'So we could have a scene while you're here, knowing it's not going to last forever. Who'd be hurt?'
She shook her head. 'That's not me.'
'Oh Red,' he said, 'life is too short to be faithful. You think your husband is faithful?'
She lifted her chin. 'I think he is. But it's really his decision, isn't it? If he's going to cheat on me because he's a man or because he's Mario-that's his choice. No way can I affect it.'
'Would it kill you to learn he's been cheating?'
She pondered a moment. 'I don't know how I'd feel. It wouldn't kill me, but I'd probably take it hard.'
'But you'd forgive him?'
'I probably would,' she said.
'And if things were reversed, he'd probably forgive you.'
'Probably,' Dora said, 'but I don't want to find out. Look, John, you said life is too short to be faithful. But I think the shortness of life is all the more reason to try to make it something decent. I see an awful lot of human corruption on my job-not as much violent corruption as you see, thank God-so I want to try as hard as I can to be a Girl Scout. Maybe it's because I want to prove I'm superior to the creeps I deal with. Maybe it's because if I make the one little slip voluntarily, it'll be a weakening and the first small step down a steep flight of stairs. Whatever, I want to live as straight as I can-which can be a mighty tough assignment at times.'
'Is this one of them?' he asked. 'You and me?'
She nodded dumbly.
He finished his drink, rose, and pulled on his damp coat. He looked at her so sadly that she embraced him and tried to kiss his cheek. But he turned to meet her lips and, despite her resolve, she melted. They clung tightly together.
'You better go,' she said huskily, pulling away. 'Give me a break.'
'All right,' he said. 'For now.'
After he was gone, she locked the door and paced up and down, hugging her elbows. She thought of what he had said and what she had said-and what she might have said, and what the result of that would have been.
She knew she should dig her library research out of the closet and get back to trying to solve the puzzle it contained. But she could not turn her thoughts away from her personal puzzle: what to do about this weary, attractive man who for all his flip talk was serious. Yes, yes, he was a serious man and fully aware that he was on his way to burnout.
'And who appointed you his nurse?' she asked herself aloud.
Chapter 23
Mrs. Olivia Starrett and Father Brian Callaway sat at the long dining room table and waited silently, with folded hands, while Charles served tea. He was using bone china from Starrett Fine Jewelry in their exclusive Mimosa pattern.
He offered a tray of assorted pastries from Ferrara, then left the platter on the table and retired, closing the door softly behind him.
'Very distressing news indeed, Olivia,' Father Brian said, adding cream and sugar to his tea. 'You must have been devastated.'
'I was,' Mrs. Starrett said, 'and I am. We have never had a divorce in our family, on either side.'
'Has he spoken to Eleanor yet?'
'Not to my knowledge. He said he wanted to tell me first. Clayton is a good son.'
'Yes,' Callaway said. 'Dutiful. Was he asking for your approval?'
'Not exactly. He did say that if I forbade it, he would remain married to Eleanor. But I cannot order him to continue what he calls a loveless marriage. The poor boy is obviously suffering. Do have an eclair.'
'I think I shall; they look delicious. And how do you feel about his marrying Helene Pierce if the divorce goes through?'
'And I think I shall have an anise macaroon. Why, I believe Helene is a lovely, personable young lady, but much too young for Clayton. However, he feels the age difference is of little importance. And I must confess I have a selfish motive for wanting Clayton remarried, to Helene or any other woman of his choice. Before I pass over, I would like to hold a grandchild in my arms. Is it wicked of me to think of my own happiness?'
He reached across the table to pat one of her pudgy hands. 'Olivia, you are incapable of being wicked. And your desire for a grandchild is completely natural, normal, and understandable. Eleanor cannot have another child?'
'Cannot or will not,' Mrs. Starrett said sorrowfully. 'She has never fully recovered from the passing of little Ernie. Do help yourself to more tea, Father.'
'What a tragedy,' he said, filling their cups. 'But pain, sadness, and passing are all parts of the holy oneness. We must accept them and indeed welcome them as a test of our faith. For from the valley of despair the soul emerges renewed and triumphant. Do try a napoleon; they're exquisite.'
'But so fattening!' she protested.
'No matter,' he said, smiling at her. 'You are a very regal woman, Olivia.'
'Thank you,' she said, glowing with pleasure. 'Father, may I ask a favor?'
'Of course,' he said heartily. 'Anything you wish.'
'I suggested to Clayton that he might consult a marriage counselor or speak to you before his decision becomes final. If there is any way at all the marriage can be saved, I must try it. Would you be willing to talk to Clayton and give him the benefit of your experience and spirituality?'
'I would be willing,' Callaway said cautiously, 'but would he?'
'Oh, I'm sure he would,' Olivia said warmly. 'Especially if you told him it was my express wish that the two of you get together and try to find a solution to this problem.'
Callaway nibbled thoughtfully on a slice of panettone. 'I gather that the solution you prefer is that the marriage be preserved?'
'That is my preference, yes. But if, in your opinion, the happiness of both Clayton and Eleanor would be better served by a divorce, then I'll accept that. I trust your judgment, Father, and will agree to whatever you think is best.'
'It is an awesome responsibility, Olivia, but I shall do what I can. May I tell Clayton that you have told me all the details of your conversation with him?'
'Of course.'
'Then I'll see what can be done. I agree with you, dear lady, that marriage is a sacred trust and those vows may only be broken for the most compelling reasons. We were put on this earth to nurture one another, to share, and every effort must be made to keep intact that holy oneness.'
'I knew I could count on your understanding, Father,' Mrs. Starrett said. 'You're such a comfort. Now do have more tea and perhaps a slice of the torte. I believe it's made with Grand Marnier.'
When Brian Callaway departed from the Starrett apartment, he paused a moment in the outside corridor to loosen his belt a notch. He then descended to the lobby and used a public phone to call Clayton at Starrett Fine Jewelry. It was almost 4:30 and Callaway guessed the man would be ready to leave his office.
Clayton was cordial enough, and when the Father asked for a meeting as soon as possible, to discuss a personal matter of 'utmost importance,' he agreed to meet Callaway at the bar of the Four Seasons at five o'clock or a little later.
'What's this all about?' he asked curiously.
'I prefer not to discuss it on the phone,' the Father replied in magisterial tones.
He was the first to arrive and quickly downed a double vodka. He then ordered a plain tonic water and was sipping that when Clayton Starrett appeared, smiling broadly. The two men shook hands. Clayton ordered a gin martini.
'I'm afraid I'll have to make this short,' Clayton said. 'We have another charity benefit tonight, and I have to go home to dress.'
The Father nodded. 'I'll be brief,' he promised. 'I've just come from having tea with your mother. She asked
