Kingsley spoke for another thirty minutes. When he was finished, Senator Van Luven said,
'Mr. Kingsley, I would like to see you in my office, please. This hearing is adjourned.'
SENATOR VAN LUVEN's office had been originally furnished in typical sterile, bureaucratic fashion: a desk, a table, six chairs, and rows of filing cabinets, but the senator had added her own feminine touches, with colorful fabrics, paintings, and photographs.
When Tanner entered, there were two people in the office besides Senator Van Luven.
'These are my assistants, Corinne Murphy and Karolee Trost.' Corinne Murphy, an attractive young redhead, and Karolee Trost, a petite blonde, both in their twenties, took seats next to the senator. They were obviously fascinated by Tanner.
'Sit down, Mr. Kingsley,' Senator Van Luven said.
Tanner took a seat. The senator studied him for a moment. 'Frankly, I don't understand you.' 'Oh, really? I'm surprised, Senator. I thought I made myself perfectly clear. I feel-' 'I know how you feel. But your company, Kingsley International Group, has contracts for many projects with our government, and yet you're challenging the government on the environment issue.
Isn't that bad for business?' Tanner said coldly, 'This isn't about business, Senator Van Luven. This is about humanity. We're seeing the beginning of a disastrous global destabilization. I'm trying to get the Senate to allocate funds to correct it.' Senator Van Luven said skeptically, 'Some of those funds could go to your company, couldn't they?' 'I don't give a damn who gets the money. I just want to see action taken before it's too late.' Corinne Murphy said warmly, 'That's admirable. You're a very unusual man.' Tanner turned to her. 'Miss Murphy, if you mean by that, that the majority of people seem to believe that money is more important than morals, I regret to say you're probably right.' Karolee Trost spoke up. 'I think what you're trying to do is wonderful.' Senator Van Luven gave each of her assistants a disapproving look, then turned to Tanner. 'I can't promise anything, but I will talk with my colleagues and get their point of view on the environmental issue. I will get back to you.' 'Thank you, Senator. I would be most appreciative.' He hesitated. 'Perhaps sometime when you're in Manhattan, I can take you around KIG and show you our operation. I think you might find it interesting.' Senator Van Luven nodded indifferently. 'I'll let you know.' The meeting was over.
CHAPTER 12
FROM THE MOMENT people heard of Mark's death, Kelly Harris had been flooded with phone calls and flowers and e-mails. The first to call was Sam Meadows, a coworker and close friend of Mark's.
'Kelly! My God. I can't believe it! I-I don't know what to say, I'm just devastated. Every time I turn around, I expect to see Mark there. Kelly-is there anything I can do for you?' 'No, thank you, Sam.' 'Let's stay in touch. I want to be of help in any way I can…' After that came a dozen calls from Mark's friends, and from models Kelly worked with.
Bill Lerner, the head of the modeling agency, telephoned. He offered his condolences, then said, 'Kelly, I realize this is not the appropriate time, but I think that getting back to work might be good for you right now. Our phone has been ringing off the hook.
When do you think you'll be ready to go to work?' 'When Mark comes back to me.' And she dropped the telephone.
AND NOW THE phone was ringing again. Finally Kelly picked it up.
'Yes?'
'Mrs. Harris?' Was she still Mrs. Harris? There was no Mr. Harris anymore, but she would always, always be Mark's wife.
She said firmly, 'This is Mrs. Mark Harris.' 'This is Tanner Kingsley's office.' The man Mark works-worked for. 'Yes?' 'Mr. Kingsley would appreciate it if you could come and see him in Manhattan. He would like to have a meeting with you at the company headquarters. Are you free?' Kelly was free. She had told the agency to cancel all her bookings. But she was surprised. Why does Tanner Kingsley want to see me? 'Yes.' 'Will it be convenient for you to leave Paris on Friday?' Nothing would ever be convenient again. 'Friday. All right.' 'Good. There will be a United Airlines ticket waiting for you at Charles de Gaulle airport.' He gave her the flight number. 'A car will meet you in New York.'
MARK HAD SPOKEN to Kelly about Tanner Kingsley. Mark had met with him and thought he was a genius and a wonderful man to work for. Perhaps we could share some memories of Mark. The thought cheered her up.
Angel came running in and jumped onto her lap. Kelly hugged her. 'What am I going to do with you while I'm away? Mama would take you with her, but I'm only going to be gone a few days.' Suddenly, Kelly knew who would take care of the puppy.
KELLY WALKED DOWN the stairs to the building concierge's office. Workmen were installing a new elevator, and Kelly winced every time she passed them.
The superintendent of the building, Philippe Cendre, was a tall, attractive man with a warm personality, and his wife and daughter had always gone out of their way to be helpful. When they had heard the news about Mark, they had been devastated. Mark's funeral had been held at the Pere-Lachaise Cemetery, and Kelly had invited the Cendre family to attend.
Kelly approached Philippe's apartment door and knocked. When Philippe opened the door, Kelly said, 'I have a favor to ask of you.' 'Come in. Anything you wish, Madame Harris.' 'I have to go to New York for three or four days. I wonder if you would mind taking care of Angel while I'm gone.' 'Mind? Ana Maria and I would love it.' 'Thank you. I would appreciate it.' 'And I promise to do everything I can to spoil her.' Kelly smiled. 'Too late. I've already spoiled her.' 'When do you plan to leave?' 'Friday.' 'Very well. I will see to everything. Did I tell you that my daughter has been accepted at the Sorbonne?' 'No. That's wonderful. You must be very proud.' 'I am. She starts in two weeks. We're all very excited. It's a dream come true.'
FRIDAY MORNING KELLY took Angel down to Philippe Cendre's apartment.
Kelly handed the concierge some paper bags. 'Here's Angel's favorite food and some toys for her to play-' Philippe stepped back, and behind him Kelly saw a pile of dog toys on the floor.
Kelly laughed. 'Angel, you're in good hands.' She gave the puppy a final hug.
'Good-bye, Angel.
Thank you so much, Philippe.'
ON THE MORNING Kelly was leaving, Nicole Paradis, the receptionist at the fancy apartment building, was standing at the door to say good-bye. An ebullient gray-haired woman, she was so tiny that when she was seated behind her desk, only the top of her head was visible.
