The driver cursed and looked in his rear view mirror. He assumed something was wrong with his truck and moved to the exit lane for the rest area. Mary had windshield wipers on high speed and was pushing all his radio stations buttons.
Linda and Mary smiled at each other and left the cab. They sat on top of the truck and could see police vehicles rapidly approaching further down the highway. They concentrated hard hoping the Marshals would see the truck going into the rest area. They did!
By the time the driver had parked the truck, a steady parade of police vehicles was entering the rest area. Mary and Linda went back in the cab and pushed the driver out the door into the waiting arms of the US Marshals.
Paul held a phone to his ear and yelled, “We got ‘em!”
Roger smiled, “One more to go.”
Linda and Mary stayed a while and watched the children being loaded into ambulances so they could be checked out. Linda overheard one of the Marshals reporting on his phone, the children were all in good shape and it appeared none of them had been physically harmed. Linda and Mary both listened as the families of the children were told of the rescue. They could hear the cheers of joy from the parents over the phones, and they watched the broad smiles and high-fives of the officers.
Teresa and I got lucky. Our guy was driving a van, and had parked at a restaurant off the toll road near Dallas. We waited in the van with the children until the State Troopers arrived. They had arrested the driver in the restaurant. It seemed like only minutes before the entire parking lot was filled with police vehicles and ambulances for the children. None of the children were hurt, but all of them were crying and wanting to go home.
Teresa sniffled, “Thank God we found them!”
I decided to sit in the cop car with the truck driver. If you really concentrate, you can pull twenty single hairs from a human’s head per minute. I timed it.
Teresa made me leave.
Ellen called for us to head to Mambo’s. We were late.
Shoot! I haven’t decided on a party dress yet!
Willie stayed in the boat while Spicey and Sasha made their way along the narrow dirt path to Mambo’s hut. Spicey pointed to a shrub, “Right there. Don’t that look like a man part to you?”
Sasha frowned, “Pretty dinky. I think it be dryin’ up.” She giggled.
Spicey looked back to where Willie was waiting in the boat. “You know girl, it be a good friend that bring you out in the swamp at midnight.”
Sasha fluffed her hair, “I think it be a better friend that comes along with y’all for no good reason.”
Spicey nodded and put her hand around Sasha’s shoulder. “I’m not too proud to tell you I’m scared ‘bout what might happen in there.” Spicey was pointing at Mambo’s hut. “It be one thing to tell people you talk to Spirits. It be a whole ‘nother deal to have it come true.”
Sasha was carefully scanning the dirt path as they walked and asked, “Why did this happen? What made Spirits start talkin’ to you?”
Spicey stopped walking when she heard a rustle in the grasses next to the path. “Girl, I have no idea. ‘Member that expression, “Careful what ya wish for”?”
Sasha started running toward Mambo’s hut, “I be wishing we get inside ‘fore a bunch of rats eats us!” Spicey was right behind her.
Spicey and Sasha quietly knocked on Mambo’s door. They were about five minutes early. Mambo was seated in the center of the room in front of her open fire pit. Mambo waved them over and told them to be seated. Sasha and Spicey tried to calm themselves down. Their chests were still heaving and Sasha felt dizzy.
Mambo looked at Sasha, “You will see everything that happens here tonight. That is a privilege for mortals. The Spirits have chosen Spicey to help them.”
Mambo looked at Spicey, “We are asking for the Spirits help with the messages coming from the tortured souls in this swamp. I can only determine a sense of urgency. I do not know what they want.”
Spicey swallowed. Tortured souls? In the swamp? This must mean dead people.
Sasha had the same thought. She cleared her throat, “Ms. Mambo? I got no problem being kicked out of this here meetin’ ‘fore it even starts. I promise I just do anything Ms. Spicey asks me to.”
Mambo smiled, “You may leave.”
Spicey started to protest, but Sasha frowned at her and hiccupped. Spicey decided it might be better lettin’ her go. Sasha ran from the hut.
Mambo raised her arms. “Let us begin.”
Suddenly the room filled with Spirits. They all showed themselves in somewhat human form, dressed in various period clothing. Mambo threw a powder on the fire that sent a sweet fragrance through the air and a flash of blue light. Mambo said, “We will be joined by angels.”
Spicey was stunned as she looked around the room. Was this really happening? She bit her tongue and definitely felt the pain.
Mambo leaned on a cane and raised her old body. She raised her arms in the air. “Voices of the mist speak now.”
A low rumble sounded from the walls. The hut filled with mist. Spicey could hear words escaping through the rumbles. Heavy breathing. Distant screams that seemed to be coming closer. It sounded like crowds of people, some far away and some very close. Spicey could only make out partial sentences and some cries for help. Then very clearly she heard a voice plead, “They must be saved.”
Mambo looked at the Spirit wearing a white gown and asked, “Do you hear the warnings of the tortured souls?”
The Spirit looked very serious, “Yes, I do. I will need the help of the angels.”
A vision of a small boy stood in a blue haze. He walked out of the mist, “I need to go home.”
Spicey realized she was weeping. The anguish in the voices pulled at her heart, and her mind was swimming with questions. Where were the angels?
Alan, Thor, and Jeanne arrived at Mambo’s to find Willie and Sasha waiting in their boat. Thor pointed to Mambo’s hut. An intense blue light shone up through the chimney of the hut.
Jeanne looked at Thor, “The Spirits are with her now.”
Thor was totally creeped out. He was no scientist, but that was no natural light.
Sasha said, “I’m thinkin’ you best wait ‘fore you go bargin’ in.” Jeanne nodded agreement.
Alan looked at Willie, “I hear you got your Cadillac to run on chicken fat. How’s that workin’ out?”
Willie answered, “Save me a bunch of gas money, but I spend a lot of time taking dogs back home. Keep follerin’ me.”
Thor kept staring at the blue light coming from Mambo’s chimney. He listened to Alan and Willie making small talk about a chicken fat car. Doesn’t anything rattle these people?
Jeanne went over to sit next to Sasha. “How long has Spicey been able to talk to Spirits?”
Sasha answered, “This be real new. She’s mighty worried what they want her to do.”
Thor had been looking around and mentioned he didn’t see any alligators or river rats.
Willie offered, “They be far gone from this here spot right now, with the meetin’ an all. Got more sense than we do.”
We arrived at Mambo’s at the same time. Mary and I were the only ones that remembered to wear party dresses. Ellen introduced us to the Spirits. Spicey was squinting. Ellen said, “Spicey can hear the Spirits talking to us, but she can’t see or hear us. We are of another dimension.”
We are? Huh.
The Spirit in the white gown looked at Ellen and said, “There are many souls that were held prisoner in the mortal city and murdered here in the swamp. The souls say another group of people will be brought here soon and killed. This is done whenever a new group of prisoners is being delivered. The souls are saying there is not much time.”
Ellen told the Spirit we would help.
Mambo had her hand on the blue spirit boy as she spoke to Ellen, “This boy needs to go home.”
Ellen knelt down and held his hands. She looked at him and said, “I promise you will go home soon.”
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Ellen asked Mambo, “What is Spicey going to do?”
Mambo answered, “The Spirits have replaced all of her potions. Spicey will communicate with mortals as the Spirits need her. The Spirits believe she will be of great help.”
Spicey heard that and her eyes opened wide. “I don’t know nothin’ ‘bout how to use real potions!”
Mambo chuckled. The Spirit in the white gown produced a tattered book and gave it to Spicey. “You will find what you need in here. Be warned. There are Hoodoo influences that may challenge you once they discover your power.”
Spicey took the book and swallowed. Suddenly the entire hut was empty except for Mambo and Spicey.
Mambo looked at Spicey, “You may leave. Use wisdom in your choices.”
Spicey bowed as she backed out of the hut and ran to the boat. She said a soft, token hi to Alan, Jeanne, and Thor, sat next to Sasha, and then screamed, “Holy SHIT take me home!”
Ellen told us this would be a good time to visit with our families for a while. She would call us when we were needed. We didn’t have to be told twice.
Jeanne looked at Thor, “Our turn now.”
Thor looked at Alan and then back at Jeanne. “What do you mean ‘our turn’? You’re the one that believes this Mambo stuff, not me.”
“Please? How often do you get a chance to meet a Mambo?”
“Truthfully, it’s not even on my bucket list. Desire zero.”
Thor watched Willie’s boat disappear in the mist. He knew he couldn’t say no to Jeanne. Damn it. He looked back at her, “Let’s get this over with.”
Mambo invited Thor and Jeanne to sit with her at the fire. Mambo told them what the Spirits had said. Thor looked at Jeanne. “Sounds like a human trafficking ring.”
Mambo nodded. She looked at Jeanne and said, “I wish to speak to Valtare alone.”
Jeanne looked at Thor with one eyebrow raised. Thor looked back at Mambo. He couldn’t believe she had said that. “No one knows my name is Valtare.”
Mambo smiled, “Valtare Daniel Thor. You have much to learn.”
Jeanne rose and said she would wait with Alan. Thor was afraid to be left alone with Mambo. How did she know his real name? Mambo leaned forward and held out an amulet attached to a thin leather strap. She motioned for Thor to lower his head so she could place the amulet around his neck. Thor leaned forward, watched the amulet pass his eyes and hang from his neck. He felt Mambo’s frail hand on his forehead. She began to chant. Her hand felt hot. A strange peace crept through his body.
Mambo sat up straight, “There is much for you to learn. Jeanne is a messenger of Erzulie Dantor, the Black Madonna. She has only recently begun to understand her destiny.” Mambo waited for Thor’s reaction to her statement. He had a quizzical expression on his face, but he did not speak. Mambo continued, “She is more than mortal and has unique burdens. You have Nordic spirit in your blood. You were destined to meet her again. She will choose you. She will consume you.”
Thor sat up straight, “No disrespect Ms. Mambo, but I don’t believe in this mumbo jumbo. I’m here doing a job. No woman is going to consume me. I just met her four days ago!” Thor was visibly distressed. This creepy old lady was getting to him.
Mambo smiled, “Your souls have known each other for centuries. It is important you not force your will on her. She will not tolerate it. The same way you do not tolerate the ordinary. Your life has left you disappointed and angry. You have known something essential was missing. It was her. When you saw her, she seemed familiar to you. You have thought of nothing since.” Mambo paused with one eyebrow raised. She continued, “Together you will accomplish great things. Go. You have many problems to solve, and you are needed by others.”
Thor stood and looked around the room. None of this seemed real, and yet it all seemed strangely familiar.
Mambo made a motion of shooing a fly away and said, “You have many things to do and very little time.’
Thor backed out of the room and walked toward Jeremiah’s boat where Jeanne and Alan waited for him. Damn. He was going to end up as crazy as the rest of them. When he was settled, Jeanne asked, “You were with Mambo a long time. What did she say to you?”
Thor looked off into the swamp, “She said we have a lot of work to do and not much time.” Jeanne nodded. Thor noticed Jeanne’s eyes reflected the moonlight in an eerie way. He swallowed and looked away.
Alan said, “We better get goin’ then. Jeremiah said Mambo never wrong ‘bout nothin’.”
Thor was silent as the boat glided through the tall marsh grasses toward the open water and wondered what happened when someone consumed you.
Jeanne watched him rub his amulet. He was different somehow. Stronger.
Roger called everyone on the team and told them about the rescue of the children. Thor told Roger what Mambo said about human trafficking. Roger couldn’t believe Thor had gone to Mambo’s after the arrests. He looked at his watch. It was one o’clock in the morning. Roger had told the team he didn’t expect to see any of them until later tomorrow. They needed rest.
After speaking with the team Roger sent an email to the Director detailing the arrest of the sicko club and the rescue of the children. He finally arrived at his hotel, showered, and watched some of the news footage of the children being rescued. These moments were why they all did this job.
Roger dialed Kim who answered on the first ring. He could tell she was crying. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing! I am so proud of you! These children are going to be with their parents soon. Ugh…. how do you handle this stress?”
Roger smiled, “I have you.”
Spicey woke with her arms clutching an old tattered book. Her sheets were tangled with amulets and beads, and her Bible stared at her from her pillow. She lay with her eyes open glancing around her room. She sat up and looked at the tattered book. It had the words Truth Seeker on the cover. She opened the book and yelped! It was in some kind of strange language. She couldn’t read it!
Spicey threw her sheets back and got out of bed. What was she going to do? She walked around the room holding the book. She looked inside again. Now she could read it. She tossed the book onto her bed as if it was on fire. Sweet Jesus! What had just happened?
The next morning Tourey turned on his television to CNN and watched the news reports on the rescued children. Few details of the case were being released, but the FBI was credited for solving the case.
The story about the children was immediately followed by the investigation of the Zelez Cartel infiltrating the security of Lanitol Oil Company and using the oil company facilities to smuggle cartel drugs into the ports of New Orleans. Reportedly over 2000 kilos of cocaine had been seized at the port.
Aw SHIT! Tourey rubbed his temples and conceded that he and John were going to be knee deep in LUCY real soon. Probably today.
The news journalist smiled as he introduced the big headline of the morning. Four prominent men of New Orleans were arrested last night for attempting to dispose of the body of escaped murderer and pedophile, William Patterson. Among those arrested were a retired Senator and a sitting judge.
Tourey carried his coffee mug to the kitchen sink, rinsed it out before putting it in the dishwasher, and leaned against his counter. Tourey could still see his television. John was right about Dance and his team. They had no qualms about kicking a hornet’s nest just to see how many came out.
Simon purchased a box of beignets for the guys at the Star Ship. He wiped the powdered sugar from his mouth with a napkin as he and Thor talked about being in the swamp last night. Ray was mesmerized hearing about the gunshots, alligators, hanging turkeys, and the meeting at Mambo’s.
Thor asked Simon, “Do you know what ‘silent crickets’ means?”
Simon nodded his head. “It means you have a serious threat nearby. Along those same lines, you can count the number of times a male cricket chirps in fourteen seconds, add forty, and get the Fahrenheit temperature of outdoors. Dolbears Law.�
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Thor looked at Ray, “Who knows this crap?”
Thor looked back to Simon, “Okay Mr. Wizard, what the heck is a Rugaru?”
Simon laughed, “Evidently, an FBI Agent!” Thor frowned.
Ray had Googled Rugaru. “Says it’s a fabled half wolf, half man, said to wander the swamps of Louisiana. Oh hey, and he eats humans.” Ray leaned back and smiled at Thor. “We should add turkeys.”
Thor looked at Ray’s screen. “Google Black Madonna.”
Simon raised an eyebrow.
Ray read a minute and then tried to pronounce a name, “Says otherwise known as Erzulie Dantor, woman warrior of the Spirits. She’s supposed to have messengers that protect women and children.” Ray looked at Thor, “Says messengers of Erzulie Dantor are believed to be rare blue eyed Haitian women.”
Jeanne started coming down the stairs, Ray quickly hit a button to clear his screen. Simon stared at Thor before saying, “Damn.”
Mathew Core stood in the jewelry store apartment staring across the street at his old building as he sipped tea. He looked at his watch, nine a.m.. It might still be too early. He knew Roger had a late night last night.
He turned his attention back to the news. Yesterday had been a good day for the FBI, and a bad day for pedophiles. Today could be a very bad day for everybody.
Paul locked his hotel room door and headed to the elevator to get some breakfast downstairs. Three men boarded the elevator next to his. As Paul rested against the wall of his elevator, he had a bad feeling. He watched the lights above the door count down. Something about the three guys getting in the other elevator hadn’t been right. Did they avoid looking at him? Did they really get in the elevator?
Paul dialed Roger as he pressed the elevator stop button. No answer. He cursed at how slow the door was to open. He bolted out of the elevator and ran for the stairs.
Silent Crickets: A Shallow End Gals, Trilogy Book Three Page 16