"This past summer, more than twenty thousand people died in a heat wave in Europe." Tanner's voice rose. "And what have we done about it? Our government has refused to ratify the Kyoto Protocol drawn up at the global environmental summit. The message is that we don't give a damn what happens to the rest of the world. We'll just go ahead and do what suits us.
Are we so dense, so self-absorbed that we can't see what we're doing to-?" Senator Van Luven interrupted. "Mr. Kingsley, this is not a debate. I will ask you to adopt a more moderate tone." Tanner took a deep breath and nodded. In a less impassioned tone, he continued.
"As all of us are aware, the greenhouse effect is caused by the burning of fossil fuels and other related factors completely under our control, and yet those emissions have reached their highest point in half a million years. They're polluting the air that our children and grandchildren breathe. The pollution can be stopped. And why isn't it? Because it would cost big business money." His voice rose again.
"Money! How much is a breath of fresh air worth compared to the life of a human being? A gallon of gas? Two gallons of gas?" His voice became even more fervent.
"As far as we know, this Earth is the only place that's habitable for us, yet we're poisoning the land and the oceans and the air we breathe as fast as we can. If we don't stop-" Senator Van Luven interrupted again. "Mr. Kingsley-" "I apologize, Senator. I'm angry. I can't watch the destruction of our universe without protesting." 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 Twelve
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."