Chapter 1
Billy Bingo sat naked on a stool and stared into a mirror. “I am a witch. I am a shape-shifter.” He touched the mirror.
Billy stood up. Did he want to get dressed or did he want to go back to bed? He had agreed to what Kane Bishop wanted. He had made a deal with Judge Haskel. He told himself it was to protect his family. “I am such a loser,” Billy moaned. Billy looked back at his bed.
Billy heard the sound of a moving truck in the parking lot of the Minion Plex where he still lived with his parents. He glanced out the window to see the very beautiful woman, Janet Silverton, giving instructions to two moving men who were unloading her furniture. “She is nice looking,” Billy said as he looked, looked, and looked some more.
Billy got dressed and was just about to exit his bedroom when there was knock on his door. He opened the door to see Detective Face standing there. Detective Face looked none too happy. Billy felt a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. He looked back at his beckoning bed. He knew he couldn’t spend the rest of eternity in bed with the covers pulled up over his head but it seemed a rather comforting thought.
“Are you here to arrest me?” Billy asked Detective Face.
“No. You are protected. For now! Higher ups were asking me some questions and pointing some fingers, but people higher than them ordered that the matter be dropped.”
“Thanks.”
“Have you told your parents anything?”
“No.” Billy considered his words. “I know you work for the Judge’s wife, Mrs. Haskel.”
“Yeah, I work for Marjone Haskel. She told me about your visit. It was a relief that you two worked it out because I really did not want to go against the Legman. That is, I didn’t want to go up against you because of old times and all.”
Billy shrugged. Billy said, “My memory of those days is still somewhat foggy.”
Detective Face cocked his head. He knew there were things not well with Billy and in truth he knew Billy was a rather odd sort. Still, he considered that Billy had been a good friend. Detective Face said, “Back in the day, your advice helped me to get out of some very tough spots. It is because of your help that I was able to become a policeman and am able to work for the police today.” Detective Face paused and shrugged. “Yeah, I know I am a dirty cop and all, but still I’d like to think I do some good.”
Billy said, “There is no doubt that you helped me to get out of a jam at the Harris place. Thank you.”
“Here is the thing. Pretty much everyone who is anyone knows to stay the hell away from the Kane Bishop case. The rub is that a lowly traffic cop and her erotic mystery writing Aunt Tess Favor have latched onto the case. A picture fell into the hands of Mrs. Favor that is a picture of you at the Harris Place when the reported death of Kane Bishop is said to have happened at said place.”
“The picture doesn’t prove anything. The Harris family were my friends.”
“Mrs. Haskel is afraid that the scrutiny will uncover that which does not need to be uncovered. She is afraid that Janet Silverton—a traffic cop, trying to make detective—is going to cause a problem. Seeing that picture got Ms. Silverton and her Aunt, Tess Favor, snooping about and spying on you. Now Janet Silverton is here, right out there in the parking lot, and she is moving into the Minion Plex.”
Billy looked out the window at the beautiful Janet Silverton. His dick moved a little to the right. “She is moving here to spy on me.”
“I would guess that is the main reason she is moving here.”
“She is one good-looking woman. I might like her peeping in, spying, on me.”
“Yeah. I hear that.” Detective Face shook his head. “Anyway, Mrs. Haskel used her contacts to change your history a bit.”
“Change my history?” Billy asked, “How is that?”
Detective Face handed Billy a large envelope. “That contains all the background information that you will need to know. The short of it is that you now have a four-year degree in Criminology. You have passed the required test. The State Board approved you. And you are now a licensed Private Detective with your own company. The cover story of why you were following Kane Bishop is that you were working on a case when working under another detective, while also going to college.”
“Don’t you think that is rather elaborate and rather pointless? Besides, my parents and other people will know that isn’t right. They know most of my classes in college involved interior decorating.”
“Do they? Were they really that much interested in your college life?”
“It was a Junior College. They know that much.”
“You graduated from Georgia State. The speed you completed the required classes was rather amazing but possible.” Detective Face smiled. “In case there are any questions, use your magic powers to change memories. When I was caught shop lifting that time and you altered the memory of the store clerk, that was amazing.” Detective Face reached out and hugged Billy. He patted him on the back. “You will make a great Private Dick.” With a smile Detective Face backed away from Billy. He said, “You will make an excellent detective.”
Billy started to try to explain to Detective Face he didn’t remember helping him or how he had done it. He started to explain his memory of being the Legman was fuzzy at best but he had already told Detective Face that much. Billy decided it best not to give details on how hopeless and confused he currently felt. Instead he thanked Detective Face.
Detective Face said, “Mrs. Haskel is rather obsessive but she is good to the people she considers her friends. I think this ruse is more than just giving you a cover story but giving you a life. I mean, I was with her part of the time that she was working this out and she was thinking of you. She kept telling me, this will be good for Billy.”
“Me a detective. I don’t know. I will try to make her plans, the ruse, work. It is all kind of odd, but I will try.”
Detective Face said, “The name of your new company is the Naked Truth Agency. I hope that name is okay with you. When I thought about opening my own agency that is the name I was considering.”
“I like the name. So at this new company, what will be your position?”
“I am still employed as a Police Detective. Although Marjone Haskel and the Judge are retired, some old business sometimes come to ahead and I am needed to troubleshoot. She still needs me on the inside.”
“How am I going to run a Detective Agency without someone who knows what they are doing?”
“You will do okay. Hell, Legman, you will be a natural.”
Billy looked out the window at Janet Silverton. “So I am supposed to convince that lady and others that my involvement in what went down in Rockdale was because I was working for a Detective and not because of my past; my childhood. I am supposed to act like I am a professional detective.”
“You wouldn’t believe some of the clowns who contact me almost on a daily basis who call themselves Detective. You will do okay.”
“I don’t want to be one of those clowns. If I am going to do this, I want to do it right. I want to be respected.”
“I can’t say I haven’t thought about going private at times. Do you seriously think you will be able to stand working with me on a daily basis? And you know I will remain loyal to Marjone Haskel.”
“I understand that.” As Billy spoke he considered the big secret. He thought a moment. Billy asked, “What do you know about Kane Bishop?”
“You mean, do Marjone and I know that Kane is still alive? Yes, but the Judge does not know.”
“Well, if you hadn’t have known, that is the only thing that I can think of where we might have had a conflict. Of course you know that if the Judge or Mrs. Haskel were to attempt to hurt someone I care about then I will go against them to protect the people I love.”
“And you understand that if you go against the Judge or Marjone and I learn about it then I will tip them off.”
“I understand.”
“I will talk to Marjone and see if she agrees that I should help you with the Detective Agency. If she says yes then I will give notice and I will go to work for you in helping you with the Naked Truth Agency.”
“Good.”
As Detective Face left, Billy thought to himself, “If he doesn’t go to work with me, I am going to have to be very careful with this scam that Mrs. Haskel has created. I hope she is not going back on what was agreed. I hope she is not trying to set me up for some kind of a take down.”
* * *
After Detective Face left Billy, Billy called Steve Webster. “Tell your mom that I need a magic spell to be able to change memories. Supposedly at one time I was able to do that but I don’t remember.”
Steve told Billy that he would talk to his mom and then get back to him. About an hour later Mrs. Webster came knocking at the door. Billy and she walked outside to stroll around the grounds of the Minion Plex. While walking around Billy noticed Janet trying to watch him but without being noticed.
Janet Silverton was dressed in a lime green bikini with pink polka dots. Wearing a straw hat and large yellow sunglasses she was easily noticed by most people. Of course Billy mainly noticed her drop dead gorgeous figure as he leered Janet’s direction.
Linda laughed. She said, “Yeah, I couldn’t compete with that but please keep your attention on our conversation and me.”
Billy winked. “Now come on. You know you are beautiful.” Then Billy said, “That woman there is sexy but according to Detective Face, she and her aunt are the problem.” Billy explained the situation to Linda Webster.
Linda wished she had an easy answer for Billy’s predicament, but she was at a loss. She said, “My powers are very limited. I have no idea how to cast such a spell as the recollection spell. I am sure Amberline knows such a conjuration but she is, well, you know the situation. I’ve considered getting a friend to help break the incantation she has placed on herself and end her being Jackie Jenkins but I not only have to think of you but also your half brother Dirk.”
“I understand. It is a quandary, but I think it is best to let Amberline continue enjoying being Jackie. I’ve contemplated different things about this situation. I’ve imagined how great it would be if Jackie were to turn back into Amberline and I could talk to her as my mother. I’ve thought about going to her. Shit, I’ve even got into my car and sat there, the engine running, with every intention of visiting her and telling her the situation but then I don’t. There is a part of me that wants to tell Amberline that I am her son, but hell, Maureen standing there at the window and watching us; she is my mom. She raised me. So then I think how fucked up the entanglement of our lives might all become if people start becoming aware of the secrets. How can I expect Amberline and other people to deal with what I haven’t even been able to fully grasp. It isn’t important that she know. Is it?”
Linda said, “It would be an emotional shocker for her, as it was for you, but I am not sure. Sometimes I think it is important for her to learn that you are her son. She could help you mature as a witch and learn things. She could teach you things that I am not capable of teaching you. What is more, you are her son, and the Elders could not stop her from teaching you. If I requested permission from the Elders, I am not sure that the Elders would even allow me to teach you what little I am capable of doing. They can stop me, but they couldn’t stop Amberline from teaching you. That is her right as your mother.”
“I understand what you are saying. There is no doubt that it would be mighty convenient—if things were not so complicated—to be able to go to her right now. It may sound cowardice of me but I am not ready to have that most odd of conversations a person might ever endure. And if Jackie or Amberline is even less ready for that conversation and were to freak out, even reject me, it would be devastating.”
Linda said, “I agree. You are not ready for the conversation and neither is she. So what are you going to do?”
Billy said, “Apparently, as Legman I was capable of performing magic. Detective Face said I did know the memory spell.” Billy shook his head. “Ironically, I sure as hell don’t remember it now. If there were just someway to trigger the memory of how I did the spell.”
“I’ve tried to find information on the Legman. I wasn’t doing it to be snooping but I thought it might be helpful to know more about you as him.”
“I understand. So what have you been able to discover? Have you learned anything that might help me recall the spell?”
Linda shrugged and shook her head no. “I would guess the Legman is an alter ego—a personality—from a past life. In that personality you know things that you don’t know as Billy. Trauma probably caused you as Billy to pull back and emerge as the Legman, and as the Legman to know things that you knew in some previous life. You found comfort in being the Legman just as Amberline is now finding comfort in being Jackie.” Linda thought a second. She shook her head. “Anyway, I haven’t been able to find any information on who the Legman might have been or who you might have been in a past life. I’ve thought about consulting the Elders on the matter but I am terrified to address them.”
Billy stared at Linda. He couldn’t imagine her being terrified. “Scared?” Billy had no idea who or what the Elders are but the fact she was scared of them caused him a bit of trepidation. “You have always seemed so confident. I can’t imagine you being afraid.”
“There are some things that scare each of us. We all have our phobias. Regardless, I think that even if we knew more about the Legman it would be hard to trigger the memory. It might even be dangerous to try such a feat.”
Billy looked over at Janet pretending to admire flowers in a garden while peeping glances at Billy and Linda. Then he looked at his mom still standing at the window and watching. He turned back to Linda. “I really need to make sure that people will believe that I was acting as a detective, dating back to when I was following Kane Bishop. Do you know of anyone who can help me with the spell?”
“If we could find Amberline’s Library on witchcraft, the spell is probably in one of her books. I know her library is at the old Darko Place in Hotville but the library is well hidden. I have no idea where in the Mansion the library exists. As far as a person who can help you with such a massive spell as altering the memory of lots of people, there are only two that I know about who can accomplish such a mission. There is Amberline of course, who we have both dismissed from helping you for now, and then there is your adversary, Kane Bishop.”
“So the Library is my best bet.”
“Kane Bishop is your quickest bet if he will help you.”
“I guess I could pay a visit to Sylvia Trundle. She most likely knows where he can be found.” Billy considered his last encounter with the duo. “Whatever happens, I guess I will do what I have to do.”
* * *
After Ralph Shath left the Apartment Complex known as the Minion Plex and he no longer managed it, the White Family moved back into the Apartment Complex. The family simply couldn’t get the quality and size of the Apartment for the rent at any other place.
Bobby White’s younger brother Doug White watched Janet Silverton watching Billy Bingo. “What does he have that I don’t have?” Doug looked down at his own black shoes and his white socks. He stared at his green and brown plaid shorts. “Okay, maybe I do need to work on my wardrobe. I also need an edge if Billy Bingo is going to be my competition.”
Doug White left his spying position and walked to the sliding door in the back of Janet Silverton’s Apartment. He knew a trick to bump the door so that even locked it would slide open. Feeling somewhat nervous Doug bumped the door, opened it, and stepped inside of Janet’s home. There were boxes everywhere. Obviously, she was not yet fully unpacked from moving into her new place. “God, I don’t know even where to start.” Then he noticed she had left an address book open on the counter between the living room and the kitchen. “I am glad she has not gone fully high tech.”
Doug picked the address book up. On the first page were phone numbers from where she worked at the police department. “Oh, my god, she is a policewoman. That would be so hot to date a policewoman.” Then he thought how he had broken into her home. “Oh my god, I have broken into a policewoman’s home.” Still he continued reading in her address book. He saw the address and phone number to her Aunt Tess Favor. He knew who Tess Favor was. He liked reading, jerking off, and being entertained by her books. Doug continued flipping the pages. Toward the back of the book he saw the address and phone number for the 5th Side Strip Club. “I wonder what that is about.” At the bottom of the page he saw she had scribbled, “Friday Nights only.” He thought, “Strange.”
Leaving the address book on the counter Doug walked to her bedroom. In her closet he saw her police uniforms. Then he noticed some rather flashy and very sexy clothes. He touched the clothes. Then he smelled the clothes. “I do like that smell.” Doug left the bedroom and walked to another bedroom in the Apartment. In the center of that room was a stripper pole. “A stripper pole!” He supposed some women use dancing and stripping for fun and exercise. The pole didn’t necessarily mean Janet Silverton was a stripper but he had seen the phone number for the 5th Side Strip Club in her address book. “Could it be that she is both a policewoman and a stripper?”
Doug heard the front door to Janet Silverton’s home open. He thought to himself, “Oh fucking hell, my life is over.” Then he looked over at the partially opened window.
Doug heard Janet talking on the phone. Janet said, “I really would like to dance Friday. Do you have any time slots open? … Are you sure Marge will not mind sharing her slot with me? I like Marge and do not want to make her angry. … Oh, okay. Then I will be there the last Friday of this month. That is good. Thank you. Bye.”
Doug quickly climbed through the window, out of the Apartment, and made his escape. Running across the back landscape he tripped over a garden hose. Brushing off the dirt he quickly stood up and darted to the back patio of where he lived. His brother Benjamin lay reclined on a chase lounge sunning.
Out of breath, panting, Doug looked at his brother and wondered if Benjamin had seen anything to suspect what he had been doing. Benjamin repositioned the lounge up to a sitting position and cocked his head at his older brother. Benjamin then reached over to a glass of lemonade and sipped a drink.
“What?” Doug asked. “That look?”
“Nothing. Well. There is something. Do you remember Kyle Kingerstone?”
“Yeah, I remember him from school. Why?”
“He is on death row. He is a convicted serial killer.”
“No way! In biology he passed out while dissecting a frog.”
“The jury convicted him. They say he killed nine people.”
“Fuck. I sure am glad I didn’t tease him when he passed out in biology. Who did he kill?”
“Random. Strangers. The paper said none of them seemed to have any link between them.”
“Damn. Kyle Kingerstone a serial killer. I guess you never know.”
Benjamin and Doug sat silent for a moment. Then Doug asked, “Say, have you seen the new woman who is moving into the Minion Plex?”
“No. You know I don’t know half the people who live here. I wouldn’t know new neighbors from old neighbors.”
Doug said, “If you had seen her you would have noticed. Shit. She is good looking.”
“You act like a player with your nerd friends. I know better.”
“I don’t see a woman hanging on your shoulder.”
“That is the truth. I just… I don’t know. I guess I am as big of a nerd as you are. Can a person who maintained a C average in school be a nerd?” Benjamin laughed and finished his glass of lemonade as he stood up to go inside.