Chapter Twenty: The Squatter

CHAPTER TWENTYThe SquatterHarold knew he shouldn’t still be in the house. He’d filled Phantom’s food bowl and milk saucer twenty minutes ago, and there was really nothing left to do here.Except explore.He liked that word better than snoop, although he suspected that one was actually more accurate. Still, it wasn’t as if he were stealing anything. He simply had a natural, insatiable curiosity about how other people lived.He started upstairs in the main bedroom. He didn’t rummage through the drawers, just opened them and glanced inside. Turned out Brad was a boxer-brief man, and his socks were all neatly balled up in a fastidious fashion that suggested an anal-retentiveness that bordered on OCD. The drawer in the nightstand next to the bed revealed that Brad favored Lifestyles brand condoms and KY lubricant. He checked the bathroom next, zeroing in on the medicine cabinet. Speed Stick Deodorant, Colgate toothpaste, Acqua di Gio cologne. Some aspirin, Band-Aids, even a bott

Last Updated : 2021-09-09

Chapter Twenty-One: Homecoming

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONEHomecomingAfter parking the car in the garage, Brad stopped at the apartment and knocked. When no one answered, he checked his watch. Just after one in the afternoon, kind of early for Harold to be out and about. Then again, knowing Harold, it was entirely possible he was still sleeping.With an affectionate smile, Brad crossed to the gate and let himself into the side yard. His luggage was still in the car, but he’d bring that in later. As he strolled across the veranda, enjoying the warm sun beating down on his face, he paused to take in the beauty of the yard. Mathew had done a great job of turning this little patch of land into a verdant landscape. Sago palms lined the fence, and the gardenia was in full bloom, the intoxicating aroma of the tiny flowers filled his nostrils. He loved that smell, like honeysuckle but not quite so sweet. He felt buoyant, an optimism filling him like helium in a balloon. In fact, he felt as if he could float right up over th

Last Updated : 2021-09-09

Chapter Twenty-Two: The Empty House

PART THREE:Behind the VeilMay 2016CHAPTER TWENTY-TWOThe Empty HouseBias’s apartment was beginning to feel like a prison cell. Or a coffin.He’d been staying here for a week and a half, ever since he’d discovered Harold’s body. At first it had been mere practicality, as Brad’s house had officially become a crime scene. The investigation dragged on for four days, and though the death was ultimately declared accidental—the theory being he’d merely tripped on the stairs and fallen—Ramon had asked so many detailed questions about their trip, making Brad and Bias give him separate written itineraries of everything they did while away, that Brad felt like a suspect in a murder case.Brad had not told the police, or even Bias, about the copy of Dead Don’t Dance, especially when he discovered it was not one of his author copies, seeing as they were all accounted for in his office. So where could it have come from? He supposed it might have been Harold’s own copy, but then why w

Last Updated : 2021-09-09

Chapter Twenty-Three: A Friend in Need

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREEA Friend in NeedThe Savannah Theater was an Art Deco structure located on Bull Street, just off Chippewa Square. According to Bias, it was one of the oldest continually-operating theaters in the United States, though damage from fires and hurricanes over the years resulted in the building being renovated and portions completely rebuilt.An usher showed Brad and Bias to their seats, fifth row center. Once they were settled, Brad said, “These are pretty prime seats.”Bias nodded. “It pays to know someone in the show.”“I couldn’t tell you the last time I’ve been to the theater. I’m looking forward to this.”“I suggest you keep your expectations low.”Brad turned to him. “You know something I don’t?”“Truthfully, I’ve seen this show once before, back before Becca joined the group.”“It’s bad?”“I wouldn’t say bad exactly,” Bias said. “Just very white.”Brad laughed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”“Look, I know we’re white, but this show is supe

Last Updated : 2021-09-09

Chapter Twenty-Four: The Flesh-and-Blood Ghost

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOURThe Flesh-and-Blood Ghost“You have to understand what this land means to my family,” she started. “I grew up hearing stories from my grandmother about how our ancestors were buried here, people who had been forced to come to this country in chains and treated like beasts of burden. Then, when they died, either from mistreatment or being worked to death or in some cases taking their own lives to try and find freedom in the afterlife, they were thrown in unmarked graves in a slave cemetery that no one cared for. As if to add insult to injury, when the city began to expand, they built right on top of the graves. They didn’t bother moving the bodies. Why would they? They didn’t even know whose bones were whose. What would have been the point?”On that subject, Brad wasn’t certain of the point of this little history lesson, but he kept his silence. The gun provided ample motivation to be an attentive student.“As a little girl, my grandmother used to walk me do

Last Updated : 2021-09-09

Epilogue: New Dreams

EPILOGUE:New DreamsJune 2017The house rested there on the corner of Abercorn and Wayne like a creature that had lived a long life and had finally earned a quiet respite, sleeping soundly with its champion standing guard.Brad smiled at the thought as he walked through Crenshaw Square. His eyes drifted from the house down to Bias, sitting at the booth on the sidewalk out front. Engrossed in a book, Bias didn’t even notice Brad until the man was halfway across the street.With a wide grin, Bias rose from the stool and stepped around the booth, walking with the slight limp that he’d have the rest of his life.Still, Brad thought, it could have been worse. It could have been so much worse.The two men embraced each other as the summer sun embraced the both of them in arms of warmth and light.“How was business today?” Brad asked.“Busy, busy. I’d say we’re fast becoming one of the hottest home tours in Savannah. Giving the Sorrel-Weed house a run for its money.”As if to prove

Last Updated : 2021-09-09

All Chapters of 324 Abercorn: Chapter 21 - Chapter 26

Chapter Twenty: The Squatter

Chapter Twenty-One: Homecoming

Chapter Twenty-Two: The Empty House

Chapter Twenty-Three: A Friend in Need

Chapter Twenty-Four: The Flesh-and-Blood Ghost

Epilogue: New Dreams