Obsession

“You came home because Kyle sounded upset,” I said, “but he wouldn’t explain why.”

“I tried to get it out of him. That’s why we were sitting in the driveway when you pulled your little commando raid.”

Running a finger under the knot of his ascot, he said, “Why can’t you tell me what the hell’s going on?”

“Let’s go back a bit,” I said. “How exactly did you meet Mary Whitbread?”

“Through my brother-in-law.”

“Lester Jordan.”

“The late, unlamented.”

“How did he know her?”

“As I said, Mary’s an exuberant gal. Do you know anything about her background?”

“In Chicago?”

“Her story-and I can’t vouch for it-is that back in Chicago she hung around with Mafia types. She also said she knew Mayor Daley, the Kennedys. But isn’t that the standard claim? Perhaps if you chat with her long enough she’ll claim to have bedded Jimmy Hoffa and Amelia Earhart.”

“Standard claim for who?”

“Aging bimbos. I’m not trying to be cruel, but let’s face it, that’s what Mary is. I’d take anything she says with more than a dash of sel de mer.”

“You don’t trust her but you did a real estate deal with her.”

“Her cashier’s check was genuine.”

“How’d she know Lester Jordan?”

“Among her varied interests were musicians,” said Bedard. “Les played sax in a traveling combo that had a gig at a club where Mary was ahem dancing.” Wink wink. “I suppose push led to shove…so to speak. And wouldn’t you know it, that’s the one time Mary got careless. A one-night stand and it’s time to buy diapers.”

He shook his head. “Stupid.”

Milo said, “Jordan was Peterson’s father?”

“Perhaps that was what motivated her to get her tubes tied. Or perhaps it was just a convenience. Given her new occupation.”

“Porn.”

“Aha,” said Bedard. “You know about all that. Have you ever seen Mary’s work?”

“No, sir.”

“High-quality, Lieutenant. For what it is.”

“If she didn’t want kids, why didn’t she abort?”

“She considered it,” said Bedard. “Told me so-pillow talk and all that. Her reason for not doing so was that she was dating a wealthy old man at the time. A wealthy generous old man, whom she thought she might be able to con into thinking the baby was his. Unfortunately, the plan backfired.”

“Sugar Daddy wasn’t overjoyed,” said Milo.

“Sugar Daddy demanded a paternity test and when she procrastinated, he kicked her somewhat enlarged butt out into the street. By the time it happened, she was too far along to feel comfortable aborting.”

“Scruples.”

“I suppose she has a few. Poor Mary. She’s blessed with vaginal muscles from heaven but her judgment sometimes falls short of the mark. She had the baby but from what I could tell, didn’t do much in the way of raising it. In that way, she’s not unlike my ex-wife.” To me: “No, my seeing her was not an example of neurotic pattern. In crucial ways, there were differences between Mary and Iona.”

Playing with his glass. “One hears about maternal instincts but I’ve run into quite a few women who seem to lack it.”

“When’s the last time you saw Mary?”

“I thought I answered that.”

“You said she was too old.”

“And has been for at least a decade. That’s why I was surprised when Kyle pulled up in front of her place and started humming. I do my best to forget old acquaintances.”

“Unpleasant memories?”

“Not at all, Doctor. I believe in moving on.”

“So you met Mary through Lester Jordan.”

“Ah, Lester,” he said. “Lester was a cancer on my married life-rock-filled baggage that I was willing to tolerate when I still had feelings for Iona. But I never liked giving him money because I knew where it was going. I met Mary, when I came by to give Lester yet another check and she was there. The sight of a woman who looked like that associated with a dried-up scrotum like Lester caught my attention.”

“Why was she there?”

“The two of them were having some kind of spat. Lester’s mood didn’t concern me but a beautiful woman so upset?” Touching a blue silk breast. “She ran out, I handed Lester his dole and went after her, gave her a shoulder to cry on.” Adjusting his glasses. “One thing led to another.”

“Why was she crying?”

“She wanted Lester to see Pete. Pete always asked to see his father but Lester rarely agreed. Par for the course.”

“His being an addict,” said Milo.

“Addiction’s all about self-indulgence, right? That’s what Patty told me. My sense was she was happy to be rid of him. That would be any rational person’s reaction to Lester.”

“Except his son’s.”

Bedard removed his glasses. “Sons can be like that.”

“Attached,” I said.

“Beyond the point of reason. I’m sure being rejected inflicted wounds on the kid’s psyche, but believe me, Pete was better off not being exposed to Lester. The man was dirt.”

“And you had to support him.”

“Like I said, baggage.”

“Your ex thinks you killed him.”

Bedard pulled out a foot of ascot and wiped his lenses. “That tells you about her judgment. I’ve been in Europe for two months.”

“She says you wouldn’t do it yourself, you’d hire someone.”

“I’m sure I would. If killing Lester was my aim. Unfortunately for Iona, Lester had been out of my life for years. Why the hell would I waste money-not to mention put myself in jeopardy-to squash a roach in someone else’s kitchen?”

I said, “What else did Patty tell you about Lester?”

“Nothing, he wasn’t a topic of frequent conversation. Patty concentrated on caring for Father. And did a damn fine job of it. Iona was incensed when I took her from Lester. In her twisted view, Patty was obligated to stay with Lester forever and I was obligated to pay for it. By the time he’d flunked his third rehab, Iona and I were talking through lawyers. When we settled, she got less than she wanted and more than I wanted to give.”

Big smile. “Marriage is all about compromise, right?”

I said, “She got the building on Cherokee. And Lester.”

“That alone,” said Bedard, “was worth the cost of the damn divorce.” He yawned. “I haven’t slept in two days. Will you be kind enough to see yourselves out?”

“Kyle will show us out,” said Milo.

“Let the boy be.”

“He’s the one who drove by Tanya’s.”

“I told you. He’s got a crush on the girl.”

“That doesn’t explain driving by Mary Whitbread’s.”

Bedard struggled to his feet, swayed, grabbed a side table for support. “I suppose it doesn’t. I’m going to have a nightcap and then I’ll be in dreamland. I’m sure you’ll find Kyle in the library. Good night, gents. Tell my son I love