“Gerry, I’m crazy about you. I’m mad about you.”
She put out her hands and caught his head, pulling him towards her. She began to kiss him furiously. Her wet mouth made him want to retch. He suddenly pushed her away, his hands loathing the feel of her breasts.
He said, “No. I’m taking you back. I’mI’m not going to break up your home.”
She came at him again. “Don’t be a fool!” she said harshly. “Come heredon’t talk!”
He pushed her back more violently so that she thudded against the side of the car. He could see her staring eyes in the dashlight. She sat there heaving and panting, looking as if she could kill him. Then her mouth opened and a thin, reedy scream came out of the slack cavity that went through his head like red−hot wires.
He fumbled with the door−handle, pushed the door open, and got out of the car. He didn’t say anything. He just wanted to get away from her. So he ran into the darkness, leaving her still screaming.
2
June 4th, 5.10 p.m.
JAY ELLINGER sat behind his battered desk and scribbled on his blotter. His hat rested on the back of his head and a cigarette dangled from his lips. His completed copy lay in a wire basket by his hand, and he was through for the day. He had nothing further to do, but he made no effort to leave the office. He just sat there scribbling and smoking.
The house phone buzzed and he looked at it without interest. “You’re lucky, laddybuck,” he said, reaching out. “Two minutes, and you’d’ve missed me.” He scooped the receiver to his ear. A girl said, “Mr. Henry wants to see you.” Jay made a face. “Tell him I’ve gone home,” he said hastily.