Play dead

SIXTY

Swann sat at his kitchen table. He was still dressed in his Disguise.

On the way back to the house he saw the FedEx truck three blocks over. He was waiting for a delivery, a set of antique bronze drawer pulls he had all but stolen on eBay.

A few minutes earlier he had seen on TV the sketch of the man wanted for the attempted abduction of a girl near Tacony Park. It looked no more like him than did the man in the moon. The media was referring to him as "the Collector." He was pleased with both developments.

He hoped the young officer did not have nightmares.

Now that he was so close to the end, to his grand finale, he found his mind drifting back to the place where it all began. It was the same time of day, as he recalled, this lilac-hued hour between the time when he arrived home and his first aperitif. He recalled that he had just watched The Magic Bricks in the attic, when the doorbell rang. He thought about Elise sitting at this very table, one leg curled beneath her, the background seeming to dissolve away. She was so bright, so alive, a pixie with a gamine body and close-cropped hair.

She had come from money, of that he was sure. The quality of her boots and jewelry spoke of it; her manner and vocabulary all but confirmed it. She had about her an air of aristocracy, but it was not something by birthright. She was new money. She wore it like a mantle of pride.

Elise had strolled the great room that day, picking up a few of his objets d'art on the way. She had seemed particularly interested in the Tiffany crystal and brass carriage clock. It was one of his favorites. This moved him. She also liked The doorbell rang. It was FedEx.

Swann crossed the foyer, peered through curtains. It was not the FedEx delivery man after all. Instead it was a very attractive woman. She had silken shoulder-length hair, wore a smart navy suit, white blouse.

"Recall the man in Metairie, Joseph. The one who owned the haberdashery. They know your voice here. Beware."

Swann smoothed his long gray wig. He opened the door.

"Hello," he said. His voice now carried the slightest accent. It was a French intonation, but native to Louisiana.

"Hi," the woman replied. She held up a gold badge. "My name is Detective Jessica Balzano. I'm with the Philadelphia Police Department. I'd like to ask you a few questions, if you don't mind."

Swann steadied himself against the doorjamb. "Of course."

"May I ask your name?"

"Jake," Swann said. "Jake Myers. Would you like to come inside?"

The woman made a note. "Thanks."

He opened the door wide. She stepped in.

"Wow," she said. "This is some place."

"Thank you," he said. "It's been in my family for years." He gestured. "Would you like to sit in the parlor?"

"No," she said. "I'm fine. This shouldn't take too long."

Swann glanced at the stairs. The stairs leading up to Claire's room. He had given her another ampoule, but that was an hour ago. Just a few minutes earlier he thought she had stirred. Patricia was fast asleep in the basement.

"Get her into the kitchen, Joseph."

"Would you like something to drink? I've just made fresh coffee. Kenya."

"No thank you," she said. "We're talking to everyone in the neighborhood."

"I see."

"Do you live here alone?" she asked.

"Oh my goodness, no. I live here with my family."

"Are they home now?"

"My daughters are out, and I'm afraid my wife is a bit under the weather." He gestured to the sideboard, which held a number of photos. His phantom family. He wondered if she would notice that all the photos were solo.

"I'm sorry to hear that," the detective replied. "I hope she feels better soon."

"Most kind of you to say."

"They are going to stop you, Joseph. You cannot allow this to happen."

The detective produced a photograph. "Do you recognize this girl?"

She presented a photograph of Elise Beausoleil. It was one he had seen before. He gave it its proper time, its owing. "Yes. I believe I do, but I cannot remember from where or when."

"Her name is Elise Beausoleil."

"Yes, of course. I remember now. A pair of detectives came around making inquiries. They spoke to my wife and eldest daughter about this young lady. I happened to be in the garden at the time. They stopped and asked me about her as well. I had not seen her."

"Were these city detectives or private detectives?"

"I'm afraid I don't know. What is the difference exactly?"

"Did they have gold badges?"

"Yes. I believe they did. In fact, I am certain of it."

"They were the police," she said. "Has anyone been around here since, inquiring about this girl?"

"She knows, Joseph. You cannot allow her to leave."

Swann feigned deep thought. "I don't think so."

The detective made a note in her book. Swann angled to see it, but couldn't. He put a hand into his pocket, palmed a chloroform ampoule. He would take her in the foyer.

"Once again, I appreciate your time." She handed him a card. "If you think of anything that might help us, I'd appreciate a call."

Swann removed his hand from his pocket. "By all means."

He opened the front door. The pretty detective stepped out onto the porch, just as the FedEx man arrived. The two of them smiled at each other, made room.

Swann took the package, thanked the deliveryman. The drawer pulls no longer mattered. He closed the door, his heart fit to burst.

Upstairs, Claire screamed. It was an unearthly sound.

Swann closed his eyes, certain that the police officer had heard. He peeked through blinds. The woman was walking to her car, her chestnut hair luminous in the late afternoon sun. She was already talking into her cell phone.

And then she was gone.