The Cloned Identity Read Online Free PDF Page B

a donation.” He smiled. “Made me write the cheque out on the spot, just in case I forgot when I got home.”
    â€œHave you had any contact with her since?” Joe asked.
    â€œI spoke to her on the phone about three weeks ago.”
    â€œWhy was that?” Joe asked.
    He gave Joe a hard look.
    â€œOh, I don’t mean to pry, but she could have phoned you because she was worried about something.”
    He relaxed and smiled.
    â€œNo, nothing like that. I phoned her to thank her for my birthday card. She never forgets – Christmas as well.”
    â€œHow did she seem to you then?”
    â€œOh, the same as always. We chattered about the weather, state of the country, that sort of thing.”
    â€œDoes she ever visit you?”
    â€œNo, no. My work, you see, involves using animals and Susan doesn’t approve.”
    â€œHas she ever spoken to you of any problems relating to men?”
    â€œGood God, no! Susan never looks at men in that way.”
    â€œNo boyfriends, then?”
    â€œI shouldn’t think so. It was her parents, you see. Her father, he was a very strict man. God help any boy who came near her! Not only that, but she saw how he treated her mother – her father used to beat his wife regularly ‘to cleanse her soul’, as he put it. I don’t know why she stayed with him so long. I begged Susan to leave home and start a life of her own, but she wouldn’t leave her mother.”
    â€œWhat happened to them?”
    â€œThey were both killed in a car crash some seven years ago. That was their house that Susan lives in now. Have you seen it?”
    Joe nodded.
    â€œShe hasn’t changed a thing. I think she keeps it like that to remind her how her mother suffered.” The Professor suddenly changed his mood, becoming more serious. He leant towards Joe. “Have you any idea who might have done this to her? I mean, why her, of all people?”
    â€œNo, we don’t know who or why. As your niece is in a coma, we are working in the dark. We are collecting information and going through it, but it all takes time. If she wakes up, she can probably tell us who did it.”
    â€œYou think it was someone she knows?”
    â€œThat is a possibility,” Joe said; “but don’t worry, Professor – we will catch him.”
    He sat back in his chair. “You know, on my way down in the train I thought about that.”
    â€œIn what way?” Joe asked.
    Sensing that the interview was finished, he closed his notebook.
    â€œWell, the damage is done. Catching him – well, that won’t help Susan. In fact, it could do her more harm. Her mind and body are already deeply scarred. Nothing can change that, but the added trauma of a court case, from what I’ve seen on TV and read in the papers, could be worse than the attack itself. I mean, how would that affect her?”
    â€œI take your point, but suppose your niece could help us catch him, but didn’t and he did it again – say, to a child. Suppose he killed his next victim. How would the knowledge that she could have prevented someone’s death affect her? No, Professor, from what I’ve learnt about your niece, she would want him caught and put away.”
    The Professor’s head had dropped on to his chest as he listened to Joe’s sermon.
    â€œAre you staying locally?” Joe asked as a way of changing the subject.
    â€œYes, at the Wessex.” He perked up a bit.
    â€œYes, I know it – nice place.”
    Joe got to his feet and the Professor followed his lead.
    â€œI go right past there if you want a lift,” Joe offered.
    â€œNo, thank you. I want to stay on here for a bit.”
    They shook hands, and Joe said, “Thank you for your help. It’s been nice meeting you. I am sorry we had to meet in these circumstances. We will keep you informed, and I hope your niece recovers soon.”
    He thanked Joe warmly and