Tearing The Shroud (40 page)

They passed a white, turn-of-the-century building and turned south, deeper into the campus. Skirting a large parking lot, they took a left when the road branched. Justus saw a lane with colorful streamers across the entrance and a sign reading:

Caf Lane closed for Samedi Gras!

‘Sebastian, what’s that sign referring to?’

‘If it’s anything like Mardi Gras, it should be a heck of a party, sir.’

They drove through the lush campus, and Justus started counting the different species of plants, finally quitting when it topped two hundred. Using only what he saw from the car, he could have brewed enough potions to intoxicate the entire student population. He determined to get access to them, sure that donations worked as well here as in the Realm. The road turned downhill toward the ocean then wove steeply between two large dormitories. A sign on the right read Muller Dorm Parking.

‘Hello, Vincent,’ Justus said quietly.

‘Want me to stop, Mr Wood?’

‘No, I have an idea itching the back of my mind.’

They bypassed a multi-floored dorm that stood alone at the bottom of the campus a few hundred yards from the cliffs where the ocean surf pounded. The view of the dark water stretched to the horizon under leaden skies. Their tour ambled up a hill, past the gymnasium and other buildings, to the road where they had turned earlier.

‘Pull back to the gate,’ Justus said.

Sebastian nodded. He stopped at the small building as the young woman stepped out, smiling.

‘I realized I didn’t ask your name, so I had to come back.’ He grinned impishly.

She blushed. ‘It’s Emily. Are you done already?’

‘Yes, for now. Hey, I saw a sign for a festival.’

‘Samedi Gras? It’s a huge costume party tonight.’

‘Hmm, do you think Vincent will be there?’

She pursed her lips. ‘I haven’t seen him in days, but if I know Julie, she won’t want to miss it.’

‘Then maybe I’ll see you.’

‘I’ll look for you. I’m dressing as a witch.’

He tapped the seat, and the car pulled away. He smiled and waved at her.
What else would you possibly be?

Observations

The throbbing in Vinni’s head dispersed as he opened his eyes. In his dream, he was trying to write a term paper at a desk in a tiny basement room. Machinery hummed and pulsed, reverberating through the walls, making concentration impossible. He yawned and looked at the clock. 9:02.
Wow, I haven’t slept this late in...ever.
He felt Coleman awaken.

he said sleepily.

Dad would never approve of the whole sleeping in thing.

Coleman’s imitation sounded uncannily like Vincent’s father.

‘We’ll get nothing done lying here, I guess,’ he muttered and rolled out of bed. He did push-ups, counting off one hundred, hopped in the shower while brushing his teeth, dried off, dressed in jeans and a t-shirt then padded silently up the stairs.

Jule was sitting at the counter sharpening her knives as Vinni had taught her. She wore hospital scrubs and a t-shirt. Her damp hair hung passed her shoulders. A cup of coffee sat nearby. She was more beautiful than the new day that lit the room, and it made his heart skip a beat. He didn’t want to surprise her while she worked with her blades, so he went silently to the stairs and whistled a cheery tune as he walked back. This time, she glanced at him and smiled.

‘Good morning, sleepyhead. Coffee is in the kitchen.’ She motioned with the blade and turned back to the whetstone.

‘Incoming neck kisses,’ he warned, so she wouldn’t stab either of them; the kiss caused her to scrunch sideways and giggle. He went into the kitchen, fixed himself a cup of coffee, and turned back to her.

Vinni glanced at her chest in the tight white t-shirt. Jule had
clearly
forgotten to put on a bra and apparently enjoyed the kiss. He took another sip of coffee, letting his glance linger.

Do you think she knows how thin it is?
Vincent asked.

As he paused to consider, Jule set the knife down then stretched her arms up and outward. Her motion pulled the thin shirt even tighter.

Okay, maybe before the guys get up
.

Give me a moment with her, please.
He felt Coleman close himself away.

‘How’s the sharpening going?’ Vincent asked.

‘Great; on my last one.’ She looked up at him. ‘Vincent?’

He nodded. ‘I asked Coleman for a few moments.’

She smiled, hesitantly. ‘Everything okay?’

‘Oh, everything is perfect.’ He grinned. ‘Did you know you’re absolutely perfect?’

She set the knife on the counter. ‘Well, you know, a girl can try.’

‘No I mean
everything
,
every
detail about you is just...
perfect
.’ He lowered his eyes, stopping at her chest. She smiled at him and then looked down at herself. He saw her face redden and expected, even hoped for, sputtering and embarrassed indignation. Instead, she looked back up at him and smiled seductively.

‘Did you enjoy the show?’ she asked in a breathy voice.

Vincent sputtered and blushed. ‘Yes! Well, I...gotta say...very nice...umm...well. Anyway.’ He couldn’t maintain eye contact any longer and retreated to sipping his coffee. ‘I thought you should know before the guys get up.’

‘That’s very gentlemanly of you.’ She stood as if nothing had happened. ‘I appreciate it, Vincent.’ He looked back up as she placed her hands on the counter, pushing her ample breasts towards him against the strained fabric. ‘Someday, maybe soon, we can do this again. Completely alone.’ She wiggled her chest slightly then turned and strolled casually toward the hall.

Vincent felt something hot splash on his feet and jumped back. He had tipped out half of his cup of coffee. ‘Everything about you is perfect,’ he mumbled as he grabbed a rag. ‘There’s an understatement.’

An Afternoon Outing

‘Vinni,’ Flea called, ‘time to hit the stores.’

He looked out the office window to the ocean and sighed.
I guess there’s no way around this.

‘On my way.’

The day had passed peacefully, as if the events of the previous afternoon never existed. Vinni shook his head.

Coleman said. Vincent nodded in agreement.

‘Let’s do it,’ Vinni said with a smile to his three friends. They piled into the car and rolled out of the garage. ‘I’m in your hands,’ he said. ‘Where to?’

‘The thrift store on Rosecrans first, then Rite-Aid, then the pet shop on Sports Arena — ’

‘A pet shop?’

‘Trust me.’ She smiled. ‘And the lingerie shop on Midway.’

‘The one next to the strip club?’ Knife asked.

‘You know about this,
how
?’ Flea looked at him.

Knife ignored the question, making them all smile. ‘Nothing to see here; move along.’

Jule giggled. ‘Yep, that’s the one, but only if I don’t find what we need before that.’

‘Just so we have one thing clear,’ Flea said, ‘I’m not wearing a G-string.’

‘Once was definitely enough,’ Vinni said.

Jule stared at Flea in disbelief. ‘A G-string?’

Knife started to snicker.

‘It’s a long story,’ Flea said. ‘You don’t want to hear it.’

‘Nah, go ahead, Flea. We’ve got plenty of time.’

‘I
had
ta vote for shopping,’ Flea sighed. ‘Ya see I was in this dance class...’

They set the bags on the coffee table in the family room. It was nearly five o’clock.

‘How about we go grab some dinner then get ready?’ Jule asked.

‘You’re the costume queen,’ Flea said.

‘Oh. Do you all have black jeans? Or at least worn blue jeans?’ she asked.

‘Yep.’ Knife saluted.

‘Me, too,’ Flea said.

‘I have some, but they’re pretty tight,’ Vinni said.

‘Tight works for me.’ She winked.

‘Well, I’d rather have something on that I can move in.’

She nodded. ‘The black cargos will be fine.’ She waved them on toward the hall. ‘Don’t just stand there, shoo!’

‘Vincent,’ Flea whined. ‘Your girlfriend hurt my feeeelings.’

‘Yeah, she’s being mean,’ Knife said.

‘I’ll give you mean,’ she said, trying to sound angry and failing miserably, then chased Flea down the hall.

Chapter 38

Herbs

‘Theodore, this is Frank Wood. I need an herbalist,’ Justus said into the handset.
How he’d missed phones.

‘An herbalist?’ the lawyer asked.

‘Someone who deals in herbs and remedies,’ Justus said slowly.

‘Oh, like you see in Chinatown.’

‘Fine, is there one nearby?’

‘There’s an area in Clairemont Mesa that might be a good place to look.’

‘Here’s Sebastian; give him directions.’

On Convoy Street, Sebastian parked in front of a small shop nestled between a Phô restaurant and a jeweler. A sign with Chinese writing hung above the window; below it was the word ‘Herbs.’ A boy peeked through the glass door, disappearing as they exited the car.

‘Remain here, Sebastian.’

‘Yes, sir.’

Familiar scents filled the shop and a man with dark hair and angled, almond shaped eyes stood behind the counter. He wore a clean, white coat and bowed as Justus approached.
Finally, a proper greeting.

‘How may I provide assistance, sir?’ the man said softly with a slight accent.

‘I need a selection of herbs,’ Justus said.

‘If I may suggest, usually it is best to describe your ailment, and I will suggest the herbs. Yes?’

‘I can see how that would apply to most clients, Mr...’

‘Yip.’ He bowed.

Justus nodded. ‘Mr Yip, I’m well versed in herbs and wish to select my own.’

‘That is difficult, kind sir, as I have many.’ He gestured at the walls of small wooden drawers.

‘I imagine that they are categorized. May I walk near them?’

Mr Yip’s eyebrows drew down, but he nodded politely and invited him behind the counter. Justus walked by, taking in the scents he passed, following the wall as it intersected the next. He dropped his smug smile before turning back to the herbalist. ‘Your categories are tree bark; spiny leaf; moss; slick leaf; dull leaf; bitter, sweet; and dried mushrooms.’ He smiled with a fake humbleness. ‘Am I about right?’

‘No,’ he paused then bowed. ‘You are precisely correct. It is an honor to meet such a Master. Please, let us find what you wish.’

Over the next hour, Justus selected what he needed. Occasionally, Mr Yip would look concerned by his choices, and Justus realized he knew more than remedies. Justus also bought numerous small bottles and vials. ‘What do you use for your medium?’ he asked.

‘Sake.’ When Justus looked confused, he said, ‘Rice wine.’

‘Ah, do you have a supply?’

‘Certainly.’

‘Then a case of that as well.’

Mr Yip sealed each herb in a handmade envelope and jotted the Chinese name on it, letting Justus label it as well. ‘So you know what characters to look for when you return.’