When Darkness Falls(54)
Jose Gonsalves, Cathy Reynolds, Dave and Ariana Klonowski, Joe and Diana Humphreys.
Haley counted the friends from L.A. she knew from her music days, knew well enough to call now and ask for help. Jose, Cathy, Dave, Ariana, Joe, Diana. Repeating their names made her feel safer. All good people, and all had been there at one time or another to offer a ride, the loan of an instrument, or information about new clubs opening as they’d crossed paths with Brian and Haley at folk and bluegrass festivals and in each others’ cities. Devon didn’t know any of them, so Lydia would have no way of finding out through him where Haley might stay. The drawback was that they were all traveling musicians, not likely to be home much. But after she got some sleep, she would try. If none of them could help she’d have to think of something else.
Sun had started sliding through the blinds when Haley finally fell asleep. She slept heavily, with no dreams, and didn’t awaken until 11:30 in the morning. She threw her things into her bags, checked out, and found a place to sit in the lobby.
The breakfast hours had ended, though the breakfast room still smelled of burnt bacon and scrambled eggs. Haley could get lunch at Smokey Joe’s or drive somewhere else, but her stomach was churning, and she had only fifty dollars left in cash. After getting information she’d need later in the day from the clerk on duty, she began trying her friends’ numbers and reached only a series of voicemail greetings. Gritting her teeth, she left messages saying she was in L.A. and needed a favor.
After drinking water from the fountain outside the restrooms and buying three protein bars from the vending machine, Haley debated calling Al. She needed to tell him something about what was happening, maybe the whole story to get his take on it. If he didn’t assume she was crazy and imagining all of it, he might be able to shed some light on what Devon’s issues were. Devon would be angry, as Haley felt sure he did not want Al to know any of this, but at this point it hardly mattered. She also ought to tell Al or Kari that she’d check in at a certain time every day. That way, if something happened to her, at least somebody would know about it.
Haley ran her finger along the spiral binding of her Thomas Guide. Sunlight streamed in the window behind her. People walked past carrying cans of soda or bottles of Evian. Sitting in this safe, sunlit breakfast room, it ought to seem ludicrous to worry about whether Lydia might come after her and how much of a risk it was to stay in L.A., and whether or not it would put her in danger to be alone with Devon. Her own husband. But she needed to consider it.
She glanced out the window, watching the cars driving along Riverside Drive, which shimmered in the heat and sunlight. At least if Lydia were like Devon, she’d stay in during daylight. All the same, when she exited the hotel, Haley found herself glancing behind her and scanning all sides of the parking lot. Not that being in her room had proven safe. Better to be someplace else entirely, somewhere neither Lydia nor Devon would look for her.
The protein bars had helped her energy level, but she still desperately needed sleep. Her mind wouldn’t work clearly until she got more of it.
At the Sherman Oaks Galleria, Haley found a seat in the back of the movie theater, reclined as far she could, and dozed through a romantic comedy. Afterward, in the lobby, she checked messages. No one had returned her calls, but those who had regular day jobs should be on their way home soon, and at least one of them must be in town. Her luck couldn’t be that bad. In the meantime, she headed for her second destination, the Burbank library.
The desk clerk had told her it was the largest in the area. Still, ten or twenty Burbank libraries could have fit within the Harold Washington Library in Chicago.
She tried the Internet first, but far too many hits appeared for “vampire,” most related to movies, recent novels, and video games. So she collected books and journal articles and sat reading at a polished wood side table, inhaling the papery, slightly musty smell of the pages.
The vampire myths and legends didn’t help. So far as Haley knew, Lydia hadn’t claimed she was actually a vampire. She didn’t insist she could shape shift into a bat, could not pass through a doorway smeared with garlic, or cast no reflection in a mirror. Though it made sense that she wouldn’t make those claims. Devon could insist she prove things like that, and her story would be over. No, Lydia had been clever, talking in vague terms and playing on Devon’s fears. What Haley couldn’t understand was why he believed what he did. Devon wasn’t stupid. There had to be more he wasn’t telling her.
Or he’s in love with her. Or in lust and obsessed, and he can’t think straight.
Haley didn’t want to believe that. But their quick marriage added to the idea that Devon got swept away by intense desire. Maybe his feelings hadn’t been unique to being with Haley at all. Maybe that was simply how Devon operated. But surely Al would have at least hinted at that to Haley. He’d said he’d never seen Devon as happy as he was with Haley, never seen Devon fall for anyone. So it couldn’t be a pattern with him.
Haley turned to a psychiatry book she’d found about people who believed they were supernatural creatures like vampires or werewolves. When she finished reading what seemed to be the most relevant chapters, it was nearly five-thirty. She walked to the glassed in area between the inner and outer doors to make calls. Several of the psychiatrists listed in the book’s bibliography practiced in the Los Angeles area. Haley kept trying until she reached one who agreed to talk to her if she could meet her within the hour. The woman was semi-retired and said she might enjoy revisiting an area of her expertise.