The Noir Novel
Page 69
“I was moving fast enough.”
“I thought it would never be over, the newspaper stories and all.” She looked down at me, and again there was a blank spot. I felt she was expecting me to say something, but I couldn’t think what. “Well, Steve?” she asked in a very low voice.
I looked up at her. “What is it, Gwynn?”
“Well, what about us? You’ve done what you started out to do. You’ve smashed Talmadge and Liz Wakely too. You’ve evened the score for the Gunther girl—and yourself. Now, you don’t seem awfully glad—”
“About us?” I asked. I couldn’t figure it. “What about you and Les? It was the smartest thing you ever did, Gwynn. Just let me know when you’re ready to tie the knot and I’ll—” There was something in the way she looked that cut me short.
“Steve,” she began, “you didn’t believe that story about our engagement—or did you? It was only a cover-up. Engaged to another man, I was free to keep digging for you.”
“I thought you’d wised up to me, Gwynn,” my heart kicked my ribs; still I couldn’t believe it. “I thought you’d figured the score.”
Suddenly she sat down on the bed and leaned over me. “I’ll probably never get wise to you, not really.” Her eyes held mine. “Aren’t you going to kiss me?”
“I can’t,” I said. “You’ll have to come to me.”
She pressed cool, yielding lips to mine, and we held it. I put my arm around her waist. Even my bad leg tingled.
“I’ll go anywhere with you, Steve,” she whispered, “anywhere you say.”
“It might be a rough trip,” I said.
“It won’t matter.” Her lips brushed mine. “Whatever you say will be fine.”
The way she said it made me think of Vicki. Vicki had been willing to go with me too. I tried to force the thought into the background for it was an episode from another life, an old life I was through with forever. The thing with Vicki had begun and ended too abruptly for it to have any very clear meaning. Maybe I’d be able to get it all straight someday; but not now. It would take a long, long tune. The door opened and the doctor stuck his head into the room.
“I’m afraid I can’t stall the police much longer,” he said apologetically. “They have to have your statement before they can begin wrapping things up. I’ll have to let them in.”
“It’s okay,” I said, “you always have to play out the hand.” I held Gwynn’s hand tight in mine. “And I’ve got the winning card.”