Black Hearts Dance

by Gerald Lopez

  “You didn’t,” I said. My eyes got big when I saw Alex take a cotton candy cone out of the bag. “Oh, babe, I am so yours any and every way you want me.”

  “How’s about a cotton candy kiss,” Alex said, then took a bite of cotton candy and kissed me.

  I could taste the sweet, melting, sugary confection in his mouth as we kissed… and it was beyond delicious.

  “Did I mention I also have another surprise for you in my bag?” Alex said.

  He reached inside his bag and pulled something else out of it that completely shocked me. I reached out and took the black paper heart from him.

  “How did you manage to get this, Alex?”

  “I saw it fall to the floor when Karina got split in two… or whatever exactly it was that happened to her.”

  “There’s no portrait on it,” I said.

  “Should there be?” Alex said.

  “On the bathroom mirror there was a picture of two men dancing in the center of the heart,” I said.

  “Maybe so,” Alex said, then took the black heart back from me. “But, if you were wearing this on your lapel,” he held the heart against my tank top. “You really wouldn’t want anyone seeing anything that gave too much away. People must’ve worn these hearts to gain entrance into the bordello.”

  “Or rather, to the dances the bordello held,” I said. “Black hearts because of what they were offering or specialized in—mixed race couplings.”

  “Makes sense to me,” Alex said.

  “Yeah, I guess so,” I said. “But some piece is still missing. Maybe when I look at the pictures Shannon has, I’ll have a eureka moment and things will make sense. At the least, I’ll get a clearer picture of the people in the story.”

  “I’m curious to see them too,” Alex said. “Can I look at the pictures with you?”

  “Of course,” I said. “Alex, tonight was sort of out there, wasn’t it?”

  “Yeah, and I know what you’re going to say next. We’re kind of getting numb to all these supernatural things happening.”

  “Numb may be too strong a word, but we do seem to be taking it in stride. Especially, considering all that’s happened.”

  “I thought the purpose of a soldier’s training was to enable him to take anything that might happen in his stride. You did good tonight, Layton. And, actually I think things are sort of hitting me now. The second I hit that bed I’m going to be out cold.”

  “As much as I would love to take advantage of that situation, I feel pretty wiped out myself.”

  We managed to undress and get under the sheets before collapsing into each other’s arms and journeying to slumberland.

  ALEX STILL tasted like cotton candy when I kissed him in bed as I woke up. We rolled around a bit and I slipped my hands under his boxers and cupped his warm ass.

  “Did last night really happen?” I said.

  “Yup,” Alex said. “You don’t have any ill effects from all that cotton candy, do you?”

  “No,” I said. “Those weren’t full-size cotton candy cones, anyway. It would take two or three of them to make one full size cotton candy.”

  “One and a half at most,” Alex said. “You’d better find that gym Forrest mentioned.”

  “I hear ya, babe. This is going to sound strange, but I don’t feel as horny as I did a day or so ago.”

  “Come to mention it, neither do I,” Alex said. “In fact, until now I hadn’t realized just how horny I was feeling. And you’d think I would’ve figured that out after our verbal threesome with the deputy.”

  “I’m beginning to think all that really might’ve been supernaturally induced,” I said.

  “To what end?” Alex said, then got up from bed.

  “That’s what I have yet to figure out, but believe it or not I do have an idea or two about everything.”

  “Anything you care to share?”

  “Not just yet, because I need to see what you think first without my influence. Let’s run to the other room really quick and see how things look outside.”

  We got up from bed, went to our old room, and walked to the window.

  “They sure did clean things up fast,” I said. “You couldn’t tell there was ever a party here last night.”

  “The people who handle such things are very good at what they do,” Alex said. “We never caught up with Frankie and Jimmy to tell them how much we enjoyed the party.”

  “We’ll call them later, they might still be sleeping,” I said. “Let’s go back to our room and get ready for the day.” I tickled Alex’s sides, he giggled, then ran back to our room with me on his heels.

  We brushed our teeth, used the bathroom, dressed in shorts, T-shirts, and flip-flops, then went downstairs to find something to eat for breakfast.

  Upon entering the kitchen, we were pleasantly surprised.

  Chapter 30

  Names and Faces

  “WELL, IF IT isn’t our friendly local deputy,” I said.

  Forrest was sitting at the island, barefoot, and dressed in a white tank top and shorts. Mrs Carson, who was in her robe was serving him bacon, eggs, and toast. Lucky was on the floor sitting beside Forrest.

  “Grab a seat, you two, your breakfast is coming right up,” Mrs. Carson said.

  Alex and I sat down and I noticed Forrest looking strangely at Alex—almost sadly. Forrest reached across the island, held Alex’s hand, and looked at Alex’s wrist which had a bruise on it.

  “Damn, Alex, I knew I was holding onto your wrist too tightly last night in the tent,” Forrest said. “I’m sorry about that bruise.”

  “I’m not,” Alex said. “You kept me from getting ground up in that fan.”

  “And for that, Forrest,” I said, “you have my gratitude for life, brother. There’s nothing at all for you to feel badly about.”

  “‘Brother’,” Forrest said. “Marines don’t call other men brothers lightly.”

  “That’s true,” I said. “As far as I’m concerned, you saved Alex’s life last night and I don’t take that ‘lightly’ at all.”

  “How are you this morning, Mrs. Carson?” Alex said.

  “I’m doing pretty good,” Mrs. Carson said, while plating some eggs and bacon. “That really was some party. And I’ll tell you something else.” She set plates of food in front of Alex and me, handed a piece of bacon to Lucky, then continued. “That was definitely Edmond Littrell’s voice coming out of the drag queen that was killed. He was a mean son of a bitch. I shouldn’t say that—his mother was nice. You men enjoy your breakfast. The pitcher of orange juice on the island is for the three of you… and I already put glasses at your places. I’m going outside for a smoke with Lucky.”

  “I have a question first,” I said. “You’re a smoker, but this house doesn’t smell at all like smoke. I haven’t even seen any ashtrays anywhere.”

  “I only smoke outside,” Mrs. Carson said. “Oh, and when you’re done eating, Shannon says she’s got the pictures you asked for all set up at the guesthouse. Leave your dishes on the island, I’ll put them in the dishwasher when I come back inside.” With that said, she left the room with Lucky and walked outside.

  “I was going to ask you guys if you’d like to go to the gym with me today, but it sounds like you’ll be busy,” Forrest said.

  “Do you have to work today, Forrest,” Alex said.

  “I always have Sundays off,” Forrest said.

  “Then if you can wait to go to the gym, we could join you after we look at the pictures,” Alex said.

  “Now there’s an idea,” I said. “After all the sweets I ate last night, I can do with a good work out.”

  “It’s a plan then,” Forrest said. “Layton, would you mind if I tagged along to look at the pictures?”

  “I don’t have a problem with that,” I said. “Do you, Alex?”

  “Nope,” Alex said. “You two keep on chatting, I’m gonna eat.”

  Once we were done eating, Forrest excused himself to go put on some suitable footwea
r. When Alex and I were alone, I kissed the bruise on his wrist, then his lips.

  “I really do like Forrest,” I said. “He was there when you needed him.”

  “And that really does mean everything to you doesn’t it—the idea of people being there for one another,” Alex said.

  “In a way it’s what life is all about,” I said. “Forrest still looks sexy and hot as hell today, but I don’t feel—”

  “Quite so lusty,” Alex said, then smiled. “I was thinking the same thing.”

  “Something’s definitely going on,” I said, then kissed Alex again.

  When Forrest reappeared wearing flip-flops we got up and went outside. Truth be told, some feelings of lust did rise up within me when I saw his sexy tan feet in flip-flops. Alex’s eyes catching mine when I looked back up, helped some of that lust quickly dissipate.

  “Alex, do you mind if I tell Forrest what we were talking about in the kitchen and what Mrs. Carson told us last night?” I said.

  “It’s a little embarrassing, but I guess you’d better,” Alex said.

  I shared what we’d been told about how the house and spirits might affect a persons emotions or feelings—including feelings of lust, with Forrest.

  “It could all be very true,” Forrest said, as we stopped by the path in front of the Indian Pavilion. “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel close to you and Alex already, but…”

  He was hesitant and Alex put a hand on his shoulder. “You’re with friends, Forrest, you can tell us anything.”

  “The thing is,” Forrest said. “I haven’t had many real friends in my life besides my brother and the Carsons. And you and Layton are more like—well you’re not older like mentors, or related to me like my younger brother… it’s kind of different and I guess I need that in my life. So some of what I feel is real.”

  “But it could be magnified by the spirits in this home,” I said. “The lust I felt when we were shouting across the room at each other was more intense than anything I’d ever experienced.”

  “I’d never done anything like that,” Forrest said. “But I felt un—” he stopped as if struck by something.

  “Finish that thought,” I said.

  “It felt almost like I was unnaturally driven in an animalistic way,” Forrest said. “But, I knew I was still in enough control that things wouldn’t get out of hand. I never would’ve gone into your room.”

  “And I knew you wouldn’t,” Alex said. “But there was a deep, strange need inside me to have you be a part of it.”

  “That was the perfect way to put it, Alex,” I said. “Now I have no doubt that something is going on or being played out here.”

  “That’s an interesting way to phrase it,” Forrest said. “What do you think is being ‘played out’?”

  “I have a theory or two,” I said. “Forrest, tell me about the love affairs in this place—I’ve heard rumors that there were some.”

  “Rumors and tall tales is all they are,” Mrs. Carson said, from inside the Indian Pavilion.

  We all walked inside the pavilion. Mrs. Carson was sitting on the Indian bed smoking a cigarette with Lucky contentedly lying beside her.

  “I’ve heard people talk about love affairs at Carson Court, but never seen proof of any,” Mrs. Carson said. “I’m not even really sure how they apply.”

  “What do you mean?” Alex said.

  “Well,” Mrs. Carson said. “It was only my grandparents, my mother’s twin brother, a few servants, Javina, her brother, and their mother.”

  “What did their mother do?” I said.

  “She was the cook, here and elsewhere,” Mrs. Carson said. “That’s why Javina was always around.”

  “Did you know about the retarded brother?” I said.

  “No,” Mrs. Carson said. “Nobody ever mentioned him, which I find disconcerting and strange. I also suppose that means that there must’ve been a lot of other things I was never told.”

  “Probably,” I said. “Did your Uncle always live with your parents?”

  “My grandmother and her brother were orphaned a year before she married my grandfather. Uncle Marcus was a sweet man and everyone loved him. He came to Carson Court when my grandmother was pregnant in order to help run the house. Eventually he stayed on as my grandfather’s secretary.”

  “I’m sure it helped having him around while your grandmother was locked away,” I said.

  “You won’t get a rise out of me, Layton,” Mrs. Carson said. “My uncle went to Delilah’s establishment more than a few times to deal with situations of the flesh that may have arisen. Like I’ve said before, though, it’d be impossible for him to acknowledge a black mistress or heir.”

  “Heir?” Alex said. “Do you think he had a child with someone from the bordello?”

  “There were rumors that he might have,” Forrest said.

  “Yes, and rumors that my grandmother had nymphomaniacal tendencies that could only be satisfied by the well hung men at the bordello,” Mrs. Carson said in a surprisingly calm voice. “Layton, find the facts amid the rumors.”

  “Could the payments sent to France have been for an illegitimate child from this house?” Alex said. “I apologize if I’m being indelicate.”

  “No,” I said, before Mrs. Carson could answer. “Those payments started about approximately when Javina vanished and there’s not enough time for Veronica to have gotten pregnant and given birth after the twins.”

  “Shoot!” Alex said.

  “But it doesn’t mean there were no illegitimate children,” Mrs. Carson said.

  “Any that could lay claim to Carson Court?” I said.

  “No,” Mrs. Carson said. “Feel secure in the knowledge that you and Alex are the legitimate owners now.”

  “You’ve given us a lot to think about, Mrs. Carson,” I said. “Thanks for breakfast earlier. Enjoy your smoke.”

  WE WERE greeted by an enthusiastic Elise upon entering the guesthouse.

  “I think I like the pink hair better than the platinum,” I said, then gave her a hug. She was dressed in a white blouse and colorful floral print skirt, which contrasted nicely against the white walls and tile floor of the living room. Shannon was sitting on the sofa dressed in tan cotton shorts and a tan halter top. Neutrals seemed to be her choice of color and they suited her. On the table in front of her were black and white photos.

  “Hello, everyone,” Shannon said. “I’ve got the pictures all laid out for you. They’re copies so feel free to pick them up as needed, Layton. The aftermath of the party didn’t cause any major problems for you, did it Forrest?”

  “No,” Forrest said. “Several men from the main station were working the party and got things handled quietly.”

  “How did you explain away what happened to Karina Marino, the contestant who died?” Alex said.

  “It’s the coroner’s job to explain that—and the boys and I have already been told to go with whatever the coroner says,” Forrest said. “From what I understand, upon examination, the cause of death was heart failure. And that’s not made up—heart failure is what the findings support.”

  “We all saw her split in two and chopped up in the fans,” I said.

  “We also saw the body whole again somehow,” Elise said. “Either way the poor thing is still dead.”

  “I guess heart failure works,” I said. “Not to sound cold, but there’s nothing we can do to help Karina. The best way thing we can do is solve the mysteries here so nobody else gets hurt. And, I’ve been anxious to get a look at some of the previous occupants of Carson Court.”

  “Come sit by me,” Shannon said. “I’ll point out the players to you.”

  I sat on her left side, Alex sat at her right, and Elise and Forrest scooted the two chairs in the room up to the table.

  “The largest picture in the middle is of Veronica and Thomas Carson on their wedding day,” Shannon said.

  “They’re a handsome couple,” Alex said.

  I agreed. Even though i
t was a black and white photograph it was clear Mr. Carson had dark hair and a dark mustache. He was in good shape.

  “He looks awfully stern in that picture,” I said.

  “That would’ve been a typical pose of the period,” Elise said.

  As the others looked at the wedding photo, another photo caught my attention and I picked it up. The scene captured on it was the one I’d seen when communing with the ghost of Veronica. It was of a party taking place on the back courtyard. Mr. Carson and a slender, handsome young man stood in front of two pigs being roasted on sticks behind them. A large and tall black man stood to Mr. Carson’s left with a young black girl in front of him. Veronica Carson stood in front of the pigs, her hand over her mouth and an expression on her face that appeared to be a combination of shock and horror. I looked at the photo more closely and tried to make out the black man to the right of the pigs.

  “This might help you pick out details,” Shannon said, then handed me a magnifying glass.

  “Who’s the slender man next to Thomas Carson?” I said.

  “That would be Veronica’s twin brother Marcus Carson,” Shannon said. “Javina and her older brother are next to them.”

  “The man in back looks like he could be related to the Morelles,” I said.

  “That would be the retarded brother,” Shannon said.

  “Mr. Carson certainly seems happier in that picture,” Alex said, leaning over to get a better look at it. “Did you mean to say Marcus’ last name was Carson, Shannon?”

  “I did indeed,” Shannon said. “Thomas Carson formally adopted Veronica’s brother since Marcus had no family other than Veronica.”

  “That wasn’t as uncommon to do as you might think,” Elise said. “My grandmother has only ever had kind things to say about Marcus. They say he helped Thomas and Veronica deal with the loss of the twins. Grandma says she always remembers Uncle Marcus’ piano playing and how it would soothe both her grandparents.”

  I peered at the party picture again and several things stood out to me, so I hunted through the pictures on the table until finding two photos and laying them next to the wedding picture and the party picture. Digging around, I spotted a photo of Thomas and Veronica alone and a picture of Thomas, Veronica, and Marcus several years older and somewhere in Europe. Blocking everything and everyone else out I stared at the pictures. Imploring them for details of their stories… and they began to speak to me. Not in a literal sense as ghosts, but in a way that was just as real and made everything clear.