Are You Afraid of the Dark?

KELLY AND DIANE awakened at the same time. Kelly sat up in bed and looked over at Diane.

"Good morning. How did you sleep?"

"I had some crazy dreams." "So did I." Diane hesitated. "Kelly-when you got off the elevator at the hotel, just as I started to knock at the door of the penthouse-do you think that was a coincidence?" "Of course. And lucky for both of us that-" Kelly looked at Diane's face. "What do you mean?" Diane said carefully, "We've been very lucky so far. I mean, very lucky. It's as though-as though someone, or something, is helping us, guiding us." Kelly's eyes were fastened on her. "You mean-like a guardian angel?" "Yes." Kelly said patiently, "Diane, I know that you believe in those things, but I don't. I know I don't have an angel on my shoulder." Diane said, "You just don't see it yet." Kelly rolled her eyes. "Right." "Let's get some breakfast," Diane suggested. "It's safe here. I think we're out of danger." Kelly grunted. "If you think we're out of danger, you don't know anything about boardinghouse breakfasts. Let's get dressed and eat out. I think I saw a diner at the corner." "All right. I have to make a call." Diane walked over to the telephone and called a number.

An operator came on. "KIG."

"I'd like to speak to Betty Barker."

"Just a moment, please." Tanner had seen the blue light and was listening in on the conference line.

"Miss Barker is not at her desk. Can I take a message?" "Oh. No, thanks." Tanner frowned. Too quick to put out a trace.

DIANE TURNED TO Kelly. "Betty Barker is still working at KIG, so we'll just have to find a way to get to her." "Maybe her home number is listed in the telephone directory." Diane said, "It could be, and the line could be tapped." She picked up the directory next to the telephone and skimmed to the letter she was looking for. "She is listed." Diane dialed a number, listened, and slowly replaced the receiver.

Kelly walked over to her. "What's the matter?" It took Diane a moment to answer. "Her phone has been disconnected." Kelly took a deep breath. "I think I want a shower."

AS KELLY FINISHED her shower and started to leave the bathroom, she realized that she had left towels on the floor. She hesitated a moment, then picked them up and put them neatly on the rack.

She walked into the bedroom. "All yours." Diane nodded absently. "Thanks." The first thing Diane noticed when she walked into the bathroom was that all the used towels had been placed back on the rack. Diane smiled.

She stepped into the shower and let the warm water soothe her. She remembered how she used to shower with Richard, and how good their bodies felt touching each other?Never again. But the memories would always be there. Always.

THERE WERE THE flowers.

"They're beautiful, darling. Thank you. What are we celebrating?" "Saint Swithin's Day." And more flowers.

"Washington Crossing the Delaware Day."

"National Parakeet Day."

"Celery Lovers' Day." When the note with the roses said "Leaping Lizards' Day," Diane had laughed and said,

"Sweetheart, lizards don't leap." And Richard had put his head in his hands and said, "Damn it! I was misinformed." And he loved to write love poems to her. When Diane was getting dressed, she would find one in her shoes, or in a bra, or in a jacket?

And there was the time he had come home from work and she was standing inside the door, completely naked, except for a pair of high-heeled shoes. And she had said, "Darling, do you like these shoes?" And his clothes had dropped to the floor and dinner was delayed. TheyKelly's voice called out, "Are we going to have breakfast or dinner?"

THEY WERE WALKING to the restaurant. The day was cool and clear, and the sky was a translucent blue.

"Blue skies," Diane said. "A good omen." Kelly bit her lip to keep from laughing. Somehow, Diane's superstitions seemed endearing.

A few doors from the diner, Diane and Kelly passed a small boutique. They looked at each other, grinned, and walked inside.

A saleslady approached them. "May I help you?" Kelly said enthusiastically, "Yes." Diane warned, "Let's take it easy. Remember what happened the last time." "Right. No spree." The two of them went through the store, picking out a modest number of necessities. They left their old clothes in the dressing room.

"Don't you want to take these?" the saleslady asked.

Diane smiled. "No. Give them to Goodwill."

ON THE CORNER was a convenience store. "Look," Kelly said, "disposable cell phones." Kelly and Diane went inside and purchased two of them, each equipped with a thousand prepaid minutes.

Kelly said, "Let's exchange phone numbers again." Diane smiled. "Right." It only took a few seconds.

On their way out, as Diane was paying the cashier, she looked into her purse.

"I'm really beginning to run out of cash." "So am I," Kelly said.

"We may have to start using our credit cards," Diane said. "Not until we find the magic rabbit hole." "What?" "Never mind."

WHEN THEY WERE seated at a table in the diner, the waitress asked, "What can I get you, ladies?" Kelly turned to Diane. "You first." "I'm going to have some orange juice, bacon and eggs, and toast and coffee." The waitress turned to Kelly. "And you, miss?" "Half a grapefruit." "That's it?" Diane asked.

"Yes."

The waitress left.

"You can't live on half a grapefruit." "Habit. I've been on a strict diet for years. Some models eat Kleenex to curb their appetites." "Seriously?" "Seriously. But it doesn't matter anymore. I'm never going to model again." Diane studied her a moment. "Why not?" "It's not important now. Mark taught me what's really important, and-" She stopped, fighting tears.

"I wish you could have met him." "So do I. But, Kelly, you have to start your life again." Kelly said, "What about you? Are you going to start painting again?' There was a long silence. "I tried?No."

WHEN KELLY AND Diane had finished their breakfasts and were starting out the door, Kelly noticed that the morning newspapers were being put into the news racks.

Diane started to walk on when Kelly said, "Wait a minute." She turned back and picked up one of the newspapers. "Look!" The story was an article at the top of the front page.

Kingsley International Group is holding a memorial service to honor all their employees whose recent deaths have been the cause of much speculation. The tribute will take place at KIG headquarters, in Manhattan, on Monday, at 11:15 A.M.

"That's tomorrow." Kelly looked at Diane for a moment. "Why do you think they're doing this?" "I think they're setting a trap for us." Kelly nodded. "So do I. Does Kingsley believe we would be stupid enough to fall for-?" Kelly looked at Diane's expression and said with dismay, "We're going?" Diane nodded.

"We can't!

"We have to. I'm sure Betty Barker will be there. I must talk to her." "I don't want to be picky, but how do you expect to get out of there alive?" "I'll think of a way." She looked at Kelly and smiled. "Trust me." Kelly shook her head. "There's nothing that makes me more nervous than hearing someone say 'Trust me.'" She thought for a moment, and her face lit up. "I have an idea. I know how to handle this." "What's your idea?" It s a surprise.

Diane looked at Kelly, worried. "You really think you can get us out of there?" "Trust me."

WHEN THEY RETURNED to the boardinghouse, Kelly made a telephone call.

They both slept badly that night. Kelly was lying in bed, worrying. If my plan fails, we're both going to die. As she was falling asleep, she seemed to see Tanner Kingsley's face looking down on her. He was grinning.

Diane was praying, her eyes tightly closed. Darling, this may be the last time I speak to you. I'm not sure whether to say good-bye or hello. Tomorrow, Kelly and I are going to KIG, to your memorial.

I don't think our chances of getting away are very good, but I have to go, to try to help you. I just wanted to tell you once more, before it may be too late, that I love you.

Goodnight, my dearest.