Ellerbee said, “It’s so good to see you, Philip. I’ve been calling you, but…”
“I know, I’m sorry. I haven’t felt like talking to anyone, Bill.”
“I hope they catch the bastard who did this to you.”
“The police have been good enough to explain to me that muggings are not a high priority in their lives. They equate it just below lost cats. They’ll never catch him.”
Ellerbee said hesitantly, “I understand that you’re not going to be able to play again.”
“You understand right.” Philip held up his crippled hand. “It’s dead.”
Ellerbee leaned forward and said earnestly, “But you’re not, Philip. You still have your whole life ahead of you.”
“Doing what?”
“Teaching.”
There was a wry smile on Philip’s lips. “It’s ironic, isn’t it? I had thought about doing that one day when I was through giving concerts.”
Ellerbee said quietly, “Well, that day is here, isn’t it? I took the liberty of talking to the head of the Eastman School of Music in Rochester. They would give anything to have you teach there.”
Philip frowned. “That would mean my moving up there. Lara’s headquarters are in New York.” He shook his head. “I couldn’t do that to her. You don’t know how wonderful she’s been to me, Bill.”
“I’m sure she has.”
“She’s practically given up her business to take care of me. She’s the most thoughtful, considerate woman I’ve ever known. I’m crazy about her.”
“Philip, would you at least think about the offer from Eastman?”
“Tell them I appreciate it, but I’m afraid the answer is no.”
“If you change your mind, will you let me know?”
Philip nodded. “You’ll be the first.”
When Philip returned to the penthouse, Lara had gone to the office. He wandered around the apartment, restless. He thought about his conversation with Ellerbee. I would love to teach, Philip thought, but I can’t ask Lara to move to Rochester, and I can’t go there without her.
He heard the front door open. “Lara?”
It was Marian. “Oh, I’m sorry, Philip. I didn’t know anyone was here. I came to return my key.”
“I thought you’d be in San Francisco by now.”
She looked at him, puzzled. “San Francisco? Why?”
“Isn’t that where your new job is?”
“I have no new job.”
“But Lara said…”
Marian suddenly understood. “I see. She didn’t tell you why she fired me?”
“Fired you? She told me that you quit…that you had a better offer.”
“That’s not true.”
Philip said slowly, “I think you’d better sit down.”
They sat across from each other. “What’s going on here?” Philip asked.
Marian took a deep breath. “I think your wife believes that I…that I had designs on you.”
“What are you talking about?”
“She accused me of stealing the diamond bracelet you gave her, as an excuse to fire me. I’m sure she has it put away somewhere.”
“I can’t believe this,” Philip protested. “Lara would never do anything like that.”
“She would do anything to hold on to you.”
He was studying her, bewildered. “I…I don’t know what to say. Let me talk to Lara and…”
“No. Please don’t. It might be better if you didn’t let her know I was here.” She rose.
“What are you going to do now?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll find another job.”
“Marian, if there’s anything I can do…”
“There is nothing.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure. Take care of yourself, Philip.” And she was gone.
Philip watched her leave, disturbed. He couldn’t believe that Lara could be guilty of such a deception, and he wondered why she hadn’t told him about it. Perhaps, he thought, Marian did steal the bracelet, and Lara had not wanted to upset him. Marian was lying.
Chapter Thirty-two
The pawnshop was on South State Street in the heart of the Loop. When Jesse Shaw walked through the door, the old man behind the counter looked up.
“Good morning. Can I help you?”
Shaw laid a wristwatch on the counter. “How much will you give me for this?”
The pawnbroker picked up the watch and studied it. “A Piaget. Nice watch.”
“Yeah. I hate like hell to part with it, but I’ve run into a little bad luck. You understand what I mean?”