sidneysheldon.astrangerinthemirror-第41章

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t　his　watch　and　said　to　the　chauffeur；　
　〃Perfect　timing。　Otto。〃　
　〃Thank　you；　sir。　And　may　I　wish　you　and　Mrs。　Kenyon　a　very　happy　honeymoon。〃　
　〃Thanks；〃　David　Kenyon　hurried　toward　the　gangplank；　where　he　presented　his　ticket。　He　was　escorted；　aboard　by　the　ship's　officer　who　had　taken　care　of　Jill。　
　〃Mrs。　Temple　is　in　your　cabin；　Mr。　Kenyon。〃　
　〃Thank　you。〃　David　could　visualize　her　in　the　bridal　suite；　waiting　for　him；　and　his　heart　quickened。　As　David　started　to　move　away；　a　voice　called；　
　〃Mr。　Kenyon　。。。〃　David　turned。　The　man　who　had　been　standing　near　the　railing　walked　over　to　him；　a　smile　on　his　face。　David　had　never　seen　him　before。　David　had　the　millionaire's　instinctive　distrust　of　friendly　strangers。　Almost　invariably；　they　wanted　something。　The　man　held　out　his　hand；　and　David　shook　it　cautiously。　
　〃Do　we　know　each　other？〃　David　asked。　
　〃I'm　an　old　friend　of　Jill's；〃　the　man　said；　and　David　relaxed。　〃My　name　is　Lawrence。　Clifton　Lawrence。〃　
　〃How　do　you　do；　Mr。　Lawrence。〃　He　was　impatient　to　leave。　
　〃Jill　asked　me　to　e　up　and　meet　you；〃　Clifton　said。　〃She's　planned　a　little　surprise　for　you。〃　
　David　looked　at　him。　〃What　kind　of　surprise？〃　
　〃e　along；　and　I'll　show　you。〃　
　David　hesitated　a　moment。　〃All　right。　Will　it　take　long？〃　
　Clifton　Lawrence　looked　up　at　him　and　smiled。　〃I　don't　think　so。〃　
　They　took　an　elevator　down　to　C　deck；　moving　past　the　throngs　of　embarking　passengers　and　visitors。　They　walked　down　a　corridor　to　a　large　set　of　double　doors。　Clifton　opened　them　and　ushered　David　in。　David　found　himself　in　a　large；　empty　theater。　He　looked　around；　puzzled。　
　〃In　here？〃　
　〃In　here。〃　Clifton　smiled。　
　He　turned　and　looked　up　at　the　projectionist　in　the　booth　and　nodded。　The　projectionist　was　greedy。　Clifton　had　had　to　give　him　two　hundred　dollars　before　he　would　agree　to　assist　him。　〃If　they　ever　found　out；　I　would　lose　my　job；〃　he　had　grumbled。　〃No　one　will　ever　know；〃　Clifton　had　assured　him。　〃It's　just　a　practical　joke。　All　you　have　to　do　is　lock　the　doors　when　I　e　in　with　my　friend；　and　start　running　the　film。　We'll　be　out　of　there　in　ten　minutes。〃　In　the　end；　the　projectionist　had　agreed。　Now　David　was　looking　at　Clifton；　puzzled。　
　〃Movies？〃　David　asked。　
　〃Just　sit　down；　Mr。　Kenyon。〃　
　David　took　a　seat　on　the　aisle；　his　long　legs　stretched　out。　Clifton　took　a　seat　across　from　him。　He　was　watching　David's　face　as　the　lights　went　down　and　the　bright　images　started　to　flicker　on　the　large　screen。　
　It　felt　as　though　someone　was　pounding　him　in　the　solar　plexus　with　iron　hammers。　David　stared　up　at　the　obscene　images　on　the　screen　and　his　brain　refused　to　accept　what　his　eyes　were　seeing。　Jill；　a　young　Jill；　the　way　she　had　looked　when　he　had　first　fallen　in　love　with　her；　was　naked　on　a　bed。　He　could　see　every　feature　clearly。　He　watched；　mute　with　disbelief；　as　a　man　got　astride　the　girl　on　the　screen　and　rammed　his　penis　into　her　mouth。　She　began　sucking　it　lovingly；　caressingly；　and　another　girl　came　into　the　scene　and　spread　Jill's　legs　apart　and　put　her　tongue　deep　inside　her。　David　thought　he　was　going　to　be　sick。　For　one　wild；　hopeful　instant；　he　thought　that　this　might　be　trick　photography；　a　fake；　but　the　camera　covered　every　movement　that　Jill　made。　Then　the　Mexican　came　into　the　scene　and　got　on　top　of　Jill；　and　a　hazy　red　curtain　descended　in　front　of　David's　eyes。　He　was　fifteen　years　old　again；　and　it　was　his　sister　Beth　he　was　watching　up　there；　his　sister　sitting　on　top　of　the　naked　Mexican　gardener　in　her　bed；　saying；　Oh；　God；　I　love　you；　fuan。　Keep　fucking　me。　Don't　stop！　and　David　standing　in　the　doorway；　unbelievingly；　watching　his　beloved　sister。　He　had　been　seized　with　a　blind；　overpowering　rage；　and　had　snatched　lip　a　steel　letter　opener　from　the　desk　and　had　run　over　to　the　bed　and　knocked　his　sister　aside　and　plunged　the　opener　into　the　gardener's　chest；　again　and　again；　until　the　walls　were　covered　with　blood；　and　Beth　was　screaming。　Oh；　God；　no！　Stop　it；　David！　I　love　him。　We're　going　to　be　married！　There　was　blood　everywhere。　David's　mother　had　e　running　into　the　room　and　had　sent　David　away。　But　he　learned　later　that　his　mother　had　telephoned　the　district　attorney；　a　close　friend　of　the　Kenyon　family。　They　had　had　a　long　talk　in　the　study；　and　the　Mexican's　body　had　been　taken　to　the　jail。　The　next　morning；　it　was　announced　that　he　had　mitted　suicide　in　his　cell。　Three　weeks　later；　Beth　had　been　placed　in　an　institution　for　the　insane。　
　It　all　flooded　back　into　David　now；　the　unbearable　guilt　for　what　he　had　done；　and　he　went　berserk。　He　picked　up　the　man　sitting　across　from　him　and　smashed　his　fist　into　his　face；　pounding　at　him；　screaming　meaningless；　senseless　words；　attacking　him　for　Beth　and　for　Jill；　and　for　his　own　shame。　Clifton　Lawrence　tried　to　defend　himself；　but　there　was　no　way　that　he　could　stop　the　blows。　A　fist　smashed　into　his　nose　and　he　felt　something　break。　A　fist　cannoned　into　his　mouth　and　the　blood　started　running　like　a　river。　He　stood　there　helplessly；　waiting　for　the　next　blow　to　strike　him。　But　suddenly　there　were　no　more。　There　was　no　sound　in　the　room　but　his　tortured；　stertorous　breathing　and　the　sensuous　sounds　ing　from　the　screen。　Clifton　pulled　out　a　handkerchief　to　try　to　stem　the　bleeding。　He　stumbled　out　of　the　theater；　covering　his　nose　and　mouth　with　his　handkerchief；　and　started　toward　Jill's　cabin。　As　he　passed　the　dining　room；　the　swinging　kitchen　door　opened　for　a　moment；　and　he　walked　into　the　kitchen；　past　the　bustling　chefs　and　stewards　and　waiters。　He　found　an　ice…making　machine　and　scooped　up　chunks　of　ice　into　a　cloth　and　put　them　over　his　nose　and　mouth。　He　started　out。　In　front　of　him　was　an　enormous　wedding　cake　with　little　spun…sugar　figures　of　the　bride　and　groom　on　top。　Clifton　reached　out　and　twisted　off　the　bride's　head　and　crushed　it　in　his　fingers。　Then　he　went　to　find　Jill。　
　The　ship　was　under　way。　Jill　could　feel　the　movement　as　the　fifty…five…thousand…ton　liner　began　to　slide　away　from　the　pier。　She　wondered　what　was　keeping　David。　As　Jill　was　finishing　her　unpacking；　there　was　a　knock　at　the　cabin　door。　Jill　hurried　over　to　the　door　and　called　out；　
　〃David！〃　
　She　opened　it；　her　arms　outstretched。　Clifton　Lawrence　stood　there；　his　face　battered；and　bloody。　Jill　dropped　her　arms　and　stared　at　him。　
　〃What　are　you　doing　here？　Whatwhat　happened　to　you？〃　
　〃I　just　dropped　by　to　say　hello；　Jill。〃　She　could　hardly　understand　him。　〃And　to　give　you　a　message　from　David。〃　Jill　looked　at　him；　unprehendingly。　
　〃From　David？〃　
　Clifton　walked　into　the　cabin。　He　was　making　Jill　nervous。　
　〃Where　is　David？〃　
　Clifton　turned　to　her　and　said；　〃Remember　what　movies　used　to　be　like　in　the　old　days？　There　were　the　good　guys　in　the　white　hats　and　the　bad　guys　in　the　black　hats　and　in　the　end　you　always　knew　the　bad　guys　were　going　to　get　their　just　deserts。　I　grew　up　on　those　movies；　Jill。　I　grew　up　believing　that　life　was　really　like　that；　that　the　boys　in　the　white　hats　always　won。〃　
　〃I　don't　know　what　you're　talking　about。〃　
　〃It's　nice　to　know　that　once　in　a　whole　life　works　out　one　of　those　old　movies。〃　He　smiled　at　her　through　battered　bleeding　lips　and　said；　〃David's　gone。　For　good。〃　
　She　stared　at　him　in　disbelief。　And　at　that　moment；　they　both　felt　the　motion　of　the　ship　e　to　a　stop；　Clifton　walked　out　to　the　veranda　and　looked　down　over　the　side　of　the　ship。　
　〃e　here。〃　
　Jill　hesitated　a　moment；　then　followed　him；　filled　with　some　nameless；　growing　dread。　She　peered　over　the　railing。　Far　below　on　the　water；　she　could　see　David　getting　on　tile　pilot　tug；　leaving　the　Bretagne。　She　clutched　the　railing　for　support。　
　〃Why？〃　she　demanded　unbelievingly。　〃What　happened？〃　
　Clifton　Lawrence　turned　to　her　and　said；　〃I　ran　your　picture　for　him。〃　And　she　instantly　knew　what　he　meant　and　she　moaned；　
　〃Oh；　my　God。　No！　Please；　no！　You've　killed　mel〃　
　〃Then　we're　even。〃　
　〃Get　out！〃　she　screamed。　〃Get　out　of　here！〃　She　flung　herself　at　him　and　her　nails　caught　his　cheeks　and　ripped　deep　gashes　down　the　side。　Clifton　swung　and　hit　her　hard　across　the　face。　She　fell　to　her　knees；　clutching　her　head　in　agony。　Clifton　stood　looking　at　her　for　a　long　moment。　This　was　how　he　wanted　to　remember　her。　
　〃So　long；　Josephine　Czinski；〃　he　said。　
　Clifton　left　Jill's　cabin　and　walked　up　to　the　boat　deck；　keeping　the　lower　half　of　his　face　covered　with　the　handkerchief。　He　walked　slowly；　studying　the　faces　of　the　passengers；　looking　for　a　fresh　face；　an　unusual　type。　You　never　knew　when　you　might　stumble　across　new　talent。　He　felt　ready　to　go　back　to　work　again。　Who　could　tell？　Maybe　he　would　get　lucky　and　discover　another　Toby　Temple。　
　Shortly　after　Clifton　left；　Claude　Dessard　walked　up　to　Jill's　cabin　and　knocked　at　the　door。　There　was　no　response；　but　the　chief　purser　could　hear　sounds　inside　the　room。　He　waited　a　moment；　then　raised　his　voice　and　said；　
　〃Mrs。　Temple；　this　is　Claude　Dessard；　the　chief　purser。　I　was　wondering　if　I　might　be　of　service？〃　
　There　was　no　answer。　By　now　Dessard's　internal　warning　system　was　screaming。　His　instincts　told　him　that　there　was　something　terribly　wrong；　and　he　had　a　premonition　that　it　centered；　somehow；　around　this　woman。　A　series　of　wild；　outrageous　thoughts　danced　through　his　brain。　She　had　been　murdered　or　kidnapped　or　　He　tried　the　handle　of　the　door。　It　was　unlocked。　Slowly；　Dessard　pushed　the　door　open；　Jill　Tample　was　standing　at　the　far　end　of　the　cabin；　looking　out　the　porthole；　her　back　to　him。　
　Dessard　opened　his　mouth　to　speak；　but　something　in　the　frozen　rigidity　of　the　figure　stopped　him。　He　stood　there　awkwardly　for　a　moment；　debating　wheather　to　quietly　withdraw；　when　suddenly　the　cabin　was　filled　with　an　unearthly；　keening　sound；　like　an　animal　in　pain。　Helpless　before　such　a　deep　private　agony；　Dessard　withdrew；　refully　closing　the　door　behind　him。　Dessard　stood　outside　the　cabin　a　moment；　listening　to　the　wordless　cry　from　within；　then；　deeply　disturbed；　turned　and　headed　for　the　theater　on　the　main　deck。　
　At　dinner　that　evening；　there　were　two　empty　seats　at　the　captain's　table。　Halfway　through　the　meal；　the　captain　called　to　Dessard；　who　was　hosting　a　party　of　less　important　ssengers　two　tables　away。　Dessard　excused　himself　and　hurried　over　to　the　captain's　table。　
　〃Ah；　Dessard；〃　the　captain　said；　genially。　He　lowered　his　voice　and　his　tone　changed。　〃What　happened　with　Mrs。　Temple　and　Mr。　Kenyon？〃　
　Dessard　looked　around　at　the　other　guests　and　whispered；　〃As　you　know；　Mr。　Kenyon　left　with　the　pilot　at　the　Ambrose　ship。　Mrs。　Temple　is　in　her　cabin。〃　The　captain　swore　under　his　breath。　He　was　a　methodical　and　the　one　who　did　not　like　to　have　his　routine　interfered　with。　
　〃Merde！　All　the　wedding　arrangements　have　been　made；〃　he　said。　
　〃I　know；　Captain。〃　Dessard　shrugged　and　rolled　his　eyes　ward。　〃Americans；〃　he　said。　
　
　Jill　sat　alone　in　the　darkened　cabin；　huddled　in　a　chair；　her　knees　pulled　up　to　her　chest；　staring　into　nothingness。　She　was　grieving；　but　it　was　not　for　David　Kenyon　or　Toby　Tample　or　for　herself。　She　was　grieving　for　a　little　girl　named　Josephine　Czinsi。　Jill　had　wanted　to　do　so　much　for　that　little　girl；　and　now　all　the　wonderful　magical　dreams　she　had