James Chase - Knock, Knock! Who's There?

It was done! It couldn’t betray him again!

He was sitting on the deck when she came out of the lake, water streaming off her golden body. She picked up her clothes and walked past him into the living-room.

The sun made a red rim around the pines. In another hour, Scott would be back.

During the time she had been swimming, Johnny had thought about her. He had come to the conclusion that this was his woman. He had never had this feeling before. He told himself he was crazy. What did he know about her except there was something in those blue eyes that told him he could trust her.

You mean you wouldn’t be tempted? Did you think I would?

And that look, surprise, then the hurt showed and she had thrown off her clothes and had swum away from him.

That wasn’t the action of treachery. Surely, if she planned to betray him, she wouldn’t have behaved like that.

Then she was beside him, dressed and sitting down. She looked seriously at him.

“I think we’d better talk, Johnny,” she said. “Do you think, by staying here, Ed and I will be in danger?”

He hesitated, then nodded.

“Yes.” He paused, then went on. “I’ll get Ed to drive me to

Richville tomorrow and forget about me. It’s the best way.”

“I don’t want to forget you. I’m in love with you,” and she put her hand on his.

He felt a surge of emotion go through him. Many women had told him they loved him. Melanie had, often enough, but none of them had said it the way this woman said it.

“That makes two of us, but I’d better go.”

“Could we talk about it?” The slim fingers fondled his wrist. “Could you explain?”

The caressing fingers lulled his caution.

Speaking quietly, staring across the dark waters of the lake, he told her the story of his life. He told her of his yearning to own a boat, about Massino, how Masssino had cheated him. He told her about the Big Take, but he didn’t tell her how much money was involved.

“I have the money stashed away in East City. If it wasn’t for the medal there would have been no problem. I could have stayed there. Massino wouldn’t have suspected me. Then later, I would have taken the money and ducked out.”

“Is there much money?” she asked.

He looked at her. Her face was expressionless and she wasn’t looking at him.

“Enough.”

“If you got the money would you take me away from here?”

“Yes.”

“Would you choose between me and your boat? Would you give up your boat to keep me?”

He didn’t hesitate.

“No. You either go with the boat or I’ll stake you and we part. I’m risking my life for the boat: it’s that important to me.”

She nodded.

“I’m glad. I said it before and I’ll say it again: you’re all man. I’ll come with you and I’ll help on the boat.”

“If they find me here, they could kill you.”

“If I’m going to share this money with you, Johnny, I must share the risk… that’s fair, isn’t it?”

“Think about it. Let’s talk about it tomorrow. I’ve still got to get the money.”

“Where have you hidden it?”

He smiled at her.

“Where they won’t think of looking for it.”

“Isn’t it dangerous to go back for it?”

“Yes… it’s a hell of a risk.”

“But I could get it, couldn’t I? They don’t know me.”

A tiny red light of warning lit up in Johnny’s mind. Suppose he told her where the money was? Suppose he gave her the locker key? She could hire a car and drive to East City, take the two bags, load them into the car and that would be the last time he would ever see her. How can anyone trust anyone when there was so much money involved? She said she loved him: she had said it in such a way that he believed her, but when she dragged those two heavy bags out of the locker might she not be tempted to betray him?

He remembered what she had said: You’re not much to look at. He wasn’t. He was fourteen years older than she. With all that money, with her looks, she could make a wonderful life for herself without having a short, heavily-built man of forty-two in her hair.

The sound of the approaching truck saved him from answering.

“Here’s Ed. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

“Yes.

She got up and went hastily into the kitchen.

Scott had his swim, admired the bass Johnny had caught, then came out on deck, joining Johnny while Freda cooked the dinner.

“Had a good day?” Scott asked, lighting a cigarette. He looked slyly at Johnny.

“Fine. And you?”

“The usual.” Scott flicked ash into the lake. “Did she give out?”

Johnny stiffened.

“Come again?”

“Did you lay her?”

“Look, Ed, cut that talk out! I don’t like it. She’s your wife! Haven’t you any respect for her?”

Scott gave a sneering laugh.

“I told you I couldn’t care less. I was just curious to know if you made it.”

“Like I said… cut it out!”

Scott eyed him.

“Maybe you like it fancy. I do. If ever you want something fancy come to Richville with me. I know a couple of chicks…”

“I’m a lot older than you, Ed. You look after your sex life and I’ll look after mine. Okay?”

Scott studied him, then shrugged.

“Yeah. I guess when I get as old as you, it won’t be a problem.” He gave a sly grin. “I bet Freda’s disappointed. I get the idea she’s itching for it.”

“Then why don’t you give it to her?” Johnny tried to soften his voice, but his anger showed.

“She’s not my style.”

Johnny suddenly hated this man as he had seldom hated any man. He got to his feet as Freda came on to the deck.

“You can eat,” she said.

It was while they were finishing the bass that Scott said, “You got a younger brother, Johnny?”

Johnny became instantly alert. He paused to finish the last morsel of fish on his plate, then shook his head.

“I’ve no relations.”

“Just an idea.” Scott pushed aside his plate. “There’s an odd ad. in the Richville Times . I have it here.” He shoved back his chair and crossing to where he had left his jacket, he took out a folded newspaper.

Johnny and Freda exchanged quick glances as Scott put the paper in front of Johnny.

“What do you think of that… ten thousand dollars!”

Johnny pretended to read the letterpress, shrugged and reached for a cigarette.

“Funny thing,” Scott went on. “I looked up suddenly just now and you seem to resemble this photograph. I wondered if it could be a young brother.”

“Never had a brother,” Johnny said.

Scott passed the newspaper to Freda.

“Don’t you think this guy looks like Johnny?” Freda glanced at the photograph.

“Maybe.” Her voice was casual. “You can’t say Johnny is exactly an oil painting, can you?” and getting up, she began to collect the plates. Johnny helped her while Scott continued to stare at the photograph.

Out in the kitchen, Freda washed up while Johnny dried. They didn’t speak, but both were aware of tension.

Returning to the living-room, they found Scott still staring at the ad. Freda went out on deck and as Johnny followed her, Scott said, “Funny sort of ad., isn’t it?”

Johnny paused and came back to the table. He sat down.

“It sure is.”

“What do you imagine the idea is offering all this money for a guy who’s lost his memory?”

“Rich parents, I guess… anxious to find him.” Scott studied the photograph.

“Doesn’t look as if he comes from rich parents, does he?” He glanced at Johnny. “Bit on the rough side… like you and me.” “Yeah.”

“Ten thousand dollars! If I had all that money I’d buy me three more trucks and I’d really be in the business.” Scott’s face lit up. “Finding drivers is easy, but getting the capital for trucks is something else.”