‘That’s the point.’
‘It never happened to you?’
‘I made real sure it didn’t.’
‘What do you think would happen?’
‘I don’t know. But I had this fear about it. I was afraid I might end up trapped.’
‘Trapped?’
‘In the dead body.’ She shrugged. ‘I know it sounds crazy. But I had a few close calls, and it almost got to be a phobia with me. I reached the point where I was terrified, every time I hitched, that the person might keel over dead and there I’d be, stuck inside.’
‘Yuck.’
‘Yeah. Freaked me out. The fact is, I stopped using the bracelet a few years ago. Because of that. I was hitching in this guy during the ’92 riot. He was a nut-case. Fascinating guy, but scary as hell. He was out to kill some cops. I stuck with him. Nothing I could do to stop him, anyway, so I figured to hang around for the action. About two seconds after he opens up on some L.A.P.D. guys with his AK-47, he catches a bullet in the brain.’ Elise suddenly flinched, gritting her teeth and squeezing her eyes shut. ‘Arh! Hurt like you wouldn’t believe. And it scared the absolute shit out of me. I figured he’d had it, and I’d end up . . .’ She shook her head. She blew out a long breath that puffed her cheeks out, then took a couple of swallows from her glass, and sighed. ‘Anyway, the shot didn’t kill him right away, so I had time to get out. He actually lasted a couple of days on life-support before he kicked the bucket. But it was too close. I never had the guts to hitch again, after that.’
Neal stared at her. She looked frightened.
‘Now I’m not so sure I want to use the thing,’ he said.
‘It’s up to you. You shouldn’t put too much stock, though, in my obsession. I mean, maybe you don’t get trapped if somebody dies. For all I really know, you might zoom out and return to your own body as if nothing is wrong. The bracelet didn’t come with an instruction manual.’
‘What about Jimmy? What did he tell you?’
‘Not a whole lot. Nothing at all about what happens if your ride goes toes up on you. Maybe he never found himself in that sort of situation. And back then, I didn’t know enough to ask.’ She shrugged. ‘Jimmy only gave me one warning. This should be sort of obvious, but your own body is awfully vulnerable when you’re off hitching. It can’t do anything to protect itself. It might as well be in a coma. If something should happen to it, you wouldn’t have a clue until you tried to return.’
Neal bared his teeth. ‘That’s terrific news. I could be off having a great time, I come back and find out my apartment house burnt down – with me in it?’
‘Or you might’ve been murdered. Or had some other fatal mishap.’
He shook his head. ‘So then what?’
Elise grinned at him over the top of her glass. ‘Who knows? That’s one more of those mysteries of the magic bracelet.’
‘And you went ahead and used it anyway?’
‘I’m still here.’
‘But you quit . . . back in ’92.’
‘The dangers aren’t really all that great. Just don’t get caught in a dead person, and watch where you leave your body when you go hitching. As for your body, use common sense. I mean, if you’re in bed in your own apartment, not much is likely to happen to you. But play it safe. Act as if you’re going away on a trip – because you are. Make sure the doors are locked, you aren’t leaving the stove on, that sort of thing. Don’t leave a candle burning. Don’t go on a hitch with a cigarette in your mouth.’
‘I don’t smoke.’
‘Good. Just try to take every precaution before you go off. And don’t stay away for hours at a time. If you’re somewhere iffy – the beach, for instance – make your hitches shorter. Ten or fifteen minutes, maybe. Come back every once in a while to check up on yourself.’
‘You did it on the beach?’ he asked.
‘Sure. It’s a great place for hitching. So many people to choose from.’
‘Couldn’t you just do it from home?’
‘Oh, sure. To a certain extent. The thing is, you’re always better off hitching in the general vicinity of your body. Makes coming and going a lot easier and quicker.’
‘So, you just stretched out on your towel, or something, and pretended to be sunbathing?’
‘That’s about it.’
‘Weren’t you ever robbed?’
She shook her head. ‘The thing is, nobody knows you’re basically dead to the world. For all they know, you might be completely awake with your eyes shut.’
‘But what if somebody does rob you?’ Neal asked. ‘What if you’re off hitching and somebody takes the bracelet off your body?’
‘Ah. I’ve had the bracelet taken off. Vince did it once. What happens is, you’re sort of dragged out of your hitch and straight back into your own body. Then you take the bracelet back.’
‘Did he know about it?’
‘The bracelet?’ Elise shook her head. ‘I told Vince it was a graduation gift from my parents. He never had a clue that you could travel with it. That’s another thing: don’t let anyone know what the bracelet does. I mean, that should be pretty obvious.’
‘It is.’
‘Can you imagine what would happen if people found out about it? Everybody’d want it. They’d want to borrow it, buy it from you, steal it. Some people would probably even kill you to get their hands on the thing.’
‘Are you the only person who knows what it can do?’ Neal asked.
‘Far as I know. I mean, I’ve had it for sixteen years and I’ve never told a soul about its power. Not until you, tonight. The only reason I told you is because it’s your bracelet, now.’
‘Are there any more of them?’
Elise shook her head. ‘Not to my knowledge. I’ve done loads of research work, and I’ve never been able to find any mention of a bracelet like this. As far as I know, it’s one of a kind. And I’ve never found a record of its existence, either.’
Neal lifted his arm and studied the bracelet. ‘My guess, it was probably forged by Merlin.’
Elise laughed. ‘Or maybe Saint Patrick. In collaboration with a pack of leprechauns.’
‘I can’t believe it really works.’
‘It works.’
‘I know. I just can’t believe it. My God. I can . . . tune in on anybody I choose? Kiss the bracelet and wish myself into them?’
‘That’s basically it. You do have to locate your target, though. You can’t simply think the person’s name, for instance. You need to go to him. Or her. Like the way you went from the sofa to me. But I was right there. Sometimes, it might take a bit of hunting.’
‘You said it’s better if they’re nearby.’
‘Right. There’s some travel time involved. The farther you have to go, the longer it takes. Both ways. And there seem to be some distance limits.’
‘How far?’
‘All depends. You’ll have to play it by ear. The farthest I ever got was about thirty miles. But I had to work up to it.’
Shaking his head, Neal rubbed the bracelet. ‘My God, this is going to be incredible.’
‘Just remember to be careful.’
‘You’re sure you want me to have this?’
‘I’m absolutely sure.’
‘It will be great for my writing. Man oh man, I’ll be able to get right inside people, really find out what makes them tick.’
He heard a distant buzzer.
‘That’s the washing machine,’ Elise said. ‘I’ll go throw your clothes in the drier. Be right back.’
She set her drink on the counter, stepped around the end of the bar and hurried across the room to the hallway. When she was gone, Neal sipped his drink. He stared at the bracelet.
What about now? he wondered. Pay Elise a surprise visit.
No. That’d be a crappy thing to do.
She’ll never know, he thought.
She might suspect.
And what if I fall off the damn barstool?
He supposed that h
e wouldn’t fall if he slumped forward on the counter.
Forget it, he told himself. I’m not even going to try. It’d be a dirty trick. She gave me the thing. I can’t go and use it to spy on her.
In a deeper part of his mind, he thought, Maybe someday.
Returning, Elise said, ‘They should take about half an hour in the drier.’
‘Looks like you’ll never get rid of me.’
‘I’m in no hurry,’ she said, stepping behind the bar. ‘This isn’t a night when I’m exactly looking forward to being alone.’
‘Well . . .’
‘Don’t worry, I’m not going to force you to stay. It’s been a long night. For both of us.’
‘Is there anything else I need to know about the bracelet?’
She shrugged. ‘I think we’ve covered the main stuff. I’d hate to tell you everything I know, and ruin all the surprises for you.’
‘No other warnings?’
She took a drink, and sighed. ‘Well . . . not really.’
‘What if I have some questions? Will it be all right if I call?’
‘Questions or no questions. Call me, come over for a visit . . . move in, if you’re ever so inclined. I wasn’t joking when I said that everything is yours. I meant it.’
‘Well . . . I’ve got a place. And a girlfriend. So . . . I don’t know.’
‘Maybe you’d like to bring Marta over for a visit. Does she like to swim?’
‘Sure.’
‘Come over for a swim, and we’ll have a barbecue . . . make a day of it.’
‘Sounds nice. Though I’m not sure she’d be thrilled to know I’ve got a friend like you. You’re a little too . . . attractive, if you know what I mean.’
‘Marta the jealous type?’
‘Well, I don’t know. But she’s a woman. I can’t imagine she’d be pleased to find out I have a friend who looks like you. I was actually planning to keep everything quiet. Not tell her anything. I did kill a guy. I don’t think we should tell anyone about that. Especially now that we’ve tried to cover it up.’
‘No. Obviously.’
‘So how would I explain about you?’
‘Make up something,’ she suggested. ‘Tell her I’m your sister.’
He laughed. ‘Right.’
‘Don’t worry about it. If you decide you want to bring her over, we’ll work out some sort of cover story. I’d better give you my number, though.’ She sidestepped toward the end of the counter. Next to the telephone was a scratch pad. She scribbled on it, tore off the page, and returned. She handed the paper to Neal.
‘I’m unlisted,’ she said, and took a drink. ‘Lose it, you’ll have to come over if you want to get in touch.’
‘You didn’t put your name on here.’
‘Do you want Marta to see it and wonder who Elise is? Anyway, you know who I am.’
‘Not your last name.’
She looked slightly surprised and amused. ‘I think you’re right. Weird. I feel like we’re old friends, but . . . I don’t know your name, either, do I?’
‘Not unless you read my mind.’
Maybe she did, he suddenly thought. What if she’s used the bracelet on me?
‘I’ll tell you mine,’ she said, ‘if you’ll tell me yours.’
He felt a hot blush flood his skin.
‘Darden,’ he muttered. ‘Neal Darden.’
She reached her hand across the counter. ‘Pleased to meet you, Neal Darden. I’m Elise Waters.’
He shook her hand. It felt slightly cool from her glass.
She held on. ‘Are you okay? What’s wrong?’
‘Nothing.’
‘Come on. Hey. You can tell me. Can’t you? After everything we’ve been through?’
Neal grimaced. He felt awfully warm and squirmy. ‘I . . . it just suddenly . . . it’s okay if you did. I mean, I was in you, so it’d only be fair.’
‘You’re not making much sense.’
‘I just suddenly got embarrassed,’ he explained, already guessing that she hadn’t paid him a secret visit. Too late to turn back, though. ‘It crossed my mind that maybe you used the bracelet on me.’
Smiling, she raised her eyebrows. ‘When would I have done that?’
‘While I was showering, maybe. But . . .’
‘Ah. I see. No wonder your face is red.’
‘You didn’t, though, did you.’ Not really a question.
‘I didn’t.’
He tried to laugh. ‘Well, that’s sure a relief.’
He felt relieved, all right. But also embarrassed that he’d brought the subject up.
And something else.
Elise still held his hand. ‘Now what’s wrong?’ she asked.
‘I don’t know. I guess . . . in a way, maybe I sort of wish you had done it.’
Her hand tightened. She stared for a long time into his eyes. ‘If that’s what you want,’ she finally said, ‘I’ll do it.’
In the shower? he wondered.
What if I’m in the shower, all naked, and I know she’s in me and I start thinking about her and I get a hard-on?
Under the robe, his penis began to grow and rise.
‘You’d better think about it, though,’ Elise said. ‘Are you sure you want me inside? You were in me, so you know how it is. I’d be aware of everything that’s going on in you.’
Everything.
He smiled in a way that he knew must look sickly. ‘Well, maybe it wouldn’t be such a hot idea, after all.’
Nine
Neal waited beside Elise while she squatted in front of the drier, reached in, and removed the clothes. Out came his shorts, a sock, his shirt, his other sock, and his underwear. With the clothes clutched to her chest, she stood up.
‘I can take this stuff,’ Neal said. Reaching out, he took them from her. He tried not to touch her, but the back of his right hand accidentally slid against her pajama shirt, and he felt her skin beneath the satin. ‘Sorry,’ he mumbled.
‘No problem.’ She shrugged. ‘I’m all yours, remember? You’re free to touch or look to your heart’s content.’
‘Jeez. Don’t tempt me.’
‘Just remember. If you ever split up with Marta . . .’
‘I don’t think I’m likely to forget.’
‘Anyway,’ she said, ‘your shirt is pretty much ruined. I’d be glad to give you one of mine.’
‘The shirt off your back?’ he asked, and found himself blushing again.
‘Whatever you want. But I don’t think this would fit you very well. I do have some nice, large shirts, though.’
‘I can wear mine home,’ he told her. ‘It won’t be any problem.’
‘Up to you,’ she said.
‘I’m sure it’ll be fine.’
In the bathroom, Neal hung the robe on the back of the door and hurried into his clothes. After putting on his belt, he filled the pockets of his shorts with the wallet, pistol, shell casings, car keys and handkerchief that he’d removed before his shower. Then he stepped into his shoes and tied them. In a pocket of the robe, he found the note with Elise’s phone number. He folded it, slipped it into his wallet, and stepped into the hallway.
He found Elise in the kitchen, rinsing out their glasses.
When she turned around, he spread his arms. ‘Shirt’s fine.’
‘Other than the bloodstains that didn’t come out. And the rips.’
‘No big deal. It did look a lot better on you, though.’
‘A matter of opinion.’ She dried her hands.
‘So,’ he said. ‘Guess it’s about time for me to hit the road.’
She came toward him. ‘You have my number?’
Neal patted his rear pocket.
She stepped up to him and put her hands on his shoulders. ‘Stay in touch, okay?’
‘I will.’
‘And speaking of wills, I meant it about mine.’
‘You shouldn’t do that.’
‘I do need your address and number. Do you have a card?
’
‘Oh, yeah.’
‘Thought you might.’
As he pulled the wallet out, Elise dropped her hands and stepped back. She watched him pluck a business card out of its slot. He handed it to her, and she read it. Then she looked up at him. ‘No cute little typewriter or ink bottle?’
‘Are you kidding?’
‘How do I know you’re really a writer?’
‘You don’t.’
Grinning, she slipped the card into the pocket over her left breast.
‘Well,’ he said. ‘Guess I’d better go.’
‘This time, you can use the front door.’
They walked side by side to the front door. She opened it for Neal, and stepped outside with him. ‘Will you be able to find your way home from here okay?’ she asked.
‘I think so.’ He nodded to the left. ‘San Vicente’s that way, right?’
‘Left.’
‘Exactly.’ He faced Elise. The porch light was on. She looked beautiful in its mellow glow.
I must be nuts to leave, he thought.
Yeah, and what would Marta have to say about that?
Who cares?
I do. Obviously. Or I wouldn’t be leaving.
He sighed. ‘Well. Thank you for the bracelet.’
‘Use it in good health. And thank you for saving my life.’
‘We were just lucky, I guess. But, you know what? I sort of feel as if my life is going to be downhill from here.’
‘Oh, very nice.’
‘No, I don’t mean it that way. Just that . . . I’ll probably never do anything as important as saving you. So it’s bound to be an anticlimax.’
Smiling, Elise shook her head. ‘Don’t count on it.’
‘Well . . .’
‘How about a kiss?’ she asked.
‘Oh, I don’t know.’
‘Don’t worry, I’m not trying to seduce you.’
‘Maybe not. But I might get carried away.’
‘You don’t want the temptation?’
‘That’s about it.’
‘That Marta of yours, she’s a lucky gal.’
‘Oh, I don’t know.’
‘Has herself a loyal fellow like you. And a hero, to boot.’
‘I’m no hero.’
‘Sure you are.’ With a smile, she said, ‘So you’re going to leave me standing here, kissless?’
‘I’d like to kiss you. It’s just . . . like I said.’