Fine Lines

by Simon Beckett

  I fol owed him. "I'm sorry if I've offended you, but I real y can't see where the problem is." He turned on me. "Oh, come on! I'm sure even you must have a pretty good idea! She's a girl.

  He's a boy. So am I."

  "Does that make any difference?"

  "Of course it fucking does!"

  "Is that your only objection?"

  "Christ, isn't that enough?" I stood up. "Wait here." I went past him to the door. "Help yourself to another drink." I left him standing there, enjoying the bemused expression on his face.

  I went into my study, to the smal wal safe I kept there. I opened it and took out a large brown envelope. I was about to play my trump card.

  V

  Zeppo was sitting down when I returned. He had refil ed his glass, I noticed. I thought, not without satisfaction, that he would need it. I handed him the envelope and sat down opposite him.

  He looked at it. "What's this?"

  "Open it and see." I watched as he put down his glass and slid out the photographs. He looked at the first one and stiffened. Then, with studied casualness he flicked through the rest.

  "Where did you get these?" He set them down beside him. His voice was calm, but not reassuringly so.

  "From a business associate. He specialises in rather more, shal we say "rarified", types of art than most dealers. I was surprised to see these there. Normal y he doesn't deal with photographic material, but I suppose the strong classical themes of these helped sway him. And they are quite wel done. I daresay you could justifiably cal them art instead of pornography, although I'm not sure everyone would agree."

  "How long have you had them?" I picked them up and replaced them in the envelope. "Quite a while. I actual y saw them months ago, long before I had any inkling that I would be needing your services. I recognised you straight away, of course. That's one disadvantage of having such a memorable face. Not that I thought anything of it at the time. You were just someone I'd bumped into at a couple of dinner parties, and since I'm not particularly interested in photography, whatever the subject matter, I was only mildly amused. In fact I forgot al about it until I decided I needed help with Anna and Marty. Then you seemed like the ideal candidate. So I went back to my associate, and as luck would have it, he stil had them."

  Zeppo was looking at me cool y. "What are you planning to do with them?"

  "Do with them?" I shrugged. "Nothing at al . But I thought this was as good a time as any to let you know I had them. Particularly since several of them show you engaged in the sort of activity we're discussing now."

  "Listen, you old bastard, don't try and blackmail me. You wouldn't like it."

  "I'm sure neither of us would. Although if copies of these were circulated to certain people, I'm certain you'd like it even less. I don't imagine this sort of thing does anyone's career much good. But you needn't worry about anything like that from me. We have a perfectly good business relationship, and I wouldn't dream of spoiling it. No, I simply wanted to remind you that I'm not suggesting anything you haven't done before, that's al ."

  "That was different. It was a long time ago, and I needed the money."

  "Zeppo, you don't have to justify yourself to me. I'm merely pointing out that what you've done once for money, you can do again. And for considerably more, this time."

  "What's to stop me from taking these with me?"

  "Nothing at al . In fact you could give some to your friends. I have several copies. In different places, of course." He glared at me. For the first time, I realised he was capable of violence. "You fat, smug, pompous old cunt."

  "That sort of talk helps no one. Now, do we have a deal?" He did not answer at first. Then he gave a short, grudging nod. "Al right. But you're making a mistake." I thought he was threatening me. "And why's that?"

  "Because it's a bad idea."

  "You seem to have suddenly changed your mind. You said a moment ago it was worth a try."

  "Yes, with somebody else. Not with me. What if Anna finds out? I thought the whole point was for me to end up in bed with her. If she finds out I'm trying to screw her boyfriend, she's not going to be too thril ed about that idea then, is she?"

  "If we handle this properly she'l never know. I can't imagine Marty tel ing her about it. Can you?" He gave a sul en shrug. "Perhaps not. But in that case, what's to stop her stil going to America with him?"

  "You are. Once he's, ah, compromised himself, he'l be vulnerable and open to persuasion. You'l be able to manipulate him any way you like.

  The last thing he'l want is for Anna to find out he's had an affair with another man. It'l be much easier for him to simply cry off and go back alone than admit that. Assuming, of course, that he stil even wants to take her." Zeppo ignored my gal ant attempt at a joke. "It'd be a lot easier just to blackmail him now. This is getting too complicated."

  "Not at al . For one thing, the only item we have to blackmail

  him with at present is an uncorroborated sighting in a gay nightclub.

  This way we'l have him in a stranglehold."

  He was unconvinced. "I stil think it's too risky." In retrospect, I realise he was right, and I wonder now if I was not already pushing for the eventual denouement even then. But if I was, I was unconscious of the fact.

  "Of course it isn't," I said. "You're just looking for excuses." Zeppo sighed and threw his hands up. "Okay. We'l do it your way.

  Just don't blame me if it goes wrong."

  "If I didn't know better, I'd say that you've lost confidence in yourself. Has Anna made you lose faith in your own abilities?"

  "Look, I've said I'l do it. Don't push your luck." Without asking, he got up and poured himself another drink. "We'l have to think of something to get Anna out of the way for a while."

  "Don't worry," I said. "I'l take care of that."

  Chapter Eight

  "Amsterdam?" Anna stared at me. I nodded. "I know it's asking an awful lot, and if I could think of another way around it, I would. But I can't." I looked apologetic. "I do realise I'm springing it on you, and you have got a lot on, but if you could possibly manage it, it would be helping me out enormously. If you can't, though, you must say. I don't want to force it on you."

  She seemed completely taken aback. "No, no, of course. It's just, wel , it is rather short notice. And I've never bid at an auction before." I nodded. "I realise that, and if you can't go, then that's quite al right. Quite al right. I'l think of something else."

  "I'm not saying I can't," she said, hurriedly. "You've just caught me by surprise, that's al ." She bit her lip. "Look, you don't need to know right now, do you? Can I tel you this afternoon?

  I'm meeting Marty for lunch, and that'l give me a chance to work out what I've got to do and talk it over with him. Is that al right?"

  "Of course it is! I don't want to rush you. I'm sorry to have to ask you at al , but there's no way I can go myself, so ..." I brushed it away. "You have a chat with Marty, and let me know this afternoon.

  Whatever you decide wil be fine by me." It was two days after my meeting with Zeppo. It had taken me that long to think of a way to remove Anna from the scene. I had found it in the list of forthcoming auctions. Two were being held in Amsterdam the fol owing week, with a day's gap in between. Neither had anything I was real y interested in, but Anna wasn't to know that. I had invented a visit from an important buyer as the reason why I couldn't go myself, and if I could persuade her to go on my behalf, that would leave Marty alone for three ful days.

  She came back from lunch with a smile on her face. "I've spoken to Marty. He says there's no reason why I shouldn't go. It's only for a few days, and it'l be good experience, won't it?"

  "Excel ent experience," I enthused. "And I'm certain you'l enjoy it.

  I can't tel you what a load that's taken off my mind. I real y don't know what else I would have done." Anna was smiling broadly. She was obviously excited by the prospect now she had accepted it. "Don't be too relieved. I've never done anything like this before. I might m
ake a total mess of it."

  "My dear, you'l be fine. I have every confidence in you. Just keep putting your hand up until either you've beaten everyone else, or the bidding goes beyond your limit. There's nothing to it."

  "Wel , if you're sure you trust me." She laughed. "It's quite exciting, real y. I've always wanted to bid at a big auction."

  "In that case I'm glad I've given you the chance before you leave. I can't tel you how grateful I am. So long as you're positive it won't be too much of an inconvenience. You mustn't feel obliged to go."

  "I don't, real y. I'm looking forward to it."

  "And you're sure Marty doesn't mind?" I found it easy to consider Marty's wishes when I knew they did not interfere with my own.

  "Of course not. I dare say he'l be able to survive without me for a few days." Her face suddenly lit up. "In fact, there's nothing to stop him coming with me, is there? We could pay the extra airfare, and the difference for a double room. If you don't mind, obviously." I managed to smile. "Of course I don't mind. But wouldn't it be rather boring for him? Sitting in an auction room isn't everyone's idea of fun." It was no good. "Oh, Marty won't mind that," she said. "And he doesn't have to come to them if he doesn't want to. We can spend the rest of the time together."

  "Yes, I suppose so." She looked at her watch. "I'l give him another fifteen minutes, and then I'l phone him. He should be back at the university by then." I could see she was completely taken with the idea. I went to

  the office, where I did not have to sustain a facade of enthusiasm. I had not anticipated this. If Marty went with her, I would have gone to al that trouble and considerable expense for nothing. Worse, I would have to try and think of another way to isolate Marty, and there would be precious little time left for that.

  I felt a fresh surge of antipathy for him. Even in this he was obstructing me. It was yet another grievance to add to my list.

  Brooding on it, I sat and waited.

  After a while the office extension pinged as Anna picked up the telephone downstairs. I resisted the temptation to try and eavesdrop.

  I had managed it once, by accident. I did not trust my luck to hold a second time.

  It seemed a long time before a second chime told me their conversation was over. Steeling myself, I went back downstairs. Anna was stil by the telephone. She looked reassuringly crestfal en, and my spirits immediately lifted.

  "I've just spoken to Marty," she said. "He can't come."

  "Oh, what a shame."

  "I know. But he says there are too many loose ends for him to tie up at the university." She smiled, trying to hide her disappointment.

  "Wel , it's only for three days, isn't it? And you know what they say about absence."

  "I suppose so."

  "I know it's no consolation, but I wil be giving you a bonus to show how much I appreciate this."

  "Oh, you don't have to do that! I'm getting what amounts to a free holiday anyway." Relief had made me expansive. "You're stil pul ing my coals out of the fire, and I'm very grateful.

  When you get back I want you and Marty to go to whatever show or restaurant you like. On me." Anna leaned forward and kissed my cheek. Her lips were cool, but my flesh felt branded by the contact.

  "If you're any nicer to me, I don't think I'l be able to leave at al ."

  "I may just hold you to that," I said, blushing.

  There were no further hitches. On the morning of Anna's

  departure I drove her to the airport. Marty came too. They sat together in the back of the car, and when I parked in the airport terminal I saw that they had been holding hands. Both of them seemed a little subdued as Anna waited to check in, and when they said goodbye to each other outside the departure lounge, no one watching would have dreamed the separation was only for three days.

  I stood discreetly in the background. Anna's last, impulsive hug pul ed Marty off balance. His glasses were knocked askew, and he adjusted them, absently, as he watched her disappear through the glass doors. He stared after her for a moment before turning towards me.

  We walked back to the car in silence.

  "Is Anna going to cal you later?" I asked, to break it.

  "She said she'l phone me tonight."

  "You're not going out, then?"

  "No, I've too much to do."

  "Yes, Anna said you were busy. It's a shame you couldn't have gone with her. I hope you didn't mind my asking her to go?"

  "No, not at al . It'l be a good experience for her. And it'l al help when she's looking for work in New York. Have you had any feedback from that, by the way?"

  "Feedback?"

  "You were going to contact some people you knew, to see if they could help her. Have you heard anything?" Not only had I not heard anything, I had also forgotten I had offered to try.

  But I resented him feeling he had the right to ask. "No, not yet. They should have got my letters by now, though. I'l give them another week and if I've not heard from them by then, I'l try telephoning." I changed the subject. "I expect it'l seem strange being in the flat alone." He nodded. "I guess." I made an attempt at jocularity. "Do you think you'l be able to manage?" A faint smile touched his mouth. "Oh, sure. Anna's going to cal every day, so if I run into any trouble, I can always yel for help." That was interesting to know. "Have you arranged a set time? In case I need to contact her," I added.

  "She's going to cal between six and seven. I'm usual y back by then."

  I dropped Marty at the university and drove to the gal ery. It seemed empty and lifeless without Anna. I shook off the feeling and telephoned Zeppo.

  "She's gone."

  "Good. Any problems?"

  "No. And I found out that Marty's staying in tonight."

  "Tonight's no good." I wondered if Zeppo was trying to make excuses. "Why?" Some of my suspicion must have carried into my voice, because he laughed.

  "Now, now, Donald, don't snap. Tonight's no good because it's the first night she's been away, and he'l probably be wandering around the flat crying and sniffing her perfume, and trying to tel himself he's missing her. Tomorrow wil be better."

  "Isn't that just wasting a night?"

  "Is this the man who lectured me about doing things too soon?" I conceded. "Al right. I suppose you know what you're doing. But whatever it is, leave it until after seven o'clock." I told him what Marty had said about Anna telephoning then. "I don't want her to know he's seeing you."

  "You're al heart. Are there any other instructions, while you're at it? Perhaps you would like to tel me exactly what you want me to do with Marty?"

  "I'l leave that side of things up to you." I heard him laugh, drily. "You're a true leader, Donald." That night I had the dream again. It was the same setting as before. I was lying on the sofa, drowsily watching my mother brush her hair in the firelight. She was sitting with her back to me. This time I noticed she was wearing the same white silk robe she often used to wear when I was a child. The room was quiet except for the sound of the fire crackling in the grate, and the whisper of the brush. I felt warm and snugly content, hypnotised by the golden highlights in my mother's hair. Then, distant but jarring, there was another, more intrusive noise as, in the dream, the doorbel rang.

  I awoke with a start. The alarm clock was clamouring next to

  my head. I reached across and turned it off, then lay back to gather myself. I felt disorientated and confused. The dream was stil vividly with me. I could remember every detail, but now the glow of contentment it had given previously had gone. In its place I felt only a vague sense of unease.

  It had lifted a little by the time I sat down to breakfast, but stil not disappeared completely. I put it down to having a lot on my mind, and tried to ignore it. I had enough to think about in the real world without worrying about any dream. Dismissing it, I set off for the gal ery, and more immediate concerns. Namely, that Anna was due to telephone sometime that morning.

  Her first auction was at ten o'clock.

  She rang shortly after eleven.
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  "Donald, I've got it!" Her excitement cut through the bad connection. "You've got it?" For a moment I had no idea what she meant.

  "The Hopper! I've just come straight out to tel you! God, it was great! And I got it for five hundred less than you said!" I put al the enthusiasm I could muster into my voice. "That's fantastic! How on earth did you manage it?"

  "I just kept bidding. I thought one man was going to keep on going. He kept up with me right up to the end, but then he dropped out! Oh, I can't believe it!" Neither could I. I had selected a painting from both auctions, and authorised Anna to stop bidding at a figure wel below what I imagined each would go for. Clearly, I had miscalculated. Now I was several thousand pounds poorer, and the proud owner of a painting I did not want. "You've done marvel ously wel !" I said.

  She laughed. "Wel , al I did was keep sticking my hand in the air like you said."

  "You outbluffed another bidder, and got it for five hundred pounds less than your limit. That's no mean feat. I'm proud of you."

  "Thanks. God, I'm stil out of breath! I think the adrenalin must stil be pumping."

  "In that case I recommend you buy a bottle of champagne to calm your nerves. Put it on expenses."

  "I can't drink a ful bottle by myself!"

  "Nonsense. And if not, you can always save some for after the

  next auction." At which I sincerely hoped she would be less successful.

  "I'm tempted, I must admit. Oh, I can't wait to tel Marty!" I felt a hard knot of bitterness. Marty again. Always Marty, "Are you going to cal him now?" I asked.

  "No, I can't. He'l be at the university, and I don't want to disturb him. I'l have to wait until tonight."

  "No doubt he'l be waiting by the telephone." Anna laughed again. "He better be. I'm bursting to tel him. Oh, I'm going to be cut off," she said, suddenly.

  "I'l talk to you the day after tomorrow. Wel done, again."