Page 19 (1/2)

"I thought you'd like to know your request triggered a recollection inti"

Heidi rubbed the cobwebs fro"

"There were no photographs on file of a treaty signing during nineteen fourteen," said Murphy "I did find, however, an old shot of Willias Bryan, as Wilson's secretary of state at the time; his undersecretary, Richard Essex; and Harvey Shields, identified in a caption only as a representative of His Majesty's govern a car"

"I fail to see a connection," said Heidi

"I'raph itself tells us very little But on the back there is a small penciled notation in the lower left corner that is barely legible It gives the date, May twentieth, nineteen fourteen, and says: "Bryan leaving White House with North American Treaty" Heidi clutched the phone "So it really existed"

"My guess is it was only a prop

osed treaty" Murphy's pride at successfully e was obvious in his tone "If you would like a copy of the photograph we e a small fee"

"Yesyes, please Could you alsoon the back?"

"No problem You can pick up the prints anytime after three o'clock"

"That will be terrific Thank you"

Heidi hung up the phone and lay back on the bed, happily basking in the feeling of accomplishment

There was a connection after all Then she remembered the flowers A note was attached to one of the white roses

You look ravishing out of unifor near when you awoke

Dirk

Heidi pressed the rose against her cheek and her lips parted in a lazy sh observed through a pane of frosted glass, the sights and sounds fusing together in a dreaone in a fantasy Only the touch of their bodies lingered with clarity, that and a glowing soreness from within