Lucifer's Hammer - Larry Niven [135]
"No." Marie tried to smile. "Please, can't you wait until I get some clothes? Harvey—"
"He's not making decisions just now," Mark said. "Look, there'll be clothes. Not much food, but plenty of clothes."
"I have perfectly good outdoor equipment at home." Marie was firm. She knew how to talk to employees, Gordie's or Harvey's. "And boots that fit. I am very hard to fit. You can't tell me that ten minutes will make that much difference."
"It'll take longer than ten minutes, and we don't have any time at all," Mark said.
"It certainly will take longer if we stand here talking about it." Marie started the car. She began moving forward, slowly. "Please wait for me," she said, and drove away, south.
"Jesus," Mark said. "Harv? What … ?" He let his question stay unfinished. Harvey Randall wasn't making decisions just now. "Get in the goddam car, Harv!" Mark ordered.
The bark in Mark's voice moved Harvey toward the TravelAll. He started to get into the driver's seat. Mark growled, "Joanna, take the bike. I'll drive."
"Where … ?"
"Back to Harvey's place. I guess. Hell, I don't know what we ought to do. Maybe we ought to just go on."
"We can't leave her," Joanna said firmly. She got out and took the bike. Mark shrugged and climbed into the TravelAll. He managed to turn in a drive and started back the way they'd come, cursing all the way.
When they reached the cul-de-sac, Marie Vance was sitting on her front porch. She wore trousers of an expensive artificial fabric. They were cut in a rugged square pattern and looked very durable. She wore a cotton blouse and a wool Pendleton shirt over it. She was lacing medium-height hiking boots over wool socks. A blanket lay beside her. The blanket was lumpy.
Joanna braked the motorcycle on the lawn. Mark got out and joined her. He stared at Marie, then back at Joanna. "Goddam, that's the quickest change I've ever seen. She could be useful."
"Depends on for what," Marie said evenly. "Who are you two, and what's wrong with Harvey?" She went on lacing her boots.
"His wife was killed. Same outfit that broke into your place," Mark said. "Listen, where were you going in that Caddy? Is your husband with Andy Randall?"'
"Yes, of course," Marie said. "Andy and Burt are up there. With Gordie." She tied the boot and stood. "Poor Loretta. She—oh, damn it. Will you tell me your names?"
"Mark. This is Joanna. I worked for Harv—"
"Yes," Marie said. She'd heard about Mark. "Hello. You're staying with Harvey, then?"
"Sure—"
"Then let's go. Please put this bundle in the car. I'll be right out."
Hard as fucking nails, Mark thought. Coldest bitch I ever saw. He took the blanket. It was lumpy with clothing and other objects. Marie came out with a plastic travel bag, the kind used to hang clothes when carried on board an airplane. There wasn't a lot of room in the back of the TravelAll, but she was careful about how she laid it, smoothing out wrinkles.
"What's all that?" Mark demanded.
"Things I'll need. I'm ready now."
"Can you drive Harv's buggy?"
"On roads," Marie said. "I've never tried to drive except on roads. But I can handle a stick shift."
"Good. You drive. It's too big for Joanna."
"I can manage."
"Sure, Jo, but you don't have to," Mark said. "Let Miz—"
"Marie."
"Let Miz Marie—"
She laughed. Hard. "It's just Marie. And I'll drive. Do you have maps? I don't have a good map. I know the boys are up near the southern edge of Sequoia National Park, but I'm not sure how to get there." Dressed in trousers and wool shirt, thin nylon jacket she'd brought from the house, hiking boots, she looked smaller than Mark remembered, and somehow less competent. Mark had no time to wonder why.
She'll have to do, Mark thought. "I'll lead on the bike. Joanna will ride shotgun in the car. I think we ought to put Harv in the back seat. Maybe if he gets some sleep his brain will turn on again. Christ, I never saw a guy go to pieces like that before. It's like he killed her himself." Mark saw Marie's eyes widen slightly. To hell with that, he thought. He