they would see
each other； and the waiting would be done。
Her father…in…law touched her hand as they waited for a traffic light to
change。 〃Such a wistful look。〃
She sighed。 〃I'll just be glad when this is over。〃
He smiled Jeff's warm and reassuring smile。 〃It's going to be fine；
Anne。 Just fine。〃
Within minutes； he pulled into a parking lot and guided Anne into the
posh skyscraper that housed the offices of the attorney for Southeast
American Air。 The elevator ride to the sixty…eighth floor seemed
endless。 Her palms were moist and her stomach jumpy by the time they
finally reached the law firm。
The Boulton family attorney； Terrence Carpenter； met then in the outer
waiting room。 He spent several minutes explaining the types of questions
Anne would be asked； then led her through the double doors。 They walked
down long corridors of secretaries' stations； past open doors of office
after office to one at the very end of the hall。
It was a conference room； dominated by a long； rectangular table of a
rich wood； surrounded by large leather chairs。 On the opposite side was
the window； but the city seemed far away from this height。 The wall to
her left held oil paintings of past partners； the one to her right
offered blackboards and panels； a television set； and a bar。
Others were already in the room； a woman and several men talking
intently； but they quickly grew silent。 Anne felt every pair of their
eyes turn her way。
〃Coffee； Mrs。 Boulton？〃 her attorney asked； gesturing toward the
percolator at the side of the room。
〃Yes…ah…no；〃 she whispered。 Caffeine was the last thing her jangling