Pretty Baby

by Pretty Baby (NCP) (lit)

  “I-it’s in the f-foyer b-behind the front d-desk,” Lucretia answered with chattering teeth.

  He didn’t think it wise to leave her alone while he searched for it so he pulled the oven door open. “To hell with it. I’ll turn it up later. This’ll have to do for now.” He put his hands up to feel the heat that was coming through, then looked back at her huddling across the room. “Come on, get a little closer.” She began moving, but seemed to be having a hard time. Watching her struggle, he finally asked, “Can’t you do a damned thing for yourself? I’m the one with the bum ankle.”

  “I’m okay,” she muttered, managing to drag the chair across the floor and up to the heat.

  Shadoe looked at her critically. “You need a hot bath and dry clothes. Get those off.”

  She stared at him as if he had said something entirely unsuitable.

  “Lucretia, those clothes have to come off. They’re soaked, and heavy with wet sand.”

  “Here? With you....”

  “Luc--” he began, then stopped. He’d started to give her a lecture on one’s survival not being the place for modesty, but decided against it. “Okay, well,” he finally said, looking down at her while dragging his fingers through his hair. “I’ll go up and run you a bath and get you some dry clothes. Where’s your room?”

  “What’s all the damned noise?” a deep, grumbling voice asked from the doorway. They both looked up to see Garret standing there, leaning on his cane. His harsh eyes cut toward Lucretia, the sight of her turning his face to pure hate. “What the hell…? What is she doing here?” he demanded.

  Lucretia looked away quickly.

  “I don’t want any trouble, Garret,” Shadoe said, urging himself forward, then halted his steps when he felt a nudge in his stomach. He looked down to find Garret’s cane punching him.

  “Stay right where you are,” Garret warned, then indicated to Lucretia. “I don’t know how she got here, or what the fuck she’s doing here, but I want that bitch out of my house.”

  Shadoe forcefully pushed the cane away and glared down at it. “Where the hell did you get that?”

  “I have several canes … a collection in fact.” He lifted it up, and showed Shadoe the handle and the tip. “Pure silver.” He turned the handle around and looked at it, then slid past it to Shadoe's eyes. “Could be used as a weapon … if I ever need one.”

  “I’m not interested in what your money can buy, but I am interested in keeping Lucretia alive. Hell, Garret, she’ll die out there.”

  “Out where? Where did you find her?”

  “One of the caves.”

  His face melted into a scowling smile as his eyes cut into her. “Hiding out, huh?” Then he looked back at Shadoe. “Well, I don’t care. I endured fifteen years of hell at that woman’s hands, and she’s not staying in this house one minute longer.”

  “Whatever she’s done, Garret, she’s your daughter, and she needs help.”

  “What the hell are you, daft? She’s insane, a killer! Let her live in a cave like an animal, she’s not welcome here.”

  “That would be murder, Garret, pure and simple. You put her out and I’ll see that you go to prison for her death!”

  “And just what the hell is your interest in her?”

  “I need to keep her alive long enough for the authorities to come and pick her up. After that, she’s their responsibility.”

  Lucretia’s eyes flared. “You promised, you bastard!”

  Shadoe whirled when he heard her voice. “I only promised I wouldn’t turn you in tonight … or today,” he said, so confused and tired he couldn’t think straight.

  Her lips thinned, thinking she’d been tricked. She looked at the door, and thought about what was beyond it. She couldn’t go back, she’d die out there. She needed to regain her strength, think, plan. But he wouldn’t send her back. She’d kill him first. If she had to kill every one of them, she wouldn’t go back. Not to that place. Never again. Her eyes lifted, roaming over the room. This was her home, not theirs. She’d taken care of it for more than fifteen years, and she belonged here. Not them. Never them. Finally her thoughts quieted and she listened while Shadoe continued his argument for her safety.

  “Garret, my God, she’s your daughter. I would think you’d be able to scrounge up a little compassion for her.”

  “Compassion?” he growled. “Where the hell was her compassion when I needed it? Answer me that! And what about Julita? Do you think she’s going to welcome the sight of her tormentor? I don’t think so!”

  “Lucretia stays,” Shadoe said, the muscle in his rigid jaw wrenching with anger. “At least long enough to build up her strength. We have no choice. She’s not fit to travel in her condition.” Pushing past Garret he walked into the dining room and out to the foyer.

  “Where are you going?” Garret barked, stumbling after him.

  Shadoe halted in his tracks, his eyes closing in annoyance. He was tired of having to report his every movement to Garret. “To run Lucretia a bath, get her some dry clothes, and wake Julita. I need her help.”

  Garret moved forward threateningly, his cane supporting him. “You’ll stay away from Julita.”

  Shadoe turned toward the old man. “For God’s sake, Garret, I’m not going up there to get in bed with her, I need her help … Lucretia needs her help. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have things to do.”

  Garret squinted at him. “Not until you answer some questions for me. Why in hell do you insist on helping someone like Lucretia? She needs to be locked up. She’s insane, a killer. My God, she was plotting to kill her whole family. Probably still is!”

  Shadoe’s annoyance apparent, he raked his hand down his face, still feeling sand sticking to him. “She’ll be locked up in due time. Right now she needs food and sleep. As soon as she’s stronger I’ll call the authorities.”

  “You mean like you did with me.”

  His steps halted once again, he turned, and the message in Garret’s eyes hit home. “Like I did with you,” he repeated.

  “What a boy scout you are,” Garret said, derisively. “It’s not the same, you know. I’m not a friggin’ killer!”

  “No, just a child molester.” Shadoe shot back, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “If I had known then what I know now, I would have left you down there.”

  “Why you bas--”

  Shadoe had finally reached his limit. “Hell, Garret, we can talk this out later. Right now Lucretia needs a hot bath and dry clothes.” He nodded toward the shivering lump that was still sitting in the chair. “After I get some food down her I’m going to find a place for her to sleep. I hope I can trust you to control your emotions and stay away from both women.”

  “I’m getting sick and tired of you giving orders in my house.”

  “Well that’s just too damned bad,” he retorted, then abruptly turned away from Garret and headed for the staircase, finding his weak ankle stronger now.

  Shadoe was about halfway up the stairs when both men noticed Julita coming down dressed in nothing but a flimsy nightgown.

  “My God, what is this?” Shadoe whispered as he stopped dead still on the staircase.

  Her eyes were open, but glazed. She seemed to be looking at something in the distance.

  Fear clutched at Garret’s insides when he realized Julita wasn’t acting normal. “My God, what’s she doing … what’s wrong with her?”

  “I don’t know,” Shadoe answered in a soft voice. “She seems … I’m not sure.”

  All at once she reached out and cried, “Mama! Don’t go, Mama, please! I’m coming!”

  Watching her come toward him, Shadoe began to back down the stairs, speaking softly so as not to frighten her, “Julita … where are you going?”

  “I have to find my mama … she needs me … wants me.”

  Julita kept reaching … following someone … a voice … a darting figure appearing, then disappearing. Her eyes were focused on something, but not for long, they jumped from one ghostly figure to
another. Shadoe watched her, knowing from his own experience that whatever she was seeing, it wasn’t in the real world, but the world of the dead. It was still early enough that the woods would be dark, a ghostly figure darting in and out of the trees until she saw the clearing … an ethereal light spotlighting the church … and then....

  “Don’t just stand there, do something!” Garret said sharply.

  “Get back!” Shadoe shouted. “Get out of the way!”

  “Oh, hell, she’s coming toward me!” Garret said, frightened.

  “She doesn’t see you. Move, Garret, goddamn it move! If you wake her, it could be traumatic.”

  “What the hell’s happening?” he asked, seeing her go past him toward the front door. “Where’s she going?”

  “She’s dreaming!”

  “Why isn’t she in her bed?”

  “She’s sleepwalking, for God’s sake, and it’s dangerous to wake a person when they’re sleepwalking.”

  “But she’s heading for the front door. Stop her!”

  “I can’t … not now. She’s dreaming about the old church, and the woman inside.”

  “I thought you were the one that had that dream,” he said, his words hostile. “Isn’t that why we’re all here?”

  Shadoe ignored his sarcasm, watching each step Julita took. “Stay here with Lucretia,” he said to the old man. “I’ll have to follow her to make sure she doesn’t hurt herself.”

  “Look at the way she’s dressed. She can’t go out like that.”

  Just before she reached the door, she shouted, “I’m coming, Mama. I’ll be there. No, don’t!” she screamed. “Wait for me!” All at once Julita slumped, and fell to the floor.

  Shadoe rushed to her while Lucretia came to the door to see what was happening. She saw Shadoe kneeling beside someone on the floor. “What’s going on?”

  Shadoe felt for a pulse, then touched her forehead, making sure she wasn’t running a fever. “She’s okay,” he said, pushing her hair out of her face. Then he picked her up in his arms and carried her toward the stairs. Seeing Lucretia, he paused. “Lucretia … what the hell … go back into the kitchen. When I get back I’ll help you upstairs. I just have to....”

  “What’s wrong with her?” Lucretia asked timidly. Then she stepped up and began stroking her face. “My baby, what’s wrong with my baby?”

  Shadoe and Garret’s eyes met in a knowing look, then Shadoe turned back to Lucretia. “Don’t worry about her, she’s just sleeping. You just take care of yourself right now, okay?”

  “You’re sure?” she asked, then shivered, her teeth chattering. “Ohhh … s-someone must be walking over my grave.”

  “I’d like to walk over your godda--”

  “Garret!” Shadoe shouted, then shot him a scathing look.

  “And you,” Garret began, his deep, grumbling voice speaking to Shadoe with authority. “When you get her to bed I want to see you in the library.”

  Shadoe’s nostrils flared with anger, then said, “I’ll be there as soon as I have the two women down.”

  “I want you there immediately,” Garret snapped.

  Clenching his teeth, he looked at Garret with fury burning in his eyes. “Get the hell in line, okay? I’ve got my hands full here, can’t you see that? Why can’t you stop thinking of yourself for one fucking minute? After I get Julita back in bed, I need to see to Lucretia. She’s freezing for God’s sake. She needs food, a bath, and dry clothes. I think that whatever the hell is bothering you can wait a few minutes.”

  “Why, you impertinent, dumb-assed cop,” Garret growled, “Okay, so go and do your good deed for the day, but if you know what’s good for you, you won’t waste a minute. I have some things to say, and you will listen. Do you understand? You will listen!”

  * * * *

  Shadoe laid Julita down gently, covering her carefully. He ached when he looked at her. His eyes shifted down to her lips. God, how he wanted to drink in her kisses, be buried so deeply inside her that the throbs of ecstasy would never stop. It was true. He did love her. But he couldn’t tell her that. He couldn’t saddle her with a dumb-assed cop who might be dead tomorrow. Besides, if they did somehow get together it would only be half a marriage. She deserved to have children, and a husband that wasn’t only half a man. He would leave this place and never see her again. Never letting her know how much he really cared. She’ll find someone someday, someone better than him. “I’m sorry, my love,” he whispered, backing toward the door. “But Garret was right. I’m not nearly good enough.” He suddenly remembered her calling him a flashy beast, and smiled. “That’s right, that’s all I am. Go get someone that has more to give you than just flash and glitter. You don’t want tinsel, you deserve pure gold. I’m sorry I can’t give it to you.”

  He turned away, his heart hurting.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  Shadoe had just put Lucretia down and was on his way to Julita’s room to check on her before heading for the library to talk with Garret. Trying to stay quiet, his steps were slow and careful, but when he heard a series of muffled sounds coming from her room, his stride quickened, knowing she must be having another nightmare. With his hand on the doorknob, he put his ear to the door. The sounds he heard were very soft at first, but began to rise, the garbled words edged with panic. He pushed the door open quickly, and saw her tossing about in her bed. Rushing to her, he sat down and leaned over her. “Julita,” he whispered, shaking her gently. “Wake up.”

  All at once her eyes flew open and she grabbed him, her body trembling in his arms. “Don’t let them get me,” she cried. “The trees, they have eyes. They’re looking at me!”

  “Shhh,” he whispered gently, “you’re all right, Julita. It was just a dream. Go back to sleep now.”

  “No!” she sobbed, her arms winding tightly around his neck, refusing to let him go. “It’s true. You haven’t seen them, but I have, and they have eyes.”

  He managed to break her fierce hold, and looked at her closely. “What trees, Julita? What trees do you mean?”

  “The magnolias,” she said, her eyes darting toward the balcony, then quickly moving back again, “the ones outside my balcony. They’re big, scary, and they have eyes … big eyes, and they watch me!”

  Shadoe remembered Garret telling him that Lucretia buried dead bodies in the earth, then planted trees over them, or placed statues over the graves, but didn’t think Julita was aware of it. At the time the old man told him the story, he could almost see her. A thin, cadaverous woman frantically digging a hole in the earth, her ghoulish face showing signs of insanity as the wild wind blew off the ocean and the moonlight shaded her face with hideous planes of light and shadow. If it was possible, did the ghosts of the dead somehow intermingle with the trees and statues, causing them to walk and see? Ridiculous, he told himself, and pushed it from his mind. “Julita, you’re dreaming.” Taking her by the hand, he said, “Come with me. I’ll prove to you....”

  “No,” she sobbed, struggling to pull her hand out of his. “I’m not going out there.”

  “Julita, you’re safe. I’m here with you, and I’m not going to let anything happen to you. Come on,” he gently urged, pulling her to her feet. “You’ll see there’s nothing out there.”

  “But I can’t!” she cried, still holding back.

  Shadoe put his arm around her resisting body and pulled her the rest of the way.

  When they passed through the French doors, she buried her face in his shoulder. “I can’t look,” she sobbed, “please don’t make me look.”

  The early morning had turned extremely cloudy, rain begging to burst free from the low-hanging clouds. Shadoe’s eyes darted around at the stately magnolias that seemed to cast moving shadows across the grounds from a cold, stiff breeze that rustled restlessly through the branches. “See?” he said. “They don’t have eyes. It was just a dream.”

  Hearing the cool wind hissing eerily through the trees, a chill washed over her. She knew the wind was whisperi
ng a message that only they could understand. Then the wind’s cold fingers gently ruffled her hair, causing her to hesitantly turn her face toward the trees. Her frightened eyes darted from one to the other, seeing nothing but the magnificent magnolia branches dancing in the wind, their silhouettes engaged in a mysterious shadow dance on the massive lawn.

  Shadoe looked at her, then out at the trees. “Do you see any eyes?”

  “It’s because you’re here,” she said. “The eyes won’t come out with you here.” She looked up at him. “And they walk. Did you know they walk?”

  “Julita, that’s ridiculous. Trees don’t have eyes and they don’t walk. Come on,” he said, refusing to listen to anymore of her wild tales. “You need your sleep. Later everything will look better to you. Shadowy monsters have a way of disappearing when you’ve had enough sleep.”

  She allowed him to guide her, feeling his gentleness as he laid her down. She wanted to stay in his arms. There was something reassuring about his presence. With him there she felt protected, warmed throughout her body. All at once her trembling stopped, and she felt something … some kind of weird sensation curling through her. As the feeling spread she could feel a low, throaty laugh wanting to gurgle up her throat accompanied by a kind of brazen defiance that spread throughout her, daring to stamp out her fear and shyness.

  While smoothing the covers over her, Shadoe noticed her eyes following him. The look on her face … the features. They had physically changed somehow. She seemed older, more experienced … brazen.

  Julita’s lids had lowered, a tiny seductive smile playing at the corners of her mouth. Just looking at him caused gusts of desire to whip through her. She wanted him to make love to her and turned her magnetic eyes on his, capturing them boldly. He was so handsome. A dark and dangerous hero coming to her in the shadows of early morning, the scar on his cheek lending a sinister touch. She reached up to touch it, but he caught her hand and pulled it away. “How did that happen?” she whispered, her voice deep and throaty.