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“Elaine.”
Laura acknowledged that with a slight nod. “Foster has made it known that the new SunSouth is a team effort. Every employee has a voice in the company.”
“But some voices offer substantially more than others,” Elaine said, smiling.
“Thank you again. However, I still maintain that our success will be attributed to your husband’s motivational and management skills.”
“Am I blushing?” he asked.
Elaine regarded him adoringly, then to Laura she said, “The gentleman I saw you arrive with, is that your—”
“Good friend,” Laura said, cutting her off and hoping to avoid having to explain her single status. Although thousands of women in their thirties remained unmarried, it seemed an explanation was still required.
The truth of it was that no one, not even the occasional lover—and there hadn’t been many—had been as important to Laura as the pursuit of her career. But somehow that simple explanation fell short of satisfying people’s curiosity. “He’s dazzled by your billiard room. I may have to drag him out.”
They chitchatted for a while longer, but Laura was aware of others who wanted time with the couple. She shook hands with both and moved away.
Later, as they we
re leaving, she let her friend deal with the parking valet while she looked for an opportunity to thank her hosts. She spotted them across the room, their heads together, talking privately. Foster leaned down and said something that caused Elaine to laugh. He pressed a kiss on her smooth temple. Laura was struck again by what an attractive and obviously enamored couple they were.
“He’s devoted to her.”
Laura turned to find a co-worker standing beside her. She, too, had been observing the Speakmans.
“And she to him,” Laura said.
“She’s lovely.”
“Inside as well as out. A real lady.”
“Yes,” the woman sighed. “That’s what makes it so tragic.”
Laura turned toward her. “Tragic?”
The co-worker, realizing her mistake, touched Laura’s arm. “I’m sorry. I thought you knew. Elaine Speakman is ill. In fact, she’s dying.”
The sudden laughter coming from downstairs was muted by distance but loud enough to rouse Laura from her reverie. She didn’t recognize it as Foster’s familiar laugh, so it had to have come from Griff Burkett. What could Foster possibly have said to bring on a laugh?
A few moments later, the telephone on her desk rang. Finally, she thought. She picked up the phone before the second ring. “Foster?”
“Can you join us, darling?”
Her heart bumped. His summons meant that, at least so far, it was a go. “I’ll be right down.”
CHAPTER
4
WHILE WAITING ON SPEAKMAN’S WIFE TO JOIN THEM, GRIFF had been studying the globe. Suspended within a polished brass stand, it was as large as a beach ball and made of semiprecious gems. It was quite a trinket. He speculated you could buy a damn good car for what it cost.
Funny how having money, or not, changed your perspective. Recalling the rarely used, superfluous items in his Toy Box, he couldn’t think too badly of Speakman for having a fancy globe he could well afford.
Griff turned toward the library doors when he heard them open. He expected to get his first look at Mrs. Speakman, but instead the stolid Manuelo came in.
He went straight to Speakman and extended a small silver tray. On it were a prescription bottle of tablets and a glass of water. Speakman took a pill, washing it down with three sips of water. They had a brief conversation in Spanish, then Speakman said to Griff, “While Manuelo is here, can he get you anything?”
Griff shook his head.
