Tonton

by Billy Kring

  “That sounds great, say about eleven? I get a rental car this morning to replace my old one, so I can meet you there.”

  “Perfect.”

  They hung up, and Ariel felt her mood begin to lighten. The rental company dropped off her rental, a red Ford Focus, at ten. She sipped coffee and ate a piece of toast as she waited until it was time to leave, then changed to a green sundress and white sandals. She checked herself in the mirror, and then left her house.

  Flanigan’s wasn’t busy when she went inside, and Pansy hadn’t yet arrived. She ordered ice tea and sipped it while she waited. Pansy and Denson arrived five minutes later and sat across from her. They ordered from the menu and when the server left, Pansy reached across the table and took Ariel’s hand, “So, what is it that’s troubling you, girl?”

  Ariel said, “I been seein’ some troubling things lately, and bad things are in my thoughts.”

  Pansy said, “It is because of what you do, girl. There’s bound to be dark thinkings that people have, and you read them, you feel them. It will affect you, because you have a good heart.”

  Denson said, “All the people like you, and they bring problems and troubles because you can help. They do not bring happy thoughts.” He reached across and patted Ariel’s hand, letting his hand linger.

  Ariel felt a prickle of unease. She removed her hand and looked at the tall Haitian, who smiled at her and put his arm around Pansy’s shoulders. He said, “We bring happy thoughts to you.”

  Pansy beamed at Denson, so touched that he put his arm around her. She seemed to forget Ariel was there. Ariel said, “I saw something I wasn’t meant to see. A ceremony, a petro vodou ceremony.”

  Pansy and Denson gave Ariel their full attention. Pansy said, “Where? When?”

  “A few nights ago, near the Little River. I ran away when they were about to sacrifice a white woman with red hair.”

  Pansy covered her mouth with her fingers, “Do not tell me of it. You need to cleanse yourself of those things.”

  Ariel said, “I know, and I will.” She rubbed her temples with her fingers, “Yesterday, I saw the same woman’s head in a pot of boiling water. I can’t stop seeing it.”

  Denson said, “You need help. There may be very bad people after you because of what you saw. Those rituals are not to be witnessed by those outside the group holding it.”

  “I told the police detectives and my Border Patrol friends, so they know.”

  Denson said, “So they know everything.”

  Ariel said, “Not everything. I did not tell them about the men dressed as Tonton Macoute. I do not know why, but I did not. I am sure, though, that I know who some of them are. Especially the two Bokors, and the Houngan. Some of the people in the crowd, too. They are all involved in the woman’s death. And all involved with the Tonton Macoute.”

  Denson said, “That can’t be. They are in the past, not the present.”

  Ariel looked at Denson, then Pansy. “They are here, now. Operating in secret groups, meeting in hidden places.”

  Pansy said, “We should talk of happier things.” She patted Ariel’s hand and leaned against Denson’s shoulder, “Right, my beautiful girl?”

  Ariel smiled, “Right.”

  Their food arrived, so everyone stopped talking and ate, and each one busy with their own thoughts. When they finished and the plates were taken away, Denson said, “I’ll be back.” He smiled at Pansy, “Bathroom time.”

  Pansy watched him walk away, then said to Ariel, “He stays close to me now. Thank you.”

  “I’m happy for you.”

  “It is funny, though. He asks a lot about you.”

  “Me?”

  “Like, where you are, who are you with, have I seen you lately, things such as that.”?

  “I can’t imagine why.”

  “Doesn’t bother me, since I know you wouldn’t go out with him.”

  “You’re right, I wouldn’t. We are friends.”

  Denson returned and said, “Are we ready to go? I paid the bill.”

  Ariel said, “Thank you.” As they walked outside, Ariel stopped them and hugged Pansy, “I parked on the other side. I will see you tomorrow. Thank you both.”

  As she turned to leave, “Denson said, “Why don’t you go with us? We’re going to make a day of it, go window-shopping, then a movie. It will be fun.”

  Pansy’s eyebrows lifted, “You didn’t tell me we were going out.”

  He pulled her to him, “I wanted to surprise my lady. Both ladies. Ariel, you’re coming, too.”

  “Thank you, but no.” She started walking, and Denson grabbed her arm, not hard, but firmly.

  He said, “Come with us.” He smiled, but she knew it was forced. She felt a thread of unease crawl up her spine like a thin-legged spider.

  Ariel eased her arm from his grip, “I have things to do; maybe another time.”

  Pansy touched Denson’s arm, “Denson, don’t be pushy.”

  He smiled, “You’re right. We were having such a good time together this morning, I wanted it to continue for us. But I understand.” He hugged Pansy to him, “Pansy girl, it will be you and me having the whole day, then. Goodbye, Ariel.”

  There was something going on there, Ariel thought. Denson hid his intentions behind the smiles and the invitation. She could feel it. Strongly. She said, “Have fun. Pansy, I will call you later.” Ariel left, hurrying a little to her car. When she drove away, she glanced in the rear view mirror and saw Denson and Pansy still standing in the parking lot, talking.

  Pansy said to Denson, “I know Ariel is beautiful, and I’m not the thin girl I used to be, but you paying so much attention to her, it makes me sad, Denson.”

  “I’m sorry. I will make it up to you, starting today.” A nice white van pulled through the parking lot and slowed to a stop beside them. The side door opened, and Denson said, “I invited some friends to go with us.” He motioned to the darkened interior. “Inside.”

  Pansy was nervous, but she was with the man she loved. Pansy stepped up, then into the van. Several men were visible in the dimness. Denson pushed her gently to go further inside, then he entered and closed the sliding van door behind them. Pansy moved to the rear seat and sat facing forward. Denson sat beside her. Her heart fluttered like a rabbit’s.

  The three men wore dark sunglasses, and all of them faced her in their swivel captain’s chairs. The tallest man, sitting closest to the front, made Pansy think of a dark statue. He said to Denson, “Where is the other one?”

  Denson’s voice had the tiniest bit of nervousness in it, “She wouldn’t come. I tried.”

  “You disappoint me.”

  Pansy said to Denson, “I want to go, I need to go home. Let’s leave here.”

  The van pulled out of the lot and proceeded down the road. The tall man motioned Denson away from Pansy, then he left his captain’s chair and moved so he was on his knees in front of Pansy. She noticed he wore black leather gloves. He smiled at her. Pansy felt so frightened she could hardly breathe.

  Pansy said, “I–,” The tall man raised his clenched right fist, opened it and blew across the palm into Pansy’s face. A small puff of white powder hit her, going into her open mouth. She gasped, inhaling more of it. She glanced at Denson as a tear ran down her cheek, then she shuddered and slid out of the chair to the van floor and didn’t move.

  Denson said, “Is she dead?”

  Ringo Bazin turned to him and said, “No. Strip her. She will be less apt to run when she wakes if she has no clothing. We will take her to her house.”

  One of the men said, “Do you want us to get the sòsyè?”

  “No, she is mine.” He removed his gloves and put them in a Ziploc bag, then watched Denson remove Pansy’s clothes.

  He told Denson, “Take the woman’s phone and keep it until I contact you.

  Ringo prodded Pansy with his shoe, but she did not stir. He said to the driver, “Drop me at Churchill’s.” The driver turned toward Little Haiti as Ring
o made his plans for capturing the witch.

  ~*~

  Ariel didn’t go home, but drove aimlessly through the coastal towns, barely recognizing which one she was in at any time. She was distressed about things, and especially about Denson’s actions today. It was as if he was a puppet and someone unseen, in the dark behind him, controlled his words and actions. That’s what she felt. He was a puppet.

  But who was behind him? That part she couldn’t make out. The traffic light turned red and Ariel was so preoccupied with her thoughts she almost ran it, stopping at the last second with a screech of tires and cross traffic cars honking at her. She sat at the light, hands on the wheel at ten and two. She said, “So what now?”

  As if in response, an airplane flew across her vision trailing a long banner. It read: Free Outdoor Concert – Sawgrass Mills Mall in Sunrise – East Parking Lot.

  She said, “Yes.” When the light changed, she turned west and drove to intersect the road leading to Sunrise, Florida and the Sawgrass Mills Mall.

  The crowd was large, but not too much for the parking lot. A local band played on the stage, and popcorn and hot dog stands were busy, as were the bands’ tee shirt sellers at their own pop-up tables. Ariel wandered the fringes, enjoying the tunes and the above average abilities of the bands. When she grew tired of the music, she went inside the huge mall and wandered the halls looking at merchandise, and occasionally going inside a store to browse further on something she saw and liked.

  It was getting dark when her phone rang. She looked at the caller ID and saw it was Pansy. “Hey, Pansy.”

  Denson’s voice sounded panicky as he said, “Ariel, you have to come quick!”

  Ariel stopped walking, “Put Pansy on the phone.”

  Denson hesitated, then said, “I can’t.”

  “Put her on.”

  “I can’t.” His breath shuddered and Ariel heard it.

  She said, “What is wrong. Tell me and I’ll come.”

  “Don’t call the police. Please.”

  “I am far to the north of you, in Sunrise. The police can get there faster.”

  Denson said, “They jumped us, men I know. They want money, and they will kill us if we call the police. They knocked Pansy out, and she hasn’t come to.”

  “My god, Denson, I have no money! Are you insane?”

  He sounded like he was crying, “I…they are men I have done business with, and I haven’t paid them back for a loan.”

  “Is this drugs? Drug money?”

  “Yes, I borrowed money and bought some drugs to sell.”

  Ariel walked toward the Mall exit doors, “Did you sell them?”

  “Yes.”

  “So you had the money to pay them.”

  “Yes, but I didn’t.”

  “Why?”

  “I wanted to roll the money over, buy even more and then sell that. I would be rich then.”

  Ariel pushed open the doors and walked fast toward the area where her car was parked. She was so mad… “Do you have the money now?”

  “Yes, but I buried it. They won’t let me go get it, and Pansy is looking bad, Ariel, really bad. I need your help.”

  Ariel said, “Tell me where it is buried, and text me where I need to take it.”

  Denson told her where it was buried, then hesitated a few seconds and told her he would text the address, and for her to hurry and bring the money. He sounded like he was reading from a script.

  “All right. Tell them to treat Pansy, because I am coming with the money. If they don’t, I will hide the money and they will never see it.”

  “But if you don’t bring it, they–.”

  Ariel was hot. “I don’t care what they will do to you. I care about Pansy. Tell them, and tell them I am coming.” She hung up her phone and trotted to her little Ford.

  Denson took Pansy’s phone from his ear and looked at the two men guarding him. “She’s coming with the money. To the address you gave me.”

  One of the men pulled his phone and called. Ringo answered, “Yes.”

  The man said, “She’s coming, with Denson’s money.”

  Ringo said, “Stay with them. I will bring the witch later tonight.”

  “And the money you promised?”

  “And the money.” Ringo hung up and smiled. If someone saw him smile, they would think he was a kind man thinking pleasant thoughts. That was not why Ringo Bazin was smiling. His thoughts were the color of blood.

  Chapter 8

  Hunter and Andre were walking to their vehicle when Andre’s phone rang. He answered it, “Benton.” He listened for a minute, then said, “Okay. On our way.”

  Hunter asked, “Where to?”

  “The U.S. Attorney’s office. There’ve been some developments in Jean Claude’s case.”

  Hunter said, “I wonder what those could be.”

  Andre opened the car door as he said, “Maybe he decided to plead guilty.”

  Hunter grinned and said in a terrible imitation of Clint Eastwood doing Dirty Harry, “Go ahead, make my day.”

  Andre laughed and said, “Don’t quit your day job.”

  They parked a block away and walked to the office on North Miami Avenue. Security had their names on the list and ushered them through, with one actually going up in the elevator with them.

  When Hunter stepped out of the elevator, she said, “Have they ever done that for you before?”

  “Sure haven’t. This is either very good or very bad.”

  One of the Justice Department Attorneys they recognized opened a door to the meeting room and ushered them inside. John and Randall were already seated. The guard closed the door behind him and pointed at two chairs at the upper end of the long, oval table, next to the two Pembroke Pines Detectives. The U.S. Attorney sat at the head of the table beside their chairs. He motioned for them to sit.

  Hunter looked around the rest of the room. Every chair had someone in it, and she could see through the frosted glass of an adjacent door that a number of other people were in that room, too.

  Jean Claude Villard and his attorney, Jack Woodson, sat on the opposite side of the table across from Hunter and Andre. Woodson nodded at them. Villard smiled.

  When Hunter and Andre took their seats, the U.S. Attorney said, “A number of things have come to light in this case, and we are going to address them here, rather than at court. Such a process is rare, but not unprecedented.”

  Hunter checked the Justice attorneys. None of them looked happy. She pointed at Jean Claude and said, “Whatever he’s claiming now is a lie. He’s guilty.”

  The U. S. Attorney said, “There will be time enough to hear you out, Agent Kincaid. As for now, I’m turning this meeting over to the Justice Attorney, Kenneth Grant. Mr. Grant, you may proceed.”

  The U.S. Attorney left the room, and Grant took his vacated seat. He said, “A number of witnesses have come forth voluntarily to say that Mr. Villard is innocent, and to tell what they witnessed.”

  Hunter couldn’t keep her mouth shut, “What witnesses? Did he materialize them out of thin air? Come on, guys.”

  Grant said, “They were passengers on the ship Mr. Villard captained.”

  “Then they will say he’s guilty as sin.”

  Villard’s attorney, Woodson, said, “Agent Kincaid, if you will be patient enough to let this run its course, I believe you might think differently. Things are often different from the way they first appear. This is no court, but we can use court-like procedures as needed to get to the truth here. Your Justice Attorneys are in agreement on this matter.”

  Hunter looked at the Justice employees, shook her head slowly like she couldn’t believe it, and then leaned back in her chair. “Go ahead. This should be good.” John fist-bumped her.

  Woodson addressed one of the attorneys nearest the door to the other room, “Would you ask them to come in together? We can swear them in all at once, saving us time.”

  Hunter started to say something and Andre nudged her. He said, “Let it go.�
�

  Her lips pressed tight together, but she gave him a little nod, and sat in silence.

  The Haitians, forty women, lined against the wall as another Haitian, employed by Woodson, directed them in Creole. At a signal from the translator, all of them raised their hands in the air, and said together, “M ‘fè.” I do.

  Hunter whispered to Andre, “I guess there were invisible bibles under their hands, too.”

  Randall looked at Hunter and gave her a thumbs-up. “So it’s legit, I can see that. ‘Merica.”

  Andre stifled a grin and said under his breath, “You two quit it.”

  The Justice Attorney in charge, Kenneth Grant, heard them, too. He gave Hunter a look, and then said, “Return the witnesses to the waiting room.” When they were all inside, Grant said, “Proceed, Mr. Woodson.”

  Woodson had the translator bring one woman from the room. The translator talked to her in Creole, then said to Woodson, “She speaks English.”

  Woodson said, “Excellent. We will do this in English.” He pointed at Jean Claude and said, “Is Mr. Villard a bad man?”

  The woman’s eyes showed a lot of white and she shook like she had the chills. She looked at Villard, then the others in the room. She said, “No. He is a good man. He saved us.”

  Hunter snorted. Kenneth Grant frowned at her, then said to Woodson, “Proceed.”

  Woodson asked, “How did he save you?”

  “He ran the ship aground so we could escape. The men smuggling us did not want that. They wanted to kill him, but he escaped. I believe they wanted to kill us all.”

  Hunter leaned toward Grant and whispered, “Aren’t you going to object or something? Maybe ask questions to catch her in a lie?”

  Grant whispered back, “This is not a court. I’ll question them if I feel the need.”

  Hunter sat back again, and Andre said to her, “I can see steam coming off your head.” Hunter nodded.

  Woodson continued the questions. “Let’s go back to the first. Did you wish to come to the United States?”

  “Yes. We all wanted to come.”