Chapter 14 Chapter Twelve

Rachel Stevens was waiting to greet Jeff at Miami International Airport when the flight arrived. My God, she's so pretty, Jeff thought.I can't believe she's sick. Rachel put her arms around him. "Oh, Jeff! Thank you for coming." "You look amazing." Jeff reassured her.They walk to a waiting limousine. "All these results will be fine. You'll see." "certainly." On the drive home, Rachel asked, "How's Dana?" He hesitated.Rachel is seriously ill, and he doesn't want to flaunt his happiness: "She's fine."

"You're lucky to have her, you know? I'm already scheduled to go to Aruba next week to shoot." "Aruba?" "Yes," she went on, "do you know why I took the job? Because we were there for our honeymoon. What's the name of the hotel we're staying at?" "Olingestad." "It's beautiful, isn't it. What's the name of the mountain we climbed?" "Huiberg." Rachel smiled and said softly. "You haven't forgotten, have you?" "People don't usually forget their honeymoons, Rachel."

She put a hand on Jeff's arm. "It's heaven, isn't it? I've never seen a beach so white." Jeff laughed, "And you're afraid of getting a tan. You wrap yourself up like a mummy." Then there was a silence: "That's one of my deepest regrets, Jeff." He looked at her, not knowing what to say: "What!" "We didn't—don't mention it." She looked at him and said softly, "I loved being in Aruba with you." Jeff evasively said: "It's a good place, fishing, surfing, snorkeling, tennis, golf..." "And we don't have time to play any of those, do we?"

Jeff laughed, "Yes." "I'm going to have a mammogram in the morning. I don't want to be alone while they're doing it. Will you come with me?" "Of course, Rachel." When they arrived at Rachel's house, Jeff walked into the spacious living room with his bag, looked around, and said, "Beautiful. So beautiful." She put her arms around him. "Thanks, Jeff." He could feel her trembling. Mammograms are performed in the Imankin Building in downtown Miami.Jeff remained in the waiting area while a nurse took Rachel to a room to change into a patient gown, then escorted her to an exam room for X-rays.

"It will take about fifteen minutes, Miss Stevens. Are you ready?" "Yes. How soon can I get the results?" "That's got to be given to you by your oncologist. He should have it tomorrow." tomorrow. The oncologist's name was Scott Young.Jeff and Rachel went into his office and sat down. The doctor looked at Rachel for a moment, then said, "I'm sorry to have bad news for you, Miss Stevens." Rachel held Jeff's hand tightly: "Oh?" "Your biopsy and mammogram showed that you had invasive cancer." Rachel's face paled. "What—what does that mean?"

"I'm sorry it means you need a mastectomy." "No!" the word blurted out: "You can't—I mean there must be other ways." "I'm sorry," said Dr. Yang softly, "that it spread too widely." Rachel didn't speak for a while: "I can't do it right away. You know, I'm scheduled to go to Aruba for a photoshoot next week. I'll do it after that." Jeff observed the anxious expression on the doctor's face, "When do you suggest she do it, Dr. Yang?" He turned to Jeff. "The sooner the better."

Jeff looked at Rachel.She was trying to control herself so as not to cry.Her voice kept trembling when she spoke, "I want to seek advice from other doctors." "certainly." Dr Alan Cameron said: "I'm afraid I have come to the same conclusion as Dr Young. I would recommend a mastectomy." Rachel tried to keep her tone steady. "Thank you, doctor." She took Jeff's hand and squeezed it tightly. "I guess that's it, isn't it?" Doctor Yang is waiting for them. "Looks like you're right," Rachel said, "I just can't—" There was a long, sad silence, and finally Rachel murmured, "Okay. If you're sure it— — it is necessary."

"We will try to make you as comfortable as possible," Dr. Yang said. "Before the operation, I will bring a plastic surgeon to discuss breast reconstruction with you. Today we are going to perform a miracle." Rachel burst into tears, and Jeff put his arms around her. There are no direct flights from Washington to Aspen.Dana boarded a Delta Air Lines flight to Denver, where she connected to a United Express flight.Afterwards, she had little recollection of the trip.Her mind was full of worries about Rachel and what she was going through.I'm glad Jeff was there to make her feel better.Meanwhile, Dana is thinking about Kenmore.What if Mrs. Daly quits before I go back?I can only--

The voice of the flight attendant came over the loudspeaker: "We will land in Aspen in a few minutes. Please fasten your seat belts and return your seats to the upright position." Dana began to focus on the matter at hand. Elliot Cromwell walks into Matt Baker's office. "I hear Dana is off the air tonight." "That's right. She's in Aspen." "Holding on to her Taylor Winthrop speculation?" "yes." "I want you to report to me anytime." "Okay." Matt thought as he watched Cromwell leave.He's really interested in Dana.

After getting off the plane, Dana walked directly to the rental car counter.Inside the airport, Dr. Carl Ramsey was speaking to the clerk behind the counter: "But I booked a car a week ago." The clerk said apologetically, "I know, Dr. Ramsay, but I'm sorry something went wrong. We don't have a car. There's an airline shuttle outside, or I'll call you a cab—" "Don't mention it." The doctor said and rushed out. Dana walked into the airport lobby and headed for the rental car counter. "I have a top reservation," she said. "Dana Evans."

The clerk smiled: "Yes, Miss Evans. We've been waiting for you." He asked her to sign a form, then handed her a bunch of keys: "It's a white Lexus in parking space one .” "Thank you. Can you tell me how to get to Little Nell's Hotel?" "You can't miss it. It's right downtown. 675 East Durant Ave. I'm sure you'll love it." "Thank you," Dana said. The clerk watched as she walked out the door.What the hell happened?He is very curious. The Little Nell Lodge is an elegant Swiss farmhouse nestled in the picturesque Aspen Mountain Basin.There is a floor-to-ceiling fireplace in the lobby. There is always a warm fire burning in the severe winter. Through the huge windows, you can see the snow-capped Rocky Mountains in the distance. Guests in ski suits gather around Relax on sofas and oversized chairs.Dana looked around, thinking.Jeff will love it here.Maybe we'll come up here someday... After checking in, Dana said to the clerk, "Do you know where Taylor Winthrop's house is?" He looked at her with weird eyes: "Taylor Winthrop's home? It's gone for a long time, and it was completely burned." Dana said, "I know. I just wanted to see—" "There's nothing on it but ash, but if you want to see it, you head east toward the Conrad Valley. It's about six miles from here." "Thank you," Dana said, "will you take my travel bag to my room, please?" "Of course, Miss Evans." Dana turned back to the car. Taylor Winthrop's home in the Conrad Valley is surrounded by state woodland.It used to be a bungalow built of natural stone and red cedar on a beautiful and secluded lot.Next to it is the Big Beaver Lake, and a small stream goes around the house, and the scenery is spectacular.In the midst of this beautiful picture, the ruins of the burnt house that claimed the lives of two people is an ugly scar. Dana wandered around the foundations, imagining the house that had once been there.It had apparently been a very large bungalow.There must be many doors and windows on the horizon. However, the Winthrops were unable to escape from any of them.I thought it would be best to interview the fire brigade. As soon as Dana entered the fire station, a man greeted her.He was in his thirties, tall, tan, and looked very athletic.He might live on the ski slopes, Dana thought. "What do you want, miss?" "I've read reports of Taylor Winthrop's house being burned down and I'm curious," Dana said. "Yeah. That was a year ago. Probably the worst thing that ever happened in this town." "What time of day did it happen?" Even though he thought her question was a bit strange, he didn't show it. "It happened in the middle of the night. We got a call at three in the morning. Our truck got there at three fifteen, but it was too late. The house was burning like a torch. We didn't know anyone was inside until we put out the fire. It took the fire to find two bodies. Let me tell you, it was a sad moment." "Do you know what started the fire?" He nodded: "Oh, yes, it's a circuit problem." "What circuit problem?" "We don't know for sure, but an electrician was called into the house the day before the fire to fix it." "But you don't know what the problem is?" "I think there's something wrong with the fire alarm system." Dana tried to sound nonchalant: "The electrician who went to fix it—do you know his name?" "No, I guess the police know." "thanks." He looked at Dana curiously: "Why are you so interested in it?" Dana enthused: "I'm writing an article about the ski resort fires across the country." The Aspen police station was a red brick bungalow six blocks from Dana's hotel. The officer behind the desk looked up and yelled, "You're Dana Evans, the TV girl?" "yes." "I am Lieutenant Inspector Turner. May I be of service to you, Miss Evans?" "I'm curious about the fire that killed Taylor Winthrop and his wife." "My God, that was a tragedy. People here are still in shock." "I can understand that." "Yeah. Too bad we didn't get them out." "I heard the fire was caused by some kind of electrical problem." "That's right." "Could it be arson?" Deputy Inspector Turner frowned: "Arson? No, no, it's a circuit failure." "I want to speak to the electrician who was there the day before the fire. Do you have his name?" "I'm sure it's in our files. Shall I find it out?" "I'd appreciate it." Deputy Inspector Turner picked up the microphone and said a few words, then turned back to Dana: "First time in Aspen?" "yes." "Good place, do you ski?" "No." But Jeff would.When we come... A clerk came up and handed Turner a piece of paper.He passed it on to Dana.It says.Al Larson Electric, Bill Kelly. "They're just up the street." "Thank you very much, Deputy Inspector Turner." "You're welcome." As Dana left the building, a man across the street turned away and spoke into his phone. Al Larson Electric Company is a small gray concrete building.A man exactly like the one from the fire brigade - tanned and very athletic looking - was sitting behind the desk.He stood up when Dana came in. "Good morning." "Good morning," Dana said, "I want to talk to Bill Kelly." The man mumbled, "Me too." "Sorry?" "Kelly. He disappeared almost a year ago." "Missing?" "Yeah, just walked away without saying a word, and didn't even come to collect his wages." Dana said slowly, "Do you remember the exact time?" "Of course. The morning of the fire. Great fire. You see, the one where the Winthrops died." Dana felt chilly. "I see. And you don't know where Mr. Kelly is?" "No. Just like I said, he just disappeared." A remote island at the tip of South America has been buzzing all morning with the arrival of jets.Now it's time for the meeting, and the two dozen or so attendees are seated in a new, heavily guarded building that will be destroyed as soon as the meeting is over.The speaker walked to the front of the room. "Welcome. I'm glad to see a lot of familiar faces and some new friends here. Before we get down to business, some of you are worrying about a problem that has arisen. A traitor among us is threatening to expose us. We do not yet know who he is. But I assure you he will be caught soon, and he will suffer the fate of all traitors. Nothing and no one can stand in our way." There were murmurs of surprise from the crowd. "Now begins our silent bidding. Sixteen packs today. Starting at two billion. Any first bids?it is good.two billion dollars.Is there a three billion one? "