Did Psychic Dream Reader at Guilfoyle Institute Predict Death and Provide Clues to the Killer?
Late this afternoon local police arrested Lawrence W. Porter for the grisly murder of Dr. Emerson Oxlade, noted dream analyst. Mr. Porter is employed as a dream guide at the recently opened Guilfoyle Institute. Bloodstained clothing and shoes were discovered in the trunk of his Ford sedan.
Detective Brandon of the Burning Cove Police Department said that Mr. Porter has maintained his innocence, but authorities say he has no explanation for the bloody garments found in his possession.
Detective Brandon declined to comment on rumors that Arthur Guilfoyle, the head of the Guilfoyle Institute, predicted the murder during a private psychic reading lastnight. Several of those who attended the event confirmed that Mr. Guilfoyle made a prediction of death by supernatural means.
Earlier today Mr. Guilfoyle spoke with Detective Brandon. Several onlookers suggested he may have provided the detective with a psychic reading that enabled the prompt arrest.
“You were right,” Maggie said. “The police arrested one of the dream guides. Larry. I can’t believe it.”
She tossed the evening edition of theHeraldonto the table and went to stand at the window of her hotel room. It was a little after six. In the distance she could see the lights of the Institute. The staff was preparing for the farewell cocktail party.
“That’s not a surprise,” Sam said. He sat down on the side of the bed and leaned forward to tie the laces of his freshly polished shoes. “He was the obvious choice because of the rumors of drugs. The interesting bit is that not only is Guilfoyle getting credit for predicting the murder, there’s a rumor that he may have done a psychic reading for the police. Talk about great publicity.”
Maggie turned around. The sight of Sam sitting on her bed, casually going about the process of getting dressed for the evening, was both disconcerting and satisfying. It was as if he belonged here in the same bedroom with her.
This is what love feels like,she thought. The realization shook her, momentarily stealing her breath.
She pulled herself together with a fierce effort of will.
“Do you think Brandon believes Larry is guilty?” she asked.
“Not for a minute.” Sam finished tying his shoes, stood, and went to the dressing table to work on his bow tie. “He knows as well as I do that the kid was framed. The problem now is proving it.”
She met his eyes in the mirror. “You’ve got another plan, haven’t you?”
“I need to get inside the Guilfoyles’ private villa. There will be a big crowd at the cocktail party tonight. No one will notice if I slip away.”
“Famous last words. What if someone does notice?”
Sam winked. “Your job is to provide me with a cover story.”
“Such as?”
“You’re the creative one. You’ll think of something.”
Chapter 46
Sam had been right about one thing, Maggie thought. The farewell gala at the Institute was a triumphant success. Beneath the massive wrought iron chandeliers, elegantly dressed guests consumed the seemingly unlimited supply of cocktails served by the catering staff and the two remaining dream guides.
Nothing like the thrill of murder laced with a suggestion of psychic powers to energize a room. Everyone was talking about the news and speculating that it proved the power of the Guilfoyle Method. Arthur Guilfoyle was basking in the glow of admiration and excitement. Dolores was stationed near the buffet table, clipboard in hand. She was jotting down the names and addresses of the holdouts who had decided they wanted to learn the secrets of the Method after all.
Maggie stood with a small cluster of conference attendees. There was a glass in everyone’s hand, including hers, but she was in no mood to enjoy her drink. Sam had slipped away a short time ago. No one appeared to have noticed, which was a relief, but her nerves were on edge. She would not be able to relax until he returned.
“They say the crime scene was horrifying,” the woman standing next to Maggie said. “The dream guide used a hammer. Can you imagine? He seemed like such a nice young man. The drugs must have driven him mad.”
“I heard the police found cocaine, pills, and marijuana in his room,” a portly middle-aged man announced. He downed half his martini in a single gulp and shook his head. “Evidently he wasn’t just an addict; he was buying and selling the drugs. What is the younger generation coming to?”
“I’ll tell you one thing,” the first woman said. “If I needed any more reason to learn the Guilfoyle Method, today provided it. I spoke with one of the guests who was invited to the private psychic reading last night. She said Mr. Guilfoyle did predict murder.”
“Astonishing,” another woman declared.
Maggie told herself she ought to keep her mouth shut, but as usual, she was unable to resist a comment.
“I was at that private psychic reading,” she said. “Mr. Guilfoyle predicted a woman was in danger, not a man.”
“When it comes to the paranormal, you can’t expect precise details,” the portly man said.
