The Devil's Dwelling (12 page)

With the closed umbrella she started hitting the guy over the head. The mans hands were covering his head. He managed to take the umbrella from Mona’s hand and cracked it over his knee. Threw it on the ground and walked away.

Mona picked up the broken umbrella. Stuck it under her arm and walked toward the Blazer with her stiletto heels digging in the wet ground..

In the distance the minister was ending the service. “Dust to dust, ashes to ashes.”

FIFTEEN

Dusk was settling in when we reached the apartment. Mona took off her stilettos and made her way up the stairs. I followed with my heels in hand.  Bailey was pacing when we walked in. I put on my running shoes.

“I have to run Bailey to the park. I’ll be right back.” I took the leash from the hook, leashed up Bailey and started down the stairs. I stopped in my tracks, turned and went back in the apartment.

“What’s up?”

“I think I’ll take my Glock.”  I fished my Glock from the bottom of my bag and slid the it in my waist band and headed down the stairs. It was raining as Bailey and I ran the distance to the park. The usual crowd of pet owners was thinning out. Bailey and I had the park to ourselves. I unhooked Bailey. He did his hike and poop and I hooked him back up. A Jeep was setting at the edge of the park. I couldn’t see who, if any one was in it. But it made me feel uneasy. Bailey and I jogged past the Jeep but still couldn’t see the occupant through the rain drenched windshield. We continued our jog straight to the apartment. The Jeep gave me the heebee jeebees.

I poked my head in the apartment door and asked Mona to toss a towel out for me to dry  off Bailey. Bailey shook his body giving me a shower.

“Bailey,” I yelled turning my head away from the shower.

Mona tossed me a towel and I began to dry off Bailey.

Miss Jones poked her head out the door. “What’s all the noise about?”

“It’s just me Miss Jones. Bailey is shaking water all over me.” I said while trying to dry him off.

“Get him inside. This hallway smells like a wet dog.” She finished her gripping as she closed her apartment door.

I got Bailey settled in, filled his water and food bowl. He gobbled down his food and washed it down with the fresh water. He plopped himself on the large dog pillow in the living room.  I was getting out of my clothes and putting on a robe when I heard the door bell ring.

“Mona, can you get the door?”

“Who’s there?” she asked.

“Flower delivery.”

“Sure that’s what they always say when they are about to kill you.” She mumbled.

Mona cracked the door enough to see a young man holding a dozen red roses. 

“I have flowers for Tiffany .” He said holding back from the door.

“I’ll give them to her.”

“I’m instructed to give them only to Tiffany.”

I heard the delivery guy and made my way to the door. “I’m Tiffany, I’ll take them.”

“You have to sign for them.”

I scribbled my name and he handed me the flowers.

I set them on the dining room table. “I didn’t know I was that wonderful the other night.”

“That Randy must be head over heels in love with you.”

I shook my head no and opened the card. I was speechless. I threw the card on the table and set down in the chair.

“What’s wrong?” Mona picked up the card and read.
‘My eyes are on you. Your Secret Admirer.
’ What the hell does this mean?”

“I think it means I have a stalker.”

“Shit woman we don’t need to mess with a stalker.”

“My thought, exactly.”

I hadn’t noticed anyone following me outside of the job. This person is probably a voyeur. People like this enjoy watching people, especially for sexual gratification.

“Oh my Gawd, you mean he gets off on watching you?” 

“Could be, I’ll have to keep my Glock with me at all times. These people can become so possessive they become jealous and sometimes hurt their victim.”

“Before we accept any floral deliveries we need to see who they are from. If we don’t know the sender we won’t accept them. But let’s be sure we give the guy a good tip cause his boss is going to be upset when he brings the flowers back to the shop.”

A hot pizza sounded good on this rainy night. I called Mia’s Pizza and had a large pizza delivered.  Mona and I consumed the pizza while watching the old game show channel. We watched, The Gong Show, Family Feud, the Price is Right and the really old Password.  After the first two hours of game shows I excused myself.  Mona was calling out prices when I headed for my room.

This was a night for a hot bubble bath. This body needed some attention. I filled the tub with water and poured in the soap. The bubbles started to form. I unbuttoned my jeans and kicked them off and pulled my shirt over my head, unhooked my bra and let my breasts loose and took off my panties and slipped on my robe. I watched the tub fill and the bubbles dance around the tub.  I untied my robe and allowed it to slide off my shoulders landing in a heap on the floor. I picked it up and hung it on the hook at the back of the bathroom door. I put my hair on top my head with a clip. Tested the water with my big toe and immediately snatching it from the water. I turned on the cold water and within moments the temperature was bearable. I set on the side of the tub and slid one foot in and followed with the other and slid into the tub. The water was hot as it covered my body. Within moments my body became acclimated and I slid down to my shoulders relaxing my body. I closed my eyes and put a hot washcloth over my eyes and lay back releasing the cares of the day. I must have fallen asleep. I woke to my mouth filling with soapy water. I set up startled.  I stepped out of the tub, pulled a towel from the towel bar and wrapped my body and tucked it in above my breasts. I dried off and smoothed lotion all over my body. Slipped on my pajamas and slid my feet into my Foofoo house shoes. I walked into the living room and set on the sofa. There sat Mona watching another game show.

“Girlfriend, what do you have on your feet?” She giggled as she rubbed her eyes for a better look.

“My Foofoo’s. My friend made them for me.” I put my feet in the air and wiggled my feet for her to get a better view.

“Can she make me a pair? Those are dang fancy.”

“They are a flip flops with fancy fluffy yarn wrapped around the straps. We’ll buy you a pair of flip flops and pick up some of this fancy fluffy yarn. You can make them.”

“I’ve got to have a pair.” Mona said pulling them from my feet to try on.

“Okay, hand them over.” I slipped my feet in them and made my way back to bed and settled in for the night.  I heard Mona turn off the TV and the light shining under my dark went dark.

I wondered who might be stalking me. I haven’t seen anyone looking at me. And if any man gave me a second look I would surely take notice. I went into sleep mode and nightmares of voyeurs took over.

.

SIXTEEN

I wasn’t sure what to wear but decided on a camel skirt, and a soft pink blouse with brown high heels and a camel clutch purse.  I didn’t have room for my Glock in the clutch but decided I wouldn’t need it with being on Brad’s arm for the evening.

Brad knocked on the apartment door at precisely six o’clock. I opened the door to see a gorgeous man dressed in camel slacks and a button down sport shirt with flowers in hand. 

“Hi Brad, come in.”  I took the flowers from his hands and stepped back. “Flowers, how thoughtful of you. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Brad’s eyes turned to the dozen red roses on the table. I didn’t make an excuse for them  or tell him they were from a voyeur. I got a vase from the cupboard, filled it with water and plumped his flowers in the vase. “Beautiful, absolutely beautiful.” I said turning the vase around to view all sides.

“Shall we head out? The play starts at eight and I have a reservation for dinner at 6:30.”

I grabbed my clutch purse and wrap. Brad placed my wrap over my shoulders and we were out the door.

We met Mr. Sinclair in the foyer. “You driving that hot red car in the parking lot?”

“Yes, sir I am.” Brad said smiling with satisfaction.

“It’s a beauty.” He said as he opened the door for us.

My mind was racing with wonder of the car I would be riding in. I’m not the kind of person to be impressed with fancy cars but this might be interesting.

We walked past my Blazer to a gorgeous red Ferrari. Brad opened the door and helped me in.

“This is a beautiful car. Do you sell drugs?” I said laughing.

“No, I’m definitely not that kind of guy.” He assured me.

He drove into the valet parking lot of The Majesty the finest hotel restaurant in the city. I’m trying to keep my composure but the evening just keeps getting better. He stopped the car at the door. A gentleman dressed in a gold suit with rhinestones and braided  tassels on his shoulders opened my door. He took me by the hand and lifted me from the Ferrari. I stood amazed. Brad placed a tip in the doorman’s hand. Another gentleman drove the car away.

We entered the lavish lobby of the hotel. My eyes followed marble floors up to a marvelous chandelier lighting hanging in the lobby. A gentleman in black tails showed us to the restaurant. We were seated in a corner at a table for two. The table was covered with a white linen cloth. The waiter spread a white napkin on my and Brad’s lap. A taper candle gave a glow to the table. I looked at all the silverware and was glad my Aunt Mary had taught me eating etiquette when I was a young girl.

The waiter asked if we would like wine. I asked Brad to choose. The waiter suggested a nice steak for dinner. Brad and I talked the hour away. I didn’t learn much about him. I think maybe I was talking too much. We finished with dinner and headed out for Conway High School’s performance of ‘Hello Dolly’.  The performance was wonderful. Afterwards Brad’s niece Shelly greeted him and thanked him for coming. Brad introduce us. She was charming but was in a hurry to get back stage with her friends.

Brad drove me to my apartment and walked me to my door. He took my chin in his hand and gently kissed me on the lips. “I enjoyed the evening with you.”

“Thank you Brad, I had a wonderful time.”

I opened the door, stepped inside and closed the door behind me. And stood frozen.

“What’s the matter girl?” Mona jumped from the sofa and rushed over to me.

“You won’t believe my date.”

“Tell me what happened. Was he a rapist, did he take advantage of you? I knew you should have taken your Glock.”

“Nothing like that. He drives a Ferrari, he took me to The Majesty Restaurant for dinner. Then we went to the performance of Hello Dolly at Conway High School. I’ve never been treated like a princess.

“We’ll girlfriend, you can take off your princess crown. Peewee called and wants us in the office first thing tomorrow morning.”

“Does he have a new ‘no show’? 

“He didn’t say. Just be there.”