He moved uneasily.
'I'm asking you . . . did you enjoy his company? You got laid, didn't you?'
She began to line a pie-dish with the pastry. He stood there, waiting. He watched her tip the contents of the casserole into the pie-dish.
'Didn't you?'
'That's right.'
He wanted to hit her but he controlled the urge. 'You're nothing but a whore, aren't you?'
She covered the pie-dish with pastry, then she put the dish into the oven.
'Aren't you?'
'Yes.' She turned and faced him. 'Before I married Ed I was a busy, busy call girl. He knew it and now you know it.' Without looking at him again, she washed her hands under the tap, dried them, and moving past him, she went into the living-room. He hesitated, then followed her, feeling ashamed and defeated.
'I'm sorry,' he said. 'Thank you for what you've done for me. Forget what I said.'
She sat down.
'That man meant no more to me than dozens of other men who have paid for it.' She looked directly at him. 'While he was getting rid of his dirty lust, I was thinking of you. You're the only one, Johnny, who has ever turned me on.' She shrugged. 'Can't you see, if you can get this stupid jealousy out of your mind, that I had to do it? I had to have him here to convince him you had gone and to convince him you're heading for Havana. If I had held back, he wouldn't have believed me. Can't you see that? Now, you're safe.'
Johnny went to her and put his arms around her. 'I'm sorry baby. You mean so much to me. I'm sorry.'
'Forget it.' She kissed him, then she got to her feet and went to the window to stare across the lake. 'So what are we going to do now? You mustn't show yourself. Can't we go tomorrow . . . can't we get away?'
'Not yet. Although it's safer, baby, the way you've fixed it, it's also a lot more complicated.'
'How do you mean?'
'If we took off tomorrow Ed would ask questions. He'd talk to Salvadore who would then know you lied to Toni. Then he'd start a hunt, not only for me, but for you. We have to wait at least another four days.'
She lifted her hands in despair.
'Wait . . . that's all I do . . . wait!'
Then they heard the sound of the truck approaching and she went into the kitchen.
Massino was looking at the weekly numbers figures that Andy had given him when Toni came on the line, calling from Little Creek.
Massino looked at Andy.
'It's Toni. Get on the extension and write down what he says!' Then to Toni, he barked. 'Did you find him?'
'No, Mr. Joe. I missed him by six hours. He was here, but he's gone now. The chick says he's headed for Miami to hire a boat for Havana.'
'Havana?' Massino's voice shot up.
'Yeah.'
'Well, come on, come on! Give me the details!'
Toni told him all he knew. He was careful not to give details of his visit to Freda. He said she gave him a description of Johnny, mentioned the medal, said he had been holed up there for three nights and had gone off, carrying a heavy suitcase.
'So what do you want me to do, Mr. Joe?'
Massino's mind raced.
'I'll call you back. Stick around,' and taking Salvadore's number, he hung up.
'If he's got to Havana we're bitched!' he said, glaring at Andy.
'And he's got the money!'
'So she says,' Andy said quietly.
Massino stiffened.
'What's that supposed to mean?'
'I think we should check her story out, Mr. Joe,' Andy said. 'You're right, if he's heading for Havana and Luigi doesn't pick him up before he leaves Miami then we kiss him and the money goodbye, but this could be a bluff. Toni's got nothing between his ears. He'd fall for any story a woman fed him. Let's check the woman first.'
Massino thought about this, then nodded.
'I'll talk to Luigi. Got his number?'
'I'll get it.' Andy went into his office and returned a few minutes later. 'He's on the line now.'
Massino snatched up the receiver.
'Luigi? How are you? Long time no see. What's that? Yeah . . . sure is a big steal. Yeah. Listen. How about a
