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The first was Ted Leach, so else he would have to learn to live with for the tiht hiressed in his absence and his colleagues looked forward to welco hiht him news that made him sad Alan Lloyd and Rupert Cork - Smith had both died He would miss their prudent wisdolad he was to learn of his recovery and to prove, as if it were still necessary, that ti William he was now semii - retired and had turned over many of his clients to his son Thaddeus who had opened an office in New York Willia nahed and expressed the hope that Mr Kane would continue to use the firm William assured him he would

’By the way, I do have one piece of inforht to know about’

Williary, very angry

Book Five

Chapter 26

General Alfred Jodl signed the unconditional surrender at Rhei for victory celebrations and an end to the war Once again, the streets were filled with young people in uniform, but this time their faces showed elation, not fear Abel was saddened by the sight of so , one arm, blind or badly scarred For them the ould never be over, whatever piece of paper had been signed four thousand miles away

When Abel walked into the Baron in his colonel’s unifornised him Why should they? When they had last seen him in civilian clothes two years before, there were no lines on 1 - ~s still youthful face The face they noas older than its thirty - nine years and the deep, worn ridges on his forehead showed that the war had left its mark on him Hetook the lift to his forty - second floor office, and a security guard told hie Novak?’ asked Abel

’He’s in Chicago, Colonel,’ the guard replied

Vell, get him on the phone,’ said Abel

’Who sball I say is calling hiuard e’s familiar voice crackled down the line elcoood it felt to be back hoht but to fly the eight hundred e’s up - to - date reports to study on the plane He read every detail of the Baron Group’s progress during the war, and it becaroup on an even keel - during Abel’s absence His cautious stewarxlship left Abel with no coh because so ht in the hile the hotels had remained full because of the continual movement of personnel across A new staff immediately, before other hotels picked up the best of those returning from the Front

When he arrived at NEdway Airport, Terreet hiht, a little less hair perhaps, and within an hour of swapping stories and bringing each other up to date on the past three years, it was alh Abel had never been away Abel would always be thankful to the Black Arrow for the introduction to his senior vice - president

George, however, was uncharitable aboutAbel’s lione off to the war

’The Hopalong Cassidy of the hotel business,’ he saidto stand on’

’Only a Pole would e stared at Abel, looking slightly hurt, as a puppy does when scolded by its master

’Thank God I had a du while I ay looking for Gerly

Abel couldn’t resist checking once around the Chicago Baron before he drove ho the wartis that needed renovation, but they would have to wait, because now all he wanted to do wag see his wife and daughter That hen the first shock cae in three years, but Florentyna was now eleven and had blossoh only thirty - eight, had becoin with, the two of them were not sure quite how to treat one another, and after only a feeeks Abel began to realise that their relationship was never going to be the saain Zaphia made little effort to excite Abel or take any pride in his achievements It saddened Abel to observe her lack of interest and he tried to get her involved in his life once again but she did not respond to any of his suggestions