“Yes, I know… I know he thinks a great deal of you, too.” Now it was Laura’s turn to try to convey, without saying the words, that, to her, Rich’s wartime relationship with this still extremely attractive woman was no longer a threat to her marriage, but a bond between the two women, something she welcomed.
“That’s awfully nice of you, Laura.” Was there the very slightest emphasis on the conventional words? “But I agree, we can’t tell Rich anything about this. Even the strongest men — like Rich — would find that hard to take.”
Laura sat silently for a moment, sipping her coffee. Enough had been said. Probably she and Joan would not ever be intimate friends — perhaps that was in truth impossible, given the situation — but they understood each other. Joan’s integrity would always match her own. She put down her cup. “What brings you to New London, Joan? You’re still in Brighting’s office, aren’t you?”
“Yes, I’m still with him. But I came because I wanted to see you.”
“That’s awfully nice for me. How long will you be here?”
“I flew up this morning on Navy business, and I have to leave in a little while. The car that brought me will come back to take me to the airport.”
“That’s a fast trip.”
“I’m still in Naval Intelligence you know.”
“Still?” Laura’s voice rose in surprise. “Rich said you were, during the war, but I didn’t know you still were. I thought you were just a regular WAVE officer.”
“Well, I am. I’m in ONI — that’s Naval Intelligence — and I’m assigned to Admiral Brighting’s office. But I’m leaving next month.”
“Oh, really? Where are you going? I’ll bet it’s some exotic place!”
“Oh, I’ll be staying in Washington. What I meant was that I’ll be leaving the Service.” There was a glow in Joan’s face and an anticipatory look, as if she expected and even welcomed the next question.
“Leaving the Service?” Laura was genuinely surprised. “Why leave it now?”
“Martin Brighting and I are going to be married!” Joan’s face was radiant.
Impulsively, Laura leaped to her feet and embraced Joan. “How marvelous! How stupendous! What stunning news! Rich will be thrilled too! Oh, I’m so happy for both of you! We all pictured the admiral as remaining a confirmed bachelor after Marilyn Brighting’s death. How wonderful that isn’t so! How marvelous for both of you! Can we come to the wedding?”
“Well, no. Not actually. I mean, we’re going to be married very quietly by ourselves, and then take off for a honeymoon in Jamaica.” There was a hint of pride in the smile on Joan’s face as she added, “It will be Martin’s first vacation from the Navy in years. He’s promised not to mention business even once! But the next time you’re in Washington, you and Rich must visit us!”
“We will! We would love to!” said Laura enthusiastically, and then stopped, bewildered, as she looked at Joan.
A transformation had come over her visitor. The look of happiness on Joan’s expressive face had changed to one of deepest sorrow. There was the glint of moisture in the large eyes. “Why, what’s the matter?” Laura asked.
“There’s something else I have to tell you. I really had no right to come here and be so happy. It’s terribly sad. You’ll have to help all you can. No, this has nothing to do with Rich,” she added quickly, as Laura stiffened with alarm.
“What is it, then?” Laura asked, almost in a whisper.
“Laura, this is completely unofficial. I ought not even to be here, according to all the rules, but Martin insisted on it and Admiral Donaldson agreed. But I can’t tell you anything more. You’ll know soon, but please, when you do, don’t say anything about this visit. Don’t ask me how I know this — it’s part of the business I’m about to leave — but we know you’ve been having trouble with Peggy Leone. She’s going to need your help, Laura. Lots of help, and soon. You’ve got to do what you can!”
“Joan, I can’t. Peggy would never want my help. You have no idea of the things she’s said to me!”
“I know what she’s like. I could probably repeat nearly every word to you. She said a few untrue things about me, for example. And poor old Captain Blunt, too. We know she’s behaved very badly. But she’s going to need you. She’ll need help very much. She’s alienated nearly everyone around here, you more than anyone, I’ll agree, but you’re the wife of Keith’s squadron commander. You have a duty to her.”
“Joan! You’re telling me that something’s happened to Keith! You can’t mean—!”
“I can’t tell you anything. I’m only saying you’ve got to help Peggy, no matter how you feel about her. She’s always been terrified of the Navy. Did you know she’s been going to a psychiatrist? We’ve talked to him. This morning. We knew he wouldn’t discuss his patients, but he managed to convince us she should not be alone even for a minute, once this thing hits her!”
“You’re saying Keith’s dead! Joan! I can’t believe it! How can it be? What happened?” Laura put her hand to her face in horror. Something was grabbing her intestines. Her flesh felt dry, her body rigid. She clutched at Joan with the other hand.
“I can’t say anything more,” said Joan uncomfortably. “Whatever you’re guessing is only a guess. And keep it all inside you. Don’t show, and don’t tell.” The look of inexpressible sadness was unmistakable. “You’ve got to be with Peggy when the news breaks. Admiral Treadwell will tell you when. Nobody else can handle it. Will you?”
“What dreadful news!” Laura felt as if her mind were flooded with emotion. “Of course I’ll be there!”
The good-bye handshake turned into a fond, sad embrace, and Joan was out of the house and into the car, which had arrived unnoticed. When she was gone, Laura stood leaning against the door she had just closed. The enormity of what she had heard was shattering. Poor Keith! What could have happened? She visualized him at the bottom of the sea, entombed in the steel prison of his submarine, suffocating slowly and horribly. Rich had many times said that dying from lack of oxygen was not unpleasant. One merely went to sleep. But the thought was a frightening one, nevertheless. Why did it have to happen to Keith, Rich’s best friend in the Navy? Then another idea seized her. Rich and Buck must have failed in their mission of rescue. But, at least, they would come home safe. Keith would not. His death, however it had happened, would soon be made public.
And what about Peggy? Laura’s personal dislike of her had vanished. Joan had been exactly right. She was simply terrified of the Navy. Was that wrong? Especially when her fears had proved justified in the most devastating way? Like her or not, one had to admit she had been right to be afraid. The poor thing! How cruel! How dreadful for her! And how awful, too, for poor little Ruthie!
Laura would have to make plans. She would need help. Cindy would have to relieve her occasionally, and Nancy Dulany too. She would probably have to sleep in Peggy’s house for a few nights. Provisions would have to be made for Jobie. At fourteen, that would not be hard; he was already showing his father’s independence. Perhaps Peggy’s telephone should be disconnected, or perhaps made to ring somewhere else, in Admiral Treadwell’s office, where someone could be on duty to take messages. Food would have to be organized. Someone would have to make sure Ruthie was properly fed, taken to school, and fetched home again. Peggy must be allowed to cry. She would be hysterical. But she should be encouraged to do as many of the ordinary routine things as possible, as were within her strength, simply to keep her sanity. Poor Peggy! That was, of course, the essence of the problem. How much could she take? Even a perfectly normal woman would need help at a time like this!
No matter what happened, it would be imperative for Laura to keep a cool head. Peggy would be very hard to handle.