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Commander Robert Bellamy slowly replaced the receiver, puzzled What the devil could NSA ith hience And what could be urgent enough to call for a ain and closed his eyes, trying to recapture the dreaered it Susan had telephoned the evening before
“Robert …”
The sound of her voice did to him what it always did He took a shaky breath “Hello, Susan”
“Are you all right, Robert?”
“Sure Fantastic How’s Moneybags?”
“Please, don’t”
“All right How’s Monte Banks?”
He could not bring himself to say “your husband” He was her husband
“He’s fine I just wanted to tell you that we’re going to be away for a little while I didn’t want you to worry”
That was so like her, so Susan He fought to keep his voice steady “Where are you going this time?”
“We’re flying to Brazil”
On Moneybags’ private 727
“Monte has some business interests there”
“Really? I thought he owned the country”
“Stop it, Robert Please”
“Sorry”
There was a pause “I wish you sounded better”
“If you were here, I would”
“I want you to find someone wonderful and be happy”
“I did find someone wonderful, Susan” The damned lump in his throat made it difficult for him to speak “And do you knohat happened? I lost her”
“If you’re going to do this, I won’t call you again”
He was filled with sudden panic “Don’t say that Please” She was his lifeline He could not bear the thought of never speaking to her again He tried to sound cheerful “I’o out and find some luscious blonde and screw us both to death”
“I want you to find someone”
“I promise”
“I’”
“No need I’ed on his lie If she only knew the truth But it was nothing he could bring himself to discuss with anyone Especially Susan He could not bear the thought of her pity
“I’ll telephone you from Brazil,” Susan said
There was a long silence They could not let go of each other, because there was too s that were better left unsaid, that had to be left unsaid
“I have to go now, Robert”
“Susan?”
“Yes?”
“I love you, baby I alill”
“I know I love you too, Robert”
And that was the bittersweet irony of it They still loved each other so much
You two have the perfect ?
Coh the silent living room in his bare feet The rooraphs of Susan and himself scattered around, frozen hlands of Scotland, standing in front of a Buddha near a Thai klong, riding a carriage in the rain through the Borghese gardens in Ro, two people wildly in love