Vengeance Is Mine Read Online Free PDF Page B

given Les some anxious moments when she said she thought the clock was fine just the way it was. Even broken, it was right at least twice a day, and that was a better record than some of the county judges could claim.
    Margaret’s television studio was two doors down, on the south side of St. Germain. She pulled open the heavy glass door and stepped inside.
    â€œI’m glad you’re back, Mrs. Whitworth.” Carl Hunstiger, the security man, greeted her with a smile. “Janie needs you in the office right away.”
    Margaret took a shortcut through Studio 2, stepping carefully over the heavy black electrical cables. She could hear the sound of Jane’s rapid-fire typing in the office. Jane could type ninety words a minute on her new IBM Selectric, and she never made a mistake. She’d said it was silly for Margaret to hang on to the ancient Remington manual in her private office, but that was before the power shortage last summer.
    â€œI’m really glad to see you.” Jane finished typing with a burst of speed and whipped the paper out of the machine. “Could you sign this right away? It’s an authorization for an emergency crew at the booster station. Tim Murphy called right after you left. He said the storm last night did all sorts of damage.”
    â€œNext?” Margaret signed her name with a flourish.
    â€œTrish Hollenkamp called and asked me to lunch. I told her I’d check my schedule and give her a call back. She probably wants to pump me for information so Les won’t say the wrong thing on your show.”
    Margaret grinned. “Hold out for D.B. Searle’s, and order the most expensive thing on the menu. Then tell her Les should come out in favor of WinterGame. Talking to Trish is a lot cheaper than running through a rehearsal with Les. Next?”
    â€œThere’re a bunch of other messages, but I can handle those. Jim Pehler’s waiting for you in the green room.”
    â€œThanks, Jane.” Margaret shrugged out of her coat and ran her fingers through her short gray hair. “Why don’t you order us a large Waldo’s combo with extra garlic and cheese?”
    â€œBut, Mrs. Whitworth, didn’t Dr. Weston say—”
    â€œHe did.” Margaret nodded. “But after the morning I’ve had, if that pizza takes a month off my life, it’s a blessing.”
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    Bishop Donahue gave Sister Cecelia an approving nod as she opened the door of the small chapel. She was right. It was their duty to pray for Ray Perini’s sinful soul.
    â€œThank you, Sister.” Bishop Donahue walked to the front of the chapel and knelt at the prayer rail, waiting for Sister Cecelia to join him. After a long moment of silent prayer he raised his head. The huge silver crucifix over the altar glowed in the dim light from the electric candles. The power of God surrounded and protected them. There were no doubts in Bishop Donahue’s mind. He had made the only possible move, under the circumstances. He had attacked to capture his opponent’s Black Pawn. Now he must pray for the wisdom to recognize his next move.
    The chapel was so still, he could hear the sound of Sister Cecelia’s soft breathing beside him. Bishop Donahue reached out and made the sign of the cross over her bowed head. He was very grateful that he had taken the risk and enlisted Sister Cecelia’s aid. He never could have destroyed Ray Perini without her.

CHAPTER 3
    â€œSteve?” Carol Berg opened the door and poked her head in. “Michele Layton’s on line three, the telephone company said they’d be here in an hour to fix the intercom, and I’m running across to Dan Marsh for a hamburger. Do you want me to bring back something for you?”
    Steve grinned. Sometimes he called Carol Machine-Gun Mama because she rattled off things so fast. She said it was because she had six kids and she had to talk fast in the morning or they’d