Beautiful Girls

by Gary S. Griffin

  “I love that you are so caring.”

  “I want to tell you something else, but before I do, I need you to be very alert today. If you see anything; Rob, Mel, some danger, anything unusual, especially if I don’t see it, please tell me immediately. I need your extra set of eyes. Any and all help is welcomed, OK?”

  “Yes, I will help as I can.”

  “Wonderful.”

  “Stevie, would you like your breakfast now?”

  “Yes, that’d be great.”

  Harmony stood up, and went to and fro to the kitchen as she made my cereal and refreshed my coffee. As she did, I got several glimpses of her bare behind under her nightgown. I don’t think it was an intentional act on her part. The nightgown was too short and her movements too quick to keep herself covered.

  I looked but didn’t stare and, most important, I didn’t react.

  When she brought my coffee and sat back down on the sofa bed, she said, “What else did you want to tell me?”

  “You know, going back to our conversation last night, about Sister Carrie. She was Edie’s mother’s first cousin. I mean, we will figure out the connection between you and Carrie. With your resemblance to Edie, it’s probable you are related. You and Mel could be part of our family. I probably shouldn’t have said all this, but, my instincts or my feelings made me do it. I guess it just makes me feel more protective to Mel and you. I don’t know. I just wanted to say that. Time will tell.”

  “I am glad you did. I hope there is that connection. We do not have any family.”

  “Now, Edie doesn’t have much either.”

  “I would love to have you in my life, Stevie. You would help me so much more.”

  I took my shower first as Harmony had said she wanted to exercise. When I walked out of the bathroom she was on a mat in the midst of a yoga-like stretching position following the instruction of a soothing feminine voice on the TV. She looked catlike in a tight black leotard. Her loose head of hair and her twisted movement had her face nearly covered. I winked at her. She blew some of her hair from her face and winked back. I smiled and walked in to Mel’s bedroom.

  I made my calls. Edie said that she had finalized plans for Bambi’s cremation. Tawny wanted her mother’s ashes spread in the garden of the mansion. That would happen when we could all be together again in Beverly Hills.

  Edie also told me they were going back to Palm Springs to shop. She decided to buy a new, simpler dress for our wedding that she saw the day before. She would save her original dress for Tawny or our daughter.

  Afterwards, I thought, Daughter? Somebody wants more than one child!

  Edie said, “Stevie, I’m trying to keep busy, but my thoughts and prayers are always with you and the twins. Please call me whenever something happens, regardless of the time.”

  I promised I would.

  When I finished speaking to Edie, I walked back to the living room to find Harmony praying. Her yoga video was over and she had her head and arms on the couch.

  She looked at me and said, “Stevie, would you join me in prayer?”

  I said yes and did.

  Her sweet, peaceful thoughts were of her sister and me. After she said Amen, Harmony looked at me and said, “I am not going to change clothes, I do not want to take the time. I will shower when we get back.”

  “OK.”

  She got up, walked to her bedroom and grabbed her sneakers. As she put them on she said, “I know the way to the golf course.”

  “You do?”

  “Yes, I looked it up on the internet while you took your shower.”

  “Good, thank you.”

  We left the condo at 10:18 AM. Harmony gave me directions on our way.

  Desert Pines is a big square of land in the north part of Las Vegas. The entrance is in the northeast corner. I wondered which one of the eighteen would be the Death Hole. I knew many golf courses named their holes and thought this could be the case at Desert Pines.

  It was just before eleven o’clock when we pulled into the parking lot. I figured we would act naturally and take a walk around.

  The place looked busy on this clear, sunny autumn morning. Golf carts darted around us and golfers got their equipment ready. We avoided the clubhouse and headed towards a large map of the course mounted on a bulletin board. Within seconds I pointed to the legend.

  “It must be one of those two holes at the far end of the course, Harmony.”

  She read their names, “Death Valley and Do or Die.”

  They were the sixth and fourteenth holes and they were next to each other, running north and south, in the southwest corner of the course. Death Valley, the sixth hole, had one sand trap near the green. Looking closer, right behind the sixth green and the fourteenth tee, there was an access gate to the street that ran on the western side of the course.

  I pointed that out to Harmony and said, “This has to be the place.”

  We walked past the putting green and I picked up a used scorecard from a trash can. I showed it to Harmony.

  “See how this has a miniature map of the course?”

  “Yes, it looks just like the big map back there.”

  “That’s right. And, notice these blue lines.”

  “Yes, what are they?”

  “It is the path for golf carts. Walkers can follow these paths too.”

  I pointed to the right. “See that asphalt path there?”

  “Yes.”

  “Let’s go that way. It will lead us down and around to the path along the left side of the sixth fairway.”

  “OK.”

  No one stopped us as we started our stroll. After about fifty yards we rounded a raised green surrounded by pine trees. I relaxed when we were beyond the view of the club house.

  During our ten minute walk, I had time to take long looks at Harmony. In the bright sun I noticed how the black leotard hugged her body. It provided a clear view of all her body’s curves and angles. The top of the leotard was fairly low cut in back. The bottom ended mid-calf. I could tell she wore her small panties underneath. She had her hair pulled back into a long ponytail which moved side to side with her strides.

  While I was taking all this in we came to the end of our walk. Harmony said something to me which I did not hear. She stopped and turned to look at me. I stopped too. She put both hands on her hips and waited for me to regain eye contact with her.

  “I am glad you like what you see.”

  “I do—”

  Then, I caught myself and stopped. She smiled.

  “I’m sorry, Harmony. I didn’t mean to stare or—”

  “Do not be sorry. I am flattered.”

  “I better not do that while I’m around Edie.”

  “You did this because Edie is not here and I remind you of her.”

  “I guess you’re right. But, you can see what happens to me when I’m with beautiful women.”

  “Yes, I see how you are. You are a wonderful gentleman who protects us.”

  “Thank you for not being upset or uncomfortable. I am sorry.”

  “I told you not to be. You make me feel good about myself. It has been a long time since I did.”

  “That’s what the right man can do.”

  “Yes, I agree. Edie is lucky.”

  “She waited a long time. I waited too. The most important part is you now know what you should look for in a man.”

  She took a step towards me and said in a softer voice, “And, you have shown me.”

  “Harmony, I’m not a perfect man. Staring at you shows my weakness is beautiful girls. But, I realize that and I’m working on it.”

  “Edie knows that about you, too, does she not?”

  “That’s right. But, she is forgiving and, in the end, she trusts me to be faithful to her.”

  “That is a wonderful description of love, is it not?”

  “Yes, I think it is.”

  She completely closed the gap between us, pressed the two stiff points of her chest against mine and hugged me.


  “I hope you can forgive me for being so bold. Please trust me to honor your marriage. I want to be your friend for the rest of our lives.”

  “I do and I will.”

  She kissed me.

  Then, she said, “I love you, Stevie. I am content. Thank you. I will not do that again.”

  She moved a half step back.

  That’s when the world went dark.

  Redhead Returns

  I woke sometime later. I was lying on my back in sand. I was looking into her shaded face as the sun was behind her head. My head hurt a lot.

  I mumbled, “Harmony?”

  “Are you okay, Stevie?”

  Her hands were on my chest. She was kneeling beside me.

  “What happened?”

  “You were hit on your head.”

  “What, who?”

  “I think Rob hit you with his gun.”

  “Where’s Melody?”

  “Stevie, I’m Melody. Rob took Harmony.”

  I sat up and almost passed out as blood rushed around inside my head.

  Some man said, “Are you OK, buddy?”

  It was a golfer. Three of his buddies stood with him at the top of the sand trap around the sixth green. They looked down at us.

  I said, “I’ll be OK. Mel, help me out of here.”

  She lifted me up and we walked out of the shallow, low side of the trap. Mel brushed the sand off my shirt and shorts. She guided me to a green side bench where we sat down.

  The golfers, convinced I would be OK, finished playing the hole and drove their carts on to the seventh tee.

  “Mel, what happened?”

  She explained. Rob had been waiting for about two hours. He was getting bored and mad. His car had been parked on the side street at the southwest corner of the golf course. He broke in through the maintenance gate there and watched us approach the hole. My conversation, kiss and hug with Harmony sure gave him the opportunity to approach without us noticing. I wonder what he thought; it probably made him hit me harder. Mel had been locked in Rob’s trunk.

  Mel said, “The next thing I know, Rob opens the trunk. He’s holding Harmony by her ponytail and is pulling her along. He told me to get out of the trunk and told Harmony to get in. She did. She was scared and crying.

  “After he slammed the lid on her, he told me to walk through the open gate, turn left and keep walking through these pine trees. He said I’d find you.

  “I did in a minute. Rob got in his car and drove off. I wasn’t sure if you were alive or dead. I kicked off my heels and ran down into the sand. That’s when I saw you breathing and I woke you up.”

  “Oh, my God, Mel. Poor Harmony! She was doing so well.”

  “What do you mean by ‘well’?”

  “I’ll explain, but why did Rob switch you two?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe I talked too much.”

  I smiled at that.

  I asked, “Did he give you the next clue?”

  “Oh, yeah, he did, right before he made me come find you.”

  Melody still wore the black blouse, white slacks and high heeled shoes from Friday night. She reached in her pants pocket and brought out a small envelope. Mel looked OK. Her clothes were stained and her face was dirty, but she didn’t have any serious injuries.

  Mel filled me in on the time with Rob. He never hurt her. Mostly, she was kept in the trunk of his car. He let her out a few times when they were out in the desert. It was a scary experience.

  “Mel, go ahead and read the clue.”

  The scripture read:

  When the messengers arrived at Carmel, they told Abigail, “David has sent us to take you back to marry him.”

  The letter read:

  David,

  Our paths lead to battle. Our knights will face off tonight night in the castle’s arena.

  Be ready to fight. Bring the redheaded sister with you if she desires to see her beloved kin again.

  Nabal

  Mel said, “Rob is expecting a fight, a showdown with you night.”

  “Yes, he is. He expects me to have the murderous anger of David.”

  “Yes, he does. And, he wants you to bring me. Perhaps he thinks I will stop you from attacking him, the way Abigail persuaded David not to fight.”

  “Agreed. So, where will he meet us next?”

  Mel said, “He writes about knights and battle and the castle’s arena. That must be Excalibur.”

  “Harmony and I walked by there yesterday.”

  “You did?”

  “Yes, Excalibur looks like a castle.”

  “That’s right. Each night they have two shows with knights and the round table and sword fights. I think the first one is at six.”

  “Which show should we go to?”

  She said, “I’d say the early one, and if nothing happens at that one I guess we could stay for the second one.”

  I asked, “How do we plan for tonight?”

  “The show is called the Tournament of Kings and is a dinner theatre. You eat before the show. It is a spectacle, with horses and lances, sword fighting, and singing and dancing.”

  “You’ve seen the show?”

  “Yes, once, a few years ago.”

  I asked, “Are there any women in the show?”

  “Yes, they are the singers and dancers.”

  “They don’t do any fighting?”

  “No, only the men, the knights.”

  “OK, hmmm…”

  “What is it Stevie?”

  “I wonder if Rob or Harmony will appear in the show.”

  “I don’t see how. The knights do difficult stunts on and off the horses.”

  “How about the women?”

  “They are not in the main action. Still, how would Harmony appear with them? She doesn’t know the songs or dances. They could be seated in the crowd.”

  “True. I guess we’ll need to keep our eyes open.”

  Mel said, “Yes. I am trying to imagine what Rob means by being ‘prepared for battle’.”

  “It could be just a clue for us to go to Excalibur.”

  “I hope. Well, I think we have our plan for the evening.”

  I said, “Yes, we do. However, it could change once I speak to Lieutenant Lomita. I want the police to be there tonight. We may need to meet with them.”

  “That’s a good idea. I want them to find Harmony as soon as possible.”

  “Mel, let’s get out of here. My Mustang is at the other corner of this course. It’s a bit of a walk but it’s all on a paved walkway.”

  “I’ll be OK. I’m used to walking in heels. How are you doing?”

  “I have a whale of a headache but I seem to be OK.”

  “Let’s take it easy until you’re sure everything is working right.”

  “OK.”

  “I’m starving and could really use a shower. Let’s stop at a McDonald’s on the way home.”

  “Sounds good to me. So, tell me all about your time with Rob.”

  “I will if you tell me what’s been going on for the last day and a half.”

  “There’s a lot to tell. You go first.”

  ***

  Over an hour later we were back in Henderson. Mel had eaten three hamburgers, two bags of fries and a chocolate milkshake. Our stories took the entire time of our walk, our lunch and our drive.

  Mel was in the shower and I called Lieutenant Lomita. He answered on the second ring. I briefed him on the unexpected turn of events. I told him Melody and I wanted him to bring out all the police resources right away and that night at Excalibur.

  He agreed. We both knew the end of this insane adventure was at hand. He said he would talk to the Las Vegas Police and then call me back.

  I spoke to Edie and passed on our stories. She and Tawny were in a Palm Springs dress shop. She was unnerved but very happy to hear the police would be at Excalibur.

  Lomita called five minutes after I finished talking to Edie. It was just past two o’clock. He had worked out a
plan with the Las Vegas Police Department. They agreed to have four plainclothes detectives at the Tournament of Kings. They would be a party and sit in the second row of the Spain grandstand. They wanted me to sit in the first row of the Norway grandstand. One of the detectives would wear a blue Dodgers baseball cap. Another of the detectives would be a blonde woman. Both the LVPD and the Nevada state police were now on the lookout for Rob’s car.

  “Do you have a colorful shirt?” Lomita asked.

  “I have a royal blue polo shirt.”

  “Wear it. I’ll let the LVPD know. If you need their help you know where they’re seated. You can also signal them by raising your arms and joining your hands above your head. OK?”

  “Yes, very clear.”

  “The lead detective is Andy Ozick. He’ll be the one in the Dodgers cap. Here’s his cell phone number.”

  Lomita read it to me.

  “OK, I got it.”

  “I’m coming to Las Vegas after we have Nealy. I want to be there when the talking starts.”

  “Sounds good.”

  Lomita asked, “Do you want me to bring your fiancée and the girl? I’ll drive right by Lake Tamarisk.”

  “They are going stir crazy.”

  “Yeah, I thought they would, sooner or later.”

  “Edie would like to speak to Rob.”

  “I thought that too, that’s why I’m asking.”

  “I just want to make sure Rob’s in custody before they are anywhere near them.”

  “I agree. So, call me tonight after the show. You can tell the ladies about our plan.”

  “Will do, Lieutenant.”

  I changed into my blue shirt.

  Harmony – In the Desert

  Harmony’s emotions overflowed. She said, “Don’t you know we’re all sinners. You need to take responsibility for your actions and turn to God for forgiveness. We all need to do it.”

  Rob didn’t respond. He just stared at her.

  They were in the desert near Red Rock. Harmony recognized it from the day before. Rob had let Harmony out of the trunk. She tried to have conversation but it was hard. She was so scared and often found herself crying.