Overhead streetlights passed above the moving vehicle. Night slowly engulfed the city as it proceeded. Inside was an ever-deepening cloud of silence. The driver not being paid to strike up a conversation. With two passengers having seemingly being hit with a sudden case of mute. Michael sat with his legs crossed, and a hand cupped within the other. His Sight being kept forward, as he watched the women next to him in the review mirror. She played with a handful of her red dress. Astrid’s gaze moving between her lap and out the window. Not even daring to look up or over to the man beside her. Why was she so nervous? Michael has been so much closer plenty of times before. This time in fact probably being the least in her personal bubble prier. He kept a decent amount of space from the blond for once. No attempts to scoot closer or even to try to hold her hand. Was it because of the extra body in the car? Or was he trying to not be a creep? It was most likely something a lot simpler or even just another way to mess with her. Whatever the real reason, it had Astrid on high alert. So much that the sudden stop of the car made her jump. Eyes darting around the cab with a tighter grip on the fabric against her skin. Finally focusing on the eyes that were fixated on her.
“Astrid Mon Cher it is okay~. We have simply arrived at our destination.” Turning to face his own tinted window. Michael pushed the door open slowly. A flood of lights brighter than any street post they crossed moved into the small space they occupied. A large bright, and white illuminated building stood tall. Two big spotlights lit up the set of couple dozen steps. Leading up to a pair of rotating doors. One long and wide black carpet descended the marble structure. Ending almost perfectly aligned with the back passenger door. Stepping out before turning around offering his hand. The sense of Deja vu hitting hard for the women. How many times had the two of them been in this very situation? Astrid sitting or standing before the male. His hand or arm extended towards her. Each time leading to a new adventure the young blond never thought she would experience. The first and most memorable being the night they murdered that young couple. Finally taking his hand, she stepped out of the vehicle. The towering building appears to be much bigger than previously thought.
“Holy hell, is this really all for some dead girl?” Michael chuckled at her statement. Such a smart girl, yet she still finds amazement in the little things. Nodding as he started his way up the steps. The sound of a car door closing behind them. Astrid looked over their shoulders as the gentleman was already pulling away. Returning her attention to the steps before them. Not wanting to risk tripping and possibly ripping her new dress.
“Well of course, only the best for my publicist. Case and point them betting so much on me. A new writer with not much under my belt before “Partners in Crime” series. Some of those out there would think they are crazy and overreact. I see it more as having a sense of theatrics and what sells. This is a celebration of a young woman taken before her time. There is no need to doll that down just cause of meaning of the party.” Reaching the rotating doors at top, Michael allowed his date to enter first. Looking at him before pushing the doors to spin. Stepping in as they spun and moved for her to enter. Transporting the blond to an almost completely different environment than what was outside. The dark and still air held a slight chill. Was replaced with bright lights, cozy warm air swirling with the smell of food and the sound of music. Chatter mixed in with the music that now entered her ears.
“Oh Jeez, and inside even crazier than I imagined.” A large ballroom laid at the bottom of a set of steps almost mirrored of the ones outside. Tables spread evenly about the floor. At the other end of where she stood was a circular open space. Several groups of couples and those flying solo danced about the marble. Most dressed to the nines just like the two new arrivals. Several long tables with white cloth and tin metal trays across all of them. This was most likely to be the food creating the aroma she had smelled upon entering. Astrid’s awe and wonderment quickly faded when her sights landed on a large banner hanging from the ceiling. It depicted A girl who couldn’t be anymore older than 23. Her dark hair held up in a bun. She wore a black dress with hints of red sparkles. With black eye liner, which was a bit heavy under her eye lids. Though even with all this more goth inspired ascetics. A large Bright smile was spread across her face. This odd out of place smile wasn’t what caught her attention. It was the familiar face and undoubting likeness to a certain someone. Her eyes followed down the long cloth. A name sprawled across the bottom in gold lettering. “Harmony Lynn Woodlins.”
“Beautiful name, isn’t it? My Husband and I took almost the whole nine months I was pregnant with her to come up with that name. Funny enough it was her older sister who ended up choosing it.” Astrid head moved to the sudden appering women besides her. Looking to be somewhere in her mid 50’s. Wearing a light blue dress, and what looked to be fox fur around her shoulders. Greying sandy blond hair pulled back into a ponytail hung down over her left shoulder. Astrid Stared at the women not really sure what to say. Quickly being recongized by her, earning a small giggle and blush. “My applogize for that dear. Here I am babling to a stranger.” Extending her hand out the younger women with a small smile. “Names Kathy Woodlins. I was Harmony’s mother. And you are?”
“Oh, Hi there. I’m sorry for your loss. I can’t even imagine having to go through such a thing. I’m Astrid. I’m here with Michael Maplewood. I’m guessing you or Husband is his publicist?” Kathys smile slightly lowers at the mention of Michael.
“Oh, I see. Yeah, my husband represents him I guess.” Like as if summoned Michael approaches from behind his date. His hands placed gently on her shoulder. Giving a grin tilting his head, his eyes closed yet somehow looking at them.
“Ah, Kathy it has been a long time.” Opening his eyes slowly, one could almost feel the sparks flying between them both. An unspoken tension flared as neither said another word. Being broken once, an older gentleman joined at Kathy’s side.
“Michael my boy! I’m glad you were able to make it! Glad you can take a break from such a busy release of your new book. The portly man popped up besides Kathy. A few inches shorter than Michael, with grey pushed back hair. Wearing a traditional tux and blue tie. Obviously being the Husband of Kathy, in turn making him the father of Hallow. It was slightly odd and off-putting for Astrid. Being only a couple feet from her victim’s parents. Though I wish it could have been under better circumstances. Harmony wasn’t around a lot when you were about the house. Always so independent and into her rock music. I’m sure you both would have gotten along swimmingly.”
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“Yeah, just like how you thought Kat and him would, I'm sure.” Kathy’s words were low but loud enough for the group to all hear it. Her Husband gave a look to tell her to behave. Returning to the two across from them.
“Oh? And who is this fine young lady besides you?” The publicist motioned towards the younger of the two women.
“This Richard is my dear friend Astrid. She runs a bookstore that is carrying my new book. We hit it off quite well when we realized we shared some common interest.” Michael smiled at the blond. Who in return chuckled rubbing her arm. “Don’t mind her shyness too much. I did kind of drop this on her last moment. I’m surprised I guessed her size right for the dress.” Snickering slight which was joined by Richard.
“Even after 30 years together, I didn’t think I'd even get anywhere close with guessing Kathy’s. Just show that you have a good one on your hands Astrid. Make sure to hold on tight before he slips away.” Kathy huffed storming away from the three of them. “Whoops looks like I said something wrong. My apologies to you both. My wife is still a bit emotional. Enjoy the party, and it was nice to meet you, Miss Astrid.” Bowing his head slightly before going after his distraught wife.
“Jeez Mike the hell you do to her? Probably the first person I’ve ever seen not fawn over you in some way.” Looking back up at the banner, Astrids eye widened. Turning around so fast that if not carful she would of send herself flying down the steps before them. “Never mind that actually!” Taking a quick look around to make sure no one was listening. “When were you going to fucking tell me this was for the girl we killed? Or how about even better. The Daughter of your own publicist!”
“And what? Ruin the surprise? Now that is cruel Mon Cher. I don’t just pick anyone to slay. I need a good reason and that girl gave me nothing but good ones. All Richard and even Kathy has done for her. Yet she chose to throw it all away. For what? A sorry excuse for love and an even more sorry excuse for a lifestyle. Some would kill for half the things her parents did for her. So, I felt it only fitting for me to kill her for not appreciating all that.” Taking hold of her hand the two head off towards the spread of food. Watchful eyes following from near a group of guests.
“I couldn’t catch anything they were possibly talking about. Damn right eye! Use to be great at reading lips. Now I can barely read the newspaper. Where did Nikki go now?” Nikki pushed through the crowd with two plates held above her head.
“Wasn’t sure what you liked so got a bit of everything.” Brian brows lowered at his partner. “What? If we are going to go through all the trouble of sneaking into here. Might as well enjoy the fruits of our efforts. Or in this case, little cocktail sausages.” Now waving the plate in his face, which he took with a groan.
“Damn it kid, we are here to keep an eye on Von Rose. Not to eat fancy fo...” Brian was cut off as one was shoved into his mouth. Chewing and swallowing quickly, he raised a hand to protest. “hmmm Okay maybe a fancy weenie or two.” taking the plate as the female detective smirked smugly.
“Don’t worry old man. We’ll get you home before 60 minutes is on.” With a huff the older eat another sausage. “This place is too crowded for Mr. Maplewood to get away with anything. We’ll watch for a bit, enjoy a bit of an easier night, and make sure she gets home safely once they leave.” Nikki took a bite of some good-looking potato salad she had found. Taking the advice of his partner, Brian enjoyed the food. Giving their targets once over. Both filling plates with some food of their own.
“Really lucky this spread looks great. It almost makes up for all your bullshit tonight. So please for your sake and my sanity no more surprises tonight.” Michael simply nodded, popping a cherry tomato into his mouth.
“mmm, right my dear. No more surprises, and only fun times going forward.” Astrid rolled her eyes and was about to voice her doubt. Instead, a gasp and some muttering came from the table near them. The bodies filling the seat all looking towards the two. “Well, it was only a matter of time before this happened. Care to accompany me in saying hello to the masses?”
“Yeah, you have fun with that Mike. I’d rather tell Kathy how Hallow died.” Michael shrugged and nodded.
“Don’t go too far then Mon Cher I shall return shortly.” Waving him off, the blond kept eating. Watching Michael approach, the group of obvious fans. Shaking their hands and signing napkins. The women of the group giggling before shooting glares at Astrid. She just rolled her eyes and let the big shot have his moment.
“Yeah, fuck that. Now where were those finger sandwiches?” Spotting the tray holding them. One laid on it begging to be claimed by the women. “Come to momma~.” reaching out to grab it, only to be beaten by another hand. Astrid sighed in disappointment of her lost sandwich.
“Sorry were you going for this one?”
“Yes, but you got there first so don’t worry about it.” Looking up, coming face to face with the victor of their unofficial race. A woman roughly around her height. Shoulder length curled almost black hair, and a small scar across her lip. She wore a purple dress about knee length. The emerald eyes of a doll shade compared to Michael’s gave a relaxed look. Meeting with Astrid’s, just smiling and not saying a word. “Ummm, I'll just wait for them to bring out more. So really all yours Miss.” The strong silence from the other women continued. “So, enjoy the sandwich and the party. I need to get back to my date.” With a small wave and awkward chuckle. Astrid turned around only to bump into someone’s chest. “Oh, sorry didn’t see where I was going.” Looking up to yet another pair of green eyes. These ones looking familiar giving her a sense of comfort from the weird situation. “Oh, hey Mike all done with your fan girls?”
“He prefers to go by Michael dear.” Astrid looked back over her shoulder. The women before stood now right being her. She then looked back to Michael, whose eyes now had left Astrid’s and were met with the strangers’. “Long time no see Mr. Maplewood.”
“That it has been Katharine.” Rolling her eyes in response shaking her head.
“It might have been a few months, but you should remember I go by Kat.” Astrid looked between the two seemingly old acquaintances.
“You know her Mike?” His eyes didn’t look back to her.
“Oh, just a ghost from my past darling.” The women now known as Kat snickered.
“Don’t lie to the poor girl. I am much more than just a ghost from your past. All the time spent together was nothing but magical. Paris, Berlin, Tokyo.” Kat sighed smiling as she cupped her cheek.
“What is she talking about Michael?” He looked down for a moment to meet her gaze. Not having any time to answer before the dark-haired women did so for him.
“Did Michael not tell you of me?” holding out her hand towards Astrid. Cat gave a closed eye smile with her head tilted slightly. “Kat Woodlin’s.” A small pause occurred before she continued. “I am Michael’s dear beloved fiancé~”