Murder in Wax

by Holly Copella

  “Devon,” he announced while grinning as he approached her. “I was worried you’d decided to take the night off.”

  Devon raised the sword, aimed it at his chest, and glared at him.

  Brant stopped and stared at the sword with surprise. “What are you doing?” he asked.

  Devon stared into his eyes without expression. “The murdered women are here,” she informed him. “Their corpses are being used in your displays.”

  “What are you talking about?” he asked with surprise then hesitated and looked around.

  “My brother’s body is beneath the mummy wrap. I saw him myself,” she informed him. “I’m convinced the others are here as well. I know the deal. Tony embalms them then removes them from their caskets after the viewing and delivers them to the museum for the displays. They were never buried.”

  “I--I don’t understand. You know I wouldn’t do something like that,” Brant gasped with surprise. “What you’re saying doesn’t even sound possible.” He tensed and again looked at the wax displays then met her gaze.

  “Not possible?” she remarked.

  Devon then eyed the handsome wax villager just behind Teddy. While keeping the sword aimed at Brant in one hand, she swiftly yanked the hair from the wax villager’s head to reveal Karl. Although she was almost positive she had been right, seeing Karl encased in wax nearly jump started her heart. She put on a brave front and raised her brows demandingly while tossing the wig aside.

  “Remember Karl?”

  Brant stared at the familiar face of the construction worker he’d manhandled for threatening Devon. The stunned look on Brant’s face was almost enough to convince Devon he wasn’t aware of what was going on, but she couldn’t convince herself to lower the sword she kept pointed at him. He finally looked at her, only briefly eying the sword in her hands.

  “Devon, I know you’re frightened and upset, but you have to trust me. Please, put down the sword,” Brant announced in a slightly tense voice. “We’re both in danger right now.” He drew a deep, shaken breath. “You know I’d never do anything to hurt you.” His frightened look turned tender. “I love you.”

  As Devon stared into his eyes, her expression softened. She wanted to believe he wasn’t involved. She wanted to trust him even if it ended up costing her life. She slowly lowered the sword.

  Brant relaxed then exhaled and attempted a smile. “You had me worried for a moment there,” he announced then indicated the sword. “Even if that sword isn’t sharp enough to give a papercut.” He drew a deep breath and straightened proudly. “Have you called the police?”

  “Ivy called them,” she replied. “They should be here any minute.”

  Brant again looked around and appeared tense. “Then we’d better wait outside for them.”

  “Wouldn’t be a bad idea--” Tyler announced from across the room.

  Both turned toward the display archway where Tyler stood holding a gun aimed at them.

  “Had your friend been able to complete her call to the police,” Tyler replied. “Tony called me on his car phone and told me you and Ross were on your way here. He went back to take care of your friend.”

  “Then it’s true?” Brant gasped with surprise while staring at Tyler. “You attempted to display dead people as your own wax creations.”

  “Why not?” Tyler announced while shrugging. “I’ve been doing it for years. It saved on expense and cut the work time in half.”

  “I don’t know how you possibly thought you’d get away with it,” Brant remarked while sneering at him. “Your creations are hideous. Someone was bound to uncover them and see what was beneath.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong,” Tyler announced while grinning then indicated the beautiful female vampire alongside the male vampire. “That’s my work. Creating bad wax men and women was for everyone else’s benefit, so if my beauties were found beneath their waxy surface, you or Ross would be blamed. Sorry to inform you; I’m twice the artist you are, Brant.”

  “You tried to kill me,” he gasped then turned angry. “When that didn’t work, you tried to frame me for the murders.”

  “Once you were out of the way, I could bring in my new partner, Tony. He and I would create the most beautiful displays a museum has ever seen.” He then offered an unsettling grin. “The murders gave me the idea to dissolve our partnership. Tony heard about the killer wearing a phantom costume, so he borrowed one, made sure people saw him in it, and killed Marlene in your basement.” Tyler laughed. “Yes, you would have eventually stumbled upon my secret beneath the wax. I’m actually surprised you hadn’t figured it out sooner,” Tyler announced. “I couldn’t allow you to see what lie beneath the makeup.” He shook his head and sighed. “It would’ve worked out perfectly if it hadn’t been for Martin coming forward and confessing to the killings. His journal exposed a second killer. Do you have any idea how much trouble he caused?”

  §

  Back at the funeral home, Ivy screamed and bolted across the casket display room while Tony blocked her only exit. She jumped behind one of the display coffins. Despite that they were only displays, the room was decorated with flowers as well as some lit candles. When he thought he had her cornered, Tony lunged for her. Ivy continued to scream and heaved several flower arrangements at him. Tony skillfully dodged the flowers and their heavy vases. She was now trapped behind the casket. She placed her hand on the closed casket lid and stared at Tony, waiting to see which way he’d go next. Tony removed a switchblade knife from his pocket.

  “It’d be easier on you if you don’t fight it,” he informed her. “We could have done this the easy way if Devon hadn’t interrupted earlier. This way is so messy and painful. After what we shared, I didn’t want it to be painful.”

  “After what we shared?” she gasped then sneered. “You’re a sick fuck!”

  “And you came on to me,” he reminded her in an almost mocking tone.

  Ivy stared him in the eyes with a look of horror. Tony dived on top of the casket and slashed the knife at her. Ivy let out a sharp cry and pushed the casket forward with all her strength. The casket toppled off its hydraulic stand casting Tony to the floor. Tony cried out and shielded his face as the casket landed on top of him. Ivy heard a chilling, bone-crunching sound along with Tony’s painful grunt. There was a moment of silence followed by a low wheezing sound.

  Ivy stood immobile a moment and stared at the toppled casket on the floor. She nervously walked around it while keeping her eyes locked on the motionless object. She reached the other side and saw Tony crushed beneath the casket. He coughed up blood while attempting to speak. His eyes shifted to meet hers as blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.

  “I’m sorry,” he whispered then became motionless as the last breath left his body.

  As Ivy stared at him, she heard police sirens in the distance.

  Chapter Fifty-six

  Within the vampire display, Brant stood between Devon and Tyler, who held the gun aimed at them. Brant’s gesture to protect her from his partner was darling but pointless. Two shots and they would both end up dead.

  “Think about it, Brant,” Tyler announced while grinning. “You’ll actually be a part of this museum forever. It’ll be your greatest contribution and sacrifice to your dream.”

  “You’re sick.”

  “Perhaps,” Tyler agreed, “but with your share of the museum, I stand to be a wealthy man. These displays will bring a fortune.” He chuckled then grinned. “I’ll even put the two of you in a display together. You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” Tyler appeared almost touched by his own suggestion. “Kind of a last romantic gesture. Maybe I’ll mount the two of you in the church display, where you almost got it on. It’ll be beautiful.”

  They heard a woman’s shrill scream echo throughout the museum. Devon and Tyler jumped with surprise, although uncertain where it originated. Brant appeared confused but not startled. There were several screams that immediately followed. Low groans and beastly snarls soo
n added to the special effects of the nearby displays. The vampire behind Brant straightened and turned toward them. As the vampire hissed, Tyler cried out with surprise and fired at the wax creature. His shots missed the moving vampire and struck the female vampire standing not far from the male.

  The bullets tore through her waxy surface and revealed dried, decayed flesh. The vampire turned toward the frightened villager and appeared to bite him. A male scream came from a speaker near the wax villager, so it sounded as if the scream came from him. The room was suddenly alive with movement as more objects went into motion. Brant shifted his eyes slightly. Devon turned with surprise. Tyler’s fear turned to anger as he waved his gun at Brant.

  “Stop it,” he cried out with anger. “You’re not fooling me!”

  Brant raised his hands, revealing empty palms. “It’s not me,” he announced. “The control panel is on the wall by the door.”

  As Tyler turned toward the doorway to see who was at the controls, Brant snatched the sword from Devon and lunged for Tyler. Tyler spun around but was a little too slow. Brant swung the sword for Tyler, cutting his arm with the dull blade. Tyler dropped the gun and clutched his bleeding arm. Unfortunately, the blade wasn’t sharp enough to do any serious damage. Brant and Tyler both leaped for the discarded gun. As Brant snatched the gun, Tyler straightened and ran from the room. Brant ran after him.

  Tyler ran along the corridor near the phantom display with the phantom posed before the organ where loud, evil music seemed to come from the pipe organ. Brant was heard running along the corridor not far behind. Tyler gasped and hurried across the display. He approached the pipe organ and saw a space behind it where he could hide. The phantom suddenly glared at Tyler. Tyler’s eyes widened, and he cried out. Tyler bolted away from the pipe organ, but the phantom leaped into Tyler’s path. Tyler again screamed. The phantom clutched his throat with both hands and choked him. Tyler gasped and fell to his knees while attempting to loosen the phantom’s grip. Brant appeared near the display and stopped.

  “No, please, don’t,” Tyler cried out.

  “Let him go, Ross,” Brant casually announced.

  The phantom looked at Brant, revealing Ross on the unmasked side, and released Tyler’s throat. He took a step back while staring at Tyler and removed his white, half mask.

  Ross smirked and wickedly raised his brows. “Scared ya, didn’t I?” He laughed evilly like some old movie villain.

  Tyler appeared surprised while staring at Ross. Brant approached them and motioned Tyler to his feet with the gun. Tyler clutched his chest and slowly straightened. Devon hurried onto the set with the sword in her hand and walked up behind Tyler. Tyler continued to stare at Ross and Brant with anger on his face.

  “You tricked me,” Tyler cried out while clutching his chest. “You never told me the displays moved and made sounds!”

  Brant shrugged. “It didn’t seem important at the time.”

  “I think I should play the phantom when we open,” Ross announced.

  Tyler pulled a large knife from his lab coat and raised it above his head. He was about to plunge it into Ross when Devon cried out. Ross spun toward Tyler and saw the knife only inches from him. Devon lunged forward with the sword and ran the sharp, pointy end into Tyler’s back straight through his chest. Tyler gasped as his eyes widened and looked at the blade sticking out of his chest. As his eyes rolled back, he sank to his knees and collapsed to the floor. Brant and Ross stared at Tyler with surprise and shock.

  “Oh, my God,” Devon cried out, realizing what she had done.

  Brant rushed to Devon and gathered her in his arms. Ross continued to stare at Tyler then looked back at Devon. She clung to Brant and sobbed softly.

  “Remind me to never piss you off,” Ross announced in a serious tone.

  Devon pulled away from Brant and happily hugged Ross. Ross smiled warmly and returned the embrace. They heard the faint sirens outside followed by movement upstairs. Devon quickly pulled away and stared at them with a concerned look.

  “Tony went back for Ivy!”

  Thundering footfalls were heard running through the displays. Sheriff Carter and Deputy Havens approached them with their guns drawn. Ivy was only steps behind them with several other officers.

  “Ivy!” Devon cried out then ran past the police and hugged her friend.

  “I was afraid he’d killed you,” Ivy exclaimed.

  Devon pulled away from her friend and stared at her with concern. “What about Tony?”

  Ivy shook her head. “I gave the bastard what he deserved,” she announced while sneering. “He won’t be coming back.”

  “Damn,” Ross cried out. “You girls are dangerous!”

  Chapter Fifty-seven

  While awaiting the coroner and reinforcements with cadaver dogs, Devon, Ross, and Brant walked through the dungeon displays with Sheriff Carter. Ivy chose to remain upstairs with the deputies rather than review the gruesomeness of the evening. They entered the mummy display and approached the mummy. Devon stood before the mummy and drew a deep, shaken breath.

  “You don’t have to do this,” Ross announced gently to his friend.

  She extended her hand to him. Ross handed her a pair of scissors. Devon cut the bandages from the mummy’s face to reveal her brother looking perfectly preserved in his wax casing. She trembled and took a step back while fighting her tears. Brant pulled her into his arms and held her. Ross appeared slightly sickened and looked away. Sheriff Carter just stared at Devon’s dead brother. He removed his cowboy hat, shut his eyes a moment, and shook his head. Carter drew a deep breath and looked back at Devon, who found herself staring at her dead brother. Sheriff Carter stepped into her line of sight, keeping her from seeing him.

  “Where are the others?” Sheriff Carter asked in an attempt to keep her focused and her mind off her brother encased in wax.

  Devon indicated the woman against the pillar and nodded. “That’s Chelsea.”

  Sheriff Carter approached the frightened wax explorer woman and carefully removed her dark wig. He stared at Chelsea then shut his eyes and groaned softly.

  “Jamie’s in the torture chamber tied to the wheel,” she informed him while shivering at the thought. “And Karl is in the vampire display.”

  “Tyler shot a woman in the vampire display,” Brant informed him. “The bullet tore through something I’m convinced was old, dried flesh.”

  Sheriff Carter suddenly looked at Brant. “What do you mean ‘old dried flesh’?” he asked with surprise.

  Brant drew a deep breath and held it a moment. “The wax figures he claimed to have bought from a closed museum were created from dead bodies as well,” Brant informed him. “He admitted he’s been doing this for decades.”

  Sheriff Carter shut his eyes and groaned. “Son-of-a-bitch,” he muttered under his breath. He cast a look back at Devon. “Were there any other wax people giving you a bad vibe?”

  Devon nodded with some apprehension. “A lot of them, Sheriff.”

  “That’s terrific,” the sheriff muttered then skimmed several pages of notes within his notebook before giving up and tossing it over his shoulder. “Ivy said she found Marlene’s embalmed body at the funeral home. If we have Marlene, Jamie, Karl, your brother, and Chelsea, it’s only logical to assume Tony brought Tamara and Paula to Tyler as well.” He shook his head and looked around. “They must be down here somewhere.” He looked at the three. “Any idea where they’d be while we’re waiting on the cadaver dogs?”

  “They would have been placed while Brant was missing,” Ross informed the sheriff. “Tony and Tyler must have been working overtime to get them into displays while Devon and I weren’t around.”

  “Just enough confusion with the reconstructed wax figures that Ross and I wouldn’t know who’d done which ones,” Devon added.

  “Tyler confessed he was one hell of an artist,” Brant remarked. “While he did a few horrible wax figures for our benefit, he was probably working with Tony to get as many of
the dead victims into displays without our knowledge.”

  “More were in place just about every morning,” Devon remarked while frowning.

  Deputy Havens hurried through the display to join them. “Sheriff, the coroner is here and so are the cadaver dogs.”

  Sheriff Carter eyed the three. “You may want to go upstairs and sit this out,” he announced. “This could take a while.”

  §

  It was later that night and the coroner and his men, along with cadaver dogs, were still investigating the museum. Devon, Brant, Ivy, and Ross sat on the bench in the lobby and watched the parade of coroner’s people remove another stretcher containing a black body bag. It seemed like an endless parade of actual bodies hidden beneath waxy exteriors.

  Brant moaned while clutching his head. “How many was that?”

  “Twenty,” Ross announced with little emotion. “But who’s counting.” He then shook his head. “Obviously, Tyler had been playing his little game for years with the help of countless morticians.”

  “Each time one of his wax museum’s failed, he’d store the wax figures until he could find the next sucker to be his partner,” Brant muttered. “Apparently, I was that sucker.” He watched the stretcher pass and shook his head. “I was stupid enough to believe he’d bought those wax people from a closed museum. The crates containing actual bodies beneath the wax must have been the ones that were already packed up before we arrived at the museum.” He then groaned. “I suppose I deserve whatever happens from this. I’m such a fool.”

  “Don’t feel too bad, Brant,” Ross announced and patted his shoulder as he frowned. “I’d changed wardrobe on several of those women and never knew they weren’t just wax figures.”

  “That’s because he made sure their private parts were hidden beneath a thick layer of wax,” Devon informed them in a sedate tone. “He had to make sure no one ever discovered the bodies beneath them.”

  “I suppose an anatomically correct penis would give it away,” Ivy muttered while holding her knees to her chest where she sat on the bench. She then eyed Brant. “Who do you suppose they were?”