The Witch's Ladder Read Online Free PDF Page B

that rope, sister?”
    “ It’s the witch’s ladder.” The other replied.
    “ Yes. She is tying the 40th knot now.”
    “ Do you know who it’s for?”
    “ No. I should think not. Perhaps it’s for one of us.”
    “ Or perhaps Marcella.”
    I turned back after hearing my name whispered and cast my gaze at the twins. They straightened up quickly. By then it was too late. A dizzying whoosh filled my head, and I suddenly felt as though I were slipping into a serpent’s pit, blindfolded and hogtied. I felt the air in the room thin to a vacuum, robbing me of breath. I decided to wrap up the interview abruptly, telling them all that my door was always open.
    “ I encourage anyone who might want to talk in private to come by and see me,” I said, and then made my exit. I barely stepped out of the room and into the hall when the door swung shut on my heels. The group erupted in a roll of thunderous laughter. It made me angry at first, but the sound all of them laughing seemed somehow all right. I followed the stairs down into the lobby and let myself out. The crisp cool air filled my lungs and chased the foggy feeling from my brain.
    Later, in that same interview with Gordon, he told me what happened after I left. He turned to Michael and thanked him by landing a congratulatory slap on his back. “Among the howling crew,” he told me, “sat Leona Diaz, the only one in the room not laughing.”
    “ I do not understand?” she said, timidly. “Did Michael do that with psycho kinesis?”
    “ Of course, you twit,” Lilith answered. “Don’t you get it? Marcella said his door is always open. Quite a hoot, don’t you think?”
    “ All right, simmer down,” said Doctor Lieberman. “There’s no need for name calling. Now, if I may restore order. I want you all to listen up please. I’ve got something to say.”
    The ruckus settled into a thin stir before all eyes turned to the Doctor. He stood to address the group, but came across looking strangely apprehensive. He cleared his throat and wiped his cheek below his eye. Though no one saw tears, the understanding that they might have been there went unchallenged.
    “ I know what all of you are going through right now,” he began. “And I know Travis and Barbara were more than just shop mates to every one of us. They were very special people in our lives, and I too will miss them dearly. Some of you may not know this, but Travis was the first member of the workshop to have results of his PK experiments published in the New England Journal of Science and Medicine. I believe that article, perhaps more than any other, is what made the continuing studies here at the workshop possible for all of you today. Until then, the Center lost funding from both the government and the private sectors faster than I care to admit.
    “ Barbara, likewise, proved her importance in her own way for what she brought to the institute. As you know, Barbara became an ambassador, of sorts, for our cause. Whenever she saw the opportunity to gain publicity for us, she didn’t hesitate. Her gentle and kind demeanor brought a warm, friendly face to the work we do here. I don’t need to tell any of you that many people are afraid of psychics and clairvoyants because we deal with the unknown. Barbara’s work with local clubs and charities contributed to easing those fears and helped us gain acceptance in their world. I might say that my very salary probably comes from the many contributions of the kind people she introduced to this facility and without her…” A tear escaped the pinched corner of his eye. “Well, let’s just say that we will sorely miss her and Travis.”
    Everyone nodded, agreeing with Doctor Lieberman’s words, and some including Leona and Valerie, brushed away tears of their own.
    “ I wouldn’t blame any of you,” the doctor continued, “if you wanted to stop coming here until Detective Marcella puts this killer behind bars. However, I suspect some of you may still