"All right," he said. "See you in an hour."
She put all her research away in a closet and dressed hurriedly in a tweed skirt and black turtleneck pullover floppy enough to hide her thickening waist.
Monday starts the diet, kiddo, she told herself sternly. I really mean that.
She had a fresh pot of tea ready by the time John arrived. His coat and hat were pimpled with rain, and his ungloved hands were reddened and icy. Dora poured him a pony of brandy to chase the chill while she opened the Chinese food he had brought. All the cartons were arranged on the cocktail table in front of the couch, and Dora set out plates, cutlery, and mugs for their tea.
He hadn't forgotten the shrimp in lobster sauce, and there was also a big container of sweet and sour pork cooked with chunks of pineapple and green and red peppers. Also egg rolls, barbecued ribs, and ginger ice cream.
"A feast!" Dora exulted. "I'm going to stuff myself."
"Be my guest," Wenden said. "You're looking good, Red. Losing weight?"
Dora laughed. "You sweet liar," she said. "No, I haven't lost any weight, and I'm not about to if you keep feeding me like this. I'll be a real Fatty, Fatty, two-by-four."
"More of you to love," he said, and when she didn't reply, he busied himself with a barbecued rib.
"Let's talk business," Dora said, smearing an eggroll with hot mustard. "Were you able to get the information about which Starrett branch managers were fired a year ago?"
"Yeah, I got it. And you said you'd tell me why you want it."
"All right," she said. "Did you know that Starrett has been dealing in gold bullion for about a year now?"
"Sure, I knew that," Wenden said, filling his plate with fried rice and sweet and sour pork.
Dora was startled. "How did you know?" she asked.
He looked up at her and grinned. "Surprised that we're not total stupes? When Solomon Guthrie was knocked off, he was carrying a briefcase stuffed with company business papers. We went through it. Most of it was about Christmas bonuses for Starrett employees. But there was also a file on recent purchases and sales of gold bullion."
"Oh," she said, somewhat discomfited. "Did you do anything about it?"
"Wow!" he said, wiping his forehead with a paper napkin. "That mustard is rough. Sure, I did something about it; I asked Clayton Starrett what gives. He said the company buys the gold overseas at a good price and sells it to small jewelry stores around the country at a nice markup. He showed me his records. Everything looks to be on the up-and-up. Isn't it?"
"Maybe," Dora said. "I got hold of a computer printout showing all of Starrett's gold business for the last three months, and it-"
"Whoa!" the detective said, holding up a palm. "Wait a minute. Where did you get the printout?"
"Let's just say it was from a reliable source. Will you accept that?"
He ate a moment without answering. Then: "For the time being."
"Well, I went over the printout many, many times and finally found something interesting. In addition to its flagship store on Park Avenue, Starrett has fifteen branches all over the world. Seven of them are overseas, and eight are in the U.S., including Honolulu. All the gold bullion Starrett was selling went to the domestic branches, none to the foreign stores."
Wenden showed no reaction. He helped himself to more fried rice. "So?" he said. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"I don't know what it means," Dora said crossly, "but it's unusual, don't you think?"
He sat back, swabbed his lips with a paper napkin, took a swig of tea. "There could be a dozen explanations. Maybe the overseas stores buy their gold from local sources. Maybe there are hefty import duties on gold shipped to those countries. Maybe the foreign branches don't need any gold because they get all their finished jewelry from New York."
"I guess you're right," Dora said forlornly. "I'm just grabbing at straws."
"On the other hand," John said, leaning forward again to start on his ice cream, "you may be on to something. About a year ago nine branch managers, including the guy in Manhattan, were fired and replaced with new people. All the firings and replacements were in Starrett's U.S. branches, none in the foreign stores."
They stared at each other a moment. Then Dora took a deep breath. "You got any ideas?" she asked.
"Nope," Wenden said. "You?"
"Not a one. There could be an innocent reason for it."
"Do you believe that?"
"No."
"I don't either," he said. "Something fishy is going on. Do you know anything you're not telling me, Red?"
"I've told you all I know," she said, emphasizing the know and figuring that made it only a half-lie.
"Well, keep digging, and if you come up with any ideas, give me a shout. Someone is jerking us around, and I don't like it."
She nodded, stood up, and began clearing the mess on the cocktail table. "John, there's leftovers. Do you want to take it home with you?"
"Nah," he said. "I'm going back to the office tonight for a few hours, and I won't be able to heat it up. You keep it. You can have it for breakfast tomorrow."
"With the hot mustard?" she said, smiling. "That'll start me off bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Thank you for the banquet. You were a lifesaver."
"Is the way to a woman's heart through her stomach?" he asked.
"That's one way," she said.
Working together, they cleaned up the place, put uneaten food in the refrigerator, washed plates, cutlery and mugs. Then they returned to the living room and Dora poured them tots of brandy.
"John, you look tired," Dora said. "Well, you usually look tired, but tonight you look beat. Are you getting enough sleep?"
He shrugged. "Not as much as I'd like. Did you know that in one eight-hour period over New Year's Eve there were thirteen homicides in New York. Ten by gunshot."
"That's terrible."
"We can't keep up with it. That's why I don't give the Starrett thing the time I should be giving it. I'm depending on you to help me out."
"I'll try," she said faintly, feeling guilty because of the things she hadn't told him. "Don't you get days off? A chance to recharge your batteries?"
"Yeah, I get days off occasionally. But they don't really help. I keep thinking about the cases I'm handling, wondering if I'm missing anything, figuring new ways to tackle them."
"You've got to relax."
"I know. I need a good, long vacation. About a year. Either that or a good woman."
She nodded. "That might help."
"You?" he said.
She tried a smile. "I told you; I'm taken."
"One of these days you'll be leaving New York-right? Whether the Starrett thing is cleared up or not. Whether the insurance claim is approved or not. You'll be going home to Hartford. Correct?"
"That's right."
"So we could have a scene while you're here, knowing it's not going to last forever. Who'd be hurt?"
She shook her head. "That's not me."
"Oh Red," he said, "life is too short to be faithful. You think your husband is faithful?"
She lifted her chin. "I think he is. But it's really his decision, isn't it? If he's going to cheat on me because he's a man or because he's Mario-that's his choice. No way can I affect it."
"Would it kill you to learn he's been cheating?"
She pondered a moment. "I don't know how I'd feel. It wouldn't kill me, but I'd probably take it hard."
"But you'd forgive him?"
"I probably would," she said.
"And if things were reversed, he'd probably forgive you."
"Probably," Dora said, "but I don't want to find out. Look, John, you said life is too short to be faithful. But I think the shortness of life is all the more reason to try to make it something decent. I see an awful lot of human corruption on my job-not as much violent corruption as you see, thank God-so I want to try as hard as I can to be a Girl Scout. Maybe it's because I want to prove I'm superior to the creeps I deal with. Maybe it's because if I
make the one little slip voluntarily, it'll be a weakening and the first small step down a steep flight of stairs. Whatever, I want to live as straight as I can-which can be a mighty tough assignment at times."
"Is this one of them?" he asked. "You and me?"
She nodded dumbly.
He finished his drink, rose, and pulled on his damp coat. He looked at her so sadly that she embraced him and tried to kiss his cheek. But he turned to meet her lips and, despite her resolve, she melted. They clung tightly together.
"You better go," she said huskily, pulling away. "Give me a break."
"All right," he said. "For now."
After he was gone, she locked the door and paced up and down, hugging her elbows. She thought of what he had said and what she had said-and what she might have said, and what the result of that would have been.
She knew she should dig her library research out of the closet and get back to trying to solve the puzzle it contained. But she could not turn her thoughts away from her personal puzzle: what to do about this weary, attractive man who for all his flip talk was serious. Yes, yes, he was a serious man and fully aware that he was on his way to burnout.
"And who appointed you his nurse?" she asked herself aloud.
Chapter 23
Mrs. Olivia Starrett and Father Brian Callaway sat at the long dining room table and waited silently, with folded hands, while Charles served tea. He was using bone china from Starrett Fine Jewelry in their exclusive Mimosa pattern.
He offered a tray of assorted pastries from Ferrara, then left the platter on the table and retired, closing the door softly behind him.
"Very distressing news indeed, Olivia," Father Brian said, adding cream and sugar to his tea. "You must have been devastated."
"I was," Mrs. Starrett said, "and I am. We have never had a divorce in our family, on either side."
"Has he spoken to Eleanor yet?"
"Not to my knowledge. He said he wanted to tell me first. Clayton is a good son."
"Yes," Callaway said. "Dutiful. Was he asking for your approval?"
"Not exactly. He did say that if I forbade it, he would remain married to Eleanor. But I cannot order him to continue what he calls a loveless marriage. The poor boy is obviously suffering. Do have an eclair."
"I think I shall; they look delicious. And how do you feel about his marrying Helene Pierce if the divorce goes through?"
"And I think I shall have an anise macaroon. Why, I believe Helene is a lovely, personable young lady, but much too young for Clayton. However, he feels the age difference is of little importance. And I must confess I have a selfish motive for wanting Clayton remarried, to Helene or any other woman of his choice. Before I pass over, I would like to hold a grandchild in my arms. Is it wicked of me to think of my own happiness?"
He reached across the table to pat one of her pudgy hands. "Olivia, you are incapable of being wicked. And your desire for a grandchild is completely natural, normal, and understandable. Eleanor cannot have another child?"
"Cannot or will not," Mrs. Starrett said sorrowfully. "She has never fully recovered from the passing of little Ernie. Do help yourself to more tea, Father."
"What a tragedy," he said, filling their cups. "But pain, sadness, and passing are all parts of the holy oneness. We must accept them and indeed welcome them as a test of our faith. For from the valley of despair the soul emerges renewed and triumphant. Do try a napoleon; they're exquisite."
"But so fattening!" she protested.
"No matter," he said, smiling at her. "You are a very regal woman, Olivia."
"Thank you," she said, glowing with pleasure. "Father, may I ask a favor?"
"Of course," he said heartily. "Anything you wish."
"I suggested to Clayton that he might consult a marriage counselor or speak to you before his decision becomes final. If there is any way at all the marriage can be saved, I must try it. Would you be willing to talk to Clayton and give him the benefit of your experience and spirituality?"
"I would be willing," Callaway said cautiously, "but would he?"
"Oh, I'm sure he would," Olivia said warmly. "Especially if you told him it was my express wish that the two of you get together and try to find a solution to this problem."
Callaway nibbled thoughtfully on a slice of panettone. "I gather that the solution you prefer is that the marriage be preserved?"
"That is my preference, yes. But if, in your opinion, the happiness of both Clayton and Eleanor would be better served by a divorce, then I'll accept that. I trust your judgment, Father, and will agree to whatever you think is best."
"It is an awesome responsibility, Olivia, but I shall do what I can. May I tell Clayton that you have told me all the details of your conversation with him?"
"Of course."
"Then I'll see what can be done. I agree with you, dear lady, that marriage is a sacred trust and those vows may only be broken for the most compelling reasons. We were put on this earth to nurture one another, to share, and every effort must be made to keep intact that holy oneness."
"I knew I could count on your understanding, Father," Mrs. Starrett said. "You're such a comfort. Now do have more tea and perhaps a slice of the torte. I believe it's made with Grand Marnier."
When Brian Callaway departed from the Starrett apartment, he paused a moment in the outside corridor to loosen his belt a notch. He then descended to the lobby and used a public phone to call Clayton at Starrett Fine Jewelry. It was almost 4:30 and Callaway guessed the man would be ready to leave his office.
Clayton was cordial enough, and when the Father asked for a meeting as soon as possible, to discuss a personal matter of "utmost importance," he agreed to meet Callaway at the bar of the Four Seasons at five o'clock or a little later.
"What's this all about?" he asked curiously.
"I prefer not to discuss it on the phone," the Father replied in magisterial tones.
He was the first to arrive and quickly downed a double vodka. He then ordered a plain tonic water and was sipping that when Clayton Starrett appeared, smiling broadly. The two men shook hands. Clayton ordered a gin martini.
"I'm afraid I'll have to make this short," Clayton said. "We have another charity benefit tonight, and I have to go home to dress."
The Father nodded. "I'll be brief," he promised. "I've just come from having tea with your mother. She asked me to meet with you. She informed me of your intention to divorce Eleanor and hopes I may persuade you to change your mind."
Clayton stared at him for a startled moment, then drained his martini. "Mother told you everything I said to her?" he asked hoarsely.
Callaway nodded. "She did. And gave me permission to tell you that she had. Clay, this is very embarrassing for me. I really have no desire to intrude on your personal affairs, but I could hardly reject your mother's request."
"Did she also tell you I want to marry Helene Pierce?"
"She told me. Clay, what's the problem between you and Eleanor?"
The younger man took a gulp of his fresh drink. "A lot of problems, Father. I guess the big one is sex-or the lack thereof. Does that shock you?"
"Hardly," Callaway said. "I guessed that might be it. Eleanor is not an unattractive woman, but compared to Helene…" His voice trailed off.
"Exactly," Clayton said. "I want a little joy in my life."
"That's understandable. But what if you ask Eleanor for a divorce and then Helene turns you down? Your mother said you told her you haven't even hinted to Helene about the way you feel."
Starrett turned his glass around and around, looking down at it. "That wasn't precisely true. I have told Helene about the way I feel about her and what I plan to do."
"And what was her reaction?"
"I don't know why I'm telling you all this. I hope I can depend on your discretion."
"I assure you this conversation has all the confidentiality of a confessional booth."
"Some booth," Clayton said, looking around at the crowded, noisy ba
r. "Well, if you must know, Helene will marry me the moment the divorce is a done deal."
"She told you that?"
"Not in so many words, but I'm positive that's the way she feels. Even if the divorce takes a year, Helene is willing to wait. After all, it means status and financial security for her."
"It does indeed," Callaway said. "I think I'll have another drink if you don't mind. Perhaps a straight vodka on ice this time."
"Of course," Clayton said, and summoned the bartender. "Father, I appreciate your efforts-I know you mean well-but there's no way you can change my mind."
"I didn't expect to."
"How did mother sound when she told you about it. Is she still upset?"
"She is, and somewhat confused. She wants you to be happy, and she hopes to have grandchildren someday, but the very idea of a divorce in the family disturbs her. And, of course, she's aware of the distress Eleanor will suffer."
"So mother really hasn't made up her mind?"
"Not really. As a matter of fact, she said she would be willing to accept whatever recommendation I make."
Clayton's laugh was tinny. "In other words," he said, "my fate is in your hands."
"Yes," the Father said, and took a swallow of his vodka, "you might say that. My main aim in this affair is not to cause your mother any unnecessary pain. She is a splendid woman and has made very generous contributions to the Church of the Holy Oneness."
As he said this, Callaway turned to look directly into Clayton's eyes. "Very generous contributions," he repeated.
The two men, their stare locked, were silent a moment.
"I see," Clayton said finally. "You know, Father, I feel somewhat remiss in not having offered any financial support to your church in the years I've known you."
"It's never too late," the older man said cheerfully. "The Church of the Holy Oneness is constantly in need of funds. For instance, we hope to enlarge the church kitchen so that we may provide food to more of the unfortunate homeless. But at the moment that seems just a dream. I have obtained estimates and find it would cost at least ten thousand dollars to build the kind of facility we need."
The seventh commandment Page 13
