Newspaper Page Text
Page 6
Flagpole Magazine
March 20, 1991
The Diamond Thief: Book Two
Part Fourteen — Mystery Man
Quickly, Dexter shifted gears and the
house, if one could call it a house it was so
monstrous in size, curved in slow motion.
When the jeep came to a halt and I looked
over, we were parked next to Veronica’s
trolley. She and Taylor had arrived earlier to
meet with Lawrence.
No sooner had we arrived and climbed
from the jeep a young Greek man dressed in
a trim black butler’s uniform, his feet silent on
the cobblestones, was at our side. He had a
beauty mark on his left cheek. The gate was
down and as we reached inside to retrieve
our luggage, for Lawrence had invited the
posse to stay overnight, the young man
gracefully tugged at mine and Erin’s wrists.
“No, please allow me. You are guests of Mr.
Halley and he would be very annoyed if he
saw you handling your suitcases. Please. I’ll
take care of this. Mr. Halley awaits you
inside. I must say I haven’t heard so much
laughter in many months. It is a good thing
you are here. Now leave these to me," he
said and began to fiddle with pulling the
luggage forward. When he saw we hadn’t
moved, he pointed to the door and instructed
us to go there. “Iris is waiting for you. She will
take you to Mr. Halley," he said and once
done ignored us.
“My, my, my," Erin said as the four of us
approached the splendor. “Think maybe
this is a yes?" she whispered into my ear.
“Come to think of it," Duncan began, “No,
it can’t be."
But it was, somewhere behind that wide
heavy door, waiting for us.
I pushed the doorbell and inside an echo
followed the chimes. As the door was pulled
open for us, at our feet a marble floor, above
which glistened a fine coronation of dripping
glass, we were greeted by none other than
Iris — as our butler had predicted. Iris was
a pert, heavyset woman witl
eyes which seemed to turn and rotate as she
spoke. Her gray and white uniform was tied
in a bow in the back. "Mademoiselle,
messieurs, welcome to Halley. May I have
your coats," she said and stepped back after
she had closed the door behind us. Her
words were bypassed as stunned as we
were by our surroundings. She tapped me
on the shoulder and addressed us again. Til
take your coats now,” she said. "I can see
you’re overwhelmed. Halley is an impressive
house. Although she is spooky at night
sometimes, she remains a heaven unto her
self and her guests. Mr. Halley designed her
many years ago before any of you were born,
I’m certain," she said as she took our coats.
“I was a peasant barely your age when I
came to work for him. I'm not able to say
exactly where he is at this moment, he skips
around so. No need to worry. Your rooms are
waiting for you, but you’ll see them soon
enough. If you like you may wait on the
veranda while I locate Mr. Halley and your
friends."
Iris’ greeting had given our sweeping
eyes someone to fix on. My head was light
from the splendor and my stomach felt loose
and hollow. Duncan was overcome with the
dry heaves.
“Sir, are you alright?" Iris asked him.
"Iris," we heard a voice call and echo in
the hall, "would you be so kind as to fetch the
young man a glass of water? I believe he
might faint."
In the middle of the hall climbed a mahog
any staircase, the stairs covered in well worn,
royal green. Waiting at the landing, and as if
he appeared suddenly from nowhere, stood
our host, an athletic, aging man clad in his
bathrobe and holding a fat cigar. Coring
steadily down the stairs he continued speak
ing, saying, “You must pardon my appear
ance. Your friend, Taylor, and Veronica and
I only seconds ago dashed from the pool
when we heard the doorbell. I was certain
you were here and rather than have you
stand around with a boring toddy waiting on
me I decided to welcome you as such. This
is my house and as long as you stay, be
cause one never knows how long they will
stay at Halley, consider her your home."
Iris returned with the glass of water which
she gave to Duncan.
By this point, Lawrence had reached the
marble floor. He left a trail of water behind
him as he approached us. He shook our
hands firmly and introductions followed.
“Tomorrow well talk about the film. I prefer to
wait to discuss business. But I have to say
this, young fellows. Your script intrigues
me." Then he looked back to Erin and said,
“What are you doing with such ruffians? Ms.
Chelsey, you should be in much safer hands.
Allow me to escort you."
Lawrence led us to the veranda which
overlooked the grounds of Halley. In the
distance I could see a white stable and
beside it Appaloosas were running free.
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