Evil in Hockley

by William Buckel

  Joe yelled out again,

  “What about my men?”

  Marie answered,

  “They’ll come to in five minutes or so.”

  Harry invited Marie to his house but she declined.

  “I have to get back to the French Quarter.”

  Sandy and Karma bid her goodbye.

  “Till next Mardi Gras,” said Sandy.

  “Yah, mom, see you then,” said Karma.

  “I’ll follow you back. I need a place till I get on my feet again,” said Lenea.

  “You’re welcome anytime sweetie,” said Marie.

  Pierre took Marie to their limo and they left.

  Harry, Sandy, and Karma drove home then spent the night rehashing the days events. Mostly, what were they going to do about Dave?

  Chapter 40

  The following two days Harry spent at his lawyer’s making final arrangements regarding his estate. He signed papers and tied up loose ends regarding Jarrod’s affairs. He bought a prepaid funeral for himself and wrote down his final requests. He wanted to be cremated, his ashes spread to the four winds, his spirit let loose to the heavens, not buried in some hole in the ground.

  He went home that night and pondered the question of Dave Harper. He couldn’t kill the man. There had been enough of that already. Sandy saw his dilemma and tried to cheer him up but it didn’t work. Was all he’d done for nothing? He had the murderer yet couldn’t find any way to bring about a final end.

  Iris called the following morning and told Harry that Dave hadn’t come home the previous night. She thought he was out drinking so didn’t search until early this morning. She found him in his shop. He’d killed himself with a huge overdose of Heroine. A police pathologist and a medical examiner had come to the conclusion quickly. The syringe was on a bench and remnants of the powder were in a plastic bag. Harry offered his condolences then hung up. He wondered if Joe had rid himself of a problem or possibly Dave had been overwhelmed with guilt after Harry’s visit. Either way it was finished.

  He would never be certain but at this point he didn’t care. Two people he loved, Sandy and Karma, would live a normal life.

  That night Harry made love to Sandy and held her for hours.

  “What’s wrong Harry?”

  “I have to go back tomorrow.”

  “Oh no, rest for a few days.”

  “No can do. I have to go.”

  The following morning after breakfast Harry said,

  “Sandy, I’ve signed my house over to you. Take care of it. I’ve also left some money in a bank account for you.”

  “Oh no, Harry. It’s too much.”

  “It’s already done. You just need to go in and sign the papers. All you need is in a brown envelope on my desk.”

  “I’ll keep it for you until you get back.”

  “Yah, thanks Sandy.”

  Harry packed a duffel bag and threw it in his car. Sandy was all over him when he was about to leave. Karma was there as well. She gave him a hug and said,

  “Goodbye Harry Tanner. I have enjoyed your company.”

  Harry’s heart was breaking he had to get out before Sandy saw the tears in his eyes. Karma held Sandy as Harry got into his car. Sandy was crying and so was Karma.

  Harry turned over the big motor and threw the Cuda into gear then burned rubber heading north on Airport Road.

  Due drops on the leaves shone like diamonds in the light of the morning sun. The fading moon glowed behind transparent clouds. A slight breeze wafted through the trees. A distant weather vane creaked in response to the motion of the wind. A deer bounded thoughtlessly across the road then disappeared into the cedar bush.

  Forests lined both sides of the winding road for its twelve mile length. In most places it was dense cedar bush so thick it was impenetrable. It was a scenic section of land that attracted tourists on weekends. To the dismay of cottagers and year round residents living along the road it also attracted bikers. The loud ones that barked and drowned out every other sound in the valley. The locals called it Thunder Alley.

  It was just another lazy uneventful day in the valley for Amos Tucker. He stretched and yawned then thought about cutting the grass before the old lady gave him another chore. Betty was the only stain in his almost perfect retirement scheme.

  Not a cloud in the sky he was shaken by an abrupt clap of thunder. It looked to Amos like a heat distortion forming above the road. Then another thunder clap accompanied by a lightning bolt. A Hemi Cuda burned its way to the distortion from Airport Road roaring like an angry beast then disappeared exactly opposite to what Amos had seen weeks before. He knew it was Harry Tanner and he was out of sight as quickly as he’d earlier appeared. Another lightning bolt and a clap of thunder then the distortion disappeared.

  He’d never tell anyone what he’d seen… They’d all think him crazy. As a matter of fact he didn’t believe it himself. Something must have played a trick on his eyes or the scotch he’d had last night was tainted.

  Amos eyed the grass and decided it would last another day or two. He would drive to the coffee shop and visit with friends. He had something to tell everyone in any case. Harry Tanner had left town.

  Sandy went through Harry’s desk while Karma mixed them both a rum and cola. She came upon an envelope addressed to Jarrod Tanner. It read,

  “As the only relative of record we need to inform you that Harry Tanner was killed on June 5 of this year. He was on personal leave and homebound when his jeep was attacked by terrorists. He was hit with shrapnel from a hand grenade and killed instantly. Please advise us where the body should be sent. We have it in deep freeze in Sudbury. The address and phone numbers are listed below.”

  Sandy cried,

  “This can’t be right.”

  Karma rushed into the room.

  Sandy went through the other papers and found some regarding a prearranged funeral made out by Harry two days ago.

  Sandy repeated,

  “This can’t be right.”

  Karma scanned the papers then said,

  “He’s dead sweetie. He died on the way home to bury Jarrod.”

  “No, you saw him. He’s alive.”

  They were both in tears.

  “No Sandy. That’s why no one could kill him. He was already dead.”

  “How did you know?”

  “I didn’t. Mother did. Why do you think she let him in with Shelley? I saw the look in mother’s eyes and the way she treated him.”

  “This can’t be right, Karma.”

  “That’s why he got caught in my hawk spell. His spirit is up there with the hawks.”

  Sandy called the number in Sudbury and was told they still had the body in their morgue. She and Karma drove non stop and were there by six that evening. They showed ID and Harry’s papers.

  A mist rose off the body when they displayed Harry’s remains. Sandy was crushed and her legs gave out. Karma pulled her to a chair.

  The following day she made arrangements to have the body picked up and transported to the funeral home in Orangeville. Harry was cremated a few days later. Sandy and Karma carried the urn to the hill behind Harry’s house and scattered the ashes to the four winds. A hawk circled above and screeched as the ashes ascended the heavens.

  No one can ignore the Lord’s call but sometimes one can be a little late and He won’t mind.

  THE END.

  Afterwards

  I can think of no other city more fascinating and attractive in North America than New Orleans and above all the French Quarter which is huge consisting of 78 square blocks. The east side borders on the Mississippi River so River Boats can be seen and tours booked.

  Mardi Gras day is on “Fat Tuesday,” before Ash Wednesday. It was on March 4 in 2014 and will be held on February 17 in 2015 and February 9 in 2016. The Mardi Gras Festival however starts on January 6 and runs through the summer one year until July 27.

  Bourbon Street in the French Quarter has a host of bar rooms and entertainment mostly Ja
zz based. There is no end to cuisine from Creole to Cajun cooking. Tourist sites are too numerous to mention, hosting architecture on par with sights seen in European cities. I believe the entire French Quarter is a tourist site and a must to be seen.

  I’ve included a short history of this fascinating city for those wanting to understand what makes it so unique.

  New Orleans was settled by French explorers, fur trappers, and traders who arrived in the early 1690’s. It was officially founded and named by the French in 1718 as Nouvelle-Orleans. In 1722 it was made the capital of French Louisiana.

  After a British victory over France in 1763 and a complicated agreement between Britain, France, and Spain, New Orleans was given to Spain. This is significant mainly because the original city was destroyed by fire and hurricanes after 1788 and rebuilt by the Spanish in the early 1800’s.

  Although called The French Quarter the architecture is of Spanish design. The wooden buildings were replaced by brick multi-storied structures, had large doorways and windows decorated with wrought iron. The entire city, being designated as a historical site, was never torn down and rebuilt like other American cities. The original structures built in the early 1800’s still remain intact today preserved by loyal residents.

  In 1800 Spain gave Louisiana back to France. In 1803 Napoleon sold Louisiana to the U.S. in the Louisiana Purchase. Due to the shift in power and immigration from different countries over the years New Orleans residents consist of numerous cultures.

  Louisiana Creole people are descended from French, Spanish, and African settlers. The Creole language is a dialect consisting of French and African with a little native American thrown in. There are an estimated two million Creole people living mostly in Louisiana.

  Cajuns are an ethnic group living mostly in the state of Louisiana and are descendants of French Acadian settlers exiled from Acadia, now the Maritimes. There are less than a million living in Louisiana today. They are known throughout North America for their cuisine, Cajun cooking.

  Voodoo was brought to Louisiana from Africa and Haiti. Enslaved Africans brought with them their cultural practices, languages and religious beliefs. They had knowledge of herbs to heal and poisons to kill their enemies. After the abolition of slavery the African culture did not die out but thrived under the French Creole culture.

  Voodoo Queens presided over ceremonial meetings, sold or traded charms and magical powders guaranteed to heal ailments. They also administrated charms and amulets that would grant desires or destroy one’s enemies.

  Marie Catherine Leveau was a Louisiana practitioner of Voodoo renowned in New Orleans and known throughout Louisiana. She was born around the beginning of the 1800’s. Her daughter was also named Marie Leveau which causes some confusion as to who did what in the mid 1800’s. It was believed the mother was more powerful and the daughter hosted events such as the St. John’s Eve ritual. Twelve thousand spectators stood on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain to watch Marie Leveau II perform legendary rites on St. John’s Eve.

  One might wonder how the mother and daughter could influence the multiracial cultures of the times. She gave people reason to believe in her at a time when little else was available to relieve suffering from injury or disease. She gave potions and cast spells to heal the sick. She could also grant wishes. One must remember there was no lottery at the time.

  Marie Catherine Leveau reigned as the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans until her death in 1881. Some reported seeing her after her supposed demise. Numerous songs have been written about Marie one called “Witch Queen of New Orleans,” and another “Marie La Veau.” Several movies have also been made using the name Marie Leveau or Queen Marie.

  Nowadays Voodoo attracts many tourists to the French Quarter and is and industry selling charms and amulets. Today there are many Voodoo Queens in New Orleans and twice as many Voodoo priestesses. None has a carved in stone following as did Marie Leveau.

  North of New Orleans lay the bayou which is typically a wetland surrounding river and streams that flow into the Mississippi. A diverse animal population lives in this area including alligators and some crocodiles. Bayou tours are available on Airboats otherwise known as Swamp Gliders. There are also larger flat bottom boats that traverse larger rivers and lakes. Scenery in this area is unique especially in areas hosting the majestic cypress trees. Growths can be so dense that trees and vines appear to form a wall.

  More About Other Books

  by William Buckel

  “All about Ivy,” is a paranormal thriller. Ivy is in an asylum and her husband Jason is dying of cancer. All three of their children have an IQ over 200 which defies all known odds. No one in the family knows they’re being watched by the Research Company that created the technology hidden in a fertility drug used by Ivy to create her three genius children. The youngest boy, Mickey, knows there’s something wrong. He hacks computers aided by an expert CyberWolf and his girlfriend Firefly. It’s a complicated web of intrigue that only Ivy’s gifted children can unravel.

  “Magdelana,” is a paranormal thriller. Sara DeAngelo is a doctor turned private investigator who takes a case involving an abduction. Archaeology Professor Marty Rockwell has apparently kidnapped Jessie Cross, a student, and taken her across the Mexican border. Sara follows them to Rockwell’s dig, an old church, hit by lightning 500 years ago. Before her eyes, during a storm, Sara watches Jessie transform into the Mayan woman, Magdelana who died in the church when it was destroyed. Sara has problems dealing with the change yet can find no other explanation. She follows as Magdelana searches for a lost city and her final destiny.

  The Jackie Star Collection consists of 6 books: Baja Nights, Star Investigations, A Star File, Dangerous Blondes, Final Closure, and The Border. Jackie is an investigator facing daily challenges, her life a mess since childhood. If you like Indiana Jones adventures you might like Jackie. There’s little room for emotions in her life as she fights for family, friends, and clients. She’s a vigilante and won’t think twice about killing a rogue politician or company CEO. It isn’t until the sixth book that we find out how screwed up a person she really is. She has a split personality, hers, and her dead mother’s, Angel Star, a stripper and prostitute who overdosed on cocaine. Jackie is the loving trusting person but when trouble comes then so does Angel to bail her out.

  The Tyhton Trilogy consists of three tales: The Enchantress of Tyhton, Tales of Tyhton and The Dragon Lord of Tyhton. These are fantasies played out at a time when Wizards, Sorceresses, Elves, Dwarves and Witches roamed the earth. It is a tale of fantasy castles, knights, dragons, and princesses. Sixteen year old Jensen Taggart has no idea she’s gifted let alone the only Enchantress on earth. She is the only person capable of defeating the wizard, Kamahl, who is attempting to unleash creatures from the underworld on mankind. During the course of the trilogy she grows into the role. In the first book she begins as a naïve girl but by book three she has both aged and developed into the deadliest adversary anyone could possibly have.

  “A Viking Tale,” isn’t the traditional blood and guts tale one expects associated with this subject. The theme of the story is based on slavery. When is a slave not a slave? When a slave becomes the master. It is an epic tale of two generations of Vikings. It begins when Wolf a Swedish King captures a tax wagon laden with gold and abducts Abigail Links, a sixteen year old, living in a village on the south English coast. Abby never assumes her role as a slave and uses Wolf’s love for her to bend his will. The tax master, Lord Sandow, swears revenge and follows Wolf to his home in Sweden. Oddly enough although Wolf stole gold and abducted a woman it was his only raid as King of his lands. He was a peaceful sort thinking more about the welfare of his people than monetary gains. He also claimed he’d never take slaves yet made one exception when he abducted Abby. He fell in love at first sight and couldn’t leave without her. The tale starts at the beginning of the first Century 1000 AD and ends with the death of William the Conqueror 1087.

  “The Ghosts of Kara Keep,” is an epi
c story of three generations living in a castle set into Hadrian’s Wall in northern Britain. It is a tale that starts prior to the first century 1000 AD then ends around 1080 AD. These were violent years in Britain when Saxons and Vikings fought for the English throne. Ironically neither was able to keep it as William the Conqueror brought a French army to England and claimed the throne. That started hundreds of years of conflict between the English and the French over ownership of Britain. The story focuses on three generations of women at Kara Keep as they fought to preserve family values during difficult times. Arranged marriages is the theme of the story: merely the idea of having a life of your own choosing and not that of the King. William the Conqueror’s harrying of the north also brought about the destruction of castles and brought an end to many old British families. This story does not have a happy ending but hope for the future of a lone survivor.

  “Long Ago in China,” is a romance adventure story set in the ninth dynasty of China. I attempted to write an epic story but found it difficult so was satisfied with a novel length tale. I did more research on this tale than any other I’ve written. An author needs the ability to relate to his characters which is complicated when the culture of the subjects are so different in the east compared to the European culture. After finishing I liked the story but it does have a western flavour that shines through. It’s like a Zena Warrior Princess tale if you like that type of story.

  “The Last Avro Arrow,” is a fiction story about the ill fated Canadian aircraft “The Avro Arrow,” Although well ahead of other aircraft of the day all were destroyed by a Conservative government in the late 1950’s. This fiction story is about one lone survivor of the cutting torch, one plane that was stored in a hangar in northern Ontario. It is also a love story about Harry, a test pilot, and Meg his girlfriend. Basically terrorists attack Ottawa and Harry and Meg save the day using the Avro Arrow.