Free Due Diligence by Michael A. Kahn Page B

the counter. A moment later Karen came in from the bedroom. She was wearing a robe, having changed out of her exercise clothes.
    â€œSure you don’t want any?” she asked again.
    â€œNo, thanks.”
    â€œHow about something to drink?” She opened the refrigerator. “Let’s see, I have Diet Seven-Up and orange juice and Clearly Canadian.” She turned to me. “I’m having a Diet Seven-Up. How about you?”
    I smiled. “Okay. Same thing. Sounds good.”
    When we were both seated at the tiny kitchen table, I gestured toward one of framed photos of the blond guy. “Your boyfriend?”
    She nodded radiantly. “William,” she said, holding up her left hand to show me the modest diamond engagement ring.
    â€œCongratulations.”
    â€œWe’re going to get married as soon as he gets back from Brazil.”
    â€œWhen’s that?”
    â€œNext December. I can’t wait.”
    â€œIs he down there on business?”
    â€œNo, he’s on a mission.”
    â€œReally?” I said uncertainly.
    She noticed my expression. “For the church.”
    I recalled the Utah posters in the living room. “Ah, the Mormon Church?”
    She nodded. “William’s on a two-year mission in Brazil. It’s already been more than a year.”
    As she ate dinner, we made small talk about life in Brazil and her wedding plans. Karen Harmon was an easy person to like: cheerful, outgoing, and warmhearted, with a bright, generous laugh. Almost reluctantly, I brought the conversation around to the purpose of my visit.
    â€œI met with Hiram Sullivan yesterday morning,” I said.
    â€œMr. Sullivan?” she said. “Really?”
    I nodded. “He wasn’t willing to tell me much about Bruce.” I explained my interest in Bruce Rosenthal’s death and my concern that it might be linked to another death. “Bruce was upset when he called me,” I continued. “He wanted to talk to a lawyer. I think it had something to do with his work. Something he had discovered, probably about a client.”
    Karen nodded seriously. “Okay.”
    â€œWas he working on many matters the last month or so?”
    Karen thought it over. “No,” she said. “I think he was spending most of his time on the SLP deal.”
    â€œGood.”
    â€œReally?” She looked surprised.
    â€œIt narrows the hunt,” I explained. “I was afraid you were going to tell me there were dozens of different matters.”
    â€œWell,” she said with a frown, trying to remember, “there may have been one or two small projects, but nothing big. It was mostly SLP. If he was billing time to other projects, they’d show up on his time sheets. If it helps, I could check them for you.”
    â€œThat would be great, Karen. Thanks.”
    â€œSure,” she said with a smile. “Actually, you’re starting to get me kind of curious.”
    I shrugged good-naturedly. “It’s contagious. You said he was working on the SLD deal.”
    â€œP, not D. SLP.”
    â€œWhat is it?”
    She gave me an embarrassed look. “I’m not exactly sure.”
    â€œIs it confidential?”
    â€œOh, no. It’s been in the newspapers, I think, or at least the Wall Street Journal . I know, because Bruce had me make copies of some articles from the Journal . SLP is a foreign company. French, I think. Its initials are SLP.”
    â€œWas your firm doing work for them?”
    She nodded. “They’re buying a company or a division of a company here. It’s called Chemitoc, Chemitac, Chemi-something.”
    â€œChemitex Bioproducts?”
    She smiled. “That’s it.”
    â€œWhat was Bruce doing on the deal?”
    â€œSome of the due diligence.”
    â€œAhh,” I said with a knowing smile.
    Due diligence . Utter that dull gray phrase around a pack of corporate lawyers and watch them