Free The Sentinel by Jeffrey Konvitz Page B

raced down the third-floor staircase, portfolio in one hand, duffel bag in the other, and stopped at the base. Apartment 2 A was ten feet away, the door closed; she walked slowly, measuring the length of each step. Carefully placing her feet so as not to make any noise. Carefully watching the door. Would it be like this every time she had to pass? Maybe, but she was primarily concerned with this one time-the morning after.
    Having crossed the ten feet without so much as a squeak, she stopped, listening for any evidence of life. There was none; she felt relieved. A small bead of perspiration rolled down her cheek. She wiped it away, walked to the top of the landing, started down the staircase, tested the banister and halted abruptly at the sound of rustling below.
    The basement door opened. Out stepped Charles Chazen, catless, birdless, holding a large box awkwardly between his two hands and chin.
    She walked down the stairs to meet him.
    He chugged around the banister post. "Good morning!" he cried. "Lovely morning."
    "How are you?"
    "Fine, my dear. And yourself? Have you forgotten about yesterday's unfortunate incident?"
    She hesitated, then answered, "Yes."
    "Good. So be it." He started up the staircase. "It's nippy outside. I think I might have gotten a chill this morning. Be sure to keep your jacket on."
    "I will."
    He fidgeted. "Can't talk now. I'm very busy."
    "Spring cleaning?"
    "No. I'll tell you about it later."
    She stepped onto the hall floor as he raced upward.
    "Mr. Chazen?"
    He stopped and pivoted. "Yes?"
    "I'd like to ask you something."
    "Quickly. Quickly."
    She bit her lip. "Why was that woman so frightened of you?"
    The smile disappeared; his eye glinted. "Evil, I said."
    "That doesn't answer my question," she said sternly.
    "Evil."
    "But-"
    He put down the box, raised his arm and curled his hand into a fist. His cheeks reddened. "I gave them this before," he said, shaking his hand like a pummeling hammer, "and I shall smite them again if they bother my friends."
    She looked at him queerly. "I see," she said.
    "Stay away from them. Tsk, tsk." The smile returned to his face. He leaned over and picked up the box. "I must be off. Speak to you later."
    He sauntered up the stairs.
    Moments later she emerged from the building, hailed a cab and joined Michael-on time.
    "Sounds familiar, a bull dyke and her lover," Michael said, his mouth full of ice cream. "When you walk into the lion's den and play with the cubs, be prepared to get bitten."
    "That's a lousy analogy."
    "Why?"
    "I didn't play with any cubs."
    "All right, but you know what I mean. You know how vicious a dyke can be if provoked."
    "Yes."
    "Just stay out of that apartment and keep away from them and you shouldn't have any trouble."
    "It's not just them that bothers me. It's what happened in the hall. You had to have been there to have seen Gerde's reaction when she saw the old man. I never saw anyone register so much fear. And I can't begin to figure out why."
    "You said the old man told you they were evil. Maybe he's had it out with them already."
    "Maybe."
    "It's logical."
    "Yes, but-"
    "But?"
    She thought for a moment. "I met him in the hall this morning. He said he gave them this." She shook her fist to illustrate.
    "There you have it. He beat the shit out of them. And if that's the case, no wonder the woman was frightened."
    "I don't know. There's something more."
    "Allison!"
    "What?"
    "Just Allison," he said, focusing his eyes on her severely.
    "Okay, I promise. I won't dwell on it. You're probably right anyway."
    "It wouldn't be the first time." He laughed.
    She glanced at her watch. "I'd better get out of here."
    "What time is it?"
    "Twelve forty-five."
    "I have to go too. I have to finish a brief." He motioned for the waiter.
    "Want me to help later?"
    "No."
    "What about the trial?"
    "Adjourned until tomorrow."
    "You'll win."
    Michael smiled. "Why don't you go ahead. I'll wait to pay the check."
    "Okay." She leaned across the table and kissed