by Gerald Lopez
“Mrs. Carson you look lovely,” Shannon said. “And Elise changed into her pretty, long, sun dress. Everyone changed clothes, but me.”
“Why mess with perfection?” I said.
“Indeed,” Alex said.
“How nice of you both to say,” Shannon said.
I lifted my glass and proposed a toast. “To all the beautiful women at this table.”
“Hear, hear,” Alex said.
“Hey, what about me?” Rory said.
“And to the owner of the best dangle seen in an outdoor shower… today,” Alex said.
“Hear, hear,” I said, while everyone laughed.
As we passed around the platters of food, I talked about the message in the bathroom mirror.
“The missing initial must’ve been part of a ‘J’ and J. M. has to be Javina Morelle,” Shannon said. “She was a twelve-year-old black girl that was helping Mrs. Carson’s grandmother Veronica with the twins. Not long after the twins’ bodies were discovered, Javina was sent to live abroad and wasn’t heard from again until years later.”
“I’ve never believed it was the same Javina that came back,” Miss Maribelle said. “There were always rumors about that whole situation. Her mother swore till the day she died that the Javina who came back was not her daughter.”
“I’ve heard that too,” Elise said. “And I tend to side with the mother. There’s no proof she wasn’t Javina, but mothers know their children and if she says it wasn’t her daughter, I’m inclined to believe her.”
“Which would mean what, then?” I said. “The real Javina never left this house alive… or maybe the real Javina was killed abroad because of something she knew.”
Elise shivered visibly, then shook her head. “Its creepy to think that she could’ve died here. I never thought about that, I always assumed she was paid to stay away since there are records of regular payments being sent to her at a Paris address. I figured she sent someone else back here to take her place because she didn’t want to return.”
“The payments are an easy enough thing to check on,” I said. “But what about the black heart with the silhouette of the men dancing?”
“Most people don’t talk about the Black Hearts Dances anymore,” Mrs. Carson said. “They prefer to act like the dances didn’t ever occur, so they never have to face up to their existence.”
Chapter 12
Black Hearts Dance
“I’VE NEVER heard or read about these Black Hearts Dances,” Shannon said, then ate a piece of roast.
“Nobody speaks about those things,” Miss Maribelle said. “A lot of folks knew about them, but to this day very few will acknowledge they ever happened.”
While everyone was preoccupied I took the opportunity to slip Lucky, who was under the table by my feet, a small piece of meat.
“Grandma, what were these Black Hearts Dances and why would a black heart appear on the upstairs mirror?” Elise said.
“Those dances were held in the home of Miss Delilah,” Rory said. “But I thought they didn’t begin until the late 1920s. So why would the heart appear on the mirror next to Javina’s initials.”
“Are we sure they were Javina’s initials and nobody else’s?” I said.
“Javina was the only one in the house with those initials at that time,” Mrs. Carson said.
“Grandma,” Elise said. “Miss Delilah still lives in the same house and she doesn’t look old enough to have run that type of establishment back in the 20s.”
“That’s because she didn’t,” Miss Maribelle said, getting everyone’s attention. “Delilah in the Bible was a harlot who brought down a man of God. And in this town the name Delilah has been used for years by the women who run our local house of ill repute.”
“Whoa, a local whorehouse,” Alex said. “Couldn’t this house of ill repute go back to Javina’s time and nobody ever talked about it?”
“It did,” Miss Maribelle said. “The home has always been owned by women of color, some as black as night and others a warm caramel tone from their Mommas having been with white men. Because you see, that’s what that house was famous for… mixed race couplings.”
“What?” I said. “Back in the day that was a big no-no. If something was going on in your grandmother’s time, Mrs. Carson then—”
“There are no ghosts of black whores running around Carson Court, Layton,” Mrs. Carson said. “But the Black Hearts Dances could very well be at the heart of what happened in this home.”
“Hang on a second,” I said. “We’re getting ahead of ourselves here. Can we get some clarification about what exactly these dances were about?”
“Isn’t it safe to assume that they were mixed race gatherings where men could pick out women of color to share time with… at the men’s expense of course?” Shannon said.
“Actually I don’t think it’s safe to assume anything at this point.” I drank some of my cola before continuing. “Details are what matter to a detective. And so far all I’ve heard are generalizations and hypotheses. Give me some facts, ladies.” I looked at Mrs. Carson and Miss Maribelle.
“I have no facts to give,” Miss Maribelle said. “My parents wouldn’t let me near that house or some of the people who worked there.”
“‘People’?” I said.
“Men lived there too, taking care of the property and the home,” Miss Maribelle said. “Handsome men… and strong too from all the work they did.”
My mind had started to wander in a different direction concerning what she’d said, but Mrs. Carson spoke and interrupted my thoughts.
“My brother knew what went on there,” Mrs. Carson said. “I always said that’s why he was killed. My poor Richard. He used to go on about those Black Hearts Dances and even draw black hearts. He’d cut out silhouettes of men then put them next to one another, so they looked as if they were dancing together. Then he’d glue them in the center of the hearts”
“But why draw men in the center of the hearts?” I said. “Was that what he thought went on there or did he know for certain that’s what went on?
“His friend Frederick used to say that bad men went to the Black Hearts Dances and that those men would spend an eternity in Hell,” Mrs. Carson said. “At least that’s what his daddy told him.”
“You’ve never told me all this before, Isabel,” Miss Maribelle said. “When we played together as children and when I worked all those years for you as your secretary you never said a word.”
“Richard swore me to secrecy,” Mrs. Carson. “He didn’t want to tell me, but I found his black hearts one day and made him tell. Richard was terrified and not just for himself. He was afraid of something happening to you or me if people thought we knew about those dances. We were friends and I didn’t want anything to happen to you so I never talked about it.”
“And apparently great-uncle Richard was right to be afraid,” Elise said.
“There’s a piece of the puzzle we’re missing,” I said, as the sound of a cell phone ringing was heard.
Elise picked up her purse from the floor and rummaged through it until she found her phone. “It’s my mom,” she said to us, then answered the call. “Yes we’re eating. … OK, I’ll check the fax machine right now and call you back.” After closing her cell phone she turned to us. “Mom just faxed a binding agreement for the home exchange. Her lawyer looked through things, then they had it properly executed, notarized, and witnessed. All that needs to be done is for it to be signed on this end and notarized. Grandma’s got a record of the deed search in her office since the house was ready for sale. It proves she’s the rightful owner.”
“What about a home inspection?” I said.
“Both sides waived the right to that,” Alex said. “It was an ‘as is’ exchange including furnishings. Of course we’d let Mrs. Carson take what she likes from the home.”
“Of course,” I said. “But, I doubt she’d want to take much with her to the guesthouse.”
“That’s true,” Alex
said, right in step with me.
“The guesthouse?” Mrs. Carson said, confused.
“Yeah,” I said. “You did say you wanted to move into the guesthouse. It’s fine by me if you wanted to stay here with us, though.” I saw tears run down her face as she struggled to get words out.
“I… I—”
“You know Spangler is bigger than me,” I said. “He might get lucky and kick my ass if I threw you out in the street,” I gave Mrs. Carson my tried and true, all-American boy smile and she smiled back.
“I can always go live with my daughter,” Mrs. Carson said.
“You’re the general’s lady,” I said, firmly and resolutely, but softly. “You belong here.”
Mrs. Carson began to cry, then she quickly steadied herself. “The general was always right, damn it! Sometimes it was hard living with a man who had a way with always being right. But he treated me like a queen and always took care of me. Even now, I know he sent you to make sure I wouldn’t be thrown out of my home.” She stood, walked over to me, kissed my cheek, and hugged me tightly. “You were the best, Layton. He always said it. A man of strength with a heart of gold who could be counted on when it mattered most.”
“Stop, you’re gonna give me a big head,” I said, then smiled. “You need to thank Alex too.”
Mrs. Carson left me, walked over to Alex, hugged, then kissed him.
“You did good with this one, Layton,” Mrs. Carson said. “He’s a keeper. I never did like the other one you were with very much.”
“Layton’s a keeper too as far as I’m concerned,” Alex said.
Elise stood, walked over to me, gave me a hug and kiss, then did the same with Alex. “I’d better go check on that fax. C’mon, Grandma, let me help you back to your seat.”
I’m alright,” Mrs. Carson said. “I need to clear this table. Everyone’s done eating and it’s time for dessert.”
“Mrs. Carson you go ahead and sit,” Shannon said. “I’ll clear the table with Rory’s help.”
“OK, but you be careful with my china plates, Rory Hanson,” Mrs. Carson said.
“Aren’t I always?” Rory said.
Elise helped Mrs. Carson to her seat while Shannon and Rory started to clear the table.
“Oh, Layton,” Alex said. “I called Charity while you were napping earlier and she said Carson Court would be a perfect place for our small family. Linus has a lot of work in the area and she can easily run back and forth to Aurora from here if she’s needed there. And she’s missed her period, so she’s pretty sure she’s pregnant. Linus has also made us wedding rings as a present.”
“Did I miss something here?” Miss Maribelle said.
“It’s a long story,” I said. “Why don’t I share it when we’re having dessert?”
“I’ve been anxious to hear this one,” Rory said.
Chapter 13
All About Charity… and Tantrums
EVERYONE listened to my tale while we ate slices of delicious caramel cake.
“So, as I said, the three green-eyed lady statues were actually used by a tribe in Africa in their fertility rituals. When placed together they sent out some sort of supernatural erotic or sexual energy which took over our bodies. Charity said if I resisted it and didn’t give in, I’d tear her up, so I finally gave in and had sex with a woman for the first time.”
“Where was Alex?” Rory said.
“I was literally right behind Layton,” Alex said.
“That’s why I say that we both helped conceived the child or children that night,” I said. “To be blunt, Alex was doing me while I was doing Charity.”
“Oh my,” Miss Maribelle said. “You said those statues got their power from the blood rituals of the tribespeople who made them, Layton. And our preacher has always said that blood bonds like that are strong. That means there was a powerful force behind those statues and you probably didn’t know just how strong it was till you got caught up in their power.”
“Perfectly said,” I said.
“The good Lord was still looking out for you, though,” Mrs. Carson said. “Charity’s the sort that can deal with a thing like this. It’s no surprise to me that she told Alex she and Linus would have no trouble moving in here and raising the child or children together with you and him.”
“What type of person is Linus?” I said.
“Oh, he’s pretty damn crazy,” Rory said. “He’s some sort of artistic genius and good with numbers. A really intelligent person who likes all kinds of experimentation… and I do mean all kinds.”
“He is crazy like that,” Miss Maribelle said. “But he’s a good sort… strange and crazy like Rory said—still, he’s always been more than kind to the people around here.”
“That’s true,” Elise said. “When we all got together to paint your house he and Charity both showed up and refused to take any money for their help. He said it wasn’t a job he was on—it was helping a member of the family.”
“Speaking of family,” I said, “the arrangement of rooms upstairs is sort of unusual, isn’t it. Surely they weren’t always in that configuration.”
“As strange as it may seem, they were,” Mrs. Carson said. “The only thing that was changed was when the general and I had the storage space turned into a master bedroom.”
“Were some of those rooms for the help?” Alex said.
“Well,” Mrs. Carson said, “the family room was once the nursery but there was a bed in there for the nanny. The bedroom you and Layton are in was the original master. The larger bedroom off the other hall was the guestroom for important guests with a smaller bedroom next to it going to the older children in the house.”
“And were there a lot of guests in your grandmother’s day?” I said.
“Not in the beginning,” Mrs. Carson said. “My grandmother was a young bride of eighteen while my grandfather was twenty-nine. Grandmother got pregnant right away and refused to have visitors. That wasn’t all that unusual.”
“I do hate to interrupt, but as soon as Layton and Alex sign the paper in my hot little hand they become the joint owners of Carson Court,” Elise said, as she walked back into the dining room. “I went ahead and brought down Rory’s notary seal that he keeps in Grandma’s office.”
“By the way, Layton and Alex, I’m also authorized to perform weddings,” Rory said. “Just a little FYI, in case you two decide to tie the knot soon.”
“One thing at a time,” I said.
“Let’s concentrate on getting these papers signed,” Elise said. “My mom is waiting for me to fax the information back to her. Then everything will be done except recording the deed in town.”
Elise handed Alex the house exchange paperwork, so he could look over the agreement.
I watched Alex sign his name to the agreement. He handed me the paper, and I looked him in the eyes. “Thank you for this, Alex. It means a lot.”
“The house and estate will belong to both of us—equally, Layton,” Alex said.
To show Alex how completely I trusted him, I signed the paper without reading it. “And now I need Grandma’s signature,” Elise said, then picked up the paper and put it in front of Mrs. Carson who took a minute to read it before adding her signature. “Shannon, would you mind being a witness to this?”
“Not at all, Elise,” Shannon said.
She signed the document, Miss Maribelle signed as a witness, and Rory stamped and signed the paper, then handed it back to Elise.
“I’ll go fax this and be right back,“ Elise said, then left the room.
“This cake is incredible, Mrs. Carson,” I said.
“Thank you,” Mrs. Carson said. “It would’ve been hard to ship it to you and the men overseas, though, but I’ve made it for all the members of your unit when they’ve come visiting.”
“And they all loved it,” Miss Maribelle said.
We ate our cake in silence for a few moments, then Mrs. Carson spoke. “My daddy used to talk about how my uncle Marcus used to play the piano
after dinner. It would be nice to hear music right now. Are you musical Shannon?”
“I’m afraid not,” Shannon said. “But, I do have a way with a paintbrush and pastels.”
“Your uncle Marcus was old when we were kids,” Miss Maribelle said. “But he was kind to us, I remember that. He’d send us gifts from all over the world and never leave anyone out.”
“It’s done, everyone,” Elise said, as she walked back into the dining room. “My mom texted me saying they received the paperwork on their end. We just have to record the change of ownership in town on Monday. But for all intents and purposes, Layton and Alex Shayne are the new owners of Carson Court.”
“And I’ll have you know that I intend to pay a fair rent for the guesthouse,” Mrs. Carson said. “I’m no moocher.”
“Hell, keeping me in cookies and caramel cake would be as good as paying rent in gold as far as I’m concerned,” I said.
“And I’m inclined to believe it,” Mrs. Carson said. “But you know the general would insist I pay. I couldn’t have it otherwise and stay.”
“OK,” I said. ‘But can we give you a discount for having cake and cookies at least once a week.”
“He’s serious,” Alex said.
“Oh, I know it,” Mrs. Carson said. “We’ll talk about those things later.”
Shannon lifted her glass. “Let me be first to congratulate the new owners of Carson Court. To Layton and Alex, owners of Carson Court.”
“To Layton and Alex,” Rory said.
I could feel a soft tremble come up from the floors of the house as everyone clicked glasses and cheered. Then the walls started to quake.
“Please tell me that’s a truck passing by the front of the house,” Shannon said.
Lucky barked, but stayed under the table.
The crystal chandelier above the diningroom table began to rattle. We could all hear what sounded like rushing wind. It was growing louder and louder until we had to cover our ears with our hands.
