Page 3
"True," Baxter said with a soft laugh. "But keep that between us. I have a date tonight."
Sam stopped in the hallway and turned to face him. "And you actually brought her home? This is a first."
Baxter shrugged. "Have to get serious some time." He appeared to reconsider then smiled and laughed. "Or maybe not."
All four sat around the elegantly set dining room table. Venice was an attractive blonde woman with a busting figure, typical for Baxter. He seemed to attract the most beautiful women with limited intelligence. Amber and Sam exchanged looks several times as Venice attempted to keep her cleavage within her low-cut, form-fitting shirt. Baxter practically lay across the table while talking to her in a soft, romantic voice.
"Such a fascinating life you've led," Baxter said warmly. "I don't think I've ever dated an underwear model before." He pauses for effect. "Do they give you free samples?" Venice giggled.
Amber and Sam rolled their eyes and looked back to their plates. "Isn't this the best beef stew ever?" Amber announced loudly.
"And the wine selection," Sam added while holding up her wine glass. "How ever did your brother develop such great taste?"
Baxter held Venice's hand and looked into her eyes while responding to Sam's remark. "It's a gift. I'm full of surprises."
Venice giggled again. "This is one of the best meals I've had in awhile. I think it's romantic when a man cooks for me."
"That's me, Mr. Romance," Baxter said in a soft, low voice.
"It's getting deep in here," Amber muttered softly to Sam.
Amber and Sam sat on the front porch of the house. The full moon allowed enough light to see the headstones within the cemetery and the police line around the crypt. Sam sat on the railing and stared across the yard to the cemetery.
"Very creepy," Sam said softly.
"Not usually," Amber remarked. "But since the murders, I've looked at that lot in a different perspective."
"I didn't see anything in the paper," Sam said. "I guess they didn't find the killer yet. That would make me more nervous than anything."
Baxter and Venice walked onto the porch with a blanket, a flashlight, and a bottle of wine. Amber glared at Baxter.
"What do you think you're doing?" Amber demanded to know.
"We're going for a little romantic interlude," Baxter replied while raising his brows cleverly. "Venice wanted to see the crime scene, so I thought I'd give her the personal, guided tour of our cemetery."
"That's sick," Amber snapped with a look of disgust.
"Well, a little kinky, maybe," Baxter replied. "But I don't know if it qualifies as sick."
Baxter and Venice walked off of the porch. Amber and Sam looked at one another.
"I think that's my cue to leave," Sam informed Amber and stood from where she'd sat on the railing. "If I see your brother getting it on in the cemetery, I'll be violently ill."
"Me too," Amber muttered and stood as well. "Let me know what Mr. Colbert says about tomorrow."
"I will," Sam replied and walked off of the porch.
Baxter and Venice strained to see past the police line and into the crypt. Baxter looked back at her and smiled deviously.
"Creepy, don't you think?" Baxter asked with a soft laugh.
Venice appeared concerned. "A little," she replied. "Why don't we find another spot?"
"Good idea," Baxter injected with a tiny smile.
They walked along the cemetery with their blanket, wine, and flashlight. Baxter held the light to his face and began laughing in a ghostly fashion. Venice smiled, but she appeared to lose her thrill for their decision.
"You aren't scared, are you?" he asked curiously.
"No," Venice replied and looked around nervously.
Baxter spread the blanket out near several older headstones. "The whole thrill is the fear factor," he informed her. "Makes for stimulating sex."
Venice managed to smile warmly. They sat on the blanket. Baxter poured them some wine. Venice sipped the wine and looked around with a tiny, nervous smile. "This certainly is different for me."
"Like I said, it's stimulating," Baxter announced, leaned forward, and kissed her. She returned the passionate kiss as he slowly lowered her to the blanket. They kissed passionately for several minutes. Baxter ran his hand firmly along her body. Venice suddenly stopped his hand and lifted her head.
"I heard something," she announced firmly and looked around.
Baxter continued to run his hand along her side and pushed her back down to the blanket. "You're just imagining things." He kissed her neck. "Just relax, baby."
He kissed her along her neck and down the opening of her shirt. Venice attempted to look around, unable to relax. A snap of a twig could be heard. Venice gasped and sat up, nearly knocking Baxter over. Baxter sat up as well and stared at her.
"It's just your imagination," he informed her simply. "There's no one out here but you, me, and a bunch of dead guys."
"I think we'd better go back," Venice announced firmly and stood.
Baxter groaned with disappointment and allowed his face to fall into the blanket. "Okay," he breathed lowly then looked back to Venice.
Venice looked around nervously and rubbed her chilled arms. The cloaked figure stood behind her with a dagger raised. Baxter's eyes widened.
"Oh, shit!" Baxter cried out.
Venice spun, saw the cloaked figure behind her, and screamed hysterically. The dagger was thrust downward. Baxter stared in horror while scrambling backwards on the blanket. He looked up to the cloaked figure.
Amber entered the photography studio as Sam was ringing up a woman's photo purchase. The woman collected her photos and left the studio.
"Can you believe I was called in to work early this morning?" Amber announced with an exhausted sigh.
