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wanted something to happen to her, something that hurt, hurt bad. But not . . . not to kill her." |
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"I'm afraid it's a little late for that, Mr. Frazier. Miss Salem and another friend of hers died in her apartment. They werehow shall I put it?handed over to their fate." |
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Charlie was stunned. He sank down into the protective folds of the couch, staring into his half-empty glass. "Funny," he muttered. "Getting even with that little slut was almost an obsession at the time, but now, when you tell me she's dead, it all seems kind of pointless." |
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"At the time?" Raymond repeated. |
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"Yeah, at the time it seemed important. Now it doesn't even seem to matter. Know something? I can't even remember what she looked like." |
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Armond continued to watch him. Everything about the man seemed to be detached from the reality of the moment. Finally, after a lengthy pause, he began again. "Then there was the matter of the one called Ruthie. In this case, Mr. Frazier, there was really very little that Mistress Caron could do for you." |
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"I don't understand." Charlie shook his head. "Why not? Getting even with that bitch was a helluva lot more important than the other two." |
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"I quite realize that, Mr. Frazier, but it was |
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