by Gerald Lopez
“You’re good, Detective,” Marianne said. “And the dancing’s not bad either.” She smiled and tossed her head back.
“And you’re dressed more comfortably—no heels,” the detective said.
“Our part in things is over, and we can rest now—for a while at least.” She let her hands wander down to the detective’s posterior. “You have nice legs.”
“Those aren’t my legs your hands are on.” He turned when he heard someone yelling in French.
“What the hell are you doing with my sister?” Arnou said in English. “I didn’t approve her giving any freebies away today.”
Marianne angrily walked up to her brother and slapped him hard across the face. Arnou pushed her away with such force that she fell on the floor.
“That’s no way to treat a lady,” the detective said, and prepared himself for a fight that was long overdue.
Arnou ran toward him but the detective got the first punch in. People scattered from where they’d been eating at outdoor tables.
“Not in here!” Marianne said, trying to push Arnou and the detective out onto the beach.
The woman who’d been singing rushed forward, and with Marianne’s help they pushed the intertwined fighters onto the beach. Both men had landed on their backs and were rolling around in the sand fighting, while a crowd gathered. Gabriel cheered the detective on from the side, while Marianne and the singer watched from above.
“Give him a good one for me, Detective,” Marianne said.
“Beat the shit out of him, Pops!” Gabriel said.
The gathered crowd was shouting and urging them, on when Robertito appeared.
“That’s enough!” Robertito said. “Break it up!” He had to physically get between the detective and Arnou in order to pull them apart. “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t throw you both in jail to cool off.”
“It’s Gabriel’s birthday,” the detective said.
“Shit,” Arnou said. “Sorry, Gabriel. I’ll go. Marianne! Give the kid a drink on the house and whatever he wants to eat—the detective too.” He brushed sand off himself, then spoke to the detective. “This isn’t over. We will have it out and I’ll—”
“I know” the detective said. “You’ll put your foot in my ass.”
“I was gonna say I’d ‘kick your ass’,” Arnou said, then walked away.
He’s learning, the detective thought, before his attention was drawn elsewhere.
Gabriel had not been kidding about Robertito and his Speedos. If anything he had downplayed just how magnificent the man looked. He had washboard abs and a Hercules girdle. The monster captured in the pouch of his Speedos looked like it might escape its confines at any minute.
“Hey, everybody!” the singer said. “We’ve got a birthday to celebrate. Lets get some music going so we can dance.”
The detective put his arm around Gabriel’s shoulders, and led him back into the restaurant. The song “Get the Party Started” was playing, and the singer and Marianne both started dancing with Gabriel and the detective. Robertito joined them. The detective spotted the newcomer before Gabriel did and he waved him over.
“Jimmy!” Gabriel said, then hugged Jimmy.
“You got your hair cut,” Jimmy said. “I like it.”
Robertito left the group and beckoned the detective over.
“Get the food—for four—to go, then meet me on the dock. Gabriel will know where to go. And bring Jimmy.”
A short time later the detective, Gabriel, and Jimmy were on the dock.
“I can’t believe it,” Gabriel said. “Robertito might really take us out on his and his dad’s boat.”
“It is your birthday,” Jimmy said.
“Come on board, guys,” Robertito said, when they reached his boat. “How would you like to go on a birthday cruise—just us guys?”
“I’d love it!” Gabriel said.
“Nice boat,” the detective said.
Soon they were off, and the detective was getting a tour of the coastline. Robertito pointed out some secluded beaches and caves before stopping and setting anchor.
“I’m hungry,” Robertito said.
“Marianne fixed us up good with food and even dessert,” Jimmy said. “And there are some cold cans of soda too.”
They all ate rice with shrimp and meat. Before tackling dessert, they wished Gabriel a happy birthday.
“I brought you a gift, Gabriel,” Jimmy said. “When I ran into you guys in the restaurant I was on my way to find you. “He reached into the pocket of his shorts and pulled out a rumpled paper bag. I’ve been saving up the money I earned working at Dad’s restaurant to buy this for you.” He gave Gabriel the bag.
After hugging Jimmy, Gabriel opened the bag and pulled out a gold cross on a chain.
“I love it!” Gabriel said, then kissed Jimmy on the lips. He pulled off his T-shirt. “Put the chain on me, Jimmy.”
“OK,” Jimmy said, but pulled off his shirt first before dealing with the chain.
“It’s a good time for sunbathing,” Robertito said. “This boat’s big, you youngsters take the front end—called the bow for you non boaters—for yourselves, and the detective and I will take the rear or the stern in boating terms.”
“Cool,” Gabriel said.
Gabriel and Jimmy went to the bow, and Robertito and the detective went to the stern. Robertito got two towels and laid them on the deck. He picked up a bottle of lotion.
“So you don’t get sunburned,” Robertito said. “I hate tan lines.” He slipped off his Speedos then lay down on his towel.
The detective completely stripped, then lay down on the towel next to Robertito.
“You’re uncut, Detective, I didn’t expect that,” Robertito said.
“My mother was a hippie,” the detective said, admiring Robertito’s thick and long member. “You must be part anaconda.”
Robertito smiled. “I get no complaints. Get on your stomach and I’ll put lotion on your back so you don’t burn.” When the detective had done so, Robertito put lotion on his back and ass. “Nice, ass.” He massaged the lotion in, spending extra time on the ass and between the cheeks.
“There’s enough lotion there, friend,” the detective said. “How long have I got to solve the Chambers murder?”
“I’m not sure. Nobody’s pushing for it to be solved. We’ve got our hands full with the dancing man killer.”
“Any theories there?”
“Some guys think it’s probably a frustrated wannabe dancer who didn’t make it big taking his anger out on little girls.”
“Why little girls?”
“They can’t fight back.”
“C’mon, you know better than that,” The detective said.
Robertito lay back on his towel, then turned on his side to talk. “There must be another reason why it’s specifically little girls, and not boys or old people, but we don’t know what it is.”
“What’s special about the girls?”
“How do you mean?”
“Are they dancers or from a special area—rich, poor, thin, fat?”
“The last one wasn’t poor,” Robertito said. “Her mother is a teacher. It seemed like an opportunity presented itself for the killer to snatch the child so he did.”
“And what’s the same between her and the other victims?”
“Nothing, except they’re all blonde. And yeah, that’s a big thing, but once again we don’t know why.”
“Maybe a blonde girl refused to dance with him or embarrassed him somehow,” the detective said.
“Embarrassed him how?” Robertito said. “Was it when he was a kid, do you think? Does a bad memory of that sort turn a grown man into a killer?”
“On its own maybe, not but combined with other things, it could be enough to motivate murder.” He rolled over onto his back, grabbed the bottle of lotion, and put it on his front side. “Who did Chambers tick off enough they wanted to kill him? Could there be a jealous lover or spouse, maybe a kink
scene gone bad?”
“I saw the dead body with the dildo in his ass and his hands chained,” Robertito said. “Meet me in front of La Mer at eleven. There’s an ultra exclusive place in town you want to visit.”
“Does this place have a dress code?”
“Do you own a leather harness or thong?”
“Can’t say that I do.”
“That’s too bad, Pops. It’s nice how you and Walt are taking the boys in—they need a place to call home—a real home.”
They rested a while just taking in the sun. It was not lost on the detective that Robertito had a perfect bubble butt with no tan lines.
“So, what’s a good gift for a seventeen-year-old?” the detective said.
“I think spending time with his boyfriend on a boat is a pretty damn good gift,” Robertito said.
“And we agree,” Gabriel said.
Jimmy whistled. “Sexy daddies.”
“Who are you calling a daddy?” Robertito said. “What’re you two doing?”
“Can we go for a swim?” Jimmy said.
“Sounds good,” the detective said.
They gave Jimmy and Gabriel some time alone before the detective and Gabriel dove into the water. When they were back on the boat and headed to shore, the detective walked to the stern and called Walter. When he finished the call, Jimmy was standing in front of him dressed.
“I have an idea of what you can get Gabriel that he’s always wanted,” Jimmy said. “And I know where you can get it too.”
Chapter 22
Ladies Day Out
ADELE, MERCEDES, AND a couple of their friends were sitting in the waiting area of the beauty salon. Queenie, Flan, and Royale were getting their nails done in a section adjacent to the waiting area.
“That was some excitement last night,” one of the nail techs said.
“What do you mean last night?” Royale said. “Most of the action took place early this morning before the sun came out.”
“That stuff at the train station was scary,” another nail tech said. “I don’t know how you let Pierre go there and get involved, Mercedes?”
“Like there was any way I could stop him,” Mercedes said. “The man acts like he’s not retired from the police. But you know what, I like the detective.”
“So do I,” Queenie said. “It’s nice that he’ll be staying permanently.”
“Is he?” a nail tech said.
“Did you forget that I told you he’s Walter’s man?” Queenie said.
“I heard you say that, but do you mean he’s the man,” the nail tech said.
“Yes,” Queenie said.
“He got down on his knee and proposed to Walter on the dance floor at the club,” Flan said.
“How romantic,” the nail tech said. “Walter’s so nice, he deserves to be happy. I have to remember to congratulate them at brunch tomorrow.”
“I did the best I could with the little girl, but Nina did a job on her hair,” Frou Frou said as she entered the room, and led Louise out front for the gathered ladies to see.
Louise walked around with her hair all in curls. She was wearing a white dress that had belonged to Adele when she was a child.
“I’m almost bald,” Louise said.
“You just have some thin spots that’s all,” Flan said. “Nobody will notice.”
“The hell they won’t”, Louise said.
“What did we tell you about using that sort of language, Louise?” Adele said.
“Little girls that use naughty words don’t get cookies,” a nail tech said.
“Eat shit,” Louise said.
“Louise!” Queenie said. “Do you want people to think you come from the gutter, or do you want them to respect you like a lady?”
“I don’t care what people think,” Louise said.
“Her mother used to say the same thing,” the red-haired woman next to Mercedes said.
Everyone gasped.
“I know my mama’s dead!” Louise said. “The stupid woman who washed my hair mentioned it by mistake! And I’m not sorry Mama’s dead. She was mean and almost killed me. That stupid bitch threw me out in the street to die like I was worth nothing!”
“Well, you can stand there and act like you’re worthless, or you can prove Nina wrong,” Adele said. “Grow up to be the lady your mama never could be.”
“Mm-hmm,” Queenie said. “That’d be the best revenge. To make it big when your mama didn’t think you’d get anywhere.”
“That’s right,” Royale said. “And your mama had a mouth on her, little girl. It would be no lie for me to say that I don’t think she could ever stop cursing. And there would be no turning her into a respectable lady.”
“You’re still young and have a chance to show the bitch up,” Flan said.
“Then that’s what I’m gonna do,” Louise said. “I’m not gonna curse anymore. That’ll show Mama.” She walked to a seat and sat down.
“What’s taking Lucie so long?” the woman with red hair said.
“Where are you in such a rush to go to, Lola?” Adele said.
“My son is coming to take me out to dinner,” Lola said. “That’s why I had them color my hair a week early. You know how my son fusses if he sees any gray in my hair.”
“My Robertito is the same way,” Mercedes said. “If he sees one strand of gray in my hair, he throws money at me and tells me to come here to the salon. I tell him I don’t need the money, I need time to go.”
“Sons are all the same way,” a woman with short, ash blonde hair said. “They don’t think we have anything to do but sit around getting our hair and nails done, so we look pretty when they come visit.”
“Bernadette, that is no lie,” Lola said. “God forbid they ever pitch in to help with anything.”
“Brothers are no better,” Adele said.
“On the other hand,” Bernadette said. “I don’t think I want my son or husband helping around the house. God only knows the mess they’d make in my kitchen.”
“I heard they’re giving Lucie a complete makeover,” Flan said.
Everyone in the room gasped.
“What?’ Adele said. “She didn’t tell me she was having a makeover.”
“New hairstyle, color, and everything,” Flan said. “Even makeup.”
Again everyone gasped.
“Well, it’s about time she did it,” Royale said. “Will we even recognize her when she comes out?”
“I’ve never seen my sister with her hair any different,” Adele said.
“Surprise!” Lucie said, when she entered the room from the salon area in back.
“Oh my God,” Adele said.
“I can’t believe it,” Mercedes said.
“Who would’ve known?” Queenie said.
“I stopped cursing at the wrong time,” Louise said when she looked at Lucie.
“I’m in the mood to go shopping for something new to wear that goes with the changes I’ve made,” Lucie said.
When the women left the salon and walked down the street, local onlookers’ eyes were all on one person—Lucie. Gasps could be heard, and Lucie smiled.
“Wait until the people at La Mer see her at brunch tomorrow,” Bernadette said to Queenie.
“They’ll be shocked that’s for sure,” Queenie said.
Chapter 23
Surprises come in twos
“I’M SO GLAD your dad is letting you stay with us a while at Walter’s house ,” Gabriel said to Jimmy when they were walking up the rock steps back to the house.
“‘Our house’,” the detective said.
The detective walked ahead to give Jimmy and Gabriel room to talk without being bothered.
“Your new house is nice,” Jimmy said when they’d arrived at the home.
“Galen and I each have our own rooms too,” Gabriel said. “There’s a car in the driveway. Do we have a visitor, Pops?”
“Don’t worry about it for now,” the detective said.
They walked i
nto the house and were greeted by Walter, who was holding a birthday cake with lit candles on it; beside him was Galen.
Everyone sang “Happy Birthday” to Gabriel, then headed into the dining room.
“Did you bring me a surprise, Popsy?” Galen said to the detective.
“Nope,” the detective said, then smiled and patted Galen’s head. “I like your haircut, though.”
“Hey,” Galen said. “I was good.”
“So you should always be,” the detective said.
“Who wants cake?” Walter said.
“No cake,” the detective said. “We gotta go—all of us.”
“I ate all my lunch, and Papa Walt said I could have cake,” Galen said.
“It’s a good thing you had lunch because we have a ways to go,” Jimmy said.
“That’s why there’s a car in the driveway,” Gabriel said.
“A La Mer vehicle,” the detective said. Did you see the La Mer logo and name on the sides?”
“Yeah,” Gabriel said. “I’m so dumb, it must be Papa Walt’s car.”
“The family car, so, ‘family,’ let’s all go get in,” the detective said.
“What about the cake?” Galen said.
“You can have a piece later,” Jimmy said.
“Don’t you want to go get your surprise,” the detective said to Galen, then picked him up, hugged him, and covered him with kisses while he giggled and fussed.
“Do I even want to know what exactly is going on regarding this surprise?” Walter said.
“Probably not, Papa Walt,” the detective said.
They all exited the house, Walter locked the front door, then got in the driver’s seat of the car. The detective sat up front in the passenger side, while the boys were all in back. Soon they were off on their trek, with Jimmy giving directions.
“Don’t think I didn’t notice the new bruise on your arm, Popsy,” Walter said.
