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would have been certain promotion. A male colleague, not as skilled or experienced, had been given the job, instead. Clearly she was no longer one of the favorites.
    She riffled rather aimlessly through the magazine, recoiling in shock as her eye fell on a photograph ofNick Lombard surrounded by a gaggle of microphones. Underneath the photo was the caption “Lombard swoops on GNT.” The two-page article was entitled “Guilford versus Lombard—battle of the Gladiators” and described how Nick Lombard had destroyed Guilford Network Technics. Camille slapped the magazine closed and returned it to the glass-topped table. Why would they keep a magazine so dated? She felt tense. Perturbed.
    She stood up abruptly, startling the starchy Ruth Maynard, who seemed about to say something when the door to Hugh Evans’s office opened and Hugh himself appeared.
    “Camille!” He held out his hand, a balding, solidly built man, impeccably groomed.
    “Good morning, Hugh.” She crossed to him and shook his hand. Slender and elegant in a white linen suit, she wore her hair drawn back into a knot, a style that should have been severe but looked anything but
    The huge plate-glass window behind Hugh’s desk afforded a breathtaking view of the harbor. Camille sat down opposite, neatly crossing her legs. “How are negotiations with Sam Fullerton coming?” she asked. Fullerton, the president of a large electronics firm, had shown interest in the software division.
    “Oh, so-so.” Hugh stabbed impatiently at a button as his intercom buzzed. “What is it, Ruth?” he barked.
    “A reminder, Mr. Evans. You have a luncheon appointment with Mr. Lombard.”
    “I know, I know.” He sounded thoroughly rattled. “I’m with Miss Guilford now. Hold my calls.”
    Camille couldn’t believe her ears. “What could youpossibly want with Nick Lombard?” she asked in amazement.
    Hugh was instantly on the defensive. “My dear, I’m trying my hardest to keep this company together. For all our successes we’re in a precarious position. Once things got bad, your father started to shift our profits into GNT.”
    “I know that, Hugh.” Camille looked down at her hands. “But why would you be talking to Lombard? He’s the enemy!”
    Hugh hid his embarrassment behind a frowning mask. “Camille, I’d sup with the devil if it would help us to keep afloat. Besides, I’m interested in hanging on to my job. Don’t think I don’t appreciate all you’ve been through, but you’re in no position to question my judgment.”
    “But I am questioning it, Hugh. Have you forgotten Nick Lombard brought us all to our knees?”
    “Harry did that, Camille.” Hugh gave her a twisted smile. “Harry thought himself invincible. God knows why you’re so loyal to his memory. I’m one of the few to know just how miserable he was to you. All outward show was Harry. You look like a million bucks, you always do, but Harry left you no life raft. I can’t think of anyone else who wouldn’t have salted away enough to keep his only child financially secure. There was no way of understanding Harry. He idolized your mother. You’re her very image, yet he treated you as though you were someone else’s child. Someone moreover he hated.”
    Camille swallowed her pain. “It doesn’t matter now, Hugh. I’ve got plenty going for me. I’m not penniless. I’m well qualified to earn a good living.”
    Hugh was silent for a moment. “Be that as it may, you can’t be so blasé about losing everything.”
    “I’m all right, Hugh.” Camille spoke softly. “I was the Australian Heiress for a very long time. It didn’t make me happy. I still pray for my father’s soul.”
    Hugh’s gray eyes darkened. “My God, would there be prayers enough? Harry didn’t give a damn about any one of us. He didn’t give a damn about all the terrible risks he took. I know he called me a competent old bore behind my back but in the end I turned out a whole lot smarter. I made this