The Devil To Pay (Hennessey.)

by Marnie Perry

  When all six winners of the raffle had sung Bob came back onto the stage and said, ‘there’s seems to be one singer missing, folks.’

  Adela was smiling up at the stage and Bob was looking at her and nodding. The smile slid from her face as she looked around at the crowd and saw who it was they were all staring at. Bob said, ‘come on, Adela, it’s the rule, all winners must sing their thanks.’

  She stared at him open mouthed then swallowed very hard, ‘but I gave up my prize.’ Her voice sounded high pitched and almost pleading.

  Bob laughed, ‘oh no, you can’t get away with that one, you might have given the prize away, but your number was called so you have to sing. Town rules, if you don’t Sheriff Taylor will have to arrest you.’ He looked at the sheriff, ‘won’t you, Eugene?’

  ‘'Fraid so, Miss. Faraday, more than my jobs worth not to.’

  Everyone was laughing heartily now and Adela looked at Hennessey for help but he was smiling too. He shrugged as if to say, what can I do? Rules are rules.

  The crowd suddenly started chanting, ‘sing, sing,’ until it felt like Adela’s head would explode. Never in all her life had she felt more like running and hiding. She cursed herself for coming here tonight, for meeting Dean Maxwell, even for winning that damn lottery.

  In a kind of haze she stood up to cheers and calls of, ‘good girl,’ and there ya go.’

  Before she knew she had even stood up she was on the stage. The man who was running the karaoke asked what she would like to sing but her mind was blank. He asked if she would like to look at the song sheet but just then a song she liked and had always sung around the house or in the car came to her. She told him what she wanted to sing and he smiled and told her it was a good choice.

  Adela faced the microphone and looked out at the now silent room, at the sea of faces all looking at her and she knew she couldn’t do it. But then she recalled when she had been in the choir the choirmaster had told everyone that when they were nervous singing a solo to look at just one person in the church, so as the music started she looked down at Hennessey and began to sing.

  When she had gotten up looking fit to faint clean away, Hennessey had regretted his collusion in her embarrassment and had felt an overwhelming need to leap up on the stage, take her hand, push through the laughing crowd and get her out of there. He was about to rise and go up on the stage, rules or no rules, he couldn’t let her be coerced into doing something she was obviously terrified of doing.

  But as soon as the music started it was as if he had become transformed, because there she was singing and singing a carpenters song. One of his favourites. The words and music that came from her mouth were soft and clear and full of feeling. He loved the sound of Karen Carpenter's voice. Someone once likened her voice to smoky wood and that’s what the voice that drifted down to him from the stage sounded like to him.

  And she was looking straight at him as she sang, “After long enough of being alone, everyone must face their share of loneliness. In my own time nobody knew the pain I was going through and waiting was all my heart could do.”

  He had that same feeling he had experienced before when she had licked her lips after tasting the snowball, only this time the tightness was further up, under his ribs.

  He wanted to get up and walk out, but at the same time he wanted to sit there and let her soft beautiful voice wash over him until he drowned in it.

  The song ended and there was tumultuous applause one in which Hennessey did not join, he couldn’t, he was still trying to deal with the feelings that had overcome him, unwelcome, unbidden and unwanted.

  Despite calls for an encore Adela left the stage. People patted her on the back and congratulated her, telling her how lovely it had been and what a beautiful voice she had. Amid thanks and refusals to sing again, she rejoined Hennessey at the table.

  Her face was pink and glowing. He said nothing as she sat down and sipped her drink; he noticed her hand trembled slightly as she did so.

  Her voice shook slightly as she said, ‘well I survived without being lynched.’

  Still he said nothing and she began to look uncomfortable and said, ‘I’m sorry I looked at you. I hope you didn’t mind, but it was a tip our choirmaster gave us for when we were nervous, look at someone in particular. And, since I didn’t want to make the mistake of singing to someone’s husband.’ She shrugged uneasily, ‘I hope I didn’t embarrass you.’

  He came out of his reverie with difficulty and said, ‘not at all, don’t apologise. I’m sorry, I was just taken aback, the way you were talking before I thought you would have a voice like a banshee.’

  She laughed, ‘according to my mother, I did.’

  ‘Was she deaf as well as sick?’

  She looked stunned for a moment then smiled, ‘no, not deaf.’

  ‘Well there must have been something very wrong with her if she didn’t like your singing, because that was…it was…beautiful.’

  She blushed bright red, ‘don’t be silly.’

  ‘I’m not silly, and that’s not southern charm or flim- flam talking either, but honestly meant.’

  Her face still red she said, ‘thank you, very much.’

  He said, ‘it’s funny you should have sung that song, I’m a big admirer of the Carpenters.’

  ‘You are?

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Really? I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to sound sceptical, it’s just that you don’t seem like the kind of man to like romantic songs.’

  ‘I’m a man who’s full of surprises.’

  ‘Yes, you are,’ she said very softly then looked away embarrassed.

  He said, ‘would you like another drink?’

  She said, ‘oh no, thank you. But would you mind awfully if I left now? I’m rather tired. And to be honest I don’t really want to get roped into singing again.’ She looked over at the bar at people looking her way and nudging one another.

  He followed her gaze and smiled, ‘I think you’re the kind of person who finds it difficult to refuse, so yes, maybe it’s a good idea to leave now.’

  She said, ‘oh you don’t have to leave too, stay and enjoy yourself,’ she gave him a mischievous smile, ‘who knows, you might get lucky and Annie will ask you to do a duet with her.’

  He gave her a withering look, ‘despite that tempting thought I insist on walking you back to your cabin, and I absolutely won’t take no for an answer.’

  She laughed and stood up. She waved to Dean Maxwell and mouthed a ‘goodnight’ to him. He waved back rather half heartedly making Adela feel even more guilty. As they walked towards the exit some people asked her where she thought she was going and what about another song. Hennessey put his arm around her waist in a protective gesture as he almost forcibly moved people aside to make way for them.

  Annie Bloom yelled over, ‘you should have worn the hat, Adela, got me some free advertising.’

  Adela laughed and called ‘I’ll see you tomorrow, Annie, goodnight, goodnight everyone.’

  Everyone shouted their goodnights and goodbyes and she and Hennessey left.

  Once outside she turned to him and said, ‘thank you very much, I was starting to get rather claustrophobic.’

  ‘You’re welcome.’ He had not withdrawn his arm from where it rested around her waist. She moved very slowly, and she hoped discreetly away, and began to walk down the street towards her cabin.

  Hennessey hesitated a moment then smiled before following her.

  He said, ‘you enjoyed that didn’t you?’

  She almost stumbled in her surprise, ‘I’m sorry?’

  ‘The singing, despite your reluctance and nervousness you enjoyed it didn’t you?’

  He knew of course that she had thought he meant enjoying having his arm around her, and he was enjoying her discomfiture

  Indeed Adela was disconcerted and was glad it was dark because she thought it might hide her red face as she said softly, ‘yes, yes I did. Although I think that will be my one and only performance i
n Eden.’

  ‘Pity, I would have liked to hear you sing more Karen.’

  ‘Sorry.’

  He shrugged and very soon they were back at her cabin. There was no one about as they walked up the few steps to the door. She took out her key, unlocked the door and opened it. Again she hesitated wondering whether to invite him in, but as before he got there first, ‘well, I’ll see you around.’

  ‘Yes. And thank you very much for the drinks, and for the company.’

  ‘Good thing I was there to keep you company, that pompous jerk Maxwell turned out to be an unreliable suitor.’

  ‘Suitor?’ She exclaimed.

  ‘Well, companion then.’

  ‘I think you’ll find that he left because of what we did, but mostly because of you.’

  He was unrepentant, ‘now I will sleep soundly tonight.’

  She slapped his hand lightly as she had earlier, ‘don’t be horrible. And Dean is not pompous either.’

  ‘Yes he is, and a jerk.’

  She pursed her lips and gave him a frustrated look then laughed.

  He smiled and said, ‘well goodnight then. Sleep well.’

  ‘Thank you, you too. Goodnight, Mr. Hennessey.

  Mr. Hennessey again he noted, but he was gratified to hear the note of disappointment in her voice. She went in and closed the door leaning on it as she had last time. She sighed and pushed herself up straight and was headed for the bathroom when a knock came on the door, frowning she turned back. She looked through the peep hole to see Hennessey standing there. She turned the key and opened the door.

  Neither spoke for a moment just looked at each other until she said, ‘is something wrong?’

  ‘No. Yes. I wondered if you wanted company tomorrow on your exploration of the woods. It’s not safe to wander around by yourself, especially someone who’s new to the area, you might get lost…again.’

  She tried to hide her excitement, ‘well thank you for the thought, but I do have a compass, and I’ll pick up a big stick.’

  ‘I’m stronger than a big stick, better looking too.’

  ‘And more modest.’

  ‘There’s that.’

  She laughed, ‘I would very much like your company on my exploration of the woods tomorrow, thank you.’

  ‘You’re welcome. I’ll meet you here at…nine?’

  ‘Nine is fine.’

  They both laughed and he said, ‘nine it is then. Goodnight.’

  ‘Goodnight.’

  No Mr. Hennessey this time he noticed.

  She closed the door and he made his way back through the woods to his hotel very satisfied with the evening events. He hadn’t been able to help playing her along one more time, make her think he was just going to go on his merry way, all the better to make her eager to see him again . As he walked he recalled how she had sung one of his favourite songs, coincidence obviously. But he had been taken by surprise as much by her voice as by her choice of song. He hated to admit it but it had unnerved him, he did not like the feeling her singing had aroused in him. He did not like the feeling she aroused in him.

  He had allowed himself to become distracted with this stupid wooing business; he had to stop playing games with her. The singing business had caused him to alter his plans, he would not befriend her, he would not woo her instead, tomorrow he would take the opportunity to end it, get his money and get the hell outta Dodge.

  CHAPTER 16.

  Jonas Lando was somewhat satisfied with his phone call to Sheriff Taylor of Eden town, although he had felt a little guilty about lying to the man who had been very helpful. He had told Taylor that he was a cop from the Alabama P. D, Dan Rivers, and had given him his badge number, his old badge number true, but it was still his. He had hoped that Sheriff Taylor would not check up on him and at the same time thanked God that Rivers was away on his fishing trip. But Taylor had seemed very friendly and only to willing to help out a fellow cop. He had of course not been able to call from the pay phone in the diner so had been reduced to bribing a young guy in the street for use of his cell phone, it had cost him five dollars which he very much begrudged.

  He had told the sheriff that he was trying to discover the whereabouts of a man wanted for theft and fraud whom they believed had headed for the Gulfport area, and since the perp liked to conduct his business in small towns he was checking in with all the local law. He gave the description of the man he had met in the English woman’s cabin and had called himself David Somers, although he had given the sheriff a made up name, another lie and another reason to curse that idiotic woman. Sheriff Taylor had said that no one fitting that description had arrived in Eden in the last few days; the only two strangers in town at the moment were an English woman and a man who, although very tall, did not fit the rest of the description Lando had given him. This guy had black hair and very blue, very noticeable eyes and was staying in the hotel under the name Sterling Hennessey.

  Well apart from the height this Hennessey guy didn’t sound anything like the guy he had seen in Alban. Although his eyes had not been a distinctive blue he recalled there had been something about them that Lando had not liked. He said, ‘so the two visitors to Eden are not a couple then?’

  ‘Oh no, she’s staying in a cabin near by and he in the hotel as I said. But they’ve become quiet pally.’

  Lando was alert, ‘oh?’

  ‘Yep, but that’s not surprising I suppose since they’re both strangers here.’

  ‘I suppose. But when did this Sterling Hennessey arrive in Eden?’

  ‘Day afore yesterday.’

  The day after he had seen David Somers, thought Lando. The sheriff asked, ‘this Hennessey doesn’t sound like your guy though does he?’

  ‘Apart from the height, no. But can you do something for me, Sheriff Taylor; can you keep your eye on him? My guy has been known to dye his hair and wear coloured contact lenses and is an excellent conman. His particular targets are lone women with plenty of cash and not much sense.’

  Taylor laughed, ‘well I don’t think Miss. Faraday is lacking in the sense department, Detective Rivers.’

  The word detective took him aback for a moment it had been such a long time since anyone had called him that. But at least he had confirmed that it was the English woman in Eden and that she was travelling alone, so what had happened to the young girl? He wondered. He managed to laugh too and said, ‘maybe not, but a good looking guy comes along gives her the spiel, tells her his poor old mama is dying and needs expensive specialist treatment and the most sensible of ladies can let their heart rule their head.’

  Taylor chuckled, ‘don’t I know it. But don’t worry I’ll keep my eye on Mr. Sterling Hennessey, what’s more I’ll make sure he knows it.’

  Lando heaved a sigh of relief and said, ‘there’s probably nothing to worry about and this Hennessey guy is who he says he is but I’d rather be safe than sorry and I appreciate your help, Sheriff, I owe you one.’

  ‘Don’t mention it, detective. Oh, you’d better give me your phone number there in Montgomery.’

  ‘Well, sheriff, it’s a little awkward,’ Lando said quickly, I’m due to be on stakeout for the next few days and they frown on cell phones, they’ve been known to ring at inopportune moments.’ It was a poor excuse but the sheriff seemed to buy it because he laughed, ‘got ya. Okay, I’ll call your department and leave a message for you there.’

  Lando was silent thinking damn, he hadn’t wanted to lie at all to the sheriff but here he was lying through his teeth again and again. Sheriff Taylor said, ‘are you there, Detective Rivers?’

  ‘Oh yes, sorry, Sheriff.’ He gave an exaggerated sigh, ‘it’s just that, well, this is difficult but I’m going to have to be up front with you.’

  Taylor sounded wary now, 'oh?’

  ‘Yeah. You see my superiors have told me to drop this one, they say there are more important cases to spend my time on than a two bit conman, but, well, I kinda took this one personally. This guy conned an elderly lad
y out of her life savings, money she was saving for her funeral and a bit left aside for her grandson’s college fund and I sorta promised her that even if she never got her money back I’d see the bastard brought to justice.’

  Taylor said nothing for a long moment and Lando thought he’d blown it, maybe now Taylor would call the Alabama P.D and check him out then that asshole Lester would get to hear about it and have his ass back in the pen before he could say “impersonating a police officer.” But Taylor said, ‘well that’s the kinda police work that I thought long forgotten, Detective Rivers, you’d fit right into a small town like Eden.’

  Lando felt lower than a snake’s belly but managed to laugh and say, ‘yeah, well, we all got grandmas don’t we, Sheriff.’

  Sheriff Taylor said very seriously, ‘yes we do, detective. Anyways, don’t you worry none about it, since it’s awkward for you to get back to me why don’t you call me back everyday and I’ll keep you informed, how’s that sound?’

  Lando’s relief increased his guilt as he said, ‘that would be just fine, Sheriff, thanks, and thanks for your cooperation.’

  ‘No problem, detective, bye now.’

  ‘Bye, Sheriff.’

  It was with great relief that Lando gave the phone back to the youth who had been joined by his pals and was standing impatiently waiting. He said menacingly, ‘you was on longer than I thought pal, I reckon that adds up to another ten dollars.’

  Lando stared into his eyes for a moment then leaned forward so that their faces were only inches apart, ‘I got a better idea, why don’t I ram that fucking piece a crap right where even your cocksucking homeboys won’t go.’

  The young guy stepped back a look of shock and fear on his face. He held his hands up in a placating gesture as he stammered, ‘hey, just kidding, man, geez, can’t ya take a joke?’ He turned and still mumbling walked across the street leaving Lando feeling torn between satisfaction that he still had the power to put the frights into someone and shame at the pleasure it had given him.

  He began to walk back down the street still feeling guilty about lying to a fellow cop and he still thought of cops as his fellows even after all this time. But at least now he had someone watching the English woman closely.