Chapter 2: Revenge:
Matthew's POV:
"Yes, my friend was a genius," I said, "a great artist. We were like that, Liselotte. Just like that."
"Did they ever find him after the fire," asks Liselotte.
"Not a sign of him," I said.
"Not a sign of him," I said, "the place burned like a paint factory. Like a volcano. He was such an impractical fellow. But I still loved him. Had I been there, I might have saved him."
"You might have gotten burned yourself," says Liselotte.
"Yes," I said, "such is life. No matter how much we lose, we must still go on living."
"Was there any insurance on the wax museum," asks Liselotte.
"Yes," I said, "I had a little difficulty about that. According to the partnership agreement, the money was to go to the survivor of the others. The insurance company insists upon proof of my partner's death."
"They always want a corpse," says Liselotte.
"But they settle finally," I said, "this afternoon, in fact. Certified check. I got it cashed. The money is in my safe. You know what that means, Baby?"
"No, what," asks Liselotte.
"That little trip I was talking to you about," I said..."
"Oh Matt, you're such a card," says Liselotte, "how much did you get?"
"$25,000," I said, "where would you like to go, Baby? Atlantic City?"
"No, Niagra Falls," says Liselotte, "we can get the license in Buffalo."
"License," I asked.
"Yeah, y'know," says Liselotte, "legitimate."
"Why not," I asked, "it might be fun. Waiter, my check?"
. . .
I then returned to my apartment, but when I got to my desk, someone turned the lights off and then attacked me with a rope and it all went da...
To Be Continued
In the next chapter, we meet Mirabel.