ease in my presence again. I know. Not because I can read your mind, but because I've lived with this

ease in my presence again. I know. Not because I can read your mind, but because I've lived with this

"Perhaps," Paul replied. He shrugged. "I suppose it makes no difference now. If some reporter has

uncovered my secret, it certainly won't be a secret any longer. And the relationships that I've enjoyed

with a lot of people in this town will never be the same again."

"I can ask her not to print it," Loomis said. "I can't promise that she won't, but Ginny's not unreasonable.

Maybe if you explained it to her the way you just explained it to me . . ."

"Ginny Fairchild?" asked Paul.

"Yes. You know her?"

"I've never met her, but I'm familiar with her work. And I don't hold out much hope that a reporter could

resist such a story."

"Why don't you let me introduce you?" Loomis asked. "Once she's met you, heard your side of it, she

might not be unsympathetic. She can be a royal pain in the ass, but she's fair and she's a straight-shooter.

I think she's still around here, somewhere."

Paul sighed with resignation. "Why not? I have nothing left to lose. Except my friendships."

"I'll introduce you. Only listen, Cornwall, do me a favor. Don't say anything in front of her about this cult

thing, for Christ's sake."

"I'm generally very careful about anything I say to the press, Lt. Loomis," Modred replied.

Loomis grinned. "Call me Joe. I guess reporters are pretty much the same in England, aren't they?"

"We should be grateful thatthey can't read our minds," said Modred.

"Amen to that," Loomis replied. "Oh, and Paul, one other thing. About this gift of yours . . . you weren't

planning to strike off on your own to hunt for this killer, were you?"

Paul hesitated. "I'd considered it," he admitted, "but I've come to realize that this is not something I can

or should do alone."

"Good. I'm glad to hear you say that. I wouldn't want you to take any foolish chances. This is going to

be risky enough as it is."

"More than you know," said Paul. "More than you know."