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"If you have the time for us, we'd like to have a sensible business conversation," she said

Myback with his legs crossed My mother looked very uncolanced up atto do

"Hello to all of you too," I said and sat in the chair opposite Victoria

She turned to Grant, as obviously elected to conduct theI was sure they had practically rehearsed every word at lunch before arriving

"You were expecting us, weren't you?" he began softly

"No, not really I learned about your co you up in Richuess as to why"

Grant turned to Victoria who sat back, her ar like some queen about to pronounce sentence on one of her subjects Her long, thin right finger moved up and down nervously

"I thought you were calling her," he said

"What difference did it , she added "I knew Jake would tell her"

She lifted her eyes and looked at Grant, obviously concerned he would be displeased

"Okay I apologize for what this looks like then Rain We didn'tin on you'

"You're not," I said

"Good Now that things have settled down soent look at what's been done and what should be done, for the benefit of all concerned," he quickly added

"It seems very late for tha

t," I said directing myself at my mother who continued to avoid my eyes