She took her purchases to the cash register just as Max entered and sat down on a stool at the soda fountain. The poor man looked half melted in the dark livery he insisted on wearing. She nodded at him, then turned to see Ben Gower smiling at her from behind the counter.
“Hot,” he said as he rang up the purchases.
“Indeed, it is. I think I might need a cool drink before going back out to face the elements.”
“Your granddaughter was here just a bit ago. She had a float. She’s headed back up the hill now with Abner’s grandson, Keith. Great kids, both of them.”
Delilah nodded. “Yes, they are.”
Ben stared at her purchases. “Quite a selection of books.”
“Holly’s a big reader.”
“And a budding writer?” Ben nodded at the reference books and notebooks.
Delilah smiled. “It’s only a guess.”
“A wise guess. You never know what you might inspire by giving a child such things.”
Delilah adored old Ben. She had when she was a little girl, too. He was a tall man who’d seemed ancient to her back then, but he couldn’t have been more than twenty-five.
“Penny for your thoughts?”
“I’d like a root beer float. And I’ll pay for Max’s drink as well.”
“One root beer float, coming up.” Ben scooped up her bag of purchases, waited for Delilah to sit at the fountain counter, then set the bags beside her.
As she watched him make the float, a memory stirred. She’d come here with Carrie and had strawberry ice cream in a little silver bowl. Carrie always ordered a chocolate malt.
“Here you go.” Ben set the frosty glass on a paper doily and put down a long-handled spoon, a straw, and a napkin.
Delilah could feel the sharp, bright bubbles tickle her nose as she dipped the spoon into the float. “Ben, how well do you remember Carrie?”
“Like she was here yesterday. She always ordered an egg cream.”
Delilah smiled. “Ben, you’re blushing.”
“To tell you the truth, I had a crush on her. I was waiting for her to turn sixteen so I could ask her out. My, how she loved egg creams.” He silenced, the color draining from his face.
“Egg cream? I thought she always got a chocolate malt.”
“No, Dee. You loved strawberry ice cream, plain. Carrie always ordered the egg cream. Addie was the one who craved chocolate malteds.”
“Addie?”
“Sure. She and Carrie were inseparable.”
“I don’t recall that.”
Ben nodded. “Those girls were thick as thieves, always laughing and giggling. And they nearly always had you between them. You were so little and cute, holding their hands as if your life depended on it.” He sighed. “The boys always stared at them, but Addie’d been steady with Ike Chance since eighth grade and though Carrie would bat her eyelashes and smile, she never settled on one.” Ben’s eyes were faraway. “I was hoping she’d choose me.”
A sudden memory shot into Delilah’s head.
Carrie on her bed, holding a pen over a notebook.
“What’re you doing, sissy?”
Carrie looks up. “Writing a letter.”
“A letter to who?”
“Whom.” Carrie smiles. “To Mr. Ben Gower, the young pharmacist at the drugstore. I write lots of letters to him, but I never send them.”
Confused, Delilah asks, “Why?”
“If I tell you, you can’t tell a soul.”
“I won’t.”
“Cross your heart?”
“And hope to die. Tell me, Carrie.”
“I’m going to marry him someday.”
“You are?”
“I am, and you’ll come live with us and have free strawberry ice cream for the rest of your life. How do you like that?”
Delilah nods. “But he’s really old.”
“No he’s not. I’m ten years older than you and I’m not old.”
“You kind of are.”
Carrie smiles, sits up, and takes Dee’s hands in her own. “He’s only eight years older than me.”
“That’s really old.”
They laugh, and Dee asks, “Did he ask you to marry him?”
Carrie shakes her head. “Not yet, but he will. And I’m going to say yes. I’ve been in love with him since I was thirteen.”
“Dee? You all right?” old Ben Gower asked. “Did my confession shock you? I’m sorry if it did.”
“Ben, I don’t remember much of anything about my childhood here, but you just gave me back a memory. A nice one.” She reached out and laid her hand over his. “She loved you. One night I caught her writing you a letter.”
“A letter? I never got any letter.” The look in his eyes betrayed both hope and worry.
“She never sent it.” Delilah squeezed his hand. “But she told me she was going to marry you.”
Ben’s eyes welled and a tear rolled down his cheeks. He removed his wire-rimmed glasses and roughly wiped it away.
“I never knew, Dee. I only hoped that she might say yes. The three of you came to the drug store at least once a week and Carrie, she often came by even more often for small sundries. I should have realized, but your daddy and granddaddy were such big shots in this town that I didn’t hold out much hope.” He paused. “Thank you. Thank you for remembering. And for telling me.”
“You’re very welcome.” She stirred her float. “I don’t know why I forgot that. Now that I recall it, it’s like it was yesterday. I was excited. She said that after you were married she was going to bring me to live with you. I was overjoyed.”
“If only,” Ben murmured as someone hit the buzzer at the pharmacy counter. “Excuse me a moment.”
Less than a minute passed before Ben’s young soda jerk approached. He had eyes that would soon drive young girls crazy. “Do you need anything? More napkins? A new straw?”
“I’m just fine, young man.” Delilah smiled. “What has you so nervous?”
The boy blushed, looked at his hands briefly, then bravely met her eyes. “Mr. Gower told me who you are, Miss Devine. Violet Morne is one of my all-time favorite movies. I think it’s better than Sunset Blvd.”
“Well, thank you ...”
“Edward. Eddie. I’m Steve Cross’ cousin.”
“You remind me of him. I’ll bet you’re a good worker, too.”
“I hope so.” He glanced down then met her eyes again. “You own the purple Phantom parked out there, right?”
“I do, indeed. The color is called Night Violet. The studio gave it to me in honor of Violet Morne.”
“It’s beautiful.” He hesitated, his cheeks pinking again. “May I ask you a question?”
“Certainly.”
“Do you think I could have your autograph, Miss Devine?”
“Of course.” She smiled, charmed by the boyish innocence the young man displayed.
Eddie brought out a square paper napkin, then pulled a pen from his apron. He pushed them across the counter and watched as Delilah signed and returned the items to him.
“Thank you, Miss Devine.”
“You’re welcome, Eddie. Now tell me, young man, what are you planning to do with your life-”
The entrance bells jingled. An instant later, Adeline Chance came into view. The old woman looked toward the pharmacy counter, then the soda fountain, and before Delilah could turn away, Adeline saw her.
“Miss Devine?” Eddie asked. “Do you want anything else?”
“Nothing, thank you.” Delilah felt Adeline’s presence behind her a few long seconds before the woman spoke. “Delilah.” She moved into view, her face a mask of concern.
“Hello, Adeline.” The words came out sounding as chill as they felt.
“We need to talk.”
Delilah didn’t look at her. “I believe I made it clear that we have nothing to say to one another.”
“It’s about Holly,” Addie said, trying in vain to get Delilah to meet her gaze. “And it’s
far more important than any grievances you have against me.”
Delilah looked at Eddie, who had backed up. “Max,” she called to her driver, who still sat at the counter, reading.
He jumped up and joined her. “Yes, Miss Delilah.”
“Max, this is Eddie, Steve’s cousin. He greatly admires the Phantom. Tell Ben I’ve requested Eddie take a fifteen minute break so that you can show him the Rolls, and perhaps take him for a short ride.”
“Yes, Miss Delilah.” The tall, solemn driver gave Eddie a very small smile. “Come along with me, son.”
Speechless, wide-eyed, Eddie nodded and followed Max. Addie watched them speak with Ben, who was between pharmacy customers. Finally, Ben nodded, Eddie took off his apron, and in less than a minute, the pair departed.
Delilah intently studied the melting remains of her root beer float. “What could you possibly tell me about my own granddaughter, Adeline?”
Addie eased onto the stool next to Delilah’s. “I believe Holly is in danger. Mortal danger.”
“Why do you say that?” Dee still wouldn’t look at her.
Addie decided to jump straight in. “The Beast is awake. He and his bitch-queen are both awake.”
“Nonsense.” Delilah spoke to her ice cream. “Utter nonsense. The Brimstone Beast is just a legend. And what that has to do with Holly, I can’t imagine.”
Addie screwed up her courage - Delilah could freeze the Sahara if she wanted. “You’re probably too young to remember, but our grandfather called himself the Beast.”
“You’re right, I don’t remember. And it sounds like utter nonsense. Explain to me what this has to do with Holly.”
“The first earthquake occurred when Holly and her mother stopped for gas at our station. They’ve continued since. Holly’s presence has awakened him.”
Delilah turned to Adeline, glaring. “You think an earthquake means Grandfather has risen from the grave? Are you daft?”
“I wish I were. Truly, I do.” Addie paused. She didn’t want to give away anything Holly had confided, but she had to get Delilah’s attention. “Are you aware of Holly’s talents?”
“She’s seen the hotel’s ghost cat, if that’s what you’re referring to.” Delilah’s voice hardened. “And how do you know anything about Holly? Has she been to see you?”
“Did you see the bruises on her arms?”
“Of course I saw them. But how do you know about them? I expressly forbade her to have anything to do with you, Adeline Chance!”
Ben Gower glanced their way; Delilah’s voice had carried. Addie sat straighter and spoke softly. “I have eyes, Delilah. Eyes like Holly’s. Eyes like Carrie’s. And you need to know that Holly has more talent than all of us combined, including our grandfather.” Addie paused. “And it’s putting her in great danger.”
“Talent? What are you talking about?”
“I think you know.”
“How would I know? What did she tell you?”
Despite the angry words, Addie recognized fear in Dee’s eyes; the same fear she had seen the day Carrie died. A variation on the truth would protect Holly better than total honesty. “I was taking a walk the other day and ended up at the old playground. A couple of bullies were picking on a nice little boy Holly was talking to. They were obviously about to get physical. I was going to step in but Holly got there first. She was angry and she told them to leave Keith alone. And just like that, they turned tail and ran as if she’d sicced hellhounds on them.”
For the first time, Delilah cocked an eyebrow. “I wonder what she said to them.”
“It wasn’t what she said, Dee. It was her eyes. When she ordered those bullies away, her eyes turned to gold. Solid gold.”
Delilah’s hard expression disappeared. She looked at Addie now, really looked at her. “I saw her do that, too. In the restaurant, after the quake. She made the waiters look away while we left. Her eyes were gold.” Delilah shook her head with something like awe. “That little girl was protecting me. She didn’t want them to see my fear. She knew.” Delilah hesitated. “I don’t like earthquakes, Adeline. They frighten me.”
Addie resisted the urge to take Dee’s hand; she knew the woman wouldn’t accept that much sympathy. Instead she said, “I know you hate them, Delilah, and with good reason. Do you remember anything about the day Carrie died?”
For a moment, it looked as if Dee might break down, but then she sucked it up and her voice hardened. “You killed Carrie.” Her tone went stone cold. “You killed her.”
“No. But if I could have, I would have died in her place. I loved your sister as much as you did. You have to know that.”
Delilah just stared at her.
Addie gave Ben Gower, who hovered a dozen feet away now, a slight nod. She wanted him to hear this. “There was an earthquake that day, Dee. A strong one. Your sister and I were trying to stop our grandfather from doing something very, very bad and you helped us. Carrie sent you on a mission. Do you have any memory of that?”
Delilah hesitated, thinking. “Dust. Lots of dust. And noise and … petroglyphs?” She shook her head. “I don’t know. There was a lot of yelling.” Delilah straightened her shoulders. “And then Carrie was gone but you got to live.” She whispered it. “You got to live.”
“I did. And so did you. Neither of us would be here if not for Carrie. She saved us all. You, me, Ben, maybe the entire town.”
“She did,” Ben murmured, approaching.
Delilah glanced at him. “From what?” she demanded.
“From your grandfather. The Beast.” Addie paused. “He’s back, Dee. Henry Hank Barrow is back. Pearl Abbott is too - she left those fingerprints on Holly’s arms.”
Skepticism bloomed fresh on Dee’s face. “That’s ridi-”
“It’s a fact, Delilah,” Ben said. “A naked truth. Pinching Pearl left those marks on me more than once.”
“Ask Steve about the marks on his ankle,” Addie said.
“What?” Delilah looked from Addie to Ben and back again.
“They’re back. Henry Hank and Pearl, too.” Addie held Delilah’s gaze. “And they want Holly.”
“Nonse-”
“It’s not nonsense, Dee.” Ben spoke solemnly.
“It’s true,” Addie affirmed. “That day - the day Carrie died - the Beast tried to take possession of Carrie and me. He wanted to add whatever small powers we had to his own.”
“I see.” Delilah’s voice was a wall of skepticism.
“In the end, Henry Hank failed. Carrie and I were able to stop him, but at a terrible cost.” Addie glanced at Ben, then back to Delilah. “His spirit is still trapped, and that’s probably why no one has seen his ghost. But have no doubt; he is awake, and now that Holly is here, he wants to possess her, to destroy her soul and take her body for his own. He wants to be her, Delilah. He wants to be her.”
Delilah’s face remained unreadable.
“If Holly leaves Brimstone, the Beast may go back to sleep,” Addie continued. “But until she leaves, she shouldn’t sleep at the hotel.”
“Why?”
“He’s there, Dee. He’s everywhere. And he’s waiting.”
Addie’s words brought a memory to Delilah, unbidden, unwanted.
Voices and weird sounds carry up from beyond the basement door of the Clementine Hospital. She opens that door and stares down into yawning darkness, terrified of something, but what, she doesn’t know. Only the first few steps of the steep cement staircase are visible; the rest are swallowed in forever night, except for a dim amber glow far below at the base of the stairs. It’s a lantern, but the dark is so thick that it only illuminates the very bottom steps; it cannot penetrate the surrounding gloom.
She’s not supposed to open the basement door, ever, and she’s not even supposed to be in the backroom; Carrie says it’s too dangerous because of the boiler and the elevator shaft. But she had to come. She dreamed her big sister was calling her. Calling and calling.
Dawn hadn’t yet broken wh
en she arrived and sneaked past the nurses’ station to slip behind the copper door.
Now she stares into the darkness, listening. Something bad is happening down there. There’s scuffling. Glass shatters. She hears an inhuman growl and then her big sister pleads, “No, no, no, no, please! No!”
There’s more scuffling, more growling, and Grandfather’s voice - the growling voice - yells, “You’ll do as you’re told, both of you!”
“Get away, old man!” Carrie again, and then Cousin Addie’s voice rises in a shrill scream. “Nooooo!” Something crashes. Addie screams again then, abruptly, her voice is cut off.
“Dee, I need you. Dee!” She hears Carrie’s voice.
“Carrie!” Dee screams her sister’s name, her hand on the stair rail, peering into unutterable darkness.
And then Carrie, hair wild, face streaked with dirt, clothing torn and bloodied, appears in the lamplight and bolts up the stairs. She thrusts a heavy black book into Dee’s shaking hands. “Run! Hide it. Hide it where it can’t be found! Promise!”
Delilah stares at her sister, paralyzed.
“Dee, take the book. Hide it, and never tell anyone, not anyone, where it is! Promise.”
“I promise.”
“GO!”
Below, she hears scuffling, then Addie’s choking sobs. Grandfather yells obscenities in the dark and then a black hulk hits the lantern below, making it sway and sputter. The hulk starts up the stairs.
“GO!” Carrie screams. She pushed Dee out of the doorway. “GO!”
The door slams shut.
Little Dee runs, hearing her sister’s and cousin’s screams echoing behind her. She doesn’t know if they’re real or not, but she runs and runs and runs, the heavy black book clutched to her chest.
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