The Hidden by Bill Pronzini Read Free Book Online Page A

again.”
    “What was it you were working on this time, sweetie—blonde, brunette, or redhead?”
    “Why don’t you finish your drink and pass out?”
    “Fuck you.”
    Decker didn’t laugh this time. “Isn’t she a treasure? Too bad she’s not the buried kind.”
    There was an awkward moment before Claire asked Macklin, “What do you do, Jay? For a living, I mean?”
    “I’m between jobs right now.”
    “Another victim of the goddamn economy,” Decker said. “What profession did you get tossed out of?”
    “I’ve done a lot of things,” he said evasively, and couldn’t think of anything to add that didn’t sound lame or self-defensive.
    Shelby rescued him. “Jay’s passion is owning a quality restaurant. We did own one, as a matter of fact, for three years in Morgan Hill. Macklin’s Grotto. Seafood specialties.”
    “What happened?”
    “The same thing that happens to a lot of good restaurants these days. Too much expense and not enough customers.”
    Talking about the restaurant—thinking about it—was still painful. To change the subject Macklin said, “Shelby’s the breadwinner now. She’s an EMT.”
    “You mean a paramedic?” Claire said. “Oh, that’s interesting. I know there are women who do that work, but I’ve never met one. It must be rewarding to help people who … people in trouble.”
    “Yes,” Shelby said.
    “But stressful, too. Do you work long hours?”
    “Sometimes. Nights as well as days.”
    “Must play hell with your love life,” Decker said.
    Another brief, awkward silence. Paula broke it by saying, “What’s it like to have a love life? Been so long, I’ve forgotten.”
    “If you weren’t an ice maiden, maybe you’d find out.”
    “Damn you, Gene! That’s a lie and you know it.”
    Lomax said angrily, “You two make me sick.” Knots of muscle bulged on the twin points of his jawline. He stalked across to the fireplace, keeping his back turned to the rest of them; pitched another log atop the burning stack, then used a poker to jab it into place.
    Macklin had had enough. “I think we’d better be going.” He looked at Shelby as he said it, hoping she wouldn’t offer any argument. She didn’t; she sat silently looking into her almost empty glass.
    “Oh, no, please,” Claire said, “don’t leave yet.”
    “We need to unpack, get settled.”
    “It’s only eight thirty. We haven’t eaten yet—you’re welcome to stay for dinner. Aren’t they, Brian?”
    “No,” Lomax said.
    “Brian …”
    “I said no.” He jabbed harder at the fire, sending up sparks and glowing embers. “No means no this time.”
    Macklin said quickly, “We couldn’t stay anyway. We … brought a casserole from home.”
    “But you can’t cook it with the power out.”
    “It’s the kind you can eat cold.”
    Lomax lowered the poker, clattered it into its holder. His squarish face still showed anger when he turned. “They’re ready to leave, Claire. Go get the matches they asked for.”
    “The master has spoken,” Decker said. “Always obey the master.”
    Claire snapped at him, “Gene, please . Do you always have to be such a wise-ass?”
    “You bet he does,” Paula said. “It’s the only other thing he’s good at besides infidelity.”
    “You’re as bad as he is. For God’s sake.”
    They were all on their feet now. Claire fetched a box of long safety matches from a wood box on the hearth. Macklin said he’d replace them tomorrow, she said that wasn’t necessary. Into the vestibule then, into his and Shelby’s coats. Pleasure to meet you all, thanks for the matches and the drinks, hope to see you again. Claire shook hands with them; none of the other three bothered. And finally he and Shelby were outside and on their way to the car.
    Still raining and blowing hard. Macklin barely noticed. The only thing on his mind right then was being out of that house, away from the palpable enmity among those four strangers.

F O U R
    I N THE CAR JAY said,