“Well, first I’m going to eat,” I said, with a laugh, “Then we’ll stake out your apartment and see if we can find the reason for the disappearances. When do they normally occur?” I asked.
“About nine o’clock.” She said, as we arrived at my house. It was a two-story house painted white with orange trim. I parked the car and we went inside. Karin and I helped Tracy move into the bedroom next to mine. Heidi had used this room when she stayed over to help Karin move in. I went downstairs to check the mail.
“Such a big house!” Tracy exclaimed, while she was unpacking.
“It is quite large. Mr. Schofield has rooms for music, a library, communications, television, dining, and don’t tell him that you know, but there is also a pool down in the basement. He can’t swim, but don’t tell him you know. If you want to use it, just ask. He also owns about 400 acres of land surrounding the house. You’ll have to ask him to take you horseback riding around the premises sometime.”
“His wife and kids must be pleased, I mean, with such a big house!”
As Karin put the Tracy’s suitcase on the bed, a noise came from the bed. “What?” Ahe moved the sheets and got a piece of construction paper out of the bed. “Look at this.” She said showing Tracy. “Heidi was always good at drawing. Heidi and Dan are his closest relatives, but as for married, the closest thing is this dream, or memory. He keeps thinking of this girl. He never knew her name, but he loved her very much. Every night he claims he learns a little more, but he is not married.”
“Dreams of some girl you say?”
“Yes. I feel sorry for him. It must be a repercussion from that gunshot wound in the leg.”
“Does he know who she is?” Tracy said, staying on that topic.
“No, but this morning he wanted to go in to the office on his recovery period in order to meet someone, her probably.”
“What?”
“Who knows? It’s probably just some dream.”
“Oh. Thank you,” Tracy said, hesitantly. “I’ll just freshen up, and then I’ll come down.”
“If you like, I’ll bring up some magazines so you can order new clothes.” Karin said, changing the subject.
“New clothes? What’s wrong with the ones I brought?”
“Didn’t he tell you? They are for the decoy, Jacie. She must appear to be exactly like you, clothes and all! Mr. Schofield has agreed to by you new ones.”
“Huh? Why does she have to wear my clothes?”
“If Jacie showed up at your apartment, looking like you, but having an entirely different wardrobe, people would question it. This way, you get a whole new wardrobe, at no cost to you. Mr. Schofield said that you could order anything you want, no matter what the cost!”
“Thank him for me, Karin.”
Karin started leaving. “As you wish, miss. If you need me, just pull on that cord.” Karin pointed toward a red cordon in the corner of the totally pink room. It was near six o’clock. Just as Karin reached the bottom of the stairs the phone rang. She answered it. “It’s for you.” I heard her say. I walked over and picked up the phone.
“Hello.”
