Visions of Evil

by J. E. Neiman

  He grinned. “What’s the local beer, hot stuff?”

  “Oak Creek Brewery’s, dark-ale on tap.” She didn't make eye contact.

  Jake tried his charm again. “Does it taste as good as you?”

  She gave him a cold stare. "Do you want a beer or not? You're wasting my time.”

  “Christ, I was just trying to be friendly,” he muttered, under his breath. “Bitch.”

  The bartender wiped the counter with a white cloth that reeked of bleach. “Want a drink or not?”

  “Yep. Bottle of Corona.”

  Jake took a slow turn on his bar stool and stared at a group of Harley riders bunched off to the left. What is it with these bearded, longhaired freaks, he asked himself? Old hippies or maybe they want to belong to something that edges against the law.

  Toward the back, he spotted several dark-green booths. In one, a red-head with lush lips sat with a blond woman. Jake stared at the pair until they both turned his way. He gave them his best dimpled smile knowing that his newly bleached hair gave him a youthful, innocent look while his black slacks, designer loafers and maroon, silk shirt showed class. Evidently, they thought the same as they grinned at each other after gazing at him.

  Jake threw a ten-spot on the counter, picked up his beer and sauntered toward the two women, dodging couples doing the two-step on a small dance floor. A country-western band preformed a bungling version of Kenny Chesney’s, “She’s Got It All.”

  When he reached the women's booth, he grinned. “Hey. That song describes you two beauties. Can I join you?”

  “Uh, we’re old friends getting together," the red-head said. "We’d like to be alone.”

  “Okay. How about you do that after I buy you a drink and a burger?”

  He scooted in beside the blond who wore a low-cut, sunflower-printed blouse. But the red head in her crisp, white blouse attracted him more.

  His seatmate giggled. “You’re a little pushy.”

  “Need to be, when I see a pot of gold going to waste in a smoky joint.” He turned to the blond to shake her hand. “I'm William. What’s your name sweet thing?”

  “William. That’s a very formal, but I like it. My name’s Dawn. You know, like the morning. I’m a local. Rita's from Phoenix.” She nodded at her friend.

  Jake studied Rita’s face as he shook her hand. Her cat-green eyes seemed familiar. He'd noticed a neatly folded navy-blue blazer on the seat beside her. An image of Allie standing behind Rita flashed in his mind. Of course, she’s one of the agents assigned to guard the twin psychics.

  Rita pulled her slim hand away, touched her chin and frowned.

  Jake’s gaze followed Rita's hand to her full plump lips. Collagen job, he surmised. How convenient for me, in thought. The red-head agent would allow him the perfect way to notify the physic bitches, and their entourage, that he was in control.

  Turning toward the fools dancing beneath the piercing strobe lights, Jake pictured what he could do with Rita’s sexy trout-pout. She’d never be the same after tonight.

  Chapter 57

  Sedona, Arizona

  After the CAT scan, Allie paced the ER room. Maddie rolled her wheelchair forward and back.

  "Describe to me what happened before you fainted?" Maddie asked.

  "It came on quickly. A spinning sensation. Then I floated into darkness." Allie picked up her water bottle and took a long drink. "It happened in Phoenix too."

  "Allie, its good they've did the tests. They can rule out any serious problem. If it's vertigo, they'll probably want you to rest and quit work for a while."

  "Maddie, you know that’s impossible." She took deep breaths. "We're in danger. I located Jake in Mexico after he ran from California. In his delusional mind, he thinks we're the only ones who can find him and maybe that's true right now." Allie leaned closer to Maddie. "He wants us dead. The FBI believes he not only killed his wife, six months ago, but a teen in Colorado and at least four people in Mexico. Plus he killed Pauly St. Claire." Allie paused then whispered. "It's as if he can read my mind or something. I think he's already in Sedona."

  Maddie held up her hand. "Wait a minute. You think this creep's psychic?"

  "Yes, or something like that. He sure can zero in on me." Allie pulled a chair next to Maddie and sat. "I'll be working on another case and boom, he's in my mind. And sometimes when I try to visualize him on my terms, I draw a blank." She stood. "Right before I fainted today, I sensed something threatening you. Tell me exactly what happened before you nearly fell off the cliff."

  "Well, I was in the safe house's backyard looking at the pet cemetery when that agent phoned. After he hung up, I felt something brush my shoulder . . . like a wing of a bird. Then, a huge black-headed dog snarled at me. It startled me and I must have accidentally pushed the toggle on my wheelchair. I ended up hanging over the edge."

  "Maddie, did the agent give you his name?"

  "Yeah . . . a strange one." Maddie played with a strand of her hair. "I did the word association thing we do. Yes no, or yes nut . . . I know. It was Yesnat."

  "Yesnat?" Allie stood, rubbed her forehead and stopped. "Oh my God, that's Tansey spelled backwards." She rubbed her hands together nervously, then whispered. "It was Jake. What did he say?"

  "He said he was with you and asked me how I liked the views of Sedona. I said they were stunning and asked to talk to you. But he said you were on another call. Damn, he was getting into my head."

  Allie untied her hospital gown, grabbed her navy-blue slacks and white blouse from the counter and put them on. "Maddie, he asked you about the views to verify you were at the Sedona location." She zipped her pants up just as Dr. Morrel entered the room.

  "Good news," he said. "No tumor and a negative for a stroke. But we were not able to pinpoint the cause of your symptoms. It could be from your previous neck and back injury. Sometimes stress or fatigue will instigate problematic vertigo." He scribbled on a small pad. "Here's a prescription for Scopolamine. It depresses the nervous system and will make you drowsy, so plan to rest." Morrel handed her a small bottle. "Here's a sample until you get the prescription filled." He paused. "Any questions?"

  "Doctor, I don't think it's vertigo."

  "Allie, I want to treat for vertigo now. You're slightly anemic and too thin. That could be part of the problem. I'd like to see you in three days. Is that possible?"

  "I think so."

  "Oh, avoid alcohol while on this drug."

  "Thank you, Doctor. However, I don't want the medication. I need all my wits about me. You basically know why." She reached to shake his hand.

  "I don't know the details but Agent Westcott informed me that you and you're sister are in Sedona for protection."

  * * *

  Inside the Byway Bar and Grill, Rita's cell vibrated on her waistband as the country- western band ended another song about a two-timing lover. She grabbed her phone and read a coded text message. She mouthed the words, "Have to go," to Dawn and picked up her folded blazer, which concealed her revolver and badge. As Rita slid out of the shabby booth, she noticed William, staring at her mouth.

  Something creepy about this guy, she thought.

  "I'll walk you to the door," Dawn shouted.

  As they squeezed their way through the crowd, Rita glanced back to see William following. He grinned, spread his arms out as if guilty and turned toward the restroom.

  Very strange behavior, Rita thought. The feelings I'm having about this weirdo are difficult to identify. Damn, my nerves are on edge. It reminds me of the uneasiness I used to get right before a tornado would hit somewhere near me in Oklahoma.

  When they reached the entryway, Dawn lost her balance. Rita steadied her friend and stared into her eyes. "Are you okay?"

  "Little tipsy. That drink went straight to my head. I'll be fine after I finish eating my hamburger." She giggled and ran her fingers through her hair. "Besides, I want to dance with William. He's so handsome. I could tell he liked you. Now, he's all mine."

 
Rita's cell phone vibrated again and she gave Dawn a hug. "Be careful with that guy. I don't trust him. And . . . drink sodas the rest of the night. Okay?"

  "Of course." Dawn pushed away. "But remember you're on duty, I'm not." She laughed.

  After Rita watched Dawn stroll back into the bar, she ducked into a corner, pulled her holster over her shoulder and slipped on her jacket.

  When she opened the heavy wooden door, the darkness of the parking lot startled her. The black velvet sky, pierced with random pinpoints of light, seemed low and overwhelming. A large cottonwood tree stood to the left and a light breeze clicked the leaves together. The sound resembled taunting whispers. Rita shuddered and admonished herself for doing so. You're an FBI agent. Be real. She touched her gun snuggled against her ribs like a St. Levi medallion, for safety.

  As Rita moved toward her car with keys in hand, she heard a scraping of metal on metal. She felt someone watching her in the shadows at the edge of the building. Spinning on her heels, she slid her hand inside her blazer and pulled her gun from its holster. "FBI, step into the light."

  Silence, except for the music and voices leaking out of the old bar and grill. The leaves had become quiet too. Rita reached into her jacket with her left hand and pulled out a standard issue pen light.

  In the poorly lit parking lot, the small beam was lost in the moonless night. She called out again. "FBI, show yourself."

  Chapter 58

  Sedona, AZ

  The wind picked up as Jake watched the agent lower her gun and jump into her vehicle. She spun gravel, roaring out of the parking lot.

  She's a real spitfire, he thought. But her chubby friend will do.

  He reached down to remove the screwdriver he'd placed earlier to prop the metal exit door open. The sexy agent had reacted quickly when she heard the wind blow the door against the steel shaft, eliminating his initial plan.

  Jake stepped into the crowed bar, so smoke-filled his eyes watered. Even after his stay in smoke-like-a-chimney Mexico, he still hated polluted air. He missed the clean-air bars in California but knew he could never return to the Golden State. The only way he could be free anywhere was to kill Allie and her gimp sister, Maddie. He'd already had Gilbert, his retarded cousin eliminate the twin's mom. For some reason, those three were the only ones who could ever zero on his whereabouts.

  He did a quick scan of the joint. The band had taken a break and the sports crowd had dissipated. A country song from a recording wailed in the background. The noise level was almost tolerable. Big Bertha, the bartender, waved him over. Hmmm, perhaps she has loosened up a bit, he thought, but her facial expression told him otherwise.

  "You prop open an exit door again, you'll be thrown out. Get it?"

  "Needed some fresh air. Place's a stinking hole."

  She nodded her head toward the entrance. "If you don't like it, leave."

  Jake gave her the finger and turned away.

  The agent's blond friend waved at him. He faked a salute and muttered to himself, "I'm coming . . . Morning, Sunshine or Light . . . of whatever your name is."

  Jake grinned as he approached the woman wearing the sunflower printed top. She stood, hips swaying with her arms spread open.

  When he was twelve his dad had told him one of his dim-witted, sanctimonious warnings: "When a woman spreads their legs, the gates of hell beckon you."

  "Yep, daddy, they're calling and I'm freaking ready," he murmured.

  "William, I thought you forgot me." Dawn fluffed her hair and stroked her curvy hips. "My friend had to go. It's just you and me. Let's dance."

  "Okay. Let's." He put his arm around her chubby shoulders and whispered, "It's the last dance of your pathetic life."

  Chapter 59

  Sedona, Arizona

  The driveway at the safe house on Elephant Rock Drive couldn't hold another vehicle so Rita parked on the street. She spotted Agent Bates with his flashlight maneuvering up the flagstone driveway to meet her.

  "Good evening." The barrel-chested man seemed limber for his size. "They're waiting for you. You're to secure the sisters' rooms tonight. I'm walking the front perimeters."

  Rita stopped short when a coyote howled behind them on the mesa. "I hate that lonesome call."

  "Four legged animals aren't our problem," Bates said. "Westcott has the whole team on alert because Allie believes the perps in Sedona."

  "He's here? But . . . how?

  "Don't know. We followed procedures to the letter but we're not taking any chances."

  "Bates, do you know what happens when you connect electrodes to a psychopath and tell him he's going to receive a shock?"

  "No." Bates voice tone was tense.

  "Nothing. Their heartbeat doesn't jump. They have no fear of anything, including pain. This guy will do whatever it takes to get his way. Watch your back."

  Rita climbed the porch steps and questioned the tranquility of her surroundings. If Jake's in town, she thought, this serenity is an illusion.

  A twig snapped in the tree line to her left. She felt the wind change and an unpleasant animal odor came with the breeze. Another long howl from the mesa caused her to quicken her steps toward the door.

  Chapter 60

  1875-Georgetown, Colorado Territory

  Behind our store, Levi and I stood between the pack and the dead cougar. The coyotes showed their teeth and inched closer to us. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw three of them slinking to our left. They were going to encircle us if we didn't do something fast. The outhouse was fifteen feet away, but I didn't know if we could make it there before the snarling animals jumped us.

  "Pearl," Levi said, "on the count of three, scream and run to the privy. I'll be right behind." His right arm inched along the ground. He carefully picked up a handful of rocks and pulled it to his side.

  I lifted my skirt hem, readying myself.

  "One, two, three," Levi yelled, then threw the stones.

  I ran and yelled as loud as I could without ripping the stitches out of my lip.

  Levi followed close behind me into the foul-smelling place and quickly slammed the door. The structure's only opening to the outside was a ten-inch crescent moon, carved high into the door. It allowed a bit of light.

  "Now what?" I asked, pinching my nose shut.

  "We wait." He touched my shoulder. "Care to sit?"

  I squinted behind me at the two round holes cut into the bench. "No." I hated sitting on them even when I had to.

  Levi chuckled, "Okay, not a good joke. Whew, it reeks in here. If I lit a match, we'd explode." He stood on his toes and peered through the cutout in the door. "The coyotes are tearing the cougar to shreds. Bloody meat's flying everywhere."

  "That's a great image." I nudged an elbow into his ribs. "Let's get out of here."

  Levi shook his head. "No. One could be on guard, waiting"

  In the distance, I heard a voice. "Pearl?" Lulu called. "You's okay?"

  "Lulu," Levi called through the moon window. "Coyotes have us cornered. We're in the outhouse. Get help."

  "I's got the gun," Lulu said.

  A loud boom shattered through the early morning air. An animal yelped and we heard the others run into the woods behind us.

  "Come out now," Lulu said. "They's gone."

  Levi and I rushed to where Lulu stood holding the rifle. He pushed me in front of him and grabbed Lulu's free hand.

  "Let's go. They'll be back."

  We hurried to the safety of our store. The aroma of coffee boiling on the stove greeted us.

  Lulu rushed to Sonny, who sat on the sofa.

  "Big ca . . . cats?" he asked.

  "No, coyotes," I said, wishing I hadn't. His face reflected a new-found terror.

  After breakfast, Levi checked Sonny's bandages and then mine. Lulu placed the

  "Open" sign on our front door. Two minutes later a tall, heavy-set, well-dressed man entered the store.

  "Excuse me," he said. "Who's the owner of this establishment?"

 
I knew my time was up. Either this man had come to claim the store for Mac's family or a sheriff who would arrest me for Mac's death.

  I stepped forward. "I am."

  Chapter 61

  Sedona, Arizona

  At the safe house, Allie rubbed her left wrist where the ER nurse had inserted an IV of dextrose and other supplements to balance her electrolytes. She'd nearly gagged on the Ensure they insisted she drink, but something worked. Now she felt as if she could run a mile, but knew that was out of the question because of Jake, and she'd just heard a coyote howling on the mesa across the street from the safe house.

  Allie disrobed and stepped into the steam-shower. She replayed the conversation with Maddie at the ER. It was evident that the visions of the threatening animal, she and her sister both experienced, indicated that Jake was near. She shivered in the hot water. Someone knocked on the bathroom door.

  "Are you okay?" Rita called.

  "I'm fine. Glad you're back, Rita," Allie said, shampooing her hair. "I'll be out in a few. Maddie's next."

  "No problem. Take your time."

  * * *

  Maddie and Dan sipped green tea from canary-yellow cups in the kitchen. A decorative plate presenting green grapes, oranges and bananas sat on the rustic-oak table before them.

  "Cup of tea, Rita?" Dan stood as Rita entered the room.

  "As long as it's herbal, I'd love it." She pulled out a chair and sat. "Maddie, I see you're sporting bandages. How you feeling?"

  "Just scratches. I'm great, but my ego's bent." Maddie clicked her short, ruby-red fingernails on her cup. "I can't believe that I lost control of my wheelchair. Makes me feel like an idiot."

  Allie walked into the room tying the belt on her fluffy white bathrobe, a pink turban towel wrapped tightly around her head. "Maddie, don't be hard on yourself."

  Westcott opened the back door and entered the kitchen. "This looks like a party." He pulled up a chair and joined the group.

  Allie reached into her pocket and pulled out a tube of lotion. "Maddie and I need to share a few things. We both had images of a hideous animal today, here at the safe house. Mine happened right before I collapsed in the entryway and Maddie's in the backyard. Her experience was more of an apparition that led to the freaky accident in her wheelchair." Allie opened the plastic tube and squeezed lotion onto her hands. "Tell them about the telephone call, Maddy."