“So it would seem I’m temporarily safe,” he said, “now that there are three of us sharing the picture.”
“So it would seem,” Flora agreed.
“God, I haven’t eaten since yesterday!” he announced. So Flora went to tell Carmella it was safe to come out now, so long as she stayed clear of the living room, and to bring a lot of food to the library.
As soon as she left the room, Random turned to me and asked, “Like, what’s it between you?”
“Don’t turn your back on her.”
“She’s still Eric’s?”
“So far as I can tell.”
“Then what are you doing here?”
“I was trying to sucker Eric into coming around after me himself. He knows it’s the only way he’ll really get me, and I wanted to see how badly he wanted to.”
Random shook his head.
“I don’t think he’ll do it. No percentage. So long as you’re here and he’s there, why bother sticking his neck out? He’s still got the stronger position. If you want him, you’ll have to go after him.”
“I’ve just about come to the same conclusion.”
His eyes gleamed then, and his old smile appeared. He ran one hand through his straw-colored hair and wouldn’t let go of my eyes.
“Are you going to do it?” he asked.
“Maybe,” I said.
“Don’t ‘maybe’ me, baby. It’s written all over you. I’d almost be willing to go along, you know. Of all my relations, I like sex the best and Eric the least.”
I lit a cigarette, while I considered.
“You’re thinking,” he said while I thought, “’How far can I trust Random this time? He is sneaky and mean and just like his name, and he will doubtless sell me out If someone offers him a better deal.’ True?”
I nodded.
“However, brother Corwin, remember that while I’ve never done you much good, I’ve never done you any especial harm either. Oh, a few pranks, I’ll admit. But, all in all, you might say we’ve gotten along best of all in the family-that is, we’ve stayed out of each other’s ways. Think it over. I believe I hear Flora or her woman coming now, so let’s change the subject. . . . But quick I don’t suppose you have a deck of the family’s favorite playing cards around, do you?”
I shook my head.
Flora entered the room and said, “Carmella will bring in some food shortly.”
We drank to that, and he winked at me behind her back.
The following morning, the bodies were gone from the living room, there were no stains upon the carpet, the window appeared to have been repaired, and Random explained that he had “taken care of things.” I did not see fit to question him further.
We borrowed Flora’s Mercedes and went for a drive. The countryside seemed strangely altered. I couldn’t quite put my finger on what it was that was missing or new, but somehow things felt different. This, too, gave me a headache when I attempted to consider it, so I decided to suspend such thinking for the nonce.
I was at the wheel, Random at my side. I observed that I would like to be back in Amber again-just to see what sort of response it would obtain.
“I have been wondering,” he replied, “whether you were out for vengeance, pure and simple, or something more,” thereby shifting the ball back to me, to answer or not to answer, as I saw fit.
I saw fit. I used the stock phrase:
“I’ve been thinking about that, too,” I said, “trying to figure my chances. You know, I just might ‘try.’”
He turned toward me then (he had been staring out of the side window) and said:
“I suppose we’ve all had that ambition, or at least that thought-I know I have, though I dismissed me early in the game-and the way I feel about it, it’s worth the attempt. You’re asking me, I know, whether I’ll help you.
The answer is ‘yes.’ I’ll do it just to screw up the others.” Then, “What do you think of Flora? Would she be of any help?”
“I doubt it very much,” I said. “She’d throw in if things were certain. But, then, what’s certain at this point?”