Like A Hole In The Head

     "Sure . . . I'll have a Coke," I said. "Sit down, Mr. Lepski."

     Lepski resumed his seat. Lucy went off to the kitchen and I sat on an upright chair, facing him.

     "I won't keep you a few minutes, Mr. Benson," he said. "I shouldn't have come out here so late, but something is always cropping up and I was late getting away from headquarters."

     "That's okay. I'm glad you kept my wife company . . . this is a lonely place." I took out my pack of cigarettes, offered it and we lit up. "I've been out on business."

     "Yeah . . . Mrs. Benson was telling me."

     What else had she told him? I began to sweat.

     Lucy came back with the Coke.

     "Mr. Lepski wants you to sharpen up his shooting," she said, handing me the Coke. "I told him I didn't think you had time for a couple of weeks." Seeing the way I was looking at her, she went on, "I told him you

had a special pupil you had to give all your time to."

I drank some of the Coke. My mouth was as dry as sand.

     "It's this way," Lepski said. "I've got my promotion exam coming up. I'm a pretty good shot, but it helps to get extra points. I wanted you to give me a few tips."

     I stared at the ice in my glass.

     "I'd be glad to, but not just now. I'm sorry. As Lucy has told you I'm committed for the next two weeks. Can you wait that long?"

     The ice-blue eyes began to probe my face again.

     "You mean you've got someone to teach as important as that . . . who'll take up all your time for two weeks?"

     "That's it. Can you wait? I would be glad to help you if you can wait."

     "It would be cutting it fine. My exam is at the end of the month."

     "I can give you two or three hours on 29th . . . any time convenient to you. That should be enough, shouldn't it?"

     He rubbed the back of his neck. He was still looking thoughtfully at me.

     "I guess so. How about 18.00 on 29th unless I call you?"

     "Okay." I stood up. "I look forward to helping you."

     Lepski finished his Coke, then got to his feet.

     "I see you're doing some painting around here."

     "Giving the place a face lift."

     "It sure needs it. Nick Lewis is an old friend of mine. He taught me to shoot. You know, I never thought he'd sell the place. Let's see, you've been here for four months? How's it working out?"

"Early days yet. We'll make out."

     "You should do. You've quite a reputation. Is it right you're the best shot in the Army?"

     "Not now. I was rated the second best a year ago."

     "That's something! Those guys know how to shoot." The ice-blue eyes probed again. "I heard you were a sniper."

     "That's right."

     "Not a job I'd dig for, but I guess it calls for some pretty quick shooting."

     "It wasn't a job I liked either, but someone has to do it."

     "I guess that's right." He started to move to the door, then paused. "This pupil of yours must be a dope if you have to give up two solid weeks of your full time to teach him to shoot or does he want to be as good as you?"

     "A rich man's whim. You know how it is. He has the money and he wants it exclusive. I'm not complaining," I said as casually as I could.

     "Anyone I would know?"

     "No . . . he's here on vacation."

     Lepski nodded understandingly.

     "Yeah . . . plenty of those here now. More money than brains and they don't know what to do with themselves." He reached the front door, paused and shook hands. "Unless I call you, I'll see you on the 29th."

     "That's it. Thanks for keeping my wife company."

He grinned.

"It was my pleasure."

     Lucy joined me at the door and we watched him drive away. I took out my handkerchief and wiped off my sweating hands, then shut the door, locked it and followed Lucy into the sitting-room.

     "I hope it was all right what I told him, Jay." She was looking anxious. "You look so tense. I thought the best thing was to tell him right away that you were tied up."

     "It's all right." I sat on the table. "It's just my bad luck he should have turned up."

     "Why bad luck?"

     I hesitated, wondering whether to tell her what Savanto had told me. For a few brief moments I decided not to tell her, then I changed my mind. She would have to know. There was to be no more talk about Timoteo and she would have to be told why. So I told her.

     She sat motionless, her hands between her knees, her eyes a little wide, listening.

     "So you see this makes for complications," I concluded. "From now on, we mustn't say a word about Timoteo or his father or our arrangements to anyone. Understand?"

     "Could the police involve you if they found out you were teaching a man who, by law, mustn't touch a gun?" she asked.

     "Of course not. I'll say I didn't know."

     "But, Jay, you do know."

     "They couldn't prove it."

     "I also know. Do you expect me to lie to the police if they ask me?"

I pushed myself off the table and began to prowl around the room.

"I must earn this money. I'm hoping you will co-operate."

"By co-operation, you mean I will have to lie to the police?"

I turned around, staring at her.

     "Look at this." I took the envelope from my pocket, took out the bond and laid it on the table. "Look at this."