Page 4
"What happened at the cemetery?" Venice asked curiously.
Baxter released her hand and straightened with a broad grin. "Another ghost attack," her informed her and raised his brows deviously. "There are always strange noises coming from that cemetery. The dead are very restless."
Venice giggled softly. "You'd say anything to make me laugh."
"True," Baxter replied. "But I'm serious. I actually saw someone lurking around the cemetery on more than one occasion. But when I went to see who was out there, I didn't find anyone."
Amber frowned. "You have not. That's not funny, Baxter. Two police officers were killed there last night."
Baxter glared at his sister. "I wasn't trying to be funny," he said lowly. "Why won't you believe that I've seen ghosts? Just because you don't want to believe it, that doesn't mean it's not real."
Venice looked at Amber with large, curious eyes. "Have you ever seen any ghosts in the cemetery?"
"Certainly not," Amber announced firmly and tossed her napkin down. "Even if I did believe in ghosts, I'd certainly never believe they'd be capable of killing two men."
"Suit yourself," Baxter remarked simply. "But when you wake up and find some zombie hovering over your bed, just remember that I was right."
"If I ever wake up and see a zombie standing over me bed, it'll be you. I promise, that'd be the last time you ever scare me again," Amber informed him in a threatening tone.
"Enough joking around," Sam announced simply and set her wine glass down. "You're going to scare Venice into leaving�and I know you don't want to do that."
Baxter stared at Sam a moment then quickly looked at Venice and attempted a smile. "I was just kidding. I have a great sense of humor. Wanna watch a movie in the game room?"
Venice smiled warmly and nodded. Baxter jumped to his feet, took Venice's hand, and led her to the dining room door. He paused in the doorway and looked back at Sam and Amber.
"I made dinner," he announced simply. "You can clean up."
"Figures," Amber muttered as Baxter disappeared through the doorway with Venice. "Any time he cooks, there's always a catch."
"It's only fair," Sam replied simply.
"Oh, but you should see how he leaves the kitchen after he cooks," Amber remarked and stood.
"I swear I've been working every Saturday since the beginning of time," Sam replied.
"Dawson around?"
"He's in a photo shoot," Sam said simply.
"Good, then I can escape before he's finished," Amber stated. "Did you talk to Mr. Colbert?"
"Yes," Sam replied. "He said it didn't matter if you wanted to come along."
Amber jumped around excitedly. "Oh, I can hardly wait. Hope I'll have some energy left tonight."
"So how did Baxter's date go last night?" Sam asked curiously.
"Oh, I'm sure he got lucky, as usual," Amber replied. "I left before he got up. He usually sleeps until noon after a full night of meaningless sex." She sighed and leaned on the counter. "At least someone's getting some."
"Are you on that again?" Sam asked curiously.
"I haven't had a good date in months," Amber informed her. "Or even a bad one, for that matter." She straightened and smiled cheerfully. "Maybe Mr. Colbert can change all of that for me."
"And if he's not interested in you?" Sam asked.
"I know the type," Amber remarked. "He's looking for something young and vibrant. I qualify. Besides, once he finds out you're not interested, he'll be all over me."
"I still think you're way off base with that," Sam remarked. "He's not interested in me."
"I'll bet you five dollars he is," Amber announced with a cheap smile.
"Okay, and suppose he is," Sam interjected. "What makes you think he'd switch gears and go after you?"
"Because," Amber replied. "I'm more outgoing than you are. I know how to turn them on. Baxter's not the only one who inherited that gene."
Dawson appeared from the studio along with an older couple. "I'll have those proofs for you in two weeks," Dawson informed them. They nodded and left the studio. Dawson eyed Amber and approached the counter. "Hey, what brings you here on a Saturday?"
Amber shrugged. "The home's been kinda busy lately, and they asked me to work."
"Yeah, people are just dying to get in there," Dawson announced with a proud smile.
Amber smirked. "If I had a dime for every time I've heard that one."
Dawson looked at Sam with a warm smile. "So what are your plans for tonight?"
"Sam and I are going to Mr. Colbert's house," Amber informed him with a teasing smirk. "For a threesome."
Sam rolled her eyes.
"I don't think that's such a good idea, Sam," Dawson announced. "You don't know what that guy's up too. I don't trust him."
"I'll be fine," Sam informed him. "Amber's going with me."
"I heard he's into some pretty weird stuff," Dawson informed her. "He has a collection of medieval weaponry."
"Who told you that?" Sam asked with a strange look.
"Mr. Dean," Dawson said. "Apparently they have a history together."
"You mean, Mr. Colbert's gay?" Amber asked with a look of horror.
Dawson glared at Amber. "No. They don't get along. In fact, they hate each other. Mr. Dean told me a lot of things about Mr. Colbert."
Sam studied Dawson with an odd look. "And you're just telling us today? Why didn't you say something yesterday? Or did you just find this out yesterday when you told Mr. Dean that Mr. Colbert was in here talking to me?"
Dawson became quiet.
"You just don't want me going to Mr. Colbert's house," Sam remarked simply.
"No matter what my reasoning, Sam," Dawson announced, "I don't think you should trust that guy. There were two murders not far from his house. How do you know he's not involved? The guy's creepy."
Sam rolled her eyes. "I'm tired of your unfounded jealousy, Dawson. I can date whomever I wish, and that includes Mr. Colbert."
Amber suddenly appeared offended. "Wait a minute�"
Sam's jeep pulled up to the impressive, yet sinister looking mansion only a quarter of a mile from Amber's house. The front drive was decorated with marble statues of gargoyles and strange looking plants. Both Sam and Amber got out of the jeep and paused a moment to stare at the mansion.
"Wow," Amber said with a look of surprise. "This guy must really be loaded."
Sam removed her camera bag from the jeep. They slowly approached the house. Max appeared on the porch and approached them with a pleasant smile.
"I'm so glad you could make it," Max announced cheerfully as he approached. Amber eyed the gargoyle statue near the porch. Max laughed softly. "Don't mind the gargoyles, they don't bite."
Sam looked around then looked back at Max with a nervous smile. "This is an interesting place you have here, Mr. Colbert�uh, Max."
