by P J Gilbers
DEA began.
"Good news, ladies and gentlemen, we have finally infiltrated and disbanded the one hundred and twenty two members of the drug syndicate...."
It was a good day. A very good day.
I woke with Gloria charging in.
“Wake up.”
“What? What’s going on? Did Jack get hurt? Where’s Jack?”
“Get dressed. The police are in the front living room. I’ll bring you guys some coffee. Come on, move.”
“Let me guess, you were in the military, right?”
“Right.”
I ran to the bathroom then pulled my pants and shirt on.
“What’s going on? What time is it?”
“Eleven fourteen.”
“Eleven? I never sleep until eleven.”
Sitting on the white couches of the living room was a woman with long black hair in a black pant suit. Along with Silverman. My knees were quivering. These people weren’t out for Sunday brunch. Something bad was happening.
The man in the middle stood up.
“Miss Rose, I’m Detective Wilcox, this is Special Agent Dennington,”
Jack walked in, Fritz followed.
“Dennington!” Fritz smiled.
“Nice to see you again,” she said.
Silverman introduced everyone.
Detective Wilcox walked over to me, showing me part of a picture, a picture of a dead woman. “Miss Rose do you know this woman?”
I saw it but didn’t see it. It couldn’t be real. This wasn’t supposed to happen.
“Yes. That’s Natasha. She’s a psychic. She’s dead? Oh, God, no. Not because of me?”
“It is not because of you. But we think we know who killed her. Because of how she was killed.”
The quiver in my knees spread up to my back, my stomach, my teeth.
Gloria came in with coffee. Roger followed. They both stayed in the room.
“Cut?” I whispered.
He nodded.
“Pentagram?”
“Yes,” he said.
I stumbled to the front door and started to walk down the driveway.
“No, no, no, no!”
Silverman strolled behind me.
I didn’t want to go back in that room, I didn’t want to talk to anyone or know any other horrible things ever again.
“We really need your help.” He said it as if he was asking for my grandmother’s secret to growing horseradish.
“No, no more. I can’t do this. I’m going away. I’m leaving. You’ll have to get someone else…”
He stared at me.
I walked back and sat at the piano.
“The reason we’re here is that we would like to take pictures of your scars,” Dennington said. “If we can show that the patterns, the strike marks, are identical to yours, we have a very strong case against him.”
I glanced at Jack and Gloria. No one could do this but me.
“Of course, of course.”
Dennington pulled out a camera. I raised my shirt and she snapped a few pictures.
Wilcox kept talking. “Her kids called the police because they couldn’t reach her. Welsh was kind enough to stash her in the freezer for us.”
“You see,” Wilcox walked over to me and pulled on some of the scars. “Sam, an attack like this is kind of like a work of art or a signature. Each one is unique. You see he’s drawing it wrong to be Satanist, which is what he told you he was, I believe.”
“That’s right. He said things I thought were in Latin and then he said something about giving this gift to Satan.”
“He’s not a Satanist,” Dennington concluded. “A psychopath, yes. The pentagram of Satanism is upside down, with two points on top. His is right side up, one point on top. And the pentagram means five lines. In religious ceremonies the symbol is drawn with only five lines. In yours and the victims he has drawn triangles together to make the pentagram. And, when he stabbed, you and the victim, he twisted the knife to the left. And the twists are identical.”
Tears came to my eyes and I felt incredibly sick.
“I remember the twists.”
“I’m sorry to put you through this, Sam,” Wilcox said.
I nodded.
“Just get the bastard.”
He left. I walked out of the room and went to the den, curling up on the bed. All of the darkness of hell was swallowing me up. Now I had actually caused the death of such a wonderful woman.
I heard Jack’s crutches clumping into the room.
He sat on the bed beside me and rubbed my back.
“She knew all about me. All about Welsh and you. She just had this aura that was so loving, and wise. And he did it to her. I can’t go on, Jack. How can I go on? Life is dark and evil and hopeless.”
“It feels that way now. I know, I know. But, they’ll catch him. And it’ll get better.”
Finally I stopped crying and drifted off to sleep.
At one fifteen I awoke to Sarah handing me the phone.
“…it’s Detective Wilcox. I just wanted to let you know that the victim did not die from the assault.”
“What do you mean?”
“I thought perhaps she’d had a heart attack because there wasn’t the amount of blood at the site that would be expected. But, it wasn’t a heart attack. She was drugged. I suspect she took the pills herself. We found them in the kitchen with a glass of water.
“I’m fairly certain she was alive when the assailant came in but by the time he began cutting her, her heart had stopped. I was wondering if you might know anything about this? It’s somewhat of a puzzle.”
“She was Zuria, the psychic. When she met with me she knew all about my case, including what Welsh looked like. She saw it. I suppose on that evening…she saw her death coming and made a choice how it would be.”
He was silent.
“Thank you. I appreciate your help.”
I smiled. At least Natasha had died in some amount of peace.
Robert sat by the small creek and looked at his knife.
“Still smells like the old lady,” he told Eddie.” But the bitch wouldn’t tell me where Sam was and then she passed out.”
Oscar kicked him playfully from behind knocking him into the water. Oscar and Eddie laughed hysterically.
Robert jumped up, grabbed Oscar and held the knife to his throat.
“Stop it you assholes,” Eddie threw rocks at them. “I’m hungry. How much money you got from the psychic?”He threw Oscar into the water.
“Just two hundred,” Oscar said.
“Got some stuff to hock but it’s too hot right now. We’re going to have to go into the city again. There were some kids I wanted to go see.”
“Robert, no kids. I swear I’m going to slash you myself if you go after kids,” Oscar tried to be taller and bigger.
“We could just snatch ‘em. All kinds of things I could ask for. Money. A nice boat. And money.”
“You’re obsessed with her. Stupid. It’s going to be the death of us if you keep it up,”
Monday
We were on the road at six to the ranch. I sat in the back with Fritz.
“Where were you last night?”I asked.
“Meeting up with an old friend.”
“That FBI agent. You knew her, didn’t you?”
“We were in a military training together. Years ago.”
“You like her, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
There was a prickly silence. I felt odd. I had just lost Fritz. And castles and nurseries. And kisses that made me melt.
“I’m glad.” I was lying.
There was no joking, no flirting. Just extreme, painful quiet. Finally Roger turned the news on. They reported Natasha’s death and I cried in silence, staring out the window. Fritz scooted over and put his arm around me.
“I’m so sorry,” he said. He kissed the top of my head.
“You love Miss FBI, don’t you?” I finally asked.
“We were lov
ers years ago. I…I don’t know about now.”
I nodded and watched the sun come up.
When we got to the ranch I checked Jack’s toes.
“They’re actually looking very good. But you’re putting your whole foot down.”
“And how do you know that?”
“The cast is dirty on the entire bottom of your foot! Just your toe from now on. You’ll get your boot soon. Give it time to heal.”
He looked at me.
“You’ve been crying.”
“Some.”
“Do you want Roger to take you back?”
“No. Unless John throws me off the set.”
“Not likely.”
He hobbled to costume.
“I’ll bring you some breakfast and coffee,” I said and went to the food tent.
The costume tent was utter chaos. I found Jack and gave him his food then had to leave to get out of the way.
Fritz was gone so I found an old stump to sit on and drink my coffee.
It was sprinkling and the crew started donning parkas. I was getting wet and cold. I looked up and David was standing next to me.
“Hi.”
“Hello. You look cold. Take my coat.”
He draped it around me, then pulled me to him.
Some men are like wild bull rides, I thought, and some are like warm overcoats. David was definitely the coat. A very nice coat.
We kissed, a long surprising kiss.
“Jack called. Told me there was a woman murdered. You knew her. I’m so sorry.”
“Thanks.”
“I have a plane, you know.”
“You have a plane? I barely have a steering wheel.”
He laughed.
“One phone call and we could be on our way. London. Paris. Athens. Rio. Milan. You name it. He certainly can’t find you there.”
“You’re serious, aren’t you?”
“I haven’t stopped thinking about Saturday night. I’m all yours, my dear. Whatever you want I’ll make happen.”
“What if I wanted a pink sky?”
“Rose colored glasses.”
“Have dinner with the President.”
“Done.”
“A designer dress to match my eyes.”
“No problem.”
“In two days.”
“Easy.”
I laughed. “And what could I do for you? Me with barely a steering wheel?”
“Go away with me. Now.”
I shook my head.
A regal looking Jack, decked out in his gladiator outfit, lumbered over to us. I moved a step away from David.
“Jack! You look great!” David said, grinning. “I think I’ll wear a cuirass to my next investor’s meeting. You’ll make the cover of GQ.”
Jack was mad, looking at me and then David.
“Oh my God, here comes trouble,” I said looking over his shoulder.
John Black stormed over to us.
“I want this bitch out of here,” he said in a loud whisper. “I see you’re paying her now, David. Good tits, right? Top figure ass. She blow good, too? I’m sure you can afford her.”
Jack swung at him but missed, losing his balance.
“You’re fired,” David said calmly. “I’ve been wanting to fire you since we began this project. You’re a slimy, bottom feeder. You leave a trail of stench and filth everywhere you go. Now get off the set and don’t come back.”
“David, hey, I’m sorry about that comment. She’s great. Real class act. I’m just a little irritable since she glued my dick to a piece of wood. And the whole camp is laughing.
“But..I can adjust. Sorry, huh? Let’s get moving, huh, Jack? All professionals here. This weather is not cooperating.” He laughed nervously.
“This has nothing to do with Sam. It has to do with you and what a jack ass you are. Get out of here before I call some big, scary men with guns to throw you out.”
John stormed away, slid in the mud and fell.
David walked onto the set.
“Kelly, Kelly!”
She ran up to him.
“Can you handle the rest of the day?”
She nodded.
The crew was dead silent.
“Tell everyone we’re closed down after today until I can get a new director.”
I gave David his coat back. I tried to slink away. I hid out in the car, angry, humiliated, ready to explode. Tears kept sneaking down my cheeks.
Fritz opened the opposite door and slid in next to me.
“Ding, dong, the dick is dead.”
“Yeah.”
“Those do not seem to be tears of joy.”
“Once again I looked like a whore. Now David’s whore.”
“You know, and I’m not saying you’re a whore for God’s sakes, but we are all whores if you look at it that way. We perform a service. Someone pays us. If we do it well we get paid more. That’s how life works.”
I shook my head and stared out the window.
“Life is so confusing. I’ve spent two nights with Jack now, which I’m sure the whole house knows, and then David walks up and…confusing.”
“Not if you don’t want it to be. You love Jack. You always have. And he’s bloody mad about you. You need to spend some time with Jack. Alone. Maybe cook dinner for him. Something quiet. You can talk.”
“Still scares me, Fritz. Don’t want it to.”
He leaned over and kissed me then slipped his hand between my legs.
“Feels good?”
I nodded, moaning.
“That’s all. It’s supposed to feel good. Spend time with Jack. You’re making great progress. I would give you a million bucks to sleep with you. Even though I’m…you know with Dennington… the offer still stands. Now I’m going to leave and get us some lunch, before I rip your clothes off.” He winked and got out.
Ted was pacing next to a swimming pool with dolphins. “This is a mistake. I knew it. She chose Mr. Hollywood and there’s going to be nothing but trouble. David or Fritz… they just love her. This Jack… he just wants to own her.”
“He loves her. You’ll see.”
“You’re too trusting, just like she is. I’m telling you…”
I tried to catch my breath and calm down after Fritz’ fly-by seducing. The rain stopped.
Jack was in the middle of the field, standing without the crutches, making a loud, passionate speech to a large group of men dressed like peasants.
I wandered about, feeling lost. I saw Roger on a horse, riding around the grounds. If Jack and Fritz hadn’t been in the picture I definitely would have gone out with Roger.
He had his tee shirt off and he was solid, gorgeous, lickable muscle. I leaned against a fence and waited for him to ride by me.
He held his hand down to me.
“Come on, let’s go for a ride.” He was watching around me particularly the distant trees.
He pulled me up without straining an eyelash. I was amazed at how tall the horse was.
“I’ve never been on a horse.”
“Scared?”
“Yeah. They’re huge.”
“Don’t be. I’ve got you, I’ll go slow. I like to go slow,” he nibbled on my neck.
What was it with men today? David. Fritz. And now Roger. Must be some sort of pollen in this country air.
“I need to go to the grocery store.”
“No way. Tell Sarah what you want and she’ll get it for you.”
“Why?”
“Strict orders from Silverman.”
“Just a little run to the store?”
He held me tighter, slipping his hands lower. I couldn’t help but lean back into him.
“You shouldn’t even be out here in the open. I would not be surprised if Welsh is here, watching. If he’d just wanted you dead he would have shot you by now.”
He called Sarah and handed me the phone.
I gave her a list and hung up.
“You’re cooking? Am I invited?” he laughed.
“Damn, Jack is a lucky man. You ever need a warm bed at night, just call me. You need to give up on these old dudes and have some fresh, exceedingly hard flesh.” He gave me a hard thrust.
His phone rang. “Oh. Right on cue. His majesty is looking for you. He can get so bitchy.”
He nudged the horse and it galloped, scaring me. I held him tighter and he laughed.
Jack was waiting by one of the tents looking irritated. Roger put me down. I did a Jerry Lewis dance trying to find the ground.
“Put your shirt on. You’re making the rest of us look bad.”
“That’s the idea,” he laughed and rode out to a line of trees across the field.
Jack glanced at the area.
“I thought you might like to go out tonight,” he glanced at my wrist. I’d taken the bracelet off.
“Roger said I couldn’t even go to the store. I was thinking that perhaps we could eat in and I could cook for you.”
He smiled. “You’ve never cooked for me before.”
“You have that love lust in your eyes again.”
“Yes I do.”
“Good,” I whispered and kissed him.
Sarah was gone when Roger brought me back but she left me a note telling me where everything was.
I turned the music on and made my chicken with mushrooms in wine sauce and wild rice. Then I made double decadent brownies. I had been craving brownies all day.
At seven thirty Jack came in. Roger and Fritz were gone.
“Roger’s taking a nap. He’s been staying here twenty-four seven, you know, and Fritz is…”
“Dennington.”
“Right.”
“You look so tired.”
He put his crutches down and walked to me, putting his arms around me.
“I’m tired and I’m starving and I want you more than I want air. You’d better feed me soon or your clothes are coming off.”
“Dining room.”
We ate in the huge room in the soft glow of candlelight.
“Are you sure Sarah didn’t make this?”
“This is my meal I used to cook when I knew the guy was becoming bedroom serious.”
“’Bedroom serious.’ Now there’s a term I like.”