Page 133 of Fire Must Burn

‘My God,’ he said. ‘But she wasn’t charged with any of it.’

‘Nor will she be,’ said Sparks. ‘Everything has been hushed up. Lonsdale will plead guilty and serve his sentence. She will continue on in another place under another name.’

‘What about me?’ he asked.

‘They still suspect you,’ she said. ‘I imagine they always will. It may be true, for all I know. All I can say is if you are working for the other side, give it up now, Tony.’

‘I suppose you’re done with me, then,’ he said bitterly.

‘Almost,’ she said.

‘That’s right. There’s a third question to be asked. I dread hearing it.’

‘This one is less painful,’ she said. ‘Our first date at the Whim. You were planning to take me to a film, but we got caught up in talking for the entire day. Do you remember?’

‘I remember. What’s the question?’

‘Which film were you going to take me to?’

‘The Night Is Young.’

‘Why that one?’

He smiled, closing his eyes and remembering.

‘Because Ramon Novarro was gorgeous,’ he said.

‘He was, wasn’t he?’ she agreed. ‘Fine. No more questions. There’s one last thing.’

‘Which is what?’

‘You’re still a client of The Right Sort,’ she said.

‘I will withdraw my application—’

‘We have a match for you.’

‘What?’

‘Her name is Virginia Barton.’

‘Sparks, you can’t possibly—’

‘Like you, she doesn’t want children,’ continued Sparks. ‘Like you, she wants someone to talk to at the end of the day. And, like you, she loves books. In fact, she’s a librarian.’

‘I don’t know if this is a good idea, Sparks,’ he said.

‘That’s too bad, because she’s waiting in the hall outside,’ said Sparks, rising to her feet.

‘But—’ he protested.

She left. Then another woman entered.

‘Good morning, Mr Danforth,’ she said. ‘I’m Virginia Barton. I believe Miss Sparks has told you about me.’

‘Um, yes,’ he said. ‘Has she told you much about me?’

‘A little,’ she said. ‘I am so sorry about your recent tragedy.’