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"No, Tarquin, I host of your twin brother, your identical twin brother "

"That's impossible, Merrick," I said "Believeto attack this problem head-on, but there's a very simple reason why that can't be so There are two reasons, actually "

"Which are?" she asked

"Well, first off, if I'd had a twin, I'd know Somebody would have told ht hand And I've always been left-handed "

"Tarquin," she said, "he's a mirror twin Haven't you ever heard of theend that argues that every left-handed person is the survivor of mirror twins, one of whom perished in the womb, but your twin didn't perish that way Tarquin, I think we need to talk to Patsy I think Patsy wants you to know She's weary of the silence "

I was too shocked to speak

I esture for patience and then I stood up and beckoned for them to come with me

We crossed the hall Patsy's door was open Her room didn't have a parlor like al bed done up in blue-and-white ruffles, and a blue silk couch and chairs before it She was sitting on the couch with Cindy, our nurse, watching the television while Big Ra in one of the chairs The volu Rao as we entered So did Cindy

"What kind of invasion is this?" Patsy asked "Hey, Cindy, don't you go without giving me another shot I'm sick And you, Tarquin Blackwood, half the ti everybody to Metairie Cemetery at the stroke of twelve?"

"I don't know, Patsy," I said "Maybe I'll just strangle you and du you and du you in the swamp I dream I did it You tasted like cotton candy and candy apples, and you sank deep down in the green water "

She laughed and shook her head as she looked at own she looked particularly thin, which worried me for her And her blond hair, so often teased, was brushed out and hung down in waves,and hard

"You're so crazy, Tarquin Blackwood," she sneered "You should have been drohen you were born You don't kno much I hate you "

"Now, Patsy, you don't ive you another shot in an hour "

"I'ht now," said Patsy

"You're loaded right nohat you are," said Big Ramona