Murder in Wax

by Holly Copella

  “Ivy! Get up!” she screamed at her friend, even though she knew it wasn’t Ivy’s fault she was in a weakened condition.

  Ivy clutched Devon’s arm and attempted to do as she said.

  Devon pulled on her arm while screaming. “Get up, damn it! Get up!”

  Tony pulled the instrument from his shoulder, allowing blood to fly from the object as he screamed out in agony. “God damn it!”

  He clutched the sharp instrument in his hand and leaped for Devon. Devon screamed, released Ivy, and jumped backward, out of his path. Ivy collapsed to the floor. Devon hit the counter, momentarily dazing herself, and then bolted across the room.

  “Why’d you have to get involved, Devon?” Tony cried out. “Do you think I really wanted to hurt you? Any of you?”

  Devon scanned the room, not sure which way to go and what to do about Ivy, although she seemed to be his intended target at the moment. If she kept him busy, perhaps Ivy would be able to escape.

  “Then don’t,” Devon cried out.

  “I’m in too deep,” Tony informed her. “I can’t back out now.” He shook his head while giving her a half-crazed yet sympathetic look. “I’m sorry.”

  Tony raised the bloodied instrument and prepared to lunge for her when they heard pounding on the door near her. The door vibrated.

  “Devon? Tony?” Ross cried out from the other side of the door. “What’s going on in there? Open up!”

  “Ross!” she suddenly screamed while feeling her heart racing with fear and hope. “Help us!”

  Tony leaped for Devon to silence her. She screamed and caught his wrist, preventing the instrument from piercing her, although it was dangerously close to her throat. Ivy weakly clutched the metal table for support and attempted to pull herself to her feet. There was a thunderous rumble from outside the door followed by Ross’ loud curse. Devon screamed as Tony overpowered her, moving the instrument closer to her throat. The sound of splintering wood was almost deafening as the door frame cracked. Tony released Devon, who fell backward to the floor, and he turned toward the nearly broken door. As Tony bolted for the door, it flew open with enormous force and struck the opposing wall, shattering the thick, frosted glass. When he saw Devon on the floor, without hesitation, Ross charged into the room. Devon scrambled to her feet as Tony appeared behind Ross.

  “Behind you!”

  Ross spun around with only a split second to spare as Tony plunged downward with the sharp instrument. Ross cried out with horror, stumbled backward to avoid the sharp tube, tumbled over Ivy, and crashed backward onto the floor. As Tony lunged for Ross, Ivy coiled her leg back from her position on the floor and kicked Tony’s knee. Tony cried out in pain, stumbled sideways, and crashed into the counter. Devon and Ross grabbed Ivy by either arm and pulled her to her feet with so much force, she was momentarily airborne. Without hesitation, they practically dragged her out the funeral home door.

  Chapter Fifty-three

  Ross and Devon pulled Ivy across the front parking lot as she stumbled to keep them from dragging her. They carelessly threw her into the back of Ross’s beat up, old car. Devon jumped into the front passenger side while Ross ran to the driver’s side and started the car. Surprisingly, it started on the first try. The car’s engine revved with a loud roar, and the back tires immediately burned out on the driveway. The car rocketed backward into the street, narrowly missing the mailbox. The back end of the car swung as it burned out on the road and headed in the direction of the museum. Devon looked behind them then at Ross, who clutched the steering wheel with a death grip. He looked in the rearview mirror then glanced at Devon.

  “What the hell was that all about?” he suddenly cried out now entering panic mode. “Why did my best friend try to kill me?”

  Devon looked past Ross toward the museum as they prepared to fly past it at high speed. She saw Brant’s car was now in the parking lot. Devon peered out the window with a look of horror.

  “Ross, stop!”

  Ross slammed on the brakes causing the car to skid and screech to a grinding halt. Devon and Ivy were flung forward then bounced backward.

  “What?” he cried out.

  “Brant’s car,” she gasped. “He’s back. If he discovers what I found, he could be in danger!”

  “Damn it, Devon,” he cried out while glaring at her. “Tell me what’s going on.”

  “They’re using real people in the displays.”

  Ross stared at her with horror. “What?” He shook his head. “No, that can’t be. You must be mistaken.”

  “Tony was supplying the museum with embalmed bodies,” Ivy assured him and gingerly rubbed her bruised neck. “There was a body on Tony’s table this evening. He said it was old man Rumsfeld, so that I wouldn’t peek under the sheet.” She drew a deep, nervous breath. “Well, I peeked anyway. It was Marlene under the sheet. Embalmed and ready for delivery.”

  “Marlene?” Ross gasped with surprise. “But she was cremated.”

  “No,” Ivy insisted. “I assure you, she wasn’t. They wanted her for the museum.”

  “Who are they?” Ross demanded. “Tyler? Brant? Both?” He shook his head then shifted the car into reverse. “You know what? I don’t even care. We need to get the police.”

  The old car burned out on the dark road, spun around, and flew in the direction they’d just come. They saw the headlights of another car approaching in the near distance.

  “We have to warn Brant,” Devon insisted.

  “Are you insane?” Ivy cried out. “He could be in on it!”

  The headlights veered into their lane. Ross cried out and swerved harshly while slamming on the brakes. The car squealed and spun wildly. All three screamed as Ross’ old car shot into the cornfield and plowed down a section of cornstalks. Devon, Ross, and Ivy screamed as cornstalks crashed against the sides of the car and into the windshield. The car bucked as the brakes attempted to take hold and came to a stop. Ross looked behind them. The black hearse skidded to a halt just outside the cornfield then raced for them, picking up speed with no intention of slowing. Ross looked away from the rearview mirror with horror.

  “Oh, shit!”

  Ross stepped on the gas forcing the car to burn out on the cornstalks. Devon and Ivy turned and looked out the back window. Both screamed when they saw the headlights gaining on them. The old car jetted forward, but it wouldn’t pick up enough speed to outrun the already flying hearse. Ross spun the wheel and made a sharp turn. His car was old, but it could bank better than the larger hearse. Ross’ car entered a small clearing with an electric pole directly before them. All three saw the electric pole and screamed.

  Ross turned the wheel hard and narrowly missed the electric pole, losing his side mirror. The hearse entered the small clearing a split second behind them. As their car swerved, the electric pole was suddenly in front of the hearse. Tony gasped and attempted to turn the much larger vehicle. The hearse smashed into the poll with a tremendous crack. The poll was jarred, and the electric box on top sparked while crackling. Both women turned and looked through the back windshield while Ross watched through the rearview mirror.

  “Serves him right!” Ross chuckled loud and evilly. “B-a-s-t-a-r-d!”

  Ross’ car suddenly sputtered and slowed. All three jerked with surprise. Ross shifted the car into neutral and turned the key as they came to a stop. The car’s engine made a grinding sound but wouldn’t turn over. Ross pounded on the steering wheel.

  “Son-of-a-bitch,” Ross cried out. “What a piece of shit!”

  All three jumped out of the car. Ross stared at his car and watched as steam rose from beneath the hood. He kicked the tire.

  “Rotten piece of shit!”

  All three looked back. There was no movement from the wrecked hearse. The front end was pretty much smashed, indicating the driver was possibly fatally injured. Devon turned to Ivy and Ross.

  “Go back to the funeral home,” she instructed. “Call the police and tell them to come to the museum right away
.”

  “Where do you think you’re going?” Ross suddenly demanded as his eyes widened.

  “I know Brant’s not involved,” she insisted. “He could be in serious danger. I have to warn him.”

  “Devon, you can’t go back there,” Ross pleaded. “I like the guy too, but he could be involved. If he is, he’ll kill you too.”

  “And if he’s not, by the time Carter arrives, it could be too late for Brant,” she informed him. “I have to do this.”

  Devon turned and ran.

  Chapter Fifty-four

  Devon crouched in the cornfield and watched the dark museum a moment while considering her next move. When the hearse hit the electric pole, it must have knocked out power along the entire road. She then heard the sound of a small engine from within the museum. Some lights came on, although there weren’t many. Someone pounced beside her. Devon spun with a gasp while Ross stared at the museum.

  “Kind of dark,” he announced then looked at her. “What’s the plan?”

  Devon frowned. “I don’t have one.”

  “Fine, then we’ll use mine.”

  She stared at him with surprise. “You have a plan?” Devon gasped.

  “We’ll slip in through the basement door and remain low until we see what’s happening inside,” he informed her. “A little on the cautious side, but you know I’m a coward by nature.”

  She knew that wasn’t true. He proved his bravery tonight. “The basement door is locked,” she reminded him.

  Ross removed a set of keys from his pocket and grinned. “Not for long.”

  She stared at the keys with surprise. “Where did you get those?”

  “Brant gave me a set of keys to accept a couple of deliveries,” he informed her. “He never asked for them back. I thought I’d hang onto them, you know, in case I met that special lady who shared my fondness for the torture chamber.”

  “You’re a sick bastard, Ross,” she announced. “But a crafty one. Let’s go.”

  §

  A single emergency light dimly lit the workshop giving the room an eerie glow. The outer basement door slowly opened to reveal Devon and Ross. They peeked into the workshop but didn’t see anyone not made of wax. Both hurried inside and simultaneously jumped when they saw the wax English policeman guarding the door. Devon sneered and smacked Ross on the shoulder. He frowned and gestured defensively. They darted behind one of the counters. Devon looked toward the inner door. Nothing moved. Ross glanced at the counter and saw the remote control on top. He snatched it and sat on the floor a moment.

  “I have an idea.”

  Devon glared at him with concern. “Whatever it is--no.”

  “Trust me,” he announced while grinning deviously. “Wait here.”

  Ross sprang to his feet, playfully rumpled her hair, and then crept across the workshop. Devon frowned, ran her fingers through her mussed hair, and watched him while shaking her head.

  “This isn’t going to end well,” she muttered then hurried after him.

  §

  Ivy quietly entered the dark funeral home dimly lit by moonlight poking in through the open curtains. She hurried across the front, left parlor. She’d been inside the funeral home enough times to practically know her way around in the dark. She stumbled into the leather sofa, hitting her shin, and bit her lip to prevent the painful yelp. She endured the pain then fumbled with the phone on the end table and dialed the police while watching the front door. She nearly jumped when Deputy Havens answered the phone.

  “Hello? Deputy Havens?” she gasped and was relieved to hear his voice. “Thank God! It’s Ivy. I’m at the funeral home,” she informed him then paused while he responded in return. “I’m okay, but Ross and Devon are in trouble.”

  She heard the front door open. Ivy held her breath while staring beyond the parlor doors with wide, horror-filled eyes. Deputy Havens spoke into the phone, but she feared answering him. She heard the front door gently shut. Ivy slipped behind the sofa while clutching the phone and peered at the parlor doorway. Tony stepped into the doorway holding a tire iron in his hand. Despite that the room was only dimly lit by moonlight, she could tell he’d been injured in the crash. Blood seeped from his temple and from the corner of his mouth. Judging by the way he clutched the crowbar, he was angry. He scanned the room and saw the phone was missing from the base. His eyes then strayed to her where she hid behind the sofa. Ivy’s eyes widened as fear spread through her.

  “Havens, help,” she whispered into the phone. “He’s going to kill me!”

  Ivy threw the phone to the floor, sprang to her feet, and bolted across the room. Tony didn’t move from the doorway leaving her trapped. Ivy eyed the phone receiver on the floor. She could hear Deputy Havens speaking from the other end.

  “Why are you doing this, Tony?” Ivy cried out, hoping Deputy Havens heard her on the other end. “You’re supposed to be my friend!”

  “Friends?” he questioned then snorted a laugh. “We were never friends. None of you were ever my friends. You, Ross, and Devon used me every chance you had.”

  “That’s not true!”

  Tony clutched the tire iron and slowly walked toward her. Ivy backed across the mostly dark room and into a table. Tony yanked the phone cord from the wall then approached her and raised the tire iron above his head.

  “Don’t you understand?” he demanded. “I have no choice. I’ve involved myself in something I just can’t get out of!”

  “You were removing bodies from their caskets and delivering them to the museum,” Ivy cried out. “Then you buried the empty caskets for appearance.”

  “I guess you and Devon have been comparing notes,” he snarled. “You shouldn’t have looked under that sheet, Ivy. None of this would be happening if you hadn’t looked under that sheet.”

  As Tony was about to strike, Ivy reached behind her and fumbled with a vase on the table. She picked it up and threw it at Tony. What turned out to be an urn hit him in the head and cracked open. Ashes of the dearly departed covered his face and body. Tony clutched his eyes and coughed on the dense ashes. Ivy saw her chance and bolted across the room through the divider doorway to the adjoining room. Tony wiped the ash from his eyes and ran after her.

  Chapter Fifty-five

  Devon wasn’t sure how she lost track of Ross. He was able to move silently and swiftly through the dimly lit museum faster than she could. She thought he was looking for Brant, but she didn’t see Ross anywhere. She was about to pass the torture chamber when something dawned on her. She slipped into the frightening room and darted into the shadows of the iron maiden. Devon looked across the room and saw the woman stretched backward on the wheel of pain. Her large, realistic breast was again uncovered, which wasn’t surprising. Devon hurried across the torture chamber while keeping low and reached the half-naked woman. She stared at the wax woman only a moment before seeing it. She tugged on the woman’s mane of tangled, black hair to reveal the blonde hair beneath and found herself staring at Jamie.

  As she looked around the room, she realized they were probably all there somewhere. Jamie, her friends, and everyone else who had died recently. How long had this been going on? Since the purchase of the museum? Did that mean Brant had to be involved? She was suddenly no longer sure she could trust Brant, and maybe Ross had been right. She needed to find Ross and leave at once. Her need to warn Brant may have been a mistake. Devon hurried from the torture chamber and silently made her way along the walkway through the different displays. She needed to find Ross and get him out of there. Whatever plan he had in mind couldn’t be healthy for either of them. She’d find him and go with Ivy’s original plan of letting Sheriff Carter deal with it.

  As Devon silently made her way through the dimly lit displays, she paused within the mummy set. Her eyes immediately strayed to Martin, who was now playing the role of the mummy. Martin’s face was once again covered with tattered bandages, and Chelsea’s wig and hat had been replaced. Someone had covered them to conceal their id
entity, and Devon couldn’t automatically rule out Brant this time. She could hear voices from the nearby vampire display and had to get closer in order to hear their conversation.

  Devon approached the end of the mummy display just near the vampire display and hid against the dividing wall. The voices were louder now, and she recognized them as Brant and Tyler. Both men were laughing, indicating neither may be involved or perhaps both were involved. She panicked when the voices silenced, indicating they could be parting company. A shadow approached, startling her. Devon hurried across the mummy display and slid behind the massive tomb. Tyler walked through the display and headed in the direction of the workshop.

  §

  Brant sat on the edge of the vampire’s casket within the second half of the display and adjusted the clothes on the vampire within the casket. Devon cautiously crept through the display while looking around yet still keeping Brant within view. She paused while crouching down and keeping low within the first half of the display where the two vampires were attacking the villagers. She looked behind her to the sword Teddy, the wax villager, held.

  “If you don’t mind, Teddy,” she announced softly while reaching up to the wax villager and silently removed the sword. “I’ll be needing that.”

  The sword was relatively dull, but she was low on options. When there was no sign of Tyler, she knew she had to make her move. Devon straightened and revealed herself to Brant within the second part of the display containing the vampire in the casket. Brant saw her, smiled cheerfully, and immediately stood.