Save Me, Santa: A Chirstmas Anthology of Romance & Suspense (19 page)

“I hope he brings me a gift.” I put the hat in my back pocket.

I waited outside the viewing room for a few minutes. The only sound was my heart thumping in my chest, and the rhythmic tick-tock of a wall clock echoing in the hallway. In the distance, a siren wailed. A blast from the automatic air freshener bathed the area in a floral scent. I checked on Susan who waited in the lobby for Arlene.

When several minutes passed without her emerging, I decided to look in on Arlene. Quietly, I opened the heavy wood door. Upon entering, I found her bent over the casket, her hands running up and down her father’s navy blue suit jacket and vest. When she spotted me her eyes widened. Suddenly, she collapsed on the corpse’s chest, sobbing out, “Oh, Daddy. I can’t believe you’re gone.”

It wasn’t unusual for people to touch the deceased, it gave them comfort and connection in some way, but what I saw seemed like a pat down. Not wanting to scare her, I cleared my throat to get her attention.

“Oh my.” Arlene jerked around, her face flushed. “I—I, um… Dad’s jacket was rumpled.” She fidgeted with her hands, wringing them as she spoke. A bead of sweat glistened on her wrinkled forehead. Her voice rose and trembled as she spoke. “He was a very proper man. Everything neat and in order, maybe because of his military background.”

I had prepared his body and, trust me, he looked perfect. Not a wrinkle. “Yes, I understand, but if you don’t mind…”

“Of course. You need to close down. Thank you again for letting me in. I’ll get Susan and we’ll let ourselves out. You were so kind.” She scurried away.

Now that was just weird
. But people did all sorts of strange things when they were grieving. One time I’d seen a lady climb into the casket and lay down with her husband.

After locking up behind Susan and Arlene, I went to the office. When I entered, Kim had her coat and hat on.

“All right, I’m heading out now.” Kim tossed me keys. “Here is your set. Remember, one delivery tonight.”

“Got it. I hope it’s pizza.” Right at that moment my stomach growled.

“More like cold cuts.” Kim smirked.

“Or a large Popsicle,” I retorted.
Corpse humor
.

“Oh, I have to come back and do a little more paperwork later. I didn’t have time to finish it today. Maybe I’ll pick us up something to eat?” Kim buttoned her coat and then slung the purse over her shoulder. She moved a stack of papers.

“No plans with a boyfriend?” I mentally kicked myself as soon as I said it. How obvious was it that I liked her? I’d guess it was about as obvious as a neon sign.

“I need to let my dog out, and then I’ll be back.” Kim tucked her long brown hair under a wool hat. “See you later.”

“It’s a date,” I said.

“You wish.”

“Yes I do.” I nodded.

Kim grinned and then left, leaving me in the office.

Alone.

Just me and Mr. Wallace.

The smell of coffee.

The creaks of the heater kicking on.

Silence.

* * *

An hour or so went by as I straightened magazines on end tables, lined up chairs along walls, and dusted tabletops. After I cleaned the windows in the front lobby, all the chores were completed.

Mr. Kincaid wanted the decorations for December to be as nondenominational as possible. His solution amounted to a few strings of blue lights on the two ficus trees in the lobby and a pine wreath on the front door. I clicked off the tree lights.

I switched the radio station from the always-present classical instrumental music and tuned into a station playing Christmas music. “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” came over the speakers.

I loved December. Freshly fallen snow on the frozen lake. The moon lighting up the dark blue night. The smell of fresh pine, and the crispness in the air. Decorations adorning buildings. Hot chocolate on a cold night, the smell of freshly baked cookies. Almost the perfect season.

A girlfriend would make it just right.

Checking on Mr. Wallace, I got a sudden case of patriotism, remembering his life as a World War II veteran, so I stood next to his casket, straightened my back, clicked my heels together, and saluted him. “Thank you, sir, for your service. Rest in Peace.” I then made my way to the office.

After pouring out the old coffee, I began a fresh pot. It was going to be a long night. I needed to stay awake to greet the expected delivery.

At that moment a scratching sound came from down the hallway.

Mouse?

A branch against the metal door?

Intruder?

Ghost?

No. No.
My heartbeat quickened.
I’m not afraid
.

Kim must be returning to do her paperwork. Yes. That made sense. Slowly I made my way down the hallway, my footsteps muffled by the oriental runner. A thud sounded in another room.

My heart skipped. My hands began to sweat and shake. I felt heat rise from my chest to my neck.

There was no living soul in the entire building except me. Unplugging a candlestick lamp on a nearby table, I wrapped the cord around the base. The metal in my hand felt solid and heavy. My weapon for… Just in case.

Another thud.

What was that?

The sound of my heartbeat became louder than the Christmas song “Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer” playing on the radio. Even so, I began making my way around the premises and I didn’t see anything out of place. Okay, Joe must’ve rigged something to make a sound. Yes. That’s what was going on here. He wanted to scare me.

“But I won’t let him,” I announced to the empty space.

First he tried the Santa hat on Mr. Wallace, and now this.

“Hey, Mark, it’s me. Where are you?” Kim’s voice reverberated down the hallway. “I’m in the office.”

My body relaxed. Kim. It’s only Kim. I’d let my imagination run wild for nothing.

As I entered the office Kim said, “Hey, you want a bite to eat?” She opened a box. I got a whiff of freshly baked pizza.

“Thanks. You know you scared me to death.” I put the lamp on the desk.

“Why do you have that lamp?”

“Weapon.” I folded a slice in half and took a bite.

She hung her coat on the back of a chair and then took a cheesy slice herself. “Do you need your teddy?” Kim smirked.

“You could wear a teddy. That would help a lot.” Ugh I did it again. No filter on my brain.

“Nice try.” Kim chuckled. “You don’t give up, do you?”

“Not until you say you’ll go on a date with me.”

Kim let out a small giggle. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”

“It would be the best Christmas gift ever. Well, next to the superhero cape I got in fifth grade.”

A loud crash—like glass smashing on the floor—came from outside the office, making us both jump. Kim grabbed my arm.

“What was that?” Kim grimaced as she clung onto me.

“Not sure. Right before you got here, I heard some other weird noises. It couldn’t be Mr. Wallace. On the other hand, do you think Joe’s being a jerk and trying to trick me again? He tried to do this Santa hat thing on our client, and… well, he’s not one to give up.”

“I don’t know.” Kim tugged my elbow. “What should we do if it isn’t Joe?”

“How about you stay in the office, so you’ll be safe. Make sure you lock the door behind me and get ready to call 911. I don’t want anything to happen to you.” Every nerve in my body tingled. Between being frightened at the sounds and Kim touching me I was on emotional overload.

“How will I know when to dial?” Kim asked.

“If you see a stranger. Or a zombie. Or anything weird.”

“A zombie wouldn’t be weird?”

“You know what I mean.”

“Got it.” Kim’s eyes were wide as she looked at me. “Seriously, Mark. Be safe. Do you want my brass knuckles or Mace?”

“No, thanks.”

“Then at least have this.” She handed me the lamp.

Tightening my grip on the lamp neck, I cautiously made my way in the direction of the Serenity Room—ground zero for the glass smashing noise. Scanning around the hallway, all of the tables and chairs looked in order.

Upon entering the room a powerful fragrance from the dozens of floral wreaths enveloped me. With the door closed and the heat on, the scent increased. Glancing around, I noticed a broken vase on the wood floor. Water pooled around the pieces of broken glass. Was it there before? No.

Did someone come in here? Impossible.

Okay. All was fine, I reassured myself.

But I couldn’t leave until I checked the body. So I went over to Mr. Wallace’s casket. His jacket seemed disheveled and unbuttoned. Someone must’ve been here. Yet, where were they and how did they get in? There had to be an explanation. Okay. Walk back to the office.

I took a deep breath to calm my nerves. Then the thought of Kim possibly being in danger had me sprinting down the hallway to the office. Once there, out of breath, I said to Kim, “Are you okay?”

“Fine, but you look like hell.” She got up from behind the desk. “What’s going on?”

My chest heaved. I took a moment to catch my breath. “A broken vase.”

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Kim brushed a hair from my eye.

I shook my head. “I was more worried about your safety.”

Creak.

“What was that?” Kim shrieked.

Trying to sound in control, I lowered my voice and spoke calmly. “The building is probably just settling. But you stay here and I’ll take a look.” My eyes began to twitch with raw nerves.

“Mark, let’s go look together.” Kim’s voice trembled.

“No. I’m protecting you from whatever that is out there.” I waved my hand at the door.

“Honestly, I’d rather be with you, than here by myself.”

“You would?” My heart leapt. She likes me? “It may not be safe out there. But I’ll make sure nothing happens to you. You know, I took a self-defense course.”

Kim smiled. “Cool. Me too. Hey, I also have these to protect us.” She pulled nunchucks from her desk drawer.

“Whoa.”

“And I know how to use them too.” Kim twirled them toward me.

“I’m a little turned on now.” I arched an eyebrow.

“Focus.” Kim pinched my arm.

I went to the closet and pulled out a small toolbox. Grabbing a hammer I held it up. “I’m ready.”

“Let’s go.”

After opening the office door, I turned to her. “If anything happens, just know that I love you. I’ve always loved you. Ever since you walked in the fifth grade with your pink Little Kitty shirt on.”

“I loved that shirt. And I remember your super hero lunchbox. It was cute.” Kim nudged me with her elbow.

I pulled the Santa hat out of my back pocket and put it on. “Am I cute now too?”

She nodded. “Adorable. You’re my Santa Hero.”

We made our way to the Serenity Room as “The Little Drummer Boy” played on the radio.

“Stay back here while I look in the room,” I said.

A door slammed.

Kim and I locked eyes. She squeezed my hand.

“I kind of like this.” My hand felt like it was in a vice as her small fingers grabbed mine. Her hand was warm and soft. Just her touch excited me.

Kim stood close to me. “What next, superhero?”

“We go in.” I slowly turned the door handle.

“Look over there.” I pointed. On the floor next to Mr. Wallace’s casket, a floral arrangement lay with its red and white petals scattered and the blue ribbon bow smushed. After picking up the floral remains and placing it back on its stand, I did my best to make the arrangement look good. I felt a whoosh of hot air on the top of my head.

“What happened?” Kim asked.

“I’m not sure. There’s a heating vent above here, but I doubt the air coming out could have been strong enough to have knocked it over.” Something was going on. But I didn’t want to worry Kim. “It must’ve been just a freak spontaneous fall over because no one’s here.”

“Yeah, you’re probably right. We’re all alone,” Kim said, although it sounded more like a question.

Buzzzzzzzzz.

“The delivery,” I said. “Let’s write this off as just a weird freak accident, okay?”

“So all is good then?” Kim held my hand.

I gave her a gentle squeeze. “Yes, it’s all good.”
But was it?

The buzzer sounded again.

“While you get that, I’ll finish in the office.” Kim tiptoed up and kissed my cheek. “Thanks for being my protector. Sorry if I hurt your hand.”

“Anytime you need to grab me, feel free.” Her kiss made my stomach take a freefall.

Kim rolled her eyes, then turned and left.

I jogged to the back. Upon opening the metal door, a gust of icy air mixed with snowflakes blew in. I helped the delivery man get the body bag from the back of the hearse onto the gurney. The frigid air numbed my hands.

“You doing okay?” The man took off his wool hat and stepped inside. His black hair was cut short and close to his head.

“Yup. Now I’ve got some more company.” I pointed at the body bag.

He removed his leather gloves, reached in his jacket pocket and handed me a folded piece of paper. “Here, don’t lose this.”

“Got it.” I set the paper on top of the body bag. I rubbed my hands together trying to get them warm.

“Listen, I don’t want to keep you. You’ve got to get the body downstairs,” the man said with a smile. “Good luck and have fun.”

“Fun?” I asked.

He didn't respond with anything but a wave. As he exited, the wind blew the receipt from the top of the gurney. I grabbed it off the floor and tucked it under the body bag before shutting the back door. The bolt lock snapped shut under my fingers.

Just moments later, poking my head in the office, I saw Kim bent over paperwork on her desk. “I’m heading down with the body.”

Without looking up, Kim replied, “Fine.”

I wheeled the body to the elevator and pushed the down button. The gurney’s wheels squeaked along the basement hallway. As I pushed, I noticed that the corpse must be a rather heavy person—the body bag bulged.

Automatic lights flicked on as I entered the preparation room. The room had two metal tables. The silver shelving, lining the far wall, held tools, and equipment. The white tiled floor tilted slightly down toward drains. All the metal and white made the room look like a sterile operating room. I’ve spent hundreds of hours in the preparation room, but come to think of it, I couldn’t remember being alone in this room.