Chapter 9 Chapter 9 After the Nightmare

Babi tried hard to forget the dream just now. Trembling all over, he returned to the bed, trying to sleep for a while, but he couldn't fall asleep anyway. The one-twilight scene in the dream kept reappearing, lingering in his mind, vivid, as if it had really happened.He could never forget the scarlet smile of the she-wolf; the slight trembling of Jimmy Cricket's little mouth; how Mrs. Monrik chased desperately and fell on the paving stones by the roadside. She was blind and sad. Pity, but her silver dagger is terrifying. He turned over and got up, his legs were stiff, and he walked to the window, without even thinking about it, he pulled the blinds tight to block out the glare of the day.Then, I applied some antibacterial lotion to the cut on the back of my hand, shaved carefully, and took an aspirin to relieve the pain on my chin.

It was quite natural to have a very logical dream due to some common reason, and Babi continued to deduce it by himself, without the need for Dr. Grann to explain it.Obviously, neither Nora Quinn nor Monrick Rowena likes April, which naturally forms a certain concept in his subconscious, so the beautiful red-haired girl is a she-wolf; and His own self-esteem, in turn, overthrows this concept, thus deriving the role of gray wolf.Monrick's tragedy became the absurd background, and his own exhaustion and tension interweaved such a nightmare. Should come as no surprise. However, Bobby was not satisfied with such rational self-analysis. He wanted to call Rowena Monrik to confirm that she had indeed been staying in her old house on College Street, her dog, Te Ke, with her all the time.

He dialed Rowena's number, his fingers faltering.The bell rang for a long time, but no one answered.Maybe, still asleep, he hoped so.Finally, Bobby finally heard Mrs. Riel's high-pitched voice, asking who to call and what's the matter, she was the cleaning lady hired by Rowena. "If Mrs. Rowena is already up, ask her to answer the phone." "she is not here." "Ah!" Babi's voice was choked up, and he tried his best to suppress his panic, "Then—please Miss Alfred to pick it up." "She's not there either." "What?" He couldn't help coughing dryly, "Where did they go?"

"Miss Alford followed the ambulance to take care of poor Mrs. Monrick." Bobby almost dropped the receiver. "What's the matter? What's the matter?" "Mrs. Monrique, poor old lady, she must have been a little out of sorts last night. Her husband died so suddenly, and she herself, since she hurt her eye, has been acting a little erratically from time to time, you know." Babi swallowed hard. "What's the matter?" "She got up at night and went out with the big yellow dog, and she insisted on keeping that nasty fellow. I guess she imagined she was hunting something, and she always had these weird thoughts, and the hunting hurt That thing in her eyes, anyway, the lady ran out with a table knife, sharpened by herself, as sharp as a dagger. Fortunately, the barking of the dog woke Miss Alfred, and she Get up and chase after him."

Babi listened, silent, trembling all over, "The yellow dog must have run away, Mrs. Monrique fell down in the street, poor old lady, she couldn't see the way, but she ran very fast, love Miss Alford said she had been chasing her for twenty blocks and didn't know. How could a blind old lady have run so far." Mrs. Riel seemed satisfied with her description. "Miss Alfred was so tired that she finally called a taxi and brought the lady back. Poor old lady, the skin is all broken, and the blood is bleeding all the time. She is really a little Screaming like crazy, refusing to let go of the dagger in her hand, we had a hard time getting it off, and she kept yelling for Turk to catch up with something, Tell it to grab that thing," Miss Alford called Glenhaven Hospital and called an ambulance. She woke me up again, packed my belongings for Mrs., and then sent Mrs. Went to the hospital, less than an hour away.The lady refused to go to the hospital and struggled with the nurses. I was really worried that she would hurt herself. "

"I—I remember, Dr. Grann saw her." Barbie tried to keep his voice as calm as possible, "Why doesn't Madam refuse to go?" "She begged us to take her to Mr. Sam Quin's house. Seeing how desperate she was, I finally had to call Mr. Quin, but the operator said Mr. Quin's phone was off the hook. It was a busy signal. The ambulance came, and everyone assured her that everything would be sorted out, and then they dragged her away." "So, Ma'am is not here." Madam Riel finished speaking, "Is there anything wrong?" Babi was at a loss, and Xiao knew how to answer.

"Hello?" Mrs. Riel shrieked, "Hello?" Babi couldn't speak, and Madam Riel hung up the phone impatiently.Bobby staggered to the bathroom, poured himself some whiskey, and poured it down.A rush of hot blood rushed to his head, and he simply poured the rest of the wine into the toilet.If whiskey has anything to do with this set of annoyances, it's really time to quit. Miss Alfred was a shrewd nurse - Bobby was still doggedly unclogging the theoretical logic - and it was right to send Rowena to Dr. Glenn.What happened at the airport made it hard for Rowena to bear. My worry about her emotions produced weird dreams in my sleep.He grinned helplessly and decided not to make any random connections between facts and dreams—maybe that's how Mrs. Monrique became a little insane.

On a whim, Babi grabbed the phone and dialed the number for the Garden of the Trojan Warriors. He dared not ask Ai Pulu directly if he returned home safely from the railway bridge.He knew that his dreams would not hurt others.However, he wanted to hear her voice and know where she had gone.He could find an excuse to explain why he didn't call yesterday, and ask her out again. When he asked the waiter Miss Hu Beier to answer the phone, his voice became very urgent. "I'm sorry," said the waiter, "but we cannot disturb Miss Bell." "I'm a friend," Babi insisted. "She won't care."

The waiter was determined, and Babi asked the manager to answer the phone.Public image is very important for hotels and restaurants.The Gilchings Hotel has always been very cooperative with the press.April Bell, however, does seem to be an exception. "I'm sorry, Mr. Barbie," the manager murmured but politely rebuffed. "We really can't interrupt. Sorry. Miss Bell usually sleeps until noon, and she would have left a message if it hadn't been for a fire or murder. , it is strictly forbidden for anyone to disturb before that." Babi tried not to tremble at the last sentence.It seems that this red-haired trainee reporter has a lot of style, and she will sleep until noon when the newspaper is published in the afternoon.Babi had no choice but to leave a message, telling Miss Bell that he had called.He made up his mind not to bother himself with that dream.

He dressed in a hurry, stopped at the corner Dandy for a cup of coffee, and drove into town.He wanted to be among people, among humans.He wanted to hear the tick-tock, tick-tock of the typewriter, the click-click, click-click of the fax machine, the click-click, click-click typewriter, and the pop, pop, pop Crackling presses, all familiar sounds.He stopped by old man Ben Sturt's newsstand to ask how Lex was doing. "He has collapsed." The skinny old man was very depressed. "Dr. Monrick's death was a big blow to him. After yesterday's funeral, he didn't want to see me anymore, and he didn't say much, saying that he got the fund back." will go."

The old man stopped talking.Organize a dozen newspapers by hand.Suddenly, squinting at Babi, he asked, "Why don't you report more? I know you're there, and that woman reporter from the Clarion. I think if someone dies like Dr. Monrique, It must be a big deal. Why didn't the newspaper say anything?" "Huh?" Babi said vaguely, "I think it should be the front page news. I wrote a report of more than 600 words. Maybe I was too sad and didn't pay attention to how they chose my article." "Look—" The old man handed him a copy of yesterday's Star.Not a single word of the report he wrote was published, and he only saw a related obituary in the later edition, saying that Monrique's funeral was held at two o'clock in the afternoon that day. "I don't understand," he said, shrugging his shoulders, which was nothing compared to the enigmatic dream that troubled him.Crossing the street, Babi returned to Baodu's office, where there was order and chaos to make him comfortable. He found the boss dictating something to the secretary, a slender, blond secretary; but Ty, the boss, had always been famous for having a pretty secretary.He was a stocky, well-dressed man with a thin layer of red hair swirled to cover as much of the pink bald crown as possible, except for the blank circle on top.He lifted his blue eyes, cast a sly look at Babi, and twirled the cigar in his mouth, which was large and greedy. "Find me the file of Colonel Walwin," he said to the secretary, and then, turning his icy eyes to Bobby, "Listen to Glyde, you're an excellent visiting reporter, Bobby. I want to give you a Opportunity, go for an exclusive interview, report your name, and get Colonel Walwin to the Senate." "Thank you, Boss," Babi agreed. He didn't have much interest in Colonel Walwin. "Glade didn't publish my report on Monrik's death." "I asked him to delete it." "Can you tell me why?" Bobby said, looking at Tey's pink face, "I thought it should be on the front page. A strong interest in human beings, a mysterious angel who is confused, the old professor is dead, What's in the green box they brought back from Asia, that's half the story. That's a good subject, sir," said Babi, restraining his impatience, and trying to be as calm as possible, "the coroner's conclusion It was a natural death, but the words and deeds of his group of assistants make people feel that they don't believe a word of the conclusion of death. No matter what is in the green box, they always hide it, even a little bit The color of the box has changed." Babi swallowed and deliberately slowed down his speech. "Boss, I want to follow up on it. Send me a photojournalist, and I'll have good coverage, and make Clarendon a hit.I want to find out what Monrik was doing in Alashan; what they were afraid of: what they hid in the chest. " Tey's eyes were stern and indifferent. "This kind of reporting is too ostentatious for The Star." His voice was firm and indisputable. "Forget it, Babi. Go follow up and report on the Colonel." "Too flamboyant, boss?" repeated Bobby, "but you always say murder reporting is the cornerstone of The Star." "The editorial principles here are up to me." Tey became impatient, "We don't publish news about Monrique. You will find that any major newspaper will not publish it." Babi held back a lot of worry and uneasiness. "But, sir, I can't forget." He argued, "I want to find out what Sam Quinn has hidden in that box. It always bothers me, and makes me dream about it." "Then you do it on your own time, and at your own risk." Tei's voice was dry and cold, "Also, I won't publish it." He stared at Babi with stern eyes, and said Squirming with a cigar in his mouth, "Oh, also, remember, you're not a fool. Better not drink so much." After finishing speaking, he opened the cigar case on the table and relaxed the sternness on his face. "Have a cigar, Baby." His voice softened. "Here is the file of Colonel Walwin. I want you to publish a series of his biography; his early hardships, his achievements in public affairs in Washington, etc. Etc. What the electors don't like—don't write." Babi thought to himself.There are many people who don't like it, but they still agree, "Okay, boss." With that said, he walked back to his desk, sat down, and began to flip through the pile of newspaper clippings.Bobby knew a lot of stuff that wasn't covered in the clippings: the sewer stock, the highway scandal, and why his first wife left him.It was so hard for him to paint and publicize such a loathsome fellow, his eyes unconsciously staring at the calendar photo above the typewriter: a lean wolf howling at the full moon, He couldn't help thinking of the wonderful freedom and powerful power he experienced in the dream. To hell with him, Valli. He should collect information and unravel all the mysteries: Monrik's death, Rowena's madness, Ai Pulu's strange confession.If it was whiskey and coincidence that got him thinking, then he ought to get to the bottom of it. If not, then—even insanity would add some excitement to the monotony of the reporter's life at the Star as he stuffed Valvin's material in a drawer and drove out to the parking lot in his old car, wearing Cross Central Avenue and drive toward Xueyuan Road.He couldn't understand why the Monrique incident didn't conform to the editorial principles of The Star?To Preston Twee, there was nothing at all that could be called "publicity". Whether it was published or not, Bobby knew what was in that box, Sam. Quinn must have moved the box to the top floor of the foundation, and Babi couldn't figure out what those carpenters and riveters were doing "ding ding dong dong" there—oh, this is a scene from a dream, why? Mixing dream and reality. Bobby turned right at the intersection, walked to Pine Street, turned left again, and then stopped in front of the small white bungalow of Sam Quinn's house.Everything was the same as in the dream—the same rusty trash can, the small toy shovel that Patty left there on the small sand pile in the backyard.He knocked on the door, trying to suppress a feeling of uneasiness, and Nora came out of the kitchen and opened the door for him. "Hey, Willie—come in!" There was a trace of surprise in Nora's blue eyes.Babi felt that her eyes were dull and her eyelids were slightly swollen, as if she hadn't slept well. "Is Sam at home?" Babi stepped into the door, suddenly feeling a cold sense of fear, in this quiet and kind house, it seemed that there was some kind of deadly murderous intent hidden.The special smell in Sam's study in the dream still made him feel lingering. Babi tensed up involuntarily and smelled it everywhere.But he couldn't smell anything but the smell of roasting meat in the oven, and Nora looked at him suspiciously. "I'm here to find Sam and interview him again." Babi told Nora, "I want to ask about the Foundation's investigation results again, what they found in Alashan." Nora frowned wearily. "Better not to mention it, Willie," She spoke quickly, in a dry, slightly disturbed voice, "Sam won't say anything, and he won't say anything to me, I don't know what's in that mysterious box they brought back, and Sam doesn't I'll let you see it. For the past two nights, he put the box in the study—the dream was all about the box, and he woke up early this morning because of the dream." "Huh?" Babi swallowed, "Is he dreaming?" "He thought someone was going to take the box away," said Nora, shivering, her blue eyes circled slightly by anxiety. "I think that thing not only upset Sam, but It's disturbing my mind, and we both didn't sleep well last night, dreaming wildly. I seem to remember-" When she reached the point of her mouth, she swallowed it again, her eyes fixed on Babi. "It's very interesting," she said in passing, but she didn't say what she remembered. "This morning, the receiver of the telephone in Sam's study was unplugged. I clearly remembered that it was hung up the night before, and Sam also locked the door. , I can't imagine how this is possible." Babi couldn't explain the mystery, and didn't look at the suspicious Nora. He swallowed, relieved his tension, and suddenly asked, "Where is Sam now?" "Going to the foundation," Nora said. "There's been a bunch of people working there day and night since he came back. He told me it was to install a new laboratory. Nick and Lex drove over He didn’t even eat breakfast, he packed his suitcases and left with him.” She looked at Babi with hope in her eyes. "Sam told me not to worry," she said, "but I just couldn't help it. He called a few minutes ago and said he wasn't coming back tonight. I guess this time it's going to be a big discovery that will make them Famous, but I just can't understand what they're doing. They seem to be - very scared!" She trembled slightly and said hopefully, "Maybe Lex will tell you—" Nora hesitated to speak. "What?" Barbie asked hastily. While speaking, Nora kept rubbing her hands, which were reddened by the soap, on the corner of her apron. The nervousness made her face pale, and the freckles on her face were obvious. "Sam warned me not to say a word. I know I can trust you, Willie—but I didn't mean to say that, and please don't put anything in the papers." There was fear in her eyes, too. "Oh, Willie, I'm so sorry and don't know what to do." Babi patted her round shoulder and assured her, "I will never put what you told me in the paper." "It's nothing, really," she said with gratitude in her weary, worried voice. "After they left in the morning, Sam sent Lex back and drove our car away. I was going to take the car in the morning. Squeeze on the brakes, but they're in a rush. Sam told me on the phone that Lex was driving to State University tonight to do a radio show on the radio." "Broadcast what?" "I don't know—Sam told me that the Foundation was buying out time on the station for a special show tomorrow. He told me to listen, but not to talk beforehand. I hope they can do something about this terrible secret. Some explanation." Her voice suddenly strained, "Willie, you're not going to tell, are you?" "I won't," Bobby assured. "Good morning, Patty, how are you?" Little Patty came out of her room slowly, clutching her mother's soapy hand.The area around her blue eyes seemed uglier than Nora's, with sad eyes, a small square pink chin, and a stubborn look of holding back tears. "I'm fine, thank you, Mr. Willie," she answered in a low voice, trying not to sob, "but something happened to poor little Jimmy Cricket, and he died last night." Babi felt his mind was blank and his breathing was about to freeze. He turned around and coughed a few times to cover up his panic. "It's really bad." His voice was extremely unnatural, "What's going on?" Patty's blue eyes flashed. "Two big dogs came at night," she told Bobby very calmly. "One is white and the other is gray. They are going to take away the box in Papa's study, and little Jimmy runs out to keep them from moving the box. That The big gray dog ​​just grabbed Jimmy on the back and killed him." Babi shuddered and turned silently to Nora. "That's what Patty said." Her voice was tired and puzzled. "Anyway, her puppy is dead. Patty woke up crying in the morning and asked me to look for her puppy in the sand, and we found it Lie there." Nora shrugged her round shoulders, helpless at such an incredible thing. "I think the puppy was hit and killed by a car." She said firmly, "Some boys in the college don't care about driving at night. Maybe, after the puppy was hit, it struggled by itself and crawled to the sand pile before it died. Patty must have heard the puppy screaming," Patty scowled and argued. "No, Mom, please! It was the big gray dog ​​that did it, biting it with its long nasty fangs, I saw it, and the white dog with it was beautiful, and I was beautiful in my dream, wasn't it, mother ?Didn't dad believe me? " "Honey, maybe Papa does." Nora turned and faced Babi and said, "Indeed, Patty told her dream, and Sam's face turned pale all of a sudden. He didn't care to go find the puppy with us, and went straight to the study to see his box." Nora suddenly narrowed her weary eyes and looked at Babi. "You look ugly, Willie, are you sick?" "I also had a bizarre dream." He said, trying to force a smile, "Maybe I ate something. I'm going to the foundation now, talk to Sam." He put his hand on Patty's back and said, "Jimmy's really miserable." Patty shook his hand away, covering her tear-stained face with her mother's apron. "I don't think Sam'll tell you anything," said Nora. "If he did tell you something, Willie, tell me, will you?" She walked Bobby to the door, and said in a low voice, "Willie, you see—I'm so scared I don't know what to do."