“Oh, for Chrissake, Marcie! _Say_ it. Did you quarrel?” “I—yes. We quarreled.” “What about?” “I can’t say.” “Now you listen to me, God damn it, I’m getting worried.” “About love.” She whispered it. And Jack knew at once what was the matter. But why hadn’t Laura come to him? Why hadn’t she told him? She couldn’t be that ashamed. She knew he wouldn’t hurt her with the knowledge. He would be kind, with the kindness of deep sympathy. Something was wrong—more wrong than Marcie admitted, or more wrong than she knew. Or both. “I can’t explain, Jack,” Marcie moaned. “You don’t have to, Marcie. I get the message.” “Should I call the police?” “No,” he said quickly. Jack had an inborn aversion to cops. “I think I have an idea. I’ll call you back later. And call me the minute you hear anything.” “I will, I promise!” Jack called Beebo. “Marcie’s straight,” he said. “So what, Jackson?” “So Laura just found out—the hard way, apparently—and now she’s disappeared.” “I couldn’t care less.” “I don’t believe you.” “Look, Jack, I don’t even want to talk about the kid. I don’t want to hear her name mentioned. She can go to hell as far as I’m concerned.” “I’ve got to find her, Beebo, and you’ve got to help me.” “The hell I do.” “I want you to check the Lessie joints. They won’t let me in. I busted the mirror in the Colophon last month and they all hate me.” “That’s your problem.” “Beebo, for God’s sake. I know how bitchy she was. I’m not asking you to forget it. I’m asking you to help me find her. I think she went to see her father. From what she’s told me of him, she might be dead before we find her.” There was a shocked silence and finally Beebo said, “Don’t play around with me, Jack. Tell me the truth.” “That _is_ the truth. He’s a real bastard. God knows what he might have done to her. He has the Devil’s own temper and he’s been beating hell out of her since she was five years old.” There was a reluctant pause at Beebo’s end and finally she said, “All right, damn it. All right. I’ll go look for her. If she’s with her father I don’t know what good it’ll do to check the bars down here.” “You never know. Besides, there’s not much time.” “Okay, Jack. I’ll get going.” “Call me as soon as you get back. Whether you find her or not.” “Right. Where are you going?” “The McAlton. To check with her old man.” “What about Terry? Can you trust him alone?” she asked with slight sarcasm. “No,” he said matter-of-factly, looking at Terry as he spoke, in a voice that betrayed none of his passion for the boy. “I’m counting on the smoked oysters to keep him out of trouble.” Terry grinned a little but his eyes didn’t leave the television set. Beebo laughed. “Okay, doll, I’ll help you out, but don’t expect me to welcome Laura back and send her flowers. I’m through with that little bitch. If I find her I’ll drag her home by the scruff of the neck and dump her.” “That’s good enough, Beebo. Thanks.”