The 57th Keeper Page 2

  F I R S T S E S S I O N

  A cellular phone buzzed on the bedside table, rattling the loose change and waking Alturus. He released his hug on the pillow and reached out feeling for it. “Hello,” he coughed. His voice hoarse.

  “Hello, Alturus. This is Fleury. How are you?”

  “Okay, I suppose, okay...”

  “Some of the others are concerned, Alturus. You appear very depressed.”

  “Yes, depressed. I ran out of laughs,” said Alturus.

  “I want you to have a session with our specialist, Doctor Baum. Alturus we need the real name, because Archy Rushbury isn’t coming up anywhere through our searches. And believe me, we have tried all possible avenues. Doctor Baum is a specialized hypnotist. She’s going to help you regress and clear a way for the name to surface.”

  “I am not the sum total of my past,” Alturus mumbled.

  “Quite true, Alturus. Your appointment with Doctor Baum is today, at 11:30 sharp.”