“Christ, man,” Joe yelled while attempting to slip out of his gasoline-soaked shirt. “This isn’t funny! I won’t tell anyone, I swear!”
A brilliant red light appeared near the opening. Joe jerked and slid against the back of the trunk while staring with horror as the flare was dropped through the opening. The gasoline immediately ignited, setting the interior of the trunk and Joe into flames. Outside, the phantom casually walked away from the sports car as smoke wafted from the trunk. Joe’s agonizing screams quickly subsided.
Chapter Thirty-seven
The diner was crowded as it was most Friday evenings during the dinner hour. Most older locals preferred the diner to the more expensive restaurants at the resort area on the other side of town. The younger generation preferred the resort clubs and the food court at the newly constructed mall. Ross and Tony sat at a booth after they’d finished their meal and watched with mounting tension as Marlene set the bill on the table between them. The two men exchanged looks and refused to make a move for the bill.
Marlene returned to the counter as Brant entered. He approached the counter, offered a pleasant smile, and received his ‘to go’ order. Marlene did her best to flirt with the shy, handsome man. Brant attempted to pay his bill and leave but couldn’t seem to complete the transaction as Marlene continued with her obvious seduction scene. She finally accepted his money, allowing Brant to make his escape. Ross and Tony were now locked in a battle of wills as they pushed the food bill across the table in a silent attempt to get the other to pay.
“You’ve gotten free lunches from me all week,” Tony insisted while glaring at his friend. “The least you can do is pay for dinner.”
Finally admitting defeat, Ross dug into his pocket and revealed some bills. “You’re becoming a real nag; you know that?”
Marlene approached their table and smiled while refreshing their coffee. Tony immediately declined before she could pour more into his cup.
“Sheriff Carter was in here earlier,” Marlene informed them. “Karl’s still at large. Something tells me the sheriff doesn’t think he did it,” Marlene announced with disappointment. “I hoped it had been him. I don’t like having an unsolved murder hanging over our town.”
“Yeah, I was rooting for it to be Karl too,” Ross remarked.
“I overheard Sheriff Carter and Deputy Havens discussing the murders,” Marlene informed them. “Supposedly, someone saw Jamie’s car driving on the backroads early Friday morning.”
“That’s right,” Ross remarked. “They never did find her car.” He eyed Tony and Marlene. “That almost proves it was Karl, doesn’t it? He probably stole Jamie’s car and made his getaway.”
“I don’t think so,” Marlene informed him. “It was really weird. Whoever saw Jamie’s car said it was being driven by someone wearing a phantom mask and what they thought to be a purple cape.”
Ross stared at her a moment with some surprise and nearly choked on the words. “As in white mask, burnt faced phantom?”
She nodded then immediately cringed. “Creepy, huh?”
Tony gave Ross a strange look. Ross shifted uncomfortably in his chair. Tony immediately took his cue and blurted out the first thing that came to mind.
“Maybe Joe killed Paula,” Tony suggested. “His sister was friends with Jamie too. There could be motive there, right?”
“That abandoned farmhouse is a long way to go from his house without a car,” Marlene insisted. “They took Joe’s license away after his last drunk driving accident, and he had to sell his car to pay the fines.” She disapprovingly shook her head. “Honestly, Tony, you’re behind on town gossip.”
“My clients don’t gossip much,” he teased.
“Do you ever consider dating live girls?” Marlene asked while raising a clever brow.
“On occasion.”
Ross rolled his eyes. He didn’t seem to like when others were the ones cracking jokes. That was his department.
“How about meeting me for drinks at the tavern after work?” Marlene asked. “I get off at ten.”
Tony appeared surprised by the invitation, fidgeted a moment, and then offered a pleased smile. “I, uh, well, I’d like that.”
Ross stared at both with disbelief.
“Great,” Marlene announced while practically turning giddy. “I’ll meet you there around eleven.”
Marlene turned and walked away with an added spring in her step.
Ross immediately leaned across the table and stared at Tony with near horror. “You made a date with Marlene?” he gasped.
“Yeah, so?” Tony remarked and cast a look after the waitress. “She’s an attractive woman. I don’t know in what universe a woman that attractive would want a guy like me, but I’m not going to turn her down.”
Ross shook his head and leaned back in his seat. “Have you ever asked yourself why a woman that gorgeous is still single?” He leaned across the table, practically lunging for his friend. “Bypassing the fact that Marlene is a bit of a psycho bitch, her overly protective brother is one of those biker guys with tattoos covering half his body,” he informed him. His eyes then widened. “I heard they’re still picking her last boyfriend out of the tread of his hog.”
Tony stared at Ross with his mouth hanging open. “The guy the size of a tank that I’ve seen riding through town? That’s her brother?”
Ross nodded then shook his head. “I’d be willing to bet you a thousand dollars he’ll be at the tavern tonight,” he announced. “And his eyes will be on you and his sister.”
“My first date in months,” Tony groaned. “I should have known it was too good to be true.” He leaned across the table and spoke softly to Ross. “Should I not show up?”
“Are you insane?” Ross practically cried out in a whisper as his eyes widened. “He’ll break you in two if you do that!”
Tony leaned back in his seat and groaned. “So if I go out with her; her brother will kill me, but if I don’t go out with her; her brother will kill me.”
Ross casually nodded. “Yeah, you’re pretty much screwed either way.”
§
Marlene walked out of the diner that night with another waitress. They waved to each other then separated and went to their own cars. Marlene opened her car door and climbed inside. She started the car and fumbled within her purse as the other car pulled away. She removed her lipstick and turned the rearview mirror in her direction. In the mirror, she saw the white phantom mask staring back at her. She gasped and grabbed for the door handle.
A nylon rope circled her neck, and the phantom pulled back on it. Marlene clutched the rope and attempted to pull it free. The owner of the diner could be seen through the window still cleaning the grill. She slammed her hand on the horn to get his attention, but there was no sound! Marlene gasped and struggled against the rope. She finally slumped over the steering wheel out cold. The phantom leaped from the back seat while keeping low to avoid being seen by the cook inside the diner and opened the driver’s side door. He pulled Marlene from the front seat and dragged her into the back seat. The phantom then jumped into the driver’s seat and drove away from the diner.
§
Marlene slowly woke and immediately realized she was tied to an old, wooden chair within a mostly dark, dank basement. The basement was within a home at least one hundred years old. It had a dirt floor, low ceiling, and an old coal stove that hadn’t been used in years. The sole light source was a single light bulb on a chain near the rickety, old stairs. Marlene immediately went into panic mode and attempted to scream through the duct tape across her mouth, but it was no use.
She fought against the duct tape binding her wrists to the arms of the wooden chair but couldn’t free herself. The chair was so old; it creaked with every movement. She stopped struggling a moment and looked down at the old chair. Despite that her ankles were duct taped together, they weren’t bound to the chair. She attempted to stand while picking up the chair, which was attached to her wrists. She teetered a moment then was able to
maintain her balance.
Marlene shut her eyes, drew a deep breath, and cast herself and the chair to the dirt floor. One of the wooden legs splintered, although it didn’t break off. She inhaled deeply and again attempted to stand with the chair. She teetered a moment and again caught her balance. A shadow fell over her from the dim light of the sole light bulb near the stairs. She immediately looked in front of her and saw the phantom standing only a few feet before her. She attempted to scream through the duct tape. The phantom pushed her backward with just enough force to knock her into the chair and the chair to the floor. The splintered wooden leg cracked and nearly gave out.
The phantom revealed a large hunting knife. Marlene let out a terrified gasp and attempted to rock the chair. Before the chair toppled, the phantom grabbed her by the throat and held her immobile. She gasped and wheezed beneath his gloved hand. He plunged the knife forward into her abdomen. Marlene muffled a painful cry. He pulled the knife free allowing her blood to pour out and saturate her shirt. Marlene gasped for several minutes while the phantom stood over her and watched her bleed out. Her eyes finally rolled back as she exhaled her last breath.
Chapter Thirty-eight
Devon hurried through the displays and nervously looked at her watch. It was Saturday morning, and she was late for the first time since she started working at the museum. She stopped and stared at the newest display with a werewolf. The woman within the display was caked with makeup. Her brown wig needed more work, and the clothes were wrong for the time-period. Devon rolled her eyes and continued toward the workshop. She entered the workshop and stopped within the doorway. Brant sat on his stool before a wax woman and painted her fingernails. He looked like a manicurist in a nail salon. Devon smiled warmly and approached.
“Thank goodness you’re back,” she announced. “Sorry, I’m late.”
Brant glanced at her briefly and smiled. “And not a moment too soon. I didn’t know Tyler had you working this morning.”
“I didn’t think you were coming back until this afternoon.”
“Actually, I was back last night,” Brant informed her. “I’d spent half the night working on some displays.” He gently cleared his throat. “I see Tyler was busy with some waxworks of his own.”
“Yes. He thinks he’s found his calling,” she teased. “What would you like me to do this morning?”
“Repair Tyler’s creations before they make me physically ill,” he announced then reluctantly sighed. “But we’ll wait until he leaves. Afterward, we can finish restoring our zombie flood victims and return them to their display.”
Devon couldn’t deny she was slightly tense to see Brant again. She could almost feel the tension between them, particularly with the way Brant didn’t look at her. She didn’t want to bring up the beach house party in hopes Brant would eventually say something. The longer they remained in the room together without him mentioning it, the more she realized he was trying to forget about an uncomfortable moment.
§
Devon rolled a wax woman strapped to a dolly into the werewolf display. The werewolf display was a creepy wooded scene with small hills, rocks, and fake trees. It made the dolly harder to push with her wax reconstructed woman. The frightening werewolf was already set up in an attacking position with large teeth exposed. As Devon rolled the werewolf’s victim closer to the creature, she was chilled at the sight. The teeth and snout were stained with fake blood from the victim already on the ground not far from where she was to place the new victim. Devon looked from the sharp, bloodstained teeth to the mildly torn victim on the ground. The wax woman had her throat ripped out with enough fake blood to make Devon nauseous.
It wasn’t her place, but she felt the kills should be less gruesome. Parents might complain about the gory detail Brant seemed able to bring to life with makeup and paint. She arranged the newly arrived victim in her place before adjusting her dress and hair. She patted the woman on the shoulder.
“Good luck,” Devon announced under her breath to the wax woman.
She was about to push the dolly from the display when she gave the victim on the ground another glance. Her wounds were extremely realistic and beyond chilling. It was almost too much. Devon crouched alongside the dying wax woman and studied the torn flesh. The blood almost looked wet. Devon held her breath and reached out to touch it. Blood suddenly spurt from her neck. Devon cried out and fell onto her backside. She heard Ross laughing. She looked across the display and saw her friend with the remote control.
He gave her a serious look and pointed a warning finger. “The sign says do not touch the displays,” he threatened.
She glared at him and sprang to her feet. “What if I touched the dickhead who created the display?” Devon lashed out.
Ross raised his brows. “That sounds like sexual harassment to me,” he announced. “Although it’s possible Brant might enjoy it.”
She shook her head in disgust and brushed the fake dirt from her lab coat and pants. “Payback is a bitch Ross,” Devon informed him.
“I look forward to it,” he announced then laughed evilly. He blew her a kiss and ran from the display before she could chase him.
§
An hour later, Brant kneeled beside the grave in the cemetery display and fixed the clothing on the female zombie sticking out of the ground. He sat back and gave the wig an added toss. Just then, he heard a low, creepy moan. A zombie appeared above the tombstone near him. Brant jumped with surprise and fell onto his backside. He stared at the zombie then looked behind him. Devon stood near the doorway holding the remote control. She laughed at his expense. Brant stood while hiding his smile and brushed off the fake dirt.
“I suppose I deserved that.”
Devon approached Brant and looked at the female zombie. The zombie wore an old flowered dress with a lacy collar.
“Are you seriously going to leave her dressed in this?” Devon asked.
Brant eyed the zombie with some surprise. “Yeah, why not?”
“Looks like something my mother would wear,” she retorted.
Brant studied the wax woman a moment longer then frowned. “Yeah, mine too. You’re right. It goes.” Brant unbuttoned the zombie’s dress while shaking his head. “I’ve undressed more women today--”
Devon moved closer and watched him fumble with the tiny buttons. Brant glanced at her and appeared slightly embarrassed.
“That sounded bad,” he muttered.
Devon handed him the remote, which he placed in his jacket pocket. She watched him a moment longer then shifted uncomfortably at the obvious tension while she was in the room.
“I was hoping we could talk about the other night,” Devon announced timidly.
Brant avoided looking at her while fumbling with the dress. Although he acted casual, he was extremely tense. “Okay,” he remarked timidly.
Devon continued to watch him work. She placed her hand on his and stopped him from working on the buttons. He hesitated and met her serious gaze.
“There’s a tremendous amount of tension between us since the party,” she informed him. “You have to be feeling it too.”
Brant immediately fidgeted and became flustered. “I’m sorry about what happened on the beach,” he blurted out his apology as if it had been weighing heavily upon him. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable, especially after what happened at your father’s ranch. I was stupid and impulsive. Please don’t quit.”
His rambling apology surprised her. She stared at him a moment longer while holding her breath.
“I don’t want you to apologize, Brant,” she gently informed him.
She became uncomfortable and stared at him a long moment, unable to express herself. Brant stared back in silence as if attempting to read her expression. Devon forced a smile and waved him off.
“Never mind,” she remarked timidly. “It’s not that important.”
Brant caught her hand, forcing her to stop and face him. They stared into each other’s eyes a long moment. Br
ant took an aggressive step toward her, pulled her against him, and kissed her passionately. Devon appeared surprised but quickly relaxed and returned the kiss before he had a chance to reconsider. Brant broke off the kiss and pulled away while looking into her eyes.
“I’m really bad at reading women,” he replied timidly. “Was that the correct response?”
Devon smiled with embarrassment and nodded. Brant’s smile brightened. He kissed her again and with more urgency. She clung to him and returned the kiss, barely able to contain her rising passion. They heard someone approaching and immediately jumped apart. Devon was becoming tired of people interrupting her brief romantic moments. Brant returned to the female zombie and continued with the dress. Devon grabbed a hair pick, turned to one of the male zombies, and pretended to be working.
Tyler entered the cemetery set while smiling cheerfully. “Ah, here you are.”
“Hey, Tyler,” Brant announced while attempting a casual appearance, although he was breathing heavier than usual.
“I’m only going to stay for a couple of hours,” Tyler informed him. “I have some business to attend to in the city. I think I have a line on some wax people from another closed museum.”
“That’s great.”
“Yeah, well, I’ll be here until five o’clock,” Tyler replied and sighed as if bored. “I have a project I’d like to finish.”
Tyler disappeared from the display. Both watched him leave then looked at each other from across the room. Brant approached Devon. She smiled and tossed the hair pick over her shoulder. Brant once more pulled her into his arms and kissed her. Tyler was heard within one of the nearby sets. Devon broke off the kiss and smiled with embarrassment.
“I, uh, was thinking,” she announced timidly, “maybe I could come back tonight to finish my shift. Ross has the night off, and you could probably use the help.”
Brant stared into her eyes and gently brushed the hair from her face. A sly smile crossed his face. “I was thinking about working late myself.”
The Deadliest Institution Collection Page 59