Protocol for Murder by Paul Nathan

Author:Paul Nathan
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781504015813
Publisher: The Permanent Press

ELEVEN

Feltrinelli was one of those places where the lighting had a pinkish tinge, flattering to all. There were unobtrusive murals, not bad, of formal gardens, piazzas and ruins. Although quite full, the room was blessedly quiet. Ever since I’d researched an article on noise pollution and learned that some restaurants deliberately maintain a high decibel level—the sound of success, presumably—I’d lost patience with dining rooms where you couldn’t hear yourself think. Tonight I was looking forward to more conversation without distraction.

Over our drinks we studied the menu; then, after the waiter had reeled off the inevitable specials, we ordered what we had decided on in the first place.

Eve had a glow about her not entirely attributable to the pink ambiance. She was wearing a beige two-piece linen outfit, a gold filigree chain and gold clip-on shell earings. Though hers was not a fashionable figure, she knew how to dress it with style. Her nails, not too long, sported a rosy finish. There was a touch of blue at the eyelids. I felt she had taken special pains with her appearance, and appreciated it. I was turned out in my olive drab tropical suit, brightened with a multicolored silk necktie in a free-form pattern, plus a peek of pocket handkerchief. Yesterday I’d had my hair cut and late this afternoon I’d given myself a second going-over of the day with my electric razor. We made a handsome couple.

I was thinking about Paula, indulging in a fantasy of her and Eve getting to know each other, when Eve asked, “How’s your daughter?”

“Fine, I saw her over the weekend.”

“Do you do that often?”

“Not often enough. But she doesn’t make it easy for me. This time she wasn’t too friendly starting out, then I happened to mention Frawley and Dixon and how I was involved. Suddenly I was daddy the detective. She liked that.”

“She’s how old?”

“Eleven.”

“Siding with her mother?”

“Against me? Yes.”

“I know it sounds trite, but some day when she’s older she may start seeing your side of things.”

“That’s what I tell myself.”

I knew very little about Eve’s son, so I asked what Bobby was studying in college.

“Oh, he’s not Bobby any more—now it’s Robert.” She was about to answer my question when my attention was diverted by the arrival of a young couple being shown to the table next to the one on my right. Her glance followed mine. The man was Gordon Barnard. I didn’t recognize his date. Busy being seated, they didn’t notice us.

I said in a low voice, “You know Gordon Barnard, from Dr. Wells’ lab?”

“Yes. And Constance Stokes. But I don’t think they’d remember me.”

“She’s very pretty. Wouldn’t be the daughter of …?

“She would. T. Graydon’s only child.”

Gordon was looking around now, to check out his neighbors. He was surprised to find me two tables away. We said hello.

I turned back to Eve. “Flying rather high, isn’t he?”

“Well, he’s very presentable and they do say he has a future.”

“But at this point kind of low on the totem pole.

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