I stormed into the house, determined to confront my uncle. The center hall was as cool and dim as a cave. Silence reigned but for the whirring of the AC system. As far as I could tell, nobody was home.
Out of habit, I peered into the den. Aunt Mary sat slumped on the couch, her head falling onto her chest as if she were fast asleep. Or dead!
I knelt down beside her. “Wake up, Aunt Mary! Wake up!”
She stirred and struggled to open her eyes. “What is it?” she muttered, her voice slow and thick. Her eyelids clamped shut again.
My heart lurched with pity. Raymond had hypnotized Aunt Mary, knocking her out. Why now? Of course! Lucy. Had my uncle taken my sister to be his latest victim?
“Raymond!” I screamed as I flew up the stairs to my aunt and uncle’s bedroom. Empty, as I’d expected. Where was my uncle? The last time I’d seen him—was it actually this morning?—he’d been weak and sickly. Since then Lucy had been kidnapped and my aunt was reduced to a zombie. Why? What was Raymond plotting now?
Frantically, I tore from room to room, hoping to find him, or at least a sign of where he’d gone. Downstairs, his office was in orderly condition. The top of the desk was bare except for his computer. I turned it on but was unable to open any files without his password.
I typed in various words, a few number and letter combinations, then gave up in disgust. Raymond was too cunning to use a password that was obvious. If only I’d been cunning enough to erase evidence of my phone calls to Lucy. If only I hadn’t left my phone at home on Friday! I checked the garage. My uncle’s BMW was gone. No doubt he’d gone to where the men had taken my sister.
I flexed my fists in futile anger. I had to save Lucy, but hadn’t the vaguest idea of whom to call, where to go. Aunt Grace had already called the police, which would lead nowhere. I was useless. Worse than useless, because I’d led Raymond right to Lucy.
I had no idea how long I’d sat mulling at the kitchen table when I heard a key in the lock. I raced to the hallway, intent on wringing the truth from my uncle.
“There you are, Simon!” Raymond wore a white short-sleeved shirt and casual pants. He looked a good deal healthier than he had earlier in the day.
“Where’s my sister?”
Raymond shot me an amused smile. “I see news travels fast.”
I wrapped my hands around his neck and squeezed. “Tell me.”
He showed no surprise at my actions. “Release me, Simon, and we’ll talk.”
“Like hell we will! I know what you do to little girls!” I squeezed tighter.
Raymond coughed. His face turned red but his eyes never left mine. They glowed like burning coals. “Drop your hands, if you hope to hear about Lucy.”
“You deserve to die!”
“I nearly did yesterday, but today I’m fit as a fiddle.”
Reluctantly, I released my choke hold on my uncle.
“That’s better.” Raymond rubbed his neck. “We’ll talk in my office.” It was an order, not a suggestion.
He turned on the light and closed the door behind us. He gestured to me to sit down. I didn’t move.
“I’m both amused and annoyed to see you try to thwart me. Pleased, because courage and ingenuity are positive personality traits, and will remain when I take over your body.” Raymond frowned. “I’m annoyed because you’ve thrown minor snags into my plans. I need all my energy to realize my greatest achievement—becoming Simon Porte.”
A chill ran through my body. “That’s not going to happen! The police know all about you. I’ve told them Craig went after Lucinda on your orders. They’ll be coming around to question you both.”
“So I’ve been warned,” Raymond said, not at all perturbed. “And you will have the unhappy chore of informing whichever officer comes to speak to us that you’re very sorry, but you misunderstood what you think you heard.”
“I will not!” I stepped toward him and felt a twinge of satisfaction when he inched back.
But my sense of gaining the upper hand was short-lived when he waved his hand dismissively. “Sit down, Simon, and we’ll talk about Lucy.”
Disheartened, I obeyed. Raymond sat beside me. “You never told me your sister was fortunate to survive the accident that took your parents. I admit, this came as a huge surprise.”
“You checked my phone. I should have erased everything.”
“Don’t beat yourself up, as they say. I knew of every call you made, every website you visited.”
“How could I have been so stupid?”
Raymond slapped me on the knee. “On the contrary. You’re a very intelligent lad, but you’ve set yourself up against a man more than three times your age. A businessman wise to the ways of the world.”
“You’re a murderer! You killed my parents—your own brother and sister-in-law!”
Raymond had the gall to look as if he were sorry. As if he really cared about anyone other than himself. “That was a tragedy. But they never would have let you come to me, would they? And I need you more than I need anyone on earth.”
“You don’t need my sister!” I shouted.
“Please keep your voice down,” Raymond said. “Your Aunt Mary may wake up and wonder why you’re so angry with me.”
“I bet she knows! Which is why you hypnotized her, or whatever you do to the poor woman.”
Raymond turned away, but not before I’d caught an expression of remorse on his face. Not that it mattered. Nothing mattered except convincing him to set Lucy free.
“Lucy’s important to you, isn’t she?” Raymond said.
“Yes.”
“She’s being looked after by a very nice woman in a home not far from here. I rescued her from your rather severe aunt because I know the two of you want to be together. And you shall be. Soon. Very soon.”
I stared at him. “You’re not planning to harm her?”
“Of course not,” he chided me. “What an idea! But you haven’t been very cooperative with me, have you?”
Dread pressed down on me, snuffing out all hope. What was coming was worse than anything so far.
“I think you know what I’ve been working toward ever since you came to Buckley.”
“You’re trying to take over my body,” I mumbled.
“Not trying. Laying the groundwork. But you fight me every inch of the way. And you’re strong. Very strong.”
My gasp of horror made him smile. “Ah, you’ve caught the gist of where this is going. I expect you’ll be more cooperative from now on.” His smile grew wider. “If you want your sister to live.”
I buried my face in my hands. It was over. Raymond was far more clever than I could ever hope to be. He’d take over my body and kill Lucy.
“Don’t mull, Gregory.” Raymond turned his chair so he could face me. I wrinkled my nose against his medicinal breath. “Relax, my boy. We’ve time for a short session before your aunt Mary wakes up and starts dinner.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
THE IMAGE OF A YOUNG GIRL entered my mind. I watched the plastic tube-like device slip from her mouth as her face contorted into a death mask. I shook my head vehemently to erase the sight and broke my uncle’s spell.
“You’re a monster!” I pushed him away, horrified that I’d left my mind open to his evil intentions.
Raymond grabbed my arm. “Calm yourself, Gregory. You must learn how to acquire your source’s life force when needed.”
“Kill a girl, you mean.”
His grip grew tighter. “Let’s not argue over semantics. There’s Lucy’s welfare to consider.”
“How do I know you won’t kill her?”
Raymond pursed his lips. “I thought I’d made myself clear. You cooperate, Lucy goes free.”
“Why should I believe you?”
Raymond released his hold on me. “Tsk, tsk. Such little trust. And what if I allowed you to speak to her on the telephone? Would you believe me then?”
“How often?”
“How often!” Raymond repeate
d, incredulous. “You’ll talk to her once!”
I forced a laugh. “Big deal. That’s supposed to reassure me.”
He gave a snort of exasperation. “All right. Every few days starting tomorrow. Satisfied?”
“No! Every day, morning and night.”
“I’ll agree to once a day, as long as you’re cooperative.”
I grimaced, dreading what I was agreeing to. “All right.”
“Good. Let’s get back to work. Keep your eyes open, understand?”
“Yes.” But this time I was ready. I closed my mind and let my eyes wander. I glanced around the office. Anywhere but into my uncle’s intense gaze.
“Look into my eyes!”
I obeyed and struggled not to lose consciousness. How long could I endure my uncle’s infusions? Regardless of how hard I fought to close myself off, some of Raymond’s memories and personality managed to seep into my brain.
“We’ll try something different this time.”
He seemed to be speaking to me from a great distance. Was I asleep? Unconscious? I felt detached. Not connected to anything. Like a balloon drifting through space.
Simon, where are you? a voice demanded. I need to speak to you.
I gave a jolt and sat up. Aunt Lucinda was calling to me.
I’m here. Raymond’s giving me an infusion.
Well, stop it!
I can’t. He’s—
“Concentrate! Don’t break the connection!” Raymond instructed, unaware that he was interrupting my conversation with Lucinda.
I blinked as I came out of the trance. What had just happened? Had I succumbed to a strong infusion?
My uncle stood over me muttering curses.
Tell him you’re tired and you can’t do this any more today.
He won’t believe me.
Tell him! Lucinda ordered. Pretend what he’s done has taken effect and we’ll pray to God that it hasn’t.
I forced a smile on my face. “Phew! That was awesome.”
“Really?” Raymond stepped back, all smiles. “Tell me what you experienced?”
“It was like floating on a cloud.” I paused to think. What traits did my uncle want to transfer to his new life? What skills? The ability to wheel and deal. To influence and make money. “I saw some kind of business transaction.”
“Excellent!” my uncle exclaimed, patting my arm. “Can you remember any details?”
Instead of answering, I let my head fall to my chest and pretended to doze off. My uncle shook me.
“Wake up, my boy! Wake up!”
I kept my eyes shut, until the touch of his hands on my face made me shudder. I brushed them away and let out a gigantic yawn. “I’m exhausted. I need to rest.”
“Of course, Gregory.”
I glared at him. Raymond looked nervous as he backed up until he bumped into the desk. “I’ve told you often enough—my name is Simon. If you don’t use it, if you fail to cooperate, I won’t help you.”
“Yes, yes. Anything you say, my boy. Good-bye.” Raymond slipped out of the office, an expression of satisfaction on his face.
I raced up to my room, slammed the door shut, and tumbled onto my bed. Wow! Where on earth did that last bit come from? It had scared the bejeezus out of Raymond, though it had pleased him as well. Were my own powers developing and growing stronger? Or were Raymond’s infusions starting to work?
Lucinda, who hadn’t left, laughed maniacally in my head. You acquired a touch of Raymond and gave it back to him like he deserves, she said when she’d calmed down. Though I shouldn’t be laughing. You mustn’t let him do this to you. It’s dangerous, Simon. Leave that house now.
I can’t. He has Lucy.
Raymond has Lucy! When did this happen?
I told her about Aunt Grace’s call and my uncle’s conditions. So you see, I have no choice but to do pretty much what he says, I finished.
Of course you have a choice! she snapped back. If you let those transformations of his take effect, how will you save your sister?
Ouch.
Face facts if you want to beat that scoundrel. Come over here. I’ll teach you a few more tricks to outfox that evil nephew of mine.
The cloud of doom began to lift. Do you think you can find Lucy?
What did he tell you? What do you know?
That she’s safe in a house close by and a woman’s looking after her. Oh, and I’ll be able to speak to her tomorrow.
Contact me as soon as you’re speaking to her. I might get a sense of her location.
You’re the best, Lucinda!
Come over here now!
She was gone before I’d remembered to ask how she was feeling.
A door slammed. I peered out the window. A minute later Raymond was driving down the street. Was he going to see to Lucy or to give Craig more homicidal assignments?
Aunt Mary called to me as I came downstairs. I grimaced. I’d hoped to leave before she awakened.
“Hello, Aunt Mary. How are you feeling?”
She was sitting up on the den couch, smoothing back her hair. “I must have fallen asleep. Do you know what time it is?”
I gazed at her with pity. Did she know her husband had hypnotized her? Or why? “It’s a little after five. I’m going out.”
“Oh, dear. So late? I’m about to start preparing dinner.”
“I’m not sure I’ll be home in time for dinner. If I’m not, you can leave my food in the fridge. I’ll heat it up when I get home.”
Aunt Mary nodded but made no move to get up. I started for the door, then turned back. These were desperate times and required desperate measures. I sat down beside my aunt and took her hand in mine.
“Aunt Mary, you weren’t taking a nap. Uncle Raymond hypnotized you.”
She shook her head, clearly upset. “Don’t be silly, Simon. Why would he do a thing like that?”
“Because he does terrible things, things you wouldn’t approve of.”
Her eyes opened wide. “You mustn’t say things like that! Your uncle’s a good man. He’s a pillar of the community. Why, he sits on every important committee in Buckley.”
I patted her hand. “We both know he’s evil through and through. He commits awful crimes. When you tell him to stop, he hypnotizes you so you’ll forget. Only you can’t forget, can you?”
I watched as opposing forces waged war inside Aunt Mary. Finally she groaned and covered her face in her hands. “I’m so ashamed. I’m sorry I didn’t protect you.” She shook her head in despair. “I can’t stop him. He defeats me every time.”
“We’ll stop him,” I said.
She let out a deeply felt sigh. “How? You’re just a boy. Soon… soon…”
So she knew what her husband was planning. Knew and had argued against it, which was why she kept getting zonked.
“Do you want to help me?”
Aunt Mary nodded.
“Then keep out of his way. Don’t argue or give him a reason to hypnotize you. And don’t tell him we’ve talked about it.”
“Of course not.” She gave me a sad smile. “I may be a fool for staying with him all these years, but I’m not stupid.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
LUCINDA’S NEIGHBOR was leaving the house as I arrived. She was a stout, middle-aged woman with short iron-gray hair that she wore like a helmet. She looked me up and down before giving me a smile that was amazingly kind.
“So you’re the nephew she’s so fond of.”
“I’m Simon,” I said, feeling both embarrassed and pleased.
“Martha Barrister, here. Your great-aunt has suffered quite a blow to her system. Keep her calm. Don’t let her get agitated as she’s wont to do.”
“I’ll do my best, Ms. Barrister,” I said, knowing my chances of keeping Lucinda calm were as good as my turning Raymond into a frog.
“Call me Martha. And stay tough. It’s for Lucinda’s own good.” She smiled again. “I left some chicken soup on the stove. Heat it up when she says she’s hungry.”
I thanked Martha and went inside.
“It’s about time you got here,” Lucinda complained as I entered her bedroom.
I stopped her from climbing out of bed. “I think Martha would rather you stay there.”
“Martha,” Lucinda echoed, her tone mocking. But she settled back under the covers and patted an empty space for me to sit beside her. “Now, tell me everything that transpired. I want details.”
I told her, including my conversation with Aunt Mary. Lucinda nodded her approval. “Good. She’s not on Raymond’s side. I often wondered where she stood.”
“I told her not to rile him up and get herself hypnotized.”
Lucinda rubbed her chin. “And maybe she can be of some help. We need all the help we can get. Have the police questioned Raymond about Craig Averil?”
I nodded. “He backed up Craig like we knew he would. But my aunt Grace told the police in her town that Raymond had Lucy kidnapped.”
“There’s no proof Raymond’s behind Lucy’s abduction. No proof of anything against my nephew, your slimy uncle.”
I pounded the mattress with my fist. “So what good is their questioning him? He’ll deny everything and the cops will think we’re all nuts.”
“Accusations are coming from too many sources for the police to ignore them. Eventually they’ll have to take action,” Lucinda said calmly.
I jumped up and glared at her. “Eventually! We have to do something now! Lucy’s his prisoner. Raymond says I have to cooperate when he does his infusions or he’ll do…God knows what to Lucy!”
“Sit down and calm yourself.” Lucinda was unusually composed. “I told you I’d help and I will.”
I sat down. “How?”
She smiled, clearly pleased with herself. “Let’s start with you. When you close your mind to Raymond, I want you to leave it a bit open. Like a door ajar. Do you know what I mean?”
I nodded. “I think so. But I hate when he gets inside my head and deposits his gruesome memories. Before, I had this awful image of a young girl gasping for breath. She was dying.”
“Is the image as vivid now?”
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