Twenty-six
Jennifer returned in the morning to let Francis
Peugeot know of the deal John had made with his boss. “He says it’s the
only way out. I’ve gotta do it.”
Francis gazed at her in silent agony.
Jennifer had noticed a new car parked in the drive on
the way in. “Evelyn’s here?”
Francis nodded absently.
Racing up the stairs to the second floor of the
castle, Jennifer was confronted by a dark specter of a woman, a skinny
Elvira in black with a bit too much makeup about her eyes. She wore one
of her glittery gowns that brushed the floor, and Jennifer could see that
she had been crying.
Jennifer felt like a schoolgirl in her presence. “I
guess you’ve heard about everything that’s happened?”
“Tell me what happened the night Cathy died,” Evelyn
said. “I need to hear it from you.”
She listened in silence until Jennifer had gone back
over the events of that evening in detail. Evelyn asked a few more
questions, then stared into space, lost in thought.
“Did you know Dimitri?” Jennifer asked meekly.
Evelyn shook her head. “I never dated him. I knew
him by name and reputation. I don’t know why he would have asked for me.
Do you really think Dimitri thought Cathy was me?”
Jennifer shrugged, reluctant to be pinned down for a
definite answer. “I think so. I heard Cathy insisting that she was you
when they were in that basement den. It seemed to be important to him.”
Jennifer had no graceful way of asking Evelyn if there was some reason
that Dimitri would have wanted her dead.
Jennifer went with Evelyn to look in on Dimitri. She
was shocked to find him conscious. He froze her to the spot when he
turned his head and his pale eyes fell upon her. It was like having a
meateating predator size her up for a meal. And then he looked at
Evelyn.
“You’re the bitch,” he murmured in growing
agitation. “Hardly matters. I’ll see you in hell.”
“Why?” Evelyn asked as calm as ice. “Why me?”
Dimitri rolled his head away.
“Because Rosie said so.”
His eyes unfocused and closed.
Evelyn wandered off lost in thought. She knew
nothing about the attempt on her life, Jennifer decided. John was their
only avenue of investigation left open to them, the only way they’d know for certain they’d
be safe when Dimitri died.
Jennifer went back down to Francis, knowing better
than to make demands of the woman, but needing to do things her own way.
“I’m going back to John this evening. Can I use the car, or shall I take
a cab?”
“You’re too young for this, child,” Francis said
severely. “You’re far too inexperienced to be dealing with a man like
that.”
“Give me some elbow room, Francis. It’s not just for
me. He’s important to us.”
Francis softened to her plea. “You’ve been like a
daughter to me, Jennifer. I’ve never allowed myself to get close to the
girls.”
“You could be a bit more friendly to the others,”
Jennifer said, finally able to broach a subject that had been a thorn in
her side for ages. “They’re so jealous of me because of the special
treatment I get.”
Francis looked quickly away. “Business and pleasure
do not mix. The girls are of use to me only when they are at the height
of their beauty, and it pains me terribly to have to let them go. They
leave in anger. I never see them again. To know them like I know you,
Jennifer, would be like having to send my own children away. I’m tired of
being hurt. I thought it would be different with you.”
“I’m not gone yet,” Jennifer said. “I can’t imagine
what life would be without you.”
Francis smiled. “You’re a bright, aggressive and inquisitive young
woman. The world lies at your feet. I suggest you choose what it has to
offer with the utmost care.”
“Choices don’t have to be forever,” Jennifer said.
“You said so yourself.”
“Some are inevitable. I’ve dreaded this moment,
Jennifer. I was hoping to break you into the business. I’m planning on
retiring soon, you know. I was hoping you would take my place someday.”
Jennifer had suspected. The other girls had warned
her. “I’m not leaving you, Francis. There’s room in my life for more
than you and the girls.”
“Room for romance and a man in your life?” Francis
said with a strained smile. “Like in those romance novels I used to take
away from you?”
“I read a lot faster than you thought
I did, Francis. I only left
out the ones I had already read for you to take.”
Francis burst into laughter. “God protect that man
you’ve taken up with. He’s going to need it.”
“I’m not taking up with anyone
quite yet,” Jennifer assured
her, “and I’ll never leave you in anger. I promise.”
Francis turned petulant. “You haven’t fallen in love
with him? You’re not hoping that it’ll last forever, that he will marry
you and father your children?”
Francis was being sarcastic, and it hurt. “Things
don’t always turn out for the best,” Jennifer said, “but it’s no reason to
be bitter about it. You said that, too.”
Jennifer started to turn away.
“Sincerely, Jennifer, can you watch
Dimitri die?”
Jennifer had already given it some thought. “The
police and the courts are supposed to protect people. They had their
chance to protect me when I was a kid, and they blew it. I don’t live in
their world anymore. I’d rather do it John’s way now.”
“We have Evelyn’s car to use,” Francis said
stoically. “Take the rental and do what you must. Please don’t let
anything I’ve said make you unhappy with yourself, or angry with me.”
Do what makes you happy, Francis used to say, but
don’t be angry. Look ahead as far as you can, but let happiness be your
guide in life.
It was a strange philosophy for a woman like Francis.
