Chapter 41 Chapter Forty

Kelly and Diana quietly came to the hospital lobby. "That's why Richard and Mark are going to Washington, to meet Senator Van Leuven," Diana said. "How can we find her?" "Simple." Diana took out her phone. Kelly held up a hand to stop her. "No. We use pay phones." They got the phone number for the senator's office building from the information desk, and Diana used a payphone. "Senator Van Leuven's office." "I'd like to put the Senator on the phone." "Which one are you?" Diana said, "It's a private matter."

"Your name, may I ask?" "I can't—just tell her it's very important." "Sorry, I can't do it." The phone disconnected. Diana turned to Kelly: "We can't name names." Diana redialed the number. "Senator Van Leuven's office." "Please listen to me. This is not an idle call. I have something to speak to the Senator, and I cannot give you my name." "Then I'm afraid I can't put you on the phone with the Senator." The phone disconnected. Diana hit again. "Senator Van Leuven's office."

"Please hold on. I know you are on official business, but this is a matter of life and death. I am on a pay phone. I will give you the number. Please ask the Senator to call me." She gave the secretary the number and only He heard the secretary slam the phone down. Kelly said, "What do we do now?" "Wait." They waited for two hours, and at last Diana said, "It doesn't seem right. Let's—" The phone rings. Diana took a deep breath, rushed over to pick up the microphone: "Hello?" An angry female voice said, "I am Senator Van Leuven. Who are you?"

Diana turned the microphone to Kelly so that both could hear what the Senator was saying at the same time. Diana's voice was so constricted that she could barely speak: "Senator, my name is Diana Stevens. I'm with Kelly Harris. Do you know who we are?" "No, I don't know, I'm afraid I—" "Our husband was murdered on his way to see you." There was an exclamation: "Oh my God. Richard Stevens and Mark Harris." "right." "Your husbands made an appointment to see me, but my secretary got a call saying they changed their plans. Then they -- died."

"They didn't make that call, Senator," Diana said. "They were killed because someone tried to stop them from seeing you." "What?" Her voice was full of consternation. "Why would someone—?" "They can't talk to you when they're killed. Kelly and I want to come to Washington. Tell you what our husbands tried to tell you." A brief moment of pondering. "I'm going to meet with you, but not in my office. Too ostentatious. Could be dangerous if what you're about to say is true. My home is in Southampton. Long Island. I can meet you there. Where are you calling from?" Telephone?"

"Denver." "Hold on." Three minutes later, the senator was back on the line: "Next flight from Denver to New York is night flight. United, direct to LaGuardia. Departure at 12:25 am, 6:09 am Arrive in New York in minutes. If this flight is full, there's one more—” "Let's take this flight." Kelly looked at Diana in surprise. "Diana, what if we can't get—?" Diana held up a hand to reassure her: "We'll get on it." "When you arrive at the airport, there is a gray Lincoln sedan waiting for you. Get in the car directly. The driver is Asian. His name is Kunian. He will drive you to my house. I will wait for you at home."

"Thank you, Senator." Diana hung up the phone and took a deep breath.She turned to Kelly: "We're all set." Kelly said, "How did you know we could get on that flight?" "I have a way." The hotel receptionist arranged a taxi, and Diane and Kelly were driven to the airport in forty minutes. "I don't know if I'm more excited or more scared," Kelly said. "I don't think we have anything to fear anymore." "Looks like a lot of people tried to see the Senator, but none of them succeeded, Diana. They were all killed first."

"Then we'll be the first to succeed." Kelly said, "I wish we had—" "I know. A weapon. You said it. We have wit." "Good. I wish we had a weapon." Kelly looked out the car window: "Stop." Diana stopped by the sidewalk: "What's wrong?" "There's something I need to do." They stopped in front of a beauty salon.Kelly opened the car door. Diana said, "What are you going to do?" "I'm going to get a new hairstyle." Diana said, "You're kidding." "No, I'm not joking."

"You're getting a new haircut now? Kelly, we're headed to the airport to catch a flight and we don't have time—" "Diana, you have no idea what's going to happen. In case I die, I want to have a pretty face." Diana sat, speechless, watching Kelly walk into the beauty salon. Twenty minutes later, Kelly came out.She wore a black wig and her thick hair was brushed up and piled high on the back of her head. "Get ready," Kelly said, "let's get to the pigtails."