The Diamond Eye: A Sam Stone Story Pt. 5


"Sam Stone is what one would call hard boiled. Her demeanor fit the mood at all times and soft just wasn't her style but a faint tenderness had begun to show that was unmistakable in the way that the moon subtly looks over the earth during the day. It's always there, you just have to look for it to see it. This was her protective nature."

"Very nice Tony. I love your sense of allegory."

"You are very much a symbol for something special. I've always thought so."

"Aww gee mister." (Blushing)

"Do you mind me taking over for this one?"

"Not at all."

"No interruptions or censoring?"

"I didn't say that."

"When will you learn to trust me?"

"Don't do that...I trust you. With my life."

"Good."

"Where were we?"

(Alliteration alarm!) "No, no and no."

"Come on..."

(shaking head no)

"Trust me...please?"

(places hands up in a symbol of defeat)

"Thank you."

The room was filled with characters of all types. There were seven of us altogether. Small conversations were being held while Sam and I stood close to each other going over the figures that walked into the room, taking them in with our eyes and ears. Looking over the room, I would have said that these people were perfectly normal but that just wasn't the case. And that's exactly what we'd have on our hands...a case.

I leaned down into Sam's ear and asked her what had her on edge. She turned me towards the fireplace then pulled a cloth from her pocket.

"Oh my gosh Samantha...are you alright? Did you fall? Is that why you were down on the floor?"

"Pipe down ya big galoot. No, I'm fine. But that's good. You see the same thing I do."

"Well yeah! That's blood!"

"Ssshhh...I don't want the whole world to know."

"Sorry. Where did it come from?"

She reached up and pulled my chin down towards the floor. I didn't see it at first. She ran a foot over the darkened spot on the carpet and then it was as plain as the nose on my face. Then she pointed at the stain on the hearth of the fireplace.

"You thinking what I'm thinking?"

"Yeah...something foul is afoot."

A ringing sounded through the room of a spoon hitting a glass. It was Countess gathering our attention towards her. Sam quickly shoved the napkin back into her pocket before turning around.

"Dinner will be served momentarily."

The houseboy gave us a look briefly before going to aid Countess at her side of the table. I didn't like it. He knew something about the blood on the carpet, I knew he did. Something like that doesn't escape the attention of one that is paid to be attentive.

We all gathered around the long oak table standing in front of our chairs. On the table were place holders for each of us with our name written in fancy script with gold leafing.

"Wow."

"What wow?"

"Our names are written with the same accent she speaks."

"Samantha...be nice. I think it's beautiful. I've never seen anything like it."

"Where is she from anyway?"

"Dunno. I was going to ask but then you were falling and I had to catch you."

"Tony, I was fine."

"No you weren't."

"Really I was..."

"Hey, no girl of mine is gonna fall. Not if I can help it. I'd carry you everywhere I could just keep your feet from touching the ground."

(Sam makes puppy dog eyes with Tony.)

"You really know how to get a girl."

"No. Just you."

"She really went all out didn't she?" (Sam tugging on Tony's arm)

"Yeah, I was just thinking the same."

"You notice the placement?"

"She has us sitting next to each other."

"Odd. I thought she would have split us up to prove a point or something."

"Maybe she's really just being a gracious host." (Tony, lifting an eyebrow)

"And maybe sharks don't get turned on by blood."

"Well, we'll see soon enough."

The house boy pulled Countess' chair out for her so that she could take her seat, with full fur stole and all. Sitting down the thing seemed to nearly swallow her head until she shifted and pulled it down around her shoulders. The rest of us took our seats. I pulled out Samantha's chair and she took her seat. Our hostess sat at the head of the table. Our seating seemed strange. It seemed that we were an odd number at the table when we were in fact even. Countess sat the head of the table. To her left in the first seat was the Inspector and to his left sat Countess' young female guest. To the right of Countess I sat in the first chair, Sam sat to my right and the big guy sat next to Sam on her right. That made two on the left, three on the right and one at the head of the table.

As soon as I took my seat, Countess leaned over and said "The left looks more stunning than the right, no?" Then giggled. She patted my hand to try to soften the insult she'd just tossed out there. I looked to Sam and smiled at her then lifted her hand to my lips. The night was full of things like that and I had made up my mind that for every insult Countess spoke against Samantha that I would kiss the back of her hand in a show of solidarity. I replied with nothing but sincerity on my lips and truth on my tongue, "My right has always been stunning, no matter where I am."

"I had no idea that's what she said."

"Yes ma'am."

"And that's why you kept kissing the back of my hand."

"Yes ma'am."

"I thought you were trying to breach the subject of the unanswered question."

"Not at that moment."

"But then you....and then we.....but that had to happen before....Ohhhhhh."

"You understand now?"

"I do."

"Say that for me one more time."

"I do."

"Again please."

"Hey wise guy...just what do you think you're doing?"

"Helping you practice."

"What??" (Sam's eyes grow big)

"Ba dum dum dum, Ba dum dum dum..."

(Sam faints. Tony catches her.)

"What'd I tell ya...hard boiled but tender still." (Plants a kiss on her head)

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