by Gerald Lopez
“Because I’m frightened I may be right about my suspicion. Still, it’s time I tell someone. These murders have gone on for too long.”
“Even one child’s death is too much,” the detective said.
“The murderer must be a local. A tourist or stranger couldn’t get away with it ”
“That’s why he hasn’t been discovered. He can go amongst the townsfolk without sticking out.”
“And he’s able to approach the children without their being alarmed,” Mrs. Marie said.
“That means they trust him.”
“Yes and more. We all probably trust him.”
“So he could be a police officer, priest—teacher.”
“Any of those, and something none of us have probably thought of or they would’ve caught him by now. It should be easier to find a cold-blooded monster hiding in the body of a man.”
“Maybe the monster doesn’t know he is one.”
“How could he not know? Do you think he might be mentally deranged? Surely there would’ve been signs of such a thing.”
“Not necessarily. If he were so obvious, he’d be behind bars by now. Unless….”
“Unless what?” Mrs. Marie said.
“Someone powerful is protecting him,” the detective said.
Chapter 25
Home is where the dog is
WHEN THEY GOT back home, Walter directed the boys to set up the dog crates in their bedrooms.
“The boys are gonna need help,” the detective said.
“Take all the supplies but the dog food into your rooms while I talk to Pops,” Walter said to the boys.
“OK,” Gabriel said. “Come on, Galen, we’ll help you.”
While the boys were unloading the car, the detective and Walter went to the back patio and pool area, where they talked about what Mrs. Marie had said.
“So did you learn anything from what she told you?” Walter said. “It just seems like more conjecture.”
“Maybe, but I’d like to know who Chambers bought the puppy for,” the detective said.
“Why did you ask Mrs. Marie about the dancing man killer? Do you think he might’ve been the one who killed Chambers?”
“Probably not, but you never know. Maybe Chambers discovered dancing man’s true identity somehow. I haven’t even seen our boys’ bedrooms yet. Do they have beds?”
“Yes,” Walter said. “And dressers too,” he chuckled. “I furnished the whole place when I moved in.”
“Why furnish three bedrooms?”
“For my family when they visit. Remember, my cousins—the ones you still stayed in touch with while we were on a break.”
“Were we on a break?” the detective said.
‘What?” Walter said. “But you went out with the guy with the nipple fetish. I got mad when you came home all beat up after trailing those drug dealers, and I said I’d had enough. Then I threw you out.”
“Nipple boy was just a port in the storm.”
“That’s why you told me all about him while it was going on. Why did I throw you out?”
“You got tired of seeing me hurt all the time.”
“It took a lot out of me when you came home hurt, Pops. More than you know.”
“I know, and I’m retiring after this case—scout’s honor.”
Walter chuckled. “It’s funny to think you were ever a scout. There was no one in your life but Reynard for those three years… and he doesn’t really count. And you didn’t have any intense flings or you would’ve told me.”
“Exactly, Detective Peters. I knew you needed your chance to do something all on your own.”
“It was always for us, though,” Walter said, then leaned against his detective who held him. “In my heart I knew I was building a home for us where we could both be safe, and you wouldn’t get into as many fights—after this last case.”
“When you have a dog you have a home,” the detective said, “and we have two,”
They talked some more, then Walter went inside to help Jimmy and Gabriel, while the detective went to help Galen.
“How do you like your new bedroom, buddy?” the detective said, as he set up the puppy’s crate while Galen played with the puppy.
“It’s really nice,” Galen said. “And I have a puppy! Is the puppy gonna have to stay in a cage all the time.”
“Nope. That’s just where he sleeps. It’s to potty train him. He’s gotta stay in there when it’s bedtime. Then when you wake up, you’ll have to walk him so he can go potty and pee.”
“OK,” Galen said, his curiosity satisfied.
They all had pizza for dinner, followed by birthday cake, then took the puppies with them while they walked Jimmy home. When it was time for bed, Galen asked his Popsy to stay with him a while so he did.
“Do we really have to keep the puppy in the cage all night,” Galen said. “He’s crying.”
“That’s normal,” the detective said. “He wants to be with you, but he’ll have to wait until morning for now.”
“OK, Popsy,” Galen said.
“You’ll have to think of a name for the puppy.”
“I will, Popsy,” Galen said, then yawned.
It had been a long day for the two of them, and they both quickly fell asleep.
WALTER SLOWLY AND quietly walked into Galen’s room and woke his detective at the time he’d asked him to. The detective carefully slipped out of the bed and left the room.
“Comfortable beds,” the detective said to Walter. “Good job.”
The detective and Walter went to their bedroom and looked through the closet.
“What do you need to wear tonight?” Walter said.
“Probably all black and casual. You haven’t by any chance developed a leather fetish?”
“No, are you going to a leather club?”
“I have no idea where I’m going, just that leather will be worn by many.” He thought about something for a minute. “Are there any clubs here that Naomi might not know about?”
“Not many,” Walter said.
“Just how connected is Naomi?”
“Very. You’ll be meeting her the day after tomorrow. She called while you were asleep, and asked for a meeting at her place.”
“Interesting,” the detective said.
“Here, wear these,’ Walter said, then handed his detective a black T-shirt and black jeans. Put on your boots.”
“Take care of our boys and puppies while I’m gone,” the detective said.
“Do you think the boys are in any danger?”
“No,” the detective said, then kissed Walter.
Several minutes later, he met Robertito in front of La Mer hotel’s main entrance. Robertito had arrived in Ranvir’s taxi. Once the detective got in the backseat, they were on their way.
“Try not to get into any fights tonight, Detective,” Robertito said. “The folks we’re going to be seeing might like the idea of getting beaten up too much.”
Ranvir laughed.
“Arnou does keep mentioning foot fucking me,” the detective said.
“He won’t be where we’re going tonight,” Robertito said. “Anyway, he likes you.”
“Does he?” the detective said.
“He’s just a pup needing to be trained,” Robertito said.
The taxi stopped in front of a three-story downtown building far from the tourist area. On the bottom floor was a busy tattoo parlor.
“I’ll stay close by, in case you need to make a quick exit,” Ranvir said.
“Take this,” Robertito said to the detective, then handed him a white card with nothing but red slashes on it. “You’ll need to show that card to get into the club that has no name.”
Robertito got out of the taxi followed by the detective. After waving to the tattoo artists and saying hello, he walked up a narrow staircase to the side. The detective cautiously followed him. They walked in through a narrow door, and were met by a beefy doorman in a dark hall lit with red lights. After showing
him their cards, they were allowed inside the main room that had a small bar and a few scattered chairs. A woman dressed in a dark purple, skintight, vinyl, bodysuit and knee-high boots walked in with a leash in hand. At the other end of the leash was a man with a ball gag in his mouth, wearing boxers, black socks, and dress shoes. He was on all fours.
“You two have ten minutes of my time at most before I start to charge,” the woman said. “And I’m not cheap.” She sat in a corner seat.
Her slave stopped in front of her so his mistress could use him as a foot rest.
“Will we be disturbed?” Robertito said.
“No,” the woman said.
“Who did Chambers buy the dog for?” the detective said.
“I don’t know. He needed a new face on his arm for several posh events he was going to be attending. I’m sure that his girl would’ve been young, pretty—not gorgeous, and blonde.”
“And Naomi didn’t mind,” the detective said.
“No,” the woman said, “but you should know that already. I’m getting bored.”
“Whose woman did Chambers steal away?” the detective said.
“Hmm, better,” the woman said, then stretched her legs. “I do know that the woman he was currently after wasn’t taken. Come here next to me and turn around, Detective.”
The detective did as he was told and the woman slapped his ass.
“You have a nice, full, ass,” the woman said. “Do you like getting spanked, Detective?”
“Did Chambers?” the detective said.
“Yes,” the woman said, “and more.”
“Whipped?” Robertito said.
“Not like what was done to him at La Mer,” the woman said. “I’ve seen pictures.”
“Did someone here do it to him?” the detective said.
“They’d be up for it, but no one’s made any confessions to me,” the woman said.
“OK, what are we missing?” the detective said.
“The identity of the girl chambers went after,” the woman said. “You know that, and came here hoping to get a name. The women here are too well known to accompany a man of his stature to a fancy event. Look closer to home, I’d say.”
“Would anyone here tonight tell us anything differently?” Robertito said.
“I have no idea, but you’re welcome to wander around and see what you might see… or hear. I hope you have sturdy stomachs, boys.”
Robertito and the detective thanked the woman, then walked down a hall in front of them. They passed a room where a man was tied to a bed and being whipped. In another room a man was licking a younger man’s boots. Then someone in a room called out to them.
“Hello, boys,” a heavyset woman in a pink and white baby doll sitting in a small, brass bed said.
“And what’s your name?” the detective said.
“Mina,” the woman said. “Have you found the dancing man killer yet, Robertito?”
“No, Ma’am,” Robertito said.
“I’ve been thinking that the dancing man must have a way of drawing the children to him,” Mina said. “Maybe he offers them candy. Children love sweets.”
“You might be on to something there, Mina,” Robertito said.
“Any theories on the dead man—Chambers,” the detective said.
“People think he liked pain,” Mina said, “but that’s just not true.”
“He didn’t like getting spanked or whipped?” the detective said.
“Yes, but his skin was not sensitive at all,” Mina said. “The man was desperate to feel something.”
“So if someone was interested in torturing Chambers or making him suffer, it would take a lot,” the detective said.
“Yeah, he’d look like in the photos I saw of the murder scene that the Italian at La Mer took,” Mina said.
“Have you got any theories on who did Chambers in?” Robertito said.
“I’m sure jealousy was at the root of it all—the murder,” Mina said. “And I know whoever did it was trying to torture Chambers.”
“How do you know that?”
“Oh I can tell you a thing or two about Mr. Cabot Chambers,” Mina said.
Chapter 26
The Blonde Factor
“WE’RE LISTENING,” Robertito said to Mina, who was silent.
“How much?” the detective said to Mina.
“Money’s not what it’s all about,” Mina said. “I wasn’t hinting around, just thinking for a second. Someone needs to bring order back to our town. Blondes seem to be all the rage around here, as they say.” She removed her wavy, blonde wig and shook out her own dark red hair. “But being blonde can get you or the one you love killed.”
“Are you playing amateur detective, or do you know something, Mina?” Robertito said.
“Mr. Chambers was always on trend, so if blondes were in style, that’s what he wanted on his arm,” Mina said. “It didn’t matter whether or not that blonde belonged to another man. The dancing man killer also prefers blondes. That probably means there’s an original blonde—the first one who broke his heart. But that’s just my theory.”
“Was Chambers the dancing man?” the detective said.
“No, but maybe he crossed paths with the dancing man,” Mina said.
“Just how young did Chambers like his blondes?” Robertito said.
“Never younger than legal,” Mina said. “He liked being tied up and subdued. Enjoyed being servant to a worthy mistress sexually. Socially, he wanted to be seen with only the most beautiful women. Romantically, he liked intelligent women. Naomi is both beautiful and intelligent, so she was his only real partner in every sense.”
“Was he killed in a sex scene gone wrong?” Robertito said.
“You know better than that,” Mina said. “What do you think, Detective?”
“I think everyone in town knows I’m a detective somehow.”
“Everyone knows and likes Walter,” Mina said. “We knew about you, and hoped you’d come one day.”
“If Walter even told one person you were coming, or someone overheard him say it, then you can bet the whole town found out about you,” Robertito said. “We’re a nosy bunch in this town.”
“Whoever killed Cambers was mad,” the detective said. “There was anger behind the whip marks on his back. Cutting off Chambers’ head, and leaving it on a plate meant it wasn’t about sex.” He looked at Mina, but she had no reaction whatsoever. “You know the details already.”
“Yes,” Mina said. “People at the hotel talk. If I may change the subject a minute. Not that anyone is mourning Nina, but how does her murder fit into things? Do we know who killed her?”
“That I can answer for you,” Robertito said.
“It was Jean or one of his boys,” the detective said.
“Jean, specifically,” Robertito said. “Nina was trying to double-cross them, and leave with the money.”
“Stupid woman,” Mina said.
“How sure are we that Chambers was wanting a blonde?” the detective said.
“He put word out that he was looking for a blonde,” Mina said. “But….”
“Chambers was having a hard time landing the deal,” Robertito said. “Whoever the girl is—she was playing hard to get.”
“That’s why he wanted the puppy,” the detective said.
“The man was rich, why would any woman take a dog over money,” Robertito said.
“Not over money, but as well as money,” Mina said. “Maybe there was even more she wanted and was holding out for.”
“Or she was already taken,” Robertito said. “Any chance the girl could be from this establishment?”
“No,” Mina said. “I’m the only blonde here, and not a real one at that.”
“And Chambers would never mix his social life with his sexual one,” the detective said. “Not until he formally retired.”
“You’re saying that the blonde would’ve had to pass muster in his social circles where he would’ve mixed and mingled with
his business associates,” Robertito said.
“Yes,” the detective said.
“She’d just have to be pretty, and not well known among the men or ladies,” Mina said. “She couldn’t be a working girl.”
“But for all we know she might not even be local or could be a visiting tourist,” Robertito said.
“A puppy would be a bad gift for a tourist,” the detective said. “The girl’s a local.”
He stopped and thought for a moment, then turned to Mina. “Why even suggest a connection between Chambers and the dancing man?”
“They both like blondes,” Mina said. “And it wouldn’t be so hard for a murderer to switch targets.”
“But not from helpless children to a grown man who can fight back,” Robertito said. “We’re circling around something—why? I mean, why the hell are we trying to connect the two cases—dancing man and Chambers.”
“Thanks for the help, Mina,” the detective said, then left the room and went back downstairs to the taxi. Minutes later, Robertito got in the backseat of the taxi next to the detective and sighed.
“What a wasted night,” Robertito said.
“No, we probably learned something” the detective said. “We’re just still missing the biggest piece of the puzzle.”
“The identity of the girl,” Robertito said.
WHEN HE GOT home, the detective checked to make sure the boys were fine, went to the master bedroom, stripped, and got into bed beside Walter who snuggled against him.
Everyone in the house got up late—ten—and were given their marching orders from Walter.
“Thanks for not requiring me to wear a tie,” the detective said, as he put his jacket on over a polo shirt. He wore slacks and deck shoes to finish off his ensemble. “I never asked you, did I?”
“Never asked me what?” Walter said, as he straightened out the blue silk tie he wore with a striped shirt, dress pants and a jacket.
The detective stood behind Walter and straightened Walter’s tie as he spoke. “Who was the blonde that Chambers was seeing socially?”
“I didn’t know he was seeing one socially,” Walter said. “Despite what Mrs. Marie said, I haven’t seen a new blonde around the hotel recently. Just the last one he broke up with, and that was a while back. And she no longer lives here.”
