Chapter 17 Chapter fifteen

Dana arrives home to find that Mrs. Daly has purchased and decorated a beautiful little Christmas tree. "Look at this ornament," said Mrs. Daly with pride. "Kenmore made it himself." The tenant next door is watching this scene on the TV. Dana kissed the old woman's cheek: "I love you, Mrs. Daly." Mrs. Daly blushed: "Oh, it's too much of a fuss." "Where's Kenmore?" "He's in his room. You have two messages, Miss Evans. You call Mrs. Hudson back. I put the number on your dresser. And your mother called." "Thank you."

Dana walked into the study, where Kenmore was at his computer. He looked up: "Hi, you're back." "I'm back," Dana said. "That's fine. I'm looking forward to having you here for Christmas." Dana hugged him: "Sure. I wouldn't miss it anyway. How are you doing at home?" "great." it is good. "You like Mrs. Daly?" He nodded: "She's cool." Dana smiled slightly: "I know. I'll make a few calls and I'll be back in a while." Bad news first, Dana thought.She dialed her mother's number.She hasn't spoken to her since the Westport incident.How could she marry such a man?Dana listened to the phone ring many times, and then the recording of her mother.

"We're not home right now, but we'll call you if you leave a message. Please wait for the chime." Dana waited: "Merry Christmas, Mom." She hung up. The next call is to Pamela. "I'm so glad you're back, Dana!" exclaimed Pamela Hudson. "We heard on the news that Jeff was gone, but Roger and I are inviting some people to an early Christmas dinner tomorrow, We want you here with Kenmore. Please don't tell me you have other arrangements." "No," Dana said, "I haven't actually. And we'd love to. Thank you, Pamela."

"Great. We'll be waiting for you at five. Casual clothes." She paused. "How's it going?" "I don't know," Dana said frankly, "I don't know if they're going to work out." "Oh, forget about all that for a while. Get some rest. See you both tomorrow." When Dana and Kenmore arrived at the Hudson's house on Christmas Day, they were greeted by Caesar at the door.He brightened up when he saw Dana. "Miss Evans! I'm glad to see you." He smiled at Kenmore. "And Master Kenmore." "Hi, Caesar," said Kenmore.

Dana hands Caesar a brightly wrapped package: "Merry Christmas, Caesar." "I don't know what to—" he said incoherently: "I didn't—you're too kind, Miss Evans!" The gentle giant in Dana's heart flushed with excitement.Dana handed him two more packages: "These are for Mr. and Mrs. Hudson." "Yes, Miss Evans. I put them under the tree. Mr. and Mrs. Hudson are in the drawing room." Caesar led the way. Pamela said, "You're here! We're so glad you two are here." "So do we," Dana assured her. Pamela stared at Kenmore's right arm: "Dana, Kenmore has—that's great!"

Dana grinned. "Isn't it? Thanks to my boss. He's such a nice guy. I think it has changed Kenmore's life." "I can't tell you how happy I am." Roger nodded: "Congratulations, Kenmore." "Thank you, Mr. Hudson." Roger Hudson to Dana: "Before the other guests come, I have to mention something. Remember I said that Taylor Winthrop told friends he had retired from public life, and then became Ambassador to Russia?" "Yes. I reckon the President put pressure on him to—" "I thought so too. But it seems like Winthrop is putting pressure on the president to name him ambassador. The question is, why?"

The guests came one after another.There were only a dozen other people at the table, and the evening was intimate and festive. After snacks, everyone went into the living room.There is a huge Christmas tree in front of the fireplace. Everyone has a gift, but Kenmore gets the biggest share.Computer games, roller skates, skates, a knitted jumper, gloves, and videotapes. Time flies by.The joy of spending an evening with such a friendly group of people after a tense few days is indescribable.I just wish Jeff was here too. Dana Evans sat at the podium waiting for the eleven o'clock news to start.Next to her was co-host Richard Melton, with Maury Fasting taking the seat usually occupied by Jeff, and Dana doing her best not to think about it.

Richard Melton is telling Dana: "I missed you when you left." Dana smiled. "Thanks, Richard. I miss you too." "You've been gone for a long time. Is everything all right?" "Things are fine." "After that, let's go and eat something." "I've got to make sure Kenmore is safe first." "We can meet somewhere." "We'll have to meet somewhere else. I feel like I'm being watched. An aviary at the zoo." Melton went on: "They say you're digging a big story. Want to talk?" "There's nothing to talk about yet, Richard."

"I've heard on the inside that Cromwell is not very happy about your absence for so long. I hope you don't get into any trouble with him." "Let me give you a piece of advice. Don't bother yourself, or you'll find it. I promise." Dana found it difficult to concentrate on listening to Richard Melton. "He likes to fire people," Melton said. Bill Kelly disappeared the day after the fire.He didn't come to get his wages, just walked away. Richard Melton is still saying: "By God, I don't want to work with a new host." The witness to the accident was an American tourist, Ralph Benjamin.a blind man.

"Five...four...three...two..." Anastasia pointed a finger at Dana.The camera's red light snapped on. The program reporter's voice sounded powerfully: "Here is the eleven o'clock news on Washington Tribune, broadcast by Dana Evans and Richard Melton." Dana smiled at the camera: "Good evening. This is Dana Evans." "I'm Richard Melton." They're back on TV. "Today at Wilson High School in Arlington, three students were arrested after police searched the lockers and found seven ounces of marijuana and various weapons, including a stolen handgun. .See Holly Lamp's full report."

Play the tape. We do not encounter many art thefts, and the modus operandi is always the same.This time is different. The broadcast is over.Richard Melton watched Dana. "Shall we meet later?" "Not tonight, Richard. There's something I have to do." He stood up. "Okay." Dana felt he wanted to ask her about Jeff.Instead he said, "See you tomorrow." Dana stood up: "Good night, everyone." Dana walked out of the studio to her office, where she sat down to turn on her computer, connect to the Internet, and search the countless articles about Taylor Winthrop again.On one of the sites, Dana came across an entry about Marcel Falco, a French government official who had served as ambassador to NATO.The article mentioned that Marcel Falco had negotiated a trade agreement with Tyler Winthrop.Amid the negotiations, Falco resigned from public office and has since retired.In government negotiations?What will happen? Dana tried other sites, but there was no more news about Marcel Falco.It's so bizarre.I've got to look into this, Dana made up her mind. It was two in the morning when Dana finished surfing the web.It's too early to call Europe.She goes back to the apartment.Mrs. Daly was staying up late waiting for her. "Sorry, I'm so late," Dana said, "I—" "No problem. I watched your show tonight. I think it's as good as ever, Miss Evans." "Thank you." Mrs. Daly sighed. "I just hope all the news isn't so scary. What kind of world do we live in?" "That's a good question. How's Kenmore?" "Little Rascal is fine. I let him beat me at rummy." Dana laughed. "Okay. Thank you, Mrs. Daly. If you want to come later tomorrow—" "No, no. I'll come early in the morning and send you all off to school or work." Dana watched Mrs. Daly leave.A rare human being, she thought gratefully.Her cell phone rang.She ran to pick it up: "Jeff?" "Merry Christmas, my dearest." His voice warmed her whole body: "Am I too late?" "It's never too late. Tell me about Rachel." "she's back." Jeff meant that she had returned to her residence. "There's a nurse here, but Rachel's only letting her stay until tomorrow." Dana hated to ask, "And then?" "The tests showed the cancer had spread. Rachel didn't want me to leave yet." "I see. I don't want to sound selfish, but there's really no one else who—?" "She's got no one else, dear. She's all alone and panicking. She won't let anyone else stay here, and I honestly don't know what Rachel will do if I go away." I also don't know what I would do if you stayed there. "They want to start chemotherapy immediately." "How long will that take?" "She required treatment every three weeks for four months." four months. "Matt has asked me to take an official leave of absence. I'm very sorry about all this, dear." What does he mean by that?Regret his job?Sorry Rachel?Or is it a pity that our lives were forced to tear apart?How could I be so selfish!Dana asked herself.The woman may be dying. "I'm sorry, too," said Dana at the end, "and I hope everything has a happy ending." Whose happy ending?Rachel and Jeff?Jeff and me? Jeff put down the phone and looked up to see Rachel standing there.She is wearing a pajamas and gown.She looks absolutely lovely, with an almost transparent glow about her. "It's Dana?" "Yes." Jeff said. Rachel leaned closer to him: "Poor baby. I know this hurts you both badly. I—I really can't get through this without you. I need you, Jeff. I need you right now." Dana came to the office early and connected to the Internet.Two entries caught her attention.Alone they are insignificant, but taken together they suggest a mystery. The first entry reads: "Vincent Mancino, Italian Commerce Minister, unexpectedly resigns amid trade deal negotiations with U.S. Representative Tyler Winthrop. Massino's aide, Ivo Va Lay took his place." The second entry reads: "Taylor Winthrop, special adviser to NATO headquarters in Brussels, requested his replacement and has returned to his home in Washington." Marcel Falco retired, Vincent Mancino resigned and Taylor Winthrop made a surprise exit.Are they connected?Pure coincidence? Dana's first phone call was to Dominique Romalo, who works for TV Italia 1 in Rome. "Dana! It's great to hear from you. What's the matter?" "I'm going to Rome, and I want to talk to you." "Good! About what?" Dana hesitates: "I'd rather talk about it later." "When are you coming?" "I'll be there on Saturday." "I'll serve the fattest pizza ever." Dana's next call was to Gene Somerville, who worked at NATO's news headquarters in Chapellier, Brussels. "Gene? Dana Evans." "Dana! I haven't seen you since Sarajevo. It's been a long time. Have you been back?" She made a grimace, "I will try my best not to reply if I can." "Is there anything I can do for you, honey?" "I'm going to Brussels in a few days. Are you free?" "For you? Of course. Is there anything special i" "No." Dana said quickly. "Okay. You're just here for sightseeing, huh?" There was a hint of doubt in his voice. "Probably," Dana said. He laughed loudly: "I look forward to your coming. Goodbye." "goodbye." "Matt Baker wants to see you." "Tell him I'll be right there, Olivia." After two more phone calls, Dana heads to Matt's office. He cut to the chase: "We may have stumbled across something. I heard an incident last night that may be a clue to what we are investigating." Dana felt her heart beating faster: "Really?" "There is a man named—" He checked a piece of paper on the table: "Dieter Zander, in Düsseldorf. He has some kind of business with Taylor Winthrop." Dana listened eagerly. "I don't know the full story, but it's clear that something really bad happened between them. They parted ways roughly, and Xander vowed to kill Winthrop. Sounds like something worth digging into." "Certainly worth it. I'll check right away, Matt." They chatted for a few more minutes before Dana left. How can I dig out more information?She suddenly thought of Jack Stone and the FRA.He may know something.She found out the private number he had given her and dialed. His voice came over the phone: "Jack Stone." "I'm Dana Evans." "Hello, Miss Evans. How can I help you?" "I want to find out about a man named Zander in Düsseldorf." "Dieter Zander?" "Yes. You know him?" "We all know who he is." Dana noticed us, "Can you tell me something about him?" "Does this have anything to do with Taylor Winthrop?" "yes." "Taylor Winthrop and Dieter Zand were partners in a business. Zand was jailed for manipulating certain stocks and while he was serving his sentence his home was set ablaze, Wife and three children burned to death? He blamed it on Taylor Winthrop." Taylor Winthrop and his wife also died in the fire.Dana listened, shocked: "Is Zander not in prison?" "No. I believe he got out of prison last year. Anything else?" "No. Thank you very, very much." "This is only between you and me." "I know." The phone hangs up. Now there are three possibilities, Dana thought. Dieter Zander in Düsseldorf. Vincent Mancino in Rome. Marcel Falco in Brussels. I go to Dusseldorf first. Olivia said, "Mrs. Hudson is on line three." "Thank you." Dana picked up the phone: "Pamela?" "Hi, Dana. I know this is a bit sudden, but a buddy just came to the city and Roger and I are throwing a small party for him on Wednesday. I know Jeff is still out, but we want you to Come. Are you free?" "Unfortunately I didn't. I'm leaving for Düsseldorf tonight." "Oh, what a pity." "And, Pamela—" "what?" "Jeff may be away for a while." There was a moment of silence: "I hope everything goes well." "Yes. I believe it will." It must be so.