Floodlight

by Reba Birmingham

  “Panda?” Now fear set in. Who else could it be? “Ekk? Elsa?” Still wet, she grabbed her robe, put it on, and slipped into the bedroom. Brutus was on high alert, with his hair standing up straight in a ridge down his back. Mitzi grabbed him and went into the closet. Once under the coats and behind boxes, she realized she left her cell phone on the bedside table. Dammit!

  EKK AND I wrapped up the office after I called the security company and asked about Lulu. They told me she was on vacation, but not to worry; we would have a substitute guard until her return. That wasn’t why I called, but they didn’t need to know it was just to find out if Lulu was okay. Relieved, I asked Ekk how long it would be before he returned to the Hercynian Forest.

  “Oh, Elsa and I are staying in Merryville. You got us.” He said it so matter of factly.

  “What do you mean?” There had been no time to really think of what having a magic wife with roots in the Hercynian Garden might mean. “How long is that for?”

  “Like, permanently.”

  “What? I always assumed you would be going back when this was all over.” I wasn’t upset, just, wow, kind of taking it all in.

  Ekk counted off on his little fingers: “First, it’s not all over, and second, you could use some help at the office. Elsa told me it’s something you and Mitzi fight about.”

  I blushed, wondering what else Elsa had observed. “Where are you planning on living? You can’t just rent an apartment.”

  Ekk laughed. “This is California. I put on my hat,” he said and whipped out a Kings ball cap, “and voilà , I’m one of Babs’s ‘little people.’ Elsa and I already have a place.”

  “Okay, then, no more elf holes?”

  “Well, if we need them, but Ehren said he will send a stipend and to keep the magic down to a dull roar.”

  I wanted to tell him he looked like a tiny thug with the cap he chose, but I didn’t want to spoil his mood. “Okay, let’s go out the front door this time.” He went before me and, after I clicked my car opener, got in Sweetpea’s shotgun seat. I could barely see him over the dash and shook my head as I locked up the office with my huge set of keys.

  I smiled as I turned. It was still a beautiful California day, and I was so glad to be home. This feeling lasted only another instant because Ekk opened the car door and shouted, “Panda, hurry! Mitzi needs us!”

  I didn’t question, just jumped in the driver’s seat and tore out of the strip mall parking lot as fast as my three cylinders would take us.

  “Dammit, what’s happened to Mitzi?” I dared a glance at my new sidekick.

  “Elsa called.” He held up his cell, which was bigger than his hand and left a huge bulge in his pocket. “She’s getting danger vibes from the house. She’s on her way, too—back from Babs and Henry’s.”

  I leaned forward, pressed my three cylinders as fast as they would go, and naturally hit every red light there was. I tried calling Mitzi on her cell, but it just rang and then went to voice mail.

  IN THE HOUSE, Mitzi heard her cell phone ring, but she couldn’t do anything to give herself away. Feet pounded up the stairs and a guttural voice said, “Hier entlang!” Somehow, her experience allowed her to understand German and knew he said, “This way.” From the voices, she pictured at least two huge dwarves.

  Why wasn’t this over? She wrapped the cat with both arms and scooted backwards till the closet wall stopped her. This was the first time she was grateful the closet was cluttered. There were hanging clothes, boxes, and paper grocery bags full of things that were on their way to the homeless shelter, shoes, and even a couple of tennis rackets. Brutus kitty didn’t like being stifled, however, and leaped from her arms. He was out the closet door and all she could do was close it and hide. Seconds later, she heard him hiss and what sounded very much like a cat attack. The front door opened again, and she heard a familiar voice...her sister-in-law?

  “Panda, Mitzi, you left the door unlocked, are you home?” The voice got louder as Puddle Fowler, Panda’s sister, thumped loudly up the stairs. “I’ve come thirteen thousand miles to see what the hell is going on with you guys. Tell me you’re not having sex.”

  Mitzi was torn. She didn’t want to give her position away, but she couldn’t leave Puddle in harm’s way—a harm she couldn’t foresee or protect herself against. A pain began on the top of both shoulders, and she realized that being discovered versus not being discovered was not going to be a choice. Mitzi dropped her robe as her wings fluffed out and launched her from the closet just in time to face two ugly dwarves, dressed in California casual, fighting her fierce Bengal cat. It was an odd scene.

  Puddle stood at the bedroom door in her usual colorful tie-dye garb, mouth open, as Mitzi emerged naked from the closet with full white wings flapping. Two dwarves were busy tossing the place, and Brutus was scratching everyone in sight. The larger one swung around with a lamp and smacked Brutus way too hard with an audible thud. It made Mitzi sick the way he went limp. Everyone froze for a moment, and for sure, it was the strangest tableau Thistle Drive had ever seen. One of the dwarves said something to the other, and they plowed into Puddle, knocked her over, and ran off down the stairs.

  Mitzi’s wings started to retract, and she donned her robe. She said, “Puddle! What are you doing here?” and ran to her brave Bengal kitty. Puddle got up and looked a bit stunned, as Mitzi heard both the front and back doors open. “Panda?” Mitzi called, hoping against hope.

  I REACHED THE top of the steps with Ekk and Elsa and entered the bedroom only to see Mitzi in tears holding our Brutus, and my sister from India standing with her. I said a lame but cheery, “Hey, Puddle.”

  Poor Puddle looked from me to Mitzi to the elves and back to me and said, “Somebody better start talking. I feel like I’m watching a movie.”

  Elsa moved toward Brutus and put both her little arms around him as best she could. Puddle looked at me teary eyed, and I gave her a shhh motion. The strong scent of roses filled the room, which felt a bit crowded. Brutus lay still, with his eyes not quite closed. “He’s not breathing,” Mitzi said through sobs. “He was just trying to protect me.” I moved toward her and petted the part of his foot I could touch. Ekk eased us both away and suggested we take Puddle downstairs and let Elsa do her work.

  Hours later, Puddle had her fill of explanations and was clearly on overload. We put her on the couch with a comforter and pillow, and after her medicinal marijuana, she was asleep before the light switched off. Brutus’ condition was guarded, and he slept between Mitzi and me. I could still smell roses and a little bit of pot and, thankfully, heard the sound of my little warrior’s thready breathing. After a couple of sandwiches, Elsa and Ekk retired to the guest room, not about to leave us alone after this visit from Wolfrum’s minions.

  THE NEXT MORNING, I eased out of bed, excited that my sister was here. She’d moved to India three years ago, and Mitzi and I were only able to make the long journey once. Speaking of Mitzi, she had an arm curled around our beloved cat, who had a nasty goose egg on his little skull. His tongue lolled around his mouth in a way that made my stomach queasy. Pushing out thoughts of brain damage, I suddenly remembered my pendant, or rather, Mitzi’s pendant she’d given to me years ago. We’d been distracted by the attack, Brutus’s injury, and Puddle’s arrival, and our room was still somewhat in disarray. I meant to put the pendant around Mitzi’s neck and leave it there. The pendant was in a large envelope handed back to me by the police a couple of nights ago. My knees went weak at the memory of being thrown into that awful jail with Mitzi.

  The envelope was where I left it, in my open nightstand drawer. I upended it to find my wallet and nothing else. I looked into the empty envelope again, like you do, not accepting the fact that the pendant was gone. I looked again and gave a big sigh. It was gone. I sunk down onto my side of the bed and looked back at my little family. How could I protect my wife and our precious four-legged baby?

  Puddle was still snoring downstairs, and the elves had their door closed. It
was after nine, so I called Juniper.

  “Panda. How are you guys doing?”

  “Hey, Jun, just checking in. We’ve had more weirdness.”

  “What happened?”

  “Where to start? Um, Puddle’s here.”

  “All the way from India? I guess that was dumb. Of course she would be if she’s here.”

  “Yes, she apparently arrived in time to disrupt Wolfrum’s men, who were after Mitzi and bashed Brutus.”

  “Oh, God. We’re just finishing up breakfast. Can we bring you guys something?”

  “Actually, I’m not hungry. Wow, I don’t say that very often.”

  “We’re coming over as soon as we leave here, no arguments!”

  “I thought you might be at the museum.”

  “Oh, we have some catching up to do. Read your Fishwrap first.”

  I heard Val say in the background, “You better be sitting down, gorgeous.” I wondered at that last statement.

  We rang off and I went downstairs, put on some coffee, and made my way to the front porch. The Internet has changed so many things. Getting the paper was still comforting in its certainty. Even though the paper might be wet or thrown into the bushes, a real human tossed it each morning at our porch before we woke. The Bee was on the bottom step, and the neighbors got a good look at my portly body in PJs. After all we’d been through, I didn’t care. I was the fighter of evil dwarves and had snuck through a castle. That still made me smile. I tucked the paper under my arm and wondered what Heloisa was doing at this very moment.

  I slipped by a still-abed Puddle, who had always been a good sleeper, carried the paper into the kitchen, and sat down with my coffee. I opened it, and the headline screamed:

  MUSEUM BOARD CHAIR’S MISSING BODY FOUND IN BUSHES

  I almost spit out some coffee and went on to read:

  Museum Chair Richard Mortimer’s body was found in the bushes on the bluff near the museum this morning. Police have not released cause of death, but a person close to the investigation, who wished to remain anonymous, said Mortimer appeared to be the recipient of blunt force trauma. Ironically, Mortimer was found in the same location as the homeless person spotlighted a week before during a live performance of “Floodlight!” by Fiona Castlebaum, international celebrity. Ms.Castlebaum, who reportedly has left the country, is being sought for questioning. A source also reported seeing the embattled curator, Juniper Gooden, at the museum last night when there was some police activity. The acting chair, ByronWindingle, said that, until such time as the investigation was complete, all field trips are canceled. The museum will remain closed until after Mr. Mortimer’s memorial next weekend at St. John’s. Juniper Gooden was unavailable for comment.

  “Shit!” What else could happen? I felt for Dick’s family, but he was a real jerk in life. This could not bode well for our friend Juniper. She had to be suspect Number One.

  “I smell coffee.” My lovely sister was stretching in the doorway, still in her pajamas. “I smell patchouli—do you bathe in it?” I said. It was an old argument that was loving, not mean. We hugged. “Whatcha reading?” she asked. “You apparently have arrived in the midst of a story that’s still unfolding. Now the head of the museum has been murdered.” She grabbed the newspaper article. “Where your friend works?”

  “The very same. Hey, we had so much to tell you, I didn’t ask how you are. What brought you home, sis?”

  Puddle poured herself a cup of the steaming liquid and took a long sip. “Oooh, American coffee. I missed it.”

  I started to speak, but she held up a finger.

  “Okay, India was cool. I love the meditation. Whatever it was I needed to work out there has been worked out, though, and a new pathway has opened up.”

  “A new pathway? You’re not here for good?”

  She laughed her musical laugh. “Me in Merryville? No, Panda Bear, you’re the only reason I stopped here on my way to Peru.”

  Our parents had disappeared in Peru when we were children. Just hearing the country mentioned still evoked a response from my body.

  “Why? So I can lose a sister, too?”

  “Don’t be so sensitive. No, when in Carolla, India, I met a man named Diego from the South American jungle. We had many conversations about our folks, and he’s going to help me find them. In fact, sometimes I wonder if that wasn’t the whole reason I was drawn to India.”

  The sun shone through our dusty kitchen window, and I made a mental note to do some spring cleaning. “You mean, find out what happened to them.”

  She didn’t directly answer, just stretched her skinny tan arms and bent them behind her head, gray eyes looking into the distance. “We were in the same ashram, and he was from Lima. That’s in Peru. Outside of L.A. County.” She always made fun of the fact that I wasn’t crazy about leaving home.

  I missed having Brutus in my lap. He always loved a good story.

  Puddle continued. “Over the months, Diego and I talked about the bus accident, which doesn’t add up. You know, Paititi really may exist.”

  Again I felt that tingle of discomfort. “I guess them chasing a mythical city doesn’t seem so ‘out there’ after what Mitzi and I have been through. Although our adventure kind of chased us.” A minor epiphany.

  Panda stirred her coffee. “Anyway, his home is right outside of the area they were searching. He invited me to stay at his house and launch my expedition.”

  “You can’t be serious.” I heaved a big sigh. “Puddle, it’s time to grow up.”

  She pulled her head back, making her neck stretch, and raised her eyebrows, a comical gesture I remembered well from childhood when our mother suggested she do the dishes.

  “You know, get a job, settle down?”

  “Ooooh, and have an exciting tax practice? No thanks.” She got up to rustle through the cupboards for food.

  Just then Ekk joined us, looking refreshed but famished as usual. “Good morning, humans.” Apparently, he loved doing that. It highlighted his status as otherworldly. It also showed more of his sense of humor.

  Puddle continued. “Although I gotta say, Merryville is more interesting than it’s ever been before.” She stared at Ekk. “Good morning, little man. My sister, who is friends with elves, thinks I’m crazy to want to go to South America and see if I can pick up the trail of our parents who disappeared when we were kids.”

  He was interested immediately. “Vale do Javari, Brazil?”

  Her head snapped around to face him so fast her dreads flew. “How did you know?” Her mouth dropped open.

  Not happy with this turn of conversation, I was getting irritated. “Yeah, I thought you were a German elf. What’s all this about Peru?” I frowned. This wasn’t good. Puddle was getting support for her hare-brained scheme.

  Ekk jutted out his little chin. “We have student exchange programs in the magical world, just like you do.” He was a bit defensive. “I have a distant cousin in the El Chullachaqui.”

  Puddle was excited. “Seriously? This is awesome. I could use an elf! Want to join me?”

  It was hopeless to try to stop her now.

  “Actually, I’m on duty here, making sure Mitzi and Panda are safe. I could put in a word for you with my cousin, however.”

  Puddle looked at me. I knew that look of wanderlust mixed with a bit of defiance. She kind of reminded me of our mom.

  Sigh. “How about breakfast first?” I opened the fridge to take out our standard bacon and egg breakfast.

  “Eeeww, I’m vegan, sis. You know that.” Her dreads quivered.

  “Sorry, dear, it’s been awhile. I’m off meat now, too. I have a cantaloupe and some toast. Heard from our dear brother?”

  “Nope. Is it whole grain?” Any subject that didn’t interest her usually met with one-word responses.

  I made the tell-me-more gesture with my hand.

  “Not the whole time I’ve been away. Wait, he sent me a cell phone one Christmas.”

  “That was nice. Did you send him a card
or call?”

  “Um, no.”

  “Cause and effect. I guess you’re both guilty. You’re getting wheat bread.” It was hard being the baby of the family and acting more like the oldest. Just then, Valerie and Juniper arrived and reintroductions were made with Puddle. It started to feel like a party. Val poured herself the last cup of coffee and started another pot. I was reminded of the headline and said, “Dick is dead?”

  Ekk was still stirred up by Puddle, who had him doing Munchkin impressions earlier. He sang out, “He’s really most sincerely dead,” in his Munchkin voice. We all just looked at him. I didn’t know elves could turn red, but they can. “Sorry, I’ll go check on the girls.” The girls he was referring to were Mitzi and Elsa, who were upstairs tending to Brutus.

  “Yes. The board meeting was very short.” Juniper shifted to a chair to be comfortable for her storytelling.

  “Tell,” Puddle and I said simultaneously.

  Mitzi came in the room rubbing her eyes. “Ekk and Elsa have Brutus duty. Coffee? I heard Dick Mortimer is dead.” Her face scrunched up as she yawned and stretched.

  Juniper launched into her story. “Okay. I intended to show up at the board meeting yesterday with both Dick’s wife, Beatrice, and Mrs. Windingle.”

  This evoked a “wow” out of Mitzi.

  “But Bea was distraught over the revelation of her husband having an affair with Linda Chicolet, another board member.”

  “And nemesis,” I added.

  Puddle, who didn’t know any of these people, walked over to the cutting board and started in on her cantaloupe, saying “Draaaamaaaa” in a sing-song voice. I started to remember how irritating she could be.

  Juniper continued. “It turned out to be a blessing in disguise that she didn’t go because she was so mad at him for cheating. No one knew he had been murdered.”

  “Oh my God, how sad,” Mitzi said.