The Devil's Cook by Ellery Queen Page B

from the university.

7
    â€œHello, Fanny,” said Jay. “I was hoping to see you.”
    â€œWere you?” said Fanny skeptically. “Why?”
    â€œWell, I was pretty rude to you this morning. I want to apologize.”
    â€œHowever rude you were,” Farley said, “it probably wasn’t rude enough. When you learn what this femme has been up to, you may want to insult her some more.”
    â€œWhat have you been up to, Fanny?”
    â€œGo on, Fanny,” Farley said. “Tell him what you’ve been up to.”
    â€œI went down to the Journal office and inquired about the Personal. I wanted, if possible, to know who placed it.”
    â€œOh? Did you learn anything?”
    â€œNothing. The Personal was mailed in with the fee—in cash—enclosed.”
    â€œToo bad you went to so much trouble for nothing.” Jay seemed surprisingly docile about the episode. “I told you last night the Personal was a coincidence, not directed to Terry at all. Didn’t you remember?”
    â€œI remembered, but I didn’t believe it. And nothing’s developed, so far as I can see, to make me believe it now.”
    â€œYou see?” said Farley. “She simply will not mind her own business.”
    â€œTo be fair, I can’t say I blame her for being concerned. I’m really not so indifferent as I seem.” Jay, although he spoke without urgency, was clearly appealing for Fanny’s understanding. “As a matter of fact, I’ve been cudgeling my brain over this ever since last night, and I think I’ve finally come up with the answer. I owe you an explanation for all your worry and trouble. If you’d care to come in—”
    â€œI accept both your apology and your invitation,” said Fanny. “Farley, go get your breakfast, or whatever you want to call it.”
    â€œNot much,” Farley said. “If Jay’s going to explain something, I want to hear it, too.”
    Jay unlocked his door and they all went in. He was carrying a briefcase, which he took into the bedroom while Fanny and Farley helped themselves to chairs.
    â€œMay I get you a drink?” Jay said, returning.
    â€œNot for me,” Farley said. “My stomach’s empty.”
    â€œNor me,” said Fanny. “I had a martini with my lunch, and I can’t have any more until five o’clock. Where do you think Terry has gone? I’m dying to know.”
    â€œI think she’s gone back to Los Angeles.”
    â€œBack to Los Angeles?” said Fanny. “Is that where, she came from?”
    â€œYes. Didn’t you know? Actually, we were married in San Francisco. I had a job at the university there, and Terry had moved up from L.A. and was living alone in an apartment. Not attending the university, you understand. She just wanted to try living in San Francisco for a while. New experience. Terry was always keen for a new experience. Anyhow, we met at a party and got married. I don’t quite understand why. I went head over heels for her, of course, but somehow I never felt that I was the type to make Terry reciprocate. Perhaps she just had an urge to try the academic life.”
    â€œBut why would she run off to Los Angeles without a word to you or anyone else? If you ask me, it makes no sense.”
    â€œIt makes Terry’s kind of sense. If you knew her better, you’d understand that. She is perfectly capable of doing on impulse something that someone else would plan carefully.”
    â€œEven after inviting Farley to dinner?”
    â€œThat would be no deterrent to Terry. She was probably halfway to L.A. before she even remembered it.”
    â€œWhat about luggage?” Fanny pounced on the thought triumphantly. “Did she take any?”
    â€œApparently not. But it’s no more than two hours from here to L.A. by jet, and after she was there, she could easily prevail on Feldman to supply anything she