At The Edge

19

Kenji sat beneath a crystal chandelier at the Bankers Club, a private luncheon establishment known for its good food and fast service. Often he stayed in San Francisco and worked in the city offices instead of driving to the operations headquarters for Amada in Palmer.

"I'm worried about exactly what Schneider got out of Kim Lee," he said to Groiter.

"You have my report. Nothing but a mention of bats and Catherine Swanson."

"What about Catherine Swanson?"

"He was incoherent. Said Catherine Swanson was in his briefcase or something. We looked and there was nothing of Catherine Swanson."

"Do you believe her?"

"In a word, yes. She might hide a few things. On the whole we have an understanding."

"Because you beat her senseless?"

"No, it's much deeper than that."

"What do you mean?"

"I think I know what makes her tick."

"That bitch could have tortured Kim Lee. Pumped him for information. Got him to spill his guts."

"Relax. It didn't happen."

"Those lawyers are making you look like an idiot. Schneider is supposed to kill them at the courthouse, and then she claims some guy stopped her. Who?"

"She thinks he was Japanese."

Kenji gripped the table sides. "Japanese? Why didn't you tell me this immediately?"

"I wanted to be certain, but all we have is her word. She thinks he was Japanese."

"You don't think he's from my wife's family?"

"Let's not jump to conclusions."

''Somebody broke into the compound and killed the dogs. Could-"

The waiter came across the room with a brown envelope in his hand.

"A lady asked me to give you this," he said, handing it to Groiter.

The envelope was made of thick paper and sealed with masking tape. Kenji could see that it came from Groiter's assistant. From in front of his place setting, Groiter took the sharp knife and deftly cut through the tape and the top flap as well. Parting the envelope, he looked inside. He pulled out a white sheet of paper and handed it to Kenji.

"It's a summary from the wiretap and the surveillance," he said. It explained in some detail how two of Groiter's men had followed Young and Fischer to the University of Southern California campus to meet with a zoologist whose specialty was bats.

"So they're still at it. Your warning meant nothing."

"It's kept them out of the compound. They don't think anybody could possibly know about the visit to the university."

"It could unravel everything."

"Next time we'll get it right. If she takes out Dan Young, that will do it," Groiter said.

"I don't want to hear about it. I just want them to go away. Got it?"

"Got it. Consider it over."

With a cup of coffee in her hand, Corey walked to the phone without so much as a limp. It amazed her that she had recovered from the beatings so quickly. The German and Asian were both technicians.

"After a little rest you will be ready to do something big."

"What should I do?"

"Dan Young is corrupting what little good was coming from Maria Fischer."

"Which one should I kill first?"

"We'll talk later. How are you feeling?"

"Like shit," she lied. She actually wanted this man's sympathy.

"I am sorry. You will feel better, I promise. As always, let us be your eyes and ears."

Literally within sixty seconds a knock came on her front door. She jacked a round in her Colt and looked out the fish-eye viewer. Nobody. What she saw made her suck in her breath. Set back on the porch, in the light of a small lantern, was a sign. It said only: dan young.

Not surprisingly, by morning the sign was gone.

The Fischers' home was a spacious, modern affair, an angular collection of glass and white stucco. It shared a scenic hillside with a number of other homes of similar size and distinction, none closer than one hundred yards away. A sweeping circular drive passed through a portico at both ends, and guests entered the house through massive oak double doors.

Dan chuckled when they drove up. And laughed when he saw her stiffen.

"OK, you've had your laugh."

"I'll take it easy," he said.

Mrs. Fischer, who wore a long, flowing, deep blue housecoat, greeted him warmly with a double handshake before kissing her daughter.

''Nathaniel is playing Nintendo,'' Mrs. Fischer said. Trim, with no gray streaks in her blond hair and the same high cheekbones and big eyes as Maria, Laura Fischer appeared to be in her late forties, at least a decade younger than she must be. "Welcome. We're just delighted you could come."

"Well, I actually promised Nate a trip to the zoo," Dan said as if on cue.

"Maria, my beautiful daughter." Amiel Fischer came out of a large hallway to the left. A balding man, about 5' 10", with a strong baritone voice. "And you've brought your friend." He extended his hand to Dan.

"Colleague," Maria corrected.

"Colleague and coadventurer, I understand from your mother. Surely, you two don't have to rush off. At the least I'd like to show Dan my den, my scotch, and my humidor. It's not often I meet a friend of my daughter's."

Fischer gestured powerfully with his hands even as he spoke in smooth, unhurried tones. Intelligence lit his eyes, and a thin, black mustache, as dapper as the crisp white handkerchief in the pocket of his herringbone blazer, accented his dark, handsome face. He seemed an avalanche of energy, and suddenly Dan understood the intensity of Maria's conflict with her father. He was an intriguing man, and Dan found himself curious. It was as Maria had feared.

"I promised to take Nate to the zoo. We don't really have time."

Amiel looked at Maria. "Not even for a single drink? Just a few minutes for your old man?"

Maria hesitated. ''Dan, I think we could take a few minutes, what do you think?"

"Sure," Dan said.

"But, Daddy, I know Dan wants to get going, so please don't capture him." Maria's emphasis on the word "know" sounded as if she were jumping on the single syllable with both feet.

"Well, we'll hurry with that one drink, then."

Mr. Fischer led Dan on a brief tour. The foyer was large, two stories tall, with massive vertical beams along the side-walls and matching beams above. Custom milled, with dark oak moldings, the windows and doors matched the crown molding throughout the house. A hardwood staircase with Persian runner and stained balustrade climbed to the balcony overlooking the foyer. Past the foyer was a spacious living room, bordered by a formal dining room. Immediately to the right were double swinging doors, beyond which lay the kitchen and the adjoining family room. To the left and down the hall, there was a library with cherry or mahogany ceiling, deep-hued paneling and bookcases. At one end was a massive fireplace. Through the back corner of the library was a den hidden behind what was probably a bedroom accessed through the main downstairs hallway.

In the den were two soft leather chairs in dark brown and a fabric couch in earth tones. There were two beautiful oils, one of Laura Fischer and one of Maria in her late teens. On his desk and the shelves behind were photographs of his wife and daughter. Most were of Maria. Dan winced at some indefinable thought about Amiel Fischer and his daughter. For a moment he couldn't put his finger on it. Then he knew: Amiel felt he had lost Maria and so he had surrounded himself with her pictures. The parallel with Dan's own life was unmistakable. Amiel pushed a button on a disc player and soft jazz came on.

"What do you drink?"

"Mostly beer, but Dewar's and water is good."

"I have that." He opened a massive liquor cabinet with one of the best stocks Dan had ever seen. The Dewar's was way in the back in the economy class. Up front were twenty-five-year-old Glenlivet, Crown Royal, and the like. Amiel poured him a heavy tumbler, more than he could possibly drink and stay rock-hard sober.

"I hear you're a big football fan."

"Yeah, that's true. Niners."

"Well, of course I'm a Rams man myself. USC coach and I get together all the time. In the off season we watch tapes when he's getting ready for the next season." Dan nodded appropriately.

"Not to change the subject but I listen to my wife. She says my daughter is at least a little bit fond of you."

Dan sighed, and sipped his drink. At least Amiel was getting right to the point.

"One thing I'll say for you, Mr. Fischer."

"Please call me Amiel."

"You don't waste a lot of time with small talk."

"That comes later. I know you're no weak sister. Maybe you drink a bit much lately, but you've got guts. Why should I waste time on trivialities?"

"We each have our issues-Maria and I-so we both get jumpy when you use words like 'fond.' "

"So you do this pretend thing?"

"Well, I'm not sure it's all pretend, but more or less. Yeah. We gotta be saying it's one thing while maybe we're doing something else."

"I love my daughter more than life itself. At the moment I'm afraid it's not mutual."

"Actually, I think it is."

"You do?"

"I think she desperately wants to find a way back."

"Do you love her?"

"I don't know. Maybe on occasion it's starting to feel something like that, but that has to stay between you and me."

"I confess I've done some checking. Probably not right. I found out you're a good man. I run across Jeb Otran from time to time. I called him."

Dan shook his head and smiled.

"If you end up together, I would really like to get to know you. When it's appropriate."

"I understand," Dan said.

"What do you think of her boyfriend, Ross?"

"I don't know him very well."

"Come on."

"She's falling out of love with him, but she'd never tell you or me that."

"She was never in love with him. He was the opposite of me. That's all he had going for him."

"And you think deep down she wants somebody like you?"

"Not just like me. A New Age man who's you know- sensitive. Respects women as they call it. I mean I respect women, but you know, I don't try to get in touch with my feminine side. I stay firmly attached to my balls."

Dan laughed. ''Yeah, I can see where you and your daughter must get down and dirty when you fight."

''We've both got strong wills. Now how you gonna knock her boyfriend off? You going to wait till he falls off a cliff or push a little?"

''Amiel, I don't know if we should be having this conversation. You know she's gonna pump me for everything we talked about."

"That's what I like about you. You got character. I'm just overanxious. I only have one daughter."

"Amiel, when there's something to talk about, we'll talk. And if you have any hope that your grandchildren won't be fathered by a state biologist, you should let it rest and give it time. Maria and I are a long way from anywhere. I'm not getting in the middle of whatever you and your daughter have going."

"Smart man. But promise me something."

"What?"

"Promise me you'll tell me when you fall in love with her."

Dan thought for a moment. "Fair enough."

"And one more thing. What's said on the trail stays on the trail."

"And I gather that goes for the den too?"

"The den too." Amiel chuckled. "Hey, before you go, I wanna show you something. Play of the century."

Grabbing a remote, he hit the play button and there were the 49ers and the Rams.

Dan knew this had to be a setup. Amiel must want to know if he really understood his football. This he relished.

There was a knock on the door. Amiel punched off the player.

"We need full concentration for this."

Maria opened the door, looking slightly impatient.

"Well, boys?"

"Just one play, dear, just one play." Again he pushed the button. Niners had the ball on their own thirty-yard line. The snap, handoff, and a run up the middle that made a forty-yard gain, but for one lucky tackle, it would have been a touchdown.

"What did you see?" Amiel asked.

"Interesting the way the Niners countered to the short side of the field from the left hash. They took advantage of the defense's fear of Jackson's speed to the strong side."

''Get some eyes, Young," Maria interjected before Amiel could speak. "The Rams were in a Split-six D with the tackles pinching hard. The pulling right guard has no leverage, running into the tackle that way. Notwithstanding the forty-yard gain, the Niners would have been better served to have faked the play up the middle, and play-actioned on the tight-end delay." She paused. "That would have been six points."

Wanting to get even, Dan thought for a second. "You embarrass all your boyfriends in front of your daddy?"

"Now you're jerking my chain. Let's go."

They tore Nathaniel away from Nintendo and chocolate chip cookies, then said good-bye to Amiel and Laura Fischer. Everybody looked a little overanxious except Amiel, who appeared unfazed.

Once in the car, Maria turned her attention to Nate.

"So you are a real Nintendo player."

"She doesn't seem old enough to be your mother. She's good at Nintendo."

"Yes, my mother is good at lots of things."

"Your father's nice too."

''Yes, in his old-world way, I guess he can be charming.'' She looked at Dan as she said it.

"He was a real card. And he loves you. That I can guarantee."

"And what did you find to discuss?"

"Not much. Amiel headed into forbidden territory pretty fast, and we ended up talking about the fact that we shouldn't be talking about what we were about to be talking about. It was obvious he thinks about you all the time."

"And what exactly did you two discuss?"

''Well, we never really got there. It was more a discussion about what we weren't going to discuss?"

"Which was?"

"Well, how can I discuss that?"

"She's getting mad, Dad," Nate said.

"Thank you, Nate," Maria said. "That was well said."

"Yeah. Well, Amiel was-" Dan began talking with one hand, but no words were coming.

"He was talking about my boyfriend. He was asking you if you and I were romantic. And all I want to know is what you said."

"I said we shouldn't discuss it. That you and I were a long way from anywhere. And I said you had issues."

"You probably made it sound like we're on the threshold of the promised land but for my 'issues.' You were supposed to say that we're in Egypt and living with Pharaoh, with no travel plans, no travel arrangements, and no travel agent, for God's sake. And what was that crack about you being my boyfriend?"

"You were supposed to act like an enviro."

"Oh and what's that like?"

"Barefoot, stupid, hair under your arms. And nothing about football."

Nate laughed.

Back in Palmer, Dan dropped Nate at home with Pepacita before taking Maria to her car. They talked easily, Dan driving a circuitous route. When they pulled up behind the Cherokee, they both went silent. After nervous smiles, Dan helped Maria put her luggage in her car, then came around to close her door. She was about to get in and then hesitated. For just an instant in time he knew that kissing her would be the most natural thing in the world. They were looking right at each other-not talking. With a slight smile she held out her hand. Then before he could react, she dropped it and hugged him. It was somewhere in between a brother hug and a boyfriend hug. She kissed him on the cheek.

"Call me," she said. "Soon. Like when you get home."

Dan got on his cell phone on the drive to his house. He called Otran's home. It felt a little unusual. Normally, he was relaxed around Otran, but this time he felt tight. Just the way he felt before they opened the gate on his last bull ride.

"I've got another issue I need to discuss," he began after the customary pleasantries. "Maria Fischer and I have been checking each other out for a while now. Maybe I'm doing most of the checking. We still disagree on everything having to do with trees." He paused, nervously tapping the wheel of his car. "It's conceivable that all this chemistry could, you know, make a battery or something. I thought you ought to know in case you felt it would constitute a conflict of interest."

"A what?"

"A conflict of interest. That's when-"

"I know what a conflict of interest is," Jeb interrupted. "So does Maria Fischer have to call up Patty McCafferty and tell her the same thing?"

"Probably not. She's still in the denial phase."

"You're sure?"

"What about love is sure?"

Otran chuckled. "You sound as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. But I don't care about the details of your as-yet-hypothetical love life. The real issues are: Are you emotionally attached to her, and if so, would it affect your judgment? Would it affect your ability to help me on the Highlands?"

"What do you need me to do?"

''I'm buying out Metco's half of the old growth. And I'm going to need convincing timber-harvest plans and someone to litigate them if I'm ever going to persuade the government to buy it."

"This is a shock," Dan said.

"It was to me too," Otran said, "but the price was right. So will you help me?"

Dan was silent, wondering how to respond.

"It's that bad, huh?" Otran laughed.

"I'm not sure. Maria's ideas don't change the way I think. Tell me this. You don't actually expect to harvest the lower Highlands, right?"

''We're figuring the government will buy it. Save us all a big right. Make a little money for our side."

"But if the government doesn't act right away?"

"We'd have to go ahead and start cutting if it came to it. How can you make the government move if you just sit there and let the trees rot for free?"

''Could we tell Maria it's a bluff? That we won't actually cut?"

''If you tell her that, we're liable to lose that shrill intensity of hers. We absolutely have to make the world believe we'll cut. Besides, if they don't buy it, we have to manage it for long-term timber production. And to do that, we have to cut it."

Dan sighed.

"I just hope we don't have to deal with it," Jeb said. "Cutting the Highlands or the romance. Hell, I don't care about a stolen kiss, but if she's going to be a fixture… We'll just have to talk. I mean, knowing her is great. It's always good to know your adversary. But for God's sake, how would it be to get in bed at night with the enviro who's been nipping at your heels all day?"

"Maybe violins and flowers have taken over my brain," Dan said.

"At least you're thinking with your brain," Otran said.

The minute Dan got home he called Maria's room at the Palmer Inn.

"Long time no see," he said. "Listen, let's get a drink in the pub."

"Now?"

"I know we've been together for two days, but I need to talk."

"I'll have one beer," she said.

Dan chuckled. "It's impossible to ignore the emphasis. You don't approve of my having two beers."

"I guess that's none of my business. But as long you ask, when do you have just two?"

"Touche."

It was only a couple of miles from his house to the Palmer Inn, and before Dan could decide how to bring up the most difficult topic of the evening, he had rolled into the lot.

"You look nice," he told Maria. She wore a khaki pants suit and yellow print blouse.

"What's the matter?" she asked.

"What do you mean? I just said you looked nice."

"You have the knitted-brow look, last displayed when Judge Traxler asked you point-blank if there had been accelerated harvesting. So what's up?"

They were through the main lobby and at the head of the stairs to the pub.

"In a couple days a story will break about a sale of the lower Highlands."

They were walking down a narrow staircase and a noisy drunk was coming up from below. She moved to Dan's side of the stairs to let the man pass. For an instant she leaned up against Dan. Her hair smelled of orchids, and the warmth of her body felt good. He knew he wanted more of her, and what he was about to say would give him less.

"What? Tell me."

"Come on," he said, pushing her by the elbow, just the way he used to nudge Tess. It was a little test and she let him. "Let's sit down and I'll tell you."

They sat in a booth. Instead of sitting opposite her, he slid in beside her, putting her on the inside next to the wall.

"Is there something wrong with the other side of the table?"

"Just that it's the other side of the table."

"Somebody is sure to see us."

"Crowd's light. And so what?"

"So it's my career, not to mention yours. Imagine what Amada could do with this."

"For one night let's just forget it."

"For one beer we'll forget it. Now tell me about the lower Highlands."

"Otran's going to buy it."

A look of utter amazement crossed her face.

"How long have you known this?"

"I just found out." Her eyes searched his. "I decided to tell you right away."

"But it's not the telling me that's got you bothered. Is it?"

"No. It's not."

"Jeb Otran is tough. What does he want with it?"

"He's going to manage it for timber unless the government buys it. Between you and me, I hope the government buys it and gives us all some relief. So does Otran. But that's purely personal. I just don't want to fight about it."

"Are you going to help write harvest plans and defend them in court?"

"It's my job."

"Well, it's my job to save those trees. So let me out."

"Not until you listen to me."

She fixed her eyes straight ahead and sat stiff as a statue.

"Come on," he urged her.

She didn't move. A single tear coursed down her cheek until she brushed it aside.

"This has got nothing to do with you and me. Or at least it doesn't have to."

"Just for the record, my boyfriend and I decided to call it quits. But I guess that's a moot point now, isn't it?"

"This isn't personal."

"Do you believe in this?" she asked. "Laying waste to this forest?"

"I believe we can have a fair debate and let someone else decide. One park more or less won't decide the future of mankind. Nobody's going to turn it into a wasteland."

"That's a cop-out. This time I mean it. Let me out." She turned to him, her eyes bright-fired with determination.

He slid out. "You're taking this all wrong."

She muttered some obscenity as she left. He could guess what she said.