by Gerald Lopez
“We’re killers!” Mercedes said.
“What’s going on?” Father Albion said, as he started to stir.
“Maybe the man’s not dead,” Adele said.
“How could he not be?” Lucie said. “It’s a wonder we’re all not dead!”
Men rushed to their doors and opened them.
“It’s Arnou and the detective,” Mercedes said. “We’re saved!”
When they were all out of the car, the detective checked the identity of the crushed victim. Then after calling Robertito, he walked back to the sisters, Mercedes, Arnou, Father Albion, and the little girl.
“You saved me from the dancing man killer,” the little girl said to Adele, then hugged her tightly.
“She said that Ms. Adele saved her from the dancing Man killer,” Arnou said as he interpreted the girl’s French into English for the detective.
“Who is it, Detective?” Mercedes said. “Who’s the killer?”
“Maxime,” the detective said.
The women all gasped and covered their mouths. In no time Robertito arrived with others.
“Thanks for your help, Arnou,” the detective said then went to talk to Robertito.
When the detective and Arnou got back to Walter’s car, the detective called Walter so he wouldn’t worry. The minute he was off the phone, Arnou kissed him hard on the lips.
“I don’t know why I just did that,” Arnou said. “Sorry, Sir.”
“It was just adrenaline,” the detective said. “Forget it happened.”
“Maxime was the dancing man killer, and had probably murdered Chamber, too, because of Corinne,” Arnou said. “He couldn’t handle the thought of losing her, could he?”
“No,” the detective said. “He couldn’t, but Chambers wasn’t the real threat. Only Maxime, the poor bastard, didn’t know that. Still that’s what kept Walter safe, or rather his movie director friend from being killed. Time to go home, I think. The police will handle looking for evidence in Maxime’s workshop. Tomorrow will be a busy day for a lot of us.”
Chapter 36
Loose Ends
“STOP BY THE lobby of La Mer,” the detective said to Arnou. “I need to talk to the front desk clerk.”
“Ok, boss,” Arnou said.
When they got to the hotel, Arnou let the detective out in front, then parked to the side. The same young woman who the detective had spoken to before was manning the desk again.
“Good evening, Detective, how may I help you?” the woman said.
“Get a hold of the Italian, and tell her to meet me here in no more than twenty,” the detective said.
“I’ll do that. Of course there’s no saying she’ll show up.”
“Her curiosity will bring her,” the detective said. “Thank you.” He smiled then left and got back in the car.
“WHAT ARE YOU doing here?” Arnou said, when he and the detective walked through the front door of Walter’s and the family’s home.
“That’s not a very warm welcome,” Marianne said. “I came by to see if you were still upright, or whether the detective had pounded you to the ground.”
“Oh the detective pounded him alright,” the detective said, then smiled.
“You two are finally back,” Walter said from the living room. “The gossip mill is working overtime. What happened? We heard there was an accident, and someone was killed. Also that the sisters were involved somehow.”
“It’s all true,” the detective said. “Where are the boys?”
“In the pool with the puppies,” Walter said. “And don’t worry, I’ll make sure the puppies are thoroughly dry before they come back in the house.”
“Good,” the detective said. “Arnou will fill you in on things. I’m gonna check on the boys, then I have an appointment back at the lobby. Set Arnou up for the night wherever you see fit. Marianne, you’re welcome to stay.”
“Thank you, I’ll take that under consideration,” Marianne said, and smiled.
After checking on Gabriel, Galen, and the puppies, the detective got in the car and headed back to the lobby. He could’ve walked, but didn’t know if the Italian would show up by herself, or with friends in tow. And he didn’t need surprises like being jumped in the night. The minute he entered the lobby, he spotted the woman, who had long, wavy, black hair and a stout figure. The way she stood, and her demeanor let the detective know she wasn’t a woman to mess with. Honesty would be best in this case.
“Hello, detective with no name,” the Italian said. “They call me the Italian.”
“I’m told you know everything that goes on here,” the detective said.
“You were told right.”
They moved to sit at a grouping of chairs nearby.
“We know Maxime is the dancing man killer,” the detective said.
“That’s very sad,” the Italian said. “I cried when I first heard that bit of news. Poor boy didn’t have the easiest life. Dying at the scene was the best thing that could’ve happened to him. Without Corinne, he probably thought his life was over anyway.”
“Was Maxime here at the hotel the day Chambers died?”
“Maxime eats breakfast at the hotel with Corinne every morning,” the Italian said. “No one would’ve found his presence unusual in any way. He was here that day, and he wasn’t happy from what I’ve recently discovered.”
“How recently?”
“When I heard that Maxime was dead, I made a few calls, and played detective myself. A death in a hotel isn’t good for business, and I enjoy working here very much. So I asked the people on duty the day Chambers died if Maxime was acting unusual.”
“And?”
“Corinne was overhead telling Maxime that her ship had come in, and she’d be leaving soon. Maxime was angry, but my sources said he got over it quickly. In fact, he was seen having what was described as a pleasant conversation with Chambers later that morning.”
“A conversation which probably continued in Chambers’ hotel room,” the detective said.
“Probably, but no one saw him go in,” the Italian said. “However, he was seen leaving by one of the housekeepers. The unusual thing was that he left by the rear entrance. Meaning he must’ve gotten out of the worker’s elevator. That was the only way he could’ve gotten to the hallway he was seen in that led to the rear entrance.”
“Cameras?”
“He would’ve known where they were, and avoided them. He was misguided but smart.”
“Can anything in the hotel room be traced back to Maxime?”
“Not that I know of, but I still don’t understand why there wasn’t a fight,” the Italian said. “The room was spotless when I went in to clean—except for the bed. Just as you saw it.”
“Did Chambers think he was engaging in some sort of sex game, and then got killed maybe?”
“No… not with Maxime, who most people—including myself, suspected was still a virgin.”
“Still, I’m sure Maxime did it—murdered Chambers,” the detective said.
“Oh I have no doubt of it either. He was obsessed with Corinne, and wrongly thought Chambers was going to take her away from here and him. I just don’t know why I didn’t suspect him earlier.”
“You’ve known him a long time. He became almost invisible like a piece of furniture. Why have we been allowed to take in Gabriel and Galen?”
“You are good, Detective. The boys’ mother Chantal left instructions in her will that she wanted Walter and his partner or future spouse to have custody of them. I know, because I was the witness to her signature. Naomi was also there, but we were sworn to secrecy until the day of the reading of the will. It’s almost that time, so I’m spilling the beans to you, so to speak.”
“Why Walter?”
“Chantal thought he was a class act, and I agree. The woman’s only indulgence in life was brunch every weekend here at La Mer, and she was always so impressed with how Walter carried himself. Like everyone there, she knew about Walter’ preference fo
r men, but that wasn’t as bad to her as what her sister did for a living. Chantal and Naomi loved each other, but had their differences.”
“The major one being Naomi’s profession?”
“Yes, but you don’t have the full picture yet, Detective. Let me enlighten you. Chantal and Naomi grew up in a large home—more of an estate, then their father died. They were left land rich, but with no money. Their mother ended up walking the streets—literally. She didn’t even have a place to screw her johns, so she did it in the alley.”
“Poor woman.”
“Chantal never got over what her mother did, and sort of invented or created a fantasy life to live in. She was determined to play the perfect and pious saint for all to see. It was a way of hiding the intense amount of shame she felt over her mother.”
“And she didn’t want to be seen in the same light as her mother, which is why she never married Chambers—a rich man,” the detective said. “So she made-up a fake husband.”
“The woman had problems, some of them probably mental,” the Italian said. “That’s why no one in town ever called her on her silly made up stories. Anyway, Chantal wanted to make absolutely sure that Naomi wouldn’t have custody of the boys.”
“Naomi didn’t seem particularly upset about the boys living with Walter and me,” the detective said. “We did make it clear that she was welcome in our home at any time. And I insisted she tell Gabriel who she really is to him.”
“That was an incredibly good thing you did, Detective. I’m no saint, and I don’t pretend to be. Naomi paid me to get that money out of Chambers’ safe and give it to Louise. I knew it was meant as a payment for Augustine, but everyone who has or wants to do business here has to make at least a one time payment to the man. He’s not a bad guy as far as those types go. Louise’s mother was stupid to try to take off with the money.”
“Yes,” the detective said, then looked toward the entry, and saw Robertito walking their way.
“Hello, everyone,” Robertito said. “I come bearing news.”
“Am I allowed to hear it?” the Italian said.
“Of course,” Robertito said. “Our people found a small needle mark on the back of Chambers’ neck. Something—I can’t remember the name of it—but it was something that people like Maxime use at work was injected into Chambers and it killed him. We found the same stuff in Maxime’s workshop. Believe it or not we also made another discovery.”
“What?” the Italian said.
“A single hair on the dildo. One we were able to match to Maxime.”
“Holy shit,” the detective said. “Then things are well and truly solved.”
“My superiors definitely think so,” Robertito said. “Maxime’s parents are distraught, but say that Corinne’s viewing will go ahead as scheduled tomorrow morning.”
“Let the games begin,” the Italian said. “The professional wailers will turn out in spades. And everyone will be in their mourning finest.”
“I just don’t understand what the sisters were up to with my mama and Father Albion at that time of night,” Robertito said.
“What did they say they were doing?” the detective said.
“That they were giving Adele a driving lesson,” Robertito said.
“The hell they were,” the Italian said. “But I’m not sure I even want to know what’s really going on.”
“I’ll second that,” Robertito said. “At least they kept the little girl safe.”
“I think I’m gonna need some sleep to deal with tomorrow,” the detective said.
Chapter 37
Saying Goodbye
THE DETECTIVE couldn’t help but laugh when he entered his home, and saw Marianne sleeping on one sofa in the living room, and Arnou on the other. He thought everyone was asleep until he heard the padding sound of small feet.
“What’re you doing awake, buddy?” the detective said to Galen.
“I waited for you, Popsy.”
Those big eyes looking up at him always melted his heart, and the detective picked up Galen and walked to his bedroom.
“Thanks for waiting for me,” the detective said, then hugged Galen and kissed his cheek before tucking him in bed.
“I’m sad, Popsy.”
“Why?” the detective said, then sat by Galen.
“Mr. Chambers was my real dad but he’s dead.”
“Yeah, but he loved you and Gabriel a lot, you know.”
“I know, but I love you Popsy and I want you to be my daddy. Does that make me a bad boy?”
“Naw,” the detective said, then lay down next to Galen, and put his arm around him. “Some folks have two daddies, did you know that?”
“They do?”
“Y’up. Sometimes they have two dads at the same time—a foster dad and a blood-related one. Come to think of it—you’ll have three that love you very much. One looking down on you from Heaven, and two right here with you.”
“That’s very true,” Walter said from the doorway.
“Do we have to go to sleep now?” Galen said.
“I don’t know,” Walter said. “Is there room for me to squeeze in there with you two?”
Galen laughed when Walter squeezed in with them. As soon as Galen went to sleep, the detective and Walter went to their room.
“That little guy just tugs at my heart,” the detective said to Walter.
“Yeah, so does his big brother,” Walter said. “They need us, babe. And I think on some level we might need them too.”
“Did you ever picture us with kids?”
“Actually I did,” Walter said, then smiled.
The next morning the detective helped Walter fix scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast for everyone. Louise’s father had dropped her off before going in to work.
“I laid out everyone’s clothes for the viewing on their beds,” Walter said.
“What’re you gonna wear, Marianne?” Louise said.
“I’ll just borrow a black shirt from one of the guys, and wear it over my shorts,” Marianne said. “That should do the trick.”
“That’s sis,” Arnou said, “ever resourceful.”
“Can we bring the puppies?” Galen said.
“No,” Gabriel said, “don’t be silly. You don’t take puppies to viewings.”
There was a knock on the door, and Gabriel jumped out of his seat.
“That’ll be Jimmy,” Gabriel said.
“They’re gonna get married one day,” Louise said, when Gabriel had gone to get the door. Just like us, Galen.”
“Are you and Louise getting married, Galen?” the detective said, then smiled.
“Yes, but only so we can have a farm with lots and lots of bunches of puppies,” Galen said. “All kinds of puppies, right, Louise?”
“Yeah,” Louise said. No funny grownup stuff just puppies everywhere. And chickens.”
“Maybe even a couple of cows,” Galen said.
“Wow, that’s some plan,” Walter said, as he put plates of food on the kitchen island for people to take. “Will you have human babies too?”
“Ew, no way!” Galen said.
“Yeah, no way,” Louise said, then grew silent. “I’m sad that Corinne is dead. She wasn’t too smart, but she was nice to me and let me take some puffs on her cigarettes.”
“Ewww,” Galen said. “Mama always told me that cigarettes were gross. I can’t marry a girl who smokes.”
“I’ll quit,” Louise said. “I haven’t puffed on one since Corinne died.”
“Hi, everybody,” Jimmy said, as he walked in wearing a dark suit.
“Would you like breakfast, Jimmy?” Walter said.
“Thanks, but I ate already,” Jimmy said, “but I’d love some juice.”
“It’s on the table, help yourself,” the detective said.
Once everyone had eaten and dressed in their suits, they waited by the front door for Marianne. When she entered the hallway dressed in a long sleeve, black, V-neck shirt over her shorts, and black stiletto pu
mps everyone whistled.
“Where did you find the heels?” Jimmy said.
“I always keep them in my bag or car for emergencies,” Marianne said, “You guys look so handsome, and you look pretty in your floral dress, Louise.”
“Thanks,” Louise said. “Queenie said I was too young to wear black and Ms. Adele agreed.”
“Let’s head out folks,” the detective said.
“Where did you get a suit, big brother?” Marianne said to Arnou.
“Walter grabbed me the suit and some clothes from the hotel shop,” Arnou said.
They left the house, and all crammed into Walter’s car. There was already a crowd lined up and waiting outside the chapel which had yet to open. Everyone’s head turned when Naomi walked up in a fitted black suit with a veiled hat and stiletto heels. Gabriel left the group, went up to his aunt, kissed her cheek, said something in French, and gave her his arm to take.
“What did he say?” the detective said to Walter.
“Welcome, Auntie,” Walter said. “In front of everyone, and loud enough so they’d all hear it.”
“I’m so damn proud of that guy right now,” the detective said.
“Ditto,” Walter said.
The doors opened, and the gathered crowd slowly entered the chapel to say their good-byes to Corinne. Oohs and ahhs could be heard coming from inside the chapel.
Gabriel walked with his aunt to Jimmy and the others.
“Hello,” Naomi said.
“Hello,” the others said.
“Wowww,” Galen said, when he walked into the chapel holding his papa and popsy’s hands.
“Incredible,” Louise, who stood in front of Galen, said. “Everyone’s gonna take lot and lots of pictures. She’ll look down from Heaven and love it all. It’s like she’s a real star.”
The chapel was filled to overflowing with all type of white flowers, including roses and camellias.
“She looks so beautiful,” Louise said, when they walked up to the coffin, “Like a doll.”
“More like an angel, my love,” Adele said to Louise from the side of the coffin.
