Free The Fourth Side of the Triangle by Ellery Queen

Upstairs: “Would you make it yourself, darling? Nothing for me. I’ll just change into my working clothes, then you’ll have to go.”
    Calmly Dane said, “I’m not going.”
    Sheila laughed. “Come on, pardner, have your drink and skedaddle.”
    â€œI don’t want a drink. And I’m not going.”
    Her laugh turned uncertain. “Dane, I’m not sure I like this. I must get to work.”
    â€œYou’re not going to work, and I’m not leaving.”
    â€œI don’t understand. What do you mean?”
    â€œYou’re trying to get rid of me. I’m not going to be got rid of.”
    For a moment Sheila was quiet, as if weighing certain factors against her temper. Then she said in a light voice, “Listen to the man! Are you keeping me, O Lord and Master? I pay my own rent, buddy-boy, and you stay when I say, and you leave when I tell you to, and right now I want you to leave.” When he stood there, saying nothing, her face turned to ice. “Dane, leave now. I mean now . Or you’ll be sorry.”
    â€œMy father will be here any minute, won’t he?”
    It was as if he had struck her. “You know!… I suppose you’ve known all along. I see, I see now. That’s why—”
    â€œThat’s why I’m staying. Yes, sweetie pie, that’s why.”
    He was disgusted with her and with himself and with his father and even with his mother. He stripped off his jacket and laid it across the back of an armchair, and his silver cigaret case, a gift from his mother, dropped out of the pocket. He picked it up and took a cigaret and found his hands shaking so badly he could not light up.
    â€œI’m waiting for my father,” he muttered, tossing the case on the chair. “What’s more, I intend to tell him about you and me.”
    With a smothered half-cry, Sheila went to the picture window, to the door, back to the middle of the room. “All right, Dane. Stay and be damned to you. I can’t very well put you out by force.”
    â€œYou didn’t have the guts to tell him. Or maybe you never meant to?”
    â€œThat’s foul, Dane. That really is!”
    â€œOne man at a time, I believe you said. Didn’t you mean one family at a time?”
    To his stupefaction, she burst out laughing. “This is very funny. Funnier than you could possibly imagine!”
    â€œYou have a peculiar sense of humor!” Every speck of the love he had felt for her was vanishing with the speed of light. Dread began heavily to build up, and with it the insane rage he had been guarding against.
    â€œYou think I’ve been sleeping with your father?” Sheila cried. “Let me tell you something, little boy—we aren’t lovers; we never have been. There’s nothing in the least physical about our friendship. Yes, and that’s exactly what it is—friendship! We like each other. We respect each other. We enjoy each other’s company. But that’s all. Of course you won’t believe it. Maybe nobody would. But, so help me, Dane, it’s the truth. For your own sake, if for no one else’s, you’d better believe that.”
    He could see his own fists, hear his own shout. “Can’t you think of a more convincing story than that? Friendship! Don’t you think I know the old man’s been parking his shoes under your bed every Wednesday night? I’ve seen some of his clothes in your bedroom closet!”
    â€œHe’s been coming here, yes, and he keeps a change of clothing—some comfortable things—”
    â€œTo talk over the little events of the week, I suppose, over a tea cozy? In slacks and a dressing gown? What kind of triple-headed idiot do you take me for? For God’s sake, don’t you have the decency to admit it when you’re caught with your pants down?”
    He choked; there was a roaring in his ears. He became faintly aware that