"It'll be wonderful, Tanya. I need the company, and you're such a good listener," Judith said.
"But I feel safe here," Tanya said, confusion all over her face.
Malcolm rose from the gold-and-green striped sofa and stood before her. "Twice, I went along with your suggestions. They didn't work out very well. Please follow mine this time."
Kevin joined them. "I don't think that you or your company have much credibility," he said. "You recommended people who turned into criminals. You put Tanya at risk. Your agency approved of a flight with a corrupted pilot. You endangered her life. And you speak of protection! I'm disgusted at your arrogance." Kevin's face flamed with anger.
"Kevin, please-" Tanya said, her voice soft. She stared at Kevin, her anxiety washing over her in waves.
Calmly, Malcolm replied, "You're right, we haven't been equal to the task. I admit that. Not at par with our name, either. It's true. But believe me, Mr. Matwin-Kevin, I mean-this is the first time it ever happened, in almost three years. Tanya's case is difficult, with ramifications spread in several different countries. It's complicated by things which happened almost two decades ago. At times, we can't find records. At times, they're incomplete." Malcolm stopped. His eyes turned toward Tanya and made a secret appeal to her.
Kevin placed his arm around Tanya's shoulders. "The decision whether or not to go with Judith lies with Tanya, of course. However-explain to me why Tanya would be safer at Judith's place in Vermeil rather than here, in my apartment, where nobody can control the penthouse elevator without a special code. Explain that to me."
Malcolm paused, deep in thought. He glanced at Kevin. "Mr. Matwin: the last accident occurred at your place, in your villa, using the easel you gave to Tanya. Would it be unreasonable of me to think that you may have unintentionally provided a potential killer with an easy access?"
Kevin removed his arm from Tanya's shoulders. "But we all knew that it was Charles Aldrin who orchestrated all that. He lived at Tanya's place. It was one of your connections. I never met him before. How can you think that I have been an instrument to what happened to Tanya?" Hurt, more than anger, filled his words.
"I didn't say that," Malcolm said, his tone calm and firm. "And I take responsibility for Charles Aldrin. It was a terrible flaw in my judgment. It's just that your presence in Tanya's life had…" Malcolm struggled for words. He continued, "had altered the environment we planned for her. At times, we couldn't find her at the mansion. We didn't want to call her at your place. Other times, we felt as if we were intruding." Malcolm glanced at Tanya. "Please, Tanya. We have new leads. Two weeks. Just give me two weeks."