The Heart's Victory by Nora Roberts Read Free Book Online Page A

moment as he studied her. He had expected someone sturdier. “I suppose we missed each other at Kirk’s party the other night.”
    â€œYou were pointed out to me,” Pam told him, deciding to use flat-out honesty as her approach. “But you disappeared before I could wrangle my way over to you. Foxy disappeared, too.”
    â€œYou’re very observant.” Though the annoyance in his voice was only slight, Pam recognized it and was pleased. She knew she had his full attention.
    â€œOur friendship is still at the apprentice stage, but I’m very fond of Foxy. I also know how to mind my own business.” She brushed absently at her hair as the wind teased it into her eyes. “Professionally, I’m only interested in the race and any and all aspects thereof. I’m hoping you’ll help me. Not only do you know what it’s like to design and own a Formula One, you know what it’s like to compete in one. You also know this track and the specifics of an Indy car. The fact that you’re a well-known figure not only in racing circles but in society will add tremendous readability to the series.”
    Sometime during Pam’s speech, Lance had stuck his hands in his pockets. He waited for a full ten seconds to see if she was finished before he started to chuckle. “A few minutes ago, I was trying to figure out how you could be the same Pam Anderson who wrote that blistering series on foul-ups in the penal system.” He inclined his head in a gesture she took as a seal of approval. “Now I know. We’ll have plenty of time to talk over the next few months.” Pam watched his gaze shift and focus to where Foxy leaned against a fence and fiddled with lenses. She saw the birth of his patented smile. “Plenty of time.” When his attention darted back to Pam, his grin widened and settled. “What do you know about the 500?”
    â€œThe first 500 was in 1911, and the winning car had an average speed of 74.59 miles per hour. The track was originally paved in brick, hence the nickname the Old Brickyard. It’s a full-throttle race where a driver moves to high gear and stays there. It’s not a Grand Prix race because no points are given, but there are many similarities between the Formula One car and the Indy car. There are also a number of drivers who have competed in both the 500 and the Grand Prix circuit . . . like Kirk Fox. The cars here are fueled by alcohol. An alcohol fire is particularly dangerous because there’s no flame.”
    â€œYou’ve done your homework.” Lance grinned at the computerlike flow of information.
    â€œOh, I have the facts,” she agreed, liking the directness of his gaze. “But they don’t tell the whole story. Forty-six people have died at this race, but only three in the last ten years. Why?”
    â€œCars are safer,” Lance answered. “They used to be built like battleships, and in a crash they stayed solid and the driver absorbed all the power. Now it’s the fragility of the cars that saves lives. Cars self-destruct around a driver, diffusing the power away from him. The restraint systems have been improved, and the drivers wear fire-resistant clothes from the shoes up.” Sensing that the starting time was drawing near, Lance led her back toward the start-finish line.
    â€œSo racing has become fairly safe?” Pam asked. Her look was as candid as her voice was soft.
    Again Lance gave her his full attention. She was a very sharp lady. “I didn’t say that. It’s safer, but there will always be the element of risk. Without it, a race like the Indy would just be some cars going in a circle.”
    â€œBut a crash doesn’t bring the fear it once did?”
    He grinned again and shook his head. “I doubt if many drivers think about crashing. If they did, they wouldn’t get into a cockpit. It’s never going to happen to you, always to