“I don’t suppose there is another organization in the entire world where such a story, coming even from the Superior General, would be accepted as fact. Indeed, I had to do some heavy convincing myself. But really it was a lot simpler than one would suppose. There were so many little things known only to me and my assistant. Identification was no real problem. And then of course I didn’t tell him that I was firmly ensconced in the body of a twenty-six-year-old man.

“I did tell him I needed to obtain a new passport immediately. I had no intention of trying to leave Barbados with the name Sheridan Blackwood stamped on my picture. My assistant was instructed to call good old Jake in Mexico City, who would of course supply me with the name of a person in Bridgetown who could do the necessary work that very afternoon. And then I needed some money myself.

“I was about to ring off when my assistant told me the impostor had left a message for Lestat de Lioncourt—that he was to meet him at the Park Central in Miami as soon as possible. The impostor had said that Lestat de Lioncourt would surely call for this message. That it must be given to him without fail.”

He broke off again, and this time with a sigh.

“I know I should have gone on to Miami. I should have warned you that the Body Thief was there. But something occurred in me when I received this information. I knew that I could reach the Park Central Hotel, and confront the Body Thief, probably before you could, if I were to move on it right away.”

“And you didn’t want to do it.”

“No. I didn’t.”

“David, it’s all entirely understandable.”

“Is it?” He looked at me.

“You’re asking a little devil like me?”

He gave a wan smile. And then shook his head again, before going on:

“I spent the night on Barbados, and half of this day. The passport was ready well in time yesterday for the last flight to Miami. But I didn’t go. I stayed in that beautiful seaside hotel. I dined there, and I wandered in the little city of Bridgetown. I didn’t leave until noon today.”

“I told you, I understand.”

“Do you? What if the fiend had assaulted you again?”

“Impossible! We both know that. If he could have done it successfully with force, he would have done it the first time around. Stop tormenting yourself, David. I didn’t come last night myself, though I thought you might need me. I was with Gretchen.” I made a little sad shrug. “Stop worrying about what does not matter. You know what matters. It’s what’s happening to your old body right now. It hasn’t penetrated to you, my friend. I’ve dealt a death blow to that body! No, I can see that you haven’t grasped it. You think you have, but you’re still in a daze.”

These words must have struck him hard.