Previously: After learning that the prize for winning the Miss Blackport Contest is $10,000, Alphonse Brunette informed a reluctant Miss Mindy Mint that she would not only be entering into the contest but that she would also win and bring home the money. As the town prepared for the annual Miss Blackport Contest, John Boddy paid a visit to Madame Lillian Puce, the organizer of the event. Boddy told Puce he would be in attendance at the contest. Later, Boddy received a call from Mrs. Elizabeth Peacock-Canary. Mrs. Peacock-Canary informed John that his cousin, Vivienne Scarlet had disappeared from her hospital room in Los Angeles. Alva Vermillion and Gavin Gold, in the meantime, decided that the best way to stop PlantCorp from killing the entire population of Blackport on Founder’s Day was to make an announcement at the Miss Blackport Contest warning the citizens of the evil plan. Once Alva went to sleep, Gavin went to get coffee and was met by Mai Le. Gavin was sad to have to tell Mai Le that her boyfriend, Rhoit Saffron had committed suicide. A distraught Mai Le asked Gavin if he could accompany her back to her apartment, as she was too upset to go alone.

“There She Is, Miss Blackport” Part 2

Several police cruisers and a medical examiner’s van are parked outside the Pine Cone Inn. From his room across the courtyard, Alphonse Brunette watches the flurry of activity that has descended on the usually quiet motel. In one of two beds in the room, Mindy Mint begins to stir. Sitting up, Mindy rubs her eyes and sees Alphonse pulling the curtains back. “Morning.” Mindy yawns.

“Did you sleep well?” Alphonse asks, without turning away from the window.

“Yeah, even though I am a nervous wreck about the damn beauty contest.” She sighs. “I still don’t know how you convinced Madame Puce to let me be in it.” Brunette looks over his shoulder at the girl and smiles.

“Let’s just say dear Lillian owed me a favor.” He winks.

“I don’t think I even want to know.” Mindy shutters. She slides to the edge of the bed and puts her feet on the floor. “What’s going on out there that has you so fascinated?”

“I can’t be one hundred percent sure, but I think someone died in one of the rooms across from us.” Brunette says.

“Really?” Mindy says, rushing over to the window. She pulls back the curtain.

“Yeah.” Brunette says.

“I think you might be right.” Mindy says. “Look.” She motions her hand towards a stretcher that is being taken out of one of the rooms. On the stretcher is a black body bag.

“I wonder if it was foul play.” Brunette says. Mindy shrugs.

“Well, there’s someone you could ask.” Mindy says, pointing to Sienna, a maid at the hotel, with whom Brunette is acquainted. Sienna is being questioned by a police officer.

“She looks frozen.” Brunette says. “Why are they talking to her in the freezing cold?” Mindy goes to a counter and pours a cup of coffee.

“Here.” She says returning with the coffee. “Take this out to her.”

“It’s pointless, she won’t speak to me.” Brunette says.

“You said yourself she’s freezing out there.” Mindy says. “I’m sure she’ll take the coffee, at least.”

Across town, at Mai Le's apartment, Gavin Gold unlocks the door and helps her in. “Thank you for driving me.” Mai Le sniffles.

“You’re welcome.” Gavin smiles. “I should probably go and let you get some rest.”

“You don’t have to leave yet, do you?” Mai Le asks. Gavin swallows.

“I guess I can stay for a few minutes.” He says.

“My room is upstairs, would you mind lying with me until I fall asleep?” She asks, tears filling her eyes.

“Um, I don’t think…” Gavin says.

“I don’t know if I will ever be able to close my eyes again without seeing his face.” She cries.

“Oh, Mai.” Gavin hugs her. “I know it’s hard.” Mai Le sobs into his shoulder. “Come on, let’s get you into bed.” Gavin helps Mai up the stairs.

“I am going to splash some cold water on my face.” Mai Le sniffles. “My room is at the end of the hall.” She goes into the bathroom and closes the door. Gavin slowly makes his way to a door at the end of the hallway. Opening the door, Gavin sees a room with pink walls and a huge bed. He enters the room and can smell a sweet scent. Pictures of Mai Le and Rhoit are everywhere and Mai Le’s evening gown for the Miss Blackport Contest is hanging on the back of the closet door. Gavin nervously takes a seat on the edge of the bed. He looks at a photo of Mai Le and Rhoit that is on a desk nearby. “Do you like my room?” Mai asks from the doorway. Gavin springs to his feet.

“Yes. It’s nice.” He stutters.

“You don’t have to get up.” She smiles. She slips off her shoes and pulls back the comforter on her bed.

“I really should be going.” Gavin says, his eyes moving to a photo of Mai and Rhoit. Mai Le begins to cry again.

“I have to get rid of these photos.” She says, as she begins to take down the photographs.

“Hey, calm down.” Gavin says as he comes over to her.

“I can’t have these around.” She says, throwing the framed photos into a waste paper basket.

“Come on, you need to lie down.” Gavin says, helping her to the bed.

“Will you stay with me until I fall asleep?” She asks again.

“I guess I can.” Gavin says. He pulls back the sheets and helps her get in bed. “Better?” He asks. Mai Le nods and sniffles.

“It would be nice to feel your arms around me.” She says.

“I, I don’t think that would be…” Gavin says.

“Please.” Mai Le whispers.

“Oh, ok, but I’m leaving as soon as you are asleep.” He says, slipping off his shoes.

“Deal.” Mai Le smiles. She moves over to make room for him in her bed. Gavin carefully climbs into the bed, but stays outside the covers. “Aren’t you going to get under the blanket?”

“No, I am ok.” He says. Mai Le lifts his arm and puts it around her and cuddles up to him.

“Thanks for taking care of me.” She says, closing her eyes.

“Shhh. Get some sleep, Mai.” He says. She nods and begins to drift off. Across from them, Gavin sees the evening gown hanging up. He recalls the conversation he had with Alva Vermillion earlier.

“We have to warn people, tell them not to go anywhere near the Performing Arts Center on Friday.” Alva says.

“And how are we going to warn all of them?” Gavin says.

“Well a lot of them will be here at the Miss Blackport Contest this afternoon.” Alva says.

“Hey, that’s right!” Gavin says. “The Miss Blackport Contest might be our only chance to warn everyone.” The conversation echoes in Gavin’s tired mind. He yawns and realizes that he could use some sleep too. Closing his eyes, Gavin begins to doze.

At Blackport Memorial Hospital, Emily Peach picks at the breakfast food that is on a tray in front of her. A knock on the door brings a welcome distraction. “Come in.” Emily says.

“Do you feel up to a few visitors?” Coral Black says as she and Mrs. Blanche White enter the room.

“Oh yes.” Emily smiles. Coral and Mrs. White come over and take seats near Emily’s bed.

“You haven’t touched your breakfast, Miss.” Mrs. White says. She picks up a piece of over-done sausage and takes a bite of it. “And I can see why.” She says, throwing the sausage back onto the plate.

“I really don’t know how they expect anyone to eat this rubbish.” Miss Peach says, pushing the tray away.

“You have to eat to keep your strength up.” A voice says from the door of the room. Emily, Coral and Mrs. White look up to see that Emily’s adoptive mother, Melba Peach has entered the room. Behind her wheelchair is John Boddy.

“Mom.” Emily smiles. “Thanks for bringing her, John.”

“Your father will be by later to see you, dear.” Mrs. Peach says as John pushes her over to the bed.

“How are you feeling?” John asks.

“Better.” Emily says.

“What’s this?” A voice says from the door. “A family reunion?”

“Uh oh.” Emily says upon seeing Dr. Mandarin at the door. “Busted.”

“How are you feeling today?” Mandarin asks as he enters.

“If I had something different to eat, I would feel a heck of a lot better.” She says.

“I know the food here at the hospital leaves a lot to be desired.” Mandarin says, moving the tray from in front of her.

“I can call Mr. Ash to bring you something from Tudor Manor, dear.” Mrs. White says.

“That would be great.” Miss Peach smiles.

“I will go and do just that.” Mrs. White smiles and leaves the room.

“Mrs. White, just a moment, I will walk with you.” John says. He puts the brake on Mrs. Peach’s wheelchair. “I will be back in a minute.” John leaves the room with Mrs. White. In the corridor, Mrs. White is about to call Mr. Ash, when Mr. Boddy stops her. “Before you call Reggie, I need to talk to you about something.”

“Oh?” Mrs. White questions. “Is something wrong?”

“I am afraid so.” He says. “I got a call this morning from Elizabeth Peacock-Canary.”

“Something else hasn’t happened to Vivienne, has it?” Mrs. White asks.

“I’m afraid so.” John says. “Elizabeth said that Vivienne left her hospital room in California, and is missing.”

“Oh heavens.” Mrs. White says.

“Elizabeth is afraid that Vivienne discovered the extent of her injuries and it negatively affected her psyche.” He says.

“My word.” Mrs. White says. “I am sure it was just awful for Vivienne to see that lesion on her cheek.”

“I don’t think we should tell Emily right now. It would only upset her.” John says.

“I completely agree.” Mrs. White says. “I need to go and call Reggie. You will keep me posted if you hear anything else from Elizabeth?”

“Of course.” John says.

At the Black Towers Hotel, Matthew Steele and Copper Smith have just come out of the security office. “We need to find Alva and call Jake's sister. I am sure they are worried.” Copper says.

“I still don’t understand what Alva’s fiancé was thinking leaving the hospital.” Matt says. “And he is still refusing medical attention.”

“Well, you saw him, Matt. He needs to get back to Blackport Memorial before he does more damage to himself.” Copper says.

“Where the hell is Alva?” Matt says. The two young men go down the hallway and back to the hotel lobby. Inside the security office, Jake Summers lies on a small couch in the corner of the room, breathing heavily. Jake struggles to his feet and goes to the door of the office, which is locked from the outside.

“Let me out of here!” Jake shouts. “I’ve got to get out.” He says to himself.

In the rundown room at the Pine Cone Inn, Mindy Mint looks at herself in the mirror. She is dressed in a lovely mint green dress. The door of the room opens as Mindy tries to get some wrinkles out of her skirt. Alphonse Brunette enters. “Wow.” Brunette says as he closes the door. “You look very nice.”

“Nice enough to win the money?” Mindy asks.

“Naturally.” He smiles.

“So did Sienna talk to you? Did the coffee work?” Mindy asks.

“Barely.” Brunette sighs. “She was grateful for the coffee, but she was still very short with me.”

“Did you at least find out what happened?” Mindy asks.

“Well, apparently some kid killed himself and Sienna found the body.” Brunette shrugs.

“Crazy.” Mindy says. “Was she ok?”

“Sienna is a very strong person, Mindy.” Brunette says, going over to the window and pulling the curtain back and looking out. “One of the strongest people I know.”

In the Black Towers lobby, the rush of activity grows as the time for the Miss Blackport Contest gets closer. Madame Lillian Puce sits on a sofa chatting with Mrs. Madalyn Aubergine, the wife of Blackport’s Mayor. Nearby, Corrine Canary is on her cell phone. Matthew Steele and Copper come out from the back and Mrs. Canary sees them. She quickly ends her conversation and goes over to the young men.

“Excuse me.” Corrine says.

“Hello, Mrs. Canary.” Copper smiles.

“Hello, Theodore.” She says to Copper.

“Mrs. Canary, this is Matthew Steele, he works under Mr. Bleachum.” Copper says.

“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Canary.” Matt says.

“I know who Mr. Steele is, Theodore. In fact, I would like to have a word with you, if you have a moment.” Mrs. Canary says.

“Yes, of course.” Matt says. “Copper, I will get back with you soon. Until then see if you can find Alva.” Copper nods and Matt goes off to speak to Mrs. Canary. “So what can I do for you?”

“You will forgive me, but I was hoping you could calm a nervous mother’s concerns.” She says.

“I’ll do my best.” Matt says. “Who is the nervous mother?”

“Me.” Mrs. Canary says.

Upstairs, in her suite, Lady Su Sian Lavender sprays on some perfume when there is a knock on the door. “Coming.” She says. Lavender makes her way to the door and opens it to Baron Arthur Bronze and Veronica Sable.

“All ready?” Bronze asks.

“The investors and members of the board are all gathered in the conference room.” Miss Sable says.

“I am almost ready.” Lavender says. She goes over to a table and picks up a portfolio. “I think I have everything.” She says.

“Shall we?” Bronze asks. The ladies step out into the hall and Bronze closes the door of the suite behind them. Inside the suite, the phone begins to ring.

“Come on.” Mai Le says from her apartment. She is dressed in her gown she will wear for the beauty contest. “Where are you?” She asks as Lavender’s phone in her room continues to ring. “Damn it.” Mai Le says, slamming down the phone receiver. “I know you told me not to call your cell…” Mai Le says as she picks up the phone receiver and begins to dial a number. She immediately gets a voice mail system.

“You have reached Su Sian Lavender. I am unable to answer the phone at this time. Leave me a message and if it is important enough maybe I will call you back.” The message says.

“I know you told me not to call this number, but I can’t get you on the phone in your suite. I just wanted you to know that I did exactly what you wanted me to do. There is no way that Gold is going to be able to warn anyone.” Mai Le says with an evil smirk. Upstairs in the bedroom, Gavin Gold lies in bed still sleeping, blissfully unaware that his hands have been tied to the headboard with heavy twine.

Back in the Black Towers Lobby, Matt Steele reassures Mrs. Canary that security for the Miss Blackport Contest is very tight. “I can guarantee you that nothing will happen to any of the contestants, Mrs. Canary.” Matt says.

“I do appreciate you humoring me, Mr. Steele. And if you don’t mind me saying, you do remind me quite a bit of your father.” She says.

“You know my father?” Matt asks.

“Yes indeed.” She smiles. “In fact I am meeting him for lunch later today.”

“You are? My father is here, in Blackport?” Matt asks.

“Why yes. He has been in town since the beginning of the week.” Corrine says. “Didn’t you know?”

“I had no idea.” Matt says, a little disappointed.

“Well, I do know that your father has been very busy since he arrived.” Corrine says, trying to save face.

“It is fine, Mrs. Canary.” Matt forces a smile. “I am sure my father has a perfectly good reason for not telling me he was in town. Now if you will excuse me. I have a lot of things going on.”

“Of course. Thank you again, Mr. Steele.” Corrine says. Matt leaves her and goes back to the concierge desk where Copper is on the phone.

“Hey, I found Alva. She is in Kirby Canary's room.” Copper says to a distracted Matthew. “Did you hear me?”

“Yeah.” Matt says.

“Hey, are you alright?” Copper says.

“I’m fine.” Matt says.

“You seem a little pissed off.” Copper says.

“I said I am fine, now will you drop it!” Matt says. He turns to leave.

“Hey, where are you going?” Copper calls after him.

“To get Alva so she can talk some sense into her fiancé.” Matt says.

Outside the conference room, Lady Lavender, Baron Bronze and Miss Sable are about to go in. “I take it Channing is inside with the others?” Lavender asks.

“No, in fact he isn’t.” Miss Sable says.

“I haven’t heard from him in about an hour or so.” Bronze says.

A few floors down, outside the door of Kirby Canary’s suite, Channing Steele holds a gun close to his body. Suddenly his cell phone rings. Quickly taking off down the hall, Steele ducks into a storage closet and answers the phone. “Steele.” He says, out of breath.

“Channing, its Corrine.” Mrs. Canary says from the lobby.

“Corrine, I am kind of in the middle of something here, can I call you back?” He asks.

“Well, I just have one question for you, so I’ll make it quick.” She says.

“Fine.” He says. “What is it?”

“Why is it that you have neglected to tell your son that you are here in Blackport?” Canary asks.

TO BE CONTINUED...