Black Hearts Dance

by Gerald Lopez

  “She must’ve been related to the lady in charge,” I said. “That’s why she was allowed to work outside the establishment. So far though, all we have is one hypothesis after another.”

  “Has your friend in Paris gotten back to you yet?” Rory said.

  “No,” I said. “But I haven’t checked my laptop today.”

  “I can do that for you, if you want,” Alex said.

  “Yes, please,” I said.

  Alex stood, then walked out of the room.

  “OK, so Javina and her kin were related to the original Delilah,” Rory said. “How does that get them an ‘in’ at the court?”

  “It’s all about networking,” Shannon said. “They were real pros at it way back when. Let’s not forget, Hubert was on a first name basis with Mr. Carson.”

  “You think they were fucking?” Rory said, to me, then turned to Shannon. “Pardon my ‘french’, Shannon.”

  “It would explain the familiarity between the two men,” Shannon said.

  “Hubert has stood out in my mind for several reasons,” I said. “None of which I can figure out at present. I keep going back to the rumor of an affair between him and Veronica. He has to be the gardener Veronica was rumored to have had a tryst with… but something is still not right about those rumors.”

  “Why does that stick out to you so strongly, Layton?” Shannon said, then leaned back against the wall.

  “Because it doesn’t make any sense, even as gossip or rumor,” I said. “If people knew Hubert was gay, then why mention him and Veronica as a couple. And what about the interracial aspect of it… there must’ve been a reason for picking him to start the rumor about.”

  “Maybe people didn’t know he was gay back then,” Shannon said.

  “Well they’ve known about him in fairly recent times,” I said. “So why does the rumor still have breath? Why didn’t it stop circulating long ago? What’s still giving it legs?”

  “Do you think someone is purposely spreading it around still?” Shannon said

  “Could someone have proof of something between the gardener and the mistress of the estate?” Rory said.

  I pointed to Rory and spoke. “Give the man a prize.”

  “What sort of proof?” Shannon said. “Pictures… love letters.”

  “But those things would’ve seen the light of day by now,” Rory said.

  “We only just recently found one of Javina’s journals,” Shannon said. “Who knows what else is out there… maybe even in someone’s hands.”

  “Hang on a second,” Rory said. “That’s all true, but didn’t we already say that Hubert was gay. Do we think that’s a lie?”

  “Nope—that’s not the lie,” I said, putting my hand on the wall and my head against it. “Why make up a rumor of Veronica having a specifically ‘black’ lover.”

  “To ruin her… because it would,” Shannon said.

  “Not if everyone knew it wasn’t true,” I said.

  “That makes no sense,” Rory said. “Then why start the rumor unless they’re trying to cover up for somebody else.”

  “Exactly,” I said. “That someone else being white and from this house.”

  “An illegitimate, mixed race child,” Shannon said. “And how does Hubert figure into things? Did Mr. Carson or Marcus cover up their activity by blaming Veronica.”

  “I might be able to answer part of that,” Alex said, walking back into the living room with a paper in his hands. “Layton, your friend in Paris apologized for being late getting back with you. She found some information she thought might be useful.

  “And is it?” I said.

  “It’s definitely something,” Alex said. “The address the payments were sent to in Paris isn’t interesting. But, where the money ended up is—it came back here, to Moresville—”

  “More specifically, it ended up at the bordello,” I said.

  “It’s also where we’re going tonight,” Alex said. “Elise gave me the address last night. But, how did you know?”

  “Because that’s where all roads are leading right now,” I said.

  “And so, what—Mr. Carson and Alex were thrown out of town for getting a black girl pregnant?” Rory said.

  “That doesn’t really make sense,” Shannon said. “Why would anybody care?”

  I paced the room again. “Why would they have been thrown out of town?”

  “If we looked up the date they left, maybe we can learn something,” Alex said.

  “Maybe,” I said. “But, the real question is… why did Mr. Carson and Marcus come back?”

  “This was their home, they couldn’t stay away forever,” Rory said.

  I walked around to look at the posterboards on the floor. Looking at the names of people and places I moved my pointer finger back and forth between them until my ass was moving with the rhythm.

  “You look ready to dance, Layton,” Shannon said.

  “That’s because this whole case is like following a dance.” I danced in place then took Shannon’s hand and she danced with me. “The day Marcus and Mr. Carson left Carson Court isn’t important. The reason they came back is—it’s all part of the dance.” I turned around and shook my ass. “But it’s not a modern, down and dirty dance.”

  “What sort of dance is it?” Rory said.

  I spun Shannon around, then answered the question. “It’s a formal dance with steps.” I put one hand on Shannon’s waist, the other hand in hers and took two steps forward. “You take a certain number of steps forward. One-two-three, one-two-three.” My audience had grown by three—Elise, Mrs. Carson, and Miss Maribelle had entered the room. I ignored them for the moment and spun Shannon around. “Spin your partner, round and round. La di-da, la-di-dee… or whatever. Then—”

  “You pick a new partner and begin again,” Elise said.

  Letting go of Shannon, I took Elise’s hand and we danced.

  “Yes!” I said. “Elise is absolutely right. “You come back—but why do you come back? To begin again with a new partner. Or to pick up an old partner and begin again. The old partner being Veronica, who’d returned to the court.” I dipped Elise, then stopped dancing to address the room. “But how did Mr. Carson and Marcus know Veronica had returned?”

  “Someone must’ve told them,” Rory said.

  “No way,” I said. “Everyone back here would’ve been too scared, otherwise Mr. Carson would’ve been back sooner. What did they have to wait for, Elise? You said it when you walked in here.”

  “I did?” Elise said. “All I mentioned was beginning again with a new partner—I guess they needed a partner?”

  “But, you said that would mean Veronica,” Alex said. “Does it also mean they didn’t know where she was for all that time? Then somehow they knew she’d returned here to the court.”

  “Why else come back?” I said.

  “Why else indeed,” Shannon said. “Which means not only were Mr. Carson and Marcus taken away against their will, so was Veronica.”

  “That doesn’t make sense,” Rory said.

  “You say that because you’re a man,” Elise said.

  Everyone looked at her.

  “Oh, I get it,” Shannon said.

  “So, do I,” Miss Maribelle said. “And it doesn’t paint a pretty picture. There’s an angry, jealous woman involved somewhere in this story.”

  Chapter 44

  Sweet Surprises

  WE PUT THE living room back to rights, then Alex and I went upstairs to dress before our company arrived. Elise, Mrs. Carson, and Miss Maribelle offered to make coffee and wait for Frankie and Jimmy. Rory said he’d walk Shannon back to the guesthouse so she could doll herself up, then he’d head to the pool house to change.

  “Mmm,” I said in Alex’s ear. He’d gone as far as removing his tank top before I’d wrapped my arms around him from behind and started nipping at his ear. “I love you, babe.”

  “You, detective, had better get dressed,” Alex said. “I think we made some progress o
n the case downstairs.”

  “So do I. You and I need some serious alone time, Alex. When this case is over we are heading to that hotel in Mt. Ore and I don’t care if we ever leave the room or the bed while we’re there.”

  “Whatever will we do in a room by ourselves for all that time?” Alex said, then grinned.

  “The mind boggles,” I said, tearing myself away to get dressed. “I think we did make progress today, but we need to make more. The truth is I really would like to live in a ghost-free home.” I pulled on a pair of camo print shorts, dug a khaki color, ribbed tank top out of a dresser drawer, and put it on.

  Alex looked at me, walked over to where I stood, then hugged me. “I love you too, Layton. So, what are we doing for the rest of the day?”

  “We are going on a scavenger hunt to look for Javina’s journals,” I said. “They’re somewhere on this property just waiting to be found. And today’s the day we find them.”

  “Did a ghost tell you that last bit?”

  “No, but I’m a determined homeowner.” Alex had put on some red and blue plaid shorts, but was still shirtless, so I leaned in and lightly bit his nipple. “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to get enough of you, Alex.”

  He kissed me, then walked to the dresser, took out a red T-shirt and put it on. We both stepped into flip-flops, then went back downstairs.

  FRANKIE AND Jimmy arrived bearing gifts. They had a large carton containing luscious, homemade cinnamon rolls covered in gooey white icing. I walked them to the kitchen, where Alex, Elise, Mrs. Carson, and Miss Maribelle were drinking coffee. Shannon and Rory returned to the house and found us still in the kitchen. Jimmy had just put the cinnamon rolls in the oven. As the rolls were cooking we had a surprise visitor—Nellie Noir dressed in a black and white pinstripe suit with dress shorts instead of dress pants. He also had black socks on with pointy toe black shoes. Under the jacket he wore a white shirt. By the way it hung, I could tell it was probably a tank top. There was a pirate style skull and crossbones printed on the front of the tank top—it was definitely another Nellie Noir creative look.

  “This is just my everyday business look,” Nellie said, when he caught me checking out his duds. Then he spotted Frankie and turned to him. “I see Apollo has descended Olympus once again to interact with us mere mortals. Hello, Frankie. Are those Jimmy’s fabulous cinnamon rolls I smell cooking?”

  “They are indeed the work of Olympus’ favorite chef,” Frankie said. “And I believe there are enough heating up for you to be able to partake of the delicacy.”

  “My God, am I underdressed for Olympus, or what,” I said.

  “You look good enough to eat, Detective,” Nellie said, then snapped his jaw and growled at me.”

  “Down, boy, he’s mine,” Alex said.

  Ooooh, baby, I thought, but didn’t say out loud. My man was ready to fight for me.

  “It’s nice to see you again, Chet,” Mrs. Carson said. “I love your outfit. And how is our local entertainment reporter doing today?”

  “I’m doing very well thank you, Mrs. Carson. I came by to see how everyone was feeling after their ghostly encounter at Nathan’s house.”

  “I thought you lived there too, these days,” Miss Maribelle said.

  “Not officially until we’re married next month,” Nellie said.

  “Congratulations!” Elise said. “Nathan finally proposed.”

  “Yes he did, which came as quite a shock to me,” Nellie said.

  “Congrats to the both of you,” I said.

  “We’ll have some sort of small ceremony,” Nellie said. All of you are invited of course… provided we have space to fit everyone at our home.”

  “That’s why God made rental halls,” I said, knowing Nellie was hinting around to use Carson Court.

  “Nellie, you’re more than welcome to get married here,” Alex said.

  “Really?” Nellie said, genuinely surprised.

  “Why are you surprised?” I said. “That’s what you were hinting around about.”

  “Yes, but,” Nellie said. He wiped at his eyes. “I was hinting, but I honestly didn’t expect anything. I know I’m a freak in some people’s eyes—my own mother told me she’d rather rot in hell than attend my wedding. My father refused to talk to his son ‘the freak’.”

  “Don’t expect us to spring for your big day,” I said, then smiled. “But, if you need someone to walk you down the aisle, I’ll make sure to keep the date open.”

  Nellie walked to me, gave me a hug, then kissed my cheek. “You’re a bit of a softy inside, aren’t you?”

  “Don’t tell anyone,” I said. “And Carson Court is at your disposal, just let us know the date.”

  “Oh my God,” Nellie said, clutching his heart and looking at Alex. “You’re both serious about letting me get married at the court—I mean for reals.”

  “Yes,” Alex said, then patted Nellie’s back who responded by hugging him.

  Nellie straightened up and looked around the room as if in utter shock, then he looked at Mrs. Carson and covered his face. Mrs. Carson stood and held him as he wept on her shoulder.

  “Nellie Noir, folks in this town know what you went through with those no good parents of yours,” Miss Maribelle said. “God bless their souls. I think the good Lord is blessing you through Alex and Layton today. They don’t even know you like we do and look how they’ve reached out to you.”

  Nellie stood straight and wiped his tears. “Yes, Ma’am, Miss Maribelle. It’s true and I won’t forget it.”

  “The cinnamon rolls are ready,” Jimmy said.

  Shannon helped Elise get some plates and utensils, then Jimmy plated the cinnamon rolls.

  “We’ d all probably be more comfortable in the sunroom,” Mrs. Carson said.

  “That sounds like a good idea to me,” Miss Maribelle said.

  We walked across to the sunroom. True to its name, the room let plenty of sun in through the windows on three of its sides. There was a rattan sofa with a yellow, floral print fabric on the cushions set against the back wall with a matching sofa across from it. A round glass table with four chairs anchored the corner. Mrs. Carson sat in a chair located to the side of the first sofa. I stood and ate my cinnamon roll, while the others found places to sit.

  “Should I put the fan on?” Rory said.

  While everyone decided on whether or not the fan was needed, I looked up at the white fan mounted to the wood beam ceiling. This was yet another perfect room—one that would be great for afternoon naps. It was easy for me to picture the general doing the same thing—slipping off his shoes and taking a comfy nap on the sofa. Time to get back to reality.

  “I don’t know about all that talk about Olympus earlier, but one bite of this cinnamon roll put me in Heaven,” I said, then licked frosting from my lips.

  “They’re a little different from the ones in Shelby,” Jimmy said. “But, I hope they compare somewhat favorably.”

  “It’s impossible to even compare the two, they’re so different,” I said. “Both are number ones in my book.”

  “I wholeheartedly agree,” Alex said.

  Nellie opened the duffle bag he was holding and pulled out a folder. “I’ll have you know I didn’t come here empty-handed. I’m not only a librarian in town, I also work as the entertainment reporter for our local paper. As such, I have access to photos and the like from our vast archives. That’s what’s in this folder, copies of photos I thought might be able to help you.”

  “What sort of photos?” I said, my interest piqued.

  “Photos of the important people in town the year the twins were born,” Nellie said.

  As soon as we’d all finished eating, Rory and Alex cleared the glass table and took our plates and utensils to the kitchen. Elise left and came back with a wet towel which she used to clean the table, then dried it with another towel. Alex and Rory returned just as Elise finished what she was doing.

  “It’s safe now for you to lay out your copies,” El
ise said.

  “Hey, Nellie, I haven’t seen any mention of The Glitter Ball in the paper yet, what gives?” Rory said.

  “It’ll come out in the weekend edition,” Nellie said. “The police wanted to check the article and pictures before we print anything or post online.”

  “That makes sense,” I said.

  “I do, however have a copy of the article with me,” Nellie said. “I’ll be happy to share it after we look at the pictures.”

  He opened the folder containing the pictures, then spread them out on the table.

  Everyone walked up to get a look.

  “This one’s particularly interesting as it shows the original Delilah at a party standing between Mr. Carson and Josiah Morelle,” Nellie said.

  I was about to pick it up when Mrs. Carson spoke.

  “Oh look, Maribelle, there’s a picture of your Grandpa Jardine.”

  “Holy shit,” I said, when I looked at the picture Mrs. Carson pointed to.

  Chapter 45

  Jardine

  “THE GARDENER was your grandfather, Miss Maribelle?” Shannon said, looking at the picture.

  “Oh yes,” Miss Maribelle said. “Well, actually you’re only partially correct. A lot of people made the mistake of thinking Grandpa Jardine was the gardener here because of his name. Jardine is actually a derivative of the word jardin which is French for garden. Grandpa was actually caretaker of the main house and estate here. Momma used to come visit him and Grandpa Benedict all the time, since she was a baby.”

  “He even went to France to take care of my grandfather’s home there after closing Carson Court down for the season,” Mrs. Carson said.

  “How exactly is Mr. Jardine your grandfather, Miss Maribelle?” I said. “Rumor has it he was gay.”

  “Those particular rumors are true,” Miss Maribelle said. “But Grandpa Benedict was a good man. My momma always spoke well of him, and Grandpa Benedict was good to Grandpa Jardine and us kids.”

  “Yes he was,” Mrs. Carson said. “He used to give us candy all the time and take us to see live theater shows.”

  “To answer your other question—I’m not sure, Layton,” Miss Maribelle said. “I used to think Grandpa must really have been my uncle or something, but we found out years ago that Grandpa had no siblings or cousins. He was all alone in the world as far as blood kin went.”