“He’s dead,” I heard Mifflin say in disgust as Kerman and I ran out after her.
We reached the first terrace as she reached the fourth. I grabbed Kerman and held him back.
“Let Mifflin go after her if he wants her,” he said.
Mifflin came thudding down the terrace steps to join us.
“Where’s she gone?” he demanded.
I pointed.
She was running well, and already had reached the lowest terrace. Mifflin started after her; then stopped. She ran straight towards the cliff edge, and she was still running when she went over.
For some moments we stood motionless, listening and waiting. But we heard nothing. It was as if the space between the cliff head and the sea had opened up and swallowed her.
“That’s the best way out for her,” I said and turned back to the house. I felt a little sick.
Even if she was crazy, she had been beautiful, and I always feel sorry when something beautiful gets broken.
As we reached the verandah, I asked, “Did you climb the cliff?”
Kerman nodded.
“I came over the bulge,” he said with an exaggerated shudder. “I’m going to dream about that for the rest of my days. Paula’s somewhere around. She’s looking for Janet Crosby.”
“Now we’ll have to explain the set-up to Brandon,” I said as Mifflin came panting up.
“That should be a lot of fun.”
“Smashed herself to pieces,” Mifflin said, glaring at us. “Now, come on, you two smart punks, get in there and talk!”
We went in there and talked.
