Chapter 5 Unveiling Legacies

Robinsat on the edge of the bedin the morning and inventoried her clothes around the floor. Finally,she covered her face with both hands and flopped back on the bed.

"Is there any further down that you can slide, Kirby Girl? Will you stop that label?

He didn't use it or mean it as a positive. So, could you not take it upon yourself to

continue? You'll need all the positives you can find, muster, buy, stumble over, and win in a psychology lottery you can acquire. And never touch anything you don't understand for the rest of your life."

She looked toward the ajar bathroom door and heard the water running in the shower. She shook her head and groaned.

"Why didn't she atleast resistor fight a little? That was too easy. What are you going to do now, Kirby Girl?What is your next trick? How about doing it on the Boardwalk

and holding up a sign that reads, 'Please whip my ass?'"

She sighed, picked up her wallet from her purse, and regained her seat. She opened it to a picture of her mother and father. "I'm sorry, guys. I've let you down in a huge way. You both gave mesage advice. You said, 'Don't worry and cling to the past, ours or the

families. Instead, build your own life based on the honesty and goodness that you are

and will be. The Kirby bloodlines are not pure, but they can be corrected. Don't dwell

upon the past; don'topen doors that should remain closed; don't take unnecessary risks; don't involve yourself in lesbian relationships. You can cleanse the bad, the evil, the

wrongness out of this family by living righteously.' Now, look at where I am and what I've done."

The water stopped, and she closed her eyes and willed herself to put on a happy face when she wanted to cry and scream. She smiled but could not prevent some tears from leaking. She wiped them, but not before hot hands rested on her shoulders.

"Hey, what's wrong? Why the tears? Are you hurt over what happened?"

"No, it's not that, but there are many things I don't need in my life right now. I've

not been perfect, and I'm about to get chastised. Sometimes, when I make mistakes, I

can't getaway from the pitchfork in front of me or the rabid pitbull behind me. There's a cliff on my left and a whirlpool on my right. And as if that's not enough, there'sa huge storm cloud over me, only me, and two more steps, and I'll be inside the crevice left by the earthquake. That'swhat it's like when my number'sup, and right now, mine is."

"Hey, that's too negative for you. Just stop your suicidal course. I'm here, and I've got your back now. Just don't hide from me and hide information from me. I like to

know who holds the pitchfork, where my gun is for the pitbull, where my lifesaver ring

is for the whirlpool, and where my lasso and horse are for the earth crevice. Iloveyou as a friend, a lover, and an adventuresome leader. You don't have to face any fight alone,

ever. I'm Calypso, and I'll shield you until all the Hounds of Hell are exhausted and

chained again, and your sword is dripping blood from every enemy who'sfoolish enough to test your mettle. Got that?"

Robin made a soft fist and tapped her left jaw. "I got it, honey, and wow!"

"Yeah. Did that sound like a spunky statement?"

"Just atad, and I love it. Thanks."

Ariel moved her face in for a kiss, and the sky turned pitch black, and green

lightning flashed in the room. She moved her mouth away, and screams could be heard around the hotel as power failed and several windows shattered on the riverside.

'WOW! Did I do that?"

"I wish it was you instead of our enemy, accepting your spunky challenge."

The power flicked back on, and all the clocks flashed at 12:00 noon.

Robin moved her aside and stood.

"Let's go and get some breakfast in the restaurant, and we'll dine in the boardwalk seating area. The enemy isn't going to wait, soneither should we."

They risked the elevator to the ground floor, and they were 50 feet underway when a man hailed them.

"Yo! Wait up there! Are you Robin Jacqui Kirby? Holdup, please!"

She turned to see a man in his 40s hurrying to catchup with them, accompanied by a much younger man wearing thin-framed glasses and carrying a briefcase.

"I'm Robin. What can I dofor you? Hurry, please. I'm hungry and late for breakfast."

"So are we. I'm Walter Arrington, and this is my new partner, Shayne Wolf. We're both employees of the Denton City Government. Let's order from the restaurant and dine on the boardwalk tables. We need to talk, and due to the circumstances

surrounding our problems, we should not wait too long."

"Our problems? Are they mutual, as in Cherie Waterman?"

"The same, Miss Kirby."

"Then let's do it. This is my partner, Ariel Wright."

They ordered and sat at a table for six on the boardwalk, and Walter started.

"No need to wait, Robin. I'm from the Recorder of Wills section, and Cherie's will mentions you twice. Once very precisely and once again conditionally. The specific

portion is that you're to receive the deed to a parcel of land adjacent to the Denton Cemetery during the final processing of her will. That parcel is occupied by Clarence Lowbottom, and its current valuation is $1.3 million.

"The second part is her bank accounts and stocks and IRAs. Their total is around

$2.75 million. Then comes the conditional part. Part one is that you must find her grave without provocation. Part two is you need to perform reprehensible acts with a feline.

Part three is strange. It says that you must restore what you destroyed with the silent help of Lupine. Finally, part four is the strangest. It says that you must restore what Roxana Perkins lost through foolishness. And that's all you have to do."

Robin casta quick glance at Ariel. "And when I do those impossible parts, what happens tome or forme?"

"When you do them and can be verified, you'll have $3.7 million for your use, plus accruing interest. In addition, you will have lease income and 50% of any business

enterprise that happens to be constructed at the intersection of William Street and Danube Avenue. If the property is empty, it goes to you to do with as you wish."

She puffed out a significant volume of air.

"Coolness. Is there anything built there at this moment in time?"

"Yes, Miss Kirby. This luxury hotel and casino was constructed on that parcel of land."

She dropped her cup of tea.

"Are you kidding me? Does the owner know that clause exists in her will? Does he or they know about me?"

"I'm not kidding you, and yes, Miss Kirby. The corporation had to get several

building permits from the city. That knowledge had to be revealed as apart of the lease agreement when it got to our department. The property is still yours, and the lease was $200 thousand a year for a contract often years with renewal options at that time. Plus, you still have 50% of their stock and profits."

"And where are the monies as of now?"

"In the same institution as the $3.7 million, justina different account for tax purposes."

"Of course," Robin said, smiling at Ariel's stunning face.

"And if you're interested, that account holds $200 thousand for the lease and $200 thousand for a security deposit."

"Well, dear Ariel, it looks like I'm going to be busy for a short time. However, at the end of my job, I think we can retire and enjoy life. Say what?"

"Say, I love it, but some of that's impossible and unachievable."

"We can take care of parts one and two right now with plenty of witnesses, including our waitress refilling coffee cups."

"Sex with acat? Come on, Robin?"

"Yes. Happy I'm not allergic to fur. I've been there and done some of that. I found Cherie Pandora Waterman's grave yesterday of my own volition. And last night, I had sex with a feline. Ariel's name means Lioness of God. I'm sure God disapproved of our actions, but she was a lioness when we made love last night."

"I know about the grave from talking with Clarence Low bottom," said Walter. "What about part three, Ariel? Is that true?"

Ariel gave a weak thumbs up. "Yes. We've come close before, but last night we did it."

The waitress tapped on Robin'sshoulder. "Hey, Miss Kirby? You did her last night?"

"Yes, I did. Why? Do you have a problem with that?"

"Yeah, I do. I was about to make her an offer. Damn my luck. That would have been a forever tip. Nevermind now."

"Well, that covers parts one and two. What about the rest?" Walter asked.

"That will require some thought."

"What was lost that you must restore?"

"I do believe that was the dried stems on her tombstone. Unfortunately, I was attacked by a falcon when I removed them."

"And number four? What did Roxana Perkins lose?"

"Her uterus. Some demon, or witch, pulled it out as punishment for being naughty on a grave."