"Hi, Tibby! I've heard so much about you. Please come in. My name is Berty. I know your parents." An older, nicely dressed woman says, as she opens the door. This must be Evan's mother. She's similar in appearance. They both have a strong jawline and piercing blue eyes, very attractive; with the kind of eyes that see into a person's soul. Hers appear more compassionate in nature. She has creases around her eyes, a permanent wrinkling from worry and emotion. Evan definitely lacks that.
"Thank you." I smile and grab Chaney's hand. Berty smiles and welcomes us both inside.
"Who's your friend?" She asks, as I shut the door behind me.
"I'm Chaney." She smiles and reaches out to shake Berty's hand. Berty smiles in return and pulls both of us in for a hug instead. She seems so sweet and nice. I'm stunned that her son turned out the way he did. A serial killer, who would have thought this sweet old lady could have such a sick, sadistic piece of shit for a son.
Chaney and I stare at each other, as her hug continues for another few minutes. I inhale the smell of her perfume. It's surprisingly a very light floral fragrance. Her and my grandmother are around the same age and smell nothing alike. My grandmother's perfume is so strong that it induces headaches if you inhale too quickly. Berty's, I like. Berty interrupts my reverie by asking about my mother. "How's your mom doing, all things considered?" Her eyes speak volumes, with a genuine look of concern.
" She's okay." My smile is tight. I'm not sure how to take her friendly demeanor. This is going to make it hard, when I get the chance to kill Evan, but I won't let that stop me. I will kill him. Chaney and I sit in the eloquent living room chairs, as we wait for her to bring tea and cookies.
'So, Chaney, have you met Tibby's sister?" Berty asks when she enters the room. She sets the tray down and sits right next to me. I tune out their conversation and glance around the room. All of the pictures in the house are of Evan; when he was young, middle school, highs school, college and more recent ones. I casually stand and stride over to the wall to get a better look at the others.
One picture in particular catches my attention the most. Evan is front and center, with unknown people, on both sides of him, cutting red ribbon with a large pair of scissors. I squint to get a better look, but Evan is blocking the view. He is standing in front of what looks like a department store, at a shopping mall, maybe.
I feel someone's presence behind me and jump. Berty is standing behind me smiling her warm smile. She is clearly admiring her son's picture. If she knew what he was, would she look as proud as what she does. "He is cutting the ropes at the grand opening of his first clothing store called Elegant Evans. He has many of his stores around Arizona. Have you ever been?"
I put on a fake smile and say, "No, but I would love to go check it out. Maybe you can take us there sometime?" This is definitely the key to finding out what his motives for killing are and I am not going to pass up an opportunity to go to one of the stores and snoop around. I may even fuck with him and steal some shit. I want to find a way to get under his skin the same way he has been getting under mine.
"Sure, are you girls free tomorrow? Evan can come too." I grit my teeth, but manage to smile. Going in the same car with him to his department store is not an outing I want to go on.
"Maybe we can make it a girls trip? Chaney wouldn't be comfortable with that." I elbow Chaney and she groans.
"Um, yeah...can we just make it a girls trip?" She pleads believingly and then gives me a dirty look when Berty isn't watching..
She nods, "You know what, it's been a long time since I've had a girls day. Maybe your mom can come too/"
"Yeah, I'm sure she would love to come." Berty looks pleased as she leads us back over to sit down. We sip our tea and eat cookies in silence. My thoughts keep wandering back to that picture of him standing in front of his store, Elegant Evans. Of course, he would name his store after himself. His arrogance wouldn't allow for anything less. I don't think I've ever heard of his clothing stores. That would explain his obsession with mannequins, but what does it have to do with all the girls he's killed? What does that have to do with my sister?
"Thanks again...we'll see you tomorrow," Chaney says enthusiastically when we head out the door.
When we get back to the house, I head upstairs to talk to Laura about our plan. I enter the guest bedroom and she's sitting up, waiting for us. I start to talk, but stop myself. She is frowning and clearly upset about something. "Where did you go? Where's Chaney?"
"We, uh…".I stutter. "We went to his house. I wanted to pay his mom a visit and get a good look inside to see if there were any clues that might help." I go and sit next to Laura on the bed. "Are you upset that I took Chaney with me?"
She shakes her head. "No, I'm upset that you didn't tell me about your plans to go over there. Was he home?" I shake my head. "Shit, I thought you wanted me to go check out the shed." Her voice is filled with panic as she stands to get her stuff.
"If you want to head over there now that would be good." I walk over and give her a hug. "Thank you Laura. You really weren't upset I took Chaney with me?" I question.
"No, Tibby. I know you will keep her safe."
I grin as Chaney enters the room with my mom and Happy following closely behind.
Laura smiles at my mom and Chaney and turns to me, "So, what more do i need to know about this asshole?"