"You see that beacont '." broadcasts the weather." can a beacon ... T I ''m glad you asked. When the light is a steady blue, it means the weather is clear. If it's a flashing blue, you can expect clouds to be near. A steady red means rain ahead, and flashing red, snow instead.' Julia laughed. They reached the Harvard Bridge. Steve slowed down. ' is the bridge that links Boston and Cambridge. It's exactly three hundred, sixty-four point four Smoots and one ear long.' Julia turned to stare at him.,'I beg your pardon'T Steve grinned,. ''s true."'s a Smooff ' Smoot is a measurement using the body of Oliver Reed Smoot, who was- five feet seven inches. It started as a joke, but when the city rebuilt the bridge, they kept the marks. The Smoot became a standard of length in 1958.' She laughed. ''s incredible!' As they passed the Bunker Hill, Monument, Julia exclaimed, "Oh! That's where the battle of Bunker Hill took place, isn't iff '," Steve said. ' do you mean?" battle of Bunker Hill was fought on Breed's Hill.' Steve's home was in the Newbury Street area of Boston, a charming two-storey house with comfortable furniture and colorful prints hanging on the walls. ' you live here alonet Julia asked. '. I have a housekeeper who comes in twice a week. I'm going to tell her not to come in for the next few days. I don't want anyone to know you're here." Julia looked at Steve and said warmly, ' want you to know I really appreciate what you're doing for me." pleasure. Come on, I'll show you your bedroom.' He led her upstairs to the guest room. ' is it. I hope you'll be comfortable.", yes. It's lovely,' Julia said. ''ll bring in some groceries. I usually eat out." could -' she stopped.
"On second thought, I'd better not. My roommate says my cooking is lethal." think I'm a rair hand at a stove,' Steve said. ''ll do some cooking for us.' He looked at her and said slowly, ' haven't had anyone to cook for for a while.' hf-;,'-Back off, he told himself. You're way off base. You couldn't keep her in handkerchiefs. ' want you to make yourself at home. You'll be completely safe here.' She looked at him a long time, then smiled. ' you., They went back downstairs.
Steve pointed out the amenities. ', VCR, radio, CD player ... you'll be comfortable."'s wonderful.' She wanted to say, ' like Ifeel with you.", if there's nothing else,' he said awkwardly.
Julia gave him a warm smile. ' can't think of anything." I'll be getting back to the office. I have a lot of questions without answers." She watched him walk toward the door. '?' He turned around. ' "Is it all right if I call my roommate? She'll be worried about me.' He shook his head. ' not. I don't want you to make any telephone calls or leave this house. Your life may depend on it."
Chapter Twenty-eight
"I'm Dr. Westin. Do you understand that this conversation is going to be tape-recordedt ', doctor." you feeling calmer nowt ''m calm, but I'm angry." are you angry aboutt ' shouldn't be in this place. I'm not crazy. I've been framed."? Who framed yout ' Stanford." Tyler Stanfordt ''s right." would he want to do thatt ' money." you have moneyt '. I mean, yes ... that is ... I could have had it. He promised me a million dollars, and a sable coat, and jewelry." would Judge Stanford promise you thatt ' me start at the beginning. I'm not really Julia Stanford. My name is Margo Posner.' .,'When you came in here, you insisted you were Julia Stanford." that. I'm really not. Look here's what happened. Judge Stanford hired me to pose as his sister." did he do thatt ' I could get a share of the Stanford estate and turn it over to him." for doing that he promised you a million dollars, a sable coat, and some jewelryt ' don't believe me, do you? Well, I can prove it. He took me to Rose Hill. That's where the Stanford family lives in Boston. I can describe the house to you, and I can tell you all about the family."'re aware that these are very serious charges you're making?" bet I am. But I suppose you won't do anything about it because he happens to be a judge."'re quite wrong. I assure you that your charges will be very thoroughly investigated."! I want the bastard locked away the same way he has me locked away. I want out of here!" understand that besides my examination, two of my colleagues also will have to evaluate your mental statet ' them. I'm as sane as you are.". Gifford will be in this afternoon, and then we'll decide how we're; going to proceed.' ' sooner the better. I can't stand this damned place!' When the matron brought'Margo her lunch, the matron said, ' just talked to Dr. Gifford. He'll be here in an hour." you.' Margo was ready for him. She was ready for all of them. She was going to tell them everything she knew, from the very beginning. And when rm through, Margo thought, they're going to lock him up and let me go. The thought filled her with s atisfaction. I'll be free! And then Margo thought, Free to do what? I'll be out on the streets again. Maybe they'll even revoke my parole and put me back in the joint! She threw her lunch tray against the wall. Damn them! They can't do this to me! Yesterday I was worth a billion dollars, and today ... Wait! Wait! An idea flashed through Margo's mind that was so exciting that it sent a chill through her. Holy God! What am I doing?
rve already proved that I'm Julia Stanford. I have witnesses. The wholefamily heard Frank Timmons say that my fingerprints showed that I was Julia Stan- - ford. Why the hell would I ever want to be Margo Posner when I can be Julia Stanford? No wonder they have me locked up in here. I must have been out of my mindf She rang the bell for the matron.
When the matron came in, Margo said excitedly, ' want to see the doctor right away!" know. You have an appointment with him in '.
Right now!' The matron took one look at Margo's expression -'and said, "Calm down. I'll get him.' Ten minutes later, Dr. Franz Gifford walked into Margo's room. @You asked to see met '.' She smiled apologetically, ''m afraid I've been playing a little game, doctor."