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When Buck had originally promised to try to introduce her to Nicolae, he
hadn't thought it through. Now, after hearing Steve rhapsodize about the
prominence of
Carpathia, he felt trivial calling to ask if he could introduce a friend, a
fan. He called
Dr. Rosenzweig. Doc, I feel kinda stupid about this, and maybe you should
just say no, that he's too busy. I know he's got a lot on his plate and this
girl is no one he needs to meet.
It's a girl?
Well, a young woman. She's a flight attendant.
You want him to meet a flight attendant?
Buck didn't know what to say. That reaction was exactly what he had feared.
When he hesitated, he heard Rosenzweig cover the phone and call out for
Carpathia. Doc, no! Don't ask him!
But he did. Rosenzweig came back on and said, Nicolae says that any friend of
yours is a friend of his. He has a few moments, but only a few moments, right
now.
Buck and Hattie rushed to the Plaza in a cab. Buck realized immediately how
awkward he felt and how much worse he was about to feel. Whatever reputation
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he enjoyed with Rosenzweig and Carpathia as an international journalist would
forever be marred. He would be known as the hanger-on who dragged a groupie up
to shake hands with Nicolae.
Buck couldn't hide his discomfort, and on the elevator he blurted, He really
has only a second, so we shouldn't stay long.
Hattie stared at him. I know how to treat VIPs, you know, she said. I often
serve them on flights.
Of course you do.
I mean, if you're embarrassed by me or
It's not that at all, Hattie.
If you think I won't know how to act
I'm sorry. I'm just thinking of his schedule.
Well, right now we're on his schedule, aren't we?
He sighed. I guess we are. Why, oh, why, do I get myself into these things?
In the hallway Hattie stopped by a mirror and checked her face. A bodyguard
opened the door, nodded at Buck, and looked Hattie over from head to toe. She
ignored him, craning her neck to find Carpathia. Dr. Rosenzweig emerged from
the parlor. Cameron, he said, a moment please.
Buck excused himself from Hattie, who looked none too pleased. Rosenzweig
pulled him aside and whispered, He wonders if you could join him alone
first?
Here it comes, Buck thought, flashing Hattie an apologetic look and holding up
a finger to indicate he would not, be long. Carpathia's gonna have my neck for
wasting his time.
He found Nicolae standing a few feet in front of the TV, watching CNN. His
arms were crossed, his chin in his hand. He glanced Buck's way and waved him
in. Buck shut the door behind him, feeling as if he had been sent to the
principal's office. But
Nicolae did not mention Hattie.
Have you seen this business in Jerusalem? he said. Buck said he had.
Strangest
thing I have ever seen.
Not me, Buck said.
No?
I was in Tel Aviv when Russia attacked.
Carpathia kept his eyes on the screen as CNN played over and over the attack
on the preachers and the collapsing of the would-be assassins. Yes, he
mumbled. That would have been something akin to this. Something
unexplainable. Heart attacks, they say.
Pardon?
The attackers are dead of heart attacks.
I hadn't heard that.
Yes. And the Uzi did not jam. It is in perfect working order.
Nicolae seemed transfixed by the images. He continued to watch as he talked.
I
wondered what you thought of my choice for press secretary.
I was stunned.
I thought you might be. Look at this. The preachers never touched either of
them.
What are the odds? Were they scared to death, was that it?
The question was rhetorical. Buck didn't answer.
Hm, hm, hm, Carpathia exclaimed, the least articulate Buck had ever heard
him.
Strange indeed. There is no question Plank can do the job though, do you
agree?
Of course. I hope you know you've crippled the Weekly.
Ah! I have strengthened it. What better way to have the person I want at the
top?
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Buck shuddered, relieved when Carpathia looked away from the TV at last. This
makes me feel just like Jonathan Stonagal, maneuvering people into positions.
He laughed, and Buck was pleased to see that he was kidding.
Did you hear what happened to Eric Miller? Buck asked.
Your friend from Seaboard Monthly? No. What?
Drowned last night.
Carpathia looked shocked. You do not say! Dreadful!
Listen, Mr. Carpathia
Buck, please! Call me Nicolae.
I'm not sure I'll be comfortable doing that. I just wanted to apologize for
bringing this girl up to meet you. She's just a flight attendant, and
Nobody is just anything, he said, taking Buck's arm. Everyone is of equal
value, regardless of their station.
Carpathia led Buck to the door, insisting he be introduced. Hattie was
appropriate and reserved, though she giggled when Carpathia kissed her on each
cheek. He asked her about herself, her family, her job. Buck wondered if he
had ever taken a
Carnegie course on how to win friends and influence people.
Cameron, Dr. Rosenzweig whispered. Telephone.
Buck took it in the other room. It was Marge. I hoped you'd be there, she
said.
You just got a call from Carolyn Miller, Eric's wife. She's pretty shook up
and really wants to talk to you.
I can't call her from here, Marge.
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