“I do too,” she said softly. She looked around the strange library, filled with maps and globes that tracked human suffering around the world, then back at him. “I want you to remember this. What you see in this room is hope. It’s hope for millions of forgotten people in the world who need someone to extend a hand of compassion. We are good people. When you use your time and skills to help a man like Mick Malone, you are working against this.”

Before he could defend himself, she turned to walk away, leaving him at a loss. He’d never had such a humbling set-down before, even more effective because of her quiet grace.

Somehow he had to gain Gwen Kellerman’s respect, but he had no idea how to do it without betraying a client.

6

Each morning when Gwen awoke, she enjoyed a blissful few seconds of peace while listening to the meadowlarks in her garden.

Then she remembered the threat to the college, and the fear set in. She couldn’t leave this place. She couldn’t let the college fail. Her ploy with the lawyer had failed, so now her best hope was to convince her grandfather to override Uncle Oscar’s decision.

Normally her uncle and grandfather moved in lockstep accord, but if she could get Frederick away from the office and into the scholarly oasis of the college, he might soften. Frederick was meeting her for tea this afternoon in the college’s outdoor café, and Gwen prayed she could earn his support.

Her former bodyguard, Zeke Jankowski, now worked at the café that was surrounded by manicured box hedges to create a private haven from the rest of campus. Only a handful of students remained on campus during the summer, so the café was empty.

Except for a single woman nursing a cup of coffee in the far corner. She wore an immaculate white linen gown that ought to make her look washed out against her white-blond hair, but Vivian Chastain always looked magnificent.

“I didn’t realize you were coming, or I wouldn’t have let her in,” Zeke said as Gwen arrived at the café. “You shouldn’t have to put up with that woman.”

Gwen squared her shoulders. A better person might let Zeke tactfully handle the matter, but she had been far too tactful over the years.

“I’ll be all right,” she said quietly to Zeke, then headed toward Vivian, who looked up in surprise. Gwen would sound dignified and ladylike if it killed her. “I’m meeting with my grandfather in a few minutes, and it would be best if he didn’t see you. I think you should leave.”

Vivian’s tone was also coolly polite. “I’m not finished with my coffee.”