Page 39 of High Society

“No.” She hesitates. “At least, not yet.”

“Not yet? I don’t understand.”

“I’m not sure how long it can stay a secret. Too many people know about Elaine’s allegations.”

Walter tilts his head. “Who knows?”

“The whole group. Graham knows, too. He overheard us on Aaron’s car phone.”

Walter’s wordless sigh is enough to convey his understanding.

“I saw Elaine again today. In a vision.”

The creases around Walter’s eyes deepen. “A vision? On DMT?”

“Yes. Just before I left the office. I thought another trip might help… clarify things.”

“Did it?”

“No. But the hallucination, it was so vivid. Elaine was demanding to know why she overdosed.”

“Oh, Koala, you know these visions are merely projections of our own thoughts and emotions. They’re the embodiment of our musings and hopes. Self-fulfilling hallucinations, if you will. You can’t read too much into them.” He chuckles. “Not that I haven’t been guilty of doing the same myself too many times.”

“But in this case, they’re also a projection of my doubt and suspicions.”

“Suspicions?”

“What happened to Elaine doesn’t add up.”

“What doesn’t add up?”

“I’m trained to recognize the signs of suicidality. But the last time I saw her—the day before her death—Elaine didn’t show a flicker of intent.”

“But her overdose could have been accidental, no?”

“I suppose, but she was terrified of needles. I wonder if someone else might have been there.” Holly sighs. “Especially since I just found out that the rest of the group went to her home to confront her. To talk her out of posting her accusations. On the very day she died.”

“Maybe that was the straw that broke the camel’s back?”

“Yeah, maybe,” she mutters, but she is unconvinced. “There’s something else, too.”

“Tell me.”

“When I came to after vaping the DMT this afternoon, the door to my office was open.”

He frowns. “I don’t understand.”

“My office was locked. Everyone was gone for the day. And… Papa, I was careful to shut the door before I vaped.”

“Do you not have cleaners?”

“We do, yes. But they usually come later.”

Walter stares at her. “Holly, these growing suspicions of yours…”

She realizes that she must sound a little paranoid and wonders if it could be a lingering effect from the DMT. “You’re right. It was probably just the cleaners.”

They lapse into brief silence as they both sip their tea. “I had a second vision on that DMT trip,” she says.

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