Death by Dragonfly

by Jane Tesh

  “I’ll call and ask Pierson.”

  Leo Pierson said that yes, he liked the Artists’ Club. He couldn’t recall seeing Gallant there, but it was possible someone at the bar knew him. When I related this to Kary, she agreed to find out.

  I paid for lunch and put some bills on the table for the tip. “Let me see if I can think of a Southern saying. I enjoyed our lunch as much as granny’s canned peaches.” She snickered. “As much as puppies rolling in the rose petals?”

  She gave me a kiss on the cheek. “It needs work.”

  I was walking her to her car when a black SUV rounded the corner and barreled toward us. I yanked Kary back as the vehicle zoomed past, missing us by inches. I caught a glimpse of tinted windows and smelled burning rubber as the SUV screeched down the next row of cars, narrowly missing a Jeep on the end and careening out of the parking lot.

  Kary’s pocketbook had tumbled to the ground, and I helped her gather her spilled belongings. “You okay?”

  She was more indignant than frightened. “That was close! There’s no excuse to speed like that in the parking lot. What the hell were they thinking?”

  A random speeder? Soccer mom late to practice? Or someone who meant to mow us down?

  “David?”

  I blinked. “Sorry. Having a paranoid moment.”

  “You think we were a target?”

  “I don’t know.” The SUV was long gone, but my suspicions were growing. “I’ll be glad when I have all the facts about this family feud.”

  When I stopped by the set of Cosmic Healing for my second meeting with Matt Graber, I found him in his office, going over a schedule with one of his assistants. He saw me in the doorway, sent the assistant away, and motioned me in.

  I sat down in the leather swivel chair in front of Graber’s desk. His office was not very large and almost sterile in appearance. Besides the desk and two chairs, there was one file cabinet and the snake pen where the two pythons were curled in a ball. No pictures, no plants, and no papers on the spotless desk.

  Graber leaned back in his swivel chair. “Would you like a photo in here, or on the set?”

  “In here will be fine.”

  “Very well.” He sat up, put his elbows on the desk, and assumed a serious pose while I took several pictures with my cell phone.

  “Great. Thanks.”

  “My pleasure.” He leaned back again. I could tell he was trying to appear relaxed, but was way too highly strung. “I apologize again for my snakes’ behavior yesterday. I don’t know what got into them. Is your friend all right? I could tell he didn’t want to have anything to do with them. Perhaps he has a phobia?”

  “Some bad snake experiences in the past.”

  “I see. I could heal him of this, if he’s interested.”

  “I think he’d like to deal with it in his own way.”

  “It’s hard to understand how we develop these unreasonable fears. I for one believe any fear can be overcome, if we train our minds in new paths.”

  Did this guy always sound like a New Age guru? “Our readers would probably like to know how to do this.”

  He smiled his grimace of a smile. “I’ve only begun to master the technique, but I’m willing to share it with others. That’s why I’m trying to reach as many people as possible. Are you familiar with the Psychic Service here in Parkland?”

  “Yes, I’ve done several stories on them.”

  “Then you know they have their own network. My plan is to go on one or all of their television shows and teach this technique to thousands of new viewers who may have missed Cosmic Healing. I see this as a way to expand my extremely beneficial form of psychic healing.”

  I jotted down notes in my notebook. “That sounds like a good idea. Have you approached them about this?”

  “I have an appointment with Ellin Belton at three.”

  “Have you met her before?”

  “I’ve not had the pleasure.”

  No one has. “I hear she’s pretty tough.”

  “I hear she’s a clever businesswoman. If that’s the case, she’ll recognize how I can improve the PSN.”

  This guy might as well splash on the gasoline and toss in a match. I wrote in my notebook, Fireworks display at three. “Do you have any particular plans for improving the shows?”

  Oh, he had plenty of plans. He counted off his complaints. “To begin with, they don’t need that blow-dried game-show host making a fool of himself before each program. Extra senses are gifts that should be taken seriously. The carnival atmosphere isn’t necessary. It’s outdated. Second, the two women who host are attractive, but they don’t really add anything to the proceedings. I doubt if they even possess psychic ability. They seem to be merely window-dressing. And third, is the audience paid?”

  “I think so.”

  “More nonsense. My audiences come because they believe, because they need my help and advice. You see, I have a great deal to offer.”

  Graber had probably looked into the Great Beyond and saw himself as King of Cableland. “Would you include your snakes in your presentations?”

  “Naturally.”

  “You don’t see that as a carnival thing?”

  “No, indeed. My communication with my snakes is an example of psychic ability at its highest level.”

  I glanced toward the cage. “What are they saying now?”

  “They’re asleep.”

  Plotting their next breakout, I thought, which turned out to be prophetic.

  Chapter Ten

  “That Flame That Burns Me Up”

  I returned home to my office. I still hadn’t heard from Richard Mason. Ms. Piper said he never bought Art Nouveau. That didn’t mean he never stole any. A new message on his answering machine informed me he was out of town for an art show and would be back Tuesday.

  I was pondering my next move when I heard Camden’s yelp of alarm.

  “Randall!”

  I ran out the kitchen door to the backyard. Camden had been repairing the rail fence that separated his backyard from the neighbors’ yard, but he’d dropped the hammer and had backed up against a tree, staring in disbelief at the two pythons weaving up from the grass.

  “They’re here! They’re here in my backyard. They said see you later and here they are.”

  Until now, I hadn’t believed Graber’s pets would really come visit, but here they were, two sleek black-and-gold pythons moving slowly and deliberately toward Camden. I edged my way around the snakes. They paused and regarded me with unblinking gold eyes.

  “Are they saying anything now?”

  Camden’s voice quavered. “‘Hello, how are you?’”

  “Then they aren’t going to go for your throat. What do they want?”

  “How should I know?”

  “You always know.”

  He kept his gaze on the snakes. “Trust me, Randall, for the first time in my life, my mind’s a blank.”

  Even though I’m not afraid of snakes, the unexpected sight of these two large creatures in our yard was unsettling. I knew Camden could communicate with them if he’d calm down. “Okay, well, ask them what they want. They sound friendly.”

  He gestured wildly. “Come over here so I can get behind you.”

  As I took a step closer, the smaller snake turned its head toward the large oak tree. The larger one slid up to Camden and paused.

  He froze. “Oh, God…oh, God.”

  “Calm down and listen to it.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Close your eyes, then. Don’t look at it.”

  “And have it eat me when I’m not looking?”

  “I’m standing right here. Ask them what they want. If they don’t answer, we’ll both run like hell.”

  He closed his eyes and took several deep breaths. Then he opened his eyes, his exp
ression puzzled. “They want to climb a tree.”

  “Okay, so let them climb a tree.”

  He frowned slightly, listening. “They say they miss climbing trees. They’re stuck in that cage most of the time. That’s what they wanted to do the other day when they got out.” With a trembling hand he motioned to the tree. “Go ahead.”

  The snakes turned swiftly and went up the tree like two big ripples of water. Camden put his hand to his heart. “I’m going to have a stroke.”

  The branches dipped and rustled and a few leaves fell as the pythons rolled around the lower limbs. “No, you’re not. They only wanted to come play in the trees.”

  He was not convinced. “So they can drop down on me when I least expect it.”

  “The big one might. He’s the practical joker.”

  Camden glanced up. The pythons wound about the branches like fat party streamers. “Now what’s Graber going to say when he finds out they’re over here? He’ll accuse me of stealing them.”

  That had occurred to me, too. “I think those two are crafty enough to get back home before he realizes they’re gone.” I hoped they were.

  Camden managed to catch his breath. “I thought, I’ll fix the fence. Something nice and calm and ordinary. Then Slim and Jim show up.”

  “Oh, they have names now? Slim and Jim Python?”

  He was still shaking, but managed to grin. “Graber calls them Titus and Hercules.”

  A tail curled down from the branches to tickle Camden’s ear. He jerked in surprise and if I hadn’t had a hand on his arm, would have leaped to the moon.

  “Damn!”

  “Let’s go in and let them enjoy their tree.”

  Camden was immensely relieved to go inside. He sat down on one of the stools at the kitchen counter while I rooted in the fridge for a couple of Cokes. I handed him one and popped open another.

  “Speaking of Graber, I was just talking with him. He plans to be at the PSN at three. Want to come along? It’ll be fun.”

  He took another nervous glance toward the backyard. “Couldn’t that wait?”

  “They aren’t going to come inside. Aren’t they happy in the tree?”

  “Yes, but, they’re so big.” He paled. “The cat door.”

  Even as large as they were, the pythons could get in that way. “I’ll block it off.”

  He looked around frantically. “Where’s Cindy? Where’s Oreo? Are they outside?”

  “Relax. They’re on the window seat.”

  Camden looked over his shoulder toward the back bay window to assure himself the cats were basking in the sun. Then he reached for the pill bottle on the counter, shook out two and then two more.

  I frowned at him. “You really need to take some pills?”

  He paused to glare. “Two giant snakes have come to visit, and I can hear them. I think this screams major medication.”

  Snakes in the backyard was one thing. Taking too many pills was another, and in my opinion, more dangerous. “That won’t make the problem go away.”

  “It will for now.”

  He took the pills with a big gulp of Coke.

  I picked up the bottle and read the label. “‘Tranquillon.’ Where’d you get this?”

  “It’s just aspirin. If snakes are dropping by and my visions are increasing, I’m going to need something.”

  I moved the recycle bin in front of the cat door. “Your fear of snakes makes adrenaline kick in. Maybe that’s giving your visions that extra zip. Maybe if you went outside and gave Slim and Jim a little pat on the head, everything would go back to normal.”

  “That’s not going to happen.”

  “What, snake-patting, or going back to normal?”

  “Why am I hearing snakes now, anyway?”

  “Maybe it’s the next step in your vision upgrade.” I was going to continue my argument, but a familiar chugging sound announced the arrival of Turbo. “I’d better warn Kary we have guests.”

  As Kary got out of her car, I was surprised to see she was in full hippie regalia from sandals and bell-bottomed jeans to her peasant blouse and peace sign necklace. She wore a bright yellow-and-pink paisley scarf around her head and a pair of round lavender-tinted glasses.

  “Wow, you look outta sight.”

  She did a turn so I could get the full effect. “Like it? We had a pageant meeting this afternoon, so afterwards, I rooted through the costumes and borrowed all this finery from the theater. I told Vermillion I’d join her in the park. That way I can meet Rainbow if she’s there and gather some intel.”

  “Did you go to the Artists’ Club like this?”

  She readjusted the headscarf. “Oh, yes. I created quite a stir and received many requests to paint me. I told the bartender I was interested in having an exhibit at the museum, and he told me all about our cast of characters. He said Lawrence Stein came to the club only once before putting his nose in the air and commenting it was too common for him. He said Leo Pierson was great fun, especially when he got a little sloshed and recited great chunks of plays no one had ever heard of. As for Samuel Gallant, the last time he was there, he was bragging that his money troubles would soon be over.”

  “What grand scheme would take care of that?”

  She took off the lavender glasses and put them in her fringed purse. “The bartender didn’t know. He remembers this only because Gallant always moaned and groaned about his financial difficulties, so this was a new song he was singing.”

  “Anyone else on our list frequent the club?”

  “Richard Mason is a regular member.”

  “Nice work.” We started up the porch steps. “Oh, and here’s a head’s-up. Graber’s pythons stopped by. They’re up in one of the trees, in case you wander out back.”

  “I believe I’ll stay in the house.”

  “After a brief encounter with Slim and Jim, Camden decided he needed to take more pills. Would you check on him before you go to the park?”

  “Check on and lecture, if necessary.”

  I looked at my watch. “Graber has a meeting with Ellin in about half an hour. I’d better swing by the network and prevent another murder.”

  If Graber was surprised to see me at the PSN, he didn’t show it. He stood at the front of the stage as the audience members filed in, observing with his usual distain. “Mr. Fisher, are you doing a story on the PSN, as well?”

  “Just visiting.”

  Bonnie and Teresa took their places on set, and Reg arrived to greet the audience. Graber spoke to him in a condescending tone. “If you’d tell Ms. Belton that I’m here.”

  Reg took immediate offense. “She’s on her way.”

  “I’d heard that perhaps she was relocating to Charlotte.”

  “You heard incorrectly.”

  “If that happens, you’ll need a new producer.”

  “If that happens, I’ll take over Ms. Belton’s duties.”

  Graber made a dismissive sound. “I don’t think so, Haverson. You may look good on camera, but you haven’t the skills to run a network.”

  I’d never seen Reg so angry. He puffed up and actually balled a fist. “What do you mean, I haven’t got the skills?”

  Graber wasn’t impressed by Reg’s outburst. “Let’s be honest. I know you’re hurting for sponsors, and my audience is down. The smart thing to do is combine our resources. You and these lovely ladies can continue harmonizing with the cosmos, and I can bring my special brand of healing, as well as three more sponsors. Everyone wins.”

  Reg continued to fume. “There’s no way you’re going to work here.”

  “We’ll see what Ms. Belton says, shall we? Mind if I look around?”

  He didn’t wait for permission, but strode off toward the set.

  Reg smacked his fist into his palm. “Of all the nerve! When Ellin hears he’s tryi
ng to move in on the network, she’ll shed his skin for him.”

  Bonnie and Teresa had listened to this interchange, and Bonnie was the first to express her fears to me. “David, I can’t stand the thought of that man as our boss, and I’m terrified of snakes.”

  “Me, too,” Teresa said.

  Both women looked at Reg for his opinion on snakes. “We’re not having snakes in here.”

  I thought Graber was being a high-handed jerk, but I had to agree with one thing he said. “Reg, are you sure you could handle running a network? It’s a lot of unglamorous backstage work. You’re an on-camera kind of guy.”

  He straightened his tie. “Maybe so, but how will I ever find out if I don’t get a chance?” He gestured to the people filing in to sit down in the audience. “Besides, my fans would revolt if I left.”

  “You have fans?”

  Ellin arrived as Graber finished his inspection of the set, the cameras, and the microphones. I was ready for major explosions when another commotion caught everyone’s attention. People gasped and clapped. Camden was on the set, waving and smiling at the audience.

  “Hello, everybody! Are you ‘Ready to Believe’?”

  Bonnie and Teresa sat down, stunned, on the sofa. Reg gaped from the sidelines, and Ellin was rendered speechless as Camden began choosing people from the audience. This was a lively, super-charged Camden, who chatted nonstop as he bounded from person to person, shaking hands and letting out a steady stream of psychic news.

  “Hi, Lorena! You need to cut down on the carbs and watch out for Miles at the office. He’s after your job, so don’t forget all the details of the Parker account, or you’re going under. Oh, and your grandma says hi. Hello, Miriam! Uncle Bart’s will is behind the picture of Roby and her kids. Bill! Don’t go to Washington tomorrow. Friday’s a better day for you. And, yes, Stacie really loves you.”