the police haven't a clue. At least they have a description of the killer. This, and the Caltex murder must be making Jenson spin like a top.'
'He's got nowhere with the Caltex shooting, has he?'
Anson said, cutting into his chicken.
'Well, no. I guess we can't blame him for that. Some passing thug, but this other thing is something else besides.'
David chewed thoughtfully for a long moment, then went on, 'I have a teenage daughter ... you never know; once a swine like that rapes a girl, he wants to rape another.'
'Yeah,' Anson said, but he wasn't interested. His mind, went back to Meg. Something has happened. He only half listened to Davis as he talked on and on.
As Meg opened the front door, Anson said, 'You're worrying me. I told you never to telephone me at the office.'
'I had to see you,' Meg said, leading the way into the sitting-room.
He took off his top coat and joined her by the fire. 'What is it?' 'Sit down.'
Impatiently, he sat on the settee and she sat on the floor at his feet.
'John ... this now isn't going to world. We're leaving here.' Anson stiffened. A cold void began to form inside him.
'Leaving? What do you mean?'
'Just that. Phil told me last night. We are going to Florida at the end of the month.'
'Florida?' Anson stared at her. 'Meg! What are you telling me?'
She gave a hopeless shrug.
'That's what he told me. Some man ... his name is Herman Schuman ... has a big horticultural set-up in Florida. He happened to be in Framley's stores a couple of days ago. He saw what Phil could do. He's offered him a partnership.
Phil is wild with excitement. It's exactly what' he wants and no risks.'
Anson sagged back against the cushions of the settee.
'At the end of this month?'
'Yes. Phil's giving in his notice at the end of the week. And there's something else. He intends to cancel the insurance policy. He doesn't need the capital now.'
'You'll go with him?' Anson asked.
'What else can I do?' Meg suddenly gripped his hands. 'Oh! John! I want you so much! What can we do?'
He pulled her to him. His mind tried to cope with what she had told him.
Florida! She would be miles away from him! The thought of losing all that money that he had counted on, had dreamed about, sent a stab of frustration through him.
Meg pulled away from him and got to her feet. She began to move restlessly around'the room.
'You see now? I had to telephone you! Can't we get rid of him before he leaves? That's our only hope, John. If we can get rid of him before the end of the month...'
'Yes ... let me think,' Anson said, pressing his hands to his head. 'How long have we ... eighteen days before the end of the month?'
'Yes.'
Anson felt a sudden chill of apprehension.
'There's Maddox!'
'Oh damn Maddox!' Meg exclaimed. 'If we don't do it before the end of the month, we'll never do it! John! I'm willing to take a risk ... are you?'
'But how?' Anson asked, wavering. 'I imagined I had five months to get this fixed ... now I have only eighteen days!'
Meg drew in a quick, sharp breath. She had him hooked! For the past days and nights she had thought and thought how she could persuade him to kill her husband before she lost Sailor Hogan. It had come to her suddenly to tell Anson that Phil would be leaving the district at the end of the month. She knew she would be safe telling him this. He would never think to check.
Anson was now facing her.
'This is something I must think about,' he said. 'Meg, may I stay the night?'
With him on the hook, she could afford to be generous. After all, in the past she had slept with dozens of less savoury men than Anson.
'Of course ...'
She came to him and putting her arms around him, she pressed herself against him, trying to control the shudder of revulsion that went through her at the touch of his hands.
For the past hour, Anson had been lying on the bed, sleepless. The time was after three o'clock a.m. The white light of the moon fell across the bed, lighting the hollows and the curves of Meg's naked body as she lay sleeping by his side.
Suddenly Anson's mind became alert. For no reason at all, he thought of Harry Davis and the conversation they had had together over lunch. He remembered what Davis had said: I have a teenage daughter ... you never know, once a swine like that rapes a girl, he wants to rape another.
He sat up abruptly.
'Meg!'
Meg's quick, light breathing faltered. She stirred and became awake.
'Meg!' Anson gripped her arm, 'Wake up! I want to talk to you!'
She moaned, then half sat up.
'What is it?'
'Have you yesterday's newspaper?'
She stared at him as if she thought he had gone crazy.
'Newspaper? Yes ... it's downstairs.'
'Get it! Make some coffee! Come on, Meg, wake up! I have an idea ... get moving!'
Still dazed with sleep, but urged on by his tone, Meg slid out of bed and put on her wrap. She walked unsteadily to the door.
'Hurry!' Anson exclaimed.
He turned on the light and pulling the sheet over him, waited impatiently for her return.
After some minutes, she came back into the room, the newspaper under her arm, carrying a tray with the coffee things.
Anson snatched the newspaper from her and read the headlines as she poured two cups of coffee.
'What is it?' she asked.
When he waved her to silence, she shrugged and sat on the foot of the bed, sipping her coffee and watching him.
After some minutes, Anson let the paper drop and took the cup of coffee she handed to him.
'I think I've got it!' he said. 'See this?' He pushed the newspaper towards her, pointing to the headlines.
Still dazed, Meg stared at the paper, then at Anson.
'I don't understand!'
Impatiently, Anson pointed to the headlines.
Maniac Kills Youth: Girl Companion Assaulted.
'A nut like that always strikes again,' Anson said. 'We're going to make use of him. He's going to kill Barlowe and attack you! Even Maddox will have to accept a situation like that!'
Meg stared at him as if she thought he had gone out of his mind.
'What are you saying ... attack me?'
Anson finished his coffee and set down the cup.
'It says here the police are warning all courting couples that this man might strike again. This means the police expect him to strike again! Can't you see this is just the set-up we are looking for?' He threw the paper aside. 'The girl has given the
