No Pockets in a Shroud: A Novel by Horace McCoy

Author:Horace McCoy [McCoy, Horace]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781453292785
Publisher: Open Road Media
Published: 2013-01-14T23:00:00+00:00

3

HE WAS IN THE downstairs bathroom the following morning (the upstairs one was still haywire; Mrs Ratcliff, the owner, still refusing to budge an inch), under the shower, washing, dabbing at his body, careful not to get the bandages on his head wet, when the door suddenly burst open. Dolan paid no attention, thinking it was one of the boys, until Elbert, who was shaving, uttered a shrill squeal of surprise.

Dolan parted the curtains and looked out. Just inside the door stood Roy Menefee, his face flushed and excited, a pistol in his hand.

‘Come out of there,’ he said to Dolan.

‘I’m coming,’ Dolan said, shutting off the water, throwing the curtains back, but still standing in the tub. ‘What’s the matter?’

‘Where’s April?’

‘I don’t know where April is. Why ask me?’

‘Stop lying, Dolan – and tell me.’

‘I am telling you. I don’t know where she is. I haven’t seen her in several days.’

‘I’m going to kill you, you lying sonofabitch – ’

It was almost funny to Dolan; Menefee, meek Menefee, standing there with a gun; Elbert watching him in horror, his arm still crooked, holding the razor against his face, afraid to move it. It was almost funny ...

‘Wait a minute, Roy,’ Dolan said, not daring to move a muscle except to talk with. ‘I don’t know where your wife is. I’ve been busy as hell for a week and I haven’t seen her. I haven’t even heard from her. Have I, Elbert? Has she been here?’

‘No – ’ Elbert managed to say.

‘That’s the God’s truth, Roy – ’

‘Where else would she spend the night?’ Menefee asked. ‘She hasn’t been home all night – ’

‘I don’t know where she was, but she wasn’t here. You can look upstairs at my bed. She didn’t stay here. Anybody in the house’ll tell you that. Put that gun away, Roy – you’re absolutely mistaken this time.’

Menefee hesitated, but lowered the pistol, finally putting it in his pocket. He was under a great emotional strain. His face was still flushed, and he was blinking his eyes rapidly. Dolan knew that was to keep back the tears. He got out of the tub, wrapping a towel around him.

‘Elbert,’ he said, ‘leave us alone a few minutes – ’

Elbert nodded, walking out, still holding the razor.

‘Here, Roy,’ Dolan said, letting down the lid of the toilet seat. ‘Sit down – ’

Menefee walked over and sat down, his lips twitching.

‘What made you think April was here?’ Dolan asked.

‘She’s somewhere. I knew she used to have a crush on you – it’s that Little Theatre that’s done it. I’ve been trying to get her away from there for months.’

‘Maybe the Little Theatre’s not wholly to blame,’ Dolan said, wiping his legs on the towel. ‘Maybe April’s a little to blame. Not that there’s any harm in April – she’s just naturally flirtatious. You know that – ’

‘I know she’s slept with everybody in town. I know that. I found that out after I had married her.’

‘Well – ’

‘Don’t try to defend her, Dolan.

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