The Paladin (23 page)

"What is that thing?" said Silas.

"Salvation, baby, salvation."

There, sitting in the grass, was an army Humvee, fresh from Kabul. A big pink ribbon encircled the rugged vehicle, topped with a ridiculously big bow. A giant card attached read:

HAPPY SWEET SIXTEEN, BABY GIRL!

With the police close behind, Maggie and Silas leaped into the vehicle, Maggie turned over the engine, and they roared away from the foot pursuit.

Soon, two Crown Victorias were fishtailing in pursuit.

"Pull over and shut off the engine!"
said the booming police PA. "There's nowhere to run!"

"Where to now?" asked Silas as he hung on for his life.

"Ask and you shall receive," said Maggie.

Ahead of them stood the ten-foot tall black iron fence that completely enclosed the twenty-acre Beck estate. On one section, a neat "X" was drawn in white paint.

"Hang on, Ghost Boy!" Maggie shouted, as she slammed into the barrier at full speed.

With a terrible shriek of metal, the fence gave way and the four-wheel drive shot off the steep-sided, wooded ridge. Laughing and yelling, Maggie and Silas disappeared from view down a treacherous winding path that a mountain goat would think twice about.

Frustrated that their suspects had gotten away, both police cruisers slid to a stop just inches from the edge of the ruined fence.

***

Two miles from the Beck Estate, Maggie and Silas sat on a picnic table at the Daisy Hill Memorial Park, discussing their next move.

"Well, that was a mess," said Maggie.

"Not necessarily, we know the Collamarr is in the witch's house. Any idea where that might be, Maggie?"

"Umm, no. I checked my book of spooky stuff, but without the witch's name, it can't help me."

"Figures," he said.

"Besides, if we do find her house, it is supposed to be a bitch to breach."

"One problem at a time, Maggie, dear," he said with a smile. "One problem at a time."

"Well, looks like we have another," she said softly in his ear. "A cop is coming this way."

"Forgive me, Maggie," he said not looking around at the police officer. Taking her in his arms, Silas pressed his lips to hers and held her close. Maggie, surprised at first, quickly wrapped her arms about him and returned the kiss with gusto.

As Harry Smith, she had never known love. It was like a distant, mythic land she always wanted to visit, but never got the opportunity. At twenty-five, she shared her very first romantic kiss with Silas.

"This is a public park for God's sake!" said Constable Howard Fogerty.

Silas, still cradling Maggie, looked up at the stern rotund officer.

"Umm, sorry, constable," said Silas with a sheepish grin. "I guess I got carried away."

Maggie, through half-closed lids, looked up at Silas and took his face in her hands.

"Go away and mind your own business," she said softly as she kissed Silas tenderly.

"What the hell? Now cut that shit out! You are both grown adults, now act like it!"

With difficulty, Silas pushed Maggie away and she laughed.

"Sorry," said Maggie. "We just got married and I can't keep my hands off him. Isn't he gorgeous, officer?"

"Yeah, he's a real doll," Fogerty said dryly.

Silas turned beet red with embarrassment and elbowed Maggie.

"Be that as it may, this isn't the place for that kind of thing," he said. "Let me see some ID."

Maggie and Silas both produced their driver's licenses and gave them to the officer.

"Lenora Biggs and Keith Weiss?"

"Umm…yeah, that's us, officer," said Silas.

Fogerty handed the licenses back and a casual glance revealed that the IDs had indeed been changed.

Thank you, Larry.
Thought Maggie.

"Mr. and Mrs. Weiss, have you see anybody run through here recently?"

"There were some kids playing soccer…" said Maggie.

"No, I mean adults. Some sick sumbitches murdered a bunch of people up at old man Beck's place, and then torched the house."

"Oh my God!" said Maggie, as she clutched Silas tightly. "How could anyone do that to that sweet old gentleman?"

Silas fought to keep a straight face as she hammed it up.

"It will be alright,
dear
," he said, holding her and stroking her hair.

"We found their vehicle abandoned a couple of miles back on Trent Street. So they have to be around here somewhere."

"Like we said, haven't seen anyone, officer, except a bunch of kids," said Silas.

"By the way," said Fogerty as his hand dropped to his duty weapon, "where is
your
vehicle? I didn't see one as I drove up."

"Why, it's right over there…see for yourself," said Maggie, pointing toward the formerly empty parking lot.

Fogerty stepped back and glanced to his left. To his shock, there sat a bright yellow Volkswagen bug. The windows were covered with shaving cream and toilet paper. JUST MARRIED was scrawled across the side.

"Where the hell did that come from?" he mumbled.

"Is there a problem, officer?" Maggie said, hugging Silas.

"No…no. Do us both a favor and get out of here. Those people we are looking for are dangerous. By the way, congratulations on your marriage. More young folks should be doing it instead of living in sin."

"We will, officer," said Silas. "And thank you."

Maggie drew Silas close and kissed him on the ear as the officer walked away.

"He's gone, Maggie," whispered Silas.

"Good…now where were we?" she asked, holding him close.

"Maggie Black, behave yourself!" he said, as she stuck her tongue in his ear.

Thwack!

They both jumped as an arrow struck the oak tree next to them.

"What the hell," said Maggie. "Is Robin Hood after us, too?"

A note miraculously un-rolled from the arrow.

You need to lay low for a few days while your latest fiasco blows over. I rented a cabin in Gatlinburg for you, directions and keys are in your car.

Hurry.

Larry

"Shall we go, Mr. Weiss?" said Maggie taking Silas's arm.

"Yes, I think that would wise, Mrs. Weiss."

28

While the pump filled the Escalade's gas tank, Brenda Mills took a dripping combination squeegee/sponge and began cleaning her windshield.

"Never seen so many bugs in my life," she moaned as she scrubbed the insect corpses from the glass.

Sara slid out of the passenger side door and stretched her back.

"Past few days have been exciting," said Sara.

"It sure hasn't been dull," Brenda said.
Except for the part where I get to babysit Sara while that thug, Maggie, slides into my place.

"I'm thirsty, Brenda, you want something from the store?"

"Here, Sara, pay for gas and get me a water," Brenda said handing Sara her dad's credit card. "Get whatever you want."

After what seemed like an eternity, the enormous gas tank was sated and Brenda replaced the gas nozzle. It was then that—in spite of the summer heat—she felt a cold and dank breeze.

The unnatural chill only lasted a moment, but instead of refreshing her, it left her unsettled.

"Now that was odd…" she began.

"Brenda."

Shocked at hearing her name, she looked around the empty parking lot in vain.

This whole crappy adventure has got my imagination kicked into over drive. A hot shower, a good night's sleep, and I will be fine.

Brenda shrugged and checked her makeup in the side mirror.

She froze. In the reflection, standing behind her was her father, John Mills. Turning slowly she found him standing near the SUV door sipping on a soda. He was still dressed in the dirty, bloody clothes in which he had died.

"Hi, Brenda. Bet you didn't expect to see me again."

Brenda felt her knees go weak, but with a surge of anger, she snatched the squeegee and held it before her like a weapon.

"You're dead. I know you are dead. Get away from me!"

"Well you should know, Brenda, after all, you’re the one who murdered me."

"This can't be happening."

"Well, it is, sweetie, so get used to it," he said with a bloody smile.

"Why are you doing this to me? You made my life hell when you were alive. You should be frying in Hell right now."

"Oh, Brenda, don't be so bitter. OK, I admit I took advantage of your youth, and OK, maybe did I run off that loser, Will. I did you a favor. If you had left with him…well, trust me, Brenda, you aren’t strong enough to endure what he is going through right now."

"What? Will…is
alive
?"

"Now, let's not lose focus, darling. That ship has sailed. You need to drop off that old bat, Sara, and go help Maggie and Silas. You need to do the right thing. After all, this whole mess is
your
fault. Everyone who dies because of that
thing
, their deaths are your fault just as surely as if you had beaten them to death with a concrete block, like you did me."

"Leave me alone! You were the one who tricked me, asshole!"

"We are both guilty, but your sin is the greater. You knew what was in the jar and you let Zack go after it anyway. Until you do the right thing, we are going to spend every waking moment together. Now, won't that be fun?"

"Oh my God, I am losing my mind!"

"Brenda, honey, who are you talking to?"

Brenda looked around to find Sara looking at her over a huge sack of snacks.

Brenda turned back to find her father gone.

"I, uh…never mind, Sara, let's just go."

***

John Beck smashed a glass of single malt whiskey into a wall.

"The witch is dead?" screamed Beck. "That is utterly impossible!"

"It's true, sir," said Dana. "No sign of Maggie or her accomplice."

"Accomplice?"

"Yes, it seems that our men are poor shots. Zack Cole is alive. His truck was found, along with his fingerprints."

"Isn't that just wonderful!" he yelled. "Do the police have them?"

"Well, no. They brought a Hummer with them and drove off the side of the ridge. I am afraid they got away."

Dana pulled the phone away from her ear as Beck began a long string of fresh obscenities.

"Dana, I want you to offer a one-hundred and fifty-thousand dollar reward for Mr. Cole's capture. That should pin them down."

"Yes, sir, it will be done. Sir, what about the Collamarr?"

"It's at Mrs. Anderson's house. Couldn't be safer if it was in Fort Knox. Don't worry about the vessel. I want Cole and his smart-ass bitch dead! Do you hear me?"

"Yes, sir. What about the video she claimed to have had?"

"It was a lie, Dana, dear. Even if it was real, John Beck is dead and beyond the law's grasp."

"Yes, sir."

29

Maggie woke up suddenly; for a moment she wasn't sure where she was.

The cabin…in Gatlinburg. Now I remember.

Wiping the sweat from her brow, she lay back in the bed and stared at the ceiling fan.

She heard the muffled sounds of a TV through her bedroom door. Maggie rolled from the bed, slipped on her watch and opened the door.

Descending the creaking stairs, she found the TV remote and pushed the power button.

"Did I wake you?" called out Silas.

"Where are you?"

"Back here, in the bathroom," he said.

Rubbing her eyes, Maggie walked through the bedroom and found a shirtless Silas preparing to shave. Shuffling past him, she closed the toilet lid and sat down.

"Sorry about the noise; TV is amazing, isn't it? I never dreamed of such a thing in my day. Heck, I thought radio was the end all, be all."

"Trust me, Ghost Boy, the fascination rubs off fast."

"I don't see how that is possible," he said, beaming like a kid with a new toy. "I found the TV very interesting; one channel had a program about World War II, followed by one on the Korean War. I'm glad we won."

"I forgot that you died before the war."

"Sara told me that my boy, Howard, was killed in Korea."

"Sorry," Maggie said.

"Why is there a big bathtub out on the porch?" he asked. "The thing's big enough to float a cow! Get this, Maggie; it was already filled with hot water. Now, I don't know much about the ways of 2009, but I ain't stripping down and taking a bath out in the open like that. It ain't decent!"

Maggie threw her head back and laughed.

"Ghost Boy, it's not a bathtub, it's a hot tub. You wear a bathing suit and soak. It has water jets that make you feel real good and relaxed. We'll check it out before we leave."

"Oh. Now I do feel stupid," he said. "I don't have a bathing suit."

"That's OK, Ghost Boy, if it will make you feel better, I won't wear one either," she said with a lecherous smile.

Silas gave her a narrow gaze.

"Maggie Black, behave yourself!"

"Where is the fun in that?"

Shaking his head, Silas removed a razor and a can of shaving cream from a plastic bag. Filling the sink with hot water, he leaned over and wet his face.

"Aren't you going back to bed?" he asked shaking the can.

"I like watching men shave."

"Not many, I hope," he said.

"Wouldn't you like to know?"

Silas took a washcloth and wiped the steamed up mirror.

"You know, Maggie, Zack is a good looking boy."

"I would say he's smoking hot," she said with a smile.

"I take it that is a good thing?"

"Oh yeah. Very good."

Silas showed his teeth in the mirror, "Just look at those pearly whites. He has teeth better than a movie star."

"Nowadays, dental hygiene is very important."

"Would you look at his body?" Silas threw up his arms and flexed his biceps.

"If I looked this good back in '40, I would be playing Tarzan instead of Weissmuller."

"You Tarzan, me Jane," said Maggie.

Silas looked at her and shook his head no.

"What's the matter, am I not pretty enough?"