‘Everyone hates him,’ Margaret said.
Greg nodded. ‘He rubs people up the wrong way.’
‘Is your father like that?’
‘Sometimes, but mostly he uses charm.’
‘Mine’s the same! Maybe all successful men are that way.’
The meal went quickly. Service in Washington restaurants had speeded up. The nation was at war and men had urgent work to do.
A waitress brought them the dessert menu. Greg glanced at her and was startled to recognize Jacky Jakes. ‘Hello, Jacky!’ he said.
‘Hi, Greg,’ she replied, familiarity overlaying nervousness. ‘How have you been?’
Greg recalled the detective telling him that she worked at the University Women’s Club. That was the memory that had eluded him before. ‘I’m just fine,’ he said. ‘How about you?’
‘Real good.’
‘Everything going on just the same?’ He was wondering if his father was still paying her an allowance.
‘Pretty much.’
Greg guessed that some lawyer was paying out the money and Lev had forgotten all about it. ‘That’s good,’ he said.
Jacky remembered her job. ‘Can I offer you some dessert today?’
‘Yes, thank you.’
Margaret asked for fruit salad and Greg had ice cream.
When Jacky had gone, Margaret said: ‘She’s very pretty,’ then looked expectant.
‘I guess,’ he said.
‘No wedding ring.’
Greg sighed. Women were so perceptive. ‘You’re wondering how come I’m friendly with a pretty black waitress who isn’t married,’ he said. ‘I might as well tell you the truth. I had an affair with her when I was fifteen. I hope you’re not shocked.’
‘Of course I am,’ she said. ‘I’m morally outraged.’ She was neither serious nor joking, but something in between. She was not really scandalized, he felt sure, but perhaps she did not want to give him the impression that she was easygoing about sex – not on their first lunch date, anyway.
Jacky brought the desserts and asked if they wanted coffee. They did not have time – the army did not believe in long lunch breaks – and Margaret asked for the bill. ‘Guests aren’t allowed to pay here,’ she explained.
When Jacky had gone, Margaret said: ‘What’s nice is that you’re so fond of her.’
‘Am I?’ Greg was surprised. ‘I have fond memories, I guess. I wouldn’t mind being fifteen again.’
‘And yet she’s scared of you.’
‘She is not!’
‘Terrified.’
‘I don’t think so.’
‘Take my word. Men are blind, but a woman sees these things.’
Greg looked hard at Jacky when she brought the bill, and he realized that Margaret was right. Jacky was still scared. Every time she saw Greg she was reminded of Joe Brekhunov and his straight razor.
It made Greg angry. The girl had a right to live in peace.
He was going to have to do something about this.
Margaret, who was as sharp as a tack, said: ‘I think you know why she’s scared.’
‘My father frightened her off. He was worried I might marry her.’
‘Is your father scary?’
‘He does like to get his own way.’
‘My father’s the same,’ she said. ‘Sweet as cherry pie, until you cross him. Then he turns mean.’
‘I’m so glad you understand.’
They returned to work. Greg felt angry all afternoon. Somehow his father’s curse still lay like a blight over Jacky’s life. But what could he do?
What would his father do? That was a good way to look at it. Lev would be completely single-minded about getting his way, and would not care who he hurt in the process. General Groves would be similar. I can be like that, Greg thought; I’m my father’s son.
The beginning of a plan began to form in his mind.
