PET SHOP OF HORRORS - FRIEND
Chapter Two - True Colors
Immediately after the oriental chime rang for the third time, a familiar voice snidely asked, "What the hell was pretty boy doing here?"
A charming smile crept on Count D's lips, as Q-chan flapped its wings and hovered over his shoulders. "Oh, good afternoon, Officer Orcot. Would you like to join me for some tea?"
Leon nodded, and then slumped on the sofa. With a frown on his face, he once again asked, "What was that scumbag doing here?"
"The Esquire purchased a pet," the Count replied before taking a sip of his tea. With an inconspicuous glance towards the detective, he inquired, "Did you get to see it?"
After taking a sip from his cup, the detective murmured, "No, I didn't get to see his prized pet... You should be staying away from him, if I were you."
Noticing his guest's disturbed expression, topaz and lavender eyes gazed at the blonde. "Calling one of the most influential men of the community a scumbag would not bode well for you, Officer."
Leon's eyes burned in anger, as he blurted out, "I really don't care anymore. The department just dropped the investigation regarding his wife's death. Everything just seems too weird to make it a natural death, but the commissioner and higher ups believed the coroner's report. Everyone in the department thinks that I'm crazy for not letting this go."
Count D raised an amused eyebrow. "What makes you think that there is foul play involved in Abigail Horryce's death?"
Sighing to relieve some pent-up rage, the detective said, "I know what you're thinking, Count. There were multiple light blows on her head. The coroner, however, said that those were consistent to someone falling down and hitting her head as she rolled down from a flights of stairs. The cause of death, according to the coroner's office, was a broken neck from the fall."
Curiosity piqued, the handsome pet shop owner pried, "There must be a reason for the department to drop the investigation."
Leon snorted. "Horryce had an alibi. His legal assistant, Mike Bartles, said that Horryce was working in his home office at the separate building inside the Horryce estate the entire evening. He even told the Chief that he went inside that office from time to time, since he kept handing Horryce legal papers that they needed for a court appearance the following day."
Staring more intently at the detective, the Count pried, "It sounds that the Esquire has an airtight alibi. I find it intriguing that you still suspect foul play."
"The neighbors reported that the Horryces were heavily arguing over the past six months. Some of them suspected domestic abuse, but that didn't go anywhere. First, the police couldn't pursue anything since Abigail Horryce kept silent. When she did finally speak up, no one believed her. Miles Horryce had plenty of strings to coax City Hall, the department, and the courthouse. Then the wife mysteriously died on the very day that all the servants were away. My gut normally tells me whenever I'm right."
"Yet you have also told me that your instincts have not been serving you well lately," the daintily handsome proprietor gently reminded his guest. "Are you sure that your judgment has not been clouded?"
"The guy is a scumbag. He defended plenty of shady characters that are now roaming free in the streets - no thanks to him."
Q-chan flew back towards Count D and rested on its master's shoulders.
As he gently stroked Q-chan's stomach with his finger, the pet shop owner quietly remarked, "The Esquire is just doing his sworn duty as a defense attorney, Officer. You should not pass judgment so swiftly."
Leon smugly remarked, "Mark my words, Count. Miles Horryce has something to do with his wife's death. I don't know how, but I'll prove it. Once that fact comes out as plain as day, then I'll be more than happy to haul his smug pretty-boy ass behind bars."
Hours later at Carmel, a limousine pulled up in front of a palatial Victorian-style manor, the chauffeur scurried - opening the door for Miles Horryce.
Once he stepped out of the limousine, the handsome defense attorney offered his hand and assisted his companion - the Chinese fox - who now wore a floor-length black velvet hooded robe that covered most of her face and body.
The new pet stared in awe at the manor's elaborate and landscaped facade - her eyes being the only exposed part of her body.
"This is our home, my sweet," Miles Horryce whispered, as he rested his left hand on her back. On his right hand, he carried the antique incense container that Count D earlier provided - with its aromatic contents still burning and permeating the air.
The Chinese fox glanced at her master - her expressive eyes communicating her happiness and approval of her new surroundings. She and the attorney walked up the marbled stairs that led towards the mosaic glass and dark oak doors.
As soon as the doors opened, he gave her the incense container and then lifted her with both arms - similar to what a groom would do to a bride upon the threshold, and cautious enough not to spill the incense inside the oriental vessel. He carried her all the way to the bedroom that remained his haven since his wife died. Once they reached the foot of the bed, he then helped her on her feet.
While flexing his arms, the Chinese fox slowly removed the black velvet robe and veil - revealing the ornate cheongsam underneath. After placing the incense container by the nightstand, she approached her new master and took him by the hand.
An absent-minded Miles was more than happy to oblige, as he followed her lead towards the bed. While he sat on the bed, she went on the bed - kneeling behind him and massaging his tired body. By this time, he was convinced that Abigail - his gentle, dainty, and caring wife - came back to him. Everything was so right - her touch, her scent, her attentiveness, and her care for him.
This, however, was everything in their lives before she lost her mind.
Memories flooded back within him as the new pet continued her work. Count D's words kept echoing back to him about how the Chinese fox was not meant for him. The innermost voice that longed for his wife, her scent, and her touch kept insisting, "How could someone that brings such happiness be meant for another?"
"Does this feel right, my master?" the Chinese fox whispered with a mixture of innocence, care, and seduction laced in her voice.
His emotions caved in upon hearing her voice, followed by the so-familiar gentle kisses from behind. The yearnings of his body also rose - closing his eyes to concentrate more on the sensations that he was now feeling.
The Chinese fox rose from the bed and stood before him. She had Abigail's mesmerizing eyes - reflecting a mixture of innocence and mischief for those who wish to explore its depths.
Miles instinctively and slowly unbuttoned her cheongsam. After he slowly unwrapped her until the last shred of clothing was on the floor, she came closer to him and sat on him. He still was awe-struck from the miracle before him - from the beautiful face, her feminine scent, the expressive yes, the silky voice, the supple body, and now her long black hair.
With reminiscing tears - pushed beyond its limit from hearing his wife's voice, he closed his eyes and murmured, "God, Abigail... I missed you... Have you come back for me?"
"I have," she whispered, as she sat down behind him and wrapped her arms around him. She undid his shirt buttons one by one while adding, "I'll never leave you, and you'd never hurt me again - would you?"
Along with a reassuring and longing embrace, he murmured with a quaking voice as honey-colored eyes stared at her. "I'd never hurt you, Abigail. I swear that I'll never hurt you again..."
"We have all night, my love. The past is behind us now..."
They then kissed - with him brimming with hope and enjoying release from the months' worth of emptiness, and she catering to his needs with attentiveness and vigilance. As the incense burned throughout their first evening together as man and woman, the only thought in his mind was that Abigail returned from the dead and forgave him.
End Chapter Two
Author's Note
Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Pet Shop of Horrors does not belong to me, but this fanfic (along with Miles Horryce and Abigail the Chinese fox) does.