She knew that wasn’t true. He proved his bravery tonight. “The basement door is locked,” she reminded him.
Ross removed a set of keys from his pocket and grinned. “Not for long.”
She stared at the keys with surprise. “Where did you get those?”
“Brant gave me a set of keys to accept a couple of deliveries,” he informed her. “He never asked for them back. I thought I’d hang onto them, you know, in case I met that special lady who shared my fondness for the torture chamber.”
“You’re a sick bastard, Ross,” she announced. “But a crafty one. Let’s go.”
§
A single emergency light dimly lit the workshop giving the room an eerie glow. The outer basement door slowly opened to reveal Devon and Ross. They peeked into the workshop but didn’t see anyone not made of wax. Both hurried inside and simultaneously jumped when they saw the wax English policeman guarding the door. Devon sneered and smacked Ross on the shoulder. He frowned and gestured defensively. They darted behind one of the counters. Devon looked toward the inner door. Nothing moved. Ross glanced at the counter and saw the remote control on top. He snatched it and sat on the floor a moment.
“I have an idea.”
Devon glared at him with concern. “Whatever it is--no.”
“Trust me,” he announced while grinning deviously. “Wait here.”
Ross sprang to his feet, playfully rumpled her hair, and then crept across the workshop. Devon frowned, ran her fingers through her mussed hair, and watched him while shaking her head.
“This isn’t going to end well,” she muttered then hurried after him.
§
Ivy quietly entered the dark funeral home dimly lit by moonlight poking in through the open curtains. She hurried across the front, left parlor. She’d been inside the funeral home enough times to practically know her way around in the dark. She stumbled into the leather sofa, hitting her shin, and bit her lip to prevent the painful yelp. She endured the pain then fumbled with the phone on the end table and dialed the police while watching the front door. She nearly jumped when Deputy Havens answered the phone.
“Hello? Deputy Havens?” she gasped and was relieved to hear his voice. “Thank God! It’s Ivy. I’m at the funeral home,” she informed him then paused while he responded in return. “I’m okay, but Ross and Devon are in trouble.”
She heard the front door open. Ivy held her breath while staring beyond the parlor doors with wide, horror-filled eyes. Deputy Havens spoke into the phone, but she feared answering him. She heard the front door gently shut. Ivy slipped behind the sofa while clutching the phone and peered at the parlor doorway. Tony stepped into the doorway holding a tire iron in his hand. Despite that the room was only dimly lit by moonlight, she could tell he’d been injured in the crash. Blood seeped from his temple and from the corner of his mouth. Judging by the way he clutched the crowbar, he was angry. He scanned the room and saw the phone was missing from the base. His eyes then strayed to her where she hid behind the sofa. Ivy’s eyes widened as fear spread through her.
“Havens, help,” she whispered into the phone. “He’s going to kill me!”
Ivy threw the phone to the floor, sprang to her feet, and bolted across the room. Tony didn’t move from the doorway leaving her trapped. Ivy eyed the phone receiver on the floor. She could hear Deputy Havens speaking from the other end.
“Why are you doing this, Tony?” Ivy cried out, hoping Deputy Havens heard her on the other end. “You’re supposed to be my friend!”
“Friends?” he questioned then snorted a laugh. “We were never friends. None of you were ever my friends. You, Ross, and Devon used me every chance you had.”
“That’s not true!”
Tony clutched the tire iron and slowly walked toward her. Ivy backed across the mostly dark room and into a table. Tony yanked the phone cord from the wall then approached her and raised the tire iron above his head.
“Don’t you understand?” he demanded. “I have no choice. I’ve involved myself in something I just can’t get out of!”
“You were removing bodies from their caskets and delivering them to the museum,” Ivy cried out. “Then you buried the empty caskets for appearance.”
“I guess you and Devon have been comparing notes,” he snarled. “You shouldn’t have looked under that sheet, Ivy. None of this would be happening if you hadn’t looked under that sheet.”
As Tony was about to strike, Ivy reached behind her and fumbled with a vase on the table. She picked it up and threw it at Tony. What turned out to be an urn hit him in the head and cracked open. Ashes of the dearly departed covered his face and body. Tony clutched his eyes and coughed on the dense ashes. Ivy saw her chance and bolted across the room through the divider doorway to the adjoining room. Tony wiped the ash from his eyes and ran after her.
Chapter Fifty-five
Devon wasn’t sure how she lost track of Ross. He was able to move silently and swiftly through the dimly lit museum faster than she could. She thought he was looking for Brant, but she didn’t see Ross anywhere. She was about to pass the torture chamber when something dawned on her. She slipped into the frightening room and darted into the shadows of the iron maiden. Devon looked across the room and saw the woman stretched backward on the wheel of pain. Her large, realistic breast was again uncovered, which wasn’t surprising. Devon hurried across the torture chamber while keeping low and reached the half-naked woman. She stared at the wax woman only a moment before seeing it. She tugged on the woman’s mane of tangled, black hair to reveal the blonde hair beneath and found herself staring at Jamie.
As she looked around the room, she realized they were probably all there somewhere. Jamie, her friends, and everyone else who had died recently. How long had this been going on? Since the purchase of the museum? Did that mean Brant had to be involved? She was suddenly no longer sure she could trust Brant, and maybe Ross had been right. She needed to find Ross and leave at once. Her need to warn Brant may have been a mistake. Devon hurried from the torture chamber and silently made her way along the walkway through the different displays. She needed to find Ross and get him out of there. Whatever plan he had in mind couldn’t be healthy for either of them. She’d find him and go with Ivy’s original plan of letting Sheriff Carter deal with it.
As Devon silently made her way through the dimly lit displays, she paused within the mummy set. Her eyes immediately strayed to Martin, who was now playing the role of the mummy. Martin’s face was once again covered with tattered bandages, and Chelsea’s wig and hat had been replaced. Someone had covered them to conceal their identity, and Devon couldn’t automatically rule out Brant this time. She could hear voices from the nearby vampire display and had to get closer in order to hear their conversation.
Devon approached the end of the mummy display just near the vampire display and hid against the dividing wall. The voices were louder now, and she recognized them as Brant and Tyler. Both men were laughing, indicating neither may be involved or perhaps both were involved. She panicked when the voices silenced, indicating they could be parting company. A shadow approached, startling her. Devon hurried across the mummy display and slid behind the massive tomb. Tyler walked through the display and headed in the direction of the workshop.
§
Brant sat on the edge of the vampire’s casket within the second half of the display and adjusted the clothes on the vampire within the casket. Devon cautiously crept through the display while looking around yet still keeping Brant within view. She paused while crouching down and keeping low within the first half of the display where the two vampires were attacking the villagers. She looked behind her to the sword Teddy, the wax villager, held.
“If you don’t mind, Teddy,” she announced softly while reaching up to the wax villager and silently removed the sword. “I’ll be needing that.”
The sword was relatively dull, but she was low on options. When there was no sign of Tyler, she knew she had to make her mov
e. Devon straightened and revealed herself to Brant within the second part of the display containing the vampire in the casket. Brant saw her, smiled cheerfully, and immediately stood.
“Devon,” he announced while grinning as he approached her. “I was worried you’d decided to take the night off.”
Devon raised the sword, aimed it at his chest, and glared at him.
Brant stopped and stared at the sword with surprise. “What are you doing?” he asked.
Devon stared into his eyes without expression. “The murdered women are here,” she informed him. “Their corpses are being used in your displays.”
“What are you talking about?” he asked with surprise then hesitated and looked around.
“My brother’s body is beneath the mummy wrap. I saw him myself,” she informed him. “I’m convinced the others are here as well. I know the deal. Tony embalms them then removes them from their caskets after the viewing and delivers them to the museum for the displays. They were never buried.”
“I--I don’t understand. You know I wouldn’t do something like that,” Brant gasped with surprise. “What you’re saying doesn’t even sound possible.” He tensed and again looked at the wax displays then met her gaze.
“Not possible?” she remarked.
Devon then eyed the handsome wax villager just behind Teddy. While keeping the sword aimed at Brant in one hand, she swiftly yanked the hair from the wax villager’s head to reveal Karl. Although she was almost positive she had been right, seeing Karl encased in wax nearly jump started her heart. She put on a brave front and raised her brows demandingly while tossing the wig aside.
“Remember Karl?”
Brant stared at the familiar face of the construction worker he’d manhandled for threatening Devon. The stunned look on Brant’s face was almost enough to convince Devon he wasn’t aware of what was going on, but she couldn’t convince herself to lower the sword she kept pointed at him. He finally looked at her, only briefly eying the sword in her hands.
“Devon, I know you’re frightened and upset, but you have to trust me. Please, put down the sword,” Brant announced in a slightly tense voice. “We’re both in danger right now.” He drew a deep, shaken breath. “You know I’d never do anything to hurt you.” His frightened look turned tender. “I love you.”
As Devon stared into his eyes, her expression softened. She wanted to believe he wasn’t involved. She wanted to trust him even if it ended up costing her life. She slowly lowered the sword.
Brant relaxed then exhaled and attempted a smile. “You had me worried for a moment there,” he announced then indicated the sword. “Even if that sword isn’t sharp enough to give a papercut.” He drew a deep breath and straightened proudly. “Have you called the police?”
“Ivy called them,” she replied. “They should be here any minute.”
Brant again looked around and appeared tense. “Then we’d better wait outside for them.”
“Wouldn’t be a bad idea--” Tyler announced from across the room.
Both turned toward the display archway where Tyler stood holding a gun aimed at them.
“Had your friend been able to complete her call to the police,” Tyler replied. “Tony called me on his car phone and told me you and Ross were on your way here. He went back to take care of your friend.”
“Then it’s true?” Brant gasped with surprise while staring at Tyler. “You attempted to display dead people as your own wax creations.”
“Why not?” Tyler announced while shrugging. “I’ve been doing it for years. It saved on expense and cut the work time in half.”
“I don’t know how you possibly thought you’d get away with it,” Brant remarked while sneering at him. “Your creations are hideous. Someone was bound to uncover them and see what was beneath.”
“That’s where you’re wrong,” Tyler announced while grinning then indicated the beautiful female vampire alongside the male vampire. “That’s my work. Creating bad wax men and women was for everyone else’s benefit, so if my beauties were found beneath their waxy surface, you or Ross would be blamed. Sorry to inform you; I’m twice the artist you are, Brant.”
“You tried to kill me,” he gasped then turned angry. “When that didn’t work, you tried to frame me for the murders.”
“Once you were out of the way, I could bring in my new partner, Tony. He and I would create the most beautiful displays a museum has ever seen.” He then offered an unsettling grin. “The murders gave me the idea to dissolve our partnership. Tony heard about the killer wearing a phantom costume, so he borrowed one, made sure people saw him in it, and killed Marlene in your basement.” Tyler laughed. “Yes, you would have eventually stumbled upon my secret beneath the wax. I’m actually surprised you hadn’t figured it out sooner,” Tyler announced. “I couldn’t allow you to see what lie beneath the makeup.” He shook his head and sighed. “It would’ve worked out perfectly if it hadn’t been for Martin coming forward and confessing to the killings. His journal exposed a second killer. Do you have any idea how much trouble he caused?”
§
Back at the funeral home, Ivy screamed and bolted across the casket display room while Tony blocked her only exit. She jumped behind one of the display coffins. Despite that they were only displays, the room was decorated with flowers as well as some lit candles. When he thought he had her cornered, Tony lunged for her. Ivy continued to scream and heaved several flower arrangements at him. Tony skillfully dodged the flowers and their heavy vases. She was now trapped behind the casket. She placed her hand on the closed casket lid and stared at Tony, waiting to see which way he’d go next. Tony removed a switchblade knife from his pocket.
“It’d be easier on you if you don’t fight it,” he informed her. “We could have done this the easy way if Devon hadn’t interrupted earlier. This way is so messy and painful. After what we shared, I didn’t want it to be painful.”
“After what we shared?” she gasped then sneered. “You’re a sick fuck!”
“And you came on to me,” he reminded her in an almost mocking tone.
Ivy stared him in the eyes with a look of horror. Tony dived on top of the casket and slashed the knife at her. Ivy let out a sharp cry and pushed the casket forward with all her strength. The casket toppled off its hydraulic stand casting Tony to the floor. Tony cried out and shielded his face as the casket landed on top of him. Ivy heard a chilling, bone-crunching sound along with Tony’s painful grunt. There was a moment of silence followed by a low wheezing sound.
Ivy stood immobile a moment and stared at the toppled casket on the floor. She nervously walked around it while keeping her eyes locked on the motionless object. She reached the other side and saw Tony crushed beneath the casket. He coughed up blood while attempting to speak. His eyes shifted to meet hers as blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered then became motionless as the last breath left his body.
As Ivy stared at him, she heard police sirens in the distance.
Chapter Fifty-six
Within the vampire display, Brant stood between Devon and Tyler, who held the gun aimed at them. Brant’s gesture to protect her from his partner was darling but pointless. Two shots and they would both end up dead.
“Think about it, Brant,” Tyler announced while grinning. “You’ll actually be a part of this museum forever. It’ll be your greatest contribution and sacrifice to your dream.”
“You’re sick.”
“Perhaps,” Tyler agreed, “but with your share of the museum, I stand to be a wealthy man. These displays will bring a fortune.” He chuckled then grinned. “I’ll even put the two of you in a display together. You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” Tyler appeared almost touched by his own suggestion. “Kind of a last romantic gesture. Maybe I’ll mount the two of you in the church display, where you almost got it on. It’ll be beautiful.”
They heard a woman’s shrill scream echo throughout the museum. Devon and Tyler jumped
with surprise, although uncertain where it originated. Brant appeared confused but not startled. There were several screams that immediately followed. Low groans and beastly snarls soon added to the special effects of the nearby displays. The vampire behind Brant straightened and turned toward them. As the vampire hissed, Tyler cried out with surprise and fired at the wax creature. His shots missed the moving vampire and struck the female vampire standing not far from the male.
The bullets tore through her waxy surface and revealed dried, decayed flesh. The vampire turned toward the frightened villager and appeared to bite him. A male scream came from a speaker near the wax villager, so it sounded as if the scream came from him. The room was suddenly alive with movement as more objects went into motion. Brant shifted his eyes slightly. Devon turned with surprise. Tyler’s fear turned to anger as he waved his gun at Brant.
“Stop it,” he cried out with anger. “You’re not fooling me!”
Brant raised his hands, revealing empty palms. “It’s not me,” he announced. “The control panel is on the wall by the door.”
As Tyler turned toward the doorway to see who was at the controls, Brant snatched the sword from Devon and lunged for Tyler. Tyler spun around but was a little too slow. Brant swung the sword for Tyler, cutting his arm with the dull blade. Tyler dropped the gun and clutched his bleeding arm. Unfortunately, the blade wasn’t sharp enough to do any serious damage. Brant and Tyler both leaped for the discarded gun. As Brant snatched the gun, Tyler straightened and ran from the room. Brant ran after him.
Tyler ran along the corridor near the phantom display with the phantom posed before the organ where loud, evil music seemed to come from the pipe organ. Brant was heard running along the corridor not far behind. Tyler gasped and hurried across the display. He approached the pipe organ and saw a space behind it where he could hide. The phantom suddenly glared at Tyler. Tyler’s eyes widened, and he cried out. Tyler bolted away from the pipe organ, but the phantom leaped into Tyler’s path. Tyler again screamed. The phantom clutched his throat with both hands and choked him. Tyler gasped and fell to his knees while attempting to loosen the phantom’s grip. Brant appeared near the display and stopped.
The Deadliest Institution Collection Page 66