by Gerald Lopez
We gathered our plates, stacked them on the tray, put the tray on top of the dresser, dressed in our boxers and tank tops, and headed back to our room.
“Can I talk you into joining me on my jog, Alex?” I said.
“I’m sure I can be persuaded,” Alex said.
AS I ENTERED the bathroom in our room to brush my teeth before our jog, I felt something crunch under my flip-flops and turned on the light.
“Alex, come here but be careful,” I said.
“Pieces of the mirror are all over the bathroom floor, as well as lots of dust, and plaster,” Alex said. “It must’ve happened last night, but how? Maybe it was all the shaking the ghost caused. The whole piece of wall behind the mirror came down—plaster and all.”
“Alex, can you find Rory and bring him up here please? Oh, and check to see if Elise can find us a couple of toothbrushes. Ours are covered in glass and the dust you mentioned.”
“OK, but I sincerely hope you’re not going to try to commune with any ghosts again while I’m gone.”
“No,” I said. “I like being alive and with you too much.” We kissed and as soon as Alex left I looked around the bathroom in earnest.
It was as if the wall behind the mirror had exploded all over the bathroom. But it was only the small area behind the mirror that was effected. To my surprise, where the mirror had been there was a built-in door the size of a small medicine cabinet. I opened it and found exactly that—a dusty wood cabinet. But there was a hole in the back of it—a rough one that, if I wasn’t mistaken, had been made by someone punching through it on the other side. When Alex returned, with Rory in tow, I was still staring at the empty cabinet.
“Damn!” Rory said. “This is even more of a mess than the dining room was before I cleaned it. Pieces of the dining room table were everywhere.”
“But, Mrs. Carson said the house didn’t like a mess and would set things right,” I said.
“It’s the only thing that stayed messed up,” Alex said. “Everything else looked fine. Surely, there’s a reason for that.”
“I would think,” I said. “Maybe it’s because the ghost showed us what we needed to see and she could finally get rid of a piece of furniture with bad memories attached to it.”
“You’re thinking that’s probably where they had the viewing of the twins’ bodies,” Rory said. “It wasn’t uncommon to have a viewing in the house back in the day, especially for rich folks.”
“I’m thinking more than that,” I said. “The candles all around could be from a viewing but the look on the ghost’s face was more like that of a mother seeing her dead children for the first time.”
“I get it,” Alex said. “They probably brought the twins’ bodies inside and placed them on the dining room table. The table was a large flat area and perfect for the doctor or police to examine the bodies in relative privacy.”
“That’s what I thought,” I said, then turned to Rory. “Rory, was there anything in the debris from the table which could give us any clues as to whether our theory is correct?”
“No, boss. Mrs. Carson told me to check over the pieces carefully. All that was left of the table was slivers of wood. None even big enough to use as a toothpick. You saw how that table exploded. By the way, I forgot to thank you for getting on top of me and shielding my body when the table exploded.”
“Not a problem,” I said, then pointed to the medicine cabinet. “That was behind the mirror and plastered over. Sometime during the night, this mess happened.”
“Do you think it was the ghost?” Rory said.
“I do,” I said. “Veronica or another ghost. Take a look inside the cabinet, Rory, Alex. But, be careful not to cut yourselves on the glass that’s everywhere.”
“It’s been punched through from the other side,” Alex said. “Which means—”
“There’s some sort of room or at least space behind this wall,” I looked at Rory with a questioning look on my face.
“There’s storage space behind that wall,” Rory said. “But I don’t remember seeing the back of the cabinet on the other side.”
“Maybe it’s not as deep as it looks, or it was plastered over on the other side too,” Alex said.
“Was the family room formerly storage space?” I said.
“No,” Rory said. “The family room doesn’t butt up against the outer wall, that’s why there are no windows in it. There’s a narrow storage space running alongside the family room.”
“Hi,” Elise said. I brought a broom, dust pan, and two toothbrushes.” She looked into the bathroom. “Oh my God! What happened? No, let me guess—the ghost visited this room while were all in the other one.”
“Alex, fill Elise in while Rory and I take a look at that storage space,” I said, then smiled at him. “I’m sorry, babe, that sounded like an order. One of many I’ve been giving lately.”
“That’s OK,” Alex said. “I’ll think up some orders for you later on.” He smiled and winked at me.
“Alex, why don’t we get you and Layton moved into another room?” Elise said.
I left Alex to deal with the room move and walked out into the hall followed by Rory who was dressed in shorts, a tank top and flip-flops.
“We must be long lost brothers, Rory,” I said. “We’re practically dressed like twins.”
“Hey, nothing wrong with being comfortable,” Rory said. “Follow me and I’ll take you to the storage space. Hopefully it’s not as big a mess as the bathroom.”
“Lead on,” I said, and followed him down the hall. “Where’s Mrs. Carson this morning?”
“She’s on the phone dealing with last minute party business,” Rory said, before going inside the family room. He opened a door against the back wall, reached inside and switched on the light. We then walked into a long, narrow, storage space filled with boxes.
“I wonder what kind of orders Alex will have for you later?” Rory said. “Ones you won’t mind following, I’m sure. I bet there isn’t much you wouldn’t do for him and vice-versa. That’s nice.”
“It is,” I said, walking around the space and toward where I thought the wall next to my bedroom should be. “Do you have anyone special, Rory? You’re a good-looking guy and certainly friendly.”
“Thank you,” Rory said. “I haven’t met anyone that makes me want to settle down yet. Why are you staring at that back wall—besides the obvious reason. It looks fine up here, nothings out of place and there’s no damage.”
“Rory, take a really good look at that wall,” I said. “Specifically in relation to this room.”
Rory looked at the wall, then toward the door we’d come in through and back again.
“Something’s off, Layton, but I’m not sure what,” Rory said.
“I don’t think that wall backs up to the bathroom,” I said, then knocked on the wall and listened for an echo.
“There shouldn’t be that much of an echo, should there?” Rory said.
“No,” I said. “How long has this been a storage room?”
“It’s my understanding that it’s been this way since the time the nursery was put in for the murdered twins. Before that, this entire space was used for storage. They left this long, narrow, strip because they still needed some storage space in the house.”
I took my cell phone out of my pocket and called Alex. When he answered I spoke. “Are you still in the bathroom? Good. I’m going to knock on the wall in front of me and I want you to tell me if you can hear it in the bathroom. I’m going to do it right now.” I knocked on the wall softly. “Nothing. OK, I’m going to knock harder and I need you to tell me if it sounds like I’m right on the other side of you or farther away.” I knocked louder this time. “Ok, thanks, babe, that’s all I needed to know. “I know I’m missing all the fun of cleaning in there, but I’ll make it up to you I promise.” I smiled at his comment then closed my cell phone and put it in my pocket.
“Wow, what did Alex say to put that smile on your face?” Rory said.
“Just that he’d make me keep my promise to make it up to him,” I said. “I kind of like it when he gets tough like that—I can’t believe I just told you that.”
“Your secret’s safe with me,” Rory said. “What now?”
“We need to make a hole in this false wall and look inside with flashlights,” I said. “I’m pretty sure we’re going to find the body of a dead girl behind there.”
“Layton, it may be an old crime scene, but it’s still a crime scene,” Rory said. “We need to call the authorities.”
“Can they be trusted?”
“I know one who can be,” Rory said. “He’s the most trustworthy man I’ve ever known and he can be here in minutes if I give him a call.”
“Do that,” I said. “And round up flashlights and something to use on this wall. I need to brush my teeth and clean up.”
“Looking to make a good first impression, are you?” Rory said.
“Yeah, but not the way you think. Cops don’t usually like detectives poking their noses around their area.”
“Oh, I think this cop will like your nose and everything else about you, Layton. You are definitely his type Alex is more my type. No offense—hell I’d do you both if the opportunity ever presented itself. But, you and I are more like buds. Let’s face it, Alex is a notch or two above either of us… or most men for that matter.”
“I won’t argue with you there, Rory. And if we ever decide we feel the need for a threesome, you’re the first guy we’ll call.”
He laughed and so did I, then we left the storage room.
“Remember you said that, about calling me first, after you meet the cop who’s coming over,” Rory said. “Do you really think we’ll find a dead body behind that wall?”
“Somebody put the wall up in order to keep something hidden,” I said. “And we’re about to find out what.”
Chapter 18
Ownership… and Tom of Finland Illustration Come to Life.
WHILE RORY and I had been in the storage room, Alex had gotten us moved into the guest room we’d slept in the night before with Rory and everyone else. The door of the room was open and I walked inside as Elise was heading out.
“I put your new toothbrush in the bathroom for you, Layton,” Elise said. “Did you find anything or anyone?”
“We’re waiting for the police to get here before we try to knock a hole in the wall that shouldn’t be there. Elise, you can tell your grandma what’s going on, but I’d prefer if neither of you were in the storage room when we’re looking. It’s hard to forget the sight of a dead body, even if it’s been there a long time.”
“I understand,” Elise said. “We’ll stay out of your way unless you need us.”
“Layton,” Alex said. “If it’s the corpse of Javina Morelle there won’t be much left of it after all these years.”
“If a body’s been locked up in a room for a long time, couldn’t it become mummified?” Elise said.
“Depends on how well sealed the room is,” I said. “There are some creatures that might eat the flesh too, such as rats.
“Grandma and I will definitely stay out of your way,” Elise said.
“Alex,” I said, then placed my hand on his shoulder. “You’ve seen enough things lately, I’d like for you to stay away too—as a favor to me.”
“I understand,” Alex said. “And you’re probably right. Elise, what time will Frankie and Jimmy be here to set up for the party?”
“Not before three or four at the earliest,” Elise said. “I’ll go talk to Grandma and let her know what’s happening.”
“Thank you, Elise,” I said. “For everything.”
“You’re welcome,” Elise said, then smiled, left the room, and closed the door behind her.
After giving Alex a hug, I looked around the room. ”Isn’t it unusual to have so many en-suite bathrooms in a house this age?” I said.
“Elise said the bathroom used to be next to this room and separate but it was remodeled to be en-suite. Are you going to shower before the police get here?”
“No time,” I said. “Besides, I’d only get dirty right afterward. However, I will brush my teeth.” After I brushed my teeth, I left the bathroom walked up to Alex, kissed him on the lips, then hugged him tightly.
“It must feel like I’m barking orders left and right,” I said.
“Yes, but not in a bossy way,” Alex said. “Don’t worry.”
“Alex,” I said, then held his hand, walked us both to the bed, and sat on the edge of it. Alex sat beside me. “I’ve come to realize something.”
“What’s that?” Alex said.
“It takes two people to make a relationship work,” I said. “And when it doesn’t work or falls apart, both people need to share the blame. I’m talking about what happened between my ex and me.”
“But your ex cheated on you with your nephew,” Alex said.
“I’m not excusing what he did, but I was too wrapped up in my work and probably neglected my ex, Hank, more than I should have.”
“That’s the first time you’ve said his name,” Alex said. “Maybe that’s a good thing—shows you’re healing.”
“Don’t let me make the same mistake with us, Alex.”
“No chance of that, Layton. Besides, we work together. And I do remember you telling me that Hank was more into working the ranch than you were, and so was your nephew.”
“As hard as this is to admit, I think my nephew and he are probably the real deal. Just like we are. And I have been neglecting you. I should’ve had a ring on your finger by now and made some outward demonstration of how I feel toward you.”
Alex put his arm around me and I put my head on his shoulder. “I know you love me, Layton,” Alex said. “And like you always tell me, a lot has happened since we met. We both believe what we have is forever, so there’s no need to rush things.”
“We’re definitely in this for forever.” I heard a car door shut and it sounded like it was below this room, so I sat up.
“The window in our old room looks out toward where the parking space is,” Alex said.
We went back to our old room, walked to the window above the nightstand, and pulled the curtains aside. Alex stood next to me and I put my arm around his waist and pulled him close. He kissed the side of my neck which sent tingles down my body. God, he did things to me with just the slightest touch or kiss.
“Damn,” I said looking down at the cop who was standing right within sight of the window and talking on his cell phone, “I don’t think that guy frequents many doughnut shops.
“That guy looks like a Tom of Finland illustration come to life,” Alex said. “His uniform hugs his beefy, muscular body—”
“Look at that ass,” I said. “Holy shit… and he’s our local boy.”
“Local man, Layton. That guy is definitely all man and that salt and pepper buzz cut helps accentuate that. His face is so chiseled… I wonder if he’d pose for me. If that’s alright with you, Layton.”
“Sure,” I said. “Can I watch?”
“I’ll tell him you’re my assistant if I get him to do a session.” He chuckled. “Layton, if you had the chance to do h—”
“That particular question comes out of your mouth way too much, Alex and it’s my fault. I’m going to take this opportunity to make something clear to you.” I grabbed his hand and placed it on my crotch. “What you have your hand on belongs to you. You own it, you’re the boss of it in all ways, and it will do nothing you don’t tell it to.”
“Well,” Alex said, then smiled, “it has my permission to pee as need be, when need be.”
“It thanks you kindly,” I said, smiled, then held Alex’s hand. “There something I need to do and it’s high past time I did it. Let’s go.”
We went downstairs, down the hall, and into the general’s office. I walked Alex up to the general’s portrait and put my arm around his shoulders.
“Alex, I’m going to tell you something I’ve never
mentioned before and it needs to stay between us.” I continued after I saw Alex nod his head. “General Keene and some of the other generals trained me and my guys in boot camp. It was highly unusual for a variety of reasons, but we were told not to speak of it. You’re the only person I’ve told that to and the only one I ever will tell it to.”
“Thank you for trusting me, Layton,” Alex said. “Did you ever find out why you and the others were such a special case?”
“No,” I said. “But now that I’ve discovered the general recommended me to the organization things are falling into place. While we were in the military there was nothing unusual about our assignments… until now.”
“They were training you to be part of the organization,” Alex said.
“Yeah, I think so,” I said. “That army of nuns back in Shelby moved with military precision. They’d been trained by military. Tweetle went to school after he got out of the military and got a degree in ancient civilizations. Liebowitz’s specialty is world religions, both ancient and modern. It’s all got to be connected. When this is over, it’ll be time for me to arrange a reunion with the boys and this is just the place to do it.”
“After we help Sassy Jones with her case. Don’t forget that.”
“Shit,” I said, “I did forget that. Anyway, I need to settle the mystery in our home first. And I need to do what I came into this room to do.” I looked up at the general’s portrait and addressed it. “General Keene, Sir, I need to introduce you to my Isabel. The guy who my heart belongs to, Alex Shayne.”
“Pleased to meet you formally, General Keene,” Alex said, then saluted the portrait.
I held Alex’s hand again, faced him, and got down on one knee.
“I’ve felt like we were one from the moment we first met, Alex. I never for a moment doubted we were the real deal, but I realize now that I haven’t made the extent of my feelings as clear as I should have. I love you, Alex, and am formally asking you to spend the rest of your life with me. I’m not sure what I think of this whole gay marriage thing, but I want to have it all with you… forever. If you’ll just say yes.”
