Chapter Eleven
Shortly past noon he unlocked the door to Lucretia’s room. She lay on the bed, her face partially buried in one of the pillows. Her eyes were red rimmed, as if she had fallen asleep crying. They opened now and she turned her head away. He went to the vanity and removed the plain wooden box within. From his vest pocket, he took a small key. From a bottom drawer of the wardrobe Beauregard withdrew a bottle of pale, yellow oil. When he turned around, Lucretia was looking at him through the tumble of her unbrushed hair.
“Have a nice nap?” he asked. Oil in hand, he sat on the edge of the bed. She did not speak, only blinked.
Dr. Addams proceeded with caution. Something was wrong. He held up the strange object. “Do you know what this is?” No response but for the flickering of
