I was wide awake now, adrenaline coursing through my system. There wasn’t a chance in hell I’d be able to get back to sleep. I put a sweatshirt on under my robe and some socks and turned on my laptop. I clicked on Evandra’s chart. We were now in the very four-day period that had so concerned me when I’d set up her lunar return chart. On top of that, she was in the thick of the Neptune transit that was draining her physically and causing mental confusion. I opened Richard’s chart and superimposed it on Evandra’s. His Neptune falling exactly on her Ascendant was one of those things that could go either way or both. Could his very presence in the house exacerbate her symptoms? Or was it simply elder psychosis as the doctor had suggested?
I found the piece of paper Dorothy had handed me earlier with Reggie’s passport number and birth date. From one generation to the next, there are often similar themes, and even similar placements in family charts. Skipping a generation, an astrologer can sometimes find more similarities in charts between a grandparent and a grandchild than a parent and child. I set up a solar chart for Reggie and studied it for a few moments. Nothing struck me as significant; I could only compare it to Dorothy’s and Evandra’s charts, and they weren’t in a direct line with his parents or grandparents. But I did notice that Mercury was very prominent in Reggie’s chart. He was a Gemini, the sign ruled by Mercury. His Moon and Venus were in Virgo, also ruled by Mercury, but Neptune formed a hard aspect to his Mercury. Neptune is the planet of illusion and delusion. Reggie was clever and bright—that much was obvious. But was he lost in a Neptunian fantasy? I wondered how much of what he’d claimed about his family and his research was embroidery, and how much was a deliberate out-and-out lie.
I was well acquainted with Dorothy’s Mercury-Pluto square. She had a tendency to bend reality and perceive it in a way that made no sense to others. She was stubborn and not one to listen to advice, and she bordered on obsessive when it came to the subject of her marriage to Richard. And speaking of Richard, no matter how courteous he might be on the surface, he was just as stubborn as she. Perhaps even more controlling. The combination of their charts created something I’d never liked. But had I been too judgmental of Richard? Dorothy undoubtedly played into his personality in a way that exacerbated it. Takes two to tango, as the old saying goes. Dorothy had explained that Richard’s business involved the sale and rental of hospital equipment for home use. His employees handled most of the functions of the business, which allowed Richard a great deal of freedom. Yes, he was always there, always around, always trying to be so helpful but subtly controlling nonetheless. Were his intentions simply well meaning? Was I judging him too harshly?
I remembered what Don had told me about Reverend Roy’s birth date and place. I had no birth time, but decided to set up a solar chart. Nothing would be exact, but I had my suspicions as to what his chart would look like. As the program generated a full-color chart, I realized I hadn’t been that far off. He was a Gemini too; another Mercury-ruled individual. His physical appearance, I was sure, indicated a Leo rising. He had the broad shoulders and distinctive mane of hair typical of that rising sign. I rectified the chart to place Leo on the Ascendant. His Mercury was in Gemini, its natural sign. A stellium of Pluto. Jupiter and Uranus in Virgo in his solar third house. Tremendous ability to sway people with his words and a conjunction of Mars and Neptune, the ability to manipulate. Enormous charisma. Not surprising that he used his gifts to gain power. Was he a con man, a sociopath, or insane?
More importantly, I realized it was Eunice’s chart I should be looking at. A feeling of dread settled over me as her chart appeared on the screen. Pluto was exactly on her Capricorn ascendant. I mentally kicked myself. Why hadn’t I looked at this earlier? Mars was only a few minutes away from an opposition. Even more dire, the Sun, useful as a timing device, would reach her ascendant in less than forty-eight hours, exactly coinciding with a solar eclipse at the new moon. Eunice was without a doubt in danger. Something had to be done to find her. I knew now what I had to do.
I kept my robe on and burrowed under the covers in an effort to finally get some sleep. Wizard stared at me quizzically. He was still sitting in the very same spot by the door. I patted the bedcovers and called to him. He meowed once and sprang onto the bed. I rubbed his ears, his favorite thing, as he climbed onto my stomach. I decided to leave the lamp on, half afraid to sleep in the dark. My neck and shoulders started to relax as sleepiness overcame me.
Just as my eyes closed, a shriek cut through the night air.
THIRTY-TWO
I BOLTED OUT OF bed, my heart racing, and ran to the window. The sound had come from the garden below, the formal garden. The rain was over, but clouds now blotted out the stars and moon. As dark as it was, the pale statuary in the garden was still clearly visible. Something floated in the breeze near one of the sculptures at the far end.
I slipped on my shoes and left the bedroom, once again making sure to keep Wizard inside, and raced down the stairs, taking them two at a time. I hurried through the parlor and into the conservatory. I pushed aside the plastic sheets covering the outside door to the garden. I should have thought to look for a flashlight in the kitchen, but I was here now. I stepped carefully down the stone steps, which were slippery with dew, and moved toward the far end of the garden. The ground was wet with the recent rain and my feet sank into the earth with each step.
Evandra was balanced on a stone bench, walking back and forth on it and tilting her head as if speaking to someone behind her. She punctuated her nonsensical speech with shrieks and bursts of harsh laughter. Why hadn’t anyone else in the house come running? Had I heard her only because my window overlooked the formal garden?
I spoke softly. “Evandra. It’s me. Julia.”
She spun around, almost losing her balance. There was a moment of connection between us, and then it was gone.
I reached up and offered my hand. “Come down, Evandra, slowly.” She grasped my hand, but her head turned quickly in the opposite direction and she stared into space.
“Evandra. Come down.”
She started to laugh. I watched her struggle to form words.
“What is it?” I asked.
“Flower.”
“Yes?”
“Flower … house … comes … late … ” She looked at me as if I could understand.
I reached up, put my arms around her waist, and lifted her toward the ground. Her skin was icy. She was dressed in a night shift and no robe, her feet bare.
“Let’s go in.” I led her slowly down the path toward the house. Her head jerked rhythmically.
“She … ”
“Yes?”
“… Lily … ”
We reached the entrance to the conservatory. I let go of Evandra’s hand to move the plastic sheeting to the side. When I turned, she was wandering back into the garden. I ran to catch up with her and turned her back again toward the house. I led her slowly inside, through the darkened conservatory and into the parlor by the stairway.
Something would have to be done. Evandra could not be left alone during the night. Or she would have to be locked in her room. It wasn’t possible for Dorothy to stay awake day and night to keep an eye on her. I was annoyed that Dorothy hadn’t yet done something about securing Evandra’s room.
As we reached the stairway, the lights in the hallway chandelier blazed on. Dorothy came down the stairs, sleepy-eyed, tying her robe around her as she descended.
“Julia, what happened?”
“I found her in the garden. I can’t figure out what’s going on—she’s not making any sense.”
Dorothy peered into her aunt’s eyes. “Her pupils are dilated. Let’s get her upstairs to the bedroom. I’ll have a closer look at her.”
“Have you started her on the antipsychotics yet?”
“Not yet. But her eyes and that involuntary twitching … I don’t know what’s wrong with her.” Dorothy finally maneuvered her aunt into bed. I found a washcloth in the bathroom and ran the wate
r until it was warm, then gently washed the grass and dirt from Evandra’s feet. She lay against the pillows, exhausted but trying to communicate with us without the ability to form words.
“Could she have had a stroke?”
“Possible, but I don’t think so. There are indications that aren’t consistent with a stroke. If anything, she’s hallucinating. I’m going to try to calm her down and get the doctor here first thing in the morning. But if she gets any worse, I’m calling an ambulance.” Dorothy turned to me. “Julia, I’m sorry … about earlier. I didn’t mean to bite your head off. I’m really sorry. It’s just the tension of everything that’s happening here.”
“I do understand. I’ll stay tonight and we can talk in the morning.”
Dorothy nodded. “I’m staying right here for the rest of the night.” She pushed an ottoman close to the armchair. I dug into a chest at the foot of the bed and found several blankets. I shook them open for her. Evandra was talking quietly to herself but no longer seemed to be aware that we were in the room.
“Go back to bed, Julia,” Dorothy said. “Try to get some sleep. I’ll prop a chair against the door as soon as you leave, just in case I fall asleep and she tries to get out. I’ll call a locksmith in the morning too.”
“No argument from me.” I closed the door behind me and returned to my room. I climbed under the covers once again, certain I wouldn’t be able to sleep at all. That’s the last thing I remembered until the first gray light of morning filtered through the windows.
THIRTY-THREE
I STRETCHED AND WINCED. My muscles ached from tension and interrupted sleep. I climbed into the shower and let very hot water course over me. Then I dressed in jeans, boots, and a warm sweater and finished packing my bag. I had slept on the problem and knew there was no choice. I headed down to the kitchen and found Dorothy making toast. A carafe of coffee sat on the counter. She looked at me wordlessly and poured a cup, placing it on the table in front of me.
“The doctor’s on his way. She finally fell asleep last night. Richard’s taken over upstairs and I’m waiting for the police to come by. I insisted they come back.” She seemed to notice me for the first time. “You’re all dressed? Julia, truly, I’m so sorry about last night. I don’t want you to leave. I didn’t mean to lose my temper.”
“It’s forgotten.”
“I don’t know what I can do. I can’t leave here with Evandra in bad shape. Richard has a business trip coming up tomorrow. Alba isn’t up to dealing with Evandra and the police don’t seem to offer any help with Eunice.”
The kitchen door burst open and Reggie, looking tanned and fit and bursting with energy, bounded into the kitchen. “Ga’day, Aunt Dorothy. What’s for breakfast?”
Dorothy’s face flushed beet red and her lips turned into a thin line. “Nothing for you. That’s for damn sure. Get the hell out of this kitchen.”
“What did I do?” His eyes opened wide. I couldn’t tell how much of his expression was the result of hurt feelings or how much was disingenuousness.
“You turned up on our doorstep.” She moved menacingly toward him. Reggie took a step backward and beat a hasty retreat.
“No need to be nasty, Auntie Dorothy,” he mumbled as he retreated from the kitchen.
“Sorry, Julia. Just can’t stand that little bugger, and I’m not in the mood to put up with him right now. He can go somewhere else for his breakfast. Do you think they headed straight to that place last night? Prophet’s Paradise or whatever it’s called?
“Yes, I’m sure they did. Dorothy, I’ve come to a decision. I’m going after them. I’m driving up there today.”
“Oh, Julia, I can’t ask you to do that.”
“You’re not asking. I checked Eunice’s chart last night and I’m convinced she’s in great danger. There’s no time to waste. She needs to be brought home immediately.”
Dorothy stared at me speechlessly.
“Besides, what else can I do? I’ve had it with Reverend Roy and his people. They’ve infected everything that’s good about this city. I’ve been uprooted from my home, and I could possibly lose it. They’ve interfered with my business. Prophet’s Paradise can’t be that hard to locate. I’m going to find it. I’m sure that’s where she’s been taken, and whatever I need to do, I’m getting her out of there.
Tears came to Dorothy’s eyes. “I’d go with you if I could.”
“You’re needed here. What you can do is pack me a lunch for the drive and ask the police to contact the sheriff’s office in Mendocino County and let them know the situation. She may not want to come back, but then again, she may have had a change of heart. We really don’t know until we locate her and talk to her.”
“The police! Lot of good they are. When I called them this morning, they told me to contact a lawyer. If I’m not her legal guardian, there’s nothing they can do. Same nonsense as last night. According to them, she may be eighty-seven but she still has rights. Damn that Gudrun. If there’s any way, I’ll have her prosecuted … that’s if I ever see her again. It’s downright criminal what she’s done. Leading an old lady astray with this nonsense. No sense of responsibility.”
“I’m not sure it’s an issue of responsibility,” I replied.
Dorothy stared at me. “What does that mean?”
“I told you how I saw Gudrun at one of those meetings.”
“Yes, I know.”
“But I think she’s more than a member. I think she works for them … targeting people … particularly the elderly and the wealthy. I think that’s what this so-called nature community or retirement shelter is all about.”
“Dear God.” Dorothy slumped into a kitchen chair and rubbed her hands over her face. “What can I do? I should have listened to you.”
“You mentioned real estate holdings once. Is there anything in Eunice’s name?”
Dorothy’s eyes grew wide. “Why, yes, actually. I believe there’s a commercial block downtown somewhere. I’m not sure exactly. Somewhere just south of Market.”
I remembered Don mentioning the Reverend’s company, Revelations LLC. It all made sense now.
“Does Eunice have access to bank accounts?”
“Yes, but she’s never bothered with any of that. All the bills for their needs and the house go straight to the accountant. She’s so frail, Julia. She could never survive if she were put in an abusive situation.”
THIRTY-FOUR
“YOU ARE SO NAÏVE.” I had called Don on my cell just to hear a friendly voice, hoping he’d have more detailed information about the specific location of the so-called Prophet’s Paradise.
“Thanks a lot.”
“No, I mean it. You really are. But I guess Sagittarians are so busy leaping to the next thing, they don’t see what’s right in front of them.”
Holding my phone in one hand, I was packing up Wizard’s things and the last of my belongings with my free hand, getting ready for the ride up north.
“You just don’t get it, do you? This guy donates a ton of money to politicians. They wouldn’t care if he practiced human sacrifice as long as they get their votes. As far as the media goes, he’s a golden boy. Her aunt needs to hire a lawyer. You shouldn’t be the one going after her. Haven’t they caused you enough grief?”
“Don, please,” I begged. “I just need to know where this place is. Don’t lecture me.”
Don sighed loudly at the other end of the line. “It’s in a town just across the Mendocino line … Ardillas, I think. Squirrelville.”
I smiled in spite of myself. Leave it to Don to translate the Spanish word.
“As a friend, I’m telling you to leave it alone.”
I didn’t respond.
“You know, I don’t even have to be in the same room. I can see that stubborn look you get on your face.”
“What look is that?”
“The one where your teeth clench and your jaw shuts and your eyes glaze over.”
“You know me too well.”
“Yea
h … well … frankly, this is a matter for the police or the lawyers. If your friend were appointed her aunt’s guardian, she’d have the right to go in there and haul the silly old lady’s butt home. But without that, good luck. Even little old ladies have rights.” He was silent for a moment. “I hope you don’t think you’re gonna charge in there and demand to take her home.”
“Why not? Dorothy’s hands are tied. She’s stuck here with her other aunt and can’t do it herself. The police won’t do anything. Eunice took off of her own free will, or so they say.”
“They’re right.”
“But Don, she was abducted. I saw that woman Gudrun at the Mason Street theater. I’m sure she’s involved up to her eyeballs. She timed it perfectly. She knew we’d all be busy downstairs with the séance.”
“The séance? Okay, I want to hear about that.”
“I’m not sure what to make of it myself, but Evandra is sure the ghost of her aunt Lily is warning of danger.”
“She’s probably right. And you could be putting yourself in danger. The rumors I’ve been hearing are scary. Supposedly the Reverend’s followers are required to sign over everything they own.”
I flashed back to the letter from Desperate in San Leandro, the woman who was alarmed about her mother’s involvement in the cult. Little did I think it would be a forerunner of Dorothy’s situation, or mine for that matter.
“By the way, I found a few more articles with some nasty details. One, about the woman who claimed she was held against her will, said she was forced into hard labor and beaten.”
“And no charges ever brought?”
“Nope. Nothing came of it. And she disappeared. In fact, both of them haven’t been seen since. Maybe they were threatened or worse, and maybe the local cops or politicians were paid off. Who knows? That was a few months before the Reverend headed for California. You be careful. He may be a crackpot, but he’s a very dangerous one.”
The Madness of Mercury Page 17