The Sandler Inquiry Part 63

He thought of the warm body huddled inside those extra layers of clothes. He thought of the protectiveness he felt toward her, despite the fact that he knew she could probably protect herself better than he could himself.

She leaned to him and kissed him softly on the cheek.

"I'm glad you believe me she said.

"Mr. Zenger's going to say I'm an impostor. I wanted to know if you would stick by me. No matter what."

"I'm unshakable' he said.

She hugged him suddenly, almost spilling both cups of tea. On the other side of the grimy gray window, with rain spattering into small rivers on the opposite side, the outline of Nantucket harbor was slowly becoming visible through the fog.

Then she pulled away for a moment.

"And what would you do with it?" she asked.

"With what?"

"The money. Your share if we win?"

"I'd go off and get lost," he said.

"With someone I liked."

Their car had emerged from the hull of the ferry, had driven to the remote southwestern end of the island, and had pulled to a halt before the stone domicile of Zenger.

The hour was late, well past eight in the evening. The windows of the stone house blazed warmly from within. Thomas and Leslie walked up the flagstone path as the rain, carried on sweeping easterly winds, continued to pelt them.

Mrs. Clancy, the housekeeper, was gone for the evening. So when Thomas banged the bra.s.s knocker on the solid oak door, almost two full minutes pa.s.sed before there came any response.

"But today?"

Then the door slowly opened and the light from within flowed out in a sudden wedge.

"Thomas'" rasped Zenger, standing in the alcove, holding the door ajar.

"I've been expecting-" His eyes. .h.i.t Leslie, unseen until that moment.

"Good evening, Mr. Zenger," she said with both civility and charm.

Zenger recoiled rudely, stepping backward two steps into a darker spot in the hallway. His eyes were in a shadow and Leslie stepped forward with some effort to see him.

He reached to the breast pocket of his maroon robe, pulled from the pocket a pair of heavily tinted gla.s.ses, and seemed to study her through them. Thomas observed him with rising suspicion and dislike.

She, in turn, returned the scrutiny, looking him up and down and trying to see past the gla.s.ses to his eyes.

"Yes" said Zenger slowly, as if in appraisal.

"This is the woman you spoke of last time " He glanced to Thomas, then back to Leslie with disdain.

"The one calling herself Sandler's daughter."

"It's not a matter of what I call myself, Mr. Zenger," she said flatly.

"That's who I am."

"Young lady," he said with condescension, his expression tightening with distrust and dislike.

"I'm an old man. It's late in the evening. I'm not fair game for a lengthy argument' "His eyes, behind the tinted gla.s.ses, flashed with anger.

"You're welcome to your opinion, your claim, and your day in court. But within my own house I'm ent.i.tled to voice my own view." He looked back to Daniels.

"I.

know a fraud when I see one, Thomas. Why did you bring her here?"

"It's important that we talk," said Thomas.

"Who's 'we'?"

"All three of us" He paused, then asked,

"May we come in?"

"Looks like you already are," he grumbled. Zenger spat on the porch.

He stepped back and held the door open . He was walking without the use of the cane.

"Come on," he said.

"Come in. Let's have it out in the open."

They hung their soaking coats in the front hallway, then followed the frail little man into his sitting room. The light there was dimmer than in the front hall. The embers of a fire smoldered in the fireplace and wheezed out an occasional spark or crackle. Outside the rain continued to pound against the square windows.

Zenger eased himself into his favorite leather armchair. A half consumed brandy was on an end table beside him.

"If you wish, either of you' he said, 'a drink to warm you" he motioned to a bar across the, room, 'help yourself. I'd serve' you myself if I were twenty years younger."

Leslie declined. In silence, Thomas helped himself to a bourbon from the bar. He returned and sat down across the room from Zenger. The older man's eyes were scrutinizing his two guests.

Zenker finally turned to the younger man.

"Well, Thomas "he said with concession in his voice.

"I'm alone in this house. You have me at your complete mercy. What is it this time?"

"I came to you as an old friend and on of a former partner. I need help. I need it badly."

"What kind of help?" he snapped. Leslie studied his eyes.

"I need answers'" said Thomas.