Are You Afraid Of The Dark

TANNER WAS LOOKING out the window of the wildly tossing plane when he heard the telltale freight train sound of the approaching tornado over the roar of the storm, traveling 320 miles an hour. Ta

It's a miracle! Only God and I could-"

IN THE REDBRICK building, Andrew moved a switch and watched the screen as the plane exploded and pieces of wreckage and bodies were hurled into the sky.

Then Andrew Kingsley pressed the red button three times.

CHAPTER 46

KELLY AND DIANE were finishing getting dressed when Grace Seidel knocked at their door.

"Breakfast is ready whenever you are."

"Coming," Kelly called out.

Diane said, "I hope our little stunt worked. Let's see if Grace has a morning newspaper." They stepped out of their room. To the right was the recreation area. A few people were gathered around the television set. As Kelly and Diane started to pass it, to go to the dining room, a television anchorman was saying:

"And according to reports, there were no survivors. Ta

Kingsley International Group constitutes the largest think tank in the world, with offices in thirty countries. The weather bureau has reported an unexpected electrical storm in the South Pacific area where Ta

Diane and Kelly were listening, fascinated "… And in another piece of the puzzle, there's a mystery here that the police are trying to solve.

The press was invited to a di

Diane said, "Ta

"Say that again. Slowly."

"Ta

"Anytime." She never mentioned the money that she had been offered.

IN THE PRESIDENTIAL suite in the Waldorf Towers, a waiter was setting a table for di

He turned to Diane. "Did you say you wanted it set for four?" "That's right." Kelly looked at her and said nothing.

Diane knew what she was thinking. As they were sitting down at the table, Diane said, "Kelly, I don't think we did this alone. I think we had a little help." She raised her glass of champagne and said to the empty chair next to her,

"Thank you, Richard, darling. I love you." As she lifted the glass to her lips, Kelly said, "Wait a minute." Diane turned to her.

Kelly picked up her glass of champagne and looked at the empty chair next to her. "Mark, I love you so much. Thank you." They drank their toasts.

Kelly smiled and said, "That felt good. Well, what's next?" "I'm going to the FBI in Washington and tell them what I know." Kelly corrected her. "We're going to Washington and tell them what we know." Diane nodded. "Right." She said thoughtfully, "I think we did a good job. Our husbands would be proud of us." "Yeah," Kelly said. "We've solved this. And look at the odds against us. You know what we should do now?" "What?" "Start our own detective agency." Diane laughed. "You're kidding." Kelly gave her a long, slow smile. "Am I?"

AFTER DINNER, THEY watched television, and every cha

I'm so glad you called." Kelly's heart sank. She knew what she was going to hear next. They had killed Angel.

"I didn't know how to reach you."

"You've heard the news?" "The whole world has heard the news. Jerome Malo and Alphonse Girouard packed their things and left in a hurry." "And Philippe and his family?" "They are returning tomorrow." "That's wonderful." Kelly was afraid to ask the next question. "And Angel-?" "I have Angel in my apartment. They were pla

Diane had been listening. "Angel is all right?" "Yes." "Oh, that's great!" "Isn't it? I'm thrilled. By the way, what are you going to do with your half of the money?" Diane looked at her. "What?" "KIG put up a five-million-dollar reward. I think it's coming to us." "But Kingsley's dead." "I know, but KIG isn't." They laughed.

Kelly asked, "What's your plan after we go to Washington? Are you going to start painting again?" Diane was thoughtful for a moment. "No." Kelly was watching her. "Really?" "Well, there is a painting that I want to do. It's a picnic scene in Central Park." Her voice broke.

"Two lovers having a picnic in the rain. Then… we'll see. What about you?

Are you going back to modeling?"

"No, I don't think-"

Diane was looking at her.

"Well… maybe, because while I'm on the runway, I can imagine Mark watching me, and blowing kisses. Yes, I think he would want me to go back to work." Diane smiled. "Good." They watched television for another hour, and then Diane said, "I think it's time for bed." Fifteen minutes later, they were undressed and in their queen beds, both reliving their recent adventures.

Kelly yawned. "I'm sleepy, Diane. Let's turn out the lights."