CHAPTER NINE
The long high-ceilinged room buzzed with the low, sophisticated conversation of a large intellectual group of people. White-coated waiters hurried through the crowd balancing trays of drinks in their hands and stopping periodically to replenish the supply of those that held empty glasses. A huge fire burned in the Victorian fireplace that was almost as large as the entrance door itself.
Carol marveled at the wealth displayed here. She couldn't recall ever having been in a home that exhibited so much of it, particularly in such subtle quiet taste. The paintings were the most impressive thing about it. Masters, all of them, sat against the reserved background of hand carved walnut paneling. This, she mused, was wealth in its grandest sense.
"And," she listened dutifully as he
