“Anything to shut me up!” Sheila exclaimed. “I’m telling you, when this is over, I’m getting a divorce. I’ve had enough of you! I want my freedom! There are hundreds of men with more money than you who will go for me! I know I’ve had enough of living with a scriptwriter. Understand?”
Perry looked at her and saw the cold implacable expression in her eyes.
This was the solution. He thought of those two years he had put up with this girl, doing everything he could to please her, but realizing there were so many times when he was absorbed in his work and he had forgotten her. Writing for the movies was his life. He was dedicated to his talent. Yes! He immediately realized to be free from this girl would be more than a blessing.
Yet, he felt defeated. He had tried desperately to make his marriage a success, but he should have known it was doomed to failure.
Well, he knew now. It was over, and he felt a sense of relief.
He smiled at Sheila.
“If that’s what you want, Sheila, all right. I’ll arrange a divorce. I’ll see you are taken care of.”
“Oh no, you won’t!” Sheila said, her voice hard. “I’ll do the the taking care of. If you imagine I’ve wasted two good years of my life, living with you, you’re making a big mistake! I want the house. I want half your earnings. I’ll take care of it!”
“Spoken like the child you are,” Perry said. “All right. When we get out of this mess, we’ll talk about it. Now please, relax. If you believe in God, now is the time to say a prayer. We could both be dead in a very short time.”
“What corny dialogue! Keep that for your movie script. When that ape leaves, I’m going to leave. I’m going back home and I’m going to pack everything I own. You stay here in your stinking little lodge. I’m going back to Pa. He’ll put one of his smart attorneys on you, and between us we’ll skin you! Make no mistake about that.”
“You haven’t left yet,” Perry said. “You might not leave.”
“Still trying to scare me?” She gave a hard, bitter laugh. “I don’t scare as easily as you.”
“I’m just warning—”
He broke off as both heard the sound of a gun.
Sheila’s eyes opened wide.
“What was that?”
“Gun fire. What did you think it was? A goddam hiccup?”
Moving swiftly, Perry snapped off the light, then went to the open window. His heart was hammering as he looked towards the big tree where he was almost sure the cop was hiding. The tree was lit by the moon. He saw the foliage move violently.
Then to his horror, he saw a khaki clad body tumble from branch to branch and land at the foot of the tree. A moment later, a rifle came spiralling down.
He drew back.
“He’s killed the policeman,” he whispered.
Sheila ran to his side.
“Policeman? What are you talking about?”
Roughly, he shoved her back. “This is trouble, Sheila. Prepare yourself.”
Still at the window, he saw Brown appear from the bushes. He could see him clearly in the bright moonlight. Brown was covered with thick mud. He paused for a long moment to stare down at Hollis’s body, then he kicked Hollis’s face savagely with his mud-encrusted boot, then he turned and began to run towards the lodge.
“Put on the light,” Perry said huskily. “Sit down. Now listen. This is our only chance. Do exactly what he says. Understand?”
“You mean he’s killed someone?” Sheila said as she switched on the light.
“There was a cop up in the tree across the way, waiting for him to come out,” Perry said. “Brown found him and has killed him.”
The color drained out of Sheila’s face as she sank on the bed.
“Oh, God!” she muttered. “Why did I come?”
“Quiet!” Perry snapped. “Get hold of yourself! Listen!”
They heard the front door slam open, then slam shut. They heard Brown come thudding up the stairs. He thudded past their door and ran into the spare room.
They looked at each other.
“Don’t make a sound,” Perry whispered. “He may be leaving. He may not come in here.”
Listening, they heard the shower running.
“He’s washing.” Sheila shivered. “If he comes in here, I’ll scream the place down.”
“You’ll do nothing of the kind! Antagonize him, and he’ll kill us.”
“You’ve got to get me out of this!” Sheila whispered. “You’ve got to protect me!”
“Listen!” The shower had stopped running. They could hear Brown’s tuneless whistle.
They waited for more than five minutes, then they heard thudding feet along the passage that stopped at their door.
“He’s coming in,” Perry said. “Now, get hold of yourself!”
The lock snapped back and the door slammed open. Brown, wearing one of Perry’s white shirts and a new pair of jeans, stood in the doorway. He looked at Sheila, crouching back, and then at Perry, forcing himself to relax as he sat in the armchair. Brown moved further into the room.
“I killed your opossum, Perry. A smart animal. It had a rifle and a radio. Real smart. What do you know?”
Perry tried to find words, but words wouldn’t come.
“I’m off, Perry. I’m heading for Jacksonville. I’m taking a chance, but I guess I’ll beat them.”
The evil smile was in evidence. “We’ll say good-bye. I like you. Everyone makes mistakes. You thought there was an opossum up there, but I didn’t, and I was right. Let’s shake hands, Perry. Maybe you feel like wishing me luck.”
Perry got unsteadily to his feet. “I do wish you luck, Jim. Will you be all right for food? Do you want anything from the freezer?” Perry was forcing himself to speak calmly.
“I don’t need a thing. I’ve got money. I’ve got a gun, and I’ve got the jeep.” Brown held out his hand. “So it’s good-bye.”
Perry forced himself to cross the room so he faced Brown who continued to smile evilly. He hated to touch this killer, but he had to do it. He clasped Brown’s hard sweaty hand. His hand was gripped in steel like fingers, crushing his finger bones. He felt himself being jerked forward. As he was off balance, Brown hit him with his left fist on the side of his jaw. Perry went down as if he had been pole-axed. It was a terrible blow that sent him into black unconsciousness.
Sheila, her hands to her mouth, released a stifled scream. She didn’t dare move. She sat staring down at her husband. Utter terror ripped her as Brown stepped around Perry’s body and regarded her.
“Come on, baby,” he said. “You and me are going places. You start tricks and I’ll break your neck.”
He reached for her and jerked her to her feet. “You’re doing the driving. As long as I have you with me, the cops won’t shoot. Come on!”
Her legs scarcely supporting her, his hand gripping her arm, she was bundled down the stairs and out into the moonlight. She was forced into the driving seat of the jeep. Brown ran around and climbed into the passenger’s seat.
“No tricks, baby. Just drive.”
“I don’t think I can,” Sheila said breathlessly.
“Too bad. Drive or I’ll slap you. I’ll loosen your goddam teeth!”
With a shaking hand, Sheila turned on the ignition. The jeep started with a jerk.
“Make for the highway,” Brown said. “Get moving!”
Chapter 13
Mary Ross came into the Sheriff’s office with a fresh pot of coffee and a thick slice of apple pie.
“Jeff, dear,” she said quietly, putting the coffee and the pie on his desk, “you’ve been sitting here without your supper for the past seven hours. Why not take a rest? I’ll take over, and if Hank calls, I’ll call you. Now, come on, Jeff, you’ll be fit for nothing if you go on like this.”