Marcie sobbed. “He accused me of trying to tempt you, of egging you on. Oh, Laura, this is too horrible, I can’t go on.” “Tell me!” “And I got so furious. It was so unfair. You know we haven’t done anything! He was just determined to believe it. He can’t believe I just don’t want to see him any more, that’s too hard on his damned pride. So he was just waiting for somebody to blame, and there you were. And I was so damn mad at him. It was hopeless, there was no talking to him. He was losing me because somebody else was winning me, that’s the only way he could see it. So I finally just shouted at him, ‘All right, have it your way, you big fool. Believe what you want to believe, I can’t stop you!’” She was interrupted by her own sobs. “Marcie,” Laura said, making a huge effort to control herself, “Did you tell him that I ...” She could hardly get the words out. “... made love to you?” “No! No, Laura!” Marcie cried. “Did you tell him anything specific?” “Absolutely not, I swear!” Laura gave a sigh of relief. She began to cry again herself. After a moment she said softly, “Marcie, he’s on his way to the penthouse. He says he’s not going to let you spend another night in the same apartment with me. I’m infecting you.” “Oh, Laura, honey. God!” “So you’d better lock the door.” “We don’t have a key!” “Get one from the janitor.” “I’m afraid of him. He’s down in the basement. It’s so dark down there and he always tries to make a pass at me.” “I shouldn’t think that would bother you.” Laura couldn’t help the dig; it made her feel better. “Laura, he’s nuts. He’s a meatball.” “Well, damn it, do _something_!” Laura cried, exasperated. Then she forced herself to speak quietly. “All right, call the police,” she said. “Say your former husband is threatening you. Say you’re afraid of him, you think he wants to kill you. Say anything! Tell them he’s on his way over right now and you want protection.” “Laura, I’ve never done such a thing in my life! Poor Burr! I’ve known him since I was a kid, I worshipped him.” “You stopped worshipping him in a hurry when you had to live with him. Listen to me, there’s not much time. If you don’t want him to do something violent you’d better get some protection. I can’t fight him off for you. Unless you want to go with him tonight.” “Go with him! That bastard! After what he did tonight? He can go to hell. Without me.” “That’s where he’d like to see _me_,” Laura said. “I’d better not show up. I’ll stay down here for another hour or so. I’ll call you before I come home, to be sure the coast is clear.” “Laura? I hate to call the police, Laur. It makes me sick.” She sounded miserable. “Marcie for God’s sake, you’re a taxpayer. You’re entitled to protection. Burr was in a fit when he left here.” Marcie began to weep again. “Laura, I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry,” she said softly over the phone.