by Gerald Lopez
Things got brighter suddenly, I turned then gently pushed Anjelica and Alex down as multiple spheres of blue light flew overhead.
“What are they?” Alex said looking upward.
“Look!” Anjelica said pointing left.
We turned and saw what had to be Nia’s house engulfed in blue light as if it was burning. Three men came running out of the house toward the water.
“They’re on fire! Blue fire!” Alex said.
Before the men could make it to the water I saw them turn to ash where they stood, just like what had happened to Nia. The sound of police sirens filled the air.
“Anjelica, get us out of here before the cops see us,” I said.
“You got it. I’ve got a secret way back.”
She turned the boat into a very narrow channel behind some trees and brush.
“Hang on,” She said as she turned up the speed.
I was impressed with her boating skills as well as her knowledge of the area. Having her as an acquaintance was coming in handy. To make the night just perfect, it started raining hard. Alex started shivering and I placed my arm around him.
“You handle yourself well, Anjelica,” I said.
“I’ve always been kind of a tomboy. If you need help while you’re here, Layton, I’m around. Just so you know.”
“You’re really worried, aren’t you?” I said.
“Yes. They went after Jimmy, now they’re going after the people who went after Alex. None of us are really safe.”
“How do you know they went after Jimmy?” I said.
“This is a small town, detective. One of the forensic guys wives was at Cicero’s drinking and blabbing about the blue light showing up and targeting Jimmy at the motel because of Nia.”
“Jimmy was targeted but they didn’t send the blue light after him,” I said. “They sent Charlene from the motel to shoot him. Still, I would watch my back if I were you.”
She dropped us off back at Cicero’s dock before heading to her home.
“Sorry I’m wet, Layton,” Alex said. “I’ll get the Jag wet.”
“Don’t worry about it,” I said. “C’mon let’s run for it.”
Once we were back in the Jag I turned on the heat since Alex was still shivering.
“You need to take another hot shower when you can,” I said, rubbing Alex’s back to comfort him.
“I don’t want to go home right now, Layton.”
“You’re welcome to stay with me, but I only have the one bed,” I said.
“I appreciate the offer. Please make it again when I’m less traumatized.”
“The floor will do for me, Alex, and you can have the bed to yourself.”
“That’s not it, Layton, honest. I like you a lot and believe me I’m attracted to you, but I was almost raped and killed tonight.”
I drove onto the main drag feeling comforted by the fact that the men who were after Alex could no longer hurt him. My insides were shaky and I felt my nerves kicking in. It had nothing to do with the danger but because I was feeling like a lovesick fool about to cross a line. “Have faith in people” my cousin told me when I was at his house.
“Alex, I wasn’t gonna put the moves on you.” It was time for me to open up now and it was scary. “I like you too, a lot, Alex.” Chicken shit me, not much of a declaration. At least it was a start. “And remember, Alex, I was there tonight and I got fondled myself and can’t say I enjoyed it at all.”
“Sorry.”
“No, don’t be sorry. You have no reason to be sorry. I’m just letting you know I’m not the kind of guy to take advantage of someone, especially someone I’m deeply interested in, believe me.”
“I do believe you. Tonight’s just been a mess and I need to go somewhere I can clear my head. Can you drive toward your motel? I want you to drop me off at a friend’s house in the area where the cottages are located.”
“Is it a safe place?”
“It is.”
I followed his directions and we drove into the neighborhood of cottages I’d seen going to and from downtown.
“The cottage is straight ahead.”
The rain was coming down hard and my windshield wipers were on high speed.
“It’s right there,” Alex said. “Slow down, I see someone on the porch.”
I slowed down almost to a stop and we saw a tall woman with dark hair dressed in a suit and high heels dash from the porch. Soaking wet, she turned to us and waved before crossing the street and getting into her car. By the time we drove up to the house, the mystery woman had driven away. I parked in front of the house, turned to Alex, and ran my fingers through his wet hair.
“I’m sorry about tonight, babe,” I said. “You need to try and get some sleep, remember we’ve got work to do in the morning if you’re up to it. Do you know the woman who just left this house?”
“No, but I’m sure everything’s fine. And it’ll be good to work tomorrow.”
Looking at him I had a sudden urge to just hold him close to me and not let go until I was sure beyond a doubt that the danger was over. “When you get inside if everything’s ok come out to the porch and wave to me. I’ll give it to the count of ten, once you’re in, before I storm the building.”
Alex turned to me and we just got lost in each other’s eyes.
“Remember I’ll meet you at the German bakery at eight, they open at seven,” Alex said. I’ll bring my other bike from home if you’ll bring the one in your trunk.”
He kissed my cheek and left the car. I watched him run up the steps of the porch and into the house. By the time I’d counted to five he was back on the porch and waving to signal that everything was good.
* * * *
I was exhausted by the time I got back to my room. After setting the alarm, taking a warm shower, and slipping into some dry gym shorts I walked back outside and looked out over the railing. The attempt on Alex wasn’t connected to anything I was here to research, it was just revenge. It was ugly, but simple and not well thought out. DeLonn had been awfully sure that he had swayed me to his side. That meant he’d known at least some of the things in play here in Shelby. Enough that he felt overly confident and misplayed his hand which gave me the edge over him. I couldn’t count on everything else here going so smoothly. It would be necessary for me to keep my guard up. Time for sleep.
Lying in bed, listening to the sound of raindrops, my thoughts drifted to beautiful Alex and what would be in store for us tomorrow.
Chapter 12
Love and Duty
The next morning I dressed in dark gray gym shorts, a green tank top and flip-flops. It was just too hot for sneakers. I’d gotten up early enough to test out my flip-flops on the bicycle before heading to the bakery. Fortunately the acting motel manager was busy on the phone and wasn’t able to witness my shaky first turn around the parking lot. It’d been a while since I had ridden a bike and my ego was grateful that Alex hadn’t seen me. After a couple of more turns around the lot I started toward the bakery. My plan was to get there before Alex in order to ask Hans a couple of questions. I hadn’t forgotten I was here to work a case.
As I entered the bakery I was greeted with a friendly smile from Hans.
“Good morning, Layton,” he said from behind the counter. “Let me guess—a cinnamon roll and orange juice.”
“You hit it right on the nose. But I’ll wait for my guest to get here first. I would love to get some goodies like cookies and such boxed up. Ones that won’t melt while he and I are out bicycling.”
“I’m glad to hear that Alex is up for a day out after last night.”
“News really does travel fast here,” I said.
“Monique comes in every morning for croissants and she’s better than the newspaper or the television news any day. Also, Alex called and had me prepare a box lunch for the two of you.”
“That was nice of him,” I said.
“Be careful detective, your look when I mentioned his name gave everything away. T
his isn’t the same as the fling with Jimmy, is it?”
“Nope, not on my part. And I didn’t feel the need to hide how I felt about Alex from you. Last night I convinced DeLonn of the opposite. He was sure I had no regard for Alex or his safety.”
“You’re a professional who’s good at his job and you knew what you had to do in that situation. Still, it wouldn’t have been hard to fool that one,” Hans said. “He had no love for the rich folks and he assumed most people thought like him.”
“Did you know him that well?”
“My partner and I hire him—sorry—hired him when we could. This job can take a toll on our backs. He was good with massage. Of course he never used what he called his special massage oil on us.”
“You knew about that too—but you didn’t warn the others.”
“They wouldn’t have believed us and we never dreamed he would ever have attempted something so devious. He used to brag to us about his special massage oil which would make the rich folks so relaxed that they’d give him a bigger tip. He talked the big talk about sticking it to the rich but a lot of folks talk like that. Who knew he was capable of—?”
“No, please,” I said feeling guilty. “I shouldn’t have said that like I did. I know you would’ve done something if you’d known what DeLonn was up to. And you’re right, people do talk like that, but it takes something big for them to act on that resentment and anger. The death of his sister is what pushed DeLonn over the edge.”
I felt bad like I had accused Hans of something after he’d been so nice, so I tried to lighten the mood. “I will say that DeLonn had a huge talent for lack of a better word.”
“Nice to look at and lovely to hold, but not much else you could do with it but salute,” Hans said smiling and reaching over to pat my shoulder.
I was forgiven and was glad about that. I liked Hans.
“DeLonn had what I refer to as a two-hander for obvious reasons,” I said. “Maybe one day I’ll get to meet your partner, Hans.”
“Yes, I hope so. He’s helping a friend this morning. You’ve been so busy, Layton, have you had a chance to research who inherits the old Kennedy estate?”
“Not yet. But I will finally be getting inside the old estate. Alex is having a room readied for me. I’ll get a chance to explore then. Do you know anything that might help me?”
“Can’t say that I do except I’ve never really seen any of the Kennedy family fighting over the old place. They seem pretty laid back.”
“Do you see a lot of them?”
“They come around sometimes when they’re in town. We get invited to the occasional party and yoga session along with others in town. They’re nice enough, only Alex—”
He was interrupted by the ding of the bakery bell signaling the front door had opened.
“Good morning, Margo,” Hans said, before turning to me. “He seems lonely is what I was gonna say, Layton.”
I turned and waved to Margo who was dressed in a floral print maxi dress with sandals, and her hair pulled back in a band.
“Good morning, gentlemen, I’m sorry to have interrupted your conversation.”
“That’s alright,” I said. “I guess you’ve figured out who we were talking about.”
“It’s a good time for me to check on Alex’s order and I’ll get those goodies you asked for, Layton” Hans said.
“Coward,” I said with a smile.
“Would you heat me up a cinnamon roll to go, please, Hans?” Margo said.
“Yes, Ma’am,” I can take my time with that if you like.”
“I’d like that. I asked Alex for a few moments alone with Layton. He’s outside getting his bicycle out of my car trunk.”
“Have fun,” Hans said as he headed to the kitchen.
“Alex is a good man, detective” she said.
“I have no doubt of that. I’d just asked Hans if he had any idea which of the three of you was true heir to the estate before you walked in.”
“And Hans volunteered that he thought Alex was lonely,” Margo said. “Don’t be embarrassed, my sister and I hear that a lot from people.”
“Why is that, if I may ask?”
“You saved my brother’s life last night, feel free to ask what you will.”
“Is it because of the money? He mentioned the need to be careful about people.”
“No, it’s not about the money. There are all types of families, Layton. Those who are warm and affectionate, who give each other hugs and kisses day and night. Then there are families who keep all their emotions inside. Ours is a third type of family. We are motivated by duty above all else. Our family has money, power and position and with that comes a duty.”
“Alex said something about your family feeling a duty to this town. Do you love your brother?”
“Direct and to the point again… a little disarming but nice. Yes, I do love my brother, probably more than he knows. He was the hoped for son my parents desperately wanted and he held and continues to hold a high place in our family. When we were children, my sister and I did our duty taking care of him. We were young and we did resent it a bit and Alex probably felt our resentment. Our parents wanted children, but weren’t the most hands-on with our rearing, they had servants for that.”
“They did their duty by having the three of you.”
“Precisely. You understand perfectly. I’m sure they loved us, but duty came first as it always must. I don’t think any of us felt particularly close to our parents but Alex felt the loneliness of it more than my sister or me. Women learn to cope from an early age.”
“It’s still sad—for all three of you.”
“Things are what they are, you learn to make do. I just wanted to come in and say thank you for what you did to help our brother.”
“You’re welcome. Why do you think your parents had three wills for the old estate?”
“I don’t know. Maybe it was their attempt to try and keep the three of us together forever. The old estate is the tie that binds us.”
Hans entered with several bakery boxes. He handed the smallest to Margo who smiled at both of us.
“Time for me to go,” she said. “Thank you again, Layton. I’m glad you’ll be with Alex today.”
“I’m happy to keep him safe,” I said.
As soon as she’d gone outside, Hans gave me a long look and opened his order pad.
“What’s that for?” I said.
“I’m just getting ready to take the order for you and Alex’s wedding cake.”
We both laughed. A minute later Alex walked into the bakery. He was in a blue muscle shirt and dark blue shorts with flip-flops on. A backpack slung from his shoulder.
“You two certainly have a thing for flip-flops,” Hans said. “Isn’t it hard to ride bikes in them.”
“I live in my flip-flops,” Alex said. “I can do anything in ‘em.”
“I’m sure you can,” Hans said. “What’s your reasoning, Layton?”
“No reason, I’m just a perv. They make me feel sexy wearing ‘em and I think they look sexy on men with nice feet. Simple, see?”
“We all have our kinks,” Hans said. “At least DeLonn’s kink for piercings helped save the day.”
“God! The gossip in this place is just too much sometimes,” Alex said. “I’m not mad at you, Hans, but I thought the cops were supposed to keep all those details secret.”
“It’s a small town, and remember our friendly, unofficial gossip columnist Monique is dating a forensics guy so we get all the scoop,” Hans said.
“I hate thinking about everyone talking about me and laughing about my… my….”
I gave him a hug before talking.
“Nobody’s laughing about anything that happened,” I said. “And yeah I may be joking around about other stuff but sometimes you just have to or the shit of the day will eat you up.”
“Your lunch is in one box and dessert in the other,” Hans said.
“I’ll put it all on my card.” I reached for
my wallet and handed Hans my credit card. “Heat up my cinnamon roll and one for Alex plus two juices, please.”
Hans rung up the order and Alex opened his mouth to say something but I put my finger against his lips.
“I haven’t started working for you yet, boss man,” I said. “The food’s on my tab.”
* * * *
After eating our cinnamon rolls we grabbed the bakery boxes containing our lunch and snacks and put them in the basket which was on the front of Alex’s bicycle. I rode by his side down the street until we turned at a sign with an arrow which pointed toward the start of the Kennedy Park bicycle trail. We turned onto a wide path and passed a middle age couple jogging. Further down we saw children playing with their mothers in a field of wildflowers. Alex turned to check on me.
“Are you ready to pick up speed?” he said.
“Yeah!” I said.
He wasn’t kidding about picking up speed. We raced through the park until the trail branched off and we were riding alongside the water under the shade of cypress trees. The trail was blocked by a fence at the end which had a large sign in front of it with “Private—Authorized personnel only” written on it. Alex stopped, pulled out a key and opened the gate for us to ride through. As soon as we were on the other side he closed and locked it again. It wasn’t a long enough stop for me to cool down. We went down another path until stopping under a grouping of trees by the water. Looking to the left I saw an old narrow dock that had seen better days. At the end of it was a small rickety looking shack. Alex got our bakery goodies and waved me forward.
“The bikes are fine here. Watch your step on the dock, Layton, there are some loose boards.”
I followed his steps closely until we sat down midway on the dock.
“It must be a while since you’ve bicycled, you’re out of breath,” Alex said.
“It has been a while, but the adrenaline rush of racing at full speed felt good.
“I’m glad.”
