{"id":53,"date":"2013-02-13T08:53:47","date_gmt":"2013-02-13T08:53:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lightningbugpress.com\/blackhoodpress\/?p=53"},"modified":"2013-02-13T15:54:31","modified_gmt":"2013-02-13T15:54:31","slug":"the-key-to-a-womans-heart","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lightningbugpress.com\/blackhoodpress\/the-key-to-a-womans-heart\/","title":{"rendered":"The Key to a Woman\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Heart"},"content":{"rendered":"

A Black Spectre Adventure<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

SPRING was in the air. The time when men and women alike are consumed with thoughts of love and romance. The citizens of Terminal City all walked with an extra bounce in their step, a new twinkle in the eye. L\u00e2\u20ac\u2122amour! Its spell was inescapable.<\/p>\n

For everyone except Charlie Hecht.<\/p>\n

Charlie threw back another swig of bourbon. He let it settle in the back of his throat for just a moment, then swallowed it down slowly to let the alcohol do its magic. It had been a rough day. One of the biggest stories of his career had just fallen apart on him (turned out his source had been lying through her false teeth). But that wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t what was really nagging at him. No, this one was a matter of personal pride that just cut him to the heart.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Thought I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d find you here,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ben Gelbert, fellow reporter at the Terminal City Standard<\/i>, muttered through his chomped cigar as he meandered into O\u00e2\u20ac\u2122Doule\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Bar, their usual hangout.<\/p>\n

Charlie poured himself another drink from the bottle he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d purchased.<\/p>\n

Gelbert bellied his squat girth up beside him. Against Charlie\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s lean (if oily) good looks, they were the picture of opposites. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s eating you, Pal?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Gelbert asked.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve lost my touch, Benny Boy. Afraid I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m all washed up,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Charlie confessed. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Might as well send me out to pasture. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m thinkin\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 of joinin\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 the priesthood.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Gelbert shook his round head in disbelief. Not this again. Dames. And he knew just the one, too.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve tried everything — charm, flowers, jewelry, charm. Everything. But can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t seem to turn that doll\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s head,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Charlie lamented. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Maybe I just don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t got it no more.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Vicky Rose,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Gelbert muttered under his breath. A rose by any other name. And that auburn-haired minx was their top rival over at the Crusader<\/i>. Who\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d have believed it?<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What does she even see in that bookworm she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s been tied to?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Charlie wondered aloud. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153How could she turn me down for a guy like that?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Charlie, look. You been going about this all wrong.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Gelbert stopped and shook his head at the irony of the situation. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t believe I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m giving advice on dames to a guy like you. You make Casanova look like a rank amateur. But you been going about this all wrong. The rules don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t apply with this doll.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Whatd\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ya mean?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Charlie asked.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153How many times has this gal shot you down?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Gelbert replied. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153She\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s one of us<\/i>. She\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s been to college. You gotta know you ain\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t gonna turn her head with a flashy smile and some fancy talk. You gotta do more to get this one.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Like what?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Charlie asked, thoroughly puzzled.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You gotta make it about her<\/i>,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Gelbert explained. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Find out what she likes. This much is true. Every doll has a weak spot. You gotta find out what that is.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Charlie gave a drunken nod in agreement.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Not to be too on the nose,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Gelbert continued. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153But you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re an investigative reporter for crying out loud. Investigate!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

#<\/p>\n

VICKY ROSE, beautiful, auburn-haired reporter for the Daily Crusader<\/i>, sat down on her favorite stool at the Carousel Ice Cream Parlor. As usual, Jerry, the shop\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s tough-as-nails proprietor (another picture in contrasts if there ever was one), was ready with her usual — a double chocolate malt. Jerry knew to let her get a good sip and let the frozen chocolate taste begin to work its magic before he even said a word. Her exhale of satisfaction was the signal that it was okay to speak.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the scoop today, Vick?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jerry asked with his usual chuckle. It was his favorite \u00e2\u20ac\u0153reporter\/ice cream\u00e2\u20ac\u009d joke. It never failed to put a smile on her face. Mainly because she loved the big lug like a father.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153See that guy across the street,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she asked with a nod before she took another long sip. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Tall fellow, tan suit. Reading the Standard<\/i>.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You can see that from here?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jerry asked with amazement.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Nah, Vicky explained. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153He writes for the Standard<\/i>. Wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be caught dead reading anything else, even when he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s up to no good.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yeah, I see him,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jerry replied as he cast a careful, suspicious glance out the front windows. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Want me to take care of him?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He cracked his knuckles for good measure.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153No,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she answered, though the thought was certainly appealing. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Name\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Charlie Hecht. Gives me a pick up line at least twice a week. Been following me around all day.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s he up to?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jerry asked. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Think he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s trying to steal a scoop?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d This time the pun was unintentional.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she replied. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153This isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t his usual playbook. He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s up to something, though. Keep an eye out, will you?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You can count on that,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jerry answered with protective fervor.<\/p>\n

Vicky took her time as she finished her shake. Every few minutes, she got an update from Jerry. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Still out there?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she asked matter-of-factly.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yep,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he answered.<\/p>\n

Vicky had half a mind to just charge across the street and confront him. But, she thought that would kill any potential entertainment value. So, she decided to let things play out to see what might happen.<\/p>\n

#<\/p>\n

CHARLIE strode into the Carousel after Vicky finally left. He worried she might have seen him, but figured she must not have when she didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t come over and berate him. She\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d spent quite a bit of time talking to the giant bruiser behind the counter. Looked liked he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d just gotten out of the pen. But Charlie was after information and hoped the big palooka would be willing to spill.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hiya, Pal!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Charlie sang with a charming smile as he palmed a fiver and slid it across the counter. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153How\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s about doing me a little favor?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Jerry loomed over Charlie with a raised eyebrow and a cold stare. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yeah?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153That doll that was in here, Vicky Rose.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Charlie tapped on the bill. He had the numbers face down so that it wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t obvious how big (or small) it was. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What would a fellow need to know to get on her good<\/i> side?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Jerry stared silently back for a moment, then answered, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153However many bills you got here, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m gonna give you that many seconds to get out that door. Then I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m gonna break that many bones in your body. One at a time. Got it?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Charlie had a good two seconds to spare when he hit the sidewalk.<\/p>\n

#<\/p>\n

THE next morning, Charlie hustled into City Hall and made a beeline for the press room. He rushed in with arms open wide and greeted the Standard<\/i>\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s two old-timers with a warm smile. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Morty! Higgs! How you old fellows doing?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He was sincerely hoping that old times and journalistic brotherhood would carry the day.<\/p>\n

Reporters who covered City Hall were either young, eager pups who hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t yet gotten their feet wet (which Vicky\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d been until not quite a year ago), or old timers who were counting down the days until retirement. Morty Cohen and Bill Higgs fit into the latter category. And Charlie had helped put them there. But he sincerely hoped they wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t hold that against him. Journalistic camaraderie and all.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Nyahh!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Higgs hissed and turned back in his chair. Charlie should have known that the wiry old codger was a lost cause.<\/p>\n

Charlie grabbed Morty\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hand for a shake and sat down with him. Morty was a kind soul with a fatherly demeanor. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Morty, old pal, I could really use a favor. How about it? For old times\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 sake?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Morty sat back in his chair, not really sure if he should trust Charlie again. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well, I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Morty replied. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It all depends.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t do it!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d screeched Higgs as he spun back around in his chair. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Probably got to do with some dame!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Higgs knew him all too well.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Not a chance,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Charlie protested. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I was just hoping for a little fatherly advice.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Charlie hoped he wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t pouring it on too thick.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What kind of advice?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Morty asked, feeling that Higgs\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 natural suspicion was rubbing off on him. But with good reason.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s about Vicky Rose,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Charlie admitted.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153See,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Higgs shot back. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Told you it was a dame!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153No, not just any dame,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Charlie protested. He knew he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d have to sell this one big time. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You know Vicky. She\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s one of a kind!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d That much was certainly true. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I tell you, she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s stolen my heart, but she won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t give me the time of day. I could really use your help.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Nyahh!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Higgs screeched again. He was no fan of gal reporters, but even less of a fan of Charlie Hecht. He didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t care if they did work for the same paper.<\/p>\n

Morty considered his thoughts carefully. Vicky, despite her young years, was one of the best judges of character he knew.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Morty answered. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Looks like you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re out of luck then.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

#<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153THOSE turncoats!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Charlie grumbled and took another swig of bourbon. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Can you believe it? From our own paper!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d commiserated Gelbert in agreement. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Looks like you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re gonna have to venture into enemy territory.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Right,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Charlie agreed. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I need someone on the inside. Of course!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Gelbert lightly tapped his fingers on the bar, understandably anxious about where he was about to go. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You know, the best person to ask about a skirt is another skirt.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Right,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Charlie agreed, a little slow on the uptake. It took another moment or two before the light bulb finally lit up.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153No, way!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Charlie protested. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m not calling her!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Come on,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Gelbert argued. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153She\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s your best bet. They work at the same paper. Have lunch together all the time. If anyone knows, she knows.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d rather talk to that bookworm boyfriend of hers,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Charlie shot back.<\/p>\n

#<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153YOU\u00e2\u20ac\u2122RE barking up the wrong tree, believe me!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Dave Reilles warned Charlie as they shared a drink in his office at the Daily Crusader<\/i>. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Take it from experience, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re wasting your time on that gal.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You, too, huh?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Charlie asked.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re darn right, me too,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he continued. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153She\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a cold fish if there ever was one, I tell you. I tried flowers, chocolates. Even sent her a little poem I got out of a greeting card. Course, I changed it up a little. No dice! Turned me down flat every time!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t say,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Charlie added, sensing he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d struck a nerve. He could certainly understand. Dave was a near mirror image of himself, though slightly more rugged.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I mean, why else is she working here if she doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to find a husband, eh?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Dave asked. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I mean, she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s been going out with that Abercrombie down in the morgue for the longest time. That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s when I figured it.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Figured what?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Charlie asked curiously.<\/p>\n

Dave leaned in and added secretly, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153She ain\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t like other gals, you know what I mean? The bookworm is just a front, eh?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Charlie leaned back in surprise. That was one theory he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d never entertained. He took a moment to consider the thought. It would certainly explain a lot. Then, just as quickly, he dismissed the idea. Vicky was all woman, he was sure of it. Dave\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s theory was just a lot of sour grapes. Really<\/i> sour.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t waste my time if I was you,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Dave continued. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Think about it logically. Why else would a gal turn down either one of us? Either that or she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a Nun, and she ain\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t no Nun. Know what I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m saying?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

#<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153WELL, look what crawled out into the light,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the voice rang out from behind him. Charlie stopped short in his tracks. He was almost out the door. He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d even taken the long way out just to make sure he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d avoid her. So much for that.<\/p>\n

He dug down deep to muster a charming smile then turned around to see Lenore Lamonte sauntering towards him in a skin tight black dress that would make a Priest blush. He and Leonore had \u00e2\u20ac\u0153a history\u00e2\u20ac\u009d as they say, and it wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t a good one.<\/p>\n

Lenore Lamonte was the Daily<\/i> Crusader<\/i>\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Society columnist. As a distant cousin of the prominent Lamonte family, she had the right last name to travel in certain circles. Her job wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t highly regarded in those circles, but she knew when to be discreet. It was more what she didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t<\/i> report that kept her social calender full.<\/p>\n

She looked him over with a disapproving eye. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hello, Sailor.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d It was a moniker she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d pinned on him some time ago because, as she put it, he \u00e2\u20ac\u0153acted like he was always on shore leave.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Working at the paper, she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d learned how to be rough around the edges when she needed to be. That was something her hoity-toity cousins could never do.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Leonore!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Charlie sang out, unable to resist admiring her lethal form. She was a tiger in sheep\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s clothing, this one. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t expect to run into you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Of course not,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she replied. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I only work here. So, what brings you into enemy territory?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She meant that in more ways than one.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Just in the neighborhood,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he stammered. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Thought I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d drop in and say hello.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she inquired. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Anyone in particular? I mean, seeing how you didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t come by my office.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

He wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t about to tell her the truth. He knew Leonore was no fan of Vicky — call it professional jealousy, or just plain jealousy. But being the only two women reporters at the Crusader<\/i> (though Vicky never considered Leonore an actual reporter), they were more or less forced into being friends. Of course, she was the perfect person to ask for advice on Vicky (as Gelbert had pointed out), but considering their own past history, he wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t about to.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yeah, Dave Reilles. Was just shooting the breeze is all.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Cut the bull, Charlie,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she barked, quickly dropping any semblance of nicety in her voice. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I know exactly why you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re here. You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been snooping all over town trying to get the goods on Vicky. You slimeball.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Who told you?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Charlie asked with surprise.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153She<\/i> did,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Leonore shot back. She swatted his tie out of line and sauntered back down the hall. As much as she irritated him, he couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t resist taking in the show.<\/p>\n

#<\/p>\n

CHARLIE threw his keys on the <\/b>kitchen table of his cramped, fourth floor apartment. He went straight for the liquor cabinet (okay, kitchen cabinet) and poured himself a drink. So, Vicky knew all about his little \u00e2\u20ac\u0153investigation.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He was sure she and Leonore were having a good laugh at his expense. Lord knows what else Leonore had told her.<\/p>\n

He plopped down in his easy chair and closed his eyes. If he didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t start chasing a story soon instead of some skirt, there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d be hell to pay at the paper. It was time to just give up.<\/p>\n

Just then, he felt a strange chill in the air. Not to mention the sensation of something looming over him. He opened his eyes and found himself face to face with the gleaming white skull on The Black Spectre\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s mask.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Why are you following Vicky Rose?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d The Spectre demanded. Then with a quick wave of his hand, Charlie flew up out of his chair and collided with the ceiling.<\/p>\n

Charlie\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s whole body felt numb and tingly, just like when your foot goes to sleep, he thought. He dropped his glass which hit the floor and scattered its remaining contents. He could only look down in terror, horrified at the thought of what The Spectre had in store for him. He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d heard stories, but this was the first time he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d ever encountered him in person.<\/p>\n

The Spectre himself floated up off the floor, just a foot or so, so that he could look Charlie in the eye once again.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Why are you following Vicky Rose?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he asked again, this time with much more measured malice.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I swear,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Charlie stammered, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t mean nothing by it. I was just trying to get her to go out with me. Just a date. I was only trying to find out what she likes, that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s all.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

The Spectre just stared back silently.<\/p>\n

Charlie chuckled nervously. He hoped he could appeal man-to-man (or whatever The Spectre was) \u00e2\u20ac\u0153This gal, she plays real hard to get, see? She\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a tough nut to crack, you know?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Charlie did his best to smile. All he could do was hope that somewhere beneath that black cloak was someone who might feel for his predicament. This was a matter of the heart, after all. Well, not exactly the heart, Charlie knew, but close enough, he thought.<\/p>\n

Charlie felt the feeling come back into his body. He wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have been so relieved if he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d realized sooner what that meant. He plummeted to the hardwood floor and hit the rug with a solid thud that scared the neighbors below. It practically knocked the wind out of him and bloodied his nose.<\/p>\n

After catching his breath, he lifted his head and looked around. There was no sign of The Spectre. He rolled over, painfully so, onto his back. Yes, The Spectre was gone. He let out a sigh of relief. That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s when he noticed it. There, on the ceiling, where he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d just been pinned, was drawn an \u00e2\u20ac\u0153X.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

#<\/p>\n

IT HAD been two days since Charlie\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s visit from The Spectre. He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d more or less given up on his amorous pursuit and gotten back to work. He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d already picked up some leads on a couple of stories and was anxious to chase them down. Gelbert had asked a few times why he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d cooled off all of a sudden, but he hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t spilled a word of his visit from The Black Spectre. He was too worried about possible repercussions and felt it was just better to keep the whole thing under his hat.<\/p>\n

Charlie was just about to dash out when his phone rang. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hello, Sailor!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d sang the voice on the other end. He swallowed hard. Perhaps she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d heard about The Spectre. He answered back happily, doing his best to hide the anxiety in his voice.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153So, you give up on tagging little Red?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Leonore asked. She knew how to be blunt when she had to be.<\/p>\n

Charlie let out a silent sigh of relief. Had Leonore known about The Spectre, it would have been the first thing out of her mouth.<\/p>\n

He leaned back in his chair and replied, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153No, just taking a step back is all.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Right,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she replied. It was clear she didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t believe a word of it. She knew him better than that.<\/p>\n

There was a long moment of silence. Charlie was starting to wonder if they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d been disconnected when Leonore finally spoke up. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Look, I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t believe I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m telling you this, but here\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s what you do. She\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s got a thing for fine furnishings.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Huh?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Charlie asked, completely perplexed.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Look, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been trying to find her weak spot, right? Well, that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s it. You get her in the penthouse suite at the Lexington for a private dinner, and she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s all yours. I promise you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153The penthouse, huh?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Charlie swallowed hard at the thought of how much that would cost him. Was she worth it? Without a doubt.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the price, Sailor-Boy,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she replied. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153And she doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t come cheap.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Leonore couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t help but chuckle at the thought of Charlie breaking his piggy bank and going through his seat cushions to dig up enough scratch for this night out. It was sweet revenge indeed.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153So, why the change of heart?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he had to ask. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Why tell me?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Leonore replied. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I had to decide who I dislike more, you or Vicky. Congratulations.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

#<\/p>\n

VICKY finally made it into the office just before nine. It had been a rough day already and it was just getting started. She\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d been chasing a lead all morning on a major bribery story that, so far, hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t panned out. Turned out the source had been lying through her false teeth. She returned to find exactly what she expected — a desk full of messages. Mostly from Frank Matson, her editor.<\/p>\n

But there was one thing she didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t expect. An ornate vase with a dozen, perfectly exquisite red roses. Right off the bat, she knew they weren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t from Denny. Unless he had another uncle that was a florist (like the uncle who ran their favorite restaurant), he could never afford such extravagance.<\/p>\n

Brent Gregor perhaps? It wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t the first time she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d entertained the thought. That would get Denny\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s goat, for sure. The only other possibility was Charlie. He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d been quiet for the past few days. Perhaps the roses were the culmination of his research. They would certainly be quite a step up from his usual tactics.<\/p>\n

No need to keep guessing. She plucked the card from the vase and opened it up. It contained just a simple message: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Meet me to-night at the Lexington, Penthouse Suite. 7:00pm, sharp.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d The lack of a signature told her exactly who it was. The message was more The Black Spectre\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s style (funny, she hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t thought of him), but the roses most definitely weren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t (probably why). Charlie. He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d even picked a night when she never went out with Denny. She tapped her fingers on her desk for a moment. Charlie had certainly been doing his homework. The Penthouse Suite at the Lexington was irresistible, even if Charlie wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t.<\/p>\n

He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d at least piqued her curiosity, if nothing else.<\/p>\n

#<\/p>\n

VICKY wormed her small, two-door coupe past the throng of taxi cabs and up to the front of The Lexington. She wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t used to going in through the main entrance. Always willing to do what\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s needed in the pursuit of a story, she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d had far more experience sneaking in through the back.<\/p>\n

It was nearly five after Seven. She wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t \u00e2\u20ac\u0153sharp,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d but she was there. Emil, the portly, bushy-bearded doorman appeared from out of nowhere and opened her car door.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Good evening, Miss Rose,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he chimed happily. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153So good to have you joining us again this evening. I see we decided to use the front door for a change, yes?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Evening, Emil,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she sang back. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You know me. Always full of surprises.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She handed him her car keys and reached inside her purse for a tip.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153No need,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Emil told her, putting his hand up instead of out (for a tip or a bribe). \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s all been taken care of. Just go right on in. We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been expecting you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Wow, Vicky thought with an unexpected smile. She wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t the only one who was full of surprises. Emil quickly snapped for a valet, then rushed to open the door as she strolled into the elegant lobby.<\/p>\n

She was quickly greeted by another familiar face. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Good evening, Miss Rose,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d chirped Bellman Laurier. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been expecting you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He motioned her towards the elevators.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Just a moment, Laurier,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she told him as she took a few moments to take in the splendor that surrounded her. Tall, white columns that lifted high to the recessed ceiling. Crystal chandeliers that dazzled the lobby with glittering jewels of light. Lush, finely woven carpets that stretched the length of the entire, vast lobby. She could have stayed there all night, but she knew that greater, luxurious pleasure awaited.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Right this way, Miss Rose,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Laurier intoned after she indicated that she was ready to move on. He took her straight to a waiting elevator. As she was about to board, she passed the beautiful, young blonde socialite, Constance Van Broman, on her way up as well. She was on the arm of a tuxedoed gentleman twice her age. Vicky knew her, of course, mostly by reputation (thanks to Leonore\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Society column) and had met her casually a couple of times in the company of Brent. It appeared they were both there for the same reason. Vicky was momentarily surprised by the thought. It appeared Constance was too, judging by her surprised expression when she entered her own elevator car. Vicky was even more surprised that Constance even remembered who she was.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Straight to the top, Ernie,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Laurier instructed the short, young elevator operator. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Penthouse Suite.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yes, Sir!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d sang Ernie as he cranked the dial and sent the car traveling skywards. He seemed even more excited than she was. Vicky assumed it wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t every day that Ernie got to take the elevator to the topmost floor.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Nice to see you again, Ernie,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Vicky smiled warmly.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Nice to see you again, too, Miss Rose,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he replied with a knowing look. She glanced back to Laurier — he had the same look about him. Of course, she thought. They all knew why she was there. She didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t like the thought at all, but there was no denying that was why she was there. Of course, she had no intention of going through with it. She was only there in an \u00e2\u20ac\u0153investigative capacity.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d But there was no point in arguing that point with them.<\/p>\n

And no time, either. For just as soon as she had come to that conclusion, the bell sounded, indicating the end of their sixteen flight journey.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Here we are,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ernie announced happily. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Penthouse Suite.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

The elevator doors opened to a hallway that didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t look much different from the other floors, except that it was much shorter. And rather than a room number, the lone door at the end was adorned with a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153P.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Good night, Miss Rose,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Laurier chimed as she stepped out of the elevator.<\/p>\n

Vicky quickly turned around, but instead of debating the point, merely answered back, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Good night.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Of course, she was sure that she would see them both again shortly.<\/p>\n

Vicky hesitated for a moment as a million thoughts ran through her head. She took a deep breath then knocked softly on the door. She had barely wrapped a second time before the door opened slowly before her. There, sharply dressed in black tie and tails (rented, she assumed), stood Charlie with a debonair smile and not a single hint of his usual lascivious grin.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Good evening, Vicky,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said warmly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been expecting you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He stepped aside and motioned for her to enter.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153So I see,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she answered as she strolled in. Her heart skipped only a little as he gently closed the door behind her. Even in these elegant surroundings, she was prepared to fight him off if needed.<\/p>\n

And oh, what surroundings they were! The living room nearly rivaled that of most Lakeview Heights mansions, just on a smaller scale. The carpet was lush, the wallpaper ornate, the crystal chandelier elegant, the couches inviting, and she could have easily wrapped herself up in the flowing red draperies. But the one feature that no Lakeview Heights mansion could match was the balcony.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Come on, have a look,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Charlie beckoned her. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Best view in the whole city.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

He was right. As Vicky stepped out on the Penthouse balcony, the wind swept through her flowing, auburn hair and threatened to carriy her away. Below, like a million glittering jewels in a pillow of black satin, stretched the entire city at her feet. It was like a magical wonderland of teaming lights, bridges, and an endless river that disappeared into the Great Lake beyond. It was truly something to behold. Charlie had certainly outdone himself. He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d discovered her weakness and she could feel herself being swayed by temptation.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153So, you hungry?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he asked, a bit abruptly. Despite the black tie, Charlie could only be so smooth.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Actually,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she answered, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I think I need to powder my nose.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

She ducked into the nearest bedroom and fought the temptation to roll around on the silk sheets of the King-size bed (she did feel them, however). She locked the bathroom door behind her, stared into the mirror, and took a deep breath.<\/p>\n

Leonore. It was the first thing that came to her mind. Leonore must have told him. She\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d have to get her back somehow.<\/p>\n

She fanned herself. The lush surroundings were certainly having the desired effect. Well, for Charlie, anyway. If only she had been there with someone else. But before she could think of Denny, Brent drifted into her mind again.<\/p>\n

She took in her new surroundings. She wanted nothing more than to feel those satin sheets on her bare skin. Now she found herself looking at a marble sink with crystal knobs and more. Escaping to the hallway would probably have been a better idea.<\/p>\n

Several minutes later, Vicky re-emerged. She half expected to find Charlie in a state of undress, ready to pounce. Instead, he remained the perfect gentleman and stood when she entered. He never once betrayed the slightest disappointment that she hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t \u00e2\u20ac\u0153slipped into something more comfortable.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Everything okay?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yes, just fine,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she answered in that hushed tone familiar to any man who\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s ever had his heart broken.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Charlie,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she began, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t thank you enough for all the effort you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve gone to to-night. You really did everything perfectly.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

His smile cracked just a bit. He knew where this was going. He started to answer back, to plead his case, but he knew that anything he said would just lead to her storming out.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153This suite, oh my heavens, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s just so amazing.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She drifted a moment as she glanced around and let herself get taken in once more by the intoxicating furnishings.<\/p>\n

She took another breath and continued. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The tuxedo, and especially this truly wonderful view. I have to admit, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s all very flattering and yes… very tempting. I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t believe you went to all this trouble just for me. You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve shown me a side of you that I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve never seen before.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

She stopped for a moment to collect her thoughts. She didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to look back at him, but she had to. He stood there still, doing his best to smile, ever the gentleman.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I really did give it serious consideration,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she continued. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I want you to know that. But the simple fact is, my heart belongs to someone else. And I think I just realized that, too.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Then, on impulse, she took two quick steps forward and gave him a kiss like he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d never felt before. It wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t a kiss of passion, but more of appreciation, and it was one he would treasure for a long time to come.<\/p>\n

And with that, she was gone.<\/p>\n

#<\/p>\n

THE Black Spectre stood tall on the roof of the Lexington, perched just above the Penthouse balcony. He watched as Vicky drove off into the night and the lights from her car disappeared into the teaming bustle of lights that enveloped the city streets far below.<\/p>\n

While he could have looked into the room from outside, he didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t. He could even have gone in unseen. But she would have known he was there. And now that she had left early, he felt relieved.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A Black Spectre Adventure SPRING was in the air. The time when men and women alike are consumed with thoughts of love and romance. The citizens of Terminal City all walked with an extra bounce in their step, a new twinkle in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-53","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-black-spectre"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lightningbugpress.com\/blackhoodpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lightningbugpress.com\/blackhoodpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lightningbugpress.com\/blackhoodpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lightningbugpress.com\/blackhoodpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lightningbugpress.com\/blackhoodpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=53"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lightningbugpress.com\/blackhoodpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lightningbugpress.com\/blackhoodpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=53"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lightningbugpress.com\/blackhoodpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=53"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lightningbugpress.com\/blackhoodpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=53"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}