cw.imarriedadeadman-第20章

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　She　went　out；　and　closed　the　door；　and　went　across　the　hall　and　knocked　softly。
　〃I'm　stepping　out　for　just　a　moment；　Mother。　Hughie　upset　his　whole　can　of　talc　in　the　bath　just　now；　and　I　want　to　get　another　before　I　forget。〃
　〃All　right；　dear。　The　walk'll　do　you　good。　Oh…bring　me　back　a　bottle　of　that　shampoo　while　you're　in　there；　dear。　I'm　on　the　last　of　it　now。〃
　She　got　that　slightly　sickened　feeling　she　was　beginning　to　know　so　well。　It　was　so　easy　to　fool　those　who　loved　you。　But　who　were　you　really　fooling…them　or　yourself？
　His　arm　was　draped　negligently　atop　the　car…door；　elbow　out。　The　door　fell　open。　He　made　way　for　her　by　shifting　leisurely　over　on　the　seat；　without　offering　to　rise。　His　indolent　taking　of　her　for　granted　was　more　scathingly　insulting　than　any　overt　rudeness　would　have　been。
　〃I'm　sorry　I　had　to　call。　I　thought　you'd　forgotten　about　our　talk。　It's　been　more　than　a　week　now。〃
　〃Forgotten？〃　she　said　drily。　〃I　wish　it　were　that　easy。〃
　〃I　see　you've　bee　a　depositor　of　the　Standard　Trust　since　our　last　meeting。〃
　She　shot　him　an　involuntary　look　of　shock；　without　answering。
　〃Five　thousand　dollars。〃
　She　drew　a　quick　breath。
　〃Tellers　will　chat　for　a　quarter　cigar。〃　He　smiled。　〃Well？〃
　〃I　haven't　any　money　with　me。　I　haven't　used　the　account　yet。　I'll　have　to　cash　a　check　in　the　morning　and…〃
　〃They　give　a　checkbook　with　each　account；　don't　they？　And　you　have　that　with　you；　most　likely…〃
　She　gave　him　a　look　of　unfeigned　surprise。
　〃I　have　a　fountain　pen　right　here　in　my　pocket。　I'll　turn　on　the　dashboard…lights　a　minute。　Let's　get　it　over　and　done　with；　the　quickest　way's　the　best。　Now；　I'll　tell　you　what　to　write。　To　Stephen　Georgesson。　Not　to　Cash　or　Bearer。　Five　hundred。〃
　〃Five　hundred？〃
　〃That's　academic。〃
　She　didn't　understand　what　he　meant；　and　was　incautious　enough　to　let　him　go　on　past　that　point　without　stopping　him。
　〃That's　all。　And　then　your　signature。　The　date；　if　you　want。〃
　She　stopped　short。　〃I　can't　do　this。〃
　〃I'm　sorry；　you'll　have　to。　I　don't　want　it　any　other　way。　I　won't　accept　cash。〃
　〃But　this　passes　through　the　bank　with　both　our　names　on　it；　mine　as　payer；　yours　as　payee。〃
　〃There's　such　a　flood　of　checks　passing　through　the　bank　every　month；　it's　not　even　likely　to　be　noticed。　It　could　be　a　debt　of　Hugh's；　you　know；　that　you're　settling　up　for　him。〃
　〃Why　are　you　so　anxious　to　have　a　check？〃　she　asked　irresolutely。
　A　crooked　smile　looped　one　corner　of　his　mouth。　〃Why　should　you　object；　if　I　don't？　It's　to　your　advantage；　isn't　it？　I'm　playing　right　into　your　hands。　It　es　back　into　your　possession　after　it　clears　the　bank。　After　that　you're　holding　tangible　evidence　of　this…of　blackmail…against　me　if　you　should　ever　care　to　prosecute。　Which　is　something　you　haven't　got　so　far。　Remember；　up　to　this　point；　it's　just　your　word　against　mine；　I　can　deny　this　whole　thing　happened。　Once　this　check　goes　through；　you've　got　living　proof。〃
　He　said；　a　little　more　tartly　than　he'd　yet　spoken　to　her；　〃Shall　we　get　through？　You're　anxious　to　get　back。　And　I'm　anxious　to　pull　out　of　here。〃
　She　handed　him　the　pleted　check　and　pen。
　He　was　smiling　again　now。　He　waited　until　she'd　stepped　out　and　he'd　turned　on　the　ignition。　He　said　above　the　low　throb　of　the　motor；　〃Your　thinking　isn't　very　clear；　nor　very　quick；　is　it？　This　check　is　evidence　against　me；　that　you're　holding；　if　it　clears　the　bank　and　returns　to　you。　But　if　it　doesn't…if　it's　kept　out；　and　never　es　up　for　payment　at　all…then　it's　evidence　against　you；　that　I'm　holding。〃
　The　car　glided　off　and　left　her　standing　behind　looking　after　it　in　her　shattered　consternation。
　
　
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　She　all　but　ran　toward　the　car　along　the　night…shaded　street；　as　if　fearful　it　might　suddenly　glide　into　motion　and　escape　her；　instead　of　directing　her　steps　toward　it　grudgingly　as　she　had　the　two　previous　times。　She　clung　to　the　top　of　the　door　with　both　hands　when　she'd　reached　it；　as　if　in　quest　of　support。
　〃I　can't　stand　this！　What　are　you　trying　to　do　to　me？〃
　He　was　smugly　facetious。　His　brows　went　up。　〃Do？　I　haven't　done　anything　to　you。　I　haven't　been　near　you。　I　haven't　seen　you　in　the　last　three　weeks。〃
　〃The　check　wasn't　debited。〃
　〃Oh；　you've　had　your　bank　statement。　That's　right；　yesterday　was　the　first　of　the　month。　I　imagine　you've　had　a　bad　twenty…four　hours。　I　must　have　overlooked　it…〃
　〃No；〃　she　said　with　fierce　rancor；　〃you're　not　the　kind　would　overlook　anything　like　that；　you　vicious　leech！　Haven't　you　done　enough　to　me？　What　are　you　trying　to　do；　drive　me　pletely　out　of　my　mind…〃
　His　manner　changed　abruptly；　tightened。　〃Get　in；〃　he　said　crisply。　〃I　want　to　talk　to　you。　I'll　drive　you　around　for　a　quarter　of　an　hour　or　so。〃
　〃I　can't　ride　with　you。　How　can　you　ask　me　to　do　that？〃
　〃We　can't　just　stand　still　in　this　one　place；　talking　it　over。　That's　far　worse。　We've　done　that　twice　already。　We　can　circle　the　lake　drive　once　or　twice；　there's　no　one　on　it　at　this　hour　and　no　stops。　Turn　your　collar　up　across　your　mouth。〃
　〃Why　are　you　holding　the　check？　What　are　you　meaning　to　do？〃
　〃Wait　until　we　get　there；〃　he　said。　Then　when　they　had；　he　answered　her；　coldly；　dispassionately；　as　though　there　had　been　no　interruption。
　〃I'm　not　interested　in　five　hundred　dollars。〃
　She　was　beginning　to　lose　her　head。　Her　inability　to　fathom　his　motives　was　kindling　her　to　panic。　〃Give　it　back　to　me；　then；　and　I'll　give　you　more。　I'll　give　you　a　thousand。　Only；　give　it　back　to　me。〃
　〃I　don't　want　to　be　given　more。　I　don't　want　to　be　given　any　amount。　Don't　you　understand？　I　want　the　money　to　belong　to　me；　in　my　own　right。〃
　Her　face　was　suddenly　stricken　white。　〃I　don't　understand。　What　are　you　trying　to　say　to　me？〃
　〃I　think　you're　beginning　to；　by　the　look　on　your　face。〃　He　fumbled　in　his　pocket；　took　something　out。　An　envelope；　already　sealed　and　stamped　for　mailing。　〃You　asked　me　where　the　check　was。　It's　in　here。　Here；　read　what　it　says　on　it。　No；　don't　take　it　out　of　my　hand。　Just　read　it　from　where　you　are。〃
　
　〃MR。　DONALD　HAZZARD
　HAZZARD　AND　LORING
　EMPIRE　BUILDING
　CAULFIELD。〃
　
　〃No…〃　She　couldn't　articulate；　could　only　shake　her　head　convulsively。
　〃I'm　mailing　it　to　him　at　his　office；　where　you　can't　intercept　it。〃　He　returned　it　to　his　pocket　〃The　last　mail…collection；　here　in　Caulfield；　is　at　nine　each　night。　You　may　not　know　that；　but　I've　been　making　a　study　of　those　things　recently。　There's　a　mail…box　on　Pomeroy　Street；　just　a　few　feet　from　where　I've　been　parking　the　last　few　times　I've　met　you。　It's　dark　and　inconspicuous　around　there；　and　I'll　use　that　one。　It　takes　the　carrier　until　nine…fifteen　to　reach　it；　however；　I've　timed　him　several　nights　in　a　row　and　taken　the　average。〃
　He　silenced　her　with　his　hand；　went　on：　〃Now；　if　you　reach　there　before　the　carrier　does；　this　envelope　stays　out　of　the　chute。　If　you're　not　there　yet　when　he　arrives；　I　drop　it　in。　You　have　a　day's　grace；　until　nine…fifteen　tomorrow　night。〃
　〃But　what　do　you　want　me　to　be　there　for…？　You　said　you　didn't　want　more…〃
　〃We're　going　to　take　a　ride　out　to　Hastings；　that's　the　next　town　over。　I'm　taking　you　to　a　justice　of　the　peace　there；　and　he's　going　to　make　us　man　and　wife。〃
　He　slowed　the　car　as　her　head　lurched　soddenly　back　over　the　top　of　the　seat　for　a　moment。
　〃I　didn't　think　they　swooned　any　more…〃　he　began。　Then　as　he　saw　her　straighten　again　with　an　effort　and　pass　the　back　of　her　hand　blurredly　before　her　eyes；　he　added：　〃Oh；　I　see　they　don't；　they　just　get　a　little　dizzy；　is　that　it？〃
　〃Why　are　you　doing　this　to　me？〃　she　said　smotheredJy。
　〃There　are　several　good　reasons　I　can　think　of。　It's　a　good　deal　safer；　from　my　point　of　view；　than　the　basis　we've　been　going　on　so　far。　There's　no　chance　of　anything　backfiring。　A　wife；　the　law…books　say；　cannot　testify　against　her　husband。　That　means　that　any　lawyer　worth　his　fee　can　whisk　you　off　the　stand　before　you　can　so　much　as　open　your　mouth。　And　then　there　are　more　practical　considerations。　The　old　couple　aren't　going　to　be　around　forever；　you　know。　The　old　lady's　life　is　hanging　by　a　thread。　And　the　old　man　won't　last　any　time　without　her。　Old　Faithful；　I　know　the　type。　When　they　go；　you　and　Bill　share　unequally　between　you…　Don't　look　so　horrified；　that　lawyer　of　theirs　hasn't　exactly　talked；　but　this　is　a　small　town；　those　things　sort　of　seep　around　without　even　benefit　of　wordof…mouth。　I　can　wait　that　year；　or　even　two　or　three　if　I　have　to。　The　law　gives　a　husband　one…third　of　his　wife's　property。　Three…quarters　of…I　may　be　underestimating；　but　roughly　I'd　say　four　hundred　thousand；　that's　three　hundred　thousand。　And　then　a　third　of　that　again…　Don't　cover　your　ears　like　that；　Patrice；　you　look　like　someone　out　of　a　Marie　Corelli　novel。〃
　He　braked。　〃You　can　get　out　here；　Patrice。　This　is　close　enough。〃　And　then　he　chuckled　a　little；　watching　her　flounder　to　the　pavement。　〃Are　you　sure　you're　able　to　walk　steady？　I　wouldn't　want　to　have　them　think　I'd　plied　you　with…〃
　The　last　thing　he　said　was；　〃Make　sure　your　clock　isn't　slow；　Patrice。　Because　the　United　States　Mail　is　always　on　time。〃
　
　
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　The　headlight…beams　of　his　car　kept　slashing　up　the　road　ahead　of　them　like　ploughshares；　seeming　to　cast　aside　its　topsoil　of　darkness；　reveal　its　borax…like　white　fill；　and　spill　that　out　all　over　the　roadway。　Then　behind　them　the　livid　furrows　would　heal　again　into　immediate　darkness。
　It　seemed　hours　they'd　been　driving　like　this；　in　silence　yet　acutely　aware　of　one　another。　Trees　went　by；　dimly　lit　up　from　below；　along　their　trunks；　by　the　passing　reflection　of　their　headlight…wash；　into　a　sort　of　ghostly　incandescence。　Then　at　times　there　weren't　any　trees；　they　fell　back；　and　a　plushy　black　evenness　took　their　place…fields　or　meadows；　she　supposed…that　smelled　sweeter。　Clover。　It　was　beautiful　country　around　here；　too　beautiful　for　anyone　to　be　in　such　a　hell　of　suffering　in　the　midst　of　it。
　Roads　branched　off　at　times；　too；　but　they　never　took　them。　They　kept　to　this　wide；　straight　one　they　were　on。
　They　passed　an　indirectly　lighted　white　sign；　placed　at　right　angles　to　the　road　so　that　it　could　be　read　as　you　came　up　to　it。　It　said　〃Wele　to　Hastings；〃　and　then　underneath；　〃Population…〃　and　some　figures　too　small　to　catch　before　they　had　already　gone　by。
　She　glanced　briefly　after　it；　in　a　sort　of　fascinated　horror。
　He'd　apparently　seen　her　do　it；　without　looking　directly　at　her。　〃That's　across　the　State　line；〃　he　remarked　drily。　〃Travel　broadens　one；　they　say。〃　It　was　nine　forty…five　now　according　to　her　wristwatch。　It　had　taken　them　only　half　an　hour's　drive　to　get　here。
　They　passed　through　the　town's　nuclear　main　square。　A　drugstore　was　still　open；　two　of　the　old…fashioned　jars　of　colored　water　that　all　drugstore…windows　featured　once　upon　a　time　flashing　emerald　and　mauve　at　them　as　they　went　by。　A　motion…picture　theatre　was　still　alive　inside；　but　dying　fast　externally；　its　marquee　already　dark；　its　lobby　dim。
　He　turned　up　one　of　the　side　streets；　a　tunnel　under　leafy　shade　trees；　its　houses　all　set　back　a　lawn…spaced　distance　so　that　they　were　almost　invisible　in　the　night…shade　from　the　roadway。　A　dim　light　peering　through　from　u