I was stunned. Grigsby was asking me to conceal knowledge about the secret passageway. I was sorely tempted to tell Elmont. Still, I could not shake the gnawing feeling that Grigsby was right..

      At that moment, Elmont reappeared in the archway. To divert his attention from our conversation, I pointed toward the window. “We’ve been admiring the view. See how the mountain range reflects the sky. No wonder the early settlers named it the Blue Ridge.”

      Elmont beamed. “Grigsby, this is exactly what I’m looking for. I know we haven’t discussed price, but I’m willing to meet your terms. How soon can we move in?”

      Tom Grigsby demolished Elmont’s concern with a wave of his hand. “By the time you’re ready, I’ll be in the underground house. I anticipate no problem.”

      “Since you’re both eager to  come to terms, we’ll go back to the office and write up the sale,” I said. Now I knew what Sheila meant by easy transactions.

      After completing the initial paper work and notifying the title company to undertake the search, my self pride was restored. I was about to relax for the first time in days when it occurred to me that Senator Shellenberger thought I was in Florida. How could he notify me when my clearance was approved? I grabbed the phone and dialed his office straightaway.

      An intern put me through to Kathy Owens, the Senator’s private secretary. Kathy is one of my favorite people, a conscientious, competent woman and the power behind his office. Left as a young widow with two children to support after her husband’s fatal heart attack, she needed to find a job in a hurry. A mutual friend recommended her to the Senator, whose reputation for compassion does not begin to touch on the many good deeds he quietly accomplishes. He and his wife took Kathy and her children under their wing, moved them into a lovely Washington neighborhood, and paid for the youngsters’ education. After college, both girls bound responsible positions, giving their mother, and the Shellenbergers alike, reason to be proud.

      Kathy was my rock from the time I joined the Senator’s staff. She was there during my siege with Craig. Like Meg, she encouraged me to resume social activities after a decent interval, assuring me that she would have done likewise given the same circumstances. Even though I didn’t take her advice, I felt better because it came from her. When Kathy’s oldest daughter was married, Meg and I played at the wedding, one more reason to be embarrassed for not contacting her sooner.

      At the sound of her voice on the other end, I began mumbling my apologies, but was drowned out by her cheerful scolding.

      “What will I do with  you, Amanda!  We expected you to get in touch sooner, especially since you’re still in town, and…”

      “You knew I never left?”

      Her guard flew up. “Well, we heard something to that effect.”

      “And just who passed along that information?”

      Her familiar, tinkling laughter cleared the air, but not the questions whirling through my head. “I’m really not at liberty to say, Sweetie, simply an unnamed source. The Senator’s down on the floor. I’ll tell him you called the moment he comes back. Right now, though, I’m all ears to learn exactly what you’ve been up to. Tell me everything!”

      I began at the beginning: the dreadful storm, the accident, the free condominium, the Cameron Agency, the company car, and the more I rambled, the more absurd it sounded.

      “What an adventure! The best part is that you’re learning a new skill. I’ve often thought that real estate may be the way for me to go when, and if, the Senator decides to leave office. You’ll have plenty of tips and experiences to share.” I heard Kathy catch her breath before adding, “Most importantly, I’m betting you’ll find that special person.”

      Thunderstruck, I tried to laugh that off.  “No you don’t Kathy. You and Meg are my Greek chorus of matchmakers. When the right man comes along, he’ll make himself known.”

      “Be sure you’re prepared to recognize him. Don’t be taken in by someone with the wrong credentials.”

      “Meaning…?”

      “Meaning that the one you’re destined to marry would gladly go to the ends of the earth for you. Anything less would be a compromise.”

      “That’s a tall order, Kathy.  They don’t make many men like that nowadays. “

      “One is all you need.”

      “You’ll be the first to know when I spot him.  That’s a promise.”

      “Amanda, your voice is so cheerful I feel better already.  It sounds as if you’ve tackled those demons and haven’t a care in the world.  By the way, now that you’re driving a snazzy company car, what are you doing about yours?”

      “Oh, m’gosh!” That brought me back to earth with a thud.  “I’d better try to call Martin again.”
“Martin?”

      “The mechanic who towed my car. His answering machine always says that he’s out and will get right back to me.  He never does.  I’m beginning to think he doesn’t exist.”

      Kathy’s optimistic smile bounded across the telephone wires.  “Keep cool, Amanda.  Enjoy this experience for what it is, and remember that the end is in sight just as soon as the good old government accounting office, the ‘company,’ and the unseen powers that be get their heads on straight.  In the meantime, think of your experience as a life bonus.”

      I remembered Kathy’s words at the settlement three weeks later and received my first substantial check for a job well done. Even Burke Cameron expressed appreciation of my accomplishment.

      Deep down, I was relieved that the sale was completed.  Secrets, under any circumstance, are not easy to keep, and the one Tom Grigsby had revealed was too arcane to ponder for long without letting it slip to the wrong person or seeking a logical explanation on my own.
 

© 2004 Emily Pritchard Cary. All Rights Reserved. Contact Emily Cary at