om us。 And
before that； there was the matter of a state sales tax 。。 。〃
The monologue went on； freeing Chloe for several seconds more。 Bending
forward； she drew a notebook from her bag and prepared to make notes on
the opposition's points。 That opposition sat to her left； occupying two
chairs on the far side of the one vacated by the moderator。 Her
peripheral vision took in two men； one significantly taller and darker
than the other。 They would be the state representative in favor of the
plex and the owner of the development pany。 Chloe knew neither of
their names； a situation that was about to be remedied。
〃As for the others here tonight；〃 the moderator said； 〃let me begin with
Howard Wolschinski。 You all know Howard； our distinguished state
senator。〃 He gestured from Howard to Chloe。 〃Chloe Macdaniel； geological
consultant and one of the founding partners of Earth Science Education；
Inc。； out of Little pton； Rhode Island。〃 His hand went toward the
other side of the stage。 〃Bradbury Huff； your state representative〃…she
jotted the name in her notebook@'and finally； the president of the
Hansen Corporation； Ross Stephenson 。。 。Chloe stopped writing
mid…stroke。 Ross Stephenson？ Ross Stephenson？ She would never forget
that name。 Heart pounding； she glanced at the fourth member of the
panel。 He was the taller； darker one。 Was it the same Ross