Read Wife or Death for Free Online

had stopped bothering to query her about her lovers, Angel had taken to volunteering explanations out of a clear sky. Probably she had already dreamed up some fairy-tale explanation for Crosby’s night-long attempts to corner her.
    He sat there, driving and waiting for her to mention the district attorney. But they were halfway home before she spoke at all. And then it was to say, quietly, “I didn’t think it was going to end this way, James.”
    He was startled. He glanced at her once, and looked back at the road. “Neither did I,” he said dryly. “But then I didn’t know I was going to have to share you with my friends.”
    She was full of surprises tonight. She became neither wide-eyed nor tearful. Instead, Angel said reflectively, “And I didn’t know you lived in such a two-horse town.”
    So at last she had decided to abandon pretense. Denton felt a stir of curiosity. “I didn’t make any mystery out of Ridgemore.”
    â€œYou didn’t tell me the social life here consisted of Saturday nights at a crummy country club. There isn’t even a night club in this creeping crossroads. The country life may suit you, James, but I’m a city girl. I’m bored to death.”
    â€œOr do you mean you’ve run out of unattached men?”
    She did not reply for some time. He glanced at her again; she was sitting with folded hands, staring ahead into the night and the rain. Suddenly she looked at him and said, “I want a divorce.”
    â€œWell, I’ll be damned,” Denton said, almost with admiration. “ You want a divorce?”
    â€œYes,” she said quickly. “Will you give me one?”
    â€œTwo minds with but a single thought. I sure as hell will, my love. You just barely beat me to the bench.”
    He thought he was immune to her surprises, but she actually seemed offended. “You won’t have to put up with me much longer. I’m getting out.”
    â€œOut of Ridgemore?”
    â€œAnd your life.”
    So that’s that, Denton thought. He was a little disappointed. “I’m getting out.” No drama at all. He supposed he had been rather expecting a fine excitement for the climax.
    â€œWho’s the lucky Lothario?”
    â€œYou always think some man is involved.” Angel sounded cross. “You don’t understand. I’m simply fed up with this town.”
    â€œAnd me, my Angel?”
    She said softly, “I think I’ll always sort of love you.”
    Amazing gal, Denton grinned to himself. Almost a psychopathic liar. Or, against all reason, she had missed her calling. Maybe the stage had lost a natural-born actress at that.
    Neither said another syllable during the drive.
    The Denton house was a one-story ranch type of three bedrooms, with two baths and an attached garage. Denton drove through his open garage door and cut the engine, automatically glancing at the mileage meter before switching off the lights. It was a new car, and for some time Denton had been keeping a running check on its gas consumption. His mind made a mechanical note that he had put a total of twenty-eight miles on the car since driving out of the garage early in the evening.
    Angel disappeared through the garage door to the kitchen while Denton was hauling down the overhead door. By the time he got inside she was in her bedroom, with the door shut.
    From the beginning of their marriage Angel had insisted on separate bedrooms, not from coquetry but because the arrangement satisfied her groping sense of status.
    For months now, of course, he had not stepped through her doorway.
    Denton hesitated, half-tempted to go in and finish their divorce talk.
    But then he shrugged and decided it would keep until morning.
    Switching off the trail of lights she had left, he shut his own bedroom door and prepared for bed.
    It was 3:10 by his wristwatch when he snapped off his bed light.
    The next day being Sunday,