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Chapter 45
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Just for two weeks Chapter 46
When Kittridge and Jason were talking about the shrinking middle class, it made Kittridge aware that some things can be explained. It's like an hourglass with the middle class the pinched part, or like someone with a very small waistline. What happens when you flip the hourglass? Either way you flip it, you have the poor feeding the rich or the rich feeding the poor. It's either one or the other. Kittridge doesn't like the visual because it reminded him of the old world and aristocratic ways that the country revolted against. Kittridge had been reading some news papers while enjoying some travel time, but there was a story in The Wall Street journal that got him thinking about risk. Just yesterday a new spread like wildfire about three Climbers dying on their way down from Mt. Everest, evidently from exhaustion, after they had reached their goal. And there was an article about the great racehorse, Barbaro, and his terrible injury, and the tragedy in the Volvo Ocean Race, where a
Just for two weeks Chapter 47
Once he got the rights, he still needed a tiny parcel of land that was critical because of Zoning laws that required a minimum of thirty feet of open space behind any building. That took more investigating and negotiation. In addition, his architect, Scott Mathew, and Kittridge went over at least four dozen designs. Finding the best elements of each and incorporating them into final design. Then they had the final design approved by the city with zoning variances. None of the steps were easy, but he saw each step as a challenge and enjoyed working out the details. If he didn't see it that way, it could have been very easy to be discouraged. But instead he had a beautiful building that has become world famous, The Kittridge Tower, was going to be named Tiffany Tower because of the location. But a friend asked Kittridge why he would use another famous name to describe a building that he had envisioned and built, and his question hit home, so he named it Kittridge Tower instead.
Just for two weeks Chapter 48
Kittridge has known about the 90/10 ratio for a long time. He predicted it could reach 90/05 or even 90/01 with 1 percent of the people owning 99 percent of the nation's assets, if they didn't pay attention. Jason's ideas When it comes to attitude, most employees seek security. They say "I'm looking for a safe, secure job with benefits." A small business person may say, "if you want to do it right, do it yourself." A big business owner is often looking for a president, CEO or other talented person to run his or her operations. One of the differences between Small business owners and Big business owners is the number of employees. "Simply because there is very little you can do for yourself from taxes - hence you really do not need an accountant to advise you. Most governments give tax breaks to Big business owners because they provide jobs, and governments offer tax breaks to investors because they invest their money back into the economy. Special tax breaks were usually giving to p
Just for two weeks Chapter 49
"The mission is the most important part of the business. It is the spirit of the business. It is the heart of the business," he continued. "Without spirit and heart, most entrepreneurs will not make it, simply because the road ahead is a hard one." The world is filled with great products that fail. The product fail because they didn't have the power of the big business and investor. A create business will have a strong mission, great leadership, a competent team of managers who work well together, excellent cash flow and financing, clear effective sales and marketing communications, systems that works effectively, clear and tight documents and agreements, and of course, a great product. Too many businesses were people dependant. McDonald's is system dependant. It has well-designed systems. Jason had looked at so many businesses that were top-heavy, staffed by highly educated and highly paid people who were working hard and accomplishing little. In most cases, these types of bu
Just for two weeks Chapter 50
Kittridge's mother was of Scottish heritage, and she gave Kittridge some sage advice that he always tried to follow."Trust in God and be true to yourself."His mother enjoyed lavish spectacle, and she liked to watch the royal procession and ceremonies from Europe. Kittridge's flamboyant side came from her mother, she was Scotch and very careful with money and time. She always had time to give to charity and needy causes, so her interest were diverse yet well-balanced. Kittridge's mother was a devout person, she lived her faith. Which was a great example to Kittridge as a child and as an adult. She was very strong and yet gentle, and she was also very humble. She gave everything she had without reservation. He spoke so highly of his parents for a good reason. His mother's advice was simple but wise. It cuts to the core and kept him focused and well-balanced. "Trust in God and be true to yourself." It didn't get any better than that. A defining moment in Jason's life was when he disco
Just for two weeks Chapter 51
While growing up, there were two points about God, Church and religion that were confusing for Jason. The first was the idea that some people went to heaven and others did not, even if they believed in the same God. He remembered asking her Sunday school teacher, "What is the difference between our church and the Catholic Church?" He was eight years old, attending the Protestant church his parents belonged to, and was curious about the differences. It shocked Jason when his teacher said, "Well, we both believe in Jesus Christ, but Catholics won't go to heaven." The answer floored Jason. When he asked asked why that was, she simply said, "They don't belong to the right church." Disturbed and even more curious. He asked his Catholic Classmate if he could go to church with him. For the next few months, Jason went to a Catholic Church and found out that the congregation was made of good people who believed in the same God as his family did. He stopped going to Sunday school at his par
Just for two weeks Chapter 52
Kittridge in Los Angeles at the Beverly Hills Hotel with his beautiful wife, Ella, and their baby son, Charlie, were having a wonderful time. The Weather, accommodations and food were fantastic. He was in, to shoot the sixth series of The indentures. His daughter Rebecca would be having her graduation ceremony the following week, Kittridge is a New Yorker, a pretty nice and wonderful place. Not far from away was Palos Verdes, on the Pacific Ocean, which was where his spectacular new golf course, Kittridge National Golf Club / Los Angeles, was. He would be making regular visits and playing some golf, and the new estate homes overlooking the golf course and the ocean were just about ready. Which were exceptional beautiful residence. He had a project going on, and that was one of the reasons he was rich, he made most of of his Wealth. He loved making deals and learning new things. They were setting up a Kittridge productions office while he was in Los Angeles. There was never a dull m
Just for two weeks Chapter 53
Davis Jimmy, after staying away for so long in pursuit of his own ambition, and living his life as a Serene young professor at Harvard, passionate about arts and history finally found himself in an unexpected turbulence of an anagram, a granddaughter, paintings and the French Police in Paris on a single night that changed his entire life. Jimmy awoke slowly, a telephone running in the darkness - a tiny, unfamiliar ring. He fumbled for the bedside lamp and turned it on. Squinting at his surroundings he saw a plush Renaissance bedroom with Louis XVI furniture, hand-frescoed walls, and a colossal mahogany four-poster bed.Where the hell am I? The Jacquard bathrobe hanging on his bedpost bore the Monogram: HOTEL RITZ PARIS.Slowly, the fog began to lift. Jimmy picked up the receiver. "Hello?""Monsieur Jimmy?" A man's voice said. "I hope I have not awoken you?"Dazed, Jimmy looked at the bedside clock. It was 12:32 A.M. He had been asleep for only an hour, but he felt like he
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Just for two weeks Chapter 116
Jason was receiving an award for his book that he'd published and Jimmy was in the city, so he did the best thing he could before running off to Florence. It has been a long time since he'd been around but the event that had unfolded recently had taught him to spend more time with family. Encaenia took place in the Sheldonian - a long and rambling ceremony conducted in Latin for six distinguished persons though, in Lola's mind, this was a celebration mainly for Jason. At last, he was receiving the recognition he deserved. After the ceremony, she stood and watched him with pride as he mingled with guests. She had met Jason briefly before the ceremony and they had hugged, but hardly spoken; too many people and not enough time. She thought at first that it was perhaps the way it should be, with no time for sentimentalism, but no, she decided that it was not the way it should be. They needed more time. "Do you know all these people?" Malik whispered."No." Lola shook her head, even tho
Just for two weeks Chapter 115
Night had fallen over Shekina. Jimmy stood alone on the porch of the fieldstone house enjoying the sounds of laughter and reunion drifting through the screened door behind him. The mug of coffee in his hand had granted him hazy reprieve from his mounting exhaustion, and yet he sensed the reprieve would be fleeting. The fatigue in his body went to the core. "You slipped out quietly," a voice behind said.He turned. McEwan's grandmother emerged, her silver hair shimmering in the night. Jimmy gave a tired smile. "I thought I'd give your family some time together." Through the window, he could see McEwan talking with her brother. Sophie's grandmother came beside him. "Mr. Jim, when I first heard of Esquibel's murder, I was terrified for McEwan's sake. Seeing her standing in my doorway tonight was the greatest relief of my life. I cannot thank you enough."Jimmy had no idea how to respond. Although he had offered to give McEwan and her grandmother time to talk in private, she had asked
Just for two weeks Chapter 114
"Davis?" McEwan was standing outside the car, looking back at him. "Are you coming?" She was holding the rosewood box, which captain Romano had returned to them. Inside, both cryptex had been reassembled and nested as they had been found. The verse was locked safely at its core - minus the shattered vessel of vinegar.Making their way up the long gravel path, Jimmy and McEwan passed the famous west Wall of the chapel. Casual visitors assumed this oddly protruding wall was a section of the chapel that had not been finished. The truth, Jimmy recalled, was far more intriguing. Shekina chapel's entrance was more modest than Jimmy expected. The small wooden door had two iron hinges. The chapel would be closing soon, and as Jimmy pulled open the door, a warm puff of air escaped, as if the ancient edifice were having a weary sigh at the end of a long day. Entering with McEwan, Jimmy felt his eyes reaching across the famous sanctuary and taking it all in. Although he had read accounts of She
Just for two weeks Chapter 113
The mist had settled low as Amorth limped into a quiet hollow out of sight. Kneeling on the wet grass, he could feel a warm stream of blood flowing from the bullet wound below his ribs. Still, he managed.The fog made it look like heaven here.Raising his bloody hands, he prayed, but most importantly he prayed for his mentor… Myositis… that he would not fade with the sands of time. The fog was swirling around him now, and Amorth felt so light that he was sure the wisps would carry him away. Closing his eyes, he said a final prayer.His pains at last began to fade, and he knew Myositis was right. It was late afternoon when the London sun broke through and the city began to dry. Andrie Romano felt weary as he emerged from the interrogation room and hailed a cab. Sir Albert Rodriguez had noisily proclaimed his innocence, and yet from his loose ranting about the Archstone, secret documents, and mysterious brotherhood, Roman suspected the sly historian was setting the stage for his lawye
Just for two weeks Chapter 112
Myositis's body had endured many kinds of pain, and yet the searing heat of the bullet wound in his chest felt profoundly foreign to him. Deep and grave. Not a wound of the flesh… but closer to the soul. He opened his eyes, trying to see, but the rain on his face buried his vision. He could feel powerful arms holding him, carrying his limp body like a rag doll, his black cassock flapping. Lifting a weary arm, he mopped his eyes and saw the man holding him was Amorth. He was struggling down a sidewalk, shouting for a hospital, his voice a heart-rending wail of agony. His red eyes were focused dead ahead, tears streaming down his face. "My son," Myositis whispered, "you're hurt." Amorth glanced down, his visage contorted in anguish. "I am sorry sorry, Father." He seemed almost too pained to speak. "No," Myositis replied. "It is I who am sorry. This is my fault. I was too eager. Too fearful. You and I were deceived." Myositis was unconscious when the doors of St Luke's hospital hiss
Just for two weeks Chapter 111
Jimmy and McEwan moved slowly down the north aisle, keeping the shadows behind the ample pillars that separated it from the open nave. Despite having traveled more than halfway down the nave, they still had no clear view of the tomb. The sarcophagus was recessed in a niche, obscured from this oblique angle."At least there's nobody over there," McEwan whispered.Jimmy nodded, relieved. The entire section of the nave near Klaus' tomb was deserted. "I'll go over," he whispered. "You should stay hidden just in case someone-"McEwan had already stepped from the shadows and was headed across the open floor."-is watching," Jimmy sighed, hurrying to join her.Crossing the massive nave on a diagonal, Jimmy and McEwan remained silent as the elaborate sepulcher revealed itself in Tantalus increments… a black-marble sarcophagus… a reclining statue of Klaus… two winged boys… a huge pyramid… and… an enormous orb."Did you know about that?" McEwan said, sounding startled.Jimmy shook his head, als
Just for two weeks Chapter 110
Jimmy had not gotten his eyes off the computer screen since the search began. He was starting to get worried.Anita Istredd was in the adjoining room, preparing hot drinks. Jimmy and Sophie had inquired unwisely if there might be some coffee brewing alongside the tea Istredd had offered, and from the sound of the microwave beeps in the next room, Jimmy suspected their request was about to be rewarded with instant Nescafe.Finally, the computer pinged happily."Sounds like you got another," Istredd called from the next room. "What does it say?"Jimmy looked at the screen, disappointed.They sat patiently in front of the screen and waited through two more dubious returns. When the computer pinged again, nothing interesting happened.Istredd peeked back in the doorway, holding a packet of instant coffee. "You don't want the full text," Istredd called. "Click on the hypertext title. The computer will display your keyword hits along with mono prelogs and triple post logs for context."Jim
Just for two weeks Chapter 109
Copus peccate's headquarter in London is a modest brick building. Amorth had never been here, but he felt a rising sense of refuge and asylum as he approached the building on foot. Despite the rain, Beardsley had dropped him off a short distance away in order to keep the limousine off the main Streets. Amorth didn't mind the walk. The rain was cleansing.At Beardsley's suggestion, Amorth had wiped down his gun and dispose of it through the sewer grate. He was glad to get rid of it. He felt lighter. His legs still ache from being bound all the time, but he had endured far greater pain. He wondered, though, about Rodriguez, who Beardsley had left bound in the back of the limousine. The Briton certainly had to be feeling pain by now."What will you do with him?" Amorth had asked Beardsley as they drove over here.Beardsley had shrugged. "That is a decision the Teacher would make." There was an odd finality in his tone.Now, as Amorth approached the building, the rain began to fall harder
Just for two weeks Chapter 108
Jimmy still felt shaken as he and McEwan came from the rain and entered the library. The primary research room was as Rodriguez had described it - a dramatic octagonal chamber dominated by an enormous round table with twelve flat-screen computer workstations. On the far side of the room, a reference librarian was just pouring a pot of tea and settling in for the day of work. "Good morning," she said in a beautiful British accent, leaving the tea and walking over. "May I help you?""Thank you, yes please," Jimmy replied. "My name is-""Jimmy Davis." She gave a pleasant smile. "I know who you are."For instance, he feared Romano had put him on English television as well, but the librarian's smile suggested otherwise. Jimmy had not gotten used to these moments of unexpected celebrity. Then again, if anyone on earth were going to recognize his face, it would be a Librium in a religious studies reference facility."Anita Istredd," the librarian said, offering her hand. She had a friend
