“If training isn’t her strong point, you must’ve really needed her,” Alex said. “Which means it all must go back to the idea of something big and bad heading our way.”

  “There’s been an increase in supernatural activity in general lately,” Leticia said. “People are desperate and looking for something to believe in—that’s a dangerous thing.”

  “Because people are also looking to believe in something that indulges their whims,” I said. “So, what now?”

  “As I said earlier, I’m booked into the inn for a few days,” Leticia said. “Can you recommend a place for lunch?”

  WE WALKED Leticia to her room, then went to ours. The plan was to pick Leticia up later and go to lunch together in town. We walked back into our room and Alex started looking around for something.

  “By my calculations we have time for a quickie,” I said. “What’re you looking for?”

  Alex bent down in front of the far night table, then stood back up holding the auction catalog for me to see. I held my hand up toward Alex and motioned him to stand still, then I put my finger to my lips. I’d left that auction catalog on the table and there was no way it could’ve gotten on the floor by itself. Slowly I searched for bugs of any kind, as I walked around the room and bathroom. Empty handed, I went back to Alex and hugged him from behind. “Somebody’s been in our room,” I whispered in Alex’s ear.

  “What do we do?” Alex said in a low voice.

  I nipped at his ear, then replied. “We get naked and hop in bed.”

  “What?” Alex said.

  “You heard me,” I said, then I playfully pushed him onto the bed and got on top of him.

  When we were both fully drained in every way, I lay back in bed and Alex rested his head on my bare chest and played with my nipple.

  “It just keeps getting better, doesn’t it?” Alex said.

  “Yes,” I said, and we kissed.

  “You were looking for bugs earlier, but you didn’t find any.”

  “Nope, but someone was definitely in our room,”“ I said. That catalog couldn’t have gotten on the floor by itself.”

  “Why would someone be looking through our room?” Alex said. “What were they hoping to find—the remote control truck?”

  “You know that’s a good question, Alex. Even if Baker or one of his goons had seen us talking with Forrest, what would they hope to find in our room?”

  “Maybe they thought we might be cops like Forrest,” Alex said.

  “Maybe,” I said, then shook my head. “Nope, that doesn’t make sense. Why would that catalog even catch their attention?”

  “Layton, our session—fun as it was, lasted more than an hour, and we still need to get cleaned up for lunch.”

  “I hear you,” I said. “Why don’t you shower first, while I look around the room again?”

  “OK,” Alex said. “It was nice seeing Forrest.”

  “Yes, it was. I may develop a fetish for cop uniforms—he looks so good in his.” I pulled Alex to me, rolled around with him a bit, then kissed him. When he started to get up I slapped his bare ass. Alex smiled, then headed to the bathroom.

  A short time later, we both dressed in shorts again, but put on nice polo shirts and deck shoes for our lunch date.

  “Layton, I forgot to ask if you found anything while I was in the shower.”

  I went to the night stand and picked up a long, strawberry blond hair, then held it up for Alex to see. “Our housekeeper has black hair. We’ve definitely had a visitor.”

  LETICIA WAS dressed the same as earlier, but looked significantly more relaxed. She even smiled when we she saw us.

  “Is the restaurant close enough to walk to?” Leticia said.

  “Fairly close, but it’s an uphill trek,” Alex said.

  “I just remembered something, Alex,” I said. “Why don’t we change our dinner reservation tonight to three instead of two? That’s if Leticia would like to join us.”

  “I’d love to,” Leticia said.

  As we walked uphill, then down a few small streets, Leticia asked us about Carson Court and we were happy to tell her all about it. The pedestrian street with stores on both sides widened and we found ourselves in front of what looked like a two-story English cottage with a small front garden.

  “The Library restaurant… interesting,” Leticia said.

  I opened the door of the restaurant for her and Alex, then went in after them.

  “This place is cool,” Alex said.

  “Someone had a very clever idea in regard to theming,” Leticia said, and smiled.

  “Theming?” I said.

  “It’s a term people use a lot now,” Leticia said.

  “I think they started using it when talking about how the various theme parks use themes in their different lands and restaurants,” Alex said.

  As the hostess walked us to our table, I looked around. There was a warmth to the establishment that made one feel immediately welcome. The walls were lined with bookshelves filled with actual books—not the fake decorative kind. We reached our table and Alex pulled Leticia’s chair out for her. Our waitress, who was blonde, young, and slim, arrived quickly and with a big smile on her face.

  “What is that wonderful aroma in the air?” Leticia said.

  “That would be our French onion soup,” the waitress said.

  The three of us ended up ordering the soup and sandwiches to go with it. As we ate, Leticia asked how Frankie and Jimmy were doing and I told her.

  “I’m glad they’ve settled down so nicely,” Leticia said. “Lucy has nothing but good things to say about their restaurant.”

  “Jimmy was a big help back in Shelby,” I said. “And Frankie’s a great guy.”

  A busboy took our empty plates away and our perky waitress came by to ask if we wanted dessert.

  “I’m told the crème brûlée is a must here,” I said.

  “Oh, it is,” the waitress said. “We make all of our desserts in house.”

  “Mmm, it’s been a while since I’ve had crème brûlée,” Alex said. “I’ll have that too.”

  “Make that three crème brûlées,” Leticia said.

  “OK,” the waitress said. “I’ll freshen up your drinks after I place that order for you.”

  When she’d gone, Leticia turned to me and spoke. “Layton, it’s nice of you to help Sassy, but don’t you have concerns about going to Shiloh Key?”

  “You bet I do,” I said. “It’ll be crowded, there will be all sorts of people there looking for the treasure and some will have mad skills. I’m talking ex military types, rough types, and God knows who else.”

  “Brother Thomas won’t be at the key, but the church will have representatives there—all types of representatives,” Leticia said.

  “What’s that mean?” Alex said.

  “That means the church really, really wants that chalice,” I said.

  “That means you need to watch your back and have your eyes wide open while there,” Leticia said. Our waitress had returned and was refilling our lemonades from a glass pitcher. I was surprised when Leticia continued talking while the waitress was still present. “They also say that Shiloh Key is haunted.”

  “Oh it is,” our young waitress said, then she grew flush. “I apologize for interrupting your conversation.”

  “It’s quite alright,” Leticia said. “Do you know anything about the hauntings? My friends here are helping someone at the treasure hunt.”

  “Well, I don’t personally know anything,” the waitress said, while holding the pitcher of lemonade. “But, my cousin and brother saw the ghosts when they were fishing at the key one night. And those two never were ones to mention ghosts or anything like that sort of thing.”

  “Did the ghosts do anything?” Alex said.

  “Oh boy, did they ever,” the waitress said. “You won’t believe what happened to my brother and cousin.”

  Chapter 23

  Ghost Story

  “DO TELL,” I SAID.

  “My brother and cousin had gone out in my brother’s small fishing boat,” the waitress said. “It was just a tiny two-man dingy. They were out right around what locals refer to as the Passion Point Grove, when the ghost ships appeared. First my brother thought they were other fishermen, until a huge, ghostly pirate ship appeared and an old-fashioned cannon started firing at them.”

  “Holy shit,” I said. “Pardon my language, but what happened?”

  “Well, my cousin said the boat rocked really bad as if it had been hit by one of the cannons or something, but the boat hadn’t suffered any damage, thank God. Then he said the water got rough. They were really scared. And the whole time they could hear the voices of the ghost pirates shouting at them.”

  “What were they saying?” Leticia said.

  “My brother couldn’t make out their words and my cousin said he could only understand one word—‘beware’. Oooh, it gives me chills just thinking about it.” She shivered. “I need to refill some more drinks, but I’ll be back in a few.”

  Our waitress was sweet with a ponytail that bounced when she walked, big brown eyes, and even freckles.

  “What made you think she’d know anything about Shiloh Key?” I said to Leticia once our waitress was gone.

  “A lucky guess,” Leticia said. “I figured as a waitress, she was bound to have heard something about the key. Little did I know she’d be so helpful.”

  “Helpful?” Alex said.

  “Yeah, I caught that too, Leticia,” I said, then turned to Alex. “We need to find out where the Passion Point Grove she mentioned is located. It’s probably some kind of make out spot.”

  “Oh, I’m so dumb!” Alex said. “That’s where the ghosts showed up which means—”

  “Exactly,” I said.

  “But it can’t really be that simple or somebody would’ve found the treasure by now,” Alex said.

  “There’s simple and there’s simple,” Leticia said.

  We were discussing the key when our waitress returned with our desserts.

  “Are you going to the treasure hunt?” Alex asked the waitress.

  “Oh, heck no. That place is gonna be insane, besides I’m scared of those ghosts. And who knows what they’ll do on that night.”

  “What’s so special about that night, besides the fact the treasure is supposed to be visible then?” I said.

  “Don’t you know that’s the same night when, all those years ago, the pirates were murdered by Catholic monks?” the waitress said.

  “Say what?” I said.

  “I haven’t heard this particular story,” Leticia said.

  “Really?” the waitress said. “I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. Only a handful of people know the real story of what happened.”

  “Mmm,” Alex said, after trying his crème brûlée. “This is as good as what I’ve had in Paris, France.”

  “I’ll tell the chef, he’ll be glad to hear it,” the waitress said.

  “Don’t tell him just yet,” Leticia said. “I’m curious to hear more about the monks.”

  I ate some of my crème brûlée and moaned. “Oh my God, this is good.”

  The waitress chuckled, then turned to Leticia, and spoke. “Those monks were nothing less than assassins sent by the church to get what the pirates had salvaged from the wreckage of that ship bringing the bishop over. Supposedly the monks were mostly after a jewel-covered chalice. But they never got it.”

  “How come they didn’t get it?” Alex said.

  Leticia tried her crème brûlée and I laughed to myself when I heard her say ‘mmm’.

  “Well, the monks did manage to kill all the pirates, but they never found out the right location of the treasure,” the waitress said. “They should’ve left one of them alive until they’d found what they wanted and had it in hand. The dummies.”

  I was lost in the sweet, creamy, spoonful of dessert I’d just stuffed into my mouth, but I heard Alex ask the waitress a question.

  “What happened to the monks?”

  “That’s the creepy part,” the waitress said, getting all our attention. “The monks all drowned. Shiloh Key experienced some sort of crazy flash flood that destroyed almost all the buildings and killed the monks and the people who were helping them—every one of them. No monks lived to tell their story.” She rubbed her arms as if she had chills—I could relate. It wasn’t often I got goose bumps, but I had them now.

  ALEX AND I WERE relaxing back in our room after we’d dropped Leticia off at her room. I lay naked in bed, on top of the covers. Alex stood staring at me.

  “What?” I said. “I’m so stuffed, I’m uncomfortable, so I figured I’d get out of my clothes for a little while.”

  “I’m just enjoying the view,” Alex said. “That was an informative lunch, wasn’t it?”

  “It sure was,” I said. “Hopefully Shiloh Key won’t have a flash flood when we’re there.”

  Alex sat by my feet, took my left foot in his hand and began massaging it. “It was funny hearing you apologize for saying ‘holy shit’ in front of the waitress.”

  “Why was that funny?” I said.

  “Well, I’ve heard you curse in front of Diesel and on the phone to your Marine buddies. But you don’t curse a lot in front of others. I guess it’s some sort of machismo thing.”

  “Machismo thing, huh,” I said. “I get what you’re saying and you’re probably right. Not every military man curses. Sometimes it gets a person’s attention when you need it, though. And it does make me feel like a real badass when I do it.” I chuckled.

  Alex giggled, then kissed my foot softly, placed it back down on the bed, and moved up to lie down next to me. He combed his fingers through my hair and looked at me with concern in his eyes.

  “I don’t like you going to Boobies Birds alone, Layton.”

  “I’ll be fine,” I said, then kissed him.

  “Don’t try and distract me,” Alex said. “What if something happens to you? What should I do?”

  “Hmm, we do need some sort of plan in the event anything should happen to me.” I thought for a minute. “Never call the police, they’ll just muck things up. Phone Sassy first, since she should be in the area and she can get hold of Diesel to help if need be. Then phone Forrest, he’ll know what to do.”

  “He’s a cop and you just said cops muck things up.”

  “Forrest is our cop and that’s a whole different thing,” I said. “He’s smart enough to know what to do. Alex, if anything were ever to happen to me—”

  “Don’t even say that,” Alex said.

  “I need to,” I said. “OK, I won’t mention that first part again. I’ll just tell you to get with Forrest and have a happy life together at the court. He’ll take good care of you and love you like I would… and I know you’ll love and take care of him.”

  “I appreciate that, Layton, but this is a morbid conversation.”

  “You started it, babe,” I said.

  “Well I’m changing the subject.” His hand took hold of my cock.

  “I’m too stuffed to do anything,” I said.

  “Good, then sit back and don’t do a thing. I’m in the mood for some more dessert with a creamy topping.”

  I couldn’t help but chuckle. When he slid down my body and engulfed my cock with his mouth, my chuckling was replaced with moans of pleasure.

  AT FIVE MINUTES to four I was standing outside Boobies Birds dressed in jeans, a Polo shirt, and deck shoes. Going into these types of situations was always dangerous because of the unknown element. I still felt a little stuffed from lunch, but my body was tuned into the environment and ready to spring to action at the slightest provocation.

  Chapter 24

  The Games We Play

  I OPENED THE DOOR and walked into the cold darkness of Boobies Birds. Even at this time of the day the place was filled with patrons. The bird theme so prominently displayed on the outside of the building extended indoors. There were neon birds scattered about the cavernous space as well as glowing neon stripper poles. A pretty, brown-haired girl wearing a glittery G-string and rhinestone pasties walked up to me and smiled.

  “Welcome to Club Boobies,” she said. “The hostess is indisposed at the moment, but I can show you to a seat up front. You’ll have a great view.” She winked at me subtly.

  “Sounds good,” I said.

  “Well, follow me then,” she said. “By the way, my name is Tara I’ll be your waitress.”

  I followed her to a small table located directly in front of the stage where a woman was finishing up her act. When I sat down Tara leaned in close to me and spoke.

  “What can I get you to drink?”

  “Just a Coke for now,” I said.

  “We’re a little short staffed today, so I might be a while,” Tara said, then whispered in my ear, “Be sure to at least act like you’re enjoying the show—you’re being watched. Blond guy in gray suit on the left.” She straightened up again and spoke more loudly. “I’ll go get that for you, Sir.”

  The guy on the other side of her reached for her ass, but she grabbed his hand then addressed him sweetly. “You don’t really want to get tossed out of here so early, do you, Ernie?”

  “I guess not,” the portly, middle-aged Ernie said.

  Tara kissed the top of Ernie’s head, then smiled and spoke to him. “Would you like another beer, honey?”

  “That sounds good,” Ernie said.

  “I need to use the little girl’s room, then I’ll bring it right out to you, sweetie.”

  When she left, Ernie turned to me with a huge smile on his face. “That girl has a great ass and she’s a real sweetheart too. Dimitri sure knows how to pick ‘em. You must be new here, buddy.”

  “I’m visiting from out West,” I said.

  “Anger Never Dies” by Hooverphonic started to play over the speakers, and Ernie got excited. “You’re in for a real treat, Cowboy,” Ernie said. “This is Lola’s new favorite song to perform to… and she’s the best girl here.”

 

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