Chapter 7

“You’re going where?” Sophia asked as I grabbed my suitcase from the closet, where I had only stashed it there a day ago after unpacking. I had already changed out of my academy uniform and into shorts and a T-shirt.

“It’s just for the weekend,” I explained. “I’ll go down there, solve their case and be back before Monday morning classes.”

“What about lacrosse?"

When did Sophia ever care about lacrosse? “Lacrosse tryouts aren’t until next week,” I reasoned. “And if I’m late getting back I’m sure Coach Barnes will still let me try out.”

“But the school semester just started!” Sophia whined.

“Crime happens all days of the year — it doesn’t care about the school schedule.”

“Sam, tell her this is crazy,” Sophia said, turning to Sam, who had come over to hang out after lunch. 

Sam had been hanging out with us every day now that her girlfriend was no longer here on campus. Since this conversation started, she’s been watching us with her orange eyes with an amused smirk on her face. She shrugged. “Maybe this is a good thing for her.”

Sophia was shocked. “No, Sam — you’re supposed to be on my side!”

“Everyone grieves differently,” Sam replied. “Perhaps Cate needs to be alone to process her feelings.”

“See!” I exclaimed. “Sam gets it.” I opened my dresser and took out two bras and two panties and placed them into the suitcase. 

“I just don’t trust you to go alone,” Sophia warned. “Remember what happened last time?”

“You mean Pittsburgh? This is a very different situation. For one, Hathaway has approved this. Second, I’m not going alone — I’m bringing Joslyn.” I tossed a few T-shirts and shorts into the suitcase.

“I meant the warehouse incident!”

I chuckled. “Oh, right, I almost forgot about that."

“Bring me — or Sam!” Sophia pleaded.

“I’d like to go to a water park,” Sam added with a smile.

I shook my head. “No offense, Soph, but you’re already a girl — and Sam can change form on a whim. The magic would be wasted on you both. That’s why I’m bringing Joslyn.”

“But Joslyn doesn’t know you. Doesn’t know your worst tendencies. Doesn’t know that you seek out trouble.”

“I’ll be OK!” I reiterated.

“I’m just worried about your safety," Sophia emphasized.

“It’s a water park, how dangerous could it be?” Speaking of the water park, I wasn't sure what to pack. When I went back to Hathaway to agree to her terms, she told me, “Bikini Beach has a very… unique dress code. Pack accordingly.” She meant everyone there wore bathing suits. I mean, it’s a water park and it’s in the name of the establishment. I threw my boardshorts and my bikini top and bottoms onto my bed.  Not that I planned on enjoying the water park’s amenities. “Hey Soph, can I borrow a pair of shorts? Preferably cargo. Ooh — do you have a Hawaiian shirt? Cate Fox. Hawaii Five-O.” I was also going to also need a small gym bag for the locker room.

“Umm, hell-o!” said Sophia, clearly exasperated. “You just said someone was murdered there. And you know I don’t own cargo shorts… anymore.”

“I’ll be fine. I can handle myself. I won’t even be alone this time. I’m supposed to be working with an Order of the Dawn agent. So this won’t be like Pittsburgh — or the warehouse.” I walked to Sophia and put my hands on her shoulders. “Soph. Thank you for your concern, but I have to do this.”

Sophia forced a smile. “I know you do. But I’m going to miss my best friend. I’d hate if something happened to you.”

“I’ll miss you too.”

“So,” Sam began. “This… Bikini Beach — is it a real place? Sounds made up.”

“Apparently so,” I replied, zipping up my suitcase. “And I’m about to solve their murder case. Hey — can I borrow a tote bag?”

* * *

I met Joslyn and Headmistress Hathaway outside the administration building. Joslyn only had a backpack. I might have overpacked since I showed up with my suitcase and a tote bag I borrowed from Sophia.

“Thank you again, Cate!” Joslyn said as she gave me a tight hug.

Hathaway turned to me. “I have arranged an excused absence with your instructors to explain why you missed classes today and will be missing on Monday.”

That was kind of her. Too kind.

“Agent Darnell will be here shortly,” she added.

She wasn’t wrong. A minute later, a black SUV with tinted windows pulled up. Out stepped a guy in a fitted black suit and sunglasses. Jesus, is the Order of the Dawn also the Men in Black? Agent Darnell even had a pin on his lapel identical to Hathaway’s. A sunrise — the seal of the Order of the Dawn.

“Agent Darnell,” Hathaway introduced us, “this is Detective Fox. Despite her youthful appearance, she is an experienced detective. Per our earlier conversation, she will be your partner for the duration of this case. And Miss Clark here will be…observing.”

I wondered how high up in the Order Hathaway was. Sure, she was the headmistress of this school, but was she something else in the Order?

Agent Darnell nodded, not even bothering to acknowledge me. “I have the travel, accommodations, and park passes ready for all three of us.”

The smug look on Darnell’s face told me I wasn’t going to like him. 

“Excellent,” the Headmistress replied. She then came closer to me and whispered into my ear. “Miss Fox, I am risking a great deal professionally — and personally — by involving you in this investigation. Despite my reservations, I am putting my faith in your skills. Please do not make me regret my decision.”

I nodded. 

Darnell opened the rear car doors for both of us.

Joslyn climbed into the backseat. I ignored the other back door and opened the passenger door for myself. I figured I needed to get off on the right foot with this guy. I’m an equal, not a tag-along. Darnell looked annoyed, closed the door I didn’t use, and got into the car.

As we drove away, Darnell wasted no time introducing himself to me. “Listen, I am not a babysitter. You girls stay out of my way, and we’ll get along fine.”

“You heard Hathaway, Agent D. I’m your partner for this case.”

Darnell just grimaced and kept his eyes on the road. This made me wonder how much sway Hathaway had over other members of the Order.

As we drove away, I looked at PAA in the rearview mirror as the weird thought that this was just a means for Hathaway to get rid of me flashed through my head.

* * *

It was about two hours to the nearest airport, so I figured I’d kill some time. “So, Agent Darnell, can you fill me in on the case?” 

I was half expecting him to say “No,” but he kept one hand on the steering wheel and with the other one reached into the center console and pulled out a manilla folder then handed it to me. Inside was just a single printout.

“While the park has their own security, we will be the first people on the scene,” he said. 

“So this happened today?” I asked.

“Yes.”

“So far all we know is that the victim is assumed to be Timothy Green, 52—”

“Wait, the Timothy Green?” Joslyn asked from the back seat.

Darnell looked annoyed at the interruption. “Yes.”

“I don’t get it, who is he?” I asked, looking back and forth between Joslyn and Darnell.

“Popular conservative podcaster,” Darnell answered.

“He’s a total asshat that speaks out against the transgender community,” Joslyn added.

“He’s a provocative agitator,” Darnell clarified.

“I see,” I said, looking over the paper. Not much was on it. Just his name, location, and notes about where he was found.

“Here,” Joslyn said, handing me her smartphone.  On it was a video of who I presume was Timothy Green.  I took her phone and tapped ‘play’.

“...and these people are an abomination to God,” Timothy said with conviction. “They are an affront to American masculinity." 

I fast-forwarded.

“...we must not fall victim to these people’s delusions…”

I fast-forwarded again.

“...It is a parents responsibility to protect our children from this evil…”

I’d already had enough. I tapped ‘pause’. “Wow.” I handed Joslyn’s phone back to her. “Nice fella. Who would ever want to murder him?” I said sarcastically.

“Around 12:05 PM local time,” Darnell explained, “a gunshot was heard in the condo adjacent to the water park. Condo security went to check it out and found a deceased body.”

“Gunshot wound, I presume?”

He nodded.

So Mr. Green was murdered in the condo with the revolver? I wonder if the suspect was Professor Plum.

“Nothing is confirmed until we get there,” Darnell added. “The condo and park are private property and outside the jurisdiction of local law enforcement.”

“Seriously?”

“The Order has an agreement with both the condo and Bikini Beach. Their existence and their use of magic must remain secret.”

“Wait,” I asked. “So was Timothy Green a TG?”

“He was today. She had a guest pass and was registered as a ‘Melissa Green.’ The deceased body was a woman.”

“Shit.”

“Well, this wouldn’t be the first time a misogynist was transformed at Bikini Beach,” Joslyn said.

“But it was the first time one was murdered.” Darnell pointed out.

“So we think that this guy’s notoriety got him killed?” I asked.

“Let’s not jump to any conclusions before we even get to the scene.”

Right.

Another minute or so passed in silence.

“So Darnell, are you a TG too?”

“It’s Agent Darnell,” he replied. “And no, I’m not a TG. Not every transformation magic has to do with gender.”

Darnell suddenly spun the wheel and we took a hard turn onto a dirt road.

“Hey, where are we going?” I asked, sitting back upright.

He didn’t say anything as we drove down a heavily forested dirt road. A minute later a small airfield appeared in a clearing. Just a few small planes and a hangar. No other buildings or terminals.

“I guess we’re not flying commercial,” I commented. “I was looking forward to that tiny bag of peanuts and a half can of Sprite.”

“Commercial airlines don’t go there.”

“Figures. So where is Bikini Beach?”

Darnell didn’t answer that either. He parked in a spot on the airfield. “Let’s go.”

I grabbed my bags and the folder and got out of the car.

We walked towards Hangar A. Funny. I didn’t see a Hangar B. Inside was a small twin-engine jet. The stairs were already pulled down for us.

“Wow, a whole plane to ourselves?” Joslyn questioned.

“We’re not taking one of those prop planes out front?” I inquired.

“No. It’ll take too long to get there.”

Where is there? I said nothing more as I followed Joslyn up the steps and into the plane. Since we had the plane to ourselves, we all picked seats around a table in the small cabin.

“Does this plane get first class service?” I asked. 

“No,” Darnell replied.

“My parents used to take us to Disney every year,” Joslyn said forlornly, looking out the window.

“They don’t anymore?” I asked.

“Not since I told them I was trans.”

Ouch.

“This is the first time I’ve been anywhere other than home or school. You have no idea how much this means to me, Cate.”

I smiled. Solving this case and getting her a lifetime pass will certainly mean more.

“Joslyn, what can you tell me about Bikini Beach?”

“Nothing,” Darnell interjected. “Those online stories are fiction. We’re going to the real thing.”

“I was asking Joslyn,” I said to the agent, then turned back to my companion.

“Well,” she started, “it’s owned by an old lady and her granddaughter. It's a park for women only. However, all of the stories center around male visitors who are transformed into women by the grandmother’s magic. Usually the men don’t suspect the true nature of the park until it’s too late.”

“That happened to me with my last cell phone bill,” I snarked. “I didn’t read the Terms of Service about the phone company’s true nature of their ‘upgrade’. By the time I saw all the charges they added onto my phone bill, it was too late.”

“Well, the experience helps the former men realize they’re better off as women and opt for a lifetime membership.”

And I thought romance novels were bad. “And you read this stuff?”

“Of course I do. What I wouldn't have given to be one of those protagonists — and now I will be!” she exclaimed, bouncing on her seat in a victory dance.

“Tell me about the transformation.”

“The men are transformed by the showers. Each man is turned into his idealized woman.”

“Interesting. Then what? They go splash around in a water park?” For some reason the opening credits of Baywatch flashed through my mind.

“Umm… yeah,” Joslyn giggled. “But the stories are not really about the park. They’re about the people. Many of the stories revolve around trying to fix unsuspecting misogynistic men.”

I rolled my eyes at that. I figured I’d gotten the ultimate comeuppance for my past behavior towards women. “Um,” I hesitated, "aren't water parks mainly for kids?  I already went from 42 to 14, I can't afford to get much younger."

Joslyn giggled. "It all depends on how you picture your ideal woman."

My ideal woman? Well that sounds like a trick question. “Does the transformation work on women?”

Joslyn shrugged her shoulders. “No clue. I doubt it. No reason to.”

Well, I guess I won’t need to worry about getting transformed — or getting any younger. “You said you read a lot of stories about this place,” I continued. “Do you have a favorite?”

“Well, my favorite stories are when it’s a nice guy or maybe an egg who accidentally gets transformed,” she gushed. “Sometimes there’s an unrequited love interest that comes around when the main character shows their true self!”

I nodded. I could see the allure for her. She could imagine herself as the main character and get her wish fulfilled. “Do you… have an unrequited love interest?”  Not that I cared, of course, I just wanted to know if I was walking into a real-life romance novel. 

“Me?” she blushed. “Umm… there is this one girl. I see her every day. I’m not sure if she even knows I exist.”

I nodded. “So, I should probably fill you in on the arrangement I made with Hathaway.  The three of us will go to Bikini beach where we will get guest passes.”

Her smile grew.

“They are only for the weekend,” I clarified. “However,” I paused for effect, “my arrangement also states that if I help with this case, and I—” I glanced at Darnell “— we solve it, your weekend pass will become a lifetime pass.”

Joslyn’s eyes watered and she put her hand over her mouth.

“Fox, why did you get her hopes up?” Darnell hissed, glaring at me.

“She deserves to know why she’s here. And I think—"

Suddenly, Joslyn hugged me in a tight squeeze.

“Remember this is contingent on you helping me find the murderer,” Darnell added.

“It doesn’t matter.” Joslyn said to me. “This is the single most nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. And even if it’s only for this weekend, I’ll be eternally grateful.”

I flashed a smirk at Darnell.  See. Sometimes it’s the thought that counts.

Joslyn finally released me from her bear hug and sat in her seat, giddy.  She turned to me and asked.  “You were married before, right?” 

I grimaced. “Yeah, I was.” It didn’t matter how long this plane ride lasted, there wasn’t enough time to explain me and Cheryl.  Especially our encounter at my old house.

“Can I ask you for…. um… relationship advice?”

I laughed. “I was also divorced.”

“Then you know what not to do,” she giggled.

Har har. I noticed even Darnell had a smile on his face. “OK, what's your question?” I asked.

“How do I get this girl to see me as anything besides the ‘trans girl normie’?”

“Well, have you talked to her? PAA is a pretty accepting place, so I think you have nothing to lose.”

“No. I’m afraid she won’t see the real me. I wish she’d see me as a real girl.”

That statement hung in the air for a long pause. “Um, Joslyn, you know you shouldn’t change for anyone right?”

“Oh yeah, I know that.”

“So you coming on this trip—”

“Is totally for me.”

“Good. Because you’re going to be an official TG after this. And even then, this girl still may not like you for whatever reason. I want to make sure you’re doing this for the right reasons.”

“See, you are a wealth of good advice.”

I shrugged. “Tell me more about these stories. Did any of them involve murder?”

“No. Never.”

I nodded. I looked out the window at the clouds below us. Never a murder? Even if the guest was a conservative piece of shit? Or maybe Bikini Beach was a place one would literally die to get into?

* * *

Upon landing, there was another twenty minute drive through nondescript woods and farmlands to the water park. Not even a road marker to give me any idea where we were. The sun was low in the sky now, and it appeared as the water park’s parking lot was thinning out.

“I was directed to check into the park first,” Agent Darnell said, shutting off the SUV and opening the door. “So bring your bathing suits.”

“Have you been here before?” I asked the agent, grabbing Sophia’s tote bag but leaving my suitcase. Of course, coming from Sophia, it was decorated with unicorns and rainbows.

“No, I haven’t. First time. All I know is the directions they gave me.”

Joslyn anxiously giggled and slung her backpack onto her shoulder. “At least you and I know what to expect.” 

The three of us walked through the parking lot. We certainly looked like a weird group. Two teenage girls, following a man in a black suit and walking into a water park right before closing.

We arrived at the gate and the woman at the counter looked up at us. She looked like she had been expecting us and drew a deep, exasperated breath. “Can I help you?”

Agent Darnell quickly flashed a badge. “I’m Agent Darnell, Order of the Dawn.”

Why didn’t I get a badge? “And I’m Detective Fox. PAA,” I added.

Darnell looked annoyed at that.  Too bad.

The woman at the counter looked at the agent. “Oh, right, we spoke on the phone. Do you have your passes?”

Darnell pulled out the passes from his suit jacket and handed them to the woman.  “Thank you again for your cooperation Ms…”

“Just call me Anya,” she smiled.

Joslyn grabbed my arm in excitement and whispered to me. “Oh my God — it’s Anya!”

“So, everyone needs a pass?” I asked.

“That’s correct,” Anya replied, while examining the passes Darnell handed her. “Everyone. Members, stuff, guests. Investigators.”

“So the perp had a pass?”

“The crime happened at the condos,” she replied. “They have a different check-in system.”

“Oh, so why are we at the park then?” I asked.

“Because the condo is also women only,” Joslyn replied for Anya.

Anya smiled placidly. “That’s correct.” She handed our passes back to us. “You may enter. Please use the appropriate locker rooms. Everyone must shower before entering. Health regulations.”

Joslyn squeezed my arm tighter. “She said the thing!”

Health regulations? What kind of place is this? Considering I’m already a girl and I wasn’t planning on using any of the water park's accommodations, why should I shower off? I held my tongue, because I had a job to do, and I didn’t want to spoil this experience for Joslyn.

The three of us walked through the gate. Women’s to the left. Men’s to the right. Darnell and Joslyn walked to the right. 

“Jos—” I said, stopping, confused. “Where are…”

“That’s how this works, Cate.”

“Oh. Right.” I had gotten so used to seeing Joslyn as a girl. I was also used to being at PAA where girls — regardless of being cis or trans — were able to use the women’s facilities. But seeing as this place has transformation magic, it made sense. Those who wanted to be transformed into cis women went to the men’s locker room. Everyone else went to the women’s.

“Hey Cate,” Joslyn said timidly. “I was wondering if you could come with me and keep me company.”

“Well, I uh…” I was going to say, “I’m not a guy,” But I am a guy. I’m just not in a male package. Does that even matter? Does Bikini Beach have bathroom police? I don’t even know what state we’re in. For all I know we’re in Florida and the governor himself will throw me out of the wrong bathroom. Legality aside, it also made me wonder what happens magically if a girl walks into the men’s locker room? Probably nothing. Hopefully nothing.

“I don’t want to be alone for this,” she explained, flashing me a nervous smile.

Well, she’d have Agent Darnell. But I get it. He’s a stranger. A strange older guy too. Certainly not the most personable individual. I get it. Though I never considered myself personable either. Maybe PAA has sanded away my rougher edges. “Sure.”

Darnell looked a little uncomfortable with me joining them. “She’s a girl—”

“Don’t worry, pal,” I said, reaching up and patting him on the shoulder. “I’ve been in plenty of men’s locker rooms.” As soon as I said it I realized that it came out wrong. “I mean, I used to be a guy.”

He continued to protest. “But Anya said—”

“What's the worst that can happen? I’m already a girl.”  Geez, for an Order agent, he was kinda stuck on gender stuff. “If the bathroom police come for us, I’ll trust you can handle them.”

Darnell sighed. See – I'm personable.

The three of us entered the men’s locker room. It was empty, but there were plenty of private shower stalls.

“I didn’t bring my shower shoes,” I announced. My voice echoed off the walls. “If I get athlete’s foot, I’m suing.” Nobody laughed. I guess they’re not used to my humor yet. Maybe I should’ve brought Sophia. She would’ve laughed. “So I’m going to take a shower and put these same clothes back on?” I asked. “Sounds like a waste of water.”

Joslyn pulled me into a stall with her. The stall had two compartments. One with benches and hooks for clothes. The other, a shower head. This was very similar to the layout of the bathrooms back at PAA.

“Listen, Joslyn. I’m typically not comfortable in locker room situations.”

She shrugged. “Me neither, but this moment is so epic I need to share it with someone.”

Before I could say anything else, Joslyn had already pulled her sundress over her head, revealing that she was wearing bikini bottoms under her dress. She had clearly come prepared.

OK, I guess we’re doing this. I unzipped my tote bag and pulled out my typical swimsuit attire — my bikini and board shorts. I kicked off my shoes and socks and took off my T-shirt.

Joslyn removed breast forms from her bra and triumphantly tossed them to the bench. “I won’t be needing those this weekend!” She then removed her bra. 

I turned around out of modesty then unclasped my bra and exchanged it for my bikini top. 

Before I could remove anything else, Joslyn was already in the shower. Topless with her bikini bottoms. “C’mon Cate, join me. The water is great.”

“I don’t get it. We’re supposed to shower, get our bathing suits wet, then put our dry clothes back on?”

“Cate, it’s a water park. You’re not supposed to be dry.”

“But—” I’m not here to enjoy the amenities, and I didn’t really want to investigate a crime scene dripping wet. But… as they say, ‘When in Rome…’

I slid down my shorts and underwear and pulled up my bikini bottoms. Normally, I’d put my board shorts on over that, but seeing as I didn’t want them to get wet, I left them to the side. I mean, it’s only Joslyn, so I don’t have to worry about anyone else seeing me in bikini bottoms.

I sighed and joined her under the shower. She was right. The water was warm and relaxing. 

After a few seconds, my anxieties of being in a locker room faded away and I took a deep breath of the warm air.

I noticed pink steam rising up. Cool effect.

Joslyn smiled at it, swirling the steam around with her hands and giggling.

I noticed her giggle was a little more high pitched. I also noticed she had started to shrink a couple inches. I watched curiously as her face turned softer and more feminine. Wow, this place does work.

Her shoulders shrunk in, as breasts started to grow on her chest. 

She must’ve noticed where I was looking as she immediately grabbed her new breasts in her hands. I used to get slapped for looking at breasts — but I suppose that was before I had my own pair.

But still, it was awkward. I closed my eyes and let the water cascade down my face and over the rest of my body. Maybe I could stay here for a few more minutes.

The water stopped and Joslyn reached for a towel to get the water out of her eyes. I did the same.

After patting my face, I removed the towel to see Joslyn — a very female Joslyn — looking back at me. We were the same height upon entering the shower. Now she was a few inches shorter than me.

I smiled at her. “You look great.” My voice sounded strange. I cleared my throat. “I mean, you look pretty.” Still not right.

“Cate…” she said tentatively while looking at me.

“Yeah?”

“You’ve changed too.”