The Link by Richard Matheson Read Free Book Online Page B

authentic.”
    “Arthur
Bellenger?” asks Robert, surprised.
    “The same.”
    Robert is very impressed. Bellenger could be the Einstein of England.
    “I was in his study once,” Peter tells him. “Saw his desk, the papers on it. Never in my life have I been witness to such massive feats of mathematical calculation; naturally, I didn’t understand a bit of it. The man is living in another universe.
    “Still, if you met him, you might mistake him for a farmer or a laborer, he speaks so simply, so directly. Never ‘speaks down’ to anyone, never presses on one that incredible superiority of mind. I hope you get to meet him some day.”
    “I would love it,” Robert says solemnly.
    “So.” Peter looks at Cathy, smile repressed. “Palladino?”
    Robert laughs aloud as Peter says, in perfect unison with her, “Prime example of telekinesis.”
    “Well, it was!” she cries, laughing.
    “What do you think, Robert?” Peter asks.
    It is Cathy’s turn now as she says, “No opinion.”
    They exchange a laughing glance.

    Cathy drives Robert and Bart home. En route, he asks about Carol; she seems a “bit” unhappy to him.
    “More than a bit,” says Cathy. Carol is a lost soul in Connecticut.
    Robert nods. “I see.” He says no more but senses there is more involved.
    When they arrive at his house, he invites her in for coffee but she says it’s rather late, she has to get up early in the morning. Her hesitation is apparent. Clearly, she is drawn toward Robert as he is toward her.
    They make arrangements for him to visit ESPA the following afternoon, then she leaves.
    Later, lying in bed, Robert finds himself thinking about Palladino and we see brief SHOTS of the dramatized sitting. At one point, startlingly, the face of the Italian medium is different, that of a beautiful English woman.
    CUT BACK TO Robert as he scowls at himself. He switches off the lamp, turns brusquely on his side.
    Some hours later, he has the dream again; we see it re-enacted. Rain water rivuleting down the windowpane. The 1950 song. CAMERA PULLING BACK from pale, white curtains. The gloomy living room, the sense of something wrong. CAMERA GLIDING TOWARD the front hall, MOVING FASTER, getting closer to the hall now.
    Robert makes a grunting sound and wakes. He sits up, puts his feet down, gasps.
    Bart is lying beside the bed instead of in his basket. The Lab lays his head on Robert’s foot, sticks up a paw. Robert takes it. “What’s the matter, pal? Are you all right?” Bart’s tail thumps twice on the floor.
    Robert bends over and strokes his head. “Good ol’ Bart,” he murmurs. “He’s a
good
boy.”
    Then, “Why the hell do I keep dreaming that?”

    Leaving his house the next day, he makes a side trip to Long Island and picks up Ann at school, takes her to a local coffee shop for lunch.
    It is not too communicative a session. Ann, a pretty girl, is hesitant about relating what she feels, what she’s experiencing.
    Robert is equally hesitant about discussing it in detail. “I think I know what’s bothering you, sweetheart,” he tells her. “I, also, think you’re overlooking certain factors.”
    She nods mutely.
    “I don’t know what Mom’s said to you but… consider all the new elements in your life. They’re more than enough to be unsettling.”
    “Mom says that grandma—”
    “Sweetheart,” Robert cuts her off. “I don’t mean to create friction between you and Mom but my mother has nothing to do with it.”
    Ann nods, lips pressed together.
    “Look,” Robert says after a few moments. “If there is something happening in that area, there’s plenty of time to discuss it. I’m not negating what you feel, believe me. I’m just saying let the other aspects of your life be dealt with first. They’re there. Don’t underestimate them.”
    He puts his hand on hers. “I’m with you, Ann,” he assures her. “If there’s more involved, we’ll get into it. Okay?”
    She doesn’t answer.
    “Okay?” he