A Deeper Love

By Saylos

Joyce Hargrove's dress could still be seen in the cold moonlight as the tide swept her away. On the water-drenched pier, the pearls that had once adorned her thin neck lay scattered, some rolling around as though driven by a life force all their own. In the distance, the sounds of laughter, the laughter of the rich, could be heard, but on the waterfront, all Frank Malone could hear was the sound of his own heart beating and the sound of the glittering waves singing so him. He watched her body drift out to sea and thought to himself "So this is what murder feels like?"

Frank kicked a few of the pearls into the murky water below, but bent down to pick one up. He held it between his two fingers, the very fingers he'd used to strangle Joyce Hargrove not moments earlier, and looked at the round, white orb. She'd always bragged about those pearls. It was only fitting she dies with them wrapped around her neck. He slipped the pearl in his pocket and looked back at the sea. The body was only a distant image, slowly sinking into the undertow of the cold, cruel ocean. Frank was amazed at how calm he was. He'd done a lot of things in his life, from fraud to embezzlement to outright theft, but he'd never killed anyone before. He panicked, at least that's what he told himself. He panicked and just reacted. Not like it mattered, if the body was ever found, it would be so eaten up by various sea creatures that the telltale bruises, shaped like a string of pearls, would not be a problem. If anyone asked where she was that night, he'd simply say he didn't know. She'd given him the perfect explanation anyway. More than one person attending Brandon Hall's yacht party noticed how coldly she'd behaved toward him that night. Besides, all those rich assholes were already so blitzed on cocaine and tequila they wouldn't notice she was gone until morning at least. By then, they'd be well away from the island of Del Diablos and the scene of the crime.

"She went too far," Frank said to himself. He reached down and picked up the thirty page document she'd pulled from her 12 thousand dollar leather bag. The document she insisted that he sign in order to avoid any legal complications arising from his liberating 12 million dollars from her various bank accounts in the four months they'd been together. He'd underestimated her all right. She had the goods on him and was going to make him pay through the nose with this agreement. She sure as hell didn't want him sticking his d**k anywhere for a while, including in her. That was part of the agreement. She went too far. Frank learned a long time ago that the most dangerous thing anyone could do it push someone too far.

It wasn't long before Brandon and the rest of his motley crew herded on board his yacht, the "Maggie Porter" and set sail. Frank was relieved to see that Brandon didn't leave Del Diablos empty handed. He had a good two or three keys of blow for his efforts. More than enough for him to want to avoid any legal entanglements himself. The rest of the evening had been as it was before they arrived on that small island off the coast of Mexico. Glittering socialites in sparkling gowns drank, snorted and laughed mechanically. Raucous silver spoon boys groped and leered, spilling expensive booze and even more expensive drugs in their hedonistic wake. Frank remained on deck, watching the water dancing before him, looking for any sign of Joyce's body among the glittering diamonds. He ran his finger along the pearl in his pocket. It seemed a little morbid to keep it, but he couldn't help himself. Those pearls were the only thing even remotely attractive about Joyce.

"Excuse me," A voice whispered behind him. No, it wasn't just a voice, it was almost a song. Frank froze for a moment, not knowing why exactly. He was suddenly overwhelmed with the sweetest smells imagined, jasmine and flowers too exotic to be named. He turned around slowly, expecting the sight to be a disappointment, He couldn't have been more wrong.

"I just saw you standing here and thought you could use some company," She said. She was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. Her hair was the color of honey and her eyes were as blue as the clearest ocean, yet there was something haunting about them, something deep and almost forbidding, yet at the same time alluring.

"Oh, I was just watching the ocean. It's a lot more interesting than the party." Frank said. The woman laughed with a grace he'd never seen before. Her teeth were as white as the pearl he hid in his pocket. He glanced her over, a shimmering silver dress clung to her frame with such elegance he'd only seen in films. Her skin was a deep, creamy peach. Around her neck was a necklace of gold with four black pearls in the center.

"I don't think we've met," Frank said, "I'm sure I'd remember."

"Sorry," She held out a beautifully manicured hand "Bella," She said. "Bella Corrine"

"Lovely name," Frank said, taking her hand to his lips and kissing it. The flesh was temptingly salty.

"I didn't realize that was in fashion anymore," She said with a confident laugh.

"Too much?" Frank threw on his best boyish charm.

"No, not at all. It's actually refreshing to meet a gentleman. Seems like you're a dying breed."

"I'm sorry if this isn't an appropriate question," Frank said. "But I have to know where you got those pearls. Black pearls are very rare."

"They're a gift from my father. I think he's trying to spoil me."

"Bet your husband's always trying to outdo him," Frank said.

Bella held up her left hand, no ring.

"Boyfriend then?"

She winced and shook her head.

"Sorry," Frank said. "I didn't mean to--"

"No, it's okay. Just haven't had the best luck with men. It's so hard to find someone to connect with, you know? I haven't found anyone I've been compatible with."

"It must break their hearts to lose you," Frank said.

"Don't be stupid. They always leave me. I don't know why, so don't ask."

This was just too perfect. She was obviously rich, obviously single and just emotionally scarred enough to be used and abused, The fact that she was gorgeous as hell was just the icing on the cake. Frank knew if he played his cards right, he'd be set for life.

"Well, what are you looking for in a man?"

"I don't know," She looked out into the ocean dreamily. "Someone kind and gentle. Someone loving. Someone that can make me laugh. Someone to share and grow old with, have lots of babies."

"There are a lot of guys like that," Frank felt he was getting closer. This would be the score of a lifetime.

"Yeah, right," Bella said. "Seems like nobody I meet is willing to commit themselves. I think maybe they're scared, so they run away."

"Who could run away from you?" Frank smiled. Bella smiled back, only it was a real smile, warm and full of life.

"You're sweet. And you're kind, but you're forgetful."

"Excuse me?"

"You never told me your name."

The two walked for hours, until the horizon melted from deep purple to crimson and gold. Frank didn't know the moment it happened, but he stopped pretending, stopped putting on a show. He actually enjoyed talking to this strange young woman. He felt strangely drawn to her in a way far deeper than he'd ever known. He wasn't sure, but he thought that maybe, just maybe, this might be more than a score. This could be the real thing. Just as he was getting to know her more, the yacht arrived at port and the trip had ended.

"I had a great time," Frank said.

"So did I," Bella brushed a twig of hair from her face and looked at him deeply with those same haunted eyes. "I'll see you around," She said "I guess." Then she started to walk toward the gangplank with everyone else. Frank hesitated a moment, not sure what to do next. The first rule was to never get personal, but he wasn't sure if she was even a mark anymore. He ran along the packed deck toward the gangplank. Bella was already on the pier, walking away. Frank shouted after her.

"I have to see you again!" He said. She turned and smiled brightly at him. "I honestly think I might die if I don't see you again!"

"We'll see about that," She said. "Meet me here, tonight."

"Here?" Frank looked around at the waterfront.

"Yes, here. At nine o'clock sharp." Bella laughed, turned around and walked away. Frank felt strangely elated. He'd never felt anything like this before. In the last 15 years of hustling women, he'd never actually felt anything like this. Then, suddenly, it gripped him like a cold dead hand reaching up from the grave. It took hold of him when he stuck his hand in his pocket and felt the pearl. Joyce! There would be questions, the police, her father. There would be more questions than he could answer and this was not the best time to be involved with someone else. It would only be a few days before her father got back from Argentina and surely someone would notice she was gone before then. He'd have to think of something, and fast. He didn't have time to get all turned around by a woman.

Frank arrived home at around noon and was feeling a bit more than worn down. He'd had a busy night, after all. He took a quick shower, then sat on the couch with the television on. His mind was going through the situation at hand, what he was going to say, how he was going to say it. He felt his eyelids start to give out on him and sleep start to take control.

"The body, described as a women in her early to mid thirties was discovered early this morning by a fishing trawler," His eyes snapped open. "In its current state, the body is unidentifiable. Coast guard officials have stated that it will be some time before they can identify the body and the state that it's in, the actual cause of death may never be known, though authorities seem convinced that there was no foul play involved."

"Holy f**king s**t!" Frank screamed. He leaped from the couch and danced around the room. He knew he must have looked insane to anyone who might have caught his display, but he didn't give two s**ts. He'd gotten away with it. The current must have taken the body out to sea and it probably got eaten by sharks. That was as good a theory as any, as far as he was concerned. He was a free f**king man, praise the lord and pass the collection plate. He was free and . . . rich! Free and Rich!

That night, he met Bella at the pier. She was even more beautiful than he'd remembered. They actually went to a movie and dinner at a small diner off the boardwalk. For the first time in his life, Frank Malone felt like a human being. Bella brought that out in him. Maybe it was her smile, maybe it was the way she looked at him that made him want to be a better man. Maybe it was her freedom. Still, there was something odd about her. The way her eyes would grow dull and her face morbid when they walked along the waterfront. They saw each other every night for three weeks. Every night they would watch the sun come up together. It was strange, but Frank never felt the need to push her into sex. He actually enjoyed just spending time with her.

It was on the morning of the third week when everything changed. Frank walked up the stairs to his villa and was greeted by a large man in a dark grey overcoat.

"You wouldn't be Frank Malone, would you?" The man said in a gruff voice.

"That's me, what's this about?"

The man flashed a badge. Frank held in a tiny scream that was trying to force it's way out.

"Detective Remy, Homicide," He said. "Can I talk to you inside for a few minutes, Mr. Malone?"

"Frank," He said, smiling. "Call me Frank. Come on in, Detective."

He opened the door, remembering everything he'd learned about dealing with cops.

"I would offer you something to drink, Detective, but I haven't had time to go to the store yet. Just got in."

"Late night, Mr.-- Frank?"

"You could say that."

"Very nice place you have here, Mr. Malone. Not bad for a man with your background."

"It's not that much. I've done pretty well for myself."

"How's that?"

"Boats," Frank said sitting down on his leather sofa. "Yachts really. I sell them. Business is good."

"I'm surprised, Mr. Malone," Remy said. "You haven't asked why I'm here yet."

"You seem to know my background already, Detective. I'm used to police checking up on me. What can I do for you?"

"I understand you knew a Joyce Hargrove, is that correct?"

"We dated," He said. "Four months. She dumped me about three weeks ago. She too found out about my background."

"She dump you? Or did you dump her, Mr. Malone?"

"It was mutual really. I mean, I had no idea she was so shallow."

"Where did this breakup take place?"

"I remember it clearly, Umm, it was at a Yacht Party, about three weeks ago. We went our separate ways, and I haven't seen her since."

"No, you wouldn't have, Mr. Malone. She's dead."

"What?" He'd worked that out in advance. Not over the top in the surprise category, but not too disinterested. "How? I mean. What happened?"

"We believe she was strangled, Mr. Malone."

S**t! He wasn't ready for that! The pearls, they would have left a mark that could be so easily identifiable. Then he remembered the one in his pocket. If this cop searched him, he was as good as dead.

"My God! It's just-- It's just hard to believe. Why would someone? --"

"Oh, no," Remy said "Not someone. They're pretty sure she was strangled by some kind of aquatic animal."

"Huh?"

"Yeah, damnest thing. But the boys in the lab are convinced that it was done by some kind of squid or octopus or something like that. Now, the reason I'm here is, and we have to follow all these things now, that we're still not sure how she got in the water to begin with."

"Everyone was drunk," Frank couldn't believe what he was hearing. Was this cop trying to bulls**t him? "I guess she could have fallen in?"

"Did you see her at all on the Yacht on the way back?"

"No, actually, I was trying to score with someone else."

"Move fast, eh?"

"It was mutual, like I said. I just assumed she was there."

"That's what I thought," Remy Stood up and headed for the door. "These types of things happen all the time in Del Diablos. Regular epidemic out there."

"If there's anything I can do, just let me know," Frank said.

"There is one thing," Remy stopped at the door. "And it's none of my business really, so you don't have to answer, but did she mention anything to you about her lawyer?"

Frank froze. He hadn't thought about the lawyer! The lawyer and that strange contract he drew up for her.

"Not that I can recall, why?"

"Oh, probably nothing, but he's missing too. Have a nice day, Mr. Malone."

Remy closed the door behind him. Frank sank into his chair. Missing? S**t, maybe the guy figured she was a goner and took off with some of her bread to boot. But what about Joyce? What were the odds of an octopus strangling a woman in the exact same spot? Hell, he wasn't even sure if they were fresh water animals or not. Frank mulled these things over and reached a conclusion before sinking into a restless slumber.

That night, he met Bella in the usual place. She seemed more distant than usual, more haunted. They walked along the boardwalk, she clung to him as though he would be whisked away by the next breeze.

"You okay?" Frank said.

"It's just that time of year, I guess." She said distantly.

"I'm sorry, if you don't want to talk about it, you don't have to." She smiled at him. She looked unusually great, her skin was a creamy tan, darker than he'd remembered it.

"Bella, I need to talk to you," Frank said.

"What is it? Is something wrong?"

"No, no honey, nothing's wrong. I think we should. I mean, why don't we get out of here, just the two of us?"

"For how long?"

"I don't know, forever?"

Bella turned away, a tear streamed down her cheek.

"I can't leave here, Frank. I grew up here. I want my children to grow up here."

"Our children can grow up anywhere, Bella. Come on!"

"Is this about that woman you murdered?"

"What are you talking about?" Frank's heart stopped. His knees grew weak, his body as cold as ice.

"I saw it, Frank. I watched you do it."

Bella turned to the shoreline and stared into the black water. Frank thought back to that night. There was no way she could have seen him, no way! He looked around, all he saw was the f**king water, there were no people at all. Just the water and that strange sound, like singing.

"It's okay Frank. I haven't told anyone yet. I even helped. I made sure nobody else could know either."

"What are you saying, Bella?"

She turned around and gazed at him, unblinking. "I know you're different, Frank, you won't leave me like all the others. I knew it from the moment I first saw you. We have a deeper love, Frank, deeper than anything else. It's that time of year, Frank, and I have picked you to give me children."

"What are you talking about, Bella? What--" She kissed him hungrily. Her lips were salty and sweet. She pulled him down on the pier, her hands slowly unbuttoning his shirt. He returned the affection, he couldn't resist it. He slid his hand down her throat to her shoulders.

"Not here," She said, moving his hand away.

"You're right, this should be special," Frank's mind was racing. A million and one thoughts. He didn't know what to think, just what to feel and he felt it. He felt the deeper love she was talking about. If she could love him after watching him commit murder, then maybe there was something more than he could ever know.

Bella stood up. She slowly slid off her clothes and then, with a girlish giggle, jumped into the water.

"Are you crazy? That water must be freezing!"

"Come on in, Frank, I'll keep you warm."

Frank took of his boots, then his jeans. It was cold as hell, but he couldn't resist. He jumped into the water with a splash and into the welcoming arms of Bella. They embraced and kissed, his hand exploring her neck, then her shoulders. Then he felt something strange, something unnatural brush up against his leg. He tried to pull away fro the kiss, but her grip was too firm. His hands continued down, past her breast to her ribs. There was something there, something was wrong. He felt a whoosh of air and bubbles coming from her ribs. He tried to free himself, but her arms enclosed him in a death grip. His ankles were bound by a pair of horrid elongated, snakelike things he couldn't see. He was repulsed, terrified, yet at the same time unable to control his own functions. He felt himself being pulled downward, downward, downward still, into the dark unknown, the abyss. Bella's kiss did not leave him. He felt himself falling, felt his body giving way, felt his essence escape him in joyless ejaculation. The embrace was broken. Frank was too weak to move. He had no way of knowing how far he'd come, or where he was, except in the cold embrace of the sea.

Bella pulled away from him and drifted backwards. Her eyes were huge, rounded. Her mouth opened and closed slowly, though she was not mouthing words. She had grown expressionless. The snakelike tendrils flailed from her dorsal fin and i the center, a glistening egg sack.

Behind her were the frozen corpses of men, men just like him. There mouths hung open, faces frozen in confusion, terror and ecstacy. He realized with horror what had happened and, worse yet, what was going to happen. " Just haven't had the best luck with men. It's so hard to find someone to connect with, you know? I haven't found anyone I've been compatible with."

"It must break their hearts to lose you," Frank said.

"Don't be stupid. They always leave me. I don't know why, so don't ask."

The signs were there all along, but like a fool, he didn't see them. "I know you're different, Frank, you won't leave me like all the others. I knew it from the moment I first saw you. We have a deeper love, Frank, deeper than anything else. It's that time of year, Frank, and I have picked you to give me children."

For millennia, sailors have told their stories. Beautiful creatures with alluring songs that drive men to their doom. Frank felt like laughing, it was only fitting. He knew where he was now, knew where she'd taken him. He saw it on the ocean floor, several tiny white pearls, pearls kicked carelessly off the side of the pier below. He remembered what Remy said about Del Diablos. Bella was now unrecognizable, her eyes now black orbs, watching Frank's last breaths. He couldn't be sure, but he thought he saw perhaps a tear in one of those inhuman eyes. He was about to leave her just like all the other.