Are You Afraid Of The Dark   ::   Sheldon Sidney

"Why would anyone-?" "They were killed to prevent them from talking to you. Kelly and I would like to come to Washington and tell you what our husbands were trying to tell you." There was a brief hesitation. "I'll meet with you, but not in my office. It's too public. If what you're saying is true, it could be dangerous. I have a home in Southampton, Long Island. I can meet you there. Where are you calling from?" "Denver." "Just a moment." Three minutes later, the senator came back on the line. "The next flight out of Denver to New York is a red-eye. It's a United flight, nonstop to La Guardia. It leaves at twelve-twenty-five a.m. and arrives in New York at six-oh-nine a.m. If the flight is full, there's one-" "We'll be on that flight." Kelly looked at Diane, surprised. "Diane, what if we can't get-?" Diane held up a reassuring hand. "We'll be on it." "When you get to the airport, a gray Lincoln Town Car will be waiting for you.

Go right to the car.

The driver is Asian. His name is Kunio, K-U-N-I-O. He'll take you to my home.

I'll be waiting for you there."

"Thank you, Senator." Diane replaced the receiver and took a deep breath. She turned to Kelly. "We're all set." Kelly said, "How do you know we can get on that flight?" "I have a plan."

* * *



THE CONCIERGE AT the hotel arranged a rental car, and in forty-five minutes, Diane and Kelly were on their way to the airport. Kelly said, "I don't know whether I'm more excited or more frightened." "I don't think we have anything to be frightened about anymore." "It looks like a lot of people tried to meet with the senator, but none of them made it, Diane. They were all killed first." "Then we're going to be the first to make it." Kelly said, "I wish we had-" "I know. A weapon. You said that. We have our wits." "Yeah. I wish we had a weapon." Kelly looked out the car window. "Pull over." Diane pulled over to the curb. "What is it?" "There's something I have to do." They had stopped in front of a beauty parlor. Kelly opened the car door.

Diane said, "Where are you going?"

"I'm going to get a new hairdo."

Diane said, "You're joking."

"No, I'm not." "You're getting a new hairdo now! Kelly, we're on our way to the airport, to catch a plane, and there's no time to-" "Diane, you never know what's going to happen. And in case I should die, I want to look pretty." Diane sat there, speechless, as Kelly walked into the beauty parlor.

* * *



TWENTY MINUTES LATER, Kelly came out. She was wearing a black wig that was a luxurious upsweep piled high in the back.

"I'm ready," Kelly said.