Джон Макдональд - More Good Old Stuff

At last she could hear the crackle of the flames above the noise of the sea. The flames flickered up from the flat roof into the night air. The huge front window went and she felt the heat against her face.

“Too hot out here,” she mumbled.

She put her fingers in the neckline of the white dress, ripped it down, stepped out of it. She tore off the bra and pants and threw them aside, standing naked on the sand.

She heard the distant wail of sirens and it was like a signal she had been waiting for. She turned and walked down the slope of beach into the water. Oddly, it felt warm. As a wave smashed against her thighs she stumbled and almost fell. When it reached her waist, she began to swim straight out with a smooth crawl.

She was all-powerful. She could swim forever. She felt the lift and drop of the waves. Her body was warm, clean and strong.

After many strokes she paused and looked back at the beach house. It was a pillar of flame. Dark figures passed between her and the flame.

She floated for a long time. Then, rolling over onto her stomach, she resumed her long, strong stroke, swimming straight out into the night.

Patience met Matt at the door. She was looking lovely in a dark green dress.

“Just a minute while I get my coat,” she said.

She came back and he asked, “Do you know who’s going to be there?”

“Just you and I and Evan and the bride and groom, as far as I know,” she said. She handed him the keys. “Will you drive?”

Drive to Roy’s party at the Ocean Club. Drive on the mountain road. Oh, fine. Better let Patience drive. Better tell her that she might end up staring up at the dark sky.

He found himself reaching for the keys. He said, “I’m a little rusty.”

He got behind the wheel, took a moment to find the starter. It was a dark green coupe, fairly new.

“I never thought he’d marry her,” Patience said softly.

“Maybe it was my fault, Pat.”

“Nonsense! If he was going to marry her anyway, it’s a blessing that he doesn’t get his filthy paws on the company at the same time.”

He backed out of the garage, turned down the drive.

“Did Sue ask you or did he?” Matt asked.

“He did. I thought that a little strange. He said it was just a small intimate dinner for friends of the bride and groom. He said that Susan has particularly asked that you and I come. And Evan, of course.”

“Evan is in love with you, Pat.”

She looked at him quickly. “Don’t be absurd!”

“I think he always has been. What a tangle of emotions this little dinner party will be! And I suppose the guest of honor will be Rose Carney, who burned the house down and skipped out.”

“She got a raw deal, Matt.”

“Who doesn’t get a raw deal from the great Bedford?”

As they drove through town and turned left on the road to the Ocean Club, a fine rain started. Patience turned on the windshield wipers.

The wheel felt strange under his hands. Time had been turned back. He was going to the Ocean Club on a night like that night nine years before—

Patience reached over to the dashboard and turned on the car radio.

“...the body was identified as being a Miss Rose Carney. There is no evidence of foul play. The nude body was washed ashore early this evening near Toll Point six miles south of town. Police state that Miss Carney’s garments were found near the scene of the fire that destroyed her home last night. It is believed that Miss Carney set fire to her home and committed suicide by swimming directly out from shore.”

Patience clicked off the dial and shuddered. Her voice trembled as she said, “Another mark on Roy Bedford’s sterling record.”

Matt stared ahead and frowned. “I must have been the last living soul she talked to. If I’d known—”

“What!”

“She called me up at four this morning. I couldn’t make out what she was driving at. She was drunk.”

“Poor Rose.”

“Poor Susan,” he said.

The road climbed higher and higher. Twice he had to shift into second to ease the laboring motor. At the very top was a wide parking place, a favorite spot for sightseers and the high school group. Far ahead, down on the flats, he could see the lights of the Ocean Club. The road dipped down. It turned into the long straight stretch where, nine years before, a blond girl had lain, her sightless face turned up toward the misted sky.

His jaw ached with tension. The dark night sped by. Ahead were the sharp turns.

“It happened right along here, didn’t it?” Patience said softly.

“That’s right,” he said, amazed at the calmness of his own voice. “On a night just like this one — nine years ago.”

He pressed down on the brakes, slowed for the sharp curves and, minutes later, turned into the parking lot of the Ocean Club.

As it was an off night, there were few cars in the lot. Also, the Ocean Club trade usually arrived later than eight-thirty.

The man at the door said, “Mr. Otis? Follow me, sir.”

He led them to a stairway at the far end of the dance floor, and said, with a smile, “The room at the head of the stairs, sir.”

Matt followed Patience up the stairs. Roy, affable and urbane, met them at the door, took Patience’s coat, told Matt where to put his, then led them over to the table where Evan stood talking to Susan.

Patience kissed Susan and said, “How are you, dear?”

“Very well, thank you,” Susan said.

Matt was shocked at the change in the girl. She seemed to have lost that quality of exuberance. Her eyes were large and there were dark shadows under them. Her lips curved in a careful smile and she stood very straight.

As Evan shook hands with Matt, Roy put his arm around Susan and pulled her against him as he said, “Now isn’t she a beautiful bride?”

Matt noticed the sudden twist of Susan’s lips, the haunted eyes.

“She certainly is, Roy,” he said, with forced joviality.

“That’s right,” Evan said, matching Matt’s tone.

There was a tall shaker of martinis. Roy poured two for Patience and Matt. Evan was obviously drinking too much. Roy did not appear to be drinking. Susan sipped her drink with downcast eyes.

“A toast to the bride,” Evan said, lifting his glass.

“To the bride,” they echoed. Susan smiled her careful smile and her eyes were dead.

Roy laughed loudly. “Say, you folks thought you were pulling a fast one on me, didn’t you? Getting Susan to sell that stock of hers! What kind of a guy do you think I am? I’m going to take over that company anyway, you know. I married Sue for her sweet self.”

“You make it sound so easy, Roy,” Patience murmured. “I mean, the way you’re going to take over the company.”

His eyes showed no expression, but his smile revealed his white, even teeth. “It is easy, Pat. When you know how. How about dinner, folks? The house recommends steak or lobster.”

The round table was on for five. A fire was lit in the fireplace.

Roy sat with Susan on his right and Patience on his left. Evan sat between Patience and Matt. Susan was on Matt’s left.

The food was excellent, and Roy skillfully kept the table talk away from any personal topic. Matt was almost enjoying himself. Susan said little. Patience kept glancing across at Susan, her eyes puzzled. Evan talked loudly and expansively and, between topics, glared at Roy Bedford.

After a time Roy switched the conversation to China and Matt found himself talking about some of his experiences. Patience seemed to be the only one who gave her undivided attention.

At last there was a pause in the conversation. Patience said firmly, “It was too bad about Rose Carney, Roy.”

He frowned. “Too bad? The house was insured. She’ll get the insurance money when she shows up.”