old-fashioned way-not the slim tailored clothes more popular with the young. The shirt was heavy broadcloth, and the tweed pants were pleated, but the waistcoat felt snug and warm.
Here, I can't tie this tie with mortal fingers, I declared. But why am I dressing up like this, David Don't you ever go around in anything casual, as the expression goes Good Lord, we look like we're going to a funeral. Why must I wear this noose around my neck?
Because you'll look foolish in a tweed suit without it, he answered in a slightly distracted voice. Here, let me help you. Once again, he had that shy look about him as he drew close to me. I realized that he was powerfully drawn to this body. In the old one, I had amazed him; but this body truly ignited his passion. And as I studied him closely, as I felt the busy work of his fingers on the knot of the tie-that keen little pressure-I realized that I was powerfully attracted to him.
I thought of all the times I'd wanted to take him, enfold him in my arms, and sink my teeth slowly and tenderly into his neck, and drink his blood. Ah, now I might have him in a sense without having him-in the mere human tangling with his limbs, in whatever combination of intimate gestures and delectable little embraces he might like. And I might like.
The idea paralyzed me. It sent a soft chill over the surface of my human skin. I felt connected to him, connected as I had been to the sad unfortunate young woman whom I'd raped, to the wandering tourists of the snow-covered capital city, my brothers and sisters-connected as I had been to my beloved Gretchen.
Indeed so strong was this awareness-of being human and being with a human-that I feared it suddenly in all its beauty. And I saw that the fear was part of the beauty.
Ah, yes, I was mortal now as he was. I flexed my fingers, and slowly straightened my back, letting the chill become a deep erotic sensation.
He broke away from me abruptly, alarmed and vaguely determined, picked up the jacket from the chair, and helped me to put it on.
You have to tell me all that's happened to you, he said. And within an hour or so we may have news from London, that is, if the bastard has struck again.
I reached out and clamped my weak, mortal hand on his shoulder, drew him to me, and kissed him softly on the side of his face. Once again, he backed away.
Stop all this nonsense, he said, as if reproving a child. I want to know everything. Now, have you had breakfast You need a handkerchief. Here.
How will we get this news from London?
Fax from the Motherhouse to the hotel. Now come, let's have something to eat together. We have a day of work ahead to figure this all out.
If he isn't already dead, I said with a sigh. Two nights ago in Santo Domingo. I was again filled with a crashing and black despair. The delicious and frustrating erotic impulse was threatened.
David removed a long wool scarf from the suitcase. He placed this around my neck.
Can't you call London again now by phone? I asked.
It's a bit early, but I'll give it a try.
He found the phone beside the couch, and was in fast conversation with someone across the sea for about five minutes. No news yet.
Police in New York, Florida, and Santo Domingo were not in communication with each other, apparently, as no connections regarding these crimes had yet been made.
At last he hung up. They'll fax information to the hotel as soon as they receive it. Let's go there, shall we I myself am famished. I've been here all night long, waiting. Oh, and that dog. What will you do with that splendid dog?
He's had breakfast. He'll be happy in the roof garden. You're very anxious to be out of these rooms, aren't you Why don't we simply get into bed together I don't understand.
You're serious?
I shrugged. Of course. Serious! I was beginning to be obsessed with this simple little possibility. Making love before anything else happened. Seemed like a perfectly marvelous idea!
Again, he fell to staring at me in maddening trancelike silence.
You do realize, he said, that this is an absolutely magnificent body, don't you I mean, you aren't insensible to the fact that you've been deposited in a ... a most impressive piece of young