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Sebastian Reams, Detective Inspector in the West Midland Division, England, scanned the room. The light on, laundry piled up one corner, bed unmade, book open, the radio on, stale toast on a plate and a cold cup of tea, this was not a room from which the occupant was moving out. The landlord reported that neither he nor the other tenants had seen Jason Dean since he was in communal kitchen, that was a week ago. The landlord became concerned and called the police.

 

The landlord also wanted the room available for letting and had contacted Dean’s brother to pick up his belongings.

There was little that Reams could do. There were no signs of foul play and Reams was reluctant to tie up the hard pressed resources of his department on yet another missing person case.

He, however, had special instructions for the police photographer.

“Do your job as normal, but I want you to photograph the whole room, every detail. The position of the laundry, the half opened window etc.”

“Yes, sir,” came the reply.

Reams contacted Dean’s bank and credit card companies, requesting them to notify him of any transactions.

Two days later, Reams received a telephone call from Jim Dean, Jason’s Brother.

“When I was clearing out Jason’s room,” said Dean. “I came across his diary. The latest entries make no sense at all. Even with him being my brother, I have to say that it reads like the writings of a madman.”

“Can you bring the diary to the station?” asked Reams.

“Tomorrow morning about 9.30.”

“That’s fine.”

Reams and Dean took their coffees to a table in the canteen.

Dean handed the diary to Reams “It’s the last entries, I’ve marked the start with the red line.”

Reams read the section.

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‘May 5^th

Must get out of this claustrophobic room. Went to Hay on Wye. Browsed the book and antique shops. Noticed one picture of a woman. She was very attractive but £35 was too much. As I walked along the shop front her eyes seem to follow me. I walked on but I cannot get this picture out of my head. Must have it. Return to shop. Picture gone. Shopkeeper describes who he sold it to. Frantically search for woman. Find her in a café. Offer to pay twice what she paid. Picture is one of six. Buy all six for £100. Back in my room the picture takes pride of place on dresser. After dinner settle down to watch TV. Cannot take stop looking at her. Wherever I am in the room her eyes seem to follow me. She is so beautiful. Dark skinned, long black hair and with piercing eyes.

May 6^th

What a beautiful sight she is to wake up to in a morning. People would think I was going nuts if they knew that I talk to her. Don’t feel so lonely any more.

May 8^th

I lie on my bed and just stare at her. Her eye lids seem to move as does her hair and it’s as if she’s smiling at me. My eyes must be tired.

May 10^th

I extended my arm to touch her bare neck and shoulders but its just artist’s paper.

May 11^th

Getting ready for work, I see her arm move and her hand comes out of the picture as if inviting me to take hold of it. This frightens me. I must pull myself together.

After work it was with anticipation and dread as to my sanity that I enter my room. Nothing else happens, her eyes just follow me around the room.

May 18^th

It has been a week now since my apparition. Nothing else has happened. My fear has been replaced by deep regret that I did not take her hand when I had the opportunity. I name her Jez, short for Jezebel, the fabled, sultry seductress.

May 22^nd

Last night as I was about to put the lights out Jez smiled nervously like a child not knowing if, by extending her open arms to embrace me, she was doing right. As her upper body came out of the picture it scaled up to match my dimensions. I thought I was dreaming but, no, she was as solid as this pen that I’m writing this with. I touched the soft, warm skin of her bare arms, shoulders and back. Her breasts were covered. I lightly ran my fingertips over her temples, forehead, soft full cheeks and sensuous lips.

As I looked into her eyes, full of passion and love for me promising paradise, our lips met. A prolonged kiss had such sensitivity and feeling that it made straight sex superfluous. Eventually, Jez let go her embrace, retracted back into the picture and resumed her usual stance, leaving me with the lingering body aroma.

May 25^th

Jez comes out of the picture every evening. Nothing is said we just embrace. I truly doubt my sanity. This cannot be for real but I cannot tell anyone as it would surely be used against me in my upcoming divorce from Jennie.

June 1^st

There is a change. Jez beckoned me to join her on her side of the picture. I extended my arm towards her through the picture which now seems to be some kind of hologram. I’m fearful again and withdraw my arm. Suppose I cannot get back, but Jez did. She looked contemptuously at me. I will try again latter.’

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