“I haven’t been bothered, but I’m worried. This makes my stomach go in knots,” a man in a business suit piped up.
“It just means they haven’t identified you yet, but they probably will soon,” Gale responded.
A young woman in jeans and high-top sneakers raised her hand. “Why are they doing this? What do they want?”
“They claim they’re driving sin from the city.” Gale laughed. “As if such a thing were possible. But we’re not the sinners.”
Eric, a past-life reader, addressed the young woman. “I’m sure there’s more behind it, undoubtedly an economic motive that doesn’t bear investigation, but that’s the banner they’re flying. We just happen to be a few of the scapegoats.”
“Has anyone seen last Sunday’s paper?” The man in the business suit spoke up again. “There’s a picture of this Roy character with the mayor at some society fundraiser. He really gets around.”
Gale spoke. “The reason I want to hear from everyone who’s here, and everyone who couldn’t make it, is that we may have a better chance as a group.”
A tall woman with a mane of curly blond hair spoke up. “I don’t particularly want to be identified with a ‘group.’ My clients are very private and their business is personal. It’s important that I remain incognito, at least in the sense that I don’t advertise. My clients hear about me through word of mouth.”
Gale turned to her. “Marguerite, I’m sure that’s true for everyone here. All of you are discreet with your clients’ business. But if you’re identified, you’ve been tagged, so to speak. Now some of you”—Gale nodded in my direction and glanced at a few others—“I already know have had bad experiences and lost some income. But send me a detailed email anyway, so I can organize the info and pass it on to my attorney. It may or may not make sense to obtain a restraining order as a group. I just don’t know yet. But please let me know if, and again that’s an ‘if,’ you’d like to be included in such a group. If not, please let me know that too. I completely understand.”
A plump woman with gray hair, who was dressed entirely in black, raised her hand. “A lawsuit may be a very good idea at the practical level, but how about using our occult powers to stop this man?”
Marguerite sat up and stared at the plump woman. “What are you talking about, Yvonne?”
“Well … ” Yvonne hesitated. “I’m Wiccan—I know this method could work. I’m proud to say I was part of the gathering in California in 1971 to end the Vietnam war. Occult powers were also used with great success to prevent Hitler from invading England in World War II.”
Eric nodded. “Yes, I’ve heard of that.”
“It was on August 1st, 1940. Lammas Day, which is a very old pagan holiday. It was called ‘Operation Cone of Power.’” Yvonne turned to address the group. “A cone of power is a field of psychic energy raised for a particular purpose. On that day, hundreds of witches from covens throughout southern England gathered in the New Forest to stop the Germans.”
Gale frowned. “I’ve never heard of this. What did they do?”
“Well, the coven and all its members dance in a circle, chanting and drumming. As the energy increases, the cone rises. When it reaches its apex, the energy is sent out to cast a spell. Some people say they can actually see the energy as a shimmering light. Wiccans believe that it stopped the Spanish Armada in 1588 and defeated Napoleon in 1700.”
Gale shrugged. “Well, it’s as good an idea as any I’ve heard.”
Cheryl stood up. “All that being said, it’s very important that we have a central clearinghouse for all our information, both on this Roy character and for any actions taken against you. And after tonight, we should all stay in touch with one another. I’ll keep the information confidential—you don’t have to worry. It’s terribly important that as a society we band together. I can’t stress that enough.”
“I agree,” several people answered, and all in the group nodded.
“Anything you hear would be greatly appreciated. I want to know anything we can find out about this guy, especially his past history. We know he’s operated in the South, but he seems to have come out of nowhere and hit the city like a lightning bolt. What are his connections here? That kind of stuff. If you hear anything, then please pass it on.”
There was a general consensus that the meeting had concluded. People stood up, chatting with one another and milling about, most heading back to the snack trays. The noise level started to rise.
I spotted Zora at the edge of the crowd. She had loaded a plastic plate with five or six tiny sandwiches and a few cookies. She was eating daintily, picking up the sandwiches with the tips of her long nails, her rings flashing. She swiped at a crumb in the corner of her mouth with a red nail. Tonight her ensemble was topped with a fringed shawl in a luscious fabric. She waved a finger in my direction and I headed over.
She polished off the last hors d’oeuvre on her plate and wiped her mouth. “You know, I have to say this—I’m not so sure about that cone of power thing. A good idea, but keeping everyone focused and on the same page psychically is very difficult. I think a candle burning ritual might be more applicable. What do you think? Have you had any experience with candle rituals?”
I hoped she wasn’t trying to sell me her services. “No. I’ve never tried anything like that.”
“Very efficacious, my dear. You see, when one concentrates, channels are opened to the deep mind. It is possible to exert your will, but it’s also likely that you will receive important information about whatever problem is at hand. But that’s not what you wanted to talk to me about, is it?”
“Actually, no. Have you already spoken with Nikolai?”
“Yes, and I’m very excited about this and flattered that Nikolai thought of me.”
“He said he’d arrange to pick you up. He has my client’s address.”
“Nikolai’s perfect for a séance. He’ll give it just the right touch—very theatrical—but most importantly, he’s very talented.” Zora thought for a moment, raising a tiny cookie to her mouth. “Why tomorrow night, if I may ask?”
“December 21st was the birthday of the person my client would like to contact.”
“Very good reasoning. That is, assuming the spirit is willing.”
NINETEEN
I WAITED UNTIL EVERYONE had gone and helped Gale and Cheryl return the folding chairs to the storeroom and clean up the tables.
“Julia, there’s so much food left over. Why don’t you take some home, and you too, Cheryl.”
Cheryl replied, “Don’t mind if I do.” She produced some large plastic containers from the office and we filled them to capacity. At least now I wouldn’t have to worry about food for the next day or two while I camped out at Gloria’s house. I stayed while Gale and Cheryl went through the movements of closing the shop for the night, and we three left together, retrieving our cars from the parking area behind the Eye.
As Gale closed and locked the shop’s back door, I eyed my handiwork of the previous evening. Gale spoke as if she knew my thoughts: “I’m having Edwin come by tomorrow to remove the plywood and put in some sort of reinforced glass that can’t be broken the same way, or maybe just a solid panel. The metal bars are still good, and hopefully that’ll deter any more back-alley attacks from those cowards.”
Cheryl watched silently. “I feel terrible I wasn’t here when it happened. When I think … ” She trailed off.
Gale reached over and squeezed her hand. “It’s okay, sweetie. Fortunately Julia was here too, otherwise … I don’t know. I doubt I could have done it alone, and then the whole building could have gone and the people in the apartments upstairs … I had nightmares last night when I was finally able to get to sleep.”
We said good night to each other and one by one pulled out of the alleyway onto Broadway. I headed across Columbus back to my grandmother’s house. When I arrived, I found Wizard curled up in a ball, depositing cat hairs on my heavy knitted sweater. I bundled him up in my arms and
carried him downstairs to the living room. I found my grandmother’s space heater in the hallway closet, closed the doors to the kitchen and the hallway, and plugged it into an outlet in the dining room. I turned it up full blast. The house felt even colder than before, if that was possible, but I really had no choice but to make the best of it. Since the gas starter in the fireplace wasn’t working, I opened the damper and managed to get a fire going with a few wood logs I piled in. Between the heater and fireplace, I thought the two rooms should stay warm enough to be comfortable.
The spirit of the season had still not bitten me, which was a good thing if it kept me from spending more money, but I decided I’d better wrap my few presents while I had the time and the space to do it. I pulled out the roll of Christmas wrapping paper from the bag I’d packed and found scissors and Scotch tape in the hallway desk. I placed my grandmother’s plum shawl in a small box with tissue and her garnet necklace in the box from the jewelry store. It wouldn’t be possible to disguise the fact that Kuan’s present was a book—it was way too large—so I just wrapped it as it was, adding ribbons and labels, and then placed the gifts on the hallway table. I still needed to find a present for Gale, the girl who has everything, and I planned to check Macy’s again for the ivory sweater with pearls for Cheryl. There wasn’t time to order online, and if I had no luck, I’d find her something else. Christmas was only five days away. I didn’t know if I’d be able to return home by then, or if I’d even have a home at the rate things were going, but at least here, my little finds were safe until the holiday arrived.
I pulled the drapes closed to keep as much warmth in as possible. I found sheets, blankets, and pillows in the linen closet and made up a bed on the sofa. I threw another log on the fire for insurance and put on my T-shirt and thermal leggings. Grabbing my laptop, I curled up under the covers of my makeshift bed.
I decided to compare Evandra’s chart against Dorothy’s and Richard’s. I wanted to know why she was so convinced Dorothy was trying to hurt her. After several minutes of study, I was no further along, but I did notice that Richard’s natal Neptune exactly connected with Evandra’s Moon and Ascendant. Given Evandra’s transits, it wasn’t a connection I liked. It could represent a deep spiritual tie, but could he possibly be deceiving her? Or was he psychically or even physically draining for her in some way?
What was more interesting was that the difficult aspects in the Dorothy-Richard composite chart made negative connections to Evandra’s natal chart. It was as if the combination of their energies affected the elderly woman far more than either one of them as individuals.
Wizard joined me and snuggled in the space between my knees and the back of the sofa. I couldn’t think about these people any longer. I closed my laptop and grabbed my book on eclipses from the coffee table. Before I could work my way to the end of the first chapter, my eyes closed. The book slipped out of my hand to the floor. I started, then resettled myself, drifting off to sleep watching the fire while Wizard snored softly amid the mass of blankets.
TWENTY
MY CELL PHONE WOKE me the next morning. I fumbled for it on the coffee table and squinted, unable to read the caller’s number.
“Hello,” I mumbled. I could see my breath in the air. The fire had gone out during the night and the open damper had sucked the rest of the warm air out of the room. The little space heater was still working its heart out to little avail.
“Julia, it’s Dorothy. I’m so sorry to bother you. I’m just at my wit’s end.”
“What’s going on?”
“I really need help. Richard’s not here and I can’t reach him. I found Evandra outside in the garden in the middle of the night. She was in her nightgown. She could have fallen or caught pneumonia. The doctor’s on his way, and I have that architect and designer and their crew coming in. Damn this house. It’s so big and the walls are so thick, I didn’t hear a thing. I hate to ask, but is there any way you could come by? Gudrun’s with her now, but Alba’s busy and Eunice might need help. I need to go out to pick up some groceries.”
“Sure. I’m actually at my grandmother’s at the bottom of the hill. Just give me a few minutes to pull myself together.”
“Bless your heart. I’m sorry to have to ask.”
“Not a problem. See you in a bit.”
I untangled myself from the blankets and padded over to the fireplace. A tiny amount of warmth still emanated from the hearth, even though the fire was completely out. I grabbed the poker and shoved the damper closed. I pushed back the drapes in the living room and dining room. Frost had even formed on the inside of the windows overnight. That furnace couldn’t arrive soon enough. Two more days.
I dished a little food out for Wizard, gave him some fresh water, and headed for the shower. I turned the faucets on full blast and then remembered the hot water heater was gas powered. No hot water. What could I do? I could heat some water on the stove to wash. No, I couldn’t. No stove. This is ridiculous, I thought. I felt helpless. This was worse than camping out, an activity I completely loathe. Such a city slicker I am. What’s next? Coffee! No stove. Maybe Gloria had an electric coffeepot. I rummaged in the pantry and the big cabinets under the counters but didn’t see one. I was sure she had one; I just didn’t know where she was hiding it. I was panicking. The microwave. Why didn’t I think of the microwave? How quickly civilization unravels. I downed some coffee and, once restored, washed my face and brushed my teeth in cold water. I threw on my jeans, a warm sweater, and socks and sneakers. I picked up the living room, leaving a warm blanket on the sofa for Wizard. On the way out, I tucked a note under Kuan’s door asking him to check on Wizard when he had a chance, then headed to the Gamble house on Telegraph Hill.
TWENTY-ONE
BARREN IVY BRANCHES, LIKE determined fingers, clung to the house as if claiming it for the earth. Blank windows faced the street like sightless eyes in the gray early light. I rang the bell next to the double doors and Dorothy opened them a moment later. Her hair was pinned back. Dark circles were visible under her eyes, and freckles stood out against her pale skin.
“Thanks for coming, Julia. I’m completely wiped out. There’s coffee in the kitchen though.”
“Sounds great.”
We went through the swinging door. Dorothy poured a generous mug for me and placed a small pitcher with cream next to it.
“So tell me … what exactly happened last night?”
“Something woke me. I don’t know what. But thank God I did wake up. I don’t know what it was, Julia, but I had this urge to check on both of them. Eunice was sound asleep in her room. I could hear Gudrun snoring in the room at the end of the hall. I cracked the door to Evandra’s room. It was completely dark, but somehow I knew she wasn’t there. I hit the light switch and the bed was empty. I just panicked. I ran up and down the hallways, checked all the rooms upstairs and down, and couldn’t find her. I didn’t know what to do. Then I was standing in the front parlor and something caught my eye at the side windows—her nightgown. I didn’t know what it was at first, but there was Evandra. Outside, in the formal garden at the side of the house. I went out through the conservatory and found her wandering around, talking to the statues like a lunatic. She didn’t really recognize me and she didn’t make much sense, but I was able to get her back in the house. I don’t know what to do. I can’t have her wandering around. It’s just not safe.”
“Can you have a lock installed on her door and make sure she can’t open the windows all the way?”
“I guess I’ll have to. But I hate to do that. She’d be a prisoner in her own home. I can’t ask Gudrun to give up her bed and spend the night with my aunt. What else can I do?”
“Maybe leave your bedroom door open? Or get one of those monitors they sell for babies, so you can hear her if she wakes.”
“That’s a good idea. I didn’t think of that. I’ll have to find one. It took me a long time to get her settled, but I finally did. I fell asleep in the chair next to her bed—I was afra
id to leave her. But I really didn’t sleep very well after that. She terrified me. I’ve never seen her like that. I don’t know what was wrong with her.”
“Like the other night when you found her wandering?”
“No. This was different. She seemed to be in a much worse state.”
I couldn’t help but wonder once again how much of Evandra’s behavior was due to the Neptune transit. Its effect on her Mercury could certainly cause confusion and muddled thinking, even delusions or paranoia in an extreme case, but this was even more serious. Her life was at risk in this house if she wasn’t watched every minute.
When I told Dorothy how I’d spent the night, she insisted I stay at the Gamble house. “You’ll freeze without any kind of heat.”
“It was fine until I woke up and realized I couldn’t take a shower. By the way, would you mind if I used yours?”
“Not at all. I’ll have Alba make up a bedroom for you. Stay here, at least until the furnace is installed, and frankly as long as you like. I could use the moral support.”
“I have Wizard with me. In a pinch he can stay downstairs with Kuan, but it’s not ideal.”
“Bring him here. He can have the run of the house.”
“I think I’ll take you up on that offer. One morning without heat and hot water and I’m dying.”
“Do whatever you want. This old place has plenty of rooms and bathrooms. I tell you, Julia, when Richard’s here I don’t mind, but when it’s just my aunts and Gudrun, this place gives me the creeps.”
“What exactly is it that scares you?”
“Oh, I guess it’s just an old house. It creaks and groans. But last night really freaked me out. To hear Evandra talking and laughing, all by herself, outside … She was, I don’t know … I know old people can become senile, even suffer from forms of dementia, but it was more than that. She was hallucinating. She was talking to people who weren’t there. It was all I could do to get her in the house and into her bed. She seemed dehydrated and her heart rate was fast. I’ve been worried sick.” Dorothy looked at me, a pleading look in her eyes. “I’m glad to have you here, believe me. At least I have Gudrun every day, but between you and me … ” She leaned closer and whispered, “that Austrian sourpuss isn’t fit company.”
The Madness of Mercury Page 12