Magnificent Folly - Iris Johansen [39]
His name is Andrew, Cassie had said.
Someone must have called his name.
Andrew brought back the music.
Lily fought back the avalanche of memories. Coincidence, she thought desperately. It had to be coincidence.
“It’s not coincidence, Lily.”
Lily’s gaze flew to Quenby’s face in horror.
Quenby laughed and shook her head. “No, I’m not telepathic. Just an educated guess. I felt the same way when Gunner told me about his telepathic powers.” She wrinkled her nose. “However, he doesn’t have quite as strict a code as Andrew, and provided a demonstration that startled the heck out of me.”
“What did he—” Lily broke off. “Now I’m the one who’s crazy. I was actually starting to believe you.”
“You’ll believe me,” Quenby said confidently. “It will take time to sink in, but then you’ll start remembering things and putting the pieces together. I’m not going to overload you with information right now. I think you have enough to deal with.”
Lily shook her head dazedly. Quenby Nilsen appeared so down-to-earth and practical. It seemed impossible that she would spout this nonsensical voodoo. “You mean there’s more?”
“We’ve just uncovered the tip of the iceberg.” Quenby leaned back in her chair. “But you’ve actually taken the little bit I’ve given you quite well.”
“Because I’ve heard it’s better to humor nut cases.”
Quenby chuckled. “I assure you I’m not violent.” She suddenly sobered. “There’s one more thing you should know about Andrew right now. He’s not blundering blindly with Cassie. He’s been doing this kind of work since he was a small boy.”
“Telepathic healing? You’ll forgive me if I find that concept impossible to accept.”
Quenby shook her head. “He can’t work miracles. He can only go underneath and reinforce the will to live, he also can teach—he can straighten out most of the snarls and tangles the human mind makes for itself.” Quenby added simply, “He can bring light into darkness. But to do it he has to go down and live in that darkness, feel the pain and the torment. That’s what he’s doing with Cassie now.”
Light into darkness. “That sounds like pretty much of a miracle to me,” Lily said wearily. “And too far-fetched for me to accept.”
“Then why are you still sitting here? Why aren’t you marching in and snatching Cassie away from Andrew? It’s because down deep you want to believe in Andrew.”
“I don’t believe any of this,” Lily said quickly. “And I certainly have no faith Andrew will be able to—” She broke off, and her head turned toward the closed bedroom door. “What’s that? I thought I heard—”
Music! The silver cascade of notes from Cassie’s music box.
“It’s the Bach,” Lily whispered. “He’s playing Cassie’s music box.” She jumped to her feet and ran toward the door.
“Lily, he may not be ready for—”
Lily threw open the door. The lights were still out, with the room still in darkness.
The melody of the Bach prelude wove silvery ribbons of beauty through the shadows.
Cassie laughed in the darkness.
“Turn on the lights, Lily,” Andrew said.
Lily’s hand trembled as she fumbled for the light switch on the wall.
Cassie was sitting up on the bed. “Hi, Mom. Can I have a cheeseburger? I’m starved.”
“It … could be arranged.” Lily scanned Cassie’s face hungrily. Bright eyes, good color, she was blessedly, wonderfully normal. Lily’s knees felt rubbery as she walked across the room toward the bed. “How do you feel, baby?”
“Great.” Cassie looked at her in surprise. “Why shouldn’t I feel great? You’re the one who got knocked on the head.” For an instant a shadow crossed Cassie’s face. “I thought those creeps had killed you. I called and called, but you wouldn’t wake up. You okay?”
“Perfectly okay.” Lily sat down on the side of the bed. “But