CHAPTER FIFTEEN
New York City
1976
The reporters gathered outside the gray façade of New York’s Waldorf-Astoria Hotel watched the parade of celebrities in evening dress alight from their limousines, enter the revolving doors, and head for the Grand Ballroom on the third floor. The guests had come from around the world.
Cameras flashed as reporters called out, “Mr. Vice-President, would you look this way, please?”
“Governor Adams, could I have one more picture, please?”
There were senators and representatives from several foreign countries, business tycoons, and celebrities. And they were all there to celebrate Ellen Scott’s sixtieth birthday. In truth, it was not so much Ellen Scott that they were honoring as the philanthropy of Scott Industries, one of the most powerful conglomerates in the world. The huge, sprawling empire included oil companies and steel mills, communications systems and banks. All the money raised this evening would go to international charities.
Scott Industries had interests in every part of the world. Twenty-seven years earlier, its president, Milo Scott, had died unexpectedly of a heart attack, and his wife, Ellen, had taken over the management of the huge conglomerate. In the ensuing years she proved to be a brilliant executive, more than tripling the assets of the company.
The Grand Ballroom of the Waldorf-Astoria was an enormous room decorated in beige and gold, with a red-carpeted stage at one end. A balcony holding thirty-three boxes with a chandelier over each one curved around the entire room.
In the center of the balcony sat the guest of honor. There were at least six hundred men and women present, dining at tables gleaming with silver.
When dinner was finished, the governor of New York strode onto the stage.
“Mr. Vice-President, ladies and gentlemen, honored guests, we are all here tonight for one purpose: to pay tribute to a remarkable woman and to her unselfish generosity over the years. Ellen Scott is the kind of person who could have made a success in any field. She would have been a great scientist or doctor. She would also have made a great politician, and I must tell you that if Ellen Scott decides to run for president of the United States, I’ll be the first one to vote for her. Not in the next election, of course, but the one after that.”
There was laughter and applause.
“But Ellen Scott is much more than just a brilliant woman. She is a charitable, compassionate human being who never hesitates to get involved in the problems that face the world today…”
The speech went on for ten more minutes, but Ellen Scott was no longer listening. How wrong he is, she thought wryly. How wrong they all are. Scott Industries isn’t even my company. Milo and I stole it And I’m guilty of a far greater crime than that It doesn’t matter any longer. Not now. Because I’ll be dead soon.
She remembered the doctor’s exact words as he read the lab report that was her death sentence.
“I’m dreadfully sorry, Mrs. Scott, but I’m afraid there’s no way to break this to you gently. The cancer has spread throughout your lymphatic system. It’s inoperable.”
She had felt the sudden leaden weight in her stomach.
“How…how long do I have?”
He hesitated. “A year—maybe.”
Not enough time. Not with so much still to do. “You will say nothing of this, of course.” Her voice was steady.
“Certainly not.”
“Thank you, Doctor.”
She had no recollection of leaving Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center or of the drive downtown. Her only thought was: I must find her before I die.
Now the governor’s speech was over.
“Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor and privilege to introduce Mrs. Ellen Scott.”
She rose to a standing ovation, then walked toward the stage, a thin, gray-haired, straight-backed woman, smartly dressed and projecting a vitality she no longer felt. Looking at me is like seeing the distant light of a long-dead star, she thought bitterly. I’m not really here anymore.
On the stage she waited for the applause to die down. They’re applauding a monster. What would they do if they knew? When she spoke, her voice was firm.
“Mr. Vice-President, senators, Governor Adams…”