The Skinwalker Conspiracies - 02

by Jim Bernheimer

  “Don’t screw with me, Skinwalker.”

  “Oh, we’ve already done that, Mike. Not interested in doing it again.”

  I’ll admit that one threw me. “What?”

  “Oh come on! Do you honestly think it was always you and that dingbat, Heather?”

  I felt a little repulsed and was reduced to monosyllable questions, “Why?”

  “If you’ve teamed up with Oswald, you already know the answer.”

  “The Governor,” I said as my suspicions crystallized into a rather ugly picture.

  With a sarcastic grin and fingers drumming on the tabletop, she continued, “You deserve a cookie, Mike. That means you also know what body he’s in.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Good, I’m glad we can skip all the emo-melodrama. The Governor was keeping tabs on you. When you enlisted, he sent me to see if you had any powers or potential. Frankly, you didn’t seem special at all, but he wanted me to stick around and keep an eye on you. So, I settled in and started grooming dear old Donnie. Such a waste. He had such potential.”

  “Yeah, dear old Donnie … too bad he tried to kill me. Well that covers the good old days. So you work for De Soto?”

  “More often than not, yes. But not always by choice. The question is what are you planning to do about the most powerful Skinwalker I’ve ever met?”

  “First, I need to know if there’s anything left of my dad worth saving.” It was the million dollar question.

  “I’m pretty sure there is. There have been a couple of times that I’ve been around David Michaels that he’s acted differently.”

  “Should’ve seen the name change thing coming. If that’s the case, do you think my dad is a willing participant?”

  “Well, De Soto surrounds himself with beautiful women, lots of money, drives expensive cars, and goes to all the best parties. Draw your own conclusions. So knowing that, are you still going to try and eliminate Hernando?”

  “Does he know that I’ve become a Ferryman?” I answered her question with another. I’d just warmed up to the notion that Dad wasn’t a complete dick for abandoning our family when I was nine. Did Dad have any say in the matter?

  “That topic hasn’t come up in conversation, but since you’re in the area, I’m sure he’ll hear about it soon enough.”

  I exhaled a long breath. “Marvelous. I’m guessing he’ll come after me.”

  “Count on it. Your dad is over the hill and out of shape. You seem to be taking good care of yourself, and are in your early twenties. I’m sure De Soto would love to trade in on a newer model of Ross.”

  “A Skinwalker in Jersey tried that. It didn’t end well for him.”

  She clucked her tongue. “Yes, I’ve seen firsthand what happens when someone who isn’t prepared attempts to possess a Ferryman. But De Soto is not some little Mafioso with delusions of grandeur. Even with Oswald, you will need luck to beat him.”

  “Why is that? What exactly can De Soto do?” Oswald was never very certain about what this Governor character was capable of.

  “He can be outside of a body and still have a piece of him inside controlling it. He can somehow split himself off into separate parts.”

  “What?” I almost asked how that was possible, but stopped myself. Things had progressed to the point where I couldn’t rule out anything in the world of the paranormal.

  “The original Skinwalkers in this part of the world were Indian shamans. All those legends about spirit guides, they were ghosts possessing animals. Possessing humans was supposed to be a taboo. De Soto learned their secrets and then wiped most of them out. He can control a pack of wild dogs, or a murder of crows, and still be inside a human host. That is how he can stay so powerful. That’s why it’ll be nearly impossible to surprise him.”

  “How does that work?” This was sounding much worse than I imagined.

  “He can store his extra power inside animals so that he is able to Skinwalk without burning up a host, but he can control the animals. If he leaves the body, he can summon all that power back to him. He’s only vulnerable for a few seconds and then you’re facing a ghost every bit as powerful as William … perhaps even more.”

  My suspicious nature kicked in. “Aren’t you just a fountain of information all of the sudden? Tell me why I should believe you?”

  “He’s the most powerful spirit in these parts. My existence would be much easier without him around.”

  “So, you want the Governor out of the way. Typical. The only problem being out in front is you’re always watching your back. I guess that’s what you wanted William for.”

  “Clever deduction, Mike. William had enough power and guile to have a good chance of pulling it off. You and Oswald combined have more power, but lack the necessary cunning. If you’re going to destroy him, you’re going to need my help.”

  “You’re delusional if you think I’m going to trust you,” I said.

  She smiled. It wasn’t the face that launched a thousand ships, more like the one that launched a thousand schemes. “Mike, I will tell you this one truth about me. It’s the only thing you’ll ever need to know. I will always do what is best for me. As long as working with you is that, I won’t turn on you. Can you say that much about, Oswald?”

  At that point, I came to the conclusion that Virginia Poe hated me. “Gather allies,” she said. A few more allies like this and I would be stabbed in the back before I ever ran into De Soto.

  “Alright Cassandra, we work together. Don’t make me regret this.”

  “Do you have a pen and something to write on?”

  “Here.” I handed her a pen and a pad of sticky notes.

  “The number of a body I use in Phoenix. Give me twenty-four hours before you call it.”

  “All I need is the Governor’s address,” I said.

  “I’ll give that up along with everything else I know when we meet up there. Call it an insurance policy, Ross. I’d use this body, but she is booked here for the rest of the week. I’ll leave her here and catch up with you. This deal is between you and me. Keep Oswald away from me and out of it! I’m not coming within spitting distance of him.”

  I shook my head and said, “Is that all she is to you, a body?”

  “This one? Don’t waste any time feeling bad on her account. She spent two years lying to her middle class parents about being in medical school and bleeding them dry, while supporting her nose candy habit. The closest she’s ever going to get to medicine is dressing up in a nurse’s costume. I like them pretty and pathetic. Would you be surprised to know that Sonya’s family was rich?”

  Shrugging, I brushed it off. Cassandra didn’t need to know I’d been in contact with her former host, who had seen enough to want to turn her life around. Maybe I’d become jaded to the point where I knew there was an endless supply of people for Cassandra to use.

  “I’ll get Oswald out of town. If I don’t, you might be the only ghost left by tomorrow night.”

  “See to that,” she said, giving me the impression that the local spirits meant less to her than her host bodies. “I’m due back on shift. If you want to hang around, I’ll throw in a freebie for old time’s sake.”

  I stood. “No thanks, that part about you possessing Heather is more than enough to turn my stomach. See you in Phoenix, Cassandra.”

  When I stepped outside, Oswald drifted over to me. “Do you have what we need? Can I deal with the Skinwalker now?”

  “No, we’re meeting up with her in Phoenix. She’s going to help us get rid of De Soto.”

  His face contorted and he said, “We don’t need the likes of her! You can’t possibly trust her.”

  “I trust her to do what is best for her. Right now that means teaming up with us.”

  Lee Harvey Oswald started past me toward the strip club. “I don’t deal with any damn Skinwalker.”

  I grabbed him, spun out of the way of his punch, and stepped inside his guard while sweeping his leg out from under him. This dumped the ex-Marine ont
o the broken asphalt and gravel. Already, the energy was starting to build up around him and the neon sign out in front of the place flickered.

  “Don’t be an idiot! She’s already told me how he stays so powerful. I’m betting she knows more of his secrets. Do you want De Soto or do you want to spend the rest of your existence wiping out random spirits? How many people die every single day? You’ll never wipe them all out!”

  My argument penetrated the fog of craziness and seemed to reach him, for the moment. “I’m getting sick and tired of you telling me what we’re doing.”

  “I’m right and you know it,” I answered and offered my hand to the unstable specter. He took it and I hauled him to his feet.

  “We leave for Phoenix in the morning. Stay out of trouble until then and more importantly,” and I couldn’t believe I was about to say this, “stay away from Cassandra.”

  Heading back to the Caddy and ignoring the looks of the guys getting out of a nearby car, I reckoned my life had turned into a bad paranormal remake of The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. Which part did Mike Ross play? I didn’t know for sure.

  Episode 23: The Wrong Impressions

  “You’re staying there? That’s a dump, Ross! Have a little class. I wouldn’t be caught dead in that part of town.”

  It was hard to follow the thick accent of Cassandra’s current body, a Latina named Isabella. The hotel wasn’t that bad, and it was near enough to the Cadillac dealership. Pastor Duncan’s ride finally gave out and we were towed the last ten miles into Phoenix. I told the techs there was something wrong with the electrical system. Thankfully it was under warranty.

  “That’s a laugh coming from someone who spends her nights in strip clubs. So what wonderful establishment are we meeting at? Let’s make it someplace semi-public.”

  She agreed and gave me the time and the name of a gym. I responded, “I suppose it’s different than the usual strip club.”

  “Not all my bodies are strippers,” she said with a scolding tone. “This one is a personal trainer and the club is an exclusive one. Try not to look like a vagrant. Check in at the front desk and say you’re one of my clients.”

  “That’ll work,” I said and hung up on her.

  “What did she say?” Silas asked.

  I stared at the bus schedule in my hand and was already plotting how to get from point A to point B. If Pastor Duncan had been here the dealership might have given us a loaner. The two of us were flat out of luck. Back to public transportation for me.

  “We’re meeting at a fancy gym around two. Amos and I are going early to make certain it isn’t an ambush.”

  “I should come too,” Oswald stated and I could feel the temperature in the room dip. If I lived long enough to retire in Florida or this part of the country, I needed to bring a powerful ghost with me. It would save on air conditioning bills something fierce.

  “You’re the reason she’s not coming here,” I answered. “Eckels wants De Soto out of the way as much as we all do. She’s going to drive me by his neighborhood so I can get a good look at the place. Then, I’m coming back here with the address and we’ll look for the area on the internet and see if there are any satellite pictures of the neighborhood, so we can plan our attack.”

  Oswald, as usual, didn’t look pleased. I tried to throw him a bone, “Keep your eye on the real prize, Lee. We’re this close to the Governor. This is what you’ve been waiting for.”

  It mollified him. Or at least he acted like it did. Divining the truth out of an insane person was beyond the single class I’d taken in Abnormal Psychology. Either way, I didn’t have time to sit around and debate the issue more, not if I wanted to be early for my physical trainer appointment. I said a quick goodbye to Silas and left with Amos.

  It was a good thing that I arrived early. There were waiver forms to fill out and a whole bunch of other useless paperwork waiting for me. I also got to listen to the sales spiel from the overly perky, but attractive, female trying to get me to sign up for a longer package than the trial membership. In the Army, I’d tolerated all the mundane sheets of paper; it seemed like nothing could actually be done without it.

  Adjusting back to civilian life, my so-called tolerance vanished. Under my breath, I told Amos to go check out the grounds, while I started scribbling away on the clipboard. The gym was nice with flat panel televisions all over the walls, racquetball courts, and all the other trappings of places I couldn’t afford. The gyms when I’d been a grunt were pretty well equipped, but heavily used. Between paydays, also known as the times I was broke, I’d spent much of my time in the gym or hanging out with Donnie Hodges or other workout warriors.

  After I finished filling out the forms, Felicia started me on a tour of the facility, which seemed like it was taking way too long. I caught her checking her watch on two occasions and a casual glance at the wall clock showed it was twenty after two. I got that feeling that I was being stood up when a second female approached.

  “Felicia, is this Isa’s new client?”

  “Yes,” the sales girl responded.

  The newcomer was about five foot nine, with straight reddish brown hair pulled into a pony tail. “She’s running late with some car trouble, but wanted me to assure Mr. Ross that she is on her way. Isa asked if I wouldn’t mind filling in until she gets here.”

  “He’s all yours, Karla. If you have any questions about membership here, Mr. Ross, please stop by my desk.”

  I nodded, but couldn’t take my eyes off the trainer. It wasn’t just because she was hot either. There was something … no, it couldn’t be. “Karla Thompson?”

  The woman tipped her head to one side and said, “I’m sorry, do I know you from somewhere?”

  She looked much better than the last time I’d seen her, months ago. Under the command of Roger Taney, Strong Vincent and some rather nasty ghosts held her hostage in a hunting cabin in Pennsylvania, terrorizing her because she was Darren Porter’s girlfriend. I guess she didn’t recognize her knight in shining armor. Of course, on that day I was wearing a heavy jacket with a hood obscuring most of my face and she’d been driven to near insanity – all minor points.

  I weighed my options and the best I could come up with was, “Um, your parent’s cabin and the ghosts.”

  Her hazel eyes practically bulged out of their sockets. “What are you doing here? Are you stalking me? Get the hell out of here before I call the cops!”

  In a perfect world, she’d be thanking me for saving her life, we’d have a laugh, and maybe something from the juice bar. Unfortunately, I lived in my world and I got crap like this … all the damn time. “Hey, I’m here meeting Isabella. I didn’t even know you were here!”

  She wasn’t really listening. Our unlikely reunion didn’t exactly bring out the best in Darren Porter’s girlfriend. Unless a shrill scream at the top of her lungs actually was her best. In that case, Darren might actually be glad he’s dead.

  With all the eyes in the gym on us, I couldn’t really do much other than stand there while she went completely spastic on me. When she started whacking me with the clipboard, I blocked it and smacked it out of her hand, but she pressed with the strength only the deranged possessed, pushing at me and trying to generally inflict personal injury on my body.

  After a couple of fingernail wounds to my forearms, I caught her wrists and held her while she continued her foaming at the mouth breakdown. The crazy broad spat on me!

  A minute or so passed before some of the staff members came over and I let her go. She tried to come at me again, but this time they restrained her.

  Felicia was much less pleasant this time. “What the hell did you do?”

  “Nothing,” I said over Karla’s shouts of, “Get him out of here!”

  “I think you should leave, Mr. Ross,” she commanded.

  “I’m supposed to meet Isabella,” I answered, pointing a finger at Karla. “She attacked me. What kind of place are you running here?”

  “Do you want me to call the cops
?”

  “Fine, suit yourself,” I said and snatched up my gym bag. Fuming, I walked out, chucking my temporary member pass on the front desk while being flanked by a pair of staff members. I could have easily stood my ground and even pressed charges against Karla, but if De Soto had any people in the police department, it wouldn’t be worth the risk of showing up in their system.

  Amos rose out of the ground and followed me over to a nearby bench. “Mike, I got the impression that the lady doesn’t like you that much.”

  I pulled out the Silas Parker’s phone and acted like I was talking into it. “Tell me about it!”