Sunday, February 7, 2010

Killer Chocolate -A Valentine Mystery

Part Seven
By Debby Giusti

Lovey had to do something. She couldn’t let Mr. Creamer harm Cupid. “Stop,” she shouted. “I know what you’re after, and I’ll take you there.”

Rouen raised his brow and stared down at her with questioning eyes. “Lovey, you said you didn’t have knowledge of the Luxor Project.”

“But I can read maps, and the one in the desk shows an area not far from here.”

“Take me there at once,” Mr. Creamer demanded, dropping Cupid who landed with a mew on the soft cushion of the Victorian sofa. Pointing his gun at Lovey, Creamer nodded toward the door. “Get going and don’t pull any funny business.”

Glancing first at Rouen and then at Athena, who had palmed the cell phone and was trying to inconspicuously slip it into her pocket, Lovey gathered her courage and, buoyed by Rouen’s closeness, walked with determined steps through the door and onto the street.

“Follow me, everyone,” she said with more gusto than she felt. Surely, someone would see them and come to their aid, but when she glanced around, she realized the other shops were closed and the street deserted.

Rouen grabbed her hand and squeezed, sending a signal of support and encouragement with his touch. For an instant, Lovey forgot about the gun Creamer had concealed in his coat pocket, which was still aimed at her, and thought only of the handsome man at her side. Silently, she prayed her plan would work.

“What are you doing?” Rouen whispered so only she could hear.

“Praying we get out of this alive.”

“Amen to that,” he answered.

His eyes were warm, and a hint of a smile played over his full lips. If they survived this ordeal, Lovey wanted to tempt him with her dark chocolate clustered almonds and a cup of love-at-first-sight hot chocolate topped with marshmallows and a sprinkle of mocha. She envisioned sharing Valentine’s Day with Rouen, and her pulse purred like her tabby cat.

The caw of a gull quickly brought her back to reality. As dismal as the day seemed, at least, Rouen was at her side.

Dark clouds signaled an approaching storm as they made their way along a desolate back alley to the rock seawall, a sturdy barrier that kept the ocean water at bay during high tide. Lovey glanced at the white caps on the incoming surf and then at the filigree watch Ryan had given her. They had to move quickly before the waves covered the tiny sandy beach that edged the wall.

Descending the stone steps from the street level to the beach below, she stepped onto the sand and headed toward the bend in the sea wall. Rounding the corner, she pointed to a narrow tunnel-like opening cut deep into the rock. “You’ll find what you’re looking for in there, Mr. Creamer.”

He stepped close and peered into the darkness, but before Lovey or Rouen could make a move to overpower him, Creamer straightened and, after freeing his gun from his pocket, aimed it, once again, at Lovey.

“Ladies first,” he said with a snarl that sent her heart crashing against her chest as forcefully as the waves that now swirled around her legs.

She hesitated, hoping to hear the sound of sirens and the approaching police who would come to their rescue after receiving Athena’s call for help. That is if Athena had been able to make the call.

Glancing back at her friend, Lovey’s heart sank as she watched the cell phone—as if in slow motion—slip through Athena’s nervous fingers and drop into the water.

“Oh, Lovey, I’m so sorry,” Athena said, her eyes filling with tears as the phone was carried out to sea.

“Get going,” Creamer demanded, pointing toward the tunnel. “All of you.”

Swallowing down the fear that lodged in her throat, Lovey pulled in a fortifying breath and looked into the eyes of the man at her side.

Rouen’s jaw tightened and his free hand fisted, but his other hand held hers with a firm, yet gentle touch that steeled her resolution. He gazed down at her, and she knew they would get out of this alive.

But she changed her mind when she stepped into the darkened tunnel. What she saw frightened her more than Mr. Creamer or his gun.

20 comments:

Donna said...

Wow...now what?? Ryan's body? Athena's evil twin? A giant squid? Disdainful teenagers??? I can't wait to see what happens next!!!

Mystery and Mayhem said...

I say it's Ryan's body. But by now, it's not in good shape. Unless he was killed recently by the evil Creamer.
Hey, as long as Cupid is safe, all's fair, now.
Barbara

Leann Harris said...

Oh, my, Debbie, you sent our story off into a new and wonderful direction. what's in in cave? A body? treasure? Another map? I can't wait to find out.

EllenToo said...

What is in the cave????? Like others have suggested is it Ryan's body??? Or perhaps a whole bunch of bodies??? And I still don't totally trust Athena. She could have dropped the phone on purpose without ever getting a call through to the police just to make Lovey and Rouen think she was on their side.

Debby Giusti said...

Hi Donna,
A giant squid? That's very creative and something I hadn't thought about! Good job coming up with something truly unique! :)

Debby Giusti said...

Barbara,
Notice that the first thing I did was save Cupid! And I had him land on the velvet couch to ensure he hadn't gotten hurt in the fall. :)

Debby Giusti said...

Hi Leann,
I'm wondering what Terri will have Lovey find in the cave! Of course, I know what I'd put there, but Terri's in charge of the next installment. Can't wait to read what happens next.

Debby Giusti said...

Ellen,
You don't trust Athena? Do you think she really dropped her phone on purpose?

What about Rouen? Are you sure he's a good guy? And will he be Lovey's Valentine? Or will Ryan reappear and steal her heart back?

Lenora said...

I hope Ryan's not dead but I like Rouen right now. He seems very protective of Lovey. That mean old Mr. Creamer might be in cahoots with Athena??? Maybe Cupid will figure things out for us and take down Creamer with one paw!

Debby Giusti said...

Hi Lenora,
Bet you're wondering how you'll end this story on FEB 14th. By then, the plot will have twisted and turned so many times!!!!

I'm eager to know what happens next!

Jphillips1107 said...

I agree I think it is Ryan's body. I think that Athena and Mr. Creamer killed him or its a very different version of Ryan one that Lovey had never seen herself. I also think that little Athena knows that the watches that Rouen and Lovey have are what they are needing she just needs to gain control of the situation so she doesn't have to share anything with Mr. Creamer.

Lisa Mondello said...

I hope Ryan's not dead. Part of me thinks he'll come and save he day only to discover there are true feelings between Rouen and Lovey and then step aside so they can be together. Maybe he did use or or maybe he loved her but left to protect her and now realizes his feelings for her have died. I still want to know what Creamer is really after. And how Athena plays into the whole thing. Why would Ryan call her to get Rouen there? What does Rouen know that he's keeping hidden. After all Creamer was his "contact". I'm dying to know what else is going to happen.

Lisa Mondello said...

Oh,and one more thing...What did Athena mean that they were ALL in danger? And from what? Mr. Creamer? Or someone or something else more sinister that is part of the Luxor Project? Can't wait to read Terri's chapter!!!

Debby Giusti said...

Hi Jessicue,
Sounds like you've got it all figured out. Be sure to stop by tomorrow to learn more!

Debby Giusti said...

Hi Lisa,
Rouen or Ryan? One and the same? Or two very different twins? The plot thickens. I can't wait to see where Terri takes the story. This is so much fun!

Pamela Tracy said...

I think Ryan and Athena are in cohots and that Mr. Creamer is just one more bad guy.
In the cave, hmmm, what could it be. Ryan... maybe but what could be worse...

Ellen, we think alike.

Debby Giusti said...

Hi Pam,
So Ryan, Athena and Mr. Creamer are all evil folks?

What about Calico?
He's purr-fect! :)

Can you tell it's late, and I need to get some sleep?

Scraproni: Adventures of Single Woman said...

I think its Ryan standing there with his gun pointed at them all with a pair of dobermans' at his side snarling. Or maybe she's afraid of clowns it phobia she's had since she was a child?! :) Loving this there's no limit to what could happen in the next!

Debby Giusti said...

Sketchgirl,
Love the snarling dobermans! Nice twist.

Olga said...

Fabulous! More and more suspense and adventure!