'No,' he said softly, 'I just wanted to make sure that you didn't
reveal anything about the work you're doing for me.'
'Well, I didn't' I told him curtly.
'The night after this,' he reminded me, 'At eight.'
There was a click and then the dial tone. I shivered and hung up
the receiver. I had the oddest feeling that I had just broken
connection with the grave.
The next morning at 7.30 sharp, I picked up Vicki at the
Bonaventure Motel. She was all decked out in an outfit that made
her look stunning. I made a low whistle; she flushed prettily. We
didn't talk about the accident.
The movie was good and we held hands part of the time, ate
popcorn part of the time and kissed once or twice. All in all, a
pleasant evening.
The second feature was just drawing to the climax when an usher
came down the aisle.
He was stopping at every row and looked peeved. Finally, he
stopped at ours. He swept the flashlight down the row and asked*
'Mr. Gerad? Daniel Gerad?'
'Yes' I asked, feeling guilt and fear run through me. 'There's a
gentleman on the phone, sir. He says it's a matter of life or death.'
Vicki gave me a startled look and I followed the usher hurriedly.
That let out the police. I mentally took stock of my only remaining
relatives. Aunt Polly, Grandma Phibbs and my great-uncle Charlie.
They were all healthy as far as I knew.
You could have knocked me over with a feather when I picked up
the telephone and heard Rankin's voice.
He spoke rapidly and a raw note of fear was in his voice. 'Get out
here, right now! We need '
There were sounds of a a scuffle, a muffled scream, then a click
and the empty dial tone.
I hung, up and hurried back for Vicki. 'Come on,' I said.
She followed without questioning me. At first I wanted to drive her
back to the motel but the muffled scream made me decide that this
was an emergency. I didn't like either Rankin or Weinbaum, but I
knew I would have to help them.
We took off.
'What is it?' Vicki asked anxiously as I stamped on the go-pedal
and let the car unwind.
'Look,' I said, 'something tells me that you've got your secrets
about your guardian. I've got some of my own. Please, don't ask.'
She didn't say another word.
I took possession of the passing lane. The speedometer climbed
from seventy-five to eighty-five, kept rising and trembled on the
verge of ninety. I pulled into the turnoff on two wheels and the car
bounced, clung and exploded up the road.
Grim and gaunt against the overcast sky, I could see the house. I
pulled the car to a stop and was out in a second.
'Wait here,' I cried over my shoulder to Vicki.
