Loss Read Free

pulled a face which meant that Corben had been talking up the house history and she wanted a different viewpoint.
    “Murder’s pretty natural,” I told her. “I don’t know if that guy ever bayoneted anyone or if the hand grenade ever went off, but there’s been a few grudges that ended with a knife or a handgun. One guy pushed his brother down the elevator shaft, and one of the scientists blew himself and his dog to hell mixing up some concoction.”
    “Scientists?”
    “Some scientists used to live here.”
    “And their dogs.”
    “Well,” I said, “yeah.”
    “Oh, I see.” She chewed on that for a while. I moved up a couple steps, working the banister, easing a little closer. I could see her reflection in the shine. I fought down the primitive inside me trying to get out. Maybe I shouldn’t have. Maybe she was just waiting for me to carry her down the stairs. But I didn’t make the move.
    Gabriella said, “Have you ever considered doing a book about it? The building?”
    I didn’t want to admit the truth, but she had a way of cooling the endless blazing rage inside me. My loud thoughts softened and quieted, even while I went slowly crazy with wanting her. “Yes, when I was a kid. I’ve always been intrigued by the building. There’s always been a lot of talk, a lot of rumors.”
    “But you don’t want to write one anymore?”
    “No.”
    “Why not?”
    It was a good question, and one I wasn’t prepared to answer. It took me a while to say anything. “I have my own stories to share, I suppose. I don’t need to tell this place’s legends and lessons. And it doesn’t need me to tell them anyway.”
    I turned and she smiled at me a little sadly.
    I knew then exactly what Corben was doing and what was now ripping him up inside. The damn fool was trying to write a book about Stark House.
    ~ * ~
    A minute later the front door was awash with a blur of black motion, and Gabriella and I wheeled and moved down the stairs together, as one, like I’d seen in a dozen classic films I could name.
    Our bare arms touched and I tamped down the thrill that flared through me. She placed a hand on my wrist and my pulse snapped hard. It was odd and a bit unsettling to know that such small, commonplace human actions could still send me spiraling toward the edge. I hadn’t realized I was quite so lonely until that moment.
    And there it was, the first sighting of Ferdinand the Magnifico, looking dapper as hell in his old world Victorian-era black suit, lace tie. And this too, our initial meeting with the monkey, Mojo, leashed to his master by a sleek length of golden chain, who hopped around doing a dance in his little jacket and cap while holding his cup out. This also wasn’t exactly the grand romance I’d been hoping for, but I’d take whatever I could get.
    “Halloo!” Ferdi shouted. Behind him scattered out on the sidewalk stood crates, boxes, and a small assortment of furniture. He must’ve hired some cheap uninsured movers who would only carry your belongings curb to curb.
    Mojo jumped back and forth as far as his chain would allow. Gabriella smiled and said, “Are you certain you can bring an animal like that into this building?”
    “Animal!” Ferdi cried. “This is no animal, madam! I assure you! This is my partner, Mojo, a gentle soul no different than you or I, with a heart filled with benevolence and an obligation only to make children laugh!”
    She ignored the side of his trunk that stated in bold yellow letters FERDINAND THE MAGNIFICO, and asked, “And just who are you?”
    “I am Ferdinand! And this is our new home! Today we move into Apartment 2C of the Stark Building!” He glanced at me, but, like all men, he couldn’t keep his eyes off Gabriella for longer than that.
    “Nice to meet you, Mr. Ferdinand.”
    “Just Ferdinand, madam! Are we neighbors? Say it is so!”
    “Just Gabriella, Ferdinand,” she said. “And it is so, we’re neighbors. And this is Will.”
    “Well then, as