Dirt

Chapter 5

Amanda got into the back seat of the spanking new Mercedes S600 and settled herself. She found the switch for the rear seat air-conditioning, and cool air flooded the rear passenger compartment. She touched the glassy surface of the burled walnut trim on her door and squirmed on the leather seat; she asked Paul for music, and the sounds of Bobby Short’s singing materialized around her. She might have been sitting at ringside at the Cafe Carlyle, she thought. “Mortimer’s, please, Paul,” she said. Then she settled back into the soft, two-toned leather and tried to compose herself.

She could not remember the last time she had felt such anxiety; in fact, she could not remember the last time she had been so vulnerable. Amanda had conducted her life for a very long time in such a way that no one could have any ammunition to fire at her. She was the soul of discretion, especially where her own personal life was concerned, if not that of others. Outwardly, she was always charming, concerned, sweet, or grateful, whichever the circumstances called for. Inwardly, she was well aware that the scandal sheet’s reference to her as a “high bitch” was entirely justified. Half the satisfaction of being a bitch was to be sure that no one could ever prove it of her.

Tonight, though, there were allegations in the air. She had, over the past ten years, been slyly critical of any prominent woman with a well-known sex life. Now she herself would be subjected to a great deal of unwanted scrutiny and, probably, a very messy divorce.

She had decided to press on with her column’s lead about her time in St. Bart’s; all she could do now was brazen it through. After all, though the sheet had been entirely factual, proving the allegations would be quite another thing. With computer-generated photographic editing available to almost anyone who desired it, she could claim doctored pictures, in the hope that whoever was doing this would not want to reveal himself in order to provide further evidence. If it came up in court – well, she’d cross that abyss when she came to it.

“Lovely car, Miss Dart,” Paul said. He rarely spoke unless spoken to, but Amanda received the compliment gratefully. It added another whit to the confidence that would be needed to face the crowd at Mortimer’s.

“Thank you, Paul,” she replied. “I hope you will enjoy driving it.”

The car slid to a halt in front of the restaurant, and after a moment, Paul had opened the door for her. She stepped out, smoothed her skirt, took a deep breath, and plunged into the East Side ’s most fashionable hangout. She had timed her entrance for a moment when half the guests would have already come; that way she could easily spot those already there, then watch the others arrive.

As the door closed behind her there was an audible pause in the conversation as people glanced her way, then a resumption as they pretended not to see her. In a trice she had located the Walter Cronkites, the Mike Wallaces, the Abe Rosenthals, and the Richard Clurmans, all friends of Norman Barton’s, who was rumored to be in line for the executive editorship of the Times when the present occupant of that office retired. She headed toward the honoree, giving a happy wave and a smile to acquaintances along the way.

Norman was standing in the back room, surrounded by friends and admirers, autographing copies of his book. After only a brief pause, Amanda strode forward, and the others gave way like yachts before the Queen Mary. “ Norman! How exciting this must be for you!” Someone from the publishing house handed her a book. “I can’t wait to read every page!”

“Amanda!” Barton cried, touching his cheek to each of hers. “I’m so pleased you got back in time!”

“Oh, I got back early this morning,” she replied.

“I didn’t know the airlines arrived from the islands at that hour,” someone said.

Amanda turned her gaze on a short, plump woman who collected gossip items for a news syndicate. “One doesn’t always fly the airlines, dear,” she replied sweetly. “Sometimes one’s friends provide.”

“Oh, a private jet,” the woman cried. “You landed at Teterboro?” Obviously looking for something she could check.

“No,” Amanda replied dismissively, then reached forward, took Barton’s elbow, and deftly plucked him out of the group as a cow pony cuts a steer from the herd, and, by her proximity to the honoree, placed herself at the center of the party.

They chatted enthusiastically for a moment, and then, as Amanda had planned, people began to approach, greeting them both, complimenting Amanda on her tan, asking about her holiday.

“Did you try that new little restaurant?” a rival columnist asked cattily.

“Oh, my dear, no,” Amanda sighed. “All I did was work. I got up every morning, played the tennis ball machine for half an hour, worked for three hours, had lunch at the pool, then worked another three hours. The staff cooked every bite I ate.”

“And what work kept you so occupied?” the woman asked.

“Why, I finished my book, darling,” Amanda sang back. “It goes to my publisher’s tomorrow!”

The woman blinked. “Congratulations,” she said, then disappeared.

Amanda worked the crowd for an hour, then, at the moment when the tide seemed to turn toward dinner, she made her good-byes and headed toward the door, nearly colliding with Bill Eggers.

“Oh, Bill,” Amanda said, “you are just the man I want to see. Come with me, you’re taking me to dinner.” She hustled him to her car.

“Good thing I didn’t have plans,” Eggers said.

“I’d have kidnapped you anyway,” Amanda said, sliding her arm through his. “Paul, we’re going to Elaine’s.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Paul replied.

“I see you got the car,” Eggers said, looking around admiringly.

“Of course I did, darling,” Amanda giggled.

“I don’t think Dick Hickock knew what hit him.”

“Of course not, darling.” She made small talk all the way to Elaine’s, while simultaneously formulating her next move.