by Gerald Lopez
WHILE HER SISTER was taking a nap, Adele fixed her makeup, put on her prettiest dress, and sprayed perfume on her body. Quietly, she left the house and headed to visit Maxime.
“Ms. Adele,” Maxime said, when he opened the door. “My parents left early to meet friends before they go to some yacht party they’re attending. I’m just taking a break from work.”
“Thank you, I’d love a glass of red wine,” Adele said, then forced her way inside past Maxime.
“Did I offer to open a bottle of wine?” Maxime said, unsure of what was happening.
“No, but I’m sure you were about to,” Adele said. “I’ve always thought highly of you, Maxime.”
“Thank you, Ms. Adele,” Maxime said. “Please have a seat, and I’ll get us some wine.”
While Maxime was getting the wine, Adele looked around the waiting room filled with dark velvet chairs and a sofa. She picked the sofa to sit on. Maxime returned with two glasses of wine, and walked over to Adele.
“Please join me on the sofa, Maxime,” Adele said.
Maxime sat down, but he kept a distance from Adele.
“While I do admire your ambitions when it comes to business,” Adele said. “I feel like your education in other areas is sorely lacking.”
“I don’t understand,” Maxime said.
“You’ve been so busy chasing girls like Corinne, when what you need is a ‘woman’ to lend you a guiding hand,” Adele said, then moved closer to Maxime.
“Ms. Adele,” Maxime said. “You’re… you’re.”
“I know I’m slightly older than you,” Adele said. “But it’s good to start with an older, distinguished, sensual woman.” She sat on Maxime’s lap, and put her arms around his neck.
“Ms. Adele I’m not sure this is right.”
“Sometimes you need to just grab what’s right in front of you, Maxime,” Adele said then placed his hands on her breasts.
“Hussy!”
Adele turned to see her sister Lucie standing in front of the now open front door.
“What are you doing here?” Adele said.
“Seeing if my hunch was right about where you’d be,” Lucie said, then closed the door behind her and walked to the sofa. “And what exactly are you doing with this young man?”
“Educating him,” Adele said, holding her hands on top of Maxime’s hands that she’d placed back on her breasts.
“There’s not much there for him to grab on to,” Lucie said. “Now these are breasts a man can appreciate.” She opened the top of the green wrap dress she wore and revealed her large, bare, breasts.
“Those things are so big and droopy they look like udders, you cow,” Adele said. “Mine may be small, but that means they don’t have far to fall.” She pushed Maxime off and bared her breasts.
“Maxime, I thought I’d stop by to… oh my Lord,” Father Albion said as he entered the room. “The door was unlocked and I… I.”
“We were just showing Maxime how a woman’s breasts look, so he can perfect Corinne’s for the viewing,” Adele said, then quickly covered her breasts.
“I do not have udders,” Lucie said, then covered her breasts and stormed out followed by Adele.
“Why are women so scary sometimes?” Maxime said, then rushed to the back patio.
Father Albion followed Maxime, and sat with him outside. “Are you alright?”
“No,” Maxime said. “Those big, bulbous mammaries were coming at me from all sides, Father. They were just so big—and I hate big boobs, they’re disgusting.”
“Boobs?”
“Well, Corinne’s were nice, but they were small, and they would never have sagged.”
“Some men like big breasts,” Father Albion said.
“Do you?” Maxime said.
“Well, my wife had very large breasts, and they did sag from the weight, but I didn’t mind. That was so long ago. I’m sixty-five now and I haven’t been with another woman since my wife died five years ago.”
“But the sisters are so old, Father.”
“We all get old, Maxime.”
“Did you think they had pretty breasts?”
“Well, I didn’t get a good enough look at them to say.”
ARNOU WORE HIS robe and slippers to go into Walter and the detective’s house. Once inside, he went to the bathroom where, he dug his clothes out of his backpack and put them on. Then he joined the others, who were waiting for him in the dining room.
“Arnou are you really gonna work as a bodyguard for Galen and me?” Gabriel said.
“Yeah, is that OK?” Arnou said.
“Sure, you’re cool,” Gabriel said.
“You’ll be babysitting me and my puppy tonight when Gabriel goes out with Papa and Popsy,” Galen said.
“Works for me,” Arnou said. “I’m in training to be head of security at La Mer.”
“Wow,” Galen said, impressed..
“Your Popsy is gonna train me,” Arnou said.
“Can you train me too, Popsy?” Galen said.
“When you’re a little older, kid,” the detective said. “You boys can go back to your rooms, and play with the puppies now.”
“It’s adult talk time,” Jimmy said. “Let’s go.”
When the boys and puppies were gone, Arnou looked at the detective.
“Walter will decide where you’ll be bunking,” the detective said, then turned to Walter. “It needs to be near the boys at least for a while.”
“Understood,” Walter said. “For tonight Arnou can stay here.”
“Arnou, did you grow up here?” the detective said.
“Yes, Sir.”
“Did you know that Dolores the bitch is dead?” the detective said.
“I knew, and I went to her funeral just so I could dance on her grave afterward,” Arnou said.
“It’s funny that you mention dancing when she was so critical of that art form,” the detective said.
“She didn’t have as big a problem with my dancing as she did with other kids. Man did she terrorize some of them—told them they should never dance again because they were so bad.”
“Who got it the worse from her?” the detective said.
“Corinne and Maxime for sure, Sir,” Arnou said. “When people showed up at Dolores’s funeral, you could see the ones she treated the worst because it was written all over their faces.”
“How so?” Walter said.
“Those guys had a mixture of fear, disgust, and anger on their faces when they were at the funeral. I have to give Maxime credit, he did a good job prepping the bitch for viewing, after how she treated him. He nailed the sneer that was always on her face.” He shuddered. “It was almost like any second she could’ve criticized someone even from her coffin—spooky.”
“Spook enough to push someone over the edge?” the detective said.
Chapter 33
Nerves
“I’M NERVOUS, POPS,” Gabriel said, from the backseat of the car. “I wish Jimmy didn’t have to go back home, and could’ve come with us.”
They were on their way to Naomi’s house, and were all wearing polo shirts, jackets, long pants, and deck shoes.
“You look great, Gabriel” Walter said. “And you know Naomi and Augustine already.”
“But this is an important meeting, isn’t it?” Gabriel said. “How will I know what to say?”
“First thing you do, is act like you belong and hold your own,” Walter said.
“Does that mean I have to be a snob-or-something, or just confident,” Gabriel said.
“Just confident will do,” Walter said. “And remember we’re there with you. No one is going to pressure you to do anything.”
“We’ve got your back, buddy, so don’t worry,” the detective said.
When they arrived at Naomi’s house, and walked in through the front door, Naomi greeted them. She wore a floor-length, one shoulder, white dress.
“Don’t you three look handsome,” Naomi said, then gave them all hugs. “It
’s such a nice evening I thought we’d sit outside, if that’s OK.”
“Great idea,” the detective said. “Naomi, the way you’re dressed tonight a person could easily confuse you with the goddess Aphrodite.”
“He’s a flatterer, you need to keep this one around for the long term, Walter,” Naomi said.
“That’s the plan,” Walter said.
They walked through the home, which had no visible guests at present, then out the French doors. Augustine was waiting, dressed in similar fashion to the detective and his group. He was seated at a table that had lit candle votives on its surface.
“Gabriel, my boy, how are you?” Augustine said, standing to greet Gabriel.
Gabriel nervously held his hand out to shake.
“Hello, Sir,” Gabriel said.
“‘Sir’ and a handshake, what is this?” Augustine said. “I’m your godfather, remember?” He smiled, pulled Gabriel close to him, and gave him a hug. “Sit, everyone, there’s no need to be so formal.”
Everyone sat down at the table, and Naomi flagged down a manservant to bring them a bottle of wine and a soda for Gabriel.
“Look at you,” Augustine said to Gabriel. “Already looking every bit the businessman Cabot Chambers was, and as handsome as him as well. Plus some of his mother’s beauty. This guy’s a dangerous one.” He laughed. “But, Gabriel, I promised your father I wouldn’t involve you in my ‘shady business’.”
“Thanks,” Gabriel said, then grew silent.
“We’ve received the blood tests back from the doctor, and there is absolutely no way anyone can deny that Gabriel and Galen are Chambers’ sons,” Naomi said. “Gabriel, the money Louise took from Chambers’ hotel room was a small, customary payment from you to Augustine. It’s a tradition your fath—Mr. Chambers knew about.”
“And it keeps me out of your business,” Augustine said, and smiled. “But I hope we can still meet as just godfather and godson once in a while, Gabriel.”
“I’d like that,” Gabriel said. “You’re not mad because Da—Mr. Chambers asked you not to do business with me, are you?”
“Naw, don’t you worry about that,” Augustine said. “I have a son, and now a grandson to do business with, and I may retire soon anyway.”
“Whatever will you do?” Naomi said, and smiled.
“I don’t know what to call Mr. Chambers,” Gabriel said. “I loved him like a Father, but he never asked me to call him Father. Now there’s only Galen and me. No other blood-related family, although we love Papa and Popsy already.”
“And we love you and your brother,” the detective said, then gave Naomi a long look. “Tell him, Naomi, it’ll be fine.”
“Tell me what?” Gabriel said.
Naomi walked to Gabriel, smiled warmly, then spoke.
“Your mother forbade me from telling you the truth, because of who I am, and what I do. And I thought it was better for you not to have ties to a woman who ran a whorehouse. A high-end one, but it still is what it is. Business can be tough enough, without people being able to point and say there goes the nephew of that madame Naomi.”
“I would punch anyone in the mouth if they ever said anything against you,” Gabriel said, then stood and gave his aunt a hug.
Naomi embraced Gabriel then sat back in a chair and wiped tears from her eyes.
“Why are you crying?” Gabriel said.
“She’s happy, I think,” Walter said.
“And relieved,” the detective said. “Part of her felt you might reject her.”
“Why?” Gabriel said. “That’s stupid.” He went to his aunt, and held her hands. “Galen and I guessed you were our aunt years ago, and we’ve always loved you lots. You were so nice, and brought us candy and clothes. Mom threw out a lot of the stuff, but we always managed to hide some of the candy from her.”
“How did you know I was your aunt?” Naomi said.
“When Momma would fix herself up, she would look pretty like you,” Gabriel said. But she was so religious. I don’t blame Jesus for that, it was just how it was. When my Mom died, I’m glad that you and Chambers were there for each other.”
“To be honest I always sort of liked him, but he was with my sister, that made him off limits,” Naomi said. “At least until my sister was dead.” She chuckled. “Forgive me for that tasteless joke.”
“It was funny,” Gabriel said, then laughed. The others joined in the laughter.
“I’m going to check on our drinks,” Naomi said. “And I’ll see about dessert, then we can discuss more serious things.” She walked away.
Naomi walked back inside the house, and Augustine spoke.
“You continue to impress me, Gabriel.”
“Yes, well handled, Son,” the detective said.
“I’m lost,” Gabriel said.
“Your aunt is a good woman,” Walter said. “She loves you dearly, and would’ve been crushed if you hadn’t handled the fact she’s your aunt with such finesse.”
“You did good, kid,” the detective said.
“Thanks, I guess,” Gabriel said.
“He’ll have to meet with the lawyer soon, to see to the estate,”Augustine said.
“We’ll be there to help him,” Walter said. “We may even make a suggestion or two, but whatever he inherits is all his and his brother’s.
“We neither need any money he may inherit, nor want it,” the detective said.
“I like how direct you are,” Augustine said. “That’s a rare trait in people these days, I’m sorry to say.”
“Am I in trouble?” Gabriel said. “Why did Naomi say we had serious things to discuss?”
“You’re in no trouble,” Augustine said. “The news is good—at the very least interesting. You may like it. In fact, I think you will.
Naomi returned with the manservant from earlier. The man carried a tray with a bottle of wine, a can of cola, and several glasses on it. On the tray Naomi held were plates with pieces of limoncello cake on them.
When they had finished eating, Augustine handed Gabriel a large envelope.
“Chambers’ birthday gift to you is in that envelope, Gabriel,” Augustine said. “I helped him with some of the paperwork. It’s all legal and clean.”
Gabriel quickly opened the envelope, and peered through the paperwork inside.
“I own a house and a bunch of buildings one town over?” Gabriel said.
“Not just any house,” Naomi said. “Your mother and I were born in that house, and so were your grandparents. The house is big, but needs a lot of work, and there’s acreage and an old vineyard too.”
“You also own several buildings in the downtown area there,” Augustine said. “The town is old, and in need of someone young with fresh ideas to bring it back from the brink. Chambers thought you were that man, Gabriel.”
“Wow,” Gabriel said, then showed pictures of the house and properties to Walter.
“Impressive, but it will all take a lot of work and money,” Walter said. “You’ll need to be careful not to lose your shirt.”
“Pops, will you help me with the work?” Gabriel said. “I’ll pay you.”
“I will need some play money once I retire after this case,” the detective said. “Count me in, buddy. Or should I say, boss?”
“Buddy or kid is fine,” Gabriel said. “I especially like when you call me son. Nobody ever called me that before except my mom.” He was silent for a minute then spoke again. “I know Cabot Chambers was my dad and I love him, but I don’t feel right calling him Dad. That’s not what I called him when he was alive.”
“What you say makes sense to me,” Naomi said. “And if you need a woman’s touch on your house—say with picking out curtains when you’re through, call me.”
“I will,” Gabriel said. “But, wait a minute… it was your house… and Mama’s.”
“She always dreamed it would go to you one day,” Naomi said. “And Chambers told her that when you turned seventeen, he’d purchase it and the property f
or you from the last owners. The town properties were Chambers’ idea as a business venture to wet your feet with.”
“That’s a darn good idea,” the detective said. “It sounds like quite the adventure to me.”
“I held the deed to some of those properties, but Chambers paid me a fair price for them,” Augustine said.
“What were you going to do with them?” Gabriel said.
“The thought had crossed my mind to retire there,” Augustine said.
“Maybe other people will have the same idea, or better yet I can turn a couple of the buildings into hotels and shops,” Gabriel said.
“You’re living with a hotel expert, and I’m sure he’ll be glad to help you,” Naomi said.
“I’ll definitely be glad to help,” Walter said. “It sounds like we have a lot of hard work ahead of us. But lots of fun too.”
“Do the house first, so you have a place to live when you work on the other buildings,” the detective said.
“Does that mean I have to move out of our house, Pops?” Gabriel said.
“That means we work on your house on weekends and school holidays,” the detective said. “And no you don’t move out till you finish school. And even then only if you want to move out.”
“I bet Jimmy will help us with the new house,” Gabriel said. “Maybe he and I can even open a restaurant together.”
“It was a stroke of genius to hire Arnou to be the boys’ bodyguard,” Naomi said. “He phoned to nicely tell me that he officially resigned from this establishment.”
“Arnou is a bit of a hothead, but he’s taken to you, Detective,” Augustine said. “You can mold him into the man he should be, and he’ll be loyal.”
“Was Arnou a man-whore?” Gabriel said.
“He kept an eye out for you and Galen, so don’t call him that again, please,” the detective said.
“I didn’t mean to insult him,” Gabriel said. “Really, I guess we all knew that was how Arnou and Marianne made the money to buy their clubs and restaurant. I feel bad now for what I said.”
“You should,” Walter said.
“He was just asking us and he can ask ‘us’ anything,” the detective said. “Arnou did what he did, Gabriel. But he doesn’t do that now.”
