Giving herself a minute to collect her thoughts, there was just one thing left to do, and that was bring the letter down to the office. After all, Madam Velofsky was the true recipient and not her. She was only the messenger.
Leaving the note where it was, she decided to shower first and then make a phone call. Not all bad, with Brandi gone, she was now off the hook about where she was all night. And the prospect of having the room all to herself sweetened the pot, in spite of the tumultuous start, things were working out okay.
ChapterSeventeen
“Hey, sweetie! How are you doing?”
Greeting the next customer, Bonnie was happy to see the young dancer. Taking an instant liking to her, there was a sadness about her that brought out the waitress’ protective side.
“Will it just be you, Melissa?”
“Hi, and no, I'm actually meeting somebody,” she responded, surprised that anyone remembered her name.
“Well, then sit right down and take a load off. Although in your case, it's not that much of one! Nothing like the one I get to haul around all day,” she joked, patting the hips that had way more padding than the lithe creature in front of her.
“Oh, stop! You look fine!” Melissa snapped, dismissive of the claim. Putting her parka on the hook, she stroked her arms rapidly. Growing even colder, winter was in the air—no doubt about that.
She sat down at the same booth she had used the previous night, glancing casually out the window for Todd. Not able to rely on any of her friends to give good counsel, she needed to talk to someone about what had happened in the woods. She’d needed somebody exactly like him in her life. Supportive and kind, he wouldn’t divulge things that she didn’t want repeated.
“You want a menu, sweetie? Or do you want to wait for your friend?”
“Actually,” Missy said, looking around the empty restaurant. “I'd like to talk with you. Can you sit down for a minute? I don't want to get you in any trouble or anything.”
Bonnie looked over at the hulking, t-shirted man at the grill.
“I'm taking five, Manny,” she yelled, easing in next to Melissa. Kicking off her shoes, she relaxed against the padded back of the booth. “God, this feels good. Caught me at a good time. After school crowd just cleared out, and the dinner crowd hasn't descended. I haven’t had a break all afternoon. Oh, and before I forget, we’re now serving those frou-frou latte drinks. Then there's this hot chocolate with peppermint that Manny serves at holiday time. It’ll knock your socks off. Now what's on your mind, hon?”
“I was just wondering about how long have you lived in Holybrook?”
“My whole life. That would be all of forty-two years. Oh, hey! Is this just an elaborate scheme to wiggle my age out of me? It's a state secret, you know!” she teased, her eyes crinkling from her engaging grin.
“No, I definitely don’t have any subversive agenda. I was just curious if you ever heard of a girl named Barbara Moore.” A flash of recognition flared in Bonita's light brown eyes. The waitress’ body stiffened, as she sat forward, her arms on the table. “She was supposed to have ...”
“Disappeared. Yeah, yeah, I know, honey. I'm just surprised that you do. Second time this week somebody asked me about her.”
Zoe. She was talking about Zoe.
“Somebody from my school?”
“Think so. Didn't think to ask. I just assumed.”
“And what did you say?”
“Same thing I'm telling you. That she left with her boyfriend. That’s it. From what I understand, she wasn't happy in Holybrook. She's not the first kid that’s left a small city in search of bright lights. Add in young love, and you got somebody that's going to hightail it out of here in hopes of starting a new life.”
“So there wasn't a cult?”
Bonnie shook her head, massaging her eyes. Stopping, she fixed the salt and pepper shakers as she talked.
“Yup, you're asking exactly the same questions! Nope, it wasn't a cult. They were kids that wanted to add a little excitement to their dull lives. I hate to say this, but I dated a member of that ‘cult’. Actually, they had a lot in common with Barbara, didn't they?”
“Then they didn't worship the Devil?”
Bonnie laughed, an edginess attesting to the fact she was being put on the spot.
“I don't know about that. I hear they did wear skulls and they sure talked a good game. Whether it went that far, I really don't know, sweetie. Think it was more that they were exploring the dark side. None of them so much as jaywalked as far as I know. And they all grew up to be accountants, and doctors, and diner owners,” she said nodding towards Manny. “That's one of your cult members right now. Grilling up a hamburger for his empty stomach. He works harder than anyone in this town. Pays taxes and is a good citizen. Can't see where he'd be like that if he really were worshipping Satan.”
“I see,” Missy said, putting the pieces in place. Zoe had come here and found out the basic facts. Wrapping the bare bones in a whopper of a story, it was mostly fantasy.
“Well, I gotta cut this short. See that unruly bunch crossing the street? They’re heading here—the same as they do every night. They're good customers, and Manny would not appreciate me ignoring them to chew the fat with you. No offense or anything. Say, who's the person you're waiting for?”
“Todd … Cavanaugh.”
“Oh, honey! Todd Cavanaugh is just a doll baby, he is! Knew him since he was this high. I thought I saw him giving you the old eagle eye, but didn't know if he was interested in you or had seen your face on a Wanted poster.”
The bell tinkling, the man herd stampeded in.
“Hey Bonnie, Manny! What? You don't have our vittles served yet?”
“Yeah, wise guy. You want the Psychic Manny's Diner. That would be down the street and to the left!” Bonita turned to Melissa, keeping her voice low. “You could do a lot worse than get involved with that one. Everybody in town loves him. And he's easy on the eyes, if you know what I mean.”
“I do. And thanks for talking to me. Oh, and telling me about the other girl asking questions. It helps a lot.”
“Sorry, sweetie, but when did I say it was a girl that was asking questions?”
“You mean, it wasn't? Thin, dark-haired with light blue eyes?”
“Nope, it was a guy. Actually, he looked a bit like my ex. Dated him in high school. God, Derrick was cute! Almost as cute as Todd,” she winked.
“Bonnie! You gonna take our orders, or just let us starve to death?”
“By the look of your gut, that'd take a few years! Now hold up and give me a minute or I'll come over there and marry you. That should shut you up!”
The man groaned, throwing his arms up towards heaven.
“Anything but that! Please!” he prayed, his buddies laughing uproariously as they hummed the Wedding March.
Missy spotted Todd crossing the street. Casually dressed in a pair of jeans and a thermal jacket, he was carrying a bouquet of flowers. Her heart melted. No one had ever bought her flowers before. Entering, an ear-to-ear smile was splashed over his boyish face. Acknowledging Bonnie, the waitress caught Missy’s eye, mouthing, “He's a keeper.”
Unzipping his jacket, he slid into the booth next to her.
“These are for you.”
Taking the handful of daisies, she thanked him by planting a kiss on his cheek. The five men at the counter oohed, causing Todd to blush. He scratched the side of his face, “Guess I'm being razzed. I've got to say I don't care.” He touched her hand. “I was happy you called, Missy.”
“I'm glad. I should have before but ...”
“Yeah, ballet before boys. I get it.”
“Now for the important question, do you really have a thing for dancers?” she asked, wrinkling her nose in mock disgust.
“Who told you that?”
“Your dad,” she said smiling, and putting her chin in the palm of her hand. Her elbow rested on the table, her eyes half-closing in feigned disdain.
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��Oh, him again!” he joked. Tugging off his jacket, he placed it on the hook to the side. Tucking his shirt in his waistband, he sat back down. “That man does talk too much. What else did he say?”
“Absolutely nothing,” she teased, playing with her ponytail.
“Good!”
“It's just I need to know these things. I mean, what if you're one of those awful men who just date the same kind of girl over and over again. It would mean that I'm just one more dance student that got caught up in your mad obsession. I might even end up in your basement with the other girls you keep there to dance only for you!”
“So that's what you think of me? And it's all cause of my dear old dad, huh? I'll have to thank the old man when I see him.”
“You need these?” Bonnie interrupted, holding up two menus.
Todd took one in his hand, “I think we'll only need this. Okay?”
“I'll say!” she retorted, rushing over to greet more customers.
He held the menu, making Melissa lean in to read it. He placed his other hand over hers.
“The old menu trick?” she quipped, eyeing him suspiciously. “I'll have to watch out for you.”
“Not as much as I'll be watching you. You look nice, Melissa. Fresh. Just like those daisies.”
“Thank you, I think,” she said putting the sweet bouquet down to the side. “It was nice of you to do that.”
“I'm glad you like them.”
“You two gonna order or what?” Bonnie asked, standing ready to write down their choices.
“I'll have the tuna melt and that hot chocolate and peppermint you mentioned.”
“And I'll have the grilled chicken on whole wheat,” he said, handing the menu back. More customers entering, the noise was becoming raucous with good humor.
“I like it here,” Melissa said sipping some water.
“Yeah, Manny's has good people.”
“I was talking about Holybrook. There's a nice feel to your town.”
“Is it very different from where you live?”
“Yes. I was just never very comfortable there, but then ...”
What was she saying? It wasn’t her hometown that was the problem, it was her mother, but she wasn't ready to go there. Not with someone she’d just met.
“Then ...?” he asked politely, curious as to how she was going to end the sentence.
“Never mind. I really wanted to talk about something else.”
“Really? You mean my good looks aren’t the reason I’m here?”
“To be honest ... no,” she replied, becoming serious. “Look, I needed to talk, and you said that if I needed anything that ...”
He took his hand off hers, edging further away.
“Yeah, I know what I said and I'm sorry. I shouldn't have assumed that you were calling because ...”
“Wait,” she interrupted, putting her hands up in the air. “This is coming out all wrong. It's not that I'm not interested in you, it's that I don't know yet.”
“I see. Look, you don't have to say these things if you don't mean them. I was way too forward and I ...”
“No, really you weren't. It's me. I've never had a boyfriend and ...”
“You're kidding, right?”
“No, I'm not. I've had a few dates, but nothing more. I, I'm just real careful about opening up to people is all. And, and, I don't know. With everything that’s happened ... I'm confused and ... a mess,” she confessed, her face tightening and fighting back tears.
“Melissa, you're anything but. And that was a real ordeal you went through. I doubt very many could have held up as well as you did. And if you're a little confused, it's understandable,” he said, catching a tear with a finger. “Now please, just relax. I won't press you. I promise. I'm just here to listen and help. No judgments. No criticism, okay?” he asked, staring into her hypnotic eyes.
She nodded awkwardly, wiping her eyes with the backs of her hands. Sniffling, she grabbed a napkin and blew her nose.
Composing herself, she patted her eyes dry. Again cool, calm, collected, by the time Bonnie served their meal, she exhibited the demeanor of someone that had it all together. Launching into the story of what had happened in Holybrook woods, she’d almost made it all the way through when Todd stopped her with a question.
“A man?” he asked. “In the middle of the woods? After midnight? And he looked like a skeleton?” He paused as he waited for some kind of explanation.
“Yes, at least I think so,” she replied. “To be honest, I'm not sure of anything. I was pretty zonked out. My head was swimming, and I could have still been dreaming. Does that medicine cause hallucinations?”
“Yes, actually. In a very small percentage of cases, it does, but isn't it more likely someone was wearing a costume? It was Halloween. And it would explain why the fire was tended. That was bothering me. How that damn fire kept going all night. I was a boy scout and had plenty of experience with starting fires, and trying to keep them going. It's not plausible that it would remain ablaze for over ten hours all by its lonesome. ”
“I suppose it could have been somebody from the school.” Immediately suspecting Jeff, he was the type to want to help.
“What are you thinking?” Todd prodded.
“Trying to figure out who it might have been. I told you that I did run into that guy, Jeff ...”
“Yes. You said you insulted him so he'd go away.”
“Yes, but he might have come back ... except for one thing.”
“Which is?”
“That he isn't that good.”
“Come again? Not that good at what? Building fires?”
She chuckled, taking a small bite of her tuna melt.
“No, at dancing. The guy I saw was phenomenal. I mean straight up brilliant. I mean, I know dance and I’ve never seen anything close to what he was doing.”
“I see,” Todd said wiping his mouth with his napkin. He took a few sips of his diet soda. “But are you sure? Just because you haven't seen him dance like that, doesn't mean he can’t.”
“You're wrong!” she blurted out, suddenly conscious of how harsh that sounded. “I'm sorry. I'm really putting my foot in my mouth today. I just meant that in ballet, one step builds upon another. You learn the basics as a child, but those simple movements are what everything else is built on. So when somebody does a tendu, dégagé, or passé, you can see how well they've mastered the foundation. Like a relevé passé eventually turning into a pirouette, if the person doesn't have the underlying mechanics, the turn will be off center or sloppy. Jeff is playing catch-up. He’s a talented late starter, but still working on those basics. Therefore, he isn't anywhere near executing some of those moves. And the height of those jumps! He was leaping off the charts.”
“But we don't know if you actually saw it.”
“No, we don't. I can't be sure, but if it wasn't happening, then I have some imagination. I even thought he touched me. And said my name.”
“You didn't mention that part.”
“I was about to get to it. You see, after I watched awhile, I guess I moaned or something. Anyway, he walked over to me and stroked my face, and said, 'Momento mori, Melissa.' ”
The conversation in the diner was arrested by the consuming of nourishment. A lull pervaded the space that allowed Melissa's last statement to be heard by all. Scanning the room to see who noticed, most customers sat, happily grazing like cows, paying no attention to the unusual phrase. There was only one person that heeded the call. Manny stood stock still, staring at her with a frosty gaze. Under the severity of his glare, her nerves got the better of her. A blue flame flaring up from the grill dissipated the duel of wills. White fat catching fire, it forced Manny to give in and turn his attention to quelling the blaze. With a swift handling of his huge spatula, he turned the beef over to the other side, suffocating the life out of the potential grease fire.
“Did you see that?” Melissa asked, lowering her voice and forcing Todd to lean into her.
“See what? The fire? Happens all the time. Don't worry. Manny can handle them.”
“No, I mean the way he looked at me. He was one of them.”
“One of who?”
“The Innocents.”
“And you know this how? Don't tell me Zoe again?”
“No, Bonnie. I had a talk with her before you came.”
Todd gave Bonnie a calculated once-over, returning his attention to Melissa, who was waiting for a response.
With finality, he used his napkin, placing it on the table and not in his lap.
“That makes it a little different. Bonnie, huh? Well, maybe there is something to it. I've heard for years about some secret club. And even if I didn't, there are those carvings in the trees. Plus the …”
“Plus the what?”
“You don't want to know.”
“But I do!” she whispered.
He scratched his head, deciding whether he should upset her more than she was already. Usually young girls had a fondness for small animals. And the sacrifices weren't common knowledge. The police department kept them hush-hush. Those types of crimes not publicized, people tended to get hysterical over senseless brutality—especially when it involved beloved pets. Suddenly, every pet running away was a mad cult stealing them away in the night to slit their throats and drink their blood. It was better kept under wraps.
“Look, I'm only telling you this because you are sincerely searching for something here, but not a word of this goes any farther than this table.”
“Promise,” she vowed, raising her hand, the butter dripping down and almost reaching her sleeve. She grabbed a napkin, sopping up the spill.
“There were ... are ... small animals found. They were killed—mutilated. I guess they were most likely strays since there were never reports of missing pets, and there would have been if Fido hadn’t made it home.”
“Oh, like strays don't count as little living beings!” she defended.
“Shhhh, I didn't say that,” he said spreading out his fingers and indicating to keep her voice down. “I'm an animal lover just like you. I do not like it, but we can't divert our limited resources to figuring out what's going on, but —” he quickly interjected before Missy could object. “— that does not mean we're not aware. We're keeping our ears open for any tips. And if this ever expands to filching children's pets out of the backyard, we'll probably get more actively involved. The thing is, it never has.”
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