Part 22 (1/2)

And once again she was left with the vague impression that Dr. Gates had been there. Not visible, not a partic.i.p.ant in the dream, but there there.

She guessed that wasn't so unusual. Dreams were supposed to be subconscious rehas.h.i.+ng of the day's events. She'd had a session with Dr. Gates yesterday, and he was playing an important role in her life right now, so it wasn't surprising he'd be a presence in her dreams.

But where had the Hindu come in?

As she pa.s.sed the mailboxes in the vestibule, she noticed that Kelly's seemed even fuller than last night. She'd asked the super about a key earlier this morning and he said he'd get her a replacement-for five dollars. Fine. She'd paid him.

Back in the apartment now, she found that a small envelope had been slipped under the door. It was the new mailbox key.

At that moment the buzzer from the vestibule rang. It was Ed. Instead of buzzing him in, she went down to meet him. She had to get the mail anyway.

Ed was looking dapper in a Burberry coat and a cashmere scarf. His brown hair was slightly windblown but otherwise he looked perfectly put together. He carried a slim briefcase that appeared to be polished cordovan leather.

”You're looking great!” he said with a smile as she opened the vestibule door.

”A bit of an exaggeration,” she said, ”but thanks anyway.”

She felt shabby in her jeans and sweater, but she hadn't taken much time to pack on Monday morning. Her mind hadn't been on her wardrobe.

Ed held the door for her while she opened Kelly's mailbox and pulled out a stack of envelopes.

”Bills?” Ed said as they headed for the stairs.

Kara took a quick look at the return addresses.

”That's the way it looks.”

”Then I'm just in time. Legalman to the rescue.”

Kara gave him a smile. He was trying very hard to be nice.

In the apartment he set his briefcase on the floor and said, ”Want to have lunch first and then get to the paperwork?”

”Why don't we-”

Kara stopped when she spotted Dr. Gates' return address on one of the envelopes. She pulled it out and stared at it.

”What's the matter?” Ed said.

”This envelope...”

Dr. Gates' name was on the return address sticker in the upper left corner, a West 21st Street address. Probably his home. But the rest was strange. It was a Consolidated Edison payment return envelope, but the Con Ed address had been heavily scratched out with pencil and the address of Kelly's apartment written below it. But even stranger was the new addressee.

”... it's addressed to me.”

It wasn't sealed. The flap had been torn open and then tucked back inside. Within was an electric bill, folded around a check. Kara was baffled.

”What on earth-?”

”There's writing on the back,” Ed said, pointing to the reverse of the bill.

Kara turned it over and stared at the hasty scrawl. She felt her throat constricting as she read.

Kara Wade- Get away from Dr. Gates, as far away as you can. He takes over your body while you sleep and uses it for his own pleasures. You cannot fight him. Run far away or you will end up like your sister. RUN!!!!

Kara felt as if the temperature in the apartment had plummeted forty degrees. Gooseflesh broke out along her arms. She shook her head in wonder. ”This is the craziest thing I've ever seen.” And it was precisely because it was so very crazy that it bothered her so. Some nut knew her name and address, and knew she was one of Dr. Gates' patients. Great. This was just what she needed.

But worse than that-the words struck a responsive chord within her-as if she had half suspected the same thing. She s.h.i.+vered.

Ed reached for it. ”May I?”

His brow furrowed as he read it. He looked up at her, questioningly.

”What's this all about?”

”Dr. Gates was Kelly's psychiatrist. I've had a few sessions with him myself, lately. I haven't the faintest idea who this is from, but I'd a.s.sume it's one of his patients.”

”Yeah. But why write on the back of an electric bill?”

”I don't know, but I'm going to find out.”

”The police?”

”Right. This mentions Kelly.”

With a trembling finger, she dialed Rob's number at Midtown North. While the phone was ringing, she looked at Ed and noticed that he seemed strangely tense all of a sudden.

Ed thrust his suddenly sweaty palms into his coat pockets.

The police! Couldn't he ever come here without the police getting involved?

He went to the table and picked up the electric bill again.

And this! Were these twins a magnet for madness? He takes over your body and uses it for his own pleasures He takes over your body and uses it for his own pleasures. What kind of craziness was that?

Kara spoke a few words into the phone and then hung up.

”Rob's not in, but I left a message for him to call when he gets back.”

Thank G.o.d for small favors.

He wanted to change the subject.

”Speaking of craziness,” he said, ”I was in the Waldorf late last night and I saw someone who looked exactly like you. Was it you?”

”Afraid not. I went to bed early.”