TRUSTED LIKE THE FOX

chapter 16

It wasn't until after ten when we three sat down to eat supper. It seemed odd to have Caleb opposite and Delphina on my right.

Caleb was enthusiastic about the job.

"This is certainly some place!" he said. "Boy! Am I glad I walked in the way I did! This is a lot better than selling safes."

We were eating Delphina's famous spaghetti and veal cutlets. Delphina, her spaghetti neatly rolled up on her fork, paused to look at him.

"Is that your line-safes?" she asked.

"I'll have you know, Mrs. Cooper," Caleb said, grinning at me, "John and I are the two best safe men in the country. That's right, isn't it, John?"

"Well, we're not so lousy. I've known worse."

"John and I started in the same business on the same day," Caleb said to Delphina.

"He is a better, safe man than I am, but I'm better at locks. The trouble with him is that he is too conscientious. Ever since I've known him, he's pulled me out of jams. Usually, I get him into a mess, and he gets me out of it."

"You're going to find it pretty quiet here, Caleb," I said. "There's not much to do except the daily chores. "

"It'll suit me," he said, his expression suddenly serious, "but what will Mr. Cooper say when he comes back and finds he has another mouth to feed?" He looked at Delphina. "I would like to think this is a permanent job, Mrs. Cooper."

"I'm not sure he is coming back," Delphina said, picking up her cue fast.

Caleb blinked.

"Is that a fact?" He looked quickly at me, then at her. "Some trouble?"

"The usual." She made it sound very casual. "I haven't told anyone yet, but I don't think he's coming back. He's found someone he likes better than me."

Caleb looked embarrassed.

"I'm sorry ..."

She smiled at him.

"You don't have to be." She reached out and put her hand on mine. "You see, John and I . . ." She stopped and squeezed my hand. "At least my husband left me this place-and John."

Caleb shook his head wonderingly at me.

"What a guy! Talk about luck!"

"That's the way it is." I pushed back my chair. "Come over to the cottage, Caleb. You may as well get settled in."

Caleb stood up.

"Thanks for the meal, Mrs. Cooper."

She smiled up at him.

"You'd better call me Delphina. We're not formal here."

"Okay. How about helping with the dishes?"

"I'll do it. You go with John."

As we walked across the moonlit pavement to the cottage, Caleb said, "Some chick! I'm glad for you, John. Are you sure I won't be in the way?"

"Of course not. The one thing this place lacks for me has been a male company."

I unlocked the cottage door, and we went in.

"This is pretty good," Caleb said, looking around. "Even a TV set." He moved to the window and looked across at the house. "Is that where you are?"

"Where else do you think I'd be?"

"Yeah-your way with women." He lit a cigarette, then dumping his bag on a chair, he began to unpack. "This guy Perry must have been nuts to have walked out of here for a woman. I can't figure it out. Seems to me his wife has it all-what more does he want?"