Chapter Twenty 

Normally, a trip to Gina’s Beauty Bazaar meant stocking up on supplies for the funeral home. This time, Lily had other plans. Earlier this morning, while lying in bed, staring up at the ceiling and wondering who could help her case, it finally hit her—Gina Giordani. As an ex-gang member who used to live in New York City, Gina had to know something. 

But will she talk?

As she entered the beauty supply shop, Lily had no idea if her scheme would work but if her friend could help in any way to shine the light on Rick, she would certainly try. 

Gina looked up from her phone as Lily approached the counter. Strands of purple hair stood out against platinum blonde, and she wore oversized, black-framed glasses that made her look like a ladybug. With Gina, the look was never dull.

“How’s it going?” Lily asked.

“Not bad. It’s nice of you to stop in today. I finally got those bronzers you’ve been asking for.”

“Oh, good. I’ve been wanting to give some of my clients a little sunshine on their cheeks.” Lily glanced at her surroundings. She’d purposely come just after the store opened to avoid an audience. 

Gina stared at her through black kohl-rimmed blue eyes. “What’s wrong?”

“I need to speak with you…in private.”

Gina stared for a second longer. She seemed to be grasping the gravity of the situation. “I’ll close the store so we can chat in peace. My sales associate is off today.” Making her way to the front door she locked the deadbolt and turned over the OPEN sign. “How can I help?”

“In the past you told me I could come by if I needed help. So here I am.” 

Gina’s expression revealed nothing. She’d spent most of her life hiding in the shadows. Getting answers from her might be a challenge. 

Her friend’s eyes narrowed. “Is someone after you?”

“Not exactly. We have a…houseguest whom I believe is up to no good.”

“Did he leave the toilet seat up?”

“I wish. He’s been stealing bodies out of my funeral home and burning them in ritualistic sacrifices.”

Gina’s eyebrows shot up. “Geez. Nice houseguest. Where’d you find him?”

“I didn’t. He’s a friend of James.”

“A friend?” Gina leaned toward Lily. “Maybe you should be looking even closer for your enemies.”

“It might look that way, but James is in a bit of denial. He probably doesn’t want to admit he’s wrong either.”

“Men never do. So how can I help?”

“I’m absolutely convinced Rick is the culprit based on suspicious behavior between him and some of my other employees and evidence I found in his room, but I need to know more about him. I want to catch him in the act. Would you know anything about him?”

Gina dragged in a breath. “What’s his name?”

“Rick Drakon.”

“Drakon? Is that Greek?”

Lily paused as her brain caught onto something. She’d recently come across some things written in Greek. Then it hit her. The flyer James showed her said Zeus at the top.

It couldn’t be a coincidence. 

She put that nugget of information away for the moment. “I’m not entirely sure but it sounds Greek. Have you heard of him? Oh, and I forgot to mention. He’s also a detective.”

Gina’s jaw jutted out. “You’ve got a crooked cop? That makes things more difficult. No one is going to believe you.”

“I realize that, but I know I’m right about him. The man is a criminal.”

Gina put her index finger in the air. “On the other hand I know some people who might like to see a crooked cop go down. Let me make a phone call but first give me his description.”

Lily blinked. “Uh, he’s big, burly and bald.”

Gina chuckled. “The three Bs?”

“And he wears a bold gold chain around his neck.”

“I’ll be sure to include that.” She walked toward the back office. “Back in a second.” 

After the office door closed, Lily exhaled. She was glad she decided to get help—not an easy thing for her. A flurry of nervous energy flooded her body. Gina hadn’t given away much but hopefully she’d discovered something. 

Lily meandered over to the front door. She peered out the window. A line of customers had already formed outside. These people wanted their beauty products bad. She didn’t blame them. Running out of your favorite mascara definitely could ruin your day.

A few more minutes went by before the office door opened. 

“He’s on the run,” Gina announced triumphantly. “He’s on the NYPD’s list for crimes involving selling organs and other scams. This guy’s trying to make money any way he can but he’s not very good at it.”

Lily’s eyes opened wide. “I knew it.” She blew all the air out of her lungs. “I knew I wasn’t crazy. He’s a wanted man living under my roof. Will they be coming after him?”

Gina cocked her head. “I never reveal anything—unwritten code, but I can’t promise he won’t be found. Your problem might resolve all on its own.”

“Maybe, but that might take too long. He’s stealing from my business. I need to know what his next move will be.”

“You said he’s been performing rituals?”

“That’s probably how he’s raking in the money—entrance fees. We think he was holding the rituals at the old Rubin mansion but now that the cops are all over it, looking for evidence of rituals, he’s got to go somewhere else. You think he’ll skip town again?”

“He might. On the call they said his place was raided and they found lots of pictures of cemeteries but when they went to check them out, they didn’t find anything.”

“Cemeteries?”

“The thought was maybe he was keeping money buried there or maybe bodies, but they never found anything.”

“So he kept pictures of the cemeteries?”

Gina shrugged. “Who knows? Could be a weirdo or he’s really good at getting rid of the evidence. I would consider checking out Manorview Cemetery. With lots of space, a creepy backdrop and no one else around, it seems like a great place to stage a ritual.”

Lily nodded. “He’s getting ready for another. And it’ll be soon.”

“Are you going alone? I wouldn’t recommend it.”

“You’re probably right but it’s complicated.”

“At least take a gun.”

Lily twisted her fingers. 

Gina eyed her with suspicion. “You do know how to shoot a gun, right?”

Lily chuckled. “Of course.”

“Well good. Take James’s gun. If you need a refresher, you know where to find me.” 

Lily let out the air she’d been holding. “I might take you up on that offer. Listen, thanks. I won’t take up anymore of your time.” 

Gina walked with her toward the entrance. “I meant what I said. Be careful. You might let the toughies sort it out instead of getting involved. It’s no place for a small-town girl.”

“You’re probably right but I can’t sit around waiting for him to steal my next client.”

Gina opened the door and flipped the sign to OPEN. “Well, I warned you.”

Lily looked at the eager customers ready to storm in and sighed. In some ways she wished her day could be as simple as getting instant gratification from purchasing a cosmetic product but no, she had to jump right into the most dangerous place she possibly could. She looked at Gina and smiled. “Thanks again. I’ll see you soon.”

Gina returned a knowing smile. “You know where to find me.”