Koontz, Dean - Dance With the Devil

8/12/2019 Koontz, Dean - Dance With the Devil

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Dean Koontz (Deanna Dwyer) Dance with the Devil

[Version 2.0 by BuddyDk August 6 2003]

[Completely new s!n]

THE HAND OF EVIL

The church wa !ric" colonial# co$%act an& tri$' It the econ& ol&et !uil&in* in town#+ ,ichael

e-%laine&' A.ter Owl&en# o. coure'+

He uhere& her into a &ar"ene& veti!ule/ then Katherine $ove& ahea& o. hi$# into the church

%ro%er# %eerin* to ee in the &i$ li*ht that ca$e .ro$ the tall# e-tre$ely narrow taine&0*la

win&ow' The church wa rich with the o&or o. .urniture %olih an& can&le wa- an& worn leather

cuhion' 1he woul& never have thou*ht that there coul& !e anythin* in a church to terri.y her ' ' 'until ,ichael turne& on the li*ht' The three $aive can&le.or$ chan&elier illu$inate& an altar

that wa .or$e& aroun& a twelve0.oot $etal cro'

Han*in* .ro$ each o. the croar$ wa the *utte& cor%e o. a &o* ' ' '

PUT PLEASURE IN YOUR READING

Larger type makes the differenceThis EASY EYE Editin is set In !arge"c!ear type#at !east $% percent !argerthan &s&a!' It is printed n nn(g!arepaper fr )etter cntrast and !ess eye(strain'


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DANCE

WITH THEDEVIL

Deanna

Dwyer

PRESTIGE EASY EYE BOOKS

PRESTIGE BOOKS NEW YORK


3/88

DANCE WITH THE DEVIL

2o%yri*ht 3 4567 Deanna DwyerAll ri*ht reerve&

8rinte& in the 9'1'A'

PRESTIGE *OO+S IN,' - ./ EAST 0.ST STREETNE1 YOR+" N'Y' .%%.2


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2HA8TE: 4

Katherine 1eller wa ure that# at any $o$ent# the car woul& !e*in to li&e alon* the $ooth#

icy %ave$ent an& he woul& loe control o. it' 1he ha& not ha& that $uch &rivin* e-%erience; thiwa her .irt ti$e on really !a& winter roa&'

The "y wa a *ray $etal li& cla$%e& on the %ot o. the worl o low an& .lat that it loo"e& a i.

he coul& ueay to$ach an& her !a& cae o. nerve'

Katherine hunche& over the teerin* wheel an& %eere& ahea trainin* to %art the white curtain

that ee$e& alway to !e a&vancin* towar& her# thou*h it actually arrive& an& %ae& her !y $any

ti$e' In the city# cin&erin* crew woul& have !een at wor" lon* a*o# %rea&in* alt crytal an&

ahe in the wa"e o. the !i*# thun&erin* %low' ?ut here# in the !oon&oc"# the ituation wa

o$ethin* ele a*ain@

1he wa &rivin* o.. the lo%e o. a $ountain# an& the tree were !rea"in* into o%en lan& on either

i&e' Here# the now ee$e& even wore# .or the win& howle& throu*h the !are lan& a it coul& not

in the tree# an& it whi%%e& the white .la"e into thic" clou an& it !u..ete& the car an& cut her

viion to le than thirty .eet' The roa& ha& $ore than two inche o. now acro it# an& her car

trac" were the .irt to $ar that vir*in !lan"et' Now an& a*ain# the For& li& an& hi$$ie& a i. it

were &ancin*# thou*h it ha& not yet *one .ar out o. control' Each ti$e he .elt that ic"enin* lurch

o. %innin* tire# her throat contricte& an& her heart thu$%e& $aniacally'

It wa not only the now that !othere& her# !ut the &eolation# the e$%ty loo" o. the lan&ca%e'

I. anythin* ha%%ene& to her here# on thi narrow country roa& in the $i&&le o. nowhere# he $i*ht

not !e .oun& .or hour=an& %erha% not .or &ay'It wa not a very reaurin* %ro%ect# to ay the leat' It ha& the e..ect# thou*h# o. $a"in* her it

u%


5/88

%ro%erou .ar$ on the tri% u% .ro$ 8hila&el%hia; thi %oc"et o. &ecay loo"e& even $ore

.or!i&&in* !y co$%arion' The tree u&&enly ee$e& cra**y# har& an& !lac" an& lea.le# reachin*

.or her with a!ru%tly ani$ate& !ranche' The now# now that the wi%er were not runnin*# ha&

&ri.te& over the win&creen an& a%%eare& to !e ee"in* a way to *et throu*h the *la an& cover her

u% in o.t# u..ocatin* col&'Oh#+ Katherine tol& the war$ air ini&e the car# I$ really !ein* illy now@+ 1he *rinne& an&

hoo" her hea&' ,ovin* tree# $aliciou now@ Bhat woul& he !e thin"in* o. ne-tC

The cat'

Bhen he loo"e& at the !arn# the now wa .allin* even $ore heavily than !e.ore# o that he

coul& not !e certain i. the &ar" o!


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were any li$it to what he woul& !e ca%a!le o. i. he ever *ot her han& on the u*ly# ic" %eo%le

who ha& $utilate& the ani$al'

ently# *ently# he untie& the cor& "notte& at a nail a!ove the &oorway' The nooe ha& &u* o

&ee%ly into the cat !o&y that he coul& not eaily have looene& that'

1he lai& the little creature on the %urity o. the &riven now !y the !arn &oor'?oth o. it eye ha& !een ta"en out' It .ore%aw were !oun& to*ether !y heavy wire# an&

cla%e& in the$ wa a tiny# ilver cruci.i- which ha& !een !ro"en in two' Three hat%in $arre& it

!elly' It ha to !e $erci.ully hort# !een torture& without concience !e.ore it tor$entor ha& een

.it to let it &ie o. tran*ulation'

Ki&@ Katherine thou*ht' Bhinin* little !rat who ha& never !een !rou*ht u% ri*ht# el.ih

chil&ren who ha& no re%ect .or li.e or !eauty' 1he ha& "nown chil&ren li"e that !oth in an& out o.

the or%hana*e# %oile& !y %arent or !y the lac" o. the$'

I. he ever *ot hol& o. the$# they woul&nt it &own .or a wee"# an& they woul& !e $a&e to

"now# &ee% &own# what a terri!le# u*ly thin* they ha& &one'

1he went ini&e the ol& !arn# ho%in* to .in& a hovel or the re$nant o. o$e tool with which

he coul& &i* a hallow *rave' The *loo$y tructure containe& only the li*ht that wa e$itte&throu*h the *roun& &oor an& the o%en lo.t &oor a!ove' 1he wa hal.way acro the $ain .loor

!e.ore he realize& the nature o. the chal" $ar"in* on the har& earth' 1he ha& een their li"e in

!oo" an& $a*azine/ a hu*e# white chal" circle %otte& with %enta*ra$ in o$e %attern that he

coul& not &icern; wor& cri!!le& in Latin# o$e o. which he un&ertoo& an& o$e o. which were

alien to her' Thee were the $ar" o. &evil worhi%%er# %eo%le who %ai& ho$a*e to 1cratch# 1atan#

the a$e &e$on in a thouan& na$e'

The win& crea$e& acro the roo. in an a!nor$ally tron* *ut# rattle& the looe hin*le'

1he .oun& that he wa hiverin*# althou*h the air ini&e the !arn wa not all that col&'

1he tare& at the .loor $ore cloely until her eye ha& a&


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u%ertition' To Katherine# all %irit were *oo the %irit o. an*el' ?ut he &i& !elieve# now an&

very reluctantly# in %eo%le o war%e& that they coul& con&uct uch u*ly cere$onie# an& he wihe&

to have the taint thee %eo%le ha& le.t !ehin& !lown looe o. her'

1he coul& not *o away without !uryin* the cat# even $ore than he coul& not have &one o

!e.ore' I. !uryin* the creature &i& anythin* to u%et the intent o. the 1atanic ritual# he wa *oin*to !e ure to %ut it !eneath the *roun&@ In .ive $inute# he wa on her way !ac" .ro$ the car with a

lu* wrench which wa ue& .or chan*in* .lat tire' It one en& wa har%ly !la&e& .or %ryin* looe

tu!!orn hu!ca%# an& it chi%%e& into the .rozen earth >uite e..iciently' In .i.teen $inute# the cat

wa !urie now thrown over it hallow *rave to conceal it e-act wherea!out' The ever0

increain* tor$ woul& .urther cover all i*n o. her wor"'

1he ho%e& that# i. cat ha& oul=a he wa ure they $ut=thi cat oul wa now at ret#

that he ha& ave& it .ro$ whatever %iritual li$!o the 1atan0it ha& wante& .or it'

:eturnin* hurrie&ly to the car# her coat .rote& with now# her hair now han*in* wetly acro

her houl&er an& no lon*er &ry enou*h to !e !lown a!out !y the win he %ut the lu* wrench in

the trun" a*ain an& *ot !ac" into the For&' 1he at !ehin& the wheel .or a lon* $o$ent# won&erin*

a!out the *rily cene he ha&


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*reat &eal o. *reenery an& that he woul& !e lot without livin* throu*h the nor$al whiter !lizzar&

he ha "nown ince her chil&hoo&' 9nle you woul& .in& the at$o%here too rural# too lac"in* in

&iverion .or=+

?ut he ha& aure& hi$ it woul& !e


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li*htly# a cur!e& a it woul& ever !e' 1he realize& that he wa a$on* tran*er where the

cuto$ an& &aily routine $i*ht !e alien to her' Alien enou*h# he u&&enly thou*ht with a

&i$ayin*ly $or!i& turn o. $in to inclu&e !loo& acri.ice an& the worhi% o. the &evilC


10/88

2HA8TE: 7

Decen&in* the ri&*e into :o-!ur*h wa uch a hair0raiin* .eat that Katherine nearly .or*ot

a!out the &ea& cat# the 1atanic $ar"in* on the .loor o. the !arn an& the .act that he wa in atran*e lan&' The tiny *rain o. .ear in the !ac" o. her $in& !eca$e even tinier a a new .ear roe to

ta"e all o. her attention/ he wa *oin* to "ill herel. in thi &ecent' 1he won&ere& i. the a$e

$a&$an who ha& &ei*ne& the rococo Owl&en ha& alo ha& a han& in the %lannin* o. the only roa&

that entere& :o-!ur*h .ro$ the eat' 1urely# no ane hi*hway en*ineer woul& have $a&e the *ra&e

a tee% a thi or woul& have carve& the two0lane o narrow that it loo"e& $ore li"e a lane an& a

hal.' On the le.t# a roc" wall


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town' Alrea&y# they were la&en with o.t# white now li"e $oun& o. cotton or the *uh o. havin*

.oa$ .ro$ a %ray can' Alo# on either i&e o. the treet# $all# nu*ly !uilt houe were tuc"e&

!ac" at the en& o. hort wal"# li& in a$on* tan& o. leer tree=!irch# el$# &war. %ine# &o*0

woo&' 8erha%# without the now# it wa a &irty %lace# a carre& an& %rea& over with *ri$e a any

other nei*h!orhoo&' In the now# however# it wa tran.or$e& into an al$ot .airyli"e cene# a cuto. the North 8ole trai*ht out o. a chil& tory!oo"' 1now hun* .ro$ %orch railin*# o.tene& the

har% an*le o. te%# whitene& &ar" roo. an& $a&e $arh$allow out o. tu!!y chi$ney' In&ee

it wa all o till an& lovely that it lowly a$eliorate& the .ear he ha& .elt in the &ecent o. the

$ountain#


12/88

.ootin*' Tuc"in* her chin &own an& >uintin* her eye# he tarte& to wal"'

?y the ti$e he reache& the >uare# it wa


13/88

I ee#+ Katherine ai&' ?ut i. he who you ay# he %ro!a!ly !uy with=+

He har&ly ever &oe a &ecent &ay wor"#+ the waitre ai thou*h her tone wa not arcatic

!ut war$# a i. everyone loo"e& "in&ly u%on ,i"e Harrion loth' Ill *et hi$ on the %hone' ?e

!ac" in a na%'+

1he wal"e& alon* the counter an& ai& o$ethin* to the $an at the hort0or&er *rill# then&ia%%eare& into the "itchen where# a%%arently# the tele%hone lay'

Katherine .inihe& her co..ee an& %lace& enou*h chan*e on the counter to cover the cot %lu a

*enerou ti% to co$%enate the wo$an .or her tele%honin* a well a .or her counter ervice'

?y then# the waitre ha& returne&' Foun& hi$#+ he ai&' He ay hell !e &eli*hte& to ta"e

you u% there'+

Bon&er.ul@+ Katherine ai thin"in* a!out the treacherou roa& he woul& have ha& to try

a*ain i. ,i"e Harrion ha& not !een availa!le or willin*'

He ay to *ive hi$ .i.teen $inute to *et hi Lan& :over an& !e here'+

The ti$e %ae& >uic"ly a he waite& in the ca.e .or Harrion# $otly !ecaue the waitre wa

a tal"er =an& a *oo& one# relatin* one anec&ote a!out Harrion# the town# the :o-!ur*h0?olana.ter another' 1he wa the "in& o. wo$an who lau*he& a *reat &eal an& who woul& have loo"e& out

o. %lace without an a%ron aroun& her wait# a *ran&$otherly ty%e whoe *oi% wa never

$aliciou' Katherine "new that# whenever he ha& a &ay o.. an& wante& to *et a !ite to eat outi&e

o. Owl&en# he woul& co$e !ac" here .or the converation a $uch a .or the .oo&'

At a >uarter o. even# with &ar"ne .ull u%on the lan& now an& the now .allin*


14/88

Now you ta"e care o. her#+ the waitre warne& hi$' Dont you *ive her one o. thoe inane

roller0coater ri&e li"e you *ive everyone ele'+

Harrion *rinne&'

ou hear $eC+ the wo$an a"e&'

1ure enou*h# ?ertha' I will treat our ,i 1eller a i. he were a carton o. e**'+1ee that you &o# or you !etter not co$e !ac" in here while I have a .ryin* %an han&y'+

Harrion lau*he too" Katherine ar$ an& ecorte& her .ro$ the retaurant'

The win& truc" har& a*aint her .luhe& .ace' The te$%erature hovere& uiet a a 2a&illac# %erha%# !ut a!le to lea% tall !uil&in* in a in*le !oun&'+

1he lau*he& an& ettle& !ac"# relieve& to !e in ,i"e Harrion han&'

He &rove into the treet# circle& the %ar" an& tarte& out o. town in the &irection o. the narrow

roa& that lea& u% to Owl&en# hi han& ti*ht on the wheel# hi &rivin* e-%erience& an& ure'

Not even a little "i+ he ai&'

Bait until we tart u% the $ountain@+

:e$e$!er what ?ertha ai&'+

Dont worry#+ he ai&' I$ not *oin* to *ive you a heart0to%%in* thrill ri&e' In thi weather# I

&ont nee& to'+

Then# .or a $o$ent# there wa an aw"war& ilence# ince all the !anal converation a!out the

weather an& the Lan& :over ha& alrea&y !een e-haute& an& neither "new the other well enou*h to

"now what to tal" a!out ne-t' He !ro"e the ilence a.ter a $inute ha& %ae&' I woul&nt thin" a

youn*# attractive *irl li"e yourel. woul& chooe to $ove into a %lace li"e :o-!ur*h'+

That where the


15/88

He %ulle& the Lan& :over u% ne-t to it' I. youll *ive $e your "ey an& tell $e where the

uitcae are# you wont have to *et out o. the :over a*ain'+

I$ %uttin* you to a lot o. trou!le#+ he ai&'

Nonene'+

?ut I a$'+He *rinne&' Then Ill *et even when we *o u% the $ountain'+ He %ointe& ahea& at the narrow#

now0la&en roa&way which loo"e u&&enly# twice a tee% an& harrowin* a it ha& earlier when

he& atte$%te& to cli$! it in the For&'

He too" her "ey an& *ot out# cloe& the &oor an& clo$%e& over to the For o%ene& the trun"

an& li.te& out two cae which he !rou*ht !ac"' A rear &oor o. the :over o%ene& to a&$it the cae

an in a $o$ent# the lat two a well' He la$$e& it hut# loc"e& it# *ot in !ehin& the wheel a*ain

an& *ave her the "ey'

He ai It a *oo& thin* you &eci&e& not to .orce your way u% in that car o. your' Even i.

you& !een luc"y an& $a&e it $ot o. the way to the to%# you& have *one over the e&*e on the lat

turn' It a $enace .or the :over# let alone .or o$ethin* with worn winter tire an& a hi*h %ee&

rear en li"e the For&'+1wallowin* har& at the %ro%ect o. havin* %itche& over the !rin" in the ol& car# he ai How

lon* will it ta"e to *et u% there# in thiC+

He loo"e& ahea&' It a $ile an& a >uarter# !ut all tee% an& all icy' I& ay there i- to ei*ht

inche o. now ' ' '+

1he waite& while he thou*ht it out'

I. I hee& ?ertha warnin* an& ta"e it eay# we ou*ht to !e u% there in .i.teen or twenty

$inute' All ri*htC+

Fine#+ he ai&'

He loo"e& at Owl&en# what they coul& ee o. it .ro$ thi an*le' I &ont thin" Ill ever

un&ertan& why anyone woul& want to !uil& a houe in uch an una%%roacha!le %lace=or# .or that

$atter# .oun& an entire town in the $i&&le o. nowhere'+

He la$$e& the :over into *ear'

They


16/88

a Harrion touche& the *a an& hi.te& &own a *ear'

Bhyever notC+ he a"e&'

1he trie& not to thin" a!out how cloe they ha& !een to looin* a wheel over the a!ru%t li% o. the

!er$' Thi ituation wa tryin* her o%ti$i$ a !a&ly a the &ecent &own the other i&e o. the

valley ha&' 8erha% thi wa another o$en# a warnin* to turn !ac"# *o ho$e# .in& another


17/88

cat= they &ont !rea" any law' 2hritianity i thepreferred reli*ion in the area# !ut not co&i.ie& !y

law'+

Bell# then#+ he ai even with nei*h!or %yin* on nei*h!or# o$eone ou*ht to have aroue&

u%icion'+

,ay!e# $ay!e not#+ he ai&' ?ei&e# it e>ually li"ely that the 1atanit are .ro$ anothertown' Bithin a thirty $ile ra&iu# there are a &ozen villa*e ran*in* anywhere .ro$ .ive hun&re& to

a thouan& in %o%ulation' It coul& !e o$eone .ro$ one o. thoe# leavin* their ho$etown to

%er.or$ the ritual an& thu "ee% the heat o.. their own nec" o. the woo&'+

I ee'+

Are you .ri*htene& !y the notion o. &evil worhi%erC+ Harrion a"e a touch o. hu$or in hi

voice'

Not really#+ he ai&'

ou houl& !e'+

OhC+

The :over hu&&ere& a it !u$%e& over o$e o!truction in the roa& that wa hi&&en !y now#

i&le& towar& the ravine# ca$e un&er hi control a*ain an& *roun& relentlely towar& the .inalcurve !e.ore they crete& the to% o. the roa&'

ou &ont !elieve in !lac" $a*ic an& the %ower o. evil# &o youC+ he a"e teain* hi$'

O. coure not#+ he ai&' ?ut youve *ot to !e wary o. %eo%le who do!elieve in thin* li"e that#

!ecaue they arent e-actly ri*ht in the hea&'+

I u%%oe o'+

He .rowne hi $in& clearly on $ore than hi &rivin*' A.ter a $o$ent# he ai Everyone in

:o-!ur*h i a.rai& o. the$; everyone i waitin* .or o$ethin* to !rea" !ecaue o. the$# o$ethin*

!a&' Only the ?olan& .a$ily %ooh%ooh the notion that theyre &an*erou'+

They &oC+

e' The u!


18/88

Ill *et your thin*#+ he ai o%enin* the &oor an& te%%in* out'

1he too& ne-t to hi$ a he %lace& the lu**a*e in the now an& cloe& the rear &oor o. the Lan&

:over# an& he wa aware that hi attitu&e o. uat# &ar" .i*ure that too& in the o%en &oorway# watchin* the$'I& li"e to %ay you#+ he ai&'

Not neceary'+

I really thin"=+

,y .ather i a $illionaire# an& Ill !e a $illionaire one &ay too#+ he ai&' Now# i. you can tell

$e what earthly *oo& it woul& &o $e to ta"e ca! .are .ro$ you# I $i*ht acce%t it'+ He $ile& a he

%o"e# hi .ace a incre&i!ly han&o$e a it ha& ee$e& the .irt $o$ent he& een hi$ in the

retaurant in town'

Bell# then I &ont "now how to than" you#+ Katherine ai&'

our co$%any wa than" enou*h# the i*ht o. a new .ace an& o$eone with a .reh outloo"'+

ou .latter $e#+ he ai&' I really &ont "now what I& have &one without your hel%# an& I

&ont thin" any a$ount o. converation an& .reh view%oint re%ay you .or that horren&ou &rive orthe one you have to $a"e to *o !ac" &own'+

The &rive i econ& nature#+ he ai&' An& without $e# you& $erely have %ent a wee" in town

!e.ore co$in* u% here' ,ay!e that woul& have !een !etter than=$ay!e that woul&nt have !een o

!a&'+

The $an tan&in* in the &oorway ca$e out to the$' He wa Katherine hei*ht# .ive .eet .our#

very !roa& acro the houl&er# a !ee.y $an %ac"e& with $ucle li"e a wei*htli.ter' Hi .ace wa

warthy# hi eye &ar" an& &ee% et' Hi $outh wa wi&e# hi li% thic" an& hi voice Euro%ean yet

accentle when he %o"e' ,y na$e i uri# ,i 1eller' I a$ the *eneral careta"er o. Owl&en#

an& I ho%e you havent ha& any eriou trou!le *ettin* here in thi a!o$ina!le weather'+

Than" to ,r' Harrion# very little#+ he ai&'

uri turne& to the youn*er $an now an& $ile&' Fro$ the coare loo" o. hi$# one e-%ecte& the

teeth to !e !ro"en an& rotte&' Intea they were .ine# white# %ointe& an& even' ,r' ?olan& woul&

li"e to invite you to re$ain .or &inner'+

I woul&nt want to i$%oe#+ Harrion ai& uneaily'

No i$%oition#+ uri aure& hi$' Be et an e-tra %lace an& coo"e& .or another# in the

e-%ectation that only your Lan& :over woul& !e a!le to .erry ,i 1eller u% here'+ The *entle#

culture& voice ee$e& o&& co$in* .ro$ the !rutal .i*ure o. uri'

No than" you a*ain#+ Harrion ai&' 8leae *ive Ly&ia $y than" an& re*ret' ?ut I $ut *et

!ac" &own the $ountain !e.ore the now *et too $uch wore'+ That wa a lie# ince everyone

ee$e& aware that no &e*ree o. terri!le weather coul& %hae hi$ a lon* a he ha& the :over'

He went aroun& to the &river eat# cloe& hi &oor a.ter hi$ an& %ut the vehicle in *ear' He&rove


19/88

2HA8TE:

The roo$ o. Owl&en $atche& the *ran&eur o. the outi&e# with none o. the !roo&in* &ar"ne

that ha& !othere& her a!out it $a$$oth wall' The entrance .oyer wa wall%a%ere& in *ol& an&white# car%ete& in *ol with a !ri*ht# crytal chan&elier .illin* hal. the ceilin* with &ancin* tri%

o. colore& li*ht' The corri&or that lea& .ro$ it to the $ain %er%en&icular hall that ran the *reat

len*th o. the $anion wa alo car%ete& in *ol the wall %anele& in rich# &ar" woo&' Inet in the

ceilin* were .lat %late o. li*ht# a tri"in*ly $o&e$ touch in co$%arion with the anti>uity o. the

houe' The .urniture that he aw=a writin* &e"# an u$!rella tan a .ew occaional chair# a

%e&etal or two with !ut an& tatue on the$=wa all heavy# &ar" an& %leaantly $o&ern# not

chintzy Danih !ut $o&ern .urniture with a tyle# a .eelin* o. artitic $erit an& value'

uri lea& her &own the outh win* to the $ain &rawin* roo$ throu*h a wi&e# %anele& arch into

a !ri*ht roo$ with a wine0colore& car%et# crea$ wall# !ol& $o&ern %aintin* an& .urniture o.

vinyl an& %latic an& %olihe tainle teel'

,i 1eller#+ he announce&'

There were two %eo%le in the roo$# an ol& wo$an an& a $an a!out a ol& a ,i"e Harrion#

twenty0.our or twenty0.ive' For the .irt ti$e# eein* $other an& on to*ether# it occurre& to

Katherine that Ale- ?olan& ha& !een what i o.ten calle& an autu$n !a!y+ or late !lein*+

havin* !een !orn when hi $other wa .orty'

Ly&ia ?olan& wa a tall=a *oo& .ive inche taller than Katherine=re*al0loo"in* wo$an' 1he

wore her hair o.. her .orehea& an& then u&&enly we%t &own at each te$%le# coverin* her ear' Her

co$%le-ion wa $il"y an& .lawle# her eye &ar" an& !ri*ht# >uic"ly ta"in* in everythin* a!out

her new e$%loyee who$ he ha& only $et on the tele%hone an& !y letter %rior to thi' 1he wa

wearin* a loun*in* %a


20/88

,ichael Harrion chin wa' Hi voice wa $ooth# li"e oil# the wor& rollin* .orth ee$in*ly

without e..ort' He coul& have !een# Katherine &eci&e a $atinee i&ol anyti$e .ro$ 457G to the

%reent# with !ut a .ew $inor chan*e in &re an& hairtyle to con.or$ with the &ictate o. each

&eca&e'

I %re.er Katherine#+ he ai thou*h everyone thin" I $ut !e a no! or o$ethin* when Iay that'+

Not at all#+ Ale- ai&' I thin" Katherine i a lovely na$e'+

I &o too#+ Ly&ia ai&' An& I can ee at a *lance that youre certainly not a no!# $y &ear'+

Than" you#+ he ai&'

Ly&ia cla%%e& her han& to*ether now an& ai ?ut you $ut !e tarve& !y now@+

The &rive in ue& u% a lot o. ener*y#+ Katherine a&$itte&' I wa on the e&*e o. $y car eat the

whole way=not to $ention the tenion in the Lan& :over with ,r' Harrion'+

He &i&nt how0o.. too !a&ly# &i& heC+ Ale- a"e&'

1he &etecte& a &itinct note o. &i&ain in Ale- voice when he %o"e o. Harrion# thou*h he

%reente& the a$e outwar& a%%earance o. $il& curioity an& .rien&ly interet'

The waitre at the ca.e in town roun&e& hi$ u% .or $e#+ he ai&' 1he warne& hi$ to !e onhi !et !ehavior'+

1o$eti$e#+ Ale- ai he &rive that thin* li"e a chil& on a toy o. o$e ort' He can !e

&ownri*ht &an*erou'+

Dont e-a**erate# Ale-#+ Ly&ia ai&' I thin" ,i"e i a .ine youn* $an'+

ou thin" everyone .ine#+ Ale- ai& without rancor'

Bell#+ Ly&ia ai the nearet !ath i trai*ht &own the corri&or the way you ca$e# un&er the

*ran& taircae# i. you& li"e to wah u% .or &inner' Be can how you your roo$ a.terwar i. that

all ri*ht'+

Fine#+ Katherine ai&'

The &inin* roo$ i at the .ar en& o. the corri&or# !eyon& the tair' Bell wait .or you there'+

The !athroo$ un&er the taircae ur%rie& Katherine# .or he ha& thou*ht o. it in ter$ o. a

i$%le %ow&er roo$' ,ore than anythin* ele o .ar# it *ave her a ene o. !ein* a$on* the very

wealthy# .or it wa terri!ly lavih# thou*h in *oo& tate' It inclu&e& a hower tall# a un"en# $ar!le

tu!# thic"# re& ha* car%et# a &ou!le in"# a revolvin* $irror !etween the in"# a televiion et in a

wall rece an& a cae o. !ath oil# %er.u$e an& %ow&er' It wa nearly a lar*e a the avera*e

livin* roo$'

?y contrat# he wa ur%rie& at how $all the &inin* roo$ wa# .or it wa no lar*er than the

!ath# with a ta!le to eat .our# !u..et alon* two wall# two out0ize& oil on the other wall# an&


21/88

ai to hel% you tate the .oo& $ore co$%letely=he wa intro&uce& to ,aon an& 8atricia

Keene# a $i&&le0a*e& cou%le who too" care o. the "itchen# $eal# ervin* an& all relate& houehol&

chore' The wo$an wa li$ an& attractive with lar*e# roun& eye li"e circle o. o.t *ray velvet#

while the hu!an& wa !al&in* an& o$ewhat li"e atereoty%e& hi*h chool En*lih teacher' ?oth

ee$e& >uiet an& even with&rawn# thou*h very %olite an& e..icient'The converation .litte& .ro$ to%ic to to%ic a they ate an& wa never $ar"e& !y an

e$!arrain* ilence' In&ee Katherine thou*ht# it wa al$ot a i. the three o. the$ ha& "nown

each other .or year an& were accuto$e& to %en&in* $any evenin* to*ether i$$ere& in

converation'

Dinner .inihe they retire& to the &rawin* roo$ a*ain where they were erve& co..ee !y

,aon Keene an& tiny .ruit0nut ca"e !y 8atricia' 1o$ehow# without later !ein* a!le to recall


22/88

%roo. that we are *oin* to *et alon* well to*ether=I &i&nt notice a &ull# &ra**in* $o$ent all

evenin* lon*'+ 1he too& u%# &utin* her han& to*ether' An& I$ a.rai& that I have not !een at all

thou*ht.ul' ou havent even !een hown your >uarter yet=or *iven a chance to ret' ou $ut !e

enor$ouly weary a.ter a &ay o. &rivin* in thi weather'+

I &o .eel rea&y .or !e+ Katherine a&$itte&'I& i$a*ine the cover are turne& &own#+ Ly&ia ai&' our %rivate !ath contain e-tra linen

an& towel# !ut uri can how you all o. that'+

One thin*#+ Katherine ai&'

eC+

I& li"e to "now what ti$e I$ e-%ecte& to !e u% an& aroun& in the $ornin* an& i.=+

Ly&ia ai No trou!le there' I rie at ei*ht0thirty or nine ocloc" in the $ornin*=neither

country0early nor rich0late'+ 1he chuc"le a i-ty0.our0year0ol& wo$an who loo"e& .i.ty an& acte&

thirty0.ive' I$ uually rea&y to &ictate a .ew letter or clear u% o$e other !uine !y ten0thirty or

o' I. youre availa!le then# that .ine'+

,arvelou@+ Katherine ai una!le to contain her enthuia$ .or the rela-e& che&ule'

In the or%hana*e# the $ornin* !e*an %ro$%tly at even ocloc"# rain or hine# no $atter what theeaon# e-ce%t .or 1atur&ay when there wa no chool# no cra.t an& no church ervice' Then# you

coul& lee% until nine or nine0thirty !e.ore the $ai& wante& in the roo$' In colle*e# he ha&

wor"e& %art ti$e# o&& hour' The uat ervant wa waitin* .or

her# .ra$e& !y the arch a he ha& !een .ra$e& !y the $aive .ront &oor when he ha& .irt een

hi$ earlier in the evenin*' He wa $ilin*# all o. hi .ine# white# %ointe& teeth howin*' 1he ha& not

hear& hi a%%roach# an& he !arely hear& hi invitation a he ai I. you will co$e thi way# ,i

1eller# Ill how you to your >uarter'+

oo&ni*ht#+ Katherine ai&'

They re%lie& in "in& a he %ae& throu*h the arch in uri wa"e# an& Ale- wihe& her a

%ecial *oo& lee%'+

1he .ollowe& uri u% the &i$ly li*hte& $ain taircae which wa entirely o. %olihe& tea"# o

&ar" that it wa al$ot !lac"# o e-%enive that he &i& not want to coni&er the cot' Ly&ia .ather

ha& certainly !een a how0o.. with hi .ortune' It wa clear why Ly&ia# even a a chil ha& loo"e&

u%on Owl&en a a $ontroity'

Her roo$ wa at the en& o. the corri&or on the north win*# econ& .loor' It wa nearly a

%aciou a the &rawin* roo$ in which they ha& %ent $ot o. the evenin*' The !e& wa a $aive

.our0%oter without a cano%y' The ancient hea&!oar& containe& twelve cleverly conceale& &raweran& tora*e lot which uri %ointe& out to her# one !y one# $ilin* a he $ur$ure& her a%%roval

o. the ancient cra.t$an .ine wor"' A cri$on !e&%rea& lay acro the heet# an& two *ooe0

.eather %illow were %lu$%e& !eneath it at the !ae o. the hea&!oar&'

The .urniture on !oth i&e o. the !e&=a hutch# tri%le chet# a lar*e eay chair with a $atchin*

.oottool# a .ull0len*th $irror on a tan& that %er$itte& it to !e %un a!out or tilte& at nearly any

an*le# a vanity an& $atchin* !ench# two ni*httan& each with a la$%= wa e>ually &ar" an&

$aive an& latin* in a%%earance# !ut it wa co$.orta!le .urniture that he woul& oon .eel at

ho$e with'

The !ath which a&


23/88

hel& e-tra heet an& towel# thou*h uri $a&e it %lain that her !e& woul& !e $a&e .or her every

$ornin* an& that the linen an& towel woul& !e chan*e& re*ularly'

One o. the three cloet which lea& o.. the !e&roo$ containe& a wait0hi*h re.ri*erator which

ha& alrea&y !een toc"e& with .ruit


24/88

Twice# I have watche& a &evil &ance in %ro*re'+

A &anceC+

I "now that youve hear& a!out the 1atanic cult that ha !een %racticin* it own !ran& o.

reli*ion in thee hill &urin* the lat year an& a hal.'+

e#+ Katherine ai not !otherin* to e-%lain a!out the cat he ha& .oun&'Bhen thee cultit welco$e a new $e$!er to their ran"# a new oul &ei*nate& .or 1atan#

they %er.or$ a &evil &ance that i not unli"e thoe I witnee& a a chil& in :o$ania' It i an a*e0

ol& ritual o. evil with the $ot .ri*htenin*ly %ower.ul cere$onial .renzy I have ever een' The

cultit %ray to 1atan a the !on.ire i li*hte then they lau*hter an ani$al an& cat it !loo& into

the .la$e' ?loo& i alo %lahe& u%on the earth in a circle a!out the .ire# a %reli$inary *ui&e to the

%ath the &ancer will ta"e' In the $i&&le o. the &ance# i. the cult i %er.or$in* it incerely an& i. the

new $e$!er i a &eira!le oul to %oe# the &evil a%%ear in o$e .or$ or other=%erha% a a

&o* or wol.# %erha% a a *reat leo%ar& or !lac" %anther with yellowe& eye' He rie on hi

hin&%aw an& &ance with the new $e$!er# to welco$e hi$ to the le*ion o. the &a$ne&'+

ou cant !e eriou#+ Katherine ai&' At .irt# he ha& .ri*htene& her with hi warnin* a!out the

loc"e& &oor' Now# when he coul& ee that he wa $erely u%ertitiou# the warnin* wa leunettlin*' 1he coul& .ear %rowler an& other hu$an a*ent# !ut not %irit o. another worl&' It wa

al$ot co$ical'

I a$ very eriou#+ uri ai&'

1he realize& that he ha& hurt hi .eelin*# an& he ai An& a.ter the &evil ha &ance& with the

new cultitC+

He %uncture the throat o. the newco$er with hi .an* an& &rin" the !loo&=i$ultaneouly

%ittin* hi own hi&eou %la$a !ac" into the tainte& !o&y'+

That %oitively *rote>ue@+ Katherine ai turnin* >uic"ly away .ro$ the win&ow an& the

.oret !eyon&' ou :o$anian have a $or!i& i$a*ination# &ont youC+

8erha% it i not i$a*ination at all#+ he ai wi%in* at hi .ace a*ain# a i. !ruhin* o.. a

co!we! that he ha& wal"e& into' 8erha% it i only observation

I$ orry# uri# !ut I thin" that oun& illy; I cant acce%t it' 9n&ertan& that I want !orn an&

raie& in Euro%e# !ut here in the 9nite& 1tate' Be teach our chil&ren that the &evil i little to !e

.eare& an& that all thoe other thin*=werewolve an& va$%ire an& o .orth=are only real in the

$ovie'+

He ha& croe& the roo$ a he %o"e an& too& !y the carve& &oor' I un&ertan+ he ai&'

An& %leae try to un&ertan& $e# too' I wa not atte$%tin* to .ri*hten you# !ut wa $erely

%reentin* what ee$e& to !e *oo& a&vice' Bill you loc" your &oor when you retireC+

:eluctantly# he ai e'+

He $ile %leae& with even thi $all conceion# an& ai E-cellent@ oo&ni*ht# ,i

1eller'+He wa *one in a $o$ent# cloin* the heavy &oor !ehin& hi$# leavin* her alone .or the .irt

ti$e ince he ha& entere& Owl&en'

Katherine at on the e&*e o. her !e& an& loo"in* into the .ull0len*th $irror that rete& on it

tan& only hal. a &ozen .eet away# urveye& her a%%earance' 1he realize& that her e-%reion wa

&rawn an& ha**ar the corner o. her $outh turne& &own an& touche& with &ou!t' 1he loo"e& a i.

he ha& actually !een terri.ie& !y uri nonene an& woul& %en& every ni*ht in Owl&en

hiverin* in e-%ectation o. a va$%ire .lutterin* cloe !y her win&ow' 1he u&&enly lau*he&; the

.i*ure in the $irror lau*he& too' 1eein* her $ile re.lecte he .elt a *reat &eal !etter'

A he %re%are& .or !e he ha& ti$e to coni&er the little cene that ha& o recently !een

%laye& out !e.ore the win&ow in thi roo$# an& he !e*an to won&er i. uri ha& $otive !eyon&

thoe that he clai$e&' He wa o!viouly well e&ucate& an& it wa e-cee&in*ly &i..icult to !elieve


25/88

that he wa a u%ertitiou a $an a he %reten&e& to !e'

?ut what other $otivation coul& he haveC Di& he $ean to .ri*hten herC I. o# whyC

Bhen he wa rea&y .or !e he .oun& that her ru$ination ha& &riven away all &eire .or

lee%' Her eye .elt a i. they were %inne& o%en an& lac>uere& in %oition'

1he o%ene& her uitcae an& un%ac"e& the$# hun* her clothe in the two lar*e cloet an&.ol&e& other away in the &rawer o. the hutch an& the tri%le chet'

Bhen he .inihe& un%ac"in*# he went to the win&ow an& tare& out at the now an& the &itant

woo& where# uri inite the &evil &ance ha& ta"en %lace' It all ee$e& unreal'

1he went to !e li& !eneath the cover# an& reache& over an& turne& o.. the !e&i&e la$%'

Dar"ne .loo&e& into the roo$# &ee% an& co$%lete at .irt# then lowly li*htenin* a the le0&ar"

ni*ht ent %ale# >uetin* .in*er o. li*ht throu*h the uncurtaine& win&ow'

Everythin* wa *oin* to !e .ine# he &eci&e&' The


26/88

2HA8TE:

1he at trai*ht u% in !e her heart thu$%in* in her chet li"e a >uic"ly0!eatin* &ru$' 1he

!lin"e& her eye at the intene &ar"ne until he re$e$!ere& where he wa' The !e&i&e cloc"# in*lowin* nu$eral# rea& 7/4G' 1he &i& not "now what ha& awa"ene& her# !ut he "new it $ut have

!een a lou& noie to have cut throu*h the &ee% an& %eace.ul lee% he ha& !een en


27/88

1he ha& !rou*ht a .lahli*ht with her# an& now he wa *la& that he alway thou*ht o. the little

thin* when he %ac"e&' :eturnin* to her roo$# $ovin* ilently o a not to wa"e anyone in the

houe i. the tran*e noie ha& not alrea&y tirre& the$# he .oun& the li*ht an& !rou*ht it !ac" to the

tairwell' 1he .lic"e& it on# hone it on the worn# woo&en rier which# ually !arren'

The air wa col&er u% here than in the lower re*ion o. the *reat houe' Bhen he touche& the

ra&iator that walle& the entire en& o. the corri&or to wait hei*ht# he .oun& that it ha& !een turne&

o.. an& wa icy'

The cry ca$e a*ain# &irectly ahea& o. her# acro the hall' 1he went there# the li*ht ahea& o. her

li"e a wor an& o%ene& the &oor o. the roo$ that lay &irectly over her own'

The oun& rolle& over Katherine a he %uhe& o%en the heavy &oor# o near that he


28/88

The eye !lin"e o%ene& on her a*ain# watchin*'

?ac"0te%%in* towar& the &oor# he .inally $ana*e& to %ut the li*ht on the thin* an a he &i&

o# to overco$e the unreaona!le# clutchin* .ear that ha& o wi.tly ta"en control o. her' 1he wa

*la& that he ha& not !een a!le to crea$# .or he woul& only have $a&e a .ool o. herel.' All that

he .ace& wa a $all# !rown owl that at on the !are .loor with it win* hunche& an& it !ea"o%en# wor"in* out that o.t# ululatin* whoing noie'

Owl&en#+ Katherine ai& to the owl'

It !lin"e&'

1he lau*he&


29/88

2HA8TE:

In the $ornin*# the tor$ wa *one# leavin* $ore than twenty inche o. .reh# !lin&in*ly white

now &u$%e& on :o-!ur*h an& the urroun&in* countryi&e' The tree were hun* with it# the %ine!ent un&er their hoary loa a .ew o. the !irche even na%%e& in two un&er the tre$en&ou wei*ht'

The &ri.t on the wet i&e o. the houe were we%t u% over $ot o. the .irt .loor win&ow# while

the lawn !ehin& wa nearly cra%e& !arren o. it hare o. whitene' The "y wa !ri*ht an& !lue#

cut throu*h here an& there !y *ray re$nant o. the tor$# or !y clou&y %re$onition o. another

now'

Katherine too" !rea".at in her own roo$# o$e .ruit


30/88

:i*ht#+ Ale- ai&' Ill $eet you outi&e the "itchen &oor'+

The &ay wa col& !ut# without the win he .oun& it .ar $ore en&ura!le than the &ay !e.ore'

1he wa &ree& in !lue inulate& "i lac"# !lac" weater# ther$al


31/88

2onnectin* the .our $ain treet o. :o-!ur*h li"e ro!in runnin* .ro$ one %o"e o. the wheel

to the other# were narrow# twitin* alleyway an& &ea&0en& avenue which *ave the town a .eelin*

o. ize that it &i& not *enuinely %oe' They e-%lore& thee treet# to%%in* to loo" at unuual

%iece o. turn0o.0the0century architecture/ an ei*ht0roo$ lo* ca!in that ha& recently !een renovate&

into a $a*ni.icent ho$e; a tone *rocery tore an& %ot o..ice co$!ination that# with it un"enwin&ow an& recee& &ou!le0o%en entryway# loo"e& $ore li"e a .ort than a *rocery; the 2atholic

2hurch# which wa &one all in un%ainte& natural %ine with woo&en %e* ue& .or nail# co$%oe& o.

a thouan& .acinatin* an*le an& !ea$ an& trut# a $iniature cathe&ral lar*e enou*h to eat a

hun&re& an& .i.ty at one ti$e# ca%%e& with uch intricate &etail a han&carve& %ew e&*in* an& altar

%anel'

A they wal"e Katherine learne& that the :o-!ur*h .a$ily ha& ori*inally $a&e their $oney in

hi%%in*# later in railroa& an& hi*hway contruction' It ha& !een Ly&ia .ather conceit that the

A&iron&ac" wil&ernee woul& wi.tly o%en to the railroa& an& to the not0too0&itant auto$o!ile

which# he $aintaine woul& cro thee $ountain on hun&re& o. roa&way# !rin*in* civilization

into the heart o. the !ac"0lan&' He ha& !een too o%ti$itic' :o-!ur*h an& hi lan& %urchae

aroun& it wa the only invet$ent he ha& !een wron* a!out' He ha& %er$itte& hi own love o. thecountryi&e to unettle hi nor$al !uine ene# ha& !uilt the $anion !ecaue he wante& to $a"e

it the .irt cornertone o. a how%lace+ town' At leat# thou*h hi &rea$ .or the lan& &i& not co$e

to %a# he wa ha%%y here# away .ro$ the !utle o. hi*h ociety=a !i**er .ih than ever# !ecaue

he wa in a $aller %on&'

They were cli$!in* a tee%# icy i&ewal" which# thou*h hovele& an& alte wa till

treacherou in %lace# when ,ichael Harrion turne& the corner i$$e&iately in .ront o. the$#

ee$e& to li%# *ra%e& at Ale- .or u%%ort an& ent the other $an %rawlin* into the now'

,y o I$ orry# Ale-@+ Harrion ai& olicitouly# o..erin* hi$ a han& u%'

Ale- i*nore& the han $a&e it on hi own' He wa covere& in now an& &itinctly co$ical#

thou*h the ra*e on hi .ace $a&e it i$%oi!le .or Katherine to lau*h'

That wa clever a hell#+ Ale- ai&'

2leverC+ ,i"e wa %er%le-e&'

I u%%oe youll ay it wa an acci&entC+ Ale- wi%e& the lat o. the now .ro$ hi .ace' De%ite

the col hi "in wa %alli white with an*er'

It was an acci&ent#+ ,i"e ai&'

Ale- turne& to Katherine' 2o$e on' Bhat I wante& to how you i only a !loc" .urther on'+

Katherine .elt that he wa witnein* o$ethin* that ha& a hitory !eyon& her un&ertan&in*#

!ut he ai Ale-# I$ ure ,i"e woul&nt=+

He woul !elieve $e'+

I$ truly orry that=+ Harrion !e*an'

Ale- interru%te& hi$' Oh# hut u%# Harrion'+,i"e hut u%# thou*h he loo"e& !a..le&'

It woul&nt !e the .irt ti$e he ta"en an o%%ortunity to hu$iliate $e#+ Ale- tol& her# teeth

clenche& throu*h the lat .ew wor&'

:eally# i.=+ ,i"e !e*an# till !a..le&'

2o$e on#+ Ale- ai ru&ely *ra%in* her ar$ an& tryin* to %ro%el her %at Harrion'

Bait a $inute#+ he ai hol&in* her *roun& on the tee% wal"' 1he turne& an& .ace& Harrion

who$ they ha& %ae& an& ai I &ont thin" the two o. you houl& !e .i*htin*# even i. you thin"

you have a reaon .or it' Ale-# i. ,ichael a%olo*ize&=+

O. coure I a%olo*ize#+ Harrion ai&' I ha&nt $eant to=+

A%olo*ie co$e eaily when they arent *enuine#+ Ale- ai&' He loo"e& at Katherine# at

Harrion# !ac" at the *irl a*ain' ?ut i. you woul& %re.er hi co$%any to $ine=a it u&&enly


32/88

ee$ to $e i the cae=then !e $y *uet'+ He let *o o. her ar$# turne& an& tal"e& &own the

incline towar& the center o. town which they ha& alrea&y e-%lore hi .ace twite& in .ury'

Ale-@+ he calle&'

He &i& not turn'

In a $o$ent# he wa out o. i*ht aroun& the corner'I$ orry to have caue& trou!le#+ ,ichael ai&'

It want your .ault'+ 1he $ile& at hi$' Bhatever &oe he hol& a*aint youC+

I &ont "now#+ ,ichael ai& *lu$ly' Ive never "nown=unle it that hi *ran&.ather tarte&

the town# !ut $y .ather i the one who "ee% it alive with hi .oret an& $ill'+

?ut that a illy thin* to hol& a*aint you=to $a"e hi$ !low u% li"e he &i&'+

ou "now that# an& I "now that# !ut try to e-%lain it to Ale-' He a tran*e $an'+ He loo"e&

the way Ale- ha& *one# then turne& to her a*ain' I ho%e I havent %ut you in a !in& with your

e$%loyer'+

He int $y e$%loyer#+ Katherine ai&' Ly&ia i' An& he ee$ to li"e you >uite a !it=at

leat to the e-tent that he alway counter hi re$ar" a!out you'+

That li"e Ly&ia#+ he ai&' Now# you were on a tour o. the townC+e# wa'+

Let $e .inih it with you'+

1he .rowne&' ,ay!e I houl& !e *ettin* !ac"=+

8lenty o. &ay le.t#+ he ai&' Bhere were you hea&e& .orC+

The church#+ he ai&' The one that Ale- *ran&.ather !uilt'+

1trai*ht u% here#+ he ai lin"in* ar$ with her' Hi $anner wa war$ an& con.i&ent# an& he

.oun& herel. *oin* with hi$ ha%%ily'

The 8re!yterian church wa o. !ric"# colonial in tyle# very co$%act with white tri$ at the

win&ow an& &oor# an& a white woo&en ca% on the li$# !ric" !ell tower'

It wa the econ& !uil&in* in town#+ ,ichael e-%laine a.ter the *rocery an& %ot o..ice=

an& a.ter Owl&en# o. coure' It wa calle& o$ethin* other than Owl&en then# thou*h'+

He o%ene& the church &oor an& uhere& her into a &ar"ene& veti!ule# .oun& a li*ht witch'

It very %retty#+ he ai&'

He cloe& the &oor !ehin& the$' It i# int itC Very i$%le an& yet o$ehow reverent' A$azin*

that the a$e $an coul& have a%%rove& the &ei*n .or thi= an& .or Owl&en too'+

Katherine wal"e& into the church %ro%er ahea& o. hi$# $ovin* &own the ha&owe& center aile

!etween the two ection o. hi*h0!ac"e& %ew# >uintin* to ee in the &i$ li*ht that wahe& out o.

the veti!ule !ehin& her' The only other ource o. li*ht# even le illu$inatin* than the !are#

eventy0.ive watt !ul! in the .irt cha$!er# were the tall# e-tre$ely narrow# &ar"ly0taine& *la

win&ow on either i&e' The church wa rich with the o&or o. .urniture %olih an& can&le wa- an&

worn leather cuhion'1he woul& never have thou*ht# .or a $o$ent# that there coul& !e anythin* in a church to terri.y

her' 8erha% he houl& have thou*ht throu*h o$e relationhi% !etween 2hritianity an& 1atani$

an there.ore# houl& have recalle& the a.ter$ath o. the 1atanic cere$ony which he ha& tu$!le&

acro the &ay !e.ore' ?ut he &i& not'

Not until ,ichael turne& on the $ain li*ht in the church ' ' '

He .oun& a witch


33/88

throat to hin&0>uarter# an& their !loo& ha& !een %lahe& over everythin*' That an& the .at# !lac"

can&le that ha& !een tuc" at a .ew %oint on the altar an& were now $otly &i.i*ure& tu$% wa

clue enou*h a to what ha& tran%ire& here/ the cultit a*ain'

Bhen ,ichael touche& her an& calle& her na$e oothin*ly# he crea$e& an& uetion' 1he ai I $ay .aint yet i. you &ont *et $e out o. here'+

He %uhe& o%en the church &oor an& hel%e& her &own the te% into the col& a.ternoon air'

Bell *o &irectly to the conta!le#+ he ai&' I$ *oin* to et .ire un&er hi a%athetic tail'+


34/88

2HA8TE: M

1he retire& early that ni*ht# howere &ree& .or !e& an& lay &own to ort out the event o. the

lon* an& co$%licate& &ay# tryin* to %ut the$ into o$e reaona!le %er%ective' 1he wa cloe toe-haution# !ut he .elt that he ha& to co$e to ter$ with the rather un%leaant &evelo%$ent an&

&eci&e what he wa *oin* to &o ne-t=re$ain in Owl&en a Ly&ia ecretary an& try to weather

thee tran*e event# or leave oon an& earch .or another uiet# Ale- hear& hi$ an& challen*e& hi$ on the %oint' The

&ia*ree$ent oon !eca$e a .ull0.le&*e& ar*u$ent=thou*h the *reatet %art o. the houtin* an&

*eticulatin* wa on Ale- i&e' ,ichael anwere& cal$ly# rationally# thou*h o$eti$e a !it!itterly# only to .urther in.uriate Ale- !y hi reerve& $anner' At one %oint# Ale- truc" hi$ a a

challen*e to a .i*ht an& ha& to !e retraine& !y the conta!le who wa clearly en


35/88

%layin* at &evil worhi%' 1he now aw that it wa .ar $ore eriou than he ha& at .irt thou*ht' A

,ichael ai& the .irt ti$e they ha& tal"e& a!out it# thou*h 1atani$ wa illy an& un!elieva!le# the

a&herent o. uch an o&& .aith $i*ht very well !e &an*erouly $entally un!alance&' An& ince they

hel& o$e cere$onie in the .oret !ehin& Owl&en# %erha% one wa not a.e alone# at ni*ht# a

uri ha& %rotete&=thou*h the &an*er lay in $ortal a*ent# not in u%ernatural tal"er' 1econ&ly#he thou*ht he woul& not !e a!le to a!i&e Ale- ?olan& increain*ly un%leaant te$%era$ent .or

lon* without tellin* hi$ e-actly what he thou*ht o. hi chil&ih out!urt' He ee$e& to *et

&e%ree& too >uic"ly# to react too u&&enly to even the li*htet irritant' An& what wa thi

o!eion with ,ichael Harrion all a!outC At ti$e# Ale- wa &ownri*ht lan&erou when he

tal"e& o. ,i"e' ' ' ' Thir&ly# there wa the town%eo%le un&erlyin* envy o. the :o-!ur*h0?olan&

.a$ily which he ha& not notice& until thi a.ternoon when the conta!le an& variou other town

o..icial *ot uch a "ic" out o. %rovin* that Ly&ia an& Ale- were wron* on the >uetion o. the

1atanit' Katherine u%%oe& that all wealthy %eo%le were u!


36/88

1he &i& !oth thin* an& i$$e&iately aw what ha& !rou*ht hi$ here' Down !y the e&*e o. the

woo a .ire *lowe& a$on* the tree# an& a nu$!er o. &ar" .i*ure too& aroun& it' Fro$ thi

&itance# it wa &i..icult to ee what they were &oin*# thou*h they all a%%eare& to have their han&

raie& to the "y a i. u$$onin* a %irit .ro$ the voi&'

How lon* have they !een thereC+ he a"e&'I thin" not lon*=.i.teen $inute or hal. an hour'+

The .i*ure aroun& the .ire $ove&'

Bhat are they &oin*C+

He ai Dancin*'+

Theyre initiatin* a new $e$!erC+

1o it woul& ee$#+ he ai&' Hi voice wa >uavery# a i. he were *enuinely terri.ie& o. the

%ectacle' Hi actin* wa *oo he &eci&e al$ot too *oo& not to !e real'

I. thi ha ha%%ene& here twice !e.ore#+ Katherine ai why &i&nt Ly&ia an& Ale- call the

conta!leC+

I &ont thin" theyve !een aware o. the &ance#+ uri ai&'

ou &i&nt tell the$C+No'+

Bhy notC+

For one thin*# Ale- wa in town with hi .rien& on the .irt two occaion# an& I &i& not want

to e-cite Ly&ia while he wa alone'+

An& .or anotherC+

I. I tol& Ale- that the cultit were &own there# he& want to !ar*e in on the$ !y hi$el.' He

&oent .ear the$# an& he=i$%ulive' I. anythin* ha%%ene& to hi$# I& have to !la$e $yel. .or

*ettin* hi$ into the act'+

?ut urely theyve een thee .ire=+

Their !e&roo$ .ace the .ront o. the houe#+ uri ai&' ?ei&e# even i. they were in roo$

.ro$ which they coul& watch thi=thi &ance# they $i*ht not notice the .la$e !ecaue o. the

&ra%erie'+

Let *o *et Ale- now#+ he ai&'

I cant allow that#+ uri ai&' I. he *oe &own there an& *et hurt=+

2all the conta!le then'+

uri hru**e& wearily' The cultit will !e *one !y then' Loo"# even now the !on.ire &ance

hi*her# !ri*hter' That alway ha%%en


37/88

I &i&nt ee 1atan a%%ear#+ he ai watchin* uri cloely .or a reaction'

8erha% the woul&0!e cultit &i& not a%%eal to 1atan an& &i& not warrant a %eronal &e$onic

viit' On the other han we $i*ht uietly'

Katherine loo"e& at the !e&i&e cloc" an& aw that the ti$e wa 47/' At the win&ow# he trie&

to tare throu*h the yru%y veil o. &ar"ne to ee i. anyone lin*ere& at the %eri$eter o. the woo

!ut he coul& not catch a *li$%e o. anythin* out o. the or&inary# only the o.t *low o. $oonli*ht

cau*ht in the now'

In !e& a*ain# with all o. the li*ht out an& her &oor loc"e he .inihe& litin* the cre&it that

acco$%anie& her


38/88

2HA8TE: 6

Be&ne&ay $ornin*# he ate in her roo$ a*ain# &ree& an& wa &owntair !y a >uarter o. ten'

Ly&ia ha& le.t wor& that he woul& !e in town# tal"in* to the conta!le a!out the ni*ht %atrol to !einitiate& an& that Katherine wa .ree until lunch at one'

?ac" in her roo$# he chan*e& into her "iin* out.it an& went &owntair a*ain# intent on

viitin* the ite o. the %reviou ni*ht !on.ire' 1he won&ere& what the cultit $i*ht have le.t

!ehin&' 1he &i& not thin" thi ha& !een a !loo&y ritual an& !ei&e# he wa !y now rather nu$!e&

to the re$ain o. !loo& acri.ice'

In the "itchen# 8atricia Keene wa $a"in* a .ruit ala& out o. traw!errie# .reh %eache# .reh

ee&le *ra%e# a%%le# $an&arin oran*e an& !anana'

That loo" &eliciou#+ Katherine ai&'

The wo$an $ile& an& than"e& her' oin* "iin*C+ he a"e&' The e..ort o. converation# on

even uch a $all cale# $a&e her uneay' 1he wa ue& to !ein* >uiet an& le.t alone an& %re.erre&

that'

No#+ Katherine ai&' ut out .or a wal"'+

Not to the woo I ho%e'+

1ur%rie Katherine ai e# &own to the woo&'+

There wa a &ance there lat ni*ht# you "now'+

Doe uri tell you hi torie tooC+

The wo$an i$$e&iately ene& the "e%tici$ in Katherine voice an a%%arently hurt# la%e&

into ilence once $ore' Then he ai in a !arely au&i!le $ur$ur# ut !e care.ul'+

Outi&e# the air wa %er.ectly till# un&itur!e& even !y the $allet !reeze# the now lyin* at

her .eet li"e a !urial hrou&'

A .li*ht o. &ar" *eee croe& the cal$# >uiet "y# hea&in* north in a clearly &e.ine& we&*e.or$ation' They loo"e& o .ree an& aloo. that he wihe .or a $o$ent# he coul& !e one o. the$'

Even in &ayli*ht# the woo& at the en& o. the lawn loo"e& &ar" an& .ore!o&in*# the trun" o. the

tree %ac"e& ti*htly to*ether# .or$in* %ool o. ha&ow o &ee% that they $a&e the now ee$

whiter !y contrat'

Katherine tarte& wal"in* towar& the %lace where the !on.ire $ut have !een an& ha& *one a

&ozen te% !e.ore he realize& that he wa wal"in* in another %air o. .oot%rint=.oot%rint which

lea& .ro$ the tree to the !ac" o. Owl&en# $archin* in the o%%oite &irection' 1too%in*# he

e-a$ine& the white crut cloe !y an& aw that there wa no other et o. %rint that lea& .ro$ the

houe to the woo&' ?ei&e# the e&*e o. the %rint were li*htly &ri.te& in=which $eant they

$ut have !een $a&e the %reviou ni*ht when there ha& yet !een a *hot o. a !reeze to tir the

now ' ' ' 1tan&in*# he %lace& her han& over her eye to cut &own on o$e o. the intene now0*lare# !ut he coul& not ee any %rint lea&in* .ro$ the houe' 1o$eone# then# ha& co$e out o. the

woo& an& entere& Owl&en lat ni*ht'

1he loo"e& !ac" at the $anion'

It a%%eare& &ece%tively cal$# $o"e curlin* lazily out o. a cou%le o. .ire%lace chi$ney'

8on&erin* the i*ni.icance o. her unettlin* &icovery an& $ore than a little ill0at0eae#

Katherine te%%e& ai&e o. the econ& et o. %rint an& .ollowe& the$ &own the curve o. the lawn to

the %eri$eter o. the woo& where he .oun& the ite o. the !on.ire' The now ha& !een $elte& in a

ten0.oot ra&iu# an& near!y %ine !ou*h ha& !een !a&ly in*e&' In the now urroun&in* the !are

circle# a &ozen or $ore %air o. !oote& .eet ha& tra$%e& in a*itation or e-cite$ent'

In the col& $ornin*# with the harh# now0re.lecte& unli*ht !ehin& her# Katherine .oun& it

&i..icult to !elieve that %ri$itive ritual ha& !een enacte& here' In&ee it wa eaier to !elieve that


39/88

the !on.ire wa only a ca$%.ire an& that the cere$ony ha& $erely !een a hot&o* an& $arh$allow

roat'

1he ca$e acro re&0!rown tain in the now'

?loo&'

1he loo"e& away .ro$ the$ an& went on# lowly circlin* the ite o. the .ire# tarin* intently atthe *roun& .or o$ethin* le *rueo$e !ut ulti$ately $ore interetin*'

The !ranche o. the tree a!ove her !e*an to rutle li*htly a the tillne wa !ro"en !y cool

!reeze .ro$ the northwet'

Bhen he ha& nearly *one all the way aroun& the charre& circle# he .oun& o$ethin* that

to%%e& her col& an& $a&e her want to turn an& !olt .or the houe/ in the now# in .ull i$%reion#

were the %aw $ar" o. o$e ani$al=a wol. or# $ore li"ely# a lar*e cat' The %rint lea& on .or a

cou%le o. yar nine $ar" in all# then &ia%%eare& a$on* the $a o. other %rint# hu$an %rint'

1he tare& at the$ .or a lon* while# re$e$!erin* uri warnin*' Then ince he coul& not

eta!lih any ati.actory e-%lanation# he trie& to .or*et the$' It wa !etter to &i$i the$

alto*ether# he &eci&e than to allow herel. even to consider uri a!ur& torie'

On her way !ac" to Owl&en# he care.ully >uartere& the lar*e yar tri"in* .irt to the le.t an&then !ac" to the ri*ht# earchin* .or a %air o. .oot%rint other than her own that lea& .ro$ the houe

an& into the .oret' 1he *aine& the "itchen &oor without locatin* the$# an& he went reluctantly into

the &eerte& "itchen'

It ee$e& .airly o!viou to Katherine that one o. the cultit ha& a "ey to the "itchen &oor an&

ha& co$e there &irectly a.ter the concluion o. the 1atanic cere$onie the %reviou ni*ht' That

coul& in&icate that a $e$!er o. the houehol& wa a &evil worhi%er who ha& *one to the .ire ite

!y a &i..erent route in the co$%any o. hi tran*e co$%anion# !ut who ha& ta"en the $ore &irect

route ho$e a*ain when the ritual wa over with'

?ut he &i&nt want to !elieve that' A he $entally reviewe& the lit o. %eo%le who live& in

Owl&en# he .elt certain none o. the$ coul& !e cultit'

The only other %oi!ility wa that one o. the &evil worhi%er ha& ille*ally o!taine& a "ey to

the houe an& ha& co$e here lat ni*ht on o$e %rivate $iion without the "nowle&*e or conent

o. anyone in the houehol&' A tran*er with a "ey to Owl&en coul& !e $ore eaily &ealt with than

a $e$!er o. the houehol& who wa alo a cultit' One wa i$%le cri$inal activity# o%en to the

uual rule o. &e&uction# while the other wa a %ro!le$ o. %ycholo*y co$%letely !eyon& her "en'

1he $uch %re.erre& it to !e thi way=an there.ore# in her $in& at leat# it wa'

1he too" o.. her wet !oot an& too& the$ on the ru!!er $at


40/88

2HA8TE:

Ly&ia wa in an e-ce%tionally cheer.ul $oo& at lunch# >uite a i. he ha& never hear& a in*le

wor& a!out the &evil worhi%er who ha& &e.ile& her .ather church# an& a i. the con.rontation theevenin* !e.ore !etween her an& her on ha& never ta"en %lace' 1he an& Katherine ate lunch alone in

the $allet o. the three &inin* roo$/ cotta*e cheee an& cinna$on# .ruit ala& an& En*lih

$u..in# all li*ht !ut .illin*'

Katherine &i& not $ention the !on.ire or the thin* he ha& .oun& &urin* her $ornin*

in%ection# !ut he wa coinci&entally a..or&e& the o%%ortunity to learn how $any %eo%le ha& "ey

to the $anion' At the very !e*innin* o. the $eal# Ly&ia han&e& her a et o. "ey to all the $ain

loc" in the houe an& ai Now you can co$e an& *o a you %leae'+

Ill *uar& the$ well#+ Katherine ai tuc"in* the$ i$$e&iately into her %ure'

Ly&ia lau*he&' Actually# i. uri &i&nt init# we& %ro!a!ly have the &oor tan&in* o%en all

the ti$e' Loc" are a !other in a town the ize o. :o-!ur*h where your cri$inal are nu$!ere& on

one han&=an& are uually nothin* $ore eriou than chronic &run"ar&' A it i# were alway

havin* to or&er new et o. "ey to han& out to .rien&'+

8eo%le outi&e the houehol& have "ey to the &oorC+ Katharine a"e tryin* to "ee% her

voice li*ht o that the >uetion woul& ee$ $ore li"e converational !anter than anythin* $ore

eriou'

,y# ye@+ Ly&ia ai&' I have a cou%le o. .rien& that "new $y hu!an& when he wa alive#

an& I ee they have "ey o they can ue the !oo" in the li!rary even when the houehol& i cloe&

u% .or our %rin* an& .all holi&ay' Then# hal. a &ozen or o o. Ale- .rien& have "ey o they can

ue the %ro


41/88

A.terwar they tal"e $otly a!out !oo"# until Ly&ia went u%tair .or a %re0&inner na%'

Dinner will !e earlier toni*ht# at i-0thirty#+ he ai& !e.ore he le.t' 1o$e o. Ale- .rien&

are &ue .or coc"tail an& converation in the recreation roo$ at ei*ht' Ale- a"e& $e to invite you

in hi !ehal.'+

I$ a.rai& I& !e out o. %lace=+Nonene#+ Ly&ia ai&' I a$ not *oin*# !ecaue I woul& certainly !e out o. %lace in a roo$.ul

o. ener*etic youn* %eo%le' ?ut I "now Ale- woul& !e hurt i. you &i& not atten&'+

All ri*ht#+ he ai&'

Dont !e *lu$ a!out it#+ Ly&ia ai&' Theyre a li"ea!le !unch an& eay to *et to "now' It wont

ta"e you lon* to !rea" the ice'+

Katherine ai Are thee the .rien& who have "ey to Owl&enC+

Bhy &o you a"C+ Ly&ia in>uire a %uzzle& .rown on her .ace'

Katherine realize& that her a%%roach ha& not !een nearly o u!tle a he woul& have li"e&=ha&

not !een u!tle at all# in .act' 1he ai in an e..ort to >uali.y her curioity# I uite %retty' They were the $ot

tal"ative o. the lot an& hel& the tron*et %olitical o%inion# o$e o. which Katherine &i& not even


42/88

un&ertan&=an& &i&nt thin" he wante& to' The lat two *uet were ?ill 8roer an& ohn Kline#

!oth o. who$ ha& !een in Ale- hi*h chool *ra&uatin* cla' The *rou% wa volatile# >uic" to

react to one another# al$ot row&y' 1he u%%oe& that they ha& $a&e a incere e..ort to inclu&e her

in everythin* they tal"e& a!out# !ut he &i& not .eel a %art o. the$ at all' 1he .elt li"e a tran*er'

Bhenever he %o"e u%# it wa to $a"e an o%ti$itic o!ervation to counter their unrelieve& corn.or the con&ition an& .uture o. the worl&' Thou*h they litene& %olitely an& o$eti$e even %ic"e&

u% on one o. her u**etion an& ela!orate& on it# he ha& the &itinct i$%reion they were only

hu$orin* her=that their own !lea" outloo" on li.e ha& not !een touche& at all !y her ar*u$ent'

Durin* a lull in the converation when wine *lae were !ein* re0.ille Lena ,athew a"e

ou *ra&uate& .ro$ Ly&ia ol& choolC+

For o$e reaon# it ee$e& to Katherine that the ,athew *irl $a&e her al$a $ater oun&

anti>uate& an& out o. &ate' 1till# !ein* %olite# he $ile& an& ai e# !ut not the a$e

*ra&uatin* cla'+

Everyone lau*he& a%%reciatively'

Bhat wa your $a


43/88


44/88

1he un&ree %ut on her %a


45/88

2HA8TE: 5

A*ain# Katherine wo"e !ecaue o$e noie ha& tartle& her# an& he at trai*ht u% in !e

litenin* intently to the tillne o. Owl&en' The cloc" on the ni*httan& !ei&e her rea& /G in the$ornin*; &ar"ne lay in the roo$ li"e thic" yru%' Ha& the owl *otten e-cee&in*ly lou& a*ainC

1he litene& .or the$# thou*h he wa certain that he ha& !een awa"ene& !y o$ethin* ele

alto*ether# o$ethin*=

Li"e a "ni.e!la&e ta%%e& a*aint a hollow !one# o$eone "noc"e& on her !e&roo$ &oor# o.tly#

>uietly'

eC+

No one re%on&e&'

Bho i itC+

Bhen no one re%lie& a econ& ti$e# he won&ere& i. he ha& i$a*ine& the noie=or i. he ha&

$iinter%rete& it ource' 8erha% there want anyone at her &oor# a.ter all' 1he loo"e& at the

win&ow an& aw that nothin* wa out o. %lace there ' ' '

The ra% ca$e a*ain# o.tly# latin* a lon* ti$e'

1he *ot out o. her !e& an& te%%e& into her li%%er' The ini&e o. the li%%er were col& an&

$a&e her hiver=or# at leat# that wa her own e-%lanation .or the tre$or that race& u% an& &own

her %ine'

Ly&iaC+ he a"e&'

No one anwere&'

1he %ut on her ro!e# care.ully !uttone& it# ta"in* her ti$e# then he too& !y the !e& .or a .ew

$o$ent# waitin* .or o$ethin* $ore to ha%%en' I that you# Ale-C+ he a"e aha$e& at the

>uaver in her voice !ut una!le to control it' Bhat wa he a.rai& o.C uriC+

Only ilence'1he .lic"e& on the !e&i&e la$% an& waite& .or the "noc"in* oun& to co$e a*ain' Bhen everal

lon* $inute ha& %ae he went to the &oor an& %ree& her ear o ti*htly a*aint the woo& that it

%aine& her a little' 1he hel& her !reath a he trie& to &etect the oun& o. o$eone !eyon !ut he

coul& not hear anythin* other than the %ro.oun& ilence o. Owl&en'

Bho thereC+

Bhen hestill receive& no re%ly# he li& !ac" the iron !olt on the &oor# *ri%%e& the anti>ue

"no! an& wun* the %ortal outwar& onto the unli*hte& corri&or'

The li*ht .ro$ her own roo$ %lainly howe& that there wa not anyone near!y' 8erha% the

&ar"ne !eyon& the tairwell# in the other win*# conceale& a watcher' ?ut he &i& not .eel $uch

li"e wal"in* &own there in or&er to .in& out' Too# he ha& an un&enia!ly tron* u%icion that that

wa uic"ly towar& the .ar en& o. the corri&or# ho%in* to catch o$eone unaware' 1he

aw only the ha&ow'

:aiin* a han he trie& to wi%e away the $ar"in*' In the &i$ li*ht# he ha& thou*ht that the

circle wa &rawn in a &ar"0colore& chal"# !ut he now .oun& that it wa wet an& tic"y' 1te%%in*

!ac" into her roo$# he hel& her han& out !e.ore her an& loo"e& at the rich !ri*htne o. .reh !loo&

which ha& !een ue& to %aint the $ar"'

1he cloe& the &oor# loc"e& it with her clean han tete& the !olt# then went into her %rivate

!ath an& thorou*hly wahe& her han&' 1he cru!!e& the in" vi*orouly when he wa &one# o


46/88

that not a in*le re& $ear re$aine& to re$in& her o. what he ha&


47/88

They were that !ol& a!out itC+ he a"e&' Hi houl&er were hunche& .orwar a i. he

e-%ecte& to !e truc" .ro$ !ehin&' Katherine loo"e& !ehin& the$; there want anyone there'

That !ol+ he a..ir$e&' They even "noc"e& twice when they thou*ht I $i*ht not have hear&

the$ the .irt ti$e'+

It !een $eare&=+I &i&nt "now it wa !loo+ he ai&' I trie& to wi%e it o.. !e.ore I .oun& out'+

I ee'+

They too& to*ether in &ar"ne# loo"in* at the 1atanic y$!ol cau*ht in the circle o. the

.lahli*ht !ea$' The $ar" a%%eare& to well lar*er an& lar*er a the only .ocu o. attention in the

corri&or# until he an*rily wun* the li*ht away .ro$ the$ an& %ointe& it at the .loor'

BellC+ he ai&'

BellC+

ou are the e-%ert on thee thin*#+ he ai&'

1he "new that he oun&e& an*ry# !ut he coul& not control the tone o. her voice very well# not

at that $o$ent' 1he either ha& to *ive in to the an*er or the .ear =an& he %re.erre& that her voice

oun& ti*ht an& col&ly .uriou rather than ha"y with an-iety' ?ei&e# a .ar a he "new# uri$i*ht have !een the one who %ainte& the y$!ol on her &oor' Hi lee%y0eye& con.uion when he

o%ene& hi &oor coul& very well have !een care.ully ta*e&' 1he ha& u%ecte& hi$ o. %layin* a

role lon* !e.ore thi# thou*h he ha&nt !een a!le to &eter$ine hi %ur%oe' Ha& hi %ro.ee& .ear

o. &e$on an& uch only !een a &ecoy to %re


48/88

I re


49/88

2HA8TE: 4G

A li*ht !ut tea&y now.all ha& !e*un early the .ollowin* $ornin*# co$in* trai*ht &own in the

a!ence o. any win&' It *ra&ually $oothe& out the trac" an& %ot in the earlier *roun& cover#%a&&e& the corner o. win&ow an& &oor'

uri "noc"e& on Katherine &oor hortly a.ter nine an& in.or$e& her that Ly&ia woul& li"e her

to uaintance have "ey an& that=+

Not ac>uaintance# thou*h#+ Ale- ai&'Hi $other a$%li.ie& hi $eanin*# Theyre .rien not uaintance'+

ut the a$e#+ Katherine inite int it conceiva!le that one o. the$ $i*ht !e a $e$!er o.

the cult# without your "nowle&*eC+

No#+ Ale- ai& >uic"ly'

ou &i&nt even *ive the notion a chance#+ Katherine ai&' ou &i&nt even %aue to coni&er

the %eo%le who have "ey'+

Thi ti$e# $ore to hu$or her than to *ive it any real thou*ht# he waite& a .ew $o$ent !e.ore

%ea"in*' None o. the$ woul& *et involve& in o$ethin* that illy; Theyre all realit'+

An .ro$ what I aw#+ Katherine ai theyre all %ei$it a well' Int it within reaon to

con


50/88

.oolih %ran"'+

I u%%oe#+ Katherine ai&' ?ut it wa o$ethin* I thou*ht we houl& coni&er# at leat'+

Now# Ly&ia an& Ale- rela-e&' O. coure#+ he ai&' 2oni&er every an*le' That the only way

to han&le it'+

Do you thin" I houl& in.or$ 2onta!le 2artierC+ Ly&ia a"e&'Har&ly#+ Ale- a"e&' Be &ont want hi$ !u$!lin* aroun& the houe# *ettin* in everyone

way' ?ei&e# what law &i& they !rea"=ai&e .ro$ ille*al entryC They &i&nt har$ anyone or ta"e

anythin*' An& what &a$a*e they &i& to the &oor o. Katherine !e&roo$ wa ta"en care o. with a

ra* an& water' The %olice woul&nt have $uch interet in e-%en&in* a lot o. $an0hour to co$e u%

with the cul%rit'+

The loc" really ou*ht to !e chan*e+ Katherine ai&'

Only i. they ca$e in with a "ey# an& weve alrea&y &eci&e& that=+

1he interru%te& hi$# o$ewhat .rutrate& with !oth o. the$' Her *oo& hu$or ha& not returne&

with the un# an& he wa a a*itate& a!out circu$tance in Owl&en a he ha& !een the %reviou

ni*ht' 1he ha& never li"e& %eo%le who were *loo$y# who .ace& the .uture with ne*ative

e-%ectation# an& he ha& alway .elt that only &iater coul& reult .ro$ that attitu&e' et# ince.in&in* the !loo&y circle on her &oor# he ha& a&o%te& that very outloo"' 1he u%%oe& he woul&

not li"e herel. now# i. he were o$eone ele $eetin* her' 1he coul& o$ehow ene a%%roach o.

&iater# li"e a col& win& or the .all o. roc" .ro$ a cli..to%' 1he ha& to re*ain her o%ti$i$ or

!eco$e a victi$ o. the wa$% he wa hel%in* to create' 1he ai Be only &eci&e& that none o.

your .rien& coul& !e involve&' ?ut u%%oe one o. the$ le.t hi "ey o$ewhere# on a &reer at

ho$e or a &e" at the o..ice# %erha% on a retaurant ta!le or in a tore' It i conceiva!le# &ont you

thin"# that o$eone coul& have li.te& the "ey lon* enou*h to &u%licate the$ !e.ore returnin* the$

to their ri*ht.ul ownerC+

That a thou*ht#+ Ale- a*ree&'

Ly&ia wa enthuiatic a!out uch an e-%lanation# an& he a*ree& to authorize uri to %hone a

loc"$ith an& have the &oor chan*e& that very a.ternoon' New "ey woul& !e $a&e# an& their

.rien& woul& !e *iven co%ie=with a %ecial warnin* a!out the care to !e ta"en with the "ey'

It all oun&e& very %oitive an& e..icient' 1o$ehow# thou*h# Katherine .elt that it woul&nt &o

any *oo& at all# !ecaue he wa increain*ly certain that the intru&er ha& not *otten hi "ey !y

acci&ent or the.t' Bhen he coni&ere& the cene in the recreation roo$ the ni*ht !e.ore# he wa

certain one o. Ale- .rien& wa involve&'

The re$ain&er o. the $ornin*# the lunch hour an& the early %art o. the a.ternoon# he %ent with

Ly&ia# anwerin* o$e corre%on&ence .or her an& .or Ale-# who &ealt with the .a$ily .inancial

$ana*e$ent# !uyin* an& ellin* toc" an& ecuritie with a .inee an& cannine that in&icate& he

wa a $ot clever invetor' Too# they &icue& a nu$!er o. !oo" an& writer# all o. which they

a*ree& u%on# thou*h o..erin* each other new ini*ht an& %oint o. view' Nor$ally# Katherinewoul& have en


51/88

lunch+ !ut which wa o!viouly a *oo lon*# $i&0a.ternoon *a!0.et' Ei*ht o. the$ at at the lon*

ta!le# three *irl an& .ive $en# lau*hin* a they wor"e& at %atrie an& tea$in* $u* o. co..ee'

ouve *ot to


52/88

I& ee a!out *ettin* you o$e%lace to tay here toni*ht'+

?ut I work u% there'+

He wa ilent a $o$ent# loo"in* u% the &ar" "i run' I u%%oe that reaon enou*h to *o !ac"'

?ut &o you have to *o thi way# u% that &a$ne& run in the $i&&le o. the ni*htC+

It int the $i&&le o. the ni*ht#+ he ai&' It


53/88

KatherineC+ Ly&ia a"e&'

1he went >uic"ly to the &oor# threw the !olt !ac" an& o%ene& it' Ly&ia wa tan&in* in the well0

li*hte& corri&or# wearin* a .lowin* yellow !e&*own# her .ace weary an& line& $ore than it

a%%eare& to !e in &ayli*ht' Ale- too& !ehin& her in a loun*in* ro!e an& %a


54/88

2HA8TE: 44

An& then you .oun& the !o&yC+ 2artier a"e&'

Ale- ai e'+Bhere it lie nowC+

e'+

ou &i&nt $ove it at allC+

I &i&nt even touch it'+

2onta!le 2artier conulte& a $all# !lac" note!oo" which he ha& !een *lancin* at throu*hout

hi interro*ation o. the %eo%le *athere& in the li!rary' Once# when he %ae& Katherine chair an&

wa hol&in* the !oo" lower than uual# he aw that it &i& not contain any writin* at all# that hi

lon* an& thou*ht.ul *lance at the u%%oe&ly incri$inatin* lit o. .act it containe& were nothin*

!ut ta*e& e-%reion# %hony' Or&inarily# he woul& have !een a$ue& !y thi# !ut he coul& not

.in& a $ile a lon* a uri wa lyin* &ea& in the &rawin* roo$# currently *uar&e& over !y one o.

the two &e%utie that 2artier ha& !rou*ht with hi$'

Have you ever een the "ni.e !e.oreC+ 2artier a"e&'

No'+

It i an anti>ue "ni.e# a you coul& have tol& .ro$ the han&le# very ornate an& lovely#+ 2artier

ai&' He loo"e& in hi note!oo" a*ain# loo"e& u% when he a&


55/88

He loo"e& at hi $other# till .uriouly an*ry# then hru**e& hi houl&er an& returne& to hi

eat'

Do you thin" anyone in Owl&en $i*ht !e connecte& with thi cultC+ 2artier a"e& Katherine'

1he !arely $ana*e& to avoi& loo"in* at Ale- a he ai 8erha% not anyone here=!ut

o$eone ele who ha a "ey'+Oh# .or 2hrita"e# we went throu*h all o. that !e.ore# Katherine@+ Ale- ai&'

o throu*h it a*ain# .or $e#+ 2artier ai&' 1he &i an& when he wa .inihe the conta!le

turne& to Ale- an& Ly&ia an& ai I woul& li"e to have a lit o. na$e# everyone who ha a "ey to

Owl&en'+

That can !e arran*e+ Ly&ia ai&'

To no %ur%oe#+ Ale- $u$!le&'

Bhen the conta!le ha& *otten the lit an& ha& ta"en ti$e to loo" it over care.ully# he ai It

woul& ee$ unli"ely# !ut i. we have any lea& o .ar# it i one o. the na$e on thi lit'+ He tuc"e&

the lit neatly in the note!oo" an& %ut the note!oo" in hi hi% %oc"et' I u%%oe we ou*ht to !e

*oin* now'+

,r' 2artierC+ Katherine a"e&'He turne loo"in* in.initely wearier than he ha& loo"e& only a $o$ent a*o# no lon*er *ettin*

$uch enuarrel' I$ a.rai& that we& only $e u%

the trail i. we tarte& to$%in* aroun& a.ter clue# an& then we& !e in hot water with the tate !oy'

Ive chal"e& the outline o. the !o&y in the &en# to how where it .ell# an& I& !e %leae& i. none o.

you touche& anythin* in that roo$ until the tate %olice can *o over it with all their $achine' Other

than that# we all have to it an& wait out the tor$'+

2oul&nt they en& o$eone in !y helico%terC+ Katherine a"e&'

8erha% they coul !ut they wont' It int that $uch o. a cri$e to the$# one $ur&er' Li"e I

ai a cou%le o. &ay or a wee"' Then theyll !e here to han&le it'+

He no&&e& to Ly&ia an& le.t the roo$'

Bith thi now#+ Katherine ai the car%enter wont !e a!le to co$e an& chan*e the loc"


56/88

to$orrow# will heC+

No#+ Ale- ai&'

Ly&ia ai Dont worry# &ear' I$ ure that 2onta!le 2artier i ri*ht' Thoe terri!le %eo%le#

whoever they were# arent *oin* to ri" returnin* to Owl&en in the near .uture'+

I ho%e youre ri*ht#+ Katherine ai&'I "now I a$'+

The %olice trun&le& uri !lan"et0wra%%e& cor%e %at the li!rary &oor' The i*ht o. it# li"e a

!un&le o. wee caue& 8atricia Keene to !rea" into low# $ourn.ul o!'

There now# there now#+ her hu!an& ai %attin* her houl&er an& aw"war&ly tryin* to cra&le

her a*aint hi chet' He wa not a $an eaily a!le to o..er conolation or co$.ort' It *oin* to !e

%er.ectly all ri*ht# 8at' Everythin* i *oin* to !e .ine'+

Katherine wihe& that he were ri*ht' ?ut he "new that he wa wron* ' ' '


57/88

2HA8TE: 47

The .ollowin* &ay# Owl&en wa u..ue& with a $or!i& air o. &eath# a &ee% $oo& o. !roo&in*

e-%ectancy that rule& out any >uic" reu$%tion o. the routine o. &aily li.e' Outi&e# the now till.ell har with nearly twelve inche o. new now &ra%e& acro the ol o.tenin* the lan& an& the

houe li"e a !urial hrou& o.ten the harh realitie !eneath it' Ini&e# Ly&ia re$aine& in her roo$#

uninterete& in converation or in *oin* a!out the &etail o. corre%on&ence' 1he ee$e& to have

!een tric"en $ore !rutally !y uri u&&en &eath than he ha& evi&ence& the ni*ht !e.ore' 8atricia

an& ,aon Keene "e%t to the "itchen# &rin"in* co..ee an& tal"in* in low voice=converation

which they ceae& i$$e&iately when anyone entere& their %rivate &o$ain' They were not !otherin*

to %ro&uce any culinary $ater%iece# .or everyone ha& $a&e it clear that .oo& wa not o. $uch

interet a.ter the !loo&y event o. the lat everal hour' Ale- ?olan& went into town# uin* the "i

lo%e# aroun& ten ocloc" an& loo"e& to !e *one until evenin*# thou*h Katherine ha& no i&ea what

he wa &oin* &own there' It ee$e& to her that hi ti$e $i*ht !e !etter %ent in .in&in* o$e way

to ecure the &oor to Owl&en !e.ore ni*ht.all !rou*ht a new %erio& o. an-iety to all o. the$'

Katherine re$aine& in her roo$# li"e Ly&ia# an& trie& to rea&' Bhen he *rew hun*ry enou*h to

.orce .oo& into her to$ach an& "ee% it there# he ni!!le& at the thin* in the re.ri*erator in her

cloet' 1he %ent lon* %erio& o. ti$e at the win&ow# tarin* out at the clean lan&ca%e# the har%#

relentle# white *lare o. the untouche& now' 1he .oun& herel. $etho&ically a&&in* u% the cre&it

an& the &e!it o. li.e at Owl&en# a he ha& &one once !e.ore# !ut he ha& &i..erent reult than the

.irt ti$e' The lit o. &e!it now .ar outwei*he& the cre&it' It ee$e& wier to %ac" an& leave# to *o

throu*h the unettlin* %roce o. locatin* a new


58/88

chooin* one volu$e only to re%lace it when he lea.e& throu*h it# he .oun& a li*ht ro$ance which

ee$e&


59/88

Owl&en ince youve co$e there=inclu&in* uri $ur&er' Doent it ee$ li"ely that o$eone in

the houe i a cultitC+

ou $ean=Ale- $i*ht have=+

Kille& uri'+

1he &i& not re%ly'1he could not re%ly'

All that he coul& thin" o. wa Ale- ?olan& un%leaantly ne*ative outloo" on li.e an& the

tran*e# %ei$itic converation o. hi cloet .rien& ' ' '

Are you there# KatherineC+

e'+

Bill you !e rea&y !y elevenC+

It wont !e eay' 2oul&nt we wait until $ornin*' ' ' '+ Even thou*h he wa .ri*htene& !a&ly#

he &i& not want to a&$it that what ,ichael ha& tol& her $i*ht !e true'

Then leave your !a*#+ he ai&' ut co$e alon* with $e an& loo" at the evi&ence' I. you

&ont thin" it incri$inate Ale-# Ill ta"e you ri*ht !ac" to Owl&en' ?ut I &ont !elieve youll want

to *o !ac"# not a.ter you ee what Ive een'+2ant you tell $e on the %honeC+ he a"e&'

It loe it &ra$atic i$%act that way' I$ not ta"in* any chance on un&er0ellin* thi to you' I

want you to ee it# to !e a .ri*htene& a I wa=a I a$'+

Ill !e outi&e at eleven#+ he ai&'

Not in .ront o. the houe'+

Bhere# thenC+

At the to% o. the "i lo%e#+ he ai&'

ou can !rin* the :over u% that wayC+

A eay a the roa+ he ai&' ,ay!e eaier'+

Ill !e there'+

Ta"e care'+

I will'+

Eleven'+

1har%#+ he ai&'

1he hun* u% an& turne& aroun& to *o u%tair# the !oo" in her han& .or*otten now# an& he

con.ronte& Ale- who too& only a &ozen .eet away# a i. he ha& !een litenin*'

oin* outC+ he a"e&'

Hi eye ee$e& &ar"er an& $ore intene than ever'

In the $ornin*#+ he ai thin"in* .at' 1he trie& &e%

Koontz, Dean - Dance With the Devil

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