The Fourth Wall (37 page)
Authors: Barbara Paul
I saw. It was what he'd been leading up to all along.
“It's a real danger,” he said, “a mistake I don't like seeing decent people make. It does something to themâgives them a feeling of power. Power that they might be tempted to use againâthat's almost bound to happen, don't you think?”
I looked him straight in the eye. “No.”
He returned my look. “Are you certain of that?”
“Absolutely.”
“No doubt at all?”
“None whatsoever.”
He gave an almost imperceptible nod and then fell silent. For a moment or two he seemed to forget I was there. Who knows what he was remembering, what had brought him to this point. I kept quiet.
Abruptly he came out of his brown study and put his glasses back on. His manner changed: he became brisk, businesslike. “One of the investigating officers was wondering why you three broke up housekeeping so soon after Odell's death. I said it's probably just a temporary thing. Is it?”
“Why, ah, yesâ”
“Cavanaugh and Gunn
both
will be staying here when they get back to New York? At your place?”
“Ah, ah, yes, that's right, ah.” I was stammering; couldn't help it.
“I thought so,” he nodded. “I was sure there was nothing to it. Well, I've got to be going. Thanks for the beerâI was feeling dehydrated.” He stood up. “By the way, that was a smart move, putting that ad in
Variety
. The more of you who group together, the safer you'll be. The police can't watch forever, you knowâyou'll be on your own again before long. Any answer to your ad?”
“No,” I said numbly.
“Well, it's early yet. Oh, you won't forget those tickets, will you?”
“No, no, I won't forget.” I followed him to the door.
“Good. Well, goodbyeâkeep your door locked.” He started down the outside steps.
It had happened so fast; I still had no point of balance. “Lieutenant!”
He stopped, looking back up at me over his shoulder.
There wasn't really anything I could say. “Thanks for stopping by.”
He gave me a smile and went his way.
About the Author
Barbara Paul is the author of numerous short stories and novels in both the detective and science fiction genres. Born in Maysville, Kentucky, she went on to attend Bowling Green State University and the University of Pittsburgh, earning a PhD in theater history and criticism. She has been nominated for the Shamus Award for Best PI Short Story, and two of her novels,
In-Laws and Outlaws
and
Kill Fee
, have been adapted into television movies. After teaching at the University of Pittsburgh for a number of years, she retired to write full-time. Paul currently resides in Sacramento.
All rights reserved, including without limitation the right to reproduce this ebook or any portion thereof in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of the publisher.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 1979 by Barbara Paul
Cover design by Jason Gabbert
ISBN: 978-1-5040-3237-7
This edition published in 2016 by
MysteriousPress.com
/Open Road Integrated Media, Inc.
180 Maiden Lane
New York, NY 10038
EBOOKS BY BARBARA PAUL
FROM
MYSTERIOUSPRESS.COM
AND OPEN ROAD MEDIA
