“Hillside Manor is such a quiet, nonpolitical, uncomplicated place,” Judith sighed. “Sure, I get crazy guests and my
mother drives me nuts and it’s hard work, but compared
with what goes on downtown, I’ve got it made.”
“Me, too,” Renie agreed. “Working for yourself is the only
way to go. I’m sure that’s why Bill and Joe are anxious to
retire. They can’t be their own bosses. Joe’s got a tough chain
of command with the police department, and even though
people who don’t know any better think professors live in
an ivory tower, it’s covered with thorns. There’s a hierarchy,
politics galore, and all kinds of budget crises, especially at a
state university.”
“At least Joe and Bill accomplish something,” Judith pointed out. “Joe may get frustrated, but he does protect and
serve. If you save only one life in the course of a year, that’s
a huge contribution.”
Renie nodded. “You bet. And Bill may feel as if most of
his students are only slightly smarter than your average artichoke, but every so often he realizes that he’s made a big
impression on someone that will last a lifetime. How many
other people can say that about their so-called careers?”
Judith blinked at Renie. “Yes,” she said in an odd voice.
“How many people can?”
“What?” Renie regarded Judith with curiosity, but there
was no chance for an explanation. Ava entered the kitchen,
looking somewhat sheepish.
“My bombshell has sent everyone back to the bar,” she
said. “Margo didn’t help things, either. I had to get away.
Let me help clean up.”
“Go ahead, coz, take a breather,” Judith responded, still
sounding unlike herself.
Renie looked uncertain, but headed for the lobby. Judith
and Ava returned to the dining room. It was a shambles,
with overturned chairs, spilled wine, and scattered food littering the tablecloth and floor.
“They were very upset,” Ava said in apology. “No one who
knows Alan Roth—except Margo—can believe he’s qualified
to run WaCom.”
Judith began collecting dirty plates. “Andrea must have
known about this, don’t you think?”
“Probably,” Ava agreed, picking up silverware. “She and
Alan had their problems, but they were still married. If he
was about to be given a big job like the one at WaCom, he
must have discussed it with her.”
“But Andrea didn’t tell Frank,” Judith pointed out, heading
back to the kitchen.
“Obviously not.” Ava had grown thoughtful. “Nadia was
right—a merger will mean cutbacks and layoffs and all the
rest of it. Andrea would know that, which means…” She
stopped, staring at the silverware she’d just put into the
dishwasher.
