Phantom of Execution Rocks

by MJ Miller

  Turning to face him, she raised her eyebrows and pursed her lips.

  “As I thought. Ready?”

  “Ready as I’ll ever be.”

  As they headed out towards the front door, Andy stopped short. “The package. Maybe we should see what that’s about?” His tone clearly meant it wasn’t a question.

  She stepped over to the table, picked up the box, shook it lightly and examined it.

  “No return address. Just my name, clearly it was just dropped off. Should I be worried?” Luce tipped her head and looked at Andy. Hoping he wasn’t concerned.

  “Do you mind?” He asked her, glancing at the box and nodding.

  Shrugging, she waited while he slipped a pair of gloves on.

  “Always prepared, aren’t you?” she snipped as she handed him the box.

  “Let’s sit, take a look,” he said quietly, examining the box.

  As they sat on the sofa, he placed the box on the table and began to examine it more carefully. Checking the seams, the tape and tapping the sides.

  “Well? Aren’t you going to open it?” She began tapping her foot nervously.

  “Scissors?” he asked, holding out his hand. Luce just stared at it.

  “Why did you have me sit down here if you needed me to go get scissors?” She huffed as she stood and headed into the kitchen. Andy bit back a grin. He knew he shouldn’t tease her like this, but really, he thought, it was too easy. And the way her eyes blazed when she got fired up was irresistible.

  Returning, she handed him the scissors, then stood hovering over his shoulder as he slid the scissors neatly through the top seam and popped the top two flaps open. Luce had to lean all the way over to peer inside, realizing too late her chest was practically in his face. Quickly straightening up, she regrouped and stepped back.

  “Maybe you could take whatever’s in there out?” She asked quietly. Directing her gaze anywhere but his direction. Knowing he probably had that smirk on his face.

  “My pleasure, Luce,” he replied chuckling. It was about as awkward a moment as she’d had in a while and was really throwing her off her game. Until he placed the object on the table and removed the bubble wrap.

  Without thinking, Luce instinctively placed her hand on Andy’s shoulder as she stared at it, stunned into silence.

  “Is that for real?” Luce whispered.

  “I think so,” Andy replied in a hushed tone as well. “The question is, who sent it?”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  “You didn’t tell me everyone else would be here,” Luce remarked as they pulled up, spotting the other cars in the driveway. “I recognize Bill’s truck, and Julie’s bug, who’s SUV is that?”

  “Kat’s. When Chris said we should come tonight, have dinner and stay over, he told me to invite her as well. One last summer barbecue before the chaos begins.” Andy shrugged. “You could use some down time. You do realize we’ll miss the annual 4th Barbecue, right?”

  “Yes, and that’s another thing. We weren’t supposed to have to start filming until after the holiday.” She shook her head.

  It had been a crazy week. Putting a new series together in two weeks’ time from idea to fruition was a monumental task. Impossible some would have said. But as Luce came to learn quickly, when there’s money and power behind decisions, they get implemented quickly.

  “You know, I couldn’t have done this without Kat. Thanks for sharing her with me.” Luce said quietly. “She’s really quite amazing.”

  “Got that right,” Andy replied as he got out and came around to open Luce’s door. “Shall we?” He grinned as he held out his arm, elbow crooked, to help her out. Luce grinned back. If nothing else, Andy Holman was sure nice to have around sometimes. Sometimes.

  “So, is everyone clear on the schedule for tomorrow?” Luce dove right in once they’d all settled around the large patio dining table.

  “No work talk, sis,” Annie laughed. “Tonight is just good food, good company and free flowing cocktails. For those who can have them,” she added, patting her tummy.

  “Are you sure, Annie? Really sure? Because Andy and I have something to show you all. But if you aren’t interested of course,” Luce let her voice trail off haughtily. Picking up her glass, she took a sip of her wine and placed it back in front of her, twirling it between her fingers. “I suppose it’s nothing really.”

  “If it’s nothing, darlin, you wouldn’t have mentioned it,” Bill called out.

  “Very true,” Chris remarked. “What do you have?” he demanded, turning to Andy, who held his hands up in mock surrender.

  “Not my show,” he laughed.

  “So today as I was finishing packing, the buzzer rang. When I went to answer it, nobody was there.”

  Everyone waited silently for her to go on.

  “I went back to packing and it buzzed again. Again, nobody was there.”

  Luce reached down to pick up her purse, which she’d set down by her feet. Placing it on the table, she reached in and gently lifted out the item she’d received earlier, which they’d carefully repackaged in the bubble wrap.

  “Then Andy arrived, and found this on my doorstep,” Luce continued, raising it in her hands so everyone could see.

  “And? What is it?” Annie demanded, earning a quelling look from Luce.

  “Patience, sister dear,” she replied dryly, turning to Andy. “Maybe you ought to do this, Andy. Do you have those silly gloves?” Luce smiled at him, he was seated next to her, leaning comfortably back in his chair.

  “Not silly,” he chuckled, “but yeah, hang on.” He reached into a side pocket of his cargo shorts and magically produced a pair of blue gloves.

  He snapped the gloves in place on his hands, and took the curious item from her, while she slid his plate away to make room, and wiped the tablecloth as well.

  “Well then, shall we?” Andy began to carefully peel off the wrapping, occasionally popping a bubble or two for fun, causing Luce to raise her eyebrows and roll her eyes.

  Once the wrapping was removed, he laid it out in the center of the table as a protective surface and set the object down so everyone could see.

  “What is it?” Mark squinted his eyes, “other than old and tarnished?”

  “Looks like one of those snuff boxes, if you ask me!” Bill said gruffly.

  “No way, it’s a pill box!” Jen said emphatically.

  Everyone was standing around the long rectangular table now and leaning into look, nudging each other out of the way.

  It was an old flat silver box, only about a half inch in depth.

  “Looks like a powder puff or a pocket mirror,” Julie remarked.

  “It’s engraved with something,” Mark called out.

  “Who’s got a magnifying glass? Chris you must have one, right?” Annie pulled at Chris to move him aside, laughing.

  “I’ve got one.”

  Everyone stopped talking and looked at Kat, who was grinning and reaching into the tote bag hanging on her chair.

  “Listen, when you don’t have mobility, you learn to cope.” Kat chuckled. “You become that game show contestant who packs the kitchen sink in her bag. Now since I’ve got the eyepiece, I get to look first!”

  Luce grinned at her assistant, and nodded to Andy to give it to Kat, who was at the end of the table.

  Gently picking up the strange flat metal box, he stood, and carried it carefully over to Kat, and then stood next to her as she began to examine it. He knew it was only fair to let her have first crack at it. They hadn’t had time to examine it back at Luce’s apartment, but they had opened it. And knew there was more to come.

  “Damn,” Kat whispered. “Too much tarnish. Can’t make it out but I think they are initials.”

  “May I?” Andy asked, nodding at the eyepiece. Kat handed it to him, pursing her lips, indicating her displeasure. “You won’t do any better, but here.”

  “Damn,” he whispered. “She’s right.”

  Kat smiled, shaking her head
, sharing a glance with Luce.

  “Can I open it now?” Kat looked at her uncle. “Please?” she added for good measure, somewhat sarcastically.

  “Oooh, it opens?” Annie cried out, clapping her hands. “What’s in it?”

  “Maybe if we give her a chance to open it, everyone can find out!” Luce laughed.

  Andy reached into his pocket, producing a second pair of gloves, causing everyone to laugh at his preparedness.

  “Ok, drum roll please?” Kat spoke quietly as she snapped her gloves in place, mimicking her uncle, then delicately grasped the old hook clasp on the front side of the strange piece. Releasing the hook, she lifted the lid very carefully.

  “Well shitfire and sandstone!” Kat exclaimed loudly.

  “Language, Kat!” Andy responded instinctively.

  “All grown up here, Uncle Andrew,” Kat reminded him, laughing.

  “Say Kat, are you going to show us?” Annie asked in frustration. “Come on!”

  Kat reached in the box and pulled out the tiny key lying inside. It was small but ornate and just as tarnished as the box.

  There was silence for just a moment as everyone stared at the key.

  Chris spoke first. “Any idea what it’s for?”

  “I’ll tell you what it’s not. It’s not a door key,” Andy stated matter-of-factly.

  “No way that could open, or start, anything I own,” Bill shook his head, confused. “And I have every kind of toolbox and gadget known to man.”

  “How about we make a list of things it could open?” Annie suggested.

  “Good idea, Annie, could you do that?”

  “Of course. As I’m not allowed on set at least I can do something!”

  “We still need to figure out who sent it, don’t we?” Chris asked as he sat back down. “That might help.”

  “So. Do we include this in the show? Or use it behind the scenes?” Luce mused out loud.

  “Judging from the shows I’ve seen, the host always discusses the clues they have,” Jen tossed in.

  “True, but Andy didn’t receive it, I did.” Luce replied.

  “But he found the package, therefore, it’s part of his reality,” Mark mused.

  “But what if the sender doesn’t want it to be revealed?” Kat piped up. “We don’t know who sent it, we don’t know why, and we don’t know the state of their mental health. Just putting it out there.”

  They all pondered that for a moment.

  “I don’t think there is anything sinister about the key or the box.” Andy remarked. Only about the delivery of it from an unknown sender, he thought. “What say we pack it up and put it away for now. I heard a rumor there’s cheesecake?” Andy grinned and looked over at Chris.

  “Three kinds!” Annie jumped up. “And I get first dibs on the toffee caramel.”

  Everyone began to chatter once more, as Luce put the box and key away, while Jen and Bill began clearing the dinner dishes to make way for dessert. Andy once more relaxed in his chair, this time resting one arm along the back of Luce’s chair. It was turning out to be a perfect night, he thought. Good friends, fabulous food, intrigue and mystery. And Luce. Most would say at their age, this whole mating dance was unnecessary. Why flirt? Why waste time? Because Luce needed time. He sensed her skittishness right alongside her attraction. She needed time to see that they were just as meant to be together as Chris and Annie. Time to recognize that he wasn’t Jack. And that this wasn’t fleeting. He turned toward her and smiled, gauging her reaction. His gaze remained steady as she returned it, flicked a glance towards his arm and back to his eyes. Soon, he thought. Soon.

  Luce was used to episodes of insomnia. Staring up at the dark ceiling. Thoughts racing through her head. Especially the night before a new production shoot. But that’s not where her mind was going. It was Andy. She fought the images. The striking good looks. The charm. The attraction. She’d been battling with herself for a decade over the same man. Maybe it was time to give in and see where it went. Maybe that would be the only way to end her misery. Sighing, she sat up, swung her legs over the side of the bed, stood, and walked over to the window and sat on the small bench beside it. The view was spectacular and calming. The soft glow of moonlight reflected on the water. The occasional flickering light from a passing boat, not yet ready to dock. Leaning her head against the windowpane, she imagined how this might have looked exactly the same several hundred years earlier. Closing her eyes, she slowly dozed into a light sleep.

  Only to be woken suddenly by a boom and flash. So sudden she didn’t know if it was part of her dream or if she’d been awake the whole time. What she did know, was that she was awake now and the fiery orange glow of the blaze in the water was no dream.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Andy awoke with a start, immediately succumbing to an urge to spit and heave. As he became more aware he realized his mouth had a gritty, sandy, salty taste. Lifting his head, he took note of his surroundings. He was lying on his side, at the water’s edge. The water gently lapped at his feet. Rolling his shoulders and flexing his feet, he felt no sharp pains. Nothing to indicate any injury. Slowly sitting up, he rubbed the wet sand off his face and ran his fingers over his scalp to massage it out as well. Dressed in a pair of fleece sweatpants, no shirt, he was soaked. The tide was going out but it didn’t explain how the hell he’d ended up there. Last thing he remembered, he’d awoken in the guest room to the sound of an explosion and looking out had seen a fireball over the water.

  Standing up, he looked about. It was quiet. Nothing to indicate anything had happened at all. Turning to go toward the house, he spotted a shadow in the distance by the rocks. As he headed over to investigate he realized what it was and quickly ran over.

  “Luce, wake up. Hey, Luce” Andy spoke softly, gently shaking her shoulder. “Come on babe, let’s open those eyes.” He exhaled a long breath, and reached down, picked her up out of the sand, and, cradling her in his arms, strode quickly back over to the patio, setting her down in the chaise lounge. She hadn’t woken, but she was wet and chilled. Wearing only a pair of shorts and a skimpy tank, hypothermia could easily set in.

  Not wanting to wake anyone in the house, he tried to stay quiet. He looked around and noticed the wooden chest by the door. Figuring it must contain the beach supplies, he gently lifted the lid and blew out a sigh of thanks. Towels. Grabbing a few, he noticed a plaid blanket as well. Perfect. He quickly went back to where he’d left Luce and laid the blanket over her. Andy took one towel and began drying her off. Her unresponsive state had him worried, he was willing to do anything to wake her. He picked her up once again, and headed inside and up to his room. Laying her down in his bed, he crawled in next to her, and wrapped his arms around her to keep them both warm until she woke up. Whatever had caused them both to doze off on the beach like that wasn’t anything normal. He knew that. He felt her move and whispered softly.

  “Luce, hey, wake up honey. Open your eyes.”

  “Ouch!” He let out a muffled cry as Luce’s head came straight back smashing into his face.

  “What the hell?” Luce practically shouted as she tried to move away.

  “Shh… it’s just me, and it isn’t what you think, just relax for a sec. I’ll explain,” Andy kept his voice low and calm.

  Luce turned toward him, then gasped realizing how close they were.

  “This better be good, detective,” she warned him, keeping her voice down. She wasn’t sure why, but she knew she wasn’t going to like whatever he had to say. Whatever landed her in bed with Andy Holman had to be a doozy.

  “There was an explosion, out on the water,” he began quietly.

  “Yeah, I saw it,” Luce murmured. “What was it?”

  “I have no idea, but somehow we both must have gone to check it out. Whether together or alone, I couldn’t say.”

  “I don’t know, I don’t remember anything after that. Just a big ball of fire low in the sky over the water.” Luce shook her head softly.

&nbs
p; “Same here. I woke up and found myself lying in the wet sand, at the edge of the water. When I got up, I found you lying quite a distance away. I tried to wake you, but you were out like a light.”

  “Well, that’s one way to cure my insomnia,” Luce muttered. “How’d we get here?”

  “Um, hmm… maybe I’ll save that part for later?” Andy joked, then let out an “oomph” as Luce’s elbow backed into his rib cage.

  “How long were we out? What time is it?” Luce lifted her head to look at the clock on the nightstand. “That can’t be right, Andy. It says 12:32 am. It was almost 12:30 when I saw the explosion!”

  “I know. I’m not sure. Maybe there was a power outage. Hang on, I’ll check my phone.” He scooted away from Luce, regretting the action the minute he felt the cool air between them. Knowing once he got out of the bed, he wouldn’t be able to crawl back in.

  He stood and walked over to the dresser where he’d left his phone.

  “Well, it’s not 12:32.”

  “Whew,” Luce sighed.

  “It’s now 12:33” Andy murmured.

  “What? That can’t be,” Luce grumped. “Impossible.”

  He turned toward the bed and watched with amusement as Luce gathered up the blanket and snuggled deep under the covers. Sprawling out, she left no doubt that she was claiming her space.

  “Impossible or not, we’re not going to solve this tonight. We saw something. We investigated. And we’ve no recollection of what happened. We’ll determine what everyone else saw or heard in the morning before we head over to Mrs. Bowers.”

  “Oh my god I almost forgot we start production tomorrow. Holy...” Luce’s voice faded out.

  “Holy what?” Andy prodded.

  But Luce was already asleep again. This was definitely a conversation for another day.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  “So, we’re agreed? We tell no one, not even Annie,” Andy said quietly, gripping the wheel so tightly his knuckles were visibly white.