She set the receiver in the cradle, knowing she could easily be caught. Then she ran toward the rest room door to put distance between herself and the offending paraphernalia. After a few strides Jill came out.
“Were you at the booth?”
Grady hesitated. For reasons she couldn’t get hold of she felt very uncertain about her response.
Jill stepped close and put a hand on Grady’s neck, then put her head next to Grady’s head as if they were huddling.
“Look, I’m starting to like you. Don’t let me do that if you’re going to disappoint me.”
For a moment Jill said nothing more. Grady figured she could be forgiven this one transgression. It was, after all, a nothing telephone call and unworthy of one of their foul punishments.
“You’re a druggie,” Jill began again, “and I know you probably still think like one-keeping that connection going with the old life. Calling your friends, telling them you miss the stuff. Come on, let’s run.”
Grady wanted to argue and explain that Guy was no druggie, but instead she put one foot in front of the other back down the trail with a half hour to go, too tired to lie or fight.
Seventeen
Anna sat in the limousine facing backward, as did Shohei. She wore a simple turtleneck sweater, a St. John knit given her by a fatally injured girl whose last wish was to meet Anna Wade. “Who would have ever thought that Shohei would sit on a seat with Anna Wade?” Shohei said.
“I don’t think it’s really such a big deal, Shohei. Wardy Long sat beside me, held my hand, and tried to propose before he threw up in my lap, and now he works in a correctional center making license plates.”
Shohei laughed and nodded. “Okay if I be impressed anyway?”
As they pulled to a stop, Shohei pointed. “Look at that guy over there.”
Anna peered through the tinted glass window at a wide-shouldered figure in a panama hat leaning against the concrete. His arms, neck, and chest filled out his leather coat. Sunglasses dangled from the open neck of the coat as if he expected the sun to shine. She looked closer, trying to discern the face under the shadow of the hat, and suddenly realized that it was Sam puffing on a cigar.
Without even thinking about the men who had been following she opened the door, jumped out, and confronted him.
“You son of a bitch.”
“Hello to you too. Shall we go up?” Sam asked.
“Where the hell did you come from?”
“California.”
“Sam, don’t give me a hard time.”
Maddeningly he took her arm and started walking toward the entry. Not knowing what else to do, she walked beside him, Shohei trailing. They walked briskly along the sidewalk to the entry level of the building. They entered a large lobby several stories high and hundreds of feet across.
From nowhere two men appeared in the lobby, escorting them to the elevators.
Instinctively she looked back to the front door, saw several men exiting a dark sedan on the street.
“Are they the ones? In that dark-looking car?”
“Probably, but don’t look at them.”
“Why are they following me?”
“Maybe they have personal business in the building, like you and me.”
“What floor are you going to?” she asked.
“I’m going to fifty-nine.”
“And I suppose by some marvelous coincidence you’re going to Dyna Science Corp,” she said.
“I can’t believe it. Is that where you’re going too?”
“Sam, I have a private meeting.”
“Oh, absolutely. So do I.”
“Who are you meeting?”
“Dr. John Weissman.”
“Well, I’m meeting somebody else.”
“Whose name is?”
“I’m sure you already know.”
Sam pushed the button for the fifty-first floor.
“Why are we doing this?” Anna asked.
“Fool the followers. A little-distraction-never hurts.”
They stopped at the fifty-first floor and exited.
“Now what?” Anna said.
“The stairs.”
They climbed eight flights to the fifty-ninth. By the last stair her thighs and calves were burning. She knew Sam was watching her and she could detect the mirth at the corners of his mouth. As far as she could tell he was completely unfazed by the fast climb.
According to the placard as they exited the stairs, the floor was occupied by Dyna Science Corp. Even the hall outside the offices was elegant with blue red-trimmed carpets, wall tables with blue vases, some paintings of the neoclassical period, and the occasional chair. Everything picked up on the blue and red, whether by echo or contrast.
“I want to attend to my business alone.”
“Okay. We’ll all wait inside in the lobby.”
“I’d prefer you wait here.”
“Okay,” he said, but continued walking toward the door.
“You said okay.”
“Okay, I understand you want me to wait out here.”
“So you’re refusing to wait out here.”
“Why would I wait out here?”
“To respect my privacy. To allow me to attend to my business uninterrupted.”
“Okay.”
“Screw you,” she said, walking in the double doors with Sam and the entourage following.
“To these people I am Robert. Don’t tell them otherwise. Get behind me, eyes on your toes. Leave your hat and sunglasses on no matter how dumb it feels,” Sam said in her ear. Instantly she took off her sunglasses and her hat and turned to look Sam in the eye, radiating her displeasure. Then she gave the receptionist her best infectious smile.
“Good morning. I’m here to see Dr. Carl Fielding.”
The receptionist’s face lit up. “Anna Wade. How exciting to meet you. They told me Anastasia Wade, not the Anna Wade.”
“Robert,” the receptionist said, still looking at Anna but talking to Sam. “Look at who you’ve brought us.”
“Quite an event, huh?” Sam said.
“It’s very nice to meet you, May,” Anna said. “You’ve got a great place here and I’ll bet that is your daughter?” Anna looked at a small picture on the woman’s desk.
“She’s my pride and joy.”
“She looks to be at that age where everything is exciting.”
“That’s so true.”
“What grade is she?”
“She’s in the second grade.”
“Well, give her an extra hug for me, would you?”
“I will. And I know you’re here to see the professor.”
“Dr. Carl Fielding. I’m wondering where I might find him.”
“Well, I was about to say that Dr. Fielding is not here but he suggested you see Dr. John Weissman. Who also has an appointment with Robert.”
“This Robert?” Anna asked.
