A Flicker of Doubt - Tim Myers [41]
“No,” she admitted. “That’s odd, even for Cyrus. So, you’re going to bring in the big gun, huh? Yes, I suppose I it’s merited. One thing though, Harrison. If Cyrus is through with you, I want you to promise me you’ll drop this.”
“I give you my word. I just want to make sure he’s all right.”
“Then I’ll give you Ruth’s number.”
After she read it off to me, I said, “Thanks, Frannie. Did you know it by heart?”
“Dear me, no, I’ve got enough useless information clouding my thoughts as it is. I looked Ruth’s number; up in my little book when you mentioned her name. I’d say to pass my regards on to her, but I’ve got a feeling Ruth isn’t going to be all that happy to hear from you.”
“I swear, I won’t tell her how I got her number.” Frannie laughed. “You won’t have to, she probably already knows.”
“What do you mean? How could she?” “Ruth has always believed she’s psychic. If you can make that play to your advantage, it might help your cause. But you need to tiptoe around it. She’s sensitive about the subject”
“Thanks, I’ll remember that.”
After I hung up with Frannie, I took a few deep breaths, then dialed the number she’d given me. The telephone was answered crisply before it had the chance to complete its first ring.
“Hello?”
“Wow, that was fast,” I said.
“I was standing by the phone when it rang,” an older woman’s voice said. “Would you prefer it if I hung up so you could call me back? I’ll let it ring a dozen times before I answer the next time, if you’d like.”
“That won’t be necessary,” I said. She didn’t sound all that thrilled with my call in the first place, and I had a hunch if I did as she suggested, she’d never pick up the second time.
“Then I’m glad we’ve dispensed with that. Now, how may I help you?”
I thought, You’re psychic, don’t you already know? I kept that to myself, though. “My name is Harrison Black. I’m calling about your brother.”
“How odd. I’ve been thinking about him a great deal lately.”
“It’s imperative that you visit Cyrus as soon as possible. He’s living behind two armed guards, and he won’t let anyone see him.”
“And what is that to you, Mr. Black?”
“Please, call me Harrison. I’m a friend of your brother’s, and I’m worried about him.”
“He’s a grown man, Mr. Black,” she said, ignoring my request for informality. I was losing her; I could hear it in her voice. It was time for desperate measures.
“Mrs. Nash, can’t you feel his aura from there? I’m afraid your brother is in some kind of trouble. Surely his spirit is calling put to you, his closest relative?”
She paused, then said, “It’s obvious you’ve been talking to Frannie. Don’t bother denying it There was one incident in our childhood, and she’s branded me a lunatic ever since. You don’t believe in special gifts, do yon?”
She had me there, and I couldn’t bring myself to lie.
“Honestly, I’m not sure what I think. If you believed in aliens, and for all I know you do, I’d tell you little green men were here if it would help get you to Micah’s Ridge to check on your brother.”
“What I believe or choose not to believe is none of your business, and I’d appreciate it if you’d drop your references to the psychic world when you speak to me. What exactly is it that you suggest I do, Mr. Black?”
“Visit him,” I said. “I’ll go with you if you’d like.”
“I can’t leave here. I have responsibilities to my daughter and her children.”
“What about to your brother?” I asked. After the words escaped my mouth, I realized I had probably pushed her too far.
I was nearly ready to apologize when she said, “You’re right; of course I’ll come. It’s going to take me a few days here to arrange for someone to watch the children, but I’ll be there as soon as possible, I promise. How do I find you once I’m in town?”
“I’m at the River’s Edge complex,” I said. “It’s next to your land on the Gunpowder River.”
“So that’s why you’re interested in my brother.”
“The land development