“Why don’t you get some rest? That’s what you need. You should get in bed and rest.”

“I’m not tired,” Grogan said. “I could use a half-hour on the river.”

“Rowing? You’re in no condition to go rowing. After what you’ve just been through—”

“Look. I’m going rowing,” Grogan said with quiet finality. He moved toward the vestibule, looked back, and beckoned to Corey.

Corey got up from the armchair and started to follow Grogan, who was already out of the house. As Corey neared the front door, Lita came close beside him and he felt her hand sliding down across his ribs, going down further and still further. Then she had him there. She held him.

He didn’t look at her. But somehow he could see the green of her eyes. It was inside him, a green flame. It lanced through his thinking. It was her green web; he was in it.

“No,” he hissed. “Damn it, no.” He pushed her away and moved quickly out of the house. Going down the front steps he stumbled and almost fell. He felt dizzy and it seemed everything was that green color.

You jerk, he said to himself. He scowled at the mirror inside himself. The scowl was set hard for a moment, showing his gritting teeth. Then his face relaxed as he came up beside Grogan, who was walking across the street toward a parked car.

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

It was a six-passenger custom-made sedan, dark green, conservative in styling, with very little chrome. It was imported from Spain and the original purchaser was a member of the boating club to which Grogan belonged. The original purchaser was fickle with cars and had paid seventeen thousand for this one. The first time it needed minor repair he sold it to Grogan for nine thousand. Grogan was very proud of the car and had a habit of caressing its fenders, its hood, as though the car was alive.

Grogan stood beside the car and patted the front fender, murmuring aloud to the car, “You doll you.” He spotted a slight blemish on the gleaming waxed fender, took out a handkerchief and carefully wiped the surface. He stepped back, inspected his work and said to the car, “You doll. You sweetheart.”

Corey coughed lightly, just to let Grogan know he was there. Grogan didn’t look at him, but said to the car, “You know the way it is, don’t you? I don’t hafta explain it to you. All I gotta do is look at you and I know you’ll never let me down.”

A dirty-faced boy, about ten, came up to Grogan and said, “I’ll put a rag on her. Wipe her down real good. Cost you fifty cents.”

“I’ll pay you a dollar,” Grogan said, not looking at the boy.

“A whole dollar?”