"Then you didn't tell the whole story." She leaned forward, her face
eager. "I'm dying with curiosity over what really happened, Terry. Want
to tell me--or are you saving it for your memoirs?"
He lighted a fresh cigarette, considering. Joyce was an understanding
person, he knew. And she had imagination. She could be trusted not to
misinterpret the fantastic nature of his experience.
Speaking low-voiced, he told her of Leeta's arrival at the park, of
the attack on the other man and himself by the grotesque and somehow
unsubstantial mosquito-men, of the complete paralysis that had resulted.
Joyce broke in, "But, Terry, if the things weren't solid, how could
they possibly have affected you?"
"I've been trying to figure out that angle," he said. "I think they
were energy projections of some kind and were able to use this energy
to stun their victims. It should work both ways--that is, some forms
of energy from our end should be able to affect them, too."
He went on to describe the crystal globe and the use Leeta had made
of it. Finally he mentioned his dream and his telephone call to the
hospital.
Joyce looked shaken. "It ... it's gruesome, Terry. If anyone else
had told me those things, I'd have said they were plain crazy." She
hesitated. "This girl with the strange way of making men friends, what
was she like?"
"She was ... beautiful," Bryan said. He stared into distance, seeing
Leeta in memory again. His voice softened. "I've never met anyone like
her."
"She's a witch!" Joyce said abruptly, an unnatural sharpness in her
tone. "A vampire--a ghoul. What she's done is horrible, Terry. Someone
should put a stop to her."
"She isn't a monster," Bryan returned in swift defense. "Not depraved
or vicious. I don't quite understand it, but I feel there's a good
reason for what she has been doing."
"She's a murderess, Terry!"
"According to our standards, yes. But I don't think she realizes she
has been causing harm."
"That's generous of you," Joyce said. Her mockery held bitterness. "But
your lady Bluebeard has to be kept from doing any more killing, Terry.
Aren't you going to try to do something about it?"
He nodded grimly. "I'm going to keep watching the park. If she shows
up again--and I think she will--I'll make an attempt to talk to her,
reason with her. I have an idea about how it can be done."
"That's fine, Terry. I'm glad I don't have to do anything drastic to
make an honest man of you."