The Secrets of Taylor Creek

by Michael Merson

  “You’re correct, Sir,” Nathan said as he leaned over and greeted everyone with a firm handshake.

  “Pleased to meet each one of you.”

  “He’s the next governor of North Carolina,” Emma said proudly as she pointed to Ben Arrington.

  “Well, maybe if I get enough votes and the support of some friends,” Ben added and then turned to face Emma. “This is Miss Emma Rodgers, my legal assistant,” Ben said as he placed his foot on the chair and used his napkin to wipe a smudge mark off his expensive shoes.

  “Ma’am,” Nathan said as he extended his hand toward Emma. She was impressed with the FBI man standing in front of her, and she didn’t hide that she was. She simply stood up, extended her hand toward Nathan, and slightly gripped his hand.

  “Welcome to Beaufort Mr. Emerson or is it Agent Emerson?” Emma asked with what Nathan guessed to be a rather poor attempt at a southern accent. She was beautiful, thin, and wore too much make-up along with a very tight dress that accentuated every one of her curves.

  Somewhere from up north, maybe Philadelphia, He thought.

  “Nathan is fine,” he answered.

  “How are you finding the likes of our town, Agent Emerson?” Judge Ridge asked and then sipped the remaining whiskey from his glass. Ridge appeared to be an older man, possibly in his sixties. He was bald and had a large potbelly. His face and head were red, his eyes were bloodshot, and he spoke in a slow slurred speech.

  “Very well. Thank you for asking.”

  “I’m glad,” he added and then started yelling for Dolly as he looked around for her. “Dolly get your black ass out here and fill my glass!” The Judge ordered. A few minutes later, a young colored girl walked up with a whiskey bottle and poured the contents into the Judge’s glass.

  “Now, you keep close by in case I run dry again. You don’t want me firing you for slouching on the job, now do you?” He said as he rubbed his hand over her buttocks.

  “Nathan, what’s your take on these dead colored girls?” Ben Arrington asked.

  “I really don’t know yet. I just arrived a few hours ago. I’ll keep the Sheriff here updated if I find something.” In the short time he had stood there conversing with the group, he quickly assessed everyone.

  He knew that Ben was the leader and everyone else at the table served a purpose for him. The sheriff was his muscle who took care of problems. The judge was his endorsement and introduced him to other influential people. The little guy, Jack Walters, who said nothing and hoped no one saw him, was a weasel who did whatever he was told. If something was going on in this town, these four men knew about it. As for Emma, she was nothing more than a pleasurable distraction for Ben Arrington. He would use her until she no longer served a purpose.

  “I believe I met your wife earlier today,” Nathan said, adding to the conversation.

  “Oh! How’d that come to be?” Ben asked, suspiciously.

  “I was looking for a place to eat this evening, and she gave me a recommendation, and then she walked me over and helped get me a seat.”

  “That’s my little woman. Always taking pictures and taking in strays,” Ben said sarcastically as he laughed and looked around the table unconsciously directing the others to laugh as well.

  “Well I imagine I’m a bit of a stray, but please do thank her again. Let her know that I enjoyed the meal. It was nice meeting all of you. Goodnight,” Nathan said as he turned and walked out.

  ***

  The group all watched and waited until Agent Emerson left the bar.

  “I hope he’s not going to be a problem,” Walters said, finally breaking his silence.

  “We don’t need any new problems now. We have enough already,” The judge said, reminding everyone.

  “You two relax. I think the sheriff will keep a good eye on him while he’s here. Won’t you, Sheriff?” Ben asked.

  “You can count on it. But the Judge is right, we already got problems if you ain’t noticed.”

  “Getting new girls?” Ben asked.

  “Exactly, new girls. And let’s not forget the old ones we still have that may talk to the FBI man, just in case any of you’ve forgotten why he’s here. We damn sure don’t need them, nigger whores, talking to anyone,” The sheriff announced as he looked over at Dolly.

  “You’re correct Sheriff. I think it’s best if you get the word out to the other girls and anyone else that we do business with. Maybe remind them that it’s in everyone’s best interest not to speak to the FBI man. And then get our old whores busy recruiting some new girls. Maybe some from another county would be a good idea. It shouldn’t be that hard. These damn niggers breed like rabbits. Have them call their cousins and then have those cousins call their cousins. We need a bunch of girls for the big Gentlemen’s’ Social that we have coming up,” Ben said in frustration.

  “Good idea, Ben. Sheriff, don’t fuck this up because you can be replaced!” The drunken Judge added.

  “Judge, I said I’ll take care of it and I will. But let me remind everyone at this table that we’re all in this together and I’d watch how you speak to me. Don’t even think about pulling out some bullshit about being the judge because it doesn’t mean a damn thing to me. Your hands are just as dirty as mine. I allow all of you to get away with a lot of shit in my county, but none of you give me orders. Remember, a new broom sweeps clean, but an old broom knows where the dirt is,” the sheriff stated as he leaned across the table toward the Judge.

  “Dwight, the Judge is just nervous like the rest of us. He didn’t mean to sound ungrateful or threatening and nor do I. We’ve all come too far to let something like this stop us now. I think we all know that we’re in this together. I just think its best that we resolve all the loose ends before all our asses are hanging in the wind.”

  “This is getting all messed up. We’re so close to putting your ass in the governor’s mansion Ben, and the Judge on the State Supreme Court, and damn it, I’m supposed to be the next State Attorney General,” Walters explained.

  “Damn it, we all got plans for the future Jack and…” the Judge started.

  “…And y’all better keep to the plan. We all knew there would be bumps in the road along the way. Now, like I told my men in Korea, “boot up and keep to the plan,” the Sheriff said interrupting the Judge.

  “A few bumps! How about a fucking minefield in the road soldier! We got a couple of dead nigger whores with the fucking FBI investigating!” Walters remarked loudly.

  “Jack, keep your voice down! I think all of y’all should just stop worrying and keep quiet. We’re so close to finishing what we started. Jack, you will be the State Attorney General. Judge you’ll get your appointment to the State Supreme Court, and Sheriff you’ll get all the money you were promised once that little woman of mine is taken care of just as we’ve planned,” Ben explained.

  “That’s on hold until Charlie gets back in town,” The Sheriff stated.

  “Dwight, I think a lot’s on hold until the FBI is out of town,” Ben responded.

  “Charlie will still want to be paid even though things are being put off. And he ain’t gonna like sitting around waiting.”

  “Then figure something else out. No one can die or disappear right now,” Ben remarked, keeping his voice low.

  “Damn it! I want her gone! I hate and despise that woman!” Emma burst out.

  “She will be in due time my dear,” Ben said, reassuring her as he patted her leg.

  “I’ll see if I can’t find something for Charlie to do until we’re ready.”

  “I think that’s a good idea, Sheriff.”

  ***

  Nathan returned to his room and briefly looked over the case file once more and wrote down a few notes. He wrote about the four men he had met at the bar to whom he now referred to as “The Four Horsemen.”

  After he was done, he laid on the bed and thought about his life. He pondered what it could be like without the FBI in it. He thought about settling down with a beautiful woman. A w
oman that he thought would keep him on his toes, never knowing what she was going to say, or do, at any moment. A woman like the one he met today.

  He got up and walked across the room over to the window and from the second story window he could see Taylor Creek and the Shackleford Banks. A small boat with two fishermen inside slowly drifted along with the current under the full moon above.

  How nice and peaceful, he thought.

  Nathan was still watching the boat slowly drift further and further away when out of the corner of his eye he saw the dark figure of a large man underneath the streetlight. The man’s cigarette glowed in the shadows with each puff. Nathan moved the curtain for a better look, and suddenly the cigarette glow disappeared as the man quickly backed up, vanishing into the shadows of the trees behind him.

  Nathan quickly moved across the room and turned the light off. He then went back to the window and looked for the shadow once more, but it was too late, he was gone. After a few minutes looking into the night, Nathan walked over to his door and made sure it was locked before laying down to go to sleep. He lay there in the queen bed in the darkness, arranging his thoughts. Finally, he decided that the only person who would have any interest in him right now would be Sheriff Carter.

  Sheriff Carter was a large enough man to be the figure I saw in the shadows below. And if it was him, then Ben Arrington sent him to keep a close eye on me, he thought before drifting off to sleep.

  Chapter 7

  Ben and Emma arrived at her front door. Ben unlocked it with his key, and the couple walked in. Emma’s home was smaller than what she wanted, but it would do for now. Besides, she wasn’t paying for it. She took some satisfaction knowing that Mrs. Stormie Arrington and her family’s money kept her in the lifestyle that she had grown accustomed to. Beaufort was a long way from Philadelphia and the people she had to run away from. For now, it was a safe place to be.

  Inside, Emma walked over and turned on the radio while Ben shut and locked the door. She didn’t say much to Ben in the car, but after tossing her purse onto the sofa, she put her hands on her hips and turned and faced him with pouty lips.

  “What’s wrong, my dear?” Ben asked.

  “Everything is taking too long. I should be helping you through the mourning process by now!” She stated and then turned away.

  “You will, but right now we have to be careful.”

  “Well, I still don’t like it,” she said softly as she felt Ben come up behind her.

  “Tell me, honey, how does it feel being in the arms of the next governor of North Carolina?” Ben asked as he pulled her closer.

  “It feels good. Really good. How does it feel to have the next first lady of North Carolina in your arms?” She asked softly while reaching behind herself to unzip his pants.

  “It feels really good,” Ben whispered.

  Emma could hear Ben’s breathing becoming heavy and faster as she caressed his excitement that was quickly growing between her fingers. Then suddenly, she felt his strong hands on her shoulders, and without a word of warning, he forced her over the sofa. She made a slight gasping sound as if she were surprised by his aggressiveness, but if the truth be told, she enjoyed being submissive to him. The pleasure in both their bodies was building with each breath they took together. Ben ran both hands along her large firm breast.

  “You want it, don’t you baby?” He whispered in her ear.

  “Yes, oh, yes!” She answered as he pulled at her blouse, ripping the buttons off, sending them flying across the room.

  “Take me, Ben, take me!” She screamed between breaths as he cupped her large breast. Emma pushed back on to his groin, grinding hard against it.

  “Alright baby!” Ben whispered in her ear.

  He then abruptly and violently tore away her bra, exposing her breast to the dimly lit room. Emma moaned as she gasped for air. Ben wanted and needed her. He quickly and violently reached down and ripped her skirt from the bottom of her ankles up to her waist.

  “Yes, darling, oh yes, take me!” She begged as he ripped her panties off and quickly entered her from behind. Ben moved slowly at first holding her down with his right hand while he caressed up and down her backside.

  “Faster Ben Faster!” Emma screamed. Ben did not yield, and he began pushing harder, faster, and deeper until they both could no longer hold out. Ben was first as he let out a sound of pure pleasure followed by Emma screaming while she gripped the back of the sofa with both hands pushing back against him. Then as quickly as it had begun, it was over, and Ben slowed his movements while holding her hips. Emma continued to push backward. “Yes, oh, yes!” She said softly as Ben lightly kissed the back of her neck.

  ***

  He expected Ben and Emma to arrive much later just as they had done previously. He barely got out of the house in time. He was inside lying on her bed with her pillow wrapped in his arms where he could smell her scent. He allowed his thoughts to run wild in moments like this, and he cherished them. He imagined lying next to her and feeling her naked body up against his. He longed for the feeling or the emotional touch of a woman wanting him as much as he wanted her. He was thinking about Emma when the car pulled into the driveway, forcing him to leave quickly out the backdoor.

  Once again, he watched the two of them inside just as he had done many times before. But something was different this time. She was upset. Maybe she wouldn’t be so willing to give in to his charm, and she would ignore his advances. He hated Ben Arrington and desired to take everything from him, just as Ben had done to him. Ben Arrington had the love of two women, and he had nothing.

  Looking through the window, he stood, a dark figure masked by the shadows of the trees. He watched as Emma once more gave herself Ben. He longed desperately for the chance to be with her, or any woman that would have him for what he was, even if it was for just a brief moment. He, like other men, longed for the touch and affection of a woman. For him, it would never be because of Ben Arrington. One day he would have his reckoning with him. One day soon…

  He watched until the two of them disappeared into the bedroom where he could not see them anymore. Maybe one day he would have her too. Maybe one day he would surprise her. Maybe one day she could feel the steel of his blade being thrust inside her.

  Maybe… one day, he thought, hungrily.

  Chapter 8

  Sunday, July 4, 1965

  Nathan allowed himself to sleep in a little. When he finally got up, he got dressed, drove over to a local diner, ate a quick breakfast, and then drove to the Beaufort Southern Baptist Community Church. The church was located at 1616 Water Street in what people in town had referred to as the colored area of Beaufort. The church was small with a large bell tower at the entrance. It was covered in a reddish brick at the bottom with white siding. The entrance had a large wood double door entry.

  Once inside, Nathan found the very tall and thin Pastor Turner the same way he had left him in Birmingham, standing in front of a congregation, dressed in a black suit, preaching the word of God. The pastor stood behind a thin wooden cross-shaped podium delivering the Sunday sermon to his all-black congregation. He was an enthusiastic pastor, to say the least. Nathan believed that no one slept during his sermon.

  “And Lord before we close this sermon on this beautiful day that you’ve once again bestowed upon us sinners, please let us remember Peter 2:16.”

  “Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God,” the pastor roared as he beat his fist on the pulpit. His voice echoed out the door and into the street.

  “Amen!” Many voices responded from the congregation.

  Preacher looked over his congregation and saw his old friend standing in the back which brought a smile to his old weathered face.

  “For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.”

  Nat
han smiled back at his old friend and shook his head. Preacher always had verses ready for every occasion.

  “Now let us bow our heads once more in our final prayer.”

  “Lord as these people leave this place today please continue to remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

  As Preacher and the rest of his congregation had their heads lowered, Nathan felt someone slide by next to him. He looked to his left just as two teenage boys quietly pushed past him and quickly found seats on the last pew. They obviously had not dressed for church this morning as they wore shorts and t-shirts. Nathan was sure he caught the smell of fish as they passed by.

  The sermon appeared to have been a good one. Nathan now wished that he had not slept in this morning. He had sat through numerous sermons delivered by Preacher. The two of them met in Birmingham after the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in September of 1963. He had forgotten how good Preacher was at delivering the message.

  Chapter 9

  Nathan stood out of the way in the corner toward the back of the church. He watched quietly as Preacher shook hands and spoke to his flock as they exited. Soon the pews were empty except where the two young latecomers had seated themselves. They sat there quietly, occasionally waving at other members as they passed by. Preacher glared at the young men as he slowly walked over to Nathan, where he happily shook his hand with a smile.