Page 223 of Duty and Desire

Ziggy, Sarah from reception, and I stood gathered around the reception desk. Another bland brown box sat there with a label bearing my name. She’d called up no more than five minutes before, asking if we were available to come down. And it wasn’t so she could deliver good news.

“We got him on the security cameras, but he was wearing all black clothing and a motorcycle helmet,” continued Sarah. “No distinguishing features that I could see.”

I peeled back the packing tape. “We need to make sure.”

“Detective Ortega will be over in an hour or so,” said Ziggy, sliding his cell back into his pocket. “Are you sure you don’t want to wait?”

“Just in case. She’s a busy woman, I don’t want to waste her time.”

“At least let me open it.”

“I can do it. I’ll be fine. It’s my mess, after all.”

He didn’t look happy, but he didn’t stop me. He just hovered next to me, close by, and I could almost feel his muscles quivering like a sprinter at the starting gate, ready to react. Nobody said anything as I carefully pried open the cardboard box. It felt like there were ants crawling over my skin. Someone walking over my grave, maybe. Because sure enough, stinky rust brown-stained material lay folded inside. My stomach twisted and turned. A shriveled piece of raw meat sat amongst it all. Another heart, perhaps? Whatever it was, it was disgusting. Deranged.

“That’s enough, Miss Cooper,” said Ziggy. “Please step away. We’ve established it’s either from him or a copycat.”

“I can see some of the label on the material. It’s a piece from my lingerie line.” As asked, I took a step back, arms wrapped around myself. “So much for hoping he’d lost interest.”

Ziggy looked up. “The detective will want to talk to the delivery guy.”

“He couldn’t wait, but I’ve got his number and the five-dollar bill,” said Sarah.

“Good.” He turned to me. “Are you all right? Miss Cooper? Mae?”

“Hmm? Yeah.” I shrugged. “The tissue paper he wrapped it in, it’s kind of an orange color, isn’t it? Same as the last one, I think.”

“Hard to tell with all the blood. You positive you’re okay, not feeling nauseous or faint?”

“No, I’m fine. Basically.” I sighed. “I’m not some swooning maiden and there’s not much I can do about this that we’re not doing already, is there? They sure must hate me, whoever they are. He even bought it in my size.”

“Did he?” Ziggy’s fingers twitched at his side. As if he might have liked to punch something, or I don’t know what. But I could have used a hand to hold on to right about then.

“What’s up?” asked a deep voice.

In walked David Ferris with his arm slung around his wife Evelyn Ferris’s neck. Judging from the collection of shopping bags in his spare hand, they’d been out and about supporting the neighborhood businesses. They were a pretty hot looking couple, him with his dark hair and tattoos and her all blonde and curvy. I’d met a fair number of famous and important people over the years but they were impressive in their low-key rock’n’roll royalty cool way. Despite the sucky situation, Mom would be impressed when I told her. She was a big Stage Dive fan.

“Oh no,” said Evelyn. “They didn’t send something else?”

Ziggy stood straight and tall, even more on duty than before, if possible. “I’m afraid so.”

“We haven’t been properly introduced yet.” She held out her hand to me for shaking. “I’m Evelyn and this is my husband, David. I’ve been hoping we’d cross paths. Lena’s told me a lot about you.”

I managed a smile despite the weird feeling in the pit of my stomach. “I’m Mae. Hi.”

They both shook my hand, casting a couple of worried glances at the latest dreaded box of horrors. Sarah got back behind the reception desk and with a pair of plastic gloves on her hands, carried the box out back, out of sight. Can’t say I was sorry to see it go. Meanwhile, Ziggy and David gave each otherthe standard dude tipping chins in a manly fashion greeting. Guess they’d worked together a lot. Though Ziggy didn’t seem particularly relaxed around the couple. But then, it would be a professional relationship. Like what he had with me.

“We’re being watched,” said Ev, looking over her shoulder out the wide glass windows beside the front door. “Photographer across the street.”

David frowned. “Might be best to head upstairs.”

“Guess the paparazzi will be back in force when they hear about this.” I balled my hands up into fists. All of the old sensations of feeling powerless in this shitty situation swamped me. Yay for self-pity. And by yay, I mean boo.

“Listen.” She moved closer. “We’re having some friends over tonight and we’d love you to join us. Hopefully get your mind off all of this for a few hours. Say around eight?”

“That’s sweet of you, but I’m not sure I’m in the mood.”

“No, she’s right. You should come,” said David. “You’ll bring her, yeah, Ziggy?”