 pair of wooden doors that would have been beautiful had they not had gargoyle heads in each center. When Sarah’s father had died, her mother, a rather frivolous and harmless socialite, had inherited his millions and promptly built their new house. Mrs. Channing was not known for her elegance or good taste.
Francesca’s knock was promptly answered, and she was told by the doorman that neither Miss nor Mrs. Channing was receiving visitors. “Would you care to leave your card?” the liveried doorman asked. His uniform was red and gold.
Francesca realized with dismay that Sarah must be at work in her studio. Although one would never know it to look at her, given her plain appearance and shy demeanor, she was a brilliant, even passionate and bold painter. “Actually, I received a note from Mrs. Channing, and I do believe that she will see me.”
“I am afraid that she is in her rooms and has said that she will not come down,” the doorman said gravely.
A butler sailed into the entry hall. “Goodard? Who is it?”
“A Miss Francesca Cahill.”
The butler sailed to a stop before her. “Mrs. Channing will see Miss Cahill, Goodard.” He gave the doorman a significant look. “Due to the Crisis,” he said.
“There is a crisis?” Francesca asked quickly.
“I shall inform Mrs. Channing that you are here,” the heavyset butler intoned gravely.
“Harold? Who is it?”
Francesca stepped forward at the sound of Mrs. Channing’s voice. A not-quite pretty woman with reddish blondhair who was extremely well-dressed, yet overdressed, and who somehow reminded one of a flighty and mindless bird was entering the foyer, her slippers clicking on the marble floors. “Francesca! Thank God!” She clapped her hands together, but tears filled her wide eyes. One of her rings was a diamond the size of an acorn.
Francesca smiled. “Hello, Mrs. Channing. I received your note. Are you all right?”
Abigail Channing shook her head wordlessly. She rushed to Francesca, her teal skirts billowing about her. “Thank the Lord you are here!” she cried. “I have been praying that you would come!”
Francesca looked into her widened eyes–as there was little else to do, with the other woman’s face a mere two inches from her own. “Is everything all right, Mrs. Channing? You seem upset.”
“I am hardly upset–I am at my wits’ end, at a complete loss.”
“What has happened, Mrs. Channing?”
“We are in the midst of a disaster,” Mrs. Channing said, tears coming to her dark eyes. “I told Sarah we should call for you! But she refused, saying you were recovering from that horrid encounter with that Cross Killer, that we must not disturb you! But you are a sleuth, and we do need a sleuth now, so I sent you that note! You see, the police were here, but I do not think they care at all to help us.”
“What has happened?” Francesca repeated, thinking there must have been a crime. A familiar tingle was now running up and down her spine.
“Come with me!” Mrs. Channing exclaimed hoarsely. “This is something that words cannot do justice to, that words cannot describe.” And she slipped free of Francesca’s arm and began hurrying into the hall.
Francesca started and followed, not bothering to hand off her coat, hat, and single glove. What could have possibly happened? Had a bedchamber sneak been at his work? This was the most common kind of crime in the homes of the rich. She quickly realized, as they moved down one hall and then another, that they were not heading in the direction of a bedroom, as all bedrooms would be on the second floor. They were moving toward Sarah’s studio. She was perplexed.
If not a burglar, then what else had transpired?
Suddenly Mrs. Channing turned and placed her back against the door of Sarah’s studio, as if to bar the way. “Prepare yourself,” she warned rather theatrically. But her eyes were huge with dismay.
Francesca nodded, more than intrigued now–she was worried. Apprehension filled her. “Is Sarah all right?”
“Sarah has taken to her rooms, and she will not come out,” Mrs. Channing said.
Francesca stared.
Mrs. Channing gave her an abrupt nod as if to say, “Oh yes, this is grave indeed,” and she thrust open the door.
Francesca stepped inside. The room was all windows, a true artist’s studio, so it was brilliantly lit. She cried out.
Someone had been on a rampage in the large, airy room.
At a glance, it appeared to have been ransacked.
Canvases, palettes, paints, and jars were overturned. Two windows were broken, as if someone had smashed them with an ax or thrown an object through them. Glass covered the floor by them. Paint in the primary hues had been splattered across the floor and walls, the effect vivid, brilliant, disturbing. Because amid the yellows, blues, and greens there was dark, dark red and slashes of black. It was almost as if another artist had formed an abstract collage of colors upon the floor.
And for one instant, Francesca thought the red was blood.
She rushed forward, kneeling, dabbing her finger into one drying pool of dark red. It was paint, not blood. Relief flooded her instantly.
Then she saw the canvas lying faceup on the floor.
Whatever that canvas had once been, it was now unrecognizable. It had been saturated with the same dark red paint that looked exactly like blood, and then it had been slashed into ribbons.A number of Avid fans...
Company announce huge customer sales of Pro Tools HDX.
Avid today announced that customer sales for its Pro Tools|HDX has have exceeded 7,500 systems worldwide, with numerous leading film production facilities, music facilities and independent artists worldwide now counting themselves as loyal buyers.
The HDX system has gained a following for providing more power, higher audio quality and easier methods to record, edit and mix even the most demanding productions. It also provides more tracks, headroom and heavily expanded, dedicated DSP power to tackle the industry’s most challenging post-production projects.
"Pro Tools|HDX is the result of years of collaboration with prestigious audio professionals worldwide,,” said Tim Carroll, VP worldwide audio, sales and professional Services at Avid.
“Adoption for HDX has exceeded our expectations and clearly shows that the professional audio community has a need for larger, scalable DSP systems to achieve their creative objectives."KONIG, Robert Francis - Nov. 6, 1947 - Sept. 7, 2004 He is survived by his son, Theodore Konig; father, Robert J. Konig; stepmother, Mary Theresa Konig; and mother, Loretta Frances Gassie; brothers, Brian Konig, Mike Konig, Angus Konig and Richard Rabin; sisters, Mary T. Konig, Jr., Gilda Tabarez; sister-in-law, Wendy Gray Rabin; niece, Naomi Rabin; cousins, Meta, David and Marie Wilner, Pamela Slavin, Bill Wesch, Jim and Bev Pedersen; and great-aunt, Joyce Pedersen. Robb was born in San Francisco then moved to Southern California in 1959. He graduated from Western High School class of 1966 in Anaheim, CA. Robb then served four years in the U.S.M.C. His first two years were in Vietnam and last two years in Washington D.C. with U.S. Secret Service security clearance for duties at the White House and at Camp David Presidential Retreat in Maryland. He also served as parade marine with the elite Ceremonial Guard Company at Marine Barracks, Wash. D.C. and separated from active duty with the rank of sergeant. After serving in the armed forces he returned to San Francisco and worked 20 years for Pacific Telephone, followed by various security service companies Burns, Pinkertons and D.N. Security Services and most recently for the Stanyan Park Hotel. After the death of his grandmother, Frances Pedersen-Burns in 1997, he moved to the East Bay and resided in Alameda, CA, until date of his death. Family and friends are invited to attend Memorial Services on Saturday morning, November 6, 2004. Services will begin at 11:00 am at The Golden Gate National Cemetery Chapel. 1300 Sneath Lane, San Bruno, CA.Scottsdale Web Design – How to Build the Ideal Location Page? (Part 2)
In part 1, I talked about adding NAP, uploading pictures, and describing the location. So, I guess it’s time to tackle the rest of the list.
- Valuable CTA
When you do add CTA, it has to make sense and it should give extra worth and satisfaction to the user’s journey. A few alternatives for CTAs are:
- Provide descriptive guidelines (connect to Google Maps)
- Give people an option for advance reservations, or
- to ask for an appointment.
- If you have an online store, add a SHOP NOW button!
- Information About Your Business