Criminal, Murderer, Agent, Liar, Thief

August 1946

Detroit, Michigan 

The door to Essie’s small home crashed open, and her closest friend Lilith rounded the corner into the main room, where Essie was busy canning her peaches. Her parents were away for the day, and all her younger brothers were out working, so the task fell to her. She looked up when Lilith came in. “Hello!”

Lilith yanked off her hat and gloves and put them on the counter. She rolled up her sleeves and grabbed a jar to help Essie. “Are you going to the party tomorrow night? At David’s?”

Essie grinned. “What eighteen-year-old girl isn’t?” 

Lilith smiled down at the jar. “True. He’s dreamy, isn’t he?”

“Yes. And rich.” Essie squeezed the lid tight on the jar. 

“What are you wearing?” 

“Oh.” Essie looked down, an unwanted flush rising up her cheeks. “Just my old Sunday dress. The gray one.” 

“Wrong. Come over tonight, I’ll let you pick out one of mine.”

“Lilith-”

“I know you always refuse, but do it this once. This is David Raymond’s party, and I won’t let you go in that gray dress.”

Essie gave a little laugh. “Are you sure?”

“Positive.”

“Alright. Thank you.”

Lilith set her jar to the side. “So. Have you heard?”

“Heard what?”

Lilith leaned in. “Aldric Valerian is going to be at the party.”

Essie’s grip on the jar slipped. “What?” She looked up, brushing a strand of her golden hair out of her face. “Aldric Valerian? That’s impossible.”

“Who’s Aldric Valerian?” James, Essie’s older brother, came into the room, curious. 

Lilith’s jaw dropped. “You’ve never heard of him?”

“Never.” 

“Aldric Valerian is only the most famous- or infamous, whichever you prefer- person to have lived in Detroit.” Lilith leaned her elbows on the counter, tossing her dark brown hair behind her. “And no one really knows why. He’s incredibly rich, and young, and no one knows where he’s from, or anything about him. He left to serve in the war years ago, but he’s back, and coming to David’s party.”

“He doesn’t sound all that impressive,” James said, coming by and grabbing a forgotten peach slice and walking out. 

Lilith shrugged, then turned to Essie. “Do you think he’s handsome?”

Essie laughed. “I have no idea. Do you think he’s nice? Or haughty?” 

“I don’t know,” Lilith said, her dark eyes flashing with excitement, “But I can’t wait to find out.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

David heard footsteps behind him and briefly glanced back to see who it was. “Oh! Aldric! You’re early.” He turned back to the table of food, inspecting it. “That party doesn’t start for another four hours.”

“I know,” Aldric said behind him. “I came to apologize. I won’t be able to make it tonight.”

David straightened and turned around to face Aldric. “And why is that?”

Aldric shoved his hands in his pockets. “I can’t do it, David.”

“Not this again.”

“I haven’t been to a party in years,” Aldric said sharply. “In fact, I haven’t been in any kind of proper social gathering in years! How do you expect me to go to an enormous party like yours? I thought you were only inviting a few friends.”

“Well, I...changed my mind. Once I invited them they asked if they could bring friends, and one in particular said she’d bring Essie Thomas, so naturally I agreed.” 

“Naturally,” Aldric said dryly. Then he shook his head. “I’m sorry. I can’t come.” He turned on his heel and began to walk out of the room. 

“You have to come,” David said casually, arranging a vase on the table. “I’ve already told everyone you’re coming, and I can think of one person in particular who will be very upset if you don’t show up. He goes by the name of...Sanford, I believe? Rustam Sanford?”

Aldric stopped in his tracks. David glanced slyly up at his friend. “Do you know him?”

Aldric slowly turned, a ghostly look on his face. “Sanford is dead,” he said slowly. 

“That’s what you thought.” David turned back to the flowers. 

In an alarmingly quick stride, Aldric was across the room and holding David firmly by the front of his shirt. His teeth gritted, he spoke in a low and dangerous tone. “Rustam Sanford is alive?”

“Yes. Let go, you’re wrinkling my collar.” Aldric released his hold, and David stepped back, smoothing his shirt out. 

Aldric stepped back, running a hand through his hair. “Sanford,” he muttered. He slammed a fist against the wall. 

David tilted his head. “So, you’ll be there. You know what will happen if you don’t show up.”

“I’ll be there.”

“Good. Now, listen. I’ve told everyone that you’ve been gone, serving in the war. I’ll give you more details later tonight, but I need you to stick to that story. Alright?”

“A soldier, hm?” Aldric rubbed the back of his neck with one hand. “You know, I’ve never really been a lying man...”

David laughed out loud at that, and Aldric gave a wry grin. Then he nodded to David. “Until tonight.”

“Tonight,” David echoed. Aldric left, his footsteps fading on the polished marble floor. David watched to make sure he was gone, then turned back to the table. The butler entered the room, and David looked up. “Is everything ready?”

“Yes, sir.”

David looked the butler straight in the eye. “Everything?”

The butler looked right back. “Everything.”

David’s mouth twisted into a grin. “Wonderful.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Lilith swerved into a narrow parking space. “Ha!” Essie sagged backward in the leather seat and let out a breath. 

“I thought we were going to die for a minute or two.”

Lilith grabbed her purse and gloves. “Don’t be silly. I’m an excellent driver.”

Essie rolled her eyes and got out of the car. 

Lilith came around to her side. “Let me look you over one more time.”

Another eye roll from Essie, but she stood still while Lilith studied her. 

Essie had picked out a skirt and blouse. The skirt was long and simple, an emerald green color (which Lilith said went perfectly with her golden hair) with a bow at the side. The blouse was white and fitted, the sleeves long and wide, then fitted at the wrist. She wore a gold-colored necklace, wore no gloves, and carried a small white handbag. 

“Perfect,” Lilith announced. “Stunningly simple. It fits you. David is going to be head over heels in love with you by the end of the night if he isn’t already.” She held out her arms and gave a little twirl. “How do I look?”

“Wonderful.”

Lilith was always the fashionable one, wearing clothes that always made her seem to pop out from everyone else- and there was no exception tonight. Instead of the typical, floor-length dress, she was wearing a casual yet beautiful swing dance dress, made of light, flowy fabric. The dress was white, with green and blue swirls patterned randomly throughout. The sleeves were short and capped. She wore small earrings, deep blue, and her shoes were peacock blue ankle strap high heels. Her dark hair was pinned up, and the whole outfit gave her a fresh, airy, cheerful look, whereas Essie’s was gentle and elegant. 

“Well?” Lilith gestured toward the grand house, where light music could be heard from the backyard. “Let’s go!”

They walked on the cobblestone path to the back of the house, where they came into full view of the party. “Oh,” Essie breathed. 

The backyard was enormous, with lush green grass and trees surrounding the edges. There were few trees in the actual yard, providing a nice, open space for the party. There was a dance platform in the very center, surrounded by tables and tables of food and drink. People were eyeing the ables with awe- there hadn’t been anything this grand since the war ended a year ago. It was a small and reassuring sign that times were slowly coming back to what they had been before. Or at least close to what they had been before. 

Above their heads, strings of colorful lights and lanterns swung gently in the warm breeze- yellows, reds, oranges, blues, greens. A band was sitting near the dance platform, playing an unfamiliar tune that was soft and light and happy. Dozens of people were already there, talking and laughing, sampling the food. 

“He’s really outdone himself, hasn’t he?” Essie said, looking up at an orange lantern. 

“I’ll say,” Lilith said, tapping her foot in time with the music. “I think it’s wonderful.”

“Mmhm,” Essie said, watching the lantern bounce gently up and down, almost with the song. 

“Do you like it?” 

Essie’s head jerked back down and she turned. In front of her stood David Raymond, looking at her with a small grin on his face. It was no wonder he was the most admired young man in Detroit- he was tall, with a strong yet gentle face, and he had light brown hair with blue eyes that made every girl swoon. 

Behind him stood another young man Essie had never seen before- also tall, with caramel-colored hair and dark eyes. He held himself very professionally, formally, and had this look about him that was just...mysterious. 

“I do,” Essie said, suddenly remembering that David had asked a question. “I like it very much.”

He seemed genuinely pleased. “Good.” He turned to Lilith. “Hello.”

“Hi.” Lilith glanced at the man behind him. “Who’s this?”

“Oh! This,” he said, stepping to the side so they got a better view of the stranger, “Is Aldric Valerian.”

“I thought so,” Lilith said, grinning. She held out her hand. Aldric took it and gave a short bow. “I’m Lilith. Lilith Jasper.”

“Pleased to meet you.” Aldric then turned to Essie. 

“I’m Essie Thomas,” she said, smiling. 

“I’ve heard,” he said with an amused side glance at David. Both David and Essie flamed red at that. 

And then, the music grew louder and faster, announcing the first dance. 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Aldric was nervous. There were so many people, and he was expected to laugh and have a good time when Sanford was somewhere in the yard? He did his best, though. After all, he had been acting his entire life. So he kept his demeanor cool. 

David held out a hand to Essie. “Want to dance?” 

“I’d love to.” She took his hand and they walked away, up to the dance floor. 

Aldric watched them go, then heard an obvious cough next to him. “Aren’t you going to ask me to dance?” Lilith asked, her eyebrows raised. 

Aldric smiled and held out an arm. “Shall we dance?”

“Yes.” She grabbed his elbow and practically dragged him up to the platform, obviously eager to dance. 

“I’m apologizing ahead of time,” Aldric said. “I haven’t danced in years.”

“That’s all right. You’ve been in the war, right?” 

“Yes.” 

The dance started, an upbeat swing dance, fast and light. Aldric did his best, but compared to his partner, he failed miserably. Lilith was a natural, her feet and hips fast and in time with the music. She was grinning a mile wide, either at the fun of the dance or at his clumsiness. One of the two. “My uncle was in the war. Where did you serve?”

Aldric couldn’t talk and dance at the same time, but he did his best. “Er- France.” Lilith said something back to him, but the music and all the tapping feet drowned her words out. 

The dance ended in a whirl, and Lilith was laughing. Aldric was out of breath, but he couldn’t help but smile. “Drinks?”

They met up with David and Essie and took a drink break gratefully. Then, Aldric’s eye caught on a familiar face on the other side of the yard. A dark-haired, dark-eyed man, staring right at him. Instantly, Aldric felt his side and realized something with a jolt. “David.”

Essie and Lilith were talking, and David looked at Aldric curiously. “What?” 

Aldric lowered his voice. “I left my pistol in the library. This afternoon, remember? I was getting ready but your butler came in and interrupted me and I completely forgot.”

David sucked in a breath. “That’s not good.”

“I know.” Aldric looked back again at the spot where he had seen the man- Sanford- but he couldn’t find him among the crowd. “I would go get it...but with him here, I can’t leave or he’ll notice.” 

David’s brow furrowed in thought. Then, he murmured, “Ask Lilith.” 

“What?”

“Ask Lilith to get the pistol.”

Aldric gave a choked laugh. “No. She’d-”

David spun around to face him directly. “Listen, I know her. You can trust her. She’ll get it for you and she won’t ask any questions until later when you can make up some excuse. Do it.” 

Aldric gave his friend a doubtful look, but then took Lilith by the elbow and led her a few paces away. “Lilith...Miss Jasper…”

“Lilith.”

“Lilith. I...er, I have a favor to ask.”

Lilith’s eyebrow raised. “Oh? Tell me.”

He spoke in a low voice, telling her about the pistol on the table, below the portrait of David’s grandfather, but giving her no details as to why he needed it. Her eyes widened at first, but by the end of his explanation, she looked mainly curious. “I’ll get it,” she said, “I don’t know why. We’ve only just met. But I will. And I fully expect an explanation afterward.”

“Thank you,” Aldric said, very relieved. 

“Give me two minutes, I’ll be in and out. And I’ll take Essie with me, she looks bored.” After saying a few quick words to Essie, both she and Lilith turned and walked towards the house. 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

David’s large house was absolutely silent, and it was unnerving. Everyone- servants, family, friends- were out in the back, celebrating, leaving a dark, empty house. Lilith’s and Essie’s footsteps seemed loud as they walked quickly upstairs to the library- Lilith had been here a few times and knew where it was. 

A pistol. That Aldric Valerian had definitely sparked Lilith’s curiosity. 

The library door was cracked open about a foot, and inside it was completely dark. In front of Essie, Lilith spread her hand out on the large oak door and pushed it open, hearing the gentle squeak of the door hinges. She took one step in and found herself facing the barrel of a pistol, gleaming and just visible enough by the moonlight through the window. She heard Essie make a small noise behind her. 

The man holding the pistol laughed darkly. “Aldric.” He took a step forward, his face now visible in the dim light. It was a long face, twisted into an evil smile. He caught sight of her and frowned, moving the pistol slightly to the side to get a better glimpse. He moved his gaze from her to Essie and back again. “You aren’t Aldric.” 

Lilith swallowed hard, then managed, “Nope.”

The man gritted his teeth in anger and gestured. “Get in here, now.” 

She obliged with Essie right behind her. Lilith took a deep breath, trying to look casual as if this kind of thing happened every day. It was no easy task, but she managed to keep her legs from shaking too hard as she walked into the dark library. 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Aldric pulled out his pocket watch, glanced at the time, and slammed it shut again. It had been fifteen minutes since Lilith had left, and she said she’d be back in two. “I’m going to see what’s taking her so long.”

“Alright,” David said, casting a glance at the house. “Be quick. Sanford will notice you’re gone.”

Sanford had not been seen in several minutes, either, which made Aldric even more uneasy. He gave David a short nod, then left for the house. 

Aldric took the stairs two at a time until he was at the door of the library. His footsteps the only noise echoing through the hallways. A faint light was coming from inside, and he felt relieved. So she was in here. “Lilith-” He opened the door.

Sanford was standing at the fireplace, looking quite content. Essie was in the corner, arms folded tight against her, looking tense and nervous. Lilith was sitting on a table, her legs swinging casually back and forth. She looked very bored, but brightened when he walked in and gave a little wave. “Finally! This Stanford man won’t let me go back out to the party.”

“It’s Sanford,” Sanford said in annoyance. Then he directed his gaze to Aldric and calmly held a pistol at his side, pointed at Aldric, and got right to the point. “Alright. Where is it?”

“Where is what?” Aldric said it pleasantly. 

“You know.” The pistol raised. “Tell me.”

“You can’t kill me,” Aldric said in amusement. “For one thing, you would never find out where it is. And for another, everyone outside will hear the shot.”

“No, they won’t,” A voice said, and David strode into the room, closing and locking the door behind him. Then, an explosion of noise and red light from outside, followed by cheers. David flashed a bright smile. “The fireworks have begun!”

Aldric gaped at David for several moments before shaking his head and glaring darkly. “Timed it all perfectly, didn’t you, David?”

David smiled. “I did.” 

Then, not a sound, not a movement, an occasional firework outside, but other than that, nothing. The five in the room stared at each other, the criminal, the murderer, the agent, the liar, the thief. 

What happened now?