'That was a long time ago.' Long ago, and in another country. And besides, the wench is dead. 'I haven't seen Wendy in years. I don't even know if I would recognize her. Would have recognized her.'
'But you did know her at one time.'
'So what? Would you hold on? I have to get a cigarette.' I held on. She returned after a moment and said, 'I read about it in the newspapers, of course. The boy who did it killed himself, didn't he?'
'Yes.'
'Then why drag me into it?'
The fact that she didn't want to be dragged into it was almost reason enough in itself. But I explained the nature of my particular mission, Cale Hanniford's need to know about the recent past of his daughter now that she had no future. When I had finished she told me that she guessed she could answer some questions.
'You moved from Bethune Street to East Eighty-fourth Street a year ago last June.'
'How do you know so much about me? Never mind, go on.'
'I wondered why you moved.'
'I wanted a place of my own.'
'I see.'
'Plus it was nearer my work. I had a job on the East Side, and it was a hassle getting there from the Village.'
'How did you happen to room with Wendy in the first place?'
'She had an apartment that was too big for her, and I needed a place to stay.
It seemed like a good idea at the time.'
'But it didn't turn out to be a good idea?'
'Well, the location, and also I like my privacy.'
She was going to give me whatever answers would get rid of me most efficiently. I wished I were talking to her face-to-face instead of over the telephone. At the same time I hoped I wouldn't have to kill a day driving out to Mamaroneck.
'How did you happen to share the apartment?'
'I just told you, she had a place-'
'Did you answer an ad?'
'Oh, I see what you mean. No, I ran into her on the street, as a matter of fact.'
'You had known her previously?'
'Oh, I thought you realized. I knew her at college. I didn't know her well, we were never close, see, but it was a small college and everybody more or less knew everybody, and I ran into her on the street and we got to talking.'
'You knew her at college.'
'Yeah, I thought you realized. You seem to know so many facts about me, I'm surprised you didn't know that.'
'I'd like to come out and talk with you, Mrs. Thal.'
'Oh, I don't think so.'
'I realize it's an imposition on your time, but-'
'I just don't want to get involved,' she said. 'Can't you understand that?
Jesus Christ, Wendy's dead, right? So what can it help her? Right?'
'Mrs. Thal-'
'I'm hanging up now,' she said. And did.
I bought a newspaper, went to a lunch counter and had a cup of coffee. I gave her a full half hour to wonder whether or not I was all that easy to get rid of.
Then I dialed her number again.
Something I learned long ago. It is not necessary to know what a person is afraid of. It is enough to know the person is afraid.
She answered in the middle of the second ring. She held the phone to her ear for a moment without saying anything. Then she said, 'Hello?'
'This is Scudder.'
'Listen, I don't-'
'Shut up a minute, you foolish bitch. I intend to talk to you. I'll either talk to you in front of your husband or I'll talk to you alone.'
Silence.
'Now you just think about it. I can pick up a car and be in Mamaroneck in an hour. An hour after that I'll be back in my car and out of your life. That's the easy way. If you want it the hard way I can oblige you but I don't see
