Beautiful Girls

by Gary S. Griffin

  “Let’s think about it more. I’ll see what I can learn from talking to Harmony.”

  “So, what are you doing today?”

  “I guess we’re going out to the desert to Red Rock Park, to find the next clue at a waterfall.”

  “Have you spoken to the police?”

  “I’m calling Lomita next.”

  “What do you plan to tell him?”

  “I’m definitely telling him that I saw Rob here in Vegas.”

  “Will you tell him about Melody?”

  “Harmony doesn’t want me to.”

  “Will you anyway?”

  “I’ll tell him about the clue to Red Rock, because I think we’re near the end and I’d like the police nearby, looking for Rob. He’s following us, so he’ll probably watch us go where the next clue leads.”

  “Do you think Melody’s alive?”

  “His note indicates we are to save her, so I think she is. So far, his clues have been true. Plus, I think he wants me, not the girl.”

  “Oh, Stevie, this is so crazy.”

  “It sure is.”

  Edie said, “Promise me you’ll get Lomita’s help.”

  “I promise. How are things with you two?”

  “We’re bored.”

  “When will you be going to L.A?”

  “Monday; I was able to schedule the meetings with Tawny’s school and our lawyer’s office.”

  “What will you do today?”

  “More swimming, I guess. I think we’ll do some shopping and lunch or dinner in Palm Springs.”

  “That’s sounds like a plan.”

  “Yeah, it will kill some time.”

  “True.”

  “Oh, Stevie, I miss you!”

  “I miss you, too; I’ll call later.”

  “Be careful.”

  “I will. I love you, baby.”

  “I love you, Stevie, goodbye.”

  “Goodbye.”

  I shut my cell phone and sat back on the couch.

  Harmony said, “Good morning, Stevie.”

  I turned my head and looked at her. I didn’t know she was awake. She wore black silk pajamas. Her hair was out of its braid, and very long and full around her head and down her back. She walked barefoot from her bedroom doorway, across the living room, and sat in the cream-colored love seat opposite me.

  “Oh, hey, Harmony, how are you?”

  “I’m fine and you?”

  “Oh, I could use some more sleep, but I’m OK, considering.”

  “I will make some coffee. I like it strong. Is that fine with you?” She was acting polite and formal again.

  “Sure. I like it that way too.”

  She rose and walked silently to the kitchen. It was the graceful walk of a natural athlete or dancer.

  She opened a cupboard and brought out a bag of coffee beans. She opened the bag and poured the beans into an electric grinder.

  I asked, “How much of my conversation did you hear?”

  “Enough. That was Edie, correct?”

  “Yes, it was.”

  She said, “You two seem to have a close relationship.”

  “Yes, to use a phrase I heard one time, ‘it’s a friendship that’s caught fire’.”

  “It’s true love, is it not?”

  “I guess; it’s the most I’ve ever loved someone.”

  “I admire that. I have never had it; except for with Melody, but that is agape love, since she is my sister.”

  “You two have a closer relationship than most siblings, given your upbringing.”

  “That is true, but it is not the same as eros love.”

  “You’re right.”

  Harmony then added, “You have great ability for philia love too; love for friends, family and community. That is what you are showing towards Melody and me.”

  “Thank you for the compliments. How did you learn the Greek meanings of love?”

  “I have taken a few philosophy courses at UNLV.”

  “That’s cool.”

  She shifted her weight from one leg to another, leaned forward against the counter and asked, “Don’t take this question the wrong way, but why are you helping me?”

  “I got you and Melody into this trouble. I will get you out of it, too.”

  “I feel there is more to it than that.”

  “Yes, I believe that too. We need to figure out your connection to Rob Nealy. Why is he stalking you two?”

  “I have no idea.”

  “I think that’s the bigger mystery here. Let’s talk about it.”

  “I would like to. It is a mystery for both of us. First we need coffee.”

  She ground the beans for fifteen seconds, removed the lid and tapped the side of the grinder to move the coffee grinds into the filter basket. She filled the pot, poured the water into the maker and flipped the switch. She took down two mugs, brought out half and half and low fat milk from the refrigerator and granola, sugar, two bowls and two spoons from four different cabinets.

  “Stevie, help yourself to cereal.”

  She pointed to one of the high-legged chairs next to the kitchen’s bar counter.

  “Thanks, I’ll do that, but I need to call Lieutenant Lomita first.”

  As I picked up my cell phone to dial, Harmony reached over, touched my hand and said, “I have thought about Melody and her welfare. Even as much as you are doing for us I think we need more help. Please tell the detective about Melody’s abduction.”

  She must have thought about that decision a long time, because her words seemed formal and practiced.

  “Are you sure?”

  She answered, “Yes, I am. Please explain Rob’s note. I do not want the police with us at Red Rock, no matter what happens.”

  “OK, I’ll try my best with Lomita.”

  “Tell him we will call after we find each clue. I am very afraid Rob will cause great harm to Melody if he sees the police.”

  “I agree. I’ll recommend that to him.”

  “Because Rob may not show and Melody may not be with him.”

  “That’s true.”

  She removed her hand from mine and I dialed.

  Lomita answered his cell phone on the second ring. I had lots to share with him. Even being focused and direct my story lasted twenty minutes. Lomita listened. Harmony did too, as she ate her cereal. I read all the clues and Bible verses. I explained Melody and Harmony. At one point, Lomita asked if Harmony could hear my side of the conversation and I said she could.

  At the end, the detective said, “OK, Garrett. I got it. Let’s see what Las Vegas and Nevada state police say about your plan. Call me after your visit to Red Rock. We’ll hunt for Rob and his car.”

  I looked at Harmony. She was thinking.

  As I wondered if she wanted to talk some more, she said, “Stevie, let’s get dressed for the day. You may use the family bathroom for your shower and Melody’s bedroom to change.”

  I smiled and nodded. My smile was my reaction to Harmony’s formal speaking style. I suspected it was an affectation, but a habit repeated so often that it became part of her.

  Melody — In the Desert

  Melody woke suddenly. She was in the trunk of a big car and that car was driving on a bumpy, dusty road. She had a headache. Her vision was clear again. It was day time. She didn’t know how long she had been asleep.

  She remembered making a mistake the night before. She heard a knock on the Mustang’s driver’s side window. She woke. She thought it had to be Stevie. She unlocked the doors without double checking it was him.

  The man spoke forcefully and clearly from the driver’s side. He wanted her to open her door and get out of the car. He wanted her to keep both hands visible and not touch or grab anything. Melody didn’t even bring her purse. She did as she was told. Once she stood out of the car he told her to put her hands behind her back. She did. He bound them together at the wrists with a thin plastic strap. Melody couldn’t see the man clearly. Still, she could tell he was older with wh
ite hair. He had to be Rob Nealy.

  He said, “Now, walk to my car and get in the trunk.”

  “I can’t see very well. I’ve been drugged. My eyes are blurry.”

  He laughed and said, “Did Garrett do that to you?”

  “No, he didn’t. He’s trying to help me.”

  “Let’s go before he gets back.”

  Nealy grabbed her wrists behind her back and pushed her forward. A white car was parked perpendicularly behind the Mustang. The trunk was open. Rob steered her there and told her to get in. She did and lay down. Then, he shut the lid. She was scared. It was dark and uncomfortable.

  Nealy started the car and pulled away. Melody could tell that they were going down, were leaving the parking garage. They stopped as Rob paid the fee. Then, he drove the car out of the garage. He stopped after a short distance and turned off the engine.

  Melody could hear the sounds of late night on Las Vegas Boulevard. She heard people walking and talking. She heard some kind of music in the distance. Mostly she heard and felt the traffic driving up and down The Strip.

  After a few minutes, Rob started his car again. After another minute the car zoomed away, turned right and sped up on The Strip. It went a short distance before it turned right again. Within a few minutes it left the streets of Las Vegas and sped up even more. They were on a freeway.

  Melody fought sleep as long as she could. But, the steady, fast driving rocked her to sleep.

  That’s what she remembered. Now, she was awake on a warm, sunny day. The road sure was bumpy. They had to be out in the desert somewhere. She was very scared. She wondered what Stevie was doing, what he did, after he discovered she was missing. She knew he would be looking for her. Melody wondered what was in the Diablo’s clue. Rob had been following them. He knew what they were doing and when they found his clues. She wondered what the next one read. She wondered if she was part of it.

  Melody felt Rob wanted her alive, at least for now, or he would have done something by now. The longer she was with Rob and they were out in the desert, the less time Rob had to stalk Stevie. Maybe the next clue was in another show or club. Shows and lounges were only open at night. So, Rob may have time to kill until he returned to Las Vegas. Plus, he probably had to write some more clues. Then, Melody thought that Rob’s Diablo’s clue might direct Stevie to come out here to the desert for a final showdown. She just couldn’t figure it out. Maybe Rob would tell her.

  As all these thoughts bounced around in her head, Rob slowed down and parked the car. He got out, walked to the rear and opened the trunk. It was blindingly bright.

  They sat and talked. Well, Rob initially did most of the talking. He explained some of his outlook on life and his reasons for his actions. Melody didn’t understand much of what he said. It was cryptic. It was a stream of consciousness.

  “People lie and build on the lies and then live the lies. They destroy others dreams and hopes. They do it and don’t think about it. They learn they can do it without recourse or remorse. So, it becomes who they are and the people they create or bring into their circle are unaware. These new people are influenced to act this same way due to their genetics and their environment. They become the lie and perpetuate it.

  “I don’t have the desire or time to explain all of this. I will tell you that you and your sister are part of this legacy. Those responsible never had the courage or honesty to reveal the stories of their lies to you. That’s too bad. That’s why you are destined to repeat the mistakes of history.

  “It is best for it to end, for all of us to do what we can to stop the lies. Perhaps you understand, or perhaps you don’t.”

  They sat at the edge of the desert and a mountain range. A rocky stream flowed out of those high hills into a small pond. They were alone. The sun beat down upon them. Rob had a hand gun in his belt. He had released Melody’s hands and given her a bottle of water. She drank half of it quickly. She held the bottle and savored the remainder. The sun felt good. She guessed it was mid-afternoon. The temperature was around seventy degrees.

  Melody could see people in the distance, parked in a lot, walking to and from a path into the mountains. This must be a state or regional park. The people would be too far away to hear a shout. Melody didn’t try. She did try to ask Rob questions to help her understand his strange monologue.

  Melody asked, “Why did you kill the others?”

  “The Gabriels lied to me, killed my dreams and took my life.”

  “Why are you chasing your daughter? I’ve heard she loves and cares about you.”

  “I have no daughter. Her love is misdirected.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “None of you know who you really are.”

  “Why did you stalk Stevie?”

  “Garrett is perpetuating the falsehoods.”

  “How so?”

  Rob answered, “He is confused. Edie is not who she says. He is starting a life of sin with her.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “I didn’t think you would.”

  “What do I have to do with you?”

  “You and your sister are like Edie; unaware of the truth, connected to lies, and living in confusion.”

  “If we aren’t connected to you, then, who are our real parents, or our real family?”

  “Isn’t it obvious? Can’t you guess?”

  Melody stopped and thought. A minute passed. She looked at the mountains, at the people and cars far away. She suddenly understood. She looked at Rob. He was smiling strangely into the distance. She said her guesses. He nodded.

  She asked, “What are you going to do now?”

  “I will reunite you with Garrett and your sister. Tomorrow morning we’re going to a country club.”

  Melody just stared at Rob.

  Red Rock

  We left the condo before noon and headed west to Red Rock. We both had showered. I was wearing jeans, a polo shirt and my lightweight hiking shoes. Harmony was dressed in tight boot-cut blue jeans, a small dark red t-shirt and brown cowboy boots. Her very dark hair looked even longer and more lustrous. Although it was not her intent, Harmony certainly attracted attention.

  Harmony knew the way and after thirty minutes of driving across the freeways south and southwest of The Strip, we exited onto Charleston Boulevard. We headed further southwest and with each mile the large red and white rock mountains grew in front of us.

  After five more miles Harmony pointed out the entrance road to the Red Rock National Conservation Area. We turned right, paid the five dollar fee and stopped at the visitor center a short distance further on. We weren’t exactly sure where to find First Creek Canyon so we went inside to ask.

  To our surprise we learned two things. First Creek was not accessible from Red Rock’s scenic loop road. And, the loop road was one-way only, so we had to continue driving through the entire thirteen miles.

  First Creek Canyon was a few miles south of the other end of the loop road. So, we made the best of it and enjoyed the views through Red Rock.

  The whole area is the easternmost part of the Mojave Desert. The rocks are mostly sandstone and the formations have horizontal bands of white, red and purple. The folks in the visitor center recommended a few stops on the loop and the best one was the high point overlook. The Park’s map said some of the cliffs rose up three thousand feet above our heads.

  This bright, sunny October afternoon attracted all kinds of people to Red Rock. The temperature was nearly perfect, in the high sixties. Most of the parking lots at the trail heads were nearly full. The trails had intriguing names like Calico Tanks, Lost Creek, Icebox and Pine Creek.

  Harmony said, “Gosh, I wish we were here under different circumstances.”

  “Me, too.”

  Our drive and stops in the Conservation Area took about an hour, so it was nearly 2 PM before we exited off the scenic drive and drove south a few miles and arrived at the side-of-the-road parking lot for First Creek.

  We parked and immediate
ly saw the trail that headed west from the lot towards the gap in the mountain.

  “Don’t forget your water, Stevie.”

  “I won’t.”

  We had small day packs on our backs. We each carried two bottles of water. Harmony also had a towel in her pack in case we got wet in or near the waterfall, and I had some energy bars and two apples in mine.

  We were told to keep close to the creek bed. The waterfall was supposed to be just before the entrance to the main part of the canyon, about a mile in front of us.

  The cleared path was through desert brush and had only a slight rise to it. We had breathtaking views of the mountain and the canyon. We kept walking and looking and suddenly we were in the shadows of the canyon. We didn’t see any sign of the waterfall.

  We found the creek at the bottom of the canyon. I looked at the cliff walls on each side of us and didn’t see any sign of falling water. We weren’t sure what to do. We continued to wander around. Since we were told that the falls were only a mile from the entrance, I didn’t want to keep going further up the canyon.

  “I not sure what to do, Harmony.”

  “I don’t know, either. Perhaps if we sit and listen we will hear the waterfall.”

  I guessed it couldn’t hurt. I was getting a little frustrated and tired, so a rest stop would be helpful.

  I said, “Let’s go over to those trees and sit in the shade and regroup.”

  “Yes, let’s.”

  I was pointing to the north side of the trail, where the creek entered big boulders. We turned around and walked to the left onto a side path. We passed by the first evergreen tree I remember seeing on the way up.

  After a short distance, a cliff revealed itself. We saw the creek winding its way through the red stones.

  Harmony led the way. Then, she turned to face me, smiled and said, “Listen, Stevie.”

  I could hear the hissing sound of falling water.

  “I think we have found the hidden waterfall.”

  I said, “Isn’t that a coincidence. Just when I thought we’d never find it.”

  “It pays to be patient.”

  Within a minute or two we were close to the falls. A rock path on both sides of the stream, as well as cottonwood and evergreen trees hid the view of the falls. We climbed through these and reached the top of the falls. It was a narrow chute through the piled rocks.