Crazy in Chicago Read Online Free PDF Page B

explain it, doesn’t mean it should automatically be marked as a product of the mind, a fantasy of sorts.”
    â€œThank you, Roberta,” Garnet’s voice was dripping acid. Apparently he was used to holding center stage, and didn’t like interruptions, even in his defense.
    He continued as if she’d said nothing. “I have had too many personal experiences—with resulting physical responses—to doubt the reality of what has happened to me. Just read any of my books, including the one coming out next month, Alien Agenda, if you want all the particulars. And then there are the dozens of individuals who have come to me, the hundreds who have written about their experiences. I know I’m not fantasizing, and I’m confident enough in the people whose cases I’ve documented to know they aren’t either.”
    From her pursed lips, Cody guessed Roberta was piqued by her dismissal. But not cowed, he noted with a chuckle. As she retreated to the door, she piped up, “Perhaps you should ask Mr. Walker to the hypno-regression session planned with the woman you’ve been investigating the last few weeks, Garnet. Then Mr. Walker could see first-hand the effects of her encounter with aliens, and judge for himself.”
    â€œHypno-regression?” Cody looked up. His gaze collided with the hypnotic eyes of the alien in the painting. Without warning, a wave of nausea struck him. In an attempt to control his equilibrium, he forced himself to focus on the conversation. “Hypno-regression,” he repeated. “I’d like that. I’ve wanted to see an example of that ever since I heard about it at the conference.”
    Garnet cast Roberta an irritated look. “It’s not appropriate for you to suggest any such thing, not without the woman’s agreement.” He returned his attention to Cody. “But we probably can arrange it.”  
    He looked at his calendar, and tapped his fingers on the desk. It wasn’t clear who had annoyed him more, Roberta or Cody. “I’ll talk to the woman and see what she says. It shouldn’t be a problem. Roberta will call you with the date and time. In the meantime, I’d forgotten. I should be making a call to my publisher right now.”
    Cody stood up, glad of any excuse to escape before his nausea got worse. “Thanks. I’m looking forward to the experience. And I’d like to talk to you at more length later.”
    Cody couldn’t resist glancing at the painting once more. His gaze connected with the alien’s gaze. The malice and unspoken demand Cody saw in the intense black eyes filled him with horror. He shuddered, then staggered, as a new, stronger wave of nausea rolled over him. He gritted his teeth and concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other.
    As he passed through the doorway, he faltered. Roberta grabbed his arm. She used her small frame to support his weight, and escorted him to the couch in the reception area.
    Cody fell onto the couch. He shut his eyes until the cold wave of sickness passed. Finally he took a deep breath and opened his eyes. Roberta stood over him, observing him with concern.
    â€œAre you okay?”
    â€œYes,” he croaked. He cleared his throat and tried again. “Yes. I’m fine now.”
    â€œThis is the same as what happened the other day at the conference, isn’t it?”
    Cody nodded. No need to tell her it had occurred several times and, if anything, was growing worse. He concentrated on her full lips. How the mere brush of those lush lips across his forehead might unleash a whole new form of sickness, one he would welcome.
    â€œHave you seen a doctor?” Roberta demanded.
    He wanted to tell her that he was certain a little TLC from her would take care of everything that ailed him. Instead, he smiled wearily. “It’s nothing. I told you I haven’t been sleeping well. God knows why. I’m just tired,