Blood Sport Part 21

Thehighnumbersrantwomilesoutofthetown,expensivelookinghomesalongametalledroadwiththedesertcrowdinginattheirrear.Thedives'housewasflankedbyothersonbothsides:notnearenoughtotouch,b.u.t.toonearfortheinvisiblestablingofstallions.TheplaceonPittswasn'tsuitable,asYolahadsaid.

Itwaslowandwhite,withaflatroofandaframeofpalmsandorangetrees.Blindsandinsectscreensblankedoutthewindows,andthegra.s.soneachsideofthedrivewasapaledrybiscuitcolour,notgreenwateredlikeitsneighbours.Istoppedthecarintheroadwayoppositeandlookeditover.Notaleafmovedunderthebleachingsun.Tenminutestickedaway.Nothinghappenedinthestreet.Insidethecar,withtheenginestopped,thetemperatureroselikeChristmasprices.Istartedupagain,suckedinthefirstcoldblastfromtheair-conditioner,andslidonalongthewayIwasheading.

Amilepastthedives'housethemetalsurfaceended,andtheroadranoutacrossthedesertasadustystreakofgravel.Iturnedthecarandwentback,thinking.Thecomparativedead-endednessofPittsvilleBoulevardexplainedthealmosttotallackoftrafficpastthedives',andalsomeantthatIcouldn'tdrivepastthereveryoftenwithoutbecomingconspicuoustotheneighbours.Keepingacheckonanapparentlyemptyhouse,however,wasn'tgoingtogetmemuchfurther.

Aboutfivehousesalongonthetownsideofthedives'therewasanotherwithwater-starvedbrownishgra.s.s.TakingachancethattheseinhabitantstoowereawayfromhomeIrolledthePontiacpurposefullyintothepalm-edgeddrivewayandstoppedoutsidethefrontdoor.ReadywithsomeofWalt'sinsurancepatter,Ileantonthebellandgaveitafulltwentyseconds.Noonecame.Everythingwashot,quiet,andstill.

Strolling,Iwalkeddownthedriveandontotheroad.Lookingbackonecouldn'tseethecarforbushes.Satisfied,Imadethetripalongtothedives',tryingtolookasifwalkingwereanormaloccupationinaNevadaheatwave:andbythetimeIgotthereitwasquiteclearwhyitwasn't.Thesweatburntdryonmyskinbeforeithadachancetoformintobeads.

Reconnoitringthedives'placetookanhour.Thehousewa.s.shutuptight,obviouslyempty.Thewindowscreenswereallsecurelyfastened,andallthegla.s.swascoveredontheinsidewithblinds,sothatonecouldn'tseein.Thedoorswerefastenedwithsafe-depositlocks.TheCliveshadmadecasualbreaking-inbyvagrantsnearlyimpossible.

WithcautionIeasedroundtheacreoflandbehindthehouse.Palmsandbushesscreenedatrefoil-shapedpoolfrombeingoverlookedtooopenlybytheneighbours,butfromseveralplacesitwaspossibletoseethepoolsoftheflankinghousessomesixtyyardsaway.Besideoneofthem,remindingmeofEunice,awomanintwosc.r.a.psofyellowclothlaymotionlessonalongchair,invitingheatstrokeandaddingtoadepthofsuntanwhichwouldhavegotherrecla.s.sifiedinSouthAfrica.ImovedevenmorequietlyafterI'dseenher,butshedidn'tstir.

TherearboundaryoftheClives'landwasmarkedbylargestonespaintedwhite,withdesertscrubonthefarsideandlowgrowingcitrusbushesonthenear.Fromtheirwindows,brotherandsisterhadawideviewofhillsandwilderness;twomilesdowntheroadneonlightswenttwentyroundswiththemiddaysunandthecrashoffruitmachinesout-decibelledthetraffic.IwonderedidlyhowmuchofUncleBark'sillicitproceedsfoundtheirwayintoMattandYola'spocket,andhowmuchfromtherevanishedintothegreedyslotmouthsinVegas.Thestudfeeswentaroundandaroundandonlyb.u.t.tressLifewerethelosers.

OnthewaybacktothemotelIstoppedateverysupermarketIcameto,andboughttwothree-poundbagsofflourfromeach.

FromahardwarestoreIacquiredashortladder,whiteoveralls,whitepeakedcottoncap,brushes,andahalfgalloncanofbrightyellowinstantdryingpaint.

CHAPTERFOURTEEN.

WaltlistenedtowhatIhadtosayinasilencewhichhummeddownthetelephonewiresmoreeloquentlythanhysterics.

'You'recrazy,'hesaidatlast,soundingasifheseriouslymeant.i.t.

'Canyouthinkofanythingelse?'

Afteralongpausehesaidgrudgingly,'Nothingquicker.'

'Right,then.I'llfixeverythingthisendandgiveyouacallinthemorning.Andlet'shopeitworks.'

'Whatifitdoesn't?'

'Havetotrysomethingelse.'

Waltgruntedgloomilyandhungup.

Ispentanhourattheairport,andthenwentbacktothemotel.Theeveningoozedaway.Iplayedsomeroulettewithoutenthusiasmandlostbackingblackagainstasequenceoffourteenreds;andIateagoodsteaklisteningtoagirlsingerwhosevoicewa.s.secondarytoherfrontage.AfterthatIlayonmybedforawhileandsmoked,andkeptthebluesfromcrowdingintooclosebythinkingexclusivelyofthejobinhand.

AttwoIdressedinadarkgreencottons.h.i.+rtandblackjeans,wentdownstairs,steppedintothecar,anddrovealongPittsvilleBoulevardto40159.Thetownitselfwaswideawakeandrocking:thehousesalongPittsweredarkandsilent.WithdimmedlightsIrolledquietlyintothedives'drivewayandstackedthebagsofflourclosetothefrontdoor.Then,holdingthecardoorbutnotshuttingit,IeasedthePontiacbackalongtheroadandparkeditinthedrivewayofthesameemptyhousethatIhadusedintheafternoon.Again,notwantinganyneighbourstorememberhearingacardoorslam,Ileft.i.tajar,andwalkedbacktothedives'.

Thenightwaswarmandgentlewithadeepnavyblueskyandstarslikefluorescentpolka-dots.TwomilesawaytheblazinglightsofVegasraisedabell-shapedorangeglow,butamongthepalmsandorangetreestheshadowswerethickandblackandcomfortablyconcealing.

Thedives'wasonlythelatestof.a.greatmanyhousesIhadbrokeninto.Myshortcutstotruthwerescandalousbyallpublicandprivatestandards,andKeeblerarelyaskedhowIgotmyinformation:andasIwouldhavehadthePress,thepoliceandpublicopinionallbalefullyagainstmeifI'deverbeencaught,Agagoneggswouldhavebeenclumsyincomparison.Law-abidingcitizensneverknewI'dbeentheirguest.Forthedives',however,Ihadalternativeplans.

Wearingsurgeons'rubbergloves,andwithmyshoesstuckthroughmybelttotheleftoftheLuger,Iworkedonthelockonthebackdoor,andafternottoobadatime,consideringitscomplexity,thetwosetsoftumblersfellsweetlyover,andthehousewasmine.

Inside,theairwa.s.staleandstill,anddustsheetsdrapedthefurniture,lookinglikepalebouldersinthedimlightofmytorch.Thereardooropenedintoas.p.a.cioushallwhichledstraightthroughtothefront.Iwalkedacross,unboltedandunfastenedthefrontdoor,broughtinthebagsofflour,andleftthedoorajar,liketheoneI'dcomeinby:thevalueofalwaysbeingpreparedforinstantflighthadbeendrummedintomebyanex-burglarwhohadonceneglectedit.

Iwentintothebedrooms.LargeseparatesinglebeddedroomsagainforYolaandMatt,andaguestbedroom,withabathroomtoeach.Ipulledallthecoversoffthefurnitureandflungontotheflooreverythingtheyhadleftinthechestsandclosets.OvertheresultingmessineachroomIshooksixpoundsofself-raisingflour.

InthekitchenIemptiedontothefloorapacketofsoapflakes,apacketofrice,somecerealandfourpoundsofbrownsugar,whichwerealllyinghandyinthepantry.Iunlockedthepantrywindowandunfasteneditsouterscreen,leavingbothopen:andasanafterthoughttumbledsomecannedfruitoffth.e.s.h.elfbeneathit,toshowthattheintruderhadcomeinthatway.

Inthes.p.a.ciousliving-roomIagainremovedallthecovers,puteveryornamentandsmalllooseobjectinaheaponthefloor,andflungflouroverthemandaroundthewholeplace.Asmallercosierroom,facingtheroad,containedadeskfullofpapers,twolargebookshelves,andawell-filledsewingbox.Togetherthejumbledcontentsmadeasplendidankle-deepmessonthefloor.Poundsofflourfellovereverythinglikesnow.ItwaswhileIwastearingopenthelastbag,readyforafinalscatterroundthehall,thatIheardthedistantpolicesiren.Frozen,Idoubtedforasecondthat.i.twasforme:thenconsideredthateitheratoowatchfulneighbourhadseenmytorchinc.h.i.n.ksthroughtheblinds,orelsethatthedives'complicatedlocksweren'ttheironlyprotection,andthattheyhadadirectburglaralarmlinetothepolice.

WithoutwastingmuchtimeIshutthefrontdoorandheardthelockengage.Emptiedthelastbagofflouroveraplasticflowerarrangementonatableinthehall.Flittedthroughthereardoorandclickeditshutbehindme.Thrustthetorchintomypocket.

Thesirenwailedandstoppedatthefrontofthehouse.Doorsslammed,menshouted,bootsran.Someonewithamegaphoneurgedmetocomeoutwithmyhandsonmyhead.Theedgesofthehousewereoutlinedbyaspotlights.h.i.+ningonitsfront.WithbaresecondstosparebeforethefirstuniformappearedinsilhouettearoundthecornerIreachedthenearestofthebushesflankingthetrefoilpoolanddivedbehindit.Beingquietenoughwasnoproblem,asthelawweremakinganintimidatingclatterallaroundthehouse,butstayinginvisiblewasmoredifficult.Theybroughtanotherspotlightroundtotherearandshoneitfullonthehouse.Theshutteredwindowsstaredblindlyandunhelpfullyback,reflectingtheglarealmostasfarasmycover.Lightsappearedinneighbouringhouses,andheadsstucklikeblackk.n.o.bsoutofthewindows.IeasedgentlyawaypastafewmorebushesandthoughtIwa.s.stillagreatdealtooclosetoaspellinthezoo.

Ashoutfromthesideofthehouseindicatedthattheyhadfoundtheopenpantrywindow.Fourtroopersaltogether,Ijudged.Allarmedtotheteeth.Igrimacedinthedarknessandmovedanotherfewyardswithlesscaution.Iwasn'tgoingtogivethemanyforefingerexerciseifIcouldhelpit,b.u.t.thetimewasrunningout.

Theywerebraveenough.Oneormoreclimbedinthroughthewindowandswitchedonthelights.Imorerapidlycrossedthelaststretchofgarden,steppedoverthewhitepaintedstones,andheadedstraightoutintothedesert.

FivestepsconvincedmeIneededtoputmyshoeson.Tenstepshadmecertainthattheonlyvegetationwasp.r.i.c.klypear,andclose-ranked,atthat.IshouldimagineIimpaledmyselfoneveryoneintheneighbourhood.

Backatthedives'theyhadtemporarilystoppedoohingandahingoverthemess,andweresearchingthegrounds.Lightsmovedroundthenextdoorhousesaswell.Iftheywentfivealongandfoundthecar,thingswouldgetveryawkwardindeed.

IhadmeanttobesafelybackinmymotellongbeforeIcalledthepoliceearlyinthemorningtosaythatIwasacivicmindedneighbourwhohadjustseenaprowlercomingoutofthedives'...

Whentheyshowedsignsofs.h.i.+ningthelightouttowardswhereIwa.s.stumblingalongIlaydownflatonthegroundandlistenedtothethudofmyheart.Thespotlightbeamflickeredpalelyoverthelowscrubbybushesandoutlinedtheflatspikyplatesofthep.r.i.c.klypears,butinthes.h.i.+ftingunevenshadowsthattheythrew,IreckonedImustbejustanotherclump.Therewasagooddealofshouteddiscussionaboutwhetheritwasnecessarytotakealook-seeinthedesert,b.u.t.tomyreliefnoonecamefurtheroutthantheboundarystones.Gradually,frustrated,thedazzle,andcommotionretreatedanddiedaway.

Thelightsinsidethedives'housewentout.Thepolicecardroveoff.Theneighbourswentbacktobed.Igottomyfeetandbrushedoffthesurplusofdrysandyearth.Whatwiththatandflourdusteventheblindestcopwouldhavelittledifficultyinb.u.t.toningmeontothecrime.

WithmorecarethanontheoutwardtripIheadedbacktowardsthehouses,butatanangleIhopedwouldbringmenearthecar.ThesoonerIbeat.i.tfromthatlittleneckofthewoods,thebetter...Istoppeddead.

Howmightonecatchaprowler?Justpretendtogoaway,andwaitsomewheredowntheroad,andwhenhethoughteverythingwa.s.safe,he'dcomecarelesslyalongandfallintoyourwaitinghandslikearipeplum.

IdecidednottodrivebacktowardsLasVegasfromthatquietcul-de-sac.Justincase.

Atthefifthhousealong,everythingwasquiet.Icat-footedthroughthegrounds,aroundthehouse,andtookadistantlookatthecar.Stillthere.Notrooperbesideit.Istoodintheshadowsforlongerthanwasprobablynecessary,thentookadeepbreathandriskedit.Icompletedthestepstothecarandpeeredinthroughthewindow.Empty.Madeaquickcautioustouroftherowofspikylowgrowingpalms.h.i.+dingitfromtheroad.

Nothing.Noirateshouts.Allquiet.Carundiscovered.Sighingwithrelief,thevisionofthemaliciousdivesdancingatmytrialfadingalittle,Ipulledwidethealreadyopendoorandfoldedlikeanunderstuffedragdollintothedrivingseat.ForfiveminutesIdidnothingmoreenergeticthantobreathefreely,andenjoyit.

ThereremainedhowevertheproblemoftelephoningtoWalt:andIcheweditoverthoughtfullywhileabsentmindedlypullingp.r.i.c.klypearneedlesoutofmylegs.

Iwasafairhandatwiretapping,whenIhadthekit:but.i.twasinPutney.Nodoubttherewouldbeatelephoneintheemptyhousealongside.ButIwasn'tsurethatIwantedtoriskthishousetoobeingdirectlyconnectedtothepolice,ifthatwaswhathadhappenedatthedives'.Ontheotherhand,Ihadbeeninthedives'housetwentyminutesbeforethepoliceshowedup.Yettheymightbequicker,onasecondcall.

AfterhalfanhourIpulledontherubbergloves,climbedoutofthecarandpickedthefrontdoorlock.Itturnedallright,butunfortunatelytheprudenthouseholdershadalsousedbolts.Alwaysatossupwhichdoorofthehousepeoplebolted.Iwalkedroundtotherear,andletmyselfin.Therewasatelephoneonatableinthehall.Iwalkedovertoit,thenturned,retracedmysteps,leftthedoorajar,wentroundtothecar,startedup,anddrovequietlyawayinthedeadenddirection,notstoppinguntilIwasoffthemetalledroadontothegravel,androundacoupleofbends.Iswitchedoffthelightsandsmokedacigarette.

Anotherhalfhourpa.s.sed.Nolightswentonalongbythehouses;nopolicesirens,nodisturbancesatall.Idrovegentlyback,parkedinthesamespotasbefore,wentroundintothehouse,andcalledupWalt.Hewasn'tamusedatbeingwokenatfivea.m.'Aslightchangeoftiming,'Isaidapologetically.Thepolicehavealreadyseenthemess.'

Hedrewinasharpbreath.'Theydidn'tcatchyou!'

'No.'Nopointintellinghimhowcloseithadbeen:hehadn'tapprovedofmygoinginatall.

'Isupposeyouwantmetocomenow,then?'hesaid,withresignation.

'Yes,please.a.s.soonasyoucan.LeavethecarkeysattheenquirydeskatLosAngelesairport,andI'llpickthemup.ThehelicopterpilotI'veengagedatLasVegasisMichaelKing.He's.e.xpectingyou.Justaskforhim.ThehelicopterradiowillpickupthefrequencyofthebugI'vegotwithme,soyouwon'tneedtobringmyrecorder.Wasthereanythingonthetapetoday?'

'Yesterday,'Waltcorrected.'Notmuch.Iwentoverafterdinnerlastnightandranitthrough.Offenhadafriendover.Therewastwohoursofjustordinaryyapping.Ididn'tgetbackheretobeduntilone.'

'Whenthisisoveryoucansleepforafortnight.'

'Yeah?'hesaidsarcastically.'Tellittothemarines.'Heputdownhisreceiverwithlessofacrashtha.n.u.sual.Smiling,Itookoutafivedollarbillandleft.i.tstuckhalfunderthetelephone.ThenIletmyselfout,relockedthedoorbehindme,andwentbacktothecar.

Threehoursuneventfullywentby.Nightchangedtoday.Theairtemperaturebeganitsmorningclimb.Afewenergeticbirdssang;andIsmokedanothercigarette.

Soonaftereightapatrolcarwentuptheroad,sirenfortissimo.PittsvilleBoulevardwokeup.Ieasedoutofthecar,walkedcarefullydowntowardstheroad,andtuckedmyselfinvisiblybetweenapalmandabush,fromwhereIhadaclearviewofeveryonedrivinguptowardsthedives'.

FromalongtheroadIcouldhea.r.s.everalexcitedvoices,mostofthemchildren's:andasmallboyandagirlcamepastclosetomedoinganIndianapolisontheirtricycles.

Severalcarsdrovedownfromthehouses,allwithmenalone,goingintoLasVegas.Onewomanfollowed.Threewomencametheotherway,alllookingeager.AtninethirtytwomendroveinfromVegas,oneofthemadjustingalargefoldingcamera:thelocalpress.

Anhourlateraquiet-enginedhelicopterdriftedoverandlandedoutofsightbehindafoldofhill.Attenfiftythehawkcametothelure.

AskyblueconvertibleFord,withthehooddown.Matt,drivingfast,hunchedwithanger.Youth,strength,andfury,knottedintoonecallousrecklesspersonality.Eveninaspeedingcartheimpressioncameacrosswiththesolidityofashock-wave.Standingonhisbrakesflamboyantlylate,hescreecheddownfromsixtytoniloutsidehisownhouse,scatteringchildrenlikepigeons.

Satisfied,Igotstifflytomyfeetandwentbackupthedrivetothecar.ThereIremovedfromthebootthewhiteoveralls,whitecottonglovesandcap,andputthemon,alongwithapairofsungla.s.ses.WithascrewdriverfromthetoolkitIopenedthetinofpaintandgavetheoilyyellowcontentsanencouragingstir;cleanedandreplacedthescrewdriver,andrestedthepaintlidgentlybackonthetin.Then,pickingitupbyitshandlewithmyrighthand,andcarryingbrushesandladderwithmyleft,Istrolledoutontotheroad,andalongtothedives'.

Matt'sFordstoodatthedooratacrookedangletothepatrolcar.Agoodmanypeoplewerestillstandingaround,staringandgossipinginthesun.Imeanderedslowlythroughthemandtookacloserlookattheblueconvertible,andthenwithdrewdiscreetlytotheedgeoftheproceedings.

Takingthebugoutofmypocket,ItalkedtoWalt,hopinghecouldhear.Hecouldn'tanswer:itwa.s.strictlyonewaytrafficonthemidgettransmitter.

'Doyoureadme,Walt?ThisisGene.Ouryoungfriendcameinhisowncar,notahiredoneorataxi.Hisnameisontheregistration.PalebluenewFordconvertible,atpresentwiththetopdown.Greyupholstery.Nevadaplates,number3711-42.I'lldothepaintifIpossiblycan,thoughhemaydealwithit,ofcourse;andI'llputthisbuginthecar.Whenhestartsupyou'llhearhim.Goodluck.AndforG.o.d'ssakedon'tlosehim.'

Indirectly,vaguely,Iagainapproachedthecar.Noonetookanynotice.Iwasmerelyoneofthetime-pa.s.singonlookers,aworkmanwhowasn'tworking.Severalofthechildrenandsomeoftheirmothershadseenthestateofthewell-flouredrooms,andthought.i.tadreadfulshame.Ileanedmyladderagainsttherearwingoftheblueconvertible,putthebrushesandpaintpotdowncasuallyontheflatsurfaceoftheboot,andmoppednottooimaginarysweatoffmyfaceandneck.

Someoftheblindsinthedives'househadbeenraised,sothatinplacesonecouldseeintothehouse.Noonewaslookingout.Istretchedahandoverthesideofthecarwiththebuginmypalm,andfelt.i.tssuckerclingsnuglyunderthegloveshelf.

Stillnofacesatthewindows.

Isaidtothenearestlittleboy,'Someonetoldmetheintrudergotinthroughthepantrywindow,roundthatcorner.'

'Nokidding?'hesaid,hiseyeswide.

'Surething.'

Hetoldhismother.Theywenttolook.Nearlyeveryonefollowedthem,especiallya.s.someonenudgedthepressphotographer,whosaidhewouldtakeapicture.

Itookalastcomprehensivelookatthewindows,turnedtowalkaway,andwithaquickbackwardflipof.a.glovedhand,tippedoverthecanofpaint.Thelidcameoff.Thecanrolledslowlyacrosstheflattopofthebootandclankedheavilytotheground.Theresultwasabrightbroadspreadingpoolofyellowonblue,andaproperlakeonthegravel.

Iwasoutontheroadwhenthefirstchildsawitandranafterme.

'Yourpaint'stippedover,mister.'

'Yeah,Iknow.Don'ttouchit.Don'tletanyonetouchit,huh?I'mjustgoingtofetchthestufftoget.i.toff.'

Henoddedimportantlyandranback,andImadeitsafelyalongtothehiredcar,anddroveawayinpeacetowardsLasVegas,takingofftheusefulcapandglovesasIwent.BackatthemotelIshowered,changed,packed,andpaidmyaccount;drovetotheairportandreturnedthecartotheHertzagent:keptaverywaryeyeopenincaseMattClivehaddecidedtotravelbyair;ateamuchneededsandwich,andcaughtthefirstplaneouttoLosAngeles.

WhenIcollectedthecarkeysattheenquirydesk,therewasanotefromWaltaswell.

'You'reonegreatcrazyguy.Anddon'tthinkIdon'trealisewhatyourisked.Ifyou'rereadingthis,Iguessyou'vemadeit,andaren'tbehindbars.MypalintheC.I.A.toldmeyoucouldbereliedontodomadthings,andboy,washeright.Whatdoyouusefornerves?Countmestrictlyout,nexttime.

Walt.'

Surprised,andnotungratefulthatheshouldhavebothered,Islippedhisletterintomypocketanddroveintothecitytolookforagoodplacefortaperecorders.Imanagedintheendtohireforoneweekanelaboraterecorderwhichwouldplayattheultraslowfifteensixteenthsofaninchpersecond,thespeedofmyown,andwithitsittingonthepa.s.sengerseatbesideme,pointedmynosetowardsOrpheusFarm,LosCaillos.ThenIremovedthefullreelfromtheradiorecorderandfixeditupwithanother:nooneappearedtohavedisturbeditinitsbushandboulderhidingplace,andasfarasIcouldtell,noonesawmecomeandgo.

LynnieandEunicewerejustwalkingupfromthebeachwhenIgotbacktoTheVacationer:b.u.t.theybothgreetedmewithtendegreesoffrostandwentstraightonpast,murmuringthattheyguessedtheywouldseemeatdinner.

Slightlypuzzled,shrugging,Icarriedmybagandtherecorderuptomyroom,rewoundthetapeIhadcollected,andstartedittorunthroughwhileItookoffmycitysuitandturnedtheair-conditioningtohigh.

Yolarangup,ingreatagitation.Thehouseboyanswered,andwenttotellOffen,whowa.s.stillinbed.BygreatgoodfortunethehouseboyneglectedtogobacktoreplacethedownstairsreceiverwhenOffenliftedthebedroomextensionandthebuginconsequencehadpickedupthewholeconversation.'I'vehadacallfromthecopsinVegas...'

'Don'tshout,Yola.I'mnotdeaf.'

Shedidn'tlisten.'SomevandalshavewreckedthehouseatPitts.'Shereallyminded:therewasgriefaswellasangerinhervoice.

'Howdoyoumean,wrecked?'

'Theysayeverythinginthehousehasbeenthrownonthefloor,andflourandsugarandstuffhavebeentippedovereverything.Theywanttoknowwhat'sbeenstolen,theywantmeorbetterMatttoG.o.downthereanddealwithit...andIcan't,UncleBark,Isimplycan't.We'vegotthirty-twopeoplein,andIcan'tpossiblygetaway.Mattwillhavetogo.'

'ButMatt...'

'Sure,'shewailed.'DoyouthinkIdon'tknow?Buthe'llhaveto.Thosehorseswon'tdieifheleavesthemforafewhours.It'smuchfurtherforme,I'dbeawayatleasttwodays.It'shopeless.Everything'sgonewrongsincewetookthatd.a.m.nChrysalis.'

'Andifyouremember,'CulhamJamessaidtartly,'thatwasyourandMatt'sidea.Ialwayssaiditwastoosoonafterthelastone.YouandMatthavebeentoogreedyeversinceyoufoundout.'

'Relativesoughttosharetheirgoodluck,nottokeepittothemselves.'

'Soyou'realwayssaying.'

Nothinglikealittleblackmailtocementafamilytogether,Ithoughtinamus.e.m.e.nt.Offenhadbeenhappywithhishalfmillionayear,itseemed:butMattandYola,stumblingonthehoneypot,hadbeeninahurryformore.Impulsive,ingenious,greedyClives;iftheyhadonlybeencontentwithasharefromShowmanandAllyx,Offenwouldneverhavebeenfoundout.

Yolaglossedoverthelong-standingsquabbleandreturnedtothecurrentdisaster.'Ididn'tgetMatt'snumber.Whatisit?'

'Ihaven'tgot.i.there,it'sinmybookdownstairs...'

'Welllook,w.i.l.l.youcallhim?Tellhimtogetrightonover,thecopswillbetherewaiting.Tellhimtocallmefromthereandtellmewhatgives...Ican'tbearitifthoseb.a.s.t.a.r.dshavestolenmyminkwrap...andthere'sallthatmoneyinthesafe...'

'Betterfaceuptoitthat.i.t'sgone,'Offensaid,withthetiniesttraceofmalice.

'Theymightnothavehadtime,'Yolasaid.'Thealarmsgooffwhenanyonegoesintheden,andthereisn'tsupposedtobetimeforanyonetofindthesafeandopenitbeforethecopsgetthere.Wepaidenoughforit...'