The Devil's Dwelling

by Jean Avery Brown

  Henry followed Hayden to the Viper to fetch our bags. Hayden and I followed Henry upstairs to our room. He put the bags on the table in the closet and excused himself.

  I stood amazed and turned in circles. The beds headboard was a crown painted in shimmering gold. The comforter was made of burgundy satin with a dozen of pillows in burgundy with braided and fringed gold trimmings. The burgundy satin drapes were hung from ceiling to the floor and pulled back with gold braids with long tassel’s. The floor was a soft sculptured pink plush carpet. A chandelier hung from the middle of the room. I couldn’t keep from gazing at everything. Paintings of a Royal family were hung on the walls. I’m sure the paintings are not of royalty but they certainly make a statement.

  “Hayden this is beautiful. Why?”

  He took me in his arms. “I wanted to show you how I feel about you. In my eyes you are a princess.”

  “And you are a prince.”

  “We need to dress for dinner.”

  “I didn’t bring my princess dress to wear for dinner. I didn‘t realize we would be going to a fancy dinner.”

  “Look in the closet there might be a princess dress in there.” Hayden said smiling.

  I opened the closet and there hanging was the most beautiful princess style soft blue dress with shoes to match. A dark blue suit also hung in the closet.

  “Hayden, you are a romantic. I’m seeing the softer side of you. And I like it.”

  “The dress how…”

  “You ask too many questions. Things just happen when you are a princess.” Hayden winked at me. “Okay, Olga and Lee shopped for me and shipped the dress and suit here. Olga checked your size one time when she washed your clothes.”

  I held the dress in close and danced around the room with fairy tale dreams dancing in my head.

  The bathroom was made for a princess. Chandelier’s hung over the two porcelain sinks. The counter top was made of marble and the faucets were gold. Probably not real gold but I could pretend. I was living the dream of being a princess, why not dream big?

  We walked downstairs at precisely seven o’clock. The aroma of dinner filled the house.

  Guests were getting settled in at the table. Hayden pulled my chair back and I as graceful as I could seated myself. I put the napkin on my lap and waited for the next clue. A tall slender man in a black suit poured the wine. Henry made a toast to all their guests. “A toast to your stay. May you feel the love radiating in our home.“ We clinked glasses and drank up. The tall slender man passed around a silver tray of appetizers. A lovely lady in a pink dress with a white apron served each a bowl of soup and followed up with a five course dinner.

  After dinner the guests scattered around the house and garden. Hayden and I took a walk around the gardens. We made our way back into the house and excused ourselves and went to our room.

  Hayden dimmed the lights and put on one of Norah Jones sultry CD’s and we danced…

  TWENTY-THREE

  The parking lot was dark when I arrived home. I grabbed my bag and my Coach overnighter and headed for the apartment. I pushed on the door with my butt and it freely opened. Mr. Sinclair was at the door assisting me.

  “Looks like you have your hands full. You been on a trip?” He tried to take my Coach bag but I pulled back.

  “I’ve got it.” I took a couple of steps and turned around. “Mr. Sinclair, Is there something you want to tell me?”

  “I don’t like to be nosey but that blonde woman came by your apartment yesterday and again today.”

  “It’s okay she’s my friend. She came over to take Bailey for a walk.” I continued walking up the stairs looking back at him. “Is there more?”

  He removed his cap and scratched his head and put his cap back on. “But she didn’t take Bailey for a walk today. She didn’t come out of the apartment. Her Explorer is in the parking lot.”

  “What!” I ran the remainder of the stairs. Took my Glock from my bag. The door was unlocked. I turned the knob and pushed the door open.

  “Mona,” I yelled.

  I ran to the bedroom. Mona wasn’t there.

  “Shit!” With Glock in hand I slowly opened the door to the bathroom. There lay Mona in a bubble bath, with earplugs and a black mask covering her eyes.

  “Mona!” I yelled. “What are you doing taking a bubble bath in my tub.”

  Mona didn’t move. “Shit, she’s dead.” I screamed holding my mouth.

  I yanked the mask from her face and pulled the earplugs from her ears.

  Mona sat straight up in the tub. “What’s going on?”

  “You scared the pee outta me. What are you doing?”

  “Taking a bubble bath. I’m sorry I shouldn’t have taken advantage of you being gone.” Mona stood up with bubbles dripping off her took a towel from the towel bar and wrapped in it. I can get the towel around me two times but Mona is challenged at one time around.

  “I thought you were dead.” I turned and walked out of the bathroom. “It’s okay, get dressed.”

  Mona walked out of the bathroom with a sheepish look on her face. “I don’t have a bathtub at my apartment. Since you were gone I thought I would enjoy a bubble bath. Guess I fell asleep.”

  “You can take a bubble bath at my place any time. Just don’t scare me like that.”

  Bailey was pacing at the door.

  “Sheesh, I forgot to take Bailey out. I sure didn’t take care of my duties like I promised.”

  I ran down the stairs, open the foyer door and told him to do his job. Before I had a chance to close the door Bailey’s all fours were hitting the pavement heading for the park. I heard a bang and ran out to see what all the commotion was about. Bailey had the big woman cornered against the apartments dumpster.

  “Bailey! Stand back.” The big woman was picking herself up. Bailey was barking to high heaven.

  “What are you doing in the parking lot?” I asked with my hands on my hips wishing I had my Glock in my hand.

  “I’ve been jogging for the past couple days trying to get in shape for when we start jogging.” She was panting about as much as Bailey.

  “Tell you what lady. You and I are not going to be jogging. So, take yourself home and don’t you be coming around here.”

  “Bailey, go do your job.” Bailey backed off the big woman and ran toward the park.

  By this time Mona had my robe on and was standing behind me with her 38 in hand.

  “Yeah! I don’t want to see you around here again.” Mona yelled.

  The big woman hung her head and walked toward the park.

  “Now I feel bad she must not have any friends.” I ran to catch up with her. Out of breath I jogged up beside her.

  “That wasn’t nice of me. I’m sorry. I know you mean well.”

  Bailey ran past me heading home. I turned from the big woman and jogged back to the apartment. Bailey beat me up the stairs.

  Mona was dressed setting on the sofa. Bailey was in my bed already asleep.

  I sat down on the sofa. “Anything go on while I was gone?”

  Mona opened the front page of the paper. Handed it to me pointing at the headlines.

  I read…Chelsea Smith murdered in her massage parlor. I read on…she was shot numerous times in the chest. “Oh my Gawd, another victim, same MO.”

  “Do you think Marty killed Sassy and Chelsea thinking maybe one of them killed Maxine? Since they all own massage parlors.”

  “That’s it! Marty is mad, like a mad dog he is getting revenge.” I folded the paper and slapped it on the coffee table.

  “Where are we going wrong? We gotta bring Marty in before he kills again. He’s absolutely gone bonkers.”

  “If we can find the maroon Chrysler we can find Marty.”

  Chelsea’s funeral would be in a couple of days. A good time for us to check out the attendance. I called Thompson’s Mortuary and got all the info on Chelsea’s funeral. Visitation would be from six to eight tomorrow.

  Mona and I put on our black clot
hes and headed for the viewing. Chelsea’s people wouldn’t know us. They would probably think we knew her from the massage parlor.

  The parking lot next to Thompson’s Mortuary was full. I pulled the Blazer around the corner and parked on an empty lot. Mona was dressed in her black micro skirt with a tight black tee shirt and black stiletto’s carrying her floral garden bag.. I wore black jeans and a black tank top with a black jacket. We walked across the street just as the maroon Chrysler turned the corner almost hitting Mona. Mona swung her bag at the car and hit the side view mirror leaving it dangling in the wind. I ran back to the Blazer. I started up the Blazer, drove across the dirt parking lot stirring up a cloud of dust and picked up Mona who was now carrying her stiletto’s. Mona grabbed the door handle and swung herself into the rig.

  “That sonnabitch almost killed me.” Mona was buckling her belt. “Dang I can’t get this thang buckled.”

  The marooned Chrysler made a U-turn in front of us. “What’s that fool doing?” I made a left turn and went around the block to meet Marty head on. We both screeched our brakes and came to a dead stop. Marty threw it in reverse and backed down the street until he came to the entrance to the interstate. He made another U-turn and merged onto the interstate. I followed but lost him in the evening traffic.

  “He could have killed us when we met head-on.” Mona was fanning her face and trying to take in oxygen.

  “I don’t think he wants to kill us. He must have another motive up his sleeve. Maybe he thinks we will lead him to Maxine’s murderer.”

  TWENTY-FOUR

  My cell phone rang. I looked at caller ID it’s Momma. I wonder what she wants. Oh crap, it’s Friday. My sister Kimberly and her sons Clay and Winston always have Friday night dinner with our folks.

  “I flipped the phone open. “Hi Momma”

  “Tiffany, I’m fixing pot roast for dinner. Can you and Mona make it?” I’ve been cooking all day. I made your favorite homemade rolls.”

  “Momma knows I can’t turn down her homemade rolls. I’ll call Mona but for sure I will be there. Set a place for Mona too.”

  I hit speed dial and Mona answered the phone. “You up for pot roast at my folks place tonight?”

  “Pot roast, I love pot roast. You want me to pick you up?”

  “Sounds like a plan. How about five thirty. Dinner is usually ready at six. I‘ll have time to take Bailey out for his hike and poop.”

  There was an old brown van in the parking lot when I arrived home. Probably a maintenance worker. I double stepped it up the stairs. Unlocked my door and met Bailey ready to do his job. I hooked him up and I double stepped it down the stairs. I wonder where Mr. Sinclair might be he always greets me. Bailey and I jogged to the park. The mysterious Jeep was parked across from the park. I looked around only seeing the usual crowd of dog owners. I took a walk over to the area where the Jeep was parked and couldn’t see anyone in it. The owner must be someone in the park. I unhooked Bailey and walked around taking a good look at everyone. Everyone was friendly although when Bailey came close they grabbed their kids putting them either on their hip or on their shoulders.

  “Bailey won’t hurt anyone. He’s just friendly and likes to romp and lick.” I assured the parents.

  “Yeah, he jumped me a couple of times. He’s just friendly.” The husky voice came from over my shoulder.

  I turned and yes it was the big woman. It looks like I may have to take Bailey on another route to do his hiking and pooping. She is really getting on my nerves.

  “Bailey,” I yelled. Bailey came running up to me. I hooked him up and we headed for home. I could hear sirens blaring in the distance. The siren got closer and flew past me. It was Sheriff Randy. I noticed flames coming from the vicinity of my apartment.

  “Oh my Gawd my apartment building must be on fire.”

  I ran as fast as possible when I got to my apartment building flames were shooting out my bedroom window. Firemen were climbing the ladders, dragging hoses and blasting the flames with their high pressure hoses. One fireman was on the roof chopping a hole. Sheriff Randy came running out through the foyer door.

  “She’s not in there, is the building clear of people?” He leaned over holding his knees and gasping for breath. His face was smeared and smoke streaked. He wiped his face with his forearm and shook his head. “It was hot in there. If she would have been in the back of the apartment when the fire started she wouldn’t have made it.”

  “The fire chief came over to Sheriff Randy. “Yes Sheriff, the building is clear but you shouldn’t have run in that burning apartment.”

  “I had to make sure Tiffany and Bailey were not in there.”

  I ran over to him. “Tiffany! You okay?” He picked me up and gave me a relieved hug.

  “Bailey and I were jogging home from the park when you went past us. I saw the flames. What happened?”

  We’re not sure and won’t know for a couple days. The fire chief will have the arson team out to investigate.”

  Mr. Sinclair was laying on a gurney being lifted into the ambulance. “Is he okay?” I asked the EMT.

  “He’ll be fine. He inhaled some smoke while getting everyone out of the apartment.” Mr. Sinclair waved and gave me a thumbs up as they closed the back door to the ambulance.

  “The fire was pretty well contained to your apartment. Did you leave something on?”

  “No, I just got home and took Bailey to the park.”

  Mona drove up, jumped from her Explorer. “What happened, are you okay?”

  “I’m fine, but my apartment and everything I own has gone up in flames.”

  “You can stay with me. And you can wear some of my new Fredericks clothes.” Mona was pacing with hands on hips. “How did this happen?”

  “I don’t know the fire investigators will check it out and let us know.”

  Randy got my attention and motioned for me to meet him on the other side of his SUV.

  I walked over looking back at the burning apartment, my home. I was about to cry but pulled myself up by my boot straps and sucked it up.

  “Whatsup” I asked. “You can stay at my place. You can have the guest room. And it won’t cost you any favors.”

  “That’s sweet of you Randy but I already made plans to stay at Mona’s place. For tonight anyway I’ll go over there. We’re suppose to have dinner at my folks. They’ll want to know all about it. You know how Momma wants to be the first to get the gossip.”

  My phone was ringing. I looked at caller ID and it was Momma.

  “Hi Momma.”

  “I’m so glad to hear your voice.” Her voice trembled. “Are you okay, is Bailey okay, did anyone die in the fire?”

  “Momma, Mona and I will be over in a few minutes and we can talk then, okay? And Bailey to I don‘t have anywhere to leave him.”

  “I’m putting dinner on the table the boys are about to drive me crazy.”

  I clapped the phone shut. “Guess we can’t do anything here. Let’s get out of here this smoke is getting to me.”

  The boys were chasing each other around the house when we arrived. Mona pulled up in front of my folks place bouncing off the curb and coming to a stop.

  “Clay, Winston you boys get washed up for dinner.” Kimberly yelled from the front door.

  “Hi Mona, hi Sis.” She waved at us, turned and the door slammed behind her. The boys rushed past us pushing and shoving each other through the door.

  “The boys must be high on sugar tonight. Should prove to be an interesting evening.” I open the door to the house filled with chatter, boys running, TV blaring, Momma yelling for everyone to be seated.

  “Dinner is on the table. You better get seated before it’s too cold to enjoy.”

  Momma fixed Winston a hot dog and chips and set it on the table at his place.

  Dad had a dishtowel tucked in his shirt, fork and knife in hand with his fist at each side of his plate on the table. The boys set on the back side of the table between Dad at the end of the table a
nd Kimberly at Winston’s side.

  “You got those damn candles lit again. You know how Winston is about fire.” Kimberly fanned the fire sending the blaze to the centerpiece of silk and dry flowers. The flowers sparked a flame. Everyone pushed back from the fire and Momma grabbed the pitcher of milk and splashed it over the blaze. Winston was doused with milk, jumped up tipping his chair over crashing to the floor and ran from the table screaming.; “I didn’t do it. I didn‘t do it!”

  Kimberly chased after Winston going in and out of the bedroom, through the kitchen, out the back door, around the house until Winston ran out of steam collapsing on the freshly mowed lawn. Kimberly red faced bent over holding her knees trying to deep breath.

  After the foot race Winston climbed up in his chair Momma had set up, without saying a word. Kimberly pulled herself up the back steps, stumbled through the kitchen and politely placed her butt on the chair. Smiled. “Pass the pot roast please.”

  Will and Bill knocked at the door at dessert time. “Come on in.” Daddy yelled. The twins were already walking through the living room heading for the table. Bill brought the chair from the bedroom and Will pulled the chair up to the table from the living room.

  “You guys want dessert? Yeah, we smelled chocolate pie when we were walking past the house.

  Momma what’s for dessert?” Daddy leaned back in his chair with fork in hand. “Bring me another dish towel. I sopped up the milk with the other one.”

  “Chocolate meringue pie, Tiffany’s favorite.” Momma headed to the kitchen with me following.

  “Glad I fixed two pies. Those twins are always here on Friday evening for dessert so I just plan on them.”

  “Momma I think that’s nice of you. They probably wouldn’t get any dessert if it weren’t for your generosity.“

  Momma removed the screen domes from the pies and lifted the pies from the window sill fanning the flies away. I took the pie server and cut the pie slices.