Heartland by David Hagberg Page B

to say. At that moment he felt an overwhelming love for her. She was like a little lost child whom he would have to protect, not the willful, headstrong daughter of one of the wealthiest men in the world.
    â€œI’ll have to listen to whatever it is Paul has to say. But whatever it is, I’ll talk it over with you,” Newman said.
    Lydia shook her head. “I don’t want to hear about it. I don’t want to hear about anything except us.”
    Newman just looked at her.
    â€œIn fact, I never want to know anything about your business. I’m still a Vance-Ehrhardt. It’s something you should never forget.”
    â€œYou’re my wife …” Newman started, but again she cut him off.
    â€œListen to me with your brain, not with your heart, Kenneth, because this is probably the only time I’ll ever be this honest with you. I am a Vance-Ehrhardt, I’m Jorge’s daughter. I love you, but I love my father as well. I never want to know about your business. That will have to remain totally separate from our world together. It’s for your own protection.”
    The aircraft’s intercom chimed, and the pilot’s voice came over the speakers. “Are you ready back there, Mr. Newman?”
    Newman reached over and picked up the telephone. “Any time you are,” he said.
    Immediately they turned onto the runway, the engines
rose up the scale, and they were accelerating, pressed deeply into their seats.
    Newman found himself thinking back to the stewardess on the flight from Buenos Aires. She had seemed like a simple, sweet girl. Uncomplicated, with no guile. He had always been a loner in his business, and yet he had wanted someone to share in it with him. A wife with whom to live his triumphs and defeats, his fears and regrets. But Lydia was telling him that that would be impossible with her, because whatever he told her about his business would of necessity get back to her father.
    It was ironic, he thought, that he had hurt Jorge so terribly and now had placed himself in a position where Vance-Ehrhardt could gain the advantage. But such was life. Despite the difficulties, he was glad he had married Lydia. Despite the fact their marriage was doomed to fail, he was still happy at this moment.
    Â 
    Within a few minutes they had cleared the Mexico City Terminal Control Area and had climbed to cruise altitude. Jacob came back and offered them a glass of champagne, and a moment later Saratt motioned for Newman to join him forward.
    â€œBe just a moment,” Newman said to Lydia.
    She squeezed his hand. “Remember what I said, Kenneth.”
    â€œI will.”
    Saratt stood between the main cabin and the flight deck. On the port side was a complete galley; on the starboard, a small but well-equipped communications station, including teletype and fascimile.
    â€œThis came from Abex while we were waiting for
you,” Saratt said. He held out a short piece of yellow teletype paper.
    Newman made no move to take it. Instead, he looked directly into Saratt’s eyes. “I’m on my honeymoon, Paul, so I’m going to ask you to take care of this on your own if it’s at all possible. I don’t even want to know what it is, unless it’s of the most extreme importance. Your decision.”
    Saratt nodded, grim-lipped. “You’d better look at it, Kenneth.”
    â€œNo doubt in your mind it’s that important?”
    â€œNo doubt.”
    Newman sighed deeply and took the telex from Saratt.

    333xxxpd17882xxld
0803mct
    Â 
    Kenneth Newman
Abex, Ltd.
New York, N.Y.
ABEXLTD
    Â 
    GENEVA EUROBANK MONDAY PM STOP STRICTEST CONFIDENCE REQUIRED STOP EXCLUSIVE STOP END OF MESSAGE
    Â 
    1018est
EXPORTKHLEB
DYBROVIK
    Â 
    MGMCOMP MGM

    â€œHe wants to meet with us,” Newman said, looking up.

    â€œWith you ,” Saratt corrected. “He says exclusive.”
    â€œI can’t. You’ll have to go.”
    Saratt shook his