The emergency room was a hustle of activity. Kelly sat miserably on a chair in the hallway, watching as staff in white coats rushed past her. Finally, the suspense became too much. "Excuse me!" she said to a passing nurse. "Can you tell me anything about my friend?"

"I'm sorry ma'am, I don't know anything."

"Then what are you doing here?" Kelly mumbled under her breath as the nurse walked away.

She sat quietly for a while longer. The ambulance staff had been no help, either. They had pushed her aside. "Please stand back ma'am."

They had loaded Izzy on a stretcher, darling, incorrigible Izzy, who lay silent as a ghost, who was so long legged that her feet, still wearing the red and green high tops, hung over the stretcher they had put her on.

Kelly's questions had gone unanswered but she knew that It must be serious. Izzy had left a big stain on the pavement when they had lifted her limp form into the ambulance. Kelly had followed their screaming vehicle all the way to the hospital, gunning the engine of the little car that Izzy had sold her.

Kelly stood up and walked over to the nearby desk, where a haggard-looking nurse dressed in bright yellow scrubs was rifling through paperwork.

"Look," Kelly said. "I need to know how my friend Is doing..."

"Please have a seat, ma'am," the nurse said absently, motioning her back toward her chair.

"I will not have a seat!" Kelly flared. "She has a gunshot wound to the chest, dammit! I need to know if she's alive or dead!"

The nurse raised on eyebrow and pursed her lips. "Are you a family member?"

"Yeah. I'm her sister."

The woman's expression softened. "Just a minute."

Kelly watched as the nurse got up and disappeared down the hallway. She wondered vaguely why everything In the room was white. The floors, the ceiling. even the furniture was an off-white color. The effect was blinding.

The nurse came back. "Your friend is in very serious condition. She's lost a lot of blood. The bullet broke her collarbone, but didn't hit any organs. So don't give up hope."

Kelly leaned up against the desk and sighed. "So she's alive."

The nurse smiled. "Yes. She's alive. Now If I were you, I'd try to get some rest. Go home."

"Thank you. I'm sorry I was so rude before," Kelly said. She started to walk away, and then paused and turned back to the nurse. "Hey. I told you she was my sister. When you came back, you called her my 'friend'. How did you know?"

"Just a feeling," the nurse smiled again.

Kelly was unprepared for the number of people crowding outside the hospital door. "Miss Gustafson," someone yelled. "How is Isabel?"

Confused, Kelly looked around silently. Just as she realized that they were reporters, a police officer stepped up to her. "Miss Gustafson, I'm Sergeant Spencer. I need to get a statement from you. Follow me, please."

They walked back to where the squad car was parked. "Climb In," he said, opening the passenger door for her.

She obeyed and closed the door behind her, watching nervously as he circled to his side of the car. She looked at the dashboard. It reminded her of the cockpit of an airplane. with all its dials and gadgets.

"Now," the officer said, shoving Into the seat beside her. He paused, and looked at her. "Are you doing okay?"

She glanced up at him. His face was kind, with a wrinkled brow. She found herself beginning to relax. She sighed and said, "Yes, thank you. As well as can be expected, I guess."

"Did you see anyone when your friend was shot?"

"I wish I had!" she said, running a hand over the top of her head. "All I saw was a big black car taking off."

"Do you know the make of the car?"

"No, I'm sorry. I don't"

"Do you remember any details about the vehicle? Any dents, scratches on the paint or anything?"

"Well," Kelly said. "It was kind of a long way away. It was a four door, I can tell you that much. It was built kind of long and low; you know, one of those really big cars that looks like a boat."

"Does Miss Repp have any enemies that you know of?" the sergeant asked.

"No. Not that I know of."

"Okay, that's all I need. Thank you."

Kelly got out of the squad car and started across the parking lot. She wondered how much of an investigation would take place. A rush of anger passed over her as she realized that the person who had tried to kill Izzy would probably never be brought to justice; never suffer any consequences.

She had nearly reached her car when she noticed the license plate, "IZZY R". It was as If the license plate were reflecting on her thoughts, spelling out the name that stood foremost in her mind.

A horrible sense of comprehension flooded over her. This was her fault! Someone had tried to kill Izzy, thinking it was Izzy on the mountain that day; Izzy who had taken the pictures; Izzy who had outrun them. Now, Izzy took her place in a hospital bed. Kelly knew, beyond a doubt, that she would forever feel responsible for her friend's death.

Her face crumpled. "If she dies," she whispered, choking back a sob.

Two reporters raced after her, note pads in their hands. "Kelly!" they said. "How's your friend? Do you know who shot her? Why do you think someone wants her dead?"

Kelly turned and looked back at their eager faces. She felt the cold wind hit her tear-wetted cheeks, and she wondered why they seemed Impervious to the fact that she was crying.

She wiped her face with one shaking hand, sniffed, and said, "Hey. Do either of you work for the Boulder Sun?"

"I do!" A thin young man stepped forward.

"Can you put me In touch with Edgar Poma?"

"Sure, no problem," the reporter said.

***

"This is Edgar," the distracted voice came over the line. Kelly could hear the conversation and shuffle of office noise in the background.

"Edgar, this is Kelly. Isabel's friend."

"Oh, hi Kelly. How are you?"

She ignored the question.

"Llsten, Edgar, Izzy's been shot."

"What?"

"Yeah. I'm calling from the hospital. She's in serious condition."

"Oh, no,. I'd heard about the shooting, but I had no idea it was her."

"Edgar, the thing is, I think I know why It happened. I need to meet you someplace."

***

Kelly's blunt fingers tapped nervously on the tabletop. A gum-popping waitress walked up to her, and pulled out a pad of paper. "Hi, what can I get you?"

"Just water, okay?" Kelly said. Briefly, she wondered what Izzy would say about this waitress. She glanced out the window at the darkening sky and watched a huge form swing the door open.

The waitress sauntered off, still chomping on her gum. Edgar came in, looking exhausted. Trailing behind him were two dark, skinny boys. Both wore glasses and had long, hooked noses. Had one not been markedly taller than the other, they could have passed for twins.

"Kelly? HI. These are my sons, Steve and Mike. I'm sorry, I had to bring them. I picked them up at basketball practice, and the car's still not fixed."

"It's okay," Kelly said.

The boys slid into the booth across from Kelly. Edgar sat beside her. Kelly realized that this was the first time she had actually gotten a good look at him. He was meaty, sleepy-eyed, with wire glasses and a black slash of hair across his forehead. The beak-like nose protruded over curving, sensitive lips.

She glanced over at his boys, fidgeting nervously In their seat, and thought they looked like miniature versions of their father. They began whispering, digging sharp elbows Into each other.

"Stop it!"

"No! You stop it!"

"You started it!"

"Cut it out!"

"I'm so sorry about Isabel," Edgar was saying. "God, what a shame. This really stinks, you know? Have whatever you want, I'm buying. Have some chili."

Kelly rested her arm up on the table and leaned toward him. "Edgar, I think I know why this has happened. I want to go public with something, and I need your help."

She jumped as Edgar's fist smashed down on the He glared over at the still arguing boys. "HEY! You two knock It off, or I'll beat the crap outta you!"

He turned to Kelly. "I'm sorry," he said, sitting back in the seat and running his fingers through his hair. "Damn these kids, I wish we would've never had them! Well..."

He sighed. Kelly, alarmed, glanced over at the boys to see their reaction. They sat together, poring over a menu, obviously undisturbed by their father's outburst.

The waitress reappeared. From her mouth emerged a small pink bubble. It collapsed and was gone. "Hi," she said, chewing noisily. "Have you decided?"

Kelly watched as the two boys came back to life. Like baby birds In a nest, they both began clamoring, "I want a double cheeseburger and a shake! And fries! I want onion rings! No, I. want onion rings too!"

Edgar sighed again. "One at a time. kids! Mike, you go first."

The waitress rolled her eyes as the boys happily reiterated their demands.

"Just coffee for me," Edgar said. "Kelly?"

"Yeah, I'll have some coffee too."

"Thanks," the waitress said, pocketing her note pad. She walked away.

"What's going on?" Edgar said, turning to Kelly at last.

"Did you see that article in the tabloid about the space pod?"

Edgar grinned a little. "Yeah, I heard about that. They interviewed a colonal who was up on the mountain that day."

"Yeah! A real space ship! Too cool!" chirped one of the boys. Kelly couldn't remember their names. Sitting there across from her, they looked identical. She felt like she was seeing double.

"Good grief," she said to herself. "I'm in a Doctor Seuss book! It's Thing One and Thing Two!"

She turned to Edgar, and said, Interview! what did the colonel say?"

"Oh, he denied it, of course. I mean, it was ridiculous, you know? Typical tabloid garbage."

"Oh, come on, Dad!" Thing One piped up. "It's really true! Those pictures are real! It's a military cover up!"

"Hey!" Edgar roared. "You kids are interrupting. and I am losing my patience with you!"

"I have to go to the bathroom," Thing Two whimpered.

Edgar flung his hands into the air in a "why me" gesture, and said, "Go! Please! By all means, go! Steven, you go with him!"

"Do I have to?"

"Yes!"

The two boys slid out of their seat and were gone.

Edgar turned to Kelly. "Do yourself a favor. Don't ever have kids!"

Kelly hesitated a moment, then said, "Edgar, I took those pictures."

He looked startled for a moment, then smiled and said, "Oh, come on!"

She continued, "Remember I was headed back down the canyon that morning?"

Edgar looked at her skeptically.

She continued. "I stopped to take some pictures of the sunrise. Well, I climbed right up that hilltop where it crashed. Edgar, I hate to tell you this, but Thing er, your boy -- may be right. I saw something. I don't think I was supposed to see it. It was not a meteor."

"Whew, I've been asked to believe a few things, Kelly, but this is a pretty tall order!"

"I know." She reached Into her coat pocket and pulled out the shard. "That's why I brought this."

She laid It on the table In front of him. Edgar picked It up and examined It. "What is this?"

"It's my proof. I don't have the pictures any more, they were stolen. Negatives too. My ex boyfriend took them and sold them for drug money. He was killed a few days later. So, I never got the pictures back. But I picked this up at the crash site. It's a piece of the thing, whatever It is."

"This Is strange. It's so light. It's metal, or plastic, or what?" Edgar turned the shard over in his hands.

"Anyway, the day I drove up there, I had Izzy's car. I think that's why she got shot today, Edgar. They thought she was the one who saw It. If Izzy dies -" she choked on her words, unable to continue.

"Okay, okay." Edgar patted her arm. "let¹s not talk like that."

Kelly fought back her tears, and managed a smile. "Well. This Is why I called you. First my ex gets killed, and now someone has taken a shot at Izzy. I want this exposed to the public before anybody else gets hurt. I just wish I had done something before today."

"Look," Edgar said, "This Is not your fault, okay? I want you to remember that. So there are nut cases out there. Maybe some of them run the country. What does that have to do with you?"

"Does this mean you believe me?"

"Of course I believe you," he said matter-of-factly. "Izzy said you were one of the finest people she's ever known. I put a lot of stock in her opinion. In spite of," he chuckled, "In spite of her appearance. Have you got any other friends who dress like that?"

Kelly smiled and shook her head.

Edgar laughed again. "My wife thinks she's loony! But I'll tell you, she's one hundred percent reliable. That's more than I can say for a lot of people."

"Yeah. Uh-oh," Kelly was looking over at the dessert counter. Thing One and Thing Two were helping themselves to some powdered sugar doughnuts which were piled on display on a cake plate.

Edgar leaped to his feet and lumbered toward them. Without a word, he lifted a boy In each hand by the back of the collar and swung them up from the floor. He carried them back to the table, suspended like a couple of disheveled puppies, with the doughnuts crumbling in their hands.

"You kids sit there₁ and don't move again." Edgar scolded. "You are in very big trouble! Wait until your mother finds out about this!"

He turned to Kelly, sat down, and said, "I'm sorry. Where were we?"

He looked down at the shard, still gleaming softly on the table where he had left it. "Oh, yeah. This thing. I guess the thing to do is have it tested for authenticity."

Thing One reached a long arm out and grabbed the shard. "Cool!" he squealed.

"Put that down!" Edgar said. "Put it down! PUT if DOWN RIGHT NOW!"

Thing One dropped the shard. It clattered on the tabletop. Edgar picked It up. "Is it okay if I take this?"

"Please do!" said Kelly. "Is there anything else that you need?"

Just then the waitress arrived and set plates laden with burgers and onion rings In front of the boys. "Thank you," they each said politely.

Kelly stirred her coffee and listened as Edgar began to try to formulate a plan. "Well," he said. "I think the best thing to do is to call the news stations and try to get somebody to do a story. I'll write it up In tomorrow's column, but I think it's essential to try to get this on TV."

He looked over at her and said softly, "It's best If you just lay low for awhile, you know what I mean? Otherwise, you could be the next target"

"Edgar, aren't you worried about yourself? Or them?" She nodded at the boys, now quietly eating their hamburgers.

"Well, not really. I didn't personally see the thing, and reporters are always in the middle of stuff anyway. Besides, if I can make this a big deal - and believe me, it will be - there's going to be too much exposure for anyone to do anything about I'll get to work on my column tonight, and make some calls. Tomorrow this story breaks."

In true reporter style, he reached Into his pocket and pulled out a pad of paper and a pencil. "Now. What I need from you is details."

***

"I'm home, Artie!" Kelly called, swinging the door open and flicking on the light switch.

"Oh, no!" The apartment was littered with clothing, drawers spilled open and furniture overturned. All of Izzy's photos had been torn from the walls. The curtains billowed softly around the open window.

"Holy cow!" She looked around. Izzy's photography equipment, her camera bag and tripod and lights were strewn everywhere. "What a mess!"

Kelly's first thought was to leave the building and call the police, but concern for Izzy's cat began to override her instincts. He was nowhere in sight.

"Art?" she called. "Art! Here kittykittykitty!"

She softly walked over to the bathroom, stepping over the scattered articles on the floor, and peered Inside. She was careful not to touch anything. The cat was not there. She glanced anxiously at the open window. What If he had gotten out? Then she looked up at the door next to the window; Izzy's darkroom. Seeing that it was slightly ajar, she walked over to it.

When she reached the door, she hesitated. her neck prickling. She looked around nervously, and held her breath, listening. She heard nothing.

"Art?" she said softly. She stuck a toe inside the door and nudged it open.

Suddenly a large figure blasted right over her, knocking her backward. She gasped as sat down hard on the floor, and looked up to see a man dressed in black scrambling toward the open window.

"Hey! What the hell do you think you're doing?" She looked around and spotted Izzy's metal floor lamp lying next to her. She grabbed it, holding it upside down In both hands like a baseball bat, and charged after the man.

He was disappearing backward. feet flrst, through the open window, his ski-masked face looking up at her.

"You son of a bitch!" She swung the lamp down toward his head, as hard as she could. He flung up an arm, and the lamp whacked into bone with a dull thud. She heard him grunt in pain, but he said nothing. He grabbed his arm with the other hand, and disappeared through the window. She looked out and watched as he scrambled down the fire escape.

She pulled the window closed, and locked It. Then she turned and ran out the door, down the steps and unlocked her car.

***

"Edgar? This is Kelly. Somebody broke Into Izzy's apartment."

"Are you all right?"

"Yeah. They really trashed the place. I caught somebody in the darkroom. I think they were looking for negatives. They probably thought she took those pictures!"

"Wait a minute - you caught somebody?"

"Well, let's say I interrupted him. He got away. I hit him with a lamp."

"Good lord! Okay, listen to me. Where are you calling from?"

"A phone booth down the street."

"Have you called the police yet?"

"Yeah. They're on their way."

"Kelly, I don't want you staying there tonight. You'd better rent a motel room. Listen - Oh, I'll be right there! I took the plates off my car, and I'll put them on Izzy's car for you, until you can get plates of your own. I'll bring them along."