Code to Zero Page 0,17

the stuff we used to do in the war".'

Billie frowned anxiously. Luke and Bern had been in OSS during the war, working behind enemy lines, helping the French resistance. But they had been out of that world since 1946 - hadn't they? 'What do you think he meant?'

'I don't know. He said he would call me when he reached Washington. He checked into the Carlton Hotel on Monday night Now it's Wednesday, and he hasn't called. And his bed wasn't slept in last night.'

'How did you find that out''

Bern made an impatient noise. 'Billie, you were in OSS too, what would you have done?'

'I guess I would have given a chambermaid a couple of bucks.'

'Right So he was out all night and he hasn't come back.'

'Maybe he was cattin' around.'

'And maybe Billy Graham smokes reefer, but I don't think so, do you?' -

Bern was right. Luke had a powerful sex drive, but he craved intensity, not variety, Billie knew. 'No, I don't think so,' she said.

'Call me if you hear from him, okay?'

'Sure, of course.'

'Be seeing you.'

'Bye.' Billie hung up.

Then she sat at the kitchen table, her chores forgotten, thinking about Luke.

1941

Route 138 meandered south through Massachusetts towards Rhode Island. There was no cloud, and the moon shone on the country roads. The old Ford had no heater. Billie was wrapped up in coat, scarf and gloves, but her feet were numb. However, she did not really mind. It was no great hardship to spend a couple of hours in a car alone with Luke Lucas, even if he was someone else's boyfriend. In her experience beautiful men were tediously vain, but this one seemed to be an exception.

It was taking for ever to drive to Newport, but Luke seemed to be enjoying the long journey. Some Harvard men were nervous with attractive women, and chainsmoked, or drank from hip flasks, smoothed their hair all the time and kept straightening their ties. Luke was relaxed, driving without apparent effort and chatting. There was little traffic, and he looked at her as much as at the road.

They talked about the war in Europe. That morning in Radcliffe Yard, rival student groups had set up stalls and handed out leaflets, the Interventionists passionately advocating that America should enter the war, the America Firsters arguing the opposite whith equal fervour. A crowd had gathered, men and women, students and professors. The knowledge that Harvard boys would be among the first to die made the discussions highly emotional.

'I have cousins in Paris,' Luke said. 'I'd like us to go over there and rescue them. But that's kind of a personal reason.'

'I have a personal reason too, I'm Jewish,' Billie said. 'But rather than send Americans to die in Europe, I'd open our doors to refugees. Save lives instead of killing people.'

"That's what Anthony believes.'

Billie was still fuming about the night's fiasco. 'I can't tell you how mad I am at Anthony,' she said. 'He should have made sure we could stay at his friends' apartment.'

She was hoping for sympathy from Luke, but he disappointed her. 'I guess you both were a little too casual about the whole thing." He said it with a friendly smile, but there was no mistaking the note of censure.

Billie was stung. However, she was indebted to him for this ride, so she swallowed the retort that sprang to her lips. "You're defending your friend, which is fine,' she said gently. 'But I think he had a duty to protect my reputation.'

'Yes, but so did you.'

She was surprised he was so critical. Until now he had been all charm. "You seem to think it was my fault!'

'It was bad luck, mainly,' he said. 'But Anthony put

you in a position where a little bad luck could do you a lot of damage.'

'That's the truth.'

'And you let him.'

She found herself dismayed by his disapproval. She wanted him to think well of her - though she did not know why she cared. 'Anyway, I'll never do that again, with any man,' she said vehemently.

'Anthony's a great guy, very smart, kind of eccentric.'

'He makes girls want, to take care of him, brush his hair and press his suit and make him chicken soup.'

Luke laughed. 'Could I ask you a personal question?'

You can try.'

He met her eyes for a moment. 'Are you in love with him?'

That was sudden - but she liked men who could surprise her, so she answered candidly. 'No. I'm fond of him, I enjoy his company, but I don't love him.'