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"You died here in the States, in Miami Beach, that was the story And they'd flown the reland before they even called to tell one You knohat I did, David? I ot to London but I made them open it I ave in to me Then I sent them out of the room and I stayed alone with that body, David, that body all powdered and prettied up and nestled in its satin I stayed there for an hour perhaps They were knocking on the door Then finally I told them to proceed "

There was no anger in her face, only a faint wondering expression

"I couldn't let Aaron tell you," I said, "not just then, not when I didn't knohether I'd survive in the new body, not when I didn't understand what life held for me I couldn't And then, then it was too late "

She raised her eyebrows and esture with her head She sipped the rum

"I understand," she said

"Thank God," I answered "In ti," I insisted "I knoould have The story of my death was never meant for you "

She nodded, holding back the first response that caue

"I think you have to file those papers of Aaron's," I said "You have to file theet the Superior General of the moment "

"Stop it, David," she responded "You know it is ue with you now that you are in the body of a very young man "

"You never had difficulty arguing with me, Merrick," I retorted "Don't you think Aaron would have filed the papers, had he lived?"

"Maybe," she said, "and maybe not Maybe Aaron would have wanted more that you be left to your destiny Maybe Aaron wanted more that whatever you had become, you'd be left alone "

I wasn't sure what she was saying The Tala in interfere in anyone's destiny, I couldn't figure what she meant

She shrugged, took another sip of raainst her lower lip

"Maybe it doesn't es hi:

"The night after he was killed I went down to his house on Esplanade Avenue You know he married a white Mayfair, not a witch by the way, but a resilient and generous wo¡ªand at her invitation I took the papers marked 'Talamasca ' She didn't even knohat they contained