Philip spent a sleepless night at a downtown hotel. Visions of Lara kept coming to his mind. “I’m interested in knowing more about the foundation. Perhaps we could get together and discuss it…”
“Are you married?…Tell me about yourself…”
“When I listen to your Scarlatti, I’m in Naples…”
“I dream a dream of bricks and concrete and steel, and make it come true…”
“I came to Amsterdam to see you…”
“Would you like me to go with you to Milan…?”
“You’re going to spoil me, lady…” “I intend to…”
And Lara’s warmth, compassion, and caring. Could I have been that wrong about her?
When Philip arrived at police headquarters, Lieutenant Mancini was waiting for him. He led Philip into a small auditorium with a raised platform at the far end.
“All we need is for you to identify him in the lineup.”
So they can tie him in with Lara, Philip thought.
There were six men in the lineup, all roughly the same build and age. Jesse Shaw was in the middle. When Philip saw him, his head began to pound suddenly. He could hear his voice saying, “Give me your wallet.” He could feel the terrible pain of the knife slashing across his wrist. Could Lara have done that to me? “You’re the only man I’ve ever loved.”
Lieutenant Mancini was speaking. “Take a good look, Mr. Adler.”
“I’m going to be working at home from now on. Philip needs me…”
“Mr. Adler…”
“We’re going to get you the best doctors in the world…” She had been there for him every moment, nurturing him, caring for him. “If Mohammed won’t go to the mountain…”
“Would you point him out to me?”
“I married you because I was wildly head over heels in love with you. I still am. If we never make love again, it will be fine with me. All I want is for you to hold me and love me…” And she had meant it.
And then the last scene in the apartment. “I had nothing to do with what happened to you. I wouldn’t hurt you for anything in the world…”
“Mr. Adler…”
The police must have made a mistake, Philip thought. By God, I believe her. She couldn’t have done it!
Mancini was speaking again. “Which one is he?”
And Philip turned to him and said, “I don’t know.”
“What?”
“I don’t see him.”
“You told us you got a good look at him.”
“That’s right.”
“Then tell me which one he is.”
“I can’t,” Philip said. “He’s not up there.”
Lieutenant Mancini’s face was grim. “You’re sure about that?”
Philip stood up. “I’m positive.”
“Then I guess that’s all, Mr. Adler. Thanks a lot for your cooperation.”
I’ve got to find Lara, Philip thought. I’ve got to find Lara.
She was seated at her desk, staring out the window. Philip had not believed her. That was what hurt so terribly. And Paul Martin. Of course, he was behind it. But why did he do it? “Do you remember what I said about your husband taking care of you? He doesn’t seem to be doing a very good job. Someone should have a talk with him!” Was it because he loved her? Or was it an act of vengeance because he hated her?
Howard Keller walked in. His face looked white and drawn. “I just got off the phone. We lost Cameron Towers, Lara. Both Southern Insurance and Mutual Overseas Investment are pulling out because we can’t meet our completion date. There’s no way we can handle our mortgage payments. We almost made it, didn’t we? The biggest skyscraper in the world. I’m…I’m sorry. I know how much it meant to you.”
Lara turned to face him, and Keller was shocked by her appearance. Her face was pale, and there were black circles under her eyes. She seemed dazed, as though the energy had been drained from her.
“Lara…did you hear what I said? We’ve lost Cameron Towers.”
When she spoke, her voice was unnaturally calm. “I heard you. Don’t worry, Howard. We’ll borrow on some of the other buildings and pay everything off.”
She was frightening him. “Lara, there’s nothing more to borrow on. You’re going to have to file for bankruptcy and…”