Part 76 (2/2)

*at them, which she did only rarely and inconspicuously, it

seemed to her that Cohn was looking directly her way,

--smiling even. Finally, just as they began to eat their desserts,

Maggie noticed the men walking over to their table, with

Greg in the lead. Surely he wouldn't dare to make a scene in

herel

”Excuse me,” he said in a distinctly cool but formal

-voice, ”I don't like to interrupt your meal, but my friend here

was very determined to make the acquaintance of the Pine

Cone's editor. Maggie Carpenter, I'd like you to meet Cohn

Byers.”

Cohn extended a hand and Maggie stood and took it. ”I

heard you speak this afternoon, Mr. Byers.”

”Ah, spying on the enemy?” But his words were warm

and he looked directly into her eyes. ”And so, may I ask,

-what did you think?”

”I think it was very impressive. But I'm confused because

it's all quite contrary to what I've discovered in my

research.”

Looking for You All My Life121

”And do you believe everything that you read, Ms. Car-

penter?”

She blushed. ”You make a good point, Mr. Byers. And

yet, when all your sources seem to say the same things, you

do begin to take them at their word.”

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