oyed comi ng her e ever y mor ni ng
j ust t o l ook at her , t o be near her . Peopl e const ant l y asked hi mwhat
Lar a Camer on was l i ke. He woul d answer , " The l ady' s a t en. "
Lar a went t hr ough t he st r enuous r out i ne easi l y, but her mi nd was not on
i t t hi s mor ni ng.
When t he sessi on was f i nal l y over , Ken sai d, " I ' mgoi ng t o wat ch you on
Good Mor ni ng Amer i ca. "
" What ?" For a moment Lar a had f or got t en about i t .
She had been t hi nki ng about t he meet i ng wi t h t he J apanese banker s.
" See you t omor r ow, Mi ss Camer on. "
" Don' t be l at e agai n, Ken. "
Lar a shower ed and changed and had br eakf ast al one on t he t er r ace of t he
pent house, a br eakf ast of gr apef r ui t , cer eal , and gr een t ea. When she
had f i ni shed, she went i nt o her st udy.
Lar a buzzed her secr et ar y. " I ' l l do t he over seas cal l s f r omt he
of f i ce, " Lar a sai d. " I have t o be at ABC at seven.
Have Max br i ng t he car ar ound. "
* * The segment on Good Mor ni ng Amer i ca went wel l .
J oan Lunden di d t he i nt er vi ew and was gr aci ous, as al ways.
" The l ast t i me you wer e on t hi s pr ogr am, " J oan Lunden sai d, " you had
j ust br oken gr ound f or t he t al l est skyscr aper i n t he wor l d. That was
al most f our year s ago. "
Lar a nodded. " That ' s r i ght . Camer on Tower s wi l l be f i ni shed next
year . "
" How does i t f eel t o be i n your posi t i on- t o have accompl i shed al l t he
i ncr edi bl e t hi ngs you' ve done and t o st i l l be so young and beaut i f ul ?
You' r e a r ol e model f or so many women. "
" You' r e ver y f l at t er i ng, " Lar a l aughed. " I don' t have t i me t o t hi nk
about mysel f as a r ol e model . I ' mmuch t oo busy. "
" You' r e one of t he most successf ul r eal est at e devel oper s i n a busi ness
t hat ' s usual l y consi der ed a man' s domai n. How do you oper at e? How do
you deci de, f or i nst ance, wher e t o put up a bui l di ng?"
" I don' t choose t he si t e, " Lar a sai d. " The si t e chooses me. I ' l l be
dr i vi ng al ong and I ' l l pass a vacant f i el d- but t hat ' s not what I see.
I see a beaut i f ul of f i ce bui l di ng or a l ovel y apar t ment bui l di ng f i l l ed
wi t h peopl e l i vi ng comf or t abl y i n a ni ce at mospher e. I dr eam. "
" And you make t hose dr eams come t r ue. We' l l be r i ght back af t er t hi s
commer ci al . "
The J apanese banker s wer e due at seven f or t y- f i ve.
They had ar r i ved f r omTokyo t he eveni ng bef or e, and Lar a had ar r anged
t he meet i ng at t hat ear l y- mor ni ng hour so t hey woul d st i l l be
j et - l agged af t er t hei r t wel vehour and t en- mi nut e f l i ght . When t hey had
pr ot est ed, Lar a had sai d, " I ' mso sor r y, gent l emen, but I ' maf r ai d i t ' s
t he onl y t i me I have. I ' ml eavi ng f or Sout h Amer i ca i mmedi at el y af t er
our meet i ng. "
And t hey had r el uct ant l y agr eed. Ther e wer e f our of t hem, di mi nut i ve
and pol i t e, wi t h mi nds as shar p as t he edges of samur ai swor ds. I n an
ear l i er decade t he f i nanci al communi t y had wi l dl y under est i mat ed t he
J apanese.
I t no l onger made t hat mi st ake.
The meet i ng was hel d at Camer on Cent er on Avenue of t he Amer i cas. The
men wer e t her e t o i nvest a hundr ed mi l l i on dol l ar s i n a new hot el
compl ex Lar a was devel opi ng. They wer e usher ed i nt o t he l ar ge
conf er ence r oom.
Each of t he men car r i ed a gi f t . Lar a t hanked t hemand i n t ur n gave
each of t hema gi f t . She had i nst r uct ed her secr et ar y t o make cer t ai n
t he pr esent s wer e wr apped i n pl ai n br own or gr ay paper . Whi t e, t o t he
J apanese, r epr esent ed deat h, and gaudy wr appi ng paper was
unaccept abl e.
Lar a' s assi st ant , Tr i ci a, br ought i n t ea f or t he J apanese and cof f ee
f or Lar a. The J apanese woul d have pr ef er r ed cof f ee, but t hey wer e t oo
pol i t e t o say so. When t hey had f i ni shed t hei r t ea, Lar a made sur e
t hei r cups wer e r epl eni shed.
Howar d Kel l er , Lar a' s associ at e, came i nt o t he r oom.
He was i n hi s f i f t i es, pal e and t hi n, wi t h sandy hai r , wear i ng a
r umpl ed sui t and managi ng t o l ook as t hough he had j ust got t en out of
bed. Lar a made t he i nt r oduct i ons. Kel l er passed ar ound copi es of t he
i nvest ment pr oposal .
" As you can see, gent l emen, " Lar a sai d, " we al r eady have a f i r st
mor t gage commi t ment . The compl ex wi l l cont ai n seven hundr ed and t went y
guest uni t s, appr oxi mat el y t hi r t y t housand squar e f eet of meet i ng
space, and a one- t housand- car par ki ng gar age. . . . "
Lar a' s voi ce was char ged wi t h ener gy. The J apanese banker s wer e
st udyi ng t he i nvest ment pr oposal , f i ght i ng t o st ay awake.
The meet i ng was over i n l ess t han t wo hour s, and i t was a compl et e
success. Lar a had l ear ned l ong ago t hat i t was easi er t o make a
hundr ed- mi l l i on- dol l ar deal t han i t was t o t r y t o bor r ow f i f t y t housand
dol l ar s.
As soon as t he J apanese del egat i on l ef t , Lar a had her meet i ng wi t h
J er r y Townsend. The t al l , hyper exHol l ywood publ i ci t y man was i n
char ge of publ i c r el at i ons f or Camer on Ent er pr i ses.
" That was a gr eat i nt er vi ew on Good Mor ni ngAmer i ca t hi s mor ni ng. I ' ve
been get t i ng a l ot of cal l s. "
" What about For bes?"
" Al l set . Peopl e has you on t he cover next week. Di d you see The New
Yor ker ar t i cl e on you? Wasn' t i t gr eat ?"
Lar a wal ked over t o her desk. " Not bad. "
" The For t une i nt er vi ew i s set f or t hi s af t er noon. "
" I changed i t . "
He l ooked sur pr i sed. " Why?"
" I ' mhavi ng t hei r r epor t er her e f or l unch. "
" Sof t en hi mup a l i t t l e?"
Lar a pr essed down t he i nt er combut t on. " Come i n, Kat hy. "
A di sembodi ed voi ce sai d, " Yes, Mi ss Camer on. "
Lar a Camer on l ooked up. " That ' s al l , J er r y. I want you and your st af f
t o concent r at e on Camer on Tower s. "
" We' r e al r eady doi ng. . . "
" Let ' s do mor e. I want i t wr i t t en about i n ever y newspaper and
magazi ne t her e i s. For God' s sake, i t ' s goi ng t o be t he t al l est
bui l di ng i n t he wor l d. I n t he wor l d! I want peopl e t al ki ng about
i t .
By t he t i me we open, I want peopl e t o be beggi ng t o get i nt o t hose
apar t ment s and shops. "
J er r y Townsend got t o hi s f eet . " Ri ght . "
Kat hy, Lar a' s execut i ve assi st ant , came i nt o t he of f i ce. She was an
at t r act i ve, neat l y dr essed bl ack woman i n her ear l y t hi r t i es.
" Di d you f i nd out what he l i kes t o eat ?"
" The man' s a gour met . He l i kes Fr ench f ood. I cal l ed Le Ci r que and
asked Si no t o cat er a l unch her e f or t wo. "
" Good. We' l l eat i n my pr i vat e di ni ng r oom. "
" Do you know how l ong t he i nt er vi ew wi l l t ake? You have a t wo- t hi r t y
wi t h t he Met r opol i t an banker s downt own. "
" Push i t t o t hr ee o' cl ock, and have t hemcome her e. "
Kat hy made a not e. " Do you want me t o r ead you your messages?"
" Go ahead. "
" The Chi l dr en' s Foundat i on want s you t o be t hei r guest of honor on t he
t went y- ei ght h. "
" No. Tel l t hemI ' mf l at t er ed. Send t hema check. "
" Your meet i ng has been ar r anged i n Tul sa f or Tuesday at . . . "
" Cancel i t . "
" You' r e i nvi t ed t o a l uncheon next Fr i day f or a Manhat t an Women' s
Gr oup. "
" No. I f t hey' r e aski ng f or money, send t hema check. "
" The Coal i t i on f or Li t er acy woul d l i ke you t o speak at a l uncheon on
t he f our t h. "
" See i f we can wor k i t out . "
" Ther e' s an i nvi t at i on t o be guest of honor at a f und r ai ser f or
muscul ar dyst r ophy, but t her e' s a conf l i ct i n dat es. You' l l be i n San
Fr anci sco. "
" Send t hema check. "
" The Sr bs ar e gi vi ng a di nner par t y next Sat ur day. "
" I ' l l t r y t o make t hat , " Lar a sai d. Kr i st i an and Debor ah Sr b wer e
amusi ng, and good f r i ends, and she enj oyed bei ng wi t h t hem.
" Kat hy, how many of me do you see?"
" What ?"
" Take a good l ook. "
Kat hy l ooked at her . " One of you, Mi ss Camer on. "
" That ' s r i ght . Ther e' s onl y one of me. How di d you expect me t o meet
wi t h t he banker s f r omMet r opol i t an at t wo- t hi r t y t oday, t he Ci t y
Pl anni ng Commi ssi on at f our , t hen meet wi t h t he mayor at f i ve, t he
ar chi t ect s at si x- f i f t een, t he Housi ng Depar t ment at si x- t hi r t y, have a
cockt ai l par t y at seven- t hi r t y and my bi r t hday di nner at ei ght ? The
next t i me you make up a schedul e, t r y usi ng your br ai n. "
" I ' msor r y. You want ed me t o. . . "
" I want ed you t o t hi nk. I don' t need st upi d peopl e ar ound me.
Reschedul e t he appoi nt ment s wi t h t he ar chi t ect s and t he Housi ng
Depar t ment . "
" Ri ght , " Kat hy sai d st i f f l y.
" How' s t he baby?"
The quest i on caught t he secr et ar y by sur pr i se.
" Davi d? He' s. . . he' s f i ne. "
" He must be get t i ng bi g by now. "
" He' s al most t wo. "
" Have you t hought about a school f or hi m?"
" Not yet . I t ' s t oo ear l y t o .
" You' r e wr ong. I f you want t o get hi mi nt o a decent school i n New
Yor k, you st ar t bef or e he' s bor n. "
Lar a made a not e on a desk pad. " I know t he pr i nci pal at Dal t on. I ' l l
ar r ange t o have Davi d r egi st er ed t her e. "
" I . . . t hank you. "
Lar a di d not bot her t o l ook up. " That ' s al l . "
" Yes, ma' am. " Kat hy wal ked out of t he of f i ce not knowi ng whet her t o
l ove her boss or hat e her . When Kat hy had f i r st come t o wor k at
Camer on Ent er pr i ses, she had been war ned about Lar a Camer on. " The I r on
But t er f l y i s a bi t ch on wheel s, " she had been t ol d. " Her secr et ar i es
don' t f i gur e t hei r empl oyment t her e by t he cal endar - t hey use
st opwat ches. She' l l eat you al i ve. "
Kat hy r emember ed her f i r st i nt er vi ew wi t h her . She had seen pi ct ur es
of Lar a Camer on i n hal f a dozen magazi nes, but none of t hemhad done
her j ust i ce. I n per son, t he woman was br eat ht aki ngl y beaut i f ul .
Lar a Camer on had been r eadi ng Kat hy' s r esume.
She l ooked up and sai d, " Si t down, Kat hy. " Her voi ce was husky and
vi br ant . Ther e was an ener gy about her t hat was al most over power i ng.
" Thi s i s qui t e a r esume. "
" Thank you. "
" How much of i t i s r eal ?"
" I ' msor r y?"
" Most of t he ones t hat come acr oss my desk ar e f i ct i on. Ar e you good
at what you do?"
" I ' mver y good at what I do, Mi ss ) " Two of my secr et ar i es j ust qui t .
Ever yt hi ng' s snowbal l i ng ar ound her e. Can you handl e pr essur e?"
" I t hi nk so. "
" Thi s i sn' t a guessi ng cont est . Can you handl e pr essur e or can' t
you?"
At t hat moment Kat hy was not sur e she want ed t he j ob. " Yes, I can. "
" Good. You' r e on a one- week t r i al . You' l l have t o si gn a f or msayi ng
t hat at no t i me wi l l you di scuss me or your wor k her e at Camer on
Ent er pr i ses. That means no i nt er vi ews, no books, not hi ng. Ever yt hi ng
t hat happens her e i s conf i dent i al . "
" I under st and. "
" Fi ne. "
That was how i t had begun f i ve year s ear l i er . Dur i ng t hat t i me Kat hy
had l ear ned t o l ove, hat e, admi r e, and despi se her boss. I n t he
begi nni ng Kat hy' s husband had asked, " What i s t he l egend l i ke?"
I t was a di f f i cul t quest i on. " She' s l ar ger t han l i f e, " Kat hy had
sai d.
" She' s dr op- dead beaut i f ul . She wor ks har der t han anyone I ' ve ever
known. God onl y knows when she sl eeps. She' s a per f ect i oni st , so she
makes ever yone ar ound her mi ser abl e. I n her own way, she' s a geni us.
She can be pet t y and vengef ul and i ncr edi bl y gener ous. "
Her husband had smi l ed. " I n ot her wor ds, she' s a woman. "
Kat hy had l ooked at hi mand sai d, unsmi l i ng, " I don' t know what she
i s.
Somet i mes she scar es me. "
" Come on, honey, you' r e exagger at i ng. "
" No. I honest l y bel i eve t hat i f someone st ood i n Lar a Camer on' s
way. . .
she woul d ki l l . "
When Lar a f i ni shed wi t h t he f axes and over seas cal l s, she buzzed
Char l i e Hunt er , an ambi t i ous young man i n char ge of account i ng. " Come
i n, Char l i e. "
" Yes, Mi ss Camer on. "
A mi nut e l at er he ent er ed her of f i ce.
" Yes, Mi ss Camer on?"
" I r ead t he i nt er vi ew you gave i n The New Yor k Ti mes t hi s mor ni ng, "
Lar a sai d.
He br i ght ened. " I haven' t seen i t yet . How was i t ?"
" You t al ked about Camer on Ent er pr i ses and about some of t he pr obl ems
we' r e havi ng. "
He f r owned. " Wel l , you know, t hat r epor t er f el l ow pr obabl y mi squot ed
some of my. . . "
" You' r e f i r ed. "
" What ? Why? " When you wer e hi r ed, you si gned a paper agr eei ng not
t o gi ve any i nt er vi ews. I ' l l expect you out of her e t hi s mor ni ng. "
" I . . . you can' t do t hat . Who woul d t ake my pl ace?"
" I ' ve al r eady ar r anged t hat , " Lar a t ol d hi m.
The l uncheon was al most over . The For t une r epor t er , Hugh Thompson, was
an i nt ense, i nt el l ect ual - l ooki ng man wi t h shar p br own eyes behi nd bl ack
hor n- r i mmed gl asses.
" I t was a gr eat l unch, " he sai d. " Al l my f avor i t e di shes. Thanks. "
" I ' mgl ad you enj oyed i t . "
" You r eal l y di dn' t have t o go t o al l t hat t r oubl e f or me. "
" No t r oubl e at al l . " Lar a smi l ed. " My f at her al ways t ol d me t hat t he
way t o a man' s hear t was t hr ough hi s st omach. "
" And you want ed t o get t o my hear t bef or e we st ar t ed t he i nt er vi ew?"
Lar a smi l ed. " Exact l y. "
" How much t r oubl e i s your company r eal l y i n?"
Lar a' s smi l e f aded. " I beg your par don?"
" Come on. You can' t keep a t hi ng l i ke t hat qui et . The wor d on t he
st r eet i s t hat some of your pr oper t i es ar e on t he ver ge of col l apse
because of t he pr i nci pal payment s due on your j unk bonds. You' ve done
a l ot of l ever agi ng, and wi t h t he mar ket down, Camer on Ent er pr i ses has
t o be pr et t y over ext ended. "
Lar a l aughed. " I s t hat what t he st r eet says? Bel i eve me, Mr .
Thompson, you' d be wi se not t o l i st en t o si l l y r umor s. I ' l l t el l you
what I ' l l do. I ' l l send you a copy of my f i nanci al s t o set t he r ecor d
st r ai ght . Fai r enough?"
" Fai r enough. By t he way, I di dn' t see your husband at t he openi ng of
t he new hot el . "
Lar a si ghed. " Phi l i p want ed so much t o be t her e, but unf or t unat el y he
had t o be away on a concer t t our . "
" I went t o one of hi s r eci t al s once about t hr ee year s ago. He' s
br i l l i ant . You have been mar r i ed a year now, haven' t you?"
" The happi est year of my l i f e. I ' ma ver y l ucky woman. I t r avel a
l ot , and so does Phi l i p, but when I ' maway f r omhi m, I can l i st en t o
hi s r ecor di ngs wher ever I am. "
Thompson smi l ed. " And he can see your bui l di ngs wher ever he" Lar a
l aughed. " You f l at t er me. "
" I t ' s pr et t y t r ue, i sn' t i t ? You' ve put up bui l di ngs al l over t hi s
f ai r count r y of our s. You own apar t ment bui l di ngs, of f i ce bui l di ngs, a
hot el chai n. . . How do you do i t ?"
She smi l ed. " Wi t h mi r r or s. "
" You' r e a puzzl e. "
" AmI ? Why?"
" At t hi s moment you' r e ar guabl y t he most successf ul bui l der i n New
Yor k. Your name i s pl ast er ed on hal f t he r eal est at e i n t hi s t own.
You' r e put t i ng up t he wor l d' s t al l est skyscr aper . Your compet i t or s
cal l you t he I r on But t er f l y. You' ve made i t bi g i n a busi ness
t r adi t i onal l y domi nat ed by men. "
" Does t hat bot her you, Mr . Thompson?"
" No. What bot her s me, Mi ss Camer on, i s t hat I can' t f i gur e out who you
ar e. When I ask t wo peopl e about you, I get t hr ee opi ni ons. Ever yone
gr ant s t hat you' r e a br i l l i ant busi nesswoman. I mean. . . you di dn' t
f al l of f a hay wagon and become a success. I know a l ot about
const r uct i on cr ews- t hey' r e a r ough, t ough bunch of men. How does a
woman l i ke you keep t hemi n l i ne?"
She smi l ed. " Ther e ar e no women l i ke me. Ser i ousl y, I si mpl y hi r e t he
best peopl e f or t he j ob, and I pay t hemwel l . "
Too si mpl i st i c, Thompson t hought . Much t oo si mpl i st i c. The r eal st or y
i s what she' s not t el l i ng me. He deci ded t o change t he di r ect i on of
t he i nt er vi ew.
" Ever y magazi ne on t he st ands has wr i t t en about how successf ul you
ar e.
I ' d l i ke t o do a mor e per sonal st or y. Ther e' s been ver y l i t t l e pr i nt ed
about your backgr ound. "
" I ' mver y pr oud of my backgr ound. "
" Good. Let ' s t al k about t hat . How di d you get st ar t ed i n t he r eal
est at e busi ness?"
Lar a smi l ed, and he coul d see t hat her smi l e was genui ne. She suddenl y
l ooked l i ke a l i t t l e gi r l .
" Genes. "
" Your genes?"
" My f at her ' s. " She poi nt ed t o a por t r ai t on a wal l behi nd her . I t
showed a handsome- l ooki ng man wi t h a l eoni ne head of si l ver hai r .
" That ' s my f at her - J ames Hugh Camer on. " Her voi ce was sof t . " He' s
r esponsi bl e f or my success. I ' man onl y chi l d. My mot her di ed when I
was ver y young, and my f at her br ought me up. My f ami l y l ef t Scot l and a
l ong t i me ago, Mr . Thompson, and emi gr at ed t o Nova Scot i a- New
Scot l and, Gl ace Bay. "
" Gl ace Bay?"
" I t ' s a f i shi ng vi l l age i n t he nor t heast par t of Cape Br et on, on t he
At l ant i c shor e. I t was named by ear l y Fr ench expl or er s. I t means ' i ce
bay' . Mor e cof f ee?"
" No, t hanks. "
" My gr andf at her owned a gr eat deal of l and i n Scot l and, and my f at her
acqui r ed mor e. He was a ver y weal t hy man. We st i l l have our cast l e
t her e near Loch Mor l i ch. When I was ei ght year s ol d, I had my own
hor se, my dr esses wer e bought i n London, we l i ved i n an enor mous house
wi t h a l ot of ser vant s. I t was a f ai r y t al e l i f e f or a l i t t l e gi r l . "
Her voi ce was al i ve wi t h echoes of l ong- ago memor i es.
" We woul d go i ce skat i ng i n t he wi nt er , and wat ch hockey games, and go
swi mmi ng at Bi g Gl ace Bay Lake i n t he summer . And t her e wer e dances at
t he For umand t he Venet i an Gar dens. "
The r epor t er was busi l y maki ng not es.
" My f at her put up bui l di ngs i n Edmont on, and Cal gar y, and Ont ar i o.
Real est at e was l i ke a game t o hi m, and he l oved i t . When I was ver y
young, he t aught me t he game, and I l ear ned t o l ove i t , t oo. "
Her voi ce was f i l l ed wi t h passi on. " You must under st and somet hi ng, Mr .
Thompson. What I do has not hi ng t o do wi t h t he money or t he br i cks and
st eel t hat make a bui l di ng. I t ' s t he peopl e who mat t er . I ' mabl e t o
gi ve t hema comf or t abl e pl ace t o wor k or t o l i ve, a pl ace wher e t hey
can r ai se f ami l i es and have decent l i ves.
That ' s what was i mpor t ant t o my f at her , and i t became i mpor t ant t o
me. "
Hugh Thompson l ooked up. " Do you r emember your f i r st r eal est at e
vent ur e?"
Lar a l eaned f or war d. " Of cour se. On my ei ght eent h bi r t hday my f at her
asked me what I woul d l i ke as a gi f t .
A l ot of newcomer s wer e ar r i vi ng i n Gl ace Bay, and i t was get t i ng
cr owded. I f el t t he t own needed mor e pl aces f or t hemt o l i ve. I t ol d
my f at her I want ed t o bui l d a smal l apar t ment house. He gave me t he
money as a pr esent , but t wo year s l at er I was abl e t o pay hi mback.
Then I bor r owed money f r oma bank t o put up a second bui l di ng.
By t he t i me I was t went y- one, I owned t hr ee bui l di ngs, and t hey wer e
al l successf ul . "
" Your f at her must have been ver y pr oud of you. "
Ther e was t hat war msmi l e agai n. " He was. He named me Lar a. I t ' s an
ol d Scot t i sh name t hat comes f r omt he Lat i n. I t means ' wel l known' or
' f amous. " Fr omt he t i me I was a l i t t l e gi r l , my f at her al ways t ol d me
I woul d be f amous one day. " Her smi l e f aded. " He di ed of a hear t
at t ack, much t oo young. " She paused. " I go t o Scot l and t o vi si t hi s
gr ave ever y year . I . . . I f ound i t ver y di f f i cul t t o st ay on i n t he
house wi t hout hi m. I deci ded t o move t o Chi cago. I had an i dea f or
smal l bout i que hot el s, and I per suaded a banker t her e t o f i nance me.
The hot el s wer e a success. " She shr ugged. " And t he r est , as t he
cl i che goes, i s hi st or y. I suppose t hat a psychi at r i st woul d say t hat
I haven' t cr eat ed t hi s empi r e j ust f or mysel f . I n a way, i t ' s a
t r i but e t o my f at her . J ames Camer on was t he most wonder f ul man I ' ve
ever known. "
" You must have l oved hi ma l ot . "
" I di d. And he l oved me a l ot . " A smi l e t ouched her l i ps. " I ' ve
hear d t hat on t he day I was bor n, my f at her bought ever y man i n Gl ace
Bay a dr i nk. "
" So, r eal l y, " Thompson sai d, " ever yt hi ng st ar t ed i n Gl ace Bay. "
" That ' s r i ght , " Lar a sai d sof t l y, " ever yt hi ng st ar t ed i n Gl ace Bay.
That ' s wher e i t al l began, al most f or t y year s ago. . . . "
Chapt er Thr ee.
Gl ace Bay, Nova Scot i a Sept ember 10, 1952 ames Camer on was i n a
whor ehouse, dr unk, t he ni ght hi s daught er and son wer e bor n. He was i n
bed, sandwi ched i n bet ween t he Scandi navi an t wi ns, when Ki r st i e, t he
madamof t he br ot hel , pounded on t he door .
" J ames! " she cal l ed out . She pushed open t he door and wal ked i n.
" Och, ye aul d hel l ! " J ames yel l ed out i ndi gnant l y.
" Can' t a mon have any pr i vacy even her e?"
" Sor r y t o i nt er r upt your pl easur e, J ames. I t ' s about your wi f e. "
" Fuck my wi f e, " Camer on r oar ed.
" You di d, " Ki r st i e r et or t ed, " and she' s havi ng your baby. "
" So? Let her have i t . That ' s what you women ar e gui d f or , nae?"
" The doct or j ust cal l ed. He' s been t r yi ng desper at el y t o f i nd you.
Your wi f e i s bad of f . You' d bet t er hur r y. "
J ames Camer on sat up and sl i d t o t he edge of t he bed, bl ear y- eyed,
t r yi ng t o cl ear hi s head. " Damned woman. She ni ver l eaves me i n
peace. " He l ooked up at t he madam. " Al l r i ght , I ' l l go. " He gl anced
at t he naked gi r l s i n t he bed. " But I ' l l nae pay f or t hese t wo. "
" Never mi nd t hat now. You' d j ust bet t er get back t o t he
boar di nghouse. " She t ur ned t o t he gi r l s. " You t wo come al ong wi t h
me. "
J ames Camer on was a once- handsome man whose f ace r ef l ect ed f ul f i l l ed
si ns. He appear ed t o be i n hi s ear l y f i f t i es. He was t hi r t y year s ol d
and t he manager of one of t he boar di nghouses owned by Sean MacAl l i st er ,
t he t own banker . For t he past f i ve year s J ames Camer on and hi s wi f e,
Peggy, had di vi ded t he chor es: Peggy di d t he cl eani ng and cooki ng f or
t he t wo dozen boar der s, and J ames di d t he dr i nki ng. Ever y Fr i day i t
was hi s r esponsi bi l i t y t o col l ect t he r ent s f r omt he f our ot her
boar di nghouses i n Gl ace Bay owned by MacAl l i st er . I t was anot her
r eason, i f he needed one, t o go out and get dr unk.
J ames Camer on was a bi t t er man, who r evel ed i n hi s bi t t er ness. He was
a f ai l ur e, and he was convi nced t hat ever yone el se was t o bl ame. Over
t he year s he had come t o enj oy hi s f ai l ur e. I t made hi mf eel l i ke a
mar t yr . When J ames was a year ol d, hi s f ami l y had emi gr at ed t o Gl ace
Bay f r omScot l and wi t h not hi ng but t he f ew possessi ons t hey coul d
car r y, and t hey had st r uggl ed t o sur vi ve. Hi s f at her had put J ames t o
wor k i n t he coal mi nes when t he boy was f our t een. J ames had suf f er ed a
sl i ght back i nj ur y i n a mi ni ng acci dent when he was si xt een, and had
pr ompt l y qui t t he mi ne. One year l at er hi s par ent s wer e ki l l ed i n a
t r ai n di sast er . So i t was t hat J ames Camer on had deci ded t hat he was
not r esponsi bl e f or hi s adver si t y- i t . was t he Fat es t hat wer e agai nst
hi m. But he had t wo gr eat asset s: He was ext r aor di nar i l y handsome, and
when he wi shed t o, he coul d be char mi ng. One weekend i n Sydney, a t own
near Gl ace Bay, he met an i mpr essi onabl e young Amer i can gi r l named
Peggy Maxwel l , who was t her e on vacat i on wi t h her f ami l y. She was not
at t r act i ve, but t he Maxwel l s wer e ver y weal t hy, and J ames Camer on was
ver y poor . He swept Peggy Maxwel l of f her f eet , and agai nst t he advi ce
of her f at her , she mar r i ed hi m.
" I ' mgi vi ng Peggy a dowr y of f i ve t housand dol l ar s, " her f at her t ol d
J ames. " The money wi l l gi ve you a chance t o make somet hi ng of
your sel f . You can i nvest i t i n r eal est at e, and i n f i ve year s i t wi l l
doubl e. I ' l l hel p you. "
But J ames was not i nt er est ed i n wai t i ng f i ve year s.
Wi t hout consul t i ng anyone, he i nvest ed t he money i n a wi l dcat oi l
vent ur e wi t h a f r i end, and si xt y days l at er he was br oke. Hi s
f at her - i n- l aw, f ur i ous, r ef used t o hel p hi many f ur t her . " You' r e a
f ool , J ames, and I wi l l not t hr ow good money af t er bad. "
The mar r i age t hat was goi ng t o be J ames Camer on' s sal vat i on t ur ned out
t o be a di sast er , f or he now had a wi f e t o suppor t , and no j ob.
I t was Sean MacAl l i st er who had come t o hi s r escue.
The t own banker was a man i n hi s mi d- f i f t i es, a st umpy, pompous man, a
pound shor t of bei ng obese, gi ven t o wear i ng vest s ador ned wi t h a heavy
gol d wat ch chai n.
He had come t o Gl ace Bay t went y year s ear l i er and had i mmedi at el y seen
t he possi bi l i t i es t her e. Mi ner s and l umber men wer e pour i ng i nt o t he
t own and wer e unabl e t o f i nd adequat e housi ng. MacAl l i st er coul d have
f i nanced homes f or t hem, but he had a bet t er pl an. He deci ded i t woul d
be cheaper t o her d t he men t oget her i n boar di nghouses. Wi t hi n t wo
year s he had bui l t a hot el and f i ve boar di nghouses, and t hey wer e
al ways f ul l .
Fi ndi ng manager s was a di f f i cul t t ask because t he wor k was
exhaust i ng.
The manager ' s j ob was t o keep al l t he r ooms r ent ed, super vi se t he
cooki ng, handl e t he meal s, and see t hat t he pr emi ses wer e kept
r easonabl y cl ean. As f ar as sal ar i es wer e concer ned, Sean MacAl l i st er
was not a man t o t hr ow away hi s money.
The manager of one of hi s boar di nghouses had j ust qui t , and MacAl l i st er
deci ded t hat J ames Camer on was a l i kel y candi dat e. Camer on had
bor r owed smal l amount s of money f r omt he bank f r omt i me t o t i me, and
payment on a l oan was over due. MacAl l i st er sent f or t he young man.
" I have a j ob f or you, " MacAl l i st er sai d.
" You have?"
" You' r e i n l uck. I have a spl endi d posi t i on t hat ' s j ust opened up. "
" Wor ki ng at t he bank, i s i t ?" J ames Camer on asked.
The i dea of wor ki ng i n a bank appeal ed t o hi m. Wher e t her e was a l ot
of money, t her e was al ways a possi bi l i t y of havi ng some st i ck t o one' s
f i nger s.
" Not at t he bank, " MacAl l i st er t ol d hi m. " You' r e a ver y per sonabl e
young man, J ames, and I t hi nk you woul d be ver y good at deal i ng wi t h
peopl e. I ' d l i ke you t o r un my boar di nghouse on Cabl ehead Avenue. "
" A boar di nghouse, you say?" Ther e was cont empt i n t he young man' s
voi ce.
" You need a r oof over your head, " MacAl l i st er poi nt ed out . " You and
your wi f e wi l l have f r ee r oomand boar d and a smal l sal ar y. "
" How' s ma?"
" I ' l l be gener ous wi t h you, J ames. Twent y- f i ve dol l ar s a week. "
" Twent y- f i . . . ?"
" Take i t or l eave i t . I have ot her s wai t i ng. "
I n t he end J ames Camer on had no choi ce. " I ' l l t ach i t . "
" Good. By t he way, ever y Fr i day I ' l l al so expect you t o col l ect t he
r ent s f r ommy ot her boar di nghouses and del i ver t he money t o me on
Sat ur day. "
When J ames Camer on br oke t he news t o Peggy, she was di smayed. " We
don' t know anyt hi ng about r unni ng a boar di nghouse, J ames. "
" We' l l l ear n. We' l l shar e t he wor k. "
And she had bel i eved hi m. " Al l r i ght . We' l l manage, " she sai d.
And i n t hei r own f ashi on t hey had managed.
Over t he year s, sever al oppor t uni t i es had come al ong f or J ames Camer on
t o get bet t er j obs, empl oyment t hat woul d gi ve hi mdi gni t y and mor e
money, but he was enj oyi ng hi s f ai l ur e t oo much t o l eave i t .
" Why bot her ?" he woul d gr umbl e. " When Fat e' s agi n you, naet hi ng gui d
can happen. "
And now, on t hi s Sept ember ni ght , he t hought , They won' t even l et me
enj oy my whor es i n peace. God damn my wi f e.
When he st epped out of MadamKi r st i e' s est abl i shment , a chi l l y
Sept ember wi nd was bl owi ng.
I ' d best f or t i f y mysel f f or t he t r oubl es ahei d, J ames Camer on
deci ded.
He st opped i n at t he Anci ent Mar i ner .
One hour l at er he wander ed t owar d t he boar di nghouse i n New Aber deen,
t he poor est sect i on of Gl ace Bay.
When he f i nal l y ar r i ved, hal f a dozen boar der s wer e anxi ousl y wai t i ng
f or hi m.
" The doct or i s i n wi ' Peggy, " one of t he men sai d.
" You' d bet t er hur r y, mon. "
J ames st agger ed i nt o t he t i ny, dr ear y back bedr oomhe and hi s wi f e
shar ed. Fr omanot her r oomhe coul d hear t he whi mper i ng of a newbor n
baby. Peggy l ay on t he bed, mot i onl ess. Dr . Pat r i ck Duncan was
l eani ng over her . He t ur ned as he hear d J ames ent er .
" Wass goi ng' on her e?" J ames asked.
The doct or st r ai ght ened up and l ooked at J ames wi t h di st ast e. " You
shoul d have had your wi f e come t o see me, " he sai d.
" And t hr ow gui d money away? She' s onl y haei n' a baby. Wass t he
bi g. . . ?"
" Peggy' s dead. I di d ever yt hi ng I coul d. She had t wi ns. I coul dn' t
save t he boy. "
" Oh, J esus, " J ames Camer on whi mper ed. " I t ' s t he Fat es agi n. "
" What ?"
" The Fat es. They' ve. al ways been agi n me. Now t hey' ve t ai ne my hai r n
f r ae me. I di nna .
A nur se wal ked i n, car r yi ng a t i ny baby wr apped i n a bl anket . " Thi s i s
your daught er , Mr . Camer on. "
" A daught er ? Wha' t he hel l wi l l I dae wi ' a daught er ?"
Hi s speech was becomi ng mor e sl ur r ed.
" You di sgust me, mon, " Dr . Duncan sai d.
The nur se t ur ned t o J ames. " I ' l l st ay unt i l t omor r ow and show you how
t o t ake car e of her . "
J ames Camer on l ooked at t he t i ny, wr i nkl ed bundl e i n t he bl anket and
t hought , hopef ul l y: Maybe she' l l di e, t oo.
For t he f i r st t hr ee weeks no one was sur e whet her t he baby woul d l i ve
or not . A wet nur se came i n t o t end t o her . And f i nal l y, t he day came
when t he doct or was abl e t o say, " Your daught er i s goi ng t o l i ve. "
And he l ooked at J ames Camer on and sai d under hi s br eat h, " God have
mer cy on t he poor chi l d. "
The wet nur se sai d, " Mr . Camer on, you must gi ve t he chi l d a name. "
" I di nna car e wha' t he hel l ye cal l i t . Ye gi e her a name. "
" Why don' t we name her Lar a? That ' s such a pr et t y. . . "
" Sui t your bl oody sel f . "
And so she was chr i st ened Lar a.
Ther e was no one i n Lar a' s l i f e t o car e f or her or nur t ur e her . The
boar di nghouse was f i l l ed wi t h men t oo busy wi t h t hei r own l i ves t o pay
at t ent i on t o t he baby.
The onl y woman ar ound was Ber t ha, t he huge Swede who was hi r ed t o do
t he cooki ng and handl e t he chor es.
J ames Camer on was det er mi ned t o have not hi ng t o do wi t h hi s daught er .
The damned Fat es had bet r ayed hi monce agai n by l et t i ng her l i ve. At
ni ght he woul d si t i n t he l i vi ng r oomwi t h hi s bot t l e of whi skey and
compl ai n. " The hai r n mur der ed my wi f e and my son. "
" You shoul dn' t say t hat , J ames. "
" Weel , i t ' s sae. My son woul d hae gr own up t o be a bi g st r appi ng
mon.
He woul d hae been smar t and r i ch and t ai ne good car e of hi s f at her i n
hi s aul d age. "
And t he boar der s l et hi mr ambl e on.
J ames Camer on t r i ed sever al t i mes t o get i n t ouch wi t h Maxwel l , hi s
f at her - i n- l aw, hopi ng he woul d t ake t he chi l d of f hi s hands, but t he
ol d man had di sappear ed.
I t woul d be j ust my l uck t he aul d f ool ' s dai d, he t hought .
Gl ace Bay was a t own of t r ansi ent s who moved i n and out of t he
boar di nghouses. They came f r omFr ance and Chi na and t he Ukr ai ne. They
wer e I t al i an and I r i sh and Gr eek, car pent er s and t ai l or s and pl umber s
and shoemaker s. They swar med i nt o l ower Mai n St r eet , Bel l St r eet ,
Nor t h St r eet , and Wat er St r eet , near t he wat er f r ont ar ea. They came t o
wor k t he mi nes and cut t i mber and f i sh t he seas. Gl ace Bay was a
f r ont i er t own, pr i mi t i ve and r ugged. The weat her was an abomi nat i on.
The wi nt er s wer e har sh wi t h heavy snowf al l s t hat l ast ed unt i l Apr i l ,
and because of t he heavy i ce i n t he har bor , even Apr i l and May wer e
col d and wi ndy, and f r omJ ul y t o Oct ober i t r ai ned.
Ther e wer e ei ght een boar di nghouses i n t own, some of t hemaccommodat i ng
as many as sevent y- t wo guest s.
At t he boar di nghouse managed by J ames Camer on, t her e wer e t went y- f our
boar der s, most of t hemScot smen.
Lar a was hungr y f or af f ect i on, wi t hout knowi ng what t he hunger was.
She had no t oys or dol l s t o cher i sh nor any pl aymat es. She had no one
except her f at her . She made chi l di sh l i t t l e gi f t s f or hi m, desper at e
t o pl ease hi m, but he ei t her i gnor ed or r i di cul ed t hem.
When Lar a was f i ve year s ol d, she over hear d her f at her say t o one of
t he boar der s, " The wr ong chi l d di ed, ye ken. My son i s t he one who
shoul d hae l i ved. "
That ni ght Lar a cr i ed her sel f t o sl eep. She l oved her f at her so
much.
And she hat ed hi mso much.
When Lar a was si x, she r esembl ed a Keane pai nt i ng, enor mous eyes i n a
pal e, t hi n f ace. That year a new boar der moved i n. Hi s name was Mungo
McSween, and he was a huge bear of a man. He f el t an i nst ant af f ect i on
f or t he l i t t l e gi r l .
" What ' s your name, wee l assi e?"
" Lar a. "
" Ah. ' Ti s a br aw name f or a br aw hai r n. Dae ye gan t o school t hen?"
" School ? No. "
" And why not ?"
" I don' t know. "
" Weel , we maun f i nd out . "
And he went t o f i nd J ames Camer on. " I ' mt aul d your hai r n daes nae gae
t o school . "
" And why shoul d she? She' s onl y a gi r l . She di nna need no school . "
" You' r e wr ong, mon. She maun have an educat i on.
She maun be gi en a chance i n l i f e. "
" For get i t , " J ames sai d. " I t wad be a wast e. "
But McSween was i nsi st ent , and f i nal l y, t o shut hi mup, J ames Camer on
agr eed. I t woul d keep t he br at out of hi s si ght f or a f ew hour s.
Lar a was t er r i f i ed by t he i dea of goi ng t o school . She had l i ved i n a
wor l d of adul t s al l her shor t l i f e, and had had al most no cont act wi t h
ot her chi l dr en.
The f ol l owi ng Monday Bi g Ber t ha dr opped her of f at St . Anne' s Gr ammar
School , and Lar a was t aken t o t he pr i nci pal ' s of f i ce.
" Thi s i s Lar a Camer on. "
The pr i nci pal , Mr s. Cummi ngs, was a mi ddl e- aged gr ay- hai r ed wi dow wi t h
t hr ee chi l dr en of her own. She st udi ed t he shabbi l y dr essed l i t t l e
gi r l st andi ng bef or e her . " Lar a. What a pr et t y name, " she sai d,
smi l i ng. " How ol d ar e you, dear ?"
" Si x. " She was f i ght i ng back t ear s.
The chi l d i s t er r i f i ed, Mr s. Cummi ngs t hought . " Wel l , we' r e ver y gl ad
t o have you her e, Lar a. You' l l have a good t i me, and you' r e goi ng t o
l ear n a l ot . "
" I can' t st ay, " Lar a bl ur t ed out .
" Oh? Why not ?"
" My papa mi sses me t oo much. " She was f i er cel y det er mi ned not t o
cr y.
" Wel l , we' l l onl y keep you her e f or a f ew hour s a day. "
Lar a al l owed her sel f t o be t aken i nt o a cl assr oomf i l l ed wi t h chi l dr en,
and she was shown t o a seat near t he back of t he r oom.
Mi ss Ter kel , t he t eacher , was busi l y wr i t i ng l et t er s on a bl ackboar d.
" A i s f or appl e, " she sai d. " B i s f or boy. Does anyone know what & i s
f or ?"
A t i ny hand was r ai sed. " Candy. "
" Ver y good! And I ) ?"
" Dog. "
" And E?"
" Eat . "
" Excel l ent . Can anyone t hi nk of a wor d begi nni ng wi t h I , ' ?"
Lar a spoke up. " Fuck. "
Lar a was t he youngest one i n her cl ass, but i t seemed t o Mi ss Ter kel
t hat i n many ways she was t he ol dest .
Ther e was a di squi et i ng mat ur i t y about her .
" She' s a smal l adul t , wai t i ng t o gr ow t al l er , " her t eacher t ol d Mr s.
Cummi ngs.
The f i r st day at l unch, t he ot her chi l dr en t ook out t hei r col or f ul
l i t t l e l unch pai l s and pul l ed out appl es and cooki es and sandwi ches
wr apped i n wax paper .
No one had t hought t o pack a l unch f or Lar a.
" Wher e i s your l unch, Lar a?" Mi ss Ter kel asked.
" I ' mnot hungr y, " Lar a sai d st ubbor nl y. " I had a bi g br eakf ast . "
Most of t he gi r l s at school wer e ni cel y dr essed i n cl ean ski r t s and
bl ouses. Lar a had out gr own her f ew f aded pl ai d dr esses and t hr eadbar e
bl ouses. She had gone t o her f at her .
" I need some cl ot hes f or school , " Lar a sai d.
" Dae ye now? Weel , I ' mnae made of money. Get your sel f somet hi ng f r ae
t he Sal vat i on Ar my Ci t adel . "
" That ' s char i t y, Papa. "
And her f at her had sl apped her har d acr oss t he f ace.
The chi l dr en at school wer e f ami l i ar wi t h games Lar a had never even
hear d of . The gi r l s had dol l s and t oys, and some of t hemwer e wi l l i ng
t o shar e t hemwi t h Lar a, but she was pai nf ul l y awar e t hat not hi ng
bel onged t o her .
And t her e was somet hi ng mor e. Over t he next f ew year s Lar a got a
gl i mpse of a di f f er ent wor l d, a wor l d wher e chi l dr en had mot her s and
f at her s who gave t hempr esent s and bi r t hday par t i es and l oved t hemand
hel d t hemand ki ssed t hem. And f or t he f i r st t i me Lar a began t o
r eal i ze how much was mi ssi ng i n her l i f e. I t onl y made her f eel
l onel i er .
The boar di nghouse was a di f f er ent ki nd of school . I t was an
i nt er nat i onal mi cr ocosm. Lar a l ear ned t o t el l wher e t he boar der s came
f r omby t hei r names. Mac was f r omScot l and. . . Hodder and Pyke wer e
f r omNewf oundl and. . . Chi asson and Aucoi n wer e f r omFr ance. . . Dudash and
Kosi ck f r omPol and. The boar der s wer e l umber men, f i sher men, mi ner s,
and t r adesmen. They woul d gat her i n t he l ar ge di ni ng r oomi n t he
mor ni ng f or br eakf ast and i n t he eveni ng f or supper , and t hei r t al k was
f asci nat i ng t o Lar a. Each gr oup seemed t o have i t s own myst er i ous
l anguage.
Ther e wer e t housands of l umber men i n Nova Scot i a, scat t er ed ar ound t he
peni nsul a. The l umber men at t he boar di nghouse smel l ed of sawdust and
bur nt bar k, and t hey spoke of ar cane t hi ngs l i ke chi pper s and edgi ng
and t r i m.
" We shoul d get out al most t wo hundr ed mi l l i on boar d f eet t hi s year , "
one of t hemannounced at supper .
" How can f eet be bor ed?" Lar a asked.
Ther e was a r oar of l aught er . " Chi l d, boar d f oot i s a pi ece of l umber
a f oot squar e by an i nch t hi ck. When you gr ow up and get mar r i ed, i f
you want t o bui l d a f i ve- r oom, al l - wood house, i t wi l l t ake t wel ve
t housand boar d f eet . "
" I ' mnot goi ng t o get mar r i ed, " Lar a swor e.
The f i sher men wer e anot her br eed. They r et ur ned t o t he boar di nghouse
st i nki ng of t he sea, and t hey t al ked about t he new exper i ment of
gr owi ng oyst er s on t he Br as d' Or Lake and br agged t o one anot her of
t hei r cat ches of cod and her r i ng and macker el and haddock.
But t he boar der s who f asci nat ed Lar a t he most wer e t he mi ner s. Ther e
wer e t hi r t y- f i ve hundr ed mi ner s i n Cape Br et on, wor ki ng t he col l i er i es
at Li ngan and Pr i nce and Phal en. Lar a l oved t he names of t he mi nes.
Ther e was t he J ubi l ee and t he Last Chance and t he Bl ack Di amond and t he
Lucky Lady.
She was f asci nat ed by t hei r di scussi on of t he day' s wor k.
" What ' s t hi s I hear about Mi ke?"
" I t ' s t r ue. The poor bast ar d was t r avel i ng i nbye i n a man- r ake, and a
box j umped t he t r ack and cr ushed hi s l eg. The son of a bi t ch of a
f or eman sai d i t was Mi ke' s f aul t f or not get t i ng' out of t he way f ast
enough, and he' s havi ng hi s l amp st opped. "
Lar a was baf f l ed. " What does t hat mean?"
One of t he mi ner s expl ai ned. " I t means Mi ke was on hi s way t o
wor k- goi ng i nbye- i n a man- r ake- t hat ' s a car t hat t akes you down t o your
wor ki ng l evel . A boxt hat ' s a coal t r ai n- j umped t he t r ack and hi t
hi m. "
" And st opped hi s l amp?" Lar a asked.
The mi ner l aughed. " When you' ve had your l amp st opped, i t means you' ve
been suspended. "
When Lar a was f i f t een, she ent er ed St . Mi chael ' s Hi gh School . She was
gangl y and awkwar d, wi t h l ong l egs, st r i ngy bl ack hai r , and i nt el l i gent
gr ay eyes st i l l t oo l ar ge f or her pal e, t hi n f ace. No one qui t e knew
how she was goi ng t o t ur n out . She was on t he ver ge of womanhood, and
her l ooks wer e i n a st age of met amor phosi s.
She coul d have become ugl y or beaut i f ul .
To J ames Camer on, hi s daught er was ugl y. " Ye hae best mar r y t he f i r st
mon f ool enough t o ask ye, " he t ol d her . " Ye' l l nae hae t he l ooks t o
make a gui d bar gai n. "
Lar a st ood t her e, sayi ng not hi ng.
" And t el l t he poor mon nae t o expect a dowr y f r ae me. "
Mungo McSween had wal ked i nt o t he r oom. He st ood t her e l i st eni ng,
f ur i ous.
" That ' s al l , gi r l , " J ames Camer on sai d. " Gae back t o t he ki t chen. "
Lar a f l ed.
" Why dae ye dae t hat t o your daught er ?" McSween demanded.
J ames Camer on l ooked up, hi s eyes bl ear y. " Nane of your busi ness. "
" You' r e dr unk. "
" Aye. And what el se i s t her e? I f i t i sn' t women, i t ' s t he whi skey,
i sn' t i t ?"
McSween went i nt o t he ki t chen, wher e Lar a was washi ng di shes at t he
si nk. Her eyes wer e hot wi t h t ear s.
McSween put hi s ar ms ar ound her . " Ni ver ye mi nd, l assi e, " he sai d.
" He di nna mean i t . "
" He hat es me. "
" Nae, he doesna. "
" He' s never gi ven me one ki nd wor d. Never once.
Never ! "
Ther e was not hi ng McSween coul d say.
I n t he summer t he t our i st s woul d ar r i ve at Gl ace Bay. They came i n
t hei r expensi ve car s, wear i ng beaut i f ul cl ot hes and shopped al ong
Cast l e St r eet and di ned at t he Cedar House and at J asper ' s, and t hey
vi si t ed I ngoni sh Beach and Cape Smoky and t he Bi r d I sl ands. They wer e
super i or bei ngs f r omanot her wor l d, and Lar a envi ed t hemand l onged t o
escape wi t h t hemwhen t hey l ef t at t he end of summer . But how?
Lar a had hear d st or i es about Gr andf at her Maxwel l .
" The aul d bast ar d t r i ed t o keep me f r ae mar r yi n' hi s pr eci ous
daught er , " J ames Camer on woul d compl ai n t o any of t he boar der s who
woul d l i st en. " He was f i l t hy r i ch, but do ye t hi nk he wad gi e me
aught ? Nae. But I t ook gui d car e of hi s Peggy anyway. . . . "
And Lar a woul d f ant asi ze t hat one day her gr andf at her woul d come t o
t ake her away t o gl amor ous ci t i es she had r ead about : London and Rome
and Par i s. And I ' l l have beaut i f ul cl ot hes t o wear . Hundr eds of
dr esses and new shoes.
But as t he mont hs and t he year s went by, and t her e was no wor d, Lar a
f i nal l y came t o r eal i ze t hat she woul d never see her gr andf at her . She
was doomed t o spend t he r est of her l i f e i n Gl ace Bay.
Chapt er Four .
her e wer e myr i ad act i vi t i es f or a t eenager gr owi ng up i n Gl ace Bay:
Ther e wer e f oot bal l games and hockey games, skat i ng r i nks and bowl i ng,
and i n t he summer , swi mmi ng and f i shi ng.
Car l ' s Dr ug St or e was t he popul ar af t er - school hangout .
Ther e wer e t wo movi e t heat er s, and f or danci ng, t he Venet i an Gar dens.
Lar a had no chance t o enj oy any of t hose t hi ngs. She r ose at f i ve
ever y mor ni ng t o hel p Ber t ha pr epar e br eakf ast f or t he boar der s and
make up t he beds bef or e she l ef t f or school . I n t he af t er noon she
woul d hur r y home t o begi n pr epar i ng supper . She hel ped Ber t ha ser ve,
and af t er supper Lar a cl ear ed t he t abl e and washed and dr i ed t he
di shes.
The boar di nghouse ser ved some f avor i t e Scot t i sh di shes: howt owdi e and
hai r st br ee, cabbi ecl aw and ski r l i e.
Bl ack Bun was a f avor i t e, a spi cy mi xt ur e encased i n a shor t past e
j acket made f r omhal f a pound of f l our .
The conver sat i on of t he Scot smen at supper made t he Hi ghl ands of
Scot l and come al i ve f or Lar a. Her ancest or s had come f r omt he
Hi ghl ands, and t he st or i es about t hemgave Lar a t he onl y sense of
bel ongi ng t hat she had. The boar der s t al ked of t he Gr eat Gl en
cont ai ni ng Loch Ness, Lochy, and Li nnhe and of t he r ugged i sl ands of f
t he coast .
Ther e was a bat t er ed pi ano i n t he si t t i ng r oom, and somet i mes at ni ght ,
af t er supper , hal f a dozen boar der s woul d gat her ar ound and si ng t he
songs of home: " Anni e Laur i e, " and " Comi n' Thr ough t he Rye, " and " The
Hi l l s of Home, " and " The Bonni e Banks O' Loch Lomond. "
Once a year t her e was a par ade i n t own, and al l t he Scot smen i n Gl ace
Bay woul d pr oudl y put on t hei r ki l t s or t ar t ans and mar ch t hr ough t he
st r eet s t o t he r aucous accompani ment of bagpi pes.
" Why do t he men wear ski r t s?" Lar a asked Mungo McSween.
He f r owned. " I t ' s nae a ski r t , l ass. I t ' s a ki l t . . Our ancest or s
i nvent ed i t l ong ago. I n t he Hi ghl ands a pl ai d cover ed a mon' s body
agi n t he bi t t er col d but kept hi s l egs f r ee sae he coul d r ace acr oss
t he heat her and peat and escape hi s enemi es. And at ni ght , i f he was
i n t he open, t he gr eat l engt h of t he cl ot h was bot h bed and t ent f or
hi m. "
The names of t he Scot t i sh pl aces wer e poet r y t o Lar a.
Ther e was Br eadal bane, Gl enf i nnan, and Ki l br i de, Ki l ni nver , and
Ki l mi chael . Lar a l ear ned t hat " ki l " r ef er r ed t o a monk' s cel l of
medi eval t i mes. I f a name began wi t h " i nver " or " aber , " i t meant t he
vi l l age was at t he mout h of a st r eam. I f i t began wi t h " st r at h, " i t
was i n a val l ey.
" Bad" meant t he vi l l age was i n a gr ove.
Ther e wer e f i er ce ar gument s ever y ni ght at t he supper t abl e. The
Scot smen ar gued about ever yt hi ng. Thei r ancest or s had bel onged t o
pr oud cl ans, and t hey wer e st i l l f i er cel y pr ot ect i ve of t hei r
hi st or y.
" The House of Br uce pr oduced cowar ds. They l ay down f or t he Engl i sh
l i ke gr ovel i ng dogs. "
" You di nna ken wha' you' r e t al ki ng aboot , as usual , I an. ' Twas t he
gr eat Br uce hi msel f who st ood up t o t he Engl i sh. ' Twas t he House of
St uar t t hat gr ovel ed. "
" Och, you' r e a f ool , and your cl an comes f r oma l ong l i ne of f ool s. "
The ar gument woul d gr ow mor e heat ed.
" You ken wha' Scot l and needed? Mai r l eader s l i ke Rober t t he Second.
Now, t her e was a gr eat mon. He si r ed t went y- one hai r ns?"
" Aye, and hal f of t hemwer e bast ar ds! "
And anot her ar gument woul d st ar t .
Lar a coul d not bel i eve t hat t hey wer e f i ght i ng over event s t hat had
happened mor e t han si x hundr ed year s ear l i er .
Mungo McSween sai d t o Lar a, " Di nna l et i t bot her ye, l assi e. A
Scot sman wi ' st ar t a f i ght i n an empt y house. "
I t was a poemby Si r Wal t er Scot t t hat set Lar a' s i magi nat i on on f i r e:
Oh, young Lochi nvar i s come out of t he west : Thr ough al l t he wi de
Bor der hi s st eed was t he best ; And save hi s good br oadswor d he weapon
had none; He r ode al l unar med and he r ode al l al one.
So f ai t hf ul i n l ove, and so daunt l ess i n war , Ther e never was kni ght
l i ke t he young Lochi nvar .
And t he gl or i ous poemwent on t o t el l how Lochi nvar r i sked hi s l i f e t o
r escue hi s bel oved, who was bei ng f or ced t o mar r y anot her man.
So dar i ng i n l ove, and so daunt l ess i n war , Have ye e' er hear d of
gal l ant l i ke young Lochi nvar ?
Someday, Lar a t hought , a handsome Lochi nvar wi l l come and r escue me.
One day Lar a was wor ki ng i n t he ki t chen when she came acr oss an
adver t i sement i n a magazi ne, and her br eat h caught i n her t hr oat . I t
showed a t al l , handsome man, bl ond, el egant l y dr essed i n t ai l s and
whi t e t i e. He had bl ue eyes and a war msmi l e, and he l ooked ever y i nch
a pr i nce. That ' s what my Lochi nvar wi l l l ook l i ke, Lar a t hought . He' s
out t her e somewher e, l ooki ng f or me. He' l l come and r escue me f r om
her e. I ' l l be at t he si nk washi ng di shes, and he' l l come up behi nd me,
put hi s ar ms ar ound me, and whi sper , " Can I hel p you?" And I ' l l t ur n
and l ook i nt o hi s eyes. And I ' l l say, " Do you dr y di shes?"
Ber t ha' s voi ce sai d, " Do I what ?"
Lar a whi r l ed ar ound. Ber t ha was st andi ng behi nd her . Lar a had not
r eal i zed she had spoken al oud.
" Not hi ng. " Lar a bl ushed.
To Lar a, t he most f asci nat i ng di nner conver sat i ons r evol ved ar ound t he
st or i es of t he not or i ous Hi ghl and cl ear ances. She had hear d t hemt ol d
over and over but coul d never get enough of i t .
" Tel l me agai n, " she woul d ask. And Mungo McSween was eager t o
obl i ge. . . .
" Weel , i t began i n t he year 1792, and i t went on f or mor e t han si xt y
year s. At f i r st t hey cal l ed i t Bl i adhna nan Co- ar ach- The Year of t he
Sheep. The l andowner s i n t he Hi ghl ands had deci ded t hat t hei r l and
woul d be mor e pr of i t abl e wi t h sheep t han wi t h t enant f ar mer s, so t hey
br ought f l ocks of sheep i nt o t he Hi ghl ands and f ound t hat t hey coul d
sur vi ve t he col d wi nt er s. That was when t he cl ear ances began.
" The cr y became Mo t hr uai ghe or t a t hi r , t hat ' n caor ai ch mhor a'
t eachd!
' Woe t o t hee, oh, l and, t he gr eat sheep i s comi ng. " Fi r st t her e wer e a
hundr ed sheep, t hen a t housand, t hen t en t housand. I t was a bl oody
i nvasi on.
" The l ai r ds saw r i ches beyond t hei r dr eams, but t hey maun f i r st get r i d
of t he t enant s, who wor ked t hei r wee pat ches of l and. They had l i t t l e
enough t o begi n wi t h, God knows. They l i ved i n sma st one houses wi t h
nae chi mneys and nae wi ndows. But t he l ai r ds f or ced t hemout . "
The young gi r l was wi de- eyed. " How?"
" The gover nment r egi ment s wer e or der ed t o at t ack t he vi l l ages and evi ct
t he t enant s. The sol di er s wad come t o a l i t t l e vi l l age and gi e t he
t enant s si x hour s t o r emove t hei r cat t l e and f ur ni t ur e and get out .
They maun l eave t hei r cr ops behi nd. Then t he sol di er s bur ned t hei r
hut s t o t he gr ound. Mor e t han a quar t er of a mi l l i on men, women, and
chi l dr en wer e f or ced f r ae t hei r hol di ngs and dr i ven t o t he shor es of
t he sea. "
" But how coul d t hey dr i ve t hemf r omt hei r own l and?"
" Ah, t hey ni ver owned t he l and, you see. They had t he use of an acr e
or t wo f r ae a l ai r d, but i t was ni ver t hei r s. They pai d a f ee i n goods
or l abor i n or der t o t i l l t he l and and gr ow some t at t i es and r ai se a
f ew cat t l e. "
" What happened i f t he peopl e woul dn' t move?" Lar a asked
br eat hl essl y.
" The ol d f ol k t hat di dn' t get out i n t i me wer e bur ned i n t hei r hut s.
The gover nment was r ut hl ess. Och, i t was a t er r i bl e t i me. The peopl e
had naet hi ng t o eat . Chol er a st r uck, and di seases spr ead l i ke
wi l df i r e. "
" How awf ul , " Lar a sai d.
" Aye, l assi e. Our peopl e l i ved on t at t i es and br ead and por r i dge, when
t hey coul d gi t i t . But t her e' s one t hi ng t he gover nment coul d nae t ake
away f r ae t he Hi ghl ander s- t hei r pr i de. They f ought back as best t hey
coul d.
For days af t er t he bur ni ng was o' er , t he homel ess peopl e r emai ned i n
t he gl en, t r yi ng t o sal vage what t hey coul d f r ae t he r ui ns. They put
canvas over t hei r hei ds f or pr ot ect i on agi n t he ni ght r ai n. My
gr eat - gr eat gr andf at her and my gr eat - gr eat - gr andmot her wer e t her e and
suf f er ed t hr ough i t al l . I t ' s par t of our hi st or y, and i t ' s been
bur ned i nt o our ver y soul s. "
Lar a coul d vi sual i ze t he t housands of desper at e, f or l or n peopl e r obbed
of ever yt hi ng t hey possessed, st unned by what had happened t o t hem.
She coul d hear t he cr yi ng of t he mour ner s and t he scr eams of t he
t er r i f i ed chi l dr en.
" What f i nal l y happened t o t he peopl e?" Lar a asked.
" They l ef t f or ot her l ands on shi ps t hat wer e deat ht r aps. The cr owded
passenger s di ed of f ever or f r ae dysent er y. Somet i mes t he shi p woul d
hi t st or ms t hat del ayed t hemf or weeks, sae t hey r an out of f ood. Onl y
t he st r ong wer e st i l l al i ve when t he shi ps l anded i n Canada. But once
t hey l anded her e, t hey wer e abl e t o hae somet hi ng' t hey ni ver had
bef or e. "
" Thei r own l and, " Lar a sai d.
" That ' s r i ght , l ass. "
Someday, Lar a t hought f i er cel y, I wi l l have my own l and, and no one- no
one- wi l l ever t ake i t away f r omme.
On an eveni ng i n ear l y J ul y, J ames Camer on was i n bed wi t h one of t he
whor es at Ki r st i e' s bawdy house when he suf f er ed a hear t at t ack. He
was qui t e dr unk, and when he suddenl y t oppl ed over , hi s pl aymat e
assumed he had si mpl y f al l en asl eep.
" Oh, no, you don' t ! I have ot her cust omer s wai t i n' f or me. Wake up,
J ames! Wake up! "
He was gaspi ng f or br eat h and cl ut chi ng hi s chest .
" For Gude' s sake, " he moaned, " gi t me a doct or . "
An ambul ance t ook hi mt o t he l i t t l e hospi t al on Quar r y St r eet . Dr .
Duncan sent f or Lar a. She wal ked i nt o t he hospi t al , her hear t
poundi ng. Duncan was wai t i ng f or her .
" What happened?" Lar a asked ur gent l y. " I s my f at her dead?"
" No, Lar a, but I ' maf r ai d he' s had a hear t at t ack. "
She st ood t her e, f r ozen. " I s he. . . i s he goi ng t o l i ve?"
" I don' t know. We' r e doi ng ever yt hi ng we can f or " Can I see hi m?"
" I t woul d be bet t er i f you came back i n t he mor ni ng, l ass. "
She wal ked home, numb wi t h f ear . Pl ease don' t l et hi mdi e, God. He' s
al l I have.
When Lar a r eached t he boar di nghouse, Ber t ha was wai t i ng f or her . " What
happened?"
Lar a t ol d her .
" Oh, God! " Ber t ha sai d. " And t oday i s Fr i day. "
" What ?"
" Fr i day. The day t he r ent s have t o be col l ect ed. I f I know Sean
MacAl l i st er , he' l l use t hi s as an excuse t o t hr ow us al l out i nt o t he
st r eet s. "
At l east a dozen t i mes i n t he past when J ames Camer on had been t oo
dr unk t o handl e i t hi msel f , he had sent Lar a ar ound t o col l ect t he
r ent s f r omt he ot her boar di nghouses t hat Sean MacAl l i st er owned. Lar a
had gi ven t he money t o her f at her , and t he next day he had t aken i t t o
t he banker .
" What ar e we goi ng t o do?" Ber t ha moaned.
And suddenl y Lar a knew what had t o be done.
" Don' t wor r y, " she sai d. " I ' l l t ake car e of i t . "
I n t he mi ddl e of supper t hat eveni ng Lar a sai d, " Gent l emen, woul d you
l i st en t o me, pl ease?" The conver sat i ons st opped. They wer e al l
wat chi ng her . " My f at her has had a. . . a l i t t l e di zzy spel l . He' s i n
t he hospi t al .
They want t o keep hi munder obser vat i on f or a bi t . So, unt i l he comes
back, I ' l l be col l ect i ng t he r ent s. Af t er supper I ' l l wai t f or you i n
t he par l or . "
" I s he goi ng t o be al l r i ght ?" one of t he boar der s asked.
" Oh, yes, " Lar a sai d wi t h a f or ced smi l e. " I t ' s not hi ng ser i ous. "
Af t er supper t he men came i nt o t he par l or and handed Lar a t hei r week' s
r ent .
" I hope your f at her r ecover s soon, chi l d. . . "
" I f t her e' s anyt hi ng I can do, l et me know. . . "
" You' r e a br aw l assi e t o do t hi s f or your f at her . . . "
" What about t he ot her boar di nghouses?" Ber t ha asked Lar a. " He has t o
col l ect f r omf our mor e. "
" I know, " Lar a sai d. " I f you' l l t ake car e of t he di shes, I ' l l go
col l ect t he r ent s. "
Ber t ha l ooked at her dubi ousl y. " I wi sh you l uck. "
I t was easi er t han Lar a had expect ed. Most of t he boar der s wer e
sympat het i c and happy t o hel p out t he young gi r l .
Ear l y t he f ol l owi ng mor ni ng Lar a t ook t he r ent envel opes and went t o
see Sean MacAl l i st er . The banker was seat ed i n hi s of f i ce when Lar a
wal ked i n.
" My secr et ar y sai d you want ed t o see me. "
" Yes, si r . "
MacAl l i st er st udi ed t he scr awny, unkempt gi r l st andi ng bef or e hi m.
" You' r e J ames Camer on' s daught er , ar en' t you?"
" Yes, si r . "
" Sar ah. "
" Lar a. "
" Sor r y t o hear about your f at her , " MacAl l i st er sai d.
Ther e was no sympat hy i n hi s voi ce. " I ' l l have t o make ot her
ar r angement s, of cour se, now t hat your f at her ' s t oo i l l t o car r y out
hi s j ob. I . . . "
" Oh, no, si r ! " Lar a sai d qui ckl y. " He asked me t o handl e i t f or
hi m. "
" You?"
" Yes, " " I ' maf r ai d t hat won' t . . . "
Lar a put t he envel opes on hi s desk. " Her e ar e t hi s week' s r ent s. "
MacAl l i st er l ooked at her , sur pr i sed. " Al l of t hem?"
She nodded.
" And you col l ect ed t hem?"
" Yes, si r . And I ' l l do i t ever y week unt i l Papa get s bet t er . "
" I see. " He opened t he envel opes and car ef ul l y count ed t he money.
Lar a wat ched hi ment er t he amount i n a l ar ge gr een l edger .
For some t i me now MacAl l i st er had i nt ended t o r epl ace J ames Camer on
because of hi s dr unkenness and er r at i c per f or mance, and now he saw hi s
oppor t uni t y t o get r i d of t he f ami l y.
He was sur e t hat t he young gi r l i n f r ont of hi mwoul d not be abl e t o
car r y out her f at her ' s dut i es, but at t he same t i me he r eal i zed what
t he t own' s r eact i on woul d be i f he t hr ew J ames Camer on and hi s daught er
out of t he boar di nghouse i nt o t he st r eet . He made hi s deci si on.
" I ' l l t r y you f or one mont h, " he sai d. " At t he end of t hat t i me we' l l
see wher e we st and. "
" Thank you, Mr . MacAl l i st er . Thank you ver y much. "
" Wai t . " He handed Lar a t went y- f i ve dol l ar s. " Thi s i s your s. "
Lar a hel d t he money i n her hand, and i t was l i ke a t ast e of f r eedom.
I t was t he f i r st t i me she had ever been pai d f or what she had done.
Fr omt he bank, Lar a went t o t he hospi t al . Dr . Duncan was j ust comi ng
out of her f at her ' s r oom. Lar a f el t a sudden sense of pani c. " He
i sn' t . . . ?"
" No. . . no. . . he' s goi ng t o be al l r i ght , Lar a. " He hesi t at ed. " When I
say ' al l r i ght , ' I mean he i s not goi ng t o di e. . . not yet , at
l east . . .
but he i s goi ng t o have t o st ay i n bed f or a f ew weeks. He' l l need
someone t o t ake car e " I ' l l t ake car e of hi m, " Lar a sai d.
He l ooked at her and sai d, sof t l y, " Your f at her doesn' t know i t , my
dear , but he' s a ver y l ucky man. "
" May I go i n and see hi mnow?"
" Yes. "
Lar a wal ked i nt o her f at her ' s r oomand st ood t her e st ar i ng at hi m.
J ames Camer on l ay i n bed, l ooki ng pal e and hel pl ess, and he suddenl y
seemed ver y ol d. Lar a was engul f ed by a wave of t ender ness. She was
f i nal l y goi ng t o be abl e t o do somet hi ng f or her f at her , somet hi ng t hat
woul d make hi mappr eci at e her and l ove her . She appr oached t he bed.
" Papa. . . "
He l ooked up and mut t er ed, " What t he bl ui dy hel l ar e you doi n' her e?
You' ve wor k t o dae at t he boar di n' house. "
Lar a f r oze. " I . . . I know, Papa. I j ust want ed t o t el l you t hat I saw
Mr . MacAl l i st er . I t ol d hi mI woul d col l ect t he r ent s unt i l you got
bet t er and. . . "
" Ye col l ect t he r ent s? Di nna make me l augh. " He was shaken wi t h a
sudden spasm. When he spoke agai n, hi s voi ce was weak. " I t ' s t he
Fat es, " he moaned. " I ' mgang t o be t hr own oot i nt o t he st r eet s. "
He was not even t hi nki ng about what woul d happen t o her . Lar a st ood
t her e l ooki ng at hi mf or a l ong t i me.
Then she t ur ned and wal ked out .
J ames Camer on was br ought home t hr ee days l at er , and put t o bed.
" You' r e not t o get out of bed f or t he next coupl e of weeks, " Dr .
Duncan t ol d hi m. " I ' l l come back and check on you i n a day or t wo. "
" I canna st ay i n bed, " J ames Camer on pr ot est ed. " I ' ma busy mon. I
have a l ot t o dae. "
The doct or l ooked at hi mand sai d, qui et l y, " You have a choi ce. You
can ei t her st ay i n bed and l i ve, or get up and di e. "
MacAl l i st er ' s boar der s wer e, at f i r st , del i ght ed t o see t he i nnocent
young gi r l come ar ound t o col l ect t hei r r ent s.
But when t he novel t y wor e of f , t hey had a myr i ad of excuses: " I was
si ck t hi s week, and I had medi cal bi l l s. . . "
" My son sends me money ever y week, but t he mai l ' s been del ayed. . . "
" I had t o buy some equi pment . . . "
" I ' l l have t he money f or you next week f or sur e .
But t he young gi r l was f i ght i ng f or her l i f e. She l i st ened pol i t el y
and sai d, " I ' mso sor r y, but Mr . MacAl l i st er says t hat t he money i s
due t oday, and i f you don' t have i t , you' l l have t o vacat e
i mmedi at el y. "
And somehow, t hey al l managed t o come up wi t h t he money.
Lar a was i nf l exi bl e.
" I t was easi er deal i ng wi t h your f at her , " one of t he boar der s
gr umbl ed.
" He was al ways wi l l i ng t o wai t a f ew days. "
But i n t he end t hey had t o admi r e t he young gi r l ' s spunk.
I f Lar a had t hought t hat her f at her ' s i l l ness woul d br i ng hi mcl oser t o
her , she was sadl y mi st aken. Lar a t r i ed t o ant i ci pat e hi s ever y need,
but t he mor e sol i ci t ous she was, t he mor e badl y he behaved.
She br ought hi mf r esh f l ower s ever y day, and l i t t l e t r eat s.
cr i ed. " St op hover i n' aboot .
Hae you nae wor k t o dae?"
I j ust t hought you' d l i ke. . . "
" Dot ! " He t ur ned hi s f ace t o t he wal l .
I hat e hi m, Lar a t hought . I hat e hi m.
At t he end of t he mont h, when Lar a wal ked i nt o Sean MacAl l i st er ' s
of f i ce wi t h t he envel opes f i l l ed wi t h r ent money, and he had f i ni shed
count i ng i t , he sai d, " I don' t mi nd admi t t i ng, young l ady, t hat you' ve
been qui t e a sur pr i se t o me. You' ve done bet t er t han your f at her . "
The wor ds wer e t hr i l l i ng. " Thank you. "
" As a mat t er of f act , t hi s i s t he f i r st mont h t hat ever ybody has pai d
on t i me i n f ul l . "
" Then my f at her and I can st ay on at t he boar di nghouse?" Lar a asked
eager l y.
MacAl l i st er st udi ed her a moment . " I suppose so. You must l ove your
f at her ver y much. "
" I ' l l see you next Sat ur day, Mr . MacAl l i st er . "
Chapt er Fi ve.
sevent een, t he spi ndl y, gaunt l i t t l e gi r l had gr own i nt o a woman. Her
f ace bor e t he i mpr i nt of her Scot t i sh f or ebear s: t he gl eami ng ski n, t he
ar ched, f i ne eyebr ows, t he t hunder cl oud gr ay eyes, t he st or my bl ack
hai r . And i n addi t i on, t her e was a st r ai n of mel anchol y t hat seemed t o
hover ar ound her , t he bl eed- t hr ough of a peopl e' s t r agi c hi st or y. I t
was har d t o l ook away f r omLar a Camer on' s f ace.
Most of t he boar der s wer e wi t hout women, except f or t he compani ons t hey
pai d f or at MadamKi r st i e' s and some of t he ot her houses of
pr ost i t ut i on, and t he beaut i f ul young gi r l was a nat ur al t ar get f or
t hem. One of t he men woul d cor ner her i n t he ki t chen or i n hi s bedr oom
when she was cl eani ng i t and say, " Why don' t you be ni ce t o me, Lar a?
I coul d do a l ot f or you. "
Or , " You don' t have a boyf r i end, do you? Let me show you what a man i s
l i ke. "
Or , " How woul d you l i ke t o go t o Kansas Ci t y? I ' ml eavi ng next week,
and I ' d be gl ad t o t ake you wi t h me. "
Af t er one or anot her of t he boar der s had t r i ed t o per suade Lar a t o go
t o bed wi t h hi m, she woul d wal k i nt o t he smal l r oomwher e her f at her
l ay hel pl ess, and say, " You wer e wr ong, Fat her . Al l t he men want
me. "
And she woul d wal k out , l eavi ng hi mst ar i ng af t er her .
J ames Camer on di ed on an ear l y mor ni ng i n spr i ng, and Lar a bur i ed hi m
at t he Gr eenwood Cemet er y i n t he Passi ondal e ar ea. The onl y ot her
per son at t he f uner al was Ber t ha. Ther e wer e no t ear s.
A new boar der moved i n, an Amer i can named Bi l l Roger s. He was i n hi s
sevent i es, bal d and f at , an af f abl e man who l i ked t o t al k. Af t er
supper he woul d si t and chat wi t h Lar a. " You' r e t oo damned pr et t y t o
be st uck i n a hi ck t own l i ke t hi s, " he advi sed her . " You shoul d go t o
Chi cago or New Yor k. Bi g t i me. "
" I wi l l one day, " Lar a sai d.
" You' ve got your whol e l i f e ahead of you. Do you know what you want t o
do wi t h i t ?"
" I want t o own t hi ngs. "
" Ah, pr et t y cl ot hes and. . . "
" No. Land. I want t o own l and. My f at her never owned anyt hi ng. He
had t o l i ve of f ot her peopl e' s f avor s al l hi s l i f e. "
Bi l l Roger s' s f ace l i t up. " Real est at e was t he busi ness I was i n. "
" Real l y?"
" I had bui l di ngs al l over t he Mi dwest . I even had a chai n of hot el s
once. " Hi s t one was wi st f ul .
" What happened?"
He shr ugged. " I got gr eedy. Lost i t al l . But i t was sur e f un whi l e
i t l ast ed. "
Af t er t hat t hey t al ked about r eal est at e al most ever y ni ght .
" The f i r st r ul e i n r eal est at e, " Roger s t ol d her , " i s 0PM. Never
f or get t hat . "
" What ' s 0PM?"
" Ot her peopl e' s money. What makes r eal est at e a gr eat busi ness i s t hat
t he gover nment l et s you t ake deduct i ons on i nt er est and depr eci at i on
whi l e your asset s keep gr owi ng. The t hr ee most i mpor t ant t hi ngs i n
r eal est at e ar e l ocat i on, l ocat i on, and l ocat i on. A beaut i f ul bui l di ng
up on a hi l l i s a wast e of t i me. An ugl y bui l di ng downt own wi l l make
you r i ch. "
Roger s t aught Lar a about mor t gages and r ef i nanci ng and t he use of bank
l oans. Lar a l i st ened and l ear ned and r emember ed. She was l i ke a
sponge, eager l y soaki ng up ever y bi t of i nf or mat i on.
The most meani ngf ul t hi ng Roger s sai d t o her was: " You know, Gl ace Bay
has a bi g housi ng shor t age. I t ' s a gr eat oppor t uni t y f or someone. I f
I wer e t went y year s younger . . .
Fr omt hat moment on Lar a l ooked at Gl ace Bay wi t h di f f er ent eyes,
vi sual i zi ng of f i ce bui l di ngs and homes on vacant l ot s. I t was
exci t i ng, and i t was f r ust r at i ng.
Her dr eams wer e t her e, but she had no money t o car r y t hemout .
The day Bi l l Roger s l ef t t own he sai d, " Remember ot her peopl e' s money.
Good l uck, ki d. "
A week l at er Char l es Col i n moved i nt o t he boar di nghouse. He was a
smal l man i n hi s si xt i es, neat and t r i mand wel l dr essed. He sat at
t he supper t abl e wi t h t he ot her boar der s but sai d ver y l i t t l e. He
seemed cocooned i n hi s own pr i vat e wor l d.
He wat ched Lar a as she wor ked ar ound t he boar di nghouse, smi l i ng, never
compl ai ni ng.
" How l ong do you pl an t o st ay wi t h us?" Lar a asked Col i n.
" I ' mnot sur e. I t coul d be a week or a mont h or t wo. . . "
Char l es Col i n was a puzzl e t o Lar a. He di d not f i t i n wi t h t he ot her
boar der s at al l . She t r i ed t o i magi ne what he di d. He was cer t ai nl y
not a mi ner or a f i sher man, and he di d not l ook l i ke a mer chant . He
seemed super i or t o t he ot her boar der s, bet t er educat ed. He t ol d Lar a
t hat he had t r i ed t o get i nt o t he one hot el i n t own but t hat i t was
f ul l . Lar a not i ced t hat at meal t i mes he at e al most not hi ng.
" I f you have a l i t t l e f r ui t , " he woul d say, apol oget i cal l y, " or some
veget abl es. . . "
" Ar e you on some speci al ki nd of di et ?" Lar a asked.
" I n a way. I eat onl y kosher f ood, and I ' maf r ai d Gl ace Bay doesn' t
have any. "
The next eveni ng, when Char l es Col i n sat down t o supper , a pl at e of
l amb chops was pl aced i n f r ont of hi m.
He l ooked up at Lar a i n sur pr i se. " I ' msor r y. I can' t eat t hi s, " he
sai d. " I t hought I expl ai ned. . . "
Lar a smi l ed. " You di d. Thi s i s kosher . "
" What ?"
" I f ound a kosher meat mar ket i n Sydney. The shochet t her e sol d me
t hi s. Enj oy i t . Your r ent i ncl udes t wo meal s a day. Tomor r ow you' r e
havi ng a st eak. "
Fr omt hat t i me on, whenever Lar a had a l r ee moment , Col i n made i t a
poi nt t o t al k t o her , t o dr aw her out . He was i mpr essed by her qui ck
i nt el l i gence and her i ndependent spi r i t .
One day Char l es Col i n conf i ded t o Lar a what he was doi ng i n Gl ace
Bay.
" I ' man execut i ve wi t h Cont i nent al Suppl i es. " I t was a f amous nat i onal
chai n. " I ' mher e t o f i nd a l ocat i on f or our new st or e. "
" That ' s exci t i ng, " Lar a sai d. I knew he was i n Gl ace Bay f or some
i mpor t ant r eason. " You' r e goi ng t o put up a bui l di ng?"
" No. We' l l f i nd someone el se t o do t hat . We j ust l ease our
bui l di ngs. "
At t hr ee o' cl ock i n t he mor ni ng Lar a awakened out of a sound sl eep and
sat up i n bed, her hear t poundi ng wi l dl y. Had i t been a dr eam? No.
Her mi nd was r aci ng.
She was t oo exci t ed t o go back t o sl eep.
When Char l es Col i n came out of hi s r oomf or br eakf ast , Lar a was wai t i ng
f or hi m.
" Mr . Col i n. . . I know a gr eat pl ace, " she bl ur t ed out .
He st ar ed at her , puzzl ed. " What ?"
" For t he l ocat i on you' r e l ooki ng f or . "
" Oh? Wher e?"
Lar a evaded t he quest i on. " Let me ask you somet hi ng. I f I owned a
l ocat i on t hat you l i ked, and i f I put up a bui l di ng on i t , woul d you
agr ee t o l ease i t f r omme f or f i ve year s?"
He shook hi s head. " That ' s a r at her hypot het i cal quest i on, i sn' t
i t ?"
" Woul d you?" Lar a per si st ed.
" Lar a, what do you know about put t i ng up a bui l di ng?"
" I woul dn' t be put t i ng i t up, " she sai d. " I ' d hi r e an ar chi t ect and a
good const r uct i on f i r mt o do t hat . "
Char l es Col i n was wat chi ng her cl osel y. " I see. And wher e i s t hi s
wonder f ul pi ece of l and?"
" I ' l l show i t t o you, " Lar a sai d. " Bel i eve me, you' r e goi ng t o l ove
i t . I t ' s per f ect . "
Af t er br eakf ast Lar a t ook Char l es Col i n downt own.
At t he cor ner of Mai n and Commer ci al st r eet s i n t he cent er of Gl ace Bay
was a vacant squar e bl ock. I t was a si t e Col i n had exami ned t wo days
ear l i er .
" Thi s i s t he l ocat i on I had i n mi nd, " Lar a sai d.
Col i n st ood t her e, pr et endi ng t o st udy i t . " You have an ahf - a nose.
I t ' s a ver y good l ocat i on. "
He had al r eady made di scr eet i nqui r i es and l ear ned t hat t he pr oper t y
was owned by a banker , Sean MacAl l i st er . Col i n' s assi gnment was t o
l ocat e a si t e, ar r ange f or someone t o const r uct t he bui l di ng, and t hen
l ease i t f r omt hem. I t woul d not mat t er t o t he company who put up t he
bui l di ng as l ong as i t s speci f i cat i ons wer e met .
Col i n was st udyi ng Lar a. She' s t oo young, he t hought .
I t ' s a f ool i sh i dea. A nd yet . . . " I f ound a kosher meat mar ket i n
Sydney. . . Tomor r ow you' r e havi ng a st eak. " She had such
r achmones- compassi on.
Lar a was sayi ng, exci t edl y, " I f I coul d acqui r e t hi s l and and put up a
bui l di ng t o meet your speci f i cat i ons, woul d you gi ve me a f i ve- year
l ease?"
He paused, and t hen sai d sl owl y, " No, Lar a. I t woul d have t o be a
t en- year l ease. "
That af t er noon Lar a went t o see Sean MacAl l i st er .
He l ooked up i n sur pr i se as she wal ked i nt o hi s of f i ce.
" You' r e a f ew days ear l y, Lar a. Today' s onl y Wednesday. "
" I know. I want t o ask a f avor , Mr . MacAl l i st er . "
Sean MacAl l i st er sat t her e, wat chi ng her . She has r eal l y t ur ned i nt o a
beaut i f ul - l ooki ng gi r l . Not a gi r l , a woman. He coul d see t he swel l
of her br east s agai nst t he cot t on bl ouse she was wear i ng.
" Si t down, my dear . What can I do f or you?"
Lar a was t oo exci t ed t o si t . " I want t o t ake out a l oan. "
I t t ook hi mby sur pr i se. " What ?"
" I ' d l i ke t o bor r ow some money. "
He smi l ed i ndul gent l y. " I don' t see why not . I f you need a new dr ess
or somet hi ng, I ' l l be happy t o advance. . . "
" I want t o bor r ow t wo hundr ed t housand dol l ar s. "
MacAl l i st er ' s smi l e di ed. " I s t hi s some ki nd of j oke?"
" No, si r . " Lar a l eaned f or war d and sai d ear nest l y, " Ther e' s a pi ece of
l and I want t o buy t o put up a bui l di ng.
I have an i mpor t ant t enant who' s wi l l i ng t o gi ve me a t en- year l ease.
That wi l l guar ant ee t he cost of t he l and and t he bui l di ng. "
MacAl l i st er was st udyi ng her , f r owni ng. " Have you di scussed t hi s wi t h
t he owner of t he l and?"
" I ' mdi scussi ng i t wi t h hi mnow, " Lar a sai d.
I t t ook a moment f or i t t o si nk i n. " Wai t a mi nut e.
Ar e you t el l i ng me t hat t hi s i s l and t hat I own?"
" Yes. I t ' s t he l ot on t he cor ner of Mai n and Commer ci al st r eet s. "
" You came her e t o bor r ow money f r omme t o buy my l and?"
" That l ot i s wor t h no mor e t han t went y t housand dol l ar s. I checked.
I ' mof f er i ng you t hi r t y. You' l l make a pr of i t of t en t housand dol l ar s
on t he l and pl us i nt er est on t wo hundr ed t housand dol l ar s you' r e goi ng
t o l oan me t o put up t he bui l di ng. "
MacAl l i st er shook hi s head. " You' r e aski ng me t o l oan you t wo hundr ed
t housand dol l ar s wi t h no secur i t y.
I t ' s out of t he quest i on. "
Lar a l eaned f or war d. " Ther e i s secur i t y. You' l l hol d t he mor t gage on
t he bui l di ng and t he l and. You can' t l ose. "
MacAl l i st er sat t her e st udyi ng her , t ur ni ng her pr oposal over i n hi s
mi nd. He smi l ed. " You know, " he sai d, " you have a l ot of ner ve. But
I coul d never expl ai n a l oan l i ke t hat t o my boar d of di r ect or s. "
" You have no boar d of di r ect or s, " Lar a t ol d hi m.
The smi l e t ur ned t o a gr i n. " Tr ue. "
Lar a l eaned f or war d, and he coul d see her br east s t ouchi ng t he edge of
hi s desk.
" I f you say yes, Mr . MacAl l i st er , you' l l never r egr et i t . I
pr omi se. "
He coul d not t ake hi s eyes of f her br east s. " You' r e not a bi t l i ke
your f at her , ar e you?"
" No, si r . " Not hi ng l i ke hi m, Lar a t hought f i er cel y.
" Supposi ng f or t he sake of ar gument , " MacAl l i st er sai d car ef ul l y, " t hat
I was i nt er est ed. Who i s t hi s t enant of your s?"
" Hi s name i s Char l es Col i n. He' s an execut i ve wi t h Cont i nent al
Suppl i es. "
" The chai n st or e?"
" Yes. "
MacAl l i st er was suddenl y ver y i nt er est ed.
Lar a went on. " They want t o have a bi g st or e bui l t her e t o suppl y t he
mi ner s and l umber men wi t h equi pment . "
To MacAl l i st er , i t had t he smel l of i nst ant success.
" Wher e di d you meet t hi s man?" he asked casual l y.
" He' s st ayi ng at t he boar di nghouse. "
" I see. Let me t hi nk about i t , Lar a. We' l l di scuss i t agai n
t omor r ow. "
Lar a was al most t r embl i ng wi t h exci t ement . " Thank you, Mr .
MacAl l i st er . You won' t be sor r y. "
He smi l ed. " No, I don' t t hi nk I wi l l be. "
That af t er noon Sean MacAl l i st er went t o t he boar di nghouse t o meet
Char l es Col i n.
" I j ust dr opped by t o wel come you t o Gl ace Bay, " MacAl l i st er sai d.
" I ' mSean MacAl l i st er . I own t he bank her e. I hear d you wer e i n
t own.
But you shoul dn' t be st ayi ng at my boar di nghouse; you shoul d be st ayi ng
at my hot el . I t ' s much mor e comf or t abl e. "
" I t was f ul l , " Mr . Col i n expl ai ned.
" That ' s because we di dn' t know who you wer e. "
Mr . Col i n sai d pl easant l y, " Who amI ?"
Sean MacAl l i st er smi l ed. " We don' t have t o pl ay games, Mr . Col i n.
Wor d get s ar ound. I under st and t hat you' r e i nt er est ed i n l easi ng a
bui l di ng t o be put up on a pr oper t y I own. "
" What pr oper t y woul d t hat be?"
" The l ot at Mai n and Commer ci al . I t ' s a gr eat l ocat i on, i sn' t i t ? I
don' t t hi nk we' l l have any pr obl emmaki ng a deal . "
" I al r eady have a deal wi t h someone. "
Sean MacAl l i st er l aughed. " Lar a? She' s a pr et t y l i t t l e t hi ng, i sn' t
she? Why don' t you come down t o t he bank wi t h me and we' l l dr aw up a
cont r act ?"
" I don' t t hi nk you under st and, Mr . MacAl l i st er . I sai d I al r eady have
a deal . "
" I don' t t hi nk you under st and, Mr . Col i n. Lar a doesn' t own t hat
l and.
I do. "
" She' s t r yi ng t o buy i t f r omyou, i sn' t she?"
" Yes. I don' t have t o sel l i t t o her . "
" And I don' t have t o use t hat l ot . I ' ve seen t hr ee ot her l ot s t hat
wi l l do j ust as ni cel y. Thanks f or dr oppi ng by. "
Sean MacAl l i st er l ooked at hi mf or a l ong moment .
" You mean. . . you' r e ser i ous?"
" Ver y. I never go i nt o a deal t hat ' s not kosher , and I never br eak my
wor d. "
" But Lar a doesn' t know anyt hi ng about bui l di ng.
She. . . "
" She pl ans t o f i nd peopl e who do. Nat ur al l y, we' l l have f i nal
appr oval . "
The banker was t hought f ul . " Do I under st and t hat Cont i nent al Suppl i es
i s wi l l i ng t o si gn a t en- year l ease?"
" That ' s cor r ect . "
" I see. Wel l , under t he ci r cumst ances, I . . . l et me t hi nk about i t . "
When Lar a ar r i ved at t he boar di nghouse, Char l es Col i n t ol d her about
hi s conver sat i on wi t h t he banker .
Lar a was upset . " You mean Mr . MacAl l i st er went behi nd my back
and. . . ?"
" Don' t wor r y, " Col i n assur ed her , " he' l l make t he deal wi t h you. "
" Do you r eal l y t hi nk so?"
" He' s a banker . He' s i n busi ness t o make a pr of i t . "
" What about you? Why ar e you doi ng t hi s f or me?"
Lar a asked.
He had asked hi msel f t he same quest i on. Because you' r e achi ngl y young,
he t hought . Because you don' t bel ong i n t hi s t own. Because I wi sh I
had a daught er l i ke you.
But he sai d none of t hose t hi ngs.
" I have not hi ng t o l ose, Lar a. I f ound some ot her l ocat i ons t hat woul d
ser ve j ust as wel l . I f you can acqui r e t hi s l and, I ' d l i ke t o do t hi s
f or you. I t doesn' t mat t er t o my company who I deal wi t h. I f you get
your l oan, and I appr ove your bui l der , we' r e i n busi ness. "
A f eel i ng of el at i on swept over Lar a. " I . . . I don' t know how t o t hank
you. I ' l l go t o see Mr . MacAl l i st er and. . . "
" I woul dn' t i f I wer e you, " Col i n advi sed her . " Let hi mcome t o
you. "
She l ooked wor r i ed. " But what i f he doesn' t . . . ?"
Col i n smi l ed. " He wi l l . "
He handed her a pr i nt ed l ease. " Her e' s t he t en- year l ease we
di scussed. I t ' s cont i ngent , you under st and, on your meet i ng al l our
r equi r ement s f or t he bui l di ng. " He handed her a set of bl uepr i nt s.
" These ar e our speci f i cat i ons. "
Lar a spent t he ni ght st udyi ng t he pages of dr awi ngs and i nst r uct i ons.
The f ol l owi ng mor ni ng Sean MacAl l i st er t el ephoned Lar a.
" Can you come down t o see me, Lar a?"
Her hear t was poundi ng. " I ' l l be t her e i n f i f t een mi nut es. "
He was wai t i ng f or her .
" I ' ve been t hi nki ng about our conver sat i on, " MacAl l i st er sai d. " I
woul d need a wr i t t en agr eement f or a t en- year l ease f r omMr . Col i n. "
" I al r eady have i t , " Lar a sai d. She opened her bag and t ook out t he
cont r act .
Sean MacAl l i st er exami ned i t car ef ul l y. " I t seems t o be i n or der . "
" Then we have a deal ?" Lar a asked. She was hol di ng her br eat h.
MacAl l i st er shook hi s head. " No. "
" But I t hought . . . "
Hi s f i nger s wer e dr ummi ng r est l essl y on hi s desk.
" To t el l you t he t r ut h, I ' mr eal l y i n no hur r y t o sel l t hat l ot ,
Lar a.
The l onger I hol d on t o i t , t he mor e val uabl e i t wi l l become. "
She l ooked at hi mbl ankl y. " But you. . . "
" Your r equest i s compl et el y unor t hodox. You' ve had no exper i ence. I
woul d need a ver y speci al r eason t o make t hi s l oan t o you. "
" I don' t under . . . what ki nd of r eason?"
" Let ' s say. . . a l i t t l e bonus. Tel l me, Lar a, have you ever had a
l over ?"
The quest i on caught her compl et el y of f - guar d.
" I . . . no. " She coul d f eel t he deal sl i ppi ng away f r omher . " What does
t hat have. . . ?"
MacAl l i st er l eaned f or war d. " I ' mgoi ng t o be f r ank wi t h you, Lar a. I
f i nd you ver y at t r act i ve. I ' d l i ke t o go t o bed wi t h you. Qui d pr o
quo. That means. . .
" I know what i t means. " Her f ace had t ur ned t o st one.
" Look at i t t hi s way. Thi s i s your chance t o make somet hi ng of
your sel f , i sn' t i t ? To own somet hi ng, t o be somebody. To pr ove t o
your sel f t hat you' r e not l i ke your f at her . "
Lar a' s mi nd was spi nni ng.
" You' l l pr obabl y never have anot her chance l i ke t hi s agai n, Lar a.
Per haps you' d l i ke some t i me t o t hi nk i t over , and. . . "
" No. " Her voi ce sounded hol l ow i n her own ear s.
" I can gi ve you my answer now. " She pr essed her ar ms t i ght l y agai nst
her si des t o st op her body f r omt r embl i ng. Her whol e f ut ur e, her ver y
l i f e, hung on her next wor ds.
" I ' l l go t o bed wi t h you. "
Gr i nni ng, MacAl l i st er r ose and moved t owar d her , hi s f at ar ms
out st r et ched.
" Not now, " Lar a sai d. " Af t er I see t he cont r act . "
The f ol l owi ng day Sean MacAl l i st er handed Lar a a cont r act f or t he bank
l oan.
" I t ' s a ver y si mpl e cont r act , my dear . I t ' s a t en- year
t wo- hundr ed- t housand- dol l ar l oan at ei ght per cent . " He gave her a
pen.
" You can j ust si gn her e on t he l ast page. "
" I f you don' t mi nd, I ' d l i ke t o r ead i t f i r st , " Lar a sai d.
She l ooked at her wat ch. " But I don' t have t i me now. May I t ake i t
wi t h me? I ' l l br i ng i t back t omor r ow. "
Sean MacAl l i st er shr ugged. " Ver y wel l . " He l ower ed hi s voi ce. " About
our l i t t l e dat e. Next Sat ur day I have t o go i nt o Hal i f ax. I t hought
we mi ght go t her e t oget her . "
Lar a l ooked at hi s l eer i ng smi l e and f el t si ck t o her st omach. " Al l
r i ght . " I t was a whi sper .
" Good. You si gn t he cont r act and br i ng i t back and we' r e i n
busi ness. "
He was t hought f ul f or a moment .
" You' r e goi ng t o need a good bui l der . Ar e you f ami l i ar wi t h t he Nova
Scot i a Const r uct i on Company?"
Lar a' s f ace l i t up. " Yes. I know t hei r f or eman, Buzz St eel e. "
He had put up some of t he bi ggest bui l di ngs i n Gl ace Bay.
" Good. I t ' s a f i ne out f i t . I woul d r ecommend t hem. "
" I ' l l t al k t o Buzz t omor r ow. "
That eveni ng Lar a showed t he cont r act t o Char l es Col i n. She di d not
dar e t el l hi mabout t he pr i vat e deal she had made wi t h MacAl l i st er .
She was t oo ashamed.
Col i n r ead t he cont r act car ef ul l y, and when he f i ni shed, he handed i t
back t o Lar a. " I woul d advi se you not t o si gn t hi s. "
She was di smayed. " Why?"
" Ther e' s a cl ause i n t her e t hat st i pul at es t hat t he bui l di ng must be
compl et ed by December t hi r t y- f i r st , or t i t l e r ever t s t o t he bank. I n
ot her wor ds, t he bui l di ng wi l l bel ong t o MacAl l i st er , and my company
wi l l become hi s t enant . You f or f ei t t he deal and ar e st i l l obl i gat ed
t o r epay t he l oan wi t h i nt er est . Ask hi mt o change t hat . "
MacAl l i st er ' s wor ds r ang i n Lar a' s ear s. " I ' mr eal l y i n no hur r y t o
sel l t hat l ot . The l onger I hol d on t o i t , t he mor e val uabl e i t wi l l
become. "
Lar a shook her head. " He won' t . "
" Then you' r e t aki ng a bi g gambl e, Lar a. You coul d wi nd up wi t h
not hi ng, and a debt of t wo hundr ed t housand dol l ar s pl us i nt er est . "
" But i f I br i ng t he bui l di ng i n on t i me. . . "
" That ' s a bi g ' i f . " When you put up a bui l di ng, you' r e at t he mer cy of
a l ot of ot her peopl e. You' d be sur pr i sed at t he number of t hi ngs t hat
can go wr ong. "
" Ther e' s a ver y good const r uct i on company i n Sydney. They' ve put up a
l ot of bui l di ngs ar ound her e. I know t he f or eman. I f he says he can
have t he bui l di ng up i n t i me, I want t o go ahead. "
I t was t he desper at e eager ness i n Lar a' s voi ce t hat made hi mput asi de
hi s doubt s. " Al l r i ght , " he f i nal l y sai d, " t al k t o hi m. "
Lar a f ound Buzz St eel e wal ki ng t he gi r der s of a f i vest or y bui l di ng he
was er ect i ng i n Sydney. St eel e was a gr i zzl ed, weat her - beat en man i n
hi s f or t i es. He gr eet ed Lar a war ml y. " Thi s i s a ni ce sur pr i se, " he
sai d. " How di d t hey l et a pr et t y gi r l l i ke you get out of Gl ace
Bay?"
" I sneaked out , " Lar a t ol d hi m. " I have a j ob f or you, Mr . St eel e. "
He smi l ed. " You do? What ar e we bui l di ng- a dol l house?"
" No. " She pul l ed out t he bl uepr i nt s Char l es Col i n had gi ven her .
" Thi s i s t he bui l di ng. "
Buzz St eel e st udi ed i t a moment . He l ooked up, sur pr i sed. " Thi s i s a
pr et t y bi g j ob. What does i t have t o do wi t h you?"
" I put t he deal t oget her , " Lar a sai d pr oudl y. " I ' mgoi ng t o own t he
bui l di ng. "
St eel e whi st l ed sof t l y. " Wel l , good f or you, honey. "
" Ther e ar e t wo cat ches. "
" Oh?"
" The bui l di ng has t o be f i ni shed by December t hi r t yf i r st or i t r ever t s
t o t he bank, and t he bui l di ng can' t cost mor e t han one hundr ed sevent y
t housand dol l ar s. Can i t be done?"
St eel e l ooked at t he bl uepr i nt s agai n. Lar a wat ched hi msi l ent l y
cal cul at i ng.
Fi nal l y he spoke. " I t can be done. "
I t was al l Lar a coul d do not t o shout out l oud.
" Then you' ve got a deal . "
They shook hands. " You' r e t he pr et t i est boss I ' ve ever had, " Buzz
St eel e sai d.
" Thank you. How soon can you get st ar t ed?"
" Tel l you what . I ' l l go i nt o Gl ace Bay t omor r ow t o l ook over t he
l ot .
I ' mgoi ng t o gi ve you a bui l di ng you' l l be pr oud of . "
When Lar a l ef t , she f el t t hat she had wi ngs.
Lar a r et ur ned t o Gl ace Bay and t ol d Char l es Col i n t he news.
" Ar e you sur e t hi s company i s r el i abl e, Lar a?"
" I know i t i s, " Lar a assur ed hi m. " They' ve put up bui l di ngs her e and
i n Sydney and Hal i f ax and. . . "
Her ent husi asmwas cont agi ous.
Col i n smi l ed. " Wel l , t hen, i t l ooks l i ke we' r e i n busi ness. "
" I t does, doesn' t i t ?" Lar a beamed. And t hen she r emember ed t he deal
she had made wi t h Sean MacAl l i st er , and her smi l e f aded. " Next
Sat ur day I have t o go i nt o Hal i f ax. I t hought we mi ght go t her e
t oget her . " Sat ur day was onl y t wo days away.
* * Lar a si gned t he cont r act s t he f ol l owi ng mor ni ng. As Sean
MacAl l i st er wat ched her l eave t he of f i ce, he was ver y pl eased wi t h
hi msel f . He had no i nt ent i on of l et t i ng her have t he new bui l di ng.
And he al most l aughed al oud at her nai vet e. He woul d l oan her t he
money, but he woul d r eal l y be l oani ng i t t o hi msel f . He t hought about
maki ng l ove t o t hat wonder f ul young body, and he began t o get an
er ect i on.
Lar a had been t o Hal i f ax onl y t wi ce. Compar ed t o Gl ace Bay, i t was a
bust l i ng t own, f ul l of pedest r i ans and aut omobi l es and shops cr ammed
wi t h mer chandi se. Sean MacAl l i st er dr ove Lar a t o a mot el on t he
out ski r t s of t own. He pul l ed i nt o t he par ki ng l ot and pat t ed her on
t he knee. " You wai t her e whi l e I r egi st er f or us, honey. "
Lar a sat i n t he car , wai t i ng, pani cky. I ' msel l i ng mysel f , she
t hought . Li ke a whor e. But i t ' s al l I ' ve got t o sel l , and at l east he
t hi nks I ' mwor t h t wo hundr ed t housand dol l ar s. My f at her never saw t wo
hundr ed t housand dol l ar s i n hi s l i f e. He was al ways t oo. . .
The car door opened, and MacAl l i st er was st andi ng t her e, gr i nni ng.
" Al l set . Let ' s go. "
Lar a suddenl y f ound i t har d t o br eat he. Her hear t was poundi ng so har d
she t hought i t was goi ng t o f l y out of her chest . I ' mhavi ng a hear t
at t ack, she t hought .
" Lar a. . . " He was l ooki ng at her st r angel y. " Ar e you al l r i ght ?"
No. I ' mdyi ng. They' l l t ake me t o t he hospi t al , and I ' l l di e t her e.
A vi r gi n. " I ' mf i ne, " she sai d.
Sl owl y she got out of t he car and f ol l owed MacAl l i st er i nt o a dr ab
cabi n wi t h a bed, t wo chai r s, a bat t er ed dr essi ng t abl e, and a t i ny
bat hr oom.
She was caught up i n a ni ght mar e.
" So t hi s i s your f i r st t i me, eh?" MacAl l i st er sai d.
She t hought of t he boys at school who had f ondl ed her and ki ssed her
br east s and t r i ed t o put t hei r hands bet ween her l egs. " Yes, " she
sai d.
" Wel l , you must n' t be ner vous. Sex i s t he most nat ur al t hi ng i n t he
wor l d. "
Lar a wat ched as MacAl l i st er began t o st r i p of f hi s cl ot hes. Hi s body
was pudgy.
" Get undr essed, " MacAl l i st er or der ed.
Sl owl y Lar a t ook of f her bl ouse and ski r t and shoes.
She was wear i ng a br assi er e and pant i es.
MacAl l i st er l ooked at her f i gur e and wal ked over t o her . " You' r e
beaut i f ul , you know t hat , baby?"
She coul d f eel hi s mal e har dness pr essi ng agai nst her body.
MacAl l i st er ki ssed her on t he l i ps, and she f el t di sgust .
" Get t he r est of your cl ot hes of f , " he sai d ur gent l y.
He wal ked over t o t he bed and st r i pped of f hi s shor t s. Hi s peni s was
har d and r ed.
That wi l l never f i t i nsi de me, Lar a t hought . I t wi l l ki l l me.
" Hur r y up. "
Sl owl y Lar a t ook of f her br assi er e and st epped out of her pant i es.
" My God, " he sai d, " you' r e f ant ast i c. Come over her e. "
Lar a wal ked over t o t he bed and sat down. MacAl l i st er squeezed her
br east s har d, and she cr i ed al oud wi t h t he pai n.
" That f el t good, di dn' t i t ? I t ' s t i me you had your sel f a man. "
MacAl l i st er pushed her down on her back and spr ead her l egs.
Lar a was suddenl y pani cky. " I ' mnot wear i ng anyt hi ng, " she sai d. " I
mean. . . I coul d get pr egnant . "
" Don' t wor r y, " MacAl l i st er pr omi sed her , " I won' t come i nsi de you. "
An i nst ant l at er Lar a f el t hi mpushi ng i nsi de her , hur t i ng her .
" Wai t ! " she cr i ed. " I . . . "
MacAl l i st er was past t he wai t i ng. He r ammed hi msel f i nt o her , and t he
pai n was excr uci at i ng. He was poundi ng i nt o her body now, har der and
har der , and Lar a put her hand t o her mout h t o keep f r omscr eami ng. I t
wi l l be over i n a mi nut e, she t hought , and I ' l l own a bui l di ng. And I
can put up a second bui l di ng. And anot her . . .
The pai n was becomi ng unbear abl e.
" Move your ass, " MacAl l i st er cr i ed. " Don' t j ust l ay t her e. Move
i t ! "
She t r i ed t o move, but i t was i mpossi bl e. She was i n t oo much pai n.
Suddenl y MacAl l i st er gave a gasp, and Lar a f el t hi s body j er k. He l et
out a sat i sf i ed si gh and l ay l i mp agai nst her .
She was hor r i f i ed. " You sai d you woul dn' t . . . "
He l i f t ed hi msel f up on hi s el bows and sai d ear nest l y, " Dar l i ng, I
coul dn' t hel p i t , you' r e j ust so beaut i f ul . But don' t wor r y. I f you
get pr egnant , I know a doct or who' l l t ake car e of you. "
Lar a t ur ned her f ace away so he coul d not see her r evul si on. She
l i mped i nt o t he bat hr oom, sor e and bl eedi ng. She st ood i n t he shower ,
l et t i ng t he war mwat er wash over her body, and she t hought , I t ' s over
wi t h. I ' ve done i t . I own t he l and. I ' mgoi ng t o be r i ch.
Now al l she had t o do was get dr essed and go back t o Gl ace Bay and get
her bui l di ng st ar t ed.
She wal ked out of t he bat hr oom, and Sean MacAl l i st er sai d, " That was so
good we' r e goi ng t o do i t agai n. "
Chapt er Si x.
har l es Col i n had i nspect ed f i ve bui l di ngs er ect ed by t he Nova Scot i a
Const r uct i on Company.
" They' r e a f i r st - r at e out f i t , " he had t ol d Lar a. " You shoul dn' t have
any pr obl emwi t h t hem. "
Now Lar a, Char l es Col i n, and Buzz St eel e wer e i nspect i ng t he new
si t e.
" I t ' s per f ect , " Buzz St eel e sai d. " The measur ement s come t o
f or t y- t hr ee t housand f i ve hundr ed si xt y squar e f eet . That wi l l gi ve
you t he t went y- t housand- squar e- f oot bui l di ng you want . "
Char l es Col i n asked, " Can you have t he bui l di ng f i ni shed by December
t hi r t y- f i r st ?" He was det er mi ned t o pr ot ect Lar a.
" Sooner , " St eel e sai d. " I can pr omi se i t t o you by Chr i st mas Eve. "
Lar a was beami ng. " How soon can you get st ar t ed?"
" I ' l l have my cr ew her e by t he mi ddl e of next week. "
* * * Wat chi ng t he new bui l di ng goi ng up was t he most exci t i ng t hi ng
Lar a had ever exper i enced. She was t her e ever y day. " I want t o
l ear n, " she t ol d Char l es Col i n. " Thi s i s j ust t he begi nni ng f or me.
Bef or e I ' mt hr ough, I ' mgoi ng t o put up a hundr ed bui l di ngs. "
Col i n wonder ed whet her Lar a r eal l y knew what she was get t i ng i nt o.
The f i r st men t o set f oot on t he pr oj ect si t e wer e member s of t he
sur vey t eam. They est abl i shed t he l egal geomet r i c bor der s of t he
pr oper t y and dr ove hubs i nt o t he gr ound at each cor ner , ever y hub
pai nt ed wi t h a f l uor escent col or f or easy i dent i f i cat i on. The sur vey
wor k was f i ni shed i n t wo days, and ear l y t he f ol l owi ng mor ni ng, heavy
ear t h- movi ng equi pment - a t r uck- mount ed Cat er pi l l ar f r ont - end
l oader - ar r i ved at t he si t e.
Lar a was t her e, wai t i ng. " What happens now?" she asked Buzz St eel e.
" We cl ear and gr ub. "
Lar a l ooked at hi m. " What does t hat mean?"
" The Cat er pi l l ar i s gonna di g up t r ee st umps and do some r ough
gr adi ng. "
The next pi ece of equi pment t hat came i n was a backhoe t o di g t he
t r enches f or f oundat i ons, ut i l i t y condui t s, and dr ai nage pi pi ng.
By now t he boar der s at t he house had al l hear d what was happeni ng, and
i t became t he mai n t opi c of conver sat i on at br eakf ast and supper . They
wer e al l cheer i ng f or Lar a.
" What happens next ?" t hey woul d ask.
She was becomi ng an exper t . " Thi s mor ni ng t hey put t he under gr ound
pi pi ng i n pl ace. Tomor r ow t hey st ar t t o put i n t he wood and concr et e
f or mwor k, so t hey can wi r et i e t he st eel bar s i nt o t he skel et al
gr i di r on. " She gr i nned.
" Do you under st and what I ' msayi ng?"
Pour i ng t he concr et e was t he next st ep, and when t he concr et e
f oundat i on was cur ed, l ar ge t r uckl oads of l umber r ol l ed i n, and cr ews
of car pent er s began t o assembl e t he wooden f r ames. The noi se was
hor r endous, but t o Lar a i t was musi c. The pl ace was f i l l ed wi t h t he
sounds of r hyt hmi c hammer s and whi ni ng power saws.
Af t er t wo weeks t he wal l panel s, punct uat ed wi t h wi ndow and door
openi ngs, wer e st ood upr i ght as i f t he bui l di ng had suddenl y been
i nf l at ed.
To passer sby, t he bui l di ng was a maze of wood and st eel , but t o Lar a i t
was somet hi ng el se. I t was her dr eamcome t o l i f e. Ever y mor ni ng and
ever y eveni ng she went downt own and st ar ed at what was bei ng bui l t . I
own t hi s, Lar a t hought . Thi s bel ongs t o me.
Af t er t he epi sode wi t h MacAl l i st er , Lar a had been t er r i f i ed t hat she
mi ght become pr egnant . The t hought of i t made her si ck t o her
st omach.
When her per i od came, she was weak wi t h r el i ef . Now al l I have t o
wor r y about i s my bui l di ng.
She cont i nued t o col l ect t he r ent s f or Sean MacAl l i st er because she
needed a pl ace t o l i ve, but she had t o st eel her sel f t o go i nt o hi s
of f i ce and f ace hi m.
" We had a good t i me i n Hal i f ax, di dn' t we, honey?
Why don' t we do i t agai n?"
" I ' mbusy wi t h my bui l di ng, " Lar a sai d f i r ml y.
The l evel of act i vi t y began t o hei ght en as t he sheet met al cr ews,
r odf er s, and car pent er s wor ked si mul t aneousl y, t he number of men,
mat er i al s, and t r ucks t r i pl i ng.
Char l es Col i n had l ef t Gl ace Bay, but he t el ephoned Lar a once a week.
" How i s t he bui l di ng goi ng?" he had asked t he l ast t i me he cal l ed.
" Gr eat ! " Lar a sai d ent husi ast i cal l y.
" I s i t on schedul e?"
" I t ' s ahead of schedul e. "
" That ' s wonder f ul . I can t el l you now t hat I wasn' t r eal l y sur e you
coul d do i t . "
" But you gave me a chance anyway. Thank you, Char l es. "
" One good t ur n deser ves anot her . Remember , i f i t hadn' t been f or you,
I mi ght have st ar ved t o deat h. "
Fr omt i me t o t i me Sean MacAl l i st er woul d j oi n Lar a at t he bui l di ng
si t e.
" I t ' s comi ng al ong j ust f i ne, i sn' t i t ?"
" Yes, " Lar a sai d.
MacAl l i st er seemed genui nel y pl eased. Lar a t hought : Mr . Col i n was
wr ong about hi m. He' s not t r yi ng t o t ake advant age of me.
By t he end of November t he bui l di ng was pr ogr essi ng r api dl y. The
wi ndows and door s wer e i n pl ace, and t he ext er i or wal l s wer e set . The
st r uct ur e was r eady t o accept t he net wor k of ner ves and ar t er i es.
On Monday, t he f i r st week of December , wor k on t he bui l di ng began t o
sl ow down. Lar a went t o t he si t e one mor ni ng, and t her e wer e onl y t wo
men t her e, and t hey seemed t o be doi ng ver y l i t t l e.
" Wher e' s t he r est of t he cr ew t oday?" Lar a asked.
" They' r e on anot her j ob, " one of t he men expl ai ned.
" They' l l be her e t omor r ow. "
The f ol l owi ng day no one was t her e.
Lar a t ook a bus i nt o Hal i f ax t o see Buzz St eel e.
" What ' s happeni ng?" Lar a asked. " The wor k has st opped. "
" Not hi ng t o wor r y about , " St eel e assur ed her . " We r an i nt o a l i t t l e
snag on anot her j ob, and I had t o pul l my men of f t empor ar i l y. "
" When wi l l t hey be comi ng back t o wor k?"
" Next week. We' l l be on schedul e. "
" Buzz, you know how much t hi s means t o me. "
" Sur e, Lar a. "
" I f t he bui l di ng' s not compl et ed on t i me, I l ose i t . I l ose
ever yt hi ng. "
" Don' t wor r y, ki d. I won' t l et t hat happen. "
When Lar a l ef t , she had a f eel i ng of unease.
The f ol l owi ng week t he wor kmen st i l l had not appear ed. She went i nt o
Hal i f ax agai n t o see St eel e.
" I ' msor r y, " t he secr et ar y sai d, " Mr . St eel e i s not i n. "
" I must t al k t o hi m. When wi l l he be back?"
" He' s out of t own on a j ob. I don' t know when he' l l be back. "
Lar a f el t t he f i r st st i r r i ngs of pani c. " Thi s i s ver y i mpor t ant , " Lar a
i nsi st ed. " He' s put t i ng up a bui l di ng f or me. I t has t o be f i ni shed
i n t hr ee weeks. "
" I woul dn' t wor r y, Mi ss Camer on. I f Mr . St eel e sai d i t wi l l be
f i ni shed, i t wi l l be f i ni shed. "
" But not hi ng' s happeni ng, " Lar a cr i ed. " No one' s wor ki ng on i t . "
" Woul d you l i ke t o t al k t o Mr . Er i cksen, hi s assi st ant ?"
" Yes, pl ease. "
Er i cksen was a gi ant of a man, br oad- shoul der ed and ami abl e. He
r adi at ed r eassur ance.
" I know why you' r e her e, " he sai d, " but Buzz t ol d me t o assur e you t hat
you have not hi ng t o wor r y about . We' ve been hel d back a l i t t l e on your
pr oj ect because of some pr obl ems on a coupl e of bi g const r uct i on j obs
we' r e handl i ng, but your bui l di ng i s onl y t hr ee weeks away f r om
compl et i on. "
" Ther e' s st i l l so much t o do. . . "
" Not t o wor r y. We' l l have a cr ew out t her e f i r st t hi ng on Monday
mor ni ng. "
" Thank you, " Lar a sai d, r el i eved. " I ' msor r y t o have bot her ed you, but
I ' ma l i t t l e ner vous. Thi s means a gr eat deal t o me. "
" No pr obl em, " Er i cksen smi l ed. " You j ust go home and r el ax. You' r e i n
good hands. "
Monday mor ni ng t her e was not a si ngl e wor kman at t he si t e. Lar a was
f r ant i c. She t el ephoned Char l es Col i n.
" The men have st opped wor ki ng, " she t ol d hi m, " and I can' t f i nd out
why. They keep maki ng pr omi ses and br eaki ng t hem. "
" What ' s t he name of t he company- Nova Scot i a Const r uct i on?"
" That ' s r i ght . "
" I ' l l cal l you back, " Col i n sai d.
Two hour s l at er Char l es Col i n t el ephoned. " Who r ecommended t he Nova
Scot i a Const r uct i on Company t o you?"
She t hought back. " Sean MacAl l i st er . "
" I ' mnot sur pr i sed. He owns t he company, Lar a. "
Lar a f el t suddenl y f ai nt . " And he' s st oppi ng t he men f r omf i ni shi ng i t
on t i me. . . ?"
" I ' maf r ai d i t l ooks t hat way. "
" Oh, my God. "
" He' s a nahash t zef a- a poi sonous snake. "
He was t oo ki nd t o say t hat he had war ned her .
Al l he managed was: " Maybe. . . maybe somet hi ng wi l l t ur n up. "
He admi r ed t he young gi r l ' s spi r i t and ambi t i on, and he despi sed Sean
MacAl l i st er . But he was hel pl ess. Ther e was not hi ng he coul d do.
Lar a l ay awake al l ni ght t hi nki ng about her f ol l y.
The bui l di ng she had put up woul d bel ong now t o Sean MacAl l i st er , and
she woul d be l ef t wi t h a st agger i ng debt whi ch she woul d spend t he r est
of her l i f e wor ki ng t o r epay. The t hought of how MacAl l i st er mi ght
exact payment made her shudder .
* * * When Lar a awakened, she went t o see Sean MacAl l i st er .
" Good mor ni ng, my dear . You' r e l ooki ng l ovel y t oday. "
Lar a came r i ght t o t he poi nt . " I need an ext ensi on.
The bui l di ng won' t be r eady by t he t hi r t y- f i r st . "
MacAl l i st er sat back i n hi s chai r and f r owned.
" Real l y? That ' s bad news, Lar a. "
" I need anot her mont h. "
MacAl l i st er si ghed. " I ' maf r ai d t hat ' s not possi bl e.
Oh, dear , no. You si gned a cont r act . A deal i s a deal . "
" But . . . "
" I ' msor r y, Lar a. On t he t hi r t y- f i r st , t he pr oper t y r ever t s t o t he
bank. "
When t he boar der s at t he house hear d what was happeni ng, t hey wer e
f ur i ous.
" That son of a bi t ch! " one of t hemcr i ed. " He can' t do t hi s t o
you. "
" He' s done i t , " Lar a sai d, despai r i ngl y. " I t ' s over . "
" Ar e we goi ng t o l et hi mget away wi t h t hi s?"
" Hel l , no. What have you got l ef t - t hr ee weeks?"
Lar a shook her head. " Less. Two and a hal f weeks. "
The man t ur ned t o t he ot her s. " Let ' s go down and t ake a l ook at t hat
bui l di ng. "
" What good wi l l . . . ?"
" We' l l see. "
Soon hal f a dozen boar der s wer e st andi ng at t he bui l di ng si t e,
car ef ul l y i nspect i ng i t .
" The pl umbi ng hasn' t been put i n, " one of t he men sai d.
" Nor t he el ect r i ci t y. "
They st ood t her e, shi ver i ng i n t he f r eezi ng December wi nd, di scussi ng
what st i l l r emai ned t o be done.
One of t he men t ur ned t o Lar a. " Your banker ' s a t r i cky f el l ow. He' s
had t he bui l di ng al most f i ni shed so t hat he woul dn' t have much t o do
when your cont r act was up. " He t ur ned t o t he ot her s. " I woul d say
t hat t hi s coul d be f i ni shed i n t wo and a hal f weeks. "
Ther e was a chor us of agr eement .
Lar a was bewi l der ed. " You don' t under st and. The wor kmen won' t
come. "
" Look, l assi e, i n your boar di nghouse you' ve got pl umber s and car pent er s
and el ect r i ci ans, and we' ve got l ot s of f r i ends i n t own who can handl e
t he r est . "
" I don' t have any money t o pay you, " Lar a sai d. " Mr . MacAl l i st er
won' t gi ve me. . . "
" I t wi l l be our Chr i st mas gi f t t o you. "
What happened af t er t hat was i ncr edi bl e. Wor d qui ckl y spr ead ar ound
Gl ace Bay of what was happeni ng.
Const r uct i on wor ker s on ot her bui l di ngs came t o t ake a l ook at Lar a' s
pr oper t y. Hal f of t hemwer e t her e because t hey l i ked Lar a, and t he
ot her hal f because t hey had had deal i ngs wi t h Sean MacAl l i st er and
hat ed hi m.
" Let ' s f i x t he bast ar d, " t hey sai d.
They dr opped by t o l end a hand af t er wor k, wor ki ng past mi dni ght and on
Sat ur days and Sundays, and t he sound of const r uct i on began agai n,
f i l l i ng t he ai r wi t h a j oyf ul noi se. Beat i ng t he deadl i ne became a
chal l enge, and t he bui l di ng was soon swar mi ng wi t h car pent er s and
el ect r i ci ans and pl umber s, al l eager t o pi t ch i n. When Sean
MacAl l i st er hear d what was happeni ng, he r ushed over t o t he si t e.
He st ood t her e, st unned. " What ' s goi ng on?" he demanded. " Those
ar en' t my wor kmen. "
" They' r e mi ne, " Lar a sai d def i ant l y. " Ther e' s not hi ng i n t he cont r act
t hat says I can' t use my own men.
" Wel l , I . . . " MacAl l i st er sput t er ed. " That bui l di ng had bet t er be up
t o speci f i cat i ons. "
" I t wi l l be, ?" Lar a assur ed hi m.
The day bef or e New Year ' s Eve t he bui l di ng was compl et ed. I t st ood
pr oud da, nst t he sky, sol i d and st r ong, and i t was t he most beaut i f ul
t hi ng Lar a had ever seen. She st ood t her e st ar i ng at i t , dazed.
" I t ' s al l your s, " one of t he wor kmen sai d pr oudl y.
" Ar e we goi ng t o have a par t y or what ?"
That ni ght i t seemed t hat t he whol e t own of Gl ace Bay cel ebr at ed Lar a
Camer on' s f i r st bui l di ng.
I t was t he begi nni ng.
Ther e was no st oppi ng Lar a af t er t hat . Her mi nd was br i mmi ng wi t h
i deas.
" Your new empl oyees ar e goi ng t o need pl aces t o l i ve i n Gl ace Bay, " she
t ol d Char l es Col i n. " I ' d l i ke t o bui l d houses f or t hem. Ar e you
i nt er est ed?"
He nodded. " I ' mver b i nt er est ed. "
Lar a went t o see a banker i n Sydney and bor r owed enough money on her
bui l di ng t o f i nance t he new pr oj ect .
When t he houses wer e f i ni shed, Lar a sai d t o Char l es Col i n, " Do you know
what el se t hi s t own needs, Char l es?
Cabi ns t o accommodat e t he summer t our i st s who come her e t o f i sh. I
know a wonder f ul pl ace near t he bay wher e I coul d bui l d. . . "
Char l es Col i n became Lar a' s unof f i ci al f i nanci al advi ser , and dur i ng
t he next t hr ee year s Lar a bui l t an of f i ce bui l di ng, hal f a dozen
seashor e cot t ages, and a shoppi ng mal l . The banks i n Sydney and
Hal i f ax wer e happy t o l oan her money.
Two year s l at er , when Lar a sol d out her r eal est at e hol di ngs, she had a
cer t i f i ed check f or t hr ee mi l l i on dol l ar s. She was t went y- one year s
ol d.
The f ol l owi ng day she sai d good- bye t o Gl ace Bay and l ef t f or
Chi cago.
Chapt er Seven.
Chi cago was a r evel at i on.
Hal i f ax had been t he l ar gest ci t y Lar a had ever seen, but i t was l i ke a
haml et compar ed t o t he gi ant of t he Mi dwest .
Chi cago was a l oud and noi sy ci t y, bust l i ng and ener get i c, and ever yone
seemed t o be hur r yi ng t o some i mpor t ant dest i nat i on.
Lar a checked i nt o t he St evens Hot el . She t ook one l ook at t he smar t l y
dr essed women wal ki ng t hr ough t he l obby and became sel f - consci ous about
t he cl ot hes she was wear i ng. Gl ace Bay, yes, Lar a t hought . Chi cago,
no. The f ol l owi ng mor ni ng, Lar a went i nt o act i on. She vi si t ed Kane' s
and Ul t i mo f or desi gner dr esses, J oseph' s f or shoes, Saks Fi f t h Avenue
and Mar shal l Fi el d' s f or l i nger i e, Tr aber t and Hoef f er f or j ewel r y, and
War e f or a mi nk coat . And ever y t i me she bought somet hi ng, she hear d
her f at her ' s voi ce sayi ng, " I ' mnae made of money.
Get your sel f some t hi ng f r ae t he Sal vat i on Ar my Ci t adel . "
Bef or e her shoppi ng spr ee was over , t he cl oset s i n her hot el sui t e wer e
f i l l ed wi t h beaut i f ul cl ot hes.
Lar a' s next move was t o l ook i n t he yel l ow pages of t he t el ephone book
under " Real Est at e Br oker s. " She sel ect ed t he one t hat had t he l ar gest
adver t i sement , Par ker & Associ at es. Lar a t el ephoned and asked t o speak
t o Mr . Par ker .
" May I t el l hi mwho' s cal l i ng?"
" Lar a Camer on. "
A moment l at er a voi ce sai d, " Br uce Par ker speaki ng.
How can I hel p you?"
" I ' ml ooki ng f or a l ocat i on wher e I can put up a beaut i f ul new hot el , "
Lar a sai d.
The voi ce at t he ot her end of t he phone gr ew war mer .
" Wel l , we' r e exper t s at t hat , Mr s. Camer on. "
" Mi ss Camer on. "
" Ri ght . Di d you have any par t i cul ar ar ea i n mi nd?"
" No. To t el l you t he t r ut h, I ' mnot r eal l y f ami l i ar wi t h Chi cago. "
" That ' s no pr obl em. I ' msur e we can l i ne up some ver y i nt er est i ng
pr oper t i es f or you. J ust t o gi ve me an i dea of what we' r e l ooki ng f or ,
how much equi t y do you have?"
Lar a sai d pr oudl y, " Thr ee mi l l i on dol l ar s. "
Ther e was a l ong si l ence. " Thr ee mi l l i on dol l ar s?"
" Yes. "
" And you want t o bui l d a beaut i f ul new hot el ?"
" Yes. "
Anot her si l ence.
" Wer e you i nt er est ed i n bui l di ng or acqui r i ng somet hi ng i n t he i nner
ci t y ar ea, Mi ss Camer on?"
" Of cour se not , " Lar a sai d. " What I have i n mi nd i s exact l y t he
opposi t e. I want t o bui l d an excl usi ve bout i que hot el i n a ni ce ar ea
t hat . . . "
" Wi t h an equi t y of t hr ee mi l l i on dol l ar s?" Par ker chuckl ed. " I ' m
af r ai d we' r e not goi ng t o be abl e t o hel p you. "
" Thank you, " Lar a sai d. She r epl aced t he r ecei ver .
She had obvi ousl y cal l ed t he wr ong br oker .
She went back t o t he yel l ow pages agai n and made hal f a dozen mor e
cal l s. By t he end of t he af t er noon Lar a was f or ced t o f ace r eal i t y.
None of t he br oker s was i nt er est ed i n t r yi ng t o f i nd a pr i me l ocat i on
wher e she coul d bui l d a hot el wi t h a down payment of t hr ee mi l l i on
dol l ar s. They had of f er ed Lar a a var i et y of suggest i ons, and t hey had
al l come down t o t he same t hi ng: a cheap hot el i n an i nner ci t y ar ea.
Never , Lar a t hought . I ' l l go back t o Gl ace Bay f i r st .
She had dr eamed f or mont hs about t he hot el she want ed t o bui l d, and i n
her mi nd i t was al r eady a r eal i t y- beaut i f ul , vi vi d,
t hr ee- di mensi onal .
Her pl an was t o t ur n a hot el i nt o a r eal home away f r omhome. I t woul d
have most l y sui t es, and each sui t e woul d have a l i vi ng r oomand a
l i br ar y wi t h a f i r epl ace i n each r oom, and be f ur ni shed wi t h
comf or t abl e couches, easy chai r s, and a gr and pi ano. Ther e woul d be
t wo l ar ge bedr ooms and an out si de t er r ace r unni ng t he l engt h of t he
apar t ment .
Ther e woul d be a J acuzzi and a mi ni bar . Lar a knew exact l y what she
want ed. The quest i on was how she was goi ng t o get i t .
Lar a wal ked i nt o a pr i nt shop on Lake St r eet . " I woul d l i ke t o have a
hundr ed busi ness car ds pr i nt ed up, pl ease. "
" Cer t ai nl y. And how wi l l t he car ds r ead?"
" ' Mi ss Lar a Camer on, ' and at t he bot t om, ' Real Est at e Devel oper . " "
" Yes, Mi ss Camer on. I can have t hemf or you i n t wo days. "
" No. I woul d l i ke t hemt hi s af t er noon, pl ease. "
The next st ep was t o get acquai nt ed wi t h t he ci t y.
Lar a wal ked al ong Mi chi gan Avenue and St at e St r eet and La Sal l e,
st r ol l ed al ong Lake Shor e Dr i ve and wander ed t hr ough Li ncol n Par k wi t h
i t s zoo and gol f cour se and l agoon. She vi si t ed t he Mer chandi se Mar t
and went t o Kr och- Br ent ano' s and bought books about Chi cago. She r ead
about t he f amous who had made Chi cago t hei r home: Car l Sandbur g, Fr ank
Ll oyd Wr i ght , Loui s Sul l i van, Saul Bel l ow. She r ead about t he pi oneer
f ami l i es of Chi cago- t he J ohn Bai r ds and Gayl or d Donnel l eys, t he
Mar shal l Fi el ds and Pot t er Pal mer s, and Wal gr eens- and she passed by
t hei r homes on Lake Shor e Dr i ve and t hei r huge est at es i n subur ban Lake
For est . Lar a vi si t ed t he Sout h Si de, and she f el t at home t her e
because of al l t he et hni c gr oups: Swedes, Pol es, I r i sh, Li t huani ans.
I t r emi nded her of Gl ace Bay.
She t ook t o t he st r eet s agai n, l ooki ng at bui l di ngs wi t h For Sal e
si gns, and she went t o see t he l i st ed br oker s.
" What ' s t he pr i ce of t hat bui l di ng?"
" Ei ght y mi l l i on dol l ar s. ; , . "
" Si xt y mi l l i on dol l ar s. . .
" A hundr ed mi l l i on dol l ar s. . . "
Her t hr ee mi l l i on dol l ar s was becomi ng mor e and mor e i nsi gni f i cant .
Lar a sat i n her hot el r oomconsi der i ng her opt i ons. Ei t her she coul d
go t o one of t he sl umsect i ons of t he ci t y and put up a l i t t l e hot el
t her e, or she coul d r et ur n home. Nei t her choi ce appeal ed t o her .
I ' ve t oo much at st ake t o gi ve up now, Lar a t hought .
The f ol l owi ng mor ni ng Lar a st opped i n at a bank on La Sal l e St r eet .
She wal ked up t o a cl er k behi nd t he count er . " I woul d l i ke t o speak t o
your vi ce- pr esi dent , pl ease. "
She handed t he cl er k her car d.
Fi ve mi nut es l at er she was i n t he of f i ce of TomPet er son, a f l acci d
mi ddl e- aged man, wi t h a ner vous t i c. He was st udyi ng her car d.
" What can I do f or you, Mi ss Camer on?"
" I ' mpl anni ng t o put up a hot el i n Chi cago. I ' l l need t o bor r ow some
money He gave her a geni al smi l e. " That ' s what we' r e her e f or . What
ki nd of hot el wer e you pl anni ng t o bui l d' ?"
" A beaut i f ul bout i que hot el i n a ni ce ar ea. "
" Sounds i nt er est i ng " I have t o t el l you, " Lar a sai d, " t hat I onl y have
t hr ee mi l l i on dol l ar s t o put down, and.
He smi l ed. " No pr obl em. "
She f el t a t hr i l l of exci t emei i t . " Real l y?"
" Thr ee mi l l i on can go a l ong way i f you know what t o do wi t h i t . " He
l ooked at hi s wat ch. " I have anot her appoi nt ment now. I wonder i f we
coul d get t oget her f or di nner t oni ght and t al k about t hi s. "
" Cer t ai nl y, " Lar a sai d. " That woul d be f i ne. "
" Wher e ar e you st ayi ng?"
" At t he Pal mer House. "
" Why don' t I pi ck you up at ei ght ?"
Lar a got t o her f eet . " Thank you so much. I can' t t el l you how good
you make me f eel . Fr ankl y I was begi nni ng t o get di scour aged. "
" No need, " he sai d. " I ' mgoi ng t o t ake good car e of you.
At ei ght o' cl ock ' I ' omPet er son pi cked up Lar a and t ook her t o
Henr i cl ' s f or di nner . When t hey- wer e seat ed, he sai d, " You know, I ' m
gl ad t hat you came t o me. We can do a l ot f or each ot her . "
" We can?"
" Yes. Ther e' s a l ot of ass ar ound t hi s t own, but none of i t as
beaut i f ul as your s, honey You can open a l uxur y whor ehouse and cat er t o
an excl usi ve Lar a f r oze. " I beg your par don?"
" I f you can get hal f a dozen gi r l s t oget her , we Lar a was gone.
The f ol l owi ng day Lar a vi si t ed t hr ee mor e banks.
When she expl ai ned her pl ans t o t he manager of t he f i r st bank, he sai d,
" I ' mgoi ng t o gi ve you t he best advi ce you' l l ever get : For get i t .
Real est at e devel opment i s a man' s game. Ther e' s no pl ace f or women i n
i t . "
" And why i s t hat ?" Lar a asked t onel essl y.
" Because you' d be deal i ng wi t h a bunch of macho r oughnecks. They' d eat
you al i ve. "
" They di dn' t eat me al i ve i n Gl ace Bay, " Lar a sai d.
He l eaned f or war d. " I ' mgoi ng t o l et you i n on a l i t t l e secr et .
Chi cago i s not Gl ace Bay. "
At t he next bank t he manager sai d t o her , " We' l l be gl ad t o hel p you
out , Mi ss Camer on. Of cour se, what you have i n mi nd i s out of t he
quest i on. What I woul d suggest i s t o l et us handl e your money and
i nvest i t . . . "
Lar a was out of hi s of f i ce bef or e he f i ni shed hi s sent ence.
At t he t hi r d bank Lar a was usher ed i nt o t he of f i ce of Bob Vance, a
pl easant - l ooki ng gr ay- hai r ed man who l ooked exact l y as t he pr esi dent of
a bank shoul d l ook. I n t he of f i ce wi t h hi mwas a pal e, t hi n,
sandy- hai r ed man i n hi s ear l y t hi r t i es, wear i ng a r umpl ed sui t and
l ooki ng compl et el y out of pl ace.
" Thi s i s Howar d Kel l er , Mi ss Camer on, one of our vi ce- pr esi dent s. "
" How do you do?"
" What can I do f or you t hi s mor ni ng?" Bob Vance asked.
" I ' mi nt er est ed i n bui l di ng a hot el i n Chi cago, " Lar a sai d, " and I ' m
l ooki ng f or f i nance. "
Bob Vance smi l ed. " You' ve come t o t he r i ght pl ace.
Do you have a l ocat i on i n mi nd?"
" I know t he gener al ar ea I want . Near t he Loop, not t oo f ar f r om
Mi chi gan Avenue .
" Excel l ent . "
Lar a t ol d hi mabout her bout i que hot el i dea.
" That sounds i nt er est i ng, " Vance sai d. " And how much equi t y do you
have?"
" Thr ee mi l l i on dol l ar s. I want t o bor r ow t he r est . "
Ther e was a t hought f ul pause. " I ' maf r ai d I can' t hel p you. Your
pr obl emi s t hat you have bi g i deas and a smal l pur se. Now, i f you
woul d l i ke us t o i nvest your money f or you. . . "
" No, t hank you, " Lar a sai d. " Thanks f or your t i me.
Good af t er noon, gent l emen. " She t ur ned and l ef t t he of f i ce, f umi ng.
I n Gl ace Bay t hr ee mi l l i on dol l ar s was a f or t une. Her e peopl e seemed
t o t hi nk i t was not hi ng.
As Lar a r eached t he st r eet , a voi ce sai d, " Mi ss Camer on! "
Lar a t ur ned. I t was t he man she had been i nt r oduced t o- Howar d
Kel l er .
" Yes?"
" I ' d l i ke t o t al k t o you, " he sai d. " Per haps we coul d have a cup of
cof f ee. "
Lar a st i f f ened. Was ever yone i n Chi cago a sex mani ac?
" Ther e' s a good cof f ee shop j ust ar ound t he cor ner . "
Lar a shr ugged. " Al l r i ght . "
When t hey had or der ed, Howar d Kel l er sai d, " I f you don' t mi nd my
but t i ng i n, I ' d l i ke t o gi ve you some advi ce. "
Lar a was wat chi ng hi m, war y. " Go ahead. "
" I n t he f i r st pl ace, you' r e goi ng about t hi s al l wr ong. "
" You don' t t hi nk my i dea wi l l wor k?" she asked st i f f l y.
" On t he cont r ar y. I t hi nk a bout i que hot el i s a r eal l y gr eat i dea. "
She was sur pr i sed. " Then why. . . ?"
" Chi cago coul d use a hot el l i ke t hat , but I don' t t hi nk you shoul d
bui l d i t . "
" What do you mean?"
" I woul d suggest t hat i nst ead you f i nd an ol d hot el i n a good l ocat i on
and r emodel i t . Ther e ar e a l ot of r undown hot el s t hat can be bought
at a l ow f i gur e. Your t hr ee mi l l i on dol l ar s woul d be enough equi t y f or
a down payment . Then you coul d bor r ow enough f r oma bank t o r ef ur bi sh
i t and t ur n i t i nt o your bout i que hot el . "
Lar a sat t her e t hi nki ng. He was r i ght . I t was a bet t er appr oach.
" Anot her t hi ng. no bank i s goi ng t o be i nt er est ed i n f i nanci ng you
unl ess you come i n wi t h a sol i d ar chi t ect and bui l der . They' l l want t o
see a compl et e package. "
Lar a t hought about Buzz St eel e. ' I under st and. Do you know a good
ar chi t ect and bui l der ?"
Howar d Kel l er smi l ed. " Qui t e a f ew. "
" Thanks f or your advi ce, " Lar a sai d. " I f I f i nd t he r i ght si t e, coul d
I come back and t al k t o you about i t ?"
" Any t i me. Good l uck. "
Lar a was wai t i ng f or hi mt o say somet hi ng l i ke " Why don' t we t al k i t
over at my apar t ment ?" I nst ead al l Howar d Kel l er sai d was. " Woul d you
car e f or mor e cof f ee, Mi ss Camer on?"
I ar a r oamed t he downt own st r eet s agai n, but t hi s t i me she was l ooki ng
f or somet hi ng di f f er ent . A f ew bl ocks f r omMi chi gan Avenue, on
Del awar e, Lar a passed a pr ewar r , i n- down t r ansi ent . hot el . A si gn
out si de sai d, CONe ESSI HAL HOTFL. Lar a st ar t ed t o pass i t , t hen
suddenl y st opped. She t ook a cl oser l ook. The br i ck f acade was so
di r t y t hat i t was di f f i cul t t o t el l what i t s or i gi nal col or had been.
I t was ei ght st or i es hi gh. Lar a t ur ned and ent er ed t he hot el l obby.
The i nt er i or was even wor se t han t he ext er i or . cl er k dr essed i n j eans
and a t or n sweat er was pushi ng a der el i ct out t he door . The f r ont desk
l ooked mor e l i ke a t i cket wi ndow t han a r ecept i on ar ea. At one end of
t he l obby was a st ai r case l eadi ng t o what once wer e meet i ng r ooms, now
t ur ned i nt o r ent ed of f i ces. On t he mezzani ne Lar a coul d see a t r avel
agency, a t heat er t i cket ser vi ce, and an empl oyment agency.
The cl er k r et ur ned t o t he f r ont desk. " You wanna r oom?"
" No. I want ed t o know. . . " She was i nt er r upt ed by a heavi l y made- up
young woman i n a t i ght - f i t t i ng ski r t .
" Gi ve me a key, Mi ke. " Ther e was an el der l y man at her si de.
The cl er k handed her a key.
Lar a wat ched t he t wo of t hemhead f or t he el evat or .
" What can I do f or you?" t he cl er k asked.
" I ' mi nt er est ed i n t hi s hot el , " Lar a sai d. " I s i t f or sal e?"
" I guess ever yt hi ng' s f or sal e. I s your f at her i n t he r eal est at e
busi ness?"
" No, " Lar a sai d, " I am. "
He l ooked at her i n sur pr i se. " Oh. Wel l , t he one you want t o t al k t o
i s one of t he Di amond br ot her s. They own a chai n of t hese dumps. "
" Wher e woul d I f i nd t hem?" Lar a asked.
The cl er k gave her an addr ess on St at e St r eet .
" Woul d you mi nd i f I l ooked ar ound?"
He shr ugged. " Hel p your sel f . " He gr i nned. " Who knows, you mi ght wi nd
up bei ng my boss. "
Not i l l can hel p i t , Lar a t hought .
She wal ked ar ound t he l obby, exami ni ng i t cl osel y.
Ther e wer e ol d mar bl e col umns l i ni ng t he ent r ance. On a hunch, Lar a
pul l ed up an edge of t he di r t y, wor n car pet .
Under neat h was a dul l mar bl e f l oor . She wal ked up t o t he mezzani ne.
The must ar d- col or ed wal l paper was peel i ng. She pul l ed away an edge of
i t , and under neat h was t he same mar bl e. Lar a was becomi ng mor e and
mor e exci t ed. The handr ai l of t he st ai r case was pai nt ed bl ack.
Lar a t ur ned t o make sur e t hat t he r oomcl er k was not wat chi ng and t ook
out her key f r omt he St evens Hot el and scr at ched away some of t he
pai nt . She f ound what she was hopi ng f or , a sol i d br ass r ai l i ng. She
appr oached t he el evat or s t hat wer e pai nt ed wi t h t he same bl ack pai nt ,
scr at ched a bi t away, and f ound mor e br ass.
Lar a wal ked back t o t he cl er k, t r yi ng t o conceal her exci t ement . " I
wonder i l l mi ght l ook at one of t he r ooms. "
He shr ugged. " No ski n of f my nose. " He handed her a key.
" Four - t en. "
" Thank you. "
Lar a got i n t he el evat or . I t was sl ow and ant i quat ed.
I ' l l have i t r edone, Lar a t hought . And I ' l l put a mur al i nsi de.
I n her mi nd she was al r eady begi nni ng t o decor at e t he hot el .
Room410 l ooked l i ke a di sast er , but t he possi bi l i t i es wer e i mmedi at el y
evi dent . I t was a sur pr i si ngl y l ar ge r oomwi t h ant i quat ed f aci l i t i es
and t ast el ess f ur ni t ur e.
Lar a' s hear t began t o beat f ast er . I t ' sper f ect , she t hought .
She wal ked downst ai r s. The st ai r way was ol d and had a must y smel l .
The car pet s wer e wor n, but under neat h she f ound t he same mar bl e.
Lar a r et ur ned t he key t o t he desk cl er k.
" Di d you see what you want ed?"
" Yes, " Lar a sai d. " Thank you. "
He gr i nned at her . " You r eal l y goi ng t o buy t hi s j oi nt ?"
" Yes, " Lar a sai d. " I ' mr eal l y goi ng t o buy t hi s j oi nt . "
" Cool , " he sai d.
The el evat or door opened, and t he young hooker and her el der l y j ohn
emer ged. She handed t he key and some money t o t he cl er k. " Thanks,
Mi ke. "
" Have a ni ce day, " Mi ke cal l ed. He t ur ned t o Lar a.
" Ar e you comi ng back?"
" Oh, yes, " Lar a assur ed hi m, " I ' mcomi ng back. "
Lar a' s next st op was at t he Ci t y Hal l of Recor ds. She asked t o see t he
r ecor ds on t he pr oper t y t hat she was i nt er est ed i n. For a f ee of t en
dol l ar s, she was handed a f i l e on t he Congr essi onal Hot el . I t had been
sol d t o t he Di amond br ot her s f i ve year s ear l i er f or si x mi l l i on
dol l ar s.
The of f i ce of t he Di amond br ot her s was i n an ol d bui l di ng on a cor ner
of St at e St r eet . An Or i ent al r ecept i oni st i n a t i ght r ed ski r t gr eet ed
Lar a as she wal ked i n.
" Can I hel p you?"
" I ' d l i ke t o see Mr . Di amond. "
" Whi ch one?"
" Ei t her of t hem. "
" I ' l l gi ve you J ohn. "
She pi cked up t he phone and spoke i nt o i t . " Ther e' s a l ady her e t o see
you, J ohn. " She l i st ened a moment , t hen l ooked up at Lar a. " What ' s i t
about ?"
" I want t o buy one of hi s hot el s. "
She spoke i nt o t he mout hpi ece agai n. " She says she want s t o buy one of
your hot el s. Ri ght . " She r epl aced t he r ecei ver . " Go r i ght i n. "
J ohn Di amond was a huge man, mi ddl e- aged and hai r y, and he had t he
pushed- i n f ace of a man who had once pl ayed a l ot of f oot bal l . He was
wear i ng a shor t sl eeved shi r t and smoki ng a l ar ge ci gar . He l ooked up
as Lar a ent er ed hi s of f i ce.
" My secr et ar y sai d you want ed t o buy one of my bui l di ngs. " He st udi ed
her a moment . " You don' t l ook ol d enough t o vot e. "
" Oh, I ' mol d enough t o vot e, " Lar a assur ed hi m. " I ' mal so ol d enough
t o buy one of your bui l di ngs. "
" Yeah? Whi ch one?"
" The Cong essi nal Hot el . "
" The what ?"
" That ' s what t he si gn says. I assume i t means ' Congr essi onal . " " " Oh.
Yeah. "
" I s i t f or sal e?"
He shook hi s head. " Gee, I don' t know. That ' s one of our bi g
money- maker s. I ' mnot sur e we coul d l et i t go. "
" You have l et i t go, " Lar a sai d.
" Huh?"
" I t ' s i n t er r i bl e shape. The pl ace i s f al l i ng apar t . "
" Yeah? Then what t he hel l do you want wi t h i t ?"
" I ' d l i ke t o buy i t and f i x i t up a l i t t l e. Of cour se, i t woul d have
t o be del i ver ed t o me vacant . "
" That ' s no pr obl em. Our t enant s ar e on a week- t oweek basi s. "
" How many r ooms does t he hot el have?"
" A hundr ed and t went y- f i ve. The gr oss bui l di ng ar ea i s a hundr ed
t housand squar e f eet . "
Too many r ooms, Lar a t hought . But i l l combi ne t hemt o cr eat e sui t es, I
woul d end up wi t h si xt y t o sevent y- f i ve keys. I t coul d wor k.
I t was t i me t o di scuss pr i ce.
" I f I deci ded t o buy t he bui l di ng, how much woul d you want f or i t ?"
Di amond sai d, " I f I deci ded t o sel l t he bui l di ng, I ' d want t en mi l l i on
dol l ar s, a si x- mi l l i on cash down payment . . . "
Lar a shook her head, " I ' l l of f er . . . "
. . . . . per i od. No negot i at i ng. "
Lar a sat t her e, ment al l y f i gur i ng t he cost of r enovat i on. I t woul d be
appr oxi mat el y ei ght y dol l ar s per squar e f oot , or ei ght mi l l i on dol l ar s,
pl us f ur ni t ur e, f i xt ur es, and equi pment .
Lar a' s mi nd was f ur i ousl y cal cul at i ng. She was sur e she coul d get a
bank t o f i nance t he l oan. The pr obl emwas t hat she needed si x mi l l i on
dol l ar s i n equi t y, and she onl y had t hr ee mi l l i on. Di amond was aski ng
t oo much f or t he hot el , but she want ed i t . She want ed i t mor e t han
anyt hi ng she had ever want ed i n her l i f e.
" I ' l l make you a deal , " Lar a sai d.
He was l i st eni ng. " Yeah?"
" I ' l l gi ve you your aski ng pr i ce He smi l ed. " So f ar so g " And I ' l l
gi ve you a down payment of t hr ee mi l l i on i n cash. "
He shook hi s head " Can' t do i t . I ' ve got t o have si x mi l l i on i n cash
up f r ont . "
" You' l l have i t . "
" Yeah? Wher e' s t he ot her t hr ee comi ng f r om?"
" Fr omyou. "
" What ?"
" You' r e goi ng t o gi ve me a second mor t gage f or t hr ee mi l l i on. "
" You want t o bor r ow money f r omme t o buy my bui l di ng?"
I t was t he same t hi ng Sean MacAl l i st er had asked her i n Gl ace Bay.
" Look at i t t hi s way, " Lar a sai d. " You' r e r eal l y bor r owi ng t he money
f r omyour sel f You' l l own t he bui l di ng unt i l I pay i t of f . Ther e' s no
way you can l ose. "
He t hought about i t and gr i nned. " Lady, you j ust bought your sel f a
hot el " Howar d Kel l er ' s of f i ce i n t he bank was a cubi cl e wi t h hi s name
on t he door . When Lar a wal ked i n, he l ooked mor e r umpl ed t han ever .
" Back so soon?"
" You t ol d me t o come and see you when I f ound a hot el . I f ound one. "
Kel l er l eaned back i n hi s chai r . " Tel l me about i t . "
" I f ound an ol d hot el cal l ed t he Congr essi onal . I t ' s on Del awar e.
I t ' s a f ew bl ocks f r omMi chi gan Avenue.
I t ' s r un- down and seedy, and I want t o buy i t and t ur n i t i nt o t he best
hot el i n Chi cago. "
" Tel l me t he deal . "
Lar a t ol d hi m.
Kel l er sat t her e, t hi nki ng. " Let ' s r un i t past Bob Vance. "
Bob Vance l i st ened and made some not es. " I t mi ght be possi bl e, " he
sai d, " but . . . " He l ooked at Lar a. " Have you ever r un a hot el bef or e,
Mi ss Camer on?"
Lar a t hought about al l t he year s of r unni ng t he boar di nghouse i n Gl ace
Bay, maki ng t he beds, scr ubbi ng t he f l oor s and doi ng t he l aundr y and
t he di shes, t r yi ng t o pl ease t he di f f er ent per sonal i t i es and keep
peace.
" I r an a boar di nghouse f ul l of mi ner s and l umber men. A hot el wi l l be a
ci nch. "
Howar d Kel l er sai d, " I ' d l i ke t o t ake a l ook at t he pr oper t y, Bob. "
Lar a' s ent husi asmwas i r r esi st i bl e. Howar d Kel l er wat ched Lar a' s f ace
as t hey wal ked t hr ough t he seedy hot el r ooms, and he saw t hemt hr ough
her eyes.
" Thi s wi l l be a beaut i f ul sui t e wi t h a sauna, " Lar a sai d exci t edl y.
" The f i r epl ace wi l l be her e, and t he gr and pi ano i n t hat cor ner . " She
began t o pace back and f or t h.
" When af f l uent t r avel er s come t o Chi cago, t hey st ay at t he best hot el s,
but t hey' r e al l t he same- col d r ooms wi t hout any char act er . I f we can
of f er t hemsomet hi ng l i ke t hi s, even t hough i t may cost a l i t t l e mor e,
t her e' s no doubt about whi ch t hey' l l choose. Thi s wi l l r eal l y be a
home away f r omhome. "
" I ' mi mpr essed, " Howar d Kel l er sai d.
Lar a t ur ned t o hi meager l y. " Do you t hi nk t he bank wi l l l oan me t he
money?"
" Let ' s f i nd out . "
Thi r t y mi nut es l at er Howar d Kel l er was i n a conf er ence wi t h Vance.
" What do you t hi nk about i t ?" Vance asked.
" I t hi nk t he l ady' s on t o somet hi ng. I l i ke her i dea about a bout i que
hot el . "
" So do I . The onl y pr obl emi s t hat she' s so young and i nexper i enced.
I t ' s a gambl e. " They spent t he next hal f hour di scussi ng cost s and
pr oj ect ed ear ni ngs.
" I t hi nk we shoul d go ahead wi t h i t , " Kel l er f i nal l y sai d. " We can' t
l ose. " He gr i nned. " I f wor se comes t o wor st , you and I can move i nt o
t he hot el . "
Howar d Kel l er t el ephoned Lar a at t he Pal mer House. " The bank has j ust
appr oved your l oan. "
Lar a l et out a shr i ek. " Do you mean i t ? That ' s wonder f ul ! Oh, t hank
you, t hank you! "
" We have a f ew t hi ngs t o t al k about , " Howar d Kel l er sai d. " Ar e you
f r ee f or di nner t hi s eveni ng?"
" Yes. "
" Fi ne. I ' l l pi ck you up at seven- t hi r t y. "
They had di nner at t he I mper i al House. Lar a was so exci t ed t hat she
bar el y t ouched her f ood.
" I can' t t el l you how t hr i l l ed I am, " she sai d. " I t ' s goi ng t o be t he
most beaut i f ul hot el i n Chi cago. "
" Easy, " Kel l er war ned, " t her e' s a l ong way t o go. "
He hesi t at ed. " May I be f r ank wi t h you, Mi ss Camer on?"
" Lar a. "
" Lar a. You' r e a dar k hor se. You have no t r ack r ecor d. "
" I n Gl ace Bay. . . "
" Thi s i sn' t Gl ace Bay. To mi x met aphor s, i t ' s a di f f er ent bal l
par k. "
" Then why i s t he bank doi ng t hi s?" Lar a asked.
" Don' t get me wr ong. We' r e not a char i t abl e or gani zat i on. The wor st
t hi ng t hat can happen i s t hat t he bank wi l l br eak even. But I have a
f eel i ng about you. I bel i eve you' r e goi ng t o make i t . I t hi nk t her e
coul d be a bi g upsi de. You don' t i nt end t o st op wi t h t hi s one hot el ,
do you?"
" Of cour se not , " Lar a sai d.
" I di dn' t t hi nk so. What I want t o say i s t hat when we make a l oan, we
don' t usual l y get per sonal l y i nvol ved i n t he pr oj ect . But i n t hi s case
I ' d l i ke t o gi ve you what ever hel p you mi ght need. "
And Howar d Kel l er i nt ended t o get per sonal l y i nvol ved wi t h her . He had
been at t r act ed t o Lar a f r omt he moment he had seen her . He was
capt i vat ed by her ent husi asmand det er mi nat i on. She was a beaut i f ul
womanchi l d. He want ed desper at el y t o i mpr ess her . Maybe, Kel l er
t hought , one day I ' l l t el l her how cl ose I came t o bei ng f amous. . . .
Chapt er Ei ght .
I t was t he f i nal game of t he Wor l d Ser i es, and Wr i gl ey Fi el d was packed
wi t h 38, 710 scr eami ng f ans. " I t ' s t he t op of t he ni nt h, wi t h t he scor e
Cubs one, Yankees zer o. The Yankees ar e up at bat , wi t h t wo out s. The
bases ar e l oaded wi t h Tony Kubek on f i r st , Whi t ey For d on second, and
Yogi Ber r a on t hi r d. "
As Mi ckey Mant l e st epped up t o t he pl at e, t he cr owd r oar ed. " The Mi ck"
had hi t . 304 f or t he season and had f or t y- t wo home r uns under hi s bel t
f or t he year .
J ack Br i ckhouse, t he Wr i gl ey Fi el d announcer , sai d, exci t edl y, " Oh,
oh. . . i t l ooks l i ke t hey' r e goi ng t o change pi t cher s. They' r e t aki ng
out Moe Dr abowsky. . . . Cub Manager Bob Schef f i ng i s t al ki ng t o t he
umpi r e. . . l et ' s see who' s comi ng i n. . . i t ' s Howar d Kel l er ! Kel l er i s
wal ki ng up t o t he pi t cher ' s mound, and t he cr owd i s scr eami ng!
The whol e bur den of t he Wor l d Ser i es r est s on t hi s youngst er ' s
shoul der s. Can he st r i ke out t he gr eat Mi ckeyMant l e?
We' l l know i n a moment ! Kel l er i s on t he mound now. . .
he l ooks ar ound t he l oaded bases. . . t akes a deep br eat h, and wi nds
up.
Her e' s t he pi t ch. . . Mant l e haul s back t he bat . . . t akes a swi ng, and
mi sses! St r i ke one! "
The cr owd had become hushed. Mant l e moved f or war d a l i t t l e, hi s f ace
gr i m, hi s bat cocked, r eady t o swi ng.
Howar d Kel l er checked t he r unner s. The pr essur e was enor mous, but he
seemed t o be cool and composed. He t ur ned t o t he cat cher , l ooked i n
f or t he si gn, and wound up f or anot her pi t ch.
" Ther e' s t he wi ndup and t he pi t ch! " t he announcer yel l ed. " I t ' s
Kel l er ' s f amous cur ve bal l . . . Mant l e swi ngs on and mi sses! St r i ke
t wo!
I f young Kel l er can st r i ke out t he Mi ck, t he Chi cago Cubs wi l l wi n t he
Wor l d Ser i es!
We' r e wat chi ng Davi d and Gol i at h, l adi es and gent l emen!
Young Kel l er has onl y pl ayed i n t he bi g l eagues f or one year , but
dur i ng t hat t i me he has made an envi abl e r eput at i on f or hi msel f Mi ckey
Mant l e i s Gol i at h. . . can t he r ooki e Kel l er beat hi m? Ever yt hi ng i s
r i di ng on t hi s next pi t ch.
" Kel l er checks t he r unner s agai n. . . her e' s t he wi ndup . . . and her e we
go! I t ' s t he cur ve. . . Mant l e bai l s out as i t cur ves r i ght over t he
hear t of t he pl at e. . . St r i ke t hr ee cal l ed! " The announcer was
scr eami ng now. " Mant l e i s caught l ooki ng! The mi ght y Mi ck has st r uck
out , l adi es and gent l emen! Young Howar d Kel l er st r uck out t he gr eat
Mi ckey Mant l e! The game i s over - t he Wor l d Ser i es bel ongs t o t he
Chi cago Cubs! The f ans ar e on t hei r f eet goi ng cr azy! "
On t he f i el d, Howar d Kel l er ' s t eammat es r aced up t o hi mand pi cked hi m
up on t hei r shoul der s and st ar t ed t o cr oss t he. . .
" Howar d, what i n t he wor l d ar e you doi ng?"
" My homewor k, Mom. " Gui l t i l y t he f i f t een- year - ol d Howar d Kel l er t ur ned
of f t he t el evi si on set . The bal l game was al most over anyway.
Basebal l was Howar d' s passi on and hi s l i f e. He knew t hat one day he
woul d pl ay i n t he maj or l eagues. At t he age of si x he was compet i ng
agai nst ki ds t wi ce hi s age i n st i ckbal l , and when he was t wel ve, he
began pi t chi ng f or an Amer i can Legi on t eam. When Howar d was f i f t een, a
scout f or t he Chi cago Cubs was t ol d about t he young boy. " I ' ve never
seen anyt hi ng l i ke hi m, " hi s i nf or mant sai d. " The ki d has an
out st andi ng cur ve, and a mean sl i der , and a change- up you woul dn' t
bel i eve! "
The scout was skept i cal . Gr udgi ngl y, he sai d, " Al l r i ght . I ' l l t ake a
l ook at t he ki d. " He went t o t he next Amer i can Legi on game t hat Howar d
Kel l er pl ayed i n, and he became an i nst ant conver t . He sought out t he
young boy af t er t he game. " What do you want t o do wi t h your l i f e,
son?"
" Pl ay basebal l , " sai d Kel l er pr ompt l y.
" I ' mgl ad t o hear t hat . We' r e goi ng t o si gn you t o a cont r act wi t h our
mi nor - l eague t eam. "
Howar d coul dn' t wai t t o t el l hi s par ent s t he exci t i ng news.
The Kel l er s wer e a cl ose- kni t Cat hol i c f ami l y. They went t o mass ever y
Sunday, and t hey saw t o i t t hat t hei r son at t ended chur ch. Howar d
Kel l er , Sr was a t ypewr i t er sal esman, and he was on t he r oad a gr eat
deal .
When he was at home, he spent as much t i me as possi bl e wi t h hi s son.
Howar d was cl ose t o bot h hi s par ent s. Hi s mot her made i t a poi nt t o
at t end al l t he bal l games when her son was pl ayi ng, and cheer hi mon.
Howar d got hi s f i r st gl ove and uni f or mwhen he was si x year s ol d.
Howar d was a f anat i c about basebal l . He had an encycl opedi c memor y f or
t he st at i st i cs of games t hat wer e pl ayed bef or e he was even bor n. He
knew al l t he st at s of t he wi nni ng pi t cher s- t he st r i kes, t he out s, t he
number of saves and shut out s. He won money bet t i ng wi t h hi s
school mat es t hat he coul d name t he st ar t i ng pi t cher s i n any t eam
l i neup.
" Ni net een f or t y- ni ne. "
" That ' s easy, " Howar d sai d. " Newcombe, Roe, Hat t en, and Br anca f or t he
Dodger s. Reynol ds, Raschi , Byr ne, and Lopat f or t he Yankees. "
" Al l r i ght , " one of hi s t eammat es chal l enged. " Who pl ayed t he most
consecut i ve games i n maj or - l eague hi st or y?" The chal l enger was hol di ng
t he Gui nness Book of Recor ds i n f r ont of hi m.
Howar d Kel l er di dn' t even pause. " Lou Gehr i g- t wo t housand one hundr ed
t hi r t y. "
" Who had t he r ecor d f or t he most shut out s?"
" Wal t er J ohnson- one hundr ed and t hi r t een. "
" Who hi t t he most home r uns i n hi s car eer ?"
" Babe Rut h- seven hundr ed and f our t een. "
Wor d of t he young pl ayer ' s abi l i t y began t o ci r cul at e, and pr of essi onal
scout s came t o t ake a l ook at t he young phenomenon who was pl ayi ng on
t he Chi cago Cubs mi nor - l eague t eam. They wer e st unned. By t he t i me
Kel l er was sevent een, he had been appr oached by scout s f r omt he St .
Loui s Car di nal s and t he Bal t i mor e Or i ol es and t he New Yor k Yankees.
Howar d' s f at her was pr oud of hi m. " He t akes af t er me, " he woul d
boast .
" I used t o pl ay basebal l when I was a youngst er . "
Dur i ng t he summer of hi s seni or year i n hi gh school , Howar d Kel l er
wor ked as a j uni or cl er k i n a bank owned by one of t he sponsor s of hi s
Amer i can Legi on t eam.
Howar d was goi ng st eady wi t h a pr et t y school mat e named Bet t y Qui nl an.
I t was under st ood t hat when t hey f i ni shed col l ege, t hey woul d get
mar r i ed. Howar d woul d t al k basebal l by t he hour wi t h her , and because
she car ed f or hi m, she l i st ened pat i ent l y. Howar d l oved t he anecdot es
about hi s f avor i t e bal l pl ayer s, and ever y t i me he hear d a new one, he
woul d r ush t o t el l i t t o Bet t y.
" Casey St engel sai d, ' The secr et of managi ng i s t o keep t he f i ve guys
who hat e you away f r omt he f i ve who ar e undeci ded. " " " Someone asked
Yogi Ber r a what t i me i t was, and he sai d, ' You mean r i ght now?" ' " And
when a pl ayer was hi t i n t he shoul der by a pi t ched bal l , hi s t eammat e
sai d, ' Ther e' s not hi ng wr ong wi t h hi s shoul der except some pai n- and
pai n doesn' t hur t you. " ' Young Kel l er knew t hat he was soon goi ng t o
j oi n t he pant heon of t he gr eat pl ayer s. But t he gods had ot her pl ans
f or hi m.
Howar d came home f r omschool one day wi t h hi s best f r i end, J esse, who
pl ayed shor t st op on t he t eam. Ther e wer e t wo l et t er s wai t i ng f or
Kel l er . One of f er ed hi ma basebal l schol ar shi p at Pr i ncet on, and t he
ot her a basebal l schol ar shi p at Har var d.
" Gee, t hat ' s gr eat ! " J esse sai d. " Congr at ul at i ons! "
And he meant i t . Howar d Kel l er was hi s i dol .
" Whi ch one do you t hi nk you' r e goi ng t o t ake?" Howar d' s f at her
asked.
" Why do I have t o go t o col l ege at al l ?" Howar d wonder ed. " I coul d
get on one of t he bi g- l eague t eams now. "
Hi s mot her sai d f i r ml y, " Ther e' s pl ent y of t i me f or t hat , son. You' r e
goi ng t o get a good educat i on f i r st ; t hen, when you' r e t hr ough pl ayi ng
basebal l , you' l l be f i t t o do anyt hi ng you l i ke. "
" Al l r i ght , " Howar d sai d. " Har var d. Bet t y i s goi ng t o Wel l esl ey and I
can be near her . "
Bet t y Qui nl an was del i ght ed when Howar d t ol d her what he had deci ded.
" We' l l get t o see each ot her over t he weekends! " she sai d.
Hi s buddy, J esse, sai d, " I ' msur e goi ng t o mi ss you. "
The day bef or e Howar d Kel l er was t o l eave f or t he uni ver si t y, hi s
f at her r an of f wi t h t he secr et ar y of one of hi s cust omer s.
The young boy was st unned. " How coul d he do t hat ?"
Hi s mot her was i n shock. " He. . . he must be goi ng t hr ough a change of
l i f e, " she st ammer ed. " Your . . . your f at her l oves me ver y much.
He' l l . . . he' l l come back.
You' l l see. . . "
The f ol l owi ng day Howar d' s mot her r ecei ved a l et t er f r oman at t or ney,
f or mal l y st at i ng t hat hi s cl i ent , Howar d Kel l er , Sr want ed a di vor ce
and, si nce he had no money t o pay f or al i mony, was wi l l i ng t o l et hi s
wi f e have t hei r smal l house.
Howar d hel d hi s mot her i n hi s ar ms. " Don' t wor r y, Mom, I ' mgoi ng t o
st ay her e and t ake car e of you. "
" No. I don' t want you t o gi ve up col l ege f or me. Fr omt he day you
wer e bor n, your f at her and I pl anned f or you t o go t o col l ege. " Then
qui et l y, af t er a moment : " Let ' s t al k about i t i n t he mor ni ng. I ' mver y
t i r ed. "
Howar d st ayed up al l ni ght , t hi nki ng about hi s choi ces. He coul d go t o
Har var d on a basebal l schol ar shi p or t ake one of t he of f er s i n t he
maj or l eagues. Ei t her way he woul d be l eavi ng hi s mot her al one. I t
was a di f f i cul t deci si on.
When hi s mot her di dn' t appear at br eakf ast t he next mor ni ng, Howar d
went i nt o her bedr oom. She was si t t i ng up i n bed, unabl e t o move, her
f ace pul l ed up on one si de.
She had suf f er ed a st r oke.
Wi t h no money t o pay f or t he hospi t al or doct or s, Howar d went back t o
wor k at t he bank, f ul l - t i me. He was f i ni shed at f our o' cl ock, and each
af t er noon he hur r i ed home t o t ake car e of hi s mot her .
I t was a mi l d st r oke, and t he doct or assur ed Howar d t hat i n t i me hi s
mot her woul d be f i ne . " " She' s had a t er r i bl e shock, but she' s goi ng t o
r ecover .
Howar d st i l l got cal l s f r omscout s f r omt he maj or l eagues, but he knew
t hat he coul d not l eave hi s mot her .
I ' l l go when she' s bet t er , he t ol d hi msel f .
The medi cal bi l l s kept pi l i ng up.
I n t he begi nni ng he t al ked t o Bet t y Qui nl an once a week, but af t er a
f ew mont hs t he cal l s became l ess and l ess f r equent .
Howar d' s mot her di d not seemt o be i mpr ovi ng. Howar d t al ked t o t he
doct or . " When i s she goi ng t o be al l r i ght ?"
" I n a case l i ke t hi s, i t ' s har d t o t el l , son. She coul d go on f or
mont hs l i ke t hi s, or even year s. Sor r y I can' t be mor e speci f i c. "
The year ended and anot her began, and Howar d was st i l l l i vi ng wi t h hi s
mot her and wor ki ng at t he bank. One day he r ecei ved a l et t er f r om
Bet t y Qui nl an, t el l i ng hi mt hat she had f al l en i n l ove wi t h someone
el se and t hat she hoped hi s mot her was f eel i ng bet t er . The cal l s f r om
scout s became l ess f r equent and f i nal l y st opped al t oget her . Howar d' s
l i f e cent er ed on t aki ng car e of hi s mot her . He di d t he shoppi ng and
t he cooki ng and car r i ed on wi t h hi s j ob. He no l onger t hought about
basebal l . I t was di f f i cul t enough j ust get t i ng t hr ough each day.
When hi s mot her di ed f our year s l at er , Howar d Kel l er was no l onger
i nt er est ed i n basebal l . He was now a banker .
Hi s chance of f ame had vani shed.
Chapt er Ni ne.
owar d Kel l er and Lar a wer e havi ng di nner .
" How do we get st ar t ed?" Lar a asked.
" Fi r st of al l , we' r e goi ng t o get you t he best t eammoney can buy.
We' l l st ar t out wi t h a r eal est at e l awyer t o wor k out t he cont r act wi t h
t he Di amond br ot her s. Then we want t o get you a t op ar chi t ect . I have
someone i n mi nd.
Af t er t hat , we want t o hi r e a t op const r uct i on company.
I ' ve done a l i t t l e ar i t hmet i c of my own. The sof t cost s f or t he
pr oj ect wi l l come t o about t hr ee hundr ed t housand dol l ar s a r oom. The
cost of t he hot el wi l l be about seven mi l l i on dol l ar s. I f we pl an i t
r i ght , i t can wor k. "
The ar chi t ect ' s name was Ted Tut t l e, and when he hear d Lar a' s pl ans, he
gr i nned and sai d, " Bl ess you. I ' ve been wai t i ng f or someone t o come
al ong wi t h an i dea l i ke t hi s. "
Ten wor ki ng days l at er he had r ender ed hi s dr awi ngs. They wer e
ever yt hi ng Lar a had dr eamed of .
" Or i gi nal l y t he hot el had a hundr ed and t went y- f i ve r ooms, " t he
ar chi t ect sai d. " As you can see, I ' ve cut i t down t o sevent y- f i ve
keys, as you' ve asked. "
I n t he dr awi ng t her e wer e f i f t y sui t es and t went y- f i ve del uxe r ooms.
" I t ' s per f ect , " Lar a sai d.
Lar a showed t he pl ans t o Howar d Kel l er . He was equal l y ent husi ast i c.
" Let ' s go t o wor k. I ' ve set up a meet i ng wi t h a cont r act or . Hi s name
i s St eve Ri ce. "
St eve Ri ce was one of t he t op cont r act or s i n Chi cago.
Lar a l i ked hi mi mmedi at el y. He was a r ugged, nononsense, down- t o- ear t h
t ype.
Lar a sai d, " Howar d Kel l er t el l s me t hat you' r e t he best . "
" He' s r i ght , " Ri ce sai d. " Our mot t o i s ' We bui l d f or post er i t y. " "
" That ' s a good mot t o. "
Ri ce gr i nned. " I j ust made i t up. "
The f i r st st ep was t o br eak down each el ement i nt o a ser i es of
dr awi ngs. The dr awi ngs wer e sent t o pot ent i al subcont r act or s: st eel
manuf act ur er s, br i ckl ayer s, wi ndow compani es, el ect r i cal cont r act or s.
Al l i n al l , mor e t han si xt y subcont r act or s wer e i nvol ved.
The day escr ow cl osed, Howar d Kel l er t ook t he af t er noon of f t o
cel ebr at e wi t h Lar a.
" Does t he bank mi nd your t aki ng t hi s t i me of f ?" Lar a asked.
" No, " Kel l er l i ed. " I t ' s par t of my j ob. " The t r ut h was t hat he was
enj oyi ng t hi s mor e t han he had enj oyed anyt hi ng i n year s. He l oved
bei ng wi t h Lar a: he l oved t al ki ng t o her , l ooki ng at her . He wonder ed
how she f el t about mar r i age.
Lar a sai d, " I r ead t hi s mor ni ng t hat t hey' ve al most compl et ed t he Sear s
Tower . I t ' s a hundr ed and t en st or i es- t he t al l est bui l di ng i n t he
wor l d. "
" That ' s r i ght , " Kel l er sai d.
Lar a sai d gr avel y, " Someday I ' mgoi ng t o bui l d a hi gher one, Howar d. "
He bel i eved her .
They wer e havi ng l unch wi t h St eve Ri ce at t he Whi t ehal l . " Tel l me what
happens next , " Lar a asked.
" Wel l , " Ri ce sai d, " f i r st we' r e goi ng t o cl ean up t he i nt er i or of t he
bui l di ng. We' l l keep t he mar bl e. We' l l r emove al l t he wi ndows and gut
t he bat hr ooms. We' l l t ake out t he el ect r i cal r i ser s f or t he
i nst al l at i on of t he new el ect r i cal wi r i ng and updat e t he pl umbi ng.
When t he demol i t i on company i s t hr ough, we' l l be r eady t o begi n
bui l di ng your hot el . "
" How many peopl e wi l l be wor ki ng on i t ?"
Ri ce l aughed. " A mob, Mi ss Camer on. Ther e' l l be a wi ndow t eam, a
bat hr oomt eam, a cor r i dor t eam. These t eams wor k f l oor by f l oor ,
usual l y f r omt he t op f l oor down.
The hot el i s schedul ed t o have t wo r est aur ant s, and you' l l have r oom
ser vi ce. "
" How l ong i s al l t hi s goi ng t o t ake?"
" I woul d say- equi pped and f ur ni shed- ei ght een mont hs. "
" I ' l l gi ve you a bonus i f you f i ni sh i t i n a year , " Lar a t ol d hi m.
" Gr eat . The Congr essi onal shoul d. . . "
" I ' mchangi ng t he name. I t ' s goi ng t o be cal l ed t he Camer on Pal ace. "
Lar a f el t a t hr i l l j ust sayi ng t he wor ds.
I t was al most a sexual f eel i ng. Her name was goi ng t o be on a bui l di ng
f or al l t he wor l d t o see.
At si x o' cl ock on a r ai ny Sept ember mor ni ng, t he r econst r uct i on of t he
hot el began. Lar a was at t he si t e eager l y wat chi ng as t he wor kmen
t r ooped i nt o t he l obby and began t o t ear i t apar t .
To Lar a' s sur pr i se, Howar d Kel l er appear ed.
" You' r e up ear l y, " Lar a sai d.
" I coul dn' t sl eep. " Kel l er gr i nned. " I have a f eel i ng t hi s i s t he
begi nni ng of somet hi ng bi g. "
Twel ve mont hs l at er t he Camer on Pal ace opened t o r ave r evi ews and l and
of f i ce busi ness.
The ar chi t ect ur al cr i t i c f or t he Chi cago Tr i bune wr ot e, " Chi cago
f i nal l y has a hot el t hat l i ves up t o t he mot t o ' Your home away f r om
home! " Lar a Camer on i s someone t o keep an eye on. . . . "
By t he end of t he f i r st mont h t he hot el was f ul l and had a l ong wai t i ng
l i st .
Howar d Kel l er was ent husi ast i c. " At t hi s r at e, " he sai d, " t he hot el
wi l l be pai d of f i n t wel ve year s. That ' s wonder f ul . We. . . "
" Not good enough, " Lar a sai d. " I ' mr ai si ng t he r at es. "
She saw t he expr essi on on Kel l er ' s f ace. " Don' t wor r y.
They' l l pay i t . Wher e el se can t hey get t wo f i r epl aces, a sauna, and a
gr and pi ano?"
Two weeks af t er t he Camer on Pal ace opened, Lar a had a meet i ng wi t h Bob
Vance and Howar d Kel l er .
" I f ound anot her gr eat si t e f or a hot el , " Lar a sai d.
" I t ' s goi ng t o be l i ke t he Camer on Pal ace, onl y bi gger and bet t er . "
Howar d Kel l er gr i nned. " I ' l l t ake a l ook at i t . "
The si t e was per f ect , but t her e was a pr obl em.
" You' r e t oo l at e, " t he br oker t ol d Lar a. " A devel oper named St eve
Mur chi son was her e t hi s mor ni ng, and he made me an of l l er . Ne' s goi ng
t o buy i t . "
" How much di d he of f er ?"
" Thr ee mi l l i on. "
" I ' l l gi ve you f our . Dr aw up t he paper s. "
The br oker bl i nked onl y once. " Ri ght . "
Lar a r ecei ved a t el ephone cal l t he f ol l owi ng af t er noon.
" Lar a Camer on?"
" Yes. "
" Thi s i s St eve Mur chi son. I ' mgoi ng t o l et i t go t hi s t i me, bi t ch,
because I don' t t hi nk you know what t he hel l you' r e doi ng. But i n t he
f ut ur e st ay out of my way- you coul d get hur t . "
And t he l i ne went dead.
I t was 1974, and moment ous event s wer e occur r i ng ar ound t he wor l d.
Pr esi dent Ni xon r esi gned t o avoi d i mpeachment , and Ger al d For d st epped
i nt o t he Whi t e House. OPEC ended i t s oi l embar go, and I sabel Per on
became t he pr esi dent of Ar gent i na. And i n Chi cago Lar a st ar t ed
const r uct i on on her second hot el , t he Chi cago Camer on Pl aza. I t was
compl et ed ei ght een mont hs l at er , and i t was an even bi gger success t han
t he Camer on Pal ace. Ther e was no st oppi ng Lar a af t er t hat . As For bes
magazi ne was t o wr i t e l at er , " Lar a Camer on i s a phenomenon. Her
i nnovat i ons ar e changi ng t he concept of hot el s. Mi ss Camer on has
i nvaded t he t r adi t i onal l y mal e t ur f of r eal est at e devel oper s and has
pr oved t hat a woman can out shi ne t hemal l . "
Lar a r ecei ved a t el ephone cal l f r omChar l es Col i n.
" Congr at ul at i ons, " he sai d. " I ' mpr oud of you. I ' ve never had a
pr ot egee bef or e. "
" I ' ve never had a ment or bef or e. Wi t hout you, none of t hi s woul d have
happened. "
" You woul d have f ound a way, " Col i n sai d.
* * I n 1975 t he movi e J aws swept t he count r y, and peopl e st opped goi ng
i nt o t he ocean. The wor l d popul at i on passed f our bi l l i on, r educed by
one when Teamst er Pr esi dent J ames Hof f a di sappear ed. When Lar a hear d
t he f our bi l l i on popul at i on f i gur e, she sai d t o Kel l er , " Do you have
any i dea how much housi ng t hat woul d r equi r e?"
He was not sur e whet her she was j oki ng.
Over t he next t hr ee year s, t wo apar t ment bui l di ngs and a condomi ni um
wer e compl et ed. " I want t o put up an of f i ce bui l di ng next , " Lar a t ol d
Kel l er , " r i ght i n t he hear t of t he Loop. "
" Ther e' s an i nt er est i ng pi ece of pr oper t y comi ng on t he mar ket , " Kel l er
t ol d her . " I f you l i ke i t , we' l l f i nance you.
That af t er noon t hey went t o l ook at i t . I t was on t he wat er f r ont , i n a
choi ce l ocat i on.
" What ' s i t goi ng t o cost ?" Lar a asked.
" I ' ve done t he number s. I t wi l l come t o a hundr ed and t went y mi l l i on
dol l ar s. "
Lar a swal l owed. " That scar es me. "
" Lar a, i n r eal est at e t he name of t he game i s t o bor r ow.
Ot her peopl e' s money, Lar a t hought . That ' s what Bi l l Roger s had t ol d
her at t he boar di nghouse. Al l t hat seemed so l ong ago, and so much had
happened si nce t hen. And i t ' s onl y t he begi nni ng, Lar a t hought . I t ' s
onl y t he begi nni ng.
" Some devel oper s put up bui l di ngs wi t h al most no cash of t hei r own. "
" I ' ml i st eni ng. "
" The i dea i s t o r ent or r esel l t he bui l di ng f or enough money t o pay of f
t he debt on i t , and st i l l have money l ef t over t o buy some mor e
pr oper t y wi t h t hat cash, and bor r ow mor e money f or anot her pr oper t y.
I t ' s an i nver t ed pyr ami d- a r eal est at e pyr ami d- t hat you can bui l d on a
ver y smal l i ni t i al cash i nvest ment . "
" I under st and, " Lar a sai d.
" Of cour se, you have t o be car ef ul . The pyr ami d i s bui l t on paper - t he
mor t gages. I f anyt hi ng goes wr ong, i f t he pr of i t f r omone i nvest ment
f ai l s t o cover t he debt on t he next one, t he pyr ami d can t oppl e and
bur y you. "
" Ri ght . How can I acqui r e t he wat er f r ont pr oper t y?"
" We' l l set up aj oi nt vent ur e f or you. I ' l l t al k t o Vance about i t . I f
i t ' s t oo bi g f or our bank t o handl e, we' l l go t o an i nsur ance company
or a savi ngs and l oan. You' l l t ake out a f i f t y- mi l l i on- dol l ar mor t gage
l oan. You' l l get t hei r mor t gage coupon r at e- t hat woul d be f i ve mi l l i on
and a t en per cent r at e, pl us amor t i zat i on on t he mor t gageand t hey' l l be
your par t ner s. They' l l t ake t he f i r st t en per cent of t he ear ni ngs, but
you' l l get your pr oper t y, f ul l y f i nanced. You can get your cash r epai d
and keep one hundr ed per cent of t he depr eci at i on, because f i nanci al
i nst i t ut i ons have no use f or l osses. "
Lar a was l i st eni ng, absor bi ng ever y wor d.
" Ar e you wi t h me so f ar ?"
" I ' mwi t h you. "
" I n f i ve or si x year s, af t er t he bui l di ng i s l eased, you sel l i t . I f
t he pr oper t y sel l s f or sevent y- f i ve mi l l i on, af t er you pay of f t he
mor t gage, you' I l net t wel ve and a hal f mi l l i on dol l ar s. Besi des t hat ,
you' l l have a t ax- shel t er ed ear ni ng st r eamof ei ght mi l l i on i n
depr eci at i on t hat you can use t o r educe t axes on ot her i ncome. Al l of
t hi s f or a cash i nvest ment of t en mi l l i on. "
" That ' s f ant ast i c! " Lar a sai d.
Kel l er gr i nned. " The gover nment want s you t o make money. "
" How woul d you l i ke t o make some money, Howar d?
Some r eal money?"
" I beg your par don?"
" I want you t o come t o wor k f or me. "
Kel l er was suddenl y qui et . He knew he was f aci ng one of t he most
i mpor t ant deci si ons of hi s l i f e, and i t had not hi ng t o do wi t h money.
I t was Lar a. He had f al l en i n l ove wi t h her . Ther e had been one
pai nf ul epi sode when he had t r i ed t o t el l her . He had pr act i ced hi s
mar r i age pr oposal al l ni ght , and t he f ol l owi ng mor ni ng he had gone t o
her and st ammer ed, " Lar a, I l ove you, " and bef or e he coul d say mor e,
she had ki ssed hi mon t he cheek and sai d, " I l ove you, t oo, Howar d.
Take a l ook at t hi s new pr oduct i on schedul e. " And he had not had t he
ner ve t o t r y agai n.
Now she was aski ng hi mt o be her par t ner . He woul d be wor ki ng near her
ever y day, unabl e t o t ouch her , unabl e t o. . .
" Do you bel i eve i n me, Howar d?"
" I ' d be cr azy not t o, woul dn' t I ?"
" I ' l l pay you t wi ce what ever you' r e maki ng now, and gi ve you f i ve
per cent of t he company. "
" Can I . . . can I t hi nk about i t ?"
" Ther e' s r eal l y not hi ng t o t hi nk about , i s t her e?"
He made hi s deci si on. " I guess not . . . par t ner . "
Lar a gave hi ma hug. " That ' s wonder f ul ! You and I ar e goi ng t o bui l d
beaut i f ul t hi ngs. Ther e ar e so many ugl y bui l di ngs ar ound. Ther e' s no
excuse f or t hem. Ever y bui l di ng shoul d be a t r i but e t o t hi s ci t y. "
He put hi s hand on her ar m. " Don' t ever change, Lar a. "
She l ooked at hi mhar d.
" I won' t . "
Chapt er Ten.
The l at e 1970s wer e year s of gr owt h and change and exci t ement . I n 1976
t her e was a successf ul I sr ael i r ai d on Ent ebbe, and Mao Zedong di ed,
and J ames Ear l Car t er , J r was el ect ed Pr esi dent of t he Uni t ed St at es.
Lar a er ect ed anot her of f i ce bui l di ng.
I n 1977 Char l i e Chapl i n di ed, and El vi s Pr esl ey t empor ar i l y di ed.
Lar a bui l t t he l ar gest shoppi ng mal l i n Chi cago.
I n 1978 Rever end J i mJ ones and 911 f ol l ower s commi t t ed mass sui ci de i n
Guyana. The Uni t ed St at es r ecogni zed Communi st Chi na, and t he Panama
Canal t r eat i es wer e r at i f i ed.
Lar a bui l t a ser i es of hi gh- r i se condomi ni ums i n Roger s Par k.
I n 1979 I sr ael and Egypt si gned a peace t r eat y at Camp Davi d, t her e was
a nucl ear acci dent at Thr ee- Mi l e I sl and, and Musl i mf undament al i st s
sei zed t he Uni t ed St at es Embassy i n I r an.
Lar a bui l t a skyscr aper and a gl amor ous r esor t and count r y cl ub i n
Deer f i el d, nor t h of Chi cago.
Lar a sel domwent out soci al l y, and when she di d, she usual l y went t o a
cl ub wher e j azz was pl ayed. She l i ked Andy' s, a cl ub wher e t he t op
j azz ar t i st s per f or med. She l i st ened t o Von Fr eeman, t he gr eat
saxophoni st , and Er i c Schnei der , and r eed man Ant hony Br axt on, and Ar t
Hodes at t he pi ano.
Lar a had no t i me t o f eel l onel y. She spent ever y day wi t h her f ami l y:
t he ar chi t ect s and t he const r uct i on cr ew, t he car pent er s, t he
el ect r i ci ans and sur veyor s and pl umber s. She was obsessed wi t h t he
bui l di ngs she was put t i ng up. Her st age was Chi cago, and she was t he
st ar .
Her pr of essi onal l i f e was pr oceedi ng beyond her wi l dest dr eams, but she
had no per sonal l i f e. Her exper i ence wi t h Sean MacAl l i st er had sour ed
her on sexual r el at i onshi ps, and she never met anyone she was
i nt er est ed i n seei ng f or mor e t han an eveni ng or t wo. I n t he back of
Lar a' s mi nd was an el usi ve i mage, someone she had once met and want ed
t o meet agai n. But she coul d never seemt o capt ur e i t . For a f l eet i ng
moment she woul d r ecal l i t , and t hen i t was gone.
Ther e wer e pl ent y of sui t or s. They r anged f r ombusi ness execut i ves t o
oi l men t o poet s, and even i ncl uded some of her empl oyees. Lar a was
pl easant t o al l of t he men, but she never per mi t t ed any r el at i onshi p t o
go f ur t her t han a good- ni ght handshake at t he door .
But t hen Lar a f ound her sel f at t r act ed t o Pet e Ryan, t he head f or eman on
one of Lar a' s bui l di ng j obs, a handsome, st r appi ng young man wi t h an
I r i sh br ogue and a qui ck smi l e, and Lar a st ar t ed vi si t i ng t he pr oj ect
Ryan was wor ki ng on mor e and mor e of t en. They woul d t al k about
const r uct i on pr obl ems, but under neat h t hey wer e bot h awar e t hat t hey
wer e speaki ng about ot her t hi ngs.
" Ar e you goi ng t o have di nner wi t h me?" Ryan asked.
The wor d " di nner " was st r et ched out sl owl y.
Lar a f el t her hear t gi ve a l i t t l e j ump. " Yes. "
Ryan pi cked Lar a up at her apar t ment , but t hey never got t o di nner .
" My God, you' r e a l ovel y t hi ng, " he sai d. And hi s st r ong ar ms went
ar ound her .
She was r eady f or hi m. Thei r f or epl ay had been goi ng on f or mont hs.
Ryan pi cked her up and car r i ed her i nt o t he bedr oom. They undr essed
t oget her , qui ckl y, ur gent l y.
He had a l ean, har d bui l d, and Lar a had a qui ck ment al pi ct ur e of Sean
MacAl l i st er ' s heavy, pudgy body. The next moment she was i n bed and
Ryan was on t op of her , hi s hands and t ongue al l over her , and she
cr i ed al oud wi t h t he j oy of what was happeni ng t o her .
When t hey wer e bot h spent , t hey l ay i n each ot her ' s ar ms. " My God, "
Ryan sai d sof t l y, " you' r e a bl oody mi r acl e. "
" So ar e you, " Lar a whi sper ed.
She coul d not r emember when she had been so happy.
Ryan was ever yt hi ng she want ed. He was i nt el l i gent and war m, and t hey
under st ood each ot her , t hey spoke t he same l anguage.
Ryan squeezed her hand. " I ' mst ar ved. "
" So amI . I ' l l make us some sandwi ches. "
" Tomor r ow ni ght , " Ryan pr omi sed, " I ' l l t ake you out f or a pr oper
di nner . "
Lar a hel d hi mcl ose. " I t ' s a dat e. "
The f ol l owi ng mor ni ng Lar a went t o vi si t Ryan at t he bui l di ng si t e.
She coul d see hi mhi gh up on one of t he st eel gi r der s, gi vi ng or der s t o
hi s men. As Lar a wal ked t owar d t he wor k el evat or , one of t he wor kmen
gr i nned at her . " Mor ni n' , Mi ss Camer on. " Ther e was an odd not e i n hi s
voi ce.
Anot her wor kman passed her and gr i nned. " Mor ni n' , Mi ss Camer on. "
Two ot her wor kmen wer e l eer i ng at her . " Mor ni ng, boss. "
Lar a l ooked ar ound. Ot her wor kmen wer e wat chi ng her , al l smi r ki ng.
Lar a' s f ace t ur ned r ed. She st epped i nt o t he wor k el evat or and r ode up
t o t he l evel wher e Ryan was. As she st epped out , Ryan saw her and
smi l ed.
" Mor ni ng, sweet hear t , " Ryan sai d. " What t i me i s di nner t oni ght ?"
" You' l l st ar ve f i r st , " Lar a sai d f i er cel y. " You' r e f i r ed. "
Ever y bui l di ng Lar a put up was a chal l enge. She er ect ed smal l of f i ce
bui l di ngs wi t h f l oor spaces of f i ve t housand squar e f eet , and l ar ge
of f i ce bui l di ngs and hot el s. But no mat t er what t ype of bui l di ng i t
was, t he most i mpor t ant t hi ng t o her was t he l ocat i on.
Bi l l Roger s had been r i ght . Locat i on, l ocat i on, l ocat i on.
Lar a' s empi r e kept expandi ng. She was begi nni ng t o get r ecogni t i on
f r omt he ci t y f at her s and f r omt he pr ess and t he publ i c. She was a
gl amor ous f i gur e, and when she went t o char i t y event s or t o t he oper a
or a museum, phot ogr apher s wer e al ways eager t o t ake her pi ct ur e. She
began t o appear i n t he medi a mor e and mor e of t en. Al l her bui l di ngs
wer e successes, and st i l l she was not sat i sf i ed. I t was as t hough she
wer e wai t i ng f or somet hi ng wonder f ul t o happen t o her , wai t i ng f or a
door t o open, wai t i ng t o be t ouched by some unknown magi c.
Kel l er was puzzl ed. " What do you want , Lar a?"
" Mor e. "
And i t was al l he coul d get out of her .
One day Lar a sai d t o Kel l er , " Howar d, do you know how much we' r e payi ng
ever y mont h f or j ani t or s and l i nen ser vi ce and wi ndow washer s?"
" I t goes wi t h t he t er r i t or y, " Kel l er sai d.
" Then l et ' s buy t he t er r i t or y. "
" What ar e you t al ki ng about ?"
" We' r e goi ng t o st ar t a subsi di ar y. We' l l suppl y t hose ser vi ces t o
our sel ves and t o ot her bui l der s. "
The i dea was a success f r omt he begi nni ng. The pr of i t s kept pour i ng
i n.
I t seemed t o Kel l er t hat Lar a had bui l t an emot i onal wal l ar ound
her sel f . He was cl oser t o her t han anyone el se, and yet Lar a never
spoke t o hi mabout her f ami l y or her backgr ound. I t was as t hough she
had emer ged f ul l bl own out of t he mi st s of nowher e. I n t he begi nni ng
Kel l er had been Lar a' s ment or , t eachi ng her and gui di ng her , but now
Lar a made al l t he deci si ons al one. The pupi l had out gr own t he
t eacher .
Lar a l et not hi ng st and i n her way. She was becomi ng an i r r esi st i bl e
f or ce, and t her e was no st oppi ng her . She was a per f ect i oni st . She
knew what she want ed and i nsi st ed on get t i ng i t .
At f i r st some of t he wor kmen t r i ed t o t ake advant age of her . They had
never wor ked f or a woman bef or e, and t he i dea amused t hem. They wer e
i n f or a shock. When Lar a caught one of t he f or emen
penci l - whi ppi ng- si gni ng of f f or wor k t hat had not been done- she cal l ed
hi mi n f r ont of t he cr ew and f i r ed hi m. She was at t he bui l di ng si t e
ever y mor ni ng. The cr ew woul d ar r i ve at si x o' cl ock and f i nd Lar a
al r eady t her e, wai t i ng f or t hem. Ther e was r ampant sexi sm. The men
woul d wai t unt i l Lar a was i n ear shot and exchange l ewd j okes.
" Di d you hear about t he t al ki ng pussy at t he f ar m?
I t f el l i n l ove wi t h a cock and. . . "
" So t he l i t t l e gi r l sai d, ' Can you get pr egnant swal l owi ng a man' s
seed?" And her mama sai d, ' No. Fr omt hat , dar l i ng, you get
j ewel r y. . .
Ther e wer e some over t gest ur es. Occasi onal l y one of t he wor kmen
passi ng Lar a woul d " acci dent al l y" br ush hi s ar macr oss her br east s or
pr ess agai nst her bot t om.
" Oops, sor r y. "
" No pr obl em, " Lar a sai d. " Pi ck up your check and get out of her e. "
Thei r amusement event ual l y began t o change t o r espect .
One day, when Lar a was dr i vi ng al ong Kedzi e Avenue wi t h Howar d Kel l er ,
she came t o a bl ock f i l l ed wi t h smal l shops. She st opped t he car .
" Thi s bl ock i s bei ng wast ed, " Lar a sai d. " Ther e shoul d be a hi gh r i se
her e. These l i t t l e shops can' t br i ng much of an i ncome. "
" Yeah, but t he pr obl emi s, you' d have t o per suade ever y one of t hese
t enant s t o sel l out , " Kel l er sai d. " Some of t hemmay not want t o. "
" We can buy t hemout , " Lar a decl ar ed.
" Lar a, i f even one t enant r ef uses t o sel l , you coul d be st uck f or a
bundl e. You' l l have bought a l ot of l i t t l e shops you don' t want and
you won' t be abl e t o put up your bui l di ng. And i f t he t enant s get wi nd
t hat a bi g hi gh r i se i s goi ng up her e, t hey' l l hol d you up. "
" We won' t l et t hemknow what we' r e doi ng, " Lar a sai d. She was
begi nni ng t o get exci t ed. " We' l l have di f f er ent peopl e appr oach t he
owner s of t he shops. "
" I ' ve been t hr ough t hi s bef or e, " Kel l er war ned. " I f wor d l eaks out ,
t hey' r e goi ng t o gouge you f or ever y penny t hey can get . "
" Then we' l l have t o be car ef ul . Let ' s get an opt i on on t he
pr oper t y. "
The bl ock on Kedzi e Avenue consi st ed of mor e t han a dozen smal l st or es
and shops. Ther e was a baker y, a har dwar e st or e, a bar ber shop, a
cl ot hi ng st or e, a but cher , a t ai l or , a dr ugst or e, a st at i oner y st or e, a
cof f ee shop, and a var i et y of ot her busi nesses.
" Don' t f or get t he r i sk, " Kel l er war ned Lar a. " I f t her e' s one hol dout ,
you' ve l ost al l t he money you' ve put i n t o buy t hose busi nesses. "
" Don' t wor r y, " Lar a sai d. " I ' l l handl e i t . "
A week l at er a st r anger wal ked i nt o t he t wo- chai r bar ber shop. The
bar ber was r eadi ng a magazi ne. As t he door opened, he l ooked up and
nodded. " Can I hel p you, si r ? Hai r cut ?"
The st r anger smi l ed. " No, " he sai d. " I j ust ar r i ved i n t own. I had a
bar ber shop i n New J er sey, but my wi f e want ed t o move her e t o be near
her mot her . I ' ml ooki ng f or a shop I can buy. "
" Thi s i s t he onl y bar ber shop i n t he nei ghbor hood, " t he bar ber sai d.
" I t ' s not f or sal e. "
The st r anger smi l ed. " When you come r i ght down t o i t , ever yt hi ng' s f or
sal e, i sn' t i t ? At t he r i ght pr i ce, of cour se. What ' s t hi s shop
wor t h- about f i f t y, si xt y t housand dol l ar s?"
" Somet hi ng l i ke t hat , " t he bar ber admi t t ed.
" I r eal l y amanxi ous t o have my own shop agai n. I ' l l t el l you what .
I ' l l gi ve you sevent y- f i ve t housand dol l ar s f or t hi s pl ace. "
" No, I coul dn' t t hi nk of sel l i ng i t . "
" A hundr ed. "
" Real l y, mi st er , I don' t . . . "
" And you can t ake al l t he equi pment wi t h you. "
The bar ber was st ar i ng at hi m. " You' l l gi ve me a hundr ed t housand and
l et me t ake t he bar ber chai r s and t he r est of t he equi pment ?"
" That ' s r i ght . I have my own equi pment . "
" Can I t hi nk about i t ? I ' l l have t o t al k t o my wi f e. "
" Sur e. I ' l l dr op back t omor r ow. "
Two days l at er t he bar ber shop was acqui r ed.
" That ' s one down, " Lar a sai d.
The baker y was next . I t was a smal l f ami l y baker y owned by a husband
and wi f e. The ovens i n t he back r oomper meat ed t he st or e wi t h t he
smel l of f r esh br ead. A woman was t al ki ng t o one of t he owner s.
" My husband di ed and l ef t me hi s i nsur ance money.
We had a baker y i n Fl or i da. I ' ve been l ooki ng f or a pl ace j ust l i ke
t hi s. I ' d l i ke t o buy i t . "
" I t ' s a comf or t abl e l i vi ng, " t he owner sai d. " My wi f e and I have never
t hought about sel l i ng. "
" I f you wer e i nt er est ed i n sel l i ng, how much woul d you want ?"
The owner shr ugged. " I don' t know. "
" Woul d you say t he baker y' s wor t h si xt y t housand dol l ar s?"
" Oh, at l east sevent y- f i ve, " t he owner sai d.
" I ' l l t el l you what , " t he woman sai d. " I ' l l gi ve you a hundr ed
t housand dol l ar s f or i t . "
The owner st ar ed at her . " Ar e you ser i ous?"
" I ' ve never been mor e ser i ous i n my l i f e. "
The next mor ni ng Lar a sai d, " That ' s t wo down. "
The r est of t he deal s went j ust as smoot hl y. They had a dozen men and
women goi ng ar ound i mper sonat i ng t ai l or s, baker s, phar maci st s, and
but cher s. Over t he per i od of t he next si x mont hs Lar a bought out t he
st or es, t hen hi r ed peopl e t o come i n and r un t he di f f er ent
oper at i ons.
The ar chi t ect s had al r eady st ar t ed t o dr aw up pl ans f or t he hi gh
r i se.
Lar a was st udyi ng t he l at est r epor t s. " I t l ooks l i ke we' ve done i t , "
she t ol d Kel l er .
" I ' maf r ai d we have a pr obl em. "
" Why? The onl y one l ef t i s t he cof f ee shop. "
" That ' s our pr obl em. He' s t her e on a f i ve- year l ease, but he won' t
gi ve up t he l ease. "
" Of f er hi mmor e money. . . "
" He says he won' t gi ve i t up at any pr i ce. "
Lar a was st ar i ng at hi m. " Does he know about t he hi gh r i se goi ng
up?"
" No. "
" Al l r i ght . I ' l l go t al k t o hi m. Don' t wor r y, he' l l get out . Fi nd
out who owns t he bui l di ng he' s" The f ol l owi ng mor ni ng Lar a pai d a vi si t
t o t he si t e.
Hal ey' s Cof f ee Shop was at t he f ar end of t he sout hwest cor ner of t he
bl ock The shop was smal l , wi t h hal f a dozen st ool s al ong t he count er
and f our boot hs. A man Lar a pr esumed t o be t he pr opr i et or was behi nd
t he count er .
He appear ed t o be i n hi s l at e si xt i es.
Lar a sat down at a boot h.
" Mor ni ng, ' t he man sai d pl easant l y. " What can I br i ng you?"
" Or ange j ui ce and cof f ee, pl ease. "
" Comi ng up. "
She wat ched hi msqueeze some f r esh or ange j ui ce.
" My wai t r ess di dn' t show up t oday. Good hel p' s har d t o get t hese
days. " He pour ed t he cof f ee and came f r ombehi nd t he count er . He was
i n a wheel chai r . He had no l egs. Lar a wat ched si l ent l y as he br ought
t he cof f ee and or ange j ui ce t o t he t abl e.
" Thank you, " Lar a sai d She l ooked ar ound. " Ni ce pl ace you have
her e. "
" Yep. I l i ke i t . "
" How I ong have you been her e?"
" Ten year s " Di d you ever t hi nk of r et i r i ng?"
He shook hi s head. " You' r e t he second per son who asked me t hat t hi s
week. No, I ' l l never r et i r e. "
" Maybe t hey di dn' t of f er you enough money, " Lar a suggest ed.
" I t has not hi ng t o do wi t h money, mi ss Bef or e I came her e, I spent t wo
year s i n a vet er ans hospi t al No l r i enr i <.
Not much poi nt t o l i f e. And t hen someone t al ked me i nt o l easi ng t hi s
pl ace. " He smi l ed. " I t changed my whol e l i f e.
Al l t he peopl e i n t he nei ghbor hood dr op i n her e. They' ve become my
f r i ends, al most l i ke my f ami l y. I t ' s gi ven me a r eason f or l i vi ng. "
He shook hi s head. " No. Money has not hi ng t o do wi t h i t . Can I br i ng
you mor e cof f ee?"
Lar a was i n a meet i ng wi t h Howar d Kel l er and t he ar chi t ect . " We don' t
even have t o buy out hi s l ease, " Kel l er was sayi ng. " I j ust t al ked t o
t he l andl or d. Ther e' s a f or f ei t ur e cl ause i f t he cof f ee shop doesn' t
gr oss a cer t ai n amount each mont h. For t he l ast f ew mont hs he' s been
under t hat gr oss, so we can cl ose hi mout . "
Lar a t ur ned t o t he ar chi t ect . " I have a quest i on f or you. " She l ooked
down at t he pl ans spr ead out on t he t abl e and poi nt ed t o t he sout hwest
cor ner of t he dr awi ng.
" What i f we bui l t a set back her e, el i mi nat ed t hi s l i t t l e ar ea and l et
t he cof f ee shop st ay? Coul d t he bui l di ng st i l l be put up?"
The ar chi t ect st udi ed t he pl an. " I suppose so. I coul d sl ope t hat
si de of t he bui l di ng and count er bal ance i t on t he ot her si de. Of
cour se, i t woul d l ook bet t er i f we di dn' t have t o do t hat . . . "
" But i t coul d wor k, " Lar a pr essed.
" Yes. "
Kel l er sai d, " Lar a, I t ol d you we can f or ce hi mout of t her e. "
Lar a shook her head. " We' ve bought up t he r est of t he bl ock, haven' t
we?"
Kel l er nodded. " You bet . You' r e t he pr oud owner of a cl ot hi ng st or e,
a t ai l or shop, a st at i oner y st or e, a dr ugst or e, a baker y, a. . . "
" Al l r i ght , " Lar a sai d. " The t enant s of t he new hi gh r i se ar e goi ng t o
have a cof f ee shop t o dr op i n on. And so do we. Hal ey st ays. "
On her f at her ' s bi r t hday Lar a sai d t o Kel l er , " Howar d, I want you t o do
me a f avor . "
" Sur e. "
" I want you t o go t o Scot l and f or me. "
" Ar e we goi ng t o bui l d somet hi ng i n Scot l and?"
" We' r e goi ng t o buy a cast l e. "
He st ood t her e, l i st eni ng.
" Ther e' s a pl ace i n t he Hi ghl ands cal l ed Loch Mor l i ch. I t ' s on t he
r oad t o Gl enmor e near Avi emor e. Ther e ar e cast l es al l ar ound t her e.
Buy one. "
" Ki nd of a summer home?"
" I don' t pl an t o l i ve i n i t . I want t o bur y my f at her i n t he
gr ounds. "
Kel l er sai d, sl owl y, " You want me t o buy a cast l e i n Scot l and t o bur y
your f at her i n?"
" That ' s r i ght . I haven' t t i me t o go over mysel f . You' r e t he onl y one
I can t r ust t o do i t . My f at her i s i n t he Gr eenwood Cemet er y at Gl ace
Bay. "
I t was t he f i r st r eal i nsi ght Kel l er ever had i nt o Lar a' s f eel i ngs
about her f ami l y.
" You must have l oved your f at her ver y much. "
" Wi l l you do i t f or me?"
" Cer t ai nl y. "
" Af t er he' s bur i ed, ar r ange f or a car et aker t o t end t he gr ave. "
Thr ee weeks l at er Kel l er r et ur ned f r omScot l and and sai d, " I t ' s al l
t aken car e of . You own a cast l e. Your f at her ' s r est i ng i n t he
gr ounds. I t ' s a beaut i f ul pl ace near t he hi l l s and wi t h a smal l l ake
cl ose by. You' l l l ove i t . When ar e you goi ng over ?"
Lar a l ooked up i n sur pr i se. " Me? I ' mnot , " she sai d.
Chapt er El even.
I n 1984 Lar a Camer on deci ded t hat t he t i me had come t o conquer New
Yor k. When she t ol d Kel l er her pl an, he was appal l ed.
" I don' t l i ke t he i dea, " he sai d f l at l y. " You don' t know New Yor k.
Nei t her do I . I t ' s a di f f er ent ci t y, Lar a. We. . . "
" That ' s what t hey t ol d me when I came f r omGl ace Bay t o Chi cago, " Lar a
poi nt ed out . " Bui l di ngs ar e t he same whet her you put t hemup i n Gl ace
Bay, Chi cago, New Yor k, or Tokyo. We al l pl ay by t he same r ul es. "
" But you' r e doi ng so gr eat her e, " Kel l er pr ot est ed.
" What i s i t you want ?"
" I t ol d you. Mor e. I want my name up on t he New Yor k skyl i ne. I ' m
goi ng t o bui l d a Camer on Pl aza t her e, and a Camer on Cent er . And one
day, Howar d, I ' mgoi ng t o bui l d t he t al l est skyscr aper i n t he wor l d.
That ' s what I want . Camer on Ent er pr i ses i s movi ng t o New Yor k. "
New Yor k was i n t he mi ddl e of a bui l di ng boom, and i t was peopl ed by
r eal est at e gi ant s- t he Zeckendor f s, Har r y Hel msl ey, Donal d Tr ump, t he
Ur i ses, and t he Rudi ns.
" We' r e goi ng t o j oi n t he cl ub, " Lar a t ol d Kel l er .
They checked i nt o t he Regency and began t o expl or e t he ci t y. Lar a
coul d not get over t he si ze and dynami cs of t he bust l i ng met r opol i s.
I t was a canyon of skyscr aper s, wi t h r i ver s of car s r unni ng t hr ough
i t .
" I t makes Chi cago l ook l i ke Gl ace Bay! " Lar a sai d.
She coul d not wai t t o get st ar t ed.
" The f i r st t hi ng we' r e goi ng t o do i s assembl e a t eam.
We' l l f i nd t he best r eal est at e l awyer i n New Yor k. Then a gr eat
management t eam. Fi nd out who Rudi n uses. See i f you can l ur e t hem
away. "
" Ri ght . "
Lar a sai d, " Her e' s a l i st of bui l di ngs I l i ke t he l ooks of . Fi nd out
who t he ar chi t ect s ar e. I want t o meet wi t h t hem. "
Kel l er was begi nni ng t o f eel Lar a' s exci t ement . " I ' l l open up a l i ne
of cr edi t wi t h t he banks. Wi t h t he asset s we have i n Chi cago, t hat
won' t be any pr obl em. I ' l l make cont act s wi t h some savi ngs and l oan
compani es and some r eal est at e br oker s. "
" Fi ne. "
" Lar a, bef or e we st ar t t o get i nvol ved i n al l t hi s, don' t you t hi nk you
shoul d deci de what your next pr oj ect i s goi ng t o be?"
Lar a l ooked up and asked i nnocent l y, " Di dn' t I t el l you? We' r e goi ng
t o buy Manhat t an Cent r al Hospi t al . "
Sever al days ear l i er Lar a had gone t o a hai r dr esser on Madi son
Avenue.
Whi l e she was havi ng her hai r done, she had over hear d a conver sat i on i n
t he next boot h.
" We' r e goi ng t o mi ss you, Mr s. Wal ker . "
" Same her e, Dar l ene. How l ong have I been comi ng her e?"
" Al most f i f t een year s. "
" Ti me cer t ai nl y f l i es, doesn' t i t ? I ' mgoi ng t o mi ss New Yor k. "
" When wi l l you be l eavi ng?"
" Ri ght away. We j ust got t he cl osi ng not i ce t hi s mor ni ng. I magi ne- a
hospi t al l i ke Manhat t an Cent r al cl osi ng down because t hey' ve r un out of
cash. I ' ve been super vi sor t her e f or al most t went y year s, and t hey
send me a memo t el l i ng me I ' mt hr ough! You' d t hi nk t hey' d have t he
decency t o do i t i n per son, woul dn' t you? What ' s t he wor l d comi ng
t o?"
Lar a was now l i st eni ng i nt ent l y.
" I haven' t seen anyt hi ng about t he cl osi ng i n t he paper s. "
" No. They' r e keepi ng i t qui et . They want t o br eak t he news t o t he
empl oyees f i r st . "
Her beaut i ci an was i n t he mi ddl e of bl ow- dr yi ng Lar a' s hai r . Lar a
st ar t ed t o get up.
" I ' mnot t hr ough yet , Mi ss Camer on. "
" Never mi nd, " Lar a sai d, " I ' mi n a hur r y. "
Manhat t an Cent r al Hospi t al was a di l api dat ed, ugl yl ooki ng bui l di ng
l ocat ed on t he East Si de, and i t t ook up an ent i r e bl ock. Lar a st ar ed
at i t f or a l ong t i me, and what she was seei ng i n her mi nd was a
maj est i c new skyscr aper wi t h chi c r et ai l st or es on t he gr ound f l oor and
l uxur y condomi ni ums on t he upper f l oor s.
Lar a wal ked i nt o t he hospi t al and asked t he name of t he cor por at i on
t hat owned i t . She was sent t o t he of f i ces of a Roger Bur nhamon Wal l
St r eet .
' What can I do f or you, Mi ss Camer on?"
" I hear t hat Manhat t an Cent r al Hospi t al i s f or sal e. "
He l ooked at her i n sur pr i se. " Wher e di d you hear t hat ?"
" I s i t t r ue?"
He hedged. " I t mi ght be. "
" I mi ght be i nt er est ed i n buyi ng i t , " Lar a sai d.
" What ' s your pr i ce?"
" Look, l ady. . . I don' t know you f r omAdam. You can' t wal k i n of f t he
st r eet and expect me t o di scuss a ni net y- mi l l i on- dol l ar deal wi t h
you.
I . . . "
" Ni net y mi l l i on?" Lar a had a f eel i ng i t was hi gh, but she want ed t hat
si t e. I t woul d be an exci t i ng begi nni ng.
" I s t hat what we' r e t al ki ng about ?"
" We' r e not t al ki ng about anyt hi ng. "
Lar a handed Roger Bur nhama hundr ed- dol l ar bi l l .
" What ' s t hi s f or ?"
" That ' s f or a f or t y- ei ght - hour opt i on. Al l I ' maski ng i s f or t y- ei ght
hour s. You wer en' t r eady t o announce t hat i t was f or sal e anyway.
What can you l ose? I f I meet your aski ng pr i ce, you' ve got what you
want ed. "
" I don' t know anyt hi ng about you. "
" Cal l t he Mer cant i l e Bank i n Chi cago. Ask f or Bob Vance. He' s t he
pr esi dent . "
He st ar ed at her f or a l ong moment , shook hi s head, and mut t er ed
somet hi ng wi t h t he wor d " cr azi es" i n i t .
He l ooked up t he t el ephone number hi msel f . Lar a sat t her e whi l e hi s
secr et ar y got Bob Vance f or hi m.
" Mr . Vance? Thi s i s Roger Bur nhami n New Yor k. I have a Mi ss. . . " He
l ooked up at her .
" Lar a Camer on. "
" Lar a Camer on her e. She' s i nt er est ed i n buyi ng a pr oper t y of our s
her e, and she says t hat you know her . "
He sat t her e l i st eni ng.
" She i s. . . ? I see. . . . Real l y. . . ? No, I wasn' t awar e of t hat . . . .
Ri ght . . . . Ri ght . " Af t er a l ong t i me he sai d, " Thank you ver y
much. "
He r epl aced t he r ecei ver and st ar ed at Lar a. " You seemt o have made
qui t e an i mpr essi on i n Chi cago. "
" I i nt end t o make qui t e an i mpr essi on i n New Yor k. "
Bur nhaml ooked at t he hundr ed- dol l ar bi l l . " What amI supposed t o do
wi t h t hi s?"
" Buy your sel f some Cuban ci gar s. Do I have t he opt i on i f I meet your
pr i ce?"
He sat t her e, st udyi ng her . " I t ' s a l i t t l e unor t hodox . . . but yes.
I ' l l gi ve you f or t y- ei ght hour s. "
" We have t o move f ast on t hi s, " Lar a had t ol d Kel l er .
" We have f or t y- ei ght hour s t o l i ne up our f i nanci ng. "
" Do you have any f i gur es on i t ?"
" Bal l par k. Ni net y mi l l i on f or t he pr oper t y, and I est i mat e anot her
t wo hundr ed mi l l i on t o demol i sh t he hospi t al and put up t he
bui l di ng. "
Kel l er was st ar i ng at her . " That ' s t wo hundr ed and ni net y mi l l i on
dol l ar s. "
" You wer e al ways qui ck wi t h f i gur es, " Lar a sai d.
He i gnor ed i t . " Lar a, wher e' s t hat ki nd of money comi ng f r om?"
" We' l l bor r ow i t , " Lar a sai d. " Bet ween my col l at er al i n Chi cago and
t he new pr oper t y, i t shoul dn' t be any pr obl em. "
" I t ' s a bi g r i sk. A hundr ed t hi ngs coul d go wr ong.
You' l l be gambl i ng ever yt hi ng you have on. . . "
" That ' s what makes i t exci t i ng, " Lar a sai d, " t he gambl e. And
wi nni ng. "
Get t i ng f i nanci ng f or a bui l di ng i n New Yor k was even si mpl er t han i n
Chi cago. Mayor Koch had i nst i t ut ed a t ax pr ogr amcal l ed t he 421- A, and
under i t a devel oper r epl aci ng a f unct i onal l y obsol et e bui l di ng coul d
cl ai mt ax exempt i ons, wi t h t he f i r st t wo year s t ax- f r ee.
When t he banks and savi ngs and l oan compani es checked on Lar a Camer on' s
cr edi t , t hey wer e mor e t han eager t o do busi ness wi t h her .
Bef or e f or t y- ei ght hour s had passed, Lar a wal ked i nt o Bur nham' s of f i ce
and handed hi ma check f or t hr ee mi l l i on dol l ar s.
" Thi s i s a down payment on t he deal , " Lar a sai d. " I ' mmeet i ng your
aski ng pr i ce. By t he way, you can keep t he hundr ed dol l ar s. "
Dur i ng t he next si x mont hs Kel l er wor ked wi t h banks on f i nanci ng, and
Lar a wor ked wi t h ar chi t ect s on pl anni ng.
Ever yt hi ng was pr oceedi ng smoot hl y. The ar chi t ect s and bui l der s and
mar ket i ng peopl e wer e on schedul e.
Wor k was t o begi n on t he demol i t i on of t he hospi t al and t he
const r uct i on of t he new bui l di ng i n Apr i l .
Lar a was r est l ess. At si x o' cl ock ever y mor ni ng she was at t he
const r uct i on si t e wat chi ng t he new bui l di ng goi ng up. She f el t
f r ust r at ed because at t hi s st age t he bui l di ng bel onged t o t he
wor kmen.
Ther e was not hi ng f or her t o do. She was used t o mor e act i on. She
l i ked t o have hal f a dozen pr oj ect s goi ng at once.
" Why don' t we l ook ar ound f or anot her deal ?" Lar a asked Kel l er .
" Because you' r e up t o your ear s i n t hi s one. f you even br eat he har d,
t hi s whol e t hi ng i s goi ng t o col l apse.
Do you know you' ve l ever aged ever y penny youhave t o put t hi s bui l di ng
up? I f anyt hi ng goes wr ong. . .
" Not hi ng i s goi ng t o go wr ong. " She was wat chi ng hi s expr essi on.
" What ' s bot her i ng you?"
" The deal you made wi t h t he savi ngs and l oan company. . . "
" What about i t ? We got our f i nanci ng, di dn' t we?"
" I don' t l i ke t he compl et i on dat e cl ause. I f t he bui l di ng' s not
f i ni shed by Mar ch f i f t eent h, t hey' l l t ake i t over , and you st and t o
l ose ever yt hi ng you have. "
Lar a t hought of t he bui l di ng she had put up i n Gl ace Bay and how her
f r i ends had pi t ched i n and f i ni shed i t f or her . But t hi s was
di f f er ent .
" Don' t wor r y, " she t ol d Kel l er . " The bui l di ng wi l l be f i ni shed. Ar e
you sur e we can' t l ook ar ound f or anot her pr oj ect ?"
Lar a was t al ki ng t o t he mar ket i ng peopl e.
" The downst ai r s r et ai l st or es ar e al r eady si gned up, " t he mar ket i ng
manager t ol d Lar a. " And mor e t han hal f t he condomi ni ums have been
t aken. We est i mat e we' l l have sol d t hr ee f our t hs of t hembef or e t he
bui l di ng i s f i ni shed, and t he r est of t hemshor t l y af t er . "
" I want t hemal l sol d bef or e t he bui l di ng i s compl et ed, " Lar a sai d.
" St ep up t he adver t i si ng. "
" Ver y wel l . "
Kel l er came i nt o t he of f i ce. " I have t o hand i t t o you, Lar a. You
wer e r i ght . The bui l di ng' s on schedul e. "
" Thi s i s goi ng t o be a money machi ne. "
On J anuar y 15, si xt y days bef or e t he dat e of compl et i on, t he huge
gi r der s and wal l s wer e f i ni shed, and t he wor ker s wer e al r eady
i nst al l i ng t he el ect r i cal wi r i ng and pl umbi ng l i nes.
Lar a st ood t her e wat chi ng t he men wor ki ng on t he gi r der s hi gh above.
One of t he wor kmen st opped t o pul l out a pack of ci gar et t es, and as he
di d so, a wr ench sl i pped f r omhi s hand and f el l t o t he gr ound f ar
bel ow. Lar a wat ched i n di sbel i ef as t he wr ench came hur t l i ng down
t owar d her . She l eaped out of t he way, her hear t poundi ng. The
wor kman was l ooki ng down. He waved a " sor r y. "
Gr i m- f aced, Lar a got i nt o t he const r uct i on el evat or and t ook i t t o t he
l evel wher e t he wor kman was. I gnor i ng t he di zzyi ng empt y space bel ow,
she wal ked acr oss t he scaf f ol di ng t o t he man.
" Di d you dr op t hat wr ench?"
" Yeah, sor r y. "
She sl apped hi mhar d acr oss t he f ace. " You' r e f i r ed.
Now get of f my bui l di ng. "
" Key, " he sai d, " i t was an acci dent . I . . . "
" Get out of her e. "
The man gl ar ed at her f or a moment , t hen wal ked away and t ook t he
el evat or down.
Lar a t ook a deep br eat h t o cont r ol her sel f . The ot her wor ker s wer e
wat chi ng her .
" Get back t o wor k, " she or der ed.
Lar a was havi ng l unch wi t h SamGosden, t he New Yor k at t or ney who
handl ed her cont r act s f or her .
" I hear ever yt hi ng' s goi ng ver y wel l , " Gosden sai d.
Lar a smi l ed. " Bet t er t han ver y wel l . We' r e onl y a f ew weeks away f r om
compl et i on. "
" Can I make an admi ssi on?"
" Yes, but be car ef ul not t o i ncr i mi nat e your sel f . "
He l aughed. " I was bet t i ng t hat you coul dn' t do i t . "
" Real l y? Why?"
" Real est at e devel opment on t he l evel wher e you' r e oper at i ng i s a man' s
game. The onl y women who shoul d be i n r eal est at e ar e t he l i t t l e ol d
bl ue- hai r ed l adi es who sel l co- ops. "
" So you wer e bet t i ng agai nst me, " Lar a sai d.
SamGosden smi l ed. " Yeah. "
Lar a l eaned f or war d. " Sam. . . "
" Yes?"
" No one on my t eambet s agai nst me. You' r e f i r ed. "
He sat t her e openmout hed as Lar a got up and wal ked out of t he
r est aur ant .
On t he f ol l owi ng Monday mor ni ng, as Lar a dr ove t owar d t he bui l di ng
si t e, she sensed t hat somet hi ng was wr ong. And suddenl y she r eal i zed
what i t was. I t was t he si l ence. Ther e wer e no sounds of hammer s or
dr i l l s. When Lar a ar r i ved at t he const r uct i on si t e, she st ar ed i n
di sbel i ef . The wor kmen wer e col l ect i ng t hei r equi pment and l eavi ng.
The f or eman was packi ng up hi s t hi ngs. Lar a hur r i ed up t o hi m.
" What ' s goi ng on?" Lar a demanded. " I t ' s onl y seven o' cl ock. "
" I ' mpul l i ng t he men. "
" What ar e you t al ki ng about ?"
" Ther e' s been a compl ai nt , Mi ss Camer on. "
" What ki nd of compl ai nt ?"
" Di d you sl ap one of t he wor kmen?"
" What ?" She had f or got t en. " Yes. He deser ved i t . I f i r ed hi m. "
" Di d t he ci t y gi ve you a l i cense t o go ar ound sl appi ng t he peopl e who
wor k f or you?"
" Wai t a mi nut e, " Lar a sai d. " I t wasn' t l i ke t hat . He dr opped a
wr ench. I t al most ki l l ed me. I suppose I l ost my t emper . I ' msor r y,
but I don' t want hi mback her e. "
" He won' t be comi ng back her e, " t he f or eman sai d.
" None of us wi l l . "
Lar a st ar ed at hi m. " I s t hi s some ki nd of j oke?"
" My uni on doesn' t t hi nk i t ' s a j oke, " t he f or eman t ol d her . y gave us
or der s t o wal k. g) ) " You have a cont r act . "
" You br oke i t , " t he f or eman t ol d her . " I f you have any compl ai nt s,
t ake i t up wi t h t he uni on. "
He st ar t ed t o wal k away.
" Wai t a mi nut e. I sai d I ' msor r y. I ' l l t el l you what . I . . . I ' m
wi l l i ng t o apol ogi ze t o t he man, and he can have hi s j ob back. "
" Mi ss Camer on, I don' t t hi nk you get t he pi ct ur e. He doesn' t want hi s
j ob back. We' ve al l got ot her j obs wai t i ng f or us. Thi s i s a busy
ci t y. And I ' l l t el l you somet hi ng el se, l ady. We' r e t oo goddamn busy
t o l et our bosses sl ap us ar ound. "
Lar a st ood t her e wat chi ng hi mwal k away. I t was her wor st ni ght mar e.
Lar a hur r i ed back t o t he of f i ce t o t el l t he news t o Kel l er .
Bef or e she coul d speak, he sai d, " I hear d. I ' ve been on t he phone
t al ki ng t o t he uni on. "
" What di d t hey say?" Lar a asked eager l y.
" They' r e goi ng t o hol d a hear i ng next mont h. "
Lar a' s f ace f i l l ed wi t h di smay. " Next mont h! We' ve got l ess t han t wo
mont hs t o f i ni sh t he bui l di ng. "
" I t ol d t hemt hat . "
" And what di d t hey say?"
" That i t ' s not t hei r pr obl em. "
Lar a sank ont o t he couch. " Oh, my God. What ar e we goi ng t o do?"
" I don' t know. "
" Maybe we coul d per suade t he bank t o. . . " She saw t he l ook on hi s
f ace.
" I guess not . " Lar a suddenl y br i ght ened. " I know. We' l l hi r e anot her
const r uct i on cr ew and.
" Lar a, t her e i sn' t a uni on wor ker who wi l l t ouch t hat bui l di ng. "
" I shoul d have ki l l ed t hat bast ar d. "
" Ri ght . That woul d have hel ped a l ot , " Kel l er sai d dr yl y.
Lar a got up and began paci ng. " I coul d ask SamGosden t o. . . " She
suddenl y r emember ed. " No, I f i r ed hi m. "
" Why?"
" Never mi nd. "
Kel l er was t hi nki ng al oud. " Maybe i f we got hol d of a good l abor
l awyer . . . someone wi t h cl out . "
" That ' s a good i dea. Someone who can move f ast . Do you know
anybody?"
" No. But SamGosden ment i oned someone i n one of our meet i ngs. A man
named Mar t i n. Paul Mar t i n. "
" Who i s he?"
" I ' mnot sur e, but we wer e t al ki ng about uni on pr obl ems, and hi s name
came up. "
" Do you know what f i r mhe' s wi t h?"
" No. "
Lar a buzzed her secr et ar y. " Kat hy, t her e' s a l awyer i n Manhat t an named
Paul Mar t i n. Get me hi s addr ess. "
Kel l er sai d, " Don' t you want hi s phone number so you can make an
appoi nt ment ?"
" Ther e' s no t i me. I can' t af f or d t o si t ar ound wai t i ng f or an
appoi nt ment . I ' mgoi ng t o see hi mt oday. I f he can hel p us, f i ne. I f
he can' t , we' l l have t o come up wi t h somet hi ng el se. "
But Lar a was t hi nki ng t o her sel f , Ther e i s not hi ng el se.
Chapt er Twel ve.
Paul Mar t i n' s of f i ce was on t he t went y- f i f t h f l oor i n an of f i ce
bui l di ng
on Wal l St r eet .
The f r ost ed si gn on t he door r ead, PAUL MARTI N, ATTORNEY AT LAw.
Lar a t ook a deep br eat h and st epped i nsi de. The r ecept i on of f i ce was
smal l er t han she had expect ed. I t cont ai ned one scar r ed desk wi t h a
bot t l e- bl ond secr et ar y behi nd i t .
" Good mor ni ng. Can I hel p you?"
" I ' mher e t o see Mr . Mar t i n, " Lar a sai d.
" I s he expect i ng you?"
" Yes, he i s. " Ther e was no t i me f or expl anat i ons.
" And your name?"
" Camer on. Lar a Camer on. "
The secr et ar y l ooked at her qui zzi cal l y. " J ust a moment . I ' l l see
whet her Mr . Mar t i n can see you. "
The secr et ar y got up f r ombehi nd t he desk and di sappear ed i nt o t he
i nner of f i ce.
He' s got t o see me, Lar a t hought .
A moment l at er t he secr et ar y emer ged. " Yes, Mr . Mar t i n wi l l see
you. "
Lar a conceal ed a si gh of r el i ef . " Thank you. "
She wal ked i nt o t he i nner of f i ce. I t was smal l and si mpl y f ur ni shed.
A desk, t wo couches, a cof f ee t abl e, and a f ew chai r s. Not exact l y a
ci t adel of power , Lar a t hought .
The man behi nd t he desk appear ed t o be i n hi s ear l y si xt i es. He had a
deepl y l i ned f ace, a hawk nose, and a mane of whi t e hai r . Ther e was a
f er al , ani mal - l i ke vi t al i t y about hi m. He was wear i ng an ol d- f ashi oned
pi nst r i pe doubl e- br east ed gr ay sui t and a whi t e shi r t wi t h a nar r ow
col l ar . When he spoke, hi s voi ce was r aspy, l ow, somehow compel l i ng.
" My secr et ar y sai d t hat I was expect i ng you. "
" I ' msor r y, " Lar a sai d. " I had t o see you. I t ' s an emer gency.
" Si t down, Mi ss. . . "
" Camer on. Lar a Camer on. " She t ook a chai r .
" What can I do f or you?"
Lar a t ook a deep br eat h. " I have a l i t t l e pr obl em. " A skel et on
t went y- f our st or i es of uncompl et ed st eel and concr et e st andi ng i dl e.
" I t ' s about a bui l di ng. "
" What about i t ?"
" I ' ma r eal est at e devel oper , Mr . Mar t i n. I ' mi n t he mi ddl e of
put t i ng up an of f i ce bui l di ng on t he East Si de, and I ' mhavi ng a
pr obl emwi t h t he uni on. "
He was l i st eni ng, sayi ng not hi ng.
Lar a hur r i ed on. " I l ost my t emper and sl apped one of t he wor kmen, and
t he uni on cal l ed a st r i ke. "
He was st udyi ng her , puzzl ed. " Mi ss Camer on. . .
what does al l t hi s have t o do wi t h me?"
" I hear d you mi ght be abl e t o hel p me. "
" I ' maf r ai d you hear d wr ong. I ' ma cor por at e at t or ney. I ' mnot
i nvol ved wi t h bui l di ngs, and I don' t deal wi t h uni ons. "
Lar a' s hear t sank. " Oh, I t hought . . . i sn' t t her e anyt hi ng you can
do?"
He pl aced t he pal mof hi s hands on t he desk, as t hough he wer e about t o
r i se. " I can gi ve you a coupl e pi eces of advi ce. Get hol d of a l abor
l awyer . Have hi mt ake t he uni on t o cour t and. . . "
" Ther e' s no t i me. I ' mup agai nst a deadl i ne. I . . .
what ' s t he second pi ece of advi ce?"
" Get out of t he bui l di ng busi ness. " Hi s eyes wer e f i xed on her
br east s. " You don' t have t he r i ght equi pment f or i t . "
" What ?"
" I t ' s no pl ace f or a woman. "
" And what i s t he pl ace f or a woman?" Lar a asked angr i l y. " Bar ef oot ,
pr egnant , and i n t he ki t chen?"
" Somet hi ng l i ke t hat . Yeah. "
Lar a r ose t o her f eet . I t was al l she coul d do t o cont r ol her sel f .
" You must come f r oma l ong l i ne of di nosaur s.
Maybe you haven' t hear d t he news. Women ar e f r ee now. "
Paul Mar t i n shook hi s head. " No. J ust noi si er . "
" Good- bye, Mr . Mar t i n. I ' msor r y I t ook up your val uabl e t i me. "
Lar a t ur ned and st r ode out of t he of f i ce, sl ammi ng t he door behi nd
her .
She st opped i n t he cor r i dor and t ook a deep br eat h. Thi s was a
mi st ake, she t hought . She had f i nal l y r eached a dead end. She had
r i sked ever yt hi ng i t had t aken her year s t o bui l d up, and she had l ost
i t i n one swi f t i nst ant . Ther e was no one t o t ur n t o. Nowher e t o
go.
I t was over .
Lar a wal ked t he col d, r ai ny st r eet s. She was compl et el y unawar e of t he
i cy wi nd and her sur r oundi ngs.
Her mi nd was f i l l ed wi t h t he t er r i bl e di sast er t hat had bef al l en her .
Howar d Kel l er ' s war ni ng was r i ngi ng i n her ear s: You put up bui l di ngs
and bor r ow on t hem. I t ' s l i ke a pyr ami d, onl y i f you' r e not car ef ul ,
t hat pyr ami d can f al l down. And i t had. The banks i n Chi cago woul d
f or ecl ose on her pr oper t i es t her e, and she woul d l ose al l t he money she
had i nvest ed i n t he new bui l di ng. She woul d have t o st ar t al l over ,
f r omt he begi nni ng. Poor Howar d, she t hought . He bel i eved i n my
dr eams, and I ' ve l et hi mdown.
The r ai n had st opped, and t he sky was begi nni ng t o cl ear . A pal e sun
was f i ght i ng i t s way t hr ough t he cl ouds.
She suddenl y r eal i zed i t was dawn. She had wal ked al l ni ght . Lar a
l ooked ar ound and saw wher e she was f or t he f i r st t i me. She was onl y
t wo bl ocks f r omt he doomed pr oper t y. I ' l l t ake a l ast l ook at i t , Lar a
t hought , r esi gnedl y.
She was a f ul l bl ock away when she f i r st hear d i t . I t was t he sound of
pneumat i c dr i l l s and hammer s and t he r oar of cement mi xer s f i l l i ng t he
ai r . Lar a st ood t her e, l i st eni ng f or an i nst ant , t hen st ar t ed r unni ng
t owar d t he bui l di ng si t e. When she r eached i t , she st ood t her e,
st ar i ng, unbel i evi ngl y.
The f ul l cr ew was t her e, har d at wor k.
The f or eman came up t o her , smi l i ng. " Mor ni ng, Mi ss Camer on. "
Lar a f i nal l y f ound her voi ce. " What . . . what ' s happeni ng? I . . . I
t hought you wer e pul l i ng your men of f t he j ob. "
He sai d sheepi shl y, " That was a l i t t l e mi sunder st andi ng, Mi ss
Camer on.
Br uno coul d have ki l l ed you when he dr opped t hat wr ench. "
Lar a swal l owed. " But he " Don' t wor r y. Ne' s gone. Not hi ng l i ke t hat
wi l l happen agai n. You don' t have a t hi ng t o wor r y about . We' r e r i ght
back on schedul e. "
Lar a f el t as t hough she wer e i n a dr eam. She st ood t her e wat chi ng t he
men swar mi ng over t he skel et on of t he bui l di ng and she t hought , I got
i t al l back agai n.
Ever yt hi ng. Paul Mar t i n.
Lar a t el ephoned hi mas soon as she r et ur ned t o her of f i ce. Hi s
secr et ar y sai d, " I ' msor r y, Mr . Mar t i n i s not avai l abl e. "
" Woul d you ask hi mt o cal l me, pl ease?" Lar a l ef t her number .
At t hr ee o' cl ock i n t he af t er noon she st i l l had not hear d f r omhi m.
She cal l ed hi magai n.
" I ' msor r y. Mr . Mar t i n i s not avai l abl e. "
He di d not r et ur n her cal l .
At f i ve o' cl ock Lar a went t o Paul Mar t i n' s of f i ce.
She sai d t o t he bl ond secr et ar y, " Woul d you pl ease t el l Mr . Mar t i n
t hat Lar a Camer on i s her e t o see hi m?"
The secr et ar y l ooked uncer t ai n. " Wel l , I ' l l . . . J ust a moment . " She
di sappear ed i nt o t he i nner of f i ce and r et ur ned a mi nut e l at er . " Go
r i ght i n, pl ease. "
Paul Mar t i n l ooked up as Lar a wal ked i n.
" Yes, Mi ss Camer on?" Hi s voi ce was cool , nei t her f r i endl y nor
unf r i endl y. " What can I do f or you?"
" I came t o t hank you. "
" Thank me f or what ?"
" For . . . f or st r ai ght eni ng t hi ngs out wi t h t he uni on. "
He f r owned. " I don' t know what you' r e t al ki ng about . "
" Al l t he wor kmen came back t hi s mor ni ng, and ever yt hi ng' s wonder f ul .
The bui l di ng i s back on schedul e. "
" Wel l , congr at ul at i ons. "
" I f you' l l send me a bi l l f or your f ee. . . "
" Mi ss Camer on, I t hi nk you' r e a l i t t l e conf used. I f your pr obl emi s
sol ved, I ' mgl ad. But I had not hi ng t o do wi t h i t . "
Lar a l ooked at hi mf or a l ong t i me. " Al l r i ght . I ' m. . .
I ' msor r y I bot her ed you. "
" No pr obl em. " He wat ched her l eave t he of f i ce.
A moment l at er hi s secr et ar y came i n. " Mi ss Camer on l ef t a package f or
you, Mr . Mar t i n. "
I t was a smal l package, t i ed wi t h br i ght r i bbon. Cur i ous, he opened
i t . I nsi de was a si l ver kni ght i n f ul l ar mor , r eady t o do bat t l e. An
apol ogy. What di d she cal l me? A di nosaur . He coul d st i l l hear hi s
gr andf at her ' s voi ce. Those wer e danger ous t i mes, Paul . The young men
deci ded t o t ake cont r ol of t he Maf i a, t o get r i d of t he ol dt i mer s, t he
must ache Pet es, t he di nosaur s. I t was bl oody, but t hey di d i t .
But al l t hat was a l ong, l ong t i me ago, i n t he ol d count r y. Si ci l y.
Chapt er Thi r t een.
Gi bel l i na, Si ci l y- 1879 he Mar t i ni s wer e st r ani en- out si der s, i n t he
l i t t l e Si ci l i an vi l l age of Gi bel l i na.
The count r ysi de was desol at e, a bar r en l and of deat h, bat hed i n bl azi ng
pi t i l ess sunl i ght , a l andscape pai nt ed by a sadi st i c ar t i st . I n a l and
wher e t he l ar ge est at es bel onged t o t he gabel l ot i , t he weal t hy
l andowner s, t he Mar t i ni s had bought a smal l f ar mand t r i ed t o r un i t
t hemsel ves.
The sopr i nt endent e had come cal l i ng on Gi useppe Mar t i ni one day.
" Thi s l i t t l e f ar mof your s, " he sai d, " t he l and i s t oo r ocky. You wi l l
not be abl e t o make a decent l i vi ng on i t , gr owi ng ol i ves and
gr apes. "
" Don' t wor r y about me, " Mar t i ni sai d. " I ' ve been f ar mi ng al l my
l i f e. "
" We' r e al l wor r i ed about you, " t he sopr i nt endent e i nsi st ed. " Don Vi t o
has some good f ar ml and t hat he i s wi l l i ng t o l ease t o you. "
" I know about Don Vi t o and hi s l and, " Gi useppe Mar t i ni snor t ed. " I f I
si gn a mezzadr i a wi t h hi mt o f ar mhi s l and, he wi l l t ake t hr ee f our t hs
of my cr ops and char ge me a hundr ed per cent i nt er est f or t he seed. I
wi l l end up wi t h not hi ng, l i ke t he ot her f ool s who deal wi t h hi m. Tel l
hi mI sai d no, t hank you. "
" You ar e maki ng a bi g mi st ake, si gnor e. Thi s i s danger ous count r y.
Ser i ous acci dent s can happen her e. "
" Ar e you t hr eat eni ng me?"
" Cer t ai nl y not , si gnor e. I was mer el y poi nt i ng out . . . "
" Get of f my l and, " Gi useppe Mar t i ni sai d.
The over seer l ooked at hi mf or a l ong t i me, t hen shook hi s head
sadl y.
" You ar e a st ubbor n man. "
Gi useppe Mar t i ni ' s young son, I vo, sai d, " Who was t hat , Papa?"
" Ne' s t he over seer f or one of t he l ar ge l andowner s. "
" I don' t l i ke hi m, " t he young boy sai d.
" I don' t l i ke hi mei t her , I vo. "
The f ol l owi ng ni ght Gi useppe Mar t i ni ' s cr ops wer e set on f i r e and t he
f ew cat t l e he had di sappear ed.
That was when Gi useppe Mar t i ni made hi s second mi st ake. Ne went t o t he
guar di a i n t he vi l l age.
" I demand pr ot ect i on, " he sai d.
he chi ef of pol i ce st udi ed hi mnoncommi t t al l y.
" That ' s what we ar e her e f or , " he sai d. " What i s your pr obl em,
si gnor e?"
" Last ni ght Don Vi t o' s men bur ned my cr ops and st ol e my cat t l e. "
" That i s a ser i ous char ge. Can you pr ove i t ?"
" Hi s sopr i nt endent e came t o me and t hr eat ened me. "
" Di d he t el l you t hey wer e goi ng t o bur n your cr ops and st eal your
cat t l e?"
" Of cour se not , " Gi useppe Mar t i ni sai d.
" What di d he say t o you?"
" He sai d t hat I shoul d gi ve up my f ar mand l ease l and f r omDon Vi t o. "
" And you r ef used?"
" Nat ur al l y. "
" Si gnor e, Don Vi t o i s a ver y i mpor t ant man. Do you wi sh me t o ar r est
hi msi mpl y because he of f er ed t o shar e hi s r i ch f ar ml and wi t h you?"
" I want you t o pr ot ect me, " Gi useppe Mar t i ni demanded. " I ' mnot goi ng
t o l et t hemdr i ve me of f my l and. "
" Si gnor e, I ammost sympat het i c. I wi l l cer t ai nl y see what I can
do. "
" I woul d appr eci at e t hat . "
" Consi der i t done. "
The f ol l owi ng af t er noon, as young I vo was r et ur ni ng f r omt own, he saw
hal f a dozen men r i de up t o hi s f at her ' s f ar m. They di smount ed and
went i nt o t he house.
A f ew mi nut es l at er I vo saw hi s f at her dr agged out t o t he f i el d.
One of t he men t ook out a gun. " We ar e goi ng t o gi ve you a chance t o
escape. Run f or i t . "
" No! Thi s i s my l and! I . . . "
I vo wat ched, t er r i f i ed, as t he man shot at t he gr ound near hi s f at her ' s
f eet .
" Run! "
Gi useppe Mar t i ni st ar t ed t o r un.
The campi er i got on t hei r hor ses and began ci r cl i ng Mar t i ni , yel l i ng
al l t he whi l e.
I vo hi d, wat chi ng i n hor r or at t he t er r i bl e scene t hat was unf ol di ng
bef or e hi s eyes.
The mount ed men wat ched t he man r un acr oss t he f i el d, t r yi ng t o
escape.
Each t i me he r eached t he edge of t he di r t r oad, one of t hemr aced t o
cut hi mof f and knock hi mt o t he gr ound. The f ar mer was bl eedi ng and
exhaust ed. He was sl owi ng down.
The campi er i deci ded t hey had had enough spor t . One of t hemput a r ope
ar ound t he man' s neck and dr agged hi mt owar d t he wel l .
" Why?" he gasped. " What have I done?"
" You went t o t he guar di a. You shoul d not have done t hat . "
The campi er i pul l ed down t he vi ct i m' s t r ouser s, and one of t he men t ook
out a kni f e, whi l e t he ot her s hel d hi mdown.
" Let t hi s be a l esson t o you. "
The man scr eamed, " No, pl ease! I ' msor r y. "
The campi er o smi l ed. " Tel l t hat t o your wi f e. "
He r eached down, gr abbed t he man' s member , and sl ashed t hr ough i t wi t h
t he kni f e.
Hi s scr eams f i l l ed t he ai r .
" You won' t need t hi s anymor e, " t he capt ai n assur ed hi m.
He t ook t he member and st uf f ed i t i n t he man' s mout h. He gagged and
spi t i t out .
The capt ai n l ooked at t he ot her campi er i . " He doesn' t l i ke t he t ast e
of i t . "
" Ucci di quel f i gl i o t h put t ana! "
One of t he campi er i di smount ed f r omhi s hor se and pi cked up some heavy
st ones f r omt he f i el d. He pul l ed up t he vi ct i m' s bl oodi ed pant s and
f i l l ed hi s pocket s wi t h t he st ones.
" Up you go. " They l i f t ed t he man and car r i ed hi mt o t he t op of t he
wel l . " Have a ni ce t r i p. "
They dumped hi mi nt o t he wel l .
" That wat er ' s goi ng t o t ast e l i ke pi ss, " one of t hemsai d.
Anot her one l aughed. " The vi l l ager s won' t know t he di f f er ence. "
They st ayed f or a moment , l i st eni ng t o t he di mi ni shi ng sounds and
f i nal l y t he si l ence, t hen mount ed t hei r hor ses and r ode t owar d t he
house.
I vo Mar t i ni st ayed i n t he di st ance, wat chi ng i n hor r or , hi dden by t he
br ush. The t en- year - ol d boy hur r i ed t o t he wel l .
He l ooked down and whi sper ed, " Papa. . . "
But t he wel l was deep, and he hear d not hi ng.
When t he campi er i had f i ni shed wi t h Gi useppe Mar t i ni , t hey went t o f i nd
hi s wi f e, Mar i a. She was i n t he ki t chen when t hey ent er ed.
" Wher e' s my husband?" she demanded.
A gr i n. " Get t i ng a dr i nk of wat er . "
Two of t he men wer e cl osi ng i n on her . One of t hemsai d, " You' r e t oo
pr et t y t o be mar r i ed t o an ugl y man l i ke t hat . "
" Get out of my house, " Mar i a or der ed.
" I s t hat a way t o t r eat guest s?" One of t he men r eached out and t or e
her dr ess. " You' r e goi ng t o be wear i ng wi dow' s cl ot hes, so you won' t
need t hat anymor e. "
" Ani mal ! "
Ther e was a boi l i ng pot of wat er on t he st ove. Mar i a r eached f or i t
and t hr ew i t i n t he man' s f ace.
He scr eamed i n pai n. " Fi ca! " He pul l ed out hi s gun and f i r ed at
her .
She was dead bef or e she hi t t he f l oor .
The capt ai n shout ed, " I di ot ! Fi r st you f uck t hem, t hen you shoot
t hem.
Come on, l et ' s r epor t back t o Don Vi t o. "
Hal f an hour l at er t hey wer e back at Don Vi t o' s est at e.
" We t ook good car e of t he husband and wi f e, " t he capt ai n r epor t ed.
" What about t he son?"
The capt ai n l ooked at Don Vi t o i n sur pr i se. " You di dn' t say anyt hi ng
about a son. > " Cr et i no! I sai d t o t ake car e of t he f ami l y. "
" But he' s onl y a boy, Don Vi t o. "
" Boys gr ow up t o be men. Men want t hei r vengeance.
Ki l l hi m. "
" As you say. "
Two of t he men r ode back t o t he Mar t i ni f ar m.
I vo was i n a st at e of shock. He had wat ched bot h hi s par ent s
mur der ed.
He was al one i n t he wor l d wi t h no pl ace t o go and no one t o t ur n t o.
Wai t ! Ther e was one per son t o t ur n t o: hi s f at her ' s br ot her , Nunzi o
Mar t i ni , i n Pal er mo. I vo knew t hat he had t o move qui ckl y. Don Vi t o' s
men woul d be comi ng back t o ki l l hi m. He wonder ed why t hey had not
done so al r eady. The young boy t hr ew some f ood i nt o a knapsack, sl ung
i t over hi s shoul der , and hur r i edl y l ef t t he f ar m.
I vo made hi s way t o t he l i t t l e di r t r oad t hat l ed away f r omt he
vi l l age, and st ar t ed wal ki ng. Whenever he hear d a car t comi ng, he
moved of f t he r oad and hi d i n t he t r ees.
An hour af t er he had st ar t ed hi s j our ney, he saw a gr oup of campi er i
r i di ng al ong t he r oad sear chi ng f or hi m.
I vo st ayed hi dden, mot i onl ess unt i l l ong af t er t hey wer e gone. Then he
began wal ki ng agai n. At ni ght , he sl ept i n t he or char ds and he l i ved
of f t he f r ui t f r omt he t r ees and t he veget abl es i n t he f i el ds. He
wal ked f or t hr ee days.
When he f el t he was saf e f r omDon Vi t o, he appr oached a smal l
vi l l age.
An hour l at er he was i n t he back of a wagon headed f or Pal er mo.
I vo r eached t he house of hi s uncl e i n t he mi ddl e of t he ni ght . Nunzi o
Mar t i ni l i ved i n a l ar ge, pr osper ousl ooki ng house on t he out ski r t s of
t he ci t y. I t had a spaci ous bal cony, t er r aces, and a cour t yar d. I vo
pounded on t he f r ont door . Ther e was a l ong si l ence, and t hen a deep
voi ce cal l ed out , " Who t he hel l i s i t ?"
" I t ' s I vo, Uncl e Nunzi o. "
Moment s l at er Nunzi o Mar t i ni opened t he door . I vo' s uncl e was a l ar ge
mi ddl e- aged man wi t h a gener ous Roman nose and f l owi ng whi t e hai r . He
was wear i ng a ni ght shi r t . He l ooked at t he boy i n sur pr i se. " I vo!
What ar e you doi ng her e i n t he mi ddl e of t he ni ght ? Wher e ar e your
mot her and f at her ?"
" They' r e dead, " I vo sobbed.
" Dead? Come i n, come i n. "
I vo st umbl ed i nt o t he house.
" That ' s t er r i bl e news. Was t her e some ki nd of an acci dent ?"
I vo shook hi s head. " Don Vi t o had t hemmur der ed. "
" Mur der ed? But why?"
" My f at her r ef used t o l ease l and f r omhi m. "
" Ah. "
" Why woul d he have t hemki l l ed? They never di d anyt hi ng t o" " I t was
not hi ng per sonal , " Nunzi o Mar t i ni sai d.
I vo st ar ed at hi m. " Not hi ng per sonal ? I don' t under st and. "
" Ever yone knows of Don Vi t o. He has a r eput at i on.
He i s an uomo r i spet t at o- a man of r espect and power .
I f he l et your f at her def y hi m, t hen ot her s woul d t r y t o def y hi m, and
he woul d l ose hi s power . Ther e i s not hi ng t hat can be done. "
The boy was wat chi ng hi m, aghast . " Not hi ng?"
" Not now, I vo. Not now. Meanwhi l e, you l ook as t hough you coul d use a
good ni ght ' s sl eep. "
I n t he mor ni ng, at br eakf ast , t hey t al ked.
" How woul d you l i ke t o l i ve i n t hi s f i ne house and wor k f or me?"
Nunzi o Mar t i ni was a wi dower .
" I t hi nk I woul d l i ke t hat , " I vo sai d.
" I can use a smar t boy l i ke you. And you l ook st r ong.
" I amst r ong, " I vo t ol d hi m.
" Good. "
" What busi ness ar e you i n, Uncl e?" I vo asked.
Nunzi o Mar t i ni smi l ed. " I pr ot ect peopl e. "
The Maf i a had spr ung up t hr oughout Si ci l y and ot her pover t y- st r i cken
par t s of I t al y t o pr ot ect t he peopl e f r oma r ut hl ess, aut ocr at i c
gover nment . The Maf i a cor r ect ed i nj ust i ces and avenged wr ongs, and i t
f i nal l y became so power f ul t hat t he gover nment i t sel f f ear ed i t , and
mer chant s and f ar mer s pai d t r i but e t o i t .
Nunzi o Mar t i ni was t he Maf i a capo i n Pal er mo. He saw t o i t t hat pr oper
t r i but e was col l ect ed and t hat t hose who di d not pay wer e puni shed.
Puni shment coul d r ange f r oma br oken ar mor l eg t o a sl ow and pai nf ul
deat h.
I vo went t o wor k f or hi s uncl e.
For t he next f i f t een year s Pal er mo was I vo' s school , and hi s uncl e
Nunzi o was hi s t eacher . I vo st ar t ed out as an er r and boy, t hen moved
up t o col l ect or , and f i nal l y became hi s uncl e' s t r ust ed l i eut enant .
When I vo was t went y- f i ve year s ol d, he mar r i ed Car mel a, a buxom
Si ci l i an gi r l , and a year l at er t hey had a son, Gi an Car l o. I vo moved
hi s f ami l y i nt o t hei r own house. When hi s uncl e di ed, I vo t ook hi s
posi t i on and became even mor e successf ul and pr osper ous. But he had
some unf i ni shed busi ness t o at t end t o.
One day he sai d t o Car mel a, " St ar t packi ng up. We' r e movi ng t o
Amer i ca. "
She l ooked at hi mi n sur pr i se. " Why ar e we goi ng t o Amer i ca?"
I vo was not accust omed t o bei ng quest i oned. " J ust do as I say. I ' m
l eavi ng now. I ' l l be back i n t wo or t hr ee days. "
" I vo. . . "
" Pack. "
* * Thr ee bl ack macchi ne pul l ed up i n f r ont of t he guar di a headquar t er s
i n Gi bel l i na. The capt ai n, now heavi er by t hi r t y pounds, was seat ed at
hi s desk when t he door opened and hal f a dozen men wal ked i n. They
wer e wel l dr essed and pr osper ous- l ooki ng.
" Good mor ni ng, gent l emen. Can I hel p you?"
" We have come t o hel p you, " I vo sai d. " Do you r emember me? I ' mt he
son of Gi useppe Mar t i ni . "
The pol i ce capt ai n' s eyes wi dened. " You, " he sai d.
" What ar e you doi ng her e? I t i s danger ous f or you. "
" I came because of your t eet h. "
" My t eet h?"
" Yes. " Two of I vo' s men cl osed i n on t he capt ai n and pi nned hi s ar ms
t o hi s si de. " You need dent al wor k. Let me f i x t hem. "
I vo shoved t he gun i nt o t he chi ef ' s mout h and pul l ed t he t r i gger .
I vo t ur ned t o hi s compani ons. " Let ' s go. "
Fi f t een mi nut es l at er t he t hr ee aut omobi l es dr ove up t o Don Vi t o' s
house. Ther e wer e t wo guar ds out si de. They wat ched t he pr ocessi on
cur i ousl y. When t he car s came t o a st op, I vo got out .
" Good mor ni ng. Don Vi t o' s expect i ng us, " he sai d.
One of t he guar ds f r owned. " He di dn' t say anyt hi ng about . . . "
I n t he next i nst ant t he guar ds wer e gunned down.
The guns wer e l oaded wi t h l upar e, car t r i dges wi t h l ar ge l eaden bal l s, a
hunt er ' s t r i ck t o spr ead t he pel l et s. The guar ds wer e cut t o pi eces.
I nsi de t he house Don Vi t o hear d t he shoot i ng. When he l ooked out t he
wi ndow and saw what was happeni ng, he qui ckl y cr ossed t o a dr awer and
pul l ed out a gun.
" Fr anco! " he cal l ed. " Ant oni o! Qui ckl y! "
Ther e wer e mor e sounds of shot s f r omout si de.
A voi ce sai d, " Don Vi t o. . . "
He spun ar ound.
I vo st ood t her e, a gun i n hi s hand. " Dr op your gun. "
" I . . . "
" Dr op i t . "
Don Vi t o l et hi s gun f al l t o t he f l oor . " Take what ever you want and
get out . "
" I don' t want anyt hi ng, " I vo sai d. " As a mat t er of f act , I came her e
because I owe you somet hi ng. "
Don Vi t o sai d, " What ever i t i s, I ' mpr epar ed t o f or get i t . "
" I ' mnot . Do you know who I am?"
" No. "
" I vo Mar t i ni . "
The ol d man f r owned, t r yi ng t o r emember . He shr ugged. " I t means
not hi ng t o me. "
" Mor e t han f i f t een year s ago. Your men ki l l ed my mot her and f at her . "
" That ' s t er r i bl e, " Don Vi t o excl ai med. " I wi l l have t hempuni shed,
I ' l l . . . "
I vo r eached out and smashed hi macr oss hi s nose wi t h hi s gun. Bl ood
st ar t ed pour i ng out . " Thi s i sn' t necessar y, " Don Vi t o gasped.
" I . . . "
I vo pul l ed out a kni f e. " Take down your t r ouser s. "
" Why? You can' t . . . "
I vo r ai sed t he gun. " Take down your t r ouser s. "
" No! " I t was a scr eam. " Thi nk about what you' r e doi ng. I have sons
and br ot her s. I f you har mme, t hey wi l l t r ack you down and ki l l you
l i ke a dog. "
" I f t hey can f i nd me, " I vo sai d. " Your t r ouser s. "
" No. "
I vo shot one of hi s kneecaps. The ol d man scr eamed out i n pai n.
" Let me hel p you, " I vo sai d. He r eached out and pul l ed t he ol d man' s
t r ouser s down, and t hen hi s under wear . " Ther e' s not much t her e, i s
t her e? Wel l , we' l l have t o do t he best we can. " He gr abbed Don Vi t o' s
member and sl ashed i t of f wi t h a kni f e.
Don Vi t o f ai nt ed.
I vo t ook t he peni s and shoved i t i nt o t he man' s mout h. " Sor r y I don' t
have a wel l t o dr op you i nt o, " I vo sai d. As a par t i ng gest ur e, he shot
t he ol d man i n t he head, t hen t ur ned and wal ked out of t he house t o t he
car .
Hi s f r i ends wer e wai t i ng f or hi m.
" Let ' s go. "
" He has a l ar ge f ami l y, I vo. They' l l come af t er you. "
" Let t hem. "
Two days l at er I vo, hi s wi f e, and son, Gi an Car l o, wer e on a boat t o
New Yor k.
At t he end of t he l ast cent ur y t he New Wor l d was a l and of
oppor t uni t y.
New Yor k had a l ar ge popul at i on of I t al i ans. Many of I vo' s f r i ends had
al r eady emi gr at ed t o t he bi g ci t y and deci ded t o use t hei r exper t i se i n
what t hey knew best : t he pr ot ect i on r acket . The Maf i a began spr eadi ng
i t s t ent acl es. I vo angl i ci zed hi s f ami l y name f r omMar t i ni t o Mar t i n
and enj oyed an uni nt er r upt ed pr osper i t y.
Gi an Car l o was a bi g di sappoi nt ment t o hi s f at her .
He had no i nt er est i n wor ki ng. When he was t went yseven, he got an
I t al i an gi r l pr egnant , mar r i ed her i n a qui et and hur r i ed cer emony, and
t hr ee mont hs l at er t hey had a son, Paul .
I vo had bi g pl ans f or hi s gr andson. Lawyer s wer e ver y i mpor t ant i n
Amer i ca, and I vo deci ded t hat hi s gr andson shoul d be an at t or ney. The
young boy was ambi t i ous and i nt el l i gent , and when he was t went y- t wo, he
was admi t t ed t o Har var d Law School . When Paul was gr aduat ed, I vo
ar r anged f or hi mt o j oi n a pr est i gi ous l aw f i r m, and he soon became a
par t ner . Fi ve year s l at er Paul opened hi s own l aw f i r m. By t hi s t i me
I vo had i nvest ed I heavi l y i n l egi t i mat e busi nesses, but he st i l l kept
hi s cont act s wi t h t he Maf i a, and hi s gr andson handl ed hi s busi ness
af l ai r s f or hi m. I n 1967, t he year I vo di ed, Paul mar r i ed an I t al i an
gi r l , Ni na, and a year l at er hi s wi f e gave bi r t h t o t wi ns.
I n t he sevent i es Paul was kept busy. Hi s mai n cl i ent s wer e t he uni ons,
and because of t hat , he was i n a posi t i on of power . Heads of
busi nesses and i ndust r i es def er r ed t o hi m.
One day Paul was havi ng l unch wi t h a cl i ent , Bi l l Rohan, a r espect ed
banker who knew not hi ng of Paul ' s f ami l y backgr ound.
" You shoul d j oi n Sunnyval e, my gol f cl ub, " Bi l l Rohan sai d. " You pl ay
gol f , don' t you?"
" Occasi onal l y, " Paul sai d. " When I have t i me. "
" Fi ne. I ' mon t he admi ssi ons boar d. Woul d you l i ke me t o put you up
f or member shi p?"
" That woul d be ni ce. "
The f ol l owi ng week t he boar d met t o di scuss new member s. Paul Mar t i n' s
name was br ought up.
" I can r ecommend hi m, " Bi l l Rohan sai d. " He' s a good man. "
J ohn Hammond, anot her member of t he boar d, sai d, " He' s I t al i an, i sn' t
he? We don' t need any dagos i n t hi s cl ub, Bi l l . "
The banker l ooked at hi m. " Ar e you goi ng t o bl ackbal l hi m?"
" You' r e damn r i ght I am. "
" Okay, t hen we' l l pass on hi m. Next . . . "
The meet i ng cont i nued.
Two weeks l at er Paul Mar t i n was havi ng l unch wi t h t he banker agai n.
" I ' ve been pr act i ci ng my gol f , " Paul j oked.
Bi l l Rohan was embar r assed. " Ther e' s been a sl i ght hi t ch, Paul . "
" A hi t ch?"
" I di d pr opose you f or member shi p. But I ' maf r ai d one of t he member s
of t he boar d bl ackbal l ed you. "
" Oh? Why?"
" Don' t t ake t hi s per sonal l y. He' s a bi got . He doesn' t l i ke
I t al i ans. "
Paul smi l ed. " That doesn' t bot her me, Bi l l . A l ot of peopl e don' t
l i ke I t al i ans. Thi s Mr . . . . "
" Hammond. J ohn Hammond. "
" The meat - packer ?"
" Yes. He' l l change hi s mi nd. I ' l l t al k t o hi magai n. "
Paul shook hi s head. " Don' t bot her . To t el l you t he t r ut h, I ' mr eal l y
not t hat cr azy about gol f anyway. "
Si x mont hs l at er , i n t he mi ddl e of J ul y, f our Hammond Meat Packi ng
Company r ef r i ger at ed t r ucks l oaded wi t h por k l oi ns, st r i p st eaks, and
por k but t s, headed f r omt he packi nghouse i n Mi nnesot a t o super mar ket s
i n Buf f al o and New J er sey, pul l ed of f t he r oad. The dr i ver s opened t he
back door s of t he t r ucks and wal ked away.
When J ohn Hammond hear d t he news, he was f ur i ous. He cal l ed i n hi s
manager .
" What t he hel l i s goi ng on?" he demanded. " A mi l l i on and a hal f
dol l ar s' wor t h of meat spoi l ed i n t he sun. How coul d t hat happen?"
" The uni on cal l ed a st r i ke, " t he super vi sor sai d.
" Wi t hout t el l i ng us? What ar e t hey st r i ki ng about ?
Mor e money?"
The super vi sor shr ugged. " I don' t know. They di dn' t say anyt hi ng t o
me. They j ust wal ked. "
" Tel l t he l ocal uni on guy t o come i n and see me. I ' l l set t l e i t , "
Hammond sai d.
That af t er noon t he uni on r epr esent at i ve was usher ed i nt o Hammond' s
of f i ce.
" Why wasn' t I t ol d t her e was goi ng t o be a st r i ke?"
Hammond demanded.
The r epr esent at i ve sai d, apol oget i cal l y, " I di dn' t know i t mysel f , Mr .
Hammond. The men j ust got mad and wal ked out . I t happened ver y
suddenl y. "
" You know I ' ve al ways been a r easonabl e man t o deal wi t h. What i s i t
t hey want ? A r ai se?"
" No si r . I t ' s soap. "
Hammond st ar ed at hi m. " Di d you say soap?"
" That ' s r i ght . They don' t l i ke t he soap you' r e usi ng i n t hei r
bat hr ooms. I t ' s t oo st r ong. "
Hammond coul d not bel i eve what he was hear i ng.
" The soap was t oo st r ong? And t hat ' s why I l ost a mi l l i on and a hal f
dol l ar s?"
" Don' t bl ame me, " t he f or eman sai d. " I t ' s t he men. "
" J esus, " Hammond sai d. " I can' t bel i eve t hi s. What ki nd of soap woul d
t hey l i ke- f ai r y soap?" He sl ammed hi s f i st on t he desk. " The next
t i me t he men have any pr obl em, you come t o me f i r st . You hear me?"
" Yes, Mr . Hammond. "
" You t el l t hemt o get back t o wor k. Ther e wi l l be t he best soap money
can buy i n t hose washr ooms by si x o' cl ock t oni ght . I s t hat cl ear ?"
" I ' l l t el l t hem, Mr . Hammond. "
J ohn Hammond sat t her e f or a l ong t i me f umi ng. No wonder t hi s count r y
i s goi ng t o hel l , he t hought . Soap!
Two weeks l at er , at noon on a hot day i n August , f i ve Hammond Meat
Packi ng t r ucks on t hei r way t o del i ver meat t o Syr acuse and Bost on
pul l ed of f t he r oad. The dr i ver s opened t he back door s of t he
r ef r i ger at ed t r ucks and l ef t .
J ohn Hammond got t he news at si x o' cl ock t hat eveni ng.
" What t he hel l ar e you t al ki ng about ?" he scr eamed.
" Di dn' t you put i n t he new soap?"
" I di d, " hi s manager sai d, " t he same day you t ol d me t o. "
" Then what t he hel l i s i t t hi s t i me?"
The manager sai d hel pl essl y, " I don' t know. Ther e haven' t been any
compl ai nt s. No one sai d a wor d t o me. "
" Get t he goddamned uni on r epr esent at i ve i n her e. "
At seven o' cl ock t hat eveni ng Hammond was t al ki ng t o t he uni on
r epr esent at i ve.
" Two mi l l i on dol l ar s' wor t h of meat was r ui ned t hi s af t er noon because
of your men, " Hammond scr eamed.
" Have t hey gone cr azy?"
" Do you want me t o t el l t he pr esi dent of t he uni on you asked t hat , Mr .
Hammond?"
" No, no, " Hammond sai d qui ckl y. " Look, I ' ve never had any pr obl emwi t h
you f el l ows bef or e. I f t he men want mor e money, j ust come t o me and
we' l l di scuss i t l i ke r easonabl e peopl e. How much ar e t hey aski ng
f or ?"
" Not hi ng. "
" What do you mean?"
" I t i sn' t t he money, Mr . Hammond. "
" Oh? What i s i t ?"
" Li ght s. "
" Li ght s?" Hammond t hought he had mi sunder st ood hi m.
" Yes. The men ar e compl ai ni ng t hat t he l i ght s i n t he washr ooms ar e t oo
di m. "
J ohn Hammond sat back i n hi s chai r , suddenl y qui et .
" What ' s goi ng on her e?" he asked sof t l y.
" I t ol d you, t he men t hi nk t hat . . . "
" Never mi nd t hat cr ap. What ' s goi ng on?"
The uni on r epr esent at i ve sai d, " I f I knew, I woul d t el l you. "
" I s someone t r yi ng t o put me out of busi ness? I s t hat i t ?"
The uni on r epr esent at i ve was si l ent .
" Al l r i ght , " J ohn Hammond sai d. " Gi ve me a name.
Who can I t al k t o?"
" Ther e' s a l awyer who mi ght be abl e t o hel p you. The uni on uses hi ma
l ot . Hi s name i s Paul Mar t i n. "
" Paul . . . ?" And J ohn Hammond suddenl y r emember ed. " Why, t hat
bl ackmai l i ng gui nea bast ar d. Get out of her e, " he yel l ed. " Out ! "
Hammond sat t her e seet hi ng. No one bl ack mai l s me.
No one.
One week l at er si x mor e of hi s r ef r i ger at ed t r ucks wer e abandoned on
si de r oads.
J ohn Hammond ar r anged a l uncheon wi t h Bi l l Rohan. " I ' ve been t hi nki ng
about your f r i end Paul Mar t i n, " Hammond sai d. " I may have been a bi t
hast y i n bl ackbal l i ng hi m. "
" Why, i t ' s ver y gener ous of you t o say t hat , J ohn. "
" I ' l l t el l you what . You pr opose hi mf or member shi p next week and I ' l l
gi ve hi mmy vot e. "
The f ol l owi ng week, when Paul Mar t i n' s name came up, he was accept ed
unani mousl y by t he member shi p commi t t ee.
J ohn Hammond per sonal l y put i n a cal l t o Paul Mar t i n.
" Congr at ul at i ons, Mr . Mar t i n, " he sai d. " You' ve j ust been accept ed as
a member of Sunnyval e. We' r e del i ght ed t o have you aboar d. "
" Thank you, " Paul sai d. " I appr eci at e t he cal l . "
J ohn Hammond' s next cal l was t o t he di st r i ct at t or ney' s of f i ce. He
made an appoi nt ment t o meet hi mt he f ol l owi ng week.
On Sunday J ohn Hammond and Bi l l Rohan wer e par t of a f our some at t he
cl ub.
" You haven' t met Paul Mar t i n yet , have you?" Bi l l Rohan asked.
J ohn Hammond shook hi s head. " No. I don' t t hi nk he' s goi ng t o be
pl ayi ng a l ot of gol f . The gr and j ur y i s goi ng t o be keepi ng your
f r i end t oo busy. "
" What ar e you t al ki ng about ?"
" I ' mgoi ng t o gi ve i nf or mat i on about hi mt o t he di st r i ct at t or ney t hat
wi l l cer t ai nl y i nt er est a gr and j ur y. "
Bi l l Rohan was shocked. " Do you know what you' r e doi ng?"
" You bet I do. He' s a cockr oach, J ohn. I ' mgoi ng t o st ep on hi m. "
The f ol l owi ng Monday, on hi s way t o t he di st r i ct at t or ney' s of f i ce,
J ohn Hammond was ki l l ed i n a hi t - andr un acci dent . Ther e wer e no
wi t nesses. The pol i ce never f ound t he dr i ver .
Ever y Sunday af t er t hat Paul Mar t i n t ook hi s wi f e and t he t wi ns t o t he
Sunnyval e Cl ub f or l unch. The buf f et t her e was del i ci ous.
Paul Mar t i n t ook hi s mar r i age vows ser i ousl y. For i nst ance, he woul d
never have dr eamed of di shonor i ng hi s wi f e by t aki ng her and hi s
mi st r ess t o t he same r est aur ant . Hi s mar r i age was one par t of hi s
l i f e; hi s af f ai r s wer e anot her . Al l of Paul Mar t i n' s f r i ends had
mi st r esses.
I t was par t of t hei r accept ed l i f e- st yl e. What bot her ed Mar t i n was t o
see ol d men t aki ng out young gi r l s. I t was undi gni f i ed, and Paul
Mar t i n pl aced gr eat val ue on di gni t y. He r esol ved t hat when he r eached
t he age of si xt y, he woul d st op havi ng mi st r esses. And on hi s si xt i et h
bi r t hday, t wo year s ear l i er , he had st opped. Hi s wi f e, Ni na, was a
good compani on t o hi m. That was enough.
Di gni t y.
I t was t hi s man t o whomLar a Camer on had come t o ask f or hel p. Mar t i n
had been awar e of Lar a Camer on by name, but he was st unned by how young
and beaut i f ul she was. She was ambi t i ous and angr i l y i ndependent , and
yet she was ver y f emi ni ne. He f ound hi msel f st r ongl y at t r act ed t o
her .
No, he t hought , she' s a young gi r l . I ' man ol d man. Too ol d.
When Lar a had st or med out of hi s of f i ce on her f i r st vi si t , Paul Mar t i n
sat t her e f or a l ong t i me, t hi nki ng about her . And t hen he had pi cked
up t he t el ephone and made a cal l .
Chapt er Four t een.
The new bui l di ng was pr ogr essi ng on schedul e. Lar a vi si t ed t he si t e
ever y mor ni ng and ever y af t er noon, and t her e was a new r espect i n t he
at t i t ude of t he men t owar d her . She sensed i t i n t he way t hey l ooked
at her , t al ked t o her , and wor ked f or her . She knew i t was because of
Paul Mar t i n, and di st ur bi ngl y, she f ound her sel f t hi nki ng mor e and mor e
about t he ugl yat t r act i ve man wi t h t he st r angel y compel l i ng voi ce.
Lar a t el ephoned hi magai n.
" I wonder ed i f we mi ght have l unch, Mr . Mar t i n?"
" Ar e you havi ng anot her pr obl emof some ki nd?"
" No. I j ust t hought i t woul d be ni ce i f we got t o know each ot her
bet t er . "
" I ' msor r y, Mi ss Camer on. I never have l unch. "
" What about di nner one eveni ng?"
" I ' ma mar r i ed man, Mi ss Camer on. I have di nner wi t h my wi f e and
chi l dr en. "
" I see. I f . . . " The l i ne went dead. What ' s t he mat t er wi t h hi m? Lar a
wonder ed. I ' mnot t r yi ng t o go t o bed wi t h t he man. I j ust want t o
f i nd some way t o t hank hi m. She t r i ed t o put hi mout of her mi nd.
Paul Mar t i n was di st ur bed by how pl eased he was t o hear Lar a Camer on' s
voi ce. He t ol d hi s secr et ar y, " I f Mi ss Camer on cal l s agai n, t el l her
I ' mnot i n. " He di d not need t empt at i on, and Lar a Camer on was
t empt at i on.
Howar d Kel l er was del i ght ed wi t h t he way t hi ngs wer e pr ogr essi ng.
" I must admi t , you had me a l i t t l e wor r i ed t her e f or a whi l e, " he
sai d.
" I t l ooked as t hough we wer e goi ng r i ght down t he t ube. You pul l ed of f
a mi r acl e. "
I t wasn' t my mi r acl e, Lar a t hought . I t was Paul Mar t i n' s. Per haps he
was angr y wi t h her because she had not pai d hi mf or hi s ser vi ces.
On an i mpul se, Lar a sent Paul a check f or f i f t y t housand dol l ar s.
The f ol l owi ng day, t he check was r et ur ned wi t h no not e.
Lar a t el ephoned hi magai n. Hi s secr et ar y sai d, " I ' msor r y, Mr . Mar t i n
i s not avai l abl e. "
Anot her snub. I t was as t hough he coul d not be bot her ed wi t h her . And
i f he can' t be bot her ed wi t h me, Lar a wonder ed, why di d he go out of
hi s way t o hel p me?
She dr eamed about hi mt hat ni ght .
Howar d Kel l er wal ked i nt o Lar a' s of f i ce.
" I ' ve got t wo t i cket s f or t he new Andr ew Ll oyd Webber musi cal , Song &
Dance. I have t o go t o Chi cago. Can you use t he t i cket s?"
" No, I . . . wai t . " She was qui et f or a moment . " Yes, I t hi nk I can use
t hem. Thank you, Howar d. "
That af t er noon Lar a put one of t he t i cket s i n an envel ope and addr essed
i t t o Paul Mar t i n at hi s of f i ce.
* * * When he r ecei ved t he t i cket t he next day, he l ooked at i t ,
puzzl ed. Who woul d send hi ma si ngl e t i cket t o t he t heat er ? The
Camer on gi r l . I ' l l have t o put a st op t o t hi s, he t hought .
" AmI f r ee Fr i day eveni ng?" he asked hi s secr et ar y.
" You' r e havi ng di nner wi t h your br ot her - i n- l aw, Mr . Mar t i n. "
" Cancel i t . "
Lar a sat t hr ough t he f i r st act , and t he seat next t o her r emai ned
empt y. So he' s not comi ng, Lar a t hought .
Wel l , t o hel l wi t h hi m. I ' ve done ever yt hi ng I can.
As t he f i r st act cur t ai n came down, Lar a debat ed whet her she shoul d
st ay f or t he second act or l eave. A f i gur e appear ed at t he seat next
t o her s.
" Let ' s get out of her e, " Paul Mar t i n commanded.
They had di nner at a bi st r o on t he East Si de. Ne sat acr oss t he t abl e
f r omher , st udyi ng her , qui et and war y.
The wai t er came t o t ake t hei r dr i nk or der .
" I ' l l have a scot ch and soda, " Lar a sai d.
" Not hi ng f or me. "
Lar a l ooked at hi mi n sur pr i se.
" I don' t dr i nk. "
Af t er t hey had or der ed di nner , Paul Mar t i n sai d, " Mi ss Camer on, what do
you want f r omme?"
" I don' t l i ke owi ng anyone anyt hi ng, " Lar a sai d. " I owe you somet hi ng,
and you won' t l et me pay you. That bot her s me. "
" I t ol d you bef or e. . . you don' t owe me anyt hi ng. "
" But I . . . "
" I hear your bui l di ng i s comi ng al ong wel l . "
" Yes. " She st ar t ed t o say " t hanks t o you, " t hen t hought bet t er of
i t .
" You' r e good at what you do, ar en' t you?"
Lar a nodded. " I want t o be. I t ' s t he most exci t i ng t hi ng i n t he wor l d
t o have an i dea and wat ch i t gr ow i nt o concr et e and st eel , and become a
bui l di ng t hat peopl e wor k i n and l i ve i n. I n a way, i t becomes a
monument , doesn' t i t ?"
Her f ace was vi br ant and al i ve.
" I suppose i t does. And i s one monument goi ng t o l ead t o anot her ?"
" You bet i t i s, " Lar a sai d ent husi ast i cal l y. " I i nt end t o become t he
most i mpor t ant r eal est at e devel oper i n t hi s ci t y. "
Ther e was a sexual i t y about her t hat was mesmer i zi ng.
Paul Mar t i n smi l ed. " I woul dn' t be sur pr i sed. "
" Why di d you deci de t o come t o t he t heat er t oni ght ?"
Lar a asked.
He had come t o t el l her t o l eave hi mal one, but bei ng wi t h her now,
bei ng t hi s cl ose t o her , he coul d not br i ng hi msel f t o say i t . " I
hear d good t hi ngs about t he show. "
Lar a smi l ed. " Maybe we' l l go agai n and see i t t oget her , Paul . "
He shook hi s head. " Mi ss Camer on, I ' mnot onl y mar r i ed, I ' mver y much
mar r i ed. I happen t o l ove my wi f e. "
" I admi r e t hat , " Lar a sai d. " The bui l di ng wi l l be f i ni shed on t he
f i f t eent h of Mar ch. We' r e havi ng a par t y t o cel ebr at e. Wi l l you
come?"
He hesi t at ed a l ong t i me t r yi ng t o wor d hi s r ef usal as gent l y as
possi bl e. When he f i nal l y spoke, he sai d, " Yes, I ' l l come. "
The cel ebr at i on f or t he openi ng of t he new bui l di ng was a moder at e
success. Lar a Camer on' s name was not bi g enough t o at t r act many
member s of t he pr ess or any of t he ci t y' s i mpor t ant di gni t ar i es. But
one of t he mayor ' s assi st ant s was t her e, and a r epor t er f r omt he
Post .
" The bui l di ng i s al most f ul l y l eased out , " Kel l er t ol d Lar a. " And we
have a f l ood of i nqui r i es. "
" Good, " Lar a sai d absent l y. Her mi nd was on somet hi ng el se. She was
t hi nki ng about Paul Mar t i n and wonder i ng whet her he woul d appear . For
some r eason i t was i mpor t ant t o her . He was an i nt r i gui ng myst er y. He
deni ed t hat he had hel ped her , and yet . . . She was pur sui ng a man ol d
enough t o be her f at her . Lar a put t he connect i on out of her mi nd.
Lar a at t ended t o her guest s. Hor s d' oeuvr es and dr i nks wer e bei ng
ser ved, and ever yone seemed t o be havi ng a good t i me. I n t he mi dst of
t he f est i vi t i es, Paul Mar t i n ar r i ved, and t he t one of t he par t y
i mmedi at el y changed. The wor kmen gr eet ed hi mas t hough he wer e
r oyal t y. They wer e obvi ousl y i n awe of hi m.
I ' ma cor por at e at t or ney. . . I don' t deal wi t h uni ons.
Mar t i n shook hands wi t h t he mayor ' s assi st ant and some of t he uni on
of f i ci al s t her e, t hen went up t o Lar a.
" I ' mgl ad you coul d come, " Lar a sai d.
Paul Mar t i n l ooked ar ound at t he huge bui l di ng and sai d,
" Congr at ul at i ons. You' ve done a good j ob. "
" Thank you. " She l ower ed her voi ce. " And I do mean t hank you. "
He was st ar i ng at her , bemused by how r avi shi ng Lar a l ooked and t he way
he f el t , l ooki ng at her .
" The par t y' s al most over , " Lar a sai d. " I was hopi ng you woul d t ake me
t o di nner . "
" I t ol d you, I have di nner wi t h my wi f e and chi l dr en. "
He was l ooki ng i nt o her eyes. " I ' l l buy you a dr i nk. "
Lar a smi l ed. " That wi l l do ni cel y. "
They st opped at a smal l bar on Thi r d Avenue. They t al ked, but
af t er war d nei t her of t hemwoul d r emember what t hey t al ked about . The
wor ds wer e camouf l age f or t he sexual t ensi on bet ween t hem.
" Tel l me about your sel f , " Paul Mar t i n sai d. " Who ar e you? Wher e ar e
you f r om? How di d you get st ar t ed i n t hi s busi ness?"
Lar a t hought of Sean MacAl l i st er and hi s r epul si ve body on t op of
her s.
" That was so good we' r e goi ng t o do " I came f r oma l i t t l e t own i n Nova
Scot i a, " Lar a sai d.
" Gl ace Bay. My f at her col l ect ed r ent s f r omsome boar di nghouses
t her e.
When he di ed, I t ook over . One of t he boar der s hel ped me buy a l ot ,
and I put up a bui l di ng on i t . That was t he begi nni ng. "
He was l i st eni ng cl osel y.
" Af t er t hat I went t o Chi cago and devel oped some bui l di ngs t her e. I
di d wel l and came t o New Yor k. " She smi l ed. " That ' s r eal l y t he whol e
st or y. " Except f or t he agony of gr owi ng up wi t h a f at her who hat ed
her , t he shame of pover t y, of never owni ng anyt hi ng, t he gi vi ng of her
body t o Sean MacAl l i st er . . .
As t hough r eadi ng her mi nd, Paul Mar t i n sai d, " I ' l l bet i t wasn' t
r eal l y al l t hat easy, was i t ?"
" I ' mnot compl ai ni ng. "
" What ' s your next pr oj ect ?"
Lar a shr ugged. " I ' mnot sur e. I ' ve l ooked at a l ot of possi bi l i t i es,
but t her e' s not hi ng I ' mr eal l y wi l d about . "
He coul d not t ake hi s eyes of f her .
" What ar e you t hi nki ng?" Lar a asked.
He t ook a deep br eat h. " The t r ut h? I was t hi nki ng t hat i f I wer en' t
mar r i ed, I woul d t el l you t hat you' r e one of t he most exci t i ng women
I ' ve ever met . But I ammar r i ed, so you and I ar e goi ng t o be j ust
f r i ends. Do I make mysel f cl ear ?"
" Ver y cl ear . "
He l ooked at hi s wat ch. " Ti me t o go. " He t ur ned t o t he wai t er .
" Check, pl ease. " He r ose t o hi s f eet .
" Can we have l unch next week?" Lar a asked.
" No. Maybe I ' l l see you agai n when your next bui l di ng i s f i ni shed. "
And he was gone.
That ni ght Lar a dr eamed t hey wer e maki ng l ove.
Paul Mar t i n was on t op of her , st r oki ng her body wi t h hi s hands and
whi sper i ng i n her ear .
" You ken, I maun hae ye, and oni e ye. . . Gude f or gi e me, my bonni e
dar l i ng' , f or I ' ve ni ver t aul d you how mi ckl e I l ove ye, l ove ye, l ove
ye. . . . "
And t hen he was i nsi de her and her body was suddenl y mol t en. She
moaned, and her moans awakened her .
She sat up i n bed, t r embl i ng.
Two days l at er Paul Mar t i n t el ephoned. " I t hi nk I have a l ocat i on you
mi ght be i nt er est ed i n, " he sai d cr i spl y. " I t ' s over on t he West Si de,
on Si xt y- ni nt h St r eet .
I t ' s not on t he mar ket yet . I t bel ongs t o a cl i ent of mi ne who want s
t o sel l . "
Lar a and Howar d Kel l er went t o l ook at i t t hat mor ni ng. I t was a pr i me
pi ece of pr oper t y.
" How di d you hear about t hi s?" Kel l er asked.
" Paul Mar t i n. "
" Oh, I see. " Ther e was di sappr oval i n hi s voi ce.
" What i s t hat supposed t o mean?"
" Lar a. . . I checked on Mar t i n. He' s Maf i a. St ay away f r omhi m. "
She sai d i ndi gnant l y, " He has not hi ng t o do wi t h t he Maf i a. He' s a
good f r i end. Anyway, what does t hat have t o do wi t h t hi s si t e? Do you
l i ke i t ?"
" I t hi nk i t ' s gr eat . "
" Then l et ' s buy i t . "
Ten days l at er t hey cl osed t he deal .
Lar a sent Paul Mar t i n a l ar ge bouquet of f l ower s.
Ther e was a not e at t ached: " Paul - pl ease don' t send t hese back. They' r e
ver y" She r ecei ved a cal l f r omhi mt hat af t er noon.
" Thanks f or t he f l ower s. I ' mnot used t o get t i ng f l ower s f r om
beaut i f ul women. " Hi s voi ce sounded gr uf f er t han usual .
" Do you know your pr obl em?" Lar a asked. " No one has ever spoi l ed you
enough. "
" I s t hat what you want t o do, spoi l me?"
" Rot t en. "
Paul l aughed.
" I mean i t . "
" I know you do. "
" Why don' t we t al k about i t at l unch?" Lar a asked.
Paul Mar t i n had not been abl e t o get Lar a out of hi s mi nd. He knew
t hat he coul d easi l y f al l i n l ove wi t h her .
Ther e was a vul ner abi l i t y about her , an i nnocence, and, at t he same
t i me, somet hi ng wi l dl y sensual . He knew t hat he woul d be smar t never
t o see her agai n, but he was unabl e t o cont r ol hi msel f . He was dr awn
t o her by somet hi ng mor e power f ul t han hi s wi l l .
They had l unch at t he " 21" Cl ub.
" When you' r e t r yi ng t o hi de somet hi ng, " Paul Mar t i n advi sed, " al ways do
i t out i n t he open. Then no one wi l l bel i eve you' r e doi ng anyt hi ng
wr ong. "
" Ar e we t r yi ng t o hi de somet hi ng?" Lar a asked sof t l y.
He l ooked at her and made hi s deci si on. She' s beaut i f ul and smar t , but
so ar e a t housand ot her women. I t wi l l be easy t o get her out of my
syst em. I ' l l go t o bed wi t h her once, and t hat wi l l be t he end of
i t .
As i t t ur ned out , he was wr ong.
* * * When t hey ar r i ved at Lar a' s apar t ment , Paul was unaccount abl y
ner vous.
" I f eel l i ke a f ucki n' school boy, " Paul sai d. " I ' mout of pr act i ce. "
" I t ' s l i ke r i di ng a bi cycl e, " Lar a mur mur ed. " I t wi l l come back t o
you. Let me undr ess you. "
She t ook of f hi s j acket and t i e and st ar t ed unbut t oni ng hi s shi r t .
" You know t hat t hi s coul d never become ser i ous, Lar a. "
" I know t hat . "
" I ' msi xt y- t wo year s ol d. I coul d be your f at her . "
She went st i l l f or an i nst ant , r emember i ng her dr eam. " I know. " She
f i ni shed undr essi ng hi m. " You have a beaut i f ul body. "
" Thanks. " Hi s wi f e never t ol d hi mt hat .
Lar a sl i d her ar ms al ong hi s t hi ghs. " You' r e ver y st r ong, ar en' t
you?"
He f ound hi msel f st andi ng st r ai ght er . " I pl ayed basket bal l when I was
i n. . .
Her l i ps wer e on hi s and t hey wer e i n bed, and he exper i enced somet hi ng
t hat had never happened t o hi mbef or e i n hi s l i f e. He f el t as t hough
hi s body wer e on f i r e.
They wer e maki ng l ove, and i t was wi t hout a begi nni ng or an endi ng, a
r i ver t hat swept hi mal ong f ast er and f ast er , and t he t i de began t o
pul l at hi m, sucki ng hi mdown and down, deeper and deeper , i nt o a
vel vet dar kness t hat expl oded i nt o a t housand st ar s. And t he mi r acl e
was t hat i t happened agai n, and once agai n, unt i l he l ay t her e pant i ng
and exhaust ed.
" I can' t bel i eve t hi s, " he sai d.
Hi s l ovemaki ng wi t h hi s wi f e had al ways been convent i onal , r out i ne.
But wi t h Lar a i t was an i ncr edi bl y sensual exper i ence. Paul Mar t i n had
had many women bef or e, but Lar a was l i ke no one he had ever known. She
had gi ven hi ma gi f t no woman had ever gi ven hi m: She made hi mf eel
young.
When Paul was get t i ng dr essed, Lar a asked, " Wi l l I see you agai n?"
" Yes. " God hel p me. " Yes. "
The 1980s wer e a t i me of changes. Ronal d Reagan was el ect ed Pr esi dent
of t he Uni t ed St at es and Wal l St r eet had t he busi est day i n i t s
hi st or y. The shah of I r an di ed i n exi l e, and Anwar Sadat was
assassi nat ed. The publ i c debt hi t one t r i l l i on dol l ar s, and t he
Amer i can host ages i n I r an wer e f r eed. Sandr a Day O' Connor became t he
f i r st woman t o ser ve on t he Supr eme Cour t .
Lar a was i n t he r i ght pl ace at t he r i ght t i me. Real est at e devel opment
was boomi ng. Money was abundant , and banks wer e wi l l i ng t o f i nance
pr oj ect s t hat wer e bot h specul at i ve and hi ghl y l ever aged.
Savi ngs and l oan compani es wer e a bi g sour ce of equi t y. Hi gh- yi el d and
hi gh- r i sk bonds- ni cknamed j unk bonds- had been popul ar i zed by a young
f i nanci al geni us named Mi ke Mi l ken, and t hey wer e manna t o t he r eal
est at e i ndust r y. The f i nanci ng was t her e f or t he aski ng.
" I ' mgoi ng t o put up a hot el on t he Si xt y- ni nt h St r eet pr oper t y,
i nst ead of an of f i ce bui l di ng. "
" Why?" Howar d Kel l er asked. " I t ' s a per f ect l ocat i on f or an of f i ce
bui l di ng. Wi t h a hot el , you have t o r un i t t went y- f our hour s a day.
Tenant s come and go l i ke ant s.
Wi t h an of f i ce bui l di ng, you onl y have t o wor r y about a l ease ever y
f i ve or t en year s. "
" I know, but i n a hot el you have dr op- dead power , Howar d. You can gi ve
i mpor t ant peopl e sui t es and ent er t ai n t hemi n your own r est aur ant . I
l i ke t hat i dea. I t ' s goi ng t o be a hot el . I want you t o set up
meet i ngs wi t h t he t op ar chi t ect s i n New Yor k: Ski dmor e, Owi ngs and
Mer r i l l , Pet er Ei senman, and Phi l i p J ohnson. "
The meet i ngs t ook pl ace over t he next t wo weeks.
Some of t he ar chi t ect s wer e pat r oni zi ng. They had never wor ked f or a
f emal e devel oper bef or e.
One of t hemsai d, " I f you' d l i ke us t o copy. . . "
" No. We' r e goi ng t o bui l d a hot el t hat ot her bui l der s wi l l copy. I f
you want a buzzwor d, t r y ' el egance. " I see an ent r yway f l anked by t wi n
f ount ai ns, a l obby wi t h I t al i an mar bl e. Of f t he l obby we' l l have a
comf or t abl e conf er ence r oomwher e. . . "
By t he end of t he meet i ng t hey wer e i mpr essed.
Lar a put t oget her a t eam. She hi r ed a l awyer named Ter r y Hi l l , an
assi st ant named J i mBel on, a pr oj ect manager named TomChr i t on, and an
adver t i si ng agency headed by TomScot t . She hi r ed t he ar chi t ect ur al
f i r mof Hi ggi ns, Al mont & Cl ar k, and t he pr oj ect was under way.
" We' l l meet once a week, " Lar a t ol d t he gr oup, " but I ' l l want dai l y
r epor t s f r omeach of you. I want t hi s hot el t o go up on schedul e and
on budget . I sel ect ed al l of you because you' r e t he best at what you
do. Don' t l et me down.
Ar e t her e any quest i ons?"
The next t wo hour s wer e spent i n answer i ng t hem.
Lat er Lar a sai d t o Kel l er , " How do you t hi nk t he meet i ng went ?"
" Fi ne, boss. "
I t was t he f i r st t i me he had cal l ed her t hat . She l i ked i t .
Char l es Col i n t el ephoned.
" I ' mi n New Yor k. Can we have l unch?"
" You bet we can! " Lar a sai d.
They had l unch at Sar di ' s.
" You l ook wonder f ul , " Col i n sai d. " Success agr ees wi t h you, Lar a. "
" I t ' s onl y t he begi nni ng, " Lar a sai d. " Char l es. . . how woul d you l i ke
t o j oi n Camer on Ent er pr i ses? I ' l l gi ve you a pi ece of t he company
and. . . "
He shook hi s head. " Thanks, but no. You' ve j ust st ar t ed t he
j our ney.
I ' mnear t he end of t he r oad. I ' l l be r et i r i ng next summer . "
" Let ' s st ay i n t ouch, " Lar a sai d. " I don' t want t o l ose you. "
The next t i me Paul Mar t i n came t o Lar a' s apar t ment , she sai d, " I have a
sur pr i se f or you, dar l i ng. "
She handed hi mhal f a dozen packages.
" Hey! I t ' s not my bi r t hday. "
" Open t hem. "
I nsi de wer e a dozen Ber gdor f Goodman shi r t s and a dozen Pucci t i es.
" I have shi r t s and t i es, " he l aughed.
" Not l i ke t hese, " Lar a t ol d hi m. " They' l l make you f eel younger . I
got t he name of a good t ai l or f or you, t oo. "
The f ol l owi ng week Lar a had a new bar ber st yl e Paul ' s hai r .
Paul Mar t i n l ooked at hi msel f i n t he mi r r or and t hought , I do l ook
younger . Li f e had become exci t i ng. nd al l because of Lar a, he
t hought .
Paul ' s wi f e t r i ed not t o not i ce t he change i n her husband.
They wer e al l t her e f or t he meet i ng: Kel l er , TomChr i t on, J i mBel on and
Ter r y Hi l l .
" We' r e goi ng t o f ast - t r ack t he hot el , " Lar a announced.
The men l ooked at one anot her . " That ' s danger ous, " Kel l er sai d.
" Not i f you do i t r i ght . "
TomChr i t on spoke up. " Mi ss Camer on, t he saf e way t o do t hi s i s t o
compl et e one phase at a t i me. You do your gr adi ng, and when t hat ' s
done, you begi n di ggi ng t he t r enches f or f oundat i ons. When t hat ' s
done, you put i n t he ut i l i t y condui t s and dr ai nage pi pi ng. Then. . . "
Lar a i nt er r upt ed. " You put i n t he wooden concr et e f r amewor k and t he
skel et al gr i di r on. I know al l t hat . "
" Then why. . . ?"
" Because t hat wi l l t ake t wo year s. I don' t want t o wai t t wo year s. "
J i mBel on sai d, " I f we f ast - t r ack i t , t hat means st ar t i ng al l t he
di f f er ent st eps at once. I f anyt hi ng goes wr ong, not hi ng wi l l f i t
t oget her . You coul d have a l opsi ded bui l di ng wi t h el ect r i c ci r cui t s i n
t he wr ong pl ace and. . . "
" Then we have t o see t o i t t hat not hi ng goes wr ong, don' t we?" Lar a
sai d. " I f we do i t t hi s way, we' l l get t he bui l di ng up i n a year
i nst ead of t wo, and we' l l save cl ose t o t went y mi l l i on dol l ar s. "
" Tr ue, but i t ' s t aki ng a bi g chance. "
" I l i ke t aki ng chances. "
Chapt er Fi f t een.
Lar a t ol d Paul Mar t i n about her deci si on t o f ast - t r ack t he hot el and
t he di scussi on she had had wi t h t he commi t t ee.
" They may have been r i ght , " Paul sai d. " What you' r e doi ng coul d be
danger ous. "
" Tr ump does i t . Ur i s does i t . "
Paul sai d gent l y, " Baby, you' r e not Tr ump or Ur i s. "
" I ' mgoi ng t o be bi gger t han t hey ar e, Paul . I ' mgoi ng t o put up mor e
bui l di ngs i n New Yor k t han anyone ever has bef or e. I t ' s goi ng t o be my
ci t y. "
He l ooked at her f or a l ong moment . " I bel i eve you. "
Lar a had an unl i st ed t el ephone i nst al l ed i n her of f i ce.
Onl y Paul Mar t i n had t he number . He i nst al l ed a t el ephone i n hi s
of f i ce f or Lar a' s cal l s. They spoke t o each ot her sever al t i mes a
day.
Whenever t hey coul d get away i n t he af t er noon, t hey went t o Lar a' s
apar t ment . Paul Mar t i n l ooked f or war d t o t hose t r yst s mor e t han he had
ever bel i eved possi bl e.
Lar a had become an obsessi on wi t h hi m.
* * * When Kel l er became awar e of what was happeni ng, he was
concer ned.
" Lar a, " he sai d, " I t hi nk you' r e maki ng a mi st ake.
Ne' s danger ous. "
" You don' t know hi m. Ne' s wonder f ul . "
" Ar e you i n l ove wi t h hi m?"
Lar a t hought about i t . Paul Mar t i n f ul f i l l ed a need i n her l i f e. But
was she i n l ove wi t h hi m?
" No. "
" I s he i n l ove wi t h you?"
" I t hi nk so. "
" Be car ef ul . Be ver y car ef ul . "
Lar a smi l ed. I mpul si vel y, she ki ssed Kel l er ' s cheek.
" I l ove t he way you t ake car e of me, Howar d. "
Lar a was at t he const r uct i on si t e, st udyi ng a r epor t .
" I not i ce we' r e payi ng f or an awf ul l ot of l umber , " Lar a sai d. She was
t al ki ng t o Pet e Reese, t he new pr oj ect manager .
" I di dn' t want t o ment i on i t bef or e, Mi ss Camer on, because I wasn' t
sur e- but you' r e r i ght . A l ot of our l umber ' s mi ssi ng. We' ve had t o
doubl e or der i t . "
She l ooked up at hi m. " You mean, someone i s st eal i ng i t ?"
" I t l ooks t hat way. "
" Do you have any i dea who?"
" No. "
" We have ni ght wat chmen her e, don' t we?"
" One wat chman. "
" And he hasn' t seen anyt hi ng?"
" No. But wi t h al l t hi s act i vi t y goi ng on, i t coul d be happeni ng dur i ng
t he day. I t coul d be anybody. "
Lar a was t hought f ul . " I see. Thanks f or l et t i ng me know, Pet e. I ' l l
t ake car e of i t . "
That af t er noon Lar a hi r ed a pr i vat e det ect i ve, St eve Kane.
" How does anyone wal k away i n br oad dayl i ght wi t h a l oad of l umber ?"
Kane asked.
" You t el l me. "
" You say t her e' s a ni ght wat chman at t he si t e?"
" Yes. "
" Maybe he' s i n on i t . "
" I ' mnot i nt er est ed i n maybes, " Lar a sai d. " Fi nd out who' s behi nd i t
and get back t o me. "
" Can you get me hi r ed as a member of t he const r uct i on cr ew?"
" I ' l l t ake car e of i t . "
St eve Kane went t o wor k at t he si t e t he next day.
When Lar a t ol d Kel l er what was happeni ng, he sai d, " You di dn' t have t o
get i nvol ved i n t hi s. I coul d have handl ed i t f or you. "
" I l i ke handl i ng t hi ngs mysel f , " Lar a sai d.
That was t he end of t he conver sat i on.
Fi ve days l at er Kane appear ed at Lar a' s of f i ce.
" Have you f ound out anyt hi ng?"
" Ever yt hi ng, " he sai d.
" Was i t t he wat chman?"
" No. The l umber wasn' t st ol en f r omt he bui l di ng si t e. "
" What do you mean?"
" I mean i t never r eached t her e. I t was sent t o anot her const r uct i on
si t e i n J er sey and doubl e- bi l l ed. The i nvoi ces wer e doct or ed. "
" Who' s behi nd i t ?" Lar a asked.
Kane t ol d her .
The f ol l owi ng af t er noon t her e was a meet i ng of t he commi t t ee. Ter r y
Hi l l , Lar a' s l awyer , was t her e, Howar d Kel l er , J i mBel on, t he pr oj ect
manager , and Pet e Reese. Ther e was al so a st r anger at t he conf er ence
t abl e. Lar a i nt r oduced hi mas Mr . Conr oy.
" Let ' s have a r epor t , " Lar a sai d.
Pet e Reese sai d, " We' r e r i ght on schedul e. We est i mat e f our mor e
mont hs. You wer e r i ght about goi ng f ast t r ack. I t ' s al l goi ng smoot h
as si l k. We' ve al r eady st ar t ed on t he el ect r i cal and pl umbi ng. "
" Good, " Lar a sai d.
" What about t he st ol en l umber ?" Kel l er asked.
" Not hi ng new on i t yet , " Pet e Reese sai d. " We' r e keepi ng an eye
open. "
" I don' t t hi nk we have t o wor r y about t hat anymor e, " Lar a announced.
" We f ound out who' s st eal i ng i t . " She nodded t owar d t he st r anger .
" Mr . Conr oy i s wi t h t he Speci al Fr aud Squad. I t ' s act ual l y Det ect i ve
Conr oy. "
" What ' s he doi ng her e?" Pet e Reese asked.
" l I e' s come t o t ake you away. "
Reese l ooked up, st ar t l ed. " What ?"
Lar a t ur ned t o t he gr oup. " Mr . Reese has been sel l i ng our l umber t o
anot her const r uct i on j ob. When he f ound out t hat I was checki ng t he
r epor t s, he deci ded t o t el l me t her e was a pr obl em. "
" Wai t a mi nut e, " Pet e Reese sai d. " I . . . I . . . You have i t wr ong. "
She t ur ned t o Conr oy. " Woul d you pl ease get hi mout of her e?"
She t ur ned t o t he ot her s. " Now, l et ' s di scuss t he openi ng of t he
hot el . "
As t he hot el gr ew near er compl et i on, t he pr essur e became mor e
i nt ense.
Lar a was becomi ng i mpossi bl e. She badger ed ever yone const ant l y. She
made phone cal l s i n t he mi ddl e of t he ni ght .
" Howar d, di d you know t he shi pment of wal l paper hasn' t ar r i ved yet ?"
" For God' s sake, Lar a, i t ' s f our o' cl ock i n t he mor ni ng. "
" I t ' s ni net y days t o t he openi ng of t he hot el . We can' t open a hot el
wi t hout wal l paper . "
" I ' l l check i t out i n t he mor ni ng. "
" Thi s i s mor ni ng. Check i t out now. "
Lar a' s ner vousness i ncr eased as t he deadl i ne gr ew cl oser . She met wi t h
TomScot t , head of t he adver t i si ng agency.
" Do you have smal l chi l dr en, Mr . Scot t ?" l I e l ooked at her i n
sur pr i se. " No. Why?"
" Because I j ust went over t he new adver t i si ng campai gn and i t seems t o
have been devi sed by a smal l r et ar ded chi l d. I can' t bel i eve t hat
gr own men sat down and t hought up t hi s j unk. "
Scot t f r owned. " I f t her e' s somet hi ng about i t t hat di spl eases
you. . . "
" Ever yt hi ng about i t di spl eases me, " Lar a sai d. " I t l acks
exci t ement .
I t ' s bl and. I t coul d be about any hot el anywher e. Thi s i sn' t any
hot el , Mr . Scot t . Thi s i s t he most beaut i f ul , most moder n hot el i n
New Yor k. You make i t sound l i ke a col d, f acel ess bui l di ng. I t ' s a
war m, exci t i ng home. Let ' s spr ead t he wor d. Do you t hi nk you can
handl e t hat ?"
" I assur e you we can handl e i t . We' l l r evi se t he campai gn and i n t wo
weeks. . . "
" Monday, " Lar a sai d f l at l y. " I want t o see t he new campai gn Monday. "
The new ads went out i n newspaper s and magazi nes and bi l l boar ds al l
over t he count r y.
" I t hi nk t he campai gn t ur ned out gr eat , " TomScot t sai d. " You wer e
r i ght . "
Lar a l ooked at hi mand sai d qui et l y, " I don' t want t o be r i ght . I want
you t o be r i ght . That ' s what I pay you f or . "
She t ur ned t o J er r y Townsend, i n char ge of publ i ci t y.
" Have t he i nvi t at i ons al l been sent out ?"
" Yes. We' ve got t en most of our r epl i es al r eady. Ever ybody' s comi ng t o
t he openi ng. I t ' s goi ng t o be qui t e a par t y. "
" I t shoul d be, " Kel l er gr umbl ed, " i t ' s cost i ng enough. "
Lar a gr i nned. " St op bei ng a banker . We' l l get a mi l l i on dol l ar s'
wor t h of publ i ci t y. We' r e goi ng t o have dozens of cel ebr i t i es t her e
and l I e hel d up hi s hand. " Al l r i ght , al l r i ght . "
Two weeks bef or e t he openi ng, ever yt hi ng seemed t o be happeni ng at
once. The wal l paper had ar r i ved and car pet s wer e bei ng i nst al l ed;
hal l s wer e bei ng pai nt ed and pi ct ur es wer e bei ng hung. Lar a i nspect ed
ever y sui t e, accompani ed by a st af f of f i ve.
She wal ked i nt o one sui t e and sai d, " The dr apes ar e wr ong. Swi t ch t hem
wi t h t he sui t e next door . "
I n anot her sui t e, she t r i ed t he pi ano. " I t ' s out of t une.
Take car e of i t . "
I n a t hi r d sui t e t he el ect r i c f i r epl ace di dn' t wor k.
" Fi x i t . "
I t seemed t o t he har r i ed st af f t hat Lar a was t r yi ng t o do ever yt hi ng
her sel f . She was i n t he ki t chen and i n t he l aundr y r oomand i n t he
ut i l i t y cl oset s. She was ever ywher e, demandi ng, compl ai ni ng, f i xi ng.
The man whomshe had hi r ed t o manage t he hot el sai d, " Don' t get so
exci t ed, Mi ss Camer on. At t he openi ng of any hot el , l i t t l e t hi ngs
al ways go wr ong. "
" Not i n my hot el s, " Lar a sai d. " Not i n my hot el s. "
The day of t he openi ng, Lar a was up at 4: 00 A. M t oo ner vous t o sl eep.
She want ed desper at el y t o t al k t o Paul Mar t i n, but t her e was no way she
coul d cal l hi mat t hat hour . She dr essed and went f or a wal k.
Ever yt hi ng i s goi ng t o be f i ne, she t ol d her sel f . The r eser vat i on
comput er i s goi ng t o be f i xed. They' l l get t he t hi r d oven wor ki ng.
The l ock on Sui t e Seven wi l l be r epai r ed.
We' l l f i nd a r epl acement f or t he mai ds who qui t yest er day.
The ai r - condi t i oni ng uni t i n t he pent house wi l l wor k. . . .
At si x o' cl ock t hat eveni ng t he i nvi t ed guest s began t o ar r i ve. A
uni f or med guar d at each ent r ance t o t he hot el exami ned t hei r
i nvi t at i ons bef or e admi t t i ng t hem. Ther e was a mi x of cel ebr i t i es,
f amous at hl et es, and cor por at i on execut i ves. Lar a had gone over t he
l i st car ef ul l y, el i mi nat i ng t he names of t he f r eel oader s and t he
hanger s- on.
She st ood i n t he spaci ous l obby gr eet i ng t he newcomer s as t hey
ar r i ved.
" I ' mLar a Camer on. So ni ce of you t o come. . . Pl ease f eel f r ee t o l ook
ar ound. "
Lar a t ook Kel l er asi de. " Why i sn' t t he mayor comi ng?"
" l I e' s pr et t y busy, you know, and. . . "
" You mean he t hi nks I ' mnot i mpor t ant enough. "
" One day he' l l change hi s mi nd. "
One of t he mayor ' s assi st ant s ar r i ved.
" Thank you f or comi ng, " Lar a sai d. " Thi s i s an honor f or t he hot el . "
Lar a kept l ooki ng ner vousl y f or Todd Gr ayson, t he ar chi t ect ur al cr i t i c
f or The New Yor k Ti mes, who had been i nvi t ed. I f he l i kes i t , Lar a
t hought , we have a wi nner .
Paul Mar t i n ar r i ved wi t h hi s wi f e. I t was t he f i r st t i me Lar a had seen
Mr s. Mar t i n. She was an at t r act i ve, el egant - l ooki ng woman. Lar a f el t
an unexpect ed pang of gui l t .
Paul wal ked up t o Lar a. " Mi ss Camer on, I ' mPaul Mar t i n. Thi s i s my
wi f e, Ni na. Thank you f or i nvi t i ng us. "
Lar a gr i pped hi s hand a second l onger t han necessar y. " I ' mdel i ght ed
t hat you' r e her e. Pl ease make your sel f at home. "
Paul l ooked ar ound t he l obby. l I e had seen i t hal f a dozen t i mes
bef or e. " I t ' s beaut i f ul , " he excl ai med. " I t hi nk you' r e goi ng t o be
ver y successf ul . "
Ni na Mar t i n was st ar i ng at Lar a. " I ' msur e she wi l l be. "
And Lar a wonder ed i f she knew.
The guest s began t o st r eami n.
An hour l at er Lar a was st andi ng i n t he l obby when Kel l er r ushed up t o
her . " For God' s sakes, " he sai d, " ever yone' s l ooki ng f or you. They' r e
al l i n t he bal l r oom, eat i ng. Why ar en' t you i n t her e?"
" Todd Gr ayson hasn' t ar r i ved. I ' mwai t i ng f or hi m. "
" The Ti mes' ar chi t ect ur al cr i t i c? I saw hi man hour ago. "
" What ?"
" Yes. l I e went on a t our of t he hot el wi t h t he ot her s. "
" Why di dn' t you t el l me?"
" I t hought you knew. "
" What di d he say?" Lar a asked eager l y. " How di d he l ook? Di d he
seemi mpr essed?"
" l I e di dn' t say anyt hi ng. l I e l ooked f i ne. And I don' t know whet her
he was i mpr essed or not . "
" Di dn' t he say anyt hi ng?"
" No. "
Lar a f r owned. " l I e woul d have sai d somet hi ng i f he had l i ked i t . I t ' s
a bad si gn, Howar d. "
The par t y was a huge success. The guest s at e and dr ank and t oast ed t he
hot el . When t he eveni ng was over , Lar a was shower ed wi t h
compl i ment s.
" I t ' s such a l ovel y hot el , Mi ss Camer on. . . "
" I ' l l cer t ai nl y st ay her e when I come back t o New Yor k. . . "
" What a gr eat i dea, havi ng a pi ano i n ever y l i vi ng r oom. . . "
" I l ove t he f i r epl aces. . . "
" I ' l l cer t ai nl y r ecommend t hi s t o al l my f r i ends. . . "
Wel l , Lar a t hought , even i f The New Yor k Ti mes hat es i t , i t ' s goi ng t o
be a success.
Lar a saw Paul Mar t i n and hi s wi f e as t hey wer e l eavi ng.
" I t hi nk you r eal l y have a wi nner her e, Mi ss Camer on. I t ' s goi ng t o be
t he t al k of New Yor k. "
" You' r e ver y ki nd, Mr . Mar t i n, " Lar a sai d. " Thank you f or comi ng. "
Ni na Mar t i n sai d qui et l y, " Good ni ght , Mi ss Camer on. "
" Good ni ght . "
As t hey wer e wal ki ng out t he l obby door , Lar a hear d her say, " She' s
ver y beaut i f ul , i sn' t she, Paul ?"
The f ol l owi ng Thur sday when t he f i r st edi t i on of The New Yor k Ti mes
came out , Lar a was at t he newsst and at For t y- second St r eet and Br oadway
at f our o' cl ock i n t he mor ni ng, t o pi ck up a copy. She hur r i edl y
t ur ned t o t he home Sect i on. Todd Gr ayson' s ar t i cl e began: Manhat t an
has l ong needed a hot el t hat does not r emi nd t r avel er s t hat t hey' r e
st ayi ng i n a hot el . The sui t es at t he Camer on Pl aza ar e l ar ge and
gr aci ous, and done i n beaut i f ul t ast e.
Lar aCamer onhasf i nal l ygi venNewYor k. . .
She yel l ed al oud wi t h j oy. She t el ephoned Kel l er and woke hi mup.
" We' r e i n! " she sai d. " The Ti mes l oves us. " l I e sat up i n bed,
gr oggy. " That ' s gr eat . What di d t hey say?"
Lar a r ead t he ar t i cl e t o hi m. " Al l r i ght , " Kel l er sai d, now you can
get some sl eep. "
" Sl eep? Ar e you j oki ng? I have a new si t e pi cked out .
As soon as t he banks open, I want you t o st ar t negot i at i ng a l oan.
. . . "
The New Yor k Camer on Pl aza was a t r i umph. I t was compl et el y booked,
and t her e was a wai t i ng l i st .
" I t ' s onl y t he begi nni ng, " Lar a t ol d Kel l er . " Ther e ar e t en t housand
bui l der s i n t he met r opol i t an ar ea- but onl y a handf ul of t he bi g
boys- t he Ti sches, t he Rudi ns, t he Rockef el l er s, t he St er ns. Wel l ,
whet her t hey l i ke i t or not , we' r e goi ng t o pl ay i n t hei r sandbox.
We' r e goi ng t o change t he skyl i ne. We' r e goi ng t o i nvent t he
f ut ur e. "
Lar a began t o get cal l s f r ombanks of f er i ng her l oans.
She cul t i vat ed t he i mpor t ant r eal est at e br oker s, t aki ng t hemt o di nner
and t he t heat er . She had power br eakf ast s at t he Regency and was t ol d
about pr oper t i es t hat wer e about t o come on t he mar ket . She acqui r ed
t wo mor e downt own si t es and began const r uct i on.
Paul Mar t i n t el ephoned Lar a at t he of f i ce. " have you seen Busi ness
Week? You' r e a hot t i cket , " he sai d. " The wor d' s out t hat you' r e a
shaker . You get t hi ngs done. "
" I t r y. "
" Ar e you f r ee f or di nner ?"
" I ' l l make mysel f f r ee. "
Lar a was i n a meet i ng wi t h t he par t ner of a t op ar chi t ect ur al f i r m.
She was exami ni ng t he bl uepr i nt s and dr awi ngs t hey had br ought .
" You' r e goi ng t o l i ke t hi s, " t he chi ef ar chi t ect sai d.
" I t has gr ace and symmet r y and t he scope t hat you asked f or . Let me
expl ai n some of t he det ai l s " That won' t be necessar y, " Lar a sai d. " I
under st and t hem. " She l ooked up. " I want you t o t ur n t hese pl ans over
t o an ar t i st . "
" What ?"
" I want l ar ge col or dr awi ngs of t he bui l di ng. I want dr awi ngs of t he
l obby, t he cor r i dor s, and t he of f i ces. Banker s have no i magi nat i on.
I ' mgoi ng t o show t hemwhat t he bui l di ng i s goi ng t o l ook l i ke. "
" That ' s a gr eat i dea. "
Lar a' s secr et ar y appear ed. " I ' msor r y I ' ml at e. "
" Thi s meet i ng was cal l ed f or ni ne o' cl ock, Kat hy. I t ' s
ni ne- f i f t een. "
" I ' msor r y, Mi ss Camer on, my al ar mdi dn' t go of f and. . . "
" We' l l di scuss i t l at er . "
She t ur ned t o t he ar chi t ect s. " I want a f ew changes made. . . "
Two hour s l at er Lar a had f i ni shed di scussi ng t he changes she want ed.
When t he meet i ng was over , she sai d t o Kat hy, " Don' t l eave. Si t
down. "
Kat hy sat .
" Do you l i ke your j ob?"
" Yes, Mi ss Camer on. "
" Thi s i s t he t hi r d t i me you' ve been l at e t hi s week. I won' t put up
wi t h t hat agai n. "
" I ' mt er r i bl y sor r y, I . . . I haven' t been f eel i ng wel l . "
" What ' s your pr obl em?"
" I t ' s not hi ng, r eal l y. "
" I t ' s obvi ousl y enough t o keep you f r omcomi ng i n on t i me. What i s
i t ?"
" I haven' t been sl eepi ng ver y wel l l at el y. To t el l you t he t r ut h,
I . . .
I ' mscar ed. "
" Scar ed of what ?" Lar a asked i mpat i ent l y.
" I . . . I have a l ump. "
" Oh. " Lar a was si l ent f or a moment . " Wel l , what di d t he doct or
say?"
Kat hy swal l owed. " I haven' t seen a doct or . "
" Not seen one! " Lar a expl oded. " For God' s sakes, do you come f r oma
f ami l y of ost r i ches? Of cour se you' ve got t o see a doct or . "
Lar a pi cked up t he phone. " Get me Dr . Pet er s. "
She r epl aced t he r ecei ver . " I t ' s pr obabl y not hi ng, but you can' t l et
i t go. "
" I have a mot her and br ot her who di ed of cancer , " Kat hy sai d
mi ser abl y.
" I don' t want a doct or t o t el l me I have i t . "
The t el ephone r ang. Lar a pi cked i t up. " hel l o? he what ?. . . I don' t
car e i f he i s. You t el l hi ml want t o t al k t o hi mnow. "
She r epl aced t he r ecei ver .
A f ew moment s l at er t he phone r ang agai n. Lar a pi cked i t up. " hel l o,
Al an. . . no, I ' mf i ne. I ' msendi ng my secr et ar y over t o see you. her
name i s Kat hy Tur ner .
She' l l be t her e i n hal f an hour . I want her exami ned t hi s mor ni ng, and
I want you t o st ay on t op of i t . . . I know you ar e. . . I appr eci at e
i t . . .
t hanks. "
She r epl aced t he r ecei ver . " Get over t o Sl oanKet t er i ng hospi t al . Dr .
Pet er s wi l l be wai t i ng f or you. "
" I don' t know what t o say, Mi ss Camer on. "
" Say t hat you' l l be on t i me t omor r ow. " Howar d Kel l er came i nt o t he
of f i ce. " We have a pr obl em, boss. "
" Go. "
" I t ' s t he pr oper t y on Four t eent h St r eet . We' ve cl ear ed t he t enant s out
of t he whol e bl ock except f or one apar t ment house. The Dor chest er
Apar t ment s. Si x of t he t enant s r ef use t o l eave, and t he ci t y won' t l et
us f or ce t hemout . "
" Of f er t hemmor e money.
" I t ' s not a quest i on of money. Those peopl e have l i ved t her e a l ong
t i me. They don' t want t o l eave. They' r e comf or t abl e t her e. "
" Then l et ' s make t hemuncomf or t abl e. "
" What do you mean?"
Lar a got up. " Let ' s go t ake a l ook at t he bui l di ng. "
On t he dr i ve down, t hey passed bag l adi es and homel ess peopl e r oami ng
t he st r eet s, aski ng f or handout s.
" I n a count r y as weal t hy as t hi s, " Lar a sai d, " t hat ' s a di sgr ace. "
The Dor chest er Apar t ment s was a si x- st or y br i ck bui l di ng i n t he mi ddl e
of a bl ock f i l l ed wi t h ol d st r uct ur es wai t i ng f or t he bul l dozer s.
Lar a st ood i n f r ont of i t , exami ni ng i t . " How many t enant s ar e i n
t her e?"
" We got si xt een out of t he apar t ment . Si x ar e st i l l hangi ng on. "
" That means we have si xt een apar t ment s avai l abl e. " l I e l ooked at her ,
puzzl ed. " That ' s r i ght . Why?"
" Let ' s f i l l t hose apar t ment s. "
" You mean, l ease t hem? What ' s t he poi nt . . . "
" We' r e not goi ng t o l ease t hem. We' r e goi ng t o donat e t hemt o t he
homel ess. Ther e ar e t housands of homel ess peopl e i n New Yor k. We' r e
goi ng t o t ake car e of some of t hem. Cr owd i n as many as you can. See
t hat t hey' r e gi ven some f ood. "
Kel l er f r owned. " What makes me t hi nk t hi s i sn' t one of your bet t er
i deas?"
" Howar d, we' r e goi ng t o become benef act or s. We' r e goi ng t o do
somet hi ng t he ci t y can' t do- shel t er t he homel ess. "
Lar a was st udyi ng t he bui l di ng mor e cl osel y, l ooki ng at t he wi ndows.
" And I want t hose wi ndows boar ded up. "
" What ?"
" We' r e goi ng t o make t he bui l di ng l ook l i ke an ol d der el i ct . I s t he
t op f l oor apar t ment st i l l occupi ed, t he one wi t h t he r oof gar den?"
" Yes. "
" Put up a bi g bi l l boar d on t he r oof t o bl ock t he vi ew.
" But . . . "
" Get t o wor k on i t . "
When Lar a r et ur ned t o t he of f i ce, t her e was a message f or her . " Dr .
Pet er s woul d l i ke you t o cal l hi m, " Tr i ci a sai d.
" Get hi mf or me. " l I e came on t he phone al most i mmedi at el y.
" Lar a, I exami ned your secr et ar y. "
" Yes?"
" She has a t umor . I ' maf r ai d i t ' s mal i gnant . I r ecommend an i mmedi at e
mast ect omy. "
" I want a second opi ni on, " Lar a sai d.
" Of cour se, i f you wi sh, but I amhead of t he depar t ment and. . . "
" I st i l l want a second opi ni on. have someone el se exami ne her . Get
back t o me as soon as possi bl e. Wher e i s Kat hy now?"
" She' s on her way back t o your of f i ce. "
" Thanks, Al an. "
Lar a r epl aced t he r ecei ver . She pr essed down t he i nt er combut t on.
" When Kat hy r et ur ns, send her i n t ome. "
Lar a st udi ed t he cal endar on her desk. She had onl y t hi r t y days l ef t
t o cl ear out t he Dor chest er Apar t ment s bef or e const r uct i on was
schedul ed t o st ar t .
Si x st ubbor n t enant s. Al l r i ght , Lar a t hought , l et ' s see how l ong t hey
can hol d out .
Kat hy wal ked i nt o Lar a' s of f i ce. her f ace was puf f y and her eyes wer e
r ed.
" I hear d t he news, " Lar a t ol d her . " I ' mso sor r y, Kat hy. "
" I ' mgoi ng t o di e, " Kat hy sai d.
Lar a r ose and put her ar ms ar ound her , hol di ng her cl ose. " You' r e not
goi ng t o do anyt hi ng of t he ki nd.
They' ve made a l ot of pr ogr ess wi t h cancer . You' r e goi ng t o have t he
oper at i on, and you' r e goi ng t o be al l r i ght . "
" Mi ss Camer on, I can' t af f or d. . . "
" Ever yt hi ng wi l l be t aken car e of . Dr . Pet er s i s goi ng t o see t hat
you have one mor e exami nat i on. I f i t ver i f i es hi s di agnosi s, you
shoul d have t he oper at i on r i ght away.
Now go home and get some r est . "
Kat hy' s eyes f i l l ed wi t h t ear s agai n. " I . . . t hank you. "
As Kat hy wal ked out of t he of f i ce, she t hought , No one r eal l y knows
t hat l ady.
Chapt er Si xt een.
The f ol l owi ng Monday Lar a had a vi si t or .
" Ther e' s a Mr . O' Br i an her e t o see you f r omt he ci t y pl anni ng
commi ssi oner ' s of f i ce, Mi ss Camer on. "
" What about ?"
" l I e di dn' t say. "
Lar a buzzed Kel l er on t he i nt er com. " Wi l l you come i n her e,
Howar d?"
She sai d t o t he secr et ar y, " Send Mr . O' Br i an i n. "
Andy O' Br i an was a bur l y r ed- f aced I r i shman wi t h a sl i ght br ogue.
" Mi ss Camer on?"
Lar a r emai ned seat ed behi nd her desk. " Yes. What can I do f or you,
Mr . O' Br i an?"
" I ' maf r ai d you' r e i n vi ol at i on of t he l aw, Mi ss Camer on. "
" Real l y? What i s t hi s al l about ?"
" You own t he Dor chest er Apar t ment s on East Four t eent h St r eet ?"
" Yes. "
" We have a r epor t t hat about a hundr ed homel ess peopl e have cr owded
i nt o t hose apar t ment s. "
" Oh, t hat . " Lar a smi l ed. " Yes, I t hought t hat si nce t he ci t y wasn' t
doi ng anyt hi ng about t he homel ess, I woul d hel p out . I ' mgi vi ng t hem
shel t er . " Howar d Kel l er wal ked i nt o t he r oom.
" Thi s i s Mr . Kel l er . Mr . O' Br i an. "
The t wo men shook hands.
Lar a t ur ned t o Kel l er . " I was j ust expl ai ni ng how we' r e hel pi ng t he
ci t y out by pr ovi di ng housi ng. "
" You i nvi t ed t hemi n, Mi ss Camer on?"
" That ' s r i ght . "
" Do you have a l i cense f r omt he ci t y?"
" A l i cense f or what ?"
" I f you' r e set t i ng up a shel t er , i t has t o be appr oved by t he ci t y.
Ther e ar e cer t ai n st r i ct condi t i ons t hat ar e enf or ced. "
" I ' msor r y. I wasn' t awar e of t hat . I ' l l ar r ange f or t he l i cense
i mmedi at el y. "
" I don' t t hi nk so. "
" What does t hat mean?"
" We' ve had compl ai nt s f r omt he t enant s i n t he bui l di ng. They say
you' r e t r yi ng t o f or ce t hemout . "
" Nonsense. "
" Mi ss Camer on, t he ci t y i s gi vi ng you f or t y- ei ght hour s t o move t hose
homel ess peopl e out of t her e. And when t hey l eave, we have an or der
f or you t o t ake down t he boar ds t hat you put up t o cover t he
wi ndows. "
Lar a was f ur i ous. " I s t hat al l ?"
" No, ma' am. The t enant who has t he r oof gar den says you put up a si gn
bl ocki ng hi s vi ew. You' l l have t o t ake t hat down, t oo. "
" What i f I won' t ?"
" I t hi nk you wi l l . Al l t hi s comes under har assment .
You' l l save your sel f a l ot of t r oubl e and unpl easant publ i ci t y by not
f or ci ng us t o t ake you t o cour t . " l I e nodded and sai d, " have a ni ce
day. "
They wat ched hi mwal k out of t he of f i ce.
Kel l er t ur ned t o Lar a. " We' l l have t o get al l t hose peopl e out of
t her e. "
" No. " She sat t her e, t hi nki ng.
" What do you mean ' no' ? The man sai d. . . "
" I know what he sai d. I want you t o br i ng i n mor e homel ess. I want
t hat bui l di ng packed wi t h st r eet peopl e.
We' r e goi ng t o st al l . Cal l Ter r y hi l l . Tel l hi mt he pr obl em. have
hi mget a st ay or somet hi ng. We' ve got t o get t hose si x t enant s out by
t he end of t he mont h or i t ' s goi ng t o cost us t hr ee mi l l i on dol l ar s. "
The i nt er combuzzed. " Dr . Pet er s i s on t he phone. "
Lar a pi cked up t he t el ephone. " hel l o, Al an. "
" I j ust want ed t o t el l you t hat we f i ni shed t he oper at i on. I t l ooks
l i ke we got i t al l . Kat hy' s goi ng t o be f i ne. "
" That ' s wonder f ul news. When can I vi si t her ?"
" You can come by t hi s af t er noon. "
" I ' l l do t hat . Thanks, Al an. See t hat I get al l t he bi l l s, wi l l
you?"
" Wi l l do. "
" And you can t el l t he hospi t al t o expect a donat i on.
Fi f t y t housand dol l ar s. "
Lar a sai d t o Tr i ci a, " Fi l l her r oomwi t h f l ower s. " She l ooked at her
schedul e. " I ' l l go down t o see her at f our o' cl ock. "
Ter r y hi l l ar r i ved at t he of f i ce. " Ther e' s a war r ant f or your ar r est
comi ng i n. "
" What ?"
" Wer en' t you war ned t o get t hose homel ess peopl e out of t he
bui l di ng?"
" Yes, but . . . "
" You can' t get away wi t h t hi s, Lar a. Ther e' s an ol d adage: ' Don' t
f i ght Ci t y hal l , you can' t ' " " Ar e t hey r eal l y goi ng t o ar r est me?"
" You' r e damn r i ght t hey ar e. You wer e gi ven not i ce by t he ci t y t o get
t hose peopl e out of t her e. "
" Al l r i ght , " Lar a sai d. " Let ' s get t hemout . " She t ur ned t o Kel l er .
" Remove t hem, but don' t put t hemout on t he st r eet . That i sn' t
r i ght . . . . We have t hose empt y r oomi ng houses t hat we' r e wai t i ng t o
conver t i n t he West Twent i es. Let ' s put t hemt her e. Take al l t he hel p
you need. I want t hemgone i n an hour . "
She t ur ned t o Ter r y hi l l . " I ' l l be out of her e, so t hey can' t ser ve
me. By t he t i me t hey do, t he pr obl emwi l l be sol ved. "
The i nt er combuzzed. " Ther e ar e t wo gent l emen her e f r omt he di st r i ct
at t or ney' s of f i ce. "
Lar a mot i oned t o Howar d Kel l er . l I e wal ked over t o t he i nt er comand
sai d, " Mi ss Camer on i sn' t her e. "
Ther e was a si l ence. " When do you expect her ?"
Kel l er l ooked at Lar a. Lar a shook her head. Kel l er sai d i nt o t he
i nt er com, " We don' t know. " l I e f l i cked t he key up.
" I ' l l go out t he back way, " Lar a sai d.
Lar a hat ed hospi t al s. A hospi t al was her f at her l yi ng i n bed, pal e and
suddenl y ol d. " What t he bl ui dy hel l ar e you doi n' her e? You' ve wor k
t o dae at t he boar di nghouse. "
Lar a wal ked i nt o Kat hy' s r oom. I t was f i l l ed wi t h f l ower s. Kat hy was
si t t i ng up i n bed.
" How do you f eel ?" Lar a asked.
Kat hy smi l ed. " The doct or sai d I ' mgoi ng t o be f i ne. "
" You' d bet t er be. Your wor k i s pi l i ng up. I need you. "
" I . . . I don' t know how t o t hank you f or al l t hi s. "
" Don' t . "
Lar a pi cked up t he bedsi de phone and put a cal l t hr ough t o her
of f i ce.
She spoke t o Ter r y hi l l .
" Ar e t hey st i l l t her e?"
" They' r e st i l l her e. They i nt end t o st ay unt i l you r et ur n. "
" Check wi t h Howar d. As soon as he cl ear s t he st r eet peopl e out of t he
bui l di ng, I ' l l come back. "
Lar a r epl aced t he r ecei ver .
" I f you need anyt hi ng, l et me know, " Lar a sai d. " I ' l l be back t o see
you t omor r ow. "
Lar a' s next st op was at t he ar chi t ect ur al of f i ces of hi ggi ns, Al mont &
Cl ar k. She was usher ed i n t o see Mr . Cl ar k. l I e r ose as she wal ked
i nt o hi s of f i ce.
" What a ni ce sur pr i se. What can I do f or you, Mi ss Camer on?"
" Do you have t he pl ans her e f or t he pr oj ect on Four t eent h St r eet ?"
" Yes, i ndeed. " l I e went over t o hi s dr awi ng boar d. " her e we ar e. "
Ther e was a sket ch of a beaut i f ul hi gh r i se compl ex wi t h apar t ment
bui l di ngs and shops ar ound i t .
" I want you t o r edr aw i t , " Lar a sai d.
" What ?"
Lar a poi nt ed t o a space i n t he mi ddl e of t he bl ock.
" Ther e' s a bui l di ng st i l l st andi ng i n t hi s ar ea. I want you t o dr aw
t he same concept , but const r uct i t ar ound t hat bui l di ng. "
" You mean you want t o put up t he pr oj ect wi t h one of t he ol d bui l di ngs
st i l l st andi ng? I t woul d never wor k.
Fi r st of al l , i t woul d l ook t er r i bl e and. . . "
" J ust do i t , pl ease. Send i t over t o my of f i ce t hi s af t er noon. "
And Lar a was gone.
Fr omt he car she t el ephoned Ter r y hi l l . " have you hear d f r omHowar d
yet ?"
" Yes. The squat t er s have al l been cl ear ed out . "
" Good. Get t he di st r i ct at t or ney on t he phone. Tel l hi mt hat I had
or der ed t hose squat t er s out t wo days ago and t hat t her e was a l ack of
communi cat i on. The mi nut e I hear d about i t , t oday, I had t hemmoved
out . I ' mon my way back t o t he of f i ce now. See i f he st i l l want s t o
ar r est me. "
She sai d t o t he dr i ver , " Dr i ve t hr ough t he par k. Take your t i me. "
Thi r t y mi nut es l at er , when Lar a r eached her of f i ce, t he men wi t h t he
war r ant wer e gone.
Lar a was i n a meet i ng wi t h Howar d Kel l er and Ter r y hi l l .
" The t enant s st i l l won' t budge, " Kel l er sai d. " I even went back and
of f er ed t hemmor e money. They' r e not l eavi ng. We' ve onl y got f i ve
days l ef t bef or e we have t o begi n bul l dozi ng. "
Lar a sai d, " I asked Mr . Cl ar k t o dr aw up a new bl uepr i nt f or t he
pr oj ect . "
" I saw i t , " Kel l er sai d. " I t doesn' t make any sense.
We can' t l eave t hat ol d bui l di ng st andi ng i n t he mi ddl e of a new gi ant
const r uct i on. We' r e goi ng t o have t o go t o t he bank and ask t hemi f
t hey' l l move back t he st ar t dat e. "
" No, " Lar a sai d. " I want t o move i t up. "
" What ?"
" Get hol d of t he cont r act or . Tel l hi mwe want t o st ar t bul l dozi ng
t omor r ow. "
" Tomor r ow? Lar a. . . "
" Fi r st t hi ng i n t he mor ni ng. And t ake t hat bl uepr i nt and gi ve i t t o
t he f or eman of t he const r uct i on cr ew. "
" What good wi l l t hat do?" Kel l er asked.
" We' l l see. "
The f ol l owi ng mor ni ng t he r emai ni ng t enant s of t he Dor chest er
Apar t ment s wer e awakened by t he r oar of a bul l dozer . They l ooked out
of t hei r wi ndows. hal f way down t he bl ock, as t hey wat ched, a
mechani cal behemot h was movi ng t owar d t hem, l evel i ng ever yt hi ng i n i t s
pat h.
The t enant s wer e st unned.
Mr . her shey, who l i ved on t he t op f l oor , r ushed out si de and hur r i ed
over t o t he f or eman. " What do you t hi nk you' r e doi ng?" he scr eamed.
" You can' t go ahead wi t h t hi s. "
" Who says so?"
" The ci t y does. " her shey poi nt ed t o t he bui l di ng he l i ved i n.
" You' r e not per mi t t ed t o t ouch t hat bui l di ng. "
The f or eman l ooked at t he bl uepr i nt i n f r ont of hi m.
" That ' s r i ght , " he sai d. " We have or der s t o l eave t hat bui l di ng
st andi ng. " her shey f r owned. " What ? Let me see t hat . " l I e l ooked at
t he pl an and gasped. " They' r e goi ng t o put up t he pl aza and l eave t hi s
bui l di ng st andi ng?"
" That ' s r i ght , mi st er . "
" But t hey can' t do t hat ! The noi se and di r t ! "
" That ' s not my pr obl em. Now, i f you' l l get out of my way, I ' d l i ke t o
get back t o wor k. "
Thi r t y mi nut es l at er Lar a' s secr et ar y sai d, " Ther e' s a Mr . her shey on
l i ne t wo, Mi ss Camer on. "
" Tel l hi mI ' mnot avai l abl e. "
When her shey cal l ed f or t he t hi r d t i me t hat af t er noon, Lar a f i nal l y
pi cked up t he phone and spoke wi t h hi m.
" Yes, Mr . her shey. What can I do f or you?"
" I ' d l i ke t o come i n and see you, Mi ss Camer on. "
" I ' maf r ai d I ' mr at her busy. What ever i t i s you have t o say you can
say on t he phone. "
" Wel l , you' l l be gl ad t o know t hat I ' ve t al ked t o t he ot her t enant s i n
our bui l di ng and we' ve agr eed t hat i t mi ght be best af t er al l t o t ake
your of f er and vacat e our apar t ment s. "
" That of f er i s no l onger good, Mr . her shey. You can al l st ay wher e
you ar e. "
" I f you bui l d ar ound us, we' r e never goi ng t o get any sl eep! "
" Who t ol d you we wer e goi ng t o bui l d ar ound you?"
Lar a demanded. " Wher e di d you get t hat i nf or mat i on?"
" The f or eman on t he j ob showed me a bl uepr i nt and. . . "
" Wel l , he' s goi ng t o be f i r ed. " Ther e was f ur y i n Lar a' s voi ce. " That
was conf i dent i al i nf or mat i on. "
" Wai t a mi nut e. Let ' s t al k l i ke t wo r easonabl e peopl e, okay? Your
pr oj ect woul d be bet t er of f i f we got out of her e, and I t hi nk we' d be
bet t er of f l eavi ng. I don' t want t o l i ve i n t he mi ddl e of a damned
hi gh r i se. "
Lar a sai d, " I t doesn' t mat t er t o me whet her you go or st ay, Mr .
her shey. " her voi ce sof t ened. " I ' l l t el l you what I ' l l do. I f t hat
bui l di ng i s vacat ed by next mont h I ' mwi l l i ng t o go wi t h our f i r st
of f er . "
She coul d hear hi mt hi nki ng i t over .
Fi nal l y he sai d r el uct ant l y, " Okay. I ' l l t al k t o t he ot her s, but I ' m
sur e i t wi l l be al l r i ght . I r eal l y appr eci at e t hi s, Mi ss Camer on. "
Lar a sai d, " I t ' s been my pl easur e, Mr . her shey. "
The f ol l owi ng mont h, wor k on t he new pr oj ect began i n ear nest .
Lar a' s r eput at i on was gr owi ng. Camer on Ent er pr i ses was put t i ng up a
hi gh r i se i n Br ookl yn, a shoppi ng cent er i n West chest er , a mal l i n
Washi ngt on, D. C. Ther e was a l ow- cost housi ng pr oj ect bei ng const r uct ed
i n Dal l as and a bl ock of condomi ni ums i n Los Angel es. Capi t al f l owed
i n f r ombanks, savi ngs and l oan compani es, and eager pr i vat e
i nvest or s.
Lar a had become a Name.
Kat hy had r et ur ned t o wor k.
" I ' mback. "
Lar a st udi ed her a moment . " How do you f eel ?"
Kat hy smi l ed. " Gr eat . Thanks t o. . . "
" Do you have a l ot of ener gy?"
She was sur pr i sed at t he quest i on. " Yes. I . . . "
" Good. You' r e goi ng t o need i t . I ' mmaki ng you my execut i ve
assi st ant . Ther e wi l l be a ni ce r ai se f or you. "
" I don' t know what t o say. I " You' ve ear ned i t . "
Lar a saw t he memo i n Kat hy' s hand. " What ' s t hat ?"
" Gour met magazi ne woul d l i ke t o publ i sh your f avor i t e r eci pe. Ar e you
i nt er est ed?"
" No. Tel l t hemI ' mt oo . . . wai t a mi nut e. " She sat t her e a moment ,
l ost i n t hought . Then she sai d sof t l y, " Yes. I ' l l gi ve t hema
r eci pe. "
The r eci pe appear ed i n t he magazi ne t hr ee mont hs l at er .
I t began: Bl ack Bun- A cl assi c Scot t i sh di sh. A mi xt ur e encased i n a
shor t past e j acket made f r omhal f a pound of f l our , a quar t er pound of
but t er , a t ouch of col d wat er , and a hal f a t easpoon of baki ng power .
I nsi de ar e t wo pounds of r ai si ns, hal f a pound of chopped al monds,
t hr ee- quar t er s of a pound of f l our , hal f a pound of sugar , t wo
t easpoons of al l spi ce, a t easpoon of gr ound gi nger , a t easpoon of
ci nnamon, a hal f t easpoon of baki ng powder , and a dash of br andy. . .
Lar a l ooked at t he ar t i cl e f or a l ong t i me, and i t br ought back t he
t ast e of i t , t he smel l of t he boar di nghouse ki t chen, t he noi se of t he
boar der s at supper . her f at her hel pl ess i n hi s bed. She put t he
magazi ne away.
* * * Peopl e r ecogni zed Lar a on t he st r eet , and when she wal ked i nt o a
r est aur ant , t her e wer e al ways exci t ed whi sper s. She was escor t ed
ar ound t own by hal f a dozen el i gi bl e sui t or s and had f l at t er i ng
pr oposal s, but she was not i nt er est ed. I n a st r ange, al most eer i e way,
she was st i l l l ooki ng f or someone. Someone f ami l i ar . Someone she had
never met .
Lar a woul d wake up at f i ve o' cl ock ever y mor ni ng and have her dr i ver ,
Max, t ake her t o one of t he bui l di ngs under const r uct i on. She woul d
st and t her e, st ar i ng at what she was cr eat i ng, and she t hought , You
wer e wr ong, Fat her . I can col l ect t he r ent s.
For Lar a, t he sounds of t he day began wi t h t he r at a- t at - t at of t he
j ackhammer s, t he r oar of t he bul l dozer s, t he cl angi ng of heavy met al .
She woul d r i de t he r i cket y const r uct i on el evat or t o t he t op and st and
on t he st eel gi r der s wi t h t he wi nd bl owi ng i n her f ace, and she
t hought , I own t hi s ci t y.
Paul Mar t i n and Lar a wer e i n bed.
" I hear you chewed out a coupl e of your const r uct i on wor ker s pr et t y
good t oday. "
" They deser ved i t , " Lar a sai d. " They wer e doi ng sl oppy wor k. "
Paul gr i nned. " At l east you' ve l ear ned not t o sl ap t hem. "
" Look what happened when I di d sl ap one. " She snuggl ed up t o hi m. " I
met you. "
" I have t o t ake a t r i p t o L. A" Paul sai d. " I ' d l i ke you t o come wi t h
me. Can you get away f or a f ew days?"
" I ' d l ove t o, Paul , but i t ' s i mpossi bl e. I schedul e my days wi t h a
st opwat ch. " l I e sat up and l ooked down at her . " Maybe you' r e doi ng
t oo much, baby.
Don' t ever get t oo busy f or me. "
Lar a smi l ed and began t o st r oke hi m. " Don' t wor r y about t hat . I t wi l l
never happen. "
* * I t had been t her e i n f r ont of her al l t he t i me, and she had not
seen i t . I t was a huge wat er f r ont pr oper t y i n t he Wal l St r eet ar ea,
near t he Wor l d Tr ade Cent er . And i t was f or sal e. Lar a had passed i t
a dozen t i mes, but she l ooked at i t now and saw what shoul d have been
t her e al l al ong: I n her mi nd, she coul d see t he wor l d' s t al l est
bui l di ng. She knew what Howar d was goi ng t o say: " You' r e get t i ng i n
over your head, Lar a. You can' t get i nvol ved wi t h t hi s. " But she knew
t hat not hi ng was goi ng t o st op her .
When she got t o t he of f i ce, she cal l ed a meet i ng of her st af f .
" The Wal l St r eet pr oper t y on t he wat er f r ont , " Lar a sai d. " We' r e goi ng
t o buy i t . We' r e goi ng t o put up t he t al l est skyscr aper i n t he
wor l d. "
" Lar a. . . "
" Bef or e you say anyt hi ng, Howar d, l et me poi nt out a f ew t hi ngs. The
l ocat i on i s per f ect . I t ' s i n t he hear t of t he busi ness di st r i ct .
Tenant s wi l l be f i ght i ng t o get of f i ce space t her e. And r emember , i t ' s
goi ng t o be t he t al l est skyscr aper i n t he wor l d. That ' s a bi g
si zzl e.
I t ' s goi ng t o be our f l agshi p. We' l l cal l i t Camer on Tower s. "
" Wher e' s t he money comi ng f r om?"
Lar a handed hi ma pi ece of paper .
Kel l er was exami ni ng t he f i gur es. " You' r e bei ng opt i mi st i c. "
" I ' mbei ng r eal i st i c. We' r e not t al ki ng about j ust any bui l di ng.
We' r e t al ki ng about a j ewel , Howar d. " l I e was t hi nki ng har d. " You' l l
be st r et chi ng your sel f t hi n. "
Lar a smi l ed. " We' ve done t hat bef or e, haven' t we?"
Kel l er sai d, t hought f ul l y, " The t al l est skyscr aper i n t he wor l d. . . "
" That ' s r i ght . And t he banks cal l us ever y day, t hr owi ng money at
us.
They' l l j ump at t hi s. "
" They pr obabl y wi l l , " Kel l er sai d. l I e l ooked at Lar a.
" You r eal l y want t hi s, don' t you?"
" Yes. "
Kel l er si ghed. l I e l ooked ar ound at t he gr oup. " Al l r i ght . The f i r st
st ep i s t o t ake an opt i on on t he pr oper t y. "
Lar a smi l ed. " I ' ve al r eady done t hat . And I have some ot her news f or
you. St eve Mur chi son was negot i at i ng f or t hat pr oper t y. "
" I r emember hi m. We t ook t hat hot el si t e away f r omhi mi n Chi cago. "
" I ' mgoi ng t o l et i t go t hi s t i me, bi t ch, because I don' t t hi nk you
know what t he hel l you' r e doi ng. But i n t he f ut ur e, st ay out of my
way- you coul d get hur t . "
" Ri ght . " Mur chi son had become one of t he most r ut hl ess and successf ul
r eal est at e devel oper s i n New Yor k.
Kel l er sai d, " Lar a, he' s bad news. l I e enj oys dest r oyi ng peopl e. "
" You wor r y t oo much. "
The f i nanci ng f or Camer on Tower s went smoot hl y.
Lar a had been r i ght . The banker s f el t t hat t her e was a si zzl e t o t he
t al l est skyscr aper i n t he wor l d. And t he name of Camer on was an added
cachet . They wer e eager t o be associ at ed wi t h her .
Lar a was mor e t han a gl amor ous f i gur e. She was a symbol t o t he women
of t he wor l d, an i con. I f she can accompl i sh t hi s, why not me? A
per f ume was named af t er her . She was i nvi t ed t o al l t he i mpor t ant
soci al event s, and host esses wer e eager t o have her at t hei r di nner
par t i es. her name on a bui l di ng seemed t o ensur e success.
" We' r e goi ng t o st ar t our own const r uct i on company, " Lar a deci ded one
day. " We have t he cr ews. We' l l r ent t hemout t o ot her bui l der s. "
" That ' s not a bad i dea, " Kel l er sai d.
" Let ' s go f or i t . How soon ar e we goi ng t o br eak gr ound f or Camer on
Tower s?"
" The deal ' s i n pl ace. I woul d say t hr ee mont hs f r omnow.
Lar a sat back i n her chai r . " Can you i magi ne i t , Howar d? The t al l est
skyscr aper i n t he wor l d. " l I e wonder ed what Fr eud woul d have made of
t hat .
The gr ound- br eaki ng cer emony f or Camer on Tower s had t he at mospher e of a
t hr ee- r i ng ci r cus. Amer i ca' s Pr i ncess, Lar a Camer on, was t he mai n
at t r act i on. The event had been heavi l y publ i ci zed i n t he newspaper s
and on t el evi si on, and a cr owd of mor e t han t wo hundr ed peopl e had
gat her ed, wai t i ng f or Lar a t o ar r i ve. When her whi t e l i mousi ne pul l ed
up t o t he bui l di ng si t e, t her e was a r oar f r omt he cr owd.
" Ther e she i s! "
As Lar a st epped out of t he car and moved t owar d t he bui l di ng si t e t o
gr eet t he mayor , pol i ce and secur i t y guar ds hel d t he cr owd back. The
peopl e pushed f or war d, scr eami ng and cal l i ng her name, and t he
phot ogr apher s' f l ashbul bs began poppi ng.
I n a speci al r oped- of f sect i on wer e t he banker s, heads of adver t i si ng
agenci es, company di r ect or s, cont r act or s, pr oj ect manager s, communi t y
r epr esent at i ves, and ar chi t ect s. One hundr ed f eet away, l ar ge
bul l dozer s and backhoes wer e st andi ng by, r eady t o go t o wor k. Fi f t y
t r ucks wer e l i ned up t o car t t he r ubbl e away.
Lar a was st andi ng next t o t he mayor and t he Manhat t an bor ough
pr esi dent . I t had st ar t ed t o dr i zzl e. J er r y Townsend, head of publ i c
r el at i ons f or Camer on Ent er pr i ses, hur r i ed t owar d Lar a wi t h an
umbr el l a. She smi l ed and waved hi maway.
The mayor spoke i nt o t he camer as. " Today i s a gr eat day f or
Manhat t an.
Thi s gr ound- br eaki ng cer emony at Camer on Tower s mar ks t he begi nni ng of
one of t he l ar gest r eal est at e pr oj ect s i n Manhat t an' s hi st or y. Si x
bl ocks of Manhat t an r eal est at e wi l l be conver t ed i nt o a moder n
communi t y t hat wi l l i ncl ude apar t ment bui l di ngs, t wo shoppi ng cent er s,
a convent i on cent er , and t he t al l est skyscr aper i n t he wor l d. "
Ther e was appl ause f r omt he cr owd.
" Wher ever you l ook, " t he mayor cont i nued, " you can see Lar a Camer on' s
cont r i but i on wr i t t en i n concr et e. " l I e poi nt ed. " Upt own i s t he
Camer on Cent er . And near i t , Camer on Pl aza and hal f a dozen housi ng
pr oj ect s. And acr oss t he count r y i s t he gr eat Camer on hot el chai n. "
The mayor t ur ned t o Lar a and smi l ed. " And she' s not onl y br ai ny, she' s
beaut i f ul . "
Ther e was l aught er and mor e appl ause.
" Lar a Camer on, l adi es and gent l emen.
Lar a l ooked i nt o t he t el evi si on camer as and smi l ed.
" Thank you, Mr . Mayor . I ' mver y pl eased t o have made some smal l
cont r i but i on t o t hi s f abul ous ci t y of our s. My f at her al ways t ol d me
t hat t he r eason we wer e put on t hi s ear t h was. . . " She hesi t at ed. Out
of t he cor ner of her eye, she had seen a f ami l i ar f i gur e i n t he
cr owd.
St eve Mur chi son. She had seen hi s phot ogr aph i n newspaper s. . . . What
was he doi ng her e? Lar a went on. . . . " was t o l eave i t a bet t er pl ace
t han when we came i nt o i t . Wel l , I hope t hat i n my own smal l way, I ' ve
been abl e t o do t hat . "
Ther e was mor e appl ause. Lar a was handed a cer emoni al har d hat and a
chr ome- pl at ed shovel .
" Ti me t o go t o wor k, Mi ss Camer on. "
The f l ashbul bs began t o pop agai n.
Lar a pushed t he shovel i nt o t he di r t and dug up t he f i r st bi t of
ear t h.
At t he concl usi on of t he cer emony, r ef r eshment s wer e ser ved, whi l e t he
t el evi si on camer as kept r ecor di ng t he event . When Lar a l ooked ar ound
agai n, Mur chi son was nowher e i n si ght .
Thi r t y mi nut es l at er Lar a Camer on was back i n t he l i mousi ne headed f or
t he of f i ce. J er r y Townsend was seat ed next t o her .
" I t hought i t went gr eat , " he sai d. " J ust gr eat . "
" Not bad, " Lar a gr i nned. " Thanks, J er r y. "
The execut i ve sui t es of Camer on Ent er pr i ses occupi ed t he ent i r e
f i f t i et h f l oor of Camer on Cent er .
Lar a got of f at t he f i f t i et h f l oor , and by t hen t he wor d had got t en
ar ound t hat she was ar r i vi ng. The secr et ar i es and st af f wer e busi l y at
wor k.
Lar a t ur ned t o J er r y Townsend. " Come i nt o my of f i ce. "
The of f i ce was an enor mous cor ner sui t e over l ooki ng t he ci t y.
Lar a gl anced at some paper s on her desk and l ooked up at J er r y.
" How' s your f at her ? I s he any bet t er ?"
What di d she know about hi s f at her ?
" l I e' s. . . he' s not wel l . "
" I know. l I e has hunt i ngt on' s chor ea, hasn' t he, J er r y?"
" Yes. "
I t was a t er r i bl e di sease. I t was pr ogr essi ve and degener at i ve,
char act er i zed by spasmodi c i nvol unt ar y movement s of t he f ace and
ext r emi t i es, accompani ed by t he l oss of ment al f acul t i es.
" How do you know about my f at her ?"
" I ' mon t he boar d at t he hospi t al wher e he' s bei ng t r eat ed. I hear d
some doct or s di scussi ng hi s case. "
J er r y sai d t i ght l y, " I t ' s i ncur abl e. "
" Ever yt hi ng i s i ncur abl e unt i l t hey f i nd t he cur e, " Lar a sai d. " I di d
some checki ng. Ther e' s a doct or i n Swi t zer l and who' s doi ng some
advanced r esear ch on t he di sease. l I e' s wi l l i ng t o t ake on your
f at her ' s case. I ' l l handl e t he expenses. "
J er r y st ood t her e, st unned.
" Okay?" l I e f ound i t di f f i cul t t o speak. " Okay. " I don' t know her ,
J er r y Townsend t hought . Nobody knows her .
hi st or y was bei ng made, but Lar a was t oo busy t o not i ce. Ronal d
Reagan had been r e- el ect ed, and a man named Mi khai l Gor bachev had
succeeded Cher nenko as l eader of t he USSR.
Lar a bui l t a l ow- i ncome housi ng devel opment i n Det r oi t .
I n 1986 I van Boesky had been f i ned a hundr ed mi l l i on dol l ar s i n an
i nsi der t r adi ng scandal and sent enced t o t hr ee year s i n pr i son.
Lar a st ar t ed devel opment on condomi ni ums i n Queens. I nvest or s wer e
eager t o be a par t of t he magi c of her name. A gr oup of Ger man
i nvest ment banker s f l ew t o New Yor k t o meet wi t h Lar a. She ar r anged
f or t he meet i ng i mmedi at el y af t er t hei r pl ane l anded. They had
pr ot est ed, but Lar a sai d, " I ' mso sor r y, gent l emen. I t ' s t he onl y t i me
I have. I ' ml eavi ng f or hong Kong. "
The Ger mans wer e ser ved cof f ee. Lar a had t ea. One of t he Ger mans
compl ai ned about t he t ast e of t he cof f ee.
" I t ' s a speci al br and made f or me, " Lar a expl ai ned. " The f l avor wi l l
gr ow on you. Have anot her cup. "
By t he end of t he negot i at i ons Lar a had won al l her poi nt s.
Li f e was a ser i es of ser endi pi t i es, except f or one di st ur bi ng
i nci dent .
Lar a had had sever al r un- i ns wi t h St eve Mur chi son over var i ous
pr oper t i es, and she had al ways managed t o out wi t hi m.
" I t hi nk we shoul d back of f , " Kel l er war ned.
" Let hi mback of f . "
And one mor ni ng a beaut i f ul package wr apped i n r ose paper ar r i ved f r om
Bendel ' s. Kat hy l ai d i t on Lar a' s desk.
" I t ' s awf ul l y heavy, " Kat hy sai d. " I f i t ' s a hat , you' r e i n
t r oubl e. "
Cur i ous, Lar a unwr apped i t and opened t he l i d. The box was packed wi t h
di r t . A pr i nt ed car d i nsi de r ead: " The Fr ank E. Campbel l Funer al
Chapel . "
The bui l di ng pr oj ect s wer e al l goi ng wel l . When Lar a r ead about a
pr oposed i nner - ci t y pl aygr ound t hat was st ymi ed because of bur eaucr at i c
r ed t ape, she st epped i n, had her company bui l d i t , and donat ed i t t o
t he ci t y. The publ i ci t y she r ecei ved on i t was enor mous. One headl i ne
r ead: LARA CAMERON STANDS FOR " CAN DO. "
She was seei ng Paul once or t wi ce a week, and she t al ked t o hi mever y
day.
Lar a bought a house i n Sout hampt on and l i ved i n a f ar t t asy wor l d of
expensi ve j ewel s and f ur s and l i mousi nes. her cl oset s wer e f i l l ed
wi t h beaut i f ul desi gner cl ot hes. " I need some cl ot hes f or school . "
" Weel , I ' mnae made of money. Get your sel f somet hi ng f r ae t he
Sal vat i on Ar my Ci t adel . "
And Lar a woul d or der anot her out f i t .
her empl oyees wer e her f ami l y. She wor r i ed about t hemand was
gener ous wi t h t hem. They wer e al l she had. She r emember ed t hei r
bi r t hdays and anni ver sar i es.
She hel ped get t hei r chi l dr en i nt o good school s and set up schol ar shi p
f unds f or t hem. When t hey t r i ed t o t hank her , Lar a was embar r assed.
I t was di f f i cul t f or her t o expr ess her emot i ons. her f at her had
r i di cul ed her when she had t r i ed. Lar a had bui l t a pr ot ect i ve wal l
ar ound her sel f . No one i s ever goi ng t o hur t me agai n, she vowed.
No one.
Chapt er Sevent een.
I ' ml eavi ng f or London i n t he mor ni ng, Howar d. "
" What ' s up?" Kel l er asked.
" Lor d MacI nt osh has i nvi t ed me t o come over and t ake a l ook at a
pr oper t y he' s i nt er est ed i n. l I e want s t o go i nt o par t ner shi p. "
Br i an MacI nt osh was one of t he weal t hi est r eal est at e devel oper s i n
Engl and.
" What t i me do we l eave?" Kel l er asked.
" I ' ve deci ded t o go al one. "
" Oh?"
" I want you t o keep an eye on t hi ngs her e. " l I e nodded. " Ri ght . I ' l l
do t hat . "
" I know you wi l l . I can al ways count on you. "
The t r i p t o London was unevent f ul . The pr i vat e 727 she had pur chased
t ook of f i n t he mor ni ng and l anded at t he Magec Ter mi nal at Lut on
Ai r por t out si de London.
She had no i dea her l i f e was about t o change.
When Lar a ar r i ved at t he l obby of Cl ar i dges, Ronal d J ones, t he manager ,
was t her e t o gr eet her . " I t ' s a pl easur e t o have you back, Mi ss
Camer on. I ' l l show you t o your sui t e. By t he way, we have some
messages f or you. "
Ther e wer e mor e t han t wo dozen.
The sui t e was l ovel y. Ther e wer e f l ower s f r omBr i an MacI nt osh and f r om
Paul Mar t i n, and champagne and hor s d' oeuvr es f r omt he management . The
phone began t o r i ng t he mi nut e Lar a wal ked i n. The cal l s wer e f r omal l
over t he Uni t ed St at es.
" The ar chi t ect want s t o make some changes i n t he pl ans. I t wi l l cost a
f or t une. . . . "
" Ther e' s a hol dup on t he cement del i ver y. . . . "
" The Fi r st Nat i onal Savi ngs and Loan want s i n on our next deal " The
mayor want s t o know i f you can be i n L. A. f or t he openi ng. l I e' d l i ke
t o pl an a bi g cer emony. . . . "
" The t oi l et s haven' t ar r i ved. . . . "
" Bad weat her i s hol di ng us up. We' r e f al l i ng behi nd schedul e. . . . "
Each pr obl emr equi r ed a deci si on, and when Lar a f i nal l y f i ni shed wi t h
her cal l s, she was exhaust ed. She had di nner i n her r oomal one and sat
l ooki ng out t he wi ndow, at t he Rol l s- Royces and Bent l eys pul l i ng up t o
t he Br ook St r eet ent r ance, and a f eel i ng of el at i on swept over her .
The l i t t l e gi r l f r omGl ace Bay has come a l ong way, Daddy.
The f ol l owi ng mor ni ng Lar a went wi t h Br i an MacI nt osh t o l ook at t he
pr oposed si t e. I t was enor moust wo mi l es of r i ver si de f r ont age f i l l ed
wi t h ol d r un- down bui l di ngs and st or age sheds.
" The Br i t i sh gover nment wi l l gi ve us a l ot of t ax r el i ef on t hi s, "
Br i an MacI nt osh expl ai ned, " because we' r e goi ng t o r ehabi l i t at e t hi s
whol e sect i on of t he ci t y. "
" I ' d l i ke t o t hi nk about i t , " Lar a sai d. She had al r eady made up her
mi nd.
" By t he way, I have t i cket s t o a concer t t oni ght , " Br i an MacI nt osh t ol d
her . " My wi f e has a cl ub meet i ng.
Do you l i ke cl assi cal musi c?"
Lar a had no i nt er est i n cl assi cal musi c. " Yes. "
" Phi l i p Adl er i s pl ayi ng Rachmani nof f . " l I e l ooked at Lar a as t hough
expect i ng her t o say somet hi ng. She had never hear d of Phi l i p Adl er .
" I t sounds wonder f ul , " Lar a sai d.
" Good. We' l l have supper af t er war d at Scot t s. I ' l l pi ck you up at
seven. "
Why di d I say I l i ked cl assi cal musi c? Lar a wonder ed.
I t was goi ng t o be a bor i ng eveni ng. She woul d have pr ef er r ed t o t ake
a hot bat h and go t o sl eep. Oh, wel l , one mor e eveni ng won' t hur t
me.
I ' l l f l y back t o New Yor k i n t he mor ni ng.
The Fest i val hal l was cr owded wi t h musi c af i ci onados. The men wor e
di nner j acket s and t he women wer e dr essed i n beaut i f ul eveni ng gowns.
I t was a gal a eveni ng, and t her e was a f eel i ng of exci t ed expect at i on
i n t he l ar ge hal l .
Br i an MacI nt osh pur chased t wo pr ogr ams f r omt he usher , and t hey wer e
seat ed. l I e handed Lar a a pr ogr am.
She bar el y gl anced at i t . The London Phi l har moni c Or chest r a. . . Phi l i p
Adl er pl ayi ng Rachmani nof f s Pi ano Concer t o No. 3 i n D Mi nor , Opus
30.
I ' ve got t o cal l Howar d and r emi nd hi mabout t he r evi sed est i mat es on
t he Fi f t h Avenue si t e.
The conduct or appear ed on st age, and t he audi ence appl auded. Lar a pai d
no at t ent i on. The cont r act or i n Bost on i s movi ng t oo sl owl y. He needs
a car r ot . I ' l l t el l Howar d t o of f er hi ma bonus.
Ther e was anot her l oud r ound of appl ause f r omt he audi ence. A man was
t aki ng hi s pl ace at t he pi ano at cent er st age. The conduct or gave a
downbeat , and t he musi c began.
Phi l i p Adl er ' s f i nger s f l ashed acr oss t he keys.
A woman seat ed behi nd Lar a sai d wi t h a l oud Texas accent , " I sn' t he
f ant ast i c? I t ol d you, Agnes! "
Lar a t r i ed t o concent r at e agai n. The London deal i s out . I t ' s t he
wr ong nei ghbor hood, Lar a t hought . Peopl e ar en' t goi ng t o want t o l i ve
t her e. Locat i on. Locat i on. Locat i on. She t hought about a pr oj ect
t hat had been br ought t o her , near Col umbus Ci r cl e. Now t hat one coul d
wor k.
The woman behi nd Lar a sai d, l oudl y, " hi s expr essi on . . . he' s
f abul ous!
l I e' s one of t he most . . . "
Lar a t r i ed t o t une her out .
The cost of an of f i ce bui l di ng t her e woul d be appr oxi mat el y f our
hundr ed dol l ar s per r ent abl e squar e f oot . I f I can br i ng i n t he
const r uct i on cost at one hundr ed f i f t y mi l l i on, t he l and cost s at one
hundr ed t went y- f i ve mi l l i on, t he sof t cost s. . .
" My God! " t he woman behi nd Lar a excl ai med.
Lar a was st ar t l ed out of her r ever i e.
" l I e' s so br i l l i ant ! "
Ther e was a dr umr ol l f r omt he or chest r a, and Phi l i p Adl er pl ayed f our
bar s al one, and t he or chest r a began t o pl ay f ast er and f ast er . The
dr ums began t o beat . . .
The woman coul d not cont ai n her sel f . " Li st en t o t hat !
The musi c i s goi ng f r ompi t : vi vo t o pi t : mosso. have you ever hear d
anyt hi ng so exci t i ng?"
Lar a gr i t t ed her t eet h.
The mi ni mumbr eak- even shoul d wor k out al l r i ght , 1 she t hought . The
cost of t he r ent abl e squar e f eet woul d be t hr ee hundr ed f i f t y mi l l i on,
t he i nt er est at t en per cent woul d be t hi r t y- f i ve mi l l i on, pl us t en
mi l l i on i n oper at i ng expenses. . .
The t empo of t he musi c was i ncr easi ng, r ever ber at i ng t hr ough t he
hal l .
The musi c came t o a sudden cl i max and st opped, and t he audi ence was on
i t s f eet , cheer i ng.
Ther e wer e cal l s of " br avo! " The pi ani st had r i sen and was t aki ng
bows.
Lar a di d not even bot her t o l ook up. Taxes woul d be about si x, f r ee
r ent concessi ons woul d come t o t wo. We' r e t al ki ng about f i f t y- ei ght
mi l l i on.
" l I e' s i ncr edi bl e, i sn' t he?" Br i an MacI nt osh sai d.
" Yes. " Lar a was annoyed at havi ng her t hought s i nt er r upt ed agai n.
" Let ' s go backst age. Phi l i p i s a f r i end of mi ne. "
" I r eal l y don' t . . . " l I e t ook Lar a' s hand, and t hey wer e movi ng t owar d
an exi t .
" I ' mgl ad I ' l l have a chance t o i nt r oduce you t o hi m, " Br i an MacI nt osh
sai d.
I t ' s si x o' cl ock i n New Yor k, Lar a t hought . I ' l l be abl e t o cal l
Howar d and t el l hi mt o st ar t negot i at i ons.
" l I e' s a once- i n- a- l i f et i me exper i ence, i sn' t he?"
Once i s enough f or me, Lar a t hought . " Yes. "
They had r eached t he out si de ar t i st s' ent r ance. Ther e was a l ar ge
cr owd wai t i ng. Br i an MacI nt osh knocked on t he door . A door man opened
i t .
" Yes, si r ?"
" Lor d MacI nt osh t o see Mr . Adl er . "
" Ri ght , my l or d. Come i n, pl ease. " l I e opened t he door wi de enough t o
l et Br i an MacI nt osh and Lar a ent er , t hen cl osed i t agai nst t he cr owd.
" What do al l t hese peopl e want ?" Lar a asked.
l I e l ooked at her i n sur pr i se. " They' r e her e t o see Phi l i p. "
She wonder ed why.
The door man sai d, " Go r i ght i nt o t he gr eenr oom, my l or d. "
" Thank you. "
Fi ve mi nut es, Lar a t hought , and I ' l l say I have t o l eave.
The gr eenr oomwas noi sy and al r eady f ul l . Peopl e wer e cr owded ar ound a
f i gur e Lar a coul d not see. The cr owd shi f t ed, and f or an i nst ant he
was cl ear l y vi si bl e.
Lar a f r oze, and f or a moment she f el t her hear t st op. The vague,
evanescent i mage t hat had been at t he back of her mi nd al l t hose year s
had suddenl y mat er i al i zed out of nowher e. Lochi nvar , t he vi si on i n her
f ant asi es, had come t o l i f e! The man at t he cent er of t he cr owd was
t al l and bl ond, wi t h del i cat e, sensi t i ve f eat ur es. l I e was wear i ng
whi t e t i e and t ai l s, and a f eel i ng of dej a vu swept over Lar a: She was
st andi ng at t he ki t chen si nk i n t he boar di nghouse, and t he handsome
young man i n whi t e t i e and t ai l s came up behi nd her and whi sper ed, " Can
I hel p you?"
Br i an MacI nt osh was wat chi ng Lar a, concer ned.
" Ar e you al l r i ght ?"
" I . . . I ' mf i ne. " She was f i ndi ng i t di f f i cul t t o br eat he.
Phi l i p Adl er was movi ng t owar d t hem, smi l i ng, and i t was t he same war m
smi l e Lar a had i magi ned. l I e hel d out hi s hand. " Br i an, how good of
you t o come. "
" I woul dn' t have mi ssed i t , " MacI nt osh sai d. " You wer e si mpl y
mar vel ous. "
" Thank you. "
" Oh, Phi l i p, I woul d l i ke you t o meet Lar a Camer on. "
Lar a was l ooki ng i nt o hi s eyes, and t he wor ds came out unbi dden. " Do
you dr y?"
" I beg your par don?"
Lar a t ur ned r ed. " Not hi ng. I . . . " She was suddenl y t ongue- t i ed.
Peopl e wer e cr owdi ng ar ound Phi l i p Adl er , heapi ng pr ai se on hi m.
" You' ve never pl ayed bet t er . . . "
" I t hi nk Rachmani nof f was wi t h you t oni ght . . . "
The pr ai se went on and on. The women i n t he r oomwer e cr owdi ng ar ound
hi m, t ouchi ng and pul l i ng at hi m.
Lar a st ood t her e wat chi ng, mesmer i zed. her chi l dhood dr eamhad come
t r ue. her f ant asy had become f l esh and bl ood.
" Ar e you r eady t o go?" Br i an MacI nt osh asked Lar a.
No. She want ed not hi ng mor e t han t o st ay. She want ed t o t al k t o t he
vi si on agai n, t o t ouch hi m, t o make sur e he was r eal . " I ' mr eady, "
Lar a sai d r el uct ant l y.
The f ol l owi ng mor ni ng Lar a was on her way back t o New Yor k. She
wonder ed whet her she woul d ever see Phi l i p Adl er agai n.
She was unabl e t o get hi mout of her mi nd. She t r i ed t o t el l her sel f
t hat i t was r i di cul ous, t hat she was t r yi ng t o r el i ve a chi l dhood
dr eam, but i t was no use. She kept seei ng hi s f ace, hear i ng hi s
voi ce.
I must see hi magai n, Lar a t hought .
Ear l y t he next mor ni ng Paul Mar t i n t el ephoned.
" hi , baby. I mi ssed you. How was London?"
" Fi ne, " Lar a sai d car ef ul l y. " J ust f i ne. "
When t hey had f i ni shed t al ki ng, Lar a sat at her desk t hi nki ng about
Phi l i p Adl er .
" They' r e wai t i ng f or you i n t he conf er ence r oom, Mi ss Camer on. "
" I ' mcomi ng. "
" We l ost t he Queens deal , " Kel l er sai d.
" Why? I t hought i t was al l set . "
" So di d I , but t he communi t y boar d r ef uses t o suppor t t he zoni ng
change. "
Lar a l ooked ar ound at t he Execut i ve Commi t t ee assembl ed i n t he r oom.
Ther e wer e ar chi t ect s, l awyer s, publ i ci t y men, and const r uct i on
engi neer s.
Lar a sai d, " I don' t under st and. Those t enant s have an aver age i ncome
of ni ne t housand dol l ar s a year , and t hey' r e payi ng l ess t han t wo
hundr ed dol l ar s a mont h i n r ent . We' r e goi ng t o r ehabi l i t at e t he
apar t ment s f or t hem, at no i ncr ease i n r ent , and we' r e goi ng t o pr ovi de
new apar t ment s f or some of t he ot her r esi dent s i n t he nei ghbor hood.
We' r e gi vi ng t hemChr i st mas i n J ul y and t hey t ur ned you down? What ' s
t he pr obl em?"
" I t ' s not t he boar d so much. I t ' s t hei r chai r man. A l ady named Edi t h
Benson. "
" Set up anot her meet i ng wi t h her . I ' l l go t her e mysel f . "
Lar a t ook her chi ef const r uct i on super vi sor , Bi l l Whi t man, t o t he
meet i ng.
Lar a sai d, " Fr ankl y, I was st unned when I hear d t hat your boar d t ur ned
us down. We' r e goi ng t o put up over a hundr ed mi l l i on dol l ar s t o
i mpr ove t hi s nei ghbor hood, and yet you r ef use t o. . . "
Edi t h Benson cut her shor t . " Let ' s be honest , Mi ss Camer on. You' r e
not put t i ng up t he money t o i mpr ove t he nei ghbor hood. You' r e put t i ng
up t he money so Cam- I er on Ent er pr i ses can make mor e money. "
" Of cour se, we expect t o make money, " Lar a sai d.
" But t he onl y way we can do t hat i s t o hel p you peopl e.
We' r e goi ng t o make t he l i vi ng condi t i ons i n your ar ea bet t er ,
and. . . "
" Sor r y. I don' t agr ee. Ri ght now, we' r e a qui et l i t t l e
nei ghbor hood.
I f we l et you i n, we' r e goi ng t o become a hi gher - densi t y ar ea- mor e
t r af f i c, mor e aut omobi l es, mor e pol l ut i on. We don' t want any of
t hat . "
" Nei t her do I , " Lar a sai d. " We don' t i nt end t o put up di ngbat s t hat
" Di ngbat s?"
" Yes, t hose ugl y, st r i pped- down, t hr ee- st or y st ucco boxes. We' r e
i nt er est ed i n desi gns t hat won' t i ncr ease t he noi se l evel or r educe t he
l i ght or change t he f eel of t he nei ghbor hood. We' r e not i nt er est ed i n
hot dog, show- of f ar chi t ect ur e. I ' ve al r eady hi r ed St ant on Fi el di ng,
t he t op ar chi t ect i n t he count r y, t o desi gn t hi s pr oj ect , and Andr ew
Bur t on f r omWashi ngt on t o do t he l andscapi ng. "
Edi t h Benson shr ugged. " I ' msor r y. I t ' s no use. I don' t t hi nk
t her e' s anyt hi ng mor e t o di scuss. " She st ar t ed t o r i se.
I can' t l ose t hi s, Lar a t hought desper at el y. Can' t t hey see i t ' s f or
t he good of t hei r nei ghbor hood? I ' mt r yi ng t o do somet hi ng f or t hem
and t hey won' t l et me. And suddenl y she had a wi l d i dea.
" Wai t a mi nut e, " Lar a sai d. " I under st and t hat t he ot her member s of
t he boar d ar e wi l l i ng t o make t he deal but you ar e t he one bl ocki ng
i t . "
" That ' s cor r ect . "
Lar a t ook a deep br eat h. " Ther e i s somet hi ng t o di scuss. " She
hesi t at ed. " I t ' s ver y per sonal . " She was f i dget i ng now. " You say I ' m
not wor r i ed about pol l ut i on and what happens t o t he envi r onment i n t hi s
nei ghbor hood i f we move i n? I ' mgoi ng t o t el l you somet hi ng t hat I
hope you wi l l keep i n conf i dence. I have a t en- year - ol d daught er t hat
I ' mcr azy about , and she' s goi ng t o l i ve i n t he new bui l di ng wi t h her
f at her . l I e has cust ody of her . "
Edi t h Benson was l ooki ng at her i n sur pr i se. " I . . . I di dn' t know you
had a daught er . "
" No one does, " Lar a sai d qui et l y. " I ' ve never been mar r i ed. That ' s
why I ' maski ng you t o keep t hi s conf i dent i al . I f i t get s out , i t coul d
be ver y damagi ng t o me.
I ' msur e you under st and t hat . "
" I do under st and. "
" I l ove my daught er ver y much, and I assur e you t hat I woul d never do
anyt hi ng i n t he wor l d t hat woul d hur t her . I i nt end t o do ever yt hi ng I
can t o make t hi s pr oj ect wonder f ul f or al l t he peopl e who l i ve her e.
And she' l l be one of t hem. "
Ther e was a sympat het i c si l ence. " I must say, t hi s . . . t hi s put s qui t e
a di f f er ent compl exi on on t hi ngs, Mi ss Camer on. I ' d l i ke t o have some
t i me t o t hi nk about i t . "
" Thank you. I appr eci at e t hat . " I f I di d have a daught er , Lar a
t hought , i t woul d be saf e f or her t o l i ve her e.
Thr ee weeks l at er Lar a got t he appr oval f r omt he Ci t y Pl anni ng
Commi ssi on t o go ahead wi t h t he pr oj ect .
" Gr eat , " Lar a sai d. " Now we' d bet t er get hol d of St ant on Fi el di ng and
Andr ew Bur t on and see i f t hey' r e i nt er est ed i n wor ki ng on t he
pr oj ect . "
Howar d Kel l er coul d not bel i eve t he news. " I hear d what happened, " he
sai d. " You conned her ! That ' s i ncr edi bl e. You don' t have a
daught er ! "
" They need t hi s pr oj ect , " Lar a sai d. " Thi s was t he onl y way I coul d
t hi nk of t o change t hei r mi nds. "
Bi l l Whi t man was l i st eni ng. " Ther e' l l be hel l t o pay i f t hey ever f i nd
out . "
I n J anuar y const r uct i on was compl et ed on a new bui l di ng on East
Si xt y- t hi r d St r eet . I t was a f or t y- f i vest or y apar t ment bui l di ng, and
Lar a r eser ved t he dupl ex pent house f or her sel f . The r ooms wer e l ar ge,
and t he apar t ment had t er r aces t hat cover ed a f ul l bl ock. She br ought
i n a t op decor at or t o do t he apar t ment . Ther e was a housewar mi ng f or a
hundr ed peopl e.
" Al l i t l acks i s a man, " one of t he l ady guest s sai d cat t i l y.
And Lar a t hought of Phi l i p Adl er and wonder ed wher e he was and what he
was doi ng.
Lar a and Howar d Kel l er wer e i n t he mi ddl e of a di scussi on when Bi l l
Whi t man came i nt o t he of f i ce " hi , boss. Got a mi nut e?"
Lar a l ooked up f r omher desk. " J ust about , Bi l l .
What ' s t he pr obl em?"
" My wi f e. "
" I f you' r e havi ng mar i t al di f f i cul t i es. . . "
" I t ' s not t hat . She t hi nks we ought t o go away f or a whi l e on
vacat i on. Maybe go t o Par i s f or a f ew weeks. "
Lar a f r owned. " Par i s? We' r e i n t he mi ddl e of hal f a dozen j obs. "
" I know, but I ' ve been wor ki ng l ong hour s l at el y, and I don' t get t o
see much of my wi f e. You know what she sai d t o me t hi s mor ni ng? She
sai d, ' Bi l l , i f you got a pr omot i on and a ni ce r ai se, you woul dn' t have
t o wor k so har d. " " l I e smi l ed.
Lar a sat back i n her chai r , st udyi ng hi m. " You ar en' t due f or a r ai se
unt i l next year . "
Whi t man shr ugged. " Who knows what can happen i n a year ? We mi ght r un
i nt o pr obl ems wi t h t hat Queens deal , f or i nst ance. You know, ol d Edi t h
Benson mi ght hear somet hi ng t hat woul d make her change her mi nd.
Ri ght ?"
Lar a sat ver y st i l l . " I see. "
Bi l l Whi t man got t o hi s f eet . " Thi nk about i t , and l et me know. "
Lar a f or ced a smi l e. " Yes. "
She wat ched hi mwal k out of her of f i ce, her f ace gr i m.
" J esus, " Kel l er sai d. " What was t hat al l about ?"
" I t ' s cal l ed bl ackmai l . "
The f ol l owi ng day Lar a had l unch wi t h Paul Mar t i n.
Lar a sai d, " Paul , I have a pr obl em. I ' mnot sur e how t o handl e i t . "
She t ol d hi mabout her conver sat i on wi t h Bi l l Whi t man.
" Do you t hi nk he' l l r eal l y go back t o t he ol d l ady?"
Paul Mar t i n asked.
" I don' t know. But i f he does, I coul d get i n a l ot of t r oubl e wi t h
t he housi ng Commi ssi on. "
Paul shr ugged. " I woul dn' t wor r y about hi m. l I e' s pr obabl y
bl uf f i ng. "
Lar a si ghed. " I hope so. "
" How woul d you l i ke t o go t o Reno?" Paul asked.
" I ' d l ove t o, but I can' t get away. "
" I ' mnot aski ng you t o get away. I ' maski ng i f you' d l i ke t o buy a
hot el and casi no t her e. "
Lar a st udi ed hi m. " Ar e you ser i ous?"
" I got wor d t hat one of t he hot el s i s goi ng t o l ose i t s l i cense. The
pl ace i s a gol d mi ne. When t he news get s out , ever yone i s goi ng t o be
af t er i t . The hot el ' s goi ng on auct i on, but I t hi nk I can f i x i t f or
you t o get i t . "
Lar a hesi t at ed. " I don' t know. I ' mpr et t y heavi l y commi t t ed. Howar d
Kel l er says t he banks won' t l end me any mor e unt i l I can pay of f some
l oans. "
" You don' t have t o go t o a bank. "
" Then wher e. . . ?"
" J unk bonds. A l ot of Wal l St r eet f i r ms of f er t hem.
Ther e ar e savi ngs and l oan compani es. You put up f i ve per cent equi t y,
and a savi ngs and l oan company wi l l put up si xt y- f i ve per cent i n
hi gh- yi el d not es. That l eaves t hi r t y per cent uncover ed. You can get
t hat f r oma f or ei gn bank t hat i nvest s i n casi nos. You' ve got
choi ces- Swi t zer l and, Ger many, J apan. Ther e ar e hal f a dozen banks t hat
wi l l put up t he t hi r t y per cent i n commer ci al not es. "
Lar a was begi nni ng t o get exci t ed. " I t sounds gr eat .
Do you r eal l y t hi nk you can get t he hot el f or me?"
Paul gr i nned. " I t wi l l be your Chr i st mas pr esent . "
" You' r e wonder f ul . Why ar e you so good t o me?"
" I haven' t t he vaguest i dea, " he t eased. But he knew t he answer . l I e
was obsessed wi t h her . Lar a made hi mf eel young agai n, and she made
ever yt hi ng exci t i ng f or hi m. I never want t o l ose you, he t hought .
Kel l er was wai t i ng f or Lar a when she wal ked i nt o t he of f i ce.
" Wher e have you been?" he asked. " Ther e was a t wo o' cl ock meet i ng
t hat . . . "
" Tel l me about j unk bonds, Howar d. We' ve never deal t wi t h t hem. How
ar e bonds r at ed?"
" Wel l , at t he t op you have Tr i pl e A. That woul d be a company l i ke AT
and T. Down t he l adder you have Doubl e A, Si ngl e A, BAA, and at t he
bot t omof t he l adder , Doubl e B- t hose ar e t he j unk bonds. An i nvest ment
bond wi l l pay ni ne per cent . A j unk bond wi l l pay f our t een per cent .
Why do you ask?"
Lar a t ol d hi m.
" A casi no, Lar a? J esus! Paul Mar t i n i s behi nd t hi s, i sn' t he?"
" No, Howar d. I f I go ahead wi t h t hi s, I ' mbehi nd i t .
Di d we get an answer on our of f er on t he Bat t er y Par k pr oper t y?"
" Yes. She won' t sel l t o us. "
" The pr oper t y i s up f or sal e, i sn' t i t ?"
" I n a way. "
" St op t al ki ng i n ci r cl es. "
" I t ' s owned by a doct or ' s wi dow, El eanor Royce. Ever y r eal est at e
devel oper i n t own has been bi ddi ng on t hat pr oper t y. "
" have we been out bi d?"
" I t i sn' t t hat . The ol d l ady i sn' t i nt er est ed i n money.
She' s l oaded. "
" What i s she i nt er est ed i n?"
" She want s some ki nd of monument t o her husband.
Appar ent l y she t hi nks she was mar r i ed t o Al ber t Schwei t zer . She want s
t o keep hi s f l ame bur ni ng. She doesn' t want her pr oper t y t ur ned i nt o
anyt hi ng cr ass or commer ci al . I hear St eve Mur chi son has been t r yi ng
t o t al k her i nt o sel l i ng. "
" Oh?"
Lar a sat t her e qui et l y f or a f ul l mi nut e. When she spoke, she sai d,
" Who' s your doct or , Howar d?"
" What ?"
" Who' s your doct or ?"
" Seymour Bennet t . l I e' s chi ef of st af f at Mi dt own hospi t al . "
The f ol l owi ng mor ni ng Lar a' s at t or ney, Ter r y hi l l , was si t t i ng i n t he
of f i ce of Dr . Seymour Bennet t .
" My secr et ar y t ol d me t hat you want ed t o see me ur gent l y and t hat i t
has not hi ng t o do wi t h a medi cal pr obl em. "
" I n a sense, " Ter r y Hi l l sai d, " i t does concer n a medi cal pr obl em, Dr .
Bennet t . I r epr esent an i nvest ment gr oup t hat want s t o put up a
nonpr of i t cl i ni c. We want t o be abl e t o t ake car e of t hose unf or t unat e
peopl e who can' t af f or d r egul ar medi cal car e. "
" That ' s a spl endi d i dea, " Dr . Bennet t sai d. " What can I do t o hel p
you?"
Ter r y Hi l l t ol d hi m.
The f ol l owi ng day Dr . Bennet t was havi ng t ea i n t he home of El eanor
Royce.
" They' ve asked me t o appr oach you on behal f of t hi s gr oup, Mr s.
Royce.
They want t o bui l d a beaut i f ul cl i ni c, and t hey want t o name i t af t er
your l at e husband. They vi sual i ze i t as sor t of a shr i ne t o hi m. "
Mr s. Royce' s f ace l i t up. " They do?"
They di scussed t he gr oup' s pl ans f or an hour , and at t he end of t hat
t i me Mr s. Royce sai d, " Geor ge woul d have l oved t hi s. You t el l t hem
t hat t hey have a deal . "
Const r uct i on began si x mont hs l at er . When i t was compl et ed, i t was
gi gant i c. The ent i r e squar e bl ock was f i l l ed wi t h huge apar t ment
bui l di ngs, an enor mous shoppi ng mal l , and a t heat er compl ex. I n a
r emot e cor ner of t he pr oper t y was a smal l one- st or y br i ck bui l di ng. A
si mpl e si gn over t he door r ead. GEORGE ROYCE MEDI CAL CLI NI C.
220
Chapt er Ei ght een.
r on Chr i st mas Day Lar a st ayed home. She had been i nvi t ed t o a dozen
par t i es, but Paul Mar t i n was goi ng t o dr op by. " I have t o be wi t h Ni na
and t he ki ds t oday, " he had expl ai ned, " but I want t o come by and see
you. "
She wonder ed what Phi l i p Adl er was doi ng on t hi s Chr i st mas Day.
I t was a Cur r i er & I ves post car d ki nd of day. New Yor k was bl anket ed
i n a beaut i f ul whi t e snowf al l , wr apped i n si l ence. When Paul Mar t i n
ar r i ved, he had a shoppi ng bag f ul l of gi f t s f or I ar a.
" I had t o st op at t he of f i ce t o pi ck t hese up, " he sai d.
So hi s wi f e woul dn' t know.
" You gi ve me so much, Paul . You don' t have t o br i ng anyt hi ng. "
" I want ed t o. Open t hemup now. " Lar a was t ouched by hi s eager ness t o
see her r eact i on.
The gi f t s wer e t hought f ul and expensi ve. A neckl ace f r omCar t i er ' s,
scar ves f r omHer mes, books f r omRi zzol i , an ant i que car r i age cl ock, and
a smal l whi t e envel ope.
Lar a opened i t . I t r ead: " Camer on Reno Hot el & Casi no" i n l ar ge bl ock
l et t er s. She l ooked up at hi m, i n sur pr i se.
" I have t he hot el ?"
He nodded conf i dent l y. " You wi l l have. The bi ddi ng st ar t s next
week.
You' r e goi ng t o have f un wi t h i t , " Paul Mar t i n pr edi ct ed.
" I don' t know anyt hi ng about r unni ng a casi no. "
" Don' t wor r y. I ' l l put some pr of essi onal s i n t o manage i t f or you.
The hot el , you can handl e your sel f . "
" I don' t know how t o t hank you. You do so much f or med. "
He t ook her hands i n hi s. " Ther e i sn' t anyt hi ng i n t he wor l d t hat I
woul dn' t do f or you. Remember t hat . "
" I wi l l , " she sai d sol emnl y.
He was l ooki ng at hi s wat ch. " I have t o get back home. I wi sh. . . " He
hesi t at ed.
" Yes?"
" Never mi nd. Mer r y Chr i st mas, Lar a. "
" Mer r y Chr i st mas, Paul . "
She went t o t he wi ndow and l ooked out . The sky had become a del i cat e
cur t ai n of danci ng snowf i akes. Rest l ess, Lar a wal ked t o t he r adi o and
t ur ned i t on. An announcer was sayi ng, . . . . . and now, f or i t s hol i day
pr ogr am, t he Bost on Symphony Or chest r a pr esent s Beet hoven' s Pi ano
Concer t o No. Fi ve i n E f l at , wi t h Phi l i p Adl er , sol oi st . "
I ar a l i st ened wi t h her eyes, seei ng hi mat t he pi ano, handsome and
el egant . When t he musi c ended, she t hought , I ' ve got t o see hi m
agai n.
Bi l l Whi t man was one of t he best const r uct i on super vi sor s i n t he
busi ness. He had r i sen t hr ough t he r anks and was i n gr eat demand. He
wor ked st eadi l y and ear ned good money, but he was di ssat i sf i ed. For
year s he had wat ched bui l der s r eapi ng enor mous f or t unes whi l e he got
not hi ng but a sal ar y. I n a way, he t hought , t hey' r e maki ng t hei r money
of f of me. The owner get s t he cake; I get t he cr umbs. But t he day
Lar a Camer on had gone bef or e t he communi t y boar d, ever yt hi ng changed.
She had l i ed t o get t he boar d' s appr oval , and t hat l i e coul d dest r oy
her .
I f I went t o t he boar d and t ol d t hemt he t r ut h, she' d be out of
busi ness.
But Bi l l Whi t man had no i nt ent i on of doi ng t hat . He had a bet t er
pl an.
He i nt ended t o use what had happened as l ever age. The boss l ady was
goi ng t o gi ve hi manyt hi ng he asked f or . He coul d sense f r omt hei r
f i r st meet i ng at whi ch he had asked f or a pr omot i on and r ai se t hat she
was goi ng t o gi ve i n. She had no choi ce. I ' l l st ar t smal l , Bi l l
Whi t man t hought happi l y, and t hen I ' l l begi n squeezi ng.
Two days af t er Chr i st mas, wor k began agai n on t he East si de Pl aza
pr oj ect . Whi t man l ooked ar ound at t he huge si t e and t hought , Thi s
one' s goi ng t o be a r eal moneymaker . Onl y t hi s t i me, I ' mgoi ng t o cash
i n on i t , t oo.
The si t e was cr owded wi t h heavy equi pment . Cr anes wer e di ggi ng i nt o
t he ear t h and l i f t i ng t ons of i t i nt o wai t i ng t r ucks. A cr ane wi el di ng
a gi ant saw- t oot hed scoop bucket seemed t o be st uck. The huge ar mhung
suspended hi gh i n mi dai r . Whi t man st r ode t owar d t he cab, under t he
huge met al bucket .
" Hey, J esse, " he cal l ed. " What ' s t he mat t er up t her e?"
The man i n t he cab mumbl ed somet hi ng t hat Whi t man coul d not hear .
Whi t man moved cl oser . " What ?"
Ever yt hi ng happened i n a spl i t second. A chai n sl i pped, and t he huge
met al bucket came cr ashi ng down on Whi t man, smashi ng hi mt o t he
gr ound.
Men came r unni ng t owar d t he body, but t her e was not hi ng t o be done.
" The saf et y br ake sl i pped, " t he oper at or expl ai ned l at er . " Gee, I f eel
r eal l y awf ul . I l i ked Bi l l a l ot . "
* * When she hear d t he news, Lar a i mmedi at el y t el ephoned Paul Mar t i n.
" Di d you hear about Bi l l Whi t man?"
" Yes. I t was on t el evi si on. "
" Paul , you di dn' t . . . ?"
He l aughed. " Don' t go get t i ng any cr azy i deas. You' ve been seei ng t oo
many movi es. Remember , t he good guys al ways wi n i n t he end. "
And Lar a wonder ed, AmI one of t he good guys?
Ther e wer e mor e t han a dozen bi dder s f or t he Reno hot el .
" When do I bi d?" Lar a asked Paul .
" You don' t . Not unt i l I t el l you. Let t he ot her s j ump i n f i r st . "
The bi ddi ng was secr et , and t he bi ds wer e seal ed, t o be opened on t he
f ol l owi ng Fr i day. By Wednesday Lar a st i l l had not made a bi d. She
t el ephoned Paul Mar t i n.
" Si t t i ght , " he sai d. " I ' l l t el l you when. "
They st ayed i n t ouch by phone sever al t i mes a day.
At 5: 00 P. M one hour bef or e t he bi ddi ng was t o cl ose, Lar a r ecei ved a
phone cal l .
" Now! The hi gh bi d i s a hundr ed and t went y mi l l i on.
I want you t o go f i ve mi l l i on over i t . "
Lar a gasped. " But i f I do t hat , I ' l l l ose money on t he deal . "
" Tr ust me, " Paul sai d. " Af t er you get t he hot el and st ar t r edoi ng i t ,
you can cut cor ner s on t he changes.
They' l l al l be endor sed by t he super vi si ng engi neer .
You' l l make up t he f i ve mi l l i on and t hen some. "
The f ol l owi ng day Lar a was not i f i ed t hat her s was t he wi nni ng bi d.
Now Lar a and Kel l er wer e on t hei r way t o Reno.
* * * The hot el was cal l ed t he Reno Pal ace. I t was l ar ge and
sumpt uous, wi t h f i f t een hundr ed r ooms and a huge, gl i t t er i ng casi no
t hat was empt y. I ar a and Howar d Kel l er wer e bei ng escor t ed t hr ough t he
casi no by a man named Tony Wi l ki e.
" The peopl e who owned t hi s got a bumdeal , " Wi l ki e sai d.
" What ki nd of bumdeal ?" Kel l er asked.
" Wel l , i t seems t hat a coupl e of t he boys wer e pocket i ng a l i t t l e money
f r omt he cash cage " Ski mmi ng, " Kel l er i nt er j ect ed.
" Yeah. Of cour se, t he owner s di dn' t know anyt hi ng about i t . "
" Of cour se not . "
" But someone bl ew t he whi st l e, and t he Gami ng Commi ssi on pul l ed out t he
r ug. I t ' s t oo bad. I t was a ver y pr of i t abl e oper at i on. "
" I know. " Kel l er had al r eady st udi ed t he books.
When t he t our of i nspect i on was compl et ed, and Lar a and Howar d wer e
al one, she sai d, " Paul was r i ght . Thi s i s a gol d mi ne. " She saw t he
expr essi on on Howar d' s f ace.
" What ' s t he mat t er ?"
He shr ugged. " I don' t know. I j ust don' t l i ke us get t i ng i nvol ved i n
anyt hi ng l i ke t hi s. "
" What ' s ' anyt hi ng l i ke t hi s' ? I t ' s a cash cow, Howar d. "
" Who' s goi ng t o r un t he casi no?"
" We' l l f i nd peopl e, " Lar a sai d evasi vel y.
" Wher e f r om? The Gi r l Scout s? I t t akes gambl er s t o r un an oper at i on
l i ke t hi s. I don' t know any, do you?"
Lar a was si l ent .
" I ' l l bet Paul Mar t i n does. "
" Leave hi mout of t hi s, " Lar a sai d.
" I ' d l i ke t o, and I ' d l i ke t o l eave you out of i t . I don' t t hi nk t hi s
i s such a gr eat i dea. "
" You di dn' t t hi nk t he Queens pr oj ect was a gr eat i dea ei t her , di d
you?
Or t he shoppi ng cent er on Houst on St r eet .
But t hey' r e maki ng money, ar en' t t hey?"
" Lar a, I never sai d t hey wer en' t good deal s. Al l I sai d was t hat I
t hi nk we' r e movi ng t oo f ast . You' r e swal l owi ng up ever yt hi ng i n si ght ,
but you haven' t di gest ed anyt hi ng yet . " Lar a pat t ed hi s cheek.
" Rel ax. "
The member s of t he Gami ng Commi ssi on r ecei ved Lar a wi t h el abor at e
cour t esy.
" We don' t of t en meet a beaut i f ul young woman i n her e, " t he chai r man
sai d. " I t br i ght ens up our day. " Lar a di d l ook beaut i f ul . She was
wear i ng a Donna Kar an bei ge wool sui t , wi t h a cr eam- col or ed si l k bl ouse
and, f or good l uck, one of t he scar ves Paul had gi ven her f or
Chr i st mas. She smi l ed. " Thank you. "
" What can we do f or you?" one of t he gami ng commi ssi oner s asked. They
al l knew per f ect l y wel l what t hey coul d do f or her .
" I ' mher e because I woul d l i ke t o do somet hi ng f or Reno, " Lar a sai d
ear nest l y. " I woul d l i ke t o gi ve i t t he bi ggest , most beaut i f ul hot el
i n Nevada. I ' d l i ke t o add f i ve st or i es t o t he Reno Pal ace, and put up
a l ar ge convent i on cent er t o at t r act mor e t our i st s her e t o gambl e. "
The member s of t he boar d gl anced at one anot her .
The chai r man sai d, " I t hi nk somet hi ng l i ke t hat woul d have a ver y
benef i ci al ef f ect on t he ci t y. Of cour se, our j ob i s t o make sur e t hat
an oper at i on l i ke t hi s woul d be r un compl et el y aboveboar d. "
" I ' mnot exact l y an escaped convi ct , " Lar a smi l ed.
They chuckl ed at her l i t t l e j oke. " We know your r ecor d, Mi ss Camer on,
and i t i s admi r abl e. However , you' ve had no exper i ence i n r unni ng a
casi no. "
" That ' s t r ue, " Lar a admi t t ed. " On t he ot her hand, I ' msur e i t wi l l be
easy t o f i nd f i ne, qual i f i ed empl oyees who wi l l meet t he appr oval of
t hi s commi ssi on. I woul d cer t ai nl y wel come your gui dance. "
One of t he member s of t he commi ssi on spoke up. " As f ar as t he
f i nanci ng i s concer ned, can you guar ant ee. . . ?"
The chai r man i nt er r upt ed. " That ' s al l r i ght , Tom, Mi ss Camer on has
submi t t ed t he f i nanci al s on i t . I ' l l see t hat you each get a copy. "
Lar a sat t her e, wai t i ng.
The chai r man sai d, " I can' t pr omi se anyt hi ng at t hi s moment , Mi ss
Camer on, but I t hi nk I ' msaf e i n sayi ng t hat I don' t see any obst acl es
t o your bei ng gr ant ed a l i cense. "
I ar a beamed. " That ' s wonder f ul . I ' d l i ke t o get movi ng as qui ckl y as
possi bl e. "
" I ' maf r ai d t hi ngs don' t move qui t e t hat f ast her e.
Ther e wi l l be a one- mont h wai t i ng per i od bef or e we can gi ve you a
def i ni t e answer . " Lar a was di smayed. " A mont h?"
" Yes. We have a bi t of checki ng t o do. "
" I under st and, " Lar a sai d. " That wi l l be f i ne. "
Ther e was a musi c st or e i n t he hot el ' s shoppi ng compl ex. I n t he wi ndow
was a l ar ge post er of Phi l i p Adl er , adver t i si ng hi s new compact di sc.
Lar a was not i nt er est ed i n t he musi c. She bought t he CD f or Phi l i p' s
phot ogr aph on t he back of t he case.
On t hei r way back t o New Yor k, Lar a sai d, " Howar d, what do you know
about Phi l i p Adl er ?"
" J ust what ever ybody el se knows. He' s pr obabl y t he t op concer t pi ani st
i n t he wor l d t oday. He pl ays wi t h t he f i nest symphony or chest r as. I
r ead somewher e t hat he j ust set up a f oundat i on f or schol ar shi ps f or
mi nor i t y musi ci ans i n i nner ci t i es. "
" What ' s i t cal l ed?"
" The Phi l i p Adl er Foundat i on, I t hi nk. "
" I ' d l i ke t o make a cont r i but i on, " Lar a sai d. " Send t hema check f or
t en t housand dol l ar s i n my name. "
Kel l er l ooked at her i n sur pr i se. " I t hought you di dn' t car e f or
cl assi cal musi c. "
" I ' mst ar t i ng t o get i nt er est ed i n i t , " Lar a sai d.
The headl i ne r ead: DI STRI CT ATTORNEY PROBE OF PAUL MARTI NATTORNEY
REPUTED TO HAVE MAFI A TI ES Lar a r ead t he st or y wi t h di smay and
t el ephoned Paul i mmedi at el y.
" What ' s goi ng on?" Lar a asked.
He chuckl ed. " The DA i s on anot her f i shi ng expedi t i on. They' ve been
t r yi ng t o t i e me i n wi t h t he boys f or year s, and t hey haven' t had any
l uck. Ever y t i me an el ect i on comes up, t hey t r y t o use me as t hei r
whi ppi ng boy. Don' t wor r y about i t . What about di nner t oni ght ?"
" Fi ne, " Lar a sai d.
" I know a l i t t l e pl ace on Mul ber r y St r eet wher e no one wi l l bot her
us. "
Over di nner Paul Mar t i n sai d, " I hear t hat t he meet i ng wi t h t he Gami ng
Commi ssi on went wel l . "
" I t hi nk i t di d. They seemed f r i endl y, but I ' ve never done anyt hi ng
l i ke t hi s bef or e. "
" I don' t t hi nk you' l l have any pr obl em. I ' l l get you some good boys
f or t he casi no. The man who owned t he l i cense got gr eedy. " He changed
t he subj ect . " How ar e al l t he const r uct i on j obs goi ng?"
" Fi ne. I have t hr ee pr oj ect s i n t he wor ks, Paul . "
" You' r e not get t i ng i n over your head, ar e you, Lar a?"
He sounded l i ke Howar d Kel l er . " No. Ever y j ob i s on budget and on
schedul e. "
" That ' s good, baby. I woul dn' t want anyt hi ng t o ever go wr ong f or
you. "
" Not hi ng wi l l . " She put her hand on hi s. " You' r e my saf et y net . "
" I ' l l al ways be t her e. " He squeezed her hand.
Two weeks went by, and Lar a had not hear d f r omPhi l i p Adl er . She sent
f or Kel l er . " Di d you make t hat t en- t housand dol l ar cont r i but i on t o t he
Adl er Foundat i on?"
" Yes, t he day you ment i oned i t . "
" St r ange. I woul d have t hought he woul d have cal l ed me. "
Kel l er shr ugged. " He' s pr obabl y t r avel i ng somewher e. "
" Pr obabl y. " She t r i ed t o conceal her di sappoi nt ment .
" Let ' s t al k about t he bui l di ng i n Queens. "
" That ' s goi ng t o t ake a bi g f i nanci al bi t e out of us, " Kel l er sai d.
" I know how t o pr ot ect us. I ' d l i ke t o l ock t he deal i n wi t h one
t enant . "
" Do you have anyone i n mi nd?"
" Yes. Mut ual Secur i t y I nsur ance. The pr esi dent i s a man named Hor ace
Gut t man. I ' ve hear d t hey' r e l ooki ng f or a new l ocat i on. I ' d l i ke i t
t o be our bui l di ng. "
" I ' l l check i t out , " Kel l er sai d.
Lar a not i ced t hat he made no not es. " You const ant l y amaze me. You
r emember ever yt hi ng, don' t you?"
Kel l er gr i nned. " I have a phot ogr aphi c memor y. I t used t o be f or
basebal l st at i st i cs. " I t al l seems so l ong ago, Howar d t hought . The
ki d wi t h t he magi c ar m, t he st ar of t he Chi cago Cubs mi nor l eague.
Someone el se and anot her t i me. " Somet i mes i t ' s a cur se. Ther e ar e a
f ew t hi ngs i n my l i f e I ' d l i ke t o f or get . "
" Howar d, have t he ar chi t ect go ahead and dr aw up f l oor s Mut ual Secur i t y
wi l l need, and how much f l oor space. "
Two days l at er Kel l er wal ked i nt o Lar a' s of f i ce. " I ' maf r ai d I have
some bad news. "
" What ' s t he pr obl em?"
" I di d a l i t t l e snoopi ng ar ound. You wer e r i ght about Mut ual Secur i t y
I nsur ance. They ar e l ooki ng f or a new headquar t er s, but Gut t man i s
t hi nki ng about a bui l di ng i n Uni on Squar e. I t ' s your ol d f r i end St eve
Mur chi son' s bui l di ng. "
Mur chi son agai n! She was sur e t hat t he box of di r t had been sent by
hi m. I ' mnot goi ng t o l et hi mbl uf f me.
" Has Gut t man commi t t ed t o i t ?" Lar a asked.
" Not yet . "
" Al l r i ght . I ' l l handl e i t . "
That af t er noon Lar a made a dozen phone cal l s. She hi t t he j ackpot on
t he l ast cal l . Bar bar a Roswel l .
" Hor ace Gut t man? Sur e, I know hi m, Lar a. What ' s your i nt er est i n
hi m?"
" I ' d l i ke t o meet hi m. I ' ma bi g f an of hi s. I want you t o do me a
f avor . Coul d you pl ease i nvi t e hi mt o di nner next Sat ur day ni ght ,
Bar bar a?"
" You' ve got i t . "
The di nner par t y was si mpl e but el egant . Ther e wer e f our t een peopl e at
t he Roswel l r esi dence. Al i ce Gut t man wasn' t f eel i ng wel l t hat eveni ng,
so Hor ace Gut t man had come t o t he par t y al one. Lar a had been seat ed
next t o hi m. He was i n hi s si xt i es, but he seemed much ol der .
He had a st er n, wor n f ace and a st ubbor n chi n. Lar a l ooked enchant i ng,
pr ovocat i ve. She was wear i ng a l owcut bl ack Hal st on gown and si mpl e
but st unni ng j ewel r y.
They had had t hei r cockt ai l s and wer e seat ed at t he di ni ngt abl e.
" I ' ve been want i ng t o meet you, " Lar a conf essed. " I ' ve hear d so much
about you. "
" I ' ve hear d a l ot about you, young l ady. You' ve made qui t e a spl ash i n
t hi s t own. "
" I hope I ' mmaki ng a cont r i but i on, " Lar a sai d modest l y. " I t ' s such a
wonder f ul t own. "
" Wher e ar e you f r om?"
" Gar y, I ndi ana. "
" Real l y?" He l ooked at her i n sur pr i se. " That ' s wher e I was bor n.
So, you' r e a Hoosi er , eh?" Lar a smi l ed. " That ' s r i ght . I have such
f ond memor i es of Gar y. My f at her wor ked f or t he Post - Tr i bune. I went
t o Roosevel t Hi gh. On weekends we' d go t o Gl eason Par k f or pi cni cs and
out door concer t s, or we' d go bowl i ng at t he Twel ve and Twent y. I hat ed
havi ng t o l eave. "
" You' ve done wel l f or your sel f , Mi ss Camer on. "
" I ar a. "
" Lar a. What ar e you up t o t hese days?"
" The pr oj ect I ' mmost exci t ed about , " Lar a t ol d hi m, " i s a new bui l di ng
I ' mput t i ng up i n Queens. I t ' s goi ng t o have t hi r t y st or i es and t wo
hundr ed t housand squar e f eet of f l oor space. "
" That ' s i nt er est i ng, " Gut t man sai d, t hought f ul l y.
" Oh, " Lar a sai d i nnocent l y. " Why?"
" I t happens t hat we' r e l ooki ng f or a bui l di ng j ust about t hat si ze f or
our new headquar t er s. "
" Real l y? Have you chosen one yet ?"
" Not exact l y, but . . . "
" I f you' d l i ke, I can show you t he pl ans f or our new bui l di ng. They' ve
al r eady been dr awn up. "
He st udi ed her a moment . " Yes, I ' d l i ke t o see t hem. "
" I can br i ng t hemt o your of f i ce Monday mor ni ng. "
" I ' l l l ook f or war d t o i t . "
The r est of t he eveni ng went wel l .
When Hor ace Gut t man r eached home t hat ni ght , he wal ked i nt o hi s wi f e' s
bedr oom.
" How ar e you f eel i ng?" he asked.
" Bet t er , dar l i ng. How was t he par t y?"
He sat down on t he bed. " Wel l , t hey al l mi ssed you, but I had an
i nt er est i ng t i me. Have you ever hear d of Lar a Camer on?"
" Cer t ai nl y. Ever yone has hear d of Lar a Camer on. "
" She' s qui t e a woman. A l i t t l e st r ange. Says she was bor n i n Gar y,
I ndi ana, same as me. Knew al l about Gar yGl eason Par k and t he Twel ve
and Twent y. "
" What ' s st r ange about t hat ?"
Gut t man l ooked at hi s wi f e and gr i nned. " The l i t t l e l ady comes f r om
Nova Scot i a. "
Ear l y Monday mor ni ng l ar a appear ed at Hor ace Gut t man' s of f i ce, car r yi ng
t he bl uepr i nt s f or t he Queens pr oj ect . She was usher ed i n
i mmedi at el y.
" Ni ce t o see you, Lar a. Si t down. "
She l ai d t he bl uepr i nt s on hi s desk and sat acr oss f r omhi m.
" Bef or e you l ook at t hese, " Lar a sai d, " I have somet hi ng t o conf ess,
Hor ace. "
Gut t man l eaned back i n hi s chai r . " Yes?"
" That st or y I t ol d on Sat ur day about Gar y, I ndi a. . . . .
" What about i t ?"
" I ' ve never even been t o Gar y, I ndi ana. I was t r yi ng t o i mpr ess y) ) He
l aughed. " Now you' ve succeeded i n conf usi ng me.
I ' mnot sur e I ' mgoi ng t o be abl e t o keep up wi t h you, young l ady.
Let ' s l ook at t hese bl uepr i nt s. "
Hal f an hour l at er he was t hr ough exami ni ng t hem.
" You know, " he sai d r ef l ect i vel y, " I was pr et t y wel l set on anot her
l ocat i on. "
" Wer e you?"
" Why shoul d I change my mi nd and move i nt o your bui l di ng?"
" Because you' r e goi ng t o be happi er t her e. I ' l l see t hat you have
ever yt hi ng you need. " She smi l ed. " Besi des, i t ' s goi ng t o cost your
company t en per cent l ess. "
" Real l y? You don' t know what my deal i s f or t he ot her bui l di ng. "
" I t doesn' t mat t er . I ' l l t ake your wor d f or i t . "
" You coul d have come f r omGar y, I ndi ana, " Gut t man sai d. " You' ve got a
deal . "
When Lar a r et ur ned t o her of f i ce, t her e was a message t hat Phi l i p Adl er
had t el ephoned.
Chapt er Ni net een.
The bal l r oomat t he Wal dor f - Ast or i a was cr owded wi t h pat r ons of
Car negi e Hal l .
Lar a moved t hr ough t he cr owd, l ooki ng f or Phi l i p. She r ecal l ed t he
t el ephone conver sat i on t hey had had a f ew days ear l i er .
" Mi ss Camer on, t hi s i s Phi l i p Adl er . "
Her t hr oat went suddenl y dr y.
" I ' msor r y I wasn' t abl e t o t hank you ear l i er f or t he donat i on you made
t o t he f oundat i on. I ' ve j ust r et ur ned f r omEur ope and l ear ned about
i t . "
" I t was my pl easur e, " Lar a sai d. She had t o keep hi mt al ki ng.
" As. . .
as a mat t er of f act , I ' mi nt er est ed i n knowi ng mor e about t he
f oundat i on. Per haps we coul d get t oget her and di scuss i t . "
Ther e was a pause. " Ther e' s goi ng t o be a char i t y di nner at t he
Wal dor f Sat ur day eveni ng. We coul d meet t her e. Ar e you f r ee?" Lar a
qui ckl y gl anced at her schedul e. She had a di nner meet i ng t hat eveni ng
wi t h a banker f r omTexas.
She made a qui ck deci si on. " Yes. I ' d be del i ght ed t o go. "
" Wonder f ul . Ther e wi l l be a t i cket at t he door f or you. "
When Lar a r epl aced t he r ecei ver , she was beami ng.
Phi l i p Adl er was nowher e i n si ght . Lar a moved t hr ough t he huge
bal l r oom, l i st eni ng t o t he conver sat i ons ar ound her .
" . . . so t he l eadi ng t enor sai d, ' Dr . Kl emper er , I have onl y t wo hi gh
C' s l ef t . Do you want t o hear t hemnow or t oni ght at t he
per f or mance?" . . . "
. . . . . oh, I admi t t hat he has a good st i ck. Hi s dynami cs and t onal
shadi ngs ar e excel l ent . . . but t he t empi !
Tempi ! Spar e me! . . . "
. . . . . you' r e i nsane! St r avi nsky i s t oo st r uct ur ed. Hi s musi c coul d
have been wr i t t en by a r obot . He hol ds back hi s f eel i ngs. Bar t ok, on
t he ot her hand, l et s l oose t he f l oodgat es, and we' r e bat hed i n
emot i ons. . . . "
" I si mpl y can' t st and her pl ayi ng. Her Chopi n i s an exer ci se i n
t or t ur ed r ubat o, but cher ed t ext ur es, and pur pl e passi on. . .
I t was an ar cane l anguage t hat was beyond Lar a' s compr ehensi on. And
t hen she saw Phi l i p, sur r ounded by an admi r i ng cot er i e. Lar a pushed
her way t hr ough t he cr owd. An at t r act i ve young woman was sayi ng, " When
you pl ayed t he B f l at Mi nor Sonat a, I f el t t hat Rachmani nof f was
smi l i ng. Your t one and voi ci ng, and t he sof t gr ai ned r eadi ngs. . .
Wonder f ul ! "
Phi l i p smi l ed. " Thank you. "
A mi ddl e- aged dowager was gushi ng, " I keep l i st eni ng t o your r ecor di ng
of t he Hammer kl avi er over and over .
My God! The vi t al i t y i s i r r esi st i bl e! I t hi nk you must be t he onl y
pi ani st l ef t i n t hi s wor l d who r eal l y under st ands t hat Beet hoven
sonat a. . . "
Phi l i p saw Lar a. " Ah. Excuse me, " he sai d.
He made hi s way over t o wher e she was st andi ng and t ook her hand. Hi s
t ouch ar oused her . " Hel l o. I ' mgl ad you coul d come, Mi ss Camer on. "
" Thank you. " She l ooked ar ound. " Thi s i s qui t e a cr owd. "
He nodded. " Yes. I assume t hat you' r e a l over of cl assi cal musi c?"
Lar a t hought of t he musi c she had gr own up wi t h: " Anni e Laur i e, "
" Comi n' t hr ough t he Rye, " " The Hi l l s of Home" . . .
" Oh, yes, " Lar a sai d. " My f at her br ought me up on cl assi cal musi c. "
" I want t o t hank you agai n f or your cont r i but i on.
That was r eal l y ver y gener ous. "
" Your f oundat i on sounds so i nt er est i ng. I woul d l ove t o hear mor e
about i t . I f . . . "
" Phi l i p, dar l i ng! Ther e ar e no wor ds! Magni f i cent ! "
He was sur r ounded agai n.
Lar a managed t o make her sel f hear d. " I f you' r e f r ee one eveni ng next
week Phi l i p shook hi s head. " I ' msor r y, I l eave f or Rome t omor r ow. "
Lar a f el t a sudden sense of l oss. " Oh. "
" But I ' l l be back i n t hr ee weeks. Per haps t hen we coul d. . . "
" Wonder f ul ! " Lar a sai d.
. . . . . spend an eveni ng di scussi ng musi c. "
Lar a smi l ed. " Yes. I ' l l l ook f or war d t o t hat . "
At t hat moment t hey wer e i nt er r upt ed by t wo mi ddl e- aged men. One wor e
hi s hai r i n a ponyt ai l ; t he ot her had on a si ngl e ear r i ng.
" Phi l i p! You must set t l e an ar gument f or us. When you' r e pl ayi ng
Li szt , whi ch do you t hi nk i s mor e i mpor t ant - a pi ano wi t h heavy act i on
t hat gi ves you a col or f ul sound or l i ght act i on wher e you can do a
col or f ul mani pul at i on?"
Lar a had no i dea what t hey wer e t al ki ng about . They went of f i nt o a
di scussi on about neut r al sonor i t y and l ong sounds and t r anspar ency.
Lar a wat ched t he ani mat i on i n Phi l i p' s f ace as he t al ked, and she
t hought , Thi s i s hi s wor l d. I ' ve got t o f i nd a way t o get i nt o i t .
The f ol l owi ng mor ni ng Lar a appear ed at t he Manhat t an School of Musi c.
She sai d t o t he woman at t he r ecept i on desk, " I ' d l i ke t o see one of
t he musi c pr of essor s, pl ease. "
" Anyone i n par t i cul ar ?"
" No. "
" J ust a moment , pl ease. " She di sappear ed i nt o anot her r oom.
A f ew mi nut es l at er a smal l gr ay- hai r ed man appear ed at Lar a' s si de.
" Good mor ni ng. I ' mLeonar d Meyer s. How may I hel p you?"
" I ' mi nt er est ed i n cl assi cal musi c. "
" Ah, you wi sh t o enr ol l her e. What i nst r ument do you pl ay?"
" I don' t pl ay any i nst r ument . I j ust want t o l ear n about cl assi cal
musi c. "
" I ' maf r ai d you' ve come t o t he wr ong pl ace. Thi s school i s not f or
begi nner s. "
" I ' l l pay you f i ve t housand dol l ar s f or t wo weeks of your t i me. "
Pr of essor Meyer s bl i nked. " I ' msor r y, Mi ss. . . I di dn' t get your
name. "
" Camer on. Lar a Camer on. "
" You wi sh t o pay me f i ve t housand dol l ar s f or a t wo week di scussi on of
cl assi cal musi c?" He had t r oubl e get t i ng t he wor ds out .
" That ' s r i ght . You can use t he money f or a schol ar shi p f und i f you
wi sh. "
Pr of essor Meyer s l ower ed hi s voi ce. " That wi l l not be necessar y. Thi s
can j ust be bet ween you and me. "
" That ' s f i ne. "
" When. . . . . . . . woul d you l i ke t o begi n?"
" Now. "
" I have a cl ass at t he moment , but gi ve me f i ve mi nut es. . . "
Lar a and Pr of essor Meyer s wer e seat ed i n a cl assr oomal one.
" Let us st ar t at t he begi nni ng. Do you know anyt hi ng about cl assi cal
musi c?"
" Ver y l i t t l e. "
" I see. Wel l , t her e ar e t wo ways t o under st and musi c, " t he pr of essor
began. " I nt el l ect ual l y and emot i onal l y.
Someone once sai d t hat musi c r eveal s t o man hi s hi dden soul . Ever y
gr eat composer was abl e t o accompl i sh t hat . "
Lar a was l i st eni ng i nt ent l y.
" Ar e you f ami l i ar wi t h any composer s, Mi ss Camer on?"
She smi l ed. " Not t oo many. "
The pr of essor f r owned. " I don' t r eal l y under st and your i nt er est
i n. . . "
" I want t o get enough of a backgr ound so t hat I can t al k i nt el l i gent l y
t o a pr of essi onal musi ci an about t he cl assi cs. I ' m. . . par t i cul ar l y
i nt er est ed i n pi ano" " I see. " Meyer s t hought f or a moment . " I ' l l t el l
you how we' r e goi ng t o begi n. I ' mgoi ng t o gi ve you some CDs t o
pl ay. "
Lar a wat ched hi mwal k over t o a shel f and pul l down some compact
di scs.
" We' l l st ar t wi t h t hese. I want you t o l i st en car ef ul l y t o t he al l egr o
i n Mozar t ' s Pi ano Concer t o No. Twent y- one i n C, Kochel 467, and t he
adagi o i n Br ahms Pi ano Concer t o No. One, and t he moder at o i n
Rachmani nof f ' s Pi ano Concer t o No. Two i n C Mi nor , Opus Ei ght een, and
f i nal l y, t he r omanze i n Chopi n' s Pi ano Concer t o No. One.
They' r e al l mar ked. "
" Ri ght . "
" I f you woul d l i ke t o pl ay t hese and come back i n a f ew days. . . "
" I ' l l be back t omor r ow. "
The f ol l owi ng day, when Lar a came i n, she was car r yi ng hal f a dozen CDs
of Phi l i p Adl er ' s concer t s and r eci t al s.
" Ah, spl endi d! " Pr of essor Meyer s sai d. " Maest r o Adl er i s t he best .
You ar e par t i cul ar l y i nt er est ed i n hi s pl ayi ng?"
" Yes. "
" The maest r o has r ecor ded many beaut i f ul sonat as. "
" Sonat as?"
He si ghed. " You don' t know what a sonat a i s?"
" I ' maf r ai d I don' t . "
" A sonat a i s a pi ece, usual l y i n sever al movement s, t hat has a cer t ai n
basi c musi cal f or m. And when t hat f or mi s used i n a pi ece f or a sol o
i nst r ument , l i ke a pi ano or vi ol i n, t he pi ece i s cal l ed a sonat a. A
symphony i s a sonat a f or or chest r a. "
" I under st and. " That shoul dn' t be di f f i cul t t o wor k i nt o a
conver sat i on.
" The pi ano was or i gi nal l y known as t he pi anof or t e.
That i s I t al i an f or ' sof t - l oud' . . . "
They spent t he next f ew days di scussi ng t apes t hat Phi l i p had
r ecor ded- Beet hoven, Li szt , Bar t ok, Mozar t , Chopi n.
Lar a l i st ened, and absor bed, and r emember ed.
" He l i kes Li szt . Tel l me about hi m. "
" Fr anz Li szt was a boy geni us. Ever yone admi r ed hi m. He was
br i l l i ant . He was t r eat ed l i ke a pet by t he ar i st ocr acy, and he
f i nal l y compl ai ned t hat he had become on par wi t h a j uggl er or a
per f or mi ng dog. . . . "
" Tel l me about Beet hoven. "
" A di f f i cul t man. He was such an unhappy per son t hat i n t he mi ddl e of
hi s gr eat success he deci ded he di dn' t l i ke t he wor k t hat he had done,
and he changed t o l onger and mor e emot i onal composi t i ons, l i ke t he
Er oi ca and t he Pat het i que. . . . "
" Chopi n?"
" Chopi n was cr i t i ci zed f or wr i t i ng musi c f or t he pi ano, so t he cr i t i cs
of hi s day cal l ed hi ml i mi t ed. . . "
Lat er : " Li szt coul d pl ay Chopi n bet t er t han Chopi n coul d. . . . "
Anot her day: " Ther e' s a di f f er ence bet ween Fr ench pi ani st s and Amer i can
pi ani st s. The Fr ench l i ke cl ar i t y and el egance. Tr adi t i onal l y, t hei r
t echni cal school i ng i s gr ounded i n j eu per l eper f ect l y pear l y evenness
of ar t i cul at i on wi t h a st eady wr i st . . . . "
Each day t hey pl ayed one of Phi l i p' s r ecor di ngs and di scussed i t .
At t he end of t he t wo weeks Pr of essor Meyer s sai d, " I must conf ess t hat
I ' mi mpr essed, Mi ss Camer on. You ar e a t r ul y dedi cat ed pupi l . Per haps
you shoul d t ake up an i nst r ument . "
Lar a l aughed. " Let ' s not get car r i ed away. " She handed hi ma check.
" Her e you ar e. "
She coul d not wai t f or Phi l i p t o r et ur n t o New Yor k.
Chapt er Twent y.
The day st ar t ed wi t h good news. Ter r y Hi l l cal l ed.
" Lar a?"
" Yes?"
" We j ust hear d f r omt he Gami ng Commi ssi on. You' ve got your l i cense. "
" That ' s wonder f ul , Ter r y! "
" I ' l l go over t he det ai l s when I see you, but i t ' s a gr een l i ght .
Appar ent l y you i mpr essed t he hel l out of t hem. "
" I ' l l get ever yt hi ng st ar t ed r i ght away, " Lar a sai d.
" Thanks. "
Lar a t ol d Kel l er what had happened.
" That ' s gr eat . We can sur e use t he cash f l ow. That wi l l t ake car e of
a l ot of our pr obl ems. . . "
Lar a l ooked at her cal endar . " We can f l y t her e on Tuesday and get
t hi ngs movi ng. "
Kat hy buzzed her . " Ther e' s a Mr . Adl er on l i ne t wo.
Shal l I t el l hi m. . . ?"
Lar a was suddenl y ner vous. " I ' l l t ake i t . " She pi cked up t he
t el ephone. " Phi l i p?"
" Hel l o. I ' mback. "
" I ' mgl ad. " I mi ssed you.
" I know i t ' s shor t not i ce, but I wonder ed whet her you mi ght be f r ee f or
di nner t hi s eveni ng. "
She had a di nner engagement wi t h Paul Mar t i n.
" Yes. I ' mf r ee. "
" Wonder f ul . Wher e woul d you l i ke t o di ne?"
" I t doesn' t mat t er . "
" La Cot e Basque?"
" Fi ne. "
" Why don' t we meet t her e? Ei ght o' cl ock?"
" Yes. "
" See you t oni ght . "
When Lar a hung up, she was smi l i ng.
" Was t hat Phi l i p Adl er ?" Kel l er asked.
" Uh- huh. I ' mgoi ng t o mar r y hi m. "
Kel l er was l ooki ng at her , st unned. " Ar e you ser i ous?"
" Yes. "
I t was a j ol t . I ' mgoi ng t o l ose her , Kel l er t hought .
And t hen?: Who amI ki ddi ng? I coul d never have her .
" Lar a. . . you har dl y know hi m! "
I ' ve known hi mal l my l i f e.
" I don' t want you t o make a mi st ake. "
" I ' mnot . I . . . " Her pr i vat e t el ephone r ang. The one she had had
i nst al l ed f or Paul Mar t i n. Lar a pi cked i t up.
" Hel l o, Paul . "
" Hi , Lar a. What t i me woul d you l i ke t o make di nner t oni ght ? Ei ght ?"
She f el t a sudden sense of gui l t . " Paul . . . I ' maf r ai d I can' t make i t
t oni ght . Somet hi ng came up. I was j ust goi ng t o cal l you. "
" Oh? I s ever yt hi ng al l r i ght ?"
" Yes. Some peopl e j ust f l ew i n f r omRome" t hat par t at l east was
t r ue- " and I have t o meet wi t h t hem. "
" My bad l uck. Anot her ni ght , t hen. "
" Of cour se. "
" I hear t he l i cense came t hr ough f or t he Reno hot el . "
" Yes. "
" We' r e goi ng t o have f un wi t h t hat pl ace. "
" I ' ml ooki ng f or war d t o i t . I ' msor r y about t oni ght .
I ' l l t al k t o you t omor r ow. "
The l i ne went dead.
Lar a r epl aced t he r ecei ver sl owl y.
Kel l er was wat chi ng her . She coul d see t he di sappr oval on hi s f ace.
" I s somet hi ng bot her i ng you?"
" Yeah. I t ' s al l t hi s moder n equi pment . "
" What ar e you t al ki ng about ?"
" I t hi nk you have t oo many phones i n your of f i ce.
He' s bad news, Lar a. "
Lar a st i f f ened. " Mr . Bad News has saved our hi des a f ew t i mes,
Howar d. Anyt hi ng el se?"
Kel l er shook hi s head. " No. "
" Ri ght . Let ' s get back t o wor k. "
Phi l i p was wai t i ng f or her when she ar r i ved at La Cot e Basque. Peopl e
t ur ned t o st ar e at Lar a as she wal ked i nt o t he r est aur ant . Phi l i p
st ood up t o gr eet her , and Lar a' s hear t ski pped a beat .
" I hope I ' mnot l at e, " she sai d.
" Not at al l . " He was l ooki ng at her admi r i ngl y. Hi s eyes wer e war m.
" You l ook l ovel y. "
She had changed cl ot hes hal f a dozen t i mes. Shoul d I wear somet hi ng
si mpl e or el egant or sexy? Fi nal l y, she had deci ded on a si mpl e
Di or .
" Thank you. "
When t hey wer e seat ed, Phi l i p sai d, " I f eel l i ke an i di ot . "
" Oh? Why?"
" I never connect ed t he name. You' r e t hat Camer on. "
She l aughed. " Gui l t y. "
" My God! You' r e a hot el chai n, you' r e apar t ment bui l di ngs, of f i ce
bui l di ngs. When I t r avel , I see your name al l over t he count r y. "
" Good. " Lar a smi l ed. " I t wi l l r emi nd you of me. "
He was st udyi ng her . " I don' t t hi nk I need any r emi ndi ng. Do you get
t i r ed of peopl e t el l i ng you t hat you' r e ver y beaut i f ul ?"
She st ar t ed t o say, " I ' mgl ad you t hi nk I ' mbeaut i f ul . "
What came out was: " Ar e you mar r i ed?" She want ed t o bi t e her t ongue.
He smi l ed. " No. I t woul d be i mpossi bl e f or me t o get mar r i ed. "
" Why?" For an i nst ant she hel d her br eat h. Sur el y he' s not . . .
" Because I ' mon t our most of t he year . One ni ght I ' mi n Budapest , t he
next ni ght i n London or Par i s or Tokyo. "
Ther e was a sweepi ng sense of r el i ef . " Ah. Phi l i p, t el l me about
your sel f . "
" What do you want t o know?"
" Ever yt hi ng. "
Phi l i p l aughed. " That woul d t ake at l east f i ve mi nut es. "
" No, I ' mser i ous. I r eal l y want t o know about you. "
He t ook a deep br eat h. " Wel l , my par ent s wer e Vi ennese. My f at her was
a musi cal conduct or , and my mot her was a pi ano t eacher . They l ef t
Vi enna t o escape Hi t l er and set t l ed i n Bost on. I was bor n t her e. "
" Di d you al ways know you want ed t o be a pi ani st ?"
" Yes. "
He was si x year s ol d. He was pr act i ci ng t he pi ano, and hi s f at her came
st or mi ng i nt o t he r oom. " No, no, no!
Don' t you know a maj or chor d f r oma mi nor ?" Hi s hai r y f i nger sl ashed
at t he sheet musi c. " That ' s a mi nor chor d.
Mi nor . Do you under st and?"
" Fat her , pl ease, can I go? My f r i ends ar e wai t i ng f or me out si de. "
" No. You wi l l si t her e unt i l you get i t r i ght . "
He was ei ght year s ol d. He had pr act i ced f or f our hour s t hat mor ni ng
and had had a t er r i bl e f i ght wi t h hi s par ent s. " I hat e t he pi ano, " he
cr i ed. " I never want t o t ouch i t agai n. "
Hi s mot her sai d, " Fi ne. Now, l et me hear t he andant e once mor e. "
He was t en year s ol d. The apar t ment was f i l l ed wi t h guest s, most of
t hemol d f r i ends of hi s par ent s f r omVi enna. Al l of t hemwer e
musi ci ans.
" Phi l i p i s goi ng t o pl ay somet hi ng f or us now, " hi s mot her announced.
" We' d l ove t o hear l i t t l e Phi l i p pl ay, " t hey sai d i n pat r oni zi ng
voi ces.
" Pl ay t he Mozar t , Phi l i p. "
Phi l i p l ooked i nt o t hei r bor ed f aces and sat down at t he pi ano,
angr y.
They went on chat t i ng among t hemsel ves.
He began t o pl ay, hi s f i nger s f l ashi ng acr oss t he keyboar d. The
t al ki ng suddenl y st opped. He pl ayed a Mozar t sonat a, and t he musi c was
al i ve. And at t hat moment he was Mozar t , f i l l i ng t he r oomwi t h t he
magi c of t he mast er .
As Phi l i p' s f i nger s st r uck t he l ast chor d, t her e was an awed si l ence.
Hi s par ent s' f r i ends r ushed over t o t he pi ano, t al ki ng exci t edl y,
ef f usi ve wi t h t hei r pr ai se. He l i st ened t o t hei r appl ause and
adul at i on, and t hat was t he moment of hi s epi phany, when he knew who he
was and what he want ed t o do wi t h hi s l i f e.
" Yes, I al ways knew I want ed t o be a pi ani st , " Phi l i p t ol d Lar a.
" Wher e di d you st udy pi ano?"
" My mot her t aught me unt i l I was f our t een, and t hen t hey sent me t o
st udy at t he Cur t i s I nst i t ut e i n Phi l adel phi a. "
" Di d you enj oy t hat ?"
" Ver y much. "
He was f our t een year s ol d, al one i n t he ci t y wi t h no f r i ends. The
Cur t i s I nst i t ut e of Musi c was l ocat ed i n f our t ur n- of - t he- cent ur y
mansi ons near Phi l adel phi a' s Ri t t enhouse Squar e. I t was t he cl osest
Amer i can equi val ent t o t he Moscow Conser vat or y of Vi ar do, Egor ov, and
Tor adze.
I t s gr aduat es i ncl uded Samuel Bar ber , Leonar d Ber nst ei n, Gi an Car l o
Menot t i , Pet er Ser ki n, and dozens of ot her br i l l i ant musi ci ans.
" Wer en' t you l onel y t her e?"
" No. "
He was mi ser abl e. He had never been away f r omhome bef or e. He had
audi t i oned f or t he Cur t i s I nst i t ut e, and when t hey accept ed hi m, t he
r eal i zat i on st r uck hi mt hat he was about t o begi n a new l i f e, t hat he
woul d never go home agai n. The t eacher s r ecogni zed t he young boy' s
t al ent i mmedi at el y. Hi s pi ano t eacher s wer e I sabel l e Venger ova and
Rudol f Ser ki n, and Phi l i p st udi ed pi ano, t heor y, har mony,
or chest r at i on, and f l ut e. When he was not i n cl ass, he pl ayed chamber
musi c wi t h t he ot her st udent s. The pi ano, whi ch he had been f or ced t o
pr act i ce f r omt he t i me he was t hr ee year s ol d, was now t he f ocus of hi s
l i f e. To hi m, i t had become a magi cal i nst r ument out of whi ch hi s
f i nger s coul d dr aw r omance and passi on and t hunder . I t spoke a
uni ver sal l anguage.
" I gave my f i r st concer t when I was ei ght een wi t h t he Det r oi t
Symphony. "
" Wer e you f r i ght ened?"
He was t er r i f i ed. He f ound t hat i t was one t hi ng t o pl ay bef or e a
gr oup of f r i ends. I t was anot her t o f ace a huge audi t or i umf i l l ed wi t h
peopl e who had pai d money t o hear hi m. He was ner vousl y paci ng
backst age when t he st age manager gr abbed hi s ar mand sai d, " Go. Y on. >
He had never f or got t en t he f eel i ng he had when he wal ked out ont o t he
st age and t he audi ence began t o appl aud hi m.
He sat down at t he pi ano, and hi s ner vousness vani shed i n an i nst ant .
Af t er t hat hi s l i f e became a mar at hon of concer t s. He t our ed al l over
Eur ope and Asi a, and af t er each t our hi s r eput at i on gr ew. Wi l l i am
El l er bee, an i mpor t ant ar t i st s' manager , agr eed t o r epr esent hi m.
Wi t hi n t wo year s Phi l i p Adl er was i n demand ever ywher e.
Phi l i p l ooked at Lar a and smi l ed. " Yes. I st i l l get f r i ght ened bef or e
a concer t . "
" What ' s i t l i ke t o go on t our ?"
" I t ' s never dul l . Once I was on a t our wi t h t he Phi l adel phi a
Symphony.
We wer e i n Br ussel s, on our way t o gi ve a concer t i n London. The
ai r por t was cl osed because of f og, so t hey t ook us by bus t o Schi phol
Ai r por t i n Amst er dam. The man i n char ge expl ai ned t hat t he pl ane t hey
had char t er ed f or us was smal l and t hat t he musi ci ans coul d t ake ei t her
t hei r i nst r ument s or t hei r l uggage. Nat ur al l y t hey chose t hei r
i nst r ument s. We ar r i ved i n London j ust i n t i me t o begi n t he concer t .
We pl ayed i t i n j eans, sneaker s, and unshaven. "
Lar a l aughed. " And I ' l l bet t he audi ence l oved i t . "
" They di d. Anot her t i me I was gi vi ng a concer t i n I ndi ana, and t he
pi ano was l ocked away i n a cl oset and no one had a key. We had t o
br eak t he door down. "
Lar a gi ggl ed.
" Last year I was schedul ed t o do a Beet hoven concer t o i n Rome, and one
of t he musi c cr i t i cs wr ot e: ' Adl er gave a ponder ous per f or mance, wi t h
hi s phr asi ng i n t he f i nal e compl et el y mi ssi ng t he poi nt . The t empo was
t oo br oad, r upt ur i ng t he pul se of t he pi ece. " " " That ' s awf ul ! " Lar a
sai d sympat het i cal l y.
" The awf ul par t was t hat I never even gave t hat concer t . I had mi ssed
t he pl ane! "
Lar a l eaned f or war d, eager l y. " Tel l me mor e. "
" Wel l , one t i me i n Sao Paul o t he pedal s f el l of f t he pi ano i n t he
mi ddl e of a Chopi n concer t . "
" What di d you do?"
" I f i ni shed t he sonat a wi t hout pedal s. Anot her t i me t he pi ano sl i d
cl ear acr oss t he st age. "
When Phi l i p t al ked about hi s wor k, hi s voi ce was f i l l ed wi t h
ent husi asm.
" I ' mver y l ucky. I t ' s wonder f ul t o be abl e t o t ouch peopl e and
t r anspor t t hemi nt o anot her wor l d. The musi c gi ves each of t hema
dr eam. Somet i mes I t hi nk musi c i s t he onl y sani t y l ef t i n an i nsane
wor l d. " He l aughed sel f consci ousl y. " I di dn' t mean t o sound
pompous. "
" No. You make mi l l i ons of peopl e so happy. I l ove t o hear you
pl ay. "
She t ook a deep br eat h. " When I hear you pl ay Debussy' s Voi l es, I ' mon
a l onel y beach, and I see t he mast of a shi p sai l i ng i n t he
di st ance. . . "
He smi l ed. " Yes, so do I . "
" And when I l i st en t o your Scar l at t i , I ' mi n Napl es, and I can hear t he
hor ses and t he car r i ages, and see t he peopl e wal ki ng t hr ough t he
st r eet s. . . . ' , She coul d see t he pl easur e i n hi s f ace as he l i st ened
t o her .
She was dr edgi ng up ever y memor y of her sessi ons wi t h Pr of essor
Meyer s.
" Wi t h Bar t ok, you t ake me t o t he vi l l ages of Cent r al Eur ope, t o t he
peasant s of Hungar y. You' r e pai nt i ng pi ct ur es, and I l ose mysel f i n
t hem. "
" You' r e ver y f l at t er i ng, " Phi l i p sai d.
" No. I mean ever y wor d of i t . "
Di nner ar r i ved. I t consi st ed of a chat eaubr i and wi t h pommes f r i t es, a
Wal dor f sal ad, f r esh aspar agus, and a f r ui t t ar t f or desser t . Ther e
was a wi ne f or each cour se.
Over di nner Phi l i p sai d, " Lar a, we keep t al ki ng about me. Tel l me
about you. What i s i t l i ke t o put up enor mous bui l di ngs al l over t he
count r y?"
Lar a was si l ent f or a moment . " I t ' s di f f i cul t t o descr i be. You cr eat e
wi t h your hands. I cr eat e wi t h my mi nd. I don' t physi cal l y put up a
bui l di ng, but I make i t possi bl e. I dr eama dr eamof br i cks and
concr et e and st eel , and make i t come t r ue. I cr eat e j obs f or hundr eds
of peopl e: ar chi t ect s and br i ckl ayer s and desi gner s and car pent er s and
pl umber s. Because of me, t hey' r e abl e t o suppor t t hei r f ami l i es. I
gi ve peopl e beaut i f ul sur r oundi ngs t o l i ve i n and make t hem
comf or t abl e. I bui l d at t r act i ve st or es wher e peopl e can shop and buy
t hi ngs t hey need. I bui l d monument s t o t he f ut ur e. " She smi l ed,
sheepi shl y. " I di dn' t mean t o make a speech. "
" You' r e qui t e r emar kabl e, do you know t hat ?"
" I want you t o t hi nk so. "
I t was an enchant ed eveni ng, and by t he t i me i t was over , Lar a knew
t hat f or t he f i r st t i me i n her l i f e she was i n l ove. She had been so
af r ai d t hat she mi ght be di sappoi nt ed, t hat no man coul d l i ve up t o t he
i mage i n her i magi nat i on. But her e was Lochi nvar i n t he f l esh, and she
was st i r r ed.
When Lar a got home, she so exci t ed she was unabl e t o go t o sl eep. She
went over t he eveni ng i n her mi nd, r epl ayi ng t he conver sat i on agai n and
agai n and agai n.
Phi l i p Adl er was t he most f asci nat i ng man she had ever met . The
t el ephone r ang. Lar a smi l ed and pi cked i t up.
She st ar t ed t o say, " Phi l i p. . " when Paul Mar t i n sai d, " J ust checki ng
t o make sur e you got home saf el y. "
" Yes, " Lar a sai d.
" How di d your meet i ng go?"
" Fi ne. "
" Good. Let ' s have di nner t omor r ow ni ght . "
Lar a hesi t at ed. " Al l r i ght . " I wonder i f t her e' s goi ng t o be a
pr obl em.
Chapt er Twent y- one.
The f ol l owi ng mor ni ng, a dozen r ed r oses wer e del i ver ed t o Lar a' s
apar t ment .
So, he enj oyed t he eveni ng, t oo, Lar a t hought happi l y.
She hur r i edl y t or e open t he car d at t ached t o t he f l ower s.
I t r ead: " Baby, l ooki ng f or war d t o our di nner t oni ght .
Paul . "
Lar a f el t a shar p sense of di sappoi nt ment . She wai t ed al l mor ni ng f or
a cal l f r omPhi l i p. She had a busy schedul e, but she was unabl e t o
keep her mi nd on her wor k.
At t wo o' cl ock Kat hy sai d, " The new secr et ar i es ar e her e f or you t o
i nt er vi ew. "
" St ar t sendi ng t hem" Ther e wer e hal f a dozen of t hem, al l of t hem
hi ghl y qual i f i ed. Ger t r ude Meeks was t he choi ce of t he day. She was
i n her t hi r t i es, br i ght and upbeat , and obvi ousl y i n awe of Lar a.
Lar a l ooked over her r esume. I t was i mpr essi ve.
" You' ve wor ked i n t he r eal est at e devel opment f i el d bef or e. "
" Yes, ma' am. But I ' ve never wor ked f or anyone l i ke you. To t el l you
t he t r ut h, I ' d t ake t hi s j ob f or no sal ar y! "
Lar a smi l ed. " That won' t be necessar y. These ar e good r ef er ences.
Al l r i ght , we' l l gi ve you a t r y. "
" Thank you so much. " She was al most bl ushi ng.
" You' l l have t o si gn a f or magr eei ng not t o gi ve any i nt er vi ews or ever
t o di scuss anyt hi ng t hat happens at t hi s f i r m. I s t hat agr eeabl e?"
" Of cour se. "
" Kat hy wi l l show you t o your desk. "
Ther e was an el even o' cl ock publ i ci t y meet i ng wi t h J er r y Townsend.
" How' s your f at her ?" Lar a asked.
" He' s i n Swi t zer l and. The doct or says he may have a chance. " Hi s
voi ce gr ew husky. " I f he has, i t ' s because of you. "
" Ever yone deser ves a chance, J er r y. I hope he get s wel l . "
" Thanks. " He cl ear ed hi s t hr oat . " I . . . I don' t know how t o t el l you
how gr at ef ul I . . . "
Lar a st ood up. " I ' ml at e f or a g) And she wal ked out , l eavi ng hi m
st andi ng t her e, l ooki ng af t er her .
The meet i ng was wi t h t he ar chi t ect s on a New J er sey devel opment .
" You' ve done a good j ob, " Lar a sai d, " but I ' d l i ke some changes. I
want an el l i pt i cal ar cade wi t h l obbi es on t hr ee si des and mar bl e
wal l s.
Change t he r oof t o t he shape of a copper pyr ami d, wi t h a beacon t o
l i ght up at ni ght . Any pr obl emwi t h t hat ?"
" I don' t see any, Mi ss Camer on. "
When t he meet i ng was over , t he i nt er combuzzed.
" Mi ss Camer on, Raymond Duf f y, one of t he const r uct i on f or emen, i s on
t he l i ne f or you. He says i t ' s ur gent . "
Lar a pi cked up t he t el ephone. " Hel l o, Raymond. "
" We have a pr obl em, Mi ss Camer on. "
" Go on. "
" They j ust del i ver ed a l oad of cement bl ocks. They won' t pass
i nspect i on. Ther e ar e cr acks i n t hem. I ' mgoi ng t o send t hemback,
but I want ed t o t el l you f i r st . "
Lar a was t hought f ul f or a moment . " How bad i s i t ?"
" Bad enough. The poi nt i s, t hey don' t meet our speci f i cat i ons,
and. . . "
" Can t hey be f i xed?"
" I guess t hey coul d, but i t woul d be expensi ve. "
" Fi x t hem, " Lar a sai d.
Ther e was a si l ence at t he ot her end of t he l i ne.
" Ri ght . You' r e t he boss. "
Lar a r epl aced t he r ecei ver . Ther e wer e onl y t wo cement suppl i er s i n
t he ci t y, and i t woul d be sui ci de t o ant agoni ze t hem.
By f i ve o' cl ock Phi l i p st i l l had not cal l ed. Lar a di al ed t he number at
hi s f oundat i on. " Phi l i p Adl er , pl ease. "
" Mr . Adl er i s out of t own on t our . Can I hel p you?"
He hadn' t ment i oned t hat he was l eavi ng t own. " Nv, t hank you. "
That ' s t hat , Lar a t hought . For now.
The day ended wi t h a vi si t f r omSt eve Mur chi son.
He was a huge man, bui l t l i ke a st ack of br i cks. He st or med i nt o
Lar a' s of f i ce.
" What can I do f or you, Mr . Mur chi son?" Lar a asked.
" You can keep your nose out of my f ucki ng busi ness, " Mur chi son sai d.
Lar a l ooked at hi mcal ml y. " What ' s your pr obl em?"
" You. I don' t l i ke peopl e hor ni ng i n on my deal s. "
" I f you' r e t al ki ng about Mr . Gut t man. . . "
" You' r e damn r i ght I am. "
. . . . . he pr ef er r ed my bui l di ng t o your s. "
" You sucker ed hi mi nt o i t , l ady. You' ve been get t i ng i n my hai r l ong
enough. I war ned you once. I ' mnot goi ng t o war n you agai n. Ther e' s
not r oomenough f or bot h of us i n t hi s t own. I don' t know wher e you
keep your bal l s, but hi de ' em, because i f you ever do t hat t o me agai n,
I ' mgoi ng t o cut t hemof f . "
And he st or med out .
The di nner at her apar t ment t hat eveni ng wi t h Paul was st r ai ned.
" You seempr eoccupi ed, baby, " Paul sai d. " Any pr obI ems?"
Lar a managed a smi l e. " No. Ever yt hi ng' s f i ne. " Why di dn' t Phi l i p
t el l me he was goi ng away?
" When does t he Reno pr oj ect st ar t ?"
" Howar d and I ar e goi ng t o f l y t her e agai n next week.
We shoul d be abl e t o open i n about ni ne mont hs. "
" You coul d have a baby i n ni ne mont hs. "
Lar a l ooked at hi mi n sur pr i se. " What ?"
Paul Mar t i n t ook her hand i n hi s. " You know I ' mcr azy about you,
Lar a.
You' ve changed my whol e l i f e. I wi sh t hi ngs coul d have t ur ned out
di f f er ent l y. I woul d have l oved f or us t o have had ki ds t oget her . "
Ther e was not hi ng Lar a coul d say t o t hat .
" I have a l i t t l e sur pr i se f or you. " He r eached i nt o hi s pocket and
pul l ed out a j ewel r y box. " Open i t . "
" Paul , you' ve al r eady gi ven me so much. . . "
" Open i t . "
I nsi de t he box was an exqui si t e di amond neckl ace.
" I t ' s l ovel y. "
He st ood up, and she f el t hi s hands on her as he put t he neckl ace
ar ound her neck. Hi s hands sl i d down, car essi ng her br east s, and he
sai d huski l y, " Let ' s check i t out . "
Paul was l eadi ng her i nt o t he bedr oom. Lar a' s mi nd was spi nni ng. She
had never been i n l ove wi t h hi m, and goi ng t o bed wi t h hi mhad been
easy- t he payment f or al l he had done f or her - but now t her e was a
di f f er ence.
She was i n l ove. I ' ma f ool , Lar a t hought . I ' l l pr obabl y never see
Phi l i p agai n.
She undr essed sl owl y, r el uct ant l y, and t hen t hey wer e i n bed, and Paul
Mar t i n was on t op of her , i nsi de her , moani ng, " Baby, I ' mnut s about
you. " And she l ooked up and i t was Phi l i p' s f ace she saw.
Ever yt hi ng was pr ogr essi ng smoot hl y. The r enovat i ons on t he Reno hot el
wer e pr oceedi ng r api dl y, Camer on Tower s was goi ng t o be f i ni shed on
schedul e, and Lar a' s r eput at i on kept gr owi ng. She had cal l ed Phi l i p
Adl er sever al t i mes over t he past f ew mont hs, but he was al ways away on
t our .
" Mr . Adl er i s i n Bei j i ng. . . "
" Mr . Adl er i s i n Par i s. . .
" Mr . Adl er i s i n Sydney. . . "
To hel l wi t h hi m, Lar a t hought .
Dur i ng t he next si x mont hs Lar a managed t o out bi d St eve Mur chi son on
t hr ee pr oper t i es he was af t er .
Kel l er came t o Lar a, wor r i ed. " The wor d ar ound t own i s t hat Mur chi son
i s maki ng t hr eat s agai nst you. Maybe we shoul d cool i t wi t h hi m. He' s
a danger ous enemy, Lar a. "
" So amI , " Lar a sai d. " Maybe he shoul d get i nt o anot her busi ness. "
" I t ' s not a j oki ng mat t er , Lar a. He. . . "
" For get about hi m, Howar d. I j ust got a t i p about a pr oper t y i n Los
Angel es. I t ' s not on t he mar ket yet . I f we move f ast , I t hi nk we can
get i t . We' l l f l y out i n t he mor ni ng. "
* * * The pr oper t y was on t he si t e of t he ol d Bi l t mor e Hot el and
consi st ed of f i ve acr es. A r eal est at e agent was showi ng Lar a and
Howar d ar ound t he gr ounds.
" Pr i me pr oper t y, " he was sayi ng. " Yes, si r . You can' t go wr ong wi t h
t hi s. You can bui l d a beaut i f ul l i t t l e ci t y i n t hi s ar ea. . . apar t ment
bui l di ngs, shoppi ng cent er s, t heat er s, mal l s. . . "
" No. "
He l ooked at Lar a i n sur pr i se. " I beg your par don?"
" I ' mnot i nt er est ed. "
" You' r e not ? Why?"
" The nei ghbor hood, " Lar a sai d. " I don' t t hi nk peopl e ar e goi ng t o move
i nt o t hi s ar ea. Los Angel es i s movi ng west . Peopl e ar e l i ke
l emmi ngs.
You ar en' t goi ng t o get t hemt o r ever se di r ect i on. "
" But . . . "
" I ' l l t el l you what I ami nt er est ed i n. Condos. Fi nd me a good
l ocat i on. "
Lar a t ur ned t o Howar d. " I ' msor r y I wast ed our t i me.
We' l l f l y back t hi s af t er noon. "
When t hey r et ur ned t o t hei r hot el , Kel l er bought a newspaper at t he
newsst and. " Let ' s see what t he mar ket i s doi ng t oday. "
They l ooked t hr ough t he paper . I n t he ent er t ai nment sect i on was a
l ar ge adver t i sement t hat r ead: " TONI GHT AT THE HOLLYWOOD BOwL- PHI LI P
ADLER. " Lar a' s hear t gave a l i t t l e j ump.
" Let ' s go back t omor r ow, " Lar a sai d.
Kel l er st udi ed her a moment . " Ar e you i nt er est ed i n t he musi c or t he
musi ci an?"
" Get us t wo t i cket s. "
Lar a had never been t o t he Hol l ywood Bowl bef or e.
The l ar gest nat ur al amphi t heat er i n t he wor l d, i t i s sur r ounded by t he
hi l l s of Hol l ywood, t he gr ounds a par k, open year - r ound f or vi si t or s t o
enj oy. The Bowl i t sel f seat s ei ght een t housand peopl e. I t was f i l l ed
t o capaci t y, and Lar a coul d sense t he ant i ci pat i on of t he cr owd. The
musi ci ans began t o come ont o t he st age, and t hey wer e gr eet ed wi t h
expect ant appl ause. Andr e Pr evi n appear ed, and t he appl ause gr ew mor e
ent husi ast i c. Ther e was a hush, t hen l oud appl ause f r omt he audi ence
as Phi l i p Adl er wal ked out on t he st age, el egant i n whi t e t i e and
t ai l s.
Lar a squeezed Kel l er ' s ar m. " I sn' t he handsome?" she whi sper ed.
Kel l er di d not answer .
Phi l i p sat down at t he pi ano, and t he pr ogr ambegan. Hi s magi c t ook
over i nst ant l y, envel opi ng t he audi ence. Ther e was a myst i ci smabout
t he ni ght . The st ar s wer e shi ni ng down, l i ght i ng t he dar k hi l l s
sur r oundi ng t he Bowl . Thousands of peopl e sat t her e si l ent l y, moved by
t he maj est y of t he musi c. When t he l ast not es of t he concer t o di ed
away, t her e was a r oar f r omt he audi ence, as t he peopl e l eaped t o t hei r
f eet , appl audi ng and cheer i ng. Phi l i p st ood t her e, t aki ng bow af t er
bow.
" Let ' s go backst age, " Lar a sai d.
Kel l er t ur ned t o l ook at her . Her voi ce was t r embl i ng wi t h
exci t ement .
The backst age ent r ance was at t he si de of t he or chest r a shel l . A guar d
st ood at t he door , keepi ng t he cr owd out . Kel l er sai d, " Mi ss Camer on
i s her e t o see Mr . Adl er . "
" I s he expect i ng you?" t he guar d asked.
" Yes, " Lar a sai d.
" Wai t her e, pl ease. " A moment l at er t he guar d r et ur ned. " You can go
i n, Mi ss Camer on. "
Lar a and Kel l er wal ked i nt o t he gr eenr oom. Phi l i p was i n t he cent er of
a cr owd t hat was congr at ul at i ng hi m.
" Dar l i ng, I ' ve never hear d Beet hoven pl ayed so exqui si t el y. You wer e
unbel i evabl e. . . "
Phi l i p was sayi ng, " Thank you. . . "
. . . . . t hank you. . . wi t h musi c l i ke t hat , i t ' s easy t o be
i nspi r ed. . . "
. . . . . t hank you. . . Andr e i s such a br i l l i ant conduct or . . . "
. . . . . t hank you. . . I al ways enj oy pl ayi ng at t he Bowl . . . "
He l ooked up and saw Lar a, and agai n t her e was t hat smi l e. " Excuse
me, " he sai d. He made hi s way t hr ough t he cr owd, t owar d her . " I had
no i dea you wer e i n t own. "
" We j ust f l ew i n t hi s mor ni ng. Thi s i s Howar d Kel l er , my associ at e. "
" Hel l o, " Kel l er sai d cur t l y.
Phi l i p t ur ned t o a shor t , heavyset man, st andi ng behi nd hi m. " Thi s i s
my manager , Wi l l i amEl l er bee. " They exchanged hel l os.
Phi l i p was l ooki ng at Lar a. " Ther e' s a par t y t oni ght at t he Bever l y
Hi l t on. I was wonder i ng. . . "
" We' d l ove t o, " Lar a sai d.
When Lar a and Kel l er ar r i ved at t he Bever l y Hi l t on' s I nt er nat i onal
Bal l r oom, i t was f i l l ed wi t h musi ci ans and musi c l over s, t al ki ng
musi c.
. . . . . have you ever not i ced t hat t he cl oser you get t o t he equat or ,
t he mor e demonst r at i ve and hot - bl ooded t he f ans ar e. . . "
. . . . . when Fr anz Li szt pl ayed, hi s pi ano became an or chest r a. . . . "
. . . . . I di sagr ee wi t h you. De Gr oot e' s t al ent i s not f or Li szt or
Pagani ni et udes, but mor e f or Beet hoven.
. . . . . you have t o domi nat e t he concer t o' s emot i onal l andscape. . . . "
Musi ci ans speaki ng i n t ongues, Lar a t hought .
Phi l i p was sur r ounded, as usual , by ador i ng f ans.
J ust wat chi ng hi mgave Lar a a war mgl ow.
When Phi l i p saw her ar r i ve, he gr eet ed her wi t h a br oad smi l e. " You
made i t . I ' mso gl ad. "
" I woul dn' t have mi ssed i t . "
Howar d Kel l er wat ched t he t wo of t hemt al ki ng, and he t hought , Maybe I
shoul d have l ear ned t o pl ay t he pi ano.
Or maybe I shoul d j ust wake up t o r eal i t y. I t seemed so l ong ago when
he had f i r st met t he br i ght , eager , ambi t i ous young gi r l . Ti me had
been good t o her , and i t had st ood st i l l f or hi m.
Lar a was sayi ng, " I have t o go back t o New Yor k t omor r ow, but per haps
we coul d have br eakf ast . "
" I wi sh I coul d. I ' ml eavi ng f or Tokyo ear l y i n t he mor ni ng. "
She f el t a shar p pang of di sappoi nt ment . " Why?"
He l aughed. " That ' s what I do, Lar a. I gi ve a hundr ed and f i f t y
concer t s a year . Somet i mes t wo hundr ed. "
" How l ong wi l l you be gone t hi s t i me?"
" Ei ght weeks. "
" I ' l l mi ss you, " Lar a sai d qui et l y. You have no i dea how much.
Chapt er Twent y- t wo.
Dur i ng t he next f ew weeks Lar a and Kel l er f l ew t o At l ant a t o
i nvest i gat e t wo si t es at Ai nsl ey Par k and one at Dunwoody.
" Get me some pr i ces on Dunwoody, " Lar a sai d. " We mi ght put some condos
t her e. "
Fr omAt l ant a t hey f l ew t o New Or l eans. They spent t wo days expl or i ng
t he cent r al busi ness di st r i ct and a day at Lake Pont char t r ai n. Lar a
f ound t wo si t es she l i ked.
A day af t er t hey r et ur ned, Kel l er wal ked i nt o Lar a' s of f i ce. " We had
some bad l uck on t he At l ant a pr oj ect , " he sai d.
" What do you mean?"
" Someone beat us t o i t . "
Lar a l ooked at hi m, sur pr i sed. " How coul d t hey?
Those pr oper t i es wer en' t even on t he mar ket . "
" I know. Wor d must have l eaked out . "
Lar a shr ugged. " I guess you can' t wi n t hemal l . "
That af t er noon Kel l er had mor e bad news. " We l ost t he Lake
Pont char t r ai n deal . "
The f ol l owi ng week t hey f l ew t o Seat t l e and expl or ed Mer cer I sl and and
Ki r kl and. Ther e was one si t e t hat i nt er est ed Lar a, and when t hey
r et ur ned t o New Yor k, she sai d t o Kel l er , " Let ' s go af t er i t . I t hi nk
i t coul d be a money- maker . "
" Ri ght . "
At a meet i ng t he next day Lar a asked, " Di d you put i n t he bi d on
Ki r kl and?"
Kel l er shook hi s head. " Someone got t her e ahead of us. "
Lar a was t hought f ul . " Oh. Howar d, see i f you can f i nd out who' s
j umpi ng t he gun on us. "
I t t ook hi ml ess t han t went y- f our hour s. " St eve Mur chi son. "
" Di d he get al l t hose deal s?"
" Yes. "
" So someone i n t hi s of f i ce has a bi g mout h. "
" I t l ooks t hat way. "
Her f ace was gr i m. The next mor ni ng she hi r ed a det ect i ve agency t o
f i nd t he cul pr i t . They had no success.
" As f ar as we can t el l , al l your empl oyees ar e cl ean, Mi ss Camer on.
None of t he of f i ces i s bugged, and your phones haven' t been t apped. "
They had r eached a dead end.
Maybe t hey wer e j ust coi nci dences, Lar a t hought . She di d not bel i eve
i t .
The si xt y- ei ght st or y r esi dent i al t ower i n Queens was hal f compl et ed,
and Lar a had i nvi t ed t he banker s t o come and i nspect i t s pr ogr ess. The
hi gher t he number of f l oor s, t he mor e expensi ve t he uni t . Lar a' s
si xt y- ei ght st or i es had onl y f i f t y- seven act ual f l oor s. I t was a t r i ck
she had l ear ned f r omPaul Mar t i n.
" Ever ybody does i t , " Paul had l aughed. " Al l you do i s change t he f l oor
number s. "
" How do you do t hat ?"
" I t ' s ver y si mpl e. Your f i r st bank of el evat or s i s f r omt he l obby t o
t he t went y- f our t h f l oor . The second bank of el evat or s i s f r omt he
t hi r t y- f our t h f l oor t o t he si xt yei ght h. I t ' s done al l t he t i me. "
Because of t he uni ons, t he const r uct i on j obs had hal f a dozen phant oms
on sal ar y- peopl e who di d not exi st .
Ther e was a Di r ect or of Saf et y Pr act i ces, t he Coor di nat or of
Const r uct i on, t he Super vi sor of Mat er i al s, and ot her s wi t h
i mpr essi ve- soundi ng t i t l es. I n t he begi nni ng Lar a had quest i oned i t .
" Don' t wor r y about i t , " Paul had t ol d her . " I t ' s al l par t of t he
CDB- t he cost of doi ng busi ness. "
Howar d Kel l er had been l i vi ng i n a smal l apar t ment i n Washi ngt on
Squar e, and when Lar a had vi si t ed hi mone eveni ng, she had l ooked
ar ound t he t i ny apar t ment and sai d, " Thi s i s a r at t r ap. You' ve got t o
move out of her e. " At Lar a' s ur gi ng, he had moved i nt o a condomi ni um
upt own.
One ni ght Lar a and Kel l er wer e wor ki ng l at e, and when t hey f i nal l y
f i ni shed, Lar a sai d, " You l ook exhaust ed. Why don' t you go home and
get some sl eep, Howar d?"
" Good i dea, " Kel l er yawned. " See you i n t he mor ni ng. "
" Come i n l at e, " Lar a t ol d hi m.
Kel l er got i nt o hi s car and st ar t ed dr i vi ng home. He was t hi nki ng
about a deal t hey had j ust cl osed and how wel l Lar a had handl ed i t . I t
was exci t i ng wor ki ng wi t h her . Exci t i ng and f r ust r at i ng. Somehow, i n
t he back of hi s mi nd, he kept hopi ng t hat a mi r acl e woul d happen.
I was bl i nd not t o have seen i t bef or e, Howar d dar l i ng.
I ' mnot i nt er est ed i n Paul Mar t i n or Phi l i p Adl er . I t ' s you I ' ve l oved
al l al ong.
Fat chance.
When Kel l er r eached hi s apar t ment , he t ook out hi s key and put i t i n
t he l ock. I t di d not f i t . Puzzl ed, he t r i ed agai n. Suddenl y t he door
f l ew open f r omt he i nsi de, and a st r anger was st andi ng t her e. " What
t he hel l do you t hi nk you' r e doi ng?" t he man asked.
Kel l er l ooked at hi m, bewi l der ed. " I l i ve her e. "
" The hel l you do. "
" But I . . . " Real i zat i on suddenl y hi t hi m. " I . . . I ' msor r y, " he
st ammer ed, r ed- f aced. " I used t o l i ve her e. I . . . "
The door was sl ammed i n hi s f ace. Kel l er st ood t her e, di sconcer t ed.
How coul d I have f or got t en t hat I moved?
I ' ve been wor ki ng t oo har d.
Lar a was i n t he mi ddl e of a conf er ence when her pr i vat e phone r ang.
" You' ve been pr et t y busy l at el y, baby. I ' ve mi ssed you. "
" I ' ve been t r avel i ng a l ot , Paul . " She coul dn' t br i ng her sel f t o say
t hat she had mi ssed hi m.
" Let ' s have l unch t oday. "
Lar a t hought about al l he had done f or her .
" I ' d l i ke t hat , " she sai d. The l ast t hi ng i n t he wor l d she want ed t o
do was t o hur t hi m.
They had l unch at Mr . Chow' s.
" You' r e l ooki ng gr eat , " Paul sai d. " What ever you' ve been doi ng agr ees
wi t h you. How' s t he Reno hot el comi ng?"
" I t ' s comi ng al ong beaut i f ul l y, " Lar a sai d ent husi ast i cal l y. She spent
t he next f i f t een mi nut es descr i bi ng how t he wor k was pr ogr essi ng. " We
shoul d be r eady t o open i n t wo mont hs. "
A man and woman acr oss t he r oomwer e j ust l eavi ng.
The man' s back was t o Lar a, but he l ooked f ami l i ar . When he t ur ned f or
an i nst ant , she caught a gl i mpse of hi s f ace.
St eve Mur chi son. The woman wi t h hi ml ooked f ami l i ar al so. She st ooped
t o pi ck up her pur se, and Lar a' s hear t ski pped a beat . Ger t r ude Meeks,
my secr et ar y. " Bi ngo, " Lar a sai d sof t l y.
" I s anyt hi ng wr ong?" Paul asked.
" No. Ever yt hi ng' s f i ne. "
Lar a went on descr i bi ng t he hot el .
When Lar a r et ur ned f r oml unch, she sent f or Kel l er .
" Do you r emember t he pr oper t y i n Phoeni x we l ooked at a f ew mont hs
ago?"
" Yeah, we t ur ned i t down. You sai d i t was a g) ) " I ' ve changed my
mi nd. " She pr essed down t he i nt er com. " Ger t r ude, woul d you come i n
her e, pl ease?"
" Yes, Mi ss Ger t r ude Meeks came i nt o t he of f i ce.
" I want t o di ct at e a memo, " Lar a sai d. " To t he Bar on Br ot her s i n
Phoeni x. "
Ger t r ude st ar t ed wr i t i ng.
" Gent l emen, I have r econsi der ed t he Scot t sdal e pr oper t y and have
deci ded t o go ahead wi t h i t i mmedi at el y.
I t hi nk i n t i me i t i s goi ng t o be my most val uabl e asset . "
Kel l er was st ar i ng at her . " I ' l l be i n t ouch wi t h you r egar di ng pr i ce
i n t he next f ew days. Best r egar ds. I ' l l si gn i t . "
" Yes, Mi ss Camer on. I s t hat al l ?"
" That ' s al l . "
Kel l er wat ched Ger t r ude l eave t he r oom. He t ur ned t o Lar a. " Lar a,
what ar e you doi ng? We had t hat pr oper t y anal yzed. I t ' s wor t hl ess!
I f you. . . "
" Cal mdown. We' r e not maki ng a deal f or i t . "
" Then why. . . ?"
" Unl ess I mi ss my guess, St eve Mur chi son wi l l . I saw Ger t r ude havi ng
l unch wi t h hi mt oday. "
Kel l er was st ar i ng at Lar a. " I ' l l be damned. "
" I want you t o wai t a coupl e of days and t hen cal l Bar on and ask about
t he pr oper t y. "
Two days l at er Kel l er came i nt o Lar a' s of f i ce, gr i nni ng. " You wer e
r i ght , " he sai d. " Mur chi son t ook t he bai t - hook, l i ne, and si nker .
He' s now t he pr oud owner of f i f t y acr es of wor t hl ess l and. "
Lar a sent f or Ger t r ude Meeks.
" Yes, Mi ss Camer on?"
" You' r e f i r ed, " Lar a sai d.
Ger t r ude l ooked at her i n sur pr i se. " Fi r ed? Why?"
" I don' t l i ke t he company you keep. Go back t o St eve Mur chi son and
t el l hi mI sai d so. "
Ger t r ude' s f ace l ost i t s col or . " But I . . . "
" That ' s al l . I ' l l have you escor t ed out of her e. "
At mi dni ght Lar a buzzed Max, her chauf f eur . " Br i ng t he car ar ound t o
t he f r ont , " Lar a sai d.
dYes, Mi ss Camer on. "
The car was t her e wai t i ng f or her .
" Wher e woul d you l i ke t o go, Mi ss Camer on?" Max asked.
" Dr i ve ar ound Manhat t an. I want t o see what I ' ve done. "
He was st ar i ng at her . " I beg your par don?"
" I want t o l ook at my bui l di ngs. "
They dr ove ar ound t he ci t y and st opped at t he shoppi ng mal l , t he
housi ng cent er , and t he skyscr aper . Ther e was Camer on Squar e, Camer on
Pl aza, Camer on Cent er , and t he skel et on of Camer on Tower s. Lar a sat i n
t he car , st ar i ng at each bui l di ng, t hi nki ng about t he peopl e l i vi ng
t her e and wor ki ng t her e. She had t ouched al l t hei r l i ves.
I ' ve made t hi s ci t y bet t er , Lar a t hought . I ' ve done ever yt hi ng I
want ed t o do. Then why amI r est l ess? What i s mi ssi ng? But she
knew.
The f ol l owi ng mor ni ng Lar a t el ephoned Wi l l i amEl I er bee, Phi l i p' s
concer t manager .
" Good mor ni ng, Mr . El l er bee. "
" Good mor ni ng, Mi ss Camer on. What can I do f or you?"
" I was wonder i ng wher e Phi l i p Adl er i s pl ayi ng t hi s week. "
" Phi l i p has a pr et t y heavy schedul e. Tomor r ow ni ght he' l l be i n
Amst er dam, t hen he goes on t o Mi l an, Veni ce, and. . . do you want t o know
t he r est of hi s. . . ?"
" No, no. That ' s f i ne. I was j ust cur i ous. Thank you. "
" No pr obl em. "
Lar a wal ked i nt o Kel l er ' s of f i ce. " Howar d, I have t o go t o
Amst er dam. "
He l ooked at her i n sur pr i se. " What do we have goi ng on t her e?"
" I t ' s j ust an i dea, " Lar a sai d evasi vel y. " I ' l l l et you know i f i t
checks out . Have t hemget t he j et r eady f or me, wi l l you?"
" You sent Ber t t o London on i t , r emember ? I ' l l t el l t hemt o have i t
back her e t omor r ow, and. . . "
" I want t o l eave t oday. " Ther e was an ur gency i n her t hat t ook her
compl et el y by sur pr i se. " I ' l l f l y commer ci al . "
She r et ur ned t o her of f i ce and sai d t o Kat hy, " Get me a seat on t he
f i r st f l i ght t o Amst er damon KLM. "
" Yes, Mi ss Camer on. "
" Ar e you goi ng t o be gone l ong' ?" Kel l er asked. " We have some
meet i ngs comi ng up t hat . . . "
" I ' l l be back i n a day or t wo. "
" Do you want me t o come wi t h you?"
" Thanks, Howar d. Not t hi s t i me. "
" I t al ked t o a senat or f r i end of mi ne i n Washi ngt on.
He t hi nks t her e' s a chance t hey' r e goi ng t o pass a bi l l t hat wi l l
r emove most of t he t ax i ncent i ves f or bui l di ng.
I f i t passes, i t ' s goi ng t o ki l l capi t al gai ns t axes and st op
accel er at ed depr eci at i on. "
" That woul d be st upi d, " Lar a sai d. " I t woul d cr i ppl e t he r eal est at e
i ndust r y. "
" I know. He' s agai nst t he bi l l . "
" A l ot of peopl e wi l l be agai nst i t . I t wi l l never pass, " Lar a
pr edi ct ed. " I n t he f i r st pl ace. . . "
The pr i vat e phone on t he desk r ang. Lar a st ar ed at i t . I t r ang
agaI n.
" Ar en' t you goi ng t o answer i t ?" Kel l er asked.
Lar a' s mout h was dr y. " No. "
Paul Mar t i n l i st ened t o t he hol l ow r i ng a dozen t i mes bef or e he
r epl aced t he r ecei ver . He sat t her e a l ong t i me t hi nki ng about Lar a.
I t seemed t o hi mt hat l at el y she had been l ess accessi bl e, a l i t t l e
cool er . Coul d t her e be someone el se? No. Paul Mar t i n t hought . She
bel ongs t o me. She' l l al ways bel ong t o me.
The f l i ght on KLM was pl easant . The f i r st - cl ass seat s i n t he
wi de- bodi ed 747 wer e spaci ous and comf or t abl e, and t he cabi n at t endant s
wer e at t ent i ve.
Lar a was t oo ner vous t o eat or dr i nk anyt hi ng. What amI doi ng? she
wonder ed. I ' mgoi ng t o Amst er damuni nvi t ed, and he' l l pr obabl y be t oo
busy t o even see me.
Runni ng af t er hi mi s goi ng t o r ui n what ever chance I mi ght have had.
Too l at e.
She checked i n at t he Gr and Hot el on Oudezi j ds Voor bur gwal 197, one of
t he most beaut i f ul hot el s i n Amst er dam.
" We have a l ovel y sui t e f or you, Mi ss Camer on, " t he cl er k sai d.
" Thank you. I under st and t hat Phi l i p Adl er i s gi vi ng a r eci t al t hi s
eveni ng. Do you know wher e he woul d be pl ayi ng?"
" Of cour se, Mi ss Camer on. At t he Concer t gebouw. "
" Coul d you ar r ange a t i cket f or me?"
" I t wi l l be my pl easur e. "
As Lar a ent er ed her sui t e, t he t el ephone was r i ngi ng.
I t was Howar d Kel l er .
" Di d you have a ni ce f l i ght ?"
" Yes, t hanks. "
" I t hought you' d l i ke t o know t hat I ' ve spoken t o t he t wo banks about
t he Sevent h Avenue deal . "
" And?"
Hi s voi ce was vi br ant . " They' r e j umpi ng at i t . "
Lar a was el at ed. " I t ol d you! Thi s i s goi ng t o be a bi g one. I want
you t o st ar t assembl i ng a t eamof ar chi t ect s, bui l der s- our const r uct i on
gr oup- t he wor ks. "
" Ri ght . I ' l l t al k t o you t omor r ow. " She r epl aced t he r ecei ver and
t hought about Howar d Kel l er . He was so dear . I ' mso l ucky. He' s
al ways t her e f or me. I have t o f i nd someone wonder f ul f or hi m.
Phi l i p Adl er was al ways ner vous bef or e pl ayi ng. He had r ehear sed wi t h
t he or chest r a i n t he mor ni ng, and had a l i ght l unch, and t hen, t o t ake
hi s mi nd of f t he concer t , had gone t o see an Engl i sh movi e. As he
wat ched t he pi ct ur e, hi s mi nd was f i l l ed wi t h t he musi c he was goi ng t o
pl ay t hat eveni ng. He was unawar e t hat he was dr ummi ng hi s f i nger s on
t he ar mof hi s seat unt i l t he per son next t o hi msai d, " Woul d you mi nd
st oppi ng t hat awf ul sound?"
" I beg your par don, " Phi l i p sai d pol i t el y.
He got up and l ef t t he t heat er and r oamed t he st r eet s of Amst er dam. He
vi si t ed t he Ri j ksmuseum, and he st r ol l ed t hr ough t he Bot ani cal Gar dens
of t he Fr ee Uni ver si t y, and wi ndow- shopped al ong t he P. C.
Hoof t st r aat .
At f our o' cl ock he went back t o hi s hot el t o t ake a nap.
He was unawar e t hat Lar a Camer on was i n t he sui t e di r ect l y above hi m.
At 7: 00 P. M. Phi l i p ar r i ved at t he ar t i st s' ent r ance of t he
Concer t gebouw, t he l ovel y ol d t heat er i n t he hear t of Amst er dam. The
l obby was al r eady cr owded wi t h ear l y ar r i val s.
Backst age, Phi l i p was i n hi s dr essi ng r oom, changi ng i nt o t ai l s. The
di r ect or of t he Concer t gebouw bust l ed i nt o t he r oom.
" We' r e compl et el y sol d out , Mr . Adl er ! And we had t o t ur n away so
many peopl e. I f i t wer e possi bl e f or you t o st ay anot her day or t wo, I
woul d. . . I know you ar e f ul l y booked. . . I wi l l t al k t o Mr . El l er bee
about your r et ur n her e next year and per haps. . . "
Phi l i p was not l i st eni ng. Hi s mi nd was f ocused on t he r eci t al t hat l ay
ahead. The di r ect or f i nal l y shr ugged apol oget i cal l y and bowed hi s way
out . Phi l i p pl ayed t he musi c over and over i n hi s mi nd. A page
knocked at t he dr essi ng- r oomdoor .
" They' r e r eady f or you on st age, Mr . Adl er . "
" Thank you. "
I t was t i me. Phi l i p r ose t o hi s f eet . He hel d out hi s hands. They
wer e t r embl i ng sl i ght l y. The ner vousness bef or e pl ayi ng never went
away. I t was t r ue of al l t he gr eat pi ani st s- Hor owi t z, Rubenst ei n,
Ser ki n. Phi l i p' s st omach was chur ni ng, and hi s hear t was poundi ng.
Why do I put mysel f t hr ough t hi s agony? he asked hi msel f . But he knew
t he answer . He t ook one l ast l ook i n t he mi r r or , t hen st epped out of
t he dr essi ng r oom, and wal ked t hr ough t he l ong cor r i dor , and st ar t ed t o
descend t he t hi r t y- t hr ee st eps t hat l ed ont o t he st age. Ther e was a
spot l i ght on hi mas he moved t owar d t he pi ano. The appl ause gr ew
t hunder ous.
He sat down at t he pi ano, and as i f by magi c, hi s ner vousness
di sappear ed. I t was as t hough anot her per son wer e t aki ng hi s pl ace,
someone cal m, and poi sed, and compl et el y i n char ge. He began t o
pl ay.
Lar a, seat ed i n t he audi ence, f el t a t hr i l l as she wat ched Phi l i p wal k
out on t he st age. Ther e was a pr esence about hi mt hat was
mesmer i zi ng.
I amgoi ng t o mar r y hi m, Lar a t hought . I know i t . She sat back i n her
seat and l et hi s pl ayi ng wash over her .
The r eci t al was a t r i umph, and af t er war d t he gr eenr oomwas packed.
Phi l i p had l ong ago l ear ned t o di vi de t he cr owd i nvi t ed t o t he
gr eenr oomi nt o t wo gr oups: t he f ans and ot her musi ci ans. The f ans wer e
al ways ent husi ast i c. I f t he per f or mance was a success, t he
congr at ul at i ons of t he ot her musi ci ans wer e cor di al . I f i t was a
f ai l ur e, t hei r congr at ul at i ons wer e ver y cor di al .
Phi l i p had many avi d f ans i n Amst er dam, and on t hi s par t i cul ar eveni ng
t he gr eenr oomwas cr owded wi t h t hem. He st ood i n t he cent er of t he
r oom, smi l i ng, si gni ng aut ogr aphs, and bei ng pat i ent l y pol i t e t o a
hundr ed st r anger s. I nvar i abl y someone woul d say, " Do you r emember
me?"
And Phi l i p woul d pr et end t o. " Your f ace l ooks so f ami l i ar . . . "
He r emember ed t he st or y of Si r Thomas Beecham, who had hi t upon a
devi ce t o conceal hi s bad memor y.
When someone asked, " Do you r emember me?" t he gr eat conduct or woul d
r epl y, " Of cour se, I do! How ar e you, and how i s your f at her , and what
i s he doi ng?" The devi ce wor ked wel l unt i l a concer t i n London when a
young woman i n t he gr eenr oomsai d, " Your per f or mance was wonder f ul ,
Maest r o. Do you r emember me?" and Beechamgal l ant l y r epl i ed, " Of
cour se, I do, my dear . How i s your f at her , and what i s he doi ng?" The
young woman sai d, " Fat her i s f i ne, t hank you. And he' s st i l l ki ng
of Engl and. "
Phi l i p was busi l y si gni ng aut ogr aphs, l i st eni ng t o t he f ami l i ar
phr ases- " You made Br ahms come al i ve f or me! " . . . " I can' t t el l you how
moved I was! " . . . " I have al l your al bums" . . . " Woul d you si gn an
aut ogr aph f or my mot her t oo? She' s your bi ggest f an. . . " - when
somet hi ng made hi ml ook up. Lar a was st andi ng i n t he door way,
wat chi ng. Hi s eyes wi dened i n sur pr i se. " Excuse me. "
He made hi s way over t o her and t ook her hand.
" What a wonder f ul sur pr i se! What ar e you doi ng i n Amst er dam?"
Car ef ul , Lar a. " I had some busi ness t o at t end t o her e, and when I
hear d you wer e gi vi ng a r eci t al , I had t o come. " That was i nnocent
enough. " You wer e wonder f ul , Phi l i p. "
" Thank you. . . I . . . " He st opped t o si gn anot her aut ogr aph. " Look, i f
you' r e f r ee f or supper . . . "
" I ' mf r ee, " Lar a sai d qui ckl y.
They had supper at t he Bal i r est aur ant on Lei dsest r aat . As t hey
ent er ed t he r est aur ant , t he pat r ons r ose and appl auded. I n t he Uni t ed
St at es, Lar a t hought , t he exci t ement woul d have been f or me. But she
f el t a war mgl ow, si mpl y bei ng at Phi l i p' s si de.
" I t ' s a gr eat honor t o have you wi t h us, Mr . Adl er , " t he mai t r e d'
sai d as he l ed t hemt o t hei r t abl e.
" Thank you. "
As t hey wer e bei ng seat ed, Lar a l ooked ar ound at al l t he peopl e st ar i ng
admi r i ngl y at Phi l i p. " They r eal l y l ove you, don' t t hey?"
He shook hi s head. " I t ' s t he musi c t hey l ove. I ' mj ust t he
messenger .
I l ear ned t hat a l ong t i me ago. When I was ver y young and per haps a
l i t t l e ar r ogant , I gave a concer t , and when I had f i ni shed my sol o,
t her e was t r emendous appl ause, and I was bowi ng t o t he audi ence and
smugl y smi l i ng at t hem, and t he conduct or t ur ned t o t he audi ence and
hel d up t he scor e over hi s head t o r emi nd ever yone t hat t hey wer e
r eal l y appl audi ng Mozar t . I t ' s a l esson I ' ve never f or got t en. "
" Don' t you ever get t i r ed of pl ayi ng t he same musi c over and over ,
ni ght af t er ni ght ?"
" No, because no t wo r eci t al s ar e t he same. The musi c may be t he same,
but t he conduct or i s di f f er ent , and t he or chest r a i s di f f er ent . "
They or der ed a r i j st t af el di nner , and Phi l i p sai d, " We t r y t o make each
r eci t al per f ect , but t her e' s no such t hi ng as a compl et el y successf ul
one because we' r e deal i ng wi t h musi c t hat i s al ways bet t er t han we
ar e.
We have t o r et hi nk t he musi c each t i me i n or der t o r ecr eat e t he sound
of t he composer . "
" You' r e never sat i sf i ed?"
" Never . Each composer has hi s own di st i nct i ve sound. Whet her i t ' s
Debussy, Br ahms, Haydn, Beet hoven . . . our goal i s t o capt ur e t hat
par t i cul ar sound. "
Supper ar r i ved. The r i j st t af el was an I ndonesi an f east , consi st i ng of
t went y- one cour ses, i ncl udi ng a var i et y of meat s, f i sh, chi cken,
noodl es, and t wo desser t s.
" How can anyone eat al l t hi s?" Lar a l aughed.
" The Dut ch have hear t y appet i t es. "
Phi l i p f ound i t di f f i cul t t o t ake hi s eyes of f Lar a. He f ound hi msel f
r i di cul ousl y pl eased t hat she was t her e. He had been i nvol ved wi t h
mor e t han hi s shar e of beaut i f ul women, but Lar a was l i ke no one he had
ever known. She was st r ong and yet ver y f emi ni ne and t ot al l y
unsel f consci ous about her beaut y. He l i ked her t hr oat y, sexy voi ce.
I n f act , I l i ke ever yt hi ng about her , Phi l i p admi t t ed t o hi msel f .
" Wher e do you go f r omher e?" Lar a was aski ng.
" Tomor r ow I ' l l be i n Mi l an. Then Veni ce and Vi enna, Par i s and London,
and f i nal l y New Yor k. "
" I t sounds so r omant i c. "
Phi l i p l aughed. " I ' mnot sur e r omant i c i s t he wor d I woul d choose.
We' r e t al ki ng about i f f y ai r l i ne schedul es, st r ange hot el s, and eat i ng
out i n r est aur ant s ever y ni ght .
I don' t r eal l y mi nd because t he act of pl ayi ng i s so wonder f ul . I t ' s
t he ' say cheese' syndr ome t hat I hat e. "
" What ' s t hat ?"
" Bei ng put on exhi bi t al l t he t i me, smi l i ng at peopl e you car e not hi ng
about , l i vi ng your l i f e i n a wor l d of st r anger s. "
" I know what t hat ' s l i ke, " Lar a sai d sl owl y.
As t hey wer e f i ni shi ng supper , Phi l i p sai d, " Look, I ' mal ways keyed up
af t er a concer t . Woul d you car e t o t ake a r i de on t he canal ?"
" I ' d l ove t o. "
They boar ded a canal bus t hat cr ui sed t he Amst el .
Ther e was no moon, but t he ci t y was al i ve wi t h t housands of spar kl i ng
l i ght s. The canal t r i p was an enchant ment .
A l oudspeaker pour ed out i nf or mat i on i n f our l anguages: " We ar e now
passi ng cent ur i es- ol d mer chant s' houses wi t h t hei r r i chl y decor at ed
gabl es. Ahead ar e anci ent chur ch t ower s. Ther e ar e t wel ve hundr ed
br i dges on t he canal s, al l i n t he shade of magni f i cent avenues of el m
t r ees. . . "
They passed t he Smal st e Hui s- t he nar r owest house i n Amst er dam- whi ch was
onl y as wi de as t he f r ont door , and t he West er ker k wi t h t he cr own of
t he Hapsbur g emper or Maxi mi l i an, and t hey went under t he wooden l i f t
br i dge over t he Amst el and t he Mager e Br ug- t he ski nny br i dge- and passed
scor es of houseboat s t hat ser ved as home f or hundr eds of f ami l i es.
" Thi s i s such a beaut i f ul ci t y, " Lar a sai d.
" You' ve never been her e bef or e?"
" No. "
" And you' r e her e on busi ness. "
Lar a t ook a deep br eat h. " No. "
He l ooked at her puzzl ed. " I t hought you sai d. . . "
" I came t o Amst er damt o see you. "
He f el t a sudden f r i sson of pl easur e. " I . . . I ' mver y f l at t er ed. "
" And I have anot her conf essi on t o make. I t ol d you I was i nt er est ed i n
cl assi cal musi c. That ' s not t r ue. "
A smi l e t ouched t he cor ner of Phi l i p' s l i ps. " I know. "
Lar a l ooked at hi mi n sur pr i se. " You know?"
" Pr of essor Meyer s i s an ol d f r i end of mi ne, " he sai d gent l y. " He
cal l ed t o t el l me t hat he was gi vi ng you a cr ash cour se on Phi l i p
Adl er . He was concer ned t hat you mi ght have desi gns on me. "
Lar a sai d sof t l y, " He was r i ght . Ar e you i nvol ved wi t h anyone?"
" You mean ser i ousl y?"
Lar a was suddenl y embar r assed. " I f you' r e not i nt er est ed, I ' l l l eave
and He t ook her hand i n hi s. " Let ' s get of f at t he next st op. "
When t hey ar r i ved back at t he hot el , t her e wer e a dozen messages f r om
Howar d Kel l er . Lar a put t hemi n her pur se, unr ead. At t hi s moment
not hi ng el se i n her l i f e seemed i mpor t ant .
" Your r oomor mi ne?" Phi l i p asked l i ght l y.
" Your s. "
Ther e was a bur ni ng ur gency i n her .
I t seemed t o Lar a t hat she had wai t ed al l her l i f e f or t hi s moment .
Thi s was what she had been mi ssi ng. She had f ound t he st r anger she was
i n l ove wi t h. They r eached Phi l i p' s r oom, and t her e was an ur gency i n
bot h of t hem.
Phi l i p t ook her i n hi s ar ms and ki ssed her sof t l y and t ender l y,
expl or i ng, and Lar a mur mur ed, " Oh, my God, " and t hey began t o undr ess
each ot her .
The si l ence of t he r oomwas br oken by a sudden cl ap of t hunder
out si de.
Sl owl y, gr ay cl ouds i n t he sky spr ead t hei r ski r t s open, wi der and
wi der , and sof t r ai n began t o f al l . I t st ar t ed qui et l y and gent l y,
car essi ng t he war mai r er ot i cal l y, l i cki ng at t he si des of bui l di ngs,
sucki ng at t he sof t gr ass, ki ssi ng al l t he dar k cor ner s of t he ni ght .
I t was a hot r ai n, want on and sensuous, sl i di ng down sl owl y, sl owl y,
unt i l t he t empo began t o i ncr ease and i t changed t o a dr i vi ng, poundi ng
st or m, f i er ce and demandi ng, an or gi ast i c beat i n a st eady, savage
r hyt hm, pl ungi ng down har der and har der , movi ng f ast er and f ast er unt i l
i t f i nal l y expl oded i n a bur st of t hunder . Suddenl y, as qui ckl y as i t
had st ar t ed, i t was over .
Lar a and Phi l i p l ay i n each ot her ' s ar ms, spent .
Phi l i p hel d Lar a cl ose, and he coul d f eel t he beat i ng of her hear t . He
t hought of a l i ne he had once hear d i n a movi e. " Di d t he ear t h move
f or you?" By God, i t di d. Phi l i p t hought . I f she wer e musi c, she
woul d be Chopi n' s Bar car ol l e or Schumann' s Fant asy.
He coul d f eel t he sof t cont our s of her body pr essed agai nst hi m, and he
began t o get ar oused agai n.
" Phi l i p. . . " Her voi ce was husky.
" Yes?"
" Woul d you l i ke me t o go wi t h you t o Mi l an?"
He f ound hi msel f gr i nni ng. " Oh, my God, yes! "
" Good, " Lar a mur mur ed. She l eaned over hi m, and her sof t hai r st ar t ed
t o t r ai l down hi s l ean, har d body.
I t began t o r ai n agai n.
When Lar a f i nal l y r et ur ned t o her r oom, she t el ephoned Kel l er . " Di d I
wake you up, Howar d?"
" No. " Hi s voi ce was gr oggy. " I ' mal ways up at f our i n t he mor ni ng.
What ' s goi ng on t her e?"
Lar a was bur st i ng t o t el l hi m, but she sai d, " Not hi ng.
I ' ml eavi ng f or Mi l an. "
" What ? We ar en' t doi ng anyt hi ng i n Mi l an. "
Oh, yes, we ar e, Lar a t hought happi l y.
" Di d you see my messages?"
She had f or got t en t o l ook at t hem. Gui l t i l y, she sai d, " Not yet . "
" I ' ve been hear i ng r umor s about t he casi no. "
" What ' s t he pr obl em?"
" Ther e have been some compl ai nt s about t he bi ddi ng. "
" Don' t wor r y about i t . I f t her e' s any pr obl em, Paul Mar t i n wi l l t ake
car e of i t . "
" You' r e t he boss. "
" I want you t o send t he pl ane t o Mi l an. Have t he pi l ot s wai t f or me
t her e. I ' l l get i n t ouch wi t h t hemat t he ai r por t . "
" Al l r i ght , but . . . "
" Go back t o sl eep. "
At f our o' cl ock i n t he mor ni ng, Paul Mar t i n was wi deawake. He had l ef t
sever al messages on Lar a' s pr i vat e answer i ng machi ne at her apar t ment ,
but none of hi s cal l s had been r et ur ned. I n t he past , she had al ways
l et hi mknow when she was goi ng t o be away. Somet hi ng was happeni ng.
What was she up t o? " Be car ef ul , my dar l i ng, " he whi sper ed. " Be ver y
car ef ul . "
Chapt er Twent y- t hr ee.
Mi l an, Lar a and Phi l i p Adl er checked i nt o t he Ant i ca Locanda Sol f er i no,
a char mi ng hot el wi t h onl y t wel ve r ooms, and t hey spent t he mor ni ng
maki ng passi onat e l ove. Af t er war d, t hey t ook t he dr i ve t o Cer nobbi a
and had l unch at Lake Como, at t he beaut i f ul Vi l l a d' Est e.
The concer t t hat ni ght was a t r i umph, and t he gr eenr oomat La Scal a
Oper a House was packed wi t h wel l wi sher s.
Lar a st ood t o one si de, wat chi ng as Phi l i p' s f ans sur r ounded hi m,
t ouchi ng hi m, ador i ng hi m, aski ng f or aut ogr aphs, handi ng hi ml i t t l e
gi f t s. Lar a f el t a shar p pang of j eal ousy. Some of t he women wer e
young and beaut i f ul , and i t seemed t o Lar a t hat al l of t hemwer e
obvi ous. An Amer i can woman i n an el egant Fendi gown was sayi ng, coyl y,
" I f you' r e f r ee t omor r ow, Mr . Adl er , I ' mhavi ng an i nt i mat e l i t t l e
di nner at my vi l l a. Ver y i nt i mat e. "
Lar a want ed t o st r angl e t he bi t ch.
Phi l i p smi l ed. . . . . . . . t hank you, but I ' maf r ai d I ' mnot f r ee. "
Anot her woman t r i ed t o sl i p Phi l i p her hot el key. He shook hi s head.
Phi l i p l ooked over at Lar a and gr i nned. Women kept cr owdi ng ar ound
hi m.
" Lei er a magni f i co, maest r o! "
" Mol t o gent i l e da par t e sua, " Phi l i p r epl i ed.
" L' ho sent i t a suonar e i I anno scor so. Br avo! "
" Gr azi e. " Phi l i p smi l ed.
A woman was cl ut chi ng hi s ar m. " Sar ebbe possi bi l e cenar e i nsi eme?"
Phi l i p shook hi s head. " Ma non cr edo che sar ai i mpossi bi l e. "
To Lar a, i t seemed t o go on f or ever . Fi nal l y, Phi l i p made hi s way over
t o Lar a and whi sper ed, " Let ' s get out of her e. "
" Si ! " Lar a gr i nned.
They went t o Bi f f y, t he r est aur ant i n t he oper a house, and t he moment
t hey wal ked i n, t he pat r ons, dr essed i n bl ack t i e f or t he concer t , r ose
t o t hei r f eet and began appl audi ng. The mai t r e d' l ed Phi l i p and Lar a
t owar d a t abl e i n t he cent er of t he r oom. " I t ' s such an honor t o have
you wi t h us, Mr . Adl er . "
A compl i ment ar y bot t l e of champagne ar r i ved, and t hey dr ank a t oast .
" To us, " Phi l i p sai d war ml y.
" To us. "
Phi l i p or der ed t wo of t he speci al t i es of t he house, 0550 buco and penne
al l ' ar r abbi at a. Al l dur i ng supper t hey t al ked, and i t was as t hough
t hey had known each ot her f or ever .
They wer e const ant l y i nt er r upt ed by peopl e comi ng up t o t he t abl e t o
compl i ment Phi l i p and t o ask f or aut ogr aphs.
" I t ' s al ways l i ke t hi s, i sn' t i t ?" Lar a asked.
Phi l i p shr ugged. " I t goes wi t h t he t er r i t or y. For ever y t wo hour s you
spend on st age, you spend count l ess mor e si gni ng aut ogr aphs or gi vi ng
i nt er vi ews. "
As i f t o punct uat e what he was sayi ng, he st opped t o si gn anot her
aut ogr aph.
" You' ve made t hi s t our wonder f ul f or me. " Phi l i p si ghed. " The bad
news i s t hat I have t o l eave f or Veni ce t omor r ow. I ' mgoi ng t o mi ss
you a l ot . "
" I ' ve never been t o Veni ce, " Lar a sai d.
Lar a' s j et was wai t i ng f or t hemat Li nat e Ai r por t .
When t hey ar r i ved t her e, Phi l i p l ooked at t he huge j et i n
ast oni shment .
" Thi s i s your pl ane?"
" Yes. I t ' s goi ng t o t ake us t o Veni ce. "
" You' r e goi ng t o spoi l me, l ady. "
Lar a sai d sof t l y, " I i nt end t o. "
They l anded i n Veni ce t hi r t y- f i ve mi nut es l at er at Mar co Pol o Ai r por t
wher e a l i mousi ne wai t ed t o dr i ve t hemt he shor t di st ance t o t he
dock.
Fr omt he dock t hey woul d t ake a mot or boat t o t he i sl and of Gi udecca,
wher e t he Ci pr i ani Hot el was l ocat ed.
" I ar r anged f or t wo sui t es f or us, " Lar a sai d. " I t hought i t woul d be
mor e di scr eet t hat way.
I n t he mot or boat on t he way t o t he hot el , Lar a asked, " How l ong wi l l we
be her e?"
" Onl y one ni ght , I ' maf r ai d. I ' mgi vi ng a r eci t al at La Feni ce, and
t hen we head f or Vi enna. "
The " we" gave Lar a a l i t t l e t hr i l l . They had di scussed i t t he ni ght
bef or e. " I ' d l i ke you t o st ay wi t h me as l ong as you can, " Phi l i p had
sai d, " but ar e you sur e I ' mnot keepi ng you f r omsomet hi ng mor e
i mpor t ant ?"
" Ther e i s not hi ng mor e i mpor t ant . "
" Ar e you goi ng t o be al l r i ght by your sel f t hi s af t er noon? I ' mgoi ng
t o be busy r ehear si ng. "
" I ' l l be f i ne, " Lar a assur ed hi m.
Af t er t hey had checked i nt o t hei r sui t es, Phi l i p t ook Lar a i n hi s
ar ms.
" I have t o go t o t he t heat er now, but t her e' s a l ot t o see her e.
Enj oy Veni ce. I ' l l see you l at er t hi s af t er noon. " They ki ssed. I t
was meant t o be a br i ef one, but i t t ur ned i nt o a l ong, l i nger i ng
ki ss.
" I ' d bet t er get out of her e whi l e I can, " Phi l i p mur mur ed, " or I ' l l
never be abl e t o make i t t hr ough t he l obby. "
" Happy r ehear sal . " Lar a gr i nned.
And Phi l i p was gone.
Lar a t el ephoned Howar d Kel l er .
" Wher e ar e you?" Kel l er demanded. " I ' ve been t r yi ng t o r each you. "
" I ' mi n Veni ce. "
Ther e was a pause. " Ar e we buyi ng a canal ?"
" I ' mchecki ng i t out . " Lar a l aughed.
" You r eal l y shoul d be back her e, " Kel l er sai d.
" Ther e' s a l ot goi ng on. Young Fr ank Rose br ought i n some new pl ans.
I l i ke t hem, but I need your appr oval so we can get . . . "
" I f you l i ke t hem, " Lar a i nt er r upt ed, " go ahead. "
" You don' t want t o see t hem?" Kel l er ' s voi ce was f i l l ed wi t h
sur pr i se.
" Not now, Howar d. "
" Al l r i ght . And on t he negot i at i ons f or t he West Si de pr oper t y, I need
your okay t o. . . "
" You have i t . "
" Lar a. . . ar e you f eel i ng al l r i ght ?"
" I ' ve never f el t bet t er i n my l i f e. "
" When ar e you comi ng home?"
" I don' t know. I ' l l st ay i n t ouch. Good- bye, Howar d. "
* * * Veni ce was t he ki nd of magi cal ci t y t hat Pr osper o mi ght have
cr eat ed. Lar a spent t he r est of t he mor ni ng and al l af t er noon
expl or i ng. She r oamed t hr ough St . Mar k' s Squar e, and vi si t ed t he
Doge' s Pal ace and t he Bel l Tower , and wander ed al ong t he cr owded Ri va
degl i Schi avoni , and ever ywher e she went she t hought of Phi l i p. She
wal ked t hr ough t he wi ndi ng l i t t l e si de st r eet s, cr ammed wi t h j ewel r y
shops and l eat her goods and r est aur ant s, and st opped t o buy expensi ve
sweat er s and scar ves and l i nger i e f or t he secr et ar i es at t he of f i ce,
and wal l et s and t i es f or Kel l er and some of t he ot her men. She st opped
i n at a j ewel er ' s t o buy Phi l i p a Pi aget wat ch wi t h a gol d band.
" Woul d you pl ease i nscr i be i t ' To Phi l i p wi t h Love f r omLar a' ?" J ust
sayi ng hi s name made her mi ss hi m.
When Phi l i p r et ur ned t o t he hot el , t hey had cof f ee i n t he ver dant
gar den of t he Ci pr i ani .
Lar a l ooked acr oss at Phi l i p and t hought , What a per f ect pl ace t hi s
woul d be f or a honeymoon.
" I have a pr esent f or you, " Lar a sai d. She handed hi mt he box wi t h t he
wat ch i n i t .
He opened i t and st ar ed. " My God! Thi s must have cost a f or t une. You
shoul dn' t have, Lar a. "
" Don' t you l i ke i t ?"
" Of cour se I do. I t ' s beaut i f ul , but . . . "
" Ssh! Wear i t and t hi nk of me. "
" I don' t need t hi s t o t hi nk of you, but t hank you. "
" What t i me do we have t o l eave f or t he t heat er ?"
Lar a asked.
" Seven o' cl ock. "
Lar a gl anced at Phi l i p' s new wat ch and sai d i nnocent l y, " That gi ves us
t wo hour s. "
The t heat er was packed. The audi ence was vol at i l e, appl audi ng and
cheer i ng each number .
When t he concer t was over , Lar a went back t o t he gr eenr oomt o j oi n
Phi l i p. I t was London and Amst er damand Mi l an al l over agai n, and t he
women seemed even mor e nubi l e and eager . Ther e wer e at l east hal f a
dozen beaut i f ul women i n t he r oom, and Lar a wonder ed whi ch one Phi l i p
woul d have spent t he ni ght wi t h i f she wer e not t her e.
They had supper at t he st or i ed Har r y' s Bar and wer e war ml y gr eet ed by
t he af f abl e owner , Ar r i go Ci pr i ani .
" What a pl easur e t o see you, si gnor e. And si gnor i na.
Pl ease! "
He l ed t hemt o a cor ner t abl e. They or der ed Bel l i ni s, t he speci al t y of
t he house. Phi l i p sai d t o Lar a, " I r ecommend st ar t i ng wi t h t he past a e
f agi ol i . I t ' s t he best i n t he wor l d. "
Lat er Phi l i p had no memor y of what he had eat en f or di nner . He was
mesmer i zed by Lar a. He knew he was f al l i ng i n l ove wi t h her , and i t
t er r i f i ed hi m. I can' t make a commi t ment , he t hought . I t ' s
i mpossi bl e. I ' ma nomad.
He hat ed t o t hi nk about t he moment when she woul d l eave hi mt o go back
t o New Yor k. He want ed t o pr ol ong t hei r eveni ng as l ong as possi bl e.
When t hey had f i ni shed supper , Phi l i p sai d, " Ther e' s a casi no out on
t he Li do. Do you gambl e?"
Lar a l aughed al oud.
" What ' s so f unny?"
Lar a t hought about t he hundr eds of mi l l i ons of dol l ar s she gambl ed on
her bui l di ngs. " Not hi ng, " she sai d.
" I ' d l ove t o go. "
They t ook a mot or boat t o Li do I sl and. They wal ked past t he Excel si or
Hot el and went t o t he huge whi t e bui l di ng t hat housed t he casi no. I t
was f i l l ed wi t h eager gambl er s.
" Dr eamer s, " Phi l i p sai d.
Phi l i p pl ayed r oul et t e and wi t hi n hal f an hour had won t wo t housand
dol l ar s. He t ur ned t o Lar a. " I ' ve never won bef or e. You' r e my
good- l uck char m. "
They pl ayed unt i l 3: 00 A. M and by t hat t i me t hey wer e hungr y agai n.
A mot or boat t ook t hemback t o St . Mar k' s Squar e, and t hey wander ed
t hr ough t he si de st r eet s unt i l t hey came t o t he Cant i na do Mor i .
" Thi s i s one of t he best bacar os i n Veni ce, " Phi l i p sai d.
Lar a sai d, " I bel i eve you. What ' s a bacar o?"
" I t ' s a wi ne bar wher e t hey ser ve ci cchet t i - l i t t l e ni bbl es of l ocal
del i caci es. "
Bot t l e- gl ass door s l ed t o a dar k, nar r ow space wher e copper pot s hung
f r omt he cei l i ng and di shes gl eamed on a l ong banquet t e.
I t was dawn bef or e t hey got back t o t hei r hot el . They got undr essed,
and Lar a sai d, " Speaki ng of ni bbl es. . . "
Ear l y t he f ol l owi ng mor ni ng Lar a and Phi l i p f l ew t o Vi enna.
" Goi ng t o Vi enna i s l i ke goi ng i nt o anot her cent ur y, " Phi l i p
expl ai ned.
" Ther e' s a l egend t hat ai r l i ne pi l ot s say, ' Ladi es and gent l emen, we' r e
on our f i nal appr oach t o Vi enna Ai r por t . Pl ease make sur e your seat
backs and t abl e t r ays ar e i n t he upr i ght posi t i on, r ef r ai n f r omsmoki ng
unt i l i nsi de t he t er mi nal , and set your wat ches back one hundr ed
year s. " " Lar a l aughed.
" My par ent s wer e bor n her e. They used t o t al k about t he ol d days, and
i t made me envi ous. "
They wer e dr i vi ng al ong t he Ri ngst r asse, and Phi l i p was f i l l ed wi t h
exci t ement , l i ke a smal l boy eager t o shar e hi s t r easur es wi t h her .
" Vi enna i s t he ci t y of Mozar t , Haydn, Beet hoven, Br ahms. " He l ooked at
Lar a and gr i nned. " Oh, I f or got you' r e an exper t on cl assi cal musi c. "
They checked i nt o t he I mper i al Hot el .
" I have t o go t o t he concer t hal l , " Phi l i p t ol d Lar a, " but I ' ve deci ded
t hat t omor r ow we' r e goi ng t o t ake t he whol e day of f . I ' mgoi ng t o show
you Vi enna. "
" I ' d l i ke t hat , Phi l i p. "
He hel d Lar a i n hi s ar ms. " I wi sh we had mor e t i me now, " he sai d
r uef ul l y.
" So do I . "
He ki ssed her l i ght l y on t he f or ehead. " We' l l make up f or i t
t oni ght . "
She hel d hi mcl ose. " Pr omi ses, pr omi ses. "
The concer t t hat eveni ng t ook pl ace at t he Musi kver ei n. The r eci t al
consi st ed of composi t i ons by Chopi n, Schumann, and Pr okof i ev, and i t
was anot her t r i umph f or Phi l i p.
The gr eenr oomwas packed agai n, but t hi s t i me t he l anguage was
Ger man.
" Si e war en wunder bar , Her r Adl er ! "
Phi l i p smi l ed. " Das i st sehr net t von I hnen. Danke. "
" I ch bi n ei n gr osser Anhanger von I hnen. "
Phi l i p smi l ed agai n. " Si e si nd sehr f r eundl i ch. "
He was t al ki ng t o t hem, but he coul d not t ake hi s eyes of f Lar a.
Af t er t he r eci t al Lar a and Phi l i p had a l at e supper i n t he hot el . They
wer e gr eet ed by t he mai t r e d' .
" What an honor ! " he excl ai med. " I was at t he concer t t oni ght . You
wer e magni f i cent ! Magni f i cent ! "
" You' r e ver y ki nd, " Phi l i p sai d modest l y.
The di nner was del i ci ous, but t hey wer e bot h t oo exci t ed by each ot her
t o eat . When t he wai t er asked, " Woul d you l i ke some desser t ?" Phi l i p
sai d qui ckl y, " Yes. " And he was l ooki ng at Lar a.
Hi s i nst i nct s t ol d hi mt hat somet hi ng was wr ong.
She had never been gone t hi s l ong wi t hout t el l i ng hi mwher e she was.
Was she del i ber at el y avoi di ng hi m? I f she was, t her e coul d onl y be one
r eason. And I can' t al l ow t hat , Paul Mar t i n t hought .
A beamof pal e moonl i ght st r eamed t hr ough t he wi ndow, maki ng sof t
shadows on t he cei l i ng. Lar a and Phi l i p l ay i n bed, naked, wat chi ng
t hei r shadows move above t hei r heads. The r i ppl e of t he cur t ai ns made
t he shadows dance, i n a sof t , swayi ng mot i on. The shadows came sl owl y
t oget her and separ at ed and came t oget her agai n, unt i l t he t wo became
ent wi ned, became one, and t he movement of t he dance became f ast er , and
f ast er , a wi l d savage poundi ng, and suddenl y i t st opped, and t her e was
onl y t he gent l e r i ppl e of t he cur t ai ns.
Ear l y t he f ol l owi ng mor ni ng Phi l i p sai d, " We have a whol e day and an
eveni ng her e. I have a l ot t o show you. "
They had br eakf ast downst ai r s i n t he hot el di ni ng r oom, t hen wal ked
over t o t he Kar nt ner st r asse, wher e no car s wer e per mi t t ed. The shops
t her e wer e f i l l ed wi t h beaut i f ul cl ot hes and j ewel r y and ant i ques.
Phi l i p hi r ed a hor se- dr awn Fi aker , and t hey r ode t hr ough t he wi de
st r eet s of t he ci t y al ong t he Ri ng Road.
They vi si t ed Schonbr unn Pal ace and l ooked at t he col or f ul i mper i al
coach col l ect i on. I n t he af t er noon t hey got t i cket s f or t he Spani sh
Ri di ng School and saw t he Li pi zzaner st al l i ons. They r ode t he huge
Fer r i s wheel at t he Pr at er , and af t er war d Phi l i p sai d, " Now we' r e goi ng
t o si n! "
" Ooh! "
" No, " Phi l i p l aughed. " I had somet hi ng el se i n mi nd. "
He t ook Lar a t o Demel ' s f or i t s i ncompar abl e past r y and cof f ee.
* * Lar a was f asci nat ed by t he mi x of ar chi t ect ur e i n Vi enna: beaut i f ul
bar oque bui l di ngs cent ur i es ol d t hat f aced neomoder n bui l di ngs.
Phi l i p was i nt er est ed i n t he composer s. " Di d you know t hat Fr anz
Schuber t st ar t ed as a si nger her e, Lar a?
He was i n t he I mper i al Chapel choi r , and when hi s voi ce changed at
sevent een, he was t hr own out . That ' s when he deci ded t o compose
musi c. "
They had a l ei sur el y di nner at a smal l bi st r o, and st opped at a wi ne
t aver n i n Gr i nzi ng. Af t er war d Phi l i p sai d, " Woul d you l i ke t o go f or a
cr ui se on t he Danube?"
" I ' d l ove t o. "
I t was a per f ect ni ght , wi t h a br i ght f ul l moon and a sof t summer
br eeze. The st ar s wer e shi ni ng down.
They' r e shi ni ng down on us, Lar a t hought , because we' r e so happy. Lar a
and Phi l i p boar ded one of t he cr ui se shi ps, and f r omt he shi p' s
l oudspeaker came t he sof t st r ai ns of " The Bl ue Danube. " I n t he
di st ance t hey saw a f al l i ng st ar .
" Qui ck! Make a wi sh, " Phi l i p sai d.
Lar a cl osed her eyes and was si l ent f or a moment .
" Di d you make your wi sh?"
" Yes. "
" What di d you wi sh f or ?"
Lar a l ooked up at hi mand sai d ser i ousl y, " I can' t t el l you, or i t
won' t come t r ue. " I ' mgoi ng t o make i t come t r ue, Lar a t hought .
Phi l i p l eaned back and smi l ed at Lar a. " Thi s i s per f ect , i sn' t i t ?"
" I t can al ways be t hi s way, Phi l i p. "
" What do you mean?"
" We coul d get mar r i ed. "
And t her e i t was, out i n t he open. He had been t hi nki ng of not hi ng
el se f or t he past f ew days. He was deepl y i n l ove wi t h Lar a, but he
knew he coul d not make a commi t ment t o her .
" Lar a, t hat ' s i mpossi bl e. "
" I s i t ? Why?"
" I ' ve expl ai ned i t t o you, dar l i ng. I ' mal most al ways on t our l i ke
t hi s. You coul dn' t t r avel wi t h me al l t he t i me, coul d you?"
" No, " Lar a sai d, " but . . . "
" Ther e you ar e. I t woul d never wor k. Tomor r ow i n Par i s, I ' l l show
you. . . "
" I ' mnot goi ng t o Par i s wi t h you, Phi l i p. "
He t hought he had mi sunder st ood her . " What ?"
Lar a t ook a deep br eat h. " I ' mnot goi ng t o see you agai n. "
I t was l i ke a bl ow t o t he st omach. " Why? I l ove you, Lar a. I . . . "
" And I l ove you. But I ' mnot a gr oupi e. I don' t want t o be j ust
anot her one of your f ans, chasi ng you ar ound.
You can have al l t hose you want . "
" Lar a, I don' t want anyone but you. But don' t you see, dar l i ng, our
mar r i age coul d never wor k. We have separ at e l i ves t hat ar e i mpor t ant
t o bot h of us. I woul d want us t o be t oget her al l t he t i me, and we
coul dn' t be. "
" That ' s i t t hen, i sn' t i t ?" Lar a sai d t i ght l y. " I won' t see you
agai n, Phi l i p. "
" Wai t . Pl ease! Let ' s t al k about t hi s. Let ' s go t o your r oom, and
. . . "
" No, Phi l i p. I l ove you ver y much, but I won' t go on l i ke t hi s. I t ' s
over . "
" I don' t want i t t o be over , " Phi l i p i nsi st ed. " Change your mi nd. "
" I can' t . I ' msor r y. I t ' s al l or not hi ng. "
They wer e si l ent t he r est of t he way back t o t hei r hot el .
When t hey r eached t he l obby, Phi l i p sai d, " Why don' t I come up t o your
r oom? We can t al k about t hi s and. . . "
" No, my dar l i ng. Ther e' s not hi ng mor e t o t al k about . "
He wat ched Lar a get i nt o t he el evat or and di sappear .
When Lar a r eached her sui t e, t he t el ephone was r i ngi ng. She hur r i ed t o
pi ck i t up. " Phi l i p. . . "
" I t ' s Howar d. I ' ve been t r yi ng t o r each you al l day. "
She managed t o hi de her di sappoi nt ment . " I s anyt hi ng wr ong?"
" No. J ust checki ng i n. Ther e' s a l ot goi ng on ar ound her e. When do
you t hi nk you' l l be comi ng back?"
" Tomor r ow, " Lar a sai d. " I ' l l be back i n New Yor k t omor r ow. " Sl owl y,
Lar a r epl aced t he r ecei ver .
She sat t her e, st ar i ng at t he t el ephone, wi l l i ng i t t o r i ng. Two hour s
l at er , i t was st i l l si l ent . I made a mi st ake, Lar a t hought
mi ser abl y.
I gave hi man ul t i mat um, and I l ost hi m. I f I had onl y wai t ed. . .
I f onl y I had gone t o Par i s wi t h hi m. . . i f . . . i f . . . She t r i ed t o
vi sual i ze her l i f e wi t hout Phi l i p. I t was t oo pai nf ul t o t hi nk
about .
But we can' t go on t hi s way, Lar a t hought . I want us t o bel ong t o each
ot her .
Tomor r ow she woul d have t o r et ur n t o New Yor k.
Lar a l ay down on t he couch, f ul l y dr essed, t he t el ephone by her si de.
She f el t dr ai ned. She knew i t woul d be i mpossi bl e t o get any sl eep.
She sl ept .
I n hi s r oomPhi l i p was paci ng back and f or t h l i ke a caged ani mal . He
was f ur i ous wi t h Lar a, f ur i ous wi t h hi msel f . He coul d not bear t he
t hought of not seei ng her agai n, not hol di ng her i n hi s ar ms. Damn al l
women! he t hought . Hi s par ent s had war ned hi m. " Your l i f e i s
musi c.
I f you want t o be t he best , t her e' s no r oomf or anyt hi ng el se. " And
unt i l he met Lar a, he had bel i eved i t . But now ever yt hi ng had
changed.
Damn i t ! What we had was wonder f ul . Why di d she have t o dest r oy i t ?
He l oved her , but he knew he coul d never mar r y her .
Lar a was awakened by t he r i ngi ng of t he t el ephone.
She sat up t he couch, gr oggy, and l ooked at t he cl ock on t he wal l . I t
was f i ve o' cl ock i n t he mor ni ng. Sl eepi l y, Lar a pi cked up t he
t el ephone.
" Howar d?"
I t was Phi l i p' s voi ce. " How woul d you l i ke t o get mar r i ed i n Par i s?"
Chapt er Twent y- f our .
The mar r i age of Lar a Camer on t o Phi l i p Adl er made headl i nes ar ound t he
wor l d.
When Howar d Kel l er hear d t he news, he went out and got dr unk f or t he
f i r st t i me i n hi s l i f e. He had kept t el l i ng hi msel f t hat Lar a' s
i nf at uat i on wi t h Phi l i p Adl er woul d pass. Lar a and I ar e a t eam. We
bel ong t oget her . No one can come bet ween us. He st ayed dr unk f or t wo
days, and when he sober ed up, he t el ephoned Lar a i n Par i s.
" I f i t ' s t r ue, " he sai d, " t el l Phi l i p I sai d he' s t he l ucki est man who
ever l i ved. "
" I t ' s t r ue, " Lar a assur ed hi mbr i ght l y.
" You sound happy. "
" I ' ve never been happi er i n my l i f e! "
" I . . . I ' mpl eased f or you, Lar a. When ar e you comi ng home?"
" Phi l i p i s gi vi ng a concer t i n London t omor r ow, and t hen we' l l be back
i n New Yor k. "
" Di d you t al k t o Paul Mar t i n bef or e t he weddi ng?"
She hesi t at ed. " No. "
" Don' t you t hi nk you shoul d do i t now?"
" Yes, of cour se. " She had been mor e concer ned about t hat t han she
want ed t o admi t t o her sel f . She was not sur e how he was goi ng t o t ake
t he news of her mar r i age.
" I ' l l t al k t o hi mwhen I get back. "
" I ' l l sur e be gl ad t o see you. I mi ss you. "
" I mi ss you, t oo, Howar d. " And i t was t r ue. He was ver y dear . He had
al ways been a good and l oyal f r i end.
I don' t know what I woul d have done wi t hout hi m, Lar a t hought .
When t he 727 t axi ed up t o t he But l er Avi at i on Ter mi nal at New Yor k' s La
Guar di a Ai r por t , t he pr ess was t her e i n f ul l f or ce. Ther e wer e
newspaper r epor t er s and t el evi si on camer as.
The ai r por t manager l ed Lar a and Phi l i p i nt o t he r ecept i on of f i ce. " I
can sneak you out of her e, " he sai d, or . . .
Lar a t ur ned t o Phi l i p. " Let ' s get t hi s over wi t h, dar l i ng. Ot her wi se,
t hey' l l never l et us have any peace. "
" You' r e pr obabl y r i ght . "
The pr ess conf er ence l ast ed f or t wo hour s. " Wher e di d you t wo
meet . . . ?"
" Have you al ways been i nt er est ed i n cl assi cal musi c, Mr s. Adl er . . . ?"
" How l ong have you known each ot her . . . ?"
" Ar e you goi ng t o l i ve i n New Yor k.
" Wi l l you gi ve up your t our i ng, Mr . Adl er . . . ?"
Fi nal l y, i t was over .
Ther e wer e t wo l i mousi nes wai t i ng f or t hem. The second one was f or
l uggage.
" I ' mnot used t o t r avel i ng i n t hi s ki nd of st yl e, " Phi l i p sai d.
Lar a l aughed. " You' l l get used t o i t . "
When t hey wer e i n t he l i mousi ne, Phi l i p asked, " Wher e ar e we goi ng? I
have an apar t ment on Fi f t ysevent h St r eet . . . "
" I t hi nk you mi ght be mor e comf or t abl e at my pl ace, dar l i ng. Look i t
over , and i f you l i ke i t , we' l l have your t hi ngs moved" They ar r i ved at
t he Camer on Pl aza. Phi l i p l ooked up at t he huge bui l di ng.
" You own t hi s?"
" A f ew banks and I . "
" I ' mi mpr essed. "
Lar a squeezed hi s ar m. " Good. I want you t o be. "
The l obby had been f r eshl y decor at ed wi t h f l ower s.
A hal f dozen empl oyees wer e wai t i ng t o gr eet t hem.
" Wel come home, Mr s. Adl er , Mr . Adl er . "
Phi l i p l ooked ar ound and sai d, " My God! Al l t hi s i s your s?"
" Our s, sweet hear t . "
The el evat or t ook t hemup t o t he pent house. I t cover ed t he whol e
f or t y- f i f t h f l oor . The door was opened by t he but l er .
" Wel come home, Mr s. Adl er . "
" Thank you, Si mms. "
Lar a i nt r oduced Phi l i p t o t he r est of t he st af f and showed hi mt hr ough
t he dupl ex pent house. Ther e was a l ar ge whi t e dr awi ng r oom, f i l l ed
wi t h ant i ques, a l ar ge encl osed t er r ace, a di ni ng r oom, f our mast er
bedr ooms and t hr ee st af f bedr ooms, si x bat hr ooms, a ki t chen, a l i br ar y,
and an of f i ce.
" Do you t hi nk you coul d be comf or t abl e her e, dar l i ng?" Lar a asked.
Phi l i p gr i nned. " I t ' s a l i t t l e smal l - but I ' l l manage. "
I n t he mi ddl e of t he dr awi ng r oomwas a beaut i f ul new Bechst ei n
pi ano.
Phi l i p wal ked over t o i t and r an hi s f i nger s over t he keys.
" I t ' s wonder f ul ! " he sai d.
Lar a moved t o hi s si de. " I t ' s your weddi ng pr esent . "
" Real l y?" He was t ouched. He sat down at t he pi ano and began t o
pl ay.
" I j ust had i t t uned f or you. " Lar a l i st ened as t he cascade of not es
f i l l ed t he r oom. " Do you l i ke i t ?"
" I l ove i t ! Thank you, Lar a. "
" You can pl ay her e t o your hear t ' s cont ent . "
Phi l i p r ose f r omt he pi ano bench. " I ' d bet t er gi ve El l er bee a cal l , "
Phi l i p sai d. " He' s been t r yi ng t o r each me. "
" Ther e' s a t el ephone i n t he l i br ar y, dar l i ng. "
Lar a went i nt o her of f i ce and t ur ned on t he answer i ng machi ne. Ther e
wer e hal f a dozen messages f r omPaul Mar t i n. " Lar a, wher e ar e you? I
mi ss you, dar l i ng. . .
" Lar a, I assume you' r e out of t he count r y, or I woul d have hear d f r om
you" . . . " I ' mwor r i ed about you, Lar a. Cal l me. . . " Then t he t one
changed. " I j ust hear d about your mar r i age. I s i t t r ue? Let ' s
t al k. "
Phi l i p had wal ked i nt o t he r oom. " Who' s t he myst er i ous cal l er ?" he
asked.
Lar a t ur ned. " An. . . an ol d f r i end of mi ne. "
Phi l i p wal ked up t o her and put hi s ar ms ar ound her .
" I s he someone I shoul d be j eal ous of ?"
Lar a sai d sof t l y, " You don' t have t o be j eal ous of anyone i n t he
wor l d.
You' r e t he onl y man I ' ve ever l oved. "
And i t ' s t r ue.
Phi l i p hel d her cl osel y. " You' r e t he onl y woman I ' ve ever l oved. "
Lat er t hat af t er noon, whi l e Phi l i p sat at t he pi ano, Lar a went back
i nt o her of f i ce and r et ur ned Paul Mar t i n' s t el ephone cal l s.
He came on t he l i ne al most i mmedi at el y. " You' r e back. " Hi s voi ce was
t i ght .
" Yes. " She had been dr eadi ng t hi s conver sat i on.
" I don' t mi nd t el l i ng you t hat t he news was qui t e a shock, Lar a. "
" I ' msor r y, Paul . . . I . . . i t happened r at her suddenl y. "
" I t must have. "
" Yes. " She t r i ed t o r ead hi s mood.
" I t hought we had somet hi ng pr et t y good goi ng f or us. I t hought i t was
somet hi ng speci al . "
" I t was, Paul , but . . . "
" We' d bet t er t al k about i t . "
" Wel l , I . . . "
" Let ' s make i t l unch t omor r ow. Vi t el l o' s. One o' cl ock. " I t was an
or der .
Lar a hesi t at ed. I t woul d be f ool i sh t o ant agoni ze hi many f ur t her .
" Al l r i ght , Paul . I ' l l be t her e. "
The l i ne went dead. Lar a sat t her e wor r i ed. How angr y was Paul , and
was he goi ng t o do anyt hi ng about i t ?
Chapt er Twent y- f i ve.
The f ol l owi ng mor ni ng when Lar a ar r i ved at Camer on Cent er , t he ent i r e
st af f was wai t i ng t o congr at ul at e her .
" I t ' s wonder f ul news! "
" I t was such a bi g sur pr i se t o al l of us! . . . "
" I ' msur e you' l l be ver y happy. . . . "
And on i t went .
Howar d Kel l er was wai t i ng i n Lar a' s of f i ce f or her .
He gave her a bi g hug. " For a l ady who doesn' t l i ke cl assi cal musi c,
you sur e went and di d i t ! "
Lar a smi l ed. " I di d, di dn' t I ?"
" I ' l l have t o get used t o cal l i ng you Mr s. Adl er . "
Lar a' s smi l e f aded. " I t hi nk i t mi ght be bet t er f or busi ness r easons
i f I keep usi ng Camer on, don' t you?"
" What ever you say. I ' msur e gl ad you' r e back. Ever yt hi ng i s pi l i ng up
her e. "
Lar a set t l ed i n a chai r opposi t e Howar d. " Okay, t el l me what ' s been
happeni ng. "
" Wel l , t he West Si de hot el i s goi ng t o be a moneyl osi ng pr oposi t i on.
We have a buyer l i ned up f r omTexas who' s i nt er est ed i n i t , but I went
over t o t he hot el yest er day. I t ' s i n t er r i bl e shape. I t needs a
compl et e r ef ur bi shi ng, and t hat ' s goi ng t o r un i nt o f i ve or si x mi l l i on
dol l ar s. "
" Has t he buyer seen i t yet ?"
" No. I t ol d hi mI ' d show i t t o hi mt omor r ow. "
" Show i t t o hi mnext week. Get some pai nt er s i n t her e. Make i t l ook
squeaky cl ean. Ar r ange f or a cr owd t o be i n t he l obby when he' s
t her e. "
He gr i nned. " Ri ght . Fr ank Rose i s her e wi t h some new sket ches. He' s
wai t i ng i n my of f i ce. "
" I ' l l t ake a l ook at t hem. "
" The Mi dl and I nsur ance Company t hat was goi ng i nt o t he new bui l di ng?"
" Yes. "
" They haven' t si gned t he deal yet . They' r e a l i t t l e shaky. "
Lar a made a not e. " I ' l l t al k t o t hemabout i t . Next ?"
" Got hamBank' s sevent y- f i ve mi l l i on l oan on t he new pr oj ect ?"
" Yes?"
" They' r e pul l i ng back. They t hi nk you' r e get t i ng over ext ended. "
" How much i nt er est wer e t hey goi ng t o char ge us?"
" Sevent een per cent . "
" Set up a meet i ng wi t h t hem. We' r e goi ng t o of f er t o pay t went y
per cent . "
He was l ooki ng at her , aghast . " Twent y per cent ? My God, Lar a! No one
pays t went y per cent . "
" I woul d r at her be al i ve at t went y per cent t han dead at sevent een
per cent . Do i t , Howar d. "
" Al l r i ght . "
The mor ni ng went by swi f t l y. At t wel ve- t hi r t y Lar a sai d, " I ' mgoi ng t o
meet Paul Mar t i n f or l unch. "
Howar d l ooked wor r i ed. " Make sur e you ar en' t l unch. "
" What do you mean?"
" I mean he' s Si ci l i an. They don' t f or gi ve and t hey don' t f or get . "
" You' r e bei ng mel odr amat i c. Paul woul d never do anyt hi ng t o har m
me. "
" I hope you' r e r i ght . "
Paul Mar t i n was wai t i ng f or Lar a at t he r est aur ant when she ar r i ved.
He l ooked t hi n and haggar d, and t her e wer e ci r cl es under hi s eyes, as
t hough he had not been sl eepi ng wel l .
" Hel l o, Lar a. " He di d not get up.
" Paul . " She sat down acr oss f r omhi m.
" I l ef t some st upi d messages on your answer i ng machi ne. I ' msor r y. I
had no i dea. . . " He shr ugged.
" I shoul d have l et you know, Paul , but i t al l happened so f ast . "
" Yeah. " He was st udyi ng her f ace. " You' r e l ooki ng gr eat . "
" Thank you. "
" Wher e di d you meet Adl er ?"
" I n London. "
" And you f el l i n l ove wi t h hi mj ust l i ke t hat ?" Ther e was a bi t t er
under t one t o hi s wor ds.
" Paul , what you and I had was wonder f ul , but i t wasn' t enough f or me.
I needed somet hi ng mor e t han t hat .
I needed someone t o come home t o ever y ni ght . "
He was l i st eni ng, wat chi ng her .
" I woul d never do anyt hi ng i n t he wor l d t o hur t you, but t hi s j ust . .
. j ust happened. "
Mor e si l ence.
" Pl ease under st and. "
" Yeah. " A wi nt r y smi l e cr ossed hi s f ace. " I guess I have no choi ce,
have I ? What ' s done i s done. I t was j ust ki nd of a shock t o r ead
about i t i n t he newspaper s and see i t on t el evi si on. I t hought we wer e
cl oser t han t hat . "
" You' r e r i ght , " Lar a sai d agai n. " I shoul d have t ol d you. "
Hi s hand r eached out and car essed her chi n. " I was cr azy about you,
Lar a. I guess I st i l l am. You wer e my mi r acol o. I coul d have gi ven
you anyt hi ng i n t he wor l d you want ed except what he coul d gi ve you- a
weddi ng r i ng. I l ove you enough t o want you t o be happy. "
Lar a f el t a wave of r el i ef sweep t hr ough her . " Thank you, Paul . "
" When amI goi ng t o meet your husband?"
" We' r e gi vi ng a par t y next week f or our f r i ends. Wi l l you come?"
" I ' l l be t her e. You t el l hi mt hat he had bet t er t r eat you r i ght , or
he' l l have t o answer t o me. "
Lar a smi l ed. " I ' l l t el l hi m. "
When Lar a r et ur ned t o her of f i ce, Howar d Kel l er was wai t i ng f or her .
" How di d t he l uncheon go?" he asked ner vousl y.
" Fi ne. You wer e wr ong about Paul . He behaved beaut i f ul l y. "
" Good. I ' mgl ad I was wr ong. Tomor r ow mor ni ng I ' ve set up some
meet i ngs f or you wi t h. . . "
" Cancel t hem, " Lar a sai d. " I ' mst ayi ng home wi t h my husband
t omor r ow.
We' r e honeymooni ng f or t he next f ew days. "
" I ' mgl ad you' r e so happy, " Howar d sai d.
" Howar d, I ' mso happy i t scar es me. I ' maf r ai d t hat I ' l l wake up and
f i nd t hi s i s al l a dr eam. I never knew anyone coul d be t hi s happy. "
He smi l ed. " Al l r i ght , I ' l l handl e t he meet i ngs. "
" Thank you. " She ki ssed hi mon t he cheek. " Phi l i p and I ar e gi vi ng a
par t y next week. We expect you t her e. "
* * * The par t y t ook pl ace t he f ol l owi ng Sat ur day at t he pent house.
Ther e was a l avi sh buf f et and mor e t han a hundr ed guest s. Lar a had
i nvi t ed t he men and women she wor ked wi t h: banker s, bui l der s,
ar chi t ect s, const r uct i on chi ef s, ci t y of f i ci al s, t he ci t y pl anner s, and
t he heads of uni ons. Phi l i p had i nvi t ed hi s musi ci an f r i ends and musi c
pat r ons and benef act or s. The combi nat i on pr oved t o be di sast r ous.
I t wasn' t t hat t he t wo gr oups di d not t r y t o mi x. The pr obl emwas t hat
most of t hemhad not hi ng i n common.
The bui l der s wer e i nt er est ed i n const r uct i on and ar chi t ect ur e, and t he
musi ci ans wer e i nt er est ed i n musi c and composer s.
Lar a i nt r oduced a ci t y pl anner t o a gr oup of musi ci ans. The
commi ssi oner st ood t her e, t r yi ng t o f ol l ow t he di scussi on.
" Do you know what Rossi ni f el t about Wagner ' s musi c? One day he sat
hi s ass on t he pi ano keys and sai d, ' That ' s what Wagner sounds l i ke t o
me. " " " Wagner deser ved i t . When a f i r e br oke out at t he Ri ng Theat er
i n Vi enna dur i ng a per f or mance of Tal es of Hof f mann, f our hundr ed peopl e
bur ned t o deat h. When Wagner hear d about i t , he sai d, ' That ' s what
t hey get f or l i st eni ng t o an Of f enbach oper et t a. " " The commi ssi oner
hast i l y moved on.
Lar a i nt r oduced some of Phi l i p' s f r i ends t o a gr oup of r eal est at e
men.
" The pr obl em, " one of t he men sai d, " i s t hat you need t hi r t y- f i ve
per cent of t he t enant s si gned up bef or e you can go co- op.
" I f you want my opi ni on, t hat ' s a pr et t y st upi d r ul e. "
" I agr ee. I ' mswi t chi ng t o hot el s. Do you know t he hot el s i n
Manhat t an now ar e aver agi ng t wo hundr ed dol l ar s a r oomper ni ght ? Next
year . . . "
The musi ci ans moved on.
Conver sat i ons seemed t o be goi ng on i n t wo di f f er ent l anguages.
" The t r oubl e wi t h t he Vi ennese i s t hat t hey l ove dead composer s. . . . "
" Ther e' s a new hot el goi ng up on t wo par cel s, bet ween For t y- sevent h and
For t y- ei ght h st r eet s. Chase Manhat t an i s f i nanci ng i t . . . . "
" He mi ght not be t he gr eat est conduct or i n t he wor l d, but hi s st i ck
t echni que i s. . . . "
. . . . . I r emember a l ot of t he mavens sai d t hat t he 1929 st ock mar ket
cr ash wasn' t a bad t hi ng. I t woul d t each peopl e t o put t hei r money i n
r eal est at e. . . . "
. . . . . and Hor owi t z woul dn' t pl ay f or year s because he t hought hi s
f i nger s wer e made of gl ass. . . "
. . . . . I ' ve seen t he pl ans. Ther e' s goi ng t o be a cl assi c base r i si ng
f r omt hr ee f l oor s f r omEi ght h Avenue, and i nsi de an el l i pt i cal ar cade
wi t h l obbi es on t hr ee si des. . . . "
. . . . . Ei nst ei n l oved t he pi ano. He used t o pl ay wi t h Rubenst ei n, but
Ei nst ei n kept pl ayi ng of f beat . Fi nal l y, Rubenst ei n coul dn' t st and i t
anymor e, and he yel l ed, ' Al ber t , can' t you count ?" . . . "
. . . . . Congr ess must have been dr unk t o pass t he Tax Ref or mAct . I t ' s
goi ng t o cr i ppl e t he bui l di ng i ndust r y. . . . "
" . . . and at t he end of t he eveni ng when Br ahms l ef t t he par t y he sai d,
' I f t her e' s anyone her e I ' ve f or got t en t o i nsul t , I apol ogi ze. " " The
Tower of Babel .
Paul Mar t i n ar r i ved al one, and Lar a hur r i ed over t o t he door t o gr eet
hi m. " I ' mso gl ad you coul d come, Paul . "
" I woul dn' t have mi ssed i t . " He l ooked ar ound t he r oom. " I want t o
meet Phi l i p. "
Lar a t ook hi mover t o wher e Phi l i p was st andi ng wi t h a gr oup. " Phi l i p,
t hi s i s an ol d f r i end of mi ne, Paul Mar t i n. "
Phi l i p hel d out hi s hand. " I ' mpl eased t o meet you. "
The t wo men shook hands.
" You' r e a l ucky man, Mr . Adl er . Lar a' s a r emar kabl e woman. "
" That ' s what I keep t el l i ng hi m. " Lar a smi l ed.
" She doesn' t have t o t el l me, " Phi l i p sai d. " I know how l ucky I am. "
Paul was st udyi ng hi m. " Do you?"
Lar a coul d f eel t he sudden t ensi on i n t he ai r . " Let me get you a
cockt ai l , " she sai d t o Paul .
" No, t hanks. Remember ? I don' t dr i nk. "
Lar a bi t her l i p. " Of cour se. Let me i nt r oduce you t o some peopl e. "
She escor t ed hi mar ound t he r oom, i nt r oduci ng hi mt o some of t he
guest s.
One of t he musi ci ans was sayi ng, " Leon Fl ei sher i s gi vi ng a r eci t al
t omor r ow ni ght . I woul dn' t mi ss i t f or t he wor l d. " He t ur ned t o Paul
Mar t i n, who was st andi ng next t o Howar d Kel l er . " Have you hear d hi m
pl ay?"
" No. "
" He' s r emar kabl e. He pl ays onl y wi t h hi s l ef t hand, of cour se. "
Paul Mar t i n was puzzl ed. " Why woul d he do t hat ?"
" Fl ei sher devel oped car pal - t unnel syndr ome i n hi s r i ght hand about t en
year s ago. "
" But how can he gi ve a r eci t al wi t h one hand?"
" Hal f a dozen composer s wr ot e concer t os f or t he l ef t hand. Ther e' s one
by Demut h, Fr anz Schmi dt , Kor ngol d, and a beaut i f ul concer t o by
Ravel . "
Some of t he guest s wer e aski ng Phi l i p t o pl ay f or t hem.
" Al l r i ght . Thi s i s f or my br i de. " He sat down at t he pi ano and began
t o pl ay a t heme f r oma Rachmani nof f pi ano concer t o. The r oomwas
hushed. Ever yone seemed mesmer i zed by t he l ovel y st r ai ns t hat f i l l ed
t he pent house. When Phi l i p r ose, t her e was l oud appl ause.
An hour l at er t he par t y began t o br eak up. When t hey had seen t he l ast
guest t o t he door , Phi l i p sai d, " That was qui t e a par t y. "
" You hat e bi g par t i es, don' t you?" Lar a sai d.
Phi l i p t ook her i n hi s ar ms and gr i nned. " Di d i t show?"
" We' l l onl y do t hi s ever y t en year s, " Lar a pr omi sed.
" Phi l i p, di d you have a f eel i ng t hat our guest s wer e f r omt wo di f f er ent
pl anet s?"
He put hi s l i ps t o her cheek. " I t doesn' t mat t er . We have our own
pl anet . Let ' s make i t spi n. . . . "
Chapt er Twent y- si x.
Lar a deci ded t o wor k at home mor ni ngs.
" I want us t o be t oget her as much as possi bl e, " she t ol d Phi l i p.
Lar a asked Kat hy t o ar r ange f or some secr et ar i es t o be i nt er vi ewed at
t he pent house. Lar a t al ked t o hal f a dozen bef or e Mar i an Bel l
appear ed. She was i n her mi ddl e t went i es wi t h sof t bl ond hai r ,
at t r act i ve f eat ur es, and a war mper sonal i t y.
" Si t down, " Lar a sai d.
" Thank you. "
Lar a was l ooki ng over her r esume. " You wer e gr aduat ed f r omWel l esl ey
Col l ege?"
" Yes. "
" And you have a B. A. Why do you want a j ob as a secr et ar y?"
" I t hi nk I can l ear n a l ot wor ki ng f or you. Whet her I get t hi s j ob or
not , I ' ma bi g f an of your s, Mi ssCamer on. "
" Real l y? Why?"
" You' r e my r ol e model . You' ve accompl i shed a l ot , and you' ve done i t
on your own. "
Lar a was st udyi ng t he young woman. " Thi s j ob woul d mean l ong hour s. I
get up ear l y. You' d be wor ki ng at my apar t ment . You' d st ar t at si x i n
t he mor ni ng. "
" That woul dn' t be a pr obl em. I ' ma har d wor ker . "
Lar a smi l ed. She l i ked Mar i an. " I ' l l gi ve you a oneweek t r i al , " she
sai d.
By t he end of t he week Lar a knew t hat she had f ound a j ewel . Mar i an
was capabl e and i nt el l i gent and pl easant . Gr adual l y, a r out i ne was
est abl i shed. Unl ess t her e was an emer gency, Lar a spent t he mor ni ngs
wor ki ng at t he apar t ment . I n t he af t er noon she woul d go t o t he
of f i ce.
Each mor ni ng Lar a and Phi l i p had br eakf ast t oget her and af t er war d
Phi l i p woul d go t o t he pi ano and si t i n a sl eevel ess at hl et i c shi r t and
j eans and pr act i ce f or t wo or t hr ee hour s whi l e Lar a went i nt o her
of f i ce and di ct at ed t o Mar i an. Somet i mes Phi l i p woul d pl ay ol d
Scot t i sh t unes f or Lar a: " Anni e Laur i e, " and " Comi n' Thr ough t he
Rye. "
She was t ouched. They woul d have l unch t oget her .
" Tel l me what your l i f e was l i ke i n Gl ace Bay, " Phi l i p sai d.
" I t woul d t ake at l east f i ve mi nut es. " Lar a smi l ed.
" No, I ' mser i ous. I r eal l y want t o know. "
She t al ked about t he boar di nghouse, but she coul d not br i ng her sel f t o
t al k about her f at her . She t ol d Phi l i p t he st or y of Char l es Col i n, and
Phi l i p sai d, " Good f or hi m.
I ' d l i ke t o meet hi mone day. "
" I ' msur e you wi l l . "
Lar a t ol d hi mabout her exper i ence wi t h Sean MacAl l i st er , and Phi l i p
sai d, " That bast ar d! I ' d l i ke t o ki l l hi m! " He hel d Lar a cl ose and
sai d, " No one i s ever goi ng t o hur t you agai n. "
* * * Phi l i p was wor ki ng on a concer t o. She woul d hear hi mpl ay t hr ee
not es at a t i me, over and over and t hen move on, pr act i ci ng sl owl y and
pi cki ng up t he t empo unt i l t he di f f er ent phr ases f i nal l y f l owed i nt o
one.
I n t he begi nni ng Lar a woul d wal k i nt o t he dr awi ng r oomwhi l e Phi l i p was
pl ayi ng and i nt er r upt hi m.
" Dar l i ng, we' r e i nvi t ed t o Long I sl and f or t he weekend. Woul d you l i ke
t o go?"
Or , " I have t heat er t i cket s f or t he new Nei l Si mon pl ay. "
Or , " Howar d Kel l er woul d l i ke t o t ake us out t o di nner Sat ur day
ni ght . "
Phi l i p had t r i ed t o be pat i ent . Fi nal l y, he sai d, " Lar a, pl ease don' t
i nt er r upt me whi l e I ' mat t he pi ano. I t br eaks my concent r at i on. "
" I ' msor r y, " Lar a sai d. " But I don' t under st and why you pr act i ce ever y
day. You' r e not gi vi ng a concer t now. "
" I pr act i ce ever y day so I can gi ve a concer t . You see, my dar l i ng,
when you put up a bui l di ng and a mi st ake i s made, i t can be
cor r ect ed.
You can change t he pl ans or you can r edo t he pl umbi ng or t he l i ght i ng
or what ever .
But at a r eci t al t her e i s no second chance. You' r e l i ve i n f r ont of an
audi ence and ever y not e has t o be per f ect . "
" I ' msor r y, " Lar a apol ogi zed. " I under st and. "
Phi l i p t ook her i n hi s ar ms. " Ther e' s t he ol d j oke about a man i n New
Yor k car r yi ng a vi ol i n case. He was l ost . He st opped a st r anger and
sai d, ' How do you get t o Car negi e Hal l ?" ' Pr act i ce, ' t he st r anger
sai d, ' pr act i ce. " " Lar a l aughed. " Go back t o your pi ano. I ' l l l eave
you al one. "
She sat i n her of f i ce l i st eni ng t o t he f ai nt st r ai ns of Phi l i p pl ayi ng
and she t hought , I ' mso l ucky. Thousands of women woul d envy me
si t t i ng her e l i st eni ng t o Phi l i p Adl er pl ay.
She j ust wi shed he di d not have t o pr act i ce so of t en.
* * * They bot h enj oyed pl ayi ng backgammon, and i n t he eveni ng, af t er
di nner , t hey woul d si t i n f r ont of t he f i r epl ace and have mock- f i er ce
cont est s. Lar a t r easur ed t hose moment s of bei ng al one wi t h hi m.
The Reno casi no was get t i ng r eady t o open. Si x mont hs ear l i er Lar a had
had a meet i ng wi t h J er r y Townsend. " I want t hemt o r ead about t hi s
openi ng i n Ti mbukt u, " Lar a sai d. " I ' mf l yi ng i n t he chef f r omMaxi m' s
f or t he openi ng. I want you t o get me t he hot t est t al ent avai l abl e.
St ar t wi t h Fr ank Si nat r a and wor k your way down. I want t he i nvi t at i on
l i st t o i ncl ude t he t op names i n Hol l ywood, New Yor k, and Washi ngt on.
I want peopl e f i ght i ng t o get on t hat l i st . "
Now, as Lar a l ooked i t over , she sai d, " You' ve done a good j ob. How
many t ur ndowns have we had?"
" A coupl e dozen, " Townsend sai d. " That ' s not bad f r oma l i st of si x
hundr ed. "
" Not bad at al l , " Lar a agr eed.
Kel l er t el ephoned Lar a i n t he mor ni ng. " Good news, " he sai d. " I got a
cal l f r omt he Swi ss banker s. They' r e f l yi ng i n t o meet wi t h you
t omor r ow t o di scuss t he j oi nt vent ur e. "
" Gr eat , " Lar a sai d. " Ni ne o' cl ock, my of f i ce. "
" I ' l l set i t up. "
At di nner t hat eveni ng Phi l i p sai d, " Lar a, I ' mdoi ng a r ecor di ng
sessi on t omor r ow. You' ve never been t o one, have you?"
" No. "
" Woul d you l i ke t o come and wat ch?"
Lar a hesi t at ed, t hi nki ng about t he meet i ng wi t h t he Swi ss. " Of
cour se, " she sai d.
Lar a t el ephoned Kel l er . " St ar t t he meet i ng wi t hout me. I ' l l get t her e
as soon as I can. "
The r ecor di ng st udi o was l ocat ed on West Thi r t yf our t h St r eet , i n a
l ar ge war ehouse f i l l ed wi t h el ect r oni c equi pment . Ther e wer e 130
musi ci ans seat ed i n t he r oomand a gl ass- encl osed cont r ol boot h wher e
t he sound engi neer s wor ked. I t seemed t o Lar a t hat t he r ecor di ng was
goi ng ver y sl owl y. They kept st oppi ng and st ar t i ng agai n.
Dur i ng one of t he br eaks she t el ephoned Kel l er .
" Wher e ar e you?" he demanded. " I ' mst al l i ng but t hey want t o t al k t o
y " I ' l l be t her e i n an hour or t wo, " she sai d. " Keep t hemt al ki ng. "
Two hour s l at er t he r ecor di ng sessi on was st i l l goi ng on.
Lar a t el ephoned Kel l er agai n.
" I ' msor r y, Howar d, I can' t l eave. Have t hemcome back t omor r ow. "
" What ' s so i mpor t ant ?" Kel l er demanded.
" My husband, " Lar a sai d. And she r epl aced t he r ecei ver .
When t hey r et ur ned t o t he apar t ment , Lar a sai d, " We' r e goi ng t o Reno
next week. "
" What ' s i n Reno?"
" I t ' s t he openi ng of t he hot el and casi no. We' l l f l y down on
Wednesday. "
Phi l i p' s voi ce was f i l l ed wi t h di st r ess. " Damn! "
" What ' s t he mat t er ?"
" I ' msor r y, dar l i ng, I can' t . "
She was st ar i ng at hi m. " What do you mean?"
" I t hought I had ment i oned i t . I ' ml eavi ng on a t our Monday. "
" What ar e you t al ki ng about ?"
" El l er bee has booked me on a si x- week t our . I ' mgoi ng t o Aust r al i a
and. . . "
" Aust r al i a?"
" Yes. Then J apan and Hong Kong. "
" You can' t , Phi l i p. I mean. . . why ar e you doi ng t hi s?
You don' t have t o. I want t o be wi t h you. "
" Wel l , come wi t h me, Lar a. I ' d l ove t hat . "
" You know I can' t . Not now. Ther e' s t oo much happeni ng her e. " Lar a
sai d mi ser abl y, " I don' t want you t o l eave me. "
" I don' t want t o. But , dar l i ng, I war ned you bef or e we wer e mar r i ed
t hat t hi s i s what my l i f e i s about . "
" I know, " Lar a sai d, " but t hat was bef or e. Now i t ' s di f f er ent .
Ever yt hi ng has changed. "
" Not hi ng has changed, " Phi l i p sai d gent l y, " except t hat I ' mabsol ut el y
cr azy about you, and when I go away, I ' l l mi ss you l i ke t he devi l . "
Ther e was not hi ng Lar a coul d say t o t hat .
Phi l i p was gone, and Lar a had never known such l onel i ness. I n t he
mi ddl e of a meet i ng she woul d suddenl y t hi nk about Phi l i p and her hear t
woul d mel t .
She want ed hi mt o go on wi t h hi s car eer , but she needed hi mwi t h her .
She t hought of t he wonder f ul t i mes t hey had t oget her , and of hi s ar ms
ar ound her , and hi s war mt h and gent l eness. She had never known she
coul d l ove anyone so much. Phi l i p t el ephoned her ever y day, but
somehow i t made t he l onel i ness wor se.
" Wher e ar e you, dar l i ng?"
" I ' mst i l l i n Tokyo. "
" How' s t he t our goi ng?"
" Beaut i f ul l y. I mi ss you. "
" I mi ss you, t oo. - " Lar a coul d not t el l hi mhow much she mi ssed hi m.
" I l eave f or Hong Kong t omor r ow and t hen. . . "
" I wi sh you' d come home. " She r egr et t ed i t t he moment she sai d i t .
" You know I can' t . "
Ther e was a si l ence. " Of cour se not . "
They t al ked f or hal f an hour and when Lar a put t he r ecei ver down, she
was l onel i er t han ever . The t i me di f f er ences wer e maddeni ng.
Somet i mes her Tuesday woul d be hi s Wednesday, and he woul d cal l i n t he
mi ddl e of t he ni ght or i n t he ear l y hour s of t he mor ni ng.
" How' s Phi l i p?" Kel l er asked.
" Fi ne. Why does he do i t , Howar d?"
" Why does he do what ?"
" Thi s t our of hi s. He doesn' t have t o do i t . I mean, he cer t ai nl y
doesn' t need t he money. "
" Whoa. I ' msur e he' s not doi ng i t f or t he money. I t ' s what he does,
Lar a. "
The same wor ds t hat Phi l i p had used. She under st ood i t i nt el l ect ual l y,
but not emot i onal l y.
" Lar a, " Kel l er sai d, " you onl y mar r i ed t he man- you don' t own hi m. "
" I don' t want t o own hi m. I was j ust hopi ng t hat I was mor e i mpor t ant
t o hi mt han. . . " She st opped her sel f i n mi d- sent ence. " Never mi nd. I
know I ' mbei ng si l l y. "
Lar a t el ephoned Wi l l i amEl l er bee.
" Ar e you f r ee f or l unch t oday?" Lar a asked.
" I can make mysel f f r ee, " El l er bee sai d. " I s anyt hi ng wr ong?"
" No, no. I j ust t hought we shoul d have a t al k. "
They met at Le Ci r que.
" Have you t al ked t o Phi l i p l at el y?" El l er bee asked.
" I t al k t o hi mever y day. "
" He' s havi ng a successf ul t our . "
" Yes. "
El l er bee sai d, " Fr ankl y, I never t hought Phi l i p woul d get mar r i ed.
He' s l i ke a pr i est - dedi cat ed t o what he does. "
" I know" - Lar a hesi t at ed- " but don' t you t hi nk he' s t r avel i ng t oo
much?"
" I don' t under st and. "
" Phi l i p has a home now. Ther e' s no r eason f or hi mt o be r unni ng al l
over t he wor l d. " She saw t he expr essi on on El l er bee' s f ace. " Oh, I
don' t mean he shoul d j ust st ay i n New Yor k. I ' msur e you coul d ar r ange
concer t s f or hi mi n Bost on, Chi cago, Los Angel es. You know. . . wher e he
woul dn' t have t o t r avel so f ar f r omhome. "
El l er bee sai d car ef ul l y, " Have you di scussed t hi s wi t h Phi l i p?"
" No. I want ed t o t al k t o you f i r st . I t woul d be possi bl e, woul dn' t
i t ? I mean, Phi l i p doesn' t need t he money, not anymor e. "
" Mr s. Adl er , Phi l i p makes t hi r t y- f i ve t housand dol l ar s a
per f or mance.
Last year he was on t our f or f or t y weeks. "
" I under st and, but . . . "
" Do you have any i dea how f ew pi ani st s make i t t o t he t op, or how har d
t hey have t o st r uggl e t o get t her e?
Ther e ar e t housands of pi ani st s out t her e, pl ayi ng t hei r f i nger s t o t he
bone, and t her e ar e onl y about f our or f i ve super st ar s. Your husband
i s one of t hem. You don' t know much about t he concer t wor l d. The
compet i t i on i s mur der ous. You can go t o a r eci t al and see a sol oi st on
t he st age dr essed i n t ai l s, l ooki ng pr osper ous and gl amor ous, but when
he get s of f t hat st age, he can bar el y af f or d t o pay hi s r ent or buy a
decent meal . I t t ook Phi l i p a l ong t i me t o become a wor l d cl ass
pi ani st . Now you' r e aski ng me t o t ake t hat away f r omhi m. "
" No, I ' mnot . I ' mmer el y suggest i ng. . . "
" What you' r e suggest i ng woul d dest r oy hi s car eer .
You don' t r eal l y want t o do t hat , do you?"
" Of cour se not , " Lar a sai d. She hesi t at ed. " I under st and t hat you get
f i f t een per cent of what Phi l i p ear ns. "
" That ' s r i ght . "
" I woul dn' t want you t o l ose anyt hi ng i f Phi l i p gave f ewer concer t s, "
Lar a sai d car ef ul l y. " I ' d be gl ad t o make up t he di f f er ence and. . . "
" Mr s. Adl er , I t hi nk t hi s i s somet hi ng you shoul d di scuss wi t h
Phi l i p.
Shal l we or der ?"
Chapt er Twent y- seven.
Li z Smi t h' s col umn r ead: " I RON BUTTERFLY ABOUT TO GET HER WI NGS
CLI PPED. . .
What beaut i f ul r eal est at e t ycoon i s about t o hi t her pent house r oof
when she l ear ns t hat a book about her , wr i t t en by a f or mer empl oyee, i s
goi ng t o be publ i shed by Candl el i ght Pr ess? The wor d i s t hat i t ' s
goi ng t o be hot ! Hot ! Hot ! "
Lar a sl ammed t he newspaper down. I t had t o be Ger t r ude Meeks, t he
secr et ar y she had f i r ed! Lar a sent f or J er r y Townsend. " Have you seen
Li z Smi t h' s col umn t hi s mor ni ng?"
" Yes, I j ust r ead i t . Ther e i sn' t much we can do about i t , boss. I f
you. . . "
" Ther e' s a l ot we can do. Al l my empl oyees si gn an agr eement t hat t hey
wi l l not wr i t e anyt hi ng about me dur i ng or af t er t hei r empl oyment
her e.
Ger t r ude Meeks has no r i ght t o do t hi s. I ' mgoi ng t o sue t he publ i sher
f or al l he' s wor t h. "
J er r y Townsend shook hi s head. " I woul dn' t do t hat . "
" Why not ?"
" Because i t wi l l cr eat e a l ot of unf avor abl e publ i ci t y.
I f you l et i t r i de, i t becomes a smal l wi nd t hat wi l l bl ow over . I f
you t r y t o st op i t , i t wi l l become a hur r i cane. "
She l i st ened, uni mpr essed. " Fi nd out who owns t he company, " Lar a
or der ed.
One hour l at er Lar a was speaki ng on t he phone t o Henr y Sei nf el d, t he
owner and publ i sher of Candl el i ght Pr ess.
" Thi s i s Lar a Camer on. I under st and you i nt end t o publ i sh a book about
me. "
" You r ead t he Li z Smi t h i t em, huh? Yes, i t ' s t r ue, Mi ss Camer on. "
" I want t o war n you t hat i f you publ i sh t he book, I ' mgoi ng t o sue you
f or i nvasi on of pr i vacy. "
The voi ce at t he ot her end of t he phone sai d, " I t hi nk per haps you
shoul d check wi t h your at t or ney. You' r e a publ i c f i gur e, Mi ss
Camer on.
You have no r i ght of pr i vacy. And accor di ng t o Ger t r ude Meeks' s
manuscr i pt , you' r e qui t e a col or f ul char act er . "
" Ger t r ude Meeks si gned a paper f or bi ddi ng her t o wr i t e anyt hi ng about
me. "
" Wel l , t hat ' s bet ween you and Ger t r ude. You can sue her But by t hen,
of cour se, t he book woul d be out .
" I don' t want i t publ i shed. I f I can make i t wor t h your whi l e not t o
publ i sh i t " Hol d on. I t hi nk you' r e t r eadi ng on danger ous gr ound. I
woul d suggest t hat we t er mi nat e t hi s conver sat i on. Good- bye. " The
l i ne went dead.
Damn hi m! Lar a sat t her e t hi nki ng. She sent f or Howar d Kel l er .
" What do you know about Candl el i ght Pr ess?"
He shr ugged. " They' r e a smal l out f i t . They do expl oi t at i on books.
They di d a hat chet j ob on Cher , Madonna. . . "
" Thanks. That ' s al l . "
* * * Howar d Kel l er had a headache. I t seemed t o hi mt hat he was
get t i ng a l ot of headaches l at el y. Not enough sl eep.
He was under pr essur e, and he f el t t hat t hi ngs wer e movi ng t oo
r api dl y.
He had t o f i nd a way t o sl ow Lar a down.
Maybe t hi s was a hunger headache. He buzzed hi s secr et ar y.
" Bess, or der some l unch i n f or me, woul d you?"
Ther e was a si l ence.
" Bess?"
" Ar e you j oki ng, Mr . Kel l er ?"
" J oki ng? No, why?"
" You j ust had your l unch. "
Kel l er f el t a chi l l go t hr ough hi m.
" But i f you' r e st i l l hungr y. . . "
" No, no. " He r emember ed now. He had had a sal ad and a r oast beef
sandwi ch and. . . My God, he t hought , what ' s happeni ng t o me?
" J ust ki ddi ng, Bess, " he sai d. Who amI ki ddi ng?
The openi ng of t he Camer on Pal ace i n Reno was a smash. The hot el was
f ul l y booked, and t he casi no was cr owded wi t h pl ayer s. Lar a had spar ed
no expense t o see t hat t he i nvi t ed cel ebr i t i es wer e wel l t aken car e
of .
Ever yone was t her e. Ther e' s onl y one per son mi ssi ng. Lar a t hought .
Phi l i p. He had sent an enor mous bouquet of f l ower s wi t h a not e:
" You' r e t he musi c i n my l i f e. I ador e you and mi ss you. Hub. "
Paul Mar t i n ar r i ved. He came up t o Lar a. " Congr at ul at i ons. You' ve
out done your sel f . "
" Thanks t o you, Paul . I coul dn' t have done i t wi t hout you. "
He was l ooki ng ar ound. " Wher e' s Phi l i p?"
" He coul dn' t be her e. He' s on t our . "
" He' s out pl ayi ng pi ano somewher e? Thi s i s a bi g ni ght f or you,
Lar a.
He shoul d be at your si de. "
Lar a smi l ed. " He r eal l y want ed t o be. "
The manager of t he hot el came up t o Lar a. " Thi s i s qui t e a ni ght ,
i sn' t i t ? The hot el i s f ul l y booked f or t he next t hr ee mont hs. "
" Let ' s keep i t t hat way, Donal d. "
Lar a had hi r ed a J apanese and a Br azi l i an agent t o br i ng i n bi g pl ayer s
f r omabr oad. She had spent a mi l l i on dol l ar s on each of t he l uxur y
sui t es, but i t was goi ng t o pay of f .
" You' ve got a gol d mi ne her e, Mi ss Camer on, " t he manager sai d. He
l ooked ar ound. " By t he way, wher e' s your husband? I ' ve been l ooki ng
f or war d t o meet i ng hi m. "
" He coul dn' t be her e, " Lar a sai d. He' s out pl ayi ng t he pi ano
somewher e.
The ent er t ai nment was br i l l i ant , but Lar a was t he st ar of t he veni ng.
Sammy Cahn had wr i t t en speci al l yr i cs f or " My Ki nd of Town. " I t went ,
" My ki nd of gal , Lar a i s. . . " She got up t o make a speech, and t her e
was ent husi ast i c appl ause. Ever yone want ed t o meet her , t o t ouch
her .
The pr ess was t her e i n f ul l f or ce, and Lar a gave i nt er vi ews f or
t el evi si on, r adi o, and t he pr ess. I t al l went wel l unt i l t he
i nt er vi ewer s asked, " Wher e' s your husband t oni ght ?" And Lar a f ound
her sel f get t i ng mor e and mor e upset . He shoul d have been at my si de.
The concer t coul d have wai t ed. But she smi l ed sweet l y and sai d,
" Phi l i p was so di sappoi nt ed he coul dn' t be her e. "
When t he ent er t ai nment was over , t her e was danci ng. Paul Mar t i n wal ked
up t o Lar a' s t abl e. " Shal l we?"
Lar a r ose and st epped i nt o hi s ar ms.
" How does i t f eel owni ng al l t hi s?" Paul asked.
" I t f eel s wonder f ul . Thanks f or al l your hel p. "
" What ar e f r i ends f or ? I not i ce t hat you have some heavywei ght
gambl er s her e. Be car ef ul wi t h t hem, Lar a.
Some of t hemar e goi ng t o l ose bi g, and you have t o make t hemf eel l i ke
t hey' r e wi nner s. Get t hema new car or gi r l s or anyt hi ng t hat wi l l
make t hemf eel i mpor t ant . "
" I ' l l r emember , " Lar a sai d.
" I t ' s good t o hol d you agai n, " Paul sai d.
" Paul . . . "
" I know. Do you r emember what I sai d about your husband t aki ng good
car e of you?"
" Yes. "
" He doesn' t seemt o be doi ng a ver y good j ob. "
" Phi l i p want ed t o be her e, " Lar a sai d def ensi vel y.
And even as she sai d i t , she t hought , Di d he r eal l y?
He t el ephoned her l at e t hat ni ght , and t he sound of hi s voi ce made her
t wi ce as l onel y.
" Lar a, I ' ve been t hi nki ng about you al l day, dar l i ng.
How di d t he openi ng go?"
" Wonder f ul l y. I wi sh you coul d have been her e, Phi l i p. "
" So do I . I mi ss you l i ke cr azy. "
Then why ar en' t you her e wi t h me? " I mi ss you, t oo.
Hur r y home. "
Howar d Kel l er wal ked i nt o Lar a' s of f i ce car r yi ng a t hi ck mani l a
envel ope.
" You' r e not goi ng t o l i ke t hi s, " Kel l er sai d.
" What ' s up?"
Kel l er l ai d t he envel ope on Lar a' s desk. " Thi s i s a copy of Ger t r ude
Meeks' s manuscr i pt . Don' t ask me how I got hol d of i t . We coul d bot h
go t o j ai l . "
" Have you r ead i t ?"
He nodded. " Yes. "
" And?"
" I t hi nk you' d bet t er r ead i t your sel f . She wasn' t even wor ki ng her e
when some of t hese t hi ngs happened. She must have done a l ot of
di ggi ng. "
" Thanks, Howar d. "
Lar a wai t ed unt i l he l ef t t he of f i ce; t hen she pr essed down t he key on
t he i nt er com. " No cal l s. "
She opened t he manuscr i pt and began t o r ead.
I t was devast at i ng. I t was a por t r ai t of a schemi ng, domi neer i ng woman
who had cl awed her way t o t he t op.
I t depi ct ed her t emper t ant r ums and her i mper i ous manner wi t h her
empl oyees. I t was meanspi r i t ed, f i l l ed wi t h nast y l i t t l e anecdot es.
What t he manuscr i pt l ef t out was Lar a' s i ndependence and cour age, her
t al ent and vi si on and gener osi t y. She went on r eadi ng.
. . . . . One of t he I r on But t er f l y' s t r i cks was t o schedul e her busi ness
meet i ngs ear l y on t he f i r st mor ni ng of negot i at i ons, so t hat t he ot her s
wer e j et - l agged and Camer on was f r esh.
. . . . . At a meet i ng wi t h t he J apanese, t hey wer e ser ved t ea wi t h Val i um
i n i t , whi l e Lar a Camer on dr ank cof f ee wi t h Ri t al i n, a st i mul ant t hat
speeds up t he t hought pr ocess.
. . . . . At a meet i ng wi t h some Ger man banker s, t hey wer e ser ved cof f ee
wi t h Val i um, whi l e she dr ank t ea wi t h Ri t al i n.
. . . . . When Lar a Camer on was negot i at i ng f or t he Queens pr oper t y and
t he communi t y boar d t ur ned her down, she got t hemt o change t hei r mi nd
by maki ng up a st or y t hat she had a young daught er who was goi ng t o
l i ve i n one of t he bui l di ngs. . . "
. . . . . When t enant s r ef used t o l eave t he bui l di ng at t he Dor chest er
Apar t ment s, Lar a Camer on f i l l ed i t wi t h homel ess peopl e. . . . "
Not hi ng had been l ef t out . When Lar a f i ni shed r eadi ng i t , she sat at
her desk f or a l ong t i me, mot i onl ess.
She sent f or Howar d Kel l er .
" I want you t o r un a Dun and Br adst r eet on Henr y Sei nf el d. He owns
Candl el i ght Pr ess. "
" Ri ght . "
He was back f i f t een mi nut es l at er . " Sei nf el d has a D- C r at i ng. "
" Whi ch means?"
" That ' s t he l owest r at i ng t her e i s. A f our t h- l i ne cr edi t r at i ng i s
poor , and he' s f our not ches bel ow t hat . A good st i f f wi nd woul d bl ow
hi mover . He l i ves f r ombook t o book. One f l op and he' s out of
busi ness. "
" Thanks, Howar d. " She t el ephoned Ter r y Hi l l , her at t or ney.
" Ter r y, how woul d you l i ke t o be a book publ i sher ?"
" What di d you have i n mi nd?"
" I want you t o buy Candl el i ght Pr ess i n your name.
I t ' s owned by Henr y Sei nf el d. "
" That shoul d be no pr obl em. How much do you want t o pay?"
" Tr y t o buy hi mout f or f i ve hundr ed t housand. I f you have t o, go t o a
mi l l i on. Make sur e t hat t he deal i ncl udes al l t he l i t er ar y pr oper t i es
he owns. Keep my name out of i t . "
The of f i ces of Candl el i ght Pr ess wer e downt own i n an ol d bui l di ng on
Thi r t y- f our t h St r eet . Henr y Sei nf el d' s quar t er s consi st ed of a smal l
secr et ar i al of f i ce and a sl i ght l y l ar ger of f i ce f or hi msel f .
Sei nf el d' s secr et ar y sai d, " Ther e' s a Mr . Hi l l t o see you, Mr .
Sei nf el d. "
" Send hi m" Ter r y Hi l l had cal l ed ear l i er t hat mor ni ng.
He wal ked i nt o t he shabby l i t t l e of f i ce. Sei nf el d was si t t i ng behi nd
t he desk.
" What can I do f or you, Mr . Hi l l ?"
" I ' mr epr esent i ng a Ger man publ i shi ng company t hat mi ght be i nt er est ed
i n buyi ng your company. "
Sei nf el d t ook hi s t i me l i ght i ng a ci gar . " My company' s not f or sal e, "
he sai d.
" Oh, t hat ' s t oo bad. We' r e t r yi ng t o br eak i nt o t he Amer i can mar ket ,
and we l i ke your oper at i on. "
" I ' ve bui l t t hi s company up f r omscr at ch, " Sei nf el d sai d. " I t ' s l i ke
my baby. I ' d hat e t o par t wi t h i t . "
" I under st and how you f eel , " t he l awyer sai d sympat het i cal l y. " We' d be
wi l l i ng t o gi ve you f i ve hundr ed t housand dol l ar s f or i t . "
Sei nf el d al most choked on hi s ci gar . " Fi ve hundr ed?
Hel l , I ' ve got one book comi ng out t hat ' s goi ng t o be wor t h a mi l l i on
dol l ar s al one. No, si r . Your of f er ' s an i nsul t . "
" My of f er ' s a gi f t . You have no asset s, and you' r e over a hundr ed
t housand dol l ar s i n debt . I checked. Tel l you what I ' l l do. I ' l l go
up t o si x hundr ed t housand. That ' s my f i nal of f er . "
" I ' d never f or gi ve mysel f . Now, i f you coul d see your way cl ear t o
goi ng t o seven. . . "
Ter r y Hi l l r ose t o hi s f eet . " Good- bye, Mr . Sei nf el d.
I ' l l f i nd anot her py) ) He st ar t ed t owar d t he door .
" Wai t a mi nut e, " Sei nf el d sai d. " Let ' s not be hast y.
The f act i s, my wi f e' s been af t er me t o r et i r e. Maybe t hi s woul d be a
good t i me. "
Ter r y Hi l l wal ked over t o t he desk and pul l ed a cont r act out of hi s
pocket . " I have a check her e f or si x hundr ed t housand dol l ar s. J ust
si gn wher e t he X i s. "
Lar a sent f or Kel l er .
" We j ust bought Candl el i ght Pr ess. "
" Gr eat . What do you want t o do wi t h i t ?"
" Fi r st of al l , ki l l Ger t r ude Meeks' s book. See t hat i t doesn' t get
publ i shed. Ther e ar e pl ent y of ways t o keep st al l i ng. I f she sues t o
get her r i ght s back, we can t i e her up i n cour t f or year s. "
" Do you want t o f ol d t he company?"
" Of cour se not . Put someone i n t o r un i t . We' l l keep i t as a t ax
l oss. "
When Kel l er r et ur ned t o hi s of f i ce, he sai d t o hi s secr et ar y, " I want
t o gi ve you a l et t er . J ack Hel l man, Hel l man Real t y. Dear J ack, I
di scussed your of f er wi t h Mi ss Camer on, and we f eel t hat i t woul d be
unwi se t o go i nt o your vent ur e at t hi s t i me. However , we want you t o
know t hat we woul d be i nt er est ed i n any f ut ur e. . . "
Hi s secr et ar y had st opped t aki ng not es.
Kel l er l ooked up. " Do you have t hat ?"
She was st ar i ng at hi m. " Mr . Kel l er ?"
" Yes. "
" You di ct at ed t hi s l et t er yest er day. "
Kel l er swal l owed. " What ?"
" I t ' s al r eady gone out i n t he mai l . "
Howar d Kel l er t r i ed t o smi l e. " I guess I ' mon over l oad. "
At f our o' cl ock t hat af t er noon Kel l er was bei ng exami ned by Dr .
Seymour Bennet t .
" You seemt o be i n excel l ent shape, " Dr . Bennet t sai d.
" Physi cal l y, t her e' s not hi ng wr ong wi t h you at al l . "
" What about t hese l apses of memor y?"
" How l ong si nce you' ve had a vacat i on, Howar d?"
Kel l er t r i ed t o t hi nk. " I guess i t ' s been qui t e a f ew year s, " he
sai d.
" We' ve been pr et t y busy. "
Dr . Bennet t smi l ed. " Ther e you ar e. You' r e on over l oad. " That wor d
agai n. " Thi s i s mor e common t han you t hi nk. Go somewher e wher e you
can r el ax f or a week or t wo. Get busi ness of f your mi nd. When you
come back, you' l l f eel l i ke a new man. "
Kel l er st ood up, r el i eved.
Kel l er went t o see Lar a i n her of f i ce. " Coul d you spar e me f or a
week?"
" About as easi l y as I can spar e my r i ght ar m. What di d you have i n
mi nd?"
" The doct or t hi nks I shoul d t ake a l i t t l e vacat i on, Lar a. To t el l you
t he t r ut h, I ' ve been havi ng some pr obl ems wi t h my memor y. "
She was wat chi ng hi m, concer ned. " Anyt hi ng ser i ous?"
" No, not r eal l y. I t ' s j ust annoyi ng. I t hought I mi ght go t o Hawai i
f or a f ew days. "
" Take t he j et . "
" No, no, you' l l be usi ng i t . I ' l l f l y commer ci al . "
" Char ge ever yt hi ng t o t he company. "
" Thanks. I ' l l check i n ever y " No, you won' t . I want you t o f or get
about t he of f i ce.
J ust t ake car e of your sel f . I don' t want anyt hi ng t o happen t o you. "
I hope he' s al l r i ght , Lar a t hought . He' s got t o be al l r i ght .
Phi l i p t el ephoned t he next day. When Mar i an Bel l sai d, " Mr . Adl er i s
cal l i ng f r omTai pei , " Lar a hur r i edl y pi cked up t he t el ephone.
" Phi l i p. . . ?"
" Hel l o, dar l i ng. Ther e' s been a phone st r i ke. I ' ve been t r yi ng t o
r each you f or hour s. How do you f eel ?"
Lonel y. " Wonder f ul . How i s t he t our goi ng?"
" I t ' s t he usual . I mi ss you. "
I n t he backgr ound Lar a coul d hear musi c and voi ces.
" Wher e ar e you?"
" Oh, t hey' r e gi vi ng a l i t t l e par t y f or me. You know how i t i s. "
Lar a coul d hear t he sound of a woman l aughi ng.
" Yes, I know how i t i s. "
" I ' l l be home Wednesday. "
" Phi l i p?"
" Yes?"
" Not hi ng, dar l i ng. Hur r y home. "
" I wi l l . Good- bye. "
She r epl aced t he r ecei ver . What was he goi ng t o do af t er t he par t y?
Who was t he woman? She was f i l l ed wi t h a sense of j eal ousy so st r ong
t hat i t al most smot her ed her . She had never been j eal ous of anyone i n
her l i f e.
Ever yt hi ng i s so per f ect , Lar a t hought . I don' t want t o l ose i t . I
can' t l ose i t .
She l ay awake t hi nki ng about Phi l i p and what he was doi ng.
Howar d Kel l er was st r et ched out on Kona Beach at a smal l hot el on t he
bi g i sl and of Hawai i . The weat her had been i deal . He had gone
swi mmi ng ever y day. He had got t en a t an, pl ayed some gol f , and had
dai l y massages. He was compl et el y r el axed and had never f el t bet t er .
Dr . Bennet t was r i ght , he t hought . Over l oad. I ' mgoi ng t o have t o
sl ow down a l i t t l e when I get back. The t r ut h was t hat t he epi sodes of
memor y l oss had f r i ght ened hi mmor e t han he want ed t o admi t .
Fi nal l y, i t was t i me t o r et ur n t o New Yor k. He t ook a mi dni ght f l i ght
back and was i n Manhat t an at f our o' cl ock i n t he af t er noon. He went
di r ect l y t o t he of f i ce.
Hi s secr et ar y was t her e, smi l i ng. " Wel come back, Mr . Kel l er . You
l ook gr eat . "
" Thank you. . . " He st ood t her e, and hi s f ace dr ai ned of col or .
He coul d not r emember her name.
Chapt er Twent y- ei ght .
Phi l i p ar r i ved home Wednesday af t er noon, and Lar a t ook t he l i mousi ne t o
t he ai r por t t o meet hi m. Phi l i p st epped of f t he pl ane, and t he i mage
of Lochi nvar i nst ant l y spr ang t o Lar a' s mi nd.
My God, but he' s handsome! She r an i nt o hi s ar ms.
" I ' ve mi ssed you, " she sai d, huggi ng hi m.
" I ' ve mi ssed you, t oo, dar l i ng. "
" How much?"
He hel d hi s t humb and f or ef i nger hal f an i nch apar t .
" Thi s much. "
" You beast , " she sai d. " Wher e' s your l uggage?"
" I t ' s comi ng. "
One hour l at er t hey wer e back at t he apar t ment .
Mar i an Bel l opened t he door f or t hem. " Wel come back, Mr . Adl er . "
" Thanks, Mar i an. " He l ooked ar ound. " I f eel as t hough I ' ve been away
f or a year . "
" Two year s, " Lar a sai d. She st ar t ed t o add, " Don' t ever l eave me
agai n, " and bi t her l i p.
" Can I do anyt hi ng f or you, Mr s. Adl er ?" Mar i an asked.
" No. We' r e f i ne. You can r un al ong now. I ' l l di ct at e some l et t er s i n
t he mor ni ng. I won' t be goi ng i nt o t he of f i ce t oday. "
" Ver y wel l . Good- bye. " Mar i an l ef t .
" Sweet gi r l , " Phi l i p sai d.
" Yes, i sn' t she?" Lar a moved i nt o Phi l i p' s ar ms. " Now show me how
much you mi ssed me. "
Lar a st ayed away f r omt he of f i ce f or t he next t hr ee days. She want ed
t o be wi t h Phi l i p, t o t al k t o hi m, t ouch hi m, assur e her sel f t hat he
was r eal . They had br eakf ast i n t he mor ni ng, and whi l e Lar a di ct at ed
t o Mar i an, Phi l i p was at t he pi ano pr act i ci ng.
At l unch on t he t hi r d day Lar a t ol d Phi l i p about t he casi no openi ng.
" I wi sh you coul d have been t her e, dar l i ng. I t was f ant ast i c. "
" I ' mso sor r y I mi ssed i t . "
He' s out pl ayi ng t he pi ano somewher e. " Wel l , you' l l have your chance
next mont h. The mayor i s gi vi ng me t he keys t o t he ci t y. "
Phi l i p sai d unhappi l y, " Dar l i ng, I ' maf r ai d I ' mgoi ng t o have t o mi ss
t hat , t oo. "
Lar a f r oze. " What do you mean?"
" El l er bee' s booked me f or anot her t our . I l eave f or Ger many i n t hr ee
weeks. "
" You can' t ! " Lar a sai d.
" The cont r act s have al r eady been si gned. Ther e' s not hi ng I can do
about i t . "
" You j ust got back. How can you go away agai n so soon?"
" I t ' s an i mpor t ant t our , dar l i ng. "
" And our mar r i age i sn' t i mpor t ant ?"
" Lar a. . . "
" You don' t have t o go, " Lar a sai d angr i l y. " I want a husband, not a
par t - t i me. . . "
Mar i an Bel l came i nt o t he r oomcar r yi ng sbme l et t er s. " Oh, I ' m
sor r y.
I di dn' t mean t o i nt er r upt . I have t hese l et t er s r eady f or you t o
si gn. "
" Thank you, " Lar a sai d st i f f l y. " I ' l l cal l you when I need you. "
" Yes, Mi ss Camer on. "
They wat ched Mar i an r et r eat t o her of f i ce.
" I know you have t o gi ve concer t s, " Lar a sai d, " but you don' t have t o
gi ve t hemt hi s of t en. I t ' s not as t hough you wer e some ki nd of
t r avel i ng sal esman. "
" No, i t i sn' t , i s i t ?" Hi s t one was cool .
" Why don' t you st ay her e f or t he cer emony and t hen go on your t our ?"
" Lar a, I know t hat i t ' s i mpor t ant t o you, but you must under st and t hat
my concer t t our s ar e i mpor t ant t o me.
I ' mver y pr oud of you and what you' r e doi ng, but I want you t o be pr oud
of me. "
" I am, " Lar a sai d. " For gi ve me, Phi l i p, I j ust . . . " She was t r yi ng
har d not t o cr y.
" I know, dar l i ng. " He t ook her i n hi s ar ms. " We' l l wor k i t out . When
I come back, we' l l t ake a l ong vacat i on t oget her . "
A vacat i on' s i mpossi bl e, Lar a t hought . Ther e ar e t oo many pr oj ect s i n
t he wor ks.
" Wher e ar e you goi ng t hi s t i me, Phi l i p?"
" I ' l l be goi ng t o Ger many, Nor way, Denmar k, Engl and, and t hen back
her e. "
Lar a t ook a deep br eat h. " I see. "
" I wi sh you coul d come wi t h me, Lar a. I t ' s ver y l onel y out t her e
wi t hout you. "
She t hought of t he l aughi ng l ady. " I s i t ?" She shook her sel f out of
her mood and managed t o smi l e. " I ' l l t el l you what . Why don' t you
t ake t he j et ? I t wi l l make i t mor e comf or t abl e f or you. "
" Ar e you sur e you' r e. . . ?"
" Absol ut el y. I ' l l manage wi t hout i t unt i l you' r e back. "
" Ther e' s no one i n t he wor l d l i ke you, " Phi l i p sai d.
Lar a r ubbed a f i nger sl owl y al ong hi s cheek. " Remember t hat . "
Phi l i p' s t our was a huge success. I n Ber l i n t he audi ences went wi l d
and t he r evi ews wer e ecst at i c.
Af t er war d t he gr eenr ooms wer e al ways cr owded wi t h eager f ans, most of
t hemf emal e: " I ' ve t r avel ed t hr ee hundr ed mi l es t o hear you pl ay. . . "
" I have a l i t t l e cast l e not f ar f r omher e, and I was wonder i ng. . .
" I ' ve pr epar ed a mi dni ght supper j ust f or t he t wo of us. . . "
Some of t hemwer e r i ch and beaut i f ul , and most of t hemwer e ver y
wi l l i ng. But Phi l i p was i n l ove. He cal l ed Lar a af t er t he concer t i n
Denmar k. " I mi ss you. "
" I mi ss you, t oo, Phi l i p. How di d t he concer t go?"
" Wel l , no one wal ked out whi l e I was pl ayi ng. "
Lar a l aughed. " That ' s a good si gn. I ' mr i ght i n t he mi ddl e of a
meet i ng now, dar l i ng. I ' l l cal l you at your hot el i n an hour . "
Phi l i p sai d, " I won' t be goi ng r i ght t o t he hot el , Lar a.
The manager of t he concer t hal l i s gi vi ng a di nner par t y f or me
and. . . "
" Oh? Real l y? Does he have a beaut i f ul daught er ?"
She r egr et t ed i t t he moment t he wor ds wer e out .
" What ?"
" Not hi ng. I have t o go now. I ' l l t al k t o you l at er . "
She hung up and t ur ned t o t he men i n t he of f i ce.
Kel l er was wat chi ng her . " I s ever yt hi ng al l r i ght ?"
" Fi ne, " Lar a sai d l i ght l y. She f ound i t di f f i cul t t o concent r at e on
t he meet i ng. She vi sual i zed Phi l i p at t he par t y, beaut i f ul women
handi ng hi mt hei r hot el keys.
She was consumed wi t h j eal ousy, and she hat ed her sel f f or i t .
The mayor ' s cer emony honor i ng Lar a was a st andi ng- r oom- onl y event . The
pr ess was out i n f or ce.
" Coul d we get a shot of you and your husband t oget her ?"
And Lar a was f or ced t o say, " He want ed so much t o be her e. . . "
Paul Mar t i n was t her e.
" He' s gone agai n, huh?"
" He r eal l y want ed t o be her e, Paul . "
" Bul l shi t ! Thi s i s a bi g honor f or you. He shoul d be at your si de.
What t he hel l ki nd of husband i s he? Someone shoul d have a t al k wi t h
hi m! "
That ni ght she l ay i n bed al one, unabl e t o sl eep.
Phi l i p was t en t housand mi l es away. The conver sat i on wi t h Paul Mar t i n
r an t hr ough Lar a' s mi nd. " What t he hel l ki nd of husband i s he?
Someone shoul d have a t al k wi t h hi m! "
When Phi l i p r et ur ned f r omEur ope, he seemed happy t o be home. He
br ought Lar a an ar ml oad of gi f t s. Ther e was an exqui si t e por cel ai n
f i gur i ne f r omDenmar k, l ovel y dol l s f r omGer many, si l k bl ouses, and a
gol d pur se f r omEngl and. I n t he pur se was a di amond br acel et .
" I t ' s l ovel y, " Lar a sai d. " Thank you, dar l i ng. "
The next mor ni ng Lar a sai d t o Mar i an Bel l , " I ' mgoi ng t o wor k at home
al l day. "
Lar a sat i n her of f i ce di ct at i ng t o Mar i an, and f r omt he dr awi ng r oom
she coul d hear t he sounds of Phi l i p at t he pi ano. Our l i f e i s so
per f ect l i ke t hi s, Lar a t hought .
Why does Phi l i p want t o spoi l i t ?
Wi l l i amEl l er bee t el ephoned Phi l i p. " Congr at ul at i ons, " he sai d. " I
hear t he t our went wonder f ul l y. "
" I t di d. The Eur opeans ar e gr eat audi ences. "
" I got a cal l f r omt he management at Car negi e Hal l .
They have an unexpect ed openi ng a week f r omFr i day, on t he
sevent eent h.
They woul d l i ke t o book you f or a r eci t al . Ar e you i nt er est ed?"
" Ver y much. "
" Good. I ' l l wor k out t he ar r angement s. By t he way, " El l er bee sai d,
" ar e you t hi nki ng of cut t i ng back on your concer t s?"
Phi l i p was t aken aback. " Cut t i ng back? No. Why?"
" I had a t al k wi t h Lar a, and she i ndi cat ed t hat you mi ght want t o j ust
t our t he Uni t ed St at es. Per haps i t woul d be best i f you t al ked t o her
and. . . "
Phi l i p sai d, " I wi l l . Thank you. "
Phi l i p r epl aced t he r ecei ver and wal ked i nt o Lar a' s of f i ce. She was
di ct at i ng t o Mar i an.
" Woul d you excuse us?" Phi l i p asked.
Mar i an smi l ed. " Cer t ai nl y. " She l ef t t he r oom.
Phi l i p t ur ned t o Lar a. " I j ust had a cal l f r omWi l l i amEl l er bee. Di d
you t al k t o hi mabout my cut t i ng down on f or ei gn t our s?"
" I mi ght have ment i oned somet hi ng l i ke t hat , Phi l i p.
I t hought i t mi ght be bet t er f or bot h of us i f . . . "
" Pl ease, don' t do t hat agai n, " Phi l i p sai d. " You know how much I l ove
you. But apar t f r omour l i ves t oget her , you have a car eer and I have a
car eer . Let ' s make a r ul e.
I won' t i nt er f er e i n your s, and you won' t i nt er f er e i n mi ne.
I s t hat f ai r enough?"
" Of cour se, i t i s, " Lar a sai d. " I ' msor r y, Phi l i p. I t ' s j ust t hat I
mi ss you so much when you' r e away. " She went i nt o hi s ar ms. " For gi ve
me?"
" I t ' s f or gi ven and f or got t en. "
Howar d Kel l er came t o t he pent house t o br i ng Lar a cont r act s t o si gn.
" How' s ever yt hi ng goi ng?"
" Beaut i f ul l y, " Lar a sai d.
" The wander i ng mi nst r el i s home?"
" Yes. "
" So musi c i s your l i f e now, huh?"
" The musi ci an i s my l i f e. You have no i dea how wonder f ul he i s,
Howar d. "
" When ar e you comi ng i nt o t he of f i ce? We need you. "
" I ' l l come i n a f ew days. "
Kel l er nodded. " Okay. "
They began t o exami ne t he paper s he had br ought .
The f ol l owi ng mor ni ng Ter r y Hi l l t el ephoned. " Lar a, I j ust r ecei ved a
cal l f r omt he Gami ng Commi ssi on i n Reno, " t he at t or ney sai d. " Ther e' s
goi ng t o be a hear i ng on your casi no l i cense. "
" Why?" Lar a asked.
" Ther e have been some al l egat i ons t hat t he bi ddi ng was r i gged. They
want you t o go t her e and t est i f y on t he sevent eent h. "
" How ser i ous i s t hi s?" Lar a asked.
The l awyer hesi t at ed. " Ar e you awar e of any i r r egul ar i t i es i n t he
bi ddi ng?"
" No, of cour se not . "
" Then you have not hi ng t o wor r y about . I ' l l f l y t o Reno wi t h you. "
" What happens i f I don' t go?"
" They' l l subpoena you. I t woul d l ook bet t er i f you went on your
own. "
" Al l r i ght . "
Lar a t el ephoned Paul Mar t i n' s pr i vat e number at t he of f i ce. He pi cked
up t he phone i mmedi at el y.
" Lar a?"
" Yes, Paul . "
" You haven' t used t hi s number i n a l ong t i me. "
" I know. I ' mcal l i ng about Reno. . . "
" I hear d. "
" I s t her e a r eal pr obl em?"
He l aughed. " No. The l oser s ar e upset t hat you beat t hemt o i t . "
" Ar e you sur e i t ' s al l r i ght , Paul ?" She hesi t at ed. " We di d di scuss
t he ot her bi ds. "
" Bel i eve me, i t ' s done al l t he t i me. Anyway, t hey have no way of
pr ovi ng t hat . Don' t wor r y about a t hi ng. "
" Al l r i ght . I won' t . "
She r epl aced t he r ecei ver and sat t her e, wor r i ed.
At l unch Phi l i p sai d, " By t he way, t hey of f er ed me a concer t at
Car negi e Hal l . I ' mgoi ng t o do i t . "
" Wonder f ul . " Lar a smi l ed. " I ' l l buy a new dr ess.
When i s i t ?"
" The sevent eent h. "
Lar a' s smi l e f aded. " Oh. "
" What ' s t he mat t er ?"
" I ' maf r ai d I won' t be abl e t o be t her e, dar l i ng. I have t o be i n
Reno. I ' mso sor r y. "
Phi l i p put hi s hands over her s. " Our t i mi ng seems t o be of f , doesn' t
i t ? Oh, wel l . Don' t wor r y. Ther e wi l l be pl ent y mor e r eci t al s. "
Lar a was i n her of f i ce at Camer on Cent er . Howar d Kel l er had cal l ed her
at home t hat mor ni ng.
" I t hi nk you' d bet t er get down her e, " he had sai d.
" We have a f ew pr obl ems. "
" I ' l l be t her e i n an hour . "
They wer e i n t he mi ddl e of a meet i ng. " A coupl e of deal s have gone
sour , " Kel l er t ol d her . " The i nsur ance company t hat was movi ng i nt o
our bui l di ng i n Houst on has gone bankr upt . They wer e our onl y
t enant . "
" We' l l f i nd someone el se, " Lar a sai d.
" I t ' s not goi ng t o be t hat si mpl e. The Tax Ref or mAct i s hur t i ng us.
Hel l , i t ' s hur t i ng ever ybody. Congr ess has wi ped out cor por at e t ax
shel t er s and el i mi nat ed most deduct i ons. I t hi nk we' r e headi ng f or a
goddamned r ecessi on. The savi ngs and l oan compani es we' r e deal i ng wi t h
ar e i n t r oubl e. Dr exel Bur nhamLamber t may go out of busi ness. J unk
bonds ar e t ur ni ng i nt o l and mi nes. We' r e havi ng pr obl ems wi t h hal f a
dozen of our bui l di ngs. Two of t hemar e onl y hal f f i ni shed. Wi t hout
f i nanci ng, t hose cost s ar e goi ng t o be eat i ng us up. "
Lar a sat t her e, t hi nki ng. " We can handl e i t . Sel l what ever pr oper t i es
we have t o t o keep up our mor t gage payment s. "
" The br i ght si de of i t , " Kel l er sai d, " i s t hat we have a cash f l ow f r om
Reno t hat ' s br i ngi ng us i n cl ose t o f i f t y mi l l i on a year . "
Lar a sai d not hi ng.
On Fr i day t he sevent eent h Lar a l ef t f or Reno. Phi l i p r ode wi t h her t o
t he ai r por t . Ter r y Hi l l was wai t i ng at t he pl ane.
" When wi l l you be back?" Phi l i p sai d.
" Pr obabl y t omor r ow. Thi s shoul dn' t t ake l ong. "
" I ' l l mi ss you, " Phi l i p sai d.
" I ' l l mi ss you, t oo, dar l i ng. "
He st ood t her e wat chi ng t he pl ane t aki ng of f . I amgoi ng t o mi ss her ,
Phi l i p t hought . She' s t he most f ant ast i c woman i n t he wor l d.
I n t he of f i ces of t he Nevada Gami ng Commi ssi on, Lar a was f aci ng t he
same gr oup of men she had met wi t h dur i ng t he appl i cat i on f or a casi no
l i cense. Thi s t i me, however , t hey wer e not as f r i endl y.
Lar a was swor n i n, and a cour t r epor t er t ook down her t est i mony.
The chai r man sai d, " Mi ss Camer on, some r at her di st ur bi ng al l egat i ons
have been made concer ni ng t he l i censi ng of your casi no. "
" What ki nd of al l egat i ons?" Ter r y Hi l l demanded.
" We' l l come t o t hose i n due cour se. " The chai r man t ur ned hi s at t ent i on
back t o Lar a. " We under st ood t hat t hi s was your f i r st exper i ence i n
acqui r i ng a gambl i ng casi no. "
" That ' s r i ght . I t ol d you t hat at t he f i r st hear i ng. "
" How di d you ar r i ve at t he bi d you put i n? I mean . . . how di d you come
t o t hat pr eci se f i gur e?"
Ter r y Hi l l i nt er r upt ed. " I ' d l i ke t o know t he r eason f or t he
quest i on. "
" I n a moment , Mr . Hi l l . Wi l l you per mi t your cl i ent t o answer t he
quest i on?"
Ter r y Hi l l l ooked at Lar a and nodded.
Lar a sai d, " I had my compt r ol l er and account ant s gi ve me an est i mat e on
how much we coul d af f or d t o bi d, and we f i gur ed i n a smal l pr of i t we
coul d add t o t hat , and t hat became my bi d. "
The chai r man scanned t he paper i n f r ont of hi m.
" Your bi d was f i ve mi l l i on dol l ar s mor e t han t he next hi ghest bi d. "
" Was i t ?"
" You wer en' t awar e of t hat at t he t i me you made your bi d?"
" No. Of cour se not . "
" Mi ss Camer on, ar e you acquai nt ed wi t h Paul Mar t i n?"
Ter r y Hi l l i nt er r upt ed. " I don' t see t he r el evance of t hi s l i ne of
quest i oni ng. "
" We' l l come t o t hat i n a moment . Meanwhi l e, I ' d l i ke Mi ss Camer on t o
answer t he quest i on. "
" I have no obj ect i on, " Lar a sai d. " Yes. I know Paul Mar t i n. "
" Have you ever had any busi ness deal i ngs wi t h hi m?"
Lar a hesi t at ed. " No. He' s j ust a f r i end. "
" Mi ss Camer on, ar e you awar e t hat Paul Mar t i n i s r eput ed t o be i nvol ved
wi t h t he Maf i a, t hat . . . "
" Obj ect i on. I t ' s hear say, and i t has no pl ace i n t hi s r ecor d. "
" Ver y wel l , Mr . Hi l l . I ' l l wi t hdr aw t hat . Mi ss Camer on, when was t he
l ast t i me you saw or t al ked t o Paul Mar t i n?"
Lar a hesi t at ed. " I ' mnot sur e, exact l y. To be per f ect l y candi d, si nce
I got mar r i ed, I ' ve seen ver y l i t t l e of Mr . Mar t i n. We r un i nt o each
ot her at par t i es occasi onal l y, t hat ' s al l . "
" But i t wasn' t your habi t t o speak r egul ar l y wi t h hi mon t he
t el ephone?"
" Not af t er my mar r i age, no. "
" Di d you ever have any di scussi ons wi t h Paul Mar t i n r egar di ng t hi s
casi no?"
Lar a l ooked over at Ter r y Hi l l . He nodded. " Yes, I bel i eve t hat af t er
I won t he bi d f or i t , he cal l ed t o congr at ul at e me. And t hen once
agai n af t er I got t he l i cense t o oper at e t he casi no. "
" But you di d not t al k t o hi mat any ot her t i me?"
" No. "
" I ' l l r emi nd you t hat you' r e under oat h, Mi ss Camer on. "
" Yes. "
" You' r e awar e of t he penal t y f or per j ur y?"
" Yes. "
He hel d up a sheet of paper . " I have her e a l i st of f i f t een t el ephone
cal l s bet ween you and Paul Mar t i n, made dur i ng t he t i me seal ed bi ds
wer e bei ng submi t t ed f or t he casi no. "
Chapt er Twent y- ni ne.
Most sol oi st s ar e dwar f ed by t he huge t went y- ei ght - hundr ed- seat space
at Car negi e Et aI l . Ther e ar e not many musi ci ans who can f i l l t he
pr est i gi ous hal l , but on Fr i day ni ght i t was packed. Phi l i p Adl er
wal ked out ont o t he vast st age t o t he t hunder ous appl ause of t he
audi ence. He sat down at t he pi ano, paused a moment , t hen began t o
pl ay. The pr ogr amconsi st ed of Beet hoven sonat as. Over t he year s he
had di sci pl i ned hi msel f t o concent r at e onl y on t he musi c. But on t hi s
ni ght Phi l i p' s t hought s dr i f t ed away t o Lar a and t hei r pr obl ems, and
f or a spl i t second hi s f i nger s st ar t ed t o f umbl e, and he br oke out i n a
col d sweat . I t happened so swi f t l y t hat t he audi ence di d not not i ce.
Ther e was l oud appl ause at t he end of t he f i r st par t of t he r eci t al .
At i nt er mi ssi on Phi l i p went t o hi s dr essi ng r oom.
The concer t manager sai d, " Wonder f ul , Phi l i p. You hel d t hem
spel l bound. Can I get anyt hi ng f or you?"
" No, t hanks. " Phi l i p cl osed t he door . He wi shed t he r eci t al wer e
over . He was deepl y di st ur bed by t he si t uat i on wi t h Lar a. He l oved
her a gr eat deal , and he knew she l oved hi m, but t hey seemed t o have
come t o an i mpasse. Ther e had been a l ot of t ensi on bet ween t hem
bef or e Lar a had l ef t f or Reno. I ' ve got t o do somet hi ng about i t ,
Phi l i p t hought . But what ? How do we compr omi se? He was st i l l
t hi nki ng about i t when t her e was a knock at t he door , and t he st age
manager ' s voi ce sai d, " Fi ve mi nut es, Mr . Adl er . "
" Thank you. "
The second hal f of t he pr ogr amconsi st ed of t he Hammer kl avi er sonat a.
I t was a st i r r i ng, emot i onal pi ece, and when t he l ast not es had
t hunder ed out t hr ough t he vast hal l , t he audi ence r ose t o i t s f eet wi t h
wi l d appl ause.
Phi l i p st ood on t he st age bowi ng, but hi s mi nd was el sewher e. I ' ve got
t o go home and t al k t o Lar a. And t hen he r emember ed t hat she was
away.
We' l l have t o set t l e t hi s now, Phi l i p t hought . We can' t go on l i ke
t hi s.
The appl ause cont i nued. The audi ence was shout i ng " br avo" and
" encor e. " Or di nar i l y, Phi l i p woul d have pl ayed anot her sel ect i on, but
on t hi s eveni ng he was t oo upset . He r et ur ned t o hi s dr essi ng r oomand
changed i nt o hi s st r eet cl ot hes. Fr omout si de he coul d hear t he
di st ant r umbl e of t hunder . The paper s had sai d r ai n, but t hat had not
kept t he cr owd away. The gr eenr oomwas f i l l ed wi t h wel l - wi sher s
wai t i ng f or hi m. I t was al ways exci t i ng t o f eel and hear t he appr oval
of hi s f ans, but t oni ght he was i n no mood f or t hem. He st ayed i n hi s
dr essi ng r oomunt i l he was sur e t he cr owd had gone.
When he came out , i t was al most mi dni ght . He wal ked t hr ough t he empt y
backst age cor r i dor s and went out t he st age door . The l i mousi ne was not
t her e. I ' l l f i nd a t axi , Phi l i p deci ded.
He st epped out si de i nt o a pour i ng r ai n. Ther e was a col d wi nd bl owi ng,
and Fi f t y- sevent h St r eet was dar k. As Phi l i p moved t owar d Si xt h
Avenue, a l ar ge man i n a r ai ncoat appr oached f r omt he shadows.
" Excuse me, " he sai d, " how do you get t o Car negi e Hal l ?"
Phi l i p t hought of t he ol d j oke he had t ol d Lar a and was t empt ed t o say
" pr act i ce, " but he poi nt ed t o t he bui l di ng behi nd hi m. " I t ' s r i ght
t her e. "
As Phi l i p t ur ned, t he man shoved hi mhar d up agai nst t he bui l di ng. I n
hi s hand was a deadl y- l ooki ng swi t chbl ade kni f e. " Gi ve me your
wal l et . "
Phi l i p' s hear t was poundi ng. He l ooked ar ound f or hel p. The r ai nswept
st r eet was deser t ed. " Al l r i ght , " Phi l i p sai d. " Don' t get exci t ed.
You can have i t . "
The kni f e was pr essi ng agai nst hi s t hr oat .
" Look, t her e' s no need t o. . . "
" Shut up! J ust gi ve i t t o me. "
Phi l i p r eached i nt o hi s pocket and pul l ed out hi s wal l et . The man
gr abbed i t wi t h hi s f r ee hand and put i t i n hi s pocket . He was l ooki ng
at Phi l i p' s wat ch. He r eached down and t or e i t f r omPhi l i p' s wr i st .
As he t ook t he wat ch, he gr abbed Phi l i p' s l ef t hand, hel d i t t i ght l y,
and sl ashed t he r azor - shar p kni f e acr oss Phi l i p' s wr i st , sl i ci ng i t t o
t he bone. Phi l i p scr eamed al oud wi t h pai n. Bl ood began t o gush out .
The man f l ed.
Phi l i p st ood t her e i n shock, wat chi ng hi s bl ood mi ngl i ng wi t h t he r ai n,
dr i ppi ng i nt o t he st r eet .
He f ai nt ed.
Chapt er Thi r t y.
Lar a r ecei ved t he news about Phi l i p i n Reno.
Mar i an Bel l was on t he phone, near hyst er i a.
" I s he badl y hur t ?" Lar a demanded.
" We don' t have any det ai l s yet . He' s at Roosevel t Hospi t al i n t he
emer gency r oom. "
" I ' l l come back i mmedi at el y. "
When Lar a ar r i ved at t he hospi t al si x hour s l at er , Howar d Kel l er was
wai t i ng t her e f or her . He l ooked shaken.
" What happened?" Lar a asked.
" Appar ent l y, Phi l i p was mugged af t er he l ef t Car negi e Hal l . They f ound
hi mi n t he st r eet , unconsci ous. "
" How bad i s i t ?"
" Hi s wr i st was sl ashed. He' s heavi l y sedat ed, but he' s consci ous. "
They went i nt o t he hospi t al r oom. Phi l i p was l yi ng " Phi l i p. . .
Phi l i p. "
I t was Lar a' s voi ce cal l i ng t o hi mf r oma l ong way of f . He opened hi s
eyes. Lar a and Howar d Kel l er wer e t her e. Ther e seemed t o be t wo of
each. Hi s mout h was dr y, and he f el t gr oggy.
" What happened?" Phi l i p mumbl ed.
" You wer e hur t , " Lar a sai d. " But you' r e goi ng t o be al l r i ght . "
Phi l i p l ooked down and saw t hat hi s l ef t wr i st was heavi l y bandaged.
Memor y came f l oodi ng back. " I was. . .
how bad i s i t ?"
" I don' t know, dar l i ng, " Lar a sai d. " I ' msur e i t wi l l be f i ne. The
doct or i s comi ng i n t o see you. "
Kel l er sai d r eassur i ngl y, " Doct or s can do anyt hi ng t hese days. "
Phi l i p was dr i f t i ng back t o sl eep. " I t ol d hi mt o t ake what he
want ed.
He shoul dn' t have hur t my wr i st , " he mumbl ed. " He shoul dn' t have hur t
my wr i st . . . "
Two hour s l at er Dr . Denni s St ant on wal ked i nt o Phi l i p' s r oom, and t he
moment Phi l i p saw t he expr essi on on hi s f ace he knew what he was goi ng
t o say.
Phi l i p t ook a deep br eat h. " Tel l me. "
Dr . St ant on si ghed. " I ' maf r ai d I don' t have ver y good news f or you,
Mr . Adl er . "
" How bad i s i t ?"
" The f l exor t endons have been sever ed, so you' l l have no mot i on i n your
hand, and t her e wi l l be a per manent numbness. I n addi t i on t o t hat ,
t her e' s medi an and ul nar ner ve damage. " He i l l ust r at ed on hi s hand.
" The medi an ner ve af f ect s t he t humb and f i r st t hr ee f i nger s. The ul nar
ner ve goes t o al l t he f i nger s. "
Phi l i p cl osed hi s eyes t i ght l y agai nst t he wave of sudden despai r t hat
engul f ed hi m. Af t er a moment he spoke. " Ar e you sayi ng t hat I ' l l . . .
I ' l l never have t he use of my l ef t hand agai n?"
" That ' s r i ght . The f act i s t hat you' r e l ucky t o be al i ve.
Whoever di d t hi s cut t he ar t er y. I t ' s a wonder you di dn' t bl eed t o
deat h. I t t ook si xt y st i t ches t o sew your wr i st t oget her agai n. "
Phi l i p sai d i n desper at i on, " My God, i sn' t t her e anyt hi ng you can
do?"
" Yes. We coul d put i n an i mpl ant i n your l ef t hand so you woul d have
some mot i on, but i t woul d be ver y l i mi t ed. "
He mi ght as wel l have ki l l ed me, Phi l i p t hought despai r i ngl y.
" As your hand st ar t s t o heal , t her e' s goi ng t o be a gr eat deal of
pai n.
We' l l gi ve you medi cat i on t o cont r ol i t , but I can assur e you t hat i n
t i me t he pai n wi l l go away. "
Not t he r eal pai n, Phi l i p t hought . Not t he r eal pai n.
He was caught up i n a ni ght mar e. And t her e was no escape.
A det ect i ve came t o see Phi l i p at t he hospi t al . He st ood by t he si de
of Phi l i p' s bed. He was one of t he ol d br eed, i n hi s si xt i es and
t i r ed, wi t h eyes t hat had al r eady seen i t al l t wi ce.
" I ' mLi eut enant Manci ni . I ' msor r y about what happened, Mr . Adl er , "
he sai d. " I t ' s t oo bad t hey coul dn' t have br oken your l eg i nst ead. I
mean. . . i f i t had t o happen. . .
" I know what you mean, " Phi l i p sai d cur t l y.
Howar d Kel l er came i nt o t he r oom. " I was l ooki ng f or Lar a. " He saw
t he st r anger . " Oh, sor r y. "
" She' s ar ound her e somewher e, " Phi l i p sai d. " Thi s i s Li eut enant
Manci n, . Howar d Kel l er . "
Manci ni was st ar i ng at hi m. " You l ook f ami l i ar .
Have we met bef or e?"
" I don' t t hi nk so. "
Manci ni ' s f ace l i t up. " Kel l er ! My God, you used t o pl ay basebal l i n
Chi cago. "
" That ' s r i ght . How do you. . . ?"
" I was a scout f or t he Cubs one summer . I st i l l r emember your sl i der s
and your change- ups. You coul d have had a bi g car eer . "
" Yeah. Wel l , i f you' l l excuse me. . . " He l ooked at Phi l i p. " I ' l l wai t
f or Lar a out si de. " He l ef t .
Manci ni t ur ned t o Phi l i p. " Di d you get a l ook at t he man who at t acked
you?"
" He was a mal e Caucasi an. A l ar ge man. About si x f oot t wo. Maybe
f i f t y or so. "
" Coul d you i dent i f y hi mi f you saw hi magai n?"
" Yes. " I t was a f ace he woul d never f or get .
" Mr . Adl er , I coul d ask you t o l ook t hr ough a l ot of mug shot s, but
f r ankl y, I t hi nk i t woul d be a wast e of your t i me. I mean, t hi s i sn' t
exact l y a hi gh- t ech cr i me.
Ther e ar e hundr eds of mugger s al l over t he ci t y. Unl ess someone nabs
t hemon t he spot , t hey usual l y get away wi t h i t . " He t ook out hi s
not ebook. " What was t aken f r omyou?"
" My wal l et and my wr i st wat ch. "
" What ki nd of wat ch was i t ?"
" A Pi aget . "
" Was t her e anyt hi ng di st i nct i ve about i t ? Di d i t have an i nscr i pt i on,
f or exampl e?"
I t was t he wat ch Lar a had gi ven hi m. " Yes. On t he back of t he case,
i t r ead ' To Phi l i p wi t h Love f r omLar a. " " He made a not e. " Mr .
Adl er . . . I have t o ask you t hi s.
Had you ever seen t hi s man bef or e?"
Phi l i p l ooked up at hi mi n sur pr i se. " Seen hi mbef or e? No. Why?"
" I j ust wonder ed. " Manci ni put t he not ebook away.
" Wel l , we' l l see what we can do. You' r e a l ucky man, Mr . Adl er . " '
" Real l y?" Phi l i p' s voi ce was f i l l ed wi t h bi t t er ness.
" Yeah. We have t housands of muggi ngs a year i n t hi s ci t y, and we can' t
af f or d t o spend much t i me on t hem, but our capt ai n happens t o be a f an
of your s. He col l ect s al l your r ecor ds. He' s goi ng t o do ever yt hi ng
he can t o cat ch t he SOB who di d t hi s t o you. We' l l send out a
descr i pt i on of your wat ch t o pawnshops ar ound t he count r y. "
" I f you cat ch hi m, do you t hi nk he can gi ve me my hand back?" Phi l i p
asked bi t t er l y.
" What ?"
" Not hi ng. "
" You' l l be hear i ng f r omus. Have a ni ce day. "
Lar a and Kel l er wer e wai t i ng i n t he cor r i dor f or t he det ect i ve.
" You sai d you want ed t o see me?" Lar a asked.
" Yes. I ' d l i ke t o ask you a coupl e of quest i ons, " Li eut enant Manci ni
sai d. " Mr s. Adl er , does your husband have any enemi es t hat you know
of ?"
Lar a f r owned. " Enemi es? No. Why?"
" No one who mi ght be j eal ous of hi m? Anot her musi ci an maybe? Someone
who want s t o hur t hi m?"
" What ar e you get t i ng at ? I t was a si mpl e st r eet muggi ng, wasn' t
i t ?"
" To be per f ect l y f r ank, t hi s doesn' t f i t t he pat t er n of an or di nar y
muggi ng. He sl ashed your husband' s wr i st af t er he t ook hi s wal l et and
wat ch. "
" I don' t see what di f f er ence. . . "
" That was a pr et t y sensel ess t hi ng t o do, unl ess i t was del i ber at e.
Your husband di dn' t put up any r esi st ance. Now, a ki d on dope mi ght do
a t hi ng l i ke t hat , but . . . " He shr ugged. " I ' l l be i n t ouch. "
They wat ched hi mwal k away.
" J esus! " Kel l er sai d. " He t hi nks i t was a set up. "
Lar a had t ur ned pal e.
Kel l er l ooked at her and sai d sl owl y, " My God! One of Paul Mar t i n' s
hoods! But why woul d he do t hi s?"
Lar a f ound i t di f f i cul t t o speak. " He. . . he mi ght have t hought he was
doi ng i t f or me. Phi l i p has. . . has been away a l ot , and Paul kept
sayi ng t hat i t . . . i t wasn' t r i ght , t hat someone shoul d have a t al k wi t h
hi m. Oh, Howar d! "
She bur i ed her head i n hi s shoul der , f i ght i ng back t he t ear s.
" That son of a bi t ch! I war ned you t o st ay away f r omt hat man. "
Lar a t ook a deep br eat h. " Phi l i p i s goi ng t o be al l r i ght . He has t o
be. "
Thr ee days l at er Lar a br ought Phi l i p home f r omt he hospi t al . He l ooked
pal e and shaken. Mar i an Bel l was at t he door , wai t i ng f or t hem. She
had gone t o t he hospi t al ever y day t o see Phi l i p and t o br i ng hi mhi s
messages.
Ther e had been an out pour i ng of sympat hy f r omal l ar ound t he
wor l d- car ds and l et t er s and t el ephone cal l s f r omdi st r aught f ans. The
newspaper s had pl ayed t he st or y up, condemni ng t he vi ol ence on t he
st r eet s of New Yor k.
Lar a was i n t he l i br ar y when t he t el ephone r ang.
" I t ' s f or you, " Mar i an Bel l sai d. " A Mr . Paul " " I . . . I can' t t al k t o
hi m, " Lar a t ol d her . And she st ood t her e, f i ght i ng t o keep her body
f r omt r embl i ng.
hapt er Thi r t y- one.
Over ni ght t hei r l i ves t oget her changed.
Lar a sai d t o Kel l er , " I ' mgoi ng t o be wor ki ng at home f r omnow on.
Phi l i p needs me. "
" Sur e. I under st and. "
The cal l s and get - wel l car ds kept pour i ng i n, and Mar i an Bel l pr oved t o
be a bl essi ng. She was sel f - ef f aci ng and never got i n t he way. " Don' t
wor r y about t hem, Mr s. Adl er . I ' l l handl e t hem, i f you l i ke. "
" Thank you, Mar i an. "
Wi l l i amEl l er bee cal l ed sever al t i mes, but Phi l i p r ef used t o t ake hi s
cal l s. " I don' t want t o t al k t o anyone, " he t ol d Lar a.
Dr . St ant on had been r i ght about t he pai n. I t was excr uci at i ng.
Phi l i p t r i ed t o avoi d t aki ng pai n pi l l s unt i l he coul d no l onger st and
i t .
Lar a was al ways at hi s si de. " We' r e goi ng t o get you t he best doct or s
i n t he wor l d, dar l i ng. Ther e must be someone who can f i x your hand. I
hear d about a doct or i n Swi t zer l and. . . "
Phi l i p shook hi s head. " I t ' s no use. " He l ooked at hi s bandaged
hand.
" I ' ma cr i ppl e. "
" Don' t t al k l i ke t hat , " Lar a sai d f i er cel y. " Ther e ar e a t housand
t hi ngs you can st i l l do. I bl ame mysel f . I f I hadn' t gone t o Reno
t hat day, i f I had been wi t h you at t he concer t , t hi s never woul d have
happened. I f . . . "
Phi l i p smi l ed wr yl y. " You want ed me t o st ay home mor e. Wel l , now I
have nowher e el se t o go. "
Lar a sai d huski l y, " Someone sai d, ' Be car ef ul what you wi sh f or ,
because you mi ght get i t . " I di d want you t o st ay home, but not l i ke
t hi s. I can' t st and t o see you i n pai n. "
" Don' t wor r y about me, " Phi l i p sai d. " I j ust have t o wor k a f ew t hi ngs
out i n my mi nd. I t ' s al l happened so suddenl y. I . . . I don' t t hi nk
I ' ve qui t e r eal i zed i t , yet . "
Howar d Kel l er came t o t he pent house wi t h some cont r act s. " Hel l o,
Phi l i p. How do you f eel ?"
" Wonder f ul , " Phi l i p snapped. " I f eel j ust wonder f ul . "
" I t was a st upi d quest i on. I ' msor r y. "
" Don' t mi nd me, " Phi l i p apol ogi zed. " I haven' t been mysel f l at el y. "
He pounded hi s r i ght hand agai nst t he chai r . " I f t he bast ar d had onl y
cut my r i ght hand. Ther e ar e a dozen l ef t - handed concer t os I coul d
have pl ayed. "
And Kel l er r emember ed t he conver sat i on at t he par t y. " Ha I f a dozen
composer s wr ot e concer t os f or t he l ef t hand. Ther e' s one by Demut h,
Fr anz Schmi dt , Kor ngol d, and a beaut i f ul concer t o by Ravel . "
And Paul Mar t i n had been t her e and hear d i t .
Dr . St ant on came t o t he pent house t o see Phi l i p.
Car ef ul l y, he r emoved t he bandage, exposi ng a l ong angr y scar .
" Can you f l ex your hand at al l ?"
Phi l i p t r i ed. I t was i mpossi bl e.
" How' s t he pai n?" Dr . St ant on asked.
" I t ' s bad, but I don' t want t o t ake any mor e of t hose damned pai n
pi l l s. "
" I ' l l l eave anot her pr escr i pt i on anyway. You can t ake t hemi f you have
t o. Bel i eve me, t he pai n wi l l st op i n t he next f ew weeks. " He r ose t o
l eave. " I r eal l y amsor r y. I happen t o be a bi g f an of your s. "
" Buy my r ecor ds, " Phi l i p sai d cur t l y.
Mar i an Bel l made a suggest i on t o Lar a. " Do you t hi nk i t mi ght hel p Mr .
Adl er i f a t her api st came t o wor k on hi s hand?"
Lar a t hought about i t . " We can t r y. Let ' s see what happens. "
When Lar a suggest ed i t t o Phi l i p, he shook hi s head.
" No. What ' s t he poi nt ? The doct or sai d. . . "
" Doct or s can be wr ong, " Lar a sai d f i r ml y. " We' r e goi ng t o t r y
ever yt hi ng. "
The next day a young t her api st appear ed at t he apar t ment . Lar a br ought
hi mi n t o Phi l i p. " Thi s i s Mr . Rossman. He wor ks at Col umbi a
Hospi t al . He' s goi ng t o t r y t o hel p you, Phi l i p. "
" Good l uck, " Phi l i p sai d bi t t er l y.
" Let ' s t ake a l ook at t hat hand, Mr . Adl er . "
Phi l i p hel d out hi s hand. Rossman exami ned i t car ef ul l y. " Looks as
t hough t her e' s been qui t e a bi t of muscl e damage, but we' l l see what we
can t o. Can you move your f i nger s?"
Phi l i p t r i ed.
" Ther e' s not much mot i on, i s t her e? Let ' s t r y t o exer ci se i t . "
I t was unbel i evabl y pai nf ul .
They wor ked f or hal f an hour , and at t he end of t hat t i me Rossman sai d,
" I ' l l come back t omor r ow. "
" No, " Phi l i p sai d. " Don' t bot her . "
Lar a had come i nt o t he r oom. " Phi l i p, won' t you t r y?"
" I t r i ed, " he snar l ed. " Don' t you under st and? My hand i s dead.
Not hi ng' s goi ng t o br i ng i t back t o l i f e. "
" Phi l i p. . . " Her eyes f i l l ed wi t h t ear s.
" I ' msor r y, " Phi l i p sai d. " I j ust . . . Gi ve me t i me. "
That ni ght Lar a was awakened by t he sound of t he pi ano. She got out of
bed and qui et l y wal ked over t o t he ent r ance of t he dr awi ng r oom.
Phi l i p was i n hi s r obe, seat ed at t he pi ano, hi s r i ght hand sof t l y
pl ayi ng. He l ooked up when he saw Lar a.
" Sor r y i f I woke you up. "
Lar a moved t owar d hi m. " Dar l i ng. . . "
" I t ' s a bi g j oke, i sn' t i t ? You mar r i ed a concer t pi ani st and you
wound up wi t h a cr i ppl e. "
She put her ar ms ar ound hi mand hel d hi mcl ose.
" You' r e not a cr i ppl e. Ther e ar e so many t hi ngs you can do. "
" St op bei ng a goddamn Pol l yanna! "
" I ' msor r y. I j ust meant . . . "
" I know. For gi ve me, I " - he hel d up hi s mut i l at ed hand- " I j ust can' t
get used t o t hi s. "
" Come back t o bed. "
" No. You go ahead. I ' l l be al l r i ght . "
He sat up al l ni ght , t hi nki ng about hi s f ut ur e, and he wonder ed
angr i l y, What f ut ur e?
Lar a and Phi l i p had di nner t oget her ever y eveni ng, and af t er di nner
t hey r ead or wat ched t el evi si on and t hen went t o sl eep.
Phi l i p sai d apol oget i cal l y, " I know I ' mnot bei ng much of a husband,
Lar a. I j ust . . . I j ust don' t f eel l i ke sex. Bel i eve me, i t has
not hi ng t o do wi t h you. "
Lar a sat up i n bed, her voi ce t r embl i ng. " I di dn' t mar r y you f or your
body. I mar r i ed you because I was wi l dl y head over heel s i n l ove wi t h
you. I st i l l am. I f we never make l ove agai n, i t wi l l be f i ne wi t h
me. Al l I want i s f or you t o hol d me and l ove me. "
" I do l ove you, " Phi l i p sai d.
I nvi t at i ons t o di nner par t i es and char i t y event s came i n const ant l y,
but Phi l i p r ef used t hemal l . He di d not want t o l eave t he apar t ment .
" You go, " he woul d t el l Lar a. " I t ' s i mpor t ant t o your busi ness. "
" Not hi ng i s mor e i mpor t ant t o me t han you. We' l l have a ni ce qui et
di nner at home. "
Lar a saw t o i t t hat t hei r chef pr epar ed al l of Phi l i p' s f avor i t e
di shes. He had no appet i t e. Lar a ar r anged t o hol d her meet i ngs at t he
pent house. When i t was necessar y f or her t o go out dur i ng t he day, she
woul d say t o Mar i an, " I ' l l be gone f or a f ew hour s. Keep an eye on Mr .
Adl er . "
" I wi l l , " Mar i an pr omi sed.
One mor ni ng Lar a sai d, " Dar l i ng, I hat e t o l eave you, but I have t o go
t o Cl evel and f or a day. Wi l l you be al l r i ght ?"
" Of cour se, " Phi l i p sai d. " I ' mnot hel pl ess. Pl ease go.
Don' t wor r y about me. "
Mar i an br ought i n some l et t er s she had f i ni shed answer i ng f or Phi l i p.
" Woul d you l i ke t o si gn t hese, Mr . Adl er ?"
Phi l i p sai d, " Sur e. I t ' s a good t hi ng I ' mr i ght - handed, i sn' t i t ?"
Ther e was a bi t t er edge t o hi s voi ce. He l ooked at Mar i an and sai d,
" I ' msor r y. I di dn' t mean t o t ake i t out on you. "
Mar i an sai d qui et l y, " I know t hat , Mr . Adl er . Don' t you t hi nk i t
woul d be a good i dea f or you t o go out si de and see some f r i ends?"
" My f r i ends ar e al l wor ki ng, " Phi l i p snapped.
" They' r e musi ci ans. They' r e busy pl ayi ng concer t s. How can you be so
st upi d?"
He st or med out of t he r oom.
Mar i an st ood t her e l ooki ng af t er hi m.
An hour l at er Phi l i p wal ked back i nt o t he of f i ce. Mar i an was at t he
t ypewr i t er . " Mar i an?"
She l ooked up. " Yes, Mr . Adl er ?"
" Pl ease f or gi ve me. I ' mnot mysel f . I di dn' t mean t o be r ude. "
" I under st and, " she sai d qui et l y.
He sat down opposi t e her . " The r eason I ' mnot goi ng out , " Phi l i p sai d,
" i s t hat I f eel l i ke a f r eak. I ' msur e t hat ever ybody' s goi ng t o be
st ar i ng at my hand. I don' t want anyone' s pi t y. "
She was wat chi ng hi m, sayi ng not hi ng.
" You' ve been ver y ki nd, and I appr eci at e i t , I r eal l y do. But t her e' s
not hi ng anyone can do. You know t he expr essi on ' The bi gger t hey ar e,
t he har der t hey f al l ' ?
Wel l , I was bi g, Mar i an- r eal l y bi g. Ever ybody came t o hear me
pl ay. . .
ki ngs and queens and. . . " He br oke of f .
" Peopl e al l over t he wor l d hear d my musi c. I ' ve gi ven r eci t al s i n
Chi na and Russi a and I ndi a and Ger many. "
Hi s voi ce choked up, and t ear s began r ol l i ng down hi s cheeks. " Have
you not i ced I cr y a l ot l at el y?" he sai d. He was f i ght i ng t o cont r ol
hi msel f .
Mar i an sai d sof t l y, " Pl ease don' t . Ever yt hi ng' s goi ng t o be al l
r i ght . "
" No! Not hi ng' s goi ng t o be al l r i ght . Not hi ng! I ' ma goddamn
cr i ppl e. "
" Don' t say t hat . Mr s. Adl er i s r i ght , you know. Ther e ar e a hundr ed
t hi ngs you can do. When you get over t hi s pai n, you' l l begi n t o do
t hem. "
Phi l i p t ook out a handker chi ef and wi ped hi s eyes.
" J esus Chr i st , I ' mbecomi ng a damn cr ybaby. "
" I f i t hel ps you, " Mar i an sai d, " do i t . "
He l ooked up at her and smi l ed. " How ol d ar e you?"
" You' r e a pr et t y wi se t went y- si x, ar en' t you?"
" No. I j ust know what you' r e goi ng t hr ough, and I ' d gi ve anyt hi ng i f
i t hadn' t happened. But i t has happened, and I know t hat you' r e goi ng
t o f i gur e out t he best way t o deal wi t h i t . "
" You' r e wast i ng your t i me her e, " Phi l i p sai d. " You shoul d have been a
shr i nk. "
" Woul d you l i ke me t o make a dr i nk f or you?"
" No, t hanks. Ar e you i nt er est ed i n a game of backgammon?" Phi l i p
asked.
" I ' d l ove i t , Mr . Adl er . "
" I f you' r e goi ng t o be my backgammon par t ner , you' d bet t er st ar t
cal l i ng me Phi l i p. "
" Phi l i p. "
Fr omt hat t i me on, t hey pl ayed backgammon ever y day.
Lar a r ecei ved a t el ephone cal l f r omTer r y Hi l l .
" Lar a, I ' maf r ai d I have some bad news f or you. "
Lar a r eadi ed her sel f . " Yes?"
" The Nevada Gami ng Commi ssi on has vot ed t o suspend your gambl i ng
l i cense unt i l f ur t her i nvest i gat i on.
You may be f aci ng cr i mi nal char ges. "
I t was a shock. She t hought of Paul Mar t i n' s wor ds " Don' t wor r y. They
can' t pr ove anyt hi ng. "
" I sn' t t her e somet hi ng we can do about i t , Ter r y?"
" Not f or t he pr esent . J ust si t t i ght . I ' mwor ki ng on i t . "
When Lar a t ol d Kel l er t he news, he sai d, " My God!
We' r e count i ng on t he cash f l ow f r omt he casi no t o pay of f t he
mor t gages on t hr ee bui l di ngs. Ar e t hey goi ng t o r ei nst at e your
l i cense?"
" I don' t know. "
Kel l er was t hought f ul . " Al l r i ght . We' l l sel l t he Chi cago hot el and
use t he equi t y t o pay t he mor t gage on t he Houst on pr oper t y. The r eal
est at e mar ket has gone t o hel l . A l ot of banks and savi ngs and l oans
ar e i n deep t r oubl e. Dr exel Bur nhamLamber t has f ol ded. I t ' s t he end
of Mi l ken honey. "
" I t wi l l t ur n ar ound, " Lar a sai d.
" I t had bet t er t ur n ar ound f ast . I ' ve been get t i ng cal l s f r omt he
banks about our l oans. "
" Don' t wor r y, " Lar a sai d conf i dent l y. " I f you owe a bank a mi l l i on
dol l ar s, t hey own you. I f you owe a bank a hundr ed mi l l i on dol l ar s,
you own t hem. They can' t af f or d t o l et anyt hi ng happen t o me. "
The f ol l owi ng day, an ar t i cl e appear ed i n Busi ness Week. I t was
headl i ned: CAMERON EMPI RE SHAKY- LARA CAMERON FACI NG POSSI BLE CRI MI NAL
I NDI CTMENT I N RENO.
CAN THE I RON BUTTERFLY KEEP HER EMPI RE TOGETHER?
Lar a sl ammed her f i st agai nst t he magazi ne. " How dar e t hey pr i nt
t hat ?
I ' mgoi ng t o sue t hem. "
Kel l er sai d, " Not a gr eat i dea. "
Lar a sai d ear nest l y, " Howar d, Camer on Tower s i s al most f ul l y r ent ed,
r i ght ?"
" Sevent y per cent , so f ar , and cl i mbi ng. Sout her n I nsur ance has t aken
t went y f l oor s, and I nt er nat i onal I nvest ment Banki ng has t aken t en
f l oor s. "
" When t he bui l di ng i s f i ni shed, i t wi l l t hr ow of f enough money t o t ake
car e of al l our pr obl ems. How f ar away ar e we f r omcompl et i on?"
" Si x mont hs. "
Lar a' s voi ce was f i l l ed wi t h exci t ement . " Look what we' l l have t hen.
The bi ggest skyscr aper i n t he wor l d! I t ' s goi ng t o be beaut i f ul . "
She t ur ned t o t he f r amed sket ch of i t behi nd her desk.
I t showed a t ower i ng gl ass- sheat hed monol i t h, whose f acet s r ef l ect ed
t he ot her bui l di ngs ar ound i t . On t he l ower f l oor s wer e a pr omenade
and at r i um, wi t h expensi ve shops. Above wer e apar t ment s and Lar a' s
of f i ces.
" We' l l have a bi g publ i ci t y pr omot i on, " Lar a sai d.
" Good i dea. " He f r owned.
" What ' s t he mat t er ?"
" Not hi ng. I was j ust t hi nki ng about St eve Mur chi son. He want ed t hat
si t e pr et t y bad. "
" Wel l , we beat hi mt o i t , di dn' t we?"
" Yes, " Kel l er sai d sl owl y. " We beat hi mt o i t . "
Lar a sent f or J er r y Townsend.
" J er r y, I want t o do somet hi ng speci al f or t he openi ng of Camer on
Tower s. Any i deas?"
" I have a gr eat i dea. The openi ng i s Sept ember t ent h?"
" Yes. "
" Doesn' t t hat r i ng a bel l ?"
" Wel l , i t ' s my bi r t hday. . . "
" Ri ght . " A smi l e l i t up J er r y Townsend' s f ace. " Why don' t we gi ve you
a bi g bi r t hday par t y t o cel ebr at e t he compl et i on of t he skyscr aper ?"
Lar a was t hought f ul f or a moment . " I l i ke i t . I t ' s a wonder f ul
i dea.
We' l l i nvi t e ever ybody! We' l l make a noi se t hat wi l l be hear d ar ound
t he wor l d. J er r y, I want you t o make up a guest l i st . Two hundr ed
peopl e. I want you t o handl e i t per sonal l y. "
Townsend gr i nned. " You' ve got i t . I ' l l gi ve you t he guest l i st t o
appr ove.
Lar a sl ammed her f i st down on t he magazi ne agai n.
" We' r e goi ng t o show t hem! "
" Excuse me, Mr s. Adl er , " Mar i an sai d. " I have t he secr et ar y of t he
Nat i onal Bui l der s Associ at i on on l i ne t hr ee. You haven' t r esponded t o
t hei r i nvi t at i on f or t he di nner Fr i day ni ght . "
" Tel l t hemI can' t make i t , " Lar a sai d. " Gi ve t hemmy apol ogi es. "
" Yes, ma' am. " Mar i an l ef t t he r oom.
Phi l i p sai d, " Lar a, you can' t t ur n your sel f i nt o a her mi t because of
me. I t ' s i mpor t ant f or you t o go t o t hose t hi ngs. "
" Not hi ng i s mor e i mpor t ant t han my bei ng her e wi t h you. That f unny
l i t t l e man who mar r i ed us i n Par i s sai d, ' For bet t er or f or wor se. " "
She f r owned. " At l east I t hi nk t hat ' s what he sai d. I don' t speak
Fr ench. "
Phi l i p smi l ed. " I want you t o know how much I appr eci at e you. I f eel
l i ke I ' mput t i ng you t hr ough hel l . "
Lar a moved cl oser t o hi m. " Wr ong wor d, " she sai d.
" Heaven. "
Phi l i p was get t i ng dr essed. Lar a was hel pi ng hi mwi t h t he but t ons on
hi s shi r t . Phi l i p l ooked i n t he mi r r or .
" I l ook l i ke a damned hi ppi e, " he sai d. " I need a hai r cut . "
" Do you want me t o have Mar i an make an appoi nt ment wi t h your bar ber ?"
He shook hi s head. " No. I ' msor r y, Lar a. I ' mj ust not r eady t o go
out . "
The f ol l owi ng mor ni ng Phi l i p' s bar ber and a manl cur i st appear ed at t he
apar t ment . Phi l i p was t aken aback. " What ' s al l t hi s?"
" I f Mohammed won' t go t o t he mount ai n, t he mount ai n comes t o
Mohammed.
They' l l be her e ever y week f or you. "
" You' r e a wonder , " Phi l i p sai d.
" You ai n' t seen not hi n' yet . " Lar a gr i nned.
The f ol l owi ng day, a t ai l or ar r i ved wi t h some sampl e swat ches f or sui t s
and shi r t s.
" What ' s goi ng on?" Phi l i p asked.
Lar a sai d, " You' r e t he onl y man I know who has si x pai r s of t ai l s, f our
di nner j acket s, and t wo sui t s. I t hi nk i t ' s t i me we got you a pr oper
war dr obe. "
" Why?" Phi l i p pr ot est ed. " I ' mnot goi ng anywher e. "
But he al l owed hi msel f t o be f i t t ed f or t he sui t s and shi r t s.
A f ew days l at er a cust omshoemaker ar r i ved.
" Now what ?" Phi l i p asked.
" I t ' s t i me you had some new shoes. "
" I t ol d you, I ' mnot goi ng out . "
" I know, baby. But when you do, your shoes wi l l be r eady. " ' Phi l i p
hel d her cl ose. " I don' t deser ve you. "
" That ' s what I keep t el l i ng you. "
They wer e i n a meet i ng at t he of f i ce. Howar d Kel l er was sayi ng, " We' r e
l osi ng t he shoppi ng mal l i n Los Angel es. The banks have deci ded t o
cal l i n t he l oans. "
" They can' t do t hat . "
" They' r e doi ng i t , " Kel l er sai d. " We' r e over l ever aged. "
" We can pay t he l oans of f by bor r owi ng on one of t he ot her
bui l di ngs. "
Kel l er sai d, pat i ent l y, " Lar a, you' r e al r eady l ever aged t o t he hi l t .
You have a si xt y- mi l l i on- dol l ar payment comi ng up on t he skyscr aper . "
" I know t hat , but compl et i on i s onl y f our mont hs away now. We can r ol l
t he l oan over . The bui l di ng' s on schedul e, i sn' t i t ?"
" Yes. " Kel l er was st udyi ng her t hought f ul l y. I t was a quest i on she
never woul d have asked one year ago. Then she woul d have known exact l y
wher e ever yt hi ng st ood.
" I t hi nk i t mi ght be bet t er i f you spent mor e t i me her e i n t he of f i ce, "
Kel l er t ol d her . " Too many t hi ngs ar e becomi ng unr avel ed. Ther e ar e
some deci si ons t hat onl y you can make. "
Lar a nodded. " Al l r i ght , " she sai d r el uct ant l y. " I ' l l be i n t omor r ow
mor ni ng.
" Wi l l i amEl l er bee i s on t he t el ephone f or you, " Mar i an announced.
" Tel l hi mI can' t t al k t o hi m. " Phi l i p wat ched her as she r et ur ned t o
t he phone.
" I ' msor r y, Mr . El l er bee. Mr . Adl er i s not avai l abl e j ust now. Can
I t ake a message?" She l i st ened a moment .
" I ' l l t el l hi m. Thank you. " She r epl aced t he r ecei ver and l ooked up
at Phi l i p. " He' s r eal l y anxi ous t o have l unch wi t h you. "
" He pr obabl y want s t o t al k about t he commi ssi ons he' s not get t i ng
anymor e. "
" You' r e pr obabl y r i ght , " Mar i an sai d mi l dl y. " I ' msur e he must hat e
you because you wer e at t acked. "
Phi l i p sai d qui et l y, " Sor r y. I s t hat t he way I sounded?"
" Yes. "
" How do you put up wi t h me?"
Mar i an smi l ed. " I t ' s not t hat di f f i cul t . "
The f ol l owi ng day Wi l l i amEl l er bee cal l ed agai n.
Phi l i p was out of t he r oom. Mar i an spoke t o El l er bee f or a f ew
mi nut es, t hen went t o f i nd Phi l i p.
" That was Mr . El l er bee, " Mar i an sai d.
" Next t i me t el l hi mt o st op cal l i ng. "
" Maybe you shoul d t el l hi myour sel f , " Mar i an sai d.
" You' r e havi ng l unch wi t h hi mThur sday at one o' cl ock. "
" I ' mwhat ?"
" He suggest ed Le Ci r que, but I t hought a smal l er r est aur ant mi ght be
bet t er . " She l ooked at t he pad i n her hand. " He' s goi ng t o meet you
at Fu' s at one. I ' l l ar r ange f or Max t o dr i ve you t her e. "
Phi l i p was st ar i ng at her , f ur i ous. " You made a l unch dat e f or me
wi t hout aski ng me?"
She sai d cal ml y, " I f I had asked you, you woul dn' t have gone. You can
f i r e me i f you want t o. "
He gl ar ed at her f or a l ong moment , and t hen he br oke i nt o a sl ow
smi l e. " You know somet hi ng? I haven' t had Chi nese f ood i n a l ong
t i me. "
* * * When Lar a ar r i ved f r omt he of f i ce, Phi l i p sai d, " I ' mgoi ng out
f or l unch on Thur sday wi t h El l er bee. "
" That ' s wonder f ul , dar l i ng! When di d you deci de t hat ?"
" Mar i an deci ded i t f or me. She t hought i t woul d be a good i dea f or me
t o get out . "
" Oh, r eal l y?" But you woul dn' t go out when I suggest ed i t . " That was
ver y t hought f ul of her . "
" Yes. She' s qui t e a woman. "
I ' ve been st upi d, Lana t hought . I shoul dn' t have t hr own t hemt oget her
l i ke t hi s. And Phi l i p i s so vul ner abl e r i ght now.
That was t he moment when Lar a knew she had t o get r i d of Mar , an.
When Lar a ar r i ved home t he f ol l owi ng day, Phi l i p and Mar i an wer e
pl ayi ng backgammon i n t he game r oom.
Our game, Lar a t hought .
" How can I beat you i f you keep r ol l i ng doubl es?"
Phi l i p was sayi ng, l aughi ng.
Lar a st ood i n t he door way wat chi ng. She had not hear d Phi l i p l augh i n
a l ong t i me.
Mar i an l ooked up and saw her . " Good eveni ng, Mr s. Adl er . "
Phi l i p spr ang t o hi s f eet . " Hel l o, dar l i ng. " He ki ssed her . " She' s
beat i ng t he pant s of f me. "
Not i f I can hel p i t , Lar a t hought .
" Wi l l you need me t oni ght , Mr s. Adl er ?"
" No, Mar i an. You can r un al ong. I ' l l see you i n t he mor ni ng. "
" Thank you. Good ni ght . "
" Good ni ght , Mar i an. "
They wat ched her l eave.
" She' s good company, " Phi l i p sai d.
Lar a st r oked hi s cheek. " I ' mgl ad, dar l i ng. "
" How' s ever yt hi ng at t he of f i ce?"
" Fi ne. " She had no i nt ent i on of bur deni ng Phi l i p wi t h her pr obl ems.
She woul d have t o f l y t o Reno and t al k t o t he Gami ng Commi ssi on
agai n.
I f she wer e f or ced t o, she woul d f i nd a way t o sur vi ve t hei r cut t i ng
of f t he gambl i ng at t he hot el , but i t woul d make i t a l ot easi er i f she
coul d di ssuade t hem.
" Phi l i p, I ' maf r ai d I ' mgoi ng t o have t o st ar t spendi ng mor e t i me at
t he of f i ce. Howar d can' t make al l t he deci si ons hi msel f . "
" No pr obl em. I ' l l be f i ne. "
" I ' mgoi ng t o Reno i n t he next day or t wo, " Lar a sai d.
" Why don' t you come wi t h me?"
Phi l i p shook hi s head. " I ' mnot r eady yet . " He l ooked at hi s cr i ppl ed
l ef t hand. " Not yet . "
" Al l r i ght , dar l i ng. I shoul dn' t be gone mor e t han t wo or t hr ee
days. "
Ear l y t he f ol l owi ng mor ni ng when Mar i an Bel l ar r i ved f or wor k, Lar a was
wai t i ng f or her . Phi l i p was st i l l asl eep.
" Mar i an. . . you know t he di amond br acel et t hat Mr . Adl er gave me f or my
bi r t hday?"
" Yes, Mr s. Adl er ?"
" When di d you see i t l ast ?"
She st opped t o t hi nk. " I t was on t he dr essi ng t abl e i n your
bedr oom. "
" So you di d see i t ?"
" Why, yes. I s somet hi ng wr ong?"
" I ' maf r ai d t her e i s. The br acel et i s mi ssi ng. "
Mar i an was st ar i ng at her . " Mi ssi ng? Who coul d have. . . ?"
" I ' ve quest i oned t he st af f her e. They don' t know anyt hi ng about i t . "
" Shal l I cal l t he pol i ce and. . . ?"
" That won' t be necessar y. I don' t want t o do anyt hi ng t hat mi ght
embar r ass you. "
" I don' t under st and. "
" Don' t you? For your sake, I t hi nk i t woul d be best i f we dr opped t he
whol e mat t er . "
Mar i an was st ar i ng at Lar a i n shock. " You know I di dn' t t ake t hat
br acel et , Mr s. Adl er . "
" I don' t know anyt hi ng of t he ki nd. You' l l have t o l eave. " And she
hat ed her sel f f or what she was doi ng.
But no one i s goi ng t o t ake Phi l i p away f r omme. No one.
When Phi l i p came down t o br eakf ast , Lar a sai d, " By t he way, I ' mget t i ng
a new secr et ar y t o wor k her e at t he apar t ment . "
Phi l i p l ooked at her i n sur pr i se. " What happened t o Mar i an?"
" She qui t . She was of f er ed a. . . a j ob i n San Fr anci sco. "
He l ooked at Lar a i n sur pr i se. " Oh. That ' s t oo bad.
I t hought she l i ked i t her e. "
" I ' msur e she di d, but we woul dn' t want t o st and i n her way, woul d
we?"
For gi ve me, Lar a t hought .
" No, of cour se not , " Phi l i p sai d. " I ' d l i ke t o wi sh her l uck. I s she
" " She' s gone. "
Phi l i p sai d, " I guess I ' l l have t o f i nd a new backgammon par t ner . "
" When t hi ngs set t l e down a bi t , I ' l l be her e f or you. "
Phi l i p and Wi l l i amEl l er bee wer e seat ed i n a cor ner t abl e at Fu' s
r est aur ant .
El l er bee sai d, " I t ' s so good t o see you, Phi l i p. I ' ve been cal l i ng
you, but " I know, I ' msor r y. I haven' t f el t l i ke t al ki ng t o anyone,
Bi l l . "
" I hope t hey cat ch t he bast ar d who di d t hi s t o you. "
" The pol i ce have been good enough t o expl ai n t o me t hat muggi ngs ar e
not a hi gh pr i or i t y i n t hei r l i ves. They equat e i t j ust bel ow l ost
cat s. They' l l never cat ch hi m. "
El l er bee sai d hesi t ant l y, " I under st and t hat you' r e not goi ng t o be
abl e t o pl ay agai n.
" You under st and r i ght . " Phi l i p hel d up hi s cr i ppl ed hand. " I t ' s
dead. "
El l er bee l eaned f or war d and sai d ear nest l y, " But you' r e not , Phi l i p.
You st i l l have your whol e l i f e ahead of you. "
" Doi ng what ?"
" Teachi ng. "
Ther e was a wr y smi l e on Phi l i p' s l i ps. " I t ' s i r oni c, i sn' t i t ? I had
t hought about doi ng t hat one day when I was t hr ough gi vi ng concer t s. "
El l er bee sai d qui et l y, " Wel l , t hat day i s her e, i sn' t i t ? I t ook t he
l i ber t y of t al ki ng t o t he head of t he East man School of Musi c i n
Rochest er . They woul d gi ve anyt hi ng t o have you t each t her e. "
Phi l i p f r owned. " That woul d mean my movi ng up t her e. Lar a' s
headquar t er s ar e i n New Yor k. " He shook hi s head. " I coul dn' t do t hat
t o her . You don' t know how wonder f ul she' s been t o me, Bi l l . "
" I ' msur e she has. "
" She' s pr act i cal l y gi ven up her busi ness t o t ake car e of me. She' s t he
most t hought f ul , consi der at e woman I ' ve ever known. I ' mcr azy about
her . "
" Phi l i p, woul d you at l east t hi nk about t he of f er f r omEast man?"
" Tel l t hemI appr eci at e i t , but I ' maf r ai d t he answer i s no. "
" I f you change your mi nd, wi l l you l et me know?"
Phi l i p nodded. " You' l l be t he f i r st . "
When Phi l i p r et ur ned t o t he pent house, Lar a had gone t o t he of f i ce. He
wander ed ar ound t he apar t ment , r est l ess. He t hought about hi s
conver sat i on wi t h El l er bee. I woul d l ove t o t each, Phi l i p t hought , but
I can' t ask Lar a t o move t o Rochest er , and I can' t go t her e wi t hout
her .
He hear d t he f r ont door open. " Lar a?"
I t was Mar i an. " Oh, I ' msor r y, Phi l i p. I di dn' t know anyone was
her e.
I came t o r et ur n my key. "
" I t hought you' d be i n San Fr anci sco by now. "
She l ooked at hi m, puzzl ed. " San Fr anci sco? Why?"
" I sn' t t hat wher e your new j ob i s?"
" I have no new j ob. "
" But Lar a sai d. . . "
Mar i an suddenl y under st ood. " I see. She di dn' t t el l you why she f i r ed
me?"
" Fi r ed you? She t ol d me t hat you qui t . . . t hat you had a bet t er
of f er . "
" That ' s not t r ue. "
Phi l i p sai d sl owl y, " I t hi nk you' d bet t er si t They sat acr oss f r omeach
ot her . " What ' s goi ng on her e?" Phi l i p asked.
Mar i an t ook a deep br eat h. " I t hi nk your wi f e bel i eves t hat I . . . t hat
I had desi gns on you. "
" What ar e you t al ki ng about ?"
" She accused me of st eal i ng t he di amond br acel et you gave her , as an
excuse t o f i r e me. I ' msur e she has i t put away somewher e. "
" I can' t bel i eve t hi s, " Phi l i p pr ot est ed. " Lar a woul d never do
anyt hi ng l i ke t hat . "
" She woul d do anyt hi ng t o hol d on t o you. "
He was st udyi ng her , bewi l der ed. " I . . . I don' t know what t o say. Let
me t al k t o Lar a and. . . "
" No. Pl ease don' t . I t mi ght be bet t er i f you di dn' t l et her know I
was her e. " She r ose.
" What ar e you goi ng t o do now?"
" Don' t wor r y. I ' l l f i nd anot her j ob. "
" Mar i an, i f t her e' s anyt hi ng I can do. . . "
" Ther e i s not hi ng. "
" Ar e you sur e?"
" I ' msur e. Take car e of your sel f , Phi l i p. " And she was gone.
Phi l i p wat ched her l eave, di st ur bed. He coul dn' t bel i eve t hat Lar a
coul d be gui l t y of such a decept i on, and he wonder ed why she hadn' t
t ol d hi mabout i t . Per haps, he t hought , Mar i an di d st eal t he br acel et ,
and Lar a had not want ed t o upset hi m. Mar i an was l yi ng.
Chapt er Thi r t y- t wo.
The pawnshop was on Sout h St at e St r eet i n t he hear t of t he Loop. When
J esse Shaw wal ked t hr ough t he door , t he ol d man behi nd t he count er
l ooked up.
" Good mor ni ng. Can I hel p you?"
Shaw l ai d a wr i st wat ch on t he count er . " How much wi l l you gi ve me f or
t hi s?"
The pawnbr oker pi cked up t he wat ch and st udi ed i t .
" A Pi aget . Ni ce wat ch. "
" Yeah. I hat e l i ke hel l t o par t wi t h i t , but I ' ve r un i nt o a l i t t l e
bad l uck. You under st and what I mean?"
The pawnbr oker shr ugged. " I t ' s my busi ness t o under st and. You
woul dn' t bel i eve t he har d- l uck st or i es I hear . "
" I ' l l r edeemi t i n a f ew days. I ' mst ar t i ng a new j ob Monday.
Meanwhi l e, I need t o get as much cash as I can f or i t . "
The pawnbr oker was l ooki ng at t he wat ch mor e cl osel y. On t he back of
t he case, some wr i t i ng had been scr at ched of f . He l ooked at t he
cust omer . " I f you' l l excuse me a mi nut e, I ' l l t ake a l ook at t he
movement . Somet i mes t hese wat ches ar e made i n Bangkok, and t hey f or get
t o put anyt hi ng i nsi de. "
He t ook t he wat ch i nt o t he back r oom. He put a l oupe t o hi s eye and
st udi ed t he scr at ch mar ks. He coul d f ai nt l y make out t he l et t er s " T
Phi l i p Wi h L v f r omLar a. " The ol d man opened a dr awer and t ook out a
pol i ce f l yer . I t had a descr i pt i on of t he wat ch and t he engr avi ng on
t he back, " To Phi l i p wi t h Love f r omLar a. " He st ar t ed t o pi ck up t he
t el ephone when t he cust omer yel l ed, " Hey, I ' mi n a hur r y. Do you want
t he wat ch or don' t you?"
" I ' mcomi ng, " t he pawnbr oker sai d. He wal ked back i nt o t he next
r oom.
" I can l oan you f i ve hundr ed dol l ar s on i t . "
" Fi ve hundr ed? Thi s wat ch i s wor t h. . . "
" Take i t or l eave i t . "
" Al l r i ght , " Shaw sai d gr udgi ngl y. " I ' l l t ake i t . "
" You' l l have t o f i l l out t hi s f or m, " t he pawnbr oker sai d.
" Sur e. " He wr ot e down " J ohn J ones, 21 Hunt St r eet . "
As f ar as he knew, t her e was no Hunt St r eet i n Chi cago, and he sur e as
hel l was not J ohn J ones. He pocket ed t he cash. " Much obl i ged. I ' l l
be back i n a f ew days f or i t . "
" Ri ght . "
The pawnbr oker pi cked up t he t el ephone and made acal l .
A det ect i ve ar r i ved at t he pawnshop t went y mi nut es l at er .
" Why di dn' t you cal l whi l e he was her e?" he demanded.
" I t r i ed. He was i n a hur r y, and he was j umpy. "
The det ect i ve st udi ed t he f or mt he cust omer had f i l l ed out .
" That won' t do you no good, " t he pawnbr oker sai d.
" I t ' s pr obabl y a f al se name and addr ess. "
The det ect i ve gr unt ed. " No ki ddi ng. Di d he f i l l t hi s out hi msel f ?"
" Yes. "
" Then we' l l nai l " At pol i ce headquar t er s i t t ook t he comput er l ess t han
t hr ee mi nut es t o i dent i f y t he t humbpr i nt on t he f or m.
J esse Shaw.
The but l er came i nt o t he dr awi ng r oom. " Excuse me, Mr . Adl er , t her e' s
a gent l eman on t he t el ephone f or you.
A Li eut enant Manci ni . Shal l I .
" I ' l l t ake i t . " Phi l i p pi cked up t he t el ephone. " Hel l o?"
" Phi l i p Adl er ?"
" Yes. . . ?"
" Thi s i s Li eut enant Manci ni . I came t o see you i n t he hospi t al . "
" I r emember . "
" I want ed t o br i ng you up- t o- dat e on what ' s happeni ng. We had a bi t of
l uck. I t ol d you t hat our chi ef was goi ng t o send out f l yer s t o
pawnshops wi t h a descr i pt i on of your wat ch?"
" Yes. "
" They f ound i t . The wat ch was pawned i n Chi cago.
They' r e t r acki ng down t he per son who pawned i t . You di d say t hat you
coul d i dent i f y your assai l ant , di dn' t you?"
" That ' s r i ght . "
" Good. We' l l be i n t ouch. "
J er r y Townsend came i nt o Lar a' s of f i ce. He was exci t ed. " I ' ve wor ked
out t he par t y l i st we t al ked about . The mor e I t hi nk about t he i dea,
t he bet t er I l i ke i t . We' l l cel ebr at e your f or t i et h bi r t hday on t he
day t he t al l est skyscr aper i n t he wor l d opens. " He handed Lar a t he
l i st . " I ' ve i ncl uded t he Vi ce Pr esi dent . He' s a bi g admi r er
of your s. "
Lar a scanned i t . I t r ead l i ke a who' s who f r omWashi ngt on, Hol l ywood,
New Yor k, and London. Ther e wer e gover nment of f i ci al s, mot i on pi ct ur e
cel ebr i t i es, r ock st ar s. . . i t was i mpr essi ve.
" I l i ke i t , " Lar a sai d. " Let ' s go wi t h i t . "
Townsend put t he l i st i n hi s pocket . " Ri ght . I ' l l have t he
i nvi t at i ons pr i nt ed up and sent out . I ' ve al r eady cal l ed Car l os and
t ol d hi mt o r eser ve t he Gr and Bal l r oomand ar r ange your f avor i t e
menu.
We' r e set t i ng up f or t wo hundr ed peopl e. We can al ways add or subt r act
a f ew i f we have t o. By t he way, i s t her e any mor e news on t he Reno
si t uat i on?"
Lar a had t al ked t o Ter r y Hi l l t hat mor ni ng. " A gr and j ur y i s
i nvest i gat i ng, Lar a. Ther e' s a possi bi l i t y t hat t hey' l l hand down a
cr i mi nal i ndi ct ment . "
" How can t hey? The f act t hat I had some conver sat i ons wi t h Paul Mar t i n
doesn' t pr ove anyt hi ng. We coul d have been t al ki ng about t he st at e of
t he wor l d, or hi s ul cer s, or a dozen ot her damned t hi ngs. "
" Lar a, don' t get angr y wi t h me. I ' mon your si de. "
" Then do somet hi ng. You' r e my l awyer . Get me t he hel l out of t h
i s. "
" No. Ever yt hi ng' s f i ne, " Lar a t ol d Townsend.
" Good. I under st and t hat you and Phi l i p ar e goi ng t o t he mayor ' s
di nner Sat ur day ni ght . "
" Yes. " She had want ed t o t ur n down t he i nvi t at i on at f i r st , but Phi l i p
had i nsi st ed.
" You need t hese peopl e. You can' t af f or d t o of f end t hem. I want you
t o go. "
" Not wi t hout you, dar l i ng. "
He had t aken a deep br eat h. " Al l r i ght . I ' l l go wi t h you. I guess
i t ' s t i me I st opped bei ng a her mi t . "
* * * Sat ur day eveni ng Lar a hel ped Phi l i p get dr essed.
She put hi s st uds and cuf f l i nks i n hi s shi r t and t i ed hi s t i e f or
hi m.
He st ood t her e, si l ent l y, cur si ng hi s hel pl essness.
" I t ' s l i ke Ken and Bar bi e, i sn' t i t ?"
" What ?"
" Not hi ng. "
" Ther e you ar e, dar l i ng. You' l l be t he most handsome man t her e. "
" Thanks. "
" I ' d bet t er get dr essed, " Lar a sai d. " The mayor doesn' t l i ke t o be
kept wai t i ng. "
" I ' l l be i n t he l i br ar y, " Phi l i p t ol d her .
Thi r t y mi nut es l at er Lar a wal ked i nt o t he l i br ar y.
She l ooked r avi shi ng. She was dr essed i n a beaut i f ul whi t e Oscar de I a
Rent a gown. On her wr i st was t he di amond br acel et Phi l i p had gi ven
her .
Phi l i p had di f f i cul t y sl eepi ng Sat ur day ni ght . He l ooked acr oss t he
bed at Lar a and wonder ed how she coul d have f al sel y accused Mar i an of
st eal i ng t he br acel et . He knew he had t o conf r ont her wi t h i t , but he
want ed t o speak wi t h Mar i an f i r st .
Ear l y Sunday mor ni ng, whi l e Lar a was st i l l asl eep, Phi l i p qui et l y got
dr essed and l ef t t he pent house. He t ook a t axi t o Mar i an' s
apar t ment .
He r ang t he bel l and wai t ed.
A sl eepy voi ce sai d, " Who i s i t ?"
" I t ' s Phi l i p. I have t o t al k t o you. "
The door opened and Mar i an st ood t her e.
" Phi l i p? I s somet hi ng wr ong?"
" We have t o t al k. "
" Come i n. "
He ent er ed t he apar t ment . " I ' msor r y i f I woke you up, " Phi l i p sai d,
" but t hi s i s i mpor t ant . "
" What ' s happened?"
He t ook a deep br eat h. " You wer e r i ght about t he br acel et . Lar a wor e
i t l ast ni ght . I owe you an apol ogy.
I t hought . . . per haps t hat you. . . I j ust want ed t o say I ' msor r y. "
Mar i an sai d qui et l y, " Of cour se, you woul d have bel i eved her . She' s
your wi f e. "
" I ' mgoi ng t o conf r ont Lar a wi t h i t t hi s mor ni ng, but I want ed t o t al k
t o you f i r st . "
Mar i an t ur ned t o hi m. " I ' mgl ad you di d. I don' t want you t o di scuss
i t wi t h her . "
" Why not ?" Phi l i p demanded. " And why woul d she do such a t hi ng?"
" You don' t know, do you?"
" Fr ankl y, no. I t makes no sense. "
" I t hi nk I under st and her bet t er t han you do. Lar a i s madl y i n l ove
wi t h you. She woul d do anyt hi ng t o hol d on t o you. You' r e pr obabl y
t he onl y per son she has ever r eal l y l oved i n her l i f e. She needs
you.
And I t hi nk you need her . You l ove her ver y much, don' t you,
Phi l i p?"
" Yes. "
" Then l et ' s f or get al l t hi s. I f you br i ng i t up t o her , i t won' t do
any good, and i t wi l l onl y make t hi ngs wor se bet ween t he t wo of you. I
can easi l y f i nd anot her j ob. "
" But i t ' s unf ai r t o you, Mar i an. "
She smi l ed wr yl y. " Li f e i sn' t al ways f ai r , i s i t ?" I f i t wer e, I
woul d be Mr s. Phi l i p Adl er . " Don' t wor r y. I ' l l be f i ne. "
" At l east l et me do somet hi ng f or you. Let me gi ve you some money t o
make up f or . . . "
" Thank you, but no. "
Ther e was so much she want ed t o say, but she knew t hat i t was
hopel ess.
He was a man i n l ove. What she sai d was: " Go back t o her , Phi l i p. "
* * * The const r uct i on si t e was on Chi cago' s Wabash Avenue, sout h of
t he Loop. I t was a t went y- f i ve st or y of f i ce bui l di ng, and i t was hal f
f i ni shed. An unmar ked pol i ce car pul l ed up t o t he cor ner , and t wo
det ect i ves got out .
They wal ked over t o t he si t e and st opped one of t he wor ker s passi ng
by.
" Wher e' s t he f or eman?"
He poi nt ed t o a huge, bur l y man cur si ng out a wor kman. " Over t her e. "
The det ect i ves went over t o hi m. " Ar e you i n char ge her e?"
He t ur ned and sai d i mpat i ent l y, " I ' mnot onl y i n char ge, I ' mver y
busy.
What do you want ?"
" Do you have a man i n your cr ew named J esse Shaw?"
" Shaw? Sur e. He' s up t her e. " The f or eman poi nt ed t o a man wor ki ng on
a st eel gi r der a dozen st or i es up.
" Woul d you ask hi mt o come down, pl ease?"
" Hel l , no. He has wor k t o. . . "
One of t he det ect i ves pul l ed out a badge. " Get hi mdown her e. "
" What ' s t he pr obl em? I s J esse i n some ki nd of t r oubl e?"
" No, we j ust want t o t al k t o hi m. "
" Okay. " The f or eman t ur ned t o one of t he men wor ki ng near by. " Go up
t op and t el l J esse t o come down her e. "
" Ri ght . "
A f ew mi nut es l at er J esse Shaw was appr oachi ng t he t wo det ect i ves.
" These men want t o t al k t o you, " t he f or eman sai d, and wal ked away.
J esse gr i nned at t he t wo men. " Thanks. I can use a br eak. What can I
do f or you?"
One of t he det ect i ves pul l ed out a wr i st wat ch. " I s t hi s your wat ch?"
Shaw' s gr i n f aded. " No. "
" Ar e you sur e?"
" Yeah. " He poi nt ed t o hi s wr i st . " I wear a Sei ko. "
" But you pawned t hi s wat ch. "
Shawn hesi t at ed. " Oh, yeah. I di d. The bast ar d onl y gave me f i ve
hundr ed f or i t . I t ' s wor t h at l east . . . "
" You sai d i t wasn' t your wat ch. "
" That ' s r i ght . I t ' s not . "
" Wher e di d you get i t ?"
" I f ound i t . "
" Real l y? Wher e?"
" On t he si dewal k near my apar t ment bui l di ng. " He was war mi ng up t o hi s
st or y. " I t was i n t he gr ass, and I got out of my car , and t her e i t
was. The sun hi t t he band and made i t spar kl e. That ' s how I happened
t o see i t . "
" Lucky i t wasn' t a cl oudy day. "
" Yeah. "
" Mr . Shaw, do you l i ke t o t r avel ?"
" No. "
" That ' s t oo bad. You' r e goi ng t o t ake a l i t t l e t r i p t o New Yor k.
We' l l hel p you pack. "
When t hey got t o Shaw' s apar t ment , t he t wo det ect i ves began l ooki ng
ar ound.
" Hol d i t ! " Shaw sai d. " You guys got a sear ch war r ant ?"
" We don' t need one. We' r e j ust hel pi ng you pack your t hi ngs. "
One of t he men was l ooki ng i n a cl ot hes cl oset . Ther e was a shoe box
hi gh up on a shel f . He t ook i t down and opened i t . " J esus! " he
sai d.
" Look what Sant a Cl aus l ef t . "
Lar a was i n her of f i ce when Kat hy' s voi ce came over t he i nt er com. " Mr .
Ti l l y i s on l i ne f our , Mi ss Camer on. "
Ti l l y was t he pr oj ect manager on Camer on Tower s.
Lar a pi cked up t he phone. " Hel l o?"
" We had a l i t t l e pr obl emt hi s mor ni ng, Mi ss Camer on. "
" Yes?"
" We had a f i r e. I t ' s out now. "
" What happened?"
" Ther e' s was an expl osi on i n t he ai r - condi t i oni ng uni t . A t r ansf or mer
bl ew. Ther e was a shor t ci r cui t . I t l ooks l i ke someone wi r ed i t up
wr ong. "
" How bad i s i t ?"
" Wel l , i t l ooks l i ke we' l l l ose a day or t wo. We shoul d be abl e t o
cl ean ever yt hi ng up and r ewi r e i t by t hen. "
" St ay on i t . Keep me i nf or med. "
Lar a came home l at e each eveni ng, wor r i ed and exhaust ed.
" I ' mconcer ned about you, " Phi l i p t ol d her . " I s t her e anyt hi ng I can
do?"
" Not hi ng, dar l i ng. Thank you. " She managed a smi l e. " J ust a f ew
pr obl ems at t he of f i ce. "
He t ook her i n hi s ar ms. " Di d I ever t el l you t hat I ' mmad about
you?"
She l ooked up at hi mand smi l ed. " Tel l me agai n. "
" I ' mmad about you. "
She hel d hi mcl ose and t hought , Thi s i s what I want .
Thi s i s what I need. " Dar l i ng, when my l i t t l e pr obl ems ar e over , l et ' s
go away somewher e. J ust t he t wo of us. "
" I t ' s a deal . "
Someday, Lar a t hought , I must t el l hi mwhat I di d t o Mar i an. I know i t
was wr ong. But I woul d di e i f I l ost hi m.
The f ol l owi ng day Ti l l y cal l ed agai n. " Di d you cancel t he or der f or
t he mar bl e f or t he l obby f l oor s?"
Lar a sai d sl owl y, " Why woul d I do t hat ?"
" I don' t know. Somebody di d. The mar bl e was supposed t o have been
del i ver ed t oday. When I cal l ed, t hey sai d i t was cancel ed t wo mont hs
ago by your or der . "
Lar a sat t her e f umi ng. " I see. How badl y ar e we del ayed?"
" I ' mnot sur e yet . "
" Tel l t hemt o put a r ush on i t . "
Kel l er came i nt o Lar a' s of f i ce.
" I ' maf r ai d t he banks ar e get t i ng ner vous, Lar a. I don' t know how much
l onger I can hol d t hemof f . "
" J ust unt i l Camer on Tower s i s f i ni shed. We' r e al most t her e, Howar d.
We' r e onl y t hr ee mont hs away f r omcompl et i on. "
" I t ol d t hemt hat , " he si ghed. " Al l r i ght . I ' l l t al k t o t hem
agai n. "
Kat hy' s voi ce came over t he i nt er com. " Mr . Ti l l y' s on l i ne one. "
Lar a l ooked at Kel l er . " Don' t go. " She pi cked up t he phone. " Yes?"
Lar a sai d.
" We' r e havi ng anot her pr obl emher e, Mi ss Camer on. "
" I ' ml i st eni ng, " Lar a sai d.
" The el evat or s ar e mal f unct i oni ng. The pr ogr ams ar e out of sync, and
t he si gnal s ar e al l scr ewed up. You pr ess t he but t on f or down, and i t
goes up. Pr ess t he ei ght eent h f l oor , and i t wi l l t ake you t o t he
basement . I ' ve never seen anyt hi ng l i ke t hi s bef or e. "
" Do you t hi nk i t was done del i ber at el y?"
" I t ' s har d t o say. Coul d have been car el essness. "
" How l ong wi l l i t t ake t o st r ai ght en i t out ?"
" I have some peopl e on t he way over now. "
" Get back t o me. " She r epl aced t he r ecei ver .
" I s ever yt hi ng al l r i ght ?" Kel l er asked.
Lar a evaded t he quest i on. " Howar d, have you hear d anyt hi ng about St eve
Mur chi son l at el y?"
He l ooked at her , sur pr i sed. " No. Why?"
" I j ust wonder ed. "
* * * The consor t i umof banker s f i nanci ng Camer on Ent er pr i ses had good
r eason t o be concer ned. I t was not onl y Camer on Ent er pr i ses t hat was
i n t r oubl e; a maj or i t y of t hei r cor por at e cl i ent s had ser i ous
pr obl ems.
The decl i ne i n j unk bonds had become a f ul l - f l edged di sast er , and i t
was a cr i ppl i ng bl ow t o t he cor por at i ons t hat had depended on t hem.
Ther e wer e si x banker s i n t he r oomwi t h Howar d Kel l er , and t he
at mospher e was gr i m.
" We' r e hol di ng over due not es f or al most a hundr ed mi l l i on dol l ar s, "
t hei r spokesman sai d. " I ' maf r ai d we can' t accommodat e Camer on
Ent er pr i ses any l onger . "
" You' r e f or get t i ng a coupl e of t hi ngs, " Kel l er r emi nded t hem. " Number
one, we expect t he casi no gambl i ng l i cense i n Reno t o be r enewed any
day now. That cash f l ow wi l l mor e t han t ake car e of any def i ci t .
Number t wo, Camer on Tower s i s r i ght on schedul e. I t ' s goi ng t o be
f i ni shed i n ni net y days. We al r eady have a sevent y per cent t enancy,
and you can be assur ed t hat t he day i t ' s f i ni shed ever ybody i s goi ng t o
be cl amor i ng t o get i n.
Gent l emen, your money coul dn' t be mor e secur e. You' r e deal i ng wi t h t he
Lar a Camer on magi c. "
The men l ooked at one anot her .
The spokesman sai d. " Why don' t we di scuss t hi s among our sel ves and
we' l l get back t o you?"
" Fi ne. I ' l l t el l Mi ss Camer on. "
Kel l er r epor t ed back t o Lar a.
" I t hi nk t hey' l l go al ong wi t h us, " he t ol d her . " But i n t he meant i me,
we' r e goi ng t o have t o sel l of f a f ew mor e asset s t o st ay af l oat . "
" Do i t . "
Lar a was get t i ng t o t he of f i ce ear l y i n t he mor ni ng and l eavi ng l at e at
ni ght , f i ght i ng desper at el y t o save her empi r e. She and Phi l i p saw
ver y l i t t l e of each ot her . Lar a di d not want hi mt o know how much
t r oubl e she was f aci ng. He has enough pr obl ems, Lar a t hought . I can' t
bur den hi mwi t h any mor e.
At si x o' cl ock Monday mor ni ng Ti l l y was on t he phone. " I t hi nk you' d
bet t er get over her e, Mi ss Camer on. "
Lar a f el t a shar p sense of appr ehensi on. " What ' s wr ong?"
" I ' d r at her you saw i t f or your sel f . "
" I ' mon my way. "
Lar a t el ephoned Kel l er . " Howar d, t her e' s anot her pr obl emat Camer on
Tower s. I ' l l pi ck you up. "
Hal f an hour l at er t hey wer e on t hei r way t o t he const r uct i on si t e.
" Di d Ti l l y say what t he t r oubl e was?" Kel l er asked.
" No, but I don' t bel i eve i n acci dent s anymor e. I ' ve been t hi nki ng
about what you sai d. St eve Mur chi son want ed t hat pr oper t y badl y. I
t ook i t away f r om" When t hey ar r i ved at t he si t e, t hey saw l ar ge sheet s
of cr at ed t i nt ed gl ass l yi ng on t he gr ound, and mor e gl ass bei ng
del i ver ed by t r ucks. Ti l l y hur r i ed over t o Lar a and Kel l er .
" I ' mgl ad you' r e her e. "
" What ' s t he pr obl em?"
" Thi s i sn' t t he gl ass we or der ed. I t ' s t he wr ong t i nt and t he wr ong
cut . Ther e' s no way i t wi l l f i t t he si des of our bui l di ng. "
Lar a and Kel l er l ooked at each ot her . " Can we r ecut i t her e?" Kel l er
asked.
Ti l l y shook hi s head. " Not a chance. You' d wi nd up wi t h a mount ai n of
si l i cat e. "
Lar a sai d, " Who di d we or der t hi s f r om?"
" The New J er sey Panel and Gl ass Company. "
" I ' l l cal l t hem, " Lar a sai d. " What ' s our deadl i ne on t hi s?"
Ti l l y st ood t her e cal cul at i ng. " I f i t got her e i n t wo weeks, we coul d
be back on schedul e. I t woul d be a push, but we' d be okay. "
Lar a t ur ned t o Kel l er , " Let ' s go. "
Ot t o Kar p was t he manager of t he New J er sey Panel and Gl ass Company.
He came on t he phone al most i mmedi at el y. " Yes, Mi ss Camer on? I
under st and you have a pr obl em. "
" No, " Lar a snapped. " You have a pr obl em. You shi pped us t he wr ong
gl ass. I f I don' t get t he r i ght or der i n t he next t wo weeks, I ' mgoi ng
t o sue your company out of busi ness. You' r e hol di ng up a
t hr ee- hundr ed- mi l l i on- dol l ar pr oj ect . "
" I don' t under st and. Wi l l you hol d on, pl ease?"
He was gone al most f i ve mi nut es. When he came back on t he l i ne, he
sai d, " I ' mt er r i bl y sor r y, Mi ss Camer on, t he or der was wr i t t en up
wr ong. What happened i s. . . "
" I don' t car e what happened, " Lar a i nt er r upt ed. " Al l I want you t o do
i s t o get our or der f i l l ed and shi pped out .
" I ' l l be happy t o do t hat . "
Lar a f el t a shar p sense of r el i ef . " How soon can we have i t ?"
" I n t wo t o t hr ee mont hs. "
" Two t o t hr ee mont hs! That ' s i mpossi bl e! We need i t now.
" I ' d be happy t o accommodat e you, " Kar p sai d, " but unf or t unat el y we' r e
way behi nd i n our or der s. "
" You don' t under st and, " Lar a sai d. " Thi s i s an emer gency and. . . "
" I cer t ai nl y appr eci at e t hat . And we' l l do t he best we can. You' l l
have t he or der i n t wo t o t hr ee mont hs. I ' msor r y we can' t do
bet t er . . . "
Lar a sl ammed down t he r ecei ver . " I don' t bel i eve t hi s, " Lar a sai d.
She l ooked over at Ti l l y. " I s t her e anot her company we can deal
wi t h?"
Ti l l y r ubbed hi s hand acr oss hi s f or ehead. " Not at t hi s l at e dat e. I f
we went t o anyone el se, t hey' d be st ar t i ng f r omscr at ch, and t hei r
ot her cust omer s woul d be ahead of us. "
Kel l er sai d, " Lar a, coul d I t al k t o you f or a mi nut e?"
He t ook her asi de. " I hat e t o suggest t hi s, but . . . "
" Go ahead. "
. . . . . your f r i end Paul Mar t i n mi ght have some connect i ons over t her e.
Or he mi ght know someone who knows someone. "
Lar a nodded. " Good i dea, Howar d. I ' l l f i nd out . "
Two hour s l at er Lar a was seat ed i n Paul Mar t i n' s of f i ce.
" You don' t know how happy I amt hat you cal l ed, " t he l awyer sai d.
" I t ' s been t oo l ong. God, you l ook beaut i f ul , Lar a. "
" Thank you, Paul . "
" What can I do f or you?"
Lar a sai d hesi t ant l y, " I seemt o come t o you whenever I ' mi n
t r oubl e. "
" I ' ve al ways been t her e f or you, haven' t I ?"
" Yes. You' r e a good f r i end. " She si ghed. " Ri ght now I need a good
f r i end. "
" What ' s t he pr obl em? Anot her st r i ke?"
" No. I t ' s about Camer on Tower s. "
He f r owned. " I hear d t hat was on schedul e. "
" I t i s. Or i t was. I t hi nk St eve Mur chi son i s out t o sabot age t he
pr oj ect . He has a vendet t a agai nst me.
Thi ngs have suddenl y st ar t ed t o go wr ong at t he bui l di ng.
Up t o now we ve been abl e t o handl e t hem. Now. . . We have a bi g
pr obl em. I t coul d put us past our compl et i on dat e. Our t wo bi ggest
t enant s woul d pul l out . I can' t af f or d t o l et t hat happen. "
She t ook a deep br eat h, t r yi ng t o cont r ol her anger .
" Si x mont hs ago we or der ed t i nt ed gl ass f r omt he New J er sey Panel and
Gl ass Company. We r ecei ved our del i ver y t hi s mor ni ng. I t wasn' t our
gl ass. "
" Di d you cal l t hem?"
" Yes, but t hey' r e t al ki ng about t wo or t hr ee mont hs.
I need t hat gl ass i n f our weeks. Unt i l i t ' s i n, t her e' s not hi ng f or
t he men t o do. They' ve st opped wor ki ng. I f t hat bui l di ng i sn' t
compl et ed on schedul e, I ' l l l ose ever yt hi ng I have. "
Paul Mar t i n l ooked at her and sai d qui et l y, " No, you won' t . Let me see
what I can do. "
Lar a f el t an over whel mi ng sense of r el i ef . " Paul , I . . . " I t was
di f f i cul t t o put i nt o wor ds. " Thank you. "
He t ook her hand i n hi s and smi l ed. " The di nosaur i sn' t dead yet , " he
sai d. " I shoul d have some wor d f or you by t omor r ow. "
The f ol l owi ng mor ni ng Lar a' s pr i vat e phone r ang f or t he f i r st t i me i n
mont hs. She pi cked i t up eager l y.
" Paul ?"
" Hel l o, Lar a. I had a l i t t l e t al k wi t h some of my f r i ends. I t ' s not
goi ng t o be easy, but i t can be done. They pr omi sed a del i ver y a week
f r omMonday. "
On t he day t he gl ass shi pment was schedul ed t o ar r i ve, Lar a t el ephoned
Paul Mar t i n agai n.
" The gl ass hasn' t come yet , Paul , " Lar a sai d.
" Oh?" Ther e was a si l ence. " I ' l l l ook i nt o i t . " Hi s voi ce
sof t ened.
" You know, t he onl y good t hi ng about t hi s, baby, i s t hat I get t o t al k
t o you agai n. "
" Yes. I . . . Paul . . . i f I don' t get t hat gl ass on t i me. . .
" You' l l have i t . Don' t gi ve up. "
By t he end of t he week t her e was st i l l no wor d.
Kel l er came i nt o Lar a' s of f i ce. " I j ust t al ked t o Ti l l y.
Our deadl i ne i s Fr i day. I f t he gl ass ar r i ves by t hen, we' l l be okay.
Ot her wi se we' r e dead. "
By Thur sday not hi ng had changed.
Lar a went t o vi si t Camer on Tower s. Ther e wer e no wor kmen t her e. The
skyscr aper r ose maj est i cal l y i nt o t he sky, over shadowi ng ever yt hi ng
ar ound i t . I t was goi ng t o be a beaut i f ul bui l di ng. Her monument .
I ' mnot goi ng t o l et i t f ai l , Lar a t hought f i er cel y.
Lar a t el ephoned Paul Mar t i n agai n.
" I ' msor r y, " hi s secr et ar y sai d. " Mr . Mar t i n i s out of t he of f i ce.
I s t her e any message?"
" Pl ease ask hi mt o cal l me, " Lar a sai d. She t ur ned t o Kel l er , " I have
a hunch I ' d l i ke you t o check out . See i f t he owner of t hat gl ass
f act or y happens t o be St eve Mur chi son. "
Thi r t y mi nut es l at er Kel l er r et ur ned t o Lar a' s of f i ce.
Hi s f ace was pal e.
" Wel l ? Di d you f i nd out who owns t he gl ass company?"
" Yes, " he sai d sl owl y. " I t ' s r egi st er ed i n Del awar e.
I t ' s owned by Et na Ent er pr i ses. "
" Et na Ent er pr i ses?"
" Ri ght . They bought i t a year ago. Et na Ent er pr i ses i s Paul " Chapt er
Thi r t y- t hr ee.
The bad publ i ci t y about Camer on Ent er pr i ses cont i nued. The r epor t er s
who had been so eager t o pr ai se Lar a bef or e now t ur ned on her .
J er r y Townsend went i n t o see Howar d Kel l er .
" I ' mwor r i ed, " Townsend sai d.
" What ' s t he pr obl em?"
" Have you been r eadi ng t he pr ess?"
" Yeah. They' r e havi ng a f i el d day. "
" I ' mwor r i ed about t he bi r t hday par t y, Howar d. I ' ve sent out t he
i nvi t at i ons. Si nce al l t hi s bad publ i ci t y, I ' ve been get t i ng not hi ng
but t ur ndowns. The bast ar ds ar e af r ai d t hey mi ght be cont ami nat ed.
I t ' s a f i asco. "
" What do you suggest ?"
" That we cancel t he par t y. I ' l l make up some excuse. "
" I t hi nk you' r e r i ght . I don' t want anyt hi ng t o embar r ass her . "
" Good. I ' l l go ahead and cancel i t . Wi l l you t el l Lar a?"
" Yes. "
* * * Ter r y Hi l l cal l ed.
" I j ust r ecei ved not i ce t hat you' r e bei ng subpoenaed t o t est i f y bef or e
t he gr and j ur y i n Reno day af t er t omor r ow. I ' l l go wi t h you. "
Tr anscr i pt of I nt er r ogat i on of J esse Shaw by Det ect i ve Li eut enant Sal
Manci ni .
M: Good mor ni ng, Mr . Shaw. I ' mLi eut enant Manci ni . You' r e awar e t hat
a st enogr apher i s t aki ng down our conver sat i on?
S: Sur e.
M: And you' ve wai ved t he r i ght t o an at t or ney?
S: I don' t need no at t or ney. Al l I di d was f i nd a wat ch, f or Chr i st ' s
sake, and t hey dr ug me al l t he way up her e l i ke I ' msome ki nd of
ani mal .
M: Mr . Shaw, do you know who Phi l i p Adl er i s?
S: No. Shoul d I ?
M: No one pai d you t o at t ack hi m?
S: I t ol d you- I never hear d of hi m.
M: The pol i ce i n Chi cago f ound f i f t y t housand dol l ar s i n cash i n your
apar t ment . Wher e di d t hat money come f r om?
S: [ No r esponse] M: Mr . Shaw. . . ?
S: I won i t gambl i ng.
M: Wher e?
S: At t he t r ack. . . f oot bal l bet s. . . you know.
M: You' r e a l ucky man, ar en' t you?
S: Yeah. I guess so.
M: At pr esent , you have a j ob i n Chi cago. I s t hat r i ght ?
S: Yes.
M: Di d you ever wor k i n New Yor k?
S: Wel l , one t i me, yeah.
M: I have a pol i ce r epor t her e t hat says you wer e oper at i ng a cr ane at
a devel opment i n Queens t hat ki l l ed a const r uct i on f or eman named Bi l l
Whi t man. I s t hat cor r ect ?
S: Yeah. I t was an acci dent .
M: How l ong had you been on t hat j ob?
S: I don' t r emember .
M: Let me r ef r esh your memor y. You wer e on t hat j ob sevent y- t wo
hour s.
You f l ew i n f r omChi cago t he day bef or e t he acci dent wi t h t he cr ane,
and f l ew back t o Chi cago t wo days l at er . I s t hat cor r ect ?
S: I guess so.
M: Accor di ng t o Amer i can Ai r l i nes' r ecor ds, you f l ew f r omChi cago t o
New Yor k agai n t wo days bef or e Phi l i p Adl er was at t acked, and you
r et ur ned t o Chi cago t he f ol l owi ng day. What was t he pur pose of such a
shor t t r i p?
S: I want ed t o see some pl ays.
M: Do you r emember t he names of t he pl ays you saw?
S: No. That was awhi l e ago.
M: At t he t i me of t he acci dent wi t h t he cr ane, who was your empl oyer ?
S: Camer on Ent er pr i ses.
M: And who i s your empl oyer on t he const r uct i on j ob you' r e wor ki ng on
i n Chi cago?
S: Camer on Ent er pr i ses.
Howar d Kel l er was i n a meet i ng wi t h Lar a. For t he past hour t hey had
been t al ki ng about damage cont r ol t o of f set t he bad publ i ci t y t he
company was r ecei vi ng. As t he meet i ng was about t o br eak up, Lar a
sai d, " Anyt hi ng el se?"
Howar d f r owned. Someone had t ol d hi mt o t el l Lar a somet hi ng, but he
coul d not r emember what i t was. Oh, wel l , i t ' s pr obabl y not
i mpor t ant .
Si mms, t he but l er , sai d, " Ther e' s a t el ephone cal l f or you, Mr .
Adl er .
A Li eut enant Manci ni . "
Phi l i p pi cked up t he t el ephone. " Li eut enant . What can I do f or
you?"
" I have some news f or you, Mr . Adl er . "
" What i s i t ? Di d you f i nd t he man?"
" I ' d pr ef er t o come up and di scuss i t wi t h you i n per son. Woul d t hat
be al l r i ght ?"
" Of cour se. "
" I ' l l be t her e i n hal f an hour . "
Phi l i p r epl aced t he r ecei ver , wonder i ng what i t was t hat t he det ect i ve
di d not want t o t al k about on t he t el ephone.
When Manci ni ar r i ved, Si mms showed hi mi nt o t he l i br ar y.
" Af t er noon, Mr . Adl er . "
" Good af t er noon. What ' s goi ng on?"
" We caught t he man who at t acked you. "
" You di d? I ' msur pr i sed, " Phi l i p sai d. " I t hought you sai d i t was
i mpossi bl e t o cat ch mugger s. "
" He' s not an or di nar y mugger . "
Phi l i p f r owned. " I don' t under st and. "
" He' s a const r uct i on wor ker . He wor ks out of Chi cago and New Yor k. He
has a pol i ce r ecor d- assaul t , br eaki ng and ent er i ng. He pawned your
wat ch, and we got hi s pr i nt s. " Manci ni hel d up a wr i st wat ch. " Thi s
i s your wat ch, i sn' t i t ?"
Phi l i p st ar ed at i t , not want i ng t o t ouch i t . The si ght of i t br ought
back t he hor r i bl e moment when t he man had gr abbed hi s wr i st and sl ashed
i t . Rel uct ant l y, he r eached out and t ook t he wat ch. He l ooked at t he
back of t he case wher e some of t he l et t er s had been scr at ched of f .
" Yes. I t ' s mi ne. "
Li eut enant Manci ni t ook t he wat ch back. " We' l l keep t hi s f or t he
moment , as evi dence. I ' d l i ke you t o come downt own t omor r ow mor ni ng t o
i dent i f y t he man i n a pol i ce l i neup. "
The t hought of seei ng hi s at t acker agai n, f ace- t o- f ace, f i l l ed Phi l i p
wi t h a sudden f ur y. " I ' l l be t her e. "
" The addr ess i s One Pol i ce Pl aza, RoomTwo- t wel ve.
Ten o' cl ock?"
" Fi ne. " He f r owned. " What di d you mean when you sai d he wasn' t an
or di nar y mugger ?"
Li eut enant Manci ni hesi t at ed. " He was pai d t o at t ack you. "
Phi l i p was st ar i ng at hi m, bewi l der ed. " What ?"
" What happened t o you wasn' t an acci dent . He got pai d f i f t y t housand
dol l ar s t o cut you up. "
" I don' t bel i eve i t , " Phi l i p sai d sl owl y. " Who woul d pay anyone f i f t y
t housand dol l ar s t o cr i ppl e me?"
" He was hi r ed by your wi f e. "
\ chapt er Thi r t y- f our .
He was hi r ed by your wi f e!
Phi l i p was st unned. Lar a? Coul d Lar a have done such a t er r i bl e
t hi ng?
What r eason woul d she have?
" I don' t under st and why you pr act i ce ever y day.
You' r e not gi vi ng a concer t now " You don' t have t o go. I want a
husband. Not a par t t i me. . . I t ' s not as t hough you wer e some ki nd of
t r avel i ng sal esman. . .
" She accused me of st eal i ng t he di amond br acel et you gave her . . . . She
woul d do anyt hi ng t o hol d on t o you. . . "
And El l er bee: " Ar e you t hi nki ng of cut t i ng back on your concer t s?. . I
had a t al k wi t h Lar a. "
Lar a.
At 1 Pol i ce Pl aza a meet i ng was i n pr ogr ess wi t h t he di st r i ct at t or ney,
t he pol i ce commi ssi oner , and Li eut enant Manci ni .
The di st r i ct at t or ney was sayi ng, " We' r e not deal i ng her e wi t h J ane
Doe. The l ady has a l ot of cl out . How much sol i d evi dence do you
have, Li eut enant ?"
Manci ni sai d, " I checked wi t h per sonnel at Camer on Ent er pr i ses. J esse
Shaw was hi r ed at t he r equest of Lar a Camer on. I asked t hemi f she had
ever per sonal l y hi r ed anyone on t he const r uct i on cr ew bef or e. The
answer was ' no. " " " What el se?"
" Ther e was a r umor t hat a const r uct i on boss named Bi l l Whi t man was
br aggi ng t o hi s buddi es t hat he had somet hi ng on Lar a Camer on t hat was
goi ng t o make hi ma r i ch man. Shor t l y af t er t hat he was ki l l ed by a
cr ane oper at ed by J esse Shaw. Shaw had been pul l ed of f hi s j ob i n
Chi cago t o go t o New Yor k. Af t er t he acci dent he went r i ght back t o
Chi cago. Ther e' s no quest i on but t hat i t was a hi t . I nci dent al l y, hi s
ai r l i ne t i cket was pai d f or by Camer on Ent er pr i ses. "
" What about t he at t ack on Adl er ?"
" Same MO. Shaw f l ew i n f r omChi cago t wo days bef or e t he at t ack and
l ef t t he next day. I f he hadn' t got t en gr eedy and deci ded t o pi ck up a
l i t t l e ext r a money by pawni ng t he wat ch, i nst ead of t hr owi ng i t away,
we never woul d have caught hi m. "
The pol i ce commi ssi oner asked, " What about mot i ve?
Why woul d she do t hat t o her husband?"
" I t al ked t o some of t he ser vant s. Lar a Camer on was cr azy about her
husband. The onl y t hi ng t hey ever quar r el ed about was hi s goi ng away
on concer t t our s. She want ed hi mt o st ay home. "
" And now he' s st ayi ng home. "
" Exact l y. "
The di st r i ct at t or ney asked, " What ' s her st or y? Does she deny i t ?"
" We haven' t conf r ont ed her yet . We want ed t o t al k t o you f i r st t o see
i f we have a case. "
" You say t hat Phi l i p Adl er can i dent i f y Shaw?"
" Yes. "
" Good. "
" Why don' t you send one of your men over t o quest i on Lar a Camer on? See
what she has t o say. "
Lar a was i n a meet i ng wi t h Howar d Kel l er when t he i nt er combuzzed.
" Ther e' s a Li eut enant Manci ni her e t o see you. "
Lar a f r owned. " What about ?"
" He di dn' t say. "
" Send hi mi n. "
Li eut enant Manci ni was t r eadi ng on del i cat e gr ound.
Wi t hout har d evi dence, i t was goi ng t o be di f f i cul t t o get anyt hi ng out
of Lar a Camer on. But I ' ve got t o gi ve i t a t r y, he t hought . He had
not expect ed t o see Howar d Kel l er t her e.
" Good af t er noon, Li eut enant . "
" Af t er noon. "
" You' ve met Howar d Kel l er . "
" I cer t ai nl y have. Best pi t chi ng ar mi n Chi cago. "
" What can I do f or you?" Lar a asked.
Thi s was t he t r i cky par t . Fi r st est abl i sh t hat she knew J esse Shaw and
t hen l ead her on f r omt her e.
" We' ve ar r est ed t he man who at t acked your husband. " He was wat chi ng
her f ace.
" You have? What . . . ?"
Howar d Kel l er i nt er r upt ed. " How di d you cat ch hi m?"
" He pawned a wat ch t hat Mi ss Camer on gave her husband. " Manci ni l ooked
at Lar a agai n. " The man' s name i s J esse Shaw. "
Ther e was not t he f ai nt est change of expr essi on.
She' s good, Manci ni t hought . The l ady i s r eal l y good.
" Do you know hi m?"
Lar a f r owned. " No. Shoul d I ?"
That ' s her f i r st sl i p, Manci ni t hought . I ' ve got her .
" He wor ked on t he const r uct i on cr ew of one of your bui l di ngs i n
Chi cago. He al so wor ked f or you on a pr oj ect i n Queens. He was
oper at i ng a cr ane t hat ki l l ed a man. "
He pr et ended t o consul t hi s not ebook. " A Bi l l Whi t man.
The medi cal exami ner put i t down as an acci dent . "
Lar a swal l owed. " Yes. . . "
Bef or e she coul d go on, Kel l er spoke up. " Look, Li eut enant , we have
hundr eds of peopl e wor ki ng f or t hi s company. You can' t expect us t o
know t hemal l . "
" You don' t know J esse Shaw?"
" No. And sur e Mi ss Camer on .
" I ' d r at her hear i t f r omher , i f you don' t mi nd. "
Lar a sai d, " I ' ve never hear d of t he man. "
" He was pai d f i f t y t housand dol l ar s t o at t ack your husband. "
" I . . . I can' t bel i eve i t ! " Her f ace was suddenl y dr ai ned of col or .
Now I ' mget t i ng t o her , Manci ni t hought . " You don' t know anyt hi ng
about i t ?"
Lar a was st ar i ng at hi m, her eyes suddenl y bl azi ng.
" Ar e you suggest i ng. . . ? How dar e you! I f someone put hi mup t o t hat ,
I want t o know who i t was! "
" So does your husband, Mi ss Camer on. "
" You di scussed t hi s wi t h Phi l i p?"
" Yes. I . . . "
A moment l at er Lar a was f l yi ng out of t he of f i ce.
When Lar a r eached t he pent house, Phi l i p was i n t he bedr oompacki ng,
cl umsi l y because of hi s cr i ppl ed hand.
" Phi l i p. . . what ar e you doi ng?"
He t ur ned t o f ace her , and i t was as t hough he wer e seei ng her f or t he
f i r st t i me. " I ' ml eavi ng. "
" Why? You can' t bel i eve t hat . . . t hat t er r i bl e st or y?"
" No mor e l i es, Lar a. "
" But I ' mnot l yi ng. You' ve got t o l i st en t o me. I had not hi ng t o do
wi t h what happened t o you. I woul dn' t hur t you f or anyt hi ng i n t he
wor l d. I l ove you, Phi l i p. "
He t ur ned t o f ace her . " The pol i ce say t hat t he man wor ked f or you.
That he was pai d f i f t y t housand dol l ar s t o. . . t o do what he di d. "
She shook her head. " I don' t know anyt hi ng about i t . I onl y know t hat
I had not hi ng t o do wi t h i t . Do you bel i eve me?"
He st ar ed at her , si l ent .
Lar a st ood t her e f or a l ong moment , t hen t ur ned and bl i ndl y wal ked out
of t he r oom.
Phi l i p spent a sl eepl ess ni ght at a downt own hot el .
Vi si ons of Lar a kept comi ng t o hi s mi nd. " I ' mi nt er est ed i n knowi ng
mor e about t he f oundat i on. Per haps we coul d get t oget her and di scuss
i t . . . "
" Ar e you mar r i ed?. . . Tel l me about your sel f . . . "
" When I l i st en t o your Scar l at t i , I ' mi n Napl es " I dr eama dr eamof
br i cks and concr et e and st eel , and make i t come t r ue " I came t o
Amst er damt o see you .
" Woul d you l i ke me t o go wi t h you t o Mi l an " You' r e goi ng t o spoi l me,
l ady. . . . "
" I i nt end t o. . . "
And Lar a' s war mt h, compassi on, and car i ng. Coul d I have been t hat
wr ong about her ?
When Phi l i p ar r i ved at pol i ce headquar t er s, Li eut enant Manci ni was
wai t i ng f or hi m. He l ed Phi l i p i nt o a smal l audi t or i umwi t h a r ai sed
pl at f or mat t he f ar end.
" Al l we need i s f or you t o i dent i f y hi mi n t he l i neup. "
So t hey can t i e hi mi n wi t h Lar a, Phi l i p t hought .
Ther e wer e si x men i n t he l i neup, al l r oughl y t he same bui l d and age.
J esse Shaw was i n t he mi ddl e. When Phi l i p saw hi m, hi s head began t o
pound suddenl y. He coul d hear hi s voi ce sayi ng, " Gi ve me your
wal l et . "
He coul d f eel t he t er r i bl e pai n of t he kni f e sl ashi ng acr oss hi s
wr i st .
Coul d Lar a have done t hat t o me? " You' r e t he onl y man I ' ve ever
l oved. "
Li eut enant Manci ni was speaki ng. " Take a good l ook, Mr . Adl er . "
" I ' mgoi ng t o be wor ki ng at home f r omnow on. Phi l i p needs me. . . "
" Mr . Adl er . . . "
" We' r e goi ng t o get you t he best doct or s i n t he wor l d. . . " She had been
t her e f or hi mever y moment , nur t ur i ng hi m, car i ng f or hi m. " I f
Mohammed won' t go t o t he mount ai n. . . "
" Woul d you poi nt hi mout t o me?"
" I mar r i ed you because I was wi l dl y head over heel s i n l ove wi t h you.
I st i l l am. I f we never make l ove agai n, i t wi l l be f i ne wi t h me. Al l
I want i s f or you t o hol d me and l ove me. . . " And she had meant i t .
And t hen t he l ast scene i n t he apar t ment . " I had not hi ng t o do wi t h
what happened t o you. I woul dn' t hur t you f or anyt hi ng i n t he wor l d
" Mr . Adl er . . . "
The pol i ce must have made a mi st ake, Phi l i p t hought .
By God, I bel i eve her . She coul dn' t have done i t !
Manci ni was speaki ng agai n. " Whi ch one i s he?"
And Phi l i p t ur ned t o hi mand sai d, " I don' t know. "
" What ?"
" I don' t see hi m. "
" You t ol d us you got a good l ook at hi m. "
" That ' s r i ght . "
" Then t el l me whi ch one he i s. "
" I can' t , " Phi l i p sai d. " He' s not up t her e. "
Li eut enant Manci ni ' s f ace was gr i m. " You' r e sur e about t hat ?"
Phi l i p st ood up. " I ' mposi t i ve. "
" Then I guess t hat ' s al l , Mr . Adl er . Thanks a l ot f or your
cooper at i on. "
I ' ve got t o f i nd Lar a, Phi l i p t hought . I ' ve got t o f i nd Lar a.
She was seat ed at her desk, st ar i ng out t he wi ndow.
Phi l i p had not bel i eved her . That was what hur t so t er r i bl y. And Paul
Mar t i n. Of cour se, he was behi nd i t . But why di d he do i t ? " Do you
r emember what I sai d about your husband t aki ng car e of you? He doesn' t
seemt o be doi ng a ver y good j ob. Someone shoul d have a t al k wi t h
hi m! " Was i t because he l oved her ? Or was i t an act of vengeance
because he hat ed her ?
Howar d Kel l er wal ked i n. Hi s f ace l ooked whi t e and dr awn. " I j ust got
of f t he phone. We l ost Camer on Tower s, Lar a. Bot h Sout her n I nsur ance
and Mut ual Over seas I nvest ment ar e pul l i ng out because we can' t meet
our compl et i on dat e. Ther e' s no way we can handl e our mor t gage
payment s. We al most made i t , di dn' t we? The bi ggest skyscr aper i n t he
wor l d. I ' m. . . I ' msor r y. I know how much i t meant t o you. "
Lar a t ur ned t o f ace hi m, and Kel l er was shocked by her appear ance. Her
f ace was pal e, and t her e wer e bl ack ci r cl es under her eyes. She seemed
dazed, as t hough t he ener gy had been dr ai ned f r omher .
" Lar a. . . di d you hear what I sai d? We' ve l ost Camer on Tower s. "
When she spoke, her voi ce was unnat ur al l y cal m. " I hear d you. Don' t
wor r y, Howar d. We' l l bor r ow on some of t he ot her bui l di ngs and pay
ever yt hi ng of f . "
She was f r i ght eni ng hi m. " Lar a, t her e' s not hi ng mor e t o bor r ow on.
You' r e goi ng t o have t o f i l e f or bankr upt cy and. . . "
" Howar d. . . ?"
" Yes?"
" Can a woman l ove a man t oo much?"
" What ?"
Her voi ce was dead. " Phi l i p has l ef t me. "
I t suddenl y expl ai ned a l ot . " I . . . I ' msor r y, Lar a. "
She had a st r ange smi l e on her f ace. " I t ' s f unny, i sn' t i t ? I ' m
l osi ng ever yt hi ng at once. Fi r st Phi l i p, now my bui l di ngs. Do you
know what i t i s, Howar d? I t ' s t he Fat es.
They' r e agai nst me. You can' t f i ght t he Fat es, can you?"
He had never seen her i n such pai n. I t t or e at hi m.
" Lar a. . . "
" They' r e not t hr ough wi t h me yet . I have t o f l y t o Reno t hi s
af t er noon. Ther e' s a gr and j ur y hear i ng. I f . . . "
The i nt er combuzzed. " Ther e' s a Li eut enant Manci ni her e. "
" Send hi mi n. "
Howar d Kel l er l ooked at Lar a qui zzi cal l y. " Manci ni ?
What does he want ?"
Lar a t ook a deep br eat h. " He' s her e t o ar r est me, Howar d. "
" Ar r est you? What ar e you t al ki ng about ?"
Her voi ce was ver y qui et . " They t hi nk I ar r anged t he at t ack on
Phi l i p. "
" That ' s r i di cul ous! They can' t . . . "
The door opened, and Li eut enant Manci ni wal ked i n.
He st ood t her e, l ooki ng at t he t wo of t hemf or a moment , t hen moved
f or war d.
" I have a war r ant her e f or your ar r est . "
Howar d Kel l er ' s f ace was pal e. He moved i n f r ont of Lar a pr ot ect i vel y
and sai d hoar sel y, " You can' t do t hat .
She hasn' t done anyt hi ng. "
" You' r e r i ght , Mr . Kel l er . I ' mnot ar r est i ng her . The war r ant i s f or
you. "
Chapt er Thi r t y- f i ve.
r anscr i pt of I nt er r ogat i on of Howar d Kel l er by Det ect i ve Li eut enant Sal
Mancl nl .
M: You have been r ead your r i ght s, Mr . Kel l er ?
K: Yes.
M: And you have wai ved t he r i ght t o have an at t or ney pr esent ?
K: I don' t need an at t or ney. I was goi ng t o come i n anyway. I
coul dn' t l et anyt hi ng happen t o Lar a.
M: You pai d J esse Shaw $50, 000 t o at t ack Phi l i p Adl er ?
K: Yes.
M: Why?
K: He was maki ng her mi ser abl e. She begged hi mt o st ay home wi t h her ,
but he kept l eavi ng her .
M: So you ar r anged t o have hi mcr i ppl ed.
K: I t wasn' t l i ke t hat . I never meant f or J esse t o go so f ar . He got
car r i ed away.
M: Tel l me about Bi l l Whi t man.
K: He was a bast ar d. He was t r yi ng t o bl ackmai l Lar a. I coul dn' t l et
hi mdo t hat . He coul d have r ui ned her .
M: So you had hi mki l l ed?
K: For Lar a' s sake, yes.
M: Was she awar e of what you wer e doi ng?
K: Of cour se not . She never woul d have al l owed i t . No. I was t her e
t o pr ot ect her , you see. Anyt hi ng I di d, I di d f or her . I woul d di e
f or her .
M: Or ki l l f or her .
K: Can I ask you a quest i on? How di d you know I was i nvol ved i n
t hi s?
End of I nt er r ogat i on.
At 1 Pol i ce Pl aza, Capt ai n Br onson sai d t o Manci ni , " How di d you know
he was behi nd i t ?"
" He l ef t a l oose t hr ead, and I unr avel ed i t . I al most mi ssed i t . I n
J esse Shaw' s r ap sheet , i t ment i oned t hat he t ook a f al l when he was
sevent een f or st eal i ng some basebal l equi pment f r oma Chi cago Cubs
mi nor l eague t eam. I checked i t out , and sur e enough, t hey wer e
t eammat es. That ' s wher e Kel l er sl i pped up. When I asked hi m, he t ol d
me he had never hear d of J esse Shaw. I cal l ed a f r i end of mi ne who
used t o be a spor t s edi t or f or t he Chi cago Sun Ti mes. He r emember ed
t hembot h. They wer e buddi es. I f i gur ed i t was Kel l er who got Shaw
t he j ob wi t h Camer on Ent er pr i ses. Lar a Camer on hi r ed J esse Shaw
because Howar d Kel l er asked her t o. She pr obabl y never even saw
Shaw. "
" Ni ce wor k, Sal . "
Manci ni shook hi s head. " You know somet hi ng? I n t he end i t r eal l y
di dn' t mat t er . I f I hadn' t caught hi m, and i f we had gone af t er Lar a
Camer on, Howar d Kel l er woul d have come i n and conf essed. "
Her wor l d was col l apsi ng. I t was unbel i evabl e t o Lar a t hat Howar d
Kel l er , of al l peopl e, coul d have been r esponsi bl e f or t he t er r i bl e
t hi ngs t hat had happened. He di d i t f or me, Lar a t hought . I have t o
t r y t o hel p hi m.
Kat hy buzzed her . " The car i s her e, Mi ss Camer on.
Ar e you r eady?"
" Yes. " She was on her way t o Reno t o t est i f y bef or e t he gr and j ur y.
Fi ve mi nut es af t er Lar a l ef t , Phi l i p t el ephoned t he of f i ce.
" I ' msor r y, Mr . Adl er . You j ust mi ssed her . She' s on her way t o
Reno. "
He f el t a shar p pang of di sappoi nt ment . He was desper at el y eager t o
see her , t o ask her f or gi veness.
" When you speak t o her , t el l her I ' l l be wai t i ng f or her . "
" I ' l l t el l her . "
He made a second phone cal l , spoke f or t en mi nut es, and t hen t el ephoned
Wi l l i amEl l er bee.
" Bi l l . . . I ' mgoi ng t o st ay i n New Yor k. I ' mgoi ng t o t each at
J ui l l i ar d. "
" What can t hey do t o me?" Lar a asked.
Ter r y Hi l l sai d, " That depends. They' l l l i st en t o your t est i mony.
They can ei t her deci de t hat you' r e i nnocent , i n whi ch case you' l l get
your casi no back, or t hey can r ecommend t hat t her e' s enough evi dence
agai nst you t o i ndi ct you. I f t hat ' s t hei r ver di ct , you' l l be t r i ed on
cr i mi nal char ges and f ace pr i son. "
Lar a mumbl ed somet hi ng.
" I ' msor r y?"
" I sai d Papa was r i ght . I t ' s t he Fat es. "
The gr and j ur y hear i ng l ast ed f or f our hour s. Lar a was quest i oned
about t he acqui si t i on of t he Camer on Pal ace Hot el & Casi no. When t hey
came out of t he hear i ng r oom, Ter r y Hi l l squeezed Lar a' s hand. " You
di d ver y wel l , Lar a. I t hi nk you r eal l y i mpr essed t hem. They have no
har d evi dence agai nst you, so t her e' s a good chance t hat . . . " He
br oke of f , st unned. Lar a t ur ned. Paul Mar t i n had come i nt o t he
ant er oom. He was dr essed i n an ol df ashi oned doubl e- br east ed sui t wi t h
a vest , and hi s whi t e hai r was combed i n t he same st yl e as when Lar a
had f i r st met hi m.
Ter r y Hi l l sai d, " Oh, God! He' s her e t o t est i f y. " He t ur ned t o
Lar a.
" How much does he hat e you?"
" What do you mean?"
" Lar a, i f t hey' ve of f er ed hi ml eni ency t o t est i f y agai nst you, you' r e
f i ni shed. You' l l go t o pr i son. "
Lar a was l ooki ng acr oss t he r oomat Paul Mar t i n.
" But . . . t hen he woul d dest r oy hi msel f , t oo. "
" That ' s why I asked you how much he hat es you.
Woul d he do t hat t o hi msel f t o dest r oy you?"
Lar a sai d numbl y, " I don' t know. "
Paul Mar t i n was wal ki ng t owar d t hem. " Hel l o, Lar a.
I hear t hi ngs have been goi ng badl y f or you. " Hi s eyes r eveal ed
not hi ng. so y) Lar a r emember ed Howar d Kel l er ' s wor ds. " He' s
Si ci l i an.
They never f or gi ve, and t hey never f or get . " He had been car r yi ng t hi s
bur ni ng t hi r st f or vengeance i nsi de hi m, and she had had no i dea.
Paul Mar t i n st ar t ed t o move away.
" Paul . . . "
He st opped. " Yes?"
" I need t o t al k t o you. "
He hesi t at ed a moment . " Al l r i ght . "
He nodded t owar d an empt y of f i ce down t he cor r i dor .
" We can t al k i n t her e. "
Ter r y Hi l l wat ched as t he t wo of t hemwent i nt o t he of f i ce. The door
cl osed behi nd t hem. He woul d have gi ven anyt hi ng t o have hear d t hei r
conver sat i on.
She di d not know how t o begi n.
" What i s i t you want , Lar a?"
I t was much mor e di f f i cul t t han she had ant i ci pat ed.
When she spoke, her voi ce was hoar se. " I want you t o l et me go. "
Hi s eyebr ows wer e r ai sed. " How can I ? I don' t have you. " He was
mocki ng her .
She was f i ndi ng i t har d t o br eat he.
" Don' t you t hi nk you' ve puni shed me enough?"
Paul Mar t i n st ood t her e, st one, hi s expr essi on unr eadabl e.
" The t i me we had t oget her was wonder f ul , Paul . Out si de of Phi l i p,
you' ve meant mor e t o me t han anyone i n my l i f e. I owe you mor e t han I
coul d ever r epay. I never meant t o hur t you. You must bel i eve
t hat . "
I t was di f f i cul t t o go on.
" You have t he power t o dest r oy me. I s t hat r eal l y what you want ? Wi l l
sendi ng me t o pr i son make you happy?" She was f i ght i ng t o hol d back
her t ear s. " I ' mbeggi ng you, Paul . Gi ve me back my l i f e. Pl ease,
st op t r eat i ng me l i ke an enemy. . . "
Paul Mar t i n st ood t her e, hi s bl ack eyes gi vi ng away not hi ng.
" I ' maski ng f or your f or gi veness. I . . . I ' mt oo t i r ed t o f i ght anymor e,
Paul . You' ve won. . . " Her voi ce br oke.
Ther e was a knock on t he door , and t he bai l i f f peer ed i nt o t he r oom.
" The gr and j ur y i s r eady f or you, Mr . Mar t i n. "
He st ood t her e, l ooki ng at Lar a f or a l ong t i me; t hen he t ur ned and
l ef t wi t hout a wor d.
I t ' s al l over , Lar a t hought . I t ' s f i ni shed.
Ter r y Hi l l came hur r yi ng i nt o t he of f i ce. " I wi sh t o God I knew how he
was goi ng t o t est i f y i n t her e. Ther e' s not hi ng t o do now but wai t . "
They wai t ed. I t seemed an et er ni t y. When Paul Mar t i n f i nal l y emer ged
f r omt he hear i ng r oom, he l ooked t i r ed and dr awn. He' s become ol d,
Lar a t hought . He bl ames me f or t hat . He was wat chi ng her . He
hesi t at ed a moment , t hen wal ked over t o her .
" I can never f or gi ve you. You made a f ool of me. But you wer e t he
best t hi ng t hat ever happened t o me. I guess I owe you somet hi ng f or
t hat . I di dn' t t el l t hemanyt hi ng i n t her e, Lar a. "
Her eyes f i l l ed wi t h t ear s. " Oh, Paul . I don' t know how t o. . . "
" Cal l i t my bi r t hday pr esent t o you. Happy bi r t hday, baby. "
She wat ched hi mwal k away, and hi s wor ds suddenl y hi t her . I t was her
bi r t hday! So many event s had been pi l i ng on t op of one anot her t hat
she had compl et el y f or got t en about i t . And t he par t y. Two hundr ed
guest s wer e goi ng t o be wai t i ng f or her at t he Manhat t an Camer on
Pl aza!
Lar a t ur ned t o Ter r y Hi l l . " I ' ve got t o get back t o New Yor k
t oni ght .
Ther e' s a bi g par t y f or me. Wi l l t hey l et me go?"
" J ust a mi nut e, " Ter r y Hi l l sai d. He di sappear ed i nsi de t he hear i ng
r oom, and when he came out f i ve mi nut es l at er , he sai d, " You can go t o
New Yor k. The gr and j ur y wi l l gi ve i t s ver di ct i n t he mor ni ng, but
i t ' s j ust a f or mal i t y now. You can r et ur n her e t oni ght . By t he way,
your f r i end t ol d you t he t r ut h. He di dn' t t al k i n t her e. "
* * * Thi r t y mi nut es l at er Lar a was headed f or New Yor k.
" Ar e you goi ng t o be al l r i ght ?" Ter r y Hi l l asked.
She l ooked at hi mand sai d, " Of cour se I am. " Ther e woul d be hundr eds
of i mpor t ant peopl e at t he par t y t o honor her t hat ni ght . She woul d
hol d her head hi gh. She was Lar a Camer on. . .
She st ood i n t he cent er of t he deser t ed Gr and Bal l r oomand l ooked
ar ound. I cr eat ed t hi s. I cr eat ed monument s t hat t ower ed i nt o t he
sky, t hat changed t he l i ves of t housands of peopl e al l over Amer i ca.
And now i t ' s al l goi ng t o bel ong t o t he f acel ess banker s. She coul d
hear her f at her ' s voi ce so cl ear l y. " The Fat es. They' ve al ways been
agi n me. " She t hought of Gl ace Bay and t he l i t t l e boar di nghouse wher e
she had gr own up. She r emember ed how t er r i f i ed she had been on her
f i r st day at school : " Can anyone t hi nk of a wor d begi nni ng wi t h f ?"
She r emember ed t he boar der s. Bi l l Roger s. . . " The f i r st r ul e i n r eal
est at e i s 0PM. Never f or get t hat . " And Char l es Col i n: " I eat onl y
kosher f ood, and I ' maf r ai d Gl ace Bay doesnt have any. " . . .
" I f I coul d acqui r e t hi s l and. . . woul d you gi ve me a f i ve- year
l ease?" . . .
" No, Lar a. I t woul d have t o be a t en- year l ease. . . .
And Sean MacAl l i st er . . . " I woul d need a ver y speci al r eason t o make
t hi s l oan t o you! . . . have you ever had a l over ?" . . .
And Howar d Kel l er : . . . . you' r e goi ng about t hi s al l wr ong. " . . .
" I want you t o come t o wor k f or me. " . . .
And t hen t he successes. The wonder f ul , br i l l i ant successes. And
Phi l i p. Her Lochi nvar . The man she ador ed.
That was t he gr eat est l oss of al l .
* * * A voi ce cal l ed, " Lar a. . . "
She t ur ned.
I t was J er r y Townsend. " Car l os t ol d me you wer e her e. " He wal ked up
t o her . " I ' msor r y about t he bi r t hday par t y. "
She l ooked at hi m. " What . . . what happened?"
He was st ar i ng at her . " Di dn' t Howar d t el l you?"
" Tel l me what ?"
" Ther e wer e so many cancel l at i ons because of t he bad publ i ci t y t hat we
deci ded i t woul d be best t o cal l i t of f . I asked Howar d t o t el l
you. "
" To t el l you t he t r ut h, I ' ve been havi ng some pr obl ems wi t h my
memor y. "
Lar a sai d sof t l y, " I t doesn' t mat t er . " She t ook one l ast l ook at t he
beaut i f ul r oom. " I had my f i f t een mi nut es, di dn' t I ?"
" What ?"
" Not hi ng. " She st ar t ed t o wal k t owar d t he door .
" Lar a, l et ' s go up t o t he of f i ce. Ther e ar e some t hi ngs t hat have t o
be wound up. "
" Al l r i ght . " I ' l l pr obabl y never be i n t hi s bui l di ng agai n, Lar a
t hought .
I n t he el evat or on t he way up t o t he execut i ve of f i ces, J er r y sai d, " I
hear d about Kel l er . I t ' s har d t o bel i eve he was r esponsi bl e f or what
happened. "
Lar a shook her head. " I was r esponsi bl e, J er r y. I ' l l never f or gi ve
mysel f . "
" I t ' s not your f aul t . "
She f el t a sudden wave of l onel i ness. " J er r y, i f you haven' t had your
di nner yet . . . "
" I ' msor r y, Lar a. I ' mbusy t oni ght . "
" Oh. That ' s al l r i ght . "
The el evat or door opened, and t he t wo of t hemst epped out .
" The paper s t hat you have t o si gn ar e on t he conf er ence r oomt abl e, "
J er r y sai d.
" Fi ne. "
The door t o t he conf er ence r oomwas cl osed. He l et Lar a open t he door
and as she di d, f or t y voi ces st ar t ed t o si ng out , " Happy bi r t hday t o
you, Happy bi r t hday t o you. . . "
Lar a st ood t her e, st unned. The r oomwas f i l l ed wi t h peopl e she had
wor ked wi t h over t he year s- t he ar chi t ect s and cont r act or s and
const r uct i on manager s. Char l es Col i n was t her e, and Pr of essor
Meyer s.
Hor ace Gut t man and Kat hy and J er r y Townsend' s f at her . But t he onl y one
t hat Lar a saw was Phi l i p. He was movi ng t owar d her , hi s ar ms
out st r et ched, and she suddenl y f ound i t di f f i cul t t o br eat he.
" Lar a. . . " I t was a car ess.
And she was i n hi s ar ms, f i ght i ng t o hol d back t he t ear s, and she
t hought , I ' mhome. Thi s i s wher e I bel ong, and i t was a heal i ng, a
bl essed f eel i ng of peace. Lar a f el t a war mgl ow as she hel d hi m. Thi s
i s al l t hat mat t er s, Lar a t hought .
Peopl e wer e cr owdi ng ar ound her , and ever yone seemed t o be t al ki ng at
once.
" Happy bi r t hday, . . . "
" You l ook wonder f ul . . . "
" Wer e you sur pr i sed. . . ?"
Lar a t ur ned t o J er r y Townsend. " J er r y, how di d you. . . .
He shook hi s head. " Phi l i p ar r anged i t . "
" Oh, dar l i ng! "
Wai t er s wer e comi ng i n now wi t h hor s d' oeuvr es and dr i nks.
Char l es Col i n sai d, " No mat t er what happens, I ' mpr oud of you, Lar a.
You sai d you want ed t o make a di f f er ence, and you di d. "
J er r y Townsend' s f at her was sayi ng, " I owe my l i f e t o t hi s woman. "
" So do I . " Kat hy smi l ed.
" Let ' s dr i nk a t oast , " J er r y Townsend sai d, " t o t he best boss I ever
had, or ever wi l l have! "
Char l es Col i n r ai sed hi s gl ass. " To a wonder f ul l i t t l e gi r l who became
a wonder f ul woman! "
The t oast s went on, and f i nal l y, i t was Phi l i p' s t ur n.
Ther e was t oo much t o say, and he put i t i n f i ve wor ds: " To t he woman I
l ove. "
Lar a' s eyes wer e br i mmi ng wi t h t ear s. She f ound i t di f f i cul t t o
speak.
" I . . . I owe so much t o al l of you, " Lar a sai d. " Ther e' s no way I can
ever r epay you. I j ust want t o say" - she choked up, unabl e t o go
on- " t hank you.
Lar a t ur ned t o Phi l i p. " Thank you f or t hi s, dar l i ng.
I t ' s t he ni cest bi r t hday I ' ve ever had. " She suddenl y r emember ed. " I
have t o f l y back t o Reno t oni ght ! "
Phi l i p l ooked at her and gr i nned. " I ' ve never been t o Reno. . . "
Hal f an hour l at er t hey wer e i n t he l i mousi ne on t hei r way t o t he
ai r por t . Lar a was hol di ng Phi l i p' s hand, and t hi nki ng, I haven' t l ost
ever yt hi ng af t er al l . I ' l l spend t he r est of my l i f e maki ng i t up t o
hi m. Not hi ng el se mat t er s. The onl y i mpor t ant t hi ng i s bei ng wi t h hi m
and t aki ng car e of hi m. I don' t need anyt hi ng el se.
" Lar a.
She was l ooki ng out t he wi ndow. " St op, Max! "
The l i mousi ne br aked t o a qui ck st op.
Phi l i p l ooked at her , puzzl ed. They had st opped i n f r ont of a huge
empt y l ot , cover ed wi t h weeds. Lar a was st ar i ng at i t .
" Lar a. . . "
" Look, Phi l i p! Look! "
He t ur ned hi s head. " What ?"
" Don' t you see i t ?"
" See what ?"
" Oh, i t ' s beaut i f ul ! A shoppi ng mal l over t her e, i n t he f ar cor ner !
I n t he mi ddl e we' l l put up l uxur y apar t ment houses. Ther e' s r oom
enough f or f our bui l di ngs. You see i t now, don' t you?"
He was st ar i ng at Lar a, mesmer i zed.
She t ur ned t o hi m, her voi ce char ged wi t h exci t ement . " Now, her e' s my
pl an.
t he end _
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