Establishment by Howard Fast Read Free Book Online Page B

want?”
    He reached into his jacket’s inner pocket, took out an envelope, and handed it to her. “Killen, United States Marshal. That is a subpoena, Mrs. Cohen. You have now accepted service.” With that, he turned on his heel, went down the steps, and walked away.
    ***
    Bernie returned to the house a little after five o’clock and called out cheerfully to Barbara, “Hey, kid, I’m back. Where’s the runt?”
    She came out of the kitchen and kissed him. “We’re both of us improved, aren’t we? Sammy’s upstairs. I fed him early.”
    â€œWhat the hell. You win some, you lose some.”
    To which Barbara responded, “You certainly do.”
    He went upstairs, and she heard him playing with Sam. “He’s wet,” he called down to her.
    â€œWell, for heaven’s sake, change him! Don’t stand there shouting at me that he’s wet!”
    Pleased, astonished at what she had just said, Barbara stood and waited. A howl of anger and anguish came from Bernie. “I’m bleeding!” he yelled. “The damn pin went through my hand!”
    Sam was wailing. Barbara nodded with satisfaction. Then she climbed the stairs and diapered Sam while Bernie squeezed blood from his finger and changed his clothes. She put the child in his crib, and when Bernie came down, she had a pitcher of martinis and glasses ready in the parlor.
    â€œI was going to call you and ask you to get a sitter. I thought we might go out to dinner.”
    â€œWhat are we celebrating?”
    â€œOnly that I’ve felt like a human being these past few days.”
    â€œI’ve noticed that,” Barbara said.
    â€œStill upset?”
    â€œNo. What’s to be upset over? Your husband tells you that he’s taking off on some lunatic caper—why be upset?”
    â€œBobby, it’s not a lunatic caper.”
    â€œAnd I’m not upset. Maybe a little. Bernie, I’ve been brooding over this all day. You do what you have to do. Only come back safely and soon, please.”
    â€œDo you mean that?”
    Barbara sipped her drink and studied him. “Yes and no. I mean it and I don’t mean it. You know, Bernie, we’ve always been very honest with each other, very straightforward, very direct. A lot of folks think we’re the most unlikely couple in San Francisco, but they’re wrong. We’re not too different. It’s just that I’m a woman and you’re a man. I sometimes think that being a man in this ridiculous world of ours is more than any human being should have to bear. But there it is. If I keep you from going, you’d never forgive me.”
    â€œOf course I would.”
    â€œWell, perhaps. I don’t think so.”
    â€œWhose briefcase is that?” he asked, pointing.
    â€œDaddy’s. He left it here.”
    â€œOh? Well, as far as this lunatic caper is concerned, I don’t know where we’ll find the money. Brodsky has the names of a dozen Jewish businessmen he can talk to, but they all give through regular channels. The guy who has the planes is getting very restless. Herb Goodman went down to Barstow to talk to him, but I got a feeling that the whole thing is coming apart at the seams.”
    â€œThere’s a hundred and ten thousand dollars in that briefcase,” Barbara said casually.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œI said the money you need is in that briefcase.”
    He shook his head.
    â€œDaddy brought it here this morning. He said it was up to me. I could give it to you or not, just as I pleased.”
    â€œYou’re kidding.”
    â€œWhy don’t you look?”
    He stared at her for a long moment. Then he put down his drink, crossed the room, picked up the bag, and set it on the coffee table. He opened it and gazed silently at the neatly wrapped packages of fifty- and one-hundred-dollar bills.
    â€œNow you don’t have to rob a bank,” Barbara said gently.
    He