James Chase - An Ace up my Sleeve

“I should be doing this, Larry,” she said as he set her plate before her. “That’s what a woman is supposed to do.”

“I guess lots of girls don’t know how to cook,” he said and sat down. “But they can do other things.”

Again she felt hot blood move through her.

“Yes… that’s right.”

They ate in silence. When they had finished, she said, “It was wonderful, Larry… you really are a great cook.”

“I’m glad it pleased you, ma’am. You take it easy. I’ll clear up.” He collected the plates and moved to the sink.

“I must help you.”

He grinned at her.

“I’ll manage. You go ahead and take it easy. Coffee?”

“That would be nice.”

She went into the sitting-room, crossed to the bar and poured a small brandy. Then she sat down. As she swirled the brandy around in the balloon glass, she thought of Herman; querulous, selfish, demanding and expecting every attention. This boy was really wonderful! What a marvellous husband he would make for some lucky girl!

She heard him washing up, whistling to himself, then after a while he came in with two cups of coffee.

“Have you given him anything to eat, Larry?” she asked. Archer was preying on her mind. She took the cup of coffee he handed her.

“Don’t worry about him, ma’am. He’s had soup… he’s okay.”

“Perhaps I’d better see him. He’s not young, Larry, and you hit him terribly hard.”

Larry sat down. He held the cup and saucer awkwardly.

“You leave him alone, ma’am. There’s no point in you getting upset. He used some pretty strong language.”

“But you’re sure he’s all right?”

“Sure… sure… sure.”

She gave up.

After a pause while they sipped the steaming coffee, she said, “I’ll call the American Express tomorrow and book your seat.”

“Thank you, ma’am.”

She looked at him and smiled.

“I’ll miss you, Larry.”

“Yeah… I guess I’ll miss you, too.”

“It’s been a fantastic adventure, hasn’t it?”

“It has that.” 171

Not one of the world’s most brilliant conversationalists, she thought with regret, but he is magnificent to look at.

“It’s nearly over,” she said. “The day after tomorrow the photos will come. Then we say goodbye.”

“I guess that’s right.”

Watching him, looking at the breadth of his shoulders, his huge hands and his masculinity, she again felt the tormenting sexual urge go through her.

She remembered she had told herself: no more men, but just this once, she thought. We have tonight, all tomorrow and tomorrow night together. She knew she couldn’t sit around in the villa, waiting for the hours to pass while she had him with her. Surely, he would feel the same way. She would have to give him a little encouragement: just a hint and he would take her. Tonight: more love during the following day and more love the next night, then she would be satisfied. She would say goodbye and have a memory to live with, and then positively no more men!

“Excuse me, ma’am…”

She looked up, jerked away from her thoughts and she smiled at him.

“Yes, Larry?”

“There’s an ice hockey match on at nine on the telly. Would it bother you if I watched it?”

She felt as if she had received a slap in the face. She looked down at her hands.

“Of course not… if you want to.”

“Yeah… I dig for ice hockey. Do you like, it ma’am?”

She contained herself with an effort.

“No… it doesn’t interest me.” She looked at the clock on the overmantel. It showed 20.55. “The programme will in five minute.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“I’ll go to bed. I’ll find something to read.”

He went over to the television set and turned it on. She had an idea he hadn’t heard what she had said.

She stood up and looked at herself in the wall mirror. Why hadn’t she lit a flame in him? she wondered. Ice hockey, for God’s sake! She regarded the slim, blonde woman reflected in the glass. She looked pale and perhaps a little tired, but she didn’t look anything like her real age. Suppose she went to him and put her arms around him and arched her body hard against his? Would that light the flame? She looked at his broad back as he bent over the set. The announcer was introducing the players as they skated around the rink. He was saying the Swiss side had a hard struggle ahead of them. The Canadian Eagles hadn’t been defeated this season.

“Hotdamn!” Larry muttered to himself and sat down before the screen.

She lifted her shoulders helplessly, then she went to the bookcase and took the first book to hand.

The skaters were charging down the rink and she could hear Larry muttering to himself.

She went to the door and opened it.

“I’ll read, Larry. I won’t be asleep when the games over. Look in and say goodnight.”

He was leaning forward as three skaters collided and started a punch-up.

“Larry?”

He didn’t look around. She was sure he had forgotten her existence. Irritated, she raised her voice, “Larry!”

He looked over his shoulder, frowning.

“Yes, ma’am?” 173

“Look in and see me when it’s over… I won’t be asleep.”

“Sure… sure,” and he turned back to the screen.

She went out and into her bedroom.

She stood in the middle of the elegant room, feeling utterly depressed. She supposed she had no sex appeal for him.

She tossed the book on the bed, then began to undress. Going to her closet, she selected a flimsy, see-through nightdress and put it on. Taking the gold clips from her hair, she shook it loose so it cascaded to her shoulders. Then she went into the bathroom. Ten minutes later, she came out and paused to look at herself in the full-length mirror. Surely any man with normal instincts would desire her… or was she deceiving herself?

She got into bed, picked up the book and glanced at the title. It was Galsworthy’s Forsyte Saga . Irene and Soames: a woman’s indifference to a man, and with her, the situation was reversed: a man’s indifference to a woman. She put the book down. She could hear faintly the exited voice of the commentator, speaking in Italian. She wished Larry would turn off the sound: it was not as if he could understand what the man was saying. She lay back on the pillows and stared up at the ceiling.

Then she heard the telephone bell ring.

Not Herman again? she thought. She was in no mood to listen to his querulous complaints. She picked up the extension receiver by her bed.

“Yes?”

“Is that Mrs. Rolfe?” A harsh male American voice.

She stiffened.

Who on earth could this be? she wondered and said a little hesitantly, “Yes… who is it?”

“You don’t know me, but you’ve heard of me. I’m Smith… Ron Smith.”

She sat bolt upright, aware her heart was beginning to thump. What was coming? More blackmail?”

“Do you want to speak to Larry?” she asked.

“Is he there?”

“Yes.”

“Can he hear you?”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m asking you if he is in the same room with you.” There was an important note in the harsh voice now.

“No… he’s watching television. Do you want to talk to him?”

“I want to talk to you.”

She felt her mouth turn dry. She was sure now he was going to blackmail her.

“I don’t think I want to talk to you, Mr. Smith,” she said trying to keep her voice steady. “I…”

“Cut it out! This is urgent and important to you! I’ve had a hell of a time getting your phone number. I don’t know why I should have bothered. Rich women like you aren’t worth bothering about, but a life is a life, even if it is worthless.”