Chapter 33 Chapter Thirty-Two

Kate Blackwell is tired.The meeting seemed to go on too long.She looked around at the three men and three women sitting around the table. The members of the board of directors all looked refreshed and energetic.So it's not the meeting that's been going on too long, Kate thought, it's just me living too long, I'm eighty-two.I'm old.The thought oppressed her, not because she had any fear of death, but because she was not ready enough.She couldn't die until Kruger & Brent Ltd was in the hands of a member of the Blackwell family.After being disillusioned with Eve, Kate is already planning her future around Alexandra.

"You know I'd do anything for you, Granny, but I have no interest in getting involved in the business of the company. George would make an excellent manager..." "Do you agree, Kate?" Brad Rogers asked her. Brad Rogers interrupted her contemplation.She said to Brad apologetically, "I'm sorry, what did you say?" "We're discussing the merger of Delco." His voice was flat and patient.Brad Rodgers has concerns over Kate Blackwell.In recent months, she has been distracted by the board, but when Brad Rogers thinks that Kate is too old to step down from the board, she always makes some startling insights, which makes everyone on the board wonder: Can't come up with such a good idea.She is an amazing woman.He thought about their short-lived love long ago and wondered why it ended so suddenly.

※※※ This was the second time George Mehlis had gone to see Peter Templeton. "Have you ever had a lot of violence in your life, Mr. Mellis?" George shook his head and said, "No, I hate violence." Mark that, you smug bastard, the coroner will ask you that question. "You told me your parents never physically punished you." "yes." "Can you say you are an obedient child?" Be careful.There is a trap here. "Average, I think." "The average child is also usually punished sometimes for breaking the rules of the adults."

George smiled and demurred, "I don't think I broke the rules." He lied, thought Peter Templeton, and the question was why, what was he trying to hide?He recalled his conversation with Dr. Harry after his meeting with George Mellis. "He said he hit his wife's sister, John, and—" "Hit her!" John Harry's voice was full of rage. "That was massacre. Peter, he smashed her cheekbones, broke the bridge of her nose and three ribs, and burned her hips and soles of her feet with cigarettes." .” Peter felt a wave of disgust go through him, "But he didn't mention it to me."

"I bet he won't," said Dr. Harry quickly. "I told him if he doesn't see you I'll report it to the police." Peter remembered George's words: I'm so ashamed that I insisted on coming to see you.It seems that he is also lying. "Mellis told me his wife was depressed and was always talking about suicide." "Yes, I can testify. Alexandra came to see me a few days ago. I prescribed her medicine. I am really worried about her. What is your impression of George Mellis?" Peter said slowly, "I'm not sure yet, but I have a feeling he's dangerous."

※※※ Dr. Keith Webster can't get over Eve Blackwell.She is a beautiful goddess, dreamlike and untouchable.She is cheerful, lively and exciting, while she is shy, dull and monotonous.Keith Webster remained unmarried because he never found a woman he considered ordinary enough to be his wife.Outside of work, his self-esteem is low.He was raised by an extremely domineering mother and a weak doormat-like father.Keith Webster is less sexually demanding, and what little remains is sublimated to work.Now he started dreaming about Eve Blackwell, and when he woke up in the morning and thought about those dreams, he felt ashamed again.She had completely recovered, and to him there was no reason to see her again, but he felt that he could not see her.

He called her apartment. "Eve? I'm Keith Webster. I hope I'm not bothering you. I - um - I thought of you that day, and I - I was wondering how you're doing?" "Fine, thanks, Keith. How are you?" There was playfulness in the voice. "It's—it's okay," he said.There was a silence.He worked up his courage, "I thought you might be too busy to have lunch with me." Eve couldn't help laughing inwardly.He's such a funny timid little guy, and it's kind of funny. "I'm glad, Keith." "Really?" The surprise could be heard in his voice, "What time?"

"how about tomorrow?" "That's it." He said quickly, for fear that she would change her mind. ※※※ Eve enjoyed this lunch very much.Dr. Keith Webster behaved like a young student in love.He dropped the napkin, spilled the wine, knocked over the vase.Looking at him, Eve found it funny and interesting. No one could have imagined what an excellent plastic surgeon he would be. At the end of lunch, Keith Webster asked shyly, "Can we—can we have dinner with you again later?" She replied gravely, "Better stop doing it, Keith. I'm afraid I'll fall in love."

He turned red all of a sudden, not knowing what to say. Eve patted his hand and said, "I will always remember you." He knocked over the vase again. ※※※ John Harry was having lunch in the hospital cafeteria when suddenly Keith Webster sat down. Keith said, "John, I promise I won't tell anyone. It would make me feel better if you could tell me how Eve Blackwell got hurt." Harry hesitated a bit. He shrugged and said, "Well, that's her brother-in-law, George Mellis." At this moment, Keith Webster felt that he now understood a little of Eve's secret world.

※※※ George Mellis grew impatient. "The money is here, the will has been amended - what the fuck are we waiting for?" Eve sat on the sofa with her long legs tucked under her, watching George walk back and forth in the room. "I wish I had given this up, Eve." He's losing his nerve, Eve thought.He is like a poisonous snake coiled together to kill people, very dangerous.She had already made a mistake. She provoked him too much last time, almost costing herself with her life.Never make that mistake again. "I agree with you," she said slowly, "I think it's time."

He stopped and asked, "When?" "Next week." ※※※ The conversation was drawing to a close, and George Mellis had not yet mentioned his wife.At this moment he said suddenly: "I am anxious for Alexandra, Dr. Templeton. Her depression seems to be getting worse. Last night she kept talking about drowning. I don't know what to say." it is good." "I have spoken to Dr. John Harley, and he has given her a medicine which he thinks will help her." "I hope so, Doctor," said George sincerely. "If anything happens to her, I can't stand it." And Peter Templeton, accustomed to listening to subtexts, felt uncomfortably that he was witnessing a false show.There was an extreme tendency to violence lurking in this man. "Mr. Melis, what do you think of your previous relationship with women?" "normal." "Have you ever lost your temper with any of them?" George Mehlis was aware of the question that this remark raised. "Never." I'm smarter than you, Doctor. "I told you, I don't believe in violence." It was massacre, Peter, he smashed her cheekbones, broke the bridge of her nose and three ribs, and burned her hips and soles of her feet with cigarettes. "Sometimes," Peter said, "violence can be a kind of catharsis for some people, a kind of spiritual relief." "I understand what you mean. I have a friend who beats whores." There is a friend, an alarm. "Talk about that friend of yours." "He hates whores, and they're always trying to rip him off. So when he's done with the whores, show them off—teach them a lesson." He glanced at Peter, seeing no disapproving expression, So I took courage and continued: "I remembered that once we were in Jamaica, a little black prostitute took him into a hotel room, helped him take off his pants, and she said she wanted more money." George smiled. "He beat the shit out of her. I bet she's never going to ask anyone for more money." He was severely mentally ill, and Peter Templeton decided that the friend did not exist, that the man was boasting behind an alter ego.This man is a megalomaniac and a very dangerous man. Peter decided it would be best to have an interview with John Leha as soon as possible. The two met at the Harvard Club.Peter Templeton was in a difficult position.He needed to know all the facts about George Mehlis without breaking the contract of trust between the doctor and the patient. "Could you tell me something about George Mellis's wife?" he asked. "Alexandra? She's cute. I've been babysitting the sisters since they were babies." When you are together, you can really understand what it means to be exactly the same." Peter asked slowly, "Are they the same?" "Nobody could tell the two of them apart. They used to play tricks when they were kids. I remember one time when Eve was sick and I thought about giving her a shot, but I got the wrong person and gave Alexandra a shot." ’” He took a sip of his drink. “It’s amazing how much they look alike. Now that they’re grown up, I still can’t tell them apart.” Peter thought about what he had said. "You said that Alexandra came to see you because she wanted to kill herself." "yes." "John, how did you know that was Alexandra?" "That was easy," said Dr. Harley. "Eve still has a very small scar on her forehead after she was injured by George Mellis, even after surgery." It's a dead end. "Understood." "How have you been talking with Melis lately?" Peter hesitated, not knowing how much to say. "I haven't gotten to know him yet. I'm trying to figure him out." "Careful, Peter, if you're going to take my advice, this man is deranged." He thought again of Eve lying on the bed, soaked in a pool of blood. "Both sisters will inherit the great fortune, won't they?" asked Peter. Now it was John Haley's turn to hesitate. "Oh, that's a private family matter," he said, "but the answer is no, their grandmother has excluded Eve and given her no money. Alexandra will inherit everything." I was anxious for Alexandra, Dr. Templeton, her depression was worse, she kept talking about drowning, and if something happened to her, I couldn't stand it. To Peter Templeton, it sounded like a typical murder plan—except for one thing that didn't make sense: George Mehlis himself was the heir apparent to a huge fortune.That way, there would be no reason for him to kill anyone for money.You're thinking wildly, Peter scolded himself. ※※※ A woman was struggling in the sea. He tried to swim to her, but the wind and waves were too strong, and she sank and floated in the wind and waves.Hold on, he cried, I'm coming.He tried to swim faster, but the arms and legs seemed heavy as lead, and he watched her sink.Finally reaching the place where she was submerged, he looked around and saw a huge white shark charging towards him.Peter Templeton woke up with a start. He turned on the light and sat on the bed, thinking about the dream he had just had. Early the next morning, he called Detective Inspector Captain Nick Pappas. ※※※ Nick Pappas was a massive man, six foot four, weighing almost three hundred pounds.But there are countless criminals who can prove that not an ounce of meat on his body is fat.He works in the homicide detective team in the rich area.Peter had met him years earlier as a psychiatrist testifying in a murder case.After that they became friends.Pappas is keen on playing chess, and the two get together to play several games every month. Nick replied on the phone, "Kill, Pappas." "I'm Peter, Nick." "My friend! How do you deal with those secrets of the heart?" "Still trying to untie them, Nick. How about Tina?" "Very nice. What do you want me to do?" "I need some information. Do you still have contact with Greece?" "Is there a connection!" Pappas shouted. "I have a hundred relatives over there, and they all want money. The stupid thing I do is send them money. Maybe you should give me a diagnosis." "It's too late," said Peter, "you're terminally ill." "That's what Tina told me. What information do you need?" "Have you ever heard of George Mellis?" "The food family?" "yes." "He's not on my trail, but I know who he is. What about him?" "I want to know if he has money?" "Are you kidding, his family—" "I mean his own money." "Let me look it up, Peter, but I think it's just a waste of time, the Melliss are beyond rich." "By the way, if you send someone to speak to George Mellis' father and tell him to be gentle with his questions, the old man has had multiple heart attacks." "Okay, I'll mention it in my telegram." Peter remembered his dream at night again, "Nick, can you just make a phone call yourself today?" Pappas' voice changed a bit: "Is there something you want to tell me?" "I have nothing to tell you. I just wanted to satisfy my curiosity. The phone bill is charged to my account." "Of course I will—and you'll have to buy me dinner and tell me what the hell is going on." "It's a deal." Peter Templeton hung up the phone.He felt a little relieved. ※※※ Kate Blackwell is not feeling well.She was at her desk while on the phone and suddenly felt sick, the whole room spun, and she clung to the desk until she felt back to normal. Brad walked into the office.He looked at her pale face and said, "What's the matter with you, Kate?" She let go of her hand holding the table: "I'm a little dizzy, it's nothing serious." "How long has it been since you checked your body?" "I don't have time for nonsense like that, Brad." "Sometime, I'll ask Annette to call John Harry and make an appointment with you." "Damn it, Brad, don't make a fuss, okay?" "Then are you going to see him?" "If that's what keeps you from bothering me." ※※※ The next morning, Peter Templeton's secretary said, "Detective Pappas is calling, extension one." Peter picked up the microphone: "Hello, Nick." "I think we had better talk, my friend." Peter felt a sudden nervousness. "Have you asked anyone about Melis?" "I spoke directly to old Melis and firstly he never had a heart attack and secondly he said that in his mind his son George was dead. He didn't pay him a dime a few years ago , kicked him out of the house. I asked him why, and the old man hung up the phone. I called an old acquaintance of mine at the Athens headquarters, and your George Melis is a real romantic He was well known to the local police. He took pleasure in beating girls and boys. His last victim was a fifteen-year-old male whore. They traced him to Melis after the boy's body was found in the hotel. Old Melis bribed the police and kicked his son out of Greece. He was never allowed to go back. How about it, are you satisfied?" This did more than please Peter.The truth frightened him. "Thank you, Nick, I want to thank you very much." "Oh, no, old man, I think I'd like to collect this, and if that kid of yours can't help himself again, you'd better call me." "I'll be there soon, Nick, and say hello to Tina." He hung up.There are many things to think about.George Mellis is coming at noon. Dr. John Harley was attending to a patient when his receptionist announced suddenly: "Mrs. George Mellis wants to see you, doctor. She has no appointment. I told her your time is arranged—" John Haley said, "Show her in by the side door, and tell her to wait in my office." Her face was paler than last time, and her eye circles were darker. "Sorry to bother you at this hour, John, but—" "It's okay, Alexandra, what's the matter?" "Everything, I—I feel terrible." "Did you take your medicine on time?" "yes." "Still feeling depressed?" She clenched her hands and said, "Worse than depression, I—I feel hopeless, I feel like I've lost all control. I can't stand myself. I'm afraid—I'm afraid I'm going to do something terrible.” Dr. Harry reassured her and said, "On my honor, you don't have any physical problems. Your problems are mental. I'll give you another medicine, Nomifensine, which works very well. Within a week, you'll feel better." He handed her a prescription, "If you don't feel better on Friday, I want you to call me and I might send you to a psychiatrist. " Thirty minutes later, after returning to the apartment, Eve wiped off the light foundation cream on her face and the dark color on her eye sockets. The speed of implementation of the plan has been accelerated. ※※※ George Mehlis sat across from Peter Templeton, smiling and confident. "How are you feeling today?" "It's much better, doctor. I'm afraid these meetings have helped me more than you can imagine." "Really? Where?" "Oh, someone to talk to. That's what the Catholic Church was built on. Isn't it? Confession?" "I'm glad you thought this conversation was good for you. Is your wife feeling better?" George frowned: "I don't think so. She went to Dr. Harry again, but she talked about suicide more and more. I think I have to take her out of town. She needs a change of environment." These words gave Peter a sense of foreboding.Is it my own imagination? "Greece is a place of relaxation," Peter said casually. "Have you brought her to meet your family?" "Not yet, they really want to see her," he grinned. "The only problem is whenever I meet my dad, he always tells me to go back and take over the family business." At this moment, Peter knew that Alexandra Melis was indeed in danger. ※※※ Long after George Mehlis left, Peter Templeton sat in his office reading his records.Finally, he picked up the phone and dialed a number. "I wish you a favor, John, can you find out where George Mellis took his wife on their honeymoon?" "I can tell you right now. I gave them some shots before they left. They went to Jamaica." ※※※ "I had a friend who beat up whores... I remember one time we were in Jamaica and a little black whore took him into a hotel room and after she helped him take off his pants she said she wanted more money...he put She's blown the shit out of her. I bet she's never going to ask anyone else for more money." After all, there's no evidence yet that George Mehlis was plotting to kill his wife.John Haley has confirmed that Alexandra Mehlis is suicidal.It's none of my business, Peter told himself, but he knew it was his business. Peter Templeton completed his studies through a work-study program.His dad was the janitor of a college in a small city in Nebraska, so even with a scholarship Peter couldn't afford to go to a prestigious medical school.He graduated summa cum laude from the University of Nebraska and later studied psychiatry.He was successful from the start.His trick is that he genuinely loves his patients and cares about what happens to them.Alexandra was not his patient, but he was involved in her life.She is the unknown part of the mystery, so talking to her face-to-face might help.He pulled out George Mellis' medical records, found his home phone number, and called Alexandra.A maid beckoned her to answer the phone. "Mrs Melliss, my name is Peter Templeton, and I am—" "Oh, I know who you are, Doctor, George told me." Peter was a little surprised.He had thought that George Mellis would never have mentioned the matter to his wife. "I don't know if we can meet. Maybe at lunch?" "Is it about George? What happened?" "No, nothing, I just want to talk to you." "Well, of course, Doctor Templeton." They agreed to meet the next day. ※※※ They sat in a corner of the frog restaurant.Peter couldn't take his eyes off Alexandra from the moment she walked into the dining room.She simply wore a white skirt and blouse, which further showed her charming figure.A string of pearls circled her neck.Peter looked for the signs of what Dr. Harry called tiredness and depression in her face, but he found none.Even if Alexandra was aware of Peter's gaze, she didn't show it at all. "Is my husband all right, Dr. Templeton?" "Yes." The situation was much more difficult than Peter had expected.He was walking a tightrope.He had no right to infringe and impair that contract of trust between doctor and patient, and at the same time feel compelled to alarm Alexandra Mehlis. When they had ordered, Peter said, "Has your husband ever told you why he came to me, Mrs. Mellis?" "Said. He's been in a state of extreme tension lately, and he feels a great deal of responsibility for the amount of work his colleagues in the company have put on him. George is a very hard worker. You probably know it, doctor." Can't believe it.She was completely unaware of the beatings her sister had received.Why didn't anyone tell her? "George told me that being able to talk to someone about his problems made him feel better." She gave Peter a thankful smile. "I'm so glad you helped him." She is so innocent!She clearly adored her husband.And what Peter had to say would surely destroy her.How was he going to tell her that her husband was a psychopath, how was he going to tell her that this was the man who murdered a young male whore, got kicked out of the house, and then brutally beat her sister?But, how could he not say it? "It's very satisfying to be a psychiatrist," Alexandra continued. "You can help so many people." "Sometimes I can help them," said Peter carefully, "sometimes I can't." When the dishes were served, they talked while eating, and the atmosphere was relaxed and harmonious.Peter found himself seemingly fascinated by her.He felt suddenly and uncomfortably jealous of George Melis. "The lunch was very good, and I enjoyed it very much," said Alexandra at last, "but you must have seen me for a reason, didn't you, Doctor Templeton?" That's it for now. "Actually, yes. I—" Peter paused for a moment.The following words will ruin her life.He had come determined to tell her what he had been guessing and suspecting these days, and suggested that her husband be taken to the hospital.But when he actually met her, he found that things were not that simple.He thought again of George Mellis's words: She wasn't getting any better, and her suicidal tendencies made me anxious.Yet Peter felt he had never met a happier, more normal person than her.Was it because she had taken Dr. John Harley's medicine?At least ask about the situation.So he said, "John Harry told me you were taking—" George Mellis's voice came suddenly: "You are here, dear, I called home and they told me you were here." He turned to Peter and said, "It was a pleasure meeting you, Templeton Doctor. Can I have dinner with you?" An opportunity lost. ※※※ "Why did he want to see Alexandra?" Eve asked. "I don't know anything," said George, "thank God she was afraid I'd leave her a message where she's gone. With Peter Templeton, Christ! I got there in no time. !" "I don't think so." "Trust me, it doesn't do any harm. I asked her after that lunch and she said they didn't talk about anything in particular." "I think we'd better implement the plan ahead of time." George almost felt a erotic thrill when he heard her words.He had waited a long time for this moment. "when?" "Now."