After breakfast she went back to her room and made some phone calls. After spending a frustrating hour she finally managed to get hold of Dr. Basilone.
“Doctor Basilone. I’m Doctor Abigail Montgomery from the United States. Arizona actually. I am calling about the arrangements for Dr. Mendoza's funeral.”
“Ah. Yes, Dr. Fassbinder said that you intended to attend the services. I’m afraid the details haven’t been worked out yet. An investigation is being conducted by the police and they haven’t released the body yet.”
“I don’t understand. I thought it was a car accident,” Abigail said.
“Yes. That is our understanding as well but the police are insisting on doing a full investigation into the incident.”
“That’s crazy. No one would hurt Louis.”
“I quite agree but unfortunately that doesn’t matter as far as they are concerned.”
“Any idea when they will conclude their investigation?” she asked.
“Not a clue.”
“I’m staying at the Plaza De Armas. Could someone please call and let me know as soon as they find out. I am in the middle of a funded project and do have to go back soon.”
“I understand. Listen, I will run it by the General Director and see if it would be possible for you to visit our ESO facilities.”
“That would be terrific. I would love to see your system. I understand it is one of the most advanced in the world. It would be quite an honor.”
“Let me see what I can arrange. You do realize that it is not just one telescope or even one group. The sites are in several different areas. It means travel by airplane and unfortunately car on some very rugged mountain roads,” he warned her.
“I am more than willing to make myself available. I just can’t see passing up a once in a life time chance like this,” she told him.
“I will call you when I have further information,” he replied.
“I have the list you asked for,” Basilone said handing over a sheet of paper with a list of names.
The General Director looked at the list a moment and then rubbed his eyes.
“This is going to be very difficult,” he said at last.
“Yes it is,” Basilone agreed.
“So do we just put the names in a hat and draw one out or what?” the Director asked.
“I took the liberty of making a list of the pros and cons of each candidate if you would like to see it,” he said, with a small smile.
“You Italians. So smug. When this is over, no matter who we chose, I intend to put out a memo saying you were responsible for the selection.”
“Unless he or she is unanimously popular. Then it will have been your idea,” Basilone said.
“Why of course.”
“Oh, one more thing. Dr. Montgomery from the United States is here for the funeral. I mentioned it may be possible for her to see our facility but said I would have to check with you first.”
“Actually I think that is a very good idea. Maybe we could even find the time to see if there is an opportunity to do some business with them.”
“Then if you approve, I will tell her to be ready to leave this afternoon. She can fly to La Serena and visit Cerro La Silla. The next day she can fly up to Antofagasta. I’m sure she would enjoy seeing where Louis worked. She seemed very fond of him.”
“Yes, from what I understand he was a mentor to her. Maybe a bit more but it isn’t polite to speak of such things when the person is deceased,” the General Director replied.
“Of course not,” Basilone agreed.
“I understand she is quite an eye full. I saw her in the paper’s the other morning. Her credentials seem to be impeccable,” the General Director said.
“I assume you mean her intellectual credentials,” Basilone said smiling.
“But of course. What other kind are there?”
“Exactly. Anyway, I will notify her immediately. I think you’re decision is a good one.”
“Thank you Basilone.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
James was doing the best he could under the circumstances. He had been doing the entire shift alone. It was slower with him looking and logging at the same time but it was certainly giving him some good experience.
“Hey,” a voice shouted out startling James.
“Damn. I about jumped out of my skin. What are you doing here Kelly?”
“I was just on my way home and saw your car out front. I thought I would drop in and see how you were doing with Abby being gone and all.”
“You call her Abby?”
“Sure. Why not?”
“I don’t know. It just seems pretty familiar,” James said.
“You hungry?” Kelly asked.
“I’ve been munching on some venting machine junk.”
“I have some real food if you’re up for it.”
“Like what?”
“Pizza. It’s in my car. I was going to take it home and eat it but we could share it.”
“I have to admit that does sound tempting.”
“Good. I’ll get it and you get us a couple of drinks. Anything will do for me.”
What the heck. He needed a break anyway and pizza was a lot better than peanut butter crackers. He went to the vending machine and got two Diet Cokes.
Kelly was waiting for him with the pizza box sitting on the desk when he returned.
“Help yourself,” she said.
James dug in and started gulping it down.
“Man you must have been hungry,” Kelly joked after this third piece.
She was still on her first.
“Sorry. Yeah, I guess I was. When I’m working I kind of forget about eating but when I’m done, I’m starved.”
“Can I ask you a question,” Kelly said.
“Sure. Shoot.”
“Why is it you don't like me very much?” she asked.
“What? What are you talking about? I think you’re really cool. You obviously are pretty sharp to be a part of the team. You’re pretty enough to be a model. You have a great personality. Geez Kelly, what’s not to like?” James said.
He knew he was walking a thin line. There was more and he knew it. This wasn’t something just out of the blue.
“Well when we were working together you never made a pass at me. Even when I flirted with you. You just kind of blew me off. When I asked you if you were gay you got all uptight. So if that isn’t it, what don’t you like about me?”
This was the dangerous part. He knew he had to answer very carefully. Her dad was in the equation, right or wrong. No doubt she could put pressure on Abigail to have him off the project.
“Kelly, the truth is, a guy like me could never offer you anything of any real value. I’ll never be rich. I’m never going to be a movie star. I’m probably at my best right now. It’s pretty much downhill from here. It would be disrespectful to you to even consider making a run at you. You are so not in my class and I am well aware of that,” he told her.
“We could still have a good time,” she said.
“We could but then what? Look Kelly, there are a lot of good looking guys that would die for a chance at someone like you. That’s where you belong, not with someone like me.”
She looked at him for a long time before speaking again.
“Alright James. I think that is actually a crock but what the hell. You’re right about one thing. I can pretty much get any guy I want. Well, with the exception of you. Maybe that’s the attraction. But we are still friends, right?”
“Absolutely,” James replied.
“Okay. Let’s just leave it like that. We can be friends for now but if you ever change your mind I would still be interested,” she said and stood up.