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I'll do it just the way he would, Greg thought.
He sipped his drink and set it down on a side table with spidery legs. Speaking conversationally, he said to Gladys: "When I was fifteen, my father introduced me to an actress called Jacky Jakes."
Lev's eyes widened.
"I don't think I know her," said Gladys.
Greg took the razor from his pocket, but did not open it. He held it in his hand as if feeling its weight. "I fell in love with her."
Lev said: "Why are you dragging this ancient history up now?"
Gladys sensed the tension and looked anxious.
Greg went on: "Father was afraid I might want to marry her."
Lev laughed mockingly. "That cheap tart?"
"Was she a cheap tart?" Greg said. "I thought she was an actress." He looked at Gladys.
Gladys flushed at the implied insult.
Greg said: "Father paid her a visit, and took with him a colleague, Joe Brekhunov. Have you met him, Gladys?"
"I don't believe so."
"Lucky you. Joe has a razor like this." Greg snapped the razor open, showing the gleaming sharp blade.
Gladys gasped.
Lev said: "I don't know what game you think you're playing--"
"Just a minute," Greg said. "Gladys wants to hear the rest of the story." He smiled at her. She looked terrified. He said: "My father told Jacky that if she ever saw me again, Joe would cut her face with his razor."
He jerked the knife, just a little, and Gladys gave a small scream.
"The hell with this," Lev said, and took a step toward Greg. Greg raised the hand holding the razor. Lev stopped.
Greg did not know whether he would be able to cut his father. But Lev did not know either.
"Jacky lives right here in Washington," Greg said.
His father said crudely: "Are you fucking her again?"
"No. I'm not fucking anyone, though I have plans for Margaret Cowdry."
"The cookie heiress?"
"Why, do you want Joe to threaten her too?"
"Don't be stupid."
"Jacky is a waitress now--she never got the movie part she was hoping for. I run into her on the street sometimes. Today she served me in a restaurant. Every time she sees my face, she thinks Joe is going to come after her."
"She's out of her mind," Lev said. "I'd forgotten all about her until five minutes ago."
"Can I tell her that?" Greg said. "I think by now she's entitled to her peace of mind."
"Tell her whatever the hell you like. For me she doesn't exist."
