by Gerald Lopez
He started shaking and I rubbed his shoulders.
“When she mentioned the blue light my mind felt like it had been hit with… I don’t know what, but I had pushed those memories so far back and they started flooding my mind like it was just yesterday. I panicked. Christ, Layton, I didn’t know Nia knew about the blue light. I swear I never told anyone about it. Not ‘till tonight, just you, and… oh, God. Charlene heard me talking about it, that’s why she came up here. She came up here to kill me, but you and Francisco saved my life. Christ, she almost killed you, Layton.”
Jimmy turned around, hugged me tightly, and kissed me hard. I got us both up on our feet and readjusted the shower head. “Do you know where the blue light comes from, Jimmy? Maybe who controls it?”
“Sorry, Layton, I don’t. That night at the old Kennedy estate, Anjelica made it sound like her family must at least know something about it. She was afraid too, but not like me. It was almost as if she’d seen it before.”
Jimmy rubbed his head and I felt him get a little off balance, so I wrapped my arm around his waist to steady him. After he assured me that was all he knew, I worked on getting his mind off things. I began by getting his shorts off him and mine off me. Opening the curtain a little, I threw them into the sink across from the shower. Then I kissed Jimmy’s neck and reached down, giving other things a squeeze. He groaned, but this time it was not out of pain or fear. It’s funny how there’s one thing on a healthy man that will work no matter what the situation.
* * * *
The next morning I got up early and went downstairs, then I came back up for our final session of sex. Once we were done, I took one last look at Jimmy, who’d gone back to sleep. I wanted to keep these final impressions in my mind. As a soldier, I’d learned to not only take advantage of these times, but to treasure them as well.
My platoon and I had adopted a dog while we were in the field. The thing was as loyal a creature as I’d ever met. We used to feed him our scraps and he’d run around in circles and jump up and down to keep us entertained. It helped a lot of us to have a friendly lil guy to pet and rub his tummy. I don’t know why but one time something in me and a few of the others made us want to treat the dog to more than usual. That night he slept in our tent going from one of us to the other, spending time with everyone. The next day when we were marching he ran ahead of us. We’d missed it and one of the guys would’ve been a goner if old Rex hadn’t taken the full brunt of the land mine. Tears welled up in the corners of my eyes thinking of that loyal mutt who was filled with nothing but love and loyalty. You never knew which moments would be your last with someone or something. In this case, I knew these were my last romantic moments with Jimmy. Something else just hit me. There was something you could have faith in; you could always have faith in a loyal dog.
I was the first one out of bed and I dressed in a pair of green, drawstring gym shorts, not bothering with underwear. Then I prepared an envelope. When that was done, I walked over to Jimmy and woke him with a sloppy kiss on the lips.
“Time to get up sleepy head, it’s going to be a busy day. Get dressed and put on some of your fancy new duds.”
He got up and dressed in a white Polo brand pullover shirt, tan shorts and fancy brown leather sandals.
“The sandals are an improvement over the borrowed flip-flops, eh?” I said.
He walked over and kissed me. There was a knock on the door and when I opened it Francisco walked in and shook my hand.
“Good morning, Layton. It all went as expected. I have been placed on leave for three weeks pending further investigation into Charlene’s death. It is a ruse of course to get me out of the way.”
“I say it’s time for a honeymoon. And somebody here is packed and ready to go.”
Francisco and I both looked over at Jimmy, who had a very confused look on his face as he spoke.
“Wait… what? You mean me and Frankie—I mean Francisco?”
Francisco walked up to Jimmy and put his arm around him. “Do not worry, I will take good care of him, Layton.”
“Wait a damn minute! Stop acting like I’m not here and start explaining,” Jimmy said.
I walked forward, put my hand gently on the side of his face and kissed his cheek. Then I looked him sternly in the eyes as I spoke. “It’s time for you to go, Jimmy… for your own safety. For whatever reason, it looks like Frankie’s gonna be allowed to leave here. He and I both agree you need to go with him. And if I were you, I wouldn’t look back.”
Jimmy looked confused and Francisco got my attention by touching me on the shoulder. “My grandfather made the alterations on the tuxedo jacket last night, Layton.”
Francisco then turned to Jimmy, giving him all of his attention as he spoke to him, “It was a long night, I helped my grandfather with some of his other work so he could concentrate on Layton’s alterations. So, I am tired and could use some help driving, Jimmy. I also think that you are cute, so let us give it a shot and leave here together. Who knows, maybe we can even talk about opening a restaurant together. I am tired of being a cop anyhow, and Layton told me you are a great chef.”
“You just met me, Francisco.”
“We Italians know love when we see it, and I know that you are the one for me. You will learn that I am the one for you once we hit the road.”
“What if you’re not what I want. What if we don’t happen as a couple?”
Francisco walked forward and grabbed Jimmy, holding him in a tight, passionate, lip lock. He finally let go of Jimmy, who had to steady himself on his feet and grab his head. Before Jimmy could say anything, Francisco walked to the door and opening it, turned back to us.
“Jimmy, I am what everyone wants but only you can have, and we will happen, mark my words. Layton, I am going downstairs to get your tuxedo jacket.” He turned and left the room.
Jimmy looked at me and I walked over and hugged him. I broke free, and handed him the envelope that was on the table. He opened it and his eyes got wide. I answered his question before he asked it.
“Mrs. Carter gave me some cash for use in this case. You’ve been a great deal of help to me in a lot of ways, Jimmy. I’m not just talking about the thing about the blue light either. You helped me get back on my feet since my break up of a year ago, and I appreciate that.”
Time to change the hokey mood in here, I thought. The silence was getting heavy, so I spoke again, “Hell, boy! You’ve got an Italian hunk downstairs that is crazy over you and he hasn’t even had his way with you yet.”
“Yeah, he’s crazy for me right now, but he could still just throw me out on the road somewhere.”
“No way that’s gonna happen—I’ve seen how he looks at you. There’s love in his eyes, and in yours too, whether you realize it or not. Now, listen to me and take the money. There’s twenty-five hundred in there, that’s enough for a sweet little honeymoon.”
He had tears in his eyes as he hugged me. We’d just moved apart when Francisco walked in with a garment bag. Francisco shook my hand, then hugged me and kissed my cheek.
“Thank you for warming him up for me, Layton. Are you ready to go, Jimmy?”
“I’m packed here, but I need to swing by my place,” Jimmy said. “And then there’s my job.”
“I packed new clothes for you from the shop. Grandfather owed me a lot of back salary, and he did not mind paying in merchandise. So you have new shoes, shirts, pants, even underwear. And to hell with that damned waiter job! You will never do that again as long as you have me.”
Francisco handed me his car clicker with the keys and I handed him my truck keys, kissed and hugged them both good-bye then walked them out to the truck. I had to laugh at the sight in front of me. When I went downstairs earlier, I’d removed the rest of my stuff from Daddy’s truck and left the back of it open for Francisco. It was now filled high with designer luggage and black garment bags.
“At least half of the luggage and garment bags are for my new love,” Francisco said.
&nb
sp; “I don’t doubt it,” I said, before waving good-bye.
Francisco got in the driver’s seat with a wide, contented smile, but Jimmy was still looking nervous as he got into the passenger’s seat beside him. They looked cute.
* * * *
Back in my room it was time to get ready for my meeting with the Kennedy family. I dressed in my new dark grey suit, blue fitted shirt, red silk tie, annoying black socks, and black dress shoes. Then I was in the Jag driving out of the parking lot. Reaching into my pocket, I grabbed Francisco’s car clicker. As soon as I was on the road, I clicked it.
There was a loud explosion and a, thankfully, red flame. I kept driving, no time to deal with any of that stuff at this moment. Things had gone pretty much like Francisco and I had guessed. He was as much a loose end as Jimmy because of Charlene. Last night one of the officers Francisco trusted had heard Charlene having a serious conversation on her cell phone. The phrase “Layton doesn’t know shit, but Jimmy might” was uttered. That meant I was safe for now. But they knew Francisco had spent some time alone with Jimmy in my room, and they didn’t know what might’ve been discussed between the two. So Francisco would have to be dealt with too.
Francisco and I both knew it wouldn’t be safe for them to leave town in his car. He’d noticed someone tailing him all morning. His car was recognizable and could’ve easily been tampered with while he was in my room talking to Jimmy last night. There was plenty of time and ample confusion, plus we were all up in the room after the shooting. If bad cops were involved then anything was possible, so I loaned them my truck. Francisco put my cell phone number into his cell phone and promised to call, so I could arrange to get the truck back. Miss Lucy had told me it was good to trust myself, and my gut told me Francisco and Jimmy would be all right. I was a good distance away when I heard police sirens getting near the motel, but I ignored them. It was time to focus on what lay ahead for me.
Chapter 8
Family Time
It wasn’t long before I was saying my name into the speaker at the front gate of the newer Kennedy estate. After a matter of seconds, it opened and I maneuvered a long winding driveway featuring the colorful crepe myrtles I’d seen earlier as well as some beautifully sculpted shrubs. If I needed to engage in small talk with the family I could ask what the shrubs were named. Finally the home appeared. It was a grand, two-story modern plantation home with columns and verandahs on both floors. No wrought iron though and the columns were more plain than on the old Kennedy estate home. The homesite was fantastic with various trees and more shrubbery surrounding the home and the narrow brick walkway leading to the front steps. The parking area was to the side of the house. I parked, then walked along the pathway and up the steps to the verandah. After ringing the doorbell, I took a minute to admire the wood and glass door. When it opened a woman with gray hair styled in a bob and dressed like a servant of some sort appeared. Her uniform consisted of a mid-calf length navy skirt, flats, and a white blouse with a lace collar.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Shayne, the family is waiting for you on the rear verandah. I’m Miss Ainsley. If you’ll follow me please.”
Her monotone voice had barely any life in it when she spoke. I followed silently, trying to take in the ‘lay of the land’. My first impression was that it was homey in layout and flow. The entryway featured tile floors, the other floors I could see were of highly polished wood. There was a curving staircase with a wood bannister. To the left of the stairs was a nicely set up dining room with a small but ornate iron chandelier. The red walls of the room worked well with the dark wood table, chairs, and china cabinet.
“It’s a beautiful home,” I said.
“Thank you, Sir. The Kennedy family would appreciate the kind comment,” Miss Ainsley said, emotionless.
To the right of the entryway was a comfortable looking living room with a large but simple fireplace of stone and an overstuffed sofa and two matching chairs situated in front of it. There were also tables of all sorts—everything was uncluttered and clean. This place felt more like a home rather than the showplace I was expecting. We passed a mirror and I quickly and subtly checked myself. Clean shaven with my hair brushed back, I’d cleaned up pretty well. My hair wasn’t long enough that I needed to put it in a ponytail, but too long to be considered preppy. There was an interesting statue of a multi-armed golden goddess under the mirror that didn’t really fit in with the southern theme. We entered the family room which also featured a fireplace.
“The room to the left is the kitchen, the sisters are not fans of open concept design. They don’t like seeing the kitchen or even knowing it exists.”
Was she attempting to make a joke? I couldn’t tell. Even as she spoke again there was no sign to let me know whether or not she was joking. I thought it best not to comment or even smile.
“The back wall of this room was done in glass to allow a view of the lawn and the water past the rear verandah,” Miss Ainsley said.
Through the glass I could see a well manicured green expanse of empty lawn with a view of a large lake. Following Miss Ainsley outside to the verandah I finally got a glimpse of the Kennedy sisters. They were sitting in a porch swing to the left of a table set with tea and sandwiches. I had not yet looked at the information on them that Mrs. Carter had given me in the folder. It was always my preference to make my own unclouded first impressions of people, but it was a safe assumption that the two women sitting in the swing were the Kennedy sisters. Both looked to be in their thirties, but very different in style.
“Hello, you must be Mr. Shayne,” a male voice from the left side of the lawn said.
It took me a minute, because the sun was shining in my eyes, but I responded, “Yes, I am, good afternoon.”
I shielded my eyes with my hand to block out the sun as I walked toward the voice. Then I saw him, shining golden in the sun. Life seemed to stop for a moment and I caught myself holding my breath. Miss Lucy’s cards were right. My first impression of him, one that I knew would stay with me forever, was of a beautiful golden prince.
He turned his head to the side and the sun shone through the luminous, blond curls in his shoulder-length hair. His white, short-sleeved, button-down shirt, and white shorts were translucent in the sunlight. Even the short blond hairs on his lightly sun-kissed arms glowed. In my travels I was always fond of visiting old churches and his face… my God that beautiful face was like that of an angel in a stained glass window or a golden statue in one of those churches. He was a vision.
I looked down and tried hard not to drool. One of his bare feet was on top of a round ball and he had a mallet in his hand. He was playing croquet, a game I’d played as a kid. I came back to earth and what had seemed like minutes was, in fact, just one quick second or two.
“Please, call me Layton. I haven’t played croquet since I was a kid.”
“Well, at twenty-seven I’m no longer a kid, but I still enjoy the game, Layton.”
“Gentlemen, we haven’t all been properly introduced yet,” the older looking of the sisters said from where she was sitting.
“Really, Margo, who needs all the formality,” the other sister said.
“Jessica, remember who you are, please.”
The two women started fussing with one another. This gave me a chance to make some quick observations as I walked over to them and away from the ‘golden prince’. I instantly noticed that the two sisters’ differing personalities were reflected in their clothing. The older sister Margo was in a dress that probably added years to her… ankle-length, shapeless, floral print dresses tend to do that to women. The other sister, Jessica, was dressed in a sexy, short, green, spaghetti-strap dress, and strappy, green stilettos. Her unnaturally colored orange-red hair piled messily on top of her head brought attention to her overly made up face. As Miss Ainsley introduced me, I noticed that the older sister could have benefitted from a little of her younger sister’s makeup. Her shoulder-length, ash-blonde hair was worn loose and in layers to just below
her shoulders.
“So nice to meet you, ladies,” I said.
“Please take a seat, Mr. Shayne,” Margo said.
“Yes, do sit that fine body down,” Jessica said.
Sitting in a chair to the side of their swing gave me a view of the lawn and their brother. I held my breath as I saw him jumping the steps onto the veranda and smiling at me. A smile that was just a second too long and a bit too knowing. There was the instant bond of two people with a secret in common. He held his hand out for me to shake, which I did.
“First things first. We can’t upset my sisters by ignoring formal introductions. Hello, Mr. Shayne, I’m Alexander Kennedy, but just Alex will do. You’ll have to excuse my sisters; they try to play the grande ladies of the manor but can’t help squabbling. Margo’s the eldest and I’m the youngest.”
“Alex, you’re wearing no shoes to greet a guest, tsk-tsk,” Margo said.
I thought he looked just fine barefoot, but didn’t say a word. The sisters quickly turned their attention to me with Margo leading.
“Mr. Shayne, you really must excuse our behavior. My sister and I haven’t seen each other in a while and… well, I’m sure you know how siblings can be.”
“Yes, as a matter of fact I do. My sister and I tend to have our squabbles, most of which are significantly more animated than yours,” I said, smiling.
“That’s very gallant of you to say,” Margo said. “Can I serve you some tea or would you prefer something else, such as lemonade or—”
“Or how about a nice cold beer on this hot Louisiana day,” Jessica said, grabbing at the neckline of her thin dress. She stretched out her legs with her left shoe’s high heel resting on my left knee. Smiling, she quickly put her legs down, stood up, twirled, and put her arm around Alex.
“Aren’t you hot, little brother? God, I hate wearing clothes in this heat. It’s just not natural, is it, Mr. Shayne? Wouldn’t you be happier in your birthday suit instead of a business suit.”
