Chaingang

“Huh?” He was genuinely thrown. He had no idea what she was talking about.

“Obviously you're building up to something you don't really want to say—I know you, remember? You tried to tell me it was possible the other day, and I didn't want to hear it, talking about how he might have wanted a new life and all. Have you heard something? Is it another woman?"

“For God's sake, Mary, I didn't mean to create that impression at all. No. It's got nothing to do with Sam. First, have you got a mirror, lady? You're one terrific-lookin’ woman. No. Uh-uh. No way. You misunderstood. I was talking about all the money he'd been making in real estate. That humongous deal he'd put together and all. I guess it occurred to me it would be worth looking at the possibility of him wanting to set something up and vanish. But the more you told me about him, I could see that wasn't the way he'd go. That money he made—the way he put every dime into something that would provide for you one day—those aren't the actions of a married guy who wants to escape."

“If it isn't that—"

“I'm in some money trouble, keed. That's why I wanted to talk to you—no, I haven't heard a thing about Sam. In fact, I went over your phone calls here at the house and his monthly bills at the office, and I've got some questions. But what I wanted to ask—and if I'm completely out of line, just say so—I'm in a bit of a squeeze. Is there any way, and I know I've got some guts asking, but could I borrow some money—just for a couple of days?"

“Sure. How much do you need?” She thought he was wanting a loan of a couple hundred dollars.

“Five thousand dollars. I know it's a lot—"

“Five thousand?” She couldn't believe it.

“I'm sorry, babe. I will have it back to you right away, with interest. Just a matter of paying a debt I owe until money that's on its way to me comes in.” He gave her some more double-talk, reddening at his own lack of scruples.

“Okay,” she said, in a tone that conveyed how totally not okay it was. “If you're certain you can repay me, Royce. I'll have to cash a bond or something."

“I'll make it up to you. I'll certainly repay the penalty too, Mary. So you won't lose anything. I'd be very grateful.” He didn't know what else to say.

“You want to go get it now?"

“If we could—?” He felt skanky, unclean, and remarkably relieved.

“Sure.” She got her purse and they left in his ride. She decided it would be easier just to get him the money out of the passbook Sam kept for the office. There was nearly eight thousand in it. On the way down to the bank he asked her about the phone bills. There was no way she could do anything other than help Royce, she realized.

“There were a couple of phone numbers someone had dialed three times at the office, and Myrna said it wasn't her that did it. And once from the house. Alexandria, Virginia. It wasn't on the list you made for me."

“I don't know who that could be.” He dug out some papers when they pulled up to the bank, and showed her the bills.

“No idea from the dates who that might be?"

“I never heard him mention anybody in Virginia.” She felt a cold chill at the presence of something unknown entering her equation about Sam's disappearance.

“Alexandria is next to Washington, D.C."

“Oh! I know who that probably is. That was Mr. Sinclair, who helped organize the deal I told you about—where an out-of-state buyer bought up all this high-priced farmland."

“He was the buyer of the land, this Sinclair?"

“I think he represented the buyer. He was ... something to do with the environment ... I don't know. Anyway, he worked out of Washington, I remember.” She started to get out and go get Royce his loan, and he stopped her before she pushed the door shut.

“Mary, is that the big construction site north of town?"

“I don't know."

“There's a lot of work going on out there. I know a guy who got a job driving a cat or a backhoe or something. Lots of heavy equipment in there. It's this side of the old rock quarry."

“I hadn't heard about any work. I suppose it could be. You can look at the papers and stuff if you like...” she trailed off, and headed into the bank.

In a few minutes she was back, the envelope of fifty hundreds nesting in her purse. She got in and looked at Royce. It was one thing to say, “Sure, you can have a five-thousand-dollar loan,” and it was quite another to hand the money over.

“Royce. Will you answer a question, if I ask? A personal question?"

“Yeah. Of course."

“Don't be offended."

“No chance."

“This money. It isn't for drugs, is it?"

“No.” He smiled. “It's a gambling debt."

“Well, that's a relief. At least it's for a good cause.” My God. She sighed and handed the money over.

“I'll have it back to you day after tomorrow.” The check is in the mail. I won't come in your mouth.

She was exhausted, dead tired, but Mary Perkins was not about to give up.