by Alexie Aaron
Jeff came running down the aisle. He was drenched in blood. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. He babbled something about Mandy getting her head stuck in the elevator. I rushed to the front of house to see her headless body lying on the floor of the lift. There was blood everywhere. It dripped down the walls of the shaft. We took the elevator up, and we rolled her body off the lift and onto the hall carpet. Her head was lying where it had rolled, face up. Her expression was one of surprise. I realize that now. Then, I thought it was fear. I asked him what he had done with the axe. He looked at me as if I was nuts.
I convinced Jeffery to hide her remains until after the morning rehearsals. After the other performers left the building, we would clean up the blood and deal with the police together. I could not let go of the feeling that Jeffery had murdered the show girl. That he may turn on me next. He was prone to fits of madness. He had to be stopped.
We were scheduled to rehearse the iron maiden part of our act. While he was onstage it was my job to open the silent trap so he could escape the contraption. I pulled the locks and started to move the old mattresses over the well when an idea occurred to me. I removed the well grating, jammed the trap and walked up the stairs.
The iron maiden was built to shut slowly, allowing Jeffery to jump down the open trap before it closed and the iron spikes met the other side. That day, by my hand, it shut quickly, and as I released the trap trigger, the whole maiden dropped out of sight. Only I heard Jeffery struggle against the spikes and drown. No one else seemed to notice the change in the act or heard the splash as the maiden entered the well. I dropped through the trap, swinging wide of the well, and landed safely. I covered the well and fixed the trap so it would be secure for those walking above.
I was cleaning the blood from the elevator when I almost lost my arm as the door snapped shut. I froze in alarm. Had Jeffery been telling the truth? Had I just murdered my own brother? I had just destroyed the evidence of the accident, and now it would look to the police like I killed both Mandy and Jeffery!
The rest is a bit foggy. I remember lighting the drapes on fire in the room that held Mandy. I took the elevator down for the last time. I walked out of the front of the theater and didn’t stop walking until I had reached the river. I was pondering my suicide when I remembered that I had a family to care for. I would see to them and turn myself in.
“Well, what we can put together is that the front of the theater burned. Mandy’s body was discovered, but no one seemed concerned that her head wasn’t attached to her body. Lou, Larry, and Cherry O’Kelly perished in the fire. As did two women waiting for an audition. The smoke got to them before they could be rescued. The Paradise Pups were also collateral damage in Marvin’s cover-up.” Detective Price picked up the book again and began to read:
The tragedy of the additional loss of life was unfortunate, and I will have to live with their deaths the rest of my life. I decided not to come forward. What good would it do? It would leave my children and wife destitute, and the shame would stain their lives forever. Instead, I decided to quit the business and settle down and take care of my family. I explained Jeffery’s absence to my family as he ran off to join a traveling troop, and they believed me. If you are reading this, look kindly at the sinner before you and forgive me. John Marvin
He shut the book and handed it back to John. John looked at the other people staring at him and cleared his voice. “We didn’t know about Marvin the Magnificent until we found some of his old tricks in the attic of my grandmother’s house. Jeff began doing tricks and enjoyed quite an amateur career before college. We didn’t find the book until quite recently when we cleared the house and attic after Grams died.”
“John gave me the trunk of tricks he discovered under a pile of old carpets. I went through it in my leisure and found the book bound up with some old playbills. I couldn’t believe what I was reading when I came to the confession,” Jeff said.
“We decided to search for our uncle’s body and give him a Christian burial,” John continued. “We were shocked to see the theater was under renovation. I was able to get a job as an electrician. I knew it would be only a matter of time before the renovators got to the under stage area, and the well would be discovered.”
“That’s when we decided to scare away the performers,” Jeff said. “We thought, if we could get you all out of here for a day or more then we could find the well, remove John Marvin’s body, and you would never be the wiser.”
“We didn’t know about Miss Day’s connection to PEEPs and that they would come so quickly,” John explained. “She’s one ballsy lady.”
Juan nodded. “So what do we do, Detective? A murder occurred on this property and was covered up. We have solved the murder, and the murderer is in God’s hands, yes?”
The detective nodded. “It seems like a report needs to be filed, and the case will be closed. I doubt the people that died in the fire have people around to notify, but I’ll leave that up to you to do so. Now, I understand that you wish to handle these gentlemen yourself. I agree. I’ll leave you to sort out the rest.” He picked up his copies of the book and shook Juan Carlos’s hand before leaving.
They waited until the police had cleared the office area before continuing the meeting.
Juan had his assistant bring in coffee and donuts. Once the group had partaken of the hospitality, Juan opened a large notebook which he had been writing in earlier. “I request PEEPs to stay one more night, just to keep an eye on things, making sure that no destructive presences remain.”
Mike nodded.
“Also, Jeff and John, you’re going to have to work off some of the cost that your hoax has caused The Jewel.”
“We’re at your mercy,” Jeff spoke for the both of them.
“I anticipate there will be some publicity that may shine unfavorably on your family. You should prepare them for it. We all have skeletons in our closets. You have to be strong and rise above it,” he counseled.
The men weren’t pleased with this but understood that they really didn’t have a leg to stand on.
“That’s all I have. DJ, is there anything you want to discuss before we break up?”
“No, just coordinate with me or my night manager when you are going to pull out of the theater so we can secure the building.”
Mike nodded.
Juan got up and left the room. Jeff and John looked as if they wanted to say something to the ghost hunters but decided against it and left the room. Mike shut the door after them and poured himself another cup of the expensive coffee.
“I applaud everyone on a job well done. It has been a difficult investigation, and we once more managed to stay out of jail.”
“Or the loony bin,” Cid added.
“Let’s gather some evidence, and, Audrey, test the waters and see if the Marvins would be interested in telling their side of the story on camera. Burt, go with her and look thuggish.”
A laugh escaped from Mia, and she covered her mouth with her hand.
Burt didn’t glare at her because he didn’t see himself as thuggish either.
“Ted, Cid, gather up all but a few cameras. Bev called and will be here to help us this evening. I’m thinking, you guys, Bev, Mia and Murphy for the last shift tonight. Burt, Audrey and I will return tomorrow morning and do the exit interviews with Juan and Amber.”
The faint odor of smoke wafted into the room. Mia eased out of her chair and began crawling around under the table.
“Can’t you control her?” Mike asked a surprised Ted.
“No, wouldn’t want to. Minnie Mouse, what are you doing?”
Mia saw the black dog before he saw her. She launched herself and managed to grab the fleeing pooch. She got up and said, “Mia two, Murphy three. One to go.”
Ted got up, opened the door for her and walked her safely down the stairs, into the theater and over to the stage. She climbed the steps and smiled as the last dog was following her. She secured the black dog in the cage and whistled. Th
e bouncy white one with the blue bow jumped into her lap. She hugged it before adding it to the bunch of jailbirds. “Mia three, Murphy three. Now what to do with these pups?”
Chapter Twenty-two
Mia was assisting Cid with removing the balcony cameras when Bev arrived. Ted announced that her majesty was there and waiting to be attended to.
Cid and Mia made a few jokes at Bev’s expense and ignored the summons until Ted pointed out that she had brought food.
They increased their work pace and secured the equipment in record time.
Ted and Bev watched as the two investigators bounded out of the building in high spirits. Bev had the plates set out and was placing sizzling steaks upon the china.
“Whoa? Who requested a last meal?” Cid asked.
Bev laughed good-naturedly. “I hit the tables last night while you all were facing the fuzz and won big. I thought I’d share the wealth. There are garlic potatoes and sides in the covered dishes. I understand that Mike may want you to abstain from alcohol, but I do have a fine bottle of red airing in the command truck if you have the urge. I for one can’t digest unless my pipes are primed with the juice of the grape.”
Mia looked at Bev oddly. She wondered what exactly her aunt was up to. She wouldn’t relax her guard but was willing to put aside their differences for the sake of the impromptu picnic.
“I’ll have a glass of the witches brew,” Mia said getting up. She left the screened area and smiled at Ted who was dining while working. Mia laughed as she caught him stabbing the expensive cut with his fork and lifting it to his mouth and gnawing off a piece absentmindedly. “You know, Teddy Bear, I think we have to discuss silverware and its uses.”
He smiled and set the meat down. “No time for knives, my dear, I’m into full nerd mode. If Bev wouldn’t be hurt, I would be putting the meat between two rolls and eating it as a sandwich.”
Mia kissed Ted on the head and proceeded to pour herself a glass of wine. “She didn’t spike this, did she?”
Ted turned around surprised. “You have some trust issues, you may want to resolve in the near future,” he suggested.
“I think I’m doing quite well. And for your information, Bev’s not beyond drugging someone,” Mia said, lifting her glass and looking at the ruby red contents. She took a tentative sip and smiled. “Well, if it’s poison, it’s good poison.”
Ted watched her climb out the back, balancing the crystal glass as she went.
Mia sat down next to Cid and dined in style. He had heaped potatoes and vegetables on her plate. Bev sat across from them smiling benevolently.
“Tell me, what did I miss after the police arrived?” she requested.
Mia and Cid took turns between mouthfuls telling Bev of their adventures. Bev, in turn, entertained them with her exploits at the blackjack table. “Infants, you must take advantage of all opportunities. Strip the word no from your vocabulary, and say yes to life!” she advised.
Mia noticed that her cheeks were quite red and pondered how much wine Bev had drank prior to dinner. There was priming the pipes and flooding the system. She feared Bev was leaning towards the latter.
The meal was well digested before Ted left the truck. “Mia, could you watch the console while Cid and I dismantle the mezzanine cameras?”
“I hear and obey. Bev, you may want to help the boys and roll some cable. It’s good for the waistline,” Mia teased.
Bev patted her stomach and put down her wine glass. “I guess I could use some exercise, good for the digestion.”
Mia shook her head and took the headset of power from Ted. She handed Bev an ear com and suggested, “Put this in your ear. For safety’s sake.”
Bev looked at the little device briefly as if she hadn’t used one before then slid it comfortably in her ear. “Testing one, two…’
“Gotcha,” Mia said as she added Bev’s com to the main feed.”
Bev was assisted down from the back of the truck by Cid and Ted. Cid mouthed, “Blotto,” to Mia who barely suppressed her laughter.
Murphy wandered towards the command center. He had been watching two suspicious looking men who were loitering at the entrance to the alley. He stood guard there until a police car pulled up in front of the theater. They tucked their hands into their pockets and walked off towards the river. Now that there was a police presence outside, Murphy felt more comfortable. He stuck his head into the command center and whistled lightly.
Mia turned around and smiled at her friend. “What’s up?”
“Guard duty.”
“Thank heavens for that. I don’t mind telling you that something has been giving me the heebie-jeebies tonight. I feel like I’m being watched, but I haven’t seen any new spirits hanging around, have you?”
“Some injuns along the river.”
“Yikers, I can’t believe you called them… Oh,” she took a look at his raised eyebrow, “You’re just teasing. By the way you and I do have to talk about labels.”
Murph pushed back his hat on his head puzzled.
“For example, it isn’t polite to call Juan Carlos, Sulu. I know you haven’t been exposed to many, any, Japanese people before, but you can’t be calling him Sulu. Sulu is a character in a television series…”
“Scary Sulu,” he insisted.
“Okay, I stand corrected. He is a bit serious, but he isn’t Sulu.”
Murphy looked more confused.
Mia threw up her hands in defeat. “I’ll have Ted – no, he’s worse. I’ll have Cid explain it to you.”
“Fine,” Murphy said and lowered his hat on his forehead. “Back on duty,” he said and left the back of the trailer.
Mia sat a moment and wondered where she went wrong in the conversation. How do you explain to a 150-year-old, first generation, Irish immigrant about being politically correct when it came to discussing people outside of your acquaintance?
Bev rolled up the cables that ran down the rows of seats. She waved at the gentleman sitting in the balcony. “Hope you’re enjoying the show. I hope you didn’t pay full price for your ticket.”
Cid looked over at her amused. He placed the camera in the soft padding of its carrying case and walked over to set it up on the stage next to the other retrieved equipment.
He had just let go of the case and was turning around when something large and wooden fell from the overhead catwalk. It bounced on the stage. Cid, surprised by the noise turned to see what was going on and was hit in the forehead, knocking him out.
“Man down!” Bev called. “Cid’s on the ground, and his head’s bleeding.”
Ted ran down from where he had been working and eased Cid onto his back. “Mia, bring the first aid kit.”
Mia launched herself out of the truck carrying the black bag. “Murphy, mind the truck!” she called as she ran up the steps and entered the building. She ran down the hall, across the stage and jumped off. She immediately started to administer to Cid’s injuries. “What happened?”
“I’m not sure. I heard this loud bang and saw something hit Cid in the face,” Bev said. “He hit the ground before I could get to him.”
Mia pressed a compress on his forehead and instructed Bev, “Hold this, press down hard. We have to stop the bleeding.”
Bev did as instructed. Mia took out the smelling salts, broke the package open and waved it under Cid’s nose. His nose wrinkled and his eyes shot open.
“Good morning, you’re late for school,” Mia said, shining a light in his eyes.
“What the hell?” Cid said.
Ted loomed over them. “Do you think I should call the EMTs?”
“No, but a cab to the emergency room is a good idea,” Mia said. “I’m going to bandage this as best I can, but he needs stiches.” She applied several butterfly bandages. “Get his head examined; his eyes don’t look right.”
“They always look that way, since the surgery,” Ted mentioned.
“Oh. Cid, how are you feeling?”
“Like I was hit in the he
ad with…”
“A pulley, a wooden pulley. This thing must be a hundred years old,” Ted said. “Better get a tetanus shot. This thing is rusted and gnarly…”
“Theodore Martin!” Mia scolded. “Your bedside manner is as bad as your table manners.”
“They didn’t bother you before our engagement,” Ted said as he examined the bloody projectile.
Mia just laughed. She knew Ted in his way was taking the focus away from how badly Cid was hurt.
Cid groaned.
“Try to sit up,” Mia encouraged.
Ted helped Cid to sit first and then got him on his feet. She helped Ted to get Cid outside. The ordered cab pulled up.
“Ted, you go with him. I’ll stay here and hold the fort with Bev and Murphy,” Mia offered. “I think we’ll wait to finish the equipment extraction until morning when Burt and Mike can help. That stage is dangerous. I don’t know how it hasn’t hurt someone sooner.”
“I’ll call you from the hospital,” Ted promised as he got in the cab with Cid.
Murphy and Mia watched the cab leave before returning to the command center.
“Mia, could I see you on the stage?” Bev called on the com.
“Sure, heading in.”
Mia nodded at Murphy who assumed guard duty on the PEEPs truck.
Mia walked onto the dark stage, puzzled to see Bev just standing there. Her face was stone still, and she was facing the empty audience.
“You asked to see me?” Mia said, approaching the woman, wondering if Bev’s eyes were watering because she didn’t seem to be blinking or was she sad?
Bev held out her hands and waited until Mia grasped them with hers before speaking, “You are a very special person. Not meant for an ordinary life. Your gifts far outshine anyone in our family thus far. Running around chasing garden-variety ghosts, hyped up on coffee, is beneath your talents. It’s time for you to move on. This is why I’ve done what I have done.” She let go of her hands and turned away from her and said as she walked away, “You can have her now.”