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    Golden Glories (a Layton Shayne Mystery)
    Golden Glories (a Layton Shayne Mystery)
    Golden Glories (a Layton Shayne Mystery)
    Ebook403 pages5 hours

    Golden Glories (a Layton Shayne Mystery)

    By Gerald Lopez

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    About this ebook

    Detective Layton Shayne and his partners Alex and Forrest are attending a treasure hunt on a small Florida key where hundreds of people will be gathered. What could possibly go wrong? Throw in the ghosts of pirates, priests, and even nuns plus a former military sniper who’s nine months pregnant and anything can happen.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherGerald Lopez
    Release dateApr 18, 2019
    ISBN9780463818824
    Golden Glories (a Layton Shayne Mystery)
    Author

    Gerald Lopez

    Gerald was called to write at various times in his life. When he was young, the writing consisted of plays and short stories. Then he explored the fine arts and literature, earning a bachelor’s degree in the latter while minoring in art history. In his studies he was fascinated by and enjoyed analyzing characters, their personalities and motivations. To him it’s always been the characters who make a story special. Once again writing has taken hold of him. In the past it was just an amusement, but now—for Gerald—writing is a passion to live, eat, and breathe.

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      Golden Glories (a Layton Shayne Mystery) - Gerald Lopez

      Copyright © 2019 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.

      Wherever possible, the syntax and spelling in this book follows guidelines set forth in The Chicago Manual of Style, 14th Edition, and in the Merriam-Webster online dictionary.

      Cover Art Copyright © 2019 by Gerald Lopez

      Acknowledgments

      My special thanks go to the following:

      To John for his helpful comments and suggestions.

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

      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

      Chapter 46

      Chapter 47

      Contact the author

      About the author

      Other books by Gerald Lopez

      Golden Glories

      Gerald Lopez

      Chapter 1

      Pit Stop

      WHAT HAD BEGUN as a dark and gloomy day suddenly changed when the sun finally came out. And considering the mission we were on I was more than happy to think of it as a good omen. Now all we needed was a rainbow leading to the treasure we were after. Chip, who’d been sleeping in the back of the SUV, had woken up and was tapping me on the shoulder.

      Daddy Layton, I need to piddle, Chip said.

      I combed my hand through five—almost six-year-old—Chip’s, wavy, dark brown hair. There’s a place just ahead where we can stop to use the bathrooms.

      We’ll be there in a minute, buddy, Forrest, who was driving, said.

      It turned out that Chip wasn’t the only one who needed to use the facilities. So two-hours into our four-hour journey to Shiloh Key, we made a pit stop at a large gas station with convenience store. While Forrest took the opportunity to fill up the gas tank, I took Chip to the bathroom. When we were washing our hands, Alex walked in carrying some clothes.

      You can’t be wearing pajamas for our big adventure, now, can you? Alex said to Chip, who giggled.

      No, Chip said, then took the clothes from Alex as well as the flip-flops he handed him.

      He is definitely our kid, I said when I saw Chip nonchalantly take off his clothes.

      Crazy, huh? Alex said, and smiled my way. Ours right down to the love of flip-flops.

      His smile never ceased to melt my heart. I splashed water in my face, helped Chip finish pulling his T-shirt on over his head, then looked at my sexy, wavy-haired blond, Alex. Going to Shiloh Key for a treasure hunt involving at least a couple thousand people is pretty insane. But then I’ve said that already, haven’t I?

      Don’t worry, Daddy, Chip said. I’ll protect you.

      Oh yeah, I said, then swept Chip into my arms and gave him a big hug and a raspberry on the side of his cheek. He giggled. I knew there was a reason you were my favorite five-year-old in the whole wide world.

      I’m almost six, Chip said.

      I know, I said, then tickled his underarm till he giggled.

      l’ll meet you two outside after I use the facilities, Alex said.

      OK, I said.

      Charity was exiting the ladies’ room when Chip and I got out of the men’s room. I looked for the smallest hint of a baby bump on her even though I knew it was way too early. She was still trim, but there was a special glow about her.

      Chip, would you like to go inside the store with me and see what kind of goodies they’ve got? Charity said. This is a big place so they should have plenty of yummy things.

      Chip looked at me before responding.

      Go ahead kiddo, you can always trust Charity—she’s family, I said.

      OK, Chip said. I’ll bring something back for you and Daddy Alex.

      Thanks, buddy, I said. But what about Daddy Forrest?

      He doesn’t like sweets too much, Chip said.

      You just find something for yourself, I said. As soon as Daddy Alex gets out of the bathroom we’ll join you in the store.

      Yay! Chip said, then held Charity’s outstretched hand and the two went into the store.

      That’s what I meant by crazy, Alex said, coming up behind me. This whole new family thing is all really real, isn’t it? Forrest and Chip being in our lives, and our becoming a family with Charity and Linus. You and Chip have really bonded, and so quickly.

      Yeah. And so have you and Chip… and Forrest—can’t leave him out. It doesn’t make you nervous or afraid, does it?

      No, it feels so normal it’s weird.

      Who’s to say what normal is these days? I said. Your past history with the cult and your family clouds your thoughts sometimes. Alex, you do realize that Forrest and I—Charity, Linus, and Hell even Rory of the wondrous dangle—will always be there for you in a true way. There’s nothing fake or phony about any of this.

      I do realize all of that, Alex said. And I truly believe it, that’s what’s so shocking. I wasn’t sure I’d ever believe in family again, then I met you and the others—including Mrs. Carson and our new friends in Mt. Ore.

      Damn, I said. I left out Mrs. Carson. You know what I think I’m in need of?

      Something sweet, Alex said. From the store for now.

      You know me so well, babe, I said, then smiled.

      Since you and Charity are both blondes that mean the babies will probably be blonde too, Alex said.

      Babies, I said. I keep forgetting that because of the circumstances surrounding the conception that Charity will have at least two or three babies.

      And we all know how much you love the number three, Alex said, sarcastically.

      It’s not actually that bad a number for me these days, I said, then smiled.

      The number three was definitely a nice one when it came to my new sleeping arrangements. While originally it was just Alex and me sharing a bed, the older, handsome, extremely well-built, tan, salt and pepper-haired cop Forrest was a recent and very welcome addition. Not that things weren’t good before—it’s just that they were better now.

      When I left the store with Alex, Chip, and Charity we each had our own bag of goodies.

      Charity, when you were pregnant before did you get any strange cravings? Alex said.

      I had a craving for bananas, Charity said.

      Monkeys eat b-nnas, Chip said.

      "I love bananas and I have been called a gorilla before," I said, then moved my arms like a gorilla, picked Chip up and swung him around while making gorilla sounds.

      You are too much, Layton, Alex said, and chuckled. Chip, what do you think about the fact you’ll be a big brother one day?

      I’ll be glad to have some little brothers, Chip said.

      And what if it’s a little sister? Charity said.

      She’ll be OK I guess, Chip said.

      The green statues were involved so who knows, Alex said, maybe Charity will have sextuplets? He looked at me and laughed.

      Really? I said. Did you really have to go into multiples of three? Then I though about what Alex said. God help us—there really is a chance of sextuplets because of the supernatural element.

      What’s a sek-tupt? Chip said.

      That means six babies, Charity said.

      Chip gasped then looked deep in thought and finally looked up at me.

      Don’t worry, Daddy, Chip said, then held up three fingers. Only three. And I’ll help.

      Did you hear that, Charity? I said. Chip says only three, not six—and he knows these things.

      What he says has the ring of truth to it, Charity said. And three is definitely easier to carry than six.

      I should think, I said.

      Alex took Chip from my arms, hugged him, then spoke.

      I think Chip will be a great big brother.

      So do I, Charity said.

      As we walked toward Linus and Charity’s SUV, which was suitably nicknamed The Beast, I noticed Forrest. He was getting something out of the back end. His already tight shorts were stretched even more because he was bent over. That meant his perfect meaty and round posterior was on display. I gave Alex a sly look, then glanced again at Forrest.

      Down, gorilla boy, Alex said, then chuckled. Although there is plenty on display to go ape about.

      Alex knew exactly what my look meant—that’s what was so enjoyable about our new family with Forrest. Although I normally despise the number three, it was nice being with two guys who completely got what we all felt for one another.

      "Enough to make a man or woman go bananas, Charity said, and chuckled. Who’s the woman talking to Forrest?"

      I was snapped back to reality by Charity’s comment to Alex. What she’d said about ‘going bananas’ was funny—I liked Charity a lot.

      That’s our friend Diesel, Alex said in response to Charity’s question.

      Even in just shorts and a T-shirt, Diesel stood alert, like the ex soldier slash mechanic she was. Her black hair was styled in a bowl cut. I stopped a minute to appreciate how nice her dark hair looked against her pale skin. The fact we were talking about babies earlier had me looking at hair and skin tone combinations and how the parents’ features might show up in their children.

      When we got up to the truck I introduced Charity and Chip to Diesel.

      You’re carrying a marine’s baby in there, huh? Diesel said to Charity. My wife is carrying a navy seal’s baby.

      Impressive, Charity said.

      A seal? Chip said. How?

      "A navy seal is a military man," I said. An exceptionally well-trained military man.

      I’d say a navy seal’s baby and a marine’s would be evenly matched enough to be friends, Alex said.

      I smiled. Alex was so damn adorable and his bright blue eyes just lit up his face.

      True enough I’d say, Diesel said. Although our son will be slightly older than yours.

      That’s OK, Alex said. By the way, Charity will probably be having triplets.

      So our kid will be outnumbered, Diesel said.

      Nope, I said. We’ll train them to be a unit that works together efficiently and who will watch each others’ backs.

      Spoken like a true soldier, Diesel said. And it’s a plan.

      A nice one, I think, Charity said. I’m an only child so I like the idea of having a large extended family.

      We’d better head out again, Forrest said, then turned to Alex and me. Reports say that the two-lane road into Shiloh Key is already backed up and barely moving.

      Thanks for the help, Forrest, Diesel said, then turned to the rest of us. Next stop Insanity Key. She laughed, waved bye, then left.

      Where’s Sassy? Alex said.

      She’s riding the rest of the way with Diesel and her group, Forrest said. They’re going to formulate their game plan—whatever that means.

      I’ve had my time up front with the main man, I said to Alex. Why don’t you sit next to Forrest?

      I can do that, Alex said. Unless Charity wants to sit in the front.

      The back is fine by me, Charity said. Layton purposely offered the front seat to you and not me because he knows sitting in back is safer. He’s already trying to be protective of me and our—all of ours—future children.

      Guilty as charged, Layton said.

      The drive may get rough so Layton’s thinking is right on the money, Forrest said. Chip, sit between Charity and Daddy Layton.

      As I helped Chip put on his seatbelt, Forrest got back in the driver’s seat and started The Beast.

      When we were on the road again, I asked a question that had been on my mind. Forrest, did you say there was only a two-lane road going into the key?

      One lane’s for going in, the other for exiting, Forrest said.

      Shiloh Key is a small, hidden gem of a vacation spot, Charity said. I have family there. Normally it doesn’t get enough traffic to warrant expanding the road in, especially since there’s swampland on one side.

      Diesel’s gonna be following us, Forrest said. Will you guys please make sure nobody gets between The Beast and Diesel’s van?

      Will do, I said.

      Will do! Chip said, then giggled.

      There weren’t many cars on the road yet, but we were still at least a couple of hours from our destination. Charity’s phone rang and she answered it.

      Hello, Linus, Charity said, then addressed us. Linus says hello.

      Hi, Linus, I said, along with the others in The Beast.

      We’re fine, Charity said. Really. That’s fantastic! But we can’t make that decision alone.

      Her conversation had my full attention now.

      I’d hate to miss getting it, but decisions regarding the court need to be made between all of us, Charity said. She is, and she likes it? Maybe so, but Mrs. Carson no longer owns the court.

      What’s up? I said to Charity.

      Hang on a second, Linus, Charity said. Let me tell the others what you’ve found.

      Alex turned around in his seat, clearly he’d been following the conversation, too.

      Charity addressed us now. Linus has found a possible replacement for the dining room table at the court that Veronica’s ghost destroyed. It’s round and enormous. She went back to her phone. Yes, Linus, I’ll tell them. Linus said to tell you that the table was used at a medieval fair and—

      The Knights of Camelot round table? Forrest said. Rory told me the group that puts the medieval fair on was having a sale. And that table was magnificent—made of hardwoods and—

      "It’s that table, Charity said. Mrs. Carson is with Linus, so is Rory. The table is being sold for a very fair price."

      Well if everyone likes it, who are Layton and I to say no? Alex said.

      Ditto, I said. Tell Linus to buy it, and we’ll put in our share when we meet up.

      Do it, baby, Charity said, then giggled. I’ll tell them. Be careful getting it in the house… Yes, yes, I know. I’ll be careful too. Love you, kiss-kiss, bye.

      Kiss-kiss, I said into Charity’s phone then laughed.

      Charity ended the call then looked my way. Linus said kiss-kiss back.

      The table sounds intriguing, I said.

      It’s really cool, Chip said. When Daddy took me to the fair a whole bunch of knights were sitting around it. And everything was even-steven. Nobody could take charge or be bossy cause it was a round table.

      Perfect table for us then—Daddy Alex and Charity can be really bossy sometimes, I said, then chuckled.

      Layton, you’re in a silly mood today, Forrest said.

      He’s probably had too much sugar, Alex said. He and Chip already had a huge cookie each.

      Tattletale, I said. I’m just trying real damn hard to keep my mind off what is bound to be a crazy time at the key.

      Chapter 2

      Surprise!

      TRAFFIC GOT SIGNIFICANTLY heavier as we neared the two-lane road into Shiloh Key. In fact, vehicles on the road had come to almost a standstill.

      Is Diesel’s van still behind us? Forrest said.

      Y’up, I said.

      OK, folks, hang on to your panties, Forrest said. He lowered the driver’s side window, then reached for something on his right side.

      Cool, I said, as I saw what Forrest was doing.

      There was now a flashing, blue police light on the top of The Beast. It was bright and noisy. Chip giggled and I couldn’t help but chuckle as Forrest drove in the left—exiting the key—lane speeding past still cars.

      This is awesome, Alex said.

      Normally I wouldn’t do this, but I did agree to lightly patrol the beach area, so I am sort of on duty, Forrest said.

      Works for me, I said.

      Yahoo! Chip said.

      Yeah, buddy! I said.

      The road was long, and there was only the occasional house on high stilts to the side. Most of the land on the right side of the road was swamp, like Charity had said earlier.

      Wow, this really is the boonies, I said.

      The Beast raced down the lane free from obstacles such as other cars. Following closely behind was Diesel’s van. Swamplands disappeared, and more houses began to appear. We stopped at a guarded entry point in front of a small bridge over water. I looked on as Forrest exited The Beast and spoke to the armed guards. Mere moments later Forrest was back inside with us.

      That was quick, Alex said, echoing my thoughts.

      They were expecting us and Diesel, Forrest said. Remember, Sassy’s dad’s people are helping out—so they knew about us coming.

      Forrest continued driving, and I kept a close eye on the surroundings. We were on a narrow strip of land with water on both sides. The land was wide enough to have one row of small hotels and shops but not much more. In front of us the road was somewhat congested, but the guards were clearly controlling how many cars or vehicles got in, and at what pace.

      I love all these bridges we’re crossing, Alex said.

      Yeah, I said. But there’s no way we can make a quick exit out of here if needed.

      Not by car anyway, Forrest said. It would have to be an exit by boat.

      Do we have a boat? I said.

      Not that I know of, Forrest said.

      As we drove onward, the streets got wider and there were even small hills. And, unfortunately, it was also more crowded with people walking or bicycling by. The parking lots were full, and cars were parked on the side of the road. I was surprised when we passed several beautiful, restored Victorian homes.

      Pretty, aren’t they? Charity said.

      Yes, I said.

      Forrest pulled off into a side street, lowered his window, then waved for Diesel to pass him and go on ahead.

      This is where Chip and I get out, Forrest said.

      Glitter Beach, Charity said. Forrest, maybe you should keep The Beast, you have a tent and supplies in the back end. We can walk to the hotel from here, and I could stand to stretch my legs a bit. I’ll make a call and arrange for a ride back here, so that Layton and Alex can get their things."

      That works for me, Forrest said.

      Alex, Charity, and I got out of The Beast. I spoke with Forrest while Charity made her call.

      Are you two gonna be alright out here? I said.

      Chip’s classmates and their parents will be on the beach, Forrest said. We’ll be fine. You guys be sure to watch out for pickpockets and such.

      Bye, Daddies, Chip said from inside the car.

      Bye, Alex and I said.

      I’m ready, Charity said, after putting her phone away.

      Are you sure you’re up for the walk? I said.

      Yeah, my legs really can use the stretch, Charity said, then pulled her long, straight, blonde hair back into a ponytail.

      Forrest got back in The Beast, and Alex and I walked with Charity. We were surrounded by people on the sidewalk heading in the same direction as we were.

      There’s a beach nicknamed Glitter Beach at the end of the street Forrest turned into, Charity said. That’s where Chip’s class is camping out. It’s not too far from some folks I know so I told Forrest to park The Beast at my friends’ compound.

      Alex was busily snapping pictures with his ever present camera as we walked.

      Oh, this is nice, I said, while looking toward a small downtown area. There were a few freestanding old cottages at the start of downtown.

      We passed a couple historic buildings housing shops and some restaurants. In the center of the area to the left side were two-story wood buildings with expansive balconies. The panhandlers were out in full force, and we’d passed a young, handsome, blond guitar player slash singer. I actually put two dollars in his open guitar case and he smiled my way. Farther down the road we heard a fairly good female singer. After taking a right turn, I could see the road went up over the water. There was a building complex that included hotels and restaurants, as well as a dock overlooking the water.

      The hotel at the end of the street is where we’re meeting Sassy, Charity said. She’s so pretty with her pale skin, jet black hair and the 1950s pinup look she has going on. That whole look is too much work for me. Natural—nature girl hippie is more my style."

      The straight men love Sassy’s pinup look, I said. Guys are so taken with her that they don’t even seem to notice she’s a little person. That’s nice I think.

      It takes a lot of work to get Sassy’s look—the hair and makeup, Charity said. Way too much work for me. Luckily Linus seems to like my look.

      What’s not to like? Alex said. You’re tan and pretty, like Layton’s tan and blond and handsome.

      Meaning we’ll be having blond triplets who can tan, I said, then chuckled. You know, Alex, you’re a blond too. Lighter blond than me, but the point is the kids will probably look a lot like you too.

      He’s right, you know, Charity said. And with all that supernatural stuff that was going on that night—who knows?

      That’s true, I said. You were fucking me while I was with Charity. Maybe those statues made extra use of your sperm—you did cum inside me while I was cumming inside Charity. Pardon my crude way of explaining the situation.

      You’re just stating what happened, Charity said. Alex, if you’re feeling left out, we’ll let you do all the diaper changes when the babies finally make their appearance.

      I’m not felling that left out, Alex said, then chuckled. I want this whole family thing to work out since I have no family anymore.

      It will, babe, I said, then put my arm around Alex and gave his shoulders a squeeze.

      Of course it’ll work out, Charity said. We’re all kind of laid back. Well… Forrest maybe not so much. But then every family needs someone to be the strict fatherly type.

      Forrest is definitely the daddy type, I said, letting my mind drift to daddies of an altogether different type.

      Get your mind out of the gutter, Layton, Alex said, then smiled my way.

      Our cop is definitely one hunk of a man, Charity said. Linus definitely has his strong points as well. And he’s very excited about all of us coming together as a family unit.

      There’s that word again, Alex said then chuckled.

      What word? Charity said.

      Coming or cumming, Alex said.

      We all laughed. After walking down two blocks, we were on a sidewalk running parallel to the water. Alex was completely into taking pictures, and I tried to keep an eye on him. I’d moved my wallet into my front pocket for security reasons, and Alex had done the same. Charity had a small purse with short straps that hung just under her arm and close to her body. As the street and sidewalk started climbing in altitude, I noticed a public bathroom and we all made a pit stop to

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