Рекс Стаут: Blood Will Tell

“Look,” I said, “you’ve said that before. I have all the time there is and I enjoy your company, but you didn’t come all the way here through the worst storm this winter just to chew the fat. Something on your mind?”

He nodded. “I thought you might know — might have an idea.”

“I seldom do, but it’s possible.”

“It’s Rita. You know she’s in Reno?”

“Yes, I’ve had a card from her.”

“Well, I phoned her yesterday. There’s some good ski slopes not far from Reno, and I told her I might go out for a week or so and we could give them a try. She said no. A flat no.”

“Maybe she doesn’t know how to ski.”

“Sure she does. She’s good, very good.” He uncrossed his legs and crossed them again. “I came to see you because— Well, frankly, I thought that maybe you and she have a — an understanding. I used to think she liked me all right — nothing more than that, but I thought she liked me. I know she was a friend in need, I know what she did that day in Vance’s apartment, but ever since then she has shied off from me. And I know she thinks you’re quite a guy. Well... if you have got an understanding with her I want to congratulate you. Of course, her too.”

I cleared my throat “Many thanks,” I said, “for the compliment. It’s nice to know that she thinks I’m quite a guy, but it’s nothing more than that. There’s not only no understanding, there’s no misunderstanding. It’s possible that she actually likes you. It’s possible that she would enjoy skiing with you, though in my opinion anyone who enjoys skiing is hard up for something to enjoy, but a woman in the process of getting a divorce is apt to be skittish. She either thinks she has been swindled or she feels like a used car. Do you want my advice?”

“Yes.”

“Go to Reno unannounced. Tell her you want her to go skiing with you because if you tumble and break a leg, as you probably will, she is the only one you can rely on to bring help. If after a week or so you want to tell her there are other reasons, and there are other reasons, she may possibly be willing to listen. She might even enjoy it. You have nothing to lose but a week or so unless you break your neck.”

His jaw was working exactly the way it had that day six months back, but otherwise his appearance was very different. “All right,” he said. “I’m glad I came. I’ll go tomorrow.”

“That’s the spirit I don’t suppose you’d consider playing pinochle with her, or dancing or going for a walk, instead of skiing?”

“No. I’m not a good dancer.”

“Okay. We’ll drink to it”. I got up. “Scotch and water, I believe?”

“Yes please. No ice. I think you’re quite a guy too, Goodwin.”

“So do I.” I went to the kitchen.