Psycho - Three Complete Novels (72 page)

“And so he was.” Dr. Steiner nodded. “But only for himself. If you’re looking for the bitterness and the cruelty, it’s there, in his humor. He used it both as a shield and a weapon. His self-deprecation served as both.” Steiner’s chuckle rasped faintly. “I ought to know. I’ve had the same tendencies at times.”

“You mustn’t let me overtire you,” Amy said.

“That’s no problem. If there is anything else I can do to help—”

“You’ve already done more than your share,” Amy said. “I only wish I knew of some way to repay you for all your kindness.”

“Don’t worry about that. Just go write the book. And when you do, remember to tell about the demons.”

“Eric Dunstable’s demons?”

“No.” Steiner shook his head. “The demons that possessed Hank Gibbs and continue to possess so many others. Greed. Avarice. The real demons that are taking over this world.”

“I won’t forget.” Amy rose, smiling.

“Let me make a suggestion,” Steiner said. “When you’re finished, maybe you can write another book, about life in the asylum.”

“Here?”

“No.” Steiner gestured toward the window. “Out there.”

— ABOUT THE AUTHOR —

R
OBERT
B
LOCH
has won the Hugo Award and the World Fantasy Award Grand Master Award.

Robert Bloch first gained notoriety as the author of
Psycho,
the inspiration for the classic Alfred Hitchcock film. His other books include
Psycho II, Lori, The Night of the Ripper, American Gothic,
and many other novels of suspense and terror. His hundreds of short stories have appeared in virtually every major magazine and anthology and include such seminal works as “Yours Truly, Jack the Ripper,” and “A Toy for Juliette.” “The Chaney Legacy,” like many of Bloch’s works, was adapted for television. He recently published
The Jekyll Legacy,
a collaboration with Andre Norton.

His newest book is
Once Around the Bloch: An Unauthorized Autobiography.
Robert Bloch and his wife live in California.