Overload (6 page)

sometimes asleep, when Nim arrived. Sometimes Nim had guilt feelings

about the meager amount of time he spent with the children and he knew

it troubled Ruth, though it was a rare occasion when she said so.

Sometimes he wished she complained more.

But tonight's absence was different. It needed no further explanations

or excuses, even to himself.

"Poor Ardytbe," Ruth said. "Just as Walter was getting near retirement.

And that announcement just now makes it even worse."

"What announcement?"

"Oh, I thought you'd know. It was on the news. The people who plantcd the

bomb sent-a communiqu6 I think they called it-to a radio station. They

were boasting about what they'd done. Can you imagine? What kind of

people must they be?"

"Which radio station?" As he spoke, Nim put down the phone with a swift

movement, snapped the car radio to "on," then scooped up the phone again

in time to hear Ruth say, "I don't know."

"Listen," be told her, "it's important I bear. So I'm going to bang up

now and, if I can, I'll call you from Ardythe's."

Nim replaced the phone. The radio was already tuned to an all-news

station and a glance at his watch showed a minute to the half hour when

he knew there would be a news summary.

The San Roque off-ramp was in sight and he swung the Fiat onto it. The

Talbots' home was just a mile or so away.

On the radio, a trumpet blast punctuated by Morse code announced a news

bulletin. The item Nim bad been waiting for was at the top.

"A group calling itself Friends of Freedom has claimed responsibility for

an explosion today at a Golden State Power 6 Light generating plant. The

blast claimed four lives and caused a widespread failure of electric

power.

"The disclosure was in a tape recording delivered to a local radio sta-

tion late this afternoon. Police have said that in/ormation on the tape

points to its authenticity. They are examining the recording for possible

clues."

Obviously, Nim thought, the station he was listening to was not the one

which received the tape. Broadcasters didn't like to acknowledge a

competitor's existence and, even though news like this was too important

to be ignored, the other radio station wasn't being named.

"According to reports, a man's voice on the tape recording-so far

unidentified-stated, quote, 'Friends of Freedom are dedicated to a

PeoNe's revolution and hrotest themonol'oly of -wer

r

~which belongs rightfully to the people! End quote.

"Commenting on the deaths which occurred, the recording says,

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quote, 'Killing was not intended, but in the people's revolution now be-

ginning, capitalists and their lackeys will be casualties, suffering for

their crimes against humanity.' End quote.

"An official of Golden State Power 6 Light has confirmed that sabotage was

the cause of today's explosion, but would make no other comment.

"Retail meat prices are likely to be higher soon. In Washington today the

Secretary of Agriculture told a consumers . . ."

Nim reached out, snapping off the radio. The news depressed him with its

sickening futility. He wondered about its effect on Ardythe Talbot, whom he

was soon to see.

In the growing dusk he saw that several cars were parked outside the

Talbots' modest, neat two-story house with its profusion of flower beds -a

lifelong bobby of Walter's. Lights were on in the lower rooms.

Nim found a spot for the Fiat, locked it, and walked up the driveway.

5

The front door of the house was open and a hum of voices was audible. Nim

knocked and waited. When no one answered, he went in.

In the hallway the voices became clearer. They were coming from the living

room to the right, be realized. Nim could hear Ardythe. She sounded

hysterical and was sobbing. He caught disconnected words. 11 * * . those

murderers, oh my God! . . . was good and kind, wouldn't harm anyone . . .

to call him those filthy names . . ." Interspersed were other voices,

attempting to bring calm but not succeeding.

Nim hesitated. The living room door was ajar, though he could neither see

in nor be seen. He was tempted to tiptoe out, leaving as unnoticed as he

had come. Then abruptly the living room door opened fully and a man came

out. Closing the door quickly behind him, he leaned back against it, his

bearded, sensitive face pale and strained, eyes shut tightly as if for a

moment's relief. The closed door cut off most of the sound from inside.

"Wally," Nim said softly. "Wally."

The other opened his eyes, taking a few seconds to collect himself. "Ob,

it's you, Nim. Thanks for coming."

Nim bad known Walter Talbot Jr., an only son, almost as long as be had been

a friend of the dead chief. Wally Jr., too, worked for

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GSP&L-as a transmission lines maintenance engineer. He was married, with

children, and lived on the opposite side of the city.

"There's not a helluva lot anyone can say," Nim told him. "Except I'm

sorry."

Wally Talbot nodded. "I know." He motioned with an apologetic gesture

toward the room lie had left. "I had to come out a minute. Some damn fool

put the TV on and \ve heard that goddamned announcement those murdering

bastards made. Before that ~ve'd calmed Mother down a bit. It set her off

again. You probably heard."

"Yes, I did. Who's in there?"

"Mary, for one. We left someone with the kids and came on over. Then a

lot of neighbors have been coming in; most arc still here. I guess they

mean well, but it isn't helping. If Dad were here he'd . . ." Wally

stopped, forcing a wan smile. "It's hard to get used to the idea he won't

be around any more."

"I've been feeling that way, too." It was clear to Nim that Wally Jr. was

in no shape to take charge of what was happening in the house.

"Listen," Nim said, "it can't go on like this. Let's go in there. I'll

talk to your mother and do the best I can. You and Mar), start easing the

others out."

"Okay, that makes sense. Thanks, Nin-C' Obviously, what Waily had needed

was a lead.

There were perhaps ten people standing or seated in the living room as

Niin and Wally went in. The room was bright and comfortable, normally

spacious, but seemed crowded now. It was also hot, despite air

conditioning. Several conversations were being conducted at the same time

and the TV had been left on, contributing to a general hubbub. Ardvtbe

Talbot was on a sofa, surrounded by several women, one of whom was Mary,

Wally Jr.'s wife. The others Nim didn't recognize. Presumably they were

the neighbors Wally had spoken of.

'fliough Ardythe was sixty at her last birthday-Nim and Ruth bad attended

a party to celebrate it-shc remained a strikingly handsome woman with a

good figure and a strong face only lightly marked with beginning lines

of age. Her stylishly short auburn hair was streaked naturally with gray.

Ardytbe played tennis regularly and the effect showed in radiant good

health. Today, though, her poise had crumbled. Her tear-stained face

appeared drawn and old.

Ardytbe was still speaking as she had been earlier, her voice choked, the

words disjointed. But she stopped when she saw Nim.

"Ob, Nim." She put out her arms and the others made way as he went to

her, sat beside her on the sofa and held her. "Ob, Niin," she repeated.

"You heard the terrible thing that happened to XValter?"

"Yes, dear," lie said gently. "I heard."

Nim observed Wally7 across the room, switch off the TV, then take

his wife aside and speak to her quietly. Mary nodded. Immediatelv the two of

them approached others, thanking them, ushering them ouit one by one. Nim

continued to hold Ardythe, not speaking, trying to calm and comfort her.

Soon the living room was quiet.

Nim heard the front door close behind the last of the departing neighbors.

Wally and Mary, who had gone out to the hallway, came back. Wally ran a

band through his hair and beard. "I could use a stiff scotch," be

announced. "Anyone else?"

Ardythc nodded. So did Nim.

"I'll get them," Mary said. She busied herself with glasses and mixes, then

ashtrays, tidying the living room, removing its signs of recent occupancy.

Mary was slim, gamine and businesslike. Before her marriage to Wally she

worked on the creative side of an advertising agency and still did

freelance work while also caring for her family.

Ardythe was sitting up unaided now, sipping her scotch, some signs of

composure returning. She said suddenly, "I expect I look a mess."

"No more than anyone would," Nim assured her.

But Ardythe had gone to a mirror. "Oh, mv goodness!" She told the others,

"Have your drinks. I'll be back soon." She left the living room, carrying

her scotch, and they could hear her going upstairs. Nim reflected with wry

amusement: Few men are ever as resilient or strong as women.

just the same, he decided, he would tell Wally first of Eric Humphrey's

warning that the family should not view Walter's remains. He remembered,

with a shudder, the chairman's words. ". . . virtually no skin left . . .

Faces are unrecognizable." Mary had gone to tb~ kitchen. While the two men

were alone, as gently as he could and omitting details, Nim explained the

situation.

The reaction was immediate. Wally tossed back the remainder of his scotch.

With tears in his eyes he protested, "Oh Cbrist!-it's bad enouah to hear.

I couldn't tell Mother that. You'll have to."

Nim was silent, dreading what was to come.

Fifteen minutes later Ardythe returned. She had made up her face,

rearranged her hair and changed from the dress she had been wearing into a

smart blouse and skirt. While her eyes and demeanor revealed grief,

superficially she was closer to her normal, attractive self.

Mary, too, had returned to the living room. This time Wally replenished the

drinks and the four of them sat, uneasily at first, uncertain of what to

say.

It was Ardythe who broke the silence.

She said firmly, "I want to see Walter." Then, turning to Wallv, "Do you

know where your father has been taken, what . . . arrange-

b

ments have been made?"

"Well , . there's a Wally stopped, got up and kissed

his

mother, then, standing where he did not have to meet her eyes, contin-

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ued, "There's a problem, Mother. Nim is going to talk to you about it.

Aren't you, Nim?"

Nim wished be were somewhere, anywhere, else.

"Mother, dear," Wally said, still standing. "Mary and I have to go home to

the children for a while. We'll come back. And one of us will stay the

night with you."

As if she had not heard, Ardythe intoned, "Nk"hat problems? . . . Why can't

I see Walter? . . Someone tell me."

Wall), went out quietly, Mary following. Ardythe seemed unaware they had

gone.

"Please . . . Why can't I . . . ?"

Nim took her hands and held them between his own. "Ardytbe, listen to me.

Walter died suddenly. It was all over in less than a second. He didn't have