Jack the Stripper

by Jennifer Macaire

  “There now, you’re safe. No one can hurt you,” said the doctor.

  Brianna pitched her voice low, and spoke softly. “I know what it was like. I’ve seen the Heart Taker in action. I’m sorry you had to witness that. What I’d like to know is if you saw or heard anything at all.”

  The woman looked at her, took in her pink dress, tiara, and wings, and a ghost of a smile tugged her lips. Then it faded and she shuddered. “I didn’t hear anything, and all I saw was a fountain of blood suddenly spurt from Penny’s chest. We were almost home. We share an apartment just down Wharf Street. We would have been safe, if only Penny hadn’t gotten so drunk. She could hardly walk. I was half carrying her.”

  “Did she always drink so much when she went out?” Brianna asked.

  “No. She hardly ever drank. But tonight her boyfriend broke up with her at the party we went to. It was pretty bad. She caught him with another girl in the bathroom. She told me her heart … her heart was broken.” Here she stopped and gave a hiccoughing sob. “Now she doesn’t even have a heart.” She buried her face in her hands.

  “Oh.” Brianna wasn’t sure what to say. Dr. Banbury looked at her and gave a shrug.

  Well, that was that. Brianna got out of the car and told Jack and Jeffrey what the witness had said.

  “I wonder …” Jack frowned and looked worried.

  “What?” Brianna and Jeffrey asked at the same time.

  Jack looked troubled, and then said something that Brianna had thought of, but had figured it too far-fetched to mention. “If her heart was broken, will the Heart Taker look for another one, do you think, or do you think he won’t really care?”

  “It all depends on what he uses them for,” said Jeffrey, and his shoulders slumped. “Come on. I’ll drop you two off. Be at the office tomorrow at nine sharp. We’ll have the photos and the evidence ready.”

  Back in the apartment, Brianna sat on the couch, and before Jack could open his mouth, she said, “I want to apologize for throwing myself at you. I don’t know what came over me. I’m not usually like that, honest. It must have been your show. I didn’t drink anything.” She put her hands on her cheeks. They were burning.

  “Brianna …”

  “No, wait, Jack. Let me finish. You can stay here for as long as you want. There’s enough room. I want you to feel at home here for as much time as you need and I promise I won’t take off my clothes or try to seduce you again.”

  “I …” he began.

  “And I won’t ask you to strip for me either. You know, now that I’ve seen you, no one else seems interesting at all.” She gave a dry laugh. “You’ve cured me of my obsession of pulling men’s pants down.”

  “Uh, that’s good.”

  “You know, I don’t think I can ever be as embarrassed in my life as right this second.” She smoothed her crumpled skirt and tried for a light laugh. “At least that’s over and no one else heard my confession.” She suddenly felt an icy trickle down her arm. She looked at Jack and sighed. “How long has Sally been here?”

  ****

  Jack couldn’t sleep until Mamia Hoya called. Dee was going to be all right. With that news, and knowing that Brianna was safe in her bedroom, Jack could finally lay his head on the pillow and let sleep crash over him.

  Of course, when you’re so exhausted, your dreams are often chaotic and strange. That night, Jack dreamed of his family. For the first time since he came back to life, he dreamed of his parents. They were standing together, hand in hand, and Jack recalled that they had been close.

  His mother looked worried and said, “Jack, be very careful.”

  His father smiled and said, “I’m proud that you’ve joined the police force, son.”

  Then they vanished and his grandparents took their place. Nana Severn, Pop Severn, Granny Timbold, and Grampa Timbold—all four standing where his parents had stood.

  “We were waiting for you. We would have welcomed you,” said Nana Severn.

  “But you got cheated out of your afterlife.” Pop Severn looked angry.

  “Now you’re stuck on earth until you find your heart and until you die again. It may be a long while.” Granny Timbold nodded seriously.

  Grampa Timbold put his hand out. “You need another gift. We got together and thought of this. Take it. Swallow it. You’ll be able to talk to the newly dead.”

  In his hand was what looked like a pink lifesaver. Jack took it, and because it was a dream, he swallowed it. It tasted like cotton candy.

  Then his grandparents vanished and the scene shifted from an empty room to an alleyway where someone sat and cried. The figure was in shadow, so Jack couldn’t see who it was. But he could hear, and the words the figure spoke made his skin crawl.

  “It’s broken, it’s broken.” Over and over it wailed. Then the figure stood up and let out a furious scream.

  Jack sat bolt upright. His fingers tingled, and he felt faintly nauseated. Then the light snapped on and Brianna rushed in.

  “Are you all right?”

  “Did I wake you? What time is it?” He looked at the wall clock. “Seven. Sorry.”

  “You screamed. I thought the Heart Taker was here again. Oh God. I could sleep another twelve hours.” She yawned hugely and then looked at him. “It’s not fair.”

  “What?” He dug his fingers into his skull, trying to chase away the remnants of his dream.

  “You don’t have morning face.” She pulled at a lock of her hair and grimaced. “I feel gross. First dibs on the shower.”

  He didn’t think she had morning face either, and told her, but she didn’t look like she believed him. Then she laughed, and said. “I just feel good to still be alive. I’ve been so scared these past few days it’s like a nightmare.” Her face grew still, her smile faded, and she said, “Oh Jack, I’m sorry. That was so thoughtless.”

  He shook his head. “No, don’t apologize. I know I’m dead, and it doesn’t matter until you start saying how sorry you are.”

  She sat on the couch next to him and wrapped her arms around him. “I never want to hurt your feelings.”

  “I know.” Her skin was soft, and very sweet. He kissed her bare shoulder, where her nightshirt had slid down. “I had the strangest dream last night. I dreamed of my parents and grandparents.” He told her what happened.

  She raised an eyebrow. “You already see spirits.”

  “Some of them I can see—the stronger manifestations.” The memory of the dream was already fading though. He shook his head. “I can’t even see my grandparents’ faces clearly anymore.”

  “Dreams are strange,” Brianna said. She got up and went into the bathroom. A little while later he heard the shower turn on, and then she called out, “I want to stop at the hospital on the way, if we have time.”

  “Did Mamie Hoya come back last night?”

  She stuck her head out of the bathroom. “I don’t think so. I didn’t look in her room. I’m done so why don’t you take your shower while I get ready?”

  It was awkward at first. Jack took his towel off inside the shower and then turned on the water. Brianna brushed her teeth and the cold water disappeared, scalding him. Then she turned on the hot water and the shower turned into a freezing waterfall.

  “Argh!” he yelled.

  “What? Oh, sorry!” She turned off the water in the sink and the shower went back to normal. Jack waited until she left before getting out and grabbing his towel. Then he put shaving cream on his face. Brianna came back in wearing a professional-looking pantsuit on over a white blouse. She pinned her hair back, then dashed lipstick on and drew smudgy gray lines under her eyes.

  Jack watched, fascinated. The sight of Brianna getting dressed and made up would never tire him, he thought. She looked tired but beautiful. When she was done, their eyes met in the mirror and she said, “I’ll have some orange juice and toast ready for you when you get out, all right?”

  “Wonderful, thanks.” He finished shaving, got dressed, and went to the kitchen where b
reakfast was ready on the table. He was starving, and wolfed down his toast and orange juice. When they left, he made sure the front door was securely locked behind him. They caught the uptown train and went to the hospital first.

  Mamie Hoya had slept in a cot next to Dee’s hospital bed. She was sipping on a cup of coffee when they came in. Dee was awake, and looked pale and bruised against the white pillows and stark walls.

  “The food here is the pits,” he said. “I hope you brought me something decent to eat.”

  “I haven’t been shopping in ages. The fridge is empty. How are you feeling?” Brianna perched on the edge of his bed and patted his hand. “You look awful.”

  “Thanks. It’s the lighting. It sucks.” He rolled his eyes. “Of course I look terrible. I lost most of my blood. I bled inside and out. Luckily they stitched me up and nothing major got severed. The doctors said that another half an inch and it was curtains for Dee.” He sighed then narrowed his eyes. “Why are you both dressed like lawyers?”

  “I got a new job. Brianna too.” Jack explained about Interpol, about the mutant branch of Interpol, and then about the local crime fighting department. He showed Dee the M.U.C.I. handbook he had, and Dee raised his eyebrows and whistled.

  “I always knew about the ultra-secret center, but had no idea it was part of Interpol. Cool.”

  “Yeah, it is pretty cool, even though I still get confused between mooby and moosie. But I just have to remember I work for moosie which is part of mooby.”

  Dee grinned. “Whatever you say. I just hope you won’t stop working for me. You are a star.”

  Jack was pleased. Then he looked at the clock on the wall. “We have to run. We’ll let you know what happens.”

  Brianna gave Dee a peck on the cheek, and then she hugged Mamie Hoya. “Why don’t you go get some rest?” She said.

  “I will. But Sally says to be careful. She says there’s lots of sorrow out there. Lots and lots.”

  Jack thought about that on the way to the office. Even during the day it was impossible to guess that the construction site and warehouse hid an enormous, ultra-modern complex. Using the magnetic card Jeffrey had given him, Jack entered the front door, Brianna at his heels. Her jaw dropped as they stepped inside.

  “Holy … cow,” she said, looking around, her mouth open.

  They went to the front desk and Jack flashed his badge.

  “I think it’s this way.” Jack led her down the hallway, got lost, found the elevators, checked his badge, frowned, and then took another hallway and somehow found the right office.

  Jeffrey had papers spread all over his desk. Also on his desk was a photo of a very pretty woman with long, blond hair, tilted green eyes and a wide smile. He remembered Brianna telling him that Jeffrey’s wife was ill. “Is that your wife?” he asked.

  Jeffrey looked at the photo and a sad smile tugged at his mouth. “That was Wendy when we first met.”

  Brianna told me she was sick. I’m sorry,” said Jack.

  Jeffrey’s smile didn’t waver, although his eyes stayed sad. “She’s mostly the reason why I work two jobs. Wendy wanted to stay at home and not be in a nursing home. It’s expensive, but at least she’s not in a place that she hates. And I try to spend as much time with her as I can. Even though she’s not conscious very much now.” His voice wavered.

  “What’s she suffering from?” Jack asked.

  “Leukemia. It’s reached the terminal stage now. She doesn’t have much longer to live.”

  “I didn’t know she was that ill.” Brianna’s face was very white.

  “She had another attack about four months ago.” Jeffrey took a deep breath. “Here’s your contract, Jack. Sign here, here, and here. This is your copy. Here’s another badge. A permanent one. And here’s your social security card.”

  Jack picked it up. It wasn’t the usual light blue, but pale green. “Social security?”

  “Well, why shouldn’t the undead get social security?” Brianna looked at the card. “The number starts with a Z, then a U. Does that stand for zombie, undead?”

  “Not bad,” said Jeffrey. He pointed to the card. “Zombie, Undead, the date he died, the date he was resuscitated. The next number is his pin number.”

  “So vampires are V, U, and then their dates?” Jack was fascinated.

  “And werewolves are W, M, the M for mutant. There are other classifications too. You can find them in the handbook. So yes, the undead and mutants get social security. And it’s pretty well organized, seeing there aren’t as many mutant or undead as humans. Things get processed faster. Plus the government keeps a close eye on … Well, mutants and undead.” Jeffrey gave a grimace.

  “Right. Thanks.” Jack tried not to mind he was an undead too much. Now that it was official, it stung even more though, not less. He sighed as he put his card in his wallet, and folded his copy of his working contract.

  “The files are here,” Jeffrey said, pointing to a stack of paper on his desk. The stack was at least a foot high, but it didn’t seem to daunt Brianna.

  “We’ll go over it right now. Is there an office we can use?” She took half the pile and nodded for Jack to take the rest.

  “Two rooms down, on the left. There’s a coffee machine in there too. All the comforts of home.” Jeffrey said.

  He showed them to the room. “Your office. Telephone, uncomfortable chairs. Plastic laminated desk. Bookcase that will fall apart if you put too much weight on it. Regulation metal safe for your valuables, and a metal filing cabinet for your files.”

  “Who picked out the colors?” Brianna made a face. “Is vomit a color? At least there’s a coffee machine. I might be able to work here.”

  “This is all standard army supply,” said Jeffrey. He patted the desk. “You work for the feds now.”

  Brianna tilted her head and said, “So I’m a federal worker now. Retirement benefits, full medical, dental, 401 and all that, is that it?”

  “It’s not quite the same contract you had with the state, but you can take the time to read your contracts later. Let’s go. May is waiting for us.” Jeffrey stretched, and again Jack was struck at how tired he looked. It must be exhausting looking after a sick wife and holding down two jobs. He felt a sudden rush of pity mixed with admiration for the man. He could understand why Brianna would fall in love with him. A sudden worry clenched his stomach, but he swallowed it away. He needed to keep focused on the Heart Taker.

  “May?” Brianna put her contract into her purse. “Does she work with you, Jeffrey?”

  “She’s one of our agents, yes. Mostly she works with the night watch. She’s offered to help Jack get his bearings here.”

  “I’m sure she did.” Brianna’s voice held a note in it that set little warning bells off in Jack’s mind. But he didn’t have time to dwell on that either.

  “Come on.” Jeffrey strode out and they followed. They went straight to the morgue, to the cubical where the latest victim was kept, and taped to the walls behind the body were the photos of the crime scene. Each body had a separate cubical. It made working on each case easier, explained Jeffrey. He glanced at his watch and said, “I have to run. My other job is waiting for me. I’ll be back here tonight. Let’s meet in my office at seven. May will take over from here. Dr. Banbury is around, or should be here in a few minutes.”

  “Where’s May?” Brianna asked.

  “Probably in the lab. Second door on the right.” Jeffrey shook Jack’s hand, nodded at Brianna, and added, “I’m very glad to have both of you on the team.”

  Jack watched as he walked down the main hallway, and then turned to check out his surroundings. The morgue and forensic science offices were set up in a huge half circle, the hallway forming the arc, the cubicles lined up along the arc, and behind them the labs and offices. You could pull a frosted glass panel across the cubicle’s walls to block it from view, or leave the plate glass windows so that you could see from one room to the next. In case of multiple victims, larger rooms existed. But i
n this cubical, lay a lone cadaver on a stainless steel table.

  May hadn’t arrived yet, but Brianna pushed the door open and went to stand in front of the back wall where photos and charts were neatly pinned.

  Jack hesitated, and then went in. He went to the table and looked at her. She looked a little like Brianna. The same hair color. Young. Pretty. Had the Heart Taker chosen her because of the resemblance? He couldn’t think of her as just a body. He shared something with this woman. They’d been killed by the same creature.

  He looked at the chart hanging on the foot of the table. Penelope Winger. He didn’t want to read anymore. It was like eavesdropping. He was about to say something to Brianna when the body on the table whispered, “Jack.”

  He nearly jumped out of his skin. A chill washed over him. Gooseflesh prickled his skin. He leaned closer. “Yes?”

  “You have to find out what he does with the hearts,” she said, still in the faintest of whispers. Her mouth didn’t move. No breath stirred from her. Her skin was still white … Jack understood where the expression “dead white” came from now. She wasn’t talking. It must be her spirit. He backed up and looked around, but the spirit remained invisible.

  He remembered his dream then, and a sugary, strange taste filled his mouth.

  “He uses the hearts for a reason,” said the spirit. “He muttered as he cut. It went too fast in the beginning, but when I died, everything slowed down and I could see him. I was above everything, above the alley, above the Heart Taker. I couldn’t feel the pain anymore and he was still mumbling.”

  “What did he say?” Jack found he was trembling. Somehow, her words were stirring a memory he never knew he had. Not talking, not whispering … more like a muttered chant. Or a prayer?

  “This is for my lover. This is for my angel. This is for my sweetheart at the bitter end. Here you go. This is fine. It will keep you well for some time.”

  “What?” He wasn’t sure if he’d heard right. He waited, but there was no more whisper. It had gone. Whatever had spoken to him had dissipated like mist in the sunshine.

  “Jack!” He spun around. May strode into the room, calling his name, clipboard in hand. Brianna, still examining the pictures on the wall, turned and glanced at him.