Abel went cold.

'Nothing for you to worry about, my boy,' continued Davis, sounding unconvincing. 'I will fill you in on all the details when I come up to Chicago next week. I am sure I can fix up something by then.'

Abel heard the phone click and could feel his whole body sweating. His first reaction was to wonder how he could assist Davis. He put a call through to Curtis Fenton and prised out of him the name of the banker who controlled the Richmond Group, feeling that if he could see him it might make things easier for his friend.

Abel called Davis several times during the next few days to tell him that things were going from bad to worse and that decisions must be made, but he sounded more and more preoccupied and was still unwilling to make any decision. When matters started getting out of control, Abel made a decision. He asked his secretary to get the banker who controlled the Richmond Group on die phone.

'Who are you calling, Mr. Rosnovski?' asked a primsounding lady.

Abet looked down at the name on the piece of paper in front of him and said it firmly.

'I'll put you through.'

'Good morning,' said an authoritative voice. 'May I help youT 'I hope so. My name is Abel Rosnovski,' began Abel nervously. 'I am the manager of the Richmond Chicago and wanted to make an appointment to see you and discuss the future of the Richmond Group!

'I have no authority to deal with anyone except Mr. Davis Leroy,'said the clipped accent.

'But I own twenty - five per cent of the Richmond Group,' said Abel.

17

'nen no doubt someone will explain to you that until you own fifty - one per cent you are in no position to deal with the bank unles you have the authority of Mr. Davis Leroy.'

'But he's a close personal friend. . .'

'I don't doubt that, Mr. Rosnovski.'

I... and I'm trying to help.'

'Has Mr. Leroy given you the authority to represent him?'

'No, but.. .'

'Then I am sorry. It would be most unprofessional of me to continue this conversation.'

'You couldn't be less helpful, could you?' asked Abel, immediately regretting his words.

'That is no doubt how you see it, Mr. Rosnovski. Good day, sir.'

Oh, to hell with you, thought Abel, slanuning down the phone, even more worried about what he could do next to help Davis. He didn't have long to find out.

The next evening Abel spotted Melanie in the restaurant, not displaying her usual well - groomed confidence but looking tired and anxious, and he nearly asked her if everything was all right. He decided against approaching her and, as he left the dining room to go to his office, he found Davis Leroy standing alone in the front hall. He had on the checked jac - ket that he was wearing the first day he had approached Abel at the Plaza.

'Is Melanie in the dining room?'

"Yes,' said Abel. 'I didn't know you were coming into town today, Davis.

I'll get the Presidential Suite ready for you immediately!

'Only for one night, Abel, and I'd like to see you in private later!

'Certainly.'

Abel didn't like the sound of 'in private'. Had Melanie been complaining to her - father; was that why he had not found it possible to get a decision out of Davis during the last few days? Davis Leroy hurried past him into the dining room while Abel went over to the reception desk to check on whether the suite on floor seventeen was available. Half the rooms in the hotel were unoccupied and it came as no surprise that the Presidential Suite was free. Abel booked his employer in and then waited by the reception desk for over an hour. He saw Melanie leave, her face blotched as if she had been crying. Her father followed her out of the dining room, a few minuteslater.

'Get yourself a bottle of bourbon, Abel - don't tell me we don't have one - and then join me in my suite.'

Abel picked up two bottles of bourbon from his safe and joined Leroy in the Presidential Suite on the twelfth floor, still wondering if Melanie had said anything to her father.

'Open the bottle and pour yourself a very large one, Abel,' Davis Leroy instructed.

Once again Abel felt the fear of the unknown. The palms of his hands began to sweat. Surely he was not going to be fired for wanting to marry the boss's daughter? He and Leroy had been friends for over a year now, close friends. He did not have to wait long to find out what the unknown was.

'Finish your bourbon.'

Abel put the drink down in one gulp, and Davis Leroy swallowed hi& 'Abel, I'm wiped out.' He paused, and poured both of them another drink.

'So is half America, come to think of it.'