Chapter 1 I've never killed anyone before. But I've never needed to. The pills look innocent. Freshly pried from foil sheets. Enough to stop a heart quickly, painlessly, quietly. Take the pestle and grind the pills to dust. Mix in some powdered sugar? No. The ice cream won't be tasted.
It will be gulped down, as it is every night, without thought, without a pause to actually experience the flavor. Carefully scoop out half the ice cream. Sprinkle the powder equally through the chocolate layer. The flavor mustn't vary. Ladle the rest back into the carton. Open the freezer door. The containers look like rows of soldiers, dressed for war. Put my special package in the front so it's first to be eaten.
Close the door. No regrets. Chapter 2 WEDNESDAY, 11:15 A.M. Sonya Iverson's office TV producer Sonya Iverson stared at her computer, intent on the script sent for her approval by one of the writers for The Donna Fuller Show . She wasn't satisfied with it, and was annoyed that she would have to stay late to help with a rewrite. She had promised to meet her boyfriend, Keith, for a leisurely dinner, and this meant disappointing him-and herself-again. The show's writing staff complained that Sonya was too demanding.
She knew that behind her back they called her a "tough, hard-nosed, tight-ass." And that was true, at least when it came to work. She was a perfectionist, and proud of it. Almost every year, one of her segments won an Emmy. Sonya began to add feedback to the script. Her concentration was broken by loud knocking on her door, followed by a shrill, familiar voice. "It's me. It's important.
" When Sonya's office door was closed, it was a signal to leave her alone unless there was an emergency. Even Donna Fuller, the program's star and Sonya's ultimate boss, respected a closed door. But not Sonya's intern, Kirsten Sacco. Sonya frowned as the knocking continued, already sure that Kirsten was responsible. With a sigh of resignation, Sonya uncrossed her long legs, got up from her desk, released the lock, and opened the door. As she'd anticipated, Kirsten stood breathless in the doorway. The tall young woman stepped into the room as Sonya moved back behind her desk and sat down. "I'm so excited.
I've got the most awesome news ever. It looks like the family's going to have to live with Wade selling the diamond. I just hope they stop fighting now that he's made up his mind." "My door was closed," Sonya said pointedly, ignoring Kirsten's news, "and I specifically asked you not to interrupt me when my door is shut. So say whatever it is you have to say and let me get back to work." "I just did-I told you about the sale of our exquisite diamond, the Braganza." Kirsten was quite pale as a rule, but today Sonya noticed a tinge of pink to her skin, reflecting Kirsten's excitement about her news. Sonya felt angry at herself for being impatient.
What bothered her so much about Kirsten? Was it that the inexperienced intern assumed she had special privileges because of her mother's long friendship with Donna Fuller? Or was it that Kirsten never missed an opportunity to remind everyone that her grandfather, Daniel Lewis, had started the network news division and made it the success it was today? Or was it Kirsten's naked ambition that set her teeth on edge? Whatever the answer, Sonya wasn't eager to have one of Kirsten's usual endless chats. She leaned back in her chair and examined the twenty-two-year-old. Kirsten had a beguiling, childish way of dropping her chin whenever she was being criticized, as she was now. Sonya knew it was an artificial, practiced look of vulnerability, but felt a grudging admiration for Kirsten's determination to keep it up. "Yes, okay, Kirsten." She made an effort to keep her voice low and in control. "What did you say? What is it this time?" "Mother just phoned me and I knew you'd want to know." "Know what?" Sonya asked.
Kirsten did a little jig and announced in a triumphant voice, "The Braganza diamond will be sold at auction after all. Uncle Wade decided last night. Uncle Wade told the family he doesn't care how angry any of them are, or whatever they threaten. Harold and my mother, Blair-you know, she's Donna's friend-say he hopes to get as much as thirty million dollars for it. Could be more." She stopped and smiled. "Then he'll be one of the richest men in New York City." She put a serious expression on her face, one Sonya wasn't used to seeing.
"Mother doesn't know I'm telling you all this, but I'm sure I can get us an exclusive. Uncle Wade usually does what I ask." Sonya remembered when Kirsten had first pitched the story of the Braganza diamond a few weeks earlier. Kirsten had told Sonya, "It has an unbelievable history, you know. It's said to be the biggest yellow diamond ever found, and it once belonged to queens of Portugal and Brazil." Sonya had briefly researched the stone's history, which was fascinating, but the sale of a single, not-very-notorious diamond was hardly worthy of a block of network prime time. Later, Kirsten told her the sale had been canceled, so she'd put it out of her mind. Now, apparently, the auction was on again-and this time, there was a family conflict attached.
That might make good television. "What do you mean about the family being angry, Kirsten? Who's angry, and what kinds of threats have been made?" "Well, not really angry," the intern replied, obviously choosing her words carefully. "It's just differences of opinion. You know, like any family." Sonya decided not to press for details. There would be time for that later if the story developed. "It's definitely being put up for sale?" "Yes. Mother said the auction house is picking it up the day after tomorrow.
They want to send it on tour immediately. It'll be displayed at the major branches of the auction house around the world-I think Geneva, Hong Kong, and maybe London. They're announcing the sale and the display schedule as soon as Uncle Wade turns over the diamond on Friday morning." Sonya sighed at the thought of the problems that lay ahead. Putting together the story would be a lot easier without Kirsten's interference, but she might be the key to getting the family members to agree to interviews. Now that she had Sonya's attention, Kirsten sat in the visitor's chair opposite Sonya's desk and leaned forward. "I'm sure Uncle Wade will do an interview. He loves being the center of attention and I'm sure he'll understand that appearing on The Donna Fuller Show will be great publicity for the sale.
He really needs the money, so he wants as many people as possible to bid on the diamond." Sonya was surprised by the sudden, undisguised malice in Kirsten's voice. Usually the blonde spoke of how close she was to her uncle. "I'll go talk to Donna," Sonya said. "If we do a story, she may want to schedule it to coincide with the diamond's tour and then air a follow-up when the auction takes place. I'll let you know what she says." "I'm coming with you," Kirsten said swiftly. "No," Sonya said firmly as Kirsten rose.
"Interns aren't allowed in Donna's meetings. You've been here long enough to know that." "Well, maybe she'll make an exception in this case, since she's my mother's close friend-and it's really my story." Sonya flushed and pushed her red curls behind her ears as she stood up. She wanted to stride past Kirsten, who was intent on blocking her path to the door, but given the disparity in their heights, wound up edging around the woman. "Don't take it personally. It's policy." She escaped from her office into the hall.
Kirsten followed, her voice rising. "Why can't I come? The only reason you'll get an exclusive is because I set it up." "You've made your point, Kirsten. But the answer is no." Sonya walked away quickly. She could hear Kirsten following her but decided to ignore her. * * * Donna's assistant was not at her desk and Donna's door was open. As Sonya approached, she saw the television host sitting at her desk, putting files into a Louis Vuitton tote.
"Sonya, come in," she called, smiling. "I'm in a hurry to leave but I want to go over several things for Friday's show." Sonya entered and sank into one of the comfortable, round chairs in front of Donna's desk. Kirsten stood behind her. "Do you want something, Kirsten my dear?" Donna asked sweetly. "Yes. Mother told me Wade will auction the diamond after all. She sends her love and wants you to call her tonight.
" "Well that's nice. Of course, I'll call." Donna smiled. "Now, Sonya and I have things to discuss." Kirsten started to speak, but Donna nodded towar.