Sheldon, Sidney - The Naked Face by Sheldon Sidney

Sheldon, Sidney - The Naked Face by Sheldon Sidney

Author:Sheldon, Sidney
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Published: 2006-04-23T03:24:52+00:00


Chapter Eleven

The phone rang. It was his answering service. They had been able to reach all bis patients except Anne Blake. Judd thanked the operator and hung up.

So Anne was coming here today. He was disturbed at how unreasonably happy he was at the thought of seeing her. He must remember that she was only coming by because he had asked her to, as her doctor. He sat there thinking about Anne. How much he knew about her... and how little.

He put Anne's tape on the tape recorder and listened to it. It was one of her first visits.

'Comfortable, Mrs. Blake?'

'Yes, thank you.'

'Relaxed?'

'Yes.'

"You're clenching your fists.'

'Perhaps I am a little tense.'

'About what?'

A long silence.

Tell me about your home life. You've been married six months.'

Yes.'

'Go on.'

'I'm married to a wonderful man. We live in a beautiful house.'

'What kind of a house is it?'

'Country French... It's a lovely old place. There's a long, winding driveway leading to it. High up on the roof there's a funny old bronze rooster with its ail missing. I think some hunter shot it off a long time ago. We have about five acres, mostly wooded. I go for long walks. It's like living in the country.'

'Do you like the country?'

'Very much.'

"Does your husband?'

'I think so.'

'A man doesn't usually buy five acres in the country unless he loves it.'

'He loves me. He would have bought it for me. He's very generous.'

'Let's talk about him.'

Silence.

'Is be good-looking?'

'Anthony's very handsome.'

Judd felt a pang of unreasonable, unprofessional jealousy.

'You're compatible physically?' It was like a tongue

probing at a sore tooth.

'Yes.'

He knew what she would be like in bed: exciting and feminine and giving. Christ, he thought, get off the subject.

'Do you want children?'

'Oh, yes.'

'Does your husband?'

'Yes, of course.'

A long silence except for the silky rustling of the tape.

Then:

'Mrs. Blake, you came to me because you said you had a desperate problem. It concerns your husband, doesn't it?'

Silence.

'Well, I'm assuming it does. From what you told me earlier, you love each other, you're both faithful, you both want children, you live in a beautiful home, your husband is successful, handsome, and he spoils you. And you've only been married six months. I'm afraid it's a little like the old joke: "What's my problem, Doctor?"'

There was silence again except for the impersonal whirring o£ the tape. Finally she spoke. 'It's ... it's difficult for me to talk about. I thought I could discuss it with a stranger, but' - he remembered vividly how she had twisted around on the couch to look up at him with those large, enigmatic eyes - 'it's harder. You see' - she was speaking more rapidly now, trying to overcome the barriers that had kept her silent

- 'I overheard something and I -I could easily have jumped to the wrong conclusion.'

'Something to do with your husband's personal life? Some woman?'

'No.'

'His business?'

'Yes...'

'You thought he lied about something? Tried to get the better of someone in a deal?'

'Something like that.'

Judd was on surer ground now. 'And it upset your confidence in him.



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