Таинственная история Билли Миллигана

           "He’sgottocomehomeandseewhathecandotostraightenBillyout.Ihavesomemoneyinthebank.I’llpayhisplanefare."

           Dorothymadethelong-distancecallandbeggedJimtotakeanemergencyleavetocomehome."Yourbrother’sintrouble.

           He’sintosomethingverybad,andifhecan’tgetitstraight,Ithinkwe’llhavetogotothepolice."

           JimappliedforemergencyleavefromtheAirForceandcamehometwodaysbeforeChristmas.DelandDorothyshowedhimthewalletandtheclippingsfromtheLancasterEagle-Gazetteabouttheroadside-restrobberies.

           "Yougottoseewhatyoucandowithhim,"DelsaidtoJim."Godknows,I’vetriedtobelikeafathertohim.IthoughtforatimeafterZanesvillethatBillycouldtaketheplaceofmyownboy—resthissoul—butBillywon’tletnoonetellhimnothing."

           Jimlookedthroughthewallet,wenttothephoneanddailedthenumberontheI.D.card.Hehadtocheckitoutforhimself.

           "Youdon’tknowme,"hesaidwhenamananswered,"butI’vegotsomethingthatmaybeofimportancetoyou.Letmeaskyouahypotheticalquestion.Ifsomeonewastoknowyouwereamalenursebywayofyouridentificationcard,whatwouldyousaytothat?"

           Afteramoment,thevoiceanswered,"I’dsaythepersonwhoknowsthathasmywallet.