usual splendid job during our Driver celebrations. I see no hindrances, do you?'
'Only acts of God,' Dart said, and refilled his wineglass.
Marian returned with a tray of
'I won't have any, but the rest of you help yourselves,' Margaret replied. Yet, when the desserts had been given out and Marian danced around the table pouring more champagne, she allowed her glass to be filled once more. 'Mr Desmond,' she said, 'I've been wondering if you would be so kind as to recite one of your poems. It would be an honor to hear something you have written.'
Dart gulped champagne, took a forkful of ice cream and meringue, another swallow of champagne, and jumped to his feet. 'I composed this poem in the car on the way to this haven of the literary arts. I hope it will touch you all in some small way. It's called 'In Of.''
He surveyed the table. 'What do you think?'
'I've never heard anything quite like it,' Margaret said.
'The syntax is garbled, but the meaning is perfectly clear. It's a plea for mercy from a man who expects none. What I find really remarkable is that even though this is the first time I've heard the poem, it seems oddly familiar.'
'Norman's work often has that effect,' Nora said
'It's like something reduced to its essence,' Margaret said.
'Have you spoken to Norman about our poetry series, Marian?'
'Not yet, but this is the perfect time. Norman, can we talk about your coming back to do a reading?'
Once again Marian had unknowingly assisted Dart's plans for the night. He pretended to think it over. 'We should take care of that tonight. The only problem is that I'm going to need my appointment book, and it's in the room. But if you decide you want that nightcap, you could come up later.'
'And let my appointment book talk to your appointment book? Yes, why don't I do that?'
'You young people,' Margaret said. 'You're going to have hours of enjoyment talking about all sorts of things, and I'm going to fall asleep as soon as I fall into bed. But before that, Marian, you and I have to see to the kitchen.'
'Let me help,' Nora said. 'It's the least I can do.'
'Nonsense,' Margaret said. 'Marian and I can whip through everything in half an hour. Anyone else would just get in our way.'
'Margaret, dear,' Dart said. 'It's only seven-thirty. You can't mean you're really going to go to bed as soon as the dishes are done.'
'I wish I could, but I have an hour or so of work to get through in the office. Marian, let's take the dishes down and attack the kitchen.'
Dart glanced at Nora, who said, 'Marian, I'd like to spend more time with the records and photographs, but I want to rest for a little bit first. So that you won't have to jump up and down answering the door, do you think you could give me a key?'
'Why don't we just leave the door unlocked?' Margaret said. 'We're completely safe here. When were you planning on coming back?'
'Nine, maybe? The storm should be over by then. I could get some work done while Norman and Marian match their schedules.'
'Oh?' Marian glanced at Dart. 'That works for me. I'll leave the downstairs lights on and come over to Pepper Pot about nine. Does that sound all right to you?'
'Perfect,' Dart said. 'Did I hear a promise of rain gear?'
'Let's take care of that right now.' Marian left the room, and Nora helped Margaret stack the dishes. Soon Marian returned with green Wellingtons, a shiny red raincoat with snaps, and a wide-brimmed matching hat. 'My fireman outfit. Don't worry, I have lots of other stuff to get me over there dry. And Norman, Tony's gear is just inside the door.'
Nora removed her shoes and pulled on the high boots. Marian had big feet. She put on the shiny coat and snapped it up, and Dart put down his empty glass. 'Very fetching.'
The sound of the rain was stronger at the front of the building. Dart examined Tony's dirty yellow slicker with revulsion, and he wiped his handkerchief around the interior of the hat before entrusting his head to it. His shoes would not go into the boots, so he too took off his shoes and jammed them into the slicker's pockets. 'Almost rather get wet,' he muttered.
'Wait! Don't go yet!' Marian called from behind them, and appeared at the top of the marble steps with Nora's bag and four new candles. 'You'll find matches on the mantelpiece. Good luck!'
The world past the front door was a streaming darkness. Chill water slipped through Nora's collar and dripped down her back. Water rang like gunfire on the stiff hat. Dart grasped her wrist and began running toward the gravel court. When they reached the path, she nearly went down in the mud, but Dart wrenched her upright and tugged her forward. Water licked into her sleeves. The trees on either side groaned and thrashed, and hallucinatory voices filled the air. Nothing had worked; she had been unable to speak to any of her possible saviors, and Dart was going to kill Marian Cullinan and spend a happy two hours dissecting her body while waiting for the older women to sink into sleep. Then he would pull her back through the deluge to Main House, where he looked forward to watching her murder Agnes Brotherhood. As he had said to her, genius was the capacity to adapt to change without losing sight
