Falling Down by David Cole Read Free Book Online Page B

Bob.”
    â€œSomething’s just gone down,” he said.
    â€œI can’t deal with you now. Not right now.”
    â€œThere’s a crime scene,” he said.
    â€œAbso lute ly no way.”
    â€œWe’ll need to talk. Once I get some input, we’ll at least need to talk.”
    â€œWhen?”
    â€œKeep your cell on.”
    I disconnected.
    Â 
    â€œYou want to tell me what’s going on here?” Sandy said. “Damn! Laura, your body just went ballistic. You, Laura, what’s wrong? Laura, just cry, sweetie, just cry it out.”
    She swiveled her body to cuddle behind me, her head sideways on my sweaty back, one hand stroking my forehead. We lay there together for so long I wondered if I was dreaming.
    â€œI don’t want to talk about it,” I said finally.
    â€œDo you want to talk at all?”
    â€œI’ve got four hours to change my life,” I said.
    â€œGeez laweez. That’s kinda…kinda cosmic. You ever cross over? From one way of life to something different, something you’d not even imagined was out there?”
    â€œNo. But. I’ve got to leave. I’m going over to Tohono Chul Park.”
    â€œI’ve got two clients there!”
    â€œDo you know Mary Emich?”
    â€œWhat are the odds?” Sandy said. “That I’d know both of you. So. What’s the story, is Mary Emich a friend?”
    â€œNever met her.”
    â€œWhy are you seeing her?”
    â€œI don’t really know.”
    â€œOkay,” Sandy said. “Guess she’s not a friend of yours.”
    â€œJust somebody that needs help,” I said.
    Sandy gently laid her hands on my shoulders again.
    Relaxed, almost asleep. Wishing I hadn’t even mentioned Emich’s name. It’s the stress, my friend, the body wants to release its secrets in order to heal.
    â€œHelp with what?”
    â€œComputers. Something. I don’t know, really, what she wants. Listen, Sandy. Actually, I don’t want any more clients right now.”
    â€œShe comes here. Friend of hers from the park brought her. Peggy Hazard. Both of them lay out on the same table as you. So. Mary needs some help?”
    â€œI don’t want another client.”
    â€œAll right.”
    â€œBut I need another client.”
    â€œLaura, you’re so irrational today. We’re not going to solve anything, just let me tell you some things about Mary, then you decide what to do. You know Tohono Chul Park?”
    â€œYou’ll see her, okay?”
    â€œUhhh,” I said.
    â€œYou just lied,” Sandy said. “I felt the aura.”
    â€œWhat’s she like? This Mary Emich.”
    â€œJust call the park. Ask for the director of Visitor Services.”
    â€œWhat’s she like?” I said again.
    â€œFirst, listen to her voice,” Sandy said. “Then you’ll know. But I’ve done her chart. I can tell you what I think.”
    Chart, meaning astrology chart.
    What a way to run a business, depending on the stars to tell you if a client is good or…or whatever.
    â€œWhatever use is that?” I said.
    â€œShe’s a very complex, a very bright woman,” Sandy said.
    Launching into Mary Emich’s chart without blinking.
    â€œShe’s got a hop-scotch mind and loves to engage in ping-pong conversations. Why do I say this? She’s a Libra, that’s an air sign, with her moon in Gemini. Another air sign.”
    I sat up on the table.
    â€œThat’s gibberish,” I said.
    â€œListen, just take it in, just…for god’s sakes, Laura. Just turn off your head for a while. Okay?”
    â€œI survive because of my head.”
    â€œOh, pul eeze, ” she said. “You survive because you analyze with your head, you draw up an agenda of choices with your head, and your gut tells you the right choice. The only thing really private about your investigating is that you make your decisions, you