Golden Glories

by Gerald Lopez

  “Could be that she’s a regular Fagin of Oliver Twist fame running a gang of two,” I said. “But….”

  “But?” Miss Lucy said.

  “It’s a little too obvious an act,” I said. “But then why put on an act at all, unless it’s to distract from their true intentions.”

  “Hmm, that does make sense to me.”

  We got back to her golf cart, and I smiled. “It’s a step down from your regular car.”

  Miss Lucy laughed. “You’re alright, boy. I still can’t believe you let yourself get knocked on back of the head by a little girl. But then I have seen bigger men than you get thrown for a loop when they find out they’re gonna be daddies.”

  “You figure that’s why I’m off my game.”

  “I know it, baby,” Miss Lucy said as she got in her golf cart. “Your new family has come together real damn fast. Most men’s heads would spin, but you’re not most men.”

  “I thought the girl—Antoinette—was Sassy who had my back.”

  “They are close to the same height,” Miss Lucy said. “But had you been in soldier mode, a man like you could’ve smelled it wasn’t Sassy. Just cause you’re home doesn’t mean you’re not in a battle. And Sassy, Alex, and even Forrest don’t have the military training we do. They’re strong, God bless them, but they don’t think the same way you and I do. That’s why we can’t afford to let our guard down in the field. And you, Mr. Marine, don’t see Shiloh Key as a battlefield, and that’s gonna put your team in danger.”

  “Yes, Ma’am. I didn’t realize the extent of that until you just said it. I’ll set my mind right. I want to be an asset and not a liability.”

  “It’s tough, because you’ve got family on the field—we’re not used to that as soldiers. And once a soldier, always a soldier at heart. Forrest and Alex are strong, if you need to delegate things in case of danger to the homestead. They can be a big help. For my part, I’ll make sure there’s room on the boat for the kids, Charity, even that crazy ass sniper Daisy May.”

  “I appreciate that, Miss Lucy.”

  “I know, boy. We look out for one another us old soldiers.” She laughed. “And I’ve told you before that you’ll make a good daddy to your kids. You need to learn to listen to Miss Lucy.”

  “Yes, Ma’am. I’ll stay out of trouble that way, huh?”

  “Even I won’t go that far,” Miss Lucy said. “A person’s gotta have some fun in life. Good to see we’re on the same team again.”

  “Not that we were ever actually enemies.”

  “I know that,” Miss Lucy said. “No one would be my enemy by choice—they’d be too damned scared I’d kick their ass.”

  “You got that right,” I said, then got serious for a moment as Miss Lucy started her golf cart. “We’ve got to be ready for anything here, don’t we?”

  “Yes we do. I have a feeling that before all is said and done, some real shit is gonna go down.” She laughed. “It’ll be a good time all around!”

  Chapter 11

  Game Plan

  ON MY WAY back to the group I ran into Forrest, who was looking for me.

  “Alex is taking pictures of Jorri and Nikki,” Forrest said. “I don’t have the eye Alex has, but even I can tell these trees and headstones make for some interesting pictures. That whole play of shadow and light thing—photographers like that.”

  “So I’ve heard,” I said.

  “You look deep in thought,” Forrest said, then put his arm around my shoulder. “Did Miss Lucy reveal anything else about your organization’s plan here? And if she did, would you tell me?”

  “She didn’t and I would.” I smiled, looked around, noticed we were alone for the moment, and quickly kissed Forrest.

  “Are you deflecting?” Forrest said.

  “No, Officer, I swear,” I said, then gave him a flirty smile. “If this were a more private place, I’d say you could frisk me and everything.” We both laughed, then I got serious. “I don’t talk about my military rank because it’s in the past and I’m a civilian now. And it’s not my organization. But I’m too involved now to go back to a normal life after I’ve seen what lurks in the shadows.”

  “Just in the shadows?”

  “No, babe,” I said, and ran my hand down Forrest’s chiseled chin. “You know that much firsthand, thanks to your supernatural diony ex. We can’t act like we don’t know there are supernatural beings and occurrences in our world.”

  “He’s right,” Alex said, as he walked toward us and gave Forrest then me kisses. “I’m starting to feel left out.”

  “We’ll have to make that up to you, won’t we, Layton?” Forrest said.

  “I don’t know,” I said. “It seems to me like we were doing his bidding earlier when he sent you to check up on me.”

  “Guilty as charged,” Alex said, and chuckled. “However, Layton, you were suffering from a head injury, so I had to think for you.”

  “And you did that extraordinarily well,” I said.

  “On to more serious things,” Alex said. “If we’re now also working for The Organization, then we need a plan.”

  “We’re not technically working for them,” I said. “They’re aiding us in retrieving the staff. That means they must have enough of an idea of what the thing does to be worried.”

  “Leticia saw the Russian icon with the staff pictured on it,” Alex said. “So that must’ve told her something. Layton, how do you want to handle this? You are the military expert.”

  “So far I haven’t done very well, but that changes now,” I said. “I don’t like how Granny and those kids keep showing up—they’re up to something. The diabolo thing Antoinette has is something used a lot by circus performer—I looked it up online. Then a few minutes ago Bogie mentions performing a magic trick—that’s funny. They need to stay on our radar.”

  “Agreed,” Forrest said.

  “We have the island experts Nikki and Jorri on our side, so we need to keep them close,” I said. “Our goal is to get our hands on that treasure, in particular, the staff, before anyone else grabs it and unleashes God knows what.”

  “I’ll have someone take over the light beach patrol duties for me,” Forrest said. “This is more important, but the kids need to be kept safe.”

  “Agreed,” I said. “And we need to also keep Lily May and Charity safe. Miss Lucy will make sure there’s a place on the yacht for them.”

  “The two of you guys have more training in the field than I do,” Alex said. “I’m strong though, and can make sure the kids, Charity, and Lily May are safe. But how will I know if the time comes that we need to evacuate?”

  “If you don’t hear from Forrest and me, then you’ll have to go by your own instinct,” I said. “You’re doing real damn good so far.”

  “Thanks,” Alex said. “Forrest, how do you feel about all this? You weren’t keen on being involved in this sort of thing.”

  “I don’t see where any of us have a choice right now,” Forrest said. “But I want to be kept in the know about things—everything. And I think we need to be a little more cautious.” He looked at me, then gently touched the bump on my head. “No more getting hit on the head OK.”

  “He’s such a great daddy,” I said to Alex. “I’ve been nervous about the whole kids thing. What the hell do I know about kids? How do we keep them safe from all this?”

  “We do what we’re doing,” Forrest said. “It’s making me nervous hearing a marine—former or not—doubt himself again. Layton, you were a soldier, you know how to compartmentalize your feelings.”

  “Why am I so screwed up right now?” I said.

  “You’ve been going, going, going too long and need a break,” Alex said. “After this job, we’re gonna stay home for a while. That’s me putting my foot down.”

  “Chip got right in there, didn’t he?” Forrest said, and laid his palm against my chest. “Kids do that—they melt a grown man’s heart. And both of you have bonded with him. That’s why I trust Alex to keep h
im safe if we’re busy elsewhere.”

  I shook my head and body out. “Yeah. Sorry, guys, I’ll be fine I promise.” A sudden pain shot through my head causing me to yell out and drop to my knees. When I pounded my fist on the ground, I heard Nikki and Jorri, who’d run over, gasping.

  “It’s the blue light,” Alex said. “It’s surrounding you on the ground. Layton, Layton, can you hear me?”

  The pain inside me subsided completely as suddenly as it had come, but I stayed on my knees. Thoughts were passing through my mind, and they weren’t my own. I repeated what the other voice in my head told me out loud for the others to hear.

  “If in urgent need, reach down to access the familiar blue light, it’s been harvested here before, and used by an ancient sisterhood. I’ve been tracking your mind that’s why you haven’t felt like yourself. Something is happening and I’m scared. The energy in Shiloh Key helped open this gateway from me to you for a short time. But that time is up—can’t let the others around me know we’ve linked minds. We’ll meet again soon, stud. Say hi to Alex for me. Kiss-kiss.”

  The other presence was gone from my mind, and I stood up refreshed.

  “I recorded everything in my smartphone,” Alex said. “Who was it?”

  After hushing him, I breathed in deeply letting the sweet scent fill my nostrils. “Can you guys smell that?”

  “It’s something sweet and floral,” Nikki said.

  “Oh my God,” Alex said. “That scent—I recognize it. The smell is of Monique Thomson’s perfume.”

  Without saying a word, I walked up to Alex and ran my hand through his golden, blond curls. “It was a friendly word from her,” I said. “For some reason she’s trying to help.”

  “It sounds like the lady will need your help later, and needs to keep ya alive,” Jorri said.

  “That’s what it sounded like to me too,” Forrest said. “My brother told me about the blue light incident you had to deal with back in Louisiana.”

  “But this isn’t Louisiana,” Alex said.

  “Maybe not,” Jorri said. “But Shiloh Key has a mysterious blue light too. I’d only ever seen it from a distance till just now.”

  “I’ve seen it up close before,” Nikki said. ‘I was just a small child, but that’s the same light I saw when the non ghost cult of nuns came and held a meeting in the middle of downtown—right on the street. Back then it was the scariest thing I’d even seen. Now not so much. Those women harvested the energy right from the ground. You can access that same power to help us if need be, can’t you, Layton?”

  “It sure does seem that way,” I said, then noticed something else. “My headache’s gone.” Forrest felt my head. “So is the bump.”

  “Alex, please send Miss Lucy a text explaining what just happened,” I said. “Those cult nuns are definitely here, and I’ve seen them. The silvery eyes were not in my imagination. “Make sure to contact Sassy, too.”

  “Already ahead of you there,” Alex said.

  “What are the nuns after?” I said to Nikki and Jorri.

  “No one knows for sure,” Nikki said. “It could be some particular piece of the treasure, or they could merely be exacting revenge for the murders of the original nuns.”

  “But why would a cult spring up just for that?” Alex said.

  “It wouldn’t,” Forrest said. “They exist because they have a common goal involving that treasure and something they want from it. And we need to make sure they don’t get it.”

  “Don’t like nuns, do ya?” Jorri said.

  “I went to Catholic school like Miss Lucy did,” Forrest said. “The nuns there didn’t like me, and the feeling was mutual.”

  “Don’t let anger cloud your judgment,” Nikki said.

  “Believe me, I won’t,” Forrest said. “Layton, do you feel more like your old self, now that your mind is solely your own again?”

  “Yeah,” I said. “Funny how even though I couldn’t feel her there, I definitely felt her presence leave.”

  “The bump on the head,” Alex said, while reading a text. “Miss Lucy writes that when you were knocked out, Monique was able to get inside your mind, otherwise you would’ve felt her.” He chuckled. “She also writes that while that wasn’t your fault, letting your guard down and getting whacked on the head by Antoinette was all on you, boy. The ‘boy’ is a direct quote.”

  “I figured,” I said. “Shit!”

  “What’s wrong?” Alex said.

  “Wounded pride, I’d guess,” Forrest said. “Our big, tough, ex marine still got knocked out by a little girl.” He laughed as did the others.

  “Go on and laugh,” I said, then laughed.

  “She was about the same height as Sassy and behind Layton,” Alex said.

  “He’s the only one that loves me,” I said, then kissed Alex’s cheek.

  “We love ya too, boy,” Nikki said, then smiled and kissed my other cheek. “Time we were headed home. We’ve got food to get ready, and hungry men to feed.”

  “And Lord knows we’ll all need to eat and rest so we’re ready for what’s coming,” Forrest said.

  Chapter 12

  The Others

  ON THE WAY back to Jorri’s compound I filled everyone in on the blue light incident in Louisiana. Per usual, Alex busied himself taking pictures. The trip back was taking a while since the streets had become even more crowded with pedestrians and bicyclists.

  “That’s one heck of a crazy time you had in Louisiana,” Jorri said. “And I already heard about the case involving those green-eyed lady statues. Charity and I keep in touch. You don’t do things the usual way, do you Layton?”

  “Lately it sure doesn’t feel like it,” I said. “What’s your opinion on how Charity’s handling things?”

  “She’s fine—a real trooper like her cousin, my son was,” Jorri said. “Besides, it’s not as if supernatural, paranormal—or incidents of that sort haven’t always followed my family around. Charity’s parents have quite a few tales to tell themselves, and they’re off on another crazy adventure again. They’ve been employed by the same group you work for, as a matter-of-fact.”

  “The crowd out here is getting thick,” Nikki said.

  “I wonder if they’ve stopped letting people into the key yet,” I said.

  “At least it looks like folks are behaving themselves so far,” Forrest said.

  “I’d hate to see this place if people decided to start misbehaving,” Alex said. “Having said that, I would really like to come back when things are more normal. Shiloh Key is beautiful and I’m kind of fascinated by it.”

  “Then we’ll have to make it happen,” I said to Alex, then looked at Forrest.

  “I’d like that too,” Forrest said. “But definitely when it’s more quiet.”

  “Enjoy the peace for now, boys, because come nightfall I think all will change,” Nikki said.

  “You’re assuming this will be a typical year, Nikki,” Jorri said. “But it’s a big anniversary one, and that changes everything.”

  We engaged in small talk as Nikki pointed out some plants and buildings to us. Finally, we arrived back at the beachfront compound. Jorri parked the golf cart and we all got out.

  “Let me show you the social hub of our humble compound,” Nikki said.

  We followed Nikki down a path strewn with stepping stones and arrived at a large, open, block and stucco pavilion with a clear view of the beach. In the front part was a grouping of rattan chairs, a sofa, and a table. Down the center of the room was a row of picnic tables that had been pushed together. Rather than bench seats there were folding chairs to sit in at the tables. Near the back was a ping-pong table, and on the wall a dartboard. In the center of the wall was a door.

  “The door leads to a small but adequate kitchen,” Nikki said.

  The aforementioned door swung open, and a tall, skinny man walked out dressed in baggy shorts, flip-flops, and a loose T-shirt. He looked to be in his mid-fifties, and his long gray hair had been pulled b
ack into a ponytail.

  “Am I glad that you’re here, Nikki,” the newcomer said. “You-know-who is driving me bonkers in the kitchen. Miss Thing is all excited about the college boys coming to eat.”

  “I told everyone not to worry, that we have plenty of time, and most of the food is ready,” Nikki said. “Everyone, this is Bean, he used to work in the circus.”

  “Nice to meet you, Bean,” Alex said, and shook his hand.

  “Which circus?” Forrest said, as he shook Bean’s hand.

  I was about to say hello when someone new emerged from the kitchen door. A bald man wearing extremely short shorts, and a string tank which highlighted his muscular chest and arms to perfection was looking around the room. The blue velvet stiletto heels he wore made his calf muscles even more prominent than they would be normally. While the long false eyelashes and blue eyeshadow contrasted sharply with his chiseled cheeks and chin.

  “They’re early,” the bald man said. “Hang on, these guys don’t look college age.”

  “That’s because we’re not,” I said, then looked at his shoes. “Nice shoes. I like the color.”

  “Thank you,” The man said. “They call me Bella. And you’re a man of exceptionally good taste. You three aren’t college age, but I wouldn’t toss any of you out of bed for eating crackers.”

  “Do you wear those heels when you’re cooking?” Alex said. “Don’t they make it difficult?”

  “Honey,” Bella said. “If it wasn’t unsanitary I’d be wearing my bouffant wig too, but those long hairs get everywhere and I couldn’t risk it getting in my fabulous, freaky-freaky, fuckingly femme-onimal, fried chicken.”

  “His chicken really is that good,” Bean said.

  “They’ll find that out for themselves,” Bella said.

  “Bella used to be on the wrestling circuit with Nikki,” Jorri said. ‘They were unbeatable as a tag team.”

  “What do you mean by ‘were’,” Bella said. “I do feel naked without my pink bubblegum color feather boa, though—that was and still is my lucky charm.”