by JKMelby74
Chapter 43
He Keeps The Horns
When I saw Aldo again, I told him what we found and he agreed with our theories. It seemed like almost too good a scam to me. Real estate baron sells off plots of land to the elite who, for whatever reasons, would never find their way to Heaven otherwise. The best part seemed to me that not only could Bertram sell to the living, but with Pyre and Vyra helping, he had access to the dead as well. The great monsters of history that had been denied eternal peace in paradise could now obtain it simply by buying it. Bertram could charge beyond top dollar and get it and he would never run out of property to sell. He probably had it put into his will that his ascendants would continue selling homes in Heaven. Guys like him can never get enough.
After a good long talk about the situation, Aldo was kind enough to give me two pictures of Pyre and Vyra from some secret file that I wasn’t supposed to know anything about. He told me some crackpot photographer had taken them a couple decades ago. He was out to get some shots of Bigfoot, but instead he captured two bloodthirsty demons. They looked nothing like the two clean-cut go-getters who showed Ivar and I around the model homes. I had to be sure of who and what I was dealing with, and to figure that out, there was only one man I could talk to. What I was thinking required a bit of espionage on Gwen’s part, though. I asked her to snoop around Bertram’s files and bring back anything that seemed off. I didn’t have to wait long until she came up with a lot of paperwork that amounted to nothing more than a lengthy receipt for extensive plastic surgery.
“What does this have to do with anything?” She asked as I pored over the papers. “I admit, plastic surgery isn’t really on the top tier of real estate expenses, but maybe it was a gift for his wife or girlfriend or something,” I then pulled out the two photos Aldo had given me. “Who are these guys? They look terrible.”
“Vyra and Pyre, at least they were.”
“What are you thinking?”
“Maybe something very wrong, but there’s only one man in the world who can prove that.”
The next day, I asked Gwen to accompany me to the offices of Dr. Thaddeus Belgard, plastic surgeon extraordinaire. Dr. Belgard was regarded as one of the top lift men in Beverly Hills. His roster of patients read like a who’s who of Hollywood and his work was so good, people would proudly confess to feeling the touch of his scalpel. One thing those sterling smiles and tight butts didn’t know was as well respected as he was in one realm, he was just as applauded in another. Unknown to the general public, Belgard had talents in Demoplasty, as I referred to it. When a demon comes to this mortal coil, there’s no other face maker they trust more than Belgard. He was a whiz at filing down horns and amputating extra appendages. He also offered the more mundane services such as electrolysis and fur removal and caps to make teeth from fangs. The monstrous would seek him out to drink from his well of beauty so that they could live as normal a life as they were capable of. After all, everyone knows when you look normal; your life is normal as well. Right?
We arrived at Belgard’s office a little after eleven in the morning. His waiting room put my apartment to shame. Of course, his garage did that too. Classical music was being piped in and the one woman who was there was leafing through a recent edition of The New Yorker. The carpet was thick and luxurious and there was original art tacked up on the wall. Lighting was creatively staged as to put everything in the best possible light.
“Wow.” Gwen said as we walked in.
“Don’t tell me you’re impressed by all of this.”
“No. Not really. It’s just I never thought I’d be in the office of THE Dr. Belgard.”
“You know about him? How do you know about him? You’re from Blue Haven!”
“We get Entertainment Tonight out there, you know. I saw all the stories about him. I even watched that reality series about him they had on E.”
“I think I just lost a little respect for you now.”
“I know it’s stupid, but that’s kind of the fun of it too. I mean, I’d never have anything done. I wouldn’t dare become one of the sideshow freaks this guy churns out, but it’s still kind of a thrill to be here. Where it all happens.”
“I guess. Just sit down for a second and catch your breath. I want to see if the good butcher is in.”
Gwen sat on the overstuffed couch just by the entrance as I walked over to the receptionist.
“Hello. Do you have an appointment?” She asked. I could tell from her eyes she was years older than her face appeared. Her lips were stretched tight into an almost permanent frown and while her neck had more lines than a road map, her breasts looked like they had just grown in the night before.
“No, but I was hoping I could see Dr. Belgard. I really wanted one of his purple lollipops.” The receptionist looked at me carefully.
“I’m sorry. Dr. Belgard only sees patients with appointments.” I was astounded that I couldn’t see her lips move.
“Come on. It looks like a slow day. He couldn’t squeeze me and my girlfriend in for just a quick consultation?” The receptionist looked over my shoulder at Gwen, who was sitting blissfully ignorant of our conversation.
“What is she looking to have done?”
“You’re not blind. You see. She’s here for the works. Top to bottom.” I could finally see her face actually transform into an actual emotion. Curiosity.
“She is? She looks fine to me.”
“For what she is, I guess so.”
“What she is?”
“Yeah. I should mention that we came to see Dr. Belgard for some of his ‘special’ services. You get me?” My eyes locked onto the receptionist’s and it was clear she picked up on my tone.
“She’s one of those?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m sorry. I understand how much you need to see the doctor, but you really need to make an appointment.”
“We only came here because Bertram recommended him. He said he was the best.” The receptionist’s ears pricked up a bit.
“You were referred by William Bertram?”
“Yeah.” I said and the corners of her lips quivered, in what I could only assume was her attempt at a smile.
“Fine. Go on in. Right through the door there. Last door on the left.” I turned to Gwen and motioned for her to join me. We walked through the door and into his main office.
“What did you say to her?” Gwen whispered.
“Nothing. Don’t worry about it.”
It looked like any other doctor’s office. We walked forward and stopped at the last door at the end of the hall. It looked like any other door. I looked to Gwen who appeared to be growing more worried. I grabbed the handle and pulled the door open. We saw only a modest office inside. A large mahogany desk with a slim computer on top. Book shelves lining the walls full of medical journals. We stepped in and behind us came Belgard. He wasn’t as I had pictured him. He was a lot younger than I thought he’d be. Fit too. His hair was rather long and tossed easily as he moved.
“Good morning,” He said with a bright smile and slid behind his desk. He tapped a few buttons on his computer and then looked to me and Gwen with his intense stare. “Bertram sent you, eh?”
“Yes. He says you’re the best.”
“He’s right. So, how can I help you two?”
“Well,” I began.
“Have a seat,” Belgard said pointing to the two chairs in front of his desk. He diverted his eyes from me to Gwen. “Pardon my staring, but you look fantastic, if you don’t mind me saying.”
“Oh, that’s fine.” She said.
“Very passable.”
“Excuse me?”
“Pardon my bluntness, but my last case was this giant pile of blubber with fur all over. No way to pass that off as human.”
“I am not a demon.”
“Oh, neither was that guy,” Belgard said and then exploded in laughter. Gwen giggled a bit, but I could only roll my eyes. “Just my little joke. Now, if you’re not demons, why are
you in my special office?” I stood up.
“My name’s Jake Corba and I need to ask you a few questions.”
“I see.” Belgard leaned back in his chair. His body language seemed to take on a hostile tone. I knew then time was of the essence.
“I need to know if two particular individuals have been in for work.”
“You know I can’t reveal my clients.”
“Unless I’m with a basic cable network, don’t you mean?”
“Privacy is their privilege.”
“For humans, not demons,” I pulled out the photos. “I need to know if you’ve done any work on these two,” Belgard took the pictures and examined them carefully. “I found receipts for your services in William Bertram’s files. I just want to know if these were the two he had you work on.” Belgard looked up at me. His eyes were hard to read.
“What if I did?”
“You know who they are?”
“I might.”
“I don’t really have time for these games. Vyra and Pyre. Did you perform any procedures on them?”
“If I told you, I’d be a dead man.”
“Bertram’s involved with something a lot bigger than even he realizes. What he and those two demons are doing could tear the very fabric of creation apart. I need to know if it really is them. Now stop with the tight lip act. You tell me what I need to know now, or we all die!” Belgard then turned to his file cabinet and pulled out a folder and tossed it on the table. I grabbed it quickly and rifled through it. I found a picture of Vyra and Pyre similar to the pictures I had, plus their after shots. Melissa and Jeff.
“He brought them in late at night and requested extreme secrecy about the project.”
“Must have been a pretty big check he wrote you.”
“What I was paid is none of your business.”
“You’re right. I don’t care what little backdoor deal you did. At least you can rest tonight knowing you did the right thing. For a change.” I looked over to Gwen but her gaze was focused on a large picture of a hospital hanging on the wall. It looked like what I always envisioned a hospital to look like. Tall, white building with flowers and trees lined along the edges. Very clean and peaceful. I noticed a large concrete slab with the name of the hospital on it. Stuart Green Cancer Institute.
“I know this place,” She said. “I saw it on the news a few nights ago,” I began to recognize it too. “They said they had lost a lot of federal funding and were going to have to close”
“That’s no longer the case.”
“Wow. Charity. Looks like you face slashers and fat suckers do have hearts after all.”
“My wife had a long fight with Ovarian Cancer. A fight she lost, I’m afraid. They helped keep her comfortable in her final moments, and I would like to think if they had more time, they could have saved her.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Bertram promised he’d see to it the hospital would get more than enough funding to keep its doors open.”
“For how long?”
“Forever.”
“He made good on this?”
“From what I was able to learn, yes.”
“And all you had to do was perform two big makeovers and keep quiet about it.”
“Yes.”
“You’re doing the right thing,” Gwen added. “Your wife would be happy that you’re telling us all of this.”
“No, I’m not. You broke into my office and stole my file. Isn’t that right?” He looked to me with a slight smile.
“Right.”
“I know of your reputation, Mr. Corba, and as well versed as you are in the ways of demons, I’m not a novice myself. I know enough to keep me alive. What little I have told you could be costing me my life.”
“Don’t worry. I’m shutting this little operation down fast, but I would advise you to take a break from the demon work. This could end up being one of those big things.”
“Of course. Is that all?”
“Yes. Thanks.”
“Of course. Perhaps you could show yourselves out? Through the back?”
Gwen and I made it back to the car, but it was not as picturesque leaving Belgard’s office as it was arriving. The backdoor led through several dark alleys and parts of Beverly Hills they don’t normally show on television.
As we turned the last corner on our way to the car, I saw a familiar face briefly before it ran into me. I fell to the ground and as I got a better look at my obstacle, I saw that it was Felix Lesidous.
“Felix? What the Hell are you doing here?”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Corba, I just had to see you.”
“I thought you only had a three day pass.”
“I did, but I came back here through different methods. I just need to talk to you.” I began to get up, but just as quickly as that, Felix had his arm wrapped around mine, lifting me to my feet.
“Thanks.”
“Of course.”
“Now, I’m not going to tell you anything, Felix. Aldo told me that he’s got it under control and that should be good enough for you.”
“You’re right. It should, but it just isn’t.”
“From what I’ve seen of Aldo, he seems like a pretty sharp lawyer. I’ve got some good information and once I pass it on to him, your case will be as good as won, but if you keep bothering me, you could jeopardize it. You don’t want that, do you?”
“No. I don’t. I’m sorry, Mr. Corba. You’re right. I’ll go. Please don’t tell Mr. Rex I came to see you.”
“I won’t. Just don’t let it happen again.”
“It won’t. I promise.”
Chapter 44
Real Estate Planning
After I dropped Gwen off at her place, I raced back to the office. I was certain Ivar would have a mountain of new research on Vyra and Pyre. What little I already knew made me sure that this was not going to be as easy as demanding Heaven back from them.
I was just a few blocks from the office when I realized I was no longer alone. I turned to the passenger seat and there was Aldo, looking as sharp and put together as ever.
“A good day?”
“We have a positive identification on Vyra and Pyre.”
“Okay. So now that we know who the guilty parties are, what’s our next step?”
“We talk to the man who hired them and figure out what he wanted from them. One Mr. William Bertram.”
“Very good.” Aldo said.
“That’s all.”
“I realize that.”
“You can go now.”
“If it’s all the same to you, I’d like to be there when you talk to this Mr. Bertram. Just so I can keep everything nice and admissible.”
“Sure. Whatever.”
When we arrived at the office, I discovered that Ivar was not there, which I found odd at least. I checked around to see if he left any notes or messages, but nothing. I did find a thick pile of books stacked on his desk. Whatever he had been researching, he had been doing it for a long time. I had the inclination to wait for him to show up and elaborate on what he found, but as time was quickly becoming an issue, Aldo and I went on ahead to Bertram’s office.
It was in the heart of Encino in a newly renovated strip mall on Ventura Boulevard. We found a space on the street just in front of Bertram’s door.
It was a rather upscale looking office. Very new. I could still detect the faint aroma of fresh cut wood and newly coated paint. The furniture and accents were cutting edge and very modern. I couldn’t really imagine Gwen working in a place like that. There wasn’t a lot of heart or soul to be found. I spotted her desk and saw she had already adorned it with pictures of her family and some other little touches. Her desk stuck out greatly from all the others, as it was the only one with a sense of warmth and humanity.
“Mr. Corba! I wasn’t expecting to see you so soon!” Bertram said as he blustered out of his door at the other end of the office. He sailed towards Aldo and I like a shark that just sniffed a drop of blood
miles away.
“Well, I just needed to talk with you a bit more before we made any decisions.”
“I see. Of course. And where is your partner? Ivar, wasn’t it?”
“Yes. He’s busy right now. I’d really like to talk to you about Melissa and Jeff.”
“What in the world for?”
“I just need some information concerning their background. May we sit?”
“Of course.” Bertram then led us to a vacant desk not too far away. He sat down behind the desk and Aldo and I took the seats in front.
“Who is this?” He asked indicating to Aldo.
“Aldo Rex. I’m a lawyer.” He said.
“This seems so serious.”
“It is, Bertram. You may not be aware of this, but I’m an investigator.”
“Well, of course I’m aware. I hired you.”
“Yes, I know, but I also investigate other things. Things like demons,” I said. As soon as I brought out the D-word, I could see the change in Bertram’s eyes. The fear and panic.
“I’m sorry? Did you say demons?” He asked, easily shaking off his initial shock.
“I happen to know your Melissa and Jeff are known in other circles as Vyra and Pyre. Two very powerful demons who some would describe as evil, for the lack of a better term.” Bertram’s face was calm. That worried me. It was as though everything I had just said was coming to him as no surprise. He was only caught off guard that I knew at all.
“I know.” He said at last.
“You knew?”
“Yes. They came to me and told me they had some property they needed to unload. I don’t know why I didn’t run screaming into the night by the sight of them, but I didn’t. I guess on some level, I wanted to know more. They then explained everything to me.”
“So you are fully aware that Heavenly Meadows is actually Heaven? You knew that?”
“How could I say no? It was perfect! Property that was literally priceless and with no way of ever selling out! It’s going to bring money into my home for eons to come!”
“Two demons come to you with Heaven in tow and you see no problem in selling it off, piece by piece?”
