Page 32 (1/2)

WE FACED EACH other, now, like gladiators on the sands of soe thought cagle then?

I only knew that, if I failed to win it, both of us were lost

"There’s no afterlife," I began

"None’’ Glaring atthat happened after my death"

A moment’s confusion on her face before she muttered, scornfully, "Your death,"

"I say I’m Chris," I told her

"You’re--"

"Your husband Chris" "And I say you’re a fool for saying it" Now she seeth

"Believe what you will," I persisted "But, whoever I am, I couldn’t knohat happened to you after your husband died, could I? Iher off "Could I?"

She looked atat I continued quickly to keep her off balance "No, I couldn’t," I answered myself "You know I couldn’t Because if I did--"

"What details?" she interrupted fiercely

"Details like you and the children sitting in the front row of the church Like so you start"

I knew, fro move was a failure Obviously, she didn’t res like the house filled with people after the funeral," I went on "Richard serving drinks at the bar--"

"Do you think--?" she started

"Your brother Bill there, Pat, your brother Phil, his wife and--"

"Is that what you call--?"

"You in the closed bedroo your hand"

I knew I’d h I’d struck her It was so a round but safer "Ian saying, to you, that he kneas insane but he felt that I was there with you"

Ann began to shake

"Your telling hi "What?"

She whispered it again I still couldn’t hear "What, Ann?"

"Leavevoice

"You know I’ht," I said "You knoas there Which proves--’’

The filain So fast it appeared almost physical She turned her head away "I wish it would rain," she ht, aren’t I?" I des really happened Didn’t they?"

She labored to her feet, looking groggy

"Are you afraid to hear the truth?"

She sank back down "What truth?" Her body jerked spas about?’’

"There’s no afterlife?"

"No!" Her face gone rigid with fear and fury

"Then why did you agree to a seance with Perry?"

She jerked again as though struck

"He told you I was sitting by you in the cemetery," I said "I’ll tell you what he said, word for word ’I kno you feel, Mrs Nielsen, but takea dark blue shirt with short sleeves, blue checked slacks --’ "

"You’re lying Lying" Her voice was guttural, her teeth clenched tightly, her expression one of nant wrath