Chapter II: The Elks' Masquerade Ball
(Note: If you haven’t read Chapter I yet, find it below!)
Leo and I were staring into the inky blackness. He pulled out a stubby cigar and the light of the match illuminated his leathery face as he puffed on the cigar to get it started.
“So you’re telling me that the safe they found originally held the plans for a super secret weapon called a sonic cannon?” I asked him as the night dragged on.
“That’s what I’ve said, son. But there’s a lot more of my story to go. Listen closely, because this starts getting complicated.”
^ ^ ^ ^
Leo’s Story
The Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks was hosting a Halloween Masquerade Ball. The Exalted Ruler of the Tacoma lodge went to the party dressed as Abraham Lincoln. Viola Magdalene went dressed as a ravishing black cat. Leo went as an ex-drunk private investigator in a rented and wrinkled suit. He filled the costume like he was born for it.
Finding his way toward the bar, Leo ordered two extra-dry martinis from the bartender.
“Dry sir?”
“If you even glance at the vermouth while you’re pouring I’m going to send it back.” The bartender nodded and went away to get the gin.
“Two drinks so soon, Leo?” asked a familiar voice.
Leo turned to see the Exalted Ruler of the Tacoma lodge, a portly built man named George, who really made a poor Lincoln. George stuck out his hand and Leo shook it warmly.
“You said a hell of a thing for me keeping that misfortune I had last year quiet, Leo, a hell of a thing,” said George. “I can’t thank you enough. What brings you here tonight?”
Leo’s martinis arrived and he used one to point up toward the stage. Viola was as sultry as he’d ever seen her and the crowd was eating up her performance.
George laughed.
“I have to talk to her, George.”
George laughed again. “You and every other man in here.”
“It’s about The Professor.”
Leo saw George’s face go stone cold. “No one gets to talk to her about that.”
But Leo did get to talk to Viola. In fact, it seemed to him that she was rushed off the stage and into her dressing room, where he and George waited, a few songs early.
“I take it you’re not here to get an autograph,” Viola said, strutting toward the mirror and checking her lipstick. Leo saw how The Professor had been seduced by her. She had only spoken a sentence to him and he was already entranced.
“No, Miss Magdalene. I’m here to ask about a safe.”
George and Viola exchanged glances and if Leo ever had any doubt they were involved in its theft, it was now gone. George leaned in and kissed Viola in such a familiar way that Leo realized they were long time lovers. He looked at Leo and smiled thinly. “I must get back to my duties running the lodge, Leo. Viola will answer any questions you have.” And with that George was gone.
“Would you mind unzipping me, honey?” Viola asked indicating the zipper at the top of her costume.
Leo held in his breath and sighed. He started the zipper down as far as he dared. “There you go,” he said, almost hoarse.
Viola disappeared behind a screen and began talking to Leo over it. “If you’re asking about the safe, I suppose I can conclude the The Professor has hired you to locate it. And if he’s gone to you, it means he’s decided he can’t go to the police. Either because he doesn’t trust them, because half of them are members of the Elks, or he doesn’t want a lot of publicity.”
She peeked around the edge of the screen. “Did he tell you what was in it?”
“He’s got a gold-plated trumpet in there for all I know,” Leo said.
Viola laughed. “Something like that,” she said, coming from around the screen dressed in a silky red robe. “He fell for me because of my name, you know. The Professor loves sound and he loves music. I guess a woman named Viola was right up his alley.”
“What were you after?” he challenged.
“The safe, of course.”
“So you admit you stole it.”
“Not at all. It was taken from him before we could get it. We don’t have it.” Viola batted her eyes. “We’ll hire you to find it for us instead of The Professor.”
If you believe that … Leo thought. She knew where the safe was, so did George. The offer of a job was a put-on, and a bad one at that.
Leo picked up his hat and nodded. “No, thank you, Miss. I’m already being well paid. Good night.” Leo made for the door but turned back at the last second. “One last question, Miss Magdalene. Why would you want to steal the safe? Do you really hate this country so much?”
Leo wasn’t sure, but it looked like Viola had suddenly teared up. She advanced right up to him in a fury. “I love this country, Mr. Coatsworth. More than you will ever know. More than Fascist infiltrators like The Professor will ever understand. Don’t you dare lecture me on my patriotism.” With that Viola decked Leo with a left-handed hook and he staggered out the door.
Is Viola really a patriot? What has she and George done with the safe? All this and more in Chapter III! Look for it in the 11:00 hour!
Previously
Filed under: Exit133-Fiction