The Vanishing Point Read Online Free PDF Page A

years. He found it in Sin Nombre Canyon a few days ago. It’s a remarkable find.”
    Otto Vail looked exactly the same when she finished this introduction as he had when she started. Not a muscle had moved. His eyes continued to blaze. Claire understood there was no way of knowing what a stroke victim heard, yet she felt that Otto had listened to her. Was that her own ego talking or had he made some sign too subtle to be registered consciously? “The center is very happy to have Jonathan’s papers. We deeply appreciate the family’s generosity.”
    She heard the staccato beat of high heels in the hallway and stood up, mindful of her role as a representative of the center and the importance of pleasing Ada Vail. The object was to show intelligence and respect, but, she hoped, not to grovel. Ada Vail entered the room. Even in stiletto heels, she was a tiny woman, so tiny that she made Claire feel large and awkward. There were many ways for a woman to age, and Claire knew that longevity didn’t necessarily reward kindness and gentility. Often the women who remained fierce did best. Claire put Ada Vail in that category. Her hair was dyed black, parted in the middle and pulled back into a bun. It was an unforgiving style that accented her sharp brown eyes and prominent nose, and a high-maintenance color that would require frequent visits to the hairdresser. Ada wore bright-red lipstick and a red dress. The vivid colors and dyed hair made a statement. Not that she was young, but that she was vital.
    â€œI am Ada Vail.” She extended a bony hand that sparkled with diamonds.
    â€œIt’s a pleasure to meet you,” Claire said.
    â€œPlease, be seated. You have met Otto?”
    â€œYes.”
    She sat in the armchair facing her husband. “He doesn’t hear a thing, but I try to include him.” She turned toward her husband, raised her voice, and began to speak slowly and distinctly, as if she were talking to an infant—everything Claire had tried not to do. “Ms. Reynier came here to talk to us about Jonathan’s journal. It has been found after all this time. Extraordinary, isn’t it?” She turned back to Claire and resumed speaking in her normal voice. “Would you like anything? Coffee? Tea? Mineral water?”
    â€œNo, thank you,” Claire said. “I’ve been admiring the painting.” As her eyes turned toward the fireplace, she had the distinct impression that Otto’s eyes followed hers. “I’m fond of Russell Chatham.”
    â€œHe’s a favorite of Otto’s and mine.” Ada turned toward her husband. “Isn’t that right, Otto?” Otto gave no response. Now it appeared to Claire that his eyes were focused on the fireplace, burning as if they reflected a fire there. Ada turned back to Claire. “It was so kind of Harrison to bring me Jonathan’s journal last night. We have been dealing with the center for close to thirty years. Many people have come and gone in that time. I knew your predecessor, Irina, and I am very glad to finally meet you.”
    Was that an emphasis on the “finally”? Claire wondered. She had been wanting to meet Ada Vail since she took the job, but interacting with benefactors was an area that Harrison appropriated for himself.
    â€œPersonally I always found Harrison’s predecessor … What was his name? Brett?”
    â€œBurke. Burke Lovell.”
    â€œA brilliant man, I’m sure, but rather restless and unpredictable. Harrison strikes me as a courteous and steady person.”
    Harrison was steady as a stone, but courtesy was a side of him Claire had yet to see. Someone at the center had to coax generosity from the rich and the powerful. If Harrison was good at it, more power to him. Still, he had sent her on this mission.
    â€œHarrison tells me that UNM is interested in publication, and that, as the archivist, you would be the liaison with