watching them both, and Johnny knew suddenly that the board had changed more than he realized.
A new piece had been added to the game.
He felt Mike Shapiro nudge him, and he stooped forward and grasped the silver handle. Between them they carried the Old Man out into the sunshine.
The handle had cut into his palm with the weight of the coffin.
He went on massaging it, even after the coffin had gone down into the pit. The crude mounds of fresh earth were covered with blankets of bright green artificial grass.
The mourners began to drift away, but Johnny went on standing there bareheaded. Until Ruby came to touch his arm.
“Come on.” Her voice pitched low, but stinging. “You’re making a fool of yourself.” Benedict and Tracey were waiting under the pine-trees by the churchyard gate, shaking hands and talking quietly to the departing mourners.
“You are Ruby, of course.” Benedict took her hand, smiling a little, urbane and charming. “The flattering reports I’ve had of you hardly do you justice.” And Ruby glowed, seeming like a butterfly to spread her wings to the sun.
“Johnny.” Benedict turned to him, and Johnny was taken off balance by the friendly warmth of his smile and the grip of his hand. “Michael
Shapiro tells me that you have accepted my father’s legacy and the conditions attached to it - you have signed the guarantee. It’s wonderful news. I don’t know what we would have done without you in Van Der Byl Diamonds. You are the only one that can pull the Company through this difficult period. I want you to know I am behind you all the way, Johnny. I intend becoming much more involved with the Company now, giving you all the help you need.”
“I knew I could depend on you, Benedict.” Johnny accepted the challenge as smoothly as it was thrown down.
“I think everything is going to turn out all right.”
“We have a meeting on Monday, then I must return to London on Thursday - but I hope you can have dinner with me before. then - you and your lovely wife, of course.”
“Thank you.” Ruby seeing the refusal on Johnny’s lips, interrupted quickly. “We’d enjoy that.” You were going to refuse, weren’t you?” She sat with her legs curled up sideways under her, watching him from the passenger seat of the Mercedes with the slanting eyes of a Persian cat.
“You’re damn right.“Johnny nodded grimly.
“Why?”
“Benedict van der Byl is poison.”
“You say so.”
“Yes, I say so.”
“Could be you’re jealous of him.” Ruby lit one of her gold-tipped cigarettes, puffing the smoke through her lips.
“Good God!” Johnny gave one harsh snort of laughter, then they were silent awhile, both staring ahead.
“I think he’s pretty dreamy.”
“You can have him.“Johnny’s tone was disinterested, but her retort was shrill.
“I could too - if I wanted to. Anyway you and that Tracey creature mooning-“
“Cut it out, Ruby.” “Oh my, I’ve said the wrong thing. The precious Mrs. Hartford-” “Cut it out, I said.“Johnny’s tone was sharp.
“Little Miss. Fancy Pants. - God! She almost had them down for you in the bloody graveyard-“
“Shut up, damn you.”
“Don’t you swear at me.”
And she lashed out at him flathanded, leaning forward across the seat to strike him in the mouth. His lower lip smeared against his teeth, and the taste of blood seeped into his mouth. He took the handkerchief from his breast pocket and held it to his mouth, steering the Mercedes with one hand.
Ruby sat curled in her corner of the seat, puffing quickly at the cigarette. Neither of them spoke again until he drew up in front of the double garage. Then Ruby slipped out of the Mercedes and ran across the lawns to the front door.
She slammed it behind her, with a force that rattled the full-length glass panel.
Johnny parked the Mercedes, closed the garage door and followed her slowly into the house. She had kicked off her shoes on the wall-to-wall carpet in the lounge, and run through on to the patio beside the swimming pool. She stood barefooted staring down into the clear water, hugging herself about the shoulders.
“Ruby.” He came up behind her, forcing the anger out of his voice with an effort, trying to keep it conciliatory.
“Listen to me She spun around to face him, eyes blazing like a cornered leopard.
“Don’t try and gentle talk me, you bastard. What do you think I am - your damned servant. When did I last get to do anything I wanted?” With Ruby he had long ago realized that placation was the short cut to peace, so he was roused by the implication.
“I’ve never stopped you from-“
“Good! That’s just fine! Then you won’t stop me going away.”
“What do you mean?” He was caught between shock and a sneaking sense of hope. “Are you talking about divorce
“Divorce? Are you out of your little mind! I know all about the big bagful of goodies the Old Man left you in his will. Well, little Ruby is getting her pinkies into that bag starting right now.”
“What do you want exactly?” His voice was cold and flat.
“A new wardrobe, and a quick whip around all those nice places you go to all the time - London, Paris and the rest.
That will do for a start.” He thought a moment, assessing how far he could stretch his overdraft; since his marriage his bank statement had seldom been typed in black. It was worth it, he decided. He could afford no distraction over the next few months. He could move faster and think quicker without having Ruby Lance sitting between his shoulder-blades - much better she should go.
“All right,“he nodded. “If that’s what you want.” Her eyes narrowed slightly and her mouth pinched in as she studied his face.
“That was too easy,” she said. “You want to get rid of me?
Don’t get any ideas, Johnny boy, you put one finger - or anything else - out of line and I’ll chop it off.” here is a Mrs. Hartford to see you, sir. Lettie Pienaar’s voice whispered through on the intercom, then just audibly she added, “Lucky you!” Johnny grinned. “You’re fired for insolence - but send her in before you go.
He stood up as Tracey came in, and went around his desk to meet her. She wore a nononsense grey suit, with her hair scraped back from her face. She should have looked like a school mom - but she didn’t.
“You’ve got your times mixed up, Tracey. The Directors” meeting is at two this afternoon.”
“That’s a sweet greeting.” She sat down in an egg-shaped swivel chair, crossing long legs which Johnny dragged his eyes off with an effort. “I’ve come looking for a job.”
“A job?” He stared at her blankly.
“Yes, a job. You know - work? Employment?”
“What on earth for?”
“Well, now that you’ve dragged me back from the bright lights with all the finesse of a cavernan - you don’t expect me to sit around until I drop dead of boredom. Besides, your tame doctor feels that good healthy employment is essential to the completion of my - - cure.”
“I see.” He sank back into his own chair. “Well - what can you do?”
“Mr. Lance.” Tracey widened her eyes suggestively, but made her voice prim. “- Really!”
“All right,” Johnny chuckled. “What are your qualifications?”
“You may or may not know that I have a law degree from the University of Cape Town.”
“I didn’t.” (Also, it occurred to me that during the next few months you might need someone around whom you can trust.” She was serious now, and Johnny’s smile faded also. “Like the old days.” She added quietly. They were silent for a few seconds.
