The Girl Thief

by Robert E Cummings

  Golden Boy took the cigar out of his mouth. “Hello, sugar.”

  Sammy nodded. She couldn’t bring herself to call him Bernardo.

  Tatiana’s smile grew into a smirk. “I see you’ve coaxed the little bird out of her coop. Did you leave a trail of birdseed?”

  “I told Sam you had something for her,” Cindy said.

  Sammy turned to Cindy, wondering why she wasn’t just a little creeped out by all the bird references.

  “I tell her I have something for her, and it’s ho-hum, but if you tell her, she comes running.”

  “More like dragged out,” Sammy whispered.

  “What was that, little bird?”

  “Nothing.”

  Cindy grabbed Sammy’s arm. “Don’t you just love the nicknames?”

  “Yeah, overjoyed.”

  “So what’s your secret, Cin?” Tatiana asked, turning to Sammy. “I call her Cin.”

  Sammy rolled her eyes.

  Cindy’s forehead creased. “Secret? About what?”

  “To get Samantha to come running.”

  “We’ve been friends for years.”

  “I thought it might’ve been something else.”

  Cindy shook her head. “I just told her you had something for her. What is it?”

  Tatiana reached under the table and pulled out a bag. She dangled it in front of Sammy.

  Cindy tapped Sammy’s arm. “Take it, Sam.”

  It had a box in it like the one with the wig but thicker and longer.

  Cindy pulled out the box. “It has a ribbon too.”

  Tatiana pressed the wineglass to her lips. “I insisted on gold.”

  “Very nice,” Cindy said. “Take the ribbon off, Sam.”

  Sammy slid off the ribbon, keeping her hand on the top for any springing action.

  “Open it already.”

  Nestled in the folds of ruffled paper was a glittering dress. She couldn’t be sure of the color in the light, but she’d bet it was yellow.

  Cindy pulled out the dress and held it against Sammy. “It’s beautiful, Sam.”

  “Yeah, when the fog rolls in, I can stand out on the beach and warn ships.”

  Golden Boy laughed. “It does have a glow.”

  Cindy wiggled the dress. “You’re just seeing Sam’s inner glow. That’s all.”

  Tatiana swallowed. “I must be the moth.”

  A few tables over, someone called out to Cindy. Cindy laid the dress down on the box. “I have to go. Very nice.”

  Tatiana swirled her wine. “Isn’t she sinfully delicious?”

  Golden Boy nodded. “Very sinful.”

  “She’s like a piece of rich chocolate cake,” Tatiana said. “Even though it’s a small piece, you just can’t seem to finish it.”

  “Girl, I could just go for a piece of chocolate cake. La Rue has chocolate cake to die for.”

  Tatiana let the last drop of wine roll onto her tongue. “Put on the dress and the wig, little bird, and expect to die for something.”

  “Love how you tie it all together, girl. Don’t you like how she ties it together?”

  “Yeah, like a rope around your neck.”

  Golden Boy chuckled, knocking the cigar’s ash into a cup. “She does have a way with rope.”

  “Of course, I follow all the safety protocols.”

  Golden Boy laughed.

  Tatiana grinned, her gaze fixed on Sammy’s neck.

  Golden Boy stood and pushed in the chair. “Coming, sugar?”

  Sammy shook her head.

  Tatiana leaned forward and put her finger under Sammy’s chin. “You can’t fly if you never leave the coop, little bird,” she said, running her finger down Sammy’s neck.

  Sammy backed away. “I like to keep my feet on the ground.”

  Tatiana slipped out of her chair, keeping her eyes on Sammy the whole time. “You’ll soar. I just know it.”

  They strolled out of the place as the lights brightened. The show was over and the music died.

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  ______________________________

  A large bang jolted Sammy awake.

  Leo stood over her, holding a pair of cooking sheets inches from her face. He dropped the sheets and grabbed the night lamp, shifting it from one side of her face to the other. “No noticeable changes in coloration.”

  Sammy waited for the pounding in her ears to stop. “Leo, what are you doing?”

  “I’m testing the acoustic startle-reflex on your skin’s chromatophores.”

  Sammy pushed the lamp away. “Did I say you could come into my room and do that?”

  Leo straightened. “It would be less effective if you knew I was coming.”

  Sammy kicked off the covers. “I said no testing.”

  “We can have another go at the visualization. I’ve been researching hypnotic techniques.”

  “So you can stab me with a needle again?”

  “We know that method works. These hypnotic techniques are supposed to be very relaxing.”

  Sammy picked up the cooking sheets. “You and relaxation don't go together.”

  Leo followed her out of the bedroom. “This is a great opportunity to test the bounds of your abilities.”

  “I’d like to keep the bounds where they are.”

  “Sam, don’t be afraid to be different.”

  Sammy put the cooking sheets back into the cabinet. “There’s a difference between being different and being a freak.”

  “Those are just spectrum labels. The first hominid who stood upright or spoke was probably considered a freak. Where would we be now without those freaks?”

  “Sitting down and not listening to you.”

  Cindy shuffled out of her room, tying the sash on her robe. “You drop something? Heard a big bang.”

  “That was Leo, trying to make cookies.”

  Cindy ran her fingers through her tangled mane. “Cookies now?”

  “He’s got a sweet tooth.”

  Leo marched to the sofa. “I do not.”

  “Did you sleep okay on the sofa, Leo?”

  “I managed.”

  “I’m making pancakes,” Cindy said. “Want pancakes, Leo?”

  Leo shook his head. “I eat two eggs every morning.”

  “Hope you’re not expecting us to make them for you.”

  “He’s our guest, Sam.”

  “He’s toupee Johnny’s guest. It was either take him or feast on pretzels and chips.”

  Cindy stepped closer and whispered, “That’s not nice.”

  Sammy looked away. Cindy didn’t wake up to banging cooking sheets.

  Cindy dabbed Sammy’s cheek. “Looks like one of those pillow lines.”

  Sammy wiped her cheek. “Gone?”

  Cindy shook her head.

  Leo rushed over, nudging past Cindy. “Something on her face?”

  “Looks like she’s been sleeping on a pillow seam. They don’t usually last for more than a few minutes.”

  Leo tilted her head toward the light coming in through the window. “Yes, it’s easier to see in the sunlight.”

  “It’s not really noticeable, right?”

  Cindy leaned in closer. “Think it’s a rash?”

  Leo looked back at Cindy. “I’m sure that’s all it is. I’ll have my eggs boiled. Eight minutes.”

  Cindy snaked around the counters. “I think I have a timer on my phone.”

  Sammy pushed him back. “I should bang those cooking sheets against your head.”

  “You have to learn to control this on your own. The sooner you realize that, the better.”

  “Why? Is the world going to suddenly run out of ice?”

  “It wasn’t the ice, but the shock value.”

  Cindy came back waving the phone. “I got it. Eight minutes you said?”

  Leo nodded then leaned into Sammy and whispered, “Don’t tell anyone else about this. Not even her.”

  Sammy watched Cindy drop two eggs into a pot of water. “I wouldn’t
even know what to say.”

  “In my experience, the less said the better.”

  Cindy turned the heat on under the water. “I have cream for the rash.”

  “How about a cup of ice?” Leo asked.

  “Ice? You think that’ll work?”

  “If it doesn’t, it’ll prove a point.”

  ●●●

  Leo followed Sammy out of the bedroom. “Now you have another tool to harness your skills.”

  “If you mention tools in toolboxes again, I’ll find a wrench and hit you over the head with it.”

  “This is an important step, Sam.”

  “Big deal. I traded Cat for you, and I’d rather have Cat.”

  “These are simple visualization techniques that with enough practice you can do yourself.”

  “Didn’t seem simple.”

  Cindy sauntered around the counter, sipping from a mug. “Did it work?”

  “You seem to have the eye for it,” Leo said, full of himself. “See for yourself.”

  Cindy bent down, examining her face. “I don’t see anything. You said it was a rash?”

  “Something of that nature.”

  “Her skin is so smooth. I don’t see any pores.”

  “Her skin is indeed special.”

  Check off another box on the freak list.

  Cindy straightened. “So you cured it just by talking?”

  “It’s a form of hypnosis where one imagines a healthy outcome. There is quite a lot of research to back this up. It’s the basis of the placebo effect.”

  Cindy nodded, squinting at Leo as if trying to make sense of what he’d just said.

  Sammy dropped to the sofa, shoving the blanket to the other end.

  “Do you think it would work on these pimples?” Cindy asked, running her finger along the side of her chin. “I’ve tried scrubbing them and all kinds of creams. Nothing seems to work.”

  Leo gave Cindy a polite smile. “What is it that you’re drinking?”

  “Tea. Do you want any?”

  “Yes, that’ll be fine.” He waited for Cindy to disappear into the kitchen.

  “Don’t like how you’ve been taking advantage of Cindy.”

  “I can’t very well discuss your circumstances with her within earshot.”

  Cindy leaned over the counter. “How do you like your tea?”

  “Very strong. Let it steep for a while.”

  Cindy disappeared back into the kitchen.

  “Your skin is more like that of a cephalopod based on some of the genetic markers I’ve been able to extract.”

  “Is that supposed to mean something to me?”

  “It’s a class of mollusks, most notably octopus, squid, et cetera.”

  “Am I going to be sprouting tentacles next?”

  “I don’t see how. They’re invertebrates.”

  Sammy tried to remember what that was. “No backbone” came to mind. Yeah, that was her, losing her backbone.

  “You should be able to change not only the color but also the texture of your skin.”

  More freakish things she didn’t want to know about.

  “I’m sure there are limitations since you’re not an invertebrate.”

  “I think it’s pretty strong now,” Cindy said. “What do you want in it?”

  “I’ll take whatever you have in yours.”

  “Honey and lemon?”

  “Not so much honey.”

  Sammy examined her hand, looking for any hint of those little suction-cup things.

  Leo stood, checking for Cindy’s whereabouts. “Even if you’re not interested in exploring your abilities, you should be invested in controlling them.”

  Cindy came in with the cup in hand. “Darkest tea I’ve ever made. Should be strong.”

  Leo took the cup from her. “I’m sure it’s fine.”

  Cindy stood by, watching him.

  Leo took an obligatory sip. “Yes, very good.”

  A phone rang. Was it hers?

  “Mine’s on the kitchen table,” Cindy said.

  Sammy hurried to her bedroom. “I think it’s mine.”

  Leo and Cindy followed.

  “I got an entourage to check a phone?”

  “It might be Johnny,” Cindy said. “Isn’t that what you thought, Leo?”

  It was Tatiana again. Sammy declined the call.

  Cindy stood by the door. “Wrong number?”

  “Tatiana.”

  “Why didn’t you take the call? She probably wants to know how the dress fits.”

  Sammy put the phone in her pocket.

  “I’ll get the dress, Sam, and you can try it on.”

  Leo grabbed her arm as she passed. “You can’t keep ignoring this.”

  Sammy pulled free of his grasp. “Be careful, Leo. I may wrap my tentacles around you.”

  “That would be an extreme morphogenic response,” Leo said, “although fascinating to contemplate.”

  Cindy had the box on the low table, sliding off the thick golden ribbon. “Nice box too. This dress must’ve cost a few bucks.”

  Sammy sat back on the sofa. “Driving must pay pretty good.”

  Leo stood behind the chair, appearing lost in his thoughts.

  Cindy lifted off the cover as if something precious were inside. She pulled the dress out. It had a gold metallic look. She turned it to show Leo. The overhead light glared off the dress.

  Sammy turned away. “You can put it away now.”

  “Put it on. Did you at least see if it fits?”

  “Thought it might catch the light and set the place on fire.”

  Cindy draped the dress over the box. “It’s beautiful, and you’ll look beautiful in it.”

  Leo studied her as though she were a new cell found under the lens of a microscope. Must’ve thought up a new test.

  Sammy turned away from Leo and did her best Igor impression. “I let you come here and give you power, and what do you do? You burn down place with stupid dress.”

  Cindy grinned. “I wish someone bought me one.”

  “Do you ever stop to think why she got me the dress?”

  “She saw it and thought you’d like it. People with money do that. She and Bernardo are very good tippers.”

  “You mean very nutty.”

  “They’re more like… What is it called again… Eccentric?” She looked up to Leo for confirmation.

  “It’s just a fancy word for kooks.”

  Leo didn’t offer an opinion, and Sammy didn’t care what he was thinking.

  A phone rang, and Cindy was up out of the chair before the second ring. “It’s mine.”

  Leo slid down next to her. “I’ve noticed that you’re very sensitive to light. Have you noticed any difference in visual acuity or an ability to adapt to low-light environments?”

  “Stop it already, Leo.”

  “I’ll turn the lights out, and you can tell me what gestures I’m making.”

  “How are you going to explain that to Cindy?”

  “We’ll say it’s a game. Perhaps hide-and-seek.”

  “She’s not ten.”

  Cindy walked in from the kitchen. “That was Johnny. He’s putting your equipment back and wants you there.”

  “Tonight?”

  Cindy nodded. “He wants me to help.”

  “Do you know anything about recalibrating scientific equipment?”

  “No, but you can tell me what to do.”

  Leo leaned back in the chair. “Lovely.”

  Sammy’s phone buzzed with a message. You can’t keep ignoring me, little bird! Dying to see you in the dress.

  “Stop by tomorrow,” Leo said. “Make it at night. I’ll be recalibrating all day.”

  Sammy turned off the phone. “Don’t wait up for me.”

  Chapter Forty

  ______________________________

  Sammy dropped the bag on the counter along with her keys. She’d done a bump and grab, getting a sandwich and a chocolate bar. The chocolate was the
winner. She saved the label so she’d know what to steal next time. She broke off a piece. The bar was less than half after she and the twins were sneaking pieces at the playground. The damned thing was addictive.

  She slipped the phone out of her pocket. Forgot she’d turned it off. “Yup, five messages from Tatiana. She’s turning into a stalker.”

  Sammy took her phone and chocolate to the sofa and plopped down. She scrolled to the first message. Too busy to pick up the phone, little bird?

  She took a nibble of the chocolate and scrolled to the second message. I’m starting to think you’re avoiding me.

  The third message said, Now I’m really starting to think you’re avoiding me. What’s the matter? The dress doesn’t fit? She took another bite of the chocolate.

  Sammy scrolled up to the fourth message. It’s not good to ignore me like this, little bird. I can make alterations to the dress. I’m very good with scissors.

  She held off the chocolate for the fifth message. Where are you? You can’t hide forever.

  Sammy deleted the messages. “She’s turning into a psycho.” She popped the chocolate into her mouth and tossed the phone on the low table. Something was wrong. One of the stuffed chairs was missing.

  Parallel marks trailed away to the door. She checked her pocket for the picks. She bet Igor took it and put it next door. He’d been trying to rent the apartment, and another chair might swing the deal.

  The door wasn’t locked. Must’ve just shown the apartment. “I knew it,” Sammy said, recognizing the white-and-light-blue daisies against a royal-blue backing. The chair was five or six feet from the door, turned away from her. “Why didn’t he put it with the other chairs?”

  She grabbed the back to pull it out, but something didn’t look right. Was it their chair? She turned on the light and stepped around to the front. “What the hell?”

  The chair must’ve had over a dozen cuts into it with the white batting spilling out. It had the same dark floral pattern and the same pleated back. Sammy bent down for a closer look. The cuts looked as though they were made with a knife. “Geez, she really is a psycho!”

  ●●●

  Sammy peered into the display case of knives at the pawn shop. It was a mix of folding and sheathed knives, about ten in total. None of them looked like Tatiana’s knife, probably too expensive for Arnie; nothing like a psycho with expensive tastes.