They drove for two hours in a jeep then parked at a marina. The swamp glider was deafening so Harry put on a set of earplugs, the larger kind that looked like earphones, to dull the noise. The four foot airplane prop behind him sucked every fly and mosquito in his direction. Two hours or so later they arrived at a dock and not far away was a cabin. Harry bent low to wash the bugs off his face when Gasbon grabbed him and pulled him back.
“I wouldn’t do that if I was you. At least one gator lives under this boat dock.”
“Thanks Gasbon.”
Harry walked up and down the dock scanning his surroundings for sometime while Gasbon tied off the airboat. Harry brought only a duffel bag and in it was a change of clothes and his Beretta. He stuck the gun in his waistband and looked to Gasbon.
“That’s not good enough,” said the guide.
He handed Harry a rifle, a .308 with a scope.
“It has a range of a couple of hundred yards but around here that’s farther than you can see in any direction.”
Gasbon fired up a propane stove and set a pot of water on it.
“No alcohol in this neck of the woods. You fall in the water drunk at night and the gators will have you in minutes. Ever see gators fight over fresh meat?”
“Any crocodiles around here?”
“No, too far north. It’s too cold for them. They like the heat of the south Florida swamps. The occasional one comes by now and then. Who knows why? Maybe somebody’s pet. It got too big so they tossed it in the swamp.”
“Where are we now exactly?”
“Southern Louisiana. This small river’s a tributary for the Mississippi. It has several names but in Creole it’s called ‘The Sull.’ Bayou means small river so really all the small rivers have the same name, Bayou.”
“How do we stand with the locals?”
“I know most but be aware, some can be bought. I may get word of someone coming but chances are we’ll have to take care of ourselves. We’ll take turns watching after tonight. No way word can get out fast enough for anyone to arrive before tomorrow at the very earliest.”
Gasbon walked about the cabin searching through cabinets and eying all corners.
“What’s up?” asked Harry.
Gasbon pointed at a corner then said,
“There are three poisonous spiders in Louisiana: the brown recluse, the black widow, and the brown widow. That web and the spider hiding in the corner is a brown widow. I always check because they like to come inside and build a web near a window to trap flies.”
Gasbon took a broomstick an squashed the spider then destroyed the web.
He said,
“Non poisonous spiders won’t bother you but the poison ones are like hornets. They’ll come after you if they think you’re a threat. They know they have venom.”
Harry was beginning to regret his decision to come here for a showdown with the Baxter brothers. There were more dangers in the environment than he thought.
“Any snakes that might pay us a visit?”
“On land there’s the Copperhead, Coral and Rattlesnake. They usually don’t like it this close to water but you never know. The only poisonous water snake in the States is the Cottonmouth Water Moccasin. It’s also a pit viper like the Copperhead and the Rattler but it’s closer to or in water. It’s aggressive and will not only defend itself but attack an intruder. It’s dark with a light belly and a white mouth. If you see one coming your way back away quick. They’re three to four feet long and fast. The suckers have been known to bite through boot leather.”
“I’ll bear all that in mind while I’m trying to fall asleep tonight.”
“Snakes don’t like people any more than people like snakes. They tend to want a cool wet place to sleep and hunt. There’s a crawl space under the cabin floor even I wouldn’t enter. Snakes keep it rodent free and the small ones eat roaches as well. In the bayou snakes are a fact of life. You learn to live with them.”
Chapter 31
Darkness set in quickly, a little too fast for Harry’s liking. He packed the Beretta under his pillow and tried to fall asleep. Between thinking about gators, spiders, snakes, and the Baxter brothers he had trouble finding sleep. He had no idea how or when he drifted off but Gasbon shook him awake well after sunrise.
“Time to start watching. I’ll show you what to look for.”
They went outside and stood on the dock.
“Where we came in is the only entryway for a swamp glider. It’s not a matter of needing water. Mine can glide across high grass but there’s too many obstructions, mainly trees in any other direction. There’s a foot path to the north and it joins to another coming up from the south, near the waterway. Now they might come using a shallow water boat.”
“I’ve seen them.”
“Then you know they’re bigger and can be rigged like a small fortress. If one comes this way, hell bent for leather, then head for the northern path. There’s cover in the cypress forest and swamps. It’s overgrown with vines and all manner of hanging vegetation.”
“Where will you be?”
“Somewhere safe.”
“Good, I don’t want you in the line of fire. It’s my fight.”
“How the hell did you ever get in so deep?”
“It’s a long story and you wouldn’t believe it if I told you.”
“Whenever Guy Reso is involved I can believe anything.”
That set off alarm bells for Harry. Would Pierre have mentioned Reso? There was no need to. Only the Baxter brothers mattered and there was little time for deep discussion on the subject. Gasbon also asked how Harry had got in so deep. If the subject of Reso came up with Pierre then Gasbon would have had some background.
Harry took the first four hour watch and Gasbon the second. It was early evening on Gasbon’s watch when Harry heard an engine sound. He was in the cabin and funny thing his guide didn’t come in to warn him. He drew his Beretta and walked toward the door. He peeked around the corner. The dock was empty. That sun-of-a-bitch Gasbon had set him up. He looked north and it all of a sudden dawned on him there was no north path.
He could see the swamp glider in the distance so went in and grabbed his .308. He sighted the airboat then lowered the rifle. It was one given him by Gasbon. He pulled back the ejector and a shell popped out. He picked it off the dock and noticed the scraped shell casing and bullet lead. They were duds, the gun powder had been removed.
He dropped the rifle then pulled his Beretta, pulled out the clip, and ejected the bullet in the chamber. The clip was empty and so was the chamber. Before Harry took the gun out of his duffel bag Gasbon must have emptied it. Harry was too light a sleeper for the guide to have taken it from under his pillow.
As the airboat neared Gasbon came from behind the cabin.
“You figured it out too late my friend.”
He was holding a rifle. Harry felt like the biggest idiot in the world. Gasbon had kept him so occupied with details and stories of the bayou that Harry hadn’t taken a good look at the man. He should have been totally aware when Gasbon mentioned Reso that morning.
Why hadn’t Gasbon shot him while he slept? Several possibilities for that: he might not succeed, he may not have the ability to kill, he wasn’t being paid enough, and there was always a possibility of being caught. The last possibility of course was that they would bring Harry in alive for a torture session.
There were three people on the swamp glider, the guide and the two Baxter brothers.
Harry was a goner.
He was alligator food.
Harry turned toward Gasbon and searched for a way to rush the man but the guide kept his distance. He heard the swamp glider slow and knew it was close. He didn’t take his eyes of Gasbon because the only chance of escape was in his direction. He heard a shot and waited for the pain to set in. Instead the left side of Gasbon’s head disappeared. He turned to the airboat.
Sitting in the driver’s seat was Lenea.
She was wearing jeans and a jac
ket. Her curly hair was tied into a pony tail and she wore a baseball cap with the shield backward. She looked like a guy at a distance.
Two men were tied to seats at the rear.
They appeared to be lifeless.
The swamp glider slowly drifted to the dock.
“Hello Harry. You have trust issues. You don’t trust me but you trusted him. Shame on you.”
She tied the boat to the dock.
“I didn’t know you could shoot,” said Harry.
“Not well.”
“You hit that guy in the head at fifty feet from a moving boat. I’d say that’s more than fair.”
“I was aiming at his chest.”
“Oh, a pistol usually pulls up.”
“It did something alright. Help me get his body on board,” she said.
“Why not just throw them all to the gators.”
“Harry, you’re not paying attention. We need Reso to know they’re dead. Now help me. There’s two seats left. Just the right number. Come on and help me so we can get back before dark.”
Lenea dropped Harry off at a marina then left to deliver the bodies to Reso. She was going to let the boat drift in to his personal marina and disappear. That didn’t surprise him in the least.
Harry called a cab and was home well after dark. Sandy ran to kiss him then suddenly stopped.
“You face is full of bugs. Like a car windshield. Go wash.”
Harry had a bath, he grabbed some leftovers from the fridge, then poured himself a double bourbon. The others had gone to bed so he sat in the living room and joined Sandy who was reading a fashion magazine, patiently waiting.
“So how was your bayou adventure?”
He was hoping she wouldn’t ask but really knew the question was inevitable.
“It was educational, fun, exciting… You know, a guy thing.”
“Ah, ha. You like bugs in the face.”
“The airboat is totally open. You would have had to have been there.”
“Maybe next time.”
Harry finished his drink then they both went to bed.
The following morning after breakfast Harry started to pack.
He’d called Pierre and he showed while Harry was loading the sedan. Harry told him about Gasbon. Pierre apologized.
“The lure of huge payoffs is a bit much for some to pass up,” said Pierre.
He apologized again then bid Harry a safe journey.
Harry’s cell rang so he answered.
“Guess how much you’re worth now Harry?”
“Hello Lenea. Why don’t you tell me?”
“After Reso heard about the bodies I left. Oh, hope you don’t mind but I pinned a note on one. It said, ‘Compliments of the intended victim.’”
There was a silence as though she was waiting for an answer or a hurrah.
“Go on.”
“Reso matched Joe’s bounty and you’re now worth four hundred thousand. What do you think?”
“I’m speechless.”
“You’re being sarcastic again. You never thanked me for saving your butt.”
“Thank you with all my heart.”
“You’re welcome. Well I have to run. I need to head north same as you. Meet you there.”
She hung up.
Sometimes Lenea sounded like a child or a dumb broad but Harry knew that deep inside lurked a cold calculating woman with a heart of glass.
The idea was to pack and be on the road after lunch but women are women and the good byes stretched out through the day and into the night. They slept in Marie’s house another night then started again the following morning. It was almost evening before they hit the road.
Chapter 32
The road north gave Harry lots of time to contemplate his next move. Besides searching for a mysterious woman Jarrod had been seeing that no one else knew about, there was nothing else he could think of. And what about the drugs Jarrod was buying? Harry knew Jarrod’s thoughts on drugs so there wasn’t one chance in a million he was using. Joe Sharky’s comment, “Not that fucking Jarrod again,” could have come about for any number of reason’s. Jarrod wouldn’t have had much respect for Joe and maybe he mocked him in some way.
Harry wanted to get Joe alone so bad… But that wasn’t about to happen. Joe kept himself surrounded by members of his staff and was never alone nowadays.
Why did Joe have Shelley silenced by John Dean and Lenea? She knew little to nothing or maybe she did? Some small detail that Joe was afraid she would share. Maybe someone she saw. After all Joe had her at his house more than he did any of the other girls. There would be a million small details Shelley would have to analyze before she came to the right conclusion. Harry didn’t want to put Shelley through another question and answer session: she had enough challenges in her life.
Then it hit him like a hard slap across the face. He dialled Lenea’s number. At least the last number she’d used. She answered,
“What do want Harry, I’m on the freeway.”
“Then pullover and call me back.”
Five minutes later his cell buzzed.
He reached over the seat and held Shelley’s hand. Lenea said,
“Okay shoot.”
“Who’s idea was it to blind Shelley?”
He felt Shelley stiffen. Karma reached for her as well and gave Harry a grim look.
Lenea said,
“Joe wanted her permanently blinded if nothing else. John shoved the pencils in while Joe watched. I gave her a drug and spelled her to kill the pain.”
There was a pause then she said,
“Not one of my better days. There were things I did when I was with John that I’m not proud of. Okay.”
“Yah, that’s all I need.”
She hung up.
“It was something or someone you saw Shelley. Joe had you blinded. He could have had you killed but it was the kind of symbolic act Joe would have perpetrated on someone who irritated him. You must have been in the wrong place at the wrong time. You saw someone he never wanted you to identify. And I’m sorry because I brought it on you. What happened to you and Tony happened because I stuck my nose in his business. I’m truly sorry for the pain I caused you.”
Shelley’s lips quivered but she managed,
“You couldn’t have known.”
“When we get home you’re going straight into the hospital and we’ll see if we can’t get your sight back.”
Shelley sniffled then said,
“You three are the best… No, the only friends I’ve ever had. You three saved my life. You went all the way to New Orleans to do that. I know you wanted information but Karma told me you’d have settled for nothing as long as I pulled through. Thank you Harry. Joe’s the thug: not you.”
There was a silence then she continued,
“I honestly don’t know what I saw. I’ve been over and over it all a thousand times in the last few days but I don’t know Harry. I just don’t know.”
“Hey, it’s okay. Forget about it. If it comes so be it. Give it a rest, Shelley.”
Karma quickly changed the subject and said,
“Shelley, you know what I can’t get used to about Canada. Your system of weights and measure. I mean on my Ontario driver’s license they have my height in centimetres and my weight in kilograms. I buy a magazine and they use feet for height and pounds for weight. Which is it?”
“Both Karma. Magazines are usually American so they use feet and inches and pounds for weight. If a Canadian wrote a diet book he’d have to use both systems. Like my dad says he buys lumber in feet and dental floss in metres. You have to get used to it.”
Karma said,
“You also spell words different like eye colour with an ‘ou’ rather than just an o. There’s a lot of words like that. You’d think that two countries sharing the same border could get together on the little things like language and how much something weighs.”
Sandy added,
“It’s worse in Europe where some countries are b
ordered by half a dozen others with different languages.”
Karma then said,
“Another thing I noticed is that half the year there’s construction everywhere. It’s like you have two seasons, winter and construction season.”
Shelley added,
“Have you ever noticed when they pave a road they tear it up again in some places. They redo the traffic lights or put in an underground water main. You’d think they could do all that before they paved it.”
Harry started to laugh. The survival instincts of women: The way they band together in times of despair and their relentless quest for humour in bad times was something men lacked. He regretted bringing up the subject of Shelley’s blindness even though it brought forth another small clue. It wasn’t worth it. Was any of it worthwhile? The amount of death he’d inadvertently brought about with his unrelenting probe into his brother’s demise. It wouldn’t bring him back. He’d think about dropping the issue and return to the Middle East and finish his tour of duty. Would Joe Sharky drop the issue as well and leave these women alone. He doubted it. Once Harry was out of the way he’d wreak havoc on all three women. He was a sadist and if nothing else Harry would have to kill him even at the cost of his own life.
Chapter 33
Sandy and Harry spelled each other until the long road home ended and his house was in sight. He unlocked the door and started checking the house. Karma was at his heels.
“What are you looking for Harry?”
“Trying to determine if anyone has been here. Maybe Joe set traps or poisoned the water.”
“No ones been here Harry.”
“How do you know?”
“I set up wards. Like invisible threads and none have been broken.”
“You can do that?”
“Yes, Harry, I can. Trust me it’s as we left it. Joe wants you, not your house. If he wanted it blown he’d hire a guy who could use a rocket launcher.”
Evil in Hockley Page 12
