Salty popcorn and freshly baked chocolate chip cookies scented the air, drifting lazily through the cosy, open plan cottage. A lone lamp in the dining area cast a gentle glow around the snug interior, the only other light coming from the flickering television. Outside in the gloom of the evening, mist snuck its way through winding streets, creeping across lawns to lap gently at closed windows--the perfect evening for a date with my TV boyfriends.
When you lived in a smallish town like Murder Point Bay, whose only source of evening entertainment included a night out at one of the two local pubs; the 24hr drive-thru fast food chain, where local teenagers tended to hang out; and any harebrained schemes the locals thought of, evening fun was in short supply. If you were single and had workaholics for friends like I did, well, evening fun was even more limited. Not that I minded too much--I usually worked on weekends, and on the rare occasions that I had a night off, I tended to try to catch up with my workaholic friends for a night of drinks and laughter.
Tonight, however, I wanted some peace and quiet. I needed some time with two of my main men--Dean and Sam. Oh, I had others, but tonight was their time to shine. I had all 13 seasons of Supernatural lined up and ready to go, with the first disk of season 2 already playing. The sound was turned up, the scene unfolding with Dean being all tough man after the loss of his father, while Sam was attempting to deal with his loss in a more therapeutic way, which pissed Dean off to no end. Bliss. Pure bliss.
~
I looked up and sighed, jerked from my reverie as someone knocked sharply on the front door. I was loathe to get up from the horizontal position I was currently occupying on my super comfortable couch. No one could resist the couch once they sat in it, no one. Assessing my energy levels, I debated whether I really wanted to rise, when another series of knocks sounded.
“Come on, Evanee, I know you’re in there. I can hear the TV. Don’t make me stand out here in the cold.” Cassandra’s whine crept through the spaces in the door frame, shattering my relaxed mood. Damnit. I thought she was meant to be out partying with Jared tonight, not bloody harassing me.
Slowly hauling my backside off the couch, I didn’t bother hitting pause as I placed my bowl of popcorn onto the coffee table. I’d already watched all the seasons of Supernatural enough times to be able to quote most of the lines.
Feet dragging along the soft, fluffy caramel carpet, I took my sweet time, hoping she would give up and leave. Tip toeing across the cool, dark wooden floors I stood at the front door, hesitant to open it. There were only a few steps between my lounge room and the front door.
A third series of impatient knocks echoed in the little hallway.
“I’m coming, I’m coming. Keep your panties on.” Impatient woman.
“I don’t have any on, another reason my butt is freezing out here.” Her high pitched whine scraped at me as nails would on a chalk board, grating every last one of my nerves. I really wasn’t in the mood for any company tonight. I’d had a long week and just wanted some veg-out time.
“Well, whose bloody fault is that, Cass?” Why bother hiding my annoyance when she might take a hint and go? Although, this was Cassandra -- she never did listen. Not anymore, anyway. Unlocking and pulling the door open, crisp fresh air raised goose bumps along my exposed arms. There in all her glory stood Cassandra, dark hair down and tousled to perfection, with a figure enough to make even the most seasoned model jealous.
Looking her over, I noticed she was in fact dressed to party. A gold metallic dress clung to what little curves she had, somehow enhancing them; whilst her legs were on full display, amplified by a pair of black stilettoes any stripper would cry over.
“I can’t wear underwear with this dress.” She complained. “Besides, Jared likes it when I keep him guessing what’s underneath.” I just bet he does.
“Yeah, yeah. Are you coming in, or you going to stand out there and give Steve across the street a heart attack?” I could see him nosing through the curtain as I spoke.
Steven Mors worked in Security at the same hospital as me, Acrasin General Hospital. We’d known each other since my first day of work placement at the hospital morgue, during high school. He’d taken me under his wing my first day, showing me where all the best vending machines were, and which café to get my lunch from. Cass stepped through the door, while I waved to Steve before gently closing the door.
“What can I do for you, Cassandra? I’m in the middle of something.” Picking my way back to the couch, I flopped back into it and made a grab for my bowl of popcorn.
“Oh, I can see that. Is this how you’re planning on spending your Friday night?” Nodding in response, I stuffed more popcorn into my mouth.
“Haven’t you seen this like a thousand times already?” Cassandra glided towards the two-seater against the wall. Dropping down gracefully, she arranged herself as a Queen might on her throne. Me, I was going for the sloth look.
“Yes I have, but a thousand and one times never hurt a girl.” Poor Sam was getting his ass kicked by a demonic clown. He never could catch a break.
“Oh come on, Eve, it’s not even that good of a show. Never mind the lack of talent.” Cassandra examined her manicured nails as she spoke.
“You’re treading on thin ice, Cassandra James. I’ll put up with you showing up at my front door with no text or phone call. I’ll even put up with you walking into my clean house in you dirty stilettoes, but what I won’t put up with is you throwing shade at Supernatural. There are some things that should never be messed with, and my favourite show is one of them.” Arching my neck, I looked back at her. My cranky expression must have been enough, as she raised her hands in surrender.
“Okay, okay sorry. Psycho much?” She looked as if she couldn’t care less about the fact that she had just insulted me.
“Why are you here, Cassandra? I thought you and Jared had a party to go to?” I hit the skip button bypassing the credits for the episode.
“Yeah, we’re still going. I was intending to go after I came here, and checked if you wanted to tag along? I knew you wouldn’t answer your phone or a text, so I thought I would show up in person. Besides,” she pouted, “I thought it might do you good to get out and socialise.” Cassandra picked at non-existent fibres on her pristine dress, her boredom coming through loud and clear.
“I do socialise, thank you very much; in fact, I socialise almost every night.” I really wasn’t interested in going to any party. I knew who was going to be there, just thinking about it left a bad taste in my mouth.
“Socialising with other staff members at the hospital does not count and you know it, Evanee. Now get your butt off the couch and into something pretty so we can go celebrate.”
“Celebrate what? There’s not a lot going on our lives that needs celebrating at this point. Is there?” I looked over at her, waiting for her answer.
“There may or may not be something to celebrate, but I’ll only tell you if you get off that couch and into something other than that atrocious nightie.”
The little minx, she knew my weakness all too well. Curiosity. It had been my ultimate flaw since childhood.
“Can’t you just tell me here? You don’t need me to go to a party just to tell me good news, do you?” I really don’t want to leave my couch, and I happen to like this atrocious nightie!
“Nope. You want to know the secret, you need to come with me to the party. Look, don’t consider it as just a party, consider it a celebration. Come on, Eve, you know you want to party with your best friend in the whole world. You also know you want to know my secret.” Damn it, she has me backed into a corner. Damn you, curiosity.
“Humph, fine, I’ll come.” I relented, to Cass’ obvious glee. “But I’m only staying for an hour or two. You also have to tell me your big secret while I’m getting dressed.” Sitting up, I stood turning the TV off before I left the room, already mourning the loss of my peaceful evening. Clapping with delight, Cassandra followed me into my bedroom.
Hitting the light switch, I shuffled in, smiling to myself as I looked around. I really loved how everything had come together. It was a haven and my sanctuary after a busy night at work.
“Now what’s this big secret you have to tell me?” Retreating into my walk-in closet, it was a thing of perfection. Colour co-ordination at its best. Flicking through my dresses, I was looking for something specific--a dress my mother had sent. It had arrived on Monday. I wasn’t particularly interested in fashion per se, but this dress had really caught my eye. It was edgier than I normally went for, but the cut was beautiful, as was the midnight fabric. No one knew my figure better than my own mother.
Placing the dress on the back of the door, I bent to grab the black stiletto knee high boots that had accompanied it. They were divine. The heel of the boot looked suspiciously like they were silver coated; although the boots felt rather light when I picked them up. Soft and supple, they were made of genuine leather.
Sliding the boots just under the dress, I stood back to admire the effect. Stunning. I returned back to Cass as she waited impatiently.
“Don’t keep me waiting,” I chided as I made my way to the ensuite bathroom. “A deal’s a deal. What’s the big news?” Starring at my bedraggled reflection in the mirror, I pondered what makeup and hairstyle to do. My eyes drifted from where I stood to a hovering Cassandra, who, if I wasn’t mistaken, looked rather shy.
What on earth would make Cassandra shy? She hadn’t done shy since before year 12. Intriguing. “Out with it, woman, don’t make me beg.” I watched and waited as she twisted her hands. Whatever it was, it was big. I was surprised she’d kept it in this long.
“The thing is… Ummm… You see, Jared kind of asked me to move in with him when he moves back to Acrasin.” Well colour me blind, I did not see that coming. Quick, say something reassuring before she sees! I knew it was only a matter of time before my disgust for her newest boyfriend peeked through.
I’d met Jared Viller at the hospital 2 years ago, when he’d taken up a position as one of the many researchers at the newly established Aeternum Ltd. Scientific Research Department at Acrasin General Hospital. Coincidentally, Cassandra had met him the same day I had, after she’d paid a surprise visit to my office one Friday evening asking if she could bum a ride with me back home after my shift.
My dislike, well, that had grown over time. There was something off about him, and I couldn’t quite put my finger on it; but every inch of my skin crawled whenever he was in my presence.
“That’s wonderful news. It is, isn’t it?” I needed to check whether she was actually happy with this new development in their relationship. After all, she had been known to flitter between men more times than a butterfly between flowers.
“Yes, of course it’s wonderful news. I’m really happy about it. I’ll be getting out of Murder Point Bay, what more could I ask for?” Her hands went into the air in exasperation, as if I’d asked a stupid question.
“What about love? You could ask for love.”
“That’s the thing. I…I think I might actually love him. I’m not sure. I mean, it’s not like I’ve ever been in love before! He does make me feel special, like I’m the only woman in the world for him. That’s love, isn’t it?” Her uncertainty had returned, and now I understood why. She was nervous, almost scared of taking such a huge step, even though it was something she’d been aiming for since graduation.
Stepping up to her, knowing right now she needed reassurance that she was making the right decision, I placed both hands on her tiny shoulders.
“It sounds like love to me. I’m very happy for you. I know you will love living in Acrasin. Now help me with my hair, woman, and I’ll do my makeup, while you tell me all about your plans.” Smiling the most reassuring smile I had in my arsenal, I prayed she wouldn’t see through it.
~
For the next half hour we chatted about her plans to play house. Cassandra wasn’t one hundred percent sure when they were intending to relocate, but it was likely to be sooner rather than later. There was nothing tying Jared or her to Murder Point Bay. She had already begun looking for a job in the city, hopefully close enough to the area Jared had said they should start looking for an apartment.
Happiness radiated from her with the intensity of the sun. Hair straightened and secured in a high ponytail, my makeup applied to perfection, I made my way back to my walk-in wardrobe.
“I’ll wait for you in the lounge room, Eve. I’m just going to call Jared and let him know we’ll be leaving soon.” She left the room without waiting for my response. Cassandra was nothing if not impatient.
Sliding the dress from the coat hanger, I slipped the exquisite material over my head. Stepping into my boots, I turned carefully towards the full-length mirror in the corner of the room.
I’ll be damned. Mum, it looks like I owe you a serious thank you for this one. The dress not only made me look slimmer, it also made me look taller, with the help of the heels. The simple cut and plunging neckline really did wonders for all my assets; including giving me a semblance of cleavage--an unusual thing. The long sleeves were perfect for a cool evening like this one. Opting for understated jewellery, the necklace my mother had gifted me on my 18th birthday lay nestled snuggly against my chest.
I’d been shocked the day my mother, Reagan, had presented me with the scale pendant. It had been the first time she’d mentioned her family, and the significance of the pendant as a crest worn only by those born into the family. I’d loved it with all its intricately woven strands of white and yellow gold.
Up until my 18th birthday, my mother had never once spoken about her family. I’d mistakenly asked about her side, after being tasked with an ancestry assignment in primary school. Reagan had gone completely pale before walking out the room.
Distraught at the fact that I’d done something wrong, my father had sat beside me soothing me, whilst calmly explaining that my mother had been disowned by her family for choosing to marry him. I’d found it difficult to understand how anyone could disown someone they loved over who they chose to marry.
The grief and guilt that had hung over the family that day had been bad enough for me to never question my heritage again; although, the curiosity had lingered well into my adulthood, I’d respected my mother and father’s decision to not broach the topic. That and the fact that Reagan’s temper was just as bad as mine, if not worse.
Clutch in hand, my heels click clacked quietly on the wooden floors as I made my way to the lounge room. Cassandra’s slack jawed expression was confirmation enough that tonight I was in fine form.
“Wow, Evanee, you look fantastic! Is that a new dress, and if so, where’d you get it? I need to be shopping at the same shop.” She made a circling motion, and I complied, turning around so that she could get the full effect. “Add to that the place where you got those heels. You look like sex on legs, girl.”
Rolling my eyes at the absurdity that I could ever look like sex on legs, I made my way towards the front door, snagging my keys from the bowl on the cabinet by the door.
“The shoes and dress arrived on Monday, courtesy of my mother. I can only imagine she purchased it from one of her designer friends’ latest collections. Are you ready to head off?” Cool night air rushed in as I opened the door. Cassandra was already striding past before I could snatch my jacket from the coat stand, and a cloud of the latest Chanel perfume trailed behind her.
“Yeah, I’m ready. Jared took the day off to help Desmond and the boys set up.” Ohhh goody, Desmond is going to be there. He must have swapped his shift. It’s not enough I have to see the ass at work, now I have to see him on my night off too. Awesome. Deflating just a little, I tried hard to keep my voice perky.
“Sounds good. Look, I’m going to take my own car just in case I get bored and decide to come home early.” Holding up my hand before she could object, I continued talking. “I promised I would go for a couple of hours and you know I don’t go back on my promises. Now let’s go, before we freeze to death on my doorstep.”
“You know the way to Jared and Desmond’s place, right?”
“Yep. I think everyone knows where their place is. I won’t be far behind you.” Locking up, I made my way towards my little Audi hatchback.
Sliding in, I looked up in my rear-view mirror in time to notice Cassandra’s Lexus pull off. I hated driving with her; she scared the hell out of me with her inability to focus on what was going on around her.
Reversing out, I braced myself for the night ahead, and the inevitable interaction I would be forced to endure with Desmond.
Desmond Reilly had transferred to Acrasin General Hospital Mortuary Facility roughly six months after I’d started. I never actually worked with him directly, and I was grateful for it. I usually came in to do my night shift as he was finishing his shift. I’d taken an instant disliking to him the first shift I’d worked with him.
I’d been required to acquaint him with the facility and AGH’s procedures. One of the forensic assistants had fallen, twisting her ankle. He’d politely offered to examine her ankle, while I rushed to grab a seat for her to sit in; but upon returning I’d walked in on the young woman crying, begging him to stop touching her. The cold smile he’d worn had chilled me to the bone; it was almost as if he had enjoyed the assistant’s pain.
After that day I’d been weary and grateful to never be on the same shift as him. The problem was it hadn’t taken long after he’d arrived before he decided a working relationship wasn’t enough. I’d put up with his obnoxious flirting for two months, politely declining his invitations before I’d lost my limited amount of patience and told him in no uncertain terms that I was not interested.
That proved to be more of a challenge than a deterrent to him. I’d eventually had to call the regional boss, Bob, last week after I’d noticed Desmond sitting the car park, watching me from his car. To say I was a little weirded out would be an understatement. Bob assured me he would personally deal with the situation.
His anger and frustration at Desmond’s actions had come across loud and clear during our conversation on the phone the other evening. I’d loved working for Bob from the moment I’d stepped foot in the morgue during my work placement in years 11 and 12. The fact that he was a family friend helped as well. In fact, he’d been the one to suggest I complete my placement at the morgue after picking up on my love of forensics and the many forms of decomposition during a family barbeque before my Dad had died.
I’d been curled up on the couch watching a medical documentary when him and Aunty Marg had arrived. He’d also persuaded me to qualify as a Forensic Pathologist and had been delighted when I’d requested to be transferred to my old haunt.
Not long after settling in, he had taken a position as regional manager of Far North Queensland, confident I could handle the job on my own. He lived in Brisbane and still consulted on the particularly difficult cases; although they didn’t pop up all too often in the outer towns and smaller cities.
As to how Desmond managed to secure a spot at Acrisin General was beyond me. I wasn’t even sure Bob knew how he managed to arrange a transfer. His work was sloppy and rushed; his disrespect for his charges well known amongst his colleagues.
Driving away from the house, I already missed my previously planned date night, popcorn and freshly baked cookies.