Page 28 of Hearts Etched in Glass
We lay there until I hear Tilly’s soft breathing, telling me she is fast asleep. When I glance over at Marcus, I find him staring back at me. I take my hand off Tilly’s hip and reach under the covers to find Marcus’s hand.
We sit there staring at one another for some time until I finally say, “You deserve love Marcus, and I love you.” Then I carefully reach over Tilly’s sleeping frame and kiss the cheek of my darling man.
Chapter 15: Bobby
Code Mistake,CORPSE and Bring Me The Horizon
The sun cuts through the blinds as I hear strange noises coming from Tilly’s kitchen. It sounds like a bloody animal is ransacking it or having a hard time finding something.
“Biscuit,” Tilly whines, then she reaches out her arms above her head for a long languid stretch. “Shite. I got to go to work.”
Marcus turns over, his eyes barely open as he grabs Tilly and I to pull towards him. “Can we just stay here? Call in sick.”
Tilly’s eyes pop open in recognition. “Oh no! Do you think Biscuit heard us?”
Marcus moves over top of her to fit himself between us and drape either arm around each of our bodies. “He seemed fast asleep when I walked in late last night. I thought he was a heavy sleeper?”
“Anyone want eggs?” Biscuit’s voice trails up the stairs and considering he stated ‘anyone’, I’m assuming he knows all three of us are up here.
“Cover’s blown,” I mutter and slowly slide out from Marcus’s arm to get dressed. Looking back at the two bodies, my heart warms at the sight of them.
We all get ready for the day and trudge down the steps, greeting Biscuit as he slaves away over the stove, making eggs, bacon and toast.
“Well, good morning heathens,” Biscuit teases.
Looping my tie around my neck I ask, “I’m guessing you heard us? Out with it?”
Biscuit lets out a laugh. “Yah, I heard yous had a good night. There is no denying that.”
“Oh my god Biscuit I am so sorry, we forgot you were here.” Tilly brings her hands to her face in shock as her cheeks blush from embarrassment.
He furrows his brows and frowns. “Thanks. I already figured that, with how you were carrying on up there. Bunch of moaning harpies.” He packs up a drink and makes a breakfast sandwich, handing it to Tilly. “You got to be heading to work, missy. Have a good day now.” Then he hands Marcus some breakfast items as well. “You too. I’ll meet up with yous after I finish cleaning here and give Bobby a briefing on the massage parlor.”
Cocking an eyebrow questioningly, he continues, “A massage therapist got hurt. Not a massage girl, but the therapist, Jameson. Got word this morning, Kenneth is dealing with it at the moment, but we should go round and investigate too. She is alright, but pretty banged up.”
I exhale in frustration.
Tilly gives me a kiss as she and Marcus head to the hospital. As they leave Marcus looks back at me with longing in his eyes, so I blow him a kiss. I don’t miss the heat in his cheeks and half-cocked smile before he exits.
I arrive at the Massage Parlor on my OEC motorbike, to find Kenneth’s Crossley and the authorities parked outside. There is an eerie feeling as we enter theestablishment, the grand lobby with its beautiful granite stone painted with omniscient shadows.
Lydia, one of the regular massage therapists, points me in the direction of where the incident has occurred and my spine chills at the last time there was a major event. The Massage Parlor not only houses a spa with refined amenities but there are other services offered to inquiring minds. We would rather call them massage girls than sex workers.
The building is distinctly designed to section off the proclivities of the spa versus the exotic activities but exudes class and comfort in both areas. My grandfather wanted this to be a safe haven for women of either job and not for it to evolve into a run-down whore house.
I walk through the decorative hallways for the spa until I get to Jameson’s room. The place is torn apart. There is blood on her massage table, the flowers and vase are splayed on the floor, snapped and cracked. Dear Jameson is huddled into the chair, in the corner of her room, crying into her hands.
Kenneth and one of the officers is standing in front of her. I can hear the questions they mumble as she tries to answer through sobs.
“I told him over and over, ‘no’. I explained we don’t do that on this side, that I am only a masseuse. He got angry and tried to. He tried to.” The officer kneels down in front of her exclaiming, “You don’t need to tell us the last bit, but if he did we may need to have a statement written down, doll.”
She shakes her head. “No, he didn’t get that far because my yells carried out and luckily Lydia heard and stormed in.” I can see the bruise already forming on her cheek, as she raises her head to look at the men.
“May we take you to the hospital?” Kenneth asks stoically. She shakes her head again.
“No, I just want to go home and make sure he never comes back in here.”
The officer places his pen to paper, jotting down notes.
