Hell Calling by Enrique Laso Read Free Book Online Page A

frenzied insanity.
    ‘Tomorrow, I’ll be able to start getting to the bottom of this.’
    He had tremendous confidence in the parapsychologist’s visit. The woman would be able to uncover if what was happening to him was real, or if, on the other hand, his brain had not been able to withstand such terrible loss, and he had succumbed, losing all sanity and sense. This woman would help him to learn how to adjust to the future.
    XXVII
    The woman moved confidently through the house, as if she had already been on many other occasions; as if she were just a neighbour, accustomed to the walls and the furniture.
    “Can I open those doors?”
    Carlos felt somewhat uneasy, almost shocked. His replies were clumsy and insecure:
    “This... yes, of course... if that’s necessary...”
    “Had you closed them off?”
    “Yes...”
    “That’s normal. Don’t worry. I need to inspect every inch of this house. I hope that isn’t a problem.”
    “No, no...”
    “Is something wrong?”
    “No... I just thought that Marta would be coming with you, that’s all.”
    The parapsychologist smiled.
    “She prefers to stay on the periphery. She doesn’t really believe in everything I do, as you’ll know. Although I should say that in your case, it’s all different. Now she’s beginning to have... doubts.”
    Elena made her way to Laura’s bedroom. She opened it up without delay, as if preventing Carlos from having any time to regret it. It had to be quick; it had to be cold. Otherwise, she would not be doing her job well, and the story that Marta had conveyed on the phone the previous day had fascinated her. Elena was passionate about the occult sciences, although in order to make a living, she had to conform by holding consultations as a psychologist at the neighbourhood health centre. Whenever an opportunity arose to intervene directly in any kind of anomalous manifestation, she didn’t need to think twice about it. Fortunately, although her work didn’t leave her with much money, she had her afternoons and weekends completely free.
    “Will you come in with me?”
    “I’d prefer to wait here,” he said, shaking his head.
    The room was the same as that of any other girl Laura’s age, with plentiful pink details, and posters of films and cartoon series, framed and positioned on the walls.
    “Everything’s very tidy,” commented Elena, raising her voice slightly.
    “Aside from some things and papers that had been on the floor, I haven’t touched anything since...”
    “I understand.”
    The parapsychologist went around, looking here and there, taking clothes out of the wardrobe, consulting books on the shelves, examining the bedspread on the bed...
    “She was a methodical girl, am I right?” she inquired.
    “Well... Yes, everyone tells me she was very intelligent.”
    “Everyone?”
    Carlos instantly interpreted an uneasy tone in the question just posed to him.
    “You couldn’t exactly say that my relationship with Laura was... great. I was involved in my own things, my work, and I hardly dedicated any time to her. I’m realising more and more that she was, to me, a complete stranger.”
    “But she loved you very much,” said Elena, with confidence.
    “I ... think... so...”
    The woman came back holding a pink notebook, with a white ribbon border. It had two gold protrusions through which to place a padlock. She brought it to him opened halfway.
    “I’ll read it: ‘my Daddy is the best in the world, and will always be there to defend and help me’.”
    “What is that?”
    “It seems to be a diary. Not all that many pages have been written on; no more than forty, but I’m sure it’ll turn out to be interesting. Didn’t you know that your daughter kept a diary?”
    “Like I just told you...”
    “Okay, okay.”
    Carlos looked at Elena with curiosity. She was a strange woman, with dark hair and eyes, and a gaze that was intense and somewhat enigmatic. He still did not know whether or not he could trust her,