Read Online The Butterfly Plague by Timothy Findley - Free Book Online

haven’t come here to look at me. You’ve come to tell me your news. What about Bully?”
    “Before Bully—I want to know what happened with your emissary. Had he any success?”
    Letitia rattled her bracelets impatiently. “Of course not,” she said. “Did we really expect it?”
    “No.”
    “It doesn’t worry you, Cooper?”
    “Not in the least. We don’t need them. Remember, you have me and everything I am and everything I own at your disposal.”
    Letitia beamed. “Cooper, your faith in me is wonderful.”
    Cooper Carter coughed.
    “And now, about Bully. It is true—was it suicide?”
    “Unfortunately, yes,” said Cooper.
    “Unfortunately nothing. It’s a miracle of timing. I was thrilled.”
    “You always had a cruel streak, my love.”
    “No. I was always practical, Cooper. And I still am.”
    “So.”
    “Go on, then. Come to the cause.”
    “No one is certain. There are only rumours.”
    “And what are they?”
    “They’re all predictable in my estimation. Some say it was debts, others say it was drink, some even say it had to be an accident. His daughter thinks he was murdered.”
    “Nonsense. He danced right under my train.”
    “That’s what they say. And she says it was murder.”
    “She’s an hysteric.”
    “Yes.”
    “What else?”
    “Well, they’re looking at the will today. Didn’t want to do that till after the funeral—and that, as you know, was yesterday.”
    “Yes. I was there.”
    “A little dangerous, don’t you think?”
    “Not at all. I never got out of my car.”
    “So—I’m afraid I have nothing extraordinary to tell you. Except that everyone was very sorry and most people think poor old Bully just got too deep in debt and couldn’t face the fact he was too old for a comeback.”
    A silent, unseen reaction. Tension.
    “Has my name been mentioned at all?”
    “Not a word,” said Cooper Carter.
    “Very well.”
    “I’ll check out the will situation this afternoon.”
    “By the way, you should know that George is coming.”
    “Oh? Can you handle him?”
    “Of course.”
    “In spite of what he knows? Shouldn’t I buy him off?”
    “No, my dear. Thank you, but no. There’s no need to waste your money, no matter how much there is. I can take care of George.”
    They smiled.
    “But I’m grateful, Cooper. You’re very loyal.”
    “You pay me well, my dear.”
    “As if I paid you with money! Or needed to!”
    Cooper laughed.
    “Don’t be so cynical,” said Letitia. “Come and say good-bye.”
    A hand and forearm emerged, so entwined in silk that hardly any flesh was evident. Cooper Carter walked across the room. He lifted the hand; he kissed its fingers; the voice begged one last look at his richly masculine profile; he gave it…
    And left.

    12:00 noon

    “Mr. Damarosch.”
    “George.”
    “Hullo.”
    “You may go, Maureen. This time, definitely coffee and sherry.”
    “Yes’m.”
    Pause.
    “Well, George. We meet again.”
    “Where the hell are you? I can’t even see you. What in the name of God are you pulling now, Letitia?”
    “Now…George.”
    “Don’t you ‘now George’ me. I want to see you. Get the hell out of that bed.”
    “No.”
    “I’ll drag you out, Letitia.”
    “No you won’t.”
    “Yes I will.”
    “No.”
    “Yes.”
    Children.
    “If you take one more step, George, I’ll shoot you.”
    A gleam of metal made an announcement through the gauze. George retreated.
    “Bitch.”
    “No, George. No language.”
    “Language be damned, it’s what you are.” He sat down.
    In the bed beyond the curtains there was a sigh and the sigh sent a tingle through George Damarosch, sitting there paunchy and spruced over with the odors of male toiletry. He blinked. His eyes watered. He stared with a slightly thyroid pop, leaning forward, feet together, fingers balanced on his knees, his lips working out the patterns of possible words, but silent.
    Suddenly, the voice from the bed said, “How’s Naomi?”
    “Letitia,