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.'We'll need you in the morning.'Gladys wrung her hands.'Please, Gladys.'Moreland said, 'I'm fine, Gladys,' in a voice that proved otherwise.The old woman chewed her cheek and finally left.'Brandy, Dad?'He shook his head.She filled a glass anyway and held it out to him.He waved off the liquor but accepted some water.Pam took his pulse and felthis forehead.'Warm,' she said.'And you're sweating.''The room's hot,' he said.'All the glass.'The windows were open and scented air flowed through the screens.Chilly air.My hands were icy.Pam wiped Moreland's brow.'Let's get some fresh air, Dad.'We moved to the terrace, Moreland offering no resistance as Pam put him atthe head of the empty dining table.Page 143 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html'Here, have some more water.'He sipped as the rest of us stood around.The sky was blue suede, the moon aslice of lemon rind.Droplets of light hit the ocean.I looked out over therailing, watching as lights switched on rapidly in the village.I poured brandy all around.Moreland's eyes were fixed and wide.'Insane,' he said.'How could theythink it!''Do they have evidence?' said Jo.'No!' said Moreland.'They claim he someone found him.''At the scene?' I said.'Sleeping at the scene.Convenient, isn't it?''Who found him?' said Jo.'A man from the village.''A credible man?' Something new in her voice scientist's skepticism, analmost hostile curiosity.'A man named Bernardo Rijks,' said Moreland.'Chronic insomniac.Takes toomany daytime naps.' He looked at the brandy.'More water please, kitten.'Pam filled a glass and he gulped it empty.'Bernardo takes a walk late at night, has for years.Down from his home onCampion Way to the docks, along the waterfront, then back up.Sometimes hemakes two or three circuits.Says the routine helps make him drowsy.''Where's Campion Way?' I said.'The street where the church is,' said Pam.'It's unmarked.''The street where Victory Park is.'Moreland gave a start.'Tonight when he passed the park he heard groans andthought there might be a problem.So he went to see.''What kind of problem?' I said.'Drug overdose.''The park's a drug hangout?''Used to be,' he said angrily.'When the sailors came into town.They'd drinkthemselves silly at Slim's or smoke marijuana on the beach, try to pick uplocal girls, then head for the park.Bernardo lives at the top of Campion.Heused to call me to treat the stuporous boys.''Is he credible?' said Jo.'He's afine gentleman.The problem's not with him, it's ' Moreland ran hisPage 144 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlfingers through the white puffs at his temples.'This is insane, just insane!Poor Ben.'I felt Robin tense.'What happened then?' said Jo.'After this Bernardo went over to check themoaning?''He found.' Long pause.Moreland began breathing rapidly.'Dad?' said Pam.Inhaling and letting the air out, he said, 'The moaning was Ben.Lying there,next to.the foul scene.Bernardo ran to the nearest home, woke thepeople up soon a crowd gathered.Among them Skip Amalfi, who pinned Ben downuntil Dennis got there.''Skip doesn't live nearby,' I said.'He was down on the docks fishing and heard the commotion.Apparently he nowfancies himself the great white leader, taking charge.He twisted Ben's armand sat on top of him.Ben was no danger to anyone.He hadn't even regainedconsciousness.''Why was he unconscious?' I pressed.Moreland studied his knees.Washe on drugs?' said Jo.Moreland's head snapped up.'They claim he was drunk.''Ben?' said Pam.'He's as much a teetotaler as you, Dad.''Yes, he is.''Has he always been?' I said.Moreland covered his eyes with a trembling hand.Touching his hair again, hetwisted white strands.'He's been completely sober for years.''How long ago did he have an alcohol problem?' I said.'Very long ago.''In Hawaii?''No, no, before that.''He went to college in Hawaii.He had problems as a kid?''His problem emerged when he was in high school.''Teenage alcoholic?' said Pam, incredulous.'Yes, dear,' said her father, with forced patience.'It happens
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