Evil in Hockley

by William Buckel

“After what you said do you think I’d let you do this alone, for me?”

  She broke free, shook her head, and stroked his cheek. What a friend. He had no idea what or who he was dealing with.

  It was totally unexpected as both Harry and Karma were tossed into the alley like a pair of dolls. Karma saw the face of John Dean, eyes non blinking and a cold icy stare. He grabbed Harry and slammed him into a wall then proceeded to choke the life out of him. Karma realized immediately that he was what the movie makers called a Zombie. Not quite as invincible as they made out on the late night shows but difficult to kill. She used the same spell on John as she did on Tony. As she chanted she could feel it was being blocked.

  Lenea.

  Karma searched the alley for her sister to no avail. She physically pulled on John’s left arm and using all her bodyweight yanked it free of Harry’s throat. Harry’s punches did little to the semi dead John Dean so he wrestled John to the ground. Karma searched the alley for a weapon and found a split board. Harry was on top of John but losing ground as the stronger zombie lifted him.

  Karma shoved the sharp end of the board into John Dean’s chest then put all her weight on the blunt end. Harry pushed on the board as well then all of a sudden a last sigh escaped from John. It was the way one killed a vampire. A little overkill for this situation but kill it did.

  From a rooftop ten stories or so high a voice echoed through the alley.

  “I’ll kill you sister.”

  Harry was breathing like a freight train.

  “Is that it? Or do we have to kill him again?”

  Karma answered,

  “I believe it’s the end of John Dean. The idea was for John to kill you and Lenea would keep me busy. I didn’t get sucked into playing mind games with her. She didn’t expect that.”

  Karma looked high at the rooftops then added,

  “That’s how I’ll beat her. Never play her game.”

  “I’ve seen her Karma and you never want to wrestle her either. She outweighs you by thirty pounds, all muscle.”

  “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

  “You’re welcome. Let’s get out of here.”

  Chapter 22

  The following morning Karma and Harry walked Shelley toward the house of Marie Bastille. Sandy shadowed them at a respectable distance. There were few onlookers but those who were there, stared. Shelley’s skin was greying rapidly and it was difficult for her to walk. With her eyes and hands bandaged she looked like a trauma case for TV paramedics.

  “Here goes nothing,” said Karma.

  She knocked on the door and waited, and waited.

  “Once mom has made up her mind, there’s no changing it,” said Karma.

  She knocked again and again.

  Finally the door swung open and Marie stared daggers at Karma.

  “Be on your way and don’t come back.”

  Karma’s heart sank but then she noticed her mother had frozen like a statue and stared at Harry. Minutes seemed to pass as Marie locked eyes with him. She backed out of the door and said,

  “Come in young man.”

  After he entered she looked at Karma and said,

  “Well don’t just stand there, come in and bring your friend.”

  Karma guided Shelley into the living room and sat her on the couch.

  “I didn’t mean that one. The one across the street,” said Marie.

  Karma waved for Sandy to join them.

  Marie pointed to a chair and offered Harry a seat. There was silence for a moment as Marie glared at Harry. She acted as though she’d never seen a man before.

  Harry finally spoke,

  “We were wondering if you could help Shelley.”

  Marie walked to Shelley and unwrapped the bandages on her eyes then the ones on her hands. She examined the wounds then said,

  “Lenea did this?”

  “Her and John Dean,” said Karma.

  There was silence as Marie took a closer look at Shelley’s eyes.

  “She’ll never see again. This is John’s work. Lenea supplied the spell that kept her alive. Made her a zombie.”

  Karma said,

  “John Dean won’t do anyone any more harm. Not unless Lenea can bring him back after we shoved a spiked one by four through his heart last night.”

  Marie looked alarmed then shrugged and continued examining Shelley. While working she said,

  “John was your older brother Karma.”

  “What? I killed my brother?”

  “He was never much good that boy. Just like his father,” said Marie.

  “You know what mom? I didn’t have to make enemies in my life: seems I was born with them.”

  “Sibling rivalry, dear,” said Marie.

  “Sibling rivalry? I shoved a pointed board through my brother’s heart and you call it rivalry.”

  “Hush now. I’ll tell you what happened. It was my fault. I fell for the reverend Jimmy Dean when I was fourteen. He used me and John was the result. Your grandmother killed Jimmy for what he did. We’re Catholics so an abortion was out of the question.

  “I married Jules Bastille. Jules gave John to his brother Ramone and his wife to raise. Jules wanted nothing to do with another man’s son. Then you were born. Jules and Ramone’s wife died four years later in a car accident. He was taking her to the hospital for X-rays. I married Ramone and wound up with John in my house. Seems I couldn’t get rid of that boy. You left some years afterwards. Then John Dean ran into trouble with the law and I threw him out. Lenea went with him. That was the last I saw of either one. Then you showed up on my doorstep and here we are.”

  There was silence while Marie stared at Shelley.

  “I’m going to make a brew. I can help her but it will take time.”

  Marie left for the kitchen and Karma followed.

  “Mom, Lenea threatened to kill me last night after we killed John. I don’t want to fight her. One of use will die.”

  “You may have no choice. I taught her more than I taught you. Your gift is closer to a witch’s. I honestly didn’t know how to train you. Lenea is a born Voodoo priestess.”

  Marie mixed herbs in a pot adding leaves and bones that hung on a wall. She retrieved a brown liquid from a cupboard and added that as well.

  “Boiled cow urine,” she said.

  She sprinkled in a little yellow powder.

  “Dried ear wax from a pig,” she said.

  “Mom, you’re joking right?”

  Marie gave her a look but didn’t answer.

  She put the mixture on the stove to boil.

  She added more bones.

  “The bones of a fox.”

  She added another bone that appeared to be from a human finger.

  “Jimmy Dean’s middle finger. He had the nerve to give mother the finger when she told him she didn’t approve of his conduct. You know after he impregnated me. Mother could be vicious where family was concerned.”

  Marie stirred the brew.

  Karma watched as she tasted some from the spoon.

  “Eew.”

  Karma almost lost her breakfast.

  Marie could see her reaction and said,

  “If you do upchuck a meal do it in the pot. It could use a little more fibre.”

  Karma ran to the washroom, hand over mouth. She could hear Marie chuckle as she fled the kitchen.

  Karma sat in the living room while Marie spoon fed broth to Shelley. It was a laborious process: it was obvious the woman didn’t want the brew.

  “You know what they say; you are what you eat,” said Marie.

  Then added,

  “And sometimes it’s not what you’re eating but what’s eating you.”

  She gave Karma a knowing glance.

  “You know what Lenea did to her don’t you?”

  “No mom, other than a spell.”

  “The spell was a mere formality. She gave this woman a brew that is slowly embalming her. Her blood is turning to vinegar. The drug deadens the nerves as
well so she couldn’t feel pain. Your spells interfered with the process but didn’t stop it. You do have talent in a different way than Lenea and I. We couldn’t have done what you did.”

  On the second day of being spoon fed Shelley, Marie chanted in the woman’s ear. Colour came back to Shelley’s skin and she started to rock back and forth. Finally she pushed the spoon away and said a single word.

  “No.”

  “She’ll be all right,” said Marie.

  Chapter 23

  Days earlier Lenea was in a car not far away watching John Dean kick the crap out of Harry Tanner. It happened so quickly she didn’t have time to respond. Tanner pulled a gun from under his car and shot John to death.

  Lenea was able to spell Tanner because she had something very special of his. Before John had met with Tanner the first time she and John had found his mother’s grave. In the dead of night she had three of Joe Sharky’s men dig up her remains. She retrieved only the skull then they covered the grave again. No one would be any the wiser.

  Lenea held the skull and chanted into the boney mouth then kissed it. Not because she had to but because she could feel the rush of power when she defiled another person’s dead kin. Tanner went out like a light. She grabbed his Beretta and pulled the trigger but the gun jammed.

  Lucky bastard.

  She would have found another way to kill Tanner but time was of the essence with regards to giving John a second life. It would be an artificial one but she wouldn’t completely lose him. Life was for the living after all and if the dead could help then so be it.

  On hindsight she realized she should have taken an extra minute to cut Tanner’s throat. But then hindsight is one hundred percent accurate. One can’t dwell on the past.

  Lenea, Joe Sharky, and John, or what was left of him, flew to New Orleans to deal with Tanner. She watched her mother’s house knowing that’s where they would go. She saw Karma leave her mother’s house where she met Tanner. She and John had a mind to mind connection so she sent John a message to attack Tanner.

  That night in the alley she didn’t take the skull thinking that John would easily kill Tanner. She would keep her sister busy but the bitch surprised her. She shoved a split board into John’s chest. She wouldn’t have had the strength to shove it into his heart but Tanner did. John’s heart was crushed and it would in no way pump blood through his system. Not even with her drugs and a spells.

  Her plan was simple: next match she would, through the use of the skull, make Tanner kill Karma. It would be the perfect ending for big sis. Then she would take Tanner’s life.

  Joe Sharky was a whiner. She stood beside him as he cried on his uncle’s shoulder. Sal Bejenco ran all the dock workers unions, three of them. He had his hand in every illegal operation in New Orleans all the way to Baton Rouge. He was untouchable owning politicians and police officials. People who stood in his way somehow disappeared. Lenea had respect for Sal but not an ounce for Joe.

  “They killed Bobby for no reason at all,” cried Joe.

  “So you’re here because you can’t handle two broads and a guy?”

  “Uncle Sal, this guy’s lucky as shit and hard as hell to pin down. I need help. Just this once.”

  Sal eyed Lenea then said,

  “So what’s your part in this deal?”

  “To kill Tanner like I’ve been paid to do.”

  Sal laughed.

  “Then why’s he still walking?”

  Lenea didn’t answer.

  “I asked a question, bitch. Answer me.”

  “Like Joe said, he’s lucky. And he has help.”

  Sal Bejenco sat rubbing his chin then said,

  “All right. I’ll have a couple of the boys rub him out. Just let me know where they’re staying and I’ll take care of it. This one time, Joe.”

  “Thanks, Uncle Sal.”

  Lenea wasn’t so sure about the certainty of the hit. The targets were at her mother’s house and Marie was not someone you fucked with. Not even the mob. People that messed with her somehow wound up in her broth. She’d keep that to herself for now. Not because she loved mom, the woman that threw her and John out on the street. The reason was simple: the harder the kill the more money she’d be offered to make the problem go away.

  Lenea sat in the rear seat as two hit-men, Matt and Kevin drove toward the French Quarter. She was there to point out the targets. Joe was dining with Sal. It would all go down tonight, one way or another.

  Chapter 24

  Everyone’s eyes were on Shelley as she explored her skin, her hair, and clothes as though she’d never known them before. Her skin was almost white but still had an unhealthy tone to it.

  Marie said,

  “She’s healing inside out. The skin is the last to change.”

  Harry was getting impatient.

  “Can you understand me Shelley?”

  Her yes were bandaged again but her face turned in his direction. There was a hint of what may have been intended as a nod.

  Marie spoke,

  “Harry, I can feel your frustration and know the urgency of the answer you seek. Shelley will speak when she’s ready. If you prod her she may only be confused and retreat deep inside herself. If you want to do something go out and get us all some ice cream. Butterscotch I think.”

  At that Shelley straightened and the hint of a smile tugged at the edge of her lips.

  Harry and Sandy left the house and walked along the street.

  Sandy said,

  “Now I know what it feels like to be a fifth wheel.”

  “Not much we can do Sandy. That’s why we came here to turn Shelley’s healing over to Marie.”

  “Yah, I know, but…”

  Harry eyed Sandy who was preoccupied.

  “Four, six, two.”

  “What’s up girl?”

  “The plate of the car that just passed. Last three digits. It went by the house when we came out the door. Now its passing us again. Two guys and a woman in the back seat. None of them looking directly at me but I felt as though I was being watched.”

  “Good girl. You’re no fifth wheel. We’re going to separate for a little bit but we’ll stay on parallel paths. Let’s see what they do. The idea is for me to get to your car and get my Beretta.”

  “You brought it? A hell of a risk at the border or if we got pulled over and searched.”

  “Better than having to stand against hit men with a Swiss army knife. Joe has connections here, remember? Got you cell?”

  “Yup, I’ll keep in touch.”

  “Okay girl, take this alley to the left and I’ll take the next.”

  Harry and Sandy were separated as they moved toward her sedan. He could see a woman in the distance but it was too far to make out if it was Sandy or not. Harry’s cell phone rang.

  “Sandy, what’s up?”

  “Why Harry you know my name’s not Sandy. It’s Lenea.”

  “How did you…”

  “Oh Harry don’t ask. Go pick up your gun. It’s still under the spare. I haven’t tampered with it.”

  “What’s the reason for this call?”

  “To remind you I’m still here and we have a date. Being the woman I’ll pick the time and place. Bye for now and stay alert. I want you all to myself.”

  She hung up.

  Harry couldn’t see the figure in the distance. He was only a few feet away from the sedan so he popped the trunk, moved the spare, and retrieved his Beretta. He stuck it in his belt and covered it with his loose blazer. He then searched for Sandy who should have made her way to the parking lot by now.

  He found her crumpled in a heap a few feet inside the alley. His heart skipped a few beats as he ran to her. She was alive and beginning to stir when he reached her.

  “You okay Sandy?”

  She held her head in both hands. Harry checked but there was no visible trauma.

  “I’m all right but I’ve got a killer headache. I was walking toward the end of the alley, then bingo. It felt like a
lightning strike in the back of the head.”

  Harry helped her to her feet and held her tight. Sandy’s cell was on the ground not two feet away. It would have Harry on speed dial. It wasn’t magic or some cosmic method of communicating. Lenea had commandeered Sandy’s cell. The woman must have been close when they split.

  Harry walked Sandy back to the house, dropped her off, then went out for ice cream. He wasn’t worried about Lenea with both Marie and Karma in the house.

  Shelley had a visible smile on her face when Marie spooned ice cream into her mouth. When some dropped in her lap she giggled like a little girl. She was coming around.

  Harry waited for Marie to finish then said,

  “I want to thank you for helping Shelley, no matter how it turns out. If she can’t remember anything then so be it. She’s alive.”

  Marie didn’t answer only stared. The woman knew there was more and waited.

  “Lenea called and told me to stay alert. That she wanted me all to herself.”

  Sandy cut in,

  “The two goons in the sedan. They’re coming. And maybe more.”

  Marie said,

  “She warned you. There’s more to her game. She wants personal revenge for killing John Dean.”

  That evening Harry broke down his Beretta to make certain it was still functional. Lenea knew where it was but true to her word she hadn’t tampered with it. He was reassembling it when he noticed Marie stiffen. She gave him a knowing look then eyed the front door. It was dark outside and unusually quiet. He heard a pop and through the curtains could see the streetlight near the house went out.

  Harry sat at the dining room table facing the doors and windows. He finished reassembling his gun then snapped in the clip and chambered a round.

  As he did the front door blew open and two men entered, guns drawn. Harry fired two shots striking his attackers in the head. He fired two more into their throats as they sank to the floor.

  His cell rang.

  “I’m impressed.”

  It was Lenea.

  “It’s what I do for a living.”

  “We play the same game, you and I, Harry. Can’t wait to dance with you.”