As I walked around the terrace to the pool, I saw Mazzo take off in the Jaguar. I gave him a wave, but he didn’t see me.
I spent an hour in the pool. The evening sun was perfect. As I was toweling myself, Jonas appeared.
‘Perhaps a drink, Mr. Stevens?’
‘Why not? A very large, very dry martini.’
‘Certainly, Mr. Stevens,’ and he went over to the bar.
Man! I thought, this is the life!
I settled myself on one of the lounging chairs, catching the last rays of the sun.
Jonas brought the drink.
‘For dinner, Mr. Stevens, I suggest chicken breasts in a lobster sauce,’ he said. ‘Perhaps a prawn cocktail. The prawns are exceptional.’
‘You have a deal,’ I said, my mouth watering.
‘Would you care to dine in the dining room or would you prefer to dine in your suite?’
I looked at him. The dark, old face was deadpan.
‘Mrs. Harriet?’
‘She will be dining in her suite.’
‘Mrs. Loretta?’
‘She will also be dining in her suite.’
‘Okay. I’ll dine in Mr. Ferguson’s suite.’
‘Certainly, Mr. Stevens,’ and he went away.
I lay there, sipping the drink and watching the sun slowly sink. It was hard to believe this was happening to me. The menace had gone. I was in a fantastic dream world. I thought back on those days when I had sat by the telephone, practically starving, waiting and waiting for the telephone bell to ring. Now this!
I stayed watching the sun sink and the moon climb.
Watching the moon, I remembered what Mrs. Harriet had said: Whenever there is a full moon, she will be confined.
The moon was nearly full: in another three days, the moon would be full.
My mind switched to Loretta. I was sure she was out of her mind. She had to be! But this talk of about a full moon I couldn’t accept.
Why should I worry? I told myself. I was now a member of the Ferguson’s staff. I was free. I wasn’t supervised any longer. John Merrill Ferguson, enormously rich and powerful, was pleased with me.
What more could I want?
Leaving the terrace, I returned to the suite. I took a shower, then put on one of Ferguson’s shirts and slacks.
As I moved into the living room, Jonas came in, wheeling the dinner trolley.
The meal was marvelous. When Jonas had served me, he left. I regretted eating alone. How much better it would have been to have had Sonia with me. In a day or so, I told myself, I would fix that, but it wouldn’t be here: some quiet restaurant by the sea, lit by the moon and with soft music.
The meal finished, I wandered out onto the big balcony and sat in a lounging chair. I was at peace with the world. I sat there, watching the moon light the lawn and the trees, seeing the guards move around and not caring about them. They no longer had become a problem. How life can alter abruptly, I thought.
Yesterday, I was scared of being murdered, now I was relaxed, without a care in the world.
Around 22.50, I stubbed out my cigarette, got to my feet and decided I would go to bed. I found a paperback among the books Mazzo had brought me.
I turned off the living room lights and went into the bedroom, switching on one of the lamps.
I yawned. It had been some day, and the meal had been excellent. Maybe, I wouldn’t read. I would sleep.
Then my body stiffened with shock.
Sitting by the window was Loretta.
chapter eight
How life can alter abruptly, I had thought while sitting on the balcony, contemplating my seven-year contract, feeling secure. I had then been at peace with the world, but when I saw Loretta, my feeling of peace and security vanished.
‘Hello, Jerry,’ she said, and smiled at me. ‘I have been watching you. You look happy.’
My mouth had turned so dry, I couldn’t speak. I stared at her like a rabbit confronted by a ferret.
In the dim light of the lamp, she looked beautiful.
She was wearing a pale blue, silk wrap, and her long legs and feet were bare.
Had she come to share my bed? The thought of touching this demented woman horrified me.
‘Is something wrong, Jerry?’ she asked, her head a little on one side, her eyes quizzing.
‘Surprised,’ I managed to say, then walked to a chair and sat down. ‘I wasn’t expecting you.’
‘I had to talk to you. Durant is back.’
‘Yes.’
‘You went to the office?’
‘Yes.’
‘What did he want?’
‘Just papers to sign.’
‘Did he say anything about me?’
‘No.’
‘The will hasn’t come, but it must come tomorrow.’
I didn’t say anything.
‘I’m no longer allowed to see John. I went to his suite this morning. There was a guard at the door. He said John wasn’t well enough to see anyone.’
I remembered what Mrs. Harriet had said:
‘I’m sorry,’ I said.
‘His room is above mine. I hear him walking up and down, up and down. He sounds like a caged animal,’ she went on. ‘Up and down. Up and down.’ She stared at me, her eyes big and haunted. ‘The last time I saw him, the curtains were drawn. He was sitting in semidarkness. He was like a stone man. When I spoke to him, he said nothing. His nurse wouldn’t let me near him. Now, I’m not even allowed to see him. I keep wondering: is he going to die?’ She suddenly beat her clenched fists together. ‘If he dies, what will happen to me? That old bitch will get all his money!’
I listened, feeling the horror of this thing.
‘Last night, I tried her door. She locks it now. I have talked to Mazzo.’ She lifted her hands in a gesture of despair. ‘He is afraid of her.’
I wondered if she had talked to Mazzo. Was this another delusion? My main thought was to persuade her to leave me.
There was a long pause while she continued to stare at me.
‘You say nothing, Jerry. I am relying on you. I need your help. I will buy your help! Think! Two million dollars!’
Mrs. Harriet had said: Pretend to do what she asks you to do. There will be a full moon in a few days, and then she will be confined.
‘I haven’t forgotten,’ I said. ‘I must think again. I am sure I will find a solution.’
‘You must!’ Her voice turned strident. ‘Think!’ She got to her feet. ‘They are watching me! I thought I could rely on Mazzo.’ She came to me and ran her fingers through my hair. The touch of her fingers sent a cold chill through me. ‘Dear Jerry! Think! Help me!’
I got hurriedly to my feet.
