Torch Song (12 page)

When Constance turned back to Charlie and took his hand, he saw tears gleaming on her cheeks. Brian took them home and no one said a word all the way.

The next morning Charlie left Constance in bed and he and Brian drove down to Cedar Falls to collect the Volvo. He went on to Marla's house after Brian headed back to New York. He retrieved the tape recorder hidden by the driveway and parked behind several other cars; Chelsky met him at the door. It appeared that an army was going through everything inch by inch.

“They took the boy to Children's Hospital this morning,” Chelsky said. “We found the money, certificates, checks, all that's left. And a map,” he said heavily. “Every arson neatly circled. Few other things, but that's the big one.”

Charlie shook his head. “I'd go dig up the roses out there,” he said, motioning toward the back garden. That was the big one, he thought.

It was late afternoon before Charlie returned. Constance met him at the door, examined him closely, and said, “You look terrible.”

“I have a right,” he said. He told her about the money, then said, “Pete's body was under the rose bed, along with an inflatable butler. The kid's in the hospital.”

They went to the kitchen, where he poured himself a shot of bourbon and drank it down. “About the money,” he said then. “Had a talk with Chelsky. I think if we recover expenses, that'll be okay. Don't you?”

She nodded. “And the rest?”

“Oh, I don't know. Children's Hospital, something like that.”

She kissed him.

He needed a nap, he said, and she said she would help him take a nap, and they went upstairs, just to nap, they both understood, but it was nice to fall asleep holding her, being held by her.

Two weeks later, Chelsky called and asked if it was okay to drop in, since he was in the neighborhood. He took his boots off outside the door and pulled on his felt slippers; then he settled into a chair before the fire. “April showers,” he said. “Not too bad, though.”

Constance brought in coffee.

“The boy had a seizure couple days ago,” Chelsky said, gazing at the fire. “He didn't pull out of it this time. They couldn't save him.”

No one spoke for several moments. Finally, Constance asked, “And Marla?”

“They told her last night. She hanged herself in her cell.”

The silence stretched on and on. Chelsky stirred his coffee and put the cup down again.

“You came all the way down from Vermont to tell us,” Charlie said.

“I reckon,” he said slowly. “It'll be on the news later on. Just thought you should know first.” He stood up and said more briskly, “Guess I'll pass on the coffee. Things to do.” They walked to the door with him. “Sometimes it's hard,” he said. “Sometimes it surely is hard. You both take care now.” He shook hands with Charlie and then kissed Constance on the cheek. “You take real good care now.”

They went back to the living room. On the table by the cup of untasted coffee was the little bug Constance had put on the table in Nathan's room. Charlie picked it up and regarded it and for a moment he heard that soft, sweet, musical voice. From the look on Constance's face, he thought she was hearing it, too. There was nothing they could say.
Sometimes it's hard
, he thought, and she nodded.