Part 39 (2/2)

'Thank you, Senator.'

Diane replaced the receiver and took a deep breath. She turned to Kelly. 'We're all set.'

Kelly said, 'How do you know we can get on that flight?'

'I have a plan.'

The concierge at the hotel arranged a rental car, and in forty-five minutes, Diane and Kelly were on their way to the airport. Kelly said, 'I don't know whether I'm more excited or more frightened.'

'I don't think we have anything to be frightened about anymore.'

'It looks like a lot of people tried to meet with the senator, but none of them made it, Diane. They were all killed first.'

'Then we're going to be the first to make it.'

Kelly said, 'I wish we had-'

'I know. A weapon. You said that. We have our wits.'

'Yeah. I wish we had a weapon.'

Kelly looked out the car window. 'Pull over.'

Diane pulled over to the curb. 'What is it?'

'There's something I have to do.'

They had stopped in front of a beauty parlour. Kelly opened the car door.

Diane said, 'Where are you going?'

'I'm going to get a new hairdo.'

Diane said, 'You're joking.'

'No, I'm not.'

'You're getting a new hairdo now! Kelly, we're on our way to the airport, to catch a plane, and there's no time to-'

'Diane, you never know what's going to happen. And in case I should die, I want to look pretty.'

Diane sat there, speechless, as Kelly walked into the beauty parlour.

Twenty minutes later, Kelly came out. She was wearing a black wig that was a luxurious upsweep piled high in the back.

'I'm ready,' Kelly said. 'Let's go kick some a.s.s.'

CHAPTER 41.There's a white Lexus following us,' Kelly said.

'I know. There are half a dozen men in it.'

'Can you lose them?'

'I don't have to.'

Kelly stared at her. 'What?'

'Watch.'

They were approaching an airport gate with a sign that read deliveries only. The guard behind the gate had opened it to admit the car.

The men in the Lexus watched as Kelly and Diane got out and stepped into an official airport car that started across the tarmac.

When the Lexus reached the gate, the guard said, 'This is a private entrance.'

'But you let that other car in.'

'This is a private entrance.' The guard closed the gate.

The official airport car crossed the tarmac and stopped at the side of a jumbo jet. As Diane and Kelly stepped out, Howard Miller was waiting. 'You got here all right.'

'Yes,' Diane said. 'Thanks so much for making the arrangements.'

'My pleasure.' His face became grim. 'I hope some good comes out of all of this.'

Kelly said, 'Thank Lois Reynolds for us and tell her-'

Howard Miller's expression changed. 'Lois Reynolds pa.s.sed away last night.'

The two women both felt a sense of shock. It took Kelly a moment to speak. 'I'm sorry.'

'What happened?' Diane asked.

'I guess her heart gave out.'

Howard Miller looked over at the jet. 'They're ready to go. I've arranged seats for you near the door.'

'Thanks again.'

Howard Miller watched as Kelly and Diane went up the ramp. Moments later, the flight attendant closed the door, and the plane began to taxi.

Kelly turned to Diane and smiled. 'We've made it. We outsmarted all those brainiacs. What are you going to do after we talk to Senator Van Luven?'

'I hadn't really thought about it,' Diane said. 'Are you going back to Paris?'

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