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“They were from Washington.”
“I told you, I’m not interested.”
Renda came to his feet. “I’m interested! You understand that? I’m interested and we’re going to damn-well talk about them whether you want to or not!”
“As usual,” Liza
The table creaked as Renda leaned his weight on it again. “Let’s find out,” he said mildly, and noticed the look of momentary surprise on Liza
“The letters were from him?”
“That’s better,” Renda gri
“Were they?”
“They were from him.”
“What did he say?”
“He was answering Willis.”
“I didn’t know Willis had written him.”
“You expect me to believe that?”
“I don’t care what you believe!”
“You should. It makes a difference.”
“I didn’t know Willis had written to him,” Liza
“Let’s say I don’t. Who is he?”
“Everett? He’s with the Department of the Interior.”
“High up?”
“High enough.”
“High enough to get Willis away from here?”
Liza
Renda’s leg, hooked over the corner of the table, began to swing slowly back and forth. He stared at Liza
“Does it matter?” Liza
“You know damn well it matters.”
“If you are going to insist that I know what Willis wrote,” said Liza
“I’ll bet you even told him what to write.”
Liza
“I’ll bet Willis didn’t even want to write it. But you made him.”
Liza
“That’s pretty good,” Renda said. “You must’ve been rehearsing-opening your big brown eyes, looking surprised-”
“What did Everett say,” Liza
“What do you think he said?”
Liza
“You know this man pretty well,” Renda said.
“I have seen his letters before.”
“So Willis is stuck,” Renda said. “I told him that a long time ago.”
Liza
“I told him. I said, ‘Willis, relax and enjoy it. You’re gaining valuable experience here and if you do good, maybe they’ll make you superintendent at my next camp.’ ”
“God help him,” Liza
“That could happen, Lizzy.”
“I wish you wouldn’t call me that.”
“It bothers you?”
“How do you know there’s going to be a next camp?”
“Same way I got this one.”
“You bribed someone for the contract?”
“That’s a bad word.”
“You must have.”
“Mine was low bid, Lizzy.”
“You know nothing about road construction. Someone must have told you what to bid-for a price. Someone on the inside.”
Renda gri
“What I don’t understand,” Liza
“For fifteen dollars a day profit, free and clear,” Renda said.
“Which isn’t very much,” Liza
“Besides what I make on the road contract.”
“But with your expenses, there couldn’t be much left of that.”
“Enough,” Renda said. “Which adds on to the fifteen a day-”
“How do you come to that amount?”
“The government subsistence!” He sounded surprised that she had to ask. “I don’t know why they think each man’s worth seventy cents a day-when you only need about twenty cents to take care of one. But as long as they want to pay it, I’ll make my fifteen a day. Figure that back over four months. Then go ahead a couple more months. See how it adds up? I figure I’ll make three thousand on that alone…something I didn’t even count on when I got the contract.”
“Do you think it’s worth the effort?”
“Lizzy, I’m not straining. I sit in the shade all day counting my money. When this job’s over, I spend the money. Then I get another contract.”
“Considering the chances you’re taking,” Liza
“Why? I’m not greedy.”
“How much do you pay my husband?”
“Whatever I feel like, now.”
“Just enough to keep him drunk.”
“He started low.” Renda gri
“If it bothers you,” Liza
“Lizzy, I’m being nice about this. I don’t have to be.”
“What Willis does is no concern of mine,” Liza
“Well,” Renda said pleasantly, “if it’s all right with you, I’ll still consider you and Willis a pair. Whatever he does, you’re behind it; and whatever you do, he at least knows about it. As long as you’re living together that makes it easier to keep track of both of you.”
Liza
Renda studied her. “Is that supposed to mean something?”
“Think it over.”
“I don’t have to. I’m asking you.”
“You’ll find out soon enough.”
“Liza
“It’s already done. And I won’t be sorry.”
“What’re you talking about?”
“Wait and see.”
“I don’t wait on anybody!” Renda came off the table. “I’m telling you right now, if you’re pla
“Frank,” Liza
“Who says I’m talking about Willis?”
“You’ve been holding him over me like a club.”
Renda shook his head. “Let’s get it right out in plain sight. Lizzy, I’ll tell you one time and one time only.” His hand came up and he pointed a finger at her. “You try to leave here without my knowing about it, I’ll kill you.” His hand dropped. “It’s that cut and dried.”
Slowly, Liza
“You’re bluffing,” Renda said.
“Am I? You’ll see.” Liza