Agnes might come back. If they couldn’t pin anything on her. If they didn’t send her to the loony bin. Agnes was slow in the head, but not crazy so they might let her go. She would inherit the house—and Beast House.
Yes.
If Agnes came back, it wouldn’t be so bad. Sandy could run things herself. She could start up the tours again.
And Agnes knew about babies. She’d helped in Mom’s delivery.
She’ll help me.
Sandy slid her hands over her belly. The turmoil in her mind subsided.
The voices outside her hiding place went on. Footsteps moved up and down the stairs.
She wondered, for a while, what name she should give the child? Seth? Jason? She didn’t know which was the father. Besides, those were old-fashioned names. Nerdy. Maybe Rich or Clint or…
Then she fell asleep.
EPILOGUE
Tyler twisted her finger free of the baby’s tight grip, and knocked on the cottage door.
“Who is it?”
“Me,” she said.
“Just a sec, hon. I ain’t decent.”
“When has that ever stopped you?”
A moment later, Nora opened the door. She wore a yellow bikini that looked brand-new and covered very little.
“You aren’t losing any time,” Tyler said.
“I spotted Jack down at the dock. He didn’t see me. I’m gonna surprise him. Hand over the kid.”
Laughing, Tyler held out the baby. He flung out his arms and legs as if afraid of being dropped, and grabbed a strap of Nora’s bikini. Wrapping her arms around him, she held him close. “I think I’d like to keep you, Scotty.”
“Get your own. I’m sure Jack would accommodate you.”
“I’m sure he would.” She sat on a side of the kingsized bed. “So, how’s life in the boondocks?”
“Couldn’t be better. How’s life in the urban sprawl?”
“It’s getting to me. I spent the whole year thinking about this place. I guess it sort of grew on me. So did Jack.”
“He must’ve. You haven’t unpacked yet.”
“I don’t plan to stay.”
“But…”
“I’m gonna cajole Jack into letting me stay with him. Smart, huh? You can rent out this room to a paying customer. I saw the no vacancy sign out front.”
“He’s got an A-frame just down the…”
“I know, I know. I haven’t been exactly out of touch with him.” She flopped backwards across the bed and hoisted Scotty high. He gasped and started to cry. She lowered him quickly. “Oh shit, now I did it.” Sitting up, she handed him back to Tyler.
He wrapped an arm around her neck and held on tight. “Did big bad Nora scare you?”
“That’s it, turn the kid against me. If it wasn’t for me, he wouldn’t be here. If I hadn’t flipped the bird at that jerk on the highway…”
“That’s right. Say thank you, Scotty.”
Scotty sobbed.
“Which reminds me,” Nora said. “Guess where I spent last night? The Welcome Inn. They were full up, just like you guys, but Janice let me stay in her parents’ room.”
“How is she doing?”
“You mean you don’t know?”
“Well, I’ve seen her on television a few times and I know the book has been on the bestseller list for the past six weeks.”
“She got—good Christ—over a million for the paperback rights. The film’s all set to go into production in about two weeks. They’ll be shooting on location.”
“But how’s she doing?”
The brightness left Nora’s face. “She woke me up last night, screaming. A nightmare. We stayed up till morning, talking. She has these nightmares but they used to be every night and now they’re not so frequent. She said it helped, writing the book—got a lot of it out of her system. It also helped because she got involved with this guy, Steve Saunders. Hardy’s agent sent him out to help her with the thing. He ghosted it for her, and then did the screenplay. I guess the two are thick as thieves, but he’s back in LA till the shooting starts. I talked her into phoning him at about seven this morning, and that cheered her up. I guess she’s doing okay.” Nora’s smile returned. “Hey, we went over to the Last Chance after dinner last night. Good old Captain Frank was in rare form. He’s one hell of a local celebrity.”
“Bet he loves it.”
“The man’s in his glory. You should’ve heard him. ‘Aye, I laid the beast low, mateys.’ Everybody in the place buying him drinks. He said to give you his regards, and I’m supposed to tell you that you’re welcome to keep his belt.”
“I’ve been meaning to send it back.”
“You can save your postage.” She pushed herself off the bed. “Well, kiddo, I’d love to stay here and chat all afternoon, but I have this pressing engagement. You know how it is.”
“I know.”
Nora stepped past her and opened the door.
“Wait,” Tyler said. “Did you take the tour?”
“You’ve got to be kidding. For one thing, the line was about half a mile long. And they’ve raised the ticket price to twelve fifty. Must be making a mint.”
“Who?”
Nora shrugged. “Kutch’s daughter owns the place. I don’t know who’s guiding the tours. I caught a look at her. Some kid, can’t be older than fourteen or fifteen.”
“The place should’ve been closed down.”
“Shit, it should’ve been burnt to the ground. But at least it hasn’t got Dan anymore. I checked with somebody coming out, and he’s not part of the Ziegler exhibit. I guess they haven’t bothered to have him replaced.”
“I’m glad.”
“Hey, I almost forgot your book.” She stepped over to her open suitcase. From under the gown on top, she pulled out a book with the familiar dust jacket:
Tyler nodded.
“Well, I bet yours isn’t autographed. Let me make sure this isn’t Jack’s.” She opened the book. “Yep, this is the one.”
Tyler sat on the bed, rested Scotty on her lap, and accepted the book.
“See you later,” Nora said.
“The cocktail lounge at six,” Tyler reminded her.
“Right. We’ll be there.”
Then Nora left.
Tyler turned to the title page. In blue ink just below the author’s name was scrawled: To my good friend, Tyler, and to Abe who saved my life—my thanks and best wishes. The things that go bump in the night are dead. Long live us. Love, Janice Crogan August 3, 1980.
Rave Reviews for Richard Laymon!
