James Chase: Tell It to the Birds

Anson moved away from the scent of the flowers, suddenly very confident that he had no serious competition to fear.

He even forgot the nagging soreness of his stomach as he passed the parking lot towards his car. He had three prospects to call on. The time was now twenty minutes to four. He should be free to. visit Meg by seven o’clock.

On his way to his car, he paused by a row of telephone booths. It took him only a few minutes to find Barlowe’s telephone number. He dialled the number.

Meg answered the call. The sound of her voice made him feel breathless.

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Barlowe,” he said, forcing his voice to sound brisk. “This is John Anson.”

There was a pause, then she said, “Who?”

He felt a moment of irritation. Didn’t she even remember his name?

“John Anson: National Fidelity Insurance. You remember me?”

She said at once, “Why, of course. I’m sorry. I was trying to write… my mind was miles away.”

“I hope I haven’t disturbed you.”

“Oh, no. I was thinking of you. I was wondering if you had an idea for me.”

He was tempted to tell her that he had spent the whole of yesterday thinking of her.

“That’s why I am telephoning… I do have an idea. I was wondering…” He let it hang, feeling his hand turn moist as he gripped the telephone receiver.

“Yes?” There was a pause as he still said nothing, then she went on, “I suppose you’re not free this evening?”

Anson drew in a deep breath.

“I’m in Pru Town right now. I have a few calls to make, but I could drop by around seven o’clock if that would be convenient?”

“Well, why not?” Her voice went up a note. “Come to supper. There won’t be much but I hate eating alone.”

Anson was suddenly worried that she might hear the violent beating of his heart.

“Fine… then, around seven,” and with an unsteady hand, he put the receiver back onto its cradle.

She was sophisticated, sun-tanned and very sure of herself. She wore a sky blue shirt and close fitting white slacks. She paused before Barlowe and stared at him the way you stare at a sudden coffee stain on your best table cloth. “Mary Wheatcroft,” she said. “Is it too early to plant?” Barlowe felt a tightening in his chest at the sight of this woman.

“Yes… a little early, but I can take an order. We will deliver and plant when…”

Her sapphire blue eyes flicked over him indifferently,

“I want two dozen. It’s Mrs. Van Hertz. I have an account with you… arrange it for me,” and she moved away, her hips rolling under the white material of her slacks.

Barlowe watched her go.

One of the assistants said sharply, “Mr. Barlowe… you have cut yourself!”

Barlowe looked at the blood dripping from his fingers. His grip had unconsciously tightened on the pruning knife he was holding.

His pale brown eyes shifted once again to Mrs. Van Hertz’s arrogant back. He lifted his hand and licked the warm blood from bis fingers.

As Anson reached the top of the dirt road, he saw the double gates leading to the Barlowe house were open and so too were the doors of the garage. Taking the hint, he drove his car into the garage, got out, shut the garage doors and then walked back and shut the double gates.

A light was on in the sitting-room. As he walked to the front door, he saw Meg’s shadow pass the blind as she crossed the room, to let him in.

She opened the door and for a moment they stood looking at each other.

“You’re very punctual,” she said. “Come on in.”

He followed her into the sitting-room.

In the shaded lamp light, as he took off his overcoat, they again looked at each other. She was wearing a flame coloured dress with a wide, pleated skirt. She was even more sensational looking than when he had first met her.

“Let’s eat, shall we?” she said, “Then we can talk, I don’t know about you but I’m starving. I’ve been working all day and haven’t bothered to eat since breakfast.”

“Sure, I’d like to,” he said, aware that he had no appetite.

“How’s the work going?”

“Oh, so… so.” She waved towards the table. She had pushed aside her typewriter and her papers and had set two plates on which lay some cold cuts of beef and pickles. The cutlery was dumped anyhow. There was a bottle of whisky, ice and charge water at hand. “It’s a bit of a picnic. I’m no cook.”

They sat down at the table and she poured two stiff drinks.

“So you have an idea for me?” she said, beginning to eat quickly and ravenously. “I’m terribly excited; I do want a good idea.”

Anson sipped his drink, then making an effort, he too began to eat.

“It’s something we can talk about,” he said, paused, then went on, “Mrs. Barlowe… it interests me… have you been married long?”

She glanced up.

“A year… the end of the month will be our first anniversary. Why do you ask?”

“I guess I get interested in people’s backgrounds. I was in Framley’s store this afternoon, Your husband seemed to be very busy.”

“He’s always busy. He’s the original busy bee.”

Was there a note of contempt in her voice? Anson wondered, suddenly alert.

“Meeting so many people as I do, I’m often surprised at the odd, unexpected married couples I run into. Seeing your husband, I should never have imagined you would have married him.” He paused and looked at her, wondering if he had gone too far. Her reply sent a hot rush of blood up his spine.

“Goodness knows why I did marry the poor fish,” she said. “I guess I should have my head examined.”

She continued to eat, not looking at him and he stared at her. Then aware of his concentrated stare, she looked up.

“You’re not eating… is there anything wrong?” He put down his knife and fork.

“I haven’t been too well over the week-end. I’m sorry. It’s just I’m off my food.”

“But not your drinking, I hope?”

“No.”

“Why not go over to the fire? You don’t have to watch me eat. Go on… I won’t be long.”

He carried his drink to the settee. He sat down and stared into the flickering flames.

Goodness knows why I did marry the poor fish.

This could be the green light he was hoping for.

“Have I shocked you?” she asked suddenly. “You asked me, so I told you. Phil is a poor fish. All he thinks about is his garden. He has only one ambition: to set himself up as a florist with a greenhouse and to sell flowers. He will never do that because he will never make enough money to find the necessary capital. He would need at least three thousand dollars to start a business of his own.”

“I should have thought he would have needed more than that,” Anson said.

Meg grimaced.

“You don’t know my darling Phil. He thinks small. All he wants is a greenhouse and an acre of land.”

“Just why did you marry him?” Anson asked, staring into the fire.

There was a long pause. He could hear her cutting the meat on her plate.

“Why? Ask me another! I thought he had money. I thought I was escaping from the things girls like me want to escape from. Okay… I made a mistake. Now I’d like to be a widow.”

Anson leaned forward. He felt the need of the flickering flames. His body had suddenly turned cold.

He heard her push back her chair, then she came and sat near him.

“You’re interested in me, aren’t you?” she said. “Why?”

“Why?” Anson gripped his glass so tightly his knuckles turned white. “Because I think you are the most exciting woman I have ever met.”

She laughed.

“I haven’t had anything said to me like that since I was stupid enough to get married.”