by Gerald Lopez
“Gabriel, where have you and your brother been living since your mother died?”
“In our house. It’s two bedrooms and as neat and tidy as when Mama was alive. I promised Mama I’d keep it like she did for Galen’s sake.”
“Do you want to move back there?”
“No,” Gabriel said. “We had good times in the house but it always felt a little like a prison. Even if I am rich, I don’t want to live in a palace. I want a real home for me and my brother.”
His last comment tugged on the detective’s heart for some reason. He put his arm around Gabriel’s shoulder and spoke.
“Should we go check on the others?”
“Yeah. I’m better now. When Galen’s older, I’ll tell him our dad was a good man who loved us.”
“He’ll appreciate hearing that from you,” the detective said.
Gabriel stopped then gave the detective a big hug. “Thank you, Mr. Detective, for really listening. I’m sorry and embarrassed that I made a pass at you.”
“At my age I’m flattered. But for Jimmy and Walter’s sakes let’s not even mention it.”
“That’s probably a good idea. Mr. Peters is a lucky guy.”
“So is Jimmy,” the detective said.
“YOU TWO WERE gone a while,” Walter said. “Louise and Galen are fast asleep.”
“Big brother here needs to join them,” the detective said, then patted Gabriel’s back.
“Put the T-shirt Jimmy brought you on, so you don’t catch cold,” Walter said.
“Yes, Sir,” Gabriel said.
“Babe,” the detective said to Walter.
“Yeah,” Walter said.
“We’re gonna have two new bunkmates for a while… maybe indefinitely,” the detective said, then saw Gabriel smile happily.
“Luckily I have a good hotel assistant manager to help run La Mer while I’m busy with you guys. And even better, I have a four bedroom villa on hotel property that should fit us all nicely,” Walter said. “But, first someone needs to get in bed next to his brother.”
“Yes, Mom,” Gabriel, who was now wearing a T-shirt per orders, said.
“I’m too busy running a hotel to be a Mom,” Walter said, then smiled and looked at his detective. “That would make you Mr. Mom as soon as you retire, Mr. Detective.”
What the hell did I just sign on for? the detective thought, then smiled.
“WITH THREE OF us it didn’t take long to change the bed sheets in the guest bedroom, and big brother’s room,” Lucie said, when the women were all gathered in the living room.
“It’s midnight,” Mercedes said. “My husband has eaten all your crackers, and still we haven’t heard about the visitors or when they’re coming. I wonder if that is a bad thing.”
“Well it can’t be a good thing,” Lucie said.
“It probably means nothing,” Adele said. If they have to be brought here in secret, then it will have to be late. The clubs and bars haven’t even closed yet.”
“That’s true,” Mercedes said. “We’re just not used to staying up late, and we’re also anxious about things.”
“Yes,” Adele said. “I keep thinking about what Nina must’ve been up to. There must be a reason she was killed.”
“She wasn’t a very nice person,” Mercedes said.
“If people got killed for just that reason, then half the town would be dead,” Adele said.
“Probably more than half,” Mercedes said. “At least the rain has stopped.”
“We should play cards while we wait,” Lucie said.
“Now that’s an inspired idea,” Adele said.
WHEN GABRIEL FELL asleep, Walter went outside with his detective.
“It’s only a little after midnight, but feels so much longer when it gets dark early,” Walter said. “Your first day here has been insane.”
“First day in my new home,” the detective said.
“I almost feel like I’m dreaming. Did you really propose earlier, and have we already added to our family by two?”
“Yes and yes.”
“Seeing you with little Louise and Gabriel was…. Your heart was unguarded, and you let them in. It was like when we first met.”
The detective didn’t say a word, just reached for Walter’s hand, held it, then looked off into the distance.
“When you left me and our home, you moved back in with Reynard, didn’t you?” Walter said.
“You knew I would.”
“It was our first home together—with him,” Walter said. “The great artist Reynard and his models slash lovers. We had some incredible and unusual experiences together.”
“Some of them even took place out of bed,” the detective said, then looked at Walter and smiled.
Walter chuckled. “I loved watching the two of you naked together.”
“And he loved watching us,” the detective said, then put his arm around Walter.
“Is this what they refer to as a long night of the soul?” Walter said.
“You have the phrasing wrong, and I don’t think that’s what this is anyway,” the detective said. “We’re not having a spiritual crisis.”
“Then why does it feel like I hurt down to my soul?” Walter said, then cried.
The detective pulled him closer, and wrapped both his arms around him, then kissed the top of his head.
“Your hair’s turned completely white since last we met. Very sexy—I love it.”
“Fool,” Walter said. “How could someone do that to their own daughter? Poor Louise.”
“That’s only part of why you’re crying.”
“No,” Walter said. “Maybe there’s more. OK—yes. I loved you both, why didn’t he want me at his funeral?”
“Reynard loved us and his last lover equally,” the detective said. “He didn’t want his funeral to be the lasting memory when you thought of him. I was the only one there besides his sister Nancy.”
“At least he lived to be ninety-five,” Walter said, then wiped his face with his hand. “You were in love with him a long time.” he tried to move but his detective held him closer.
“No… never in love,” the detective said. “He knew that.”
“You can’t tell me you didn’t love him.”
“Loved yes. In love no. That was why he found you for me.”
“Huh?”
“He knew me well,” the detective said. “Knew that I couldn’t help but fall in love with you forever.”
Tears flowed from Walter’s eyes again. “I didn’t know. Neither of you ever said.”
“Reynard didn’t have to tell me why he brought you into our lives. It was for me to be in love with, and I knew that the first day I laid eyes on sweet, innocent, emotional you.”
“This is the first time I’ve cried for him since I heard he got hit by a bus.” Walter said, then chuckled. “I can’t believe I chuckled. Saying it out loud just sounds—”
“Funny, despite the tragedy of it all,” the detective said. “You’ve done good on your own, babe. You made us a home here. And I’m anxious to see more of it tomorrow.”
“Hopefully, you can sleep in tomorrow,” Walter said. “I mean today. It’s well after midnight now.”
They stayed outside for a while, then went back inside, sat next to each other on the floor, and held hands.”
An hour later, there was a low knock on the door and someone whispering.
“It’s Robertito, our ride is waiting. Time to move on to our next destination.”
Chapter 14
Disturbances and Enlightenment
ROBERTITO ENTERED, and spoke as the detective helped Walter get up.
“You guys need to get your pants on.”
“The two littlest ones on the bed will need to be carried,” Walter said, as he walked toward his pants, felt them, and turned to his detective. “They’re still wet and we used our shirts to clean up Louise.”
“The little girl’s here with you?” Robertito said.
“
Yes, but her mom beat her badly,” Walter said.
“She won’t be doing that again ever,” Robertito said. Sorry, I didn’t bring dry clothes, but I’ve been keeping watch from across the street.”
“Thanks for that,” the detective said, as he slipped into his pants and tucked his dirty shirt into his pocket. “I’ll get Louise.”
“I need to make a quick call outside,” Robertito said, then left.
Gabriel got up, put his pants on then tried to stand but stumbled backward.
“Sit for a second,” the detective said.
Robertito walked back inside and spoke. “OK, ready to go?”
“Can you take Galen?” the detective said to Robertito. “Gabriel’s gonna need a hand. “Babe, put our things in the bag Jimmy brought then get Louise.”
“Already ahead of you,” Walter said. “The bag is packed.”
“I can walk,” Gabriel said, and tried to stand but couldn’t.
The detective picked up Gabriel using the fireman’s lift, then headed out the door, followed by Robertito carrying Galen and Walter with Louise in one arm and the bag on the other. Robertito got in front of the group, and led them down a narrow alley, then onto the main street where Ranvir was waiting in his taxi. When they were all in the taxi, Robertito’s phone rang. He answered it and began to speak in French. After a minute or two he hung up and spoke in English.
“That was Marianne. There’s been some kind of disturbance in one of the clubs.”
QUEENIE, FLAN, AND Royale tried to hide in a corner when the fighting in the club started.
“Did you call Marianne?” Flan said.
“Yes,” Queenie said. “She said we need to get out of here the back way, and that she’ll be sending help.”
In front of them tables were being turned over, and patrons engaged in fisticuffs. The sound of breaking glass could be heard. Despite everything going on, the club owner managed to get to Queenie, Flan, and Royale.
“The bouncers will clear a passage out the back door,” the owner said. “When They give me the signal and I say go, you girls make a run for it, and don’t look back or stop.” He saw his bouncer wave toward him. “Now!”
Queenie grabbed Flan and Royale’s hands, and they ran into the crowd. Someone tried to jump them, but got pushed back by a bouncer. A man grabbed Queenie, but she kicked him in the knee. They made it out the back door, and began to run down the alley. Their luck ran out when they turned into another alley. A group of men were waiting for them.
“What do we do?” Flan said.
“We fight,” Royale said. “Queenie, you’ve got to go on ahead and tell the people what you saw.” She bent down and took off her stiletto heel which she held in her hand like a weapon and waved toward the men in front. “You want me, come and get me, boys.”
Flan and Queenie also took off their heels and rushed forward. The loud sounds of motorcycles could be heard, and soon two of the bikes were between the drag queens and the men.”
“M sent us, get on!” one of the motorcyclist’s said.
Queenie put her heels back on, then ran and got behind one of the motorcyclists while Flan got in the sidecar. The other cyclist stayed behind to fight along with Royale and others who’d shown up to help.
“What about Royale?” Flan said, loud enough to be heard over the motorcycle.
“She was a prize winning boxer, did you forget?” Queenie said. “The girl can handle herself.”
.WELL, WELL,” MERCEDES said when Pierre got off his phone.
“They’re on the way,” Pierre said. “It’s Mr. Peters with his detective friend, Gabriel, and Galen. They’re all wet and very dirty. There’s one more thing, and Robertito told me to prepare you ladies for it.”
“What?” Adele said. “What is it?”
“The little girl,” Pierre said. “The girl Louise is with them, and she’s a mess to look at—covered in scratches, bruises and the like. Nina beat her badly this time—even pulled some of the child’s hair right out of her scalp when she dragged her out of the house.”
“What do we need to do, Lucie?” Adele said.
“Fill one of the bathtubs with warm water,” Lucie said. “We need to bathe Louise to make sure her scratches don’t get infected. Then we need to put antiseptic and bandages on her. It won’t be fun for the poor child. I’ll need help with her.”
“We’ll help you,” Mercedes said. “Pierre can see to the men and little Galen.”
“I’ll get towels, we should’ve thought of towels earlier,” Adele said.
“We did,” Mercedes said. “There are some in the guest room, but probably not enough.”
“I’ll run and get more,” Adele said.
“Don’t panic, ladies,” Pierre said. “We still have a little time before they get here.”
“It’s just like a man to say don’t panic,” Mercedes said. “Somebody needs to run the bath for Louise.”
THE MOTORCYCLIST had dropped Queenie off a couple blocks from her destination, then left to take Flan home. Queenie walked as quickly as she could down the cobblestone streets, trying to stay hidden in the shadows. The sound of her high heels echoed in the eery silence. A stray cat ran in front of her and she jumped.
“Girl, get your nerves in order,” Queenie said out loud, then took a deep breath. She took off her heels, tucked them under her arms, held up the bottom hem of her long dress and ran.
“WAS A BOY named Hugo involved in the disturbance in the club?” the detective said to Robertito.
“No,” Robertito said, then a look of enlightenment came over his face. “Not him, but now everything makes sense. Did Hugo know about Louise and the suitcase?”
“Yes,” the detective said.
“No, can’t be him,” Robertito said shaking his head. “Hugo would never think he could get away with taking that money.”
“Then he told someone who could get away with it,” the detective said, while holding a sleeping Gabriel in his lap.
Louise was asleep with Walter in the front passenger seat, while Galen was stretched out sleeping in Robertito’s lap.
AFTER HE PUT away his phone, Pierre stood up and retrieved his gun from the kitchen. The women had all rushed to the living room when Pierre’s phone had rung again.
“Pierre, what is it?” Mercedes said. “What’s going on? Who called?”
“That was Marianne,” Pierre said, while checking his gun. “Queenie’s on her way here, and I need to have my gun ready in case she was followed.”
“Oh my God, Queenie!” Adele said. “God, please don’t let anything happen to Queenie, please no more murders tonight.”
The women all began to pray.
“If I have to use my gun you women get in a back room and down on the floor,” Pierre said.
They heard the sound of someone running to their front door, and Pierre motioned the women to stay back. He walked to the door and looked through the peephole.
“It’s Queenie,” Pierre said.
WE’RE HEADED TO the home of Adele and Lucie, two sisters, “Robertito said in the taxi. “Walter knows them.”
“Yes I do,” Walter said. “They come to the hotel for brunch with their older brother and some friends.”
“Their older brother died earlier today,” Robertito said.
“How?” Walter said.
“You haven’t heard then,” Robertito said.
“No,” Walter said.
“Corinne fell off the rocks and landed on the brother, killing him on impact,” Robertito said.
“Oh God,” Walter said. “Is Corinne… is she—”
“Yes, she’s dead,” Robertito said. “It was a high fall and she hit several objects on the way down before landing on the old man.”
“Was it murder?” the detective said.
“No,” Robertito said. “Corinne was dizzy from not having anything to eat or drink. She fell trying to get a cigarette that had fallen from her hand. There were reliable witnesses that confirmed
everything.”
“Poor Corinne,” Ranvir said.
Robertito’s phone rang again.
“What now?” Walter said, agitated.
Chapter 15
Enough is Enough
“WE’LL HAVE COMPANY when we get to the sisters’ house,” Robertito said when he got off the phone. “Nothing to worry about. Queenie has some information to share with us.”
“Queenie?” Walter said. “Is she OK?”
“She’s shaken, up but fine,” Robertito said. “The older sister whose home we’re headed to—Lucie—can come across as silly and simple at times, but she’s not. In fact, she’s a highly trained nurse. I’m sure she’s working on getting Queenie calm, and she’ll be able to look over Louise.”
ADELE HAD OPENED the liquor cabinet and gotten something for Queenie to drink to calm her nerves. Queenie sat on the sofa in the living room trying to relax, but her hands still trembled. The women were around her with Pierre.
“They shouldn’t have done it,” Queenie said. “Shouldn’t have thought they could get away with it.”
There was a knock on the door. The women jumped, Queenie gasped, and Pierre got his gun ready to use.
“It’s probably Robertito and the others,” Pierre said. “But if it’s not, do like I said earlier and get in one of the back rooms.”
“We will,” Mercedes said, then rung her hands nervously.
Pierre looked through the peephole then spoke.
“It’s Robertito and the others.” He opened the door.
Lucie rushed up and went straight to Walter and Louise.
“We tried to clean her up as best we could but were short of supplies,” Walter said.
Louise woke up and began to cry. Lucie spoke softly in French to her, then gently took her from Walter.