Free Ransom Beach (Stephanie Chalice Thrillers Book 2) by Lawrence Kelter Page B

Manny's last quatrain and its unnatural similarity to the shooting aboard the Gold Coast. "Coincidental?"
    "Stephanie, there have been numerous cases over the years about individuals who have been able to channel the thoughts of the deceased. Most often it boils down to scandal."
    "So you think it’s bull?"
    "I didn't say that."
    If he wouldn't, I would. "I don't believe it. I never did, but I like to be thorough and that's why asked you for your opinion. I knew you'd have one."
    Twain thought for a moment before speaking, composing his thoughts as it were. "The more basic question, Stephanie, is were the predictions of Nostradamus of any real value or were they mere prattle? Consensus is that his predictions were so generic that they can and have been used to describe any number of circumstances that have taken place over the ages. Have you researched his true talent?"
    "From the way you're asking, I'm guessing no."
    "Nostradamus was a brilliant chemist. He invented many elixirs. Some were used for the body and some—"
    "Go on." I unbuckled my seatbelt and turned to face him. "Dazzle me."
    Twain put his fingers to his lips. "How shall I say this? Nostradamus knew the value of a good high."
    "He was a stoner?"
    "Who else is capable of a thousand predictions but someone consumed with mind expanding drugs? Expand the conscious mind, anything and everything becomes possible. Were his predictions nothing more than delirious ramblings or did his potions elevate him to a spiritual plain others were incapable of attaining? That, Stephanie, is a question no one will be able to answer, not even me."
    "I hate it when you're ambiguous."
    "It's the best I've got. You and I have tussled on this subject before and you know how I feel about the matter. Drugs can open a portal...that portal can lead to genius or disaster. Take a look at the arts, modern music for example. Jimi Hendrix, Ray Charles, Janis Joplin, all did their most profound work while under the influence, and that is just the tip of the iceberg—some of the world's greatest masterpieces were created under the influence. You should read The Doors of Perception and Heaven and Hell by Aldous Huxley."
    "The guy who wrote Brave New World."
    "Yes, one and the same. Huxley took mescaline back in the fifties and wrote two marvelous books about his experiences under the influence. They're really quite expansive."
    "I never imagined..."
    "Most don't, but drugs have played a significant role in the history of the world. Hitler, as an example, was addicted to methamphetamine and so were many of his soldiers."
    "That explains his delusions of grandeur." Suddenly I felt like the last straight person on earth.
    "Most certainly. Hallucinogens took me deeper into the psyche of my patients than I would have gotten in a hundred years of conventional therapy, and devoutly pious men have used drugs for centuries because they thought it would bring them just a little closer to the Almighty. Why not our friend Nostradamus? He certainly had the means and the know-how."
    Twain had told me a great deal, but nothing that would bring me closer to Manny. I had hoped he would have enlightened me and he did, to some degree. Bottom line, in the morning there'd be some hardnosed sleuthing to do. The debate as to the validity of Nostradamus' predictions would likely go on for eternity. Whether he used drugs to see further than other men or just to blow his mind was not germane to my investigation. I would have to put all the hocus pocus aside if I was going to find Emanuel Navarre. For now though, I was frustrated. Twain had not satisfied me on a physical or emotional level, so I cranked the unmarked and slammed it into gear. Suddenly, firing a gun didn't seem like a bad idea.

Th i rteen—DECK THE HALLS
     
    Tommy Shipley sold arms and ammo out of a small storefront on Houston Street and operated a range in the basement. Nothing elaborate, just a bunch of shooter's targets lined up in front of slug