Morning-Noon-and-Night - By Sidney Sheldon Page 0,80

lawyer."'s really leaving met '." means ...' ' know what it means, Woody. Can you handle it?' He looked at his sister and smiled. ' think so. Yes. I think I can."'m sure of it.' He took a deep breath. ', Kendall.

I would never have had the courage to get rid of her.' She smiled. ' are sisters fort That afternoon, Kendall left for New York. The fashion showing would be in one week. Clothing is the single biggest business in New York. A successful fashion designer can have an effect on the economy all around the world. A designer's whim has a far-flung impact on everyone from cotton pickers in India to Scottish weavers to silkworms in China and Japan. It has an effect on the wool industry and the silk industry. The Donna Karans and Calvin Kleins and Ralph Laurens are a major economic influence, and Kendall had arrived in that category. It was ru- mored that she was about to be named the Women's Wear Designer of the Year by the Council of Fashion Designers of America, the most prestigious award a designer could receive.. Kendall Stanford Renaud led a busy life. In September she looked at large assortments of fabrics, and in October she selected the ones she wanted for her new designs. December and January were devoted to designing the new fashions, and February to refining ""Iheni In April, she was ready to show her fall coi- lection. Kendall Stanford Designs was located at 550 Seventh Avenue, sharing the building with Bill Blass and Oscar de la Renta. Her next showing was going to be at the Bryant Park tent, which could seat up to a thousand people. When Kendall arrived at her office, Nadine said, 619 ve got good news. The showing is completely booked" ' you,' Kendall said absently. Her mind was on other things. ' the way, there's a letter marked urgent for you on your desk. It was just delivered by messenger.' The words sent a jolt through Kendall's body. She walked over to, her desk and looked at the envelope.

The return address was Wild Animal Protection Association, Park Avenue, New York, New York She stared at it for a long time. There was no 3000 Park Avenue. Kendall opened the letter with trembling fingers.

Dear Mrs. Renaud, My Swiss banker informs me that he has not yet received the million dollars that my association requested In view of your delinquency, I must inform you that our needs have been increased to 5 million dollars. If thispayment is made, Ipromise we will not bother you again. You have fifteen days to deposit the money in our account.

Ifyoufail to do so, I regret that we shall have to communicate with the appropriate authorities. It was unsigned. Kendall stood there in a panic, reading it over an dover, again and again. Five million dollars!

It's impossible, she thought@. I can never raise that kind of money that quickly. What a fool I was! When Marc came home that night, Kendall showed him the letter. ' million dollars!' he exploded. ''s ridiculous! Who do they think you aret ' know who I arn,' Kendall said. ''s the problem. I've got to get hold of some money quickly.

But howt ' don't know ... I suppose a bank would loan you money against your inheritance, but I don't, like the idea of ...", it's my life I'm talking about. Our fives. I'm going to see about getting that loan.' George Meriwether was the vice president in charge of the New York Union Bank. He was in his forties and had worked his way up from a junior teller. He ' ambitious man. One day I'll be on the board of "s an .@,,zkrectors, he thought, and after that ... who knows? His thoughts were interrupted by his secretary. '. Kendall Stanford is here to see you.' He felt a small frisson of pleasure. She had been a good customer as a successful designer, but now she was one of the wealthiest women in the world. He had tried for several years to get Harry Stanford's account, without success. And now ... ' her in," Meriwether told his secretary. When Kendall walked into his office, Meriwether rose and greeted her with a smile and a warm handshake. ''m so pleased to see you,' he said. ' sit down. Some coffee, or something strongert '. thanks,' Kendall said. ' want to offer my condolences on the death of your father.'