You're not my wife." Mikesaid. "Speaking of that, she and my kid are coming to town for aweek, so you got to get out of here for a few days. In fact... you gotno rent, just get out today. I'll track you down when she's gone, andwe can talk about a new arrangement."Now the tears came hard and fast. Ralph couldn't stop them, and thatjust made him cry more. Mike was, as he said, unaffected, as he wentinto the bedroom, threw the last few things into Ralph's suitcase andbrought it to the front. *** After the lunch meeting with the old friend of Jean-Marie’s father, he took Isabelle to quick meetings at different subsidiaries and customers in town. She started to get a feel on how many different markets the Bête Holding worked in. Any crisis in one could eventually be compensated with the others. When they finally came back at the office after a dinner meeting she felt tired and slumped in her chair. She skimmed over the work that had gathered on her desk during the day and sorted it. Think she'd want pancakes?" If she knows how good they are she'd be stupid to turn them down! Noone makes them as good as you do!"She laughed. "You really should have had Chef Kline's before he left myfamily. He's the one who taught them to me - his were at least twice asgood as mine!"I shrugged. "I think you're underrating yourself." You haven't even taken a bite yet?"I did so quickly, making sure to get some of the chocolate syrup andwhipped cream in the bite. "Mmmm..."The doorbell rang as. " There is," came Keller's voice from the doorway. "Join the Board."Joe and I both spun to face 'her'. I stared, seeing my death in thosehazel eyes... and heard the wisdom in Joe and Adam's advice.I sighed. "All right, 'Keller', I guess I'll have to give your offerthe consideration that it's due." I nodded at Joe. "One way oranother, I'll be back." Stopping to stand next to LeLacques, I added."Just make sure that when I do, I'm the right height," indicating theeight inches of difference between.