questions； Anne answered them。 It was much as she had been told to
expect； straightforward questions so innocuous that she was actually
feeling a sense of security。
Then the door opened quietly and Simmons' client slipped into the room。
The lawyer said； 〃For the record； this is the President of SEAA；
Mitchell D。 Anderson； Jr。〃
The only thing Anne could even begin to appreciate was that all eyes in
the room were momentarily somewhere else。 She felt her color drain and
her stomach twist； felt a shaking； then shock； pure shock。
It was Mitch。 Wearing an immaculately tailored blue suit。 Groomed
impeccably。 Tall； well…built； and handsome。 Hair neatly brushed； jaw
firm and confident； eyes looking everywhere but at her。
It was Mitch。 Head of the airline that she was suing。 What had he said；
that he had 〃other interests〃 beside real estate？ When she had prodded；
he evaded her。 Then he had known all along？ Had he planned the whole
thing？ How naive she had been！
She fought a rising nausea when he crossed the room and took a seat
beside his lawyer； who proceeded to introduce him to the others in the
room。 When her name was given； he nodded politely； for all indications a
total stranger meeting her for the first time。
The situation was so unreal； so horrific； that she actually distanced
herself and found the strength to go on。 Her voice was