*Not at all.'

*My things are a mess.'

*I noticed.' He struck a match and sucked its flame down to the surface of the tobacco. *Did you sleep well?'

*Great.'

Jack tamped down the loose ash in his pipe and lit another match. As he drew the flame into the briar bowl, he looked at Marty and raised his eyebrows. He blew a cloud of smoke.

*Smells like a cake baking,' Marty said. *A chocolate cake.'

Jack shrugged.

*Would it be all right if I use your telephone? I'd like to call my parents and let them know I'm okay.'

*Help yourself.'

*I'll call collect.'

*No need.'

The telephone was on a lamp table at the end of the sofa. Marty stood up and went over to it. She picked up the handset, then tapped in the numbers.

Sitting down on the sofa, she listened to the ringing.

Someone picked up. *h.e.l.lo?' asked her father. He sounded tense. *Hi, Dad.'

*Marty! My G.o.d! Are you all right?'

*I'm okay.'

*What in the name of G.o.da?'

*I was kidnapped.'

*Kidnapped?'

*I just got away a little while ago. I'm all right. You and Mom can stop worrying about me.'

*We've been basket cases.'

*It's all right now. I'm not sure when I'll be home, buta'

*Where are you? Where are you calling from?'

*A place in the woods. Anyway, I'm fine. I've got to get going, now.'

*Martya'

*Give my love to Mom.'

*Marty, fora'

*Bye for now, Dad,' she said, and hung up.

*Short but sweet,' she said to Jack, and tried to smile. *I just didn't want to get into it, you know?' She made a small laugh. *Besides, it was long distance and you were paying.'

*You were actually kidnapped?' Jack asked, and puffed on his pipe.

*Yeah.'

*Guess we'd better make a call to the police.'

*Could it wait? I'm stilla I don't know. I feel like I need some time, ora'

*The sooner you get to the police, the sooner they'll put your kidnappers out of commission.'

*Kidnapper. Only one.'

*Don't you think you should call the police?'

Marty looked into Jack's eyes. They were gentle, confident, comforting. He seemed like a man who knew things and could handle tough situations. She would be safe with him. *How about tomorrow?' she asked.

*Fine with me.'

*Can I stay here till then?'

*You're welcome to stay as long as you want.'

*Really? As long as I want?'

*Sure.' He grinned and puffed his pipe. *Long as you behave yourself.'

34.

w.i.l.l.y took a red bandanna out of his jeans and wiped the sweat off his face. *Hotter than boiled p.i.s.s,' he said.

But the shack was just ahead. He would be there in a minute or so. About time! Two hours was too d.a.m.n long to be tromping through the boonies, especially in this kind of heat.

He was glad he'd done it, though. Now he was sure they were alone. No sign of humanity anywhere nearby. He sure had found himself a great place for a hideout - or Dewey had.

I oughta drop Dewey a card, he though. *h.e.l.lo from your old stomping grounds,' he said aloud.

The girl, apparently hearing him, lifted her head. She was still standing, arms high, under the tree. And still on her feet to keep her weight off the handcuffs.

*Hi, sweet stuff. Miss me?'

She squinted at him and said nothing.

*Looks like you got yourself a little sun,' w.i.l.l.y said, and laughed.

Where she'd had a tan before, her skin now had a deep, rosy glow. Where her skin had been white, she now appeared to be wearing a bright red bikini.

w.i.l.l.y dragged a fingernail down her breast.

She flinched and made a hissing sound between her teeth.

The scratch from his fingernail looked blue-white for a moment, then went red.

*Hurt?'w.i.l.l.y asked.

*Yes.'

*Tough t.i.tty.' He laughed.

35.

*Are you hungry?' Jack asked. *I picked up a couple of steaks in town this afternoon.'

*Great. I'm starved.'

*Okay. Why don't you go on and get dressed, and I'll start the barbecue?'

Marty felt her skin heat with embarra.s.sment as she thought about the torn, filthy rags on the bedroom floor. *Won't this do?' she asked, glancing down at the white robe.

*We don't know each other well enough,' he said.

Marty smiled. *Oh. I see.'

*Go change,' he said.

She went into the bedroom. On the bed lay two green shopping bags. Inside them she found a white blouse, a pale blue skirt, panties and a bra, and a shoe box containing a pair of white sneakers.

All brand new, the tags still on them.

Blushing, she called out, *Thank you, Jack! They're great!'

*You're welcome,' he called from somewhere beyond the shut door.

Marty took off the robe. She hung it in the closet, glimpsing the shotgun's stock before she turned away. Then she removed the bandage from her back and made a new one. After that, she removed the tags from the clothes. She started to get dressed.

The bra was slightly too large.

*Wishful thinking,' she muttered. Laughing quietly, she put it on anyway.

Everything else fit well. Looking at herself in the brand new clothes, she felt clean and fresh and very safe.

The night with w.i.l.l.y seemed far away.

Until she saw her face in the mirror.

That brought it all back. Her stomach twisted. She crouched on the floor, shivering, hugging her belly. Then, like an icy wind, it pa.s.sed. She hurried outside.

The afternoon sun was hot and calming.

She found Jack behind the cabin, standing at a red brick barbecue.

*The clothes are wonderful,' she said.

*You look great.'

*If you're into battered, bruised and ugly.'

He laughed. *I must admit, I would be interested in seeing what you look like when you haven't just been beaten to a pulp.'

*Consider it done. It's the least I can do for you.'

36.

w.i.l.l.y came out of the shack. He was naked. He held his red bandanna in one hand, his leather belt in the other.

The girl raised her head and opened her eyes.

*This is gonna hurt, sweetie. But don't scream too loud, or I'll have to gag you. You wouldn't want that. My hanky's got boogers in it.'

Her dry lips stuck together when she tried to open her mouth. Then they peeled apart. She licked them, and asked in a raspy whisper, *Why are you doing this to me?'

*Because I can?'

He began to swing his belt.