Shade of Pale by Greg; Kihn Page A

her!”
    Will put a hand on Juke’s shoulder and, lowering his voice, said, “Man, you were out cold. You can’t be sure.”
    Jukes shook off the hand. “I just know, that’s all. This time she was through with him. We talked about it. She was pressing charges.”
    â€œJukes, Cathy’s unstable. Consider all the possibilities, please. You can’t be her guardian angel forever.”
    Jukes rubbed his eyes. “I can’t shake this feeling that something terrible might happen, something I might be able to prevent.”
    Will Howard opened the closet and took out a coat. “Well, it won’t do any good to worry. Cathy’ll turn up; she always does. There’s nothing you can do.”
    â€œThat asshole actually hit me!” Jukes mumbled.
    Will slipped into the coat and stepped toward the door. “Well, this time he’ll go to jail. You have your beeper?”
    â€œYeah. I always carry it.”
    â€œThen let’s get out of here.”
    As they walked the street, Will did his best to cheer Jukes. A few flat jokes and some small talk didn’t seem to help, and Will soon fell silent.
    Two blocks later, he said, “Hey, by the way, did you ever call Fiona Rice?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œYou should; you really should. She’d find this Banshee thing intriguing, and she’s an expert in the field.”
    Jukes winced. “So why don’t you look her up?”
    â€œYou just don’t get it, do you?”
    Jukes didn’t answer. Will Howard laughed; it turned into a cough.
    â€œChrist, for a shrink, you’re pretty thick. Why do you think I gave you her number?”
    â€œJust spit it out,” Jukes said. “I’m in no mood to play games.”
    Will looked up and down the street, then back to Jukes. He had the expression of an umpire about to call a base runner out, his face set in a grimace.
    â€œDr. Rice is a babe, you idiot. I’m handing you the Holy Grail and you don’t even know it.”
    Jukes slapped his forehead. “Oh, God.”
    â€œSee? You’re so preoccupied that you didn’t even get the message.”
    Jukes blushed. “Jeez, Will, thanks, but … I can’t be thinking about women right now, not with Cathy missing.”
    Will Howard stopped walking. Jukes took an extra step and stopped also. “What?”
    Will pointed at Jukes. “Hey, are you the same guy that came to me last month desperate to meet somebody? The same guy whose life was an empty shell, with no one to share his pain? I’m quoting you, man. I believe the phrase you used was ‘terrified of growing old alone.’ Was that you?”
    Jukes looked at his feet and thrust his hands deep into his pockets. “Yeah, I know.…”
    â€œYou don’t know; that’s the whole point. Let’s face it, Jukes. Your love life is the shits. You’ve been crying to me for the past couple years about how important it is that you meet somebody, a soul mate. And now, after a lifetime of intense research, I come up with the perfect candidate, and you don’t even have the decency to at least meet her?”
    â€œWell, I …” Jukes was flushed. “I just can’t right now, not with all this—” He waved his hand at the city. “You know.”
    â€œI made a vow, to you and your dad, that I would find you a suitable mate. You’re in no position to do anything except what I tell you to do. For God sakes, Jukes, don’t let this one get away. She’s perfect, she’s available, she’s brilliant, she’s got a heart of gold, and she’s very healthy. I should know; I’m her doctor.”
    â€œOh, this is hopeless.”
    â€œThen you’ll call her?”
    Jukes sighed. “OK, I’ll call her. Maybe I’ll find out something about the Banshee.”
    The doorbell rang, and when Jukes answered it he saw Detective Jones