Vision Read Online Free PDF Page B

turn to the door.
    Max came in and stripped off his raincoat.
    Mary went to him, kissed him on the cheek.
    Putting an arm around her, refusing to acknowledge Alan, Max asked, “Feeling better?”
    “Just tired,” she said.
    “Everything went smoothly in spite of Oberlander,” Max said. “I got the check for expenses.”
    “You always do,” she said proudly.
    During that exchange Alan went to the door and opened it. “I’ll be going.”
    Only minutes ago she had hoped he would leave before Max returned in order to avoid one of those tiresome quarrels. Now she felt that Alan was drifting out of her life, and she was unwilling to let go of him so soon or so easily. “Can’t you stay for another drink?”
    He looked at Max and shook his head. “I don’t think that would be wise.”
    Max said nothing. He didn’t move, smile, or even blink. His arm at Mary’s waist was like a stone bannister against which she rested.
    She said, “We haven’t talked about what happened tonight. There’s so much to be discussed.”
    “Later,” Alan said.
    “You’re still just going to spend your vacation driving up the coast?”
    “Yeah. I’ll spend some time in San Francisco. I know a girl there who’s invited me for Christmas. Maybe after that I’ll head for Seattle.”
    “You’ll call me?”
    “Sure.”
    “When?”
    “A week or so.”
    “Christmas Day?”
    “All right.”
    “I’ll miss you, Alan.”
    “Watch out for yourself.”
    “I’ll watch out for her,” Max said.
    Alan ignored him. To Mary he said, “Be careful, will you? And remember what I said.”
    He went out, closing the door behind him, leaving her alone with Max.
     
 
The small, downtown tavern was dimly lit, quite busy as late evening approached, but cozy in spite of the crowd. Max and Mary sat in a corner booth, and the bartender made two perfect vodka martinis. Later they ate roast beef sandwiches and split a bottle of red wine.
    When she had finished half of her large sandwich, she pushed the rest of it aside, poured a third glass of wine for herself, and said, “I wonder if Dan Goldman’s hospital bills will be covered.”
    “The town carries a comprehensive insurance policy on its cops,” Max said. “Goldman got hurt in the line of duty, so he won’t be stuck for a penny of it.”
    “How can you be so sure?”
    “I knew you’d want me to be.”
    “I don’t understand.”
    “I knew you’d wonder about Goldman’s hospital bills, so I asked the mayor.”
    “Even if the bills are covered,” she said, “I guess he’ll lose some pay while he’s off work.”
    “No,” Max said. “I asked about that, too.”
    She was surprised. “What are you—a mind reader?”
    “I just know you too well. You’re the softest touch there ever was.”
    “I am not. I just think we should do something nice for him.”
    Max put down his sandwich. “We can buy him either a new electric range or maybe a microwave oven.”
    She blinked. “What?”
    “I asked some of Goldman’s buddies what he needs. Seems he’s a serious amateur chef, but his kitchen leaves a lot to be desired.”
    She smiled. “We’ll get him the range and the oven, and the best set of pots and pans—”
    “Hold on a minute,” Max said. “He’s got an apartment kitchen, not a restaurant. Besides, why do you think you owe him anything?”
    Staring into her wine, she said, “If I hadn’t come to town, he wouldn’t have been hurt.”
    “Mary Bergen, the female Atlas, carrying the world on her shoulders.” He reached across the table and took her hand. “Do you remember the first conversation we ever had?”
    “How could I forget? I thought you were weird.”
    The night they’d met he had been uncharacteristically shy. They’d been guests at the same party. He’d seemed at ease and self-confident with everyone but her. His approach had been so self-conscious and awkward that she felt sorry for him. He had begun with one of those analyze-yourself party