Loves Music, Loves To Dance

XXIII THURSDAY March 14

The next morning, Vince phoned Susan. “Mrs. Fox, your husband may be a philanderer but he’s not a criminal. We have the serial killer in custody and we have absolute proof that he is solely responsible for the dancing-shoe deaths starting with Nan Sheridan.”

“Thank you. I guess you can understand what this means to me.” “Who was that?” Doug had stayed home from work. He felt lousy. Not sick, just lousy.

Susan told him.

He stared at her. “You mean you told the FBI you thought I was a murderer! You actually thought I killed Nan Sheridan and all those other women!” His face darkened in incredulous rage.

Susan stared back at him. “I thought that was a possibility, and that by lying for you fifteen years ago I might also be responsible for those other deaths.” “I swore to you that I never went near Nan the morning she died.”

“Obviously you didn’t. Then where were you, Doug? At least level with me now.” The anger faded from his face. He looked away, then turned back with a cajoling smile. “Susan, I told you then. I repeat it. The car broke down that morning.” “I want the truth. You owe it to me.”

Doug hesitated, then said slowly, “I was with Penny Knowles. Susan, I’m sorry. I didn’t want you to know because I was afraid of losing you.” “You mean Penny Knowles was about to get engaged to Bob Carver and didn’t want to take a chance on losing out on the Carver money. She’d have let you be accused of murder before she’d speak up for you.”

“Susan, I know I played around a lot then…”

“Then?” Susan’s laugh was harsh. “You played around then? Listen to me, Doug. All these years my father has never gotten over the fact that I perjured myself for you. Go pack your clothes. Move into your bachelor apartment. I’m filing for divorce.”

All day he begged for another chance. “Susan, I promise.”

“Get out.”

He would not leave before Donny and Beth came home from school. “I’ll see a lot of you kids, I promise.” When he walked down the driveway, Trish ran after him and grabbed his knees. He carried her back and handed her to Susan. “Susan, please.”

“Good-bye, Doug.”

They watched him drive away. Donny was crying. “Mom, last weekend. I mean, if he was like that all the time…”

Susan tried to blink back her own tears. “Never say never, Donny. Your father has a lot of growing up to do. Let’s see if he can handle it.”

Are you going to watch your program?” Vince asked Nona when he phoned Thursday afternoon.

“Absolutely not. We prepared a special wrap. I wrote it. I lived it.”

“What do you feel like eating tonight?”

“A steak.”

“Me too. What are you doing over the weekend?”

“It’s supposed to be mild. I thought I’d drive out to the Hamptons. After the last few weeks, I must go down to the sea again.”

“You have a house there.”

“Yes. I think I’m changing my mind about buying Matt out. I love my place and he really is very forgettable. Want to come along for the ride?” “I’d love to.”

Chris brought an antique cane for Darcy to use while her sprained ankle mended.

“It’s very grand,” she told him.

He wrapped his arms around her. “Are you all set? Where are your things?” “Just that bag.” Greta had phoned insisting that Chris bring Darcy to Darien for a long weekend.

The phone rang. “I’ll skip it,” Darcy said. “No, wait. I tried to reach my folks in Australia. Maybe the operator finally caught up with them.” It was both her mother and father on the line. “I’m absolutely fine. I just wanted to say… “ She hesitated. “… that I really miss you guys. I… I love you…” Darcy laughed. “What do you mean, I must have met somebody?” She winked at Chris. “As a matter of fact, I have met a nice young man. His name is Chris Sheridan. You’ll approve. He’s in my business, only upscale. He has an antiques gallery. He’s good-looking, nice, and has a way of showing up when you need him… How did I meet him?”

Only Erin, she thought, could really appreciate the irony of her answer.

“Believe it or not, I met him through the personal ads.”

She looked up at Chris and their eyes met. He smiled. I’m wrong, she thought.

Chris understands too.