ease. Jeffrey felt isolated and alone. And more than anything, he felt angry.
..It’s just not fair!” he said through clenched teeth.
Completely out of character, Jeffrey snatched up a piece of Carol’s crystal bric-a-brac from a side table and in a moment of sheer frustration threw it with deadly accuracy at the glassfronted sideboard that he could see through- the arch leading to the dining room. There was a resounding shatter of glass that made him wince.
‘~Uh-ohl” Jeffrey said as he realized what he’d done. He got up and went for the dustpan and broom. By the time he’d picked up the mess, he’d come to a momentous conclusion: he wasn’t going to prisonl No way. Screw the appeal process. He had as much confidence in the legal system as he did in fairy tales.
The decision was made with a suddenness and resolve that left Jeffrey feeling exhilarated. He checked his watch. The bank would be open soon.
Excitedly he went to his room and found his passport. He was lucky the court hadn’t made him surrender it at the same time they’d increased his bail. Then he called Pan Am. He learned that he could shuttle to New York, bus to Kennedy, and then fly on to Rio. Considering all the carriers serving the market, he had a wide range of flights from which to choose, including one that left at 11:45 P.m. and made a few stops in exotic locations.
With his pulse racing in anticipation, Jeffrey called the bank and got
Dudley on the line. He did his best to sound controlled. He asked about the progress on the loan.
“No problem,” Dudley said proudly. “Pulling a few strings, I got it approved like that.” Jeffrey could hear the man snap his fingers for his benefit. “When will you be coming in?” Dudley continued. “I’d like to be sure I’m here.”
“I’ll be in shortly,” Jeffrey said, planning his schedule. Timing would be key. “I have one other request. I’d like to have the money in cash.”
“You’re joking,” Dudley said.
“I’m serious,” Jeffrey insisted.
“It’s a bit irregular,” Dudley said hesitantly.
Jeffrey hadn’t given this issue much thought, and he could sense Dudley’s hesitance. He realized he’d have to explain if he hoped to get the money, and he definitely needed the money. He couldn’t leave for South America with only pocket change.
“Dudley,” Jeffrey began, “I’m in some unfortunate trouble.”
“I don’t like the sound of this,” Dudley said.
“It’s not what you’re thinking. It’s not gambling or anything like that.
The fact is, I have to pay it to a bail bondsman. Haven’t you read about my troubles in the papers?”
“No, I haven’t,” Dudley said, warming up again.
“I got sued for malpractice and then indicted over a tragic anesthesia case. I won’t burden you with the details at the moment. The problem is, I need the $45,000 to pay a bail bondsman who posted my bail. He said he wanted it in cash.”
“I’m sure a cashier’s check would be acceptable.”
“Listen, Dudley,” Jeffrey said. “The man told me cash. I promised him cash.
What can I say? Do me this one favor. Don’t make it any harder on me than it already is.”
There was a pause. Jeffrey thought he heard Dudley sigh.
“Are hundred-dollar bills okay?”
“Fine,” Jeffrey said. “Hundreds would be perfect.” He was wondering how much space four hundred and fifty hundreddollar bills would take.
“I’ll have it ready,” Dudley said. “I just hope you’re not planning on carrying this around for any length of time.”
“Just into Boston,” Jeffrey said.
Jeffrey hung up the phone. He hoped that Dudley wouldn’t call the police or try to check his story. Not that anything wouldn’t have jibed. Jeffrey felt the fewer people thinking about him and asking questions, the better, at least until he was on the plane out of New York.
Sitting down with a writing tablet, Jeffrey started a note to Carol, telling her he was taking the $45,000 but that she could have everything else. But the letter sounded awkward. Besides, as he wrote he realized he didn’t want to leave any evidence of his intentions in case he was delayed for some reason. He crumpled the paper, set a match to it, and tossed it in the fireplace. Instead of writing, he decided to call Carol from some foreign location and talk to her directly. It would be more personal than a letter. It would be safer, too.