Diamond Solitaire

CHAPTER ELEVEN

A narrow blue rectangle was visible between the World Trade Center and the New York Telephone Company. It was the Hudson River. Viewed from Manny Flexner's office on the twenty-first floor of the Manflex Building on West Broadway, it glittered brilliantly in the morning sun. Manny's office had windows from floor to ceiling, divided at the center, which was about head height. The upper sections slid open, a feature Manny had insisted on. He liked his air conditioning natural when he could get it Today was one of those blissful days when the wind was minimal and the temperature ideal.

While his eyes were on the river he was speaking on the phone to his son, David, in Milan, and the things he was hearing pleased him immensely. Why couldn't every Monday morning be like this?

" The meeting went more smoothly man I had a right to expect," David was saying. "Okay, we had a few tough questions about the decision to close the plant, but most of them understood the problems and appreciated the trouble we were taking to relocate them. It was all incredibly civilized."

Thanks to the hard work you put in last week," Manny said with approval. "You did your homework. People appreciate mat How many want to transfer to Rome?"

"Fifteen to twenty. Another twenty or so want more time to reach a decision."

"How many of those are researchers?"

"Eight at the latest count"

"Not bad. You want to keep the ratio of research high. The norm in the industry is one-third research, two-thirds development. I always tried to better that. How did the buyout offer do?" J

"The union is asking for more, but that's a union's job. My feeling is that they're willing to settle."

Manny let out a long, contented breath. "Dave, you did a fine job. Is there any more news how the fire started?"

"No, the police haven't been back. I sent them a list of everyone at the meeting. I figure that won't please them much because we've accounted for every Joe on the books. The cops I saw here were pushing the theory that it was an inside job."

"They still haven't identified the bodies in the Alfa Romeo?"

"Not so far as I know."

"Are the insurers any wiser?"

"I doubt it. Everyone is resigned to long delays. Pop, if it's still okay with you, I thought I might take a couple of days off at the end of this week, go and see Venice, like you suggested. Rico can hold the fort."

"Venice?" Manny brooded for a moment, then came to a decision. "Sure, son, you've earned it. I'm proud of what you're doing. But don't wait. Go now. Today. And, Dave, don't tell Rico where you're staying. Make it a real vacation. You understand?"

"Pop, I'm in no hurry. I have a couple of appointments in the morning."

Manny said earnestly. "Cancel them. Do this for me. I know what I'm saying. Get the hell out of there if you want to see Venice. And, Dave…"

"Yes?"

"I love you, son."

"Love you, Pop," David answered in a bemused tone.

"Take care."

"Sure."

Manny cradled the phone. On his desk were a number of letters he'd written by hand. He picked out the one addressed to his son and wrote on the envelope Hope Venice was magic. Then he got up and poured himself a large brandy from the bar and swallowed it rapidly.

He removed his reading glasses and replaced them in the case on the desk. Then he took out his wallet containing credit cards and some paper money and positioned it beside me eyeglass case.

On the other side of the office was an oval mahogany table with four matching chairs. Manny collected one of the chairs, carried it to the window and used it to climb onto his teak filing cabinet. His movements were ordered, automatic, and, for a man with a malignant illness, remarkably spry. He could easily step up to one of the open windows from there, and that was what he did. He got both feet on the metal frame and balanced there momentarily supported by his hands. The space was tall, so there was no need to stoop.

Manny didn't look down. His gaze was on the glittering section of river way ahead. The Hudson. And beyond, New Jersey. To Manny, in his fatalistic state of mind, the river might as well have been the Jordan, and beyond mat was the promised land-a comforting thought He was still looking ahead when he jumped. He kept watching the far shore while he started to drop, kept watching for as long as he was able.