Мэри Кларк - Молчаливая ночь [with w_cat]

• Название: Молчаливая ночь [with w_cat]
• Автор: Мэри Кларк
• Жанр: Детектив

Вниманию читателей предлагается книга Кларк Мэри "Молчаливая ночь".

Каждый абзац текста, на английском языке, снабжен ссылкой на литературный перевод.

Книга предназначена для учащихся старший классов школ, лицеев и гимназий, а также для широкого круга лиц, интересующихся английской литературой и совершенствующих свою языковую подготовку.

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Повесть «Молчаливая ночь» — небольшая не только по объему, но и по времени действия. Основные события умещаются на семи часовом отрезке в канун Рождества, но накал страстей столь острый, что книга прочитывается на едином дыхании. Ординарные люди, ощутившие чужую беду, как собственную, пытаются сделать все от них зависящее, чтобы вернуть в семью потерявшегося мальчика по имени Брайан.

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[182] Catherine forced a smile. “Like this?”

[183] “Much better,” he nodded. “Just keep smiling. Remember, it’s Christmas. Thought you were bringing the kids tonight?”

[184] She could not talk about Brian being missing. Not now. Instead, she practiced what she would tell Tom. “Brian was sneezing, and I want to make sure he’s not starting with a cold.”

[185] “That was wise. Okay. See you tomorrow, kiddo. Now remember, keep that smile going. You’re gorgeous when you smile.”

[186] Catherine nodded and started down the hall to room 530. She opened the door quietly. Tom was asleep. An IV unit was dripping fluid into his arm. Oxygen tubes were in his nostrils. His skin was as white as the pillowcase. His lips were ashen.

The private duty nurse stood up. “He’s been asking for you, Mrs. Dornan. I’ll wait outside.”

[187] Catherine pulled up a chair next to the bed. She sat down and placed her hand over the one lying on the coverlet. She studied her husband’s face, scrutinizing every detail: the high forehead framed by the reddish brown hair that was exactly the color of Brian’s; the thick eyebrows that always looked a bit unruly; the well-shaped nose and the lips that were usually parted in a smile. She thought of his eyes, more blue than gray, and the warmth and understanding they conveyed. He gives confidence to his patients, she thought. Oh, Tom, I want to tell you that our little boy is missing. I want you to be well and with me, looking for him.

[188] Tom Dornan opened his eyes. “Hi, Love,” he said weakly.

[189] “Hi, yourself.” She bent over and kissed him. “I’m sorry I was such a wimp this afternoon. Call it PMS or just old-fashioned relief. You know what a sentimental slob I am. I even cry at happy endings.”

[190] She straightened up and looked directly into his eyes. “You’re doing great. You really are, you know.”

[191] She could see he did not believe her. Not yet, she thought determinedly.

[192] “I thought you were bringing the kids tonight?” His voice was low and halting.

[193] She realized that with Tom it was not possible to utter Brian’s name without breaking down. Instead she said quickly, “I was afraid they’d be hanging all over you. I thought it was a good idea to let them wait until tomorrow morning.”

[194] “Your mother phoned,” Tom said drowsily. “The nurse spoke to her. She said she sent a special present for you to give me. What is it?”

[195] “Not without the boys. They want to be the ones to give it to you.”

[196] “Okay. But be sure to bring them in the morning. I want to see them.”

[197] “For sure. But since it’s just the two of us now, maybe I should climb in the sack with you.”

[198] Tom opened his eyes again. “Now you’re talking.” A smile flickered on his lips. And then he was asleep again.

[199] For a long moment, she laid her head on the bed, then got up as the nurse tiptoed back in. “Doesn’t he look fantastic?” Catherine asked brightly as the nurse put her fingers on Tom’s pulse.

[200] She knew that even slipping into sleep, Tom might hear her. Then with a last glance at her husband, she hurried from the room, down the corridor and to the elevator, then through the lobby, and into the waiting police car.

[201] The plainclothesman answered her unasked question: “No word so far, Mrs. Dornan.”

5

[202] “I said, give it to me,” Jimmy Siddons said ominously.

Cally tried to brave it out. “I don’t know what this boy is talking about, Jimmy.”

[203] “Yes, you do,” Brian said. “I saw you pick up my mom’s wallet. And I followed you because I have to get it back.”

[204] “Aren’t you a smart kid?” Siddons sneered. “Always go where the buck is.” His expression turned ugly as he faced his sister. “Don’t make me take it from you, Cally.”

[205] There was no use trying to pretend she didn’t have it. Jimmy knew the boy was telling the truth. Cally still had her coat on. She reached into the pocket and took out the handsome Moroccan leather wallet. Silently she handed it to her brother.

[206] “That belongs to my mother,” Brian said defiantly. Then the glance the man gave him made him shiver. He had been about to try to grab the wallet; instead, now suddenly fearful, he dug his hands deep in his pockets.

[207] Jimmy Siddons opened the billfold. “My, my,” he said, his tone now admiring. “Cally, you surprise me. You run rings around some of the pick-pockets I know.”

[208] “I didn’t steal it,” Cally protested. “Someone dropped it, I found it. I was going to mail it back.”

[209] “Well, you can forget that,” Jimmy said. “It’s mine now, and I need it.”

[210] He pulled out a thick wad of bills and began counting. “Three hundred-dollar bills, four fifties, six twenties, four tens, five fives, three ones. Six hundred and eighty-eight dollars. Not bad, in fact, it’ll do just fine.”

[211] He stuffed the money in the pocket of the suede jacket he had taken from the bedroom closet and began to dig through the compartments in the wallet. “Credit cards. Well, why not? Driver’s license -no, two of them: Catherine Dornan and Dr. Thomas Dornan. Who’s Dr. Thomas Dornan, kid?”

[212] “My dad. He’s in the hospital.” Brian watched as the deep compartment in the wallet revealed the medal.

[213] Jimmy Siddons lifted it out, held it up by the chain, then laughed incredulously. “St. Christopher! I haven’t been inside a church in years, but even I know they kicked him out long ago. And when I think of all the stories Grandma used to tell us about how he carried the Christ child on his shoulders across the stream or the river or whatever it was! Remember, Cally?” Disdainfully he let the medal clatter to the floor.

[214] Brian swooped to retrieve it. He clutched it in his hand, then slipped it around his neck. “My grandpa carried it all through the war and came home safe. It’s going to make my dad get better. I don’t care about the wallet. You can have it. This is what I really wanted. I’m going home now.” He turned and ran for the door. He had twisted the knob and pulled the door open before Siddons reached him, clapped a hand over his mouth, and yanked him back inside.

[215] “You and St. Christopher are staying right here with me, buddy,” he said as he shoved him roughly to the floor.

[216] Brian gasped as his forehead slammed onto the cracked linoleum. He sat up slowly, rubbing his head. He felt like the room was spinning, but he could hear the woman he had followed pleading with the man. “Jimmy, don’t hurt him. Please. Leave us alone. Take the money and go. But get out of here.”

[217] Brian wrapped his arms around his legs, trying not to cry. He shouldn’t have followed the lady. He knew that now. He should have yelled instead of following her so that maybe somebody would stop her. This man was bad. This man wasn’t going to let him go home. And nobody knew where he was. Nobody knew where to look for him.

[218] He felt the medal dangling against his chest and closed his fist around it. Please get me back to Mom, he prayed silently, so I can bring you to Dad.

[219] He did not look up to see Jimmy Siddons studying him. He did not know that Jimmy’s mind was racing, assessing the situation. This kid followed Cally when she took the wallet, Siddons thought. Did anyone follow him? No. If they had, they’d be here by now. “Where did you get the wallet?” he asked his sister.

[220] “On Fifth Avenue. Across from Rockefeller Center.” Cally was terrified now. Jimmy would stop at nothing to get away. Not at killing her. Not at killing this child. “His mother must have dropped it. I picked it up off the sidewalk. I guess he saw me.”

[221] “I guess he did.” Jimmy looked at the phone on the table next to the couch. Then, grinning, he reached for the cellular phone he had taken from the glove compartment of the stolen car. He also took out a gun and pointed it at Cally. “The cops may have your phone tapped.” He pointed at the table next to the couch. “Go over there. I’m going to dial your number and tell you I’m turning myself in and I want you to call that public defender who is representing me. All you have to do is act nice and nervous, just like you are now. Make a mistake and you and this kid are dead.”

[222] He looked down at Brian. “One peep out of you and…” He left the threat unspoken.

[223] Brian nodded to show he understood. He was too scared to even promise that he’d be quiet.

[224] “Cally, you got all that straight?”

[225] Cally nodded. How stupid I’ve been, she thought. I was fool enough to believe I’d gotten away from him. No chance. He even knows this phone number.

[226] He finished dialing and the phone beside her rang. “Hello.” Her voice was low and muffled.

[227] “Cally, it’s Jimmy. Listen, I’m in trouble. You probably know by now. I’m sorry I tried to get away. I hope that guard will be all right. I’m broke and I’m scared.” Jimmy’s voice was a whine. “Call Gil Weinstein. He’s the public defender assigned to me. Tell him I’ll meet him at St. Patrick’s Cathedral when midnight Mass is over. Tell him I want to turn myself in and I want him to be with me. His home number is 555-0267. Cally, I’m sorry I messed up everything so badly.”

[228] Jimmy pressed the disconnect on the cellular phone and watched as Cally hung up as well. “They can’t trace a cellular phone call, you know that, don’t you? Okay, now phone Weinstein and give him the same story. If the cops are listening, they must be jumping up and down right now.”

[229] “Jimmy, they’ll think I…”

[230] In two steps Jimmy was beside her, the gun to her head. “Make the call.”

[231] “Your lawyer may not be home. He may refuse to meet you.”

[232] “Naw. I know him. He’s a jerk. He’ll want the publicity. Get him.”

[233] Cally did not need to be told to make it quick. The moment Gil Weinstein was on the line, she rushed to say, “You don’t know me. I’m Cally Hunter. My brother, Jimmy Siddons, just called. He wants me to tell you…” In a quavering voice she delivered the message.

[234] “I’ll meet him,” the lawyer said. “I’m glad he’s doing this, but if that prison guard dies, Jimmy is facing a death-penalty trial. He could get life without parole for the first killing, but now…” His voice trailed off.

[235] “I think he knows that.” Cally saw Jimmy’s gesture. “I have to go now. Good-bye, Mr. Weinstein.”

[236] “You make a great accomplice, big sister,” Jimmy told her. He looked down at Brian. “What’s your name, kid?”

[237] “Brian,” he whispered.

[238] “Come on, Brian. We’re getting out of here.”

[239] “Jimmy, leave him alone. Please. Leave him here with me.”

[240] “No way. There’s always the chance you’d go running to the cops even though the minute they talk to that kid, you’re in big trouble yourself. After all, you did steal his mama’s wallet. No, the kid comes with me. No one is looking for a guy with his little boy, are they? I’ll let him go tomorrow morning when I get to where I’m headed. After that you can tell them anything you like about me. The kid’ll even back you up, won’t you, sonny?”

[241] Brian shrank against Cally. He was so afraid of the man that he was trembling. Was the man going to make him go away with him?

[242] “Jimmy, leave him here. Please.” Cally thrust Brian behind her.

[243] Jimmy Siddons’s mouth twisted in anger. He grabbed Cally’s arm and yanked her toward him, roughly twisting her arm behind her.

She screamed as she lost her grip on Brian and slipped to the floor.

[244] With eyes that denied any history of affection between them, Jimmy stood over his sister, again holding the gun to her head. “If you don’t do what I tell you, you’ll get more of that… and worse. They won’t take me alive. Not you, not nobody else is gonna send me to the death chamber. Besides, I got a girlfriend waiting for me. So just keep your mouth shut. I’ll even make a deal. You don’t say nothing, and I’ll let the kid live. But if the cops try to close in on me, he gets a bullet in the head. It’s as simple as that. Got it straight?”

He stuck the gun back inside his jacket, then reached down and roughly pulled Brian to his feet. “You and I are gonna get to be real pals, sonny,” he said. “Real pals.” He grinned. “Merry Christmas, Cally.”

6

[245] The unmarked van parked across the street from Cally’s apartment building was the lookout post for the detectives watching Cally’s building for any sign of Jimmy Siddons. They had observed Cally come home at just a little after her usual time.

[246] Jack Shore, the detective who had visited Cally in the morning, pulled off his earphones, swore silently, and turned to his partner. “What do you think, Mort? No, wait a minute. I’ll tell you what I think. It’s a trick. He’s trying to buy time to get as far away from New York as possible while we take up the collection at St. Pat’s looking for him.”

[247] Mort Levy, twenty years younger than Shore and less cynical, rubbed his chin, always a sign that he was deep in thought. “If it is a trick, I don’t think the sister is a willing accomplice. You don’t need a meter to hear the stress level in her voice.”

[248] “Listen, Mort, you were at Bill Grasso’s funeral. Thirty years old, with four little kids, and shot between the eyes by that bum Siddons. If Cally Hunter had come clean with us and told us that she’d given that rat brother of hers money and the keys to her car, Grasso would have known what he was up against when he stopped him for running a light.”

[249] “I still believe that Cally had bought Jimmy’s story about trying to get away because he’d been in a gang fight and the other gang was after him. I don’t think she knew that he’d wounded a clerk in a liquor store. Up till then he hadn’t been in really serious trouble.”

[250] “You mean he’d gotten away with it till then,” Shore snapped. “Too bad that judge couldn’t put Cally away as an accessory to murder instead of just for aiding a fugitive. She got off after serving fifteen months. Bill Grasso’s widow is trimming the tree without him tonight.”

[251] His face reddened with anger. “I’ll call in. Just in case that louse meant what he said, we’ve got to cover the cathedral. You know how many people go to midnight Mass there tonight? Take a guess.”

* * *

[252] Cally sat on the worn velour sofa, her hands clasped around her knees, her head bent, her eyes closed. Her entire body was trembling. She was beyond tears, beyond fatigue. Dear God, dear God, why did all this happen?

What should she do?

[253] If anything happened to Brian, she would be responsible. She had picked up his mother’s wallet, and that’s why he’d followed her. If the child was right, his dad was very ill. She thought of the attractive young woman in the rose-colored coat and how she had been sure everything in her life was perfect.

[254] Would Jimmy let the boy go when he got to wherever was his destination? How could he? she reasoned. Wherever that was, they’d start searching for Jimmy in that area. And if he does let him go, Brian will tell how he followed me because I took the wallet, she reminded herself.