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It was in the May 2 issue of Newsweek that he found a small piece entitled "Reese's New Biotech Czar." It described the past week's ceremonious appointment of Julius Benton Wick to be head of the president's new commission on biotechnology. Beside the article was a photo of the president shaking hands with Wick. He did not recognize the man. A similar story and photo were found in Time. In U.S. News and World Report there was a side shot of Wick with the president, but because of the angle, the woman sitting behind him and smiling had not been cropped out. The caption identified her as his wife Claire. What caught Calvin's eye was the strawberry birthmark under her right eyejust as Terry had mentioned about Claire Manning. |
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Calvin tore the page out of the magazine and left. |
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What was going on? Why had Claire Manning not identified herself as the wife of Julius Wick nor as the original owner of the property during the seventies? And most of all, why out of the blue come back bearing $700,000 to buy back the place, especially if they lived in New York State and would spend most of their time there or in Washington? What sent a rash of gooseflesh up his back was the entry: Chm. bd. of directors, NY Poly. Tech. |
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Chairman of the board of directors of New York Polytechnic Institute. Sweet Jesus. |
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He felt he'd been used. Felt used, and scared. |
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He did not go back to the hotel. Instead, he drove back to Carleton center. |
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Beverly Otis was not in the office when he walked into Otis Realty. |
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Another agent, whom he recognized, said that she was out of town for the holiday weekend and wouldn't be back until Tuesday. It was clear from the tone of her voice and solicitous manner that she knew about Matty. |
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"Is there something I can help you with, Mr. Hazzard?" |
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"Yes," he said unfolding the Newsweek page. "You remember the woman who purchased my house?" |
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"Mrs. Manning? Of course." |
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