Diana Racine 02 - Goddess of the Moon

their names ring any bells ?”
    “I knew what the y meant, and I knew they were phony, but I assumed they chose them because of their history.”
    “Why didn’t someone file charges against their father?”
    “They wouldn’t, nor would they let m e. They told me their last name was Fulceri. I searched the internet for their father. Maybe he was molesting others, but I couldn’t find any trace of the name . ”
    “A phony?”
    “Probably , but I wouldn’t pry. The sisters ran away because they were afraid of him. I wouldn’t do anything to put them in harm’s way.”
    “Fulceri,” Diana repeated. “Interesting name.” She was about to elaborate when Silas Compton opened the office door without knocking.
    “Oh, sorry,” he said. “I didn’t know you had company.”
    Slater stood. “Not a problem, Silas. Come in. I believe you know each other.”
    Compton offered his hand to Diana. “A pleasure to see you again, Ms. Racine.”
    Diana took his hand and held her breath. Nothing. “The pleasure’s mine. I won’t keep you two from your business. I was about to leave anyway . It was nice seeing both of you.”
    Compton held on to her hand. “Nonsense. No need to rush off. I just dropped by to give Edward this check. It’s from a client who respects the work you do to help the people in this great city of ours.”
    Slater took the check and peeked at it . He let out a whistle. “This is most generous. I’ll have to call and thank him.”
    “Do that,” Compton said. “Again, sorry to interrupt. ” He started for the door and turned to Diana. “By the way , Ms. Racine, are you free right now? I have a few hours off. How about that reading you promised me? My car and driver are right outside. ”
    “I drove,” Diana said. “I―“
    “Not a problem. After the reading, my driver will bring you back to your car . I won’t take no for an answer.” He tucked her arm into his. “Ciao, Edward. Call Stanford. He’s worth a bundle and could be a continuing donor.”
    “I will,” Slater said. “I can’t wait to hear all about your reading, Silas.”
    Diana hesitated. “I really shouldn’t. Ernie won’t know where I am.”
    “Call him from the car,” Compton said. “Unless you have to check with him for everything. He does keep you on a short leash, doesn’t he? ”
    Diana thought about that. Did Ernie have the same control over her as her father had all those years ? No, and she w ouldn’t let him .”
    “O kay,” she said. “ I guess n ow’s as good a time as any.”

Chapter Nineteen
    To Sleep, Perchance to Dream

    G od, what is that sound? Diana clamped her hands over her ears, but the noise inside her head pounded like a hammer. She forced her eyes open. At first, she didn’t know where she was. It took a moment to recognize her own bedroom and the insistent buzzing of the doorbell. She checked the read-out on the clock―seven a.m.
    Go away . But the racket continued. Shit .
    She swung her legs off the bed to sit on the edge and realized she was still dressed in last night’s clothes. What the hell? The room spun in circles, and s he steadied herself on the footboard . Nausea rose from the pit of her stomach into her throat. She’d suffered hangovers before, but she didn’t remember drinking. T his felt different. Worse. She strained to stand, fir mly gripping the bedside table.
    “Coming, coming.” She shuffled to the door, dragging sluggish legs and squint ed through the peephole . Lucier. He knew where the key was. Why didn’t he use it ? Then she realized the door was double bolted and chain latched. She didn’t remember doing that. S he unlocked everything and turned the knob. Lucier barged in.
    “I’ve been calling you all morning. Why haven’t you answered? I’ve been out of my mind with worry .” He stopped his rampage and put both hands on her shoulders. “What’s wrong? You look terrible. Are you sick? ”
    He led her to the sofa and she fell into the cushions , curling up in a fetal ball . He sat down beside her.
    “I’m fine.” She wasn’t, but she didn’t want to tell him that because she didn’t know why she felt so bad. She rubbed her eyes, but it made everything fuzzier so she closed them.
    “I don’t want to seem like an overprotective parent― God, one father like yours is enough ―but frankly, if you weren’t here this morning, I would have put out a BOLO. I called you the whole day, then there was an ugly murder in the Quarter