Kim stopped and waited. The car pulled to a stop, and the same two officers who’d responded to the call about Buffer got out.
Billy touched the rim of his visored hat in a kind of salute while he and Kim exchanged greetings.
“I hope we’re not bothering you,” Billy said.
“Is something wrong?” Kim questioned.
“We wanted to ask if you’d had any more trouble since the death of the dog,” Billy said. “There’s been a rash of vandalism in the immediate area, as if Halloween had come a month early.”
“Halloween’s big here in Salem,” Harry said. “It’s the time of year we law-enforcement officers have learned to hate.”
“What kind of vandalism?” Kim questioned.
“The usual nonsense,” Billy said. “Trash cans turned over, garbage spread around. Also more pets have disappeared and some of the carcasses have turned up across the road in the Greenlawn Cemetery.”
“We’re still concerned about the possibility of a rabid animal in the neighborhood,” Harry said. “You’d better keep that cat of yours indoors, especially considering the size of your property and all its wooded areas.”
“We think some local kids have joined the fray, so to speak,” Billy said. “They’re imitating what the animal has been doing. There’s been too much for one animal. I mean, how many trash cans can a raccoon do in a night?” He snickered.
“I appreciate your coming by to warn me,” Kim said. “We haven’t had any trouble since the dog’s death, but I’ll be sure to continue to keep my cat close to home.”
“If you have any problems please give us a call,” Harry said. “We’d like to get to the bottom of this before it gets out of hand.”
Kim watched while the police car made a U-turn and headed out of the compound. She was about to enter the castle when she heard Stanton call. Turning, she saw him coming from the lab.
“What the devil were the police doing here?” he asked as soon as he was within talking distance.
Kim told him about the concern of there being a rabid animal in the area.
“It’s always something,” Stanton said. “Listen, I want to talk to you about Edward. Do you have a minute?”
“Of course,” Kim said, wondering what this could be about. “Where would you like to talk?”
“Here’s fine,” Stanton said. “Where to start?” He stared off for a minute then looked Kim in the eye. “I’m a bit bewildered by Edward lately and the others as well. Every time I pop into the lab I feel like the odd man out. A couple of weeks ago it was like a morgue in there. Now it’s eerie the way they are enjoying themselves. It’s become like a vacation retreat only they’re working as hard or harder than they did before. Their repartee is difficult to follow since they are all so damn smart and witty. In fact, it makes me feel dumb to hang around.” Stanton laughed wryly before continuing. “Edward has become so outgoing and pushy that he reminds me of me!”
Kim put her hand to her mouth but laughed through her fingers at Stanton’s self-deprecating insightfulness.
“It’s not funny,” Stanton complained, but he was laughing himself. “The next thing that Edward will want to be is a venture capitalist. He’s gotten carried away with the business stuff, and unfortunately we don’t see eye to eye. Now we’re at loggerheads over how to raise more capital. The good doctor has become so greedy he will not sacrifice any equity. He’s metamorphosed overnight from an avowed ascetic academician to an insatiable capitalist.”
“Why are you telling me this?” Kim questioned. “I have nothing to do with Omni nor do I want to have.”
“I was just hoping that you could talk to Edward,” Stanton said. “I cannot in good conscience condone borrowing money from dirty sources through foreign banks, and I’m even sorry that I mentioned the possibility. There’s just too much risk, and I’m not talking about financial risk. I’m talking about risk to life and limb. It just ain’t worth it. I mean, the financial aspect of this venture should be left up to me, just like the scientific stuff should be left up to Edward.”
“Does Edward seem forgetful to you?” Kim asked.
“Hell, no!” Stanton said. “He’s as sharp as a tack. He’s just innocent when it comes to the ways of the financial world.”
“He’s been forgetful around me,” Kim said. “Just little everyday things. And most of the other researchers have admitted to being just as absentminded.”
“I haven’t noticed any absentmindedness with Edward,” Stanton said. “But he did seem a little paranoid. Just a few minutes ago we had to go outside to talk so we wouldn’t be overheard.”
“Overheard by whom?” Kim asked.
Stanton shrugged. “The other researchers, I assume. He didn’t say and I didn’t ask.”
“This morning he came all the way to the house to make a call so that he wouldn’t be overheard,” Kim said. “He was afraid to use the phone in the reception area because he thought someone would listen through the walls.”
“Now that sounds even more paranoid,” Stanton said. “But in his defense I’ve drilled it into him that secrecy is important at this stage.”
“Stanton, I’m getting worried,” Kim said.
“Don’t say that,” Stanton complained. “I came to you to relieve my anxieties not increase them.”
“I’m concerned that the forgetfulness and paranoia are side effects from the Ultra,” Kim said.
“I don’t want to hear this,” Stanton said as he cupped his hands over his ears.
“They shouldn’t be taking the drug at this stage,” Kim said. “And you know it. I think you should stop them.”
“Me?” Stanton said. “I just told you a minute ago I’m in finances. I don’t meddle with the science side, especially when they have told me that taking the drug will speed up its evaluation process. Besides, this mild paranoia and forgetfulness are probably due to how hard they are working. Edward knows what he is doing. My God, he’s tops in his field.”
“I’ll make you a deal,” Kim said. “If you try to convince Edward to stop taking the drug, I’ll try to convince him that the finances should be left to you.”
Stanton made a face as if he had been stabbed in the back. “This is ridiculous,” he said. “I’ve got to negotiate with my own cousin.”
“It sounds reasonable to me,” Kim said. “We’ll be helping each other.”
“I can’t promise anything,” Stanton said.
“Nor can I,” Kim said.
“When will you talk with him?” Stanton asked.
“Tonight,” Kim said. “What about you?”
“I suppose I could just go back and talk with him now,” Stanton said.
“Do we have a deal?” Kim asked.
“I suppose so,” Stanton said reluctantly. He stuck out his hand and Kim shook it.
Kim watched as Stanton started back toward the lab. In contrast to his usual sprightly step his gait was plodding, with his arms hanging straight down like he was lugging heavy weights in both hands. Kim couldn’t help but feel sorry for him since she knew that he was distressed. The problem was he’d put all his money into Omni, violating one of his own cardinal rules of investing.
After climbing up to the attic, Kim walked over to one of the dormer windows that faced in the direction of the lab. She was just in time to see Stanton disappear into the building. Kim didn’t have high hopes that Stanton would be successful getting Edward to stop taking Ultra, but at least she could feel that she’d tried.
That night Kim made it a point to stay awake until Edward came in just after one in the morning. She was reading when she heard the front door close, followed by Edward’s footfalls on the old stairs.
“My goodness,” he said, sticking his head into her bedroom. “That must be one hell of a book to keep you awake until this hour.”
“I’m not tired,” Kim said. “Come in.”