Near L.A.

Glenda opened Irene’s office door quietly and, finding Irene on the phone, went ahead and sat down in one of the mock leather chairs just in front of her desk. Irene motioned to Glenda that she’d not be much longer and to help herself to some hot tea or coffee on a nearby side table. That wouldn’t be difficult, Glenda told herself, since it was now October 17 and already there was a bit of chill in the air. Nobody regretted the passage of September and its stubbornness to allow cool fall temperatures to start up!

Just as Glenda got comfy with her steaming cup, Irene hung up.

“Perks you up a bit, doesn’t it?” Irene said.

“It’s delicious. Did you get a new kind?” asked Glenda.

“Same old Twinings. But Twinings is Twinings, isn’t it?”

“You bet,” Glenda said, sipping constantly. “I love it just plain. No peach added, no cherry or walnut. Stuff like that.”

“Make that both of us,” Irene said. “Let’s see now, you’re available two Saturdays next month, am I correct?”

“Right. The second and last.”

“Where’s Denver heading?” Irene asked.

Glenda was better known not as Irene’s stellar assistant at McLeod & James law firm for the past five years, but as the national president of the current John Denver Fan Club and, of course, his fan ‘numero uno’. Glenda, along with Denver’s few choice friends, children and ex-wives, had instant phone access to the all-time popular singer, star and nature promoter.

“He’ll be in Omaha the first Saturday and Wichita the third,” Glenda answered. “Can’t wait!”

“I don’t know how you do it, but you do,” Irene said with a smile. “Need a little loan or anything?”

Glenda, unmarried, paid her travel expenses out of her own earnings. On a normal basis, she personally attended from eighteen to twenty-two John Denver concerts a year. A time or two, when she’d gotten low on funds, Irene had bailed her out. Glenda always paid Irene back within a short time. Denver, according to Glenda, didn’t like for the Club President’s expenses to be ‘official’ or on the record, so he wrote Glenda a personal ‘gift check’ from time to time. These checks were always several thousand dollars each. Glenda figured she usually came out about even. The star would not take ‘no’ for an answer and never failed to remind Glenda how much she meant to him and how important her management of the Fan Club was for everyone who loved John Denver and his many songs and causes.

“No, I’m okay,” Glenda said. “He wrote a check last concert. But thanks anyway.”

“That’s good news,” Irene said. “Okay, I want you to come in and help me on the Baumgartner case the other two Saturdays. I’m afraid we’ll be here most of the day. Lunch will be on me, of course.”

At that moment Nancy, the curvy receptionist at McLeod & James, entered Irene’s office. She closed the door behind her and stood looking at Irene and Glenda silently. Irene thought there were tears in Nancy’s eyes.

“Yes, Nancy?” Irene asked.

Nancy sighed. “I didn’t want her to hear it on the radio or from some stranger. Denver and his plane are missing over the Pacific, near L.A.