Gray Days and Wicked Ways (a Layton Shayne Mystery)

Copyright © 2016 by Gerald Lopez

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Cover Art Copyright © 2016 by Gerald Lopez

Acknowledgments

My special thanks go to the following:

To John for his helpful comments and suggestions.

To my wonderful Beta readers for their comments, and often extremely helpful suggestions.

And to my best friend J. C. for always being there.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

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Other books by Gerald Lopez

Gray Days and Wicked Ways

A Layton Shayne Mystery

Chapter 1

An Old Friend Touches Base

HOLY SHIT! I SAID. Is this Buck Taggerty on the line? I had my cell phone on speaker since I was driving.

Don’t tell me you forgot who I am already, Layton, Buck said.

I’d never forget someone I worked a case with, I said.

Hi, Buck, Alex said. How did your retraining with Miss Lucy go?

We heard through the grapevine that you’re still an agent with the organization, I said.

Yeah, Buck said. And I’m actually heading a new team with Sassy Jones and two of the agents that were training with me. We’re going to be in charge of recovery cases. I know that means the organization doesn’t think we’re as good at being agents as you are, Layton—but that’s cool.

I thought you did fine working with us on our last case—against those zombies, I said.

Guess what, guys?Buck said.

What? Alex said.

I’m in love! Buck said. And he actually loves me back. Layton, you’d love the guy, he likes wearing flip-flops like you—and you should see all the high tech weapons and spy gear he owns. His dad is some kind of weapons inventor and expert. We’re gonna be training for our new positions as recovery agents with him and Sassy. Oh my God, I forgot to mention my guy is Sassy’s brother. Can you believe it?

Is he a little person too like Sassy? I said.

No, Buck said. He’s gorgeous like his sister, but in a different way. What have you guys been up to?

Oh, I took on a private case to help get rid of ghosts at a haunted house that was for sale, I said. Alex traded two properties he inherited from his godfather for the house, so we’re homeowners now.

That’s so cool! Buck said. Did you get rid of the ghosts?

Y’up, I said. You’ll have to come visit with your new beau one day.

I’d love to, once we finish training and stuff, Buck said.

Hey, Buck, Alex said. Have you ever had to deal with a Diony on any of the cases you worked on for the organization?

Oh yeah, Buck said. Those Diony people are bad news, so are their female counterparts those blasted Nymphettes. How come you’re asking about Diony?

This guy that helped us on the haunted house case used to live with a Diony and didn’t know it, Alex said. He’s a really nice guy.

Uh-oh, Buck said. Did you two fall for him? Those Diony guys have supernatural powers of attraction you know.

Did you fall for the Diony you dealt with or his significant other, Buck? I said, then scratched my bare knee with my hand.

Heck no, Buck said. I don’t tend to go for those big, butch, and burly men. I like the preppy ones. Those Diony always pick guys that look like leather men, Daddy types—yuck. But everyone around the Diony’s boyfriend, on the case I was working, was just drooling over him. I was immune, since I didn’t find him even a little attractive—he was big and butch. But having him around trying to help us nab the Diony just got everyone all horny. You two know how much I hate being around people like that.

Yeah, we know, I said.

What was the cure to the horniness? Alex said.

Oh, the organization had to give everyone this nasty blue stuff to drink and… well you and Layton will learn about that firsthand, I would guess, Buck said.

The organization will probably send someone over to give us the same blue stuff, I said. And I think it’s better if we don’t know what’s coming.

It’s a good thing you and Alex are so in love, Layton. Maybe you won’t be as affected by the Diony’s boyfriend.

Ex boyfriend, I said. And we already had an extremely intense threesome with him that ended with us all declaring our love for one another.

Hmm… wow, Buck said. You two must’ve really liked the guy then. The Diony effect is really strong on people who are naturally attracted to the Diony or their boyfriend.

Will the blue stuff make us find him unattractive? Alex said.

No, it won’t do that, Buck said. It’ll get rid of about seventy-five or eighty percent of the supernatural effects. But the real feelings will still be there, magnified by twenty to twenty-five percent.

Should we move him in, Buck? I said, then turned for a second and grinned at Alex.

Probably, Buck said, in all seriousness. Some people can deal with the effects of it all, but the fact you already had a threesome with him means your feelings run deep. I’d rather you two moved him in, and not broke up over him.

He sounded upset, so I tried to reassure him. It’s not like that, Buck. Alex and I are more in love than ever. But, I have to admit that we’re also in love with the other guy and it feels pretty darn strong.

Well, maybe there’s some other supernatural stuff going on, too, Buck said. You guys better be careful.

We will be, Buck, Alex said. Thanks for worrying about us. Layton and I are going to relax at a fancy inn while we wait for Sassy to call about the job she has for us.

Good, Buck said. I love you guys and don’t want to see anything bad happen to either of you.

We love you too, Buck, I said. And we’re both happy you found someone.

And we’ll have you and your guy over for dinner soon, Alex said.

I almost forgot to ask, Buck said. Are you two going to be daddies thanks to Charity?

Looks that way, I said. Charity’s missed her period. Our new house is so big that she and her fiancé Linus are going to move in with us and we’re going to raise the kid or kids together.

Awesome, Buck said. Wouldn’t it be funny if she ended up having triplets, the way you hate the number three?

Alex laughed.

Oh it’d be something alright, I said. I am sort of beginning to warm, up to the number three somewhat… in certain areas of my life. I grinned and thought of the three-way I had with Alex and Forrest.

Buck laughed loudly, then spoke. With all those people living in your new house it’s gonna be like some sort of Justice League. All of you are kind of like superheroes fighting the dark forces out there in the world.

I just wish we had actual superpowers, I said."

Anyway, I just called to let you guys know I passed my retraining with Miss Lucy and stuff. Enjoy your stay at the inn.

We will, I said. Enjoy your new man.

Oh, I will, Buck said. Bye.

Bye, Alex and I said in unison.

I ended the call and chuckled. Can you even begin to imagine what Buck’s man must be like?

I’m sure he’s a great guy, just like my ‘great guy’, Alex said. Well, maybe not as awesome as all that, but I’m sure he’s nice.

He turned and kissed my neck softly which sent shivers up and down my body.

I can’t wait till we get to that hotel—I mean inn, I said. Oh shit! I forgot to make reservations again.

I didn’t, Alex said. We’ve got a room waiting.

What would I do without you? I said.

We wouldn’t feel complete without one another, would we, Layton?

Nope, I said.

Forrest was affected by his Diony ex lover, that means he must be constantly living with what feels like a loss of himself on some level, Alex said, then crossed one of his legs over the other.

I reached over and rubbed his soft bare foot. If I hadn’t been driving, I would’ve given into my foot fetish and kissed it. "I wonder if Forrest is missing us. We know he gives off some sort of supernatural aphrodisiac, but he was definitely feeling strongly toward us, too."

I guess we’ll learn more when we meet with someone from the organization, Alex said. We’re on the outskirts of Mt. Ore, Layton.

You’re excited about visiting this inn, huh?

It looked interesting the last time we were here and I’m anxious to see more. I forgot to mention that we’ve been invited to have dinner at Frankie and Jimmy’s tonight.

Dessert too I hope, I said, thinking of Jimmy’s decadent specialty dessert.

Jimmy told me to let you know he’ll be saving you a slice of his orgasmic delicacy.

I reached over and held Alex’s hand. Life was good and I felt content as we drove to the inn. The Mt. Ore Inn was located at the end of the quaint downtown Mt. Ore with its colorful shops, at the bottom of the hill on a large lake. Gray clouds had filled the sky and everything looked gloomy, but the inn and property still made a pretty picture, with its large old trees and lush plantings. We passed a rustic stone fence where I saw a wooden board with Established 1905 engraved on it. I caught Alex’s attention, then pointed to the sign.

I’ll have to come by and take a picture later, Alex said.

Very nice, I said, as I drove up to check in.

The yellow, two and a half story, rectangular main building had a porch across the front with fancy white trim and rockers that were beckoning me. As soon as I’d parked in front of the building, Alex looked my way, smiled, then spoke.

I’ll take care of checking us in, Layton. Why don’t you relax in one of the rocking chairs?

I knew there was a reason I loved you so much, I said, then smiled.

We exited the truck and went up the stairs of the expansive porch in front us. Alex walked inside and I sat in one of the rocking chairs. I closed my eyes, stretched out my legs and thought about how lucky I’d been to find Alex and to have found a home where we could settle down. Hell, even thinking of Carson Court as just a home was crazy. The word crazy made me think of our time there with Forrest. An angry woman arguing with a man wearing a chef’s hat and uniform, jarred me from my thoughts.

Those freakin’ Marines! the tall, thin woman with dark brown, multi-layered hair that cascaded below her shoulders said. They had the nerve to ask to hold a party in our dining room.

Melinda, calm down, the chef said, then nodded toward me. We have a guest.

Mommy, when can we have cake, a little boy about five or six said as he walked around the short, heavyset chef and stood in front of his mother. He brushed his chestnut brown hair away from his face and looked at his mother with big, inquisitive brown eyes. His hair, which was a bit long in front, was straight and styled in what I always jokingly referred to as the bowl haircut. He looked at me, smiled, then waved. I waved back.

Melinda, you don’t want to refuse this party, the chef said. It’s good money.

Shit! Melinda said, then turned to face me flustered. I’m so sorry. I’m not acting like a very good owner slash manager right now, am I? Using the back of her hands she wiped tears from her eyes.

We all have bad days, I said, in a matter of fact way. The sky outside was still gray and the sun hadn’t poked out yet from behind the clouds—it seemed to fit the inn owner’s mood. Melinda, the aforementioned owner, noticed me looking at the weather and responded.

My grandmother from Brazil used to have a saying when weather like this came around. She used to say—loosely translated, ‘gray days and wicked ways’. I think she believed the weather reflected people’s moods… or made them do wicked things.

Was she right? I said.

Maybe, Melinda said. I would say a father forgetting his son’s birthday is pretty wicked, indeed.

Doesn’t sound like something a Marine would do? I said. If nothing else, duty is something we believe in strongly.

My apologies again, not all Marines are bad, Melinda said. Unless you’re a friend of my no-good husband, then I take back the apology.

I left the military a while back and I just moved down here from out West, I said. There was nobody I served with that was from this area. What’s your husband’s name?

Callum Baker, Melinda said. You probably don’t know him… and be glad you don’t. I know I’m sorry I ever met him.

Melinda, the chef said. Not in front of Brandon.

Melinda’s son looked at her, slapped her leg, then went to sit in a rocker two down from where I was sitting.

Clearly distraught, Melinda put her hand to her head, then turned to me once more. I’m not myself today, Mr.—what is your name?

I’m Detective Layton Shayne, I said. Do you need help, Ma’am?

Oh… I need help alright, Melinda said, then laughed. I loved my husband believe it or not. And I trusted him. I appreciate your offer of help, Detective Shayne, but been there done that—the whole detectives thing. Chef Brogna, please see to it that Detective Shayne receives a nice bottle of wine from us during his stay. To make up for my rudeness.

I’ll see to it, Chef Brogna said. You go and wash your face and rest a while. I’ll stay out here with Brandon—we’ll be fine.

Melinda wiped her face with her hand, walked to her son, hugged and kissed him, then walked down the steps of the porch. Her slim-fitting dress showed off her trim figure and long legs.

Melinda’s always had a nice figure, except when she was pregnant, Chef Brogna said. Even then, she only gained the baby weight. You’ll have to excuse her, she’s really isn’t normally like this in front of guests.

What’s she usually like? I said.

She’s a liar! Brandon said.

Chapter 2

Marine to the Rescue

CHEF BROGNA SAT next to Brandon, then spoke to him. It’s not nice to call people liars, especially your mommy, Brandon.

She is a liar! Brandon said. She is! My daddy did send me a present and they took it like they take everything! It was a shiny, red, remote control truck! He crossed his arms, angrily, rested them on his little chest, then scowled.

Who took your truck, Brandon? I said. I’m a detective, maybe I can help.

I’m not allowed to say or they’ll hurt my mommy, Brandon said.

I think maybe you’ve said enough, Brandon, Chef Brogna said. We’re bothering this nice man.

Not hardly, I said.

You’re a liar too, Brandon said to Chef Brogna, then slapped the chef’s hat off his head. Everyone here lies! He jumped out of the rocking chair and ran down the steps with Chef Brogna on his heels.

Alex had caught the last of things as he walked outside.

What was all that about? Alex said.

I’ll tell you about it on the way to our room.

We need to park the truck in a different space first, Alex said.

I forced myself out of the comfortable rocker and Alex and I walked down the steps and to my truck. We got inside and drove to one of the large, two-story buildings across from the main office and registration area. I parked the truck, we grabbed our bags, and walked up to the building. It was surprisingly large inside. Alex must’ve noticed my surprise and responded accordingly.

These buildings are much newer—from the twenties and thirties. Only the main building which now holds the registration area, offices, and two dining rooms dates back to 1905. He stared at me. OK, you’re lost in thought. Tell me what happened while I was dealing with registration.

As we walked up one flight of stairs then another, I told Alex about what I’d witnessed. When we got to room fifty-eight, Alex used the key in his hand to open the door.

Hang on a sec, I said, then put down my bag, picked Alex up, carried him into the room, and laid him on our king-size bed. He chuckled. After giving him a quick kiss I went back and grabbed my bag which was propping the door open. Once I’d locked the door, I kicked off my flip-flops, stripped out of my shorts and underwear, then pulled my shirt off over my head. Alex whistled, then spoke.