Chapter 15 Chapter Thirteen

In the evening, Dana came to a sudden, alert halt as soon as she entered her room.Nothing seemed to have changed, but... she felt a little different.Has her stuff been moved?It's coward's time, Dana thought humorously.She picked up the phone and called home. Mrs. Daly answered the phone: "Evans' house." Thank God she's still there. "Mrs. Daly?" "Miss Evans!" "Good evening, how is Kenmore?" "Oh, he sure is a bit naughty, but I can handle him. My boys used to be like that." "Is everything... all right?" "Oh yes."

Dana's sigh was pure relief, "Can I talk to him?" A moment later, Kenmore answered the phone: "Hi, Dana." "Hi, Kenmore. How are you doing, buddy?" "cool." "What about school?" "It's not bad." "How are you getting on with Mrs. Daly?" "Yes, she's great." Not only was she wonderful, Dana thought, she was a miracle. "When are you coming home, Dana?" "I'll be home tomorrow. Have you had dinner yet?" "Yes. Actually it's not too bad." Dana almost said, Is that you, Kenmore?She's excited about his transformation.

"Well, honey, see you tomorrow. Good night." "Good night, Dana." Dana was getting ready for bed when her cell phone rang.She picked it up, "Hello..." "Dana?" She felt a burst of joy: "Jeff! Oh, Jeff!" She thanked her for the day she bought a GSM cell phone. "I've got to call and tell you I miss you like hell." "I miss you too. Are you in Florida?" "yes." "How are things over there?" "Not good." She heard the hesitation in his words. "Very bad actually. Rachel is due to have a mastectomy tomorrow."

"Oh no!" "She's not feeling well right now." "I'm so sorry." "I know, bad luck. Honey, I can't wait to get back to you. Did I tell you I was crazy about you?" "I'm crazy about you, honey." "Do you need anything, Dana?" "No." "How about Kenmore?" "He's doing well. I have a new butler he likes." "That's great news. I can't wait to be with you again." "I can't wait too." "You take care of yourself." "I will, I can't tell you how sad I am about what happened to Rachel."

"I'll tell her. Good night, baby." "Good night." Dana opened her suitcase and pulled out a Jeff shirt she had brought from home. She put it under her pajamas and hugged it tightly.Good night, dear. Dana flew back to Washington early the next morning.She stopped by the apartment before going to the office, and was greeted by a beaming Mrs. Daly. "It's good to see you back, Miss Evans. That boy of yours has worn me out." But there was a twinkle of joy in her eyes as she spoke. "I hope he hasn't caused you too much trouble." "Trouble? Not at all. I'm glad he's doing well with his new arm."

Dana looked at her in surprise: "He's wearing it?" "Of course. He wears it to school." "That's great. I'm very happy," she said, looking at her watch. "I've got to go to the studio. I'll be back to watch Kenmore this afternoon." "He'll be very glad to see you. He misses you, you see. You go, I'll unpack for you." "Thank you, Mrs. Daly." Dana is in Matt's office telling what she learned in Aspen. He was looking at her suspiciously: "The day after the fire, that electrician just fucking disappeared?"

"I didn't even get paid." "And he was at the Winthrop house the day before the fire." "yes." Matt shook his head. "It's like Alice in Wonderland. It's getting weirder and weirder." "Matt, the next in the family to die was Paul Winthrop. He died in France shortly after the fire. I want to go there. I want to see if there were any witnesses to the accident." "Okay." Then Matt added: "Eliot Cromwell has been asking you. He wants you to take care of yourself." "He meant both of us," Dana replied.

Dana was waiting for Kenmore when he returned from school.Kenmore, with his new arms, seemed calmer to Dana. "You're back." He hugged her. "Hi honey. I've been thinking of you. How's school?" "Not bad. How was your trip?" "Very good. I'll bring you something back." She handed Kenmore a schoolbag and a pair of moccasins she had bought in Aspen.The next part was difficult: "Kenmore, I'm afraid I have to go away for a few more days." Dana was prepared for his reaction, but Kenmore just said, "Okay." No sign of emotion.

"I'll bring you a nice present." "You take one with you every day?" Dana laughed. "You should be in seventh grade, not law school." He was comfortably seated in an armchair with the TV on and a roll of Scotch tape in his hand.On screen, Dana and Kenmore are seated at a dinner table as Mrs. Daly serves what appears to be an Irish stew. "It's delicious," Dana said. "Thank you. I'm glad you liked it." "I told you she was a good cook," said Kenmore. It would be like being in the same room with them, he thought, rather than spying on them from the apartment next door.

"Tell me about school," Dana said. "I love my new teacher. My math teacher is amazing..." "That's great." "The boys at this school are much cuter. They think my new arm is amazing." "I'm sure they will." "There is a girl in our class who is really pretty. I think she likes me. Her name is Liz." "Do you like her, dear?" "Yeah. She's a phat." He's growing up, Dana thought suddenly, heartbroken.When the time came and Kenmore went to bed, Dana went into the kitchen to find Mrs. Daly. "Kenmore seemed so... so quiet. I can't tell you how grateful I am," Dana said.

"You're doing me a favor," Mrs. Daly smiled. "It's like finding one of my own children. They're all grown up now, you see. Kenmore and I are having a great time." "I am very happy." Dana stayed up until midnight, but Jeff still didn't call, so she went to bed.She lay there imagining what Jeff was doing, whether he was making love to Rachel, and she was ashamed of what she thought. The man in the apartment next door reported to his superiors: "Everything is fine." Her cell phone rang. "Jeff, honey. Where are you?" "I'm at Dr.'s Hospital in Florida. The mastectomy is over. The oncologist is still doing tests." "Oh Jeff! I hope it hasn't spread." "So do I. Rachel wants me to stay with her for a few more days. I wanted to ask if you—" "Of course. You must." "Only for a short while. I'll call Matt and tell him about it. Any excitement over there?" For a moment Dana wanted to tell Jeff Aspen about it and her intention to continue the investigation.His mind has had enough. "No," Dana said, "everything is fine." "Bring my love to Kenmore. I'll give you the rest." Jeff puts the phone down.A nurse walked up to him, "Mr. Connors? Dr. Yang wants to see you." "The operation went well," Dr. Yang told Jeff, "but she needs a lot of emotional support. She will not feel like a whole woman. She will be very frightened when she wakes up. You have to let her know that fear is normal. " "I get it," Jeff said. "When we start radiation therapy to try to stop the cancer from spreading, her fear and desperation will flare up again. It will be very painful." Jeff sat there, thinking about the situation before him. "Is she taken care of?" "Me." Jeff said the word before realizing that he was the only person Rachel could rely on. The Air France flight to Nice was safe and sound.Dana turned on her laptop to review the information she'd gathered so far.Thought-provoking, but decidedly unconvincing.Evidence, Dana thought, without evidence there is no news coverage.if I could-- "Nice trip, no?" Dana turned to look at the man next to her.He was tall and attractive and spoke with a French accent. "yes." "Have you been to France before?" "No," Dana said, "this is my first time." He smiled: "Ah, you can have fun now. It's a magical country." He smiled enthusiastically, and at the same time approached her: "Do you have a friend to show you?" "I'm going to see my husband and three kids," Dana said. "Unfortunately." He nodded, turned his face away, and picked up his "French Night". Dana went back to her computer.An article caught her attention.Paul Winthrop, who died in a car crash, once had a hobby. racing car. The Air France plane landed at Nice Airport, and Dana walked into the crowded airport toward the car rental office. "My name is Dana Evans. I have—" The clerk looked up: "Ah! Miss Evans. Your car is ready." He handed her a form: "Just sign it." Now for the actual service, Dana thought: "I need a map of the south of France. Do you happen to have—?" "Of course, miss." He reached behind the counter and picked out a map. "Here." He stood there watching Dana leave. In Washington Tribune's executive building, Elliott Cromwell said, "Where's Dana now, Matt?" "She's in France." "Is she making progress?" "It's still early." "I worry about her. I think maybe she travels too much. It's dangerous to travel now." He hesitated for a moment: "Very dangerous." The air in Nice was cold and crisp, and Dana wondered what it was like the day Paul Winthrop died.She climbed into the waiting Citroen and started driving up the Grand Corniche, passing several small picturesque villages along the way. The accident happened just north of Beausoleil, on the Roquebruna-Cap-Martin motorway, a resort town overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Dana slowed down as she approached the village, watching the steep, sharp bends and wondering where Paul Winthrop had flipped out.What is Paul Winthrop doing here?Who is he going to meet?Is he playing?Is he on vacation?Are you on a business trip? Roquebruna-Cap-Martin is a small medieval village dotted with ancient castles, churches, ancient caves and luxurious villas in a beautiful landscape.Dana drove to the middle of the village, parked the car, and went to the police station.She stopped a man coming out of a store. "Excuse me, can you tell me where the police station is?" "I don't speak English, I'm afraid I can't help you, little—" "Police, police." "Oh, yes." He pointed, "The second street on the left." "thanks." "You're welcome." The police station is housed in an old, crumbling white building.Inside, a middle-aged policeman in uniform sits behind a desk.He looked up when Dana walked in. "Good day, ma'am." "Good day." "Can I help you?" "Do you speak english?" He thought for a moment: "Yes." He said reluctantly. "I want to speak to the person in charge here." He stared at her for a moment with a puzzled expression on his face.Then suddenly he laughed. "Ah, Commissioner Freiss. All right. Hold on a minute." He picked up a phone and spoke into it.He nodded and turned back to Dana.He pointed into the corridor. "The first door." "Thank you." Dana walked down the corridor to the first door.Director Freis's office is small and tidy.The director was a well-dressed man with a mustache and curious brown eyes.He stood up when Dana entered. "Good afternoon, Director." "Good day, miss. May I be of service to you?" "I'm Dana Evans. I'm doing a news report on the Winthrop family for Washington Tribune Television in Washington. I heard that Paul Winthrop died in a car accident nearby." "Yes. Terrible! Terrible! You must be very careful when driving on the Great Corniche. It is extremely dangerous." "I hear Paul Winthrop died in a game and—" "No. No game that day." "Not that day?" "No, miss. I was on duty myself when the accident happened." "I see. Is Mr. Winthrop alone in his car?" "yes." "Director Freys, have they done an autopsy?" "Yes, of course." "Does Paul Winthrop have alcohol in his blood?" Director Freiss shook his head: "No." "poison?" "No." "Do you remember what the weather was that day?" "Yes. It was drizzling that day. It was raining that day." Dana had one last question, but she asked it without hope: "I guess there were no witnesses?" "Of course there is. Someone is there." Dana stared at him intently, her pulse quickened suddenly: "Yes?" "A witness. He was driving behind Winthrop's car and witnessed the accident." Dana felt a surge of excitement. "I would appreciate it if you could tell me the name of the witness," Dana said. "I want to talk to him." He nodded, "I see nothing wrong." He yelled, "Alexander!" A moment later, his assistant hurried over. "Yes, Director?" "Bring me the file on the Winthrop car accident." "Come right away." He hurried out the door. Director Freiss turned to Dana. "What an unfortunate family. Life is too fragile." He looked at Dana and smiled, "A man must enjoy himself while he can." He added subtly: "Or when she can. You alone Are you here, miss?" "No, my husband and children are waiting for me." "Really sorry." Director Freiss' assistant came back with a bundle of papers. The Director looked through the papers, nodded, and then looked up at Dana. "The eyewitness to the accident was an American tourist, Ralph Benjamin. According to his statement, as he was driving behind Paul Winthrop, he saw a dog - a dog - rush into the Winthrop The front of Srop's car. Winthrop twisted the steering wheel to avoid hitting it, the car slammed to one side, then flipped over the cliff and fell into the sea. According to the coroner's report, Winthrop died at the scene." "Do you have Mr. Benjamin's address?" Dana asked hopefully. "Yes." He glanced at the document again: "He lives in the United States. Richard Field, Utah, 420 Tok Street." Commander Freys wrote down the address and handed it to Dana! She tried to control her excitement: "Thank you so much." "You're welcome," he said, looking at Dana's unringed fingers. "And, ma'am?" "what?" "Say hello to your husband and children for me." Dana called Matt. "Matt," she said excitedly, "I've got a witness to Paul Winthrop's accident. I'm going to interview him." "That's great. Where is he?" "In Utah, Richard Field. I'll be back in Washington right after that." "Okay. By the way, Jeff called." "yes?" "You know he's in Florida with his ex-wife." He sounded disapproving. "I know. She's very ill." "If Jeff had been away for any longer, I'd have had to put him on formal leave." "I'm sure he'll be back soon." She wished she believed that too. "Okay. Good luck finding that witness." "Thanks. Matt." Dana's next call was to Kenmore.Mrs. Daly answered the phone. "Miss Evans' house." "Good evening, Mrs. Daly. How is everything at home?" Dana held her breath. "Oh, your son nearly burned the kitchen down last night helping me make dinner." She laughed. "Other than that, he's fine." Dana said thank you silently: "That's great." This woman is indeed a miracle worker, Dana thought. "Are you going home now? I can prepare dinner and—" "I've got one more place to go," Dana said. "I'll be home in two days. Can I speak to Kenmore?" "He's asleep. Shall I wake him?" "No, no." Dana looked at her watch.It's only four o'clock in Washington. "Is he taking a nap?" She heard Mrs. Daly's enthusiastic laugh: "Yes. It's been a long day for him. He's studied hard and played hard." "You bring him my love, and I shall see him soon." I have one more place to go, I'll be home in two days.Can I speak to Kenmore? He fell asleep.Shall I wake him up? no no.He is taking a nap? yes.Today is long enough for him.He studied hard and played hard. You bring my love to him and I will see him soon. The tape is over. Richardfield, Utah is a cozy residential town nestled in the central basin of the Monroe Mountains.Dana stopped at a gas station and asked for directions to the address Commander Freas had given her. Ralph Benjamin's house was a weather-beaten bungalow in a group of identical houses. Dana parked her rental car, went to the front door, and rang the bell.The door opened, and one wore an apron.The gray-haired middle-aged woman stood there: "Are you okay?" "I want to see Ralph Benjamin," Dana said. The woman looked at Dana curiously: "Is he waiting for you?" "No. I—I was just passing by by chance and wanted to drop by. Is he there?" "Yes. Come in." "Thank you." Dana stepped through the door and followed the woman into the living room. "Ralph, you have a visitor." Ralph Benjamin got up from a rocking chair and moved towards Dana. "Hello? Do I know you?" Dana stood where she was, transfixed.Ralph Benjamin was blind.