Bennu
looked up at the cloudy sky, shivering in anticipation of the cold downpour due
any minute. Just ahead was a payphone, luckily. The booth would serve two
purposes now. He trotted the last few feet and stepped inside it, closing the
door against the chill wind.
For
the last week, thoughts of Joanna Wolf had been haunting him. He knew, on
instinct and experience, she was deeply in trouble. It had something to do with
her fall, the concussion, and her new telekinetic powers. Knowing what would be
done to him if he allowed himself to be caught, Bennu had a good idea of
Joanna's probable dilemma.
He
picked up the phone, put money in the slot, and dialed. Bennu would do now what
he thought he would never do. When the call was taken by an answering service,
he asked for Preminger. A long wait, then a new number was given to him --
Carridan hospital. He called, asked for Preminger, and was put on hold.
"Yes?"
Preminger asked after a long while. Even on the phone, Bennu could feel how
tired and tense the agent was.
"How
is Joanna after her fall?" he asked quietly, not daring to say his name in
case the phone was bugged. He hoped Preminger would know who he was without
saying.
"Uh,
fine, fine. I should be able to get back to work in three or four days."
Preminger knew. "Come see her. She'd love to see you. I'll meet you out
front tomorrow about ten or so. How's that?"
"Fine.
Tomorrow then." Bennu hung up slowly, his mind racing over the problem.
Preminger wanted him to come and still needed his help, that was clear. Things
were not fine with Joanna. He could guess easily that the growing
pressure on her brain had not been relieved yet. And when Preminger said ten,
he didn't mean during the day.
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