"Of course it does. You see, before he runs off to a place like Mexico, he wants to settle a score with me."
"A score to settle with you?” Justin asked confused.
"Yeah, he knows I know what he did to Shauna and he wants to get me before I get him.” Jason explained.
"Oh.” Justin nodded. Jason had an incredible knack for figuring everything out.
"So, while he was waiting for the right moment, he had a run in with this lady. He wanted to teach her a lesson. He is still here, somewhere.” Jason explained.
"How do you know?” Justin asked, doubtful.
"Because I'm trained to figure out how the psychotic mind works. That's how I know.” Jason told him.
"You really think he's psychotic?” Justin asked surprised. Jason just gave his brother a look.
"You stay right here, I'm going to find out what's going on.” Beverly told Lilly, then rushed over to Justin and Jason.
Lilly looked around the lobby, and for the first time noticed that people were looking at her, not with pity. This made her feel good. She felt free, pretty, and confident. This was all so new to her. Lilly looked over and saw Beverly in a deep conversation with Justin and Jason and decided to step over to the glass door.
The pool was illuminated bright blue and wonderfully inviting. She quietly stepped out and put her hand in the warm pool water, swishing her hand around. She stared out at the beach, at the sand and the ocean. Her thoughts drifted to this eventful weekend, and how it all seemed to be a blessing in disguise, as Shelly had always said. She didn't want to think about her past, she wanted to think about her future. At the moment though, she was thinking about the beach, and the moonlight over the immense ocean. It was all so beautiful, she could not resist. Gingerly, she removed her shoes and made her way down the stairs to the sand. The moon on the ocean and the sweet salt air made Lilly feel giddy; she just wanted to dance. The feeling of freedom was wonderful, and she wanted to spin on the beach until she fell over.
"Hello.” a male voice said.
"Who's there?” Lilly spun around and saw a man was crouched under the stairs. He was puffing away on a cigarette and it seemed like he was hiding. “What are you doin’ there?” she asked.
"I work here. I just snuck out to have a smoke. You sure are pretty,” he said. That was the second time that night she had been told that. In fact, it was the second time in her life she had been told that, with the exception of Diamond of course.
"Ummm, thank you, sir.” Lilly smiled sweetly.
"What's your name?” the man asked, creeping out of his hiding place. He threw his cigarette butt in the sand and grinned at her.
Lilly smiled nervously. “My name is Lilly, what's yours?” she asked.
"My name is John, John Smith. How would you like to take a walk on the beach with me?"
CHAPTER 17
Beverly turned around and noticed right away that Lilly was gone. Great, she thought, where did the girl wander off to? She peered outside at the pool area and saw nothing.
It was then that Justin ambled up. “Where did she go?” he asked. “I thought she was hungry."
"I don't know. She was here a second ago.” Beverly said, scratching her head.
"She probably went into the dining room. Let's go, I'm starved.” he said and took her by the hand down the hall to the Velvet Room.
The dinner crowd was leaving and the waiters were cleaning up the dessert trays.
"Great, we missed it.” Justin vented.
Beverly inspected the crowd and noticed that Lilly was not among them. “Where could she be?” she asked.
"She's probably in the bathroom or something. Come on, let's see if there is any roast beef left for us.” he said and held out a chair for her at an empty table. They both sat down as a waiter appeared and poured them some water. It was then that Andrew strode in and sat down with them, a concerned expression on his face.
"I just got off the phone with the Santa Barbara County Coroner's Office. They did an autopsy on Shelly McCoy. The semen and saliva samples taken from her body do not match the DNA profile of Donnie McCoy,” he revealed.
"What does that mean?” Beverly asked.
"It means that Donnie didn't kill Shelly.” Andrew explained, taking a sip of water.
"What?” Beverly asked floored.
"If not Donnie, then who?” Justin demanded. Andrew gulped the ice water and shrugged.
Just then a waiter appeared. “Would you like a bottle of red wine with your dinner?” he asked politely.
"Sure.” Justin replied. The waiter turned and headed back to the kitchen. “I don't think I can make it through this night sober.” Jason roamed in and plopped down at their table.
"By any chance, have you seen Lilly? She wandered off somewhere.” Beverly inquired.
"Nope.” Jason answered, his mind on other things.
"It's, all right. She's around.” Justin rubbed Beverly's back.
"You're right. I'm sure she's fine.” Beverly smiled back.
The waiter returned to their table with a bottle of Merlot. He screwed open the cork and began to pour it into their glasses. Justin took a hearty gulp. It was then that Jason noticed something funny out the big, picture window at the far side of the room. It looked like some sort of struggle going on. It was barely visible through the rose bushes, but he could have sworn he saw what looked like a hand, clawing and grabbing at empty air. He stared intently at the strange activity.
"What?” Andrew asked, noticing that his son was in alert mode.
"I think I know what's going down.” Jason got up and hastily made his way out of the dining room.
"Jason, let me handle this. You've been running around all weekend. You need to get some rest.” Andrew said following his son. Jason ignored him and sprinted outside.
"You stay here.” Justin instructed Beverly.
"Like hell.” she retorted and leapt out of her seat. They jogged outside and down the stairs, Jason's hand close to his gun. They ran around to the side of the building where the trash dumpsters and employees’ parking were.
"Oh, no!” Beverly exclaimed.
On the pavement was one of her pink Dr. Scholl sandals that she had lent to Lilly. “He's got her,” she said.
"Not for long.” Andrew stated. They snuck around the dumpsters in the dark. It was then they heard a cry for help coming from a clump of bushes behind a parked Ford Explorer. Jason shot ahead of them and around the SUV. It was hard to see in the dark, but Jason crept slowly along in the shadows—Andrew, Justin, and Beverly in hot pursuit.
"Michael?” Jason called out. “I know you're there Michael. Give it up, man.” Jason snaked around the array of parked cars, listening closely. He snuck behind a Toyota and there he saw them, hidden in behind a row of garbage cans. Michael, wild-eyed and sweating, holding Lilly by the waist, a butcher knife to her throat.
"It's over, Michael.” Jason stated firmly. Justin, Andrew, and Beverly ran to the scene. Michael was grinning and drooling like the demented fuck he was, and Lilly was petrified. Jason brandished his gun and pointed it at Michael. “You can't win, Michael. Let her go.” he commanded.
"Fuck you!” Michael sneered, saliva spewing from his mouth. “After I slit her throat, you're next!” He pointed to Jason with the butcher knife, shaking it at him.
"I'd love to see you try.” Jason smirked, holding his gun firmly.
"Michael, think about what you're doing, man.” Andrew stated, coming in close to backup his son.
"I hate you. I hate all of you. I hate everybody.” Michael shouted, gripping Lilly harder and making her yelp.
"Michael, I know what you did to Shauna. You have no chance. Now, put the knife down.” Jason said calmly.
"No, I'll slit her throat right here. I'll gut her like a pig. Don't believe me? Watch this.” Michael sneered and ran the blade of the butcher knife across Lilly's neck. A thin line of blood began to drip down and stain her pink sundress. Beverly screamed, causing some beac
hcombers to sprint over.
"Should I call 911?” a blond surfer in a wetsuit asked. Jason nodded. The man pulled a cell phone out of his bag and began to dial.
"Man, you don't want to do that.” Andrew spoke to Michael slowly, trying not to upset him more.
Michael tightened his hold on Lilly, causing her to cry out in anguish. “Don't you fucking tell me what to do!” Michael shouted, his shoulders shaking with fury.
By then a hotel security guard and a man in a suit came bouncing around the corner. “What's going on out here?” the security guard demanded, then he spied Michael. “Holy Shit!” he exclaimed.
"FBI, I've got the situation under control.” Jason told them.
It was then that sirens were heard approaching in the distance. More people started to gather around.
Michael pushed the knife harder up against Lilly's throat. “I'm not a psycho! I'm not a weirdo! I'm Michael Peterson! Nobody fucks with me!” he shouted. Lilly tried to kick and squirm in an attempt to escape.
"Michael, please. Let the girl go.” Andrew demanded. It was then that three police cruisers, lights flashing, pulled into the driveway. The wail of the sirens was almost deafening. Six uniformed policemen came rushing up to the scene, guns in hand.
"I'm Michael Peterson, nobody takes advantage of me. Nobody fucks with me. Do you hear that?” he turned Lilly's face to his. “Nobody fucks with a man, you hear me, bitch? Nobody ever fucks with a man!” Michael laughed a raw, nasty laugh and raised the knife into the air, the metal edge shining in the moonlight. As it was coming down toward Lilly's neck, a single gunshot was fired. Michael was sent flying to the ground, gushing blood and crying out in agony. Jason had shot him squarely in the shoulder.
"You're not a man, asshole!” he sneered at him and rolled him over on his stomach. Andrew quickly handcuffed him. Lilly bounded over to Justin and Beverly.
"You shouldn't have wondered off like that.” Beverly shook Lilly by the shoulders, then gave her a tight bear hug.
The paramedics arrived to take care of Michael's injuries and to make sure Lilly was okay. Luckily, she was fine. They wrapped her neck up in sterile gauze.
Michael was not so fortunate. He was put in a waiting ambulance and carted away.
In the midst of all the commotion, Jason glanced over at his brother.
"Is that bottle of red wine still on the table, because I sure need a drink?” he stated.
* * * *
They all kicked back in the sand, watching the waves crash against the surf. Justin, Beverly, Jason, Joe, Angela, Paul, Lilly, and even Shauna, came down to join them. Justin had snatched the bottle of red wine from the dining room, and they were all taking turns chugging from it.
Jason collapsed on his back into the sand, staring up at the moon. “So much for getting some rest this weekend,” he teased, putting an arm around Shauna's waist.
"Be careful not to get sand in your stitches.” she warned him.
Justin took a swig of wine from the bottle and handed it to Beverly. “What was that you said about not wanting to be sober tonight?” she smiled and took a sip.
Angela put her head on Joe's shoulder.
"Yes.” she whispered.
"Yes, what?” he asked.
"Yes, I'll come to L.A. with you.” she told him. He smiled and kissed her gently on the lips.
"So, Lilly?” Paul asked, putting a friendly arm around her. “Have you ever been surfing at night?"
"No.” she said quietly.
"Have you ever been surfing naked?” he asked grinning. Lilly blushed and shook her head.
"Want to learn?” he chided.
"Paul, no.” Beverly scolded. Paul shrugged and reached for the bottle of wine.
"Know what I want to do right now?” Justin leaned into Beverly.
"No, what?” she asked
"I have this incredible urge to play Chopin's Etude Number One in ‘C’ major. Ever heard it?” he asked her, shadowy eyes smiling.
"No.” she answered.
"You want to?"
"Sure.” The two of them got up and headed back to the hotel, arm in arm.
"It's getting late, and I have had a rough couple of days.” Jason stretched and yawned.
"That's the understatement of the year.” Angela said giggling.
"You need to get some rest too, how about I tuck you in.” Jason got up and held out his hand to Shauna. He pulled her up off the sand.
"Do you still have any of that Vicodin around?” Shauna asked him
"Honey, I have a whole drawer full,” he answered.
As Jason and Shauna made their way back up the beach to the lights of the hotel, Paul turned once again to face Lilly. “You still haven't had dinner yet?” he asked her. She shook her head and smiled mildly. “How about I buy you a burger at the coffee shop, and then we go play some video games. Sound like fun?” Lilly grinned and nodded, leaping up off the sand. They sprinted back to the lobby, leaving Joe and Angela alone on the beach.
"So, you're sure about this, coming back to L.A. with me, I mean?” Joe inquired, his big blue eyes astray.
"Joe, I've never been sure about anything in my life, with the exception of two things—N.Y.U. and a beautiful man named, Joe Peterson.” she purred, her lips close to his. They kissed passionately, and Joe rolled over on top of her. She felt his hard manliness grinding into her thigh.
"Joe, please don't stop,” she stated breathlessly.
He rubbed his hardness against her stomach, and Angela reached down to unbuckle his belt. Joe let out a sigh as she planted his belly with light kisses, following his happy trail downward with her tongue. She unzipped his jeans and gently kissed the sensitive head of his erect penis.
"Oh, Angela.” he breathed, as she took his hard throbbing manhood into her mouth. She ran her lips up and down his shaft, exploring his veins and balls with her tongue. He gripped her hair tightly with his hands, gently pushing her head up and down. She took the pointed tip of her tongue and rapidly darted it back and forth across his frenulum. She felt his muscles tense and his breathing become even more rapid. He let out a long moan as he climaxed in her mouth, which she lovingly swallowed.
He looked down at her and stroked her hair tenderly. “I really am in love with you,” he said softly.
"Good.” she replied, still on her knees.
A little old lady and her husband who happened to be strolling along the surf came upon them. They stopped and glared at Joe and Angela. “Harold, just look at those juvenile delinquents. Somebody ought to report them.” The lady hastily pointed.
Joe quickly zipped up his pants and he and Angela sprinted to his bungalow, laughing, giggling, and holding hands.
* * * *
Beverly sat next to Justin on the piano bench and listened in awe as he did his magic. The dining room was closed, the tables and chairs stacked against the wall. All the waiters had gone home for the night. The only other person was a maid who was finishing up her dusting.
When he was done, Beverly clapped enthusiastically and gave him a big hug. “God, you are so awesome! You take my breath away,” she said excitedly.
"Nah.” he said modestly.
"No, really, you are absolutely amazing.” she said squeezing his hand.
"How about some Mozart?” he began to play Elvira Madigan. Beverly watched his strong fingers as they danced with ease up and down the keyboard. The maid finished her duty and wheeled her cart out of the dining room, closing the door behind her. Beverly scooted close, putting her chin on his shoulder. He finished the song with a loud finale, and Beverly applauded.
He turned to face her. “So, what do you want to hear now?” he asked her, popping his knuckles.
"I don't want to hear anything,” she whispered. She came in close, her lips meeting his. “Have you ever made love on a piano?"
"Yes, I have. Have you?” he asked her softly, mouth open.
"No.” she purred in his ear.
"Want to?” he asked her seductivel
y.
"Uh huh.” she cooed and kissed him hard on the mouth, her tongue tracing his voluptuous lips.
"You must have read my mind,” he whispered, kissing the nape of her neck. She felt a tingle start between her legs. His hands journeyed from the piano keys to her breasts, caressing and stroking them. Justin gently lifted her up and placed her on the keyboard facing him, creating a melodious sound. The thought that somebody could walk in and discover them only added to their excitement. Justin tongue-kissed her deeply, pushing her dress up over her hips. Beverly clamped her legs around his waist and undid his jeans.
"Oh, Justin.” she moaned and his lips traveled from her neck to her breasts. He flitted his tongue across her hard nipples like a butterfly's wing. The tingle between her legs rapidly became a fire. She reached down and touched his hard penis. She spread her legs wide as he guided his penis into her wet and waiting pussy. The thrusting of both of their bodies intertwined on the piano keyboard created odd music, with their passionate moans thrown in. Beverly clung to Justin's back as he hurled his cock deep inside her, and she felt her body begin to climax.
"Oh, God, Beverly.” he moaned as his body shuddered with orgasm. He gripped her body hard, and he felt the rush of pleasure. They both collapsed, exhausted and drenched with sweat—neither one moving off the piano.
He kissed her gently on the lips. “You are fantastic,” he whispered.
"You too.” she smiled and ran her hand through his jet-black curls. “You're going back to Philly tomorrow, aren't you?"
"Yeah, for a few days to visit my mom. Then I'm going home to New York,” he told her. Beverly held back tears. Here it was; she had met her soul mate and it was only for a weekend.
"Okay, I guess I will see you around then. Look me up if you are even in San Diego,” she said quietly.
"What on earth are you talking about?” Justin asked.
"You are going to New York and I live here,” she said, tears running down her face.
"Didn't you say you wanted to be a social worker?” he asked her.
"Yes."
"I don't think there is a city in the world that needs social help more than New York,” he stated, pulling his jeans back up.
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