“Definitely.” I glanced back as we emerged onto the street, making sure Karma was still behind us. “More fun than washing dogs, too.”
We laughed. It seemed to blow away some of the dark cloud. On the street, we took a break and gave everyone water. I poured some over Karma’s head.
“Hey, Frankie? The morning they found Mad Dog at Mirror Lake…it was a Sunday. Don’t you usually go there every Sunday? I didn’t see any of those guys around.” I pointed back down the trail. “Do you think they knew something about Mad Dog’s death?”
“Oh,” Frankie zipped up the netting and put the water away. “Well, I didn’t go because Vick had called me and said not to; said there were cops everywhere and had the place roped off. I knew once the gang saw cops everywhere, they wouldn’t go near the place.”
Made sense. Sad that the relationship between the homeless and the police was so adversarial. Still, that didn’t prove that no one in the camp knew about Mad Dog.
We started walking again.
“Isn’t there someplace else these guys could stay that’d be safer?”
“You mean like a shelter? Sure. But they’re already overcrowded. Besides, some of these guys have mental issues, you know. They can’t live indoors.”
“Yeah. Mad Dog was like that. He had PTSD, from the war.”
Frankie eyed me hard. “You really cared about him, huh?”
“I didn’t know him that long, but yeah. He was a kind soul. Didn’t deserve to die like he did.” I sighed. “The police were given a suicide note from someone in Pirate City. It was supposedly written by Mad Dog.”
“You don’t sound convinced.”
“Honestly, Frankie, I don’t know what to believe anymore. Everyone keeps telling me to drop it, to just let it go. But, what if someone killed him and covered it up? How can I let that go?”
“You have an extreme sense of loyalty, Darwin.” She sounded worried. “I’m not sure that’s a good thing when you pick friends like Mad Dog.”
“Why? Because he was a homeless guy? You said yourself we’re all the same inside.”
She stopped walking, her head hanging. “You know, you’re right. I did.” When she lifted her head, some inner conflict had tears in her eyes. “I’ll see what I can find out, all right? If there was foul play involved I…” she nodded, “I promise I’ll help you bring the person responsible to justice.”
I felt so grateful to her. I wasn’t even sure there was anything she could do, but maybe she had connections, had access to information that came with being plugged into the area. It felt good to have someone on my side finally. “Thank you, Frankie.”
“You’re welcome, sugar.” She pushed on. “All right, now let’s talk about this party.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Sunday night, while the new treats were baking, I decided Karma and I needed a little help in the tension department. The distant rumble of thunder had him pacing in front of the French doors, and the scene at Pirate City had left me feeling more than a little unsettled. I dropped my zafu cushion between the couch and coffee table and sat down with a tray of supplies: a crystal bowl half full with rain water, three moonstones, Cyprus oil, sea salt and rosemary.
Taking in a few cleansing breaths, I set my intention. If there was one thing Grandma Winters had drilled into us girls, it was the power of intention. Grandma Winters. I wondered if she knew I had left Savannah. She wasn’t your typical cookies and bed time stories type of grandma. Nope. She visited twice a year and stayed for two weeks to help our “gifts” grow. My mother always seemed uncomfortable around her, always on her best behavior. We used to think mom was afraid she would turn her into a toad or something. But now that I’m older, looking back, I think she just respected her that much. She was our grandmother on our father’s side and, as little as we saw of her, it was more than we saw our father, which was basically never.
When my focus had strengthened and the distant rumble of thunder had moved far into the background, I opened my eyes and rested both palms over the bowl. With each breath in, I moved my hands clockwise; with each breath out, I moved my hands counter clockwise. Back and forth, forth and back, until I could feel the heat building between my palms and the surface of the water. I held onto the energy for as long as I could and then with an exhale, I clapped my hands and released it. The water rippled in the bowl as if I had dropped a stone into its center. When the ripples calmed, I closed my eyes once again.
“Absorb our angst
Remove all negativity,
Purify this space
Leaving peace to be.”
I stood and carried the bowl to the kitchen counter so Karma wouldn’t drink it.
“All right, boy.” I turned off the lights and lit a few candles. “The place should be cleansed soon and hopefully you’ll start to feel better.” I was already feeling the knots in my shoulders loosen. Of course, the meditation aspect of the ritual helped. One of the nice things about being human, we can consciously try to control our thoughts.
I flipped on the oven light and checked on the treats. They were turning a nice sandy brown, almost done. Just then, I heard a low rumble in the apartment. I stood up and looked over the kitchen counter. Karma stood at the French doors, the fur up on his back, his ears forward, growling a warning.
“What is it, boy?” I crossed the living room and opened the doors. He stepped cautiously out onto the balcony and lowered his head to peer between the flower table and the iron railing, out into the park. I flicked off the balcony lights and tried to see what he found so threatening. Despite the distant promise of a storm, the sky was clear and chocked-full of stars. And then a shadow caught my eye. It stepped out from behind the banyan tree and stood still. Too still. Was it watching us? The hair raised on my arms. Karma jumped up on the railing and—for a brief, terrifying second—I thought he was going to jump. Instead, he gave two deep, warning barks. The shadow turned and ran back through the park. I put a comforting hand on Karma’s head.
“It’s all right.” I moved my gaze from the disappearing shadow to the sky. Grandma Winters had taught us to ask for protection from the stars. She said they were celestial beings in a living universe. I wasn’t sure if they could hear or not, but it couldn’t hurt. I whispered a little appeal for them to watch over us and then smiled as one seemed to wink back at me.
“Come on, Karma.” He followed me back inside and I locked the door. Whoever it was had been watching us. I was sure of it. Why though?
I kept the lights out, feeling safer in the candlelight. Karma seemed content to stretch out in front of the French doors, keeping watch. After I pulled the hot treats from the oven and wrapped them up, I grabbed a pillow from the bed and got comfortable on the couch. I woke up a few times through the night thinking about Mad Dog. His words kept coming back to me in ghostly sound bites. “It’s my own fault.” Those were his words. But what exactly did they mean?
CHAPTER TWENTY
Sylvia had noticed our customers enjoyed hanging out and chatting in the store so we decided to put a few wicker chairs by the front window, a table with a hot water dispenser and some bowls of assorted teas from Hooker Tea Company. This proved to be a big hit Monday morning.
Sarah Applebaum waited around while Sylvia groomed Lady Elizabeth, chatting with two of her friends who had stopped in to buy flower essence and make appointments for their own pampered pooches.
I wasn’t trying to be nosey, but I heard them mention Frankie’s name so I tuned in.
“It’s by personal invitation only,” Sarah was saying, blowing into her cup of tea. “I had a message last night. I’m sure you’ll get a call today.”
They were talking about the banquet. Frankie had decided it’d be too short notice to send mailed invitations; and, besides, people would feel all the more special being “personally” invited over the phone.
“Of course.” The woman smoothed down her shiny black bob, gold bracelets clanging with the motion. “Where is she holding i
t?”
“The Vinoy Resort, poolside.”
“I guess it will be updos, ladies,” the tall, thin woman remarked. “The humidity will be murder on our hair.”
“Don’t be negative, Patrice. It’ll be fine.” Sarah frowned. “We haven’t had a big event here in awhile. And lord knows I need something to look forward to.”
“Of course, you poor thing. I’m being insensitive to your pending divorce.” The tall woman rested a long hand on her shoulder. “Men.” She made a noise in her throat that sounded like she was trying to dislodge a hairball. “Disgusting creatures. In your own bed, no less.”
I polished the computer keys for the third time. I guess Sarah discovered her husband’s blonde side dish. I was starting to feel bad about eavesdropping. Luckily the door bells jingled.
“Hi, Darwin.”
It was Detective…I mean, Will. He brought the morning sunshine in with him, all warm and fresh, with the promise of a new beginning. He was wearing tan slacks and a blue silk tie that matched his eyes.
“Morning, Will.” I mirrored his smile. It felt good to see him again. “What are you up to?”
“Gotta be in court today but wanted to see if I could pin you down for dinner Saturday night before you fill up your schedule.”
The women behind him had gone silent. I guess all’s fair in love and eavesdropping.
“Oh, well. You’re too late.” I know, that was bad. I just wanted to see how disappointed he would be.
“Oh.” His smile dropped.
I couldn’t keep it going. His disappointment affected me too much. “Actually, Frankie Maslow and I are putting on a charity event at the Vinoy Saturday night to benefit the homeless. And,” I smiled up at him, “I was going to see if you wanted to be my…” uh oh. I hadn’t really thought this out.
“Date?” His eyes flashed with new hope and familiar humor.
“Yes.” There. Date. This would be a date.
“Hmmm.” Now he was teasing me. Was I squirming? “Well, I suppose, since I won’t be busy.”
After he gave Karma a good scratch, and I gave him a time to meet me, he walked to the door.
“Ladies.” He smiled as he left.
“Mmm mmm mmm, Miss Darwin,” Sarah Applebaum craned her neck to watch him out the window. “That Detective Blake is one hunk of a man. I tried to set him up with my niece last year but he wasn’t ready to date yet. How’d you manage to get him back in the dating pool?”
I opened my mouth and then closed it again. There were a few things that bothered me. One, why did it surprise her that he would want to date me? And two, why wasn’t he ready to date yet?
“Just remember all men are dogs, dear, and you’ll be fine,” the tall woman said.
Youch, that chip on her shoulder must be heavy.
“Speakin’ of dogs.” The dark haired lady smiled and pointed toward the back of the boutique.
“Oh, hello, precious!” Sarah Applebaum got up and clapped her hands as Sylvia came down the aisle with a prancing Lady Elizabeth. “Don’t you just look like a little princess?”
Thank heavens Sylvia saved me. If this is what I had to look forward to at the benefit, it was going to be a long night.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
I don’t know where she shops, but somehow Sylvia managed to scrounge me up a gorgeous vintage cocktail dress for the benefit which, as I admired it in the mirror, just happened to fit me like a glove. It was silver with lines of sparkly sequin accents, spaghetti straps and a deep v-line back…oh, and a silk lining so the whole thing didn’t make my skin crawl. I would have to thank her a million more times because this was the one thing that had given me fits all week--worrying about what I was going to wear.
“Not too bad, eh, Karma?”
Karma eyed me from his position sprawled out on the bed. He didn’t seem impressed. Of course, he was pouting because I was leaving him alone.
“Don’t go giving me those big brown, sad eyes. This is for a good cause. For our friends.” I pulled the bobby pins carefully out of my hair. Sylvia had taught me how to tame my hair with them so it now rested in soft waves across my forehead. I pinned it back at my left temple with a diamond barrette; threw on some mascara and some pink cream blush; and removed my mala bead bracelets and replaced them with a dainty silver watch. Done. That’s about all the primping I could stand for one night. I checked the watch. I still had thirty minutes before Will would arrive to walk to the Vinoy together.
I descended the stairs and went to the kitchen counter, flipped open my laptop and typed in ‘Frat Boys Inc.’ Unspecified business, blab blah blah blah. Nothing. I had a sinking feeling I was going to have to step up my investigation to something more dangerous than internet searches. I had to get inside that townhouse.
***
As I stepped out into the balmy evening and closed the gate, Sylvia and Landon Stark walked toward me.
“Oh!” Sylvia—in a shimmery black dress, her hair in an elegant knot—hugged me tight. “Você olha como um anjo!” She held me at arm’s length and smiled her approval. “You look like an angel.”
“Thanks to you,” I said. “And you look gorgeous as always.” I adjusted the basket in my arm to shake Landon’s hand. “Thanks for donating the tickets, Landon.”
“Of course.” He kissed my hand. He looked as slick as ever in a black tux, his hair and skin scrubbed to a shine.
“Oh,” I turned to Sylvia, “I hope you don’t mind, I added a free grooming certificate to the items in here.” I patted the basket.
“No, no. It’s a good idea.”
“Wow.”
We turned around and my face flushed. Will stood there, looking polished and perfect in a black tux. His eyes were raking my body, sending waves of heat rushing over me. I wiggled my toes around in my strappy heels trying to dispel some of the energy.
“Hi.”
Sylvia gave a low laugh and whispered in my ear. “That is what we call smitten.”
Will shook Landon’s hand and said hello to Sylvia but his eyes quickly moved back to me. I wasn’t sure what to do, suddenly. I felt too exposed, too self-conscious. Luckily, Sylvia saved me from a decision when she looped her arm in Landon’s, threw one last grin my way and headed towards the Vinoy.
Will took the basket from me. “I’ll carry that for you.” Then offered me his arm. I slipped my arm through his; the contact sending a new ripple of energy up my arm that spidered out to the rest of my body. I sucked in a breath.
Will kept sneaking glances down at me. “You look amazing.”
“Thank you. You’re not so bad yourself.” I smiled up at him. I felt like I could float, just from being this close to him, touching him, smelling that peculiar mixture of coconut and fresh rain that I associated with him now. Along with the sticky, summer evening air; the moonlight and promise of the night to come, I felt like I had stepped into a fairytale. Is this what it felt like to fall in love?
Whoa. Full stop. At that thought I tensed up. Okay, Darwin, what are you doing? Setting yourself up to get hurt, that’s what. Stop it. Love means honesty. If you were honest with him about who you are, he’d leave. Don’t ruin everything. This had to stay casual. A dinner once in awhile. That’s all.
I blinked back warm tears. I had never felt this vulnerable before. I was on an emotional roller coaster that was threatening to derail. He seemed to sense my struggle.
“You okay?” He pulled me closer into him.
“Yeah.” I wiped beneath my eye, using my finger as a dam for the tears. “A bug flew in my eye is all.” I leaned into him, void of will power. His presence was like a wall, a shield between me and the world. I felt…safe. I was in serious trouble.
***
We made our way through the main hall of the renaissance styled Vinoy Resort, down a set of tiled stairs, then across an outdoor patio and up a second set of stairs. At the top, the pool sparkled beneath a row of palms. The lawn chairs had been removed. Positioned around the pool were small ta
bles wrapped in white, silk cloth. Live orchids served as centerpieces. Servers in white balanced silver trays full of hors d'oeuvres and champagne flutes. A man in a white tux sat stroking a piano to our left. I spotted Frankie greeting the guests.
“Darwin!” She rushed over in her three inch gold heels, which matched her gold dress designed like a large bow. “Oh, isn’t it just a perfect evening!”
“Perfect, yes. And you’re looking very festive.” We air kissed. “Where should I put the basket?”
“Hello, glad you all could make it.” She gave Sylvia, Will and Landon a quick hug, then pointed to the right side of the pool. “The auction table is over there. I’ll catch up with you in a bit. Grab a glass of champagne!”
We moved closer to the pool. Hundreds of tea lights burned, floating on the surface, a waterfall, like a glistening sheet of rain made up the back wall. It made me miss my youngest sister, Mallory. Fire was her thing. We were complete opposites, fire and water. Together, our magick was strong.
Will and Landon plucked two glasses each from a tray and we all held up the flutes.
“A toast,” Will said. “To a successful benefit and to a magical evening.”
His eyes held mine over the clinking glasses. Why did he use the word “magical”? Are my thoughts floating through the ether into his mind? I swallowed the champagne in two mouthfuls and grabbed another flute.
“And to good champagne,” Sylvia added, clinking my new glass with a wink. “Pôr-se.” Slipping her arm around my waist, she whispered, “Relax. Enjoy.” She smelled like cedar and cloves.
Relax. Enjoy. Okay, I could do that. I willed my shoulders to unknot and took a deep breath.
“Hello, gals!” Sarah Applebaum and company sauntered up to us in all their glittered, powdered, sprayed and painted glory.
“Alô, ladies.” Sylvia raised her glass to them.
“Hi, Mrs. Applebaum.” I introduced myself to her friends. “Nice to see you again.”
Karma's A Bitch (A Pet Psychic Mystery) Page 9
