Skin Puppet: Reightman & Bailey Book Three

by Jeffery Craig

  “Melba’s right, honey. That woman is a force of nature. I don’t think I ever met anyone able to arrange things as well as she.”

  Toby privately thought Grams could give Zhou Li a run for her money, but decided to keep that to himself. There wasn’t any sense in getting Grams riled up on a Saturday. Besides, it was more fun to do that in person. “So, are you going to be able to come?”

  “I wouldn’t miss it for the world. I’m thinking I’ll drive up on Saturday and stay the night, if that’s okay.”

  “Sure. That’d be great. I’ll even take you out for a fancy dinner, if you want. What time do you think you’ll get here?”

  “If I leave here around two or three, I should get to your place by late afternoon. After the party on Sunday, I thought I might spend the night at Mable McRory’s. She’s been asking me to visit for a while now, so I can kill two birds with one stone this trip. I’ll stay with her Sunday night, so I’ll just be in your hair for Saturday evening. I’ll head back home after lunch on Monday.”

  “Grams, you know you’re welcome to stay as long as you want. I like having you here.”

  “I know, honey, and I appreciate it. But you’ll likely be plumb worn out after the party, and I owe Mable a visit. What else are you up to?”

  “Other than getting the office ready, not too much. I’m thinking about putting some new plants out on the terrace and wondered if you had any ideas for something that can take the sun and the heat, but still give me a little bit of color.”

  They talked over possible options, and Toby wrote down the names of a few that might fit the bill. Once gardening business was taken care of, Grams started to wind down the conversation.

  “I’ll see you next weekend, Toby. By the way, is Bernice doing the food for the party?”

  “Yeah, but how did you know?”

  “Just a lucky guess. It makes sense given she’s just across the street, and she does have a way with food, even though she has an aversion to putting meat in her dishes. Still, she’s sure to put out quite a spread. Speaking of food, I better get to the grocery store before things get crowded, and I want to have the pies done before the day gets too far gone. I think strawberry-rhubarb tastes better if it sits overnight.”

  “Okay, Grams. I’ll let you go so you can plunder the aisles. I love you.”

  “Love you, too, Toby. Even if you’re about the sassiest grandson any woman ever had. Have a good weekend. Give Melba and Madame Zhou my regards and tell them I’m looking forward to seeing them, and all the rest of the folks, too. And tell that handsome nephew of Madame Zhou’s I said hello.”

  “Jon Chiang?”

  “Yes. I was quite taken with him you know, and I wouldn’t want him to think I’ve forgotten him.”

  “When did you meet Jon?”

  “Well, let me think. I guess it was about a month or so ago. He was driving his aunt down to visit some family for that big celebration they have in February.”

  “Chinese New Year?”

  “Yes, that’s the one. They stopped for a short visit on the way, and I fixed a nice lunch for them, figuring it would give us time to become better acquainted and spare them from having to eat in some poor quality dinner on the way down. Madame Zhou called and arranged it all beforehand, and they were perfect guests. They’re both very interesting people, and I enjoyed our conversation.”

  Toby couldn’t resist asking the obvious question. “What’d you all talk about?”

  “Oh, just this and that. Now, I really need to go. I’ll call you before I get on the road.”

  Once they completed another round of goodbyes, Toby set back in the chair with phone in hand. He wasn’t sure what to make of Zhou Li’s visit with Grams. He shuddered when he thought about all the topics of conversation they’d probably covered. It was also kind of strange for Grams to specifically ask him to pass along her greetings to Jon. Deciding it wouldn’t do any good to dwell on it, he went inside to shower for the second time that morning. Besides, he had a date!

  ***

  Jocasta Grokov Anthony stood in the wings, watching her two children struggle to hang the newly painted backdrop at the back of the stage. The colorful canvas depicted a typical eastern European forest scene, complete with dark, foreboding trees and fairytale castle.

  “I said hold it steady, Jake!” Jill was obviously in a temper. “Can’t you even manage to do this simple task? Apparently, being a big shot actor precluded you from having to do any real work.”

  “At least I got out of this dump,” Jake snarled. “I had better things to do than haul a van full of puppets to every Podunk elementary school in the state to amuse an auditorium full of snot-nosed grade schoolers.”

  “But you found other ways to amuse the kiddies, didn’t you, Jake? In case you forgot, I’m all too familiar with your kind of fun and the end results. But look where you ended up—right back where you started, because you couldn’t keep you dick in your pants.”

  “That was never proven!” he shouted. “I came back because I wanted to!”

  “Right. You gave up your glamourous Hollywood life to come home and help continue the family legacy and bring the wonder of European puppetry to culture-starved schools. Isn’t that the way the shitty press release read? I’d be shocked if anyone believed that load of crap. But then again, at least some people believed it when you denied fucking twelve-year-olds! Too bad your denials weren’t good enough to save what was left of your crappy career.”

  “You’re just jealous you never had the talent to make it big yourself, Jill. You’re bitter that the best you could cobble together was a teaching certificate from a mediocre state college and a life tied to a bunch of stupid, damned puppets.”

  “I think I managed pretty well for myself, no thanks to you! At least I’m not wanted in three countries for statutory rape. Good thing you managed to get your ass out of Southeast Asia before the authorities caught up with you. I hear the jails there are really something special. You’d either be rotting in a cell or married to an ignorant child bride in some dirty, smelly port. How much did you have to pay the outraged parents, Jake? ”

  “I didn’t pay anyone off,” he responded through tightly gritted teeth. Jocasta could see the blood rushing to his face and waited for the dam to break.

  A few more curt orders from his sister was enough to do the trick “You know what, Jill? You’re an absolute bitch! No wonder you never found anyone to share your sad, pathetic life. Who’d want to spend time with a no-talent hag who’s spent most of her life sleeping in the back of a rusted van cuddled next to a box of toys?” Before she could respond, he completed his act. “You know what? I. Am. Done.” He abruptly let go of the backdrop. The sudden shift in weight caused his sister to loss her balance from her perch eight feet up on the adjacent ladder. He watched gleefully as the ladder wobbled, then fell, throwing her to the ground.

  Jill lay on the wooden stage floor, stunned. With a groan, she slowly sat up and shot him a murderous glare.

  Jake turned his attention to the backdrop. “Looks like you have some repair work to do now, Jill.”

  Her face crumpled when she realized he was right; a jagged rip ran halfway down the middle. She groaned again, thinking of the many hours of work it would take to make the repairs. She knew she wouldn’t get his assistance after this little scene, and while her mother might help, she’d subject her daughter to a subtle, but viscous, cataloging of her many failures. No one did the combination of heaping guilt and disparaging shame better than Jocasta Anthony. Her precious son was never to blame. Jill had learned that the hard way. A new, almost blinding rage worked its way past her feelings of worthlessness and gave her the energy to rise from the floor. “You’re a bastard, Jake. One day, you’ll get everything coming to you.”

  Jake took a sudden step back at the pure venom in her voice. Before he could collect his wits to launch a rejoinder, the sound of clapping grabbed everyone’s attention.

  Vassily Grokov entered the small t
heatre from the front of the house, trailed by a man Jake vaguely recognized as being one of his uncle’s many employees.

  “Bravo! Bravo! That was quite a performance!” Grokov exclaimed with mock appreciation as he made his was down the aisle and to the edge of the stage. He handed a large roll of paper to his associate and then, with a smooth grace surprising for a man of his age, he made the transition up onto to the stage.

  “Are you all right, myshka?” he asked, as knelling down by his niece’s side.

  “I’m fine, Uncle,” Jill assured him as he helped her to her feet. “And I’m not such a little mouse anymore.”

  “You will always be my myshka, Jill.”

  Jake turned away in disgust as his sister embraced the old man.

  Jocasta stepped out from the concealing shadows of the wings, and stopped briefly by his side. She cupped his check in her hand for a moment. “Don’t let her words get to you, my son. The past is the past, and soon, you’ll be back on top of the world.”

  He nodded in acknowledgement and leaned slightly in to her caress. “I know. What would I do without you?”

  “That’s something you’ll never have to worry about, my darling. I’ll always be here for you.” She dropped her hand and turned to greet her brother. “Vassily, how nice to see you.” She directed a peremptory look toward her daughter and held her gaze until Jill dropped her arms, untangling herself from her uncle’s embrace.

  “Ah, Jocasta.” His voice was rich with the almost forgotten accent they’d shared in their youth. “You are looking well, as always.”

  She smoothed the dark hair coiled tightly against her head with one strong, capable hand, and gave him a cool smile. “Thank you, brother. You’re looking well, also.”

  He allowed her the small lie. His age was beginning to show in his lined face and silver hair, and he was well-aware the swarthy good looks of his middle years were all but gone. Still, he was as healthy and as capable as ever, and still burned with the intense vitality which had made him a successful man. He returned her smile with a thin one of his own. “Thank you. Now, if this little family drama is over, I would like a few moments of your time.”

  She arched her brow, and after sharing another look with her son, nodded. “Certainly, Vassily. I’ll be in the office. I assume you remember the way.”

  He watched her exit the small stage, noting how plump she’d become. She could still turn heads, but her years were starting to show. “Ah well, time is taking its toll on all of us.” Dismissing the depressing thought, he turned back to his niece. “I must leave you now, but before I do, tell me how all of your projects are going.”

  “Everything’s fine, Uncle Vassily.” She crossed to the backdrop and folded her arms across her chest. “Although, I’ll be working on replacing some things if they’re unable to be repaired. Time is running short.”

  He patted her arms soothingly. “You’ll figure it out. You have always been resourceful and have never let anything get in your way. You always manage to bounce back. In that regard, you and I are much alike. Now, give me another hug before I go to your mother. She tends to get impatient.”

  After another quick embrace, Vassily turned to his subordinate. “Nathan, I’ll relieve you of that now.”

  Nathan Fields climbed up on the stage and relinquished the rolled paper to his employer.

  “Thank you. You may wait for me here. I don’t anticipate my discussion will take very long.”

  Grokov made his way to the edge of the stage and paused to give his nephew a brief glance. “Jake.”

  “Uncle.”

  Within the simple acknowledgement, they exchanged everything necessary between them.

  After Vassily left the theatre, Nathan wandered to Jill’s side and looked up at the ruined backdrop. “How’d that happen?”

  “I was just clumsy,” she answered without sparing him a glance. She began to pull the ladder upright, and he rushed to make himself useful. Once it was back in place and positioned under one end of the hanging pipe, she put her foot on the bottom rung.

  “Need any help?” he asked.

  “No. I can handle it by myself,” she answered curtly.

  Dismissed, he stepped away from the ladder and turned to make his way back off the stage.

  “Hey, Nathan.”

  “Hello, Jake. How’s it going ?”

  “About as well as can be expected. Got anything new to share?”

  Nathan Fields considered the question and shook his head. “No. Not yet. Maybe in a few days.”

  Jake gave a resigned shrug. “Okay. Keep me in mind if you come across anything…interesting. In the meantime, it’s about time for a beer. Join me?”

  “Thanks, but I’d better not. Mr. Grokov doesn’t like it when I drink on the job.”

  “Believe me, I understand. He’s always been a mood killer.”

  Nathan wisely chose not to respond, but took a seat in the back row of the theatre and pulled out his phone.

  ***

  “That was quite some show I walked in on,” Grokov observed as he joined his sister in the office a few minutes later. “Your son had better get a handle on his resentment and anger.”

  “My son? How about Jill? She baits him at every opportunity. I don’t blame him for snapping back now and then.”

  “Come now, Jocasta. You and I both know the truth.”

  She threw her hands up in frustration. “Why do you always defend her?”

  He shrugged. “She is useful. He is not. There’s no love lost between Jake and I. You have pampered and spoiled him too much over the years.”

  “Jake is supremely talented! He’s made for better things than he’ll find here.”

  “I grant you, he was once a very capable actor. Unfortunately, his proclivities overshadowed his promise. It took an immense sum of money and use of many favors owed to me to extract him from this last incident. Unfortunately, no amount of money or influence could save his career.”

  “Nothing was ever proven,” she reminded him. “There was nothing—nothing!—but a bunch of rumors.”

  “We both know how effective rumors can be, Jocasta.” As a matter of fact, he’d personally made sure the gossip had done its job. It was well past the time for Jake Anthony to have his wings clipped. He was unable to resist making one final jab. “I’m curious. How many have you paid off, sister? How many expectant mothers woke from a difficult labor to find out their baby had died? I know of at least one.”

  She narrowed her eyes, and refused to answer. After taking a deep breath to pull herself together, she changed the direction of the conversation. “What was it you wanted to discuss, Vassily?”

  “Nothing critical. However, I did want to share my plans for this block.” He indicated the rolled paper. “These are the designs for the condo development project.”

  “It’s going ahead?”

  “Was there ever any doubt? Madame Zhou Li is the last remaining obstacle and, once I’ve dealt with her, this whole block will be coming down to make way for the future.”

  “Don’t underestimate her, Vassily.”

  He chuckled and shook his head. “Not to worry. That interfering old woman will soon find herself running into a series of problems with the renovation of the corner building. I suspect the city inspector will find several daunting problems, and the small, but significant, fault found in the foundation will be the last straw. Her general contractor might be hesitant to take on the issue.”

  “He’s agreed?”

  “No, not yet. However, for the right inducement, I suspect he will. And if I can’t buy him, I foresee he’ll be laid up with some sort of injury which will impact his ability to work.”

  “I see. What about this place? We have put a significant amount of effort into the theatre.”

  “Which I cautioned you against. Still, it has been the perfect smokescreen to mask my real plans, and I suppose the appropriate financial consideration will help ease any discontent on your part. Am I right?”


  “As you have always told me, for the right price, anything is possible.”

  “Then, we are agreed. Just don’t become too grasping.”

  “Your precious Jill will be heartbroken. She’s put in so much work and has the foolish notion this venture will change things for the better.”

  “That is the one unfortunate part of this development plan. Still, there are other locations that can be considered. Jill will be fine, although I doubt you really care.”

  “What about Jake?”

  “What about him?”

  “Will you help find another place for him? Surely, with your influence, you can land him a small, but meaningful, role somewhere.”

  “I could, perhaps, but I won’t. As far as I’m concerned, he’s on his own.”

  “Is that your final answer?”

  “Yes.” Catching the gleam of calculation in her eyes, he added, “Don’t be tempted to do anything foolish. You may be my sister, but even I have my limits.”

  She met his gaze calmly. “We all have limits, brother.”

  Allowing the moment to pass, he indicated the architectural plans. “Would you like to see the latest revisions?

  “No. I’m sure they are perfect. Is there anything else to discuss?”

  “No. I do have a question, though. You asked me why I always defended Jill. In return, I am compelled to ask why you never defend her and reserve your love for your son. Is she so unworthy?”

  Jocasta didn’t need to consider her answer. “I can’t expect you to understand the special bond between mother and son. What I have with him is special.”

  Vassily placed the plans under one arm. “You’re right. I don’t understand. However, I’m reminded of a certain Greek myth about mothers and sons. In your case, I suspect it is entirely fitting.”

  “What are you talking about, Vassily?”

  “Nothing important. Although, I find it curious that you share a name with one of the leading ladies of the day. Her name was Jocasta, as well. She is quite well-known for certain deeds.”

  “What’s your point?”

  He gave her a smile, lacking warmth but containing much irony. “In Greek myth, Jocasta had a son. His name was Oedipus. That Jocasta also had difficulties relating to her daughters. I believe it all turned out badly. I hope you fare better.”