Read Of That Day and Hour: A psychological thriller for Free Online Page B

mountains. She remembered all the beauty, passion and pain of their
relationship. Eve knows the one person she can’t trust is herself. She may have
walked away, but she’s still in love with Jeff.
    “Egg, sausage and beans?”
    “Perfect, do you need a
hand?”
    “I’ve got it covered.”
There’s something odd about Jeff this morning, and she can’t quite put her
finger on it. “You’re quiet this morning?”
    “I’m fine, thanks.”
    “You’re a good lecturer;
there’s always other universities and teaching posts.”
    Eve’s concern indicates that
she at least cares for his well-being, and he plays along.
    “I try to be philosophical
about these things; nothing lasts forever.”
    “Still, it’s a big blow.”
    “I’ll get over it.”
    “Casey said you would lose
your post at the university.”
    “Yeah.” Jeff knows where
this is leading, and doesn’t want to hear 'I told you so'.
    “What do you make of it?”
    “He got lucky. We’re in the
age of austerity and mass unemployment.”
    “I’m not so sure.” Eve can
feel a lecture coming on.
    “Don’t read too much into
it. He’s dealing in probabilities, not absolute certainties. The conjurer uses
sleight of hand, and he uses sleight of mind. That’s why it’s one of the
hardest fields to investigate. Everything’s open to interpretation, and we
bring meaning to the table ourselves.”
    “Do you think he’ll
co-operate?”
    “He will.”
    “What makes you so sure?”
    “His game ends if he
doesn’t.”
    “Cat and mouse.”
    “Yeah.” Jeff’s face appears
expressionless; he’s deep in thought. “And it looks like I’m the bait that will
end all of this.”
    With breakfast over, they
leave the ranch behind. The Camaro roars into life. Eve drives up the dirt
track. Jeff still can’t shake the feelings of the night’s betrayal.
Academically he finds it fascinating that the brain can’t differentiate
feelings from a dream from those of waking reality. Today Eve ensures she’s at
the speed limit passing the billboard, before hitting the gas just for the hell
of it.

 
    Casey patiently waits for
the steel door to slide open. He has the work of a shepherd ahead of him; one
who knows more about his flock than he’s permitted to say. His knowledge is
born from secrets, secrets that dare not be shared nor discussed. He must
remain wise to guide Jeff slowly through the labyrinth of his own mind. This
shepherd knows the terrain intimately. The steel door slides open and Jeff
walks into the room, casually smiling as he sits opposite a killer.
    “Good morning Casey, and how
are you today?”
    “As happy as an inmate can
be.”
    “I see. If you have any
grievances you must let me know.”
    “And bring trouble to my
door? There’s lots of noise inside the prison at night. To hear men scream and
have nightmares is a terrible thing, or at least that’s what I believe I hear.
How did you sleep last night?”
    “I had a good night’s
sleep.” Jeff studies Casey’s face, then dismisses the notion; he can’t possibly
know.
    “I find that interesting, no
screams or nightmares?”
    “No.”
    “And work?”
    “Work’s fine.” This
bastard’s toying with him.
    “I see.”
    “I would like to ask you to
participate in a series of carefully designed tests.”
    “Straight to business? I was
loving the politeness between us, there’s so little humanity in this place,
isn’t there?”
    “I believe so.”
    “And if I decline?”
    “Then I walk back through
that door, you go to your cell and that will be the end of the matter, for the
rest of your life.”
    “I see. That sounds more
like a threat than an opportunity. Hardly the best discourse, is it?”
    “Yes.” Jeff sighs; that was
so unprofessional and out of character. He’s beginning to act more like a
correctional officer, than an academic. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”
      “That’s better; I must warn you that once
we’ve started there will be no return, and I