The Hum

by D. W. Brown

  “It will probably take me about an hour, by the time I gather my belongings, check out of this place, and drive all the way back to your location.”

  “That’s great. It will give me time to grab some dinner and be back in my room waiting for you.”

  “You never told me what room you’re in.”

  “255; at the top of the stairs turn right. I’m in the third room on the right. See you in about an hour.”

  * * *

  With the sun shining in between the two out of date curtains on the window, Russell made his way out of bed, brushed his teeth, and immediately went to retrieve his cell phone from the nightstand. Flipping it open, he noticed that he’d a missed call from Dean; just the person he wanted to talk to. Since he’d placed his phone on vibrate to keep from it waking him up in the middle of the night, it was no big surprise that he’d slept through the call.

  “Russ, I had my team look into Sheriff Bowman, and you won’t believe what we found. He has a background similar to many of the individuals you happened upon a few days ago. Looks like he grew up there in Taos, moved to San Diego, California when he turned twenty-three, and spent six years in prison for killing a man. He got into a scuffle with the individual at a football game, and when things turned heated, he pulled out a gun and shot the man. The only reason he isn’t still in prison is because the other man was a known hothead and had been in previous altercations over sports games. There’s more, but I’ll wait and tell you in person. I just received clearance from the Director, and I should be there by lunchtime tomorrow.” Smiling, Russell closed his cell. It will be nice to not only see Dean again, but to actually have someone on

  my side in this crazy town.

  For the next few minutes, Russell debated going to the manager with the video camera, or what was left of it. In the end, he decided not to, thinking it probably wouldn’t do any good. If the Sheriff and the Mayor were also involved in the murders, then he was on his own, at least until Dean came.

  Hearing some sort of commotion outside, Russell jumped up and ran to his window. Pulling back the curtain, he surprisingly saw a man and woman attacking one of the other passengers who was onboard his same flight hours earlier. After all the yelling and cursing subsided, the man threw his body into the passenger tackling him to the ground. With the passenger pinned to the earth underneath him, the man started hitting him in the face, while the woman kicked at him.

  Russell’s feet took off before he even had a chance to fully think things through. He made it to the attacker within seconds, grabbed him by the neck, and threw him about four feet off of the other man. The woman ran over to his aid, while Russell reached down to help the beaten passenger onto his feet. Within seconds, police sirens broke through the short moment of silence.

  “What’s going on here?” Russell asked the beaten man.

  “I...I don’t know. I stepped outside this morning to get some breakfast, and those crazy people attacked me,” said the passenger pointing at the man and woman now making their way back over next to them.

  “That’s a lie. This man was out digging on my land early this morning, and I followed him back here.”

  Hearing this actually surprised Russell. Maybe the townspeople had good reason to be concerned after all, he thought.

  “Put your hands in the air, Mr. Jackson, and step away from the group!”

  “Huh? Me? I..”

  “I said, put your hands in the air and back away from the others, Mr. Jackson!”

  “But...”

  “Now, Mr. Jackson!” “Look, this isn’t...”

  The deafening sound of Sheriff Bowman’s 9mm discharging within ten feet of him, forced Russell to cover his ears. It also told him that the Sheriff meant business. Fully complying, Russell did as he was told. “Now, slowly get down on the ground and place

  your hands behind your head!”

  CHAPTER 25

  With Russell now handcuffed and heading to the backseat of the police car, Sheriff Bowman said, “Joe, keep an eye on that man. I’ll be back to get him too.”

  “You’re making a mistake here, Sheriff Bowman. My name’s not really Mr. Jackson. I’m Sheriff Russell Jent from Wise, Virginia. I came to your town to speak with you, but upon filling out the form stating my business here and seeing how suspicious everyone was acting, I decided to keep it to myself.”

  “What? You lied? I should lock you up just for lying to me. Where’s your badge?”

  “In my back pocket.”

  Russell waited while Sheriff Bowman reached in and took out his wallet.

  Opening the wallet, Sheriff Bowman got the proof he needed. “If this is the way you boys on the east coast do business, you might as well get back on the next plane home, Mr...Mr. Jent.” Sheriff Bowman said, reading the name on the bottom of Russell’s badge.

  “Look, I admit I was wrong to lie, but I’ve learned some things over the last few days that have really set me on edge. I’d like to sit down and discuss them with you, when you get some time.”

  “First, I have to take that fellow over there in for trespassing. I’m not sure when I’ll be able to fit you in. Why don’t we talk over that beer I offered you yesterday? Maybe I’ll be cooled off by then. I don’t like being lied to, Mr. Jent—especially by one of my own.” “Understood, Sheriff Bowman. Won’t happen again. Can you remove these handcuffs now, please?” Massaging his wrists, Russell watched as the other passenger/trespasser received those same handcuffs and disappeared in the back of Sheriff Bowman’s cruiser.

  “I’ll see you tonight, Sheriff Jent. Oh, and try to stay out of trouble until then. I heard about what you did to the Gentry Brothers at the restaurant last night. Just because you’re a Sheriff, don’t mean you can go around town picking fights with people.”

  Before he had a chance to voice his objection, Sheriff Bowman disappeared back inside his cruiser and spun away from the hotel. Off in the distance, Russell saw the hotel manager shaking his head in disgust.

  Moving back over to the couple that he’d pulled off of the other passenger, Russell said, “Look, I guess I made a mistake. It’s just that where I come from when we see someone getting beat down like that, we jump in and help. I was wrong.”

  “Why are you here, Sheriff Jent? We have our own Sheriff here in Taos, and we don’t need or want another!”

  “Regardless of how you may feel, I’ve got some business to discuss with Sheriff Bowman. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to clean up and grab some breakfast. You wouldn’t want to recommend a good joint, would you?”

  The couple mumbled a few expletives under their breath and turned without addressing Russell’s question.

  “I’ll take that as a no then. Have a good day.” Russell said sarcastically.

  Freshly shaven and showered, Russell grabbed his keys and headed back into town. Since he’d had such a good experience at the mom and pop restaurant, he decided to stop in for bacon and eggs also. He smiled at the thought of the two punks showing up again— even better if they were sitting in his new favorite spot.

  * * *

  It actually ended up taking Kevin one hour and fifteen minutes to make it back to Taos, thanks to a retarded cattle farmer who decided to halt traffic in the dead of night, so he could send his herd to the other side of the road to graze. One would think such a thing could hold until daylight, but the extra fifteen minutes Kevin spent waiting and smelling manure was testament to the fact that it couldn’t.

  With his hood pulled up over his head, Kevin eased around to the back of the hotel and exited his car. Walking up the stairs to the second floor, he prayed he would’nt bump into anyone. With the long list of people that seemed to know him, he didn’t want word getting around just in case the two men who jumped him came back to finish the job.

  The night was actually cool for
a change, and Kevin was thankful. He was sweating from the extra adrenaline flowing through him, and the gentle breeze was a welcome counter. He managed to make it to Father Gregory’s room without running into anyone, but as soon as he tapped on his door, a man from the room next door peeked out through his curtains at him. So much for trying to sneak back into town.

  The door quickly opened and Father Gregory waved him inside. “Hurry, get in here. It took you long enough.”

  “It’s a long story. Thanks for coming down, Father. It sure is good to see you. I’m afraid these people are getting on my last nerve.”

  Waving Kevin over to the table, Father Gregory said, “I just got off the phone with my source, and he wasn’t able to find anything on this town. He was able to pull up the Sheriff here, and found that he was a highly decorated Sergeant with the San Francisco Police Department before moving here for a quieter lifestyle. Everyone my guy talked to said Sheriff Bowman was a really good policeman, and a good person.”

  “Wow, something must’ve happened to make him the butthead he is now. What about the stuff Amanda overheard some of the council members talking about? Did your source find anything out on the humming noise?”

  “Just that there was a big government investigation that came up empty handed. Word in Washington is that the locals around here made it all up just to draw some attention to the place.”

  “This isn’t made up, Father. I’ve heard it—I’m still hearing it. Plus, the last thing these people want is to draw attention here. They’re definitely not looking to grow the number of inhabitants in this town. There’s something going on around this sorry place, and I plan to find out what that something is.”

  “I really don’t think this is a good idea, Kevin. You can’t afford to get mixed up in another situation. The smart thing for you to do would be to convince Amanda to leave with you.”

  “She won’t leave, Father. I already told you that. She wants answers, and so do I. I came down here, because I felt the hum pulling me. But now that I’m here, everyone keeps trying to kick me out. I don’t get it.”

  “Is Amanda worth you spending the rest of your life in prison, Kevin? You and I both know what could happen if you continue chasing this thing.”

  “It’s okay, Father. I can control myself.” Kevin said, not even convincing himself.

  “If only that was the case, Kevin. When you start hearing that humming sound and the headaches hit, you can’t control anything. I’m worried about you. I don’t want to see you locked away for the rest of your days.”

  Kevin took a few minutes to ponder what Father Gregory had said. He didn’t want to end up in prison, but he couldn’t leave Amanda to fend for herself, could he? He went back and forth trying to come up with which way to go. He barely even knew Amanda. He had no ties to her, or anyone else for that matter—except maybe Father Gregory. Still, they’d already come after her once, they wouldn’t stop there. You’re no one’s hero, Kevin. Leave this crazy place and let Amanda deal with these people on her own. If she ends up like her sister, then she brought it upon herself. Focus on the humming, find out why it wanted you back here. “Maybe you’re right, Father. I should just gather

  up my stuff and go back to Michigan with you.”

  “Now you’re thinking, Kevin. Might I suggest a different state though? You might find the closure you’re looking for in another location.”

  “I thought I was doing that here in Taos. Where are you thinking?”

  “How would you feel about going back to Virginia? It would do you good to face your demons there.”

  “Remembering his encounter inside the tunnel, Kevin quickly paled and said, “Uh, I don’t think I’m ready for that, Father. Whatever was down there scared the heck out of me.”

  “Which is precisely why you need to go back. You need to face this thing head on, Kevin. You can beat this thing. You’re a strong minded individual. Don’t fall in line with what the psychiatrists have been telling you.”

  Shaking, Kevin replied, “I just don’t know, Father. Do you think I’m ready for that?”

  “Absolutely. I’ll tell you what—let’s sleep on it, and tomorrow you can decide what you’d like to do next.” “I just hope I can rest now. That tunnel still has me

  shaking in my boots.”

  “You mean sneakers.” Father Gregory said smiling and pointing downward.

  A nervous laugh followed, and then Kevin plopped down on the bed. He was suddenly too exhausted to even brush his teeth, but he managed to get his shoes off and climb underneath the covers of the full sized bed located closest to the bathroom wall. He was thankful Father Gregory had the foresight to get a room with two beds, because he didn’t feel like sleeping on the floor, and there was no way he was about to sleep with a priest. Even though he fully trusted the man, he’d heard way too many charges brought against the profession to tempt fate.

  The nightmares seemed to be part of his life nowadays, plaguing him almost every night. Father Gregory’s insistence that he go to Virginia and face his biggest fear only made things worse. The woods slowly came into view, his feet moving continuously towards them. Kevin knew it was just a dream, but he still tried to stop himself from going in. Suddenly, a bright light filled the sky, making the area looked peaceful, inviting. He moved deeper into the woods, stopping at the rim of the entrance. He felt calm now, relaxed.

  CHAPTER 26

  Awakening to the smell of breakfast, Kevin rolled over and smiled. Father Gregory was seated at the tiny dining table, tearing into what appeared to be ham, eggs, and toast. Noticing the ‘to go’ plate across from him, he said, “Smells amazing. Is that one for me?”

  “No, that’s seconds for me. I woke up ravenous.” Father Gregory barely finished the last word before he started laughing.

  Smiling, Kevin said, “Lying isn’t your strong suit, Father. Wait a minute, comedy isn’t either. Don’t ever stop being a priest—you might end up starving and living on the street.”

  “I guess there aren’t many Catholic comedians out there, are there?”

  “Just you, Father. Just you.”

  While delving into his portion of breakfast, Kevin paused and said, “I’d like to stop by the hospital and tell Amanda I’m leaving, and then we can head to the airport.” His dream the night prior had left him with the impression that the woods weren’t a threat to him, that it was time to go back.

  “And where might you be going?”

  “I’ve been thinking about what you said, and I’ve decided to give it a try. Wise, Virginia here I come.”

  “Now that’s my boy. I believe this will really help clear your head and move on from your past.” Father Gregory replied happily.

  “I hope you’re right, Father, because I’m pretty scared right now. I can’t imagine how I’ll make it off the plane much more step foot back inside that tunnel again.”

  “Why don’t I go over with you?”

  “What? No, I can’t ask you to do that, Father.” “Why not? I cleared my schedule to come down

  here. As long as I’m still in the south, I don’t mind.” Taking a second, Kevin said, “Father, I really appreciate all you’ve done for me. I don’t think I ever would’ve gotten out of that place without your help. I’ll gladly accept your offer to join me on my next trip—I have a feeling I’m going to need you. Say a prayer that I won’t die of a heart attack.”

  “Nonsense. You’ll be fine. Now get ready, and go

  tell Miss Billingsley goodbye.”

  For a brief second, Kevin wondered how Father Gregory knew Amanda’s last name. He couldn’t recall telling it to him. He wrote it off, concluding that the investigator he had looking into the Taos madness must’ve told him.

  * * *

  “If you’re planning on causing more trouble, you might as well stay o
ut, Sheriff Jent.”

  “Wow, news sure travels fast in this town. Is the entire town on the Sheriff’s speed dial? Look, I’m just here for some breakfast, and then I’ll be on my way.”

  “You’re lucky the Gentry family doesn’t sue you for beating up on their two boys like that, Sheriff. Just because you have a badge, don’t...”

  “What is it with you people? Look, just make me three eggs over medium, throw in three pieces of bacon, and two slices of toast. Make it ‘to go’ and you’ll never see me again.”

  Reluctantly, the man turned and relayed Russell’s order to the cook in the kitchen. Once he finished, he turned back to him and said, “Why don’t you wait outside, and I’ll bring it to you when it’s ready.”

  “Has anyone in this town ever heard of customer service?”

  “If you’d like to file a complaint, please fill out a card and drop it in the wooden box next to the counter, on your way out of town. I will do my best to fix whatever the problem is, Sheriff.”

  “I highly doubt that. No, I think I’ll hang around and look into this lack of friendliness myself.”

  Before Russell had a chance to give the man the money for his breakfast, the owner of the restaurant turned and headed back towards the door. Over his shoulder, he said, “Keep your money, Sheriff Jent. Just don’t come back.

  After sleeping with the bedbugs the night before, he’d tried telling himself that he didn’t really care what the cook might’ve done to his breakfast, but a small part of Russell couldn’t help but wonder. Tearing into the bacon first, he convinced himself that it tasted too good to worry about a little extra saliva.