scoonts.theminotaur-第27章

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irplane's　door。　He　queued　behind　her。　The　people　behind　him　pressed　forward。　His　nose　was　almost　in　her　hair。　She　was　wearing　a　delicate；　heavenly　scent。　He　inhaled　it　clear　to　his　toenails。
　They　inched　down　the　crowded　aisle　toward　their　seats。　The　air　was　stifling；　too　may　people。　Toad　felt　the　walls　closing　in　on　him。　There　was　a　woman　already　in　the　aisle　seat　in　their　row；　and　when　Toad　finished　stuffing　his　attache　case　and　bat　into　the　overhead　bin；　he　found　Moravia　was　already　in　her　seat。　The　woman　on　the　aisle　ignored　him。　Toad　muttered　his　excuses　and　edged　in　front　of　their　knees。　Rita　looked　up　from　the　operation　of　removing　her　hat　and　for　the　first　time　since　he　had　known　her　gave　him　a　warm　smile。　〃Sorry。〃
　〃No　problem；〃　Toad　said　as　he　settled　in　beside　her；　acutely　aware　of　her　physical　presence。　Too　aware。　He　adjusted　the　air　nozzle　in　the　overhead　and　turned　hers　on　too。　〃Is　this　okay？〃
　〃Thank　you。　That　helps　a　lot。〃　She　smiled　again；　beautiful　white　teeth　framed　by　lips　that。。。　Toad　looked　at　his　novel　a　while；　couldn't　get　interested；　then　scanned　the　airline　magazine　from　the　seat　pocket。　Her　skirt　had　inched　up；　revealing　her　knees。　He　obliquely　examined　her　hands。　Nails　painted　and　trimmed；　fingers　long　and　slim。　God！　He　caught　her　glancing　at　him　and　they　both　grinned　nervously　and　looked　away。　He　turned　the　overhead　air　vent　full　on　and　glued　his　face　to　the　window。
　They　were　somewhere　over　Montana　and　Toad　was　deep　into　Vonnegut's　vision　of　humans　evolving　into　seals　in　the　millennia　to　e　when　Rita　spoke　again。　〃Toad；〃　she　said　softly。
　〃Yeah；〃　She　was　looking　straight　into　his　eyes。
　〃Why　can't　you　and　I　be　friends？〃
　He　was　thunderstruck。　〃Uh。。。　aren't　we？〃
　〃You　know　what　I　mean。〃
　Toad　Tarkington　glanced　around　desperately。　No　one　was　apparently　paying　any　attention。　Those　eyes　were　looking　straight　at　him。　Just　what　does　she　mean？　There　are　friends　and　there　are　friends。　He　had　been　floating　along　footloose　and　free　and…whap！…suddenly　here　he　was；　smack　in　the　middle　of　one　of　those　delicious　ambiguities　that　women　work　so　hard　to　snare　men　in。　For　the　first　time　he　noticed　that　her　right　eye　was　brown　and　her　left　was　hazel；　a　brownish　green。　Why　not　just　tell　her　the　truth？　One　good　reason；　of　course；　is　that　truth　rarely　works　with　women。　Ah。。。　the　hell　with　it！　Pay　the　money　and　see　all　the　cards。
　He　leaned　into　the　aura　of　her。　〃Because　I　like　you　too　much　to　ever　just　be　your　friend；　Rita　Moravia。　You　are　a　beautiful　woman　and…〃　He　reached　up　and　smoothed　the　makeup　in　the　caked　buildup　near　her　right　ear。　Then　he　lightly　kissed　her　cheek。　〃That's　why。〃
　Those　eyes　were　inches　from　his。　〃I　thought　you　didn't　like　me。〃
　〃I　like　you　too　damn　much。〃
　Her　hands　closed　around　his。　〃Do　you　really　mean　that？〃
　He　mumbled　something　inane。
　Her　lips　glided　into　his。　Her　tongue　was　warm　and　slippery　and　the　breath　from　her　nostrils　hot　upon　his　cheek。　Her　hair　brushed　softly　against　his　forehead。　When　she　broke　away　he　was　breathing　heavily。　She　had　a　trace　of　moisture　on　her　upper　lip。　Out　of　the　corner　of　his　eye　Toad　saw　the　woman　in　the　aisle　seat　scowling　at　them。　〃Rita。。。〃
　She　glanced　over　her　left　shoulder；　then　back　at　Toad。　She　straightened　in　her　seat　while　holding　tightly　to　his　hand　with　her　right。　She　gave　the　woman　beside　her　a　frozen　smile。　She　gripped　his　hand　fiercely。
　〃Will　you　excuse　us？〃　she　said；　and　stood；　still　holding　his　hand　as　she　moved　past　the　knees　that　guarded　the　aisle；　dragging　Toad　along　in　her　wake。
　She　marched　aft；　past　the　kitchen　and　the　stews　loading　the　lunch　cart；　and　got　behind　a　girl　in　jeans　waiting　for　the　rest　rooms。　She　turned　and　flashed　Toad　a　nervous　smile；　then　stood　nonchalantly；　still　gripping　his　hand　with　hers。　He　squeezed　and　got　a　quick　grin　over　her　shoulder。
　They　made　room　for　a　woman　who　came　out　of　one　lavatory　and　then　stood　between　the　little　doors　shoulder　to　shoulder。　A　boy　of　eleven　or　twelve　joined　them。　He　examined　their　uniforms　like　they　were　dummies　in　a　store　window。　Rita　studiously　ignored　the　inspection；　but　Toad　gave　him　a　friendly　wink。　Meanwhile　the　stews　maneuvered　the　luncheon　cart　into　the　aisle。
　When　the　other　lavatory　door　opened　and　the　occupant　was　clear；　Rita　stepped　in　and　pulled　Toad　along。　〃Better　get　your　mom　to　help　you　too；〃　Toad　told　the　wide…eyed　boy。　As　he　got　the　door　closed。　Rita　slammed　the　lock　over　and　wrapped　herself　around　him。
　When　they　finally　broke　for　air；　she　whispered；　〃I　really　thought　you　didn't　like　me。〃
　〃Fool。〃
　〃I　wanted　you　to　like　me　so　much；　but　you　were　so　distant；　as　if　you　didn't　care　at　all。〃　Her　arms　were　locked　behind　his　back；　crushing　them　together。　With　his　hands　against　the　side　of　her　head；　he　eased　her　head　back。　Her　lipstick　was　smeared。　He　kissed　her　again；　slowly　and　deeply。
　
　Matilda　Jackson　peered　through　the　peephole　in　the　door。　A　man。　〃Luis　Camacho；　Mrs。　Jackson。　We　met　yesterday。　Don't　you　remember？〃
　Oh　yes。　One　of　the　FBI　agents。　She　unfastened　the　chain　lock　and　shot　the　dead　bolt。　When　she　opened　the　door；　he　said　in　a　low　voice；　barely　audible；　〃Special　Agent　Camacho；　Mrs。　Jackson。　May　I　e　in？〃
　〃Please。〃　She　looked　across　the　street　at　the　crack　house。　No　one　in　sight；　though　Lord　knows；　the　lookout　was　probably　watching　out　the　window。　Sometimes　she　caught　a　glimpse　of　him。　She　shut　the　door　quickly。
　Now　he　produced　his　credentials。　〃I　have　a　few　follow…up　questions　and…〃
　〃Let's　talk　in　the　kitchen。〃　She　led　the　way。　〃Would　you　like　a　cup　of　coffee？〃
　〃That　would　be　nice。〃
　The　kitchen　was　warmer　than　the　living　room；　and　well　lit。　This　was　her　favorite　room　in　the　house。　Charlie　had　enjoyed　sitting　here　watching　her　cook；　the　smell　of　baking　things　heavy　in　the　air。
　Camacho　sat　at　the　table　and　waited　until　she　had　poured　coffee　for　both　of　them　and　sat　down　across　from　him。　〃Perhaps　we　can　go　over　the　whole　thing　again；　if　you　don't　mind？〃
　〃Oh；　not　at　all。〃　She　explained　again　about　the　crack　house；　about　Mandy　and　Mrs。　Blue　and　the　dudes　who　delivered　the　crack　and　picked　up　the　money。　He　led　her　into　the　events　of　last　Friday　night；　the　photos　and　the　man　who　left　the　cigarette　pack　in　the　iron　post　two　doors　up　the　street。　〃So　you　never　saw　anyone　reach　into　that　post？〃
　〃No。　I　didn't。　God；　I　didn't　even　think　about　that。　If　I　had　thought　that　somebody　was　going　to　e　along　any　second　and　look　for　that　thing　I　probably　wouldn't　have　gone　out　there　and　gotten　it。　No。　I　know　I　shouldn't　have　done　it；　but　I　just　wasn't　thinking。〃
　〃We're　pleased　that　you　did。　It's　concerned　citizens　like　you　that　enable　law　enforcement　to　function。　When　the　time　es；　and　it's　months…even　years…away；　would　you　be　willing　to　testify？〃
　〃Well。。。〃　Those　dopers；　if　they　knew　who　she　was。。。
　〃We'll　need　your　testimony　to　get　the　photos　introduced　as　evidence。〃
　〃I'll。。。〃　She　swallowed　hard。　She　would　be　risking　her　life。　〃I'll　think　about…　Can't　you　do　it　without　me？　You　don't　know　what　you're　asking。〃
　〃We'll　try；　Mrs。　Jackson。　We　won't　ask　unless　we　really　need　you。〃　He　sipped　his　coffee。　〃How　long　has　the　crack　house　been　there？〃
　〃Three；　maybe　four　months。　I　called　the　police…〃
　〃Have　you　been　watching　the　place　since　it　opened？〃
　〃Yes；　on　and　off。　You　know　how　it　is。　I　just　look　over　there　occasionally。　Try　and　keep　an　eye　on　what's　going　on。〃
　〃Have　you　seen　the　black　men　there　before？〃
　〃Oh　yes。〃　She　thought　about　it。　〃At　least　a　dozen　times；　I　guess；　I　think　they　e　almost　every　day　to　collect　the　money　and　such；　but　a　lot　of　times　I　miss　them。　They　don't　e　at　the　same　time　every　day。　And　sometimes　I　think　they　skip　a　day。〃
　〃Have　they　seen　you　watching？〃
　〃I　don't　think　so。　My　God；　I　hope　not。〃　She　sat　back　and　smoothed　her　hair。　〃I've　tried　to　stay　out　of　sight。。。　I've　seen　them　so　often。。。〃
　〃How　about　the　man　who　put　the　cigarette　pack　in　the　hollow　fence　post？　Have　you　seen　him　before？〃
　She　thought　about　it。　〃I…I　don't　think　so。　But　really；　I　just　can't　remember。〃
　〃Have　you　ever　seen　anyone　retrieve　anything　from　the　post？〃
　〃Well；　I…I　just　can't　remember。　Maybe　I　saw　somebody　and　didn't　pay　much　attention。　Is　it　important？〃
　〃At　this　point　I　don't　know。〃
　〃Would　he　be　white？〃
　〃Probably。〃
　She　thought　about　it。　There　were　so　many　people；　up　and　down　the　street；　all　day　long；　week　in；　week　out。　Yet　not　that　many　were　white。　〃I'll　have　to　try　and　remember。〃
　〃Okay。〃　He　scooted　his　chair　back　and　stood。　〃I　appreciate　your　taking　the　time　to　talk　to　me。　Is　there　anything　else　you　think　we　should　know？〃
　〃Oh；　I　guess　not。　But　when　are　you　all　going　to　get　that　crack　house　closed　down？〃
　〃We'll　talk　to　the　District　police。　I　hope　it's　soon。〃
　She　acpanied　him　to　the　door　and　carefully　locked　it　behind　him。　If　only　they　would　shut　those　people　down。　Get　them　out　of　the　neighborhood。
　
　〃I　got　lipstick　all　over　you；〃　Rita　Moravia　said；　and　used　a　wet　paper　towel　to　wipe　Toad's　face。　This　lavatory　was　certainly　not　designed　for　two　adults。　He　perched　on　the　mode　with　the　top　down　and　she　sat　on　his　lap；　bumming　softly　as　she　worked　on　his　face　and　he　swabbed　hers。
　He　carefully　wiped　away　all　the　mascara　and　makeup。　〃You　shouldn't　use　this　stuff；〃　he　said。　〃You　don't　need　it。〃
　〃Why　did　you　get　drunk　last　Friday？〃
　〃I　wanted　you　and　couldn't　have　you。〃　He　lifted　his　shoulders　and　lowered　them。　〃It　seemed　like　a　good　idea　at　the　time。〃
　She　laid　her　forehead　against　his　and　ran　her　fingers　through　his　hair…
　Someone　pounded　on　the　door。
　〃Maybe　we　should　get　back　to　our　seats；〃　he　suggested。
　〃I　suppose；〃　she　murmured；　but　she　didn't　move。
　More　knocking。　〃Hey；　in　there！〃
　Toad　helped　her　to　her　feet　and　straightened　her　uniform。　He　ran　his　hands　across　her　buttocks　and　hips　as　he　stood。　She　kissed　him　again　to　the　acpaniment　of　the　pounding　on　the　door。
　She　stepped　out　first；　her　head　up；　still　holding　his　hand。　Three　stews　stood　in　the　kitchen　area　staring　at　them。　Rita　Moravia　smiled。　〃We're　newlyweds；〃　she　announced　simply；　and　stepped　past。
　The　women　applauded　wildly　and　the　passengers　joined　in。
　They　parked　the　cars　in　the　lot　outside　of　Rita's　apartment　plex　and　Toad　carried　her　bags　in。　He　had　followed　her　home　from　Dulles。　They　kissed　in　the　elevator　and　they　kissed　in　front　of　the　door。　A　giggling；　happy　Rita　used　her　key。
　When　the　door　swung　open　a　young　woman　on　the　couch　in　front　of　the　television　shrieked。　She　had　her　hair　in　curlers　and　was　wearing　only　bra　and　panties。　Toad　got　an　eyeful　of　skin　as　she　scurried　for　the　bedroom。
　〃Don't　mind　Harriet；〃　Rita　said。　〃I　do　the　same　for　her　on　alternate　Saturdays　when　she　brings　her　boyfriend　by。〃
　Toad　grinned　and　nodded。　He　stood　in　the　center　of　the　living　room　and　glanced　about　while　Rita　lugged　her　bags　toward　the　bedroom。　〃Need　any　help？〃
　〃No；　I'll　manage。　Make　yourself　fortable。〃　In　a　moment　she　called　from　the　bedroom；　〃There's　probably　Coke　in　the　fridge。〃
　Toad　sagged　fortably　into　the　couch　the　roommate　had　recently　vacated。　Aha；　a　remote　control　for　the　TV。　He　nipped　around　the　dial　until　he　found　a　basketball　game　and　settled　his　feet　upon　the　settee。　Knowing　women　as　he　did；　he　knew　he　had　a　while　to　wait。
　〃Who's　the　hunk？〃　Harriet　demanded　of　Rita