Chapter 20 Chapter Eighteen

The headquarters of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization NATO is located in the Leopold III Building, and the Belgian flag is flying on the top of the building, which is a vertical stripe of black, yellow and red. Dana had always been sure that it would be easy to find out about Taylor Winthrop's early retirement from her NATO position, and then she could go home.NATO turned out to be a terrible alphabet soup.Besides the sixteen member states, there are NAC, EAPC, NACC, ESDI, CJTF, CSCE Office, and at least a dozen other acronyms. Dana came to the NATO press headquarters on Shapleer Street and found Gene Somerville in the press room.

He stood up to greet her: "Dana!" "Hello, Gene." "What brings you to Brussels?" "I'm doing a news story," Dana said, "and I need some context." "Ah, another piece of news about NATO." "In a way yes," Dana said cautiously, "Taylor Winthrop was an adviser to the United States at NATO for a while." "Yes. He did a great job. He was a great man. What a tragedy his family was." He looked at Dana curiously. "What do you want to know?" Dana weighed her words carefully: "He left his post in Brussels early, and I wonder why."

Gene Somerville shrugged. "Easy. He's done what he's here for." Dana felt very disappointed, "Did anything...unusual happen to Winthrop while he was here? Was there any scandal about him?" Gene Somerville stared at her in surprise. "Of course not! Did anyone say Taylor Winthrop got into a scandal at NATO?" "No," Dana replied hastily. "I heard that there was a... quarrel, that Winthrop had some sort of feud with someone here." Somerville frowned. "You mean a quarrel of a personal nature?" "yes." He pursed his lips. "I don't know. I might find out."

"I will be very grateful." Dana called Gene Somerville the next day. "Can you find out more about Taylor Winthrop?" "I'm sorry, Dana. I tried my best. I'm sorry I didn't find anything." Dana had guessed Gene Somerville's answer. "Thank you anyway." She was frustrated. "It's all right. I'm sorry you made the trip for nothing." "Jean, I heard that Marcel Falco, the French ambassador to NATO, unexpectedly resigned and returned to France. Isn't that surprising?" "During tenure, yes. I think so."

"Why did he resign?" "There's nothing mysterious about it. It was an unfortunate accident. His son was killed by a hit-and-run driver." "A hit-and-run driver? Did they catch him?" "Oh yes. He surrendered himself to the police shortly after the accident." Another Dead End: "I Got It." "The man was a chauffeur named Antonio Persico. He was Taylor Winthrop's personal chauffeur." Dana shivered. "Oh! Where is Persico now?" "Saint-Gilles Prison, in Brussels," Somerville added apologetically. "Sorry, I can't help you any more."

Dana had a résumé sent to her from Washington.Antonio Persico, a personal driver of Ambassador Taylor Winthrop, pleaded guilty in the case of Gabriel Falco, the son of the French ambassador to the United Nations, who was hit and killed by a car and escaped. He was sentenced to life imprisonment by a Belgian court today. Saint-Gilles Prison near the center of Brussels is an old white building with towers that make it look like a castle.Dana had called beforehand and was given permission to speak with Antonio Persico.Dana walks into the prison and is escorted to the warden's office. "You came here to see Persico?"

"yes." "very good." After a quick check, Dana was ushered by a guard into the chat room, where Antonio Persico was waiting for her.He was a short, pale man with large green eyes and a face that twitched from time to time. As soon as Dana walked in, Persico's first words were: "Thank God, someone is finally here! You get me out of here right away." Dana stared at him, puzzled. "Yes—I'm sorry. I'm afraid there's nothing I can do." Persico narrowed his eyes. "Then why are you here? They promised someone would come and get me out."

"I've come to talk to you about the circumstances of Gabriel Falco's death." Persico raised his voice: "I have nothing to do with this. I'm innocent." "But you pleaded guilty." "I lied." Dana said, "Why are you...!" Antonio Persico looked her in the eyes and said sharply, "I was paid. Taylor Winthrop ran him over." A long silence ensued. "Tell me about it." The convulsions got worse. "It happened on a Friday night. Mrs. Winthrop's wife was in London that weekend," his voice tightened. "Mr. Winthrop was alone. He went to a nightclub in Belgium called The Old Days, and I offered to drive Take him there, but he says he's driving himself," Persico paused, remembering.

"What happened next?" Dana urged. "Mr. Winthrop came home late, very drunk. He told me a little boy ran in front of the car. He — he knocked him down. Mr. Winthrop didn't want to cause a scandal, so he drove on." , then he became afraid that someone would witness the crash and give the license plate number to the police, and they would come after him. Although he has diplomatic immunity, he said that if the information leaked out, it would destroy the Russian project.” Dana frowned: "The Russian plan?" "Yes. That's what he said." "What is the Russian program?"

He shrugged. "I don't know. I heard him say that on the phone. He was like a lunatic." Persico shook his head: "He was babbling on the phone saying 'the Russian program must go ahead. We've gone too far Now, let nothing stop it now'." "You don't know what he's talking about?" "yes." "Can you recall anything else he said?" Persico thought about it for a moment. "He said something like 'everything has become clear.'" He stared at Dana. "Whatever it is, it sounds very important." Dana listened intently to every word. "Mr. Persico, why are you charged with the accident?"

Persico's jaw tightened. "I told you. I was being paid. Taylor Winthrop said that if I confessed to being the one driving the car, he would pay me a million dollars and take care of my family while I served my sentence. He said he A short sentence will be arranged." He gritted his teeth: "I said yes like a fool." He bit his lip, "Now that he is dead, I will spend the rest of my life here." His eyes are full of despaired. Dana stood where she was, shocked by what she had just heard.Finally, she asked, "Have you told anyone about this?" "Of course," Persico said ruefully. "As soon as I heard Taylor Winthrop was dead, I told the police about our deal." "Then?" "They laughed at me." "Mr. Persico, I want to ask you something very important. Think carefully before answering. Have you ever told Marcel Falco that Taylor Winthrop killed his son?" "Of course. I thought he'd help me." "What did Marcel Falco say when you told him?" "The exact words he said were 'May the rest of his family go to hell with him'." Dana thought, My God!There are now three. I have to speak to Marcel Falco in Paris. It's impossible not to feel the magic of Paris, even when people fly over the city to land.This is the city of lights, this is the city of lovers.This is not a place to come alone.The city made Dana desperate for Jeff. Dana was talking to Jean-Paul Hubert of Metro Six at the station at the Hotel Plaza Athénée. "Marcel Falco? Of course. Everyone knows who he is." "What can you tell me about him?" "He's a man. He's what you in America call a 'big man.'" "What does he do?" "Falco owns a large pharmaceutical company. He was accused of forcing smaller companies out of competition a few years ago, but he has connections in politics and nothing happened. The French prime minister even made him ambassador to NATO." "But he retired," Dana said. "Why?" "It's a sad story. His son was killed in Brussels by a drunk driver and Falco couldn't accept it. He left NATO and returned to Paris. His wife was insane and she was in a nursing home in Cannes. " Jean Paul stared at Dana and said seriously: "Dana, if you plan to report on Falco, you must be careful with your words. He is notoriously vengeful." It took Dana a day to finalize her date with Marcel Falco. When she was finally ushered into his office, he said: "I agreed to meet with you because I'm an admirer of your show, miss. Your reports from the war zone are very heroic." "Thank you." Marcel Falco was an imposing man, with a stocky build, a resolute face, and piercing blue eyes. "Sit down, please. What can I do for you?" "I want to ask about your son." "Ah, that's right." His eyes looked gloomy. "Gabriel was a wonderful kid." Dana said, "The man who hit him—" "The driver." Dana stared at him in shock. Think carefully before answering.Did you tell Marcel Falco that Taylor Winthrop killed his son? Of course, I thought he would help me. What did Marcel Falco say after you told him? The exact words he said were: "May the rest of his family go to hell with him." Now Marcel Falco acted as if he knew nothing about the facts. "Mr. Falco, when you were in NATO, Taylor Winthrop was there." Dana watched Falco's face, looking for even the slightest change in expression.Not at all. "Yes. We've met." His tone was casual. that's it?Dana wondered.Yes, we have.What is he hiding? "Monsieur Falco, I would like to speak to your wife if—" "I'm sorry she's gone on vacation." She's out of her mind, and she's in a nursing home in Cannes. Marcel Falco is either denying outright or feigning ignorance for a more sinister purpose. Dana calls Matt from her room at the Plaza Athena Hotel. "Dana, when are you coming back?" "I've only got one clue left, Matt. Tyler Winthrop's driver in Brussels told me that Winthrop had mentioned some secret Russian project he didn't want to interrupt. I'll have to see if I can." to find out what he was referring to. I would like to speak to his friends in Moscow." "Okay. But Cromwell wants you back in the studio as soon as possible. Tim Drew is our correspondent in Moscow. I'll send him to fetch you. He's very helpful." "Thank you. I shall not be in Moscow for more than a day or two." "Dana?" "what?" "It's okay. Goodbye." thanks.I will not stay in Moscow for more than a day or two. Dana? What? It doesn't matter.goodbye. The tape is over. Dana called home. "Good evening, Mrs. Daly—or good afternoon." "Miss Evans, it was great to hear from you." "Is everything okay over there?" "It could not be better." "How's Kenmore? Any questions?" "Not at all. Of course he misses you." "I miss him too. Can you get him to answer the phone?" "He's dozing off. Do you want me to wake him?" Dana said in surprise, "Napping? He was napping when I was on the phone the other day." "Yes. The kid is tired from school and I thought a nap might help him." "I got it... oh, tell him I love him. I'll call tomorrow. Tell him I'll bring him a Russian bear." "Bear? Oh, he's sure to be terribly excited." Dana called Roger Hudson. "Roger, I don't want to trouble you, but I need your help." "If there's anything I can do..." "I'm going to Moscow soon, and I want to talk to Edward Hardy, the US ambassador there. I thought you might know him." "Actually I do know." "I'm in Paris. I should be very grateful if you could fax me a letter of introduction." "I can do better. I'll call him and tell him to wait for you." "Thank you, Roger. Much appreciated." Today is New Year's Eve.She was shocked to remember that today was supposed to be her wedding day.Soon, Dana told herself, soon.She put on her coat and went out the door. The doorman said, "Taxi, Miss Evans?" "No, thanks." She had nowhere to go.Jean-Paul Hubert was out to see his family.This is not a place to live alone, Dana decided. She began to walk, trying not to think about Jeff and Rachel, trying not to think.Dana passed a chapel with its door open, and on an impulse, she went in.The cool, quiet, vaulted interior gave Dana a sense of tranquility.She sat in a row of church pews and said a silent prayer. At midnight, Dana is strolling the streets, and Paris erupts with screeching noises and carnival confetti.She wondered what Jeff was doing.Is he making love to Rachel?He hasn't called yet.How could he forget how special this night was? On the floor of Dana's hotel room near the dresser, the cell phone that fell out of her bag jingled. It was three o'clock in the morning when Dana returned to Plaza Athena.She went into her room, took off her clothes, and curled up on the bed.First her father, and now Jeff.Abandonment ran through her life like a black thread in a tapestry.I won't look at myself, she swore.So what if today is my wedding night?oh jeff why don't you call me She cried and fell asleep.