Visions of Evil

by J. E. Neiman

  "Jake called me this afternoon, impersonating an FBI agent."

  "He called you? What did he say?" Rita put her hand on Maddie's shoulder.

  "He faked a Boston accent and said his name was Agent Yesnat." She lowered her gaze and shook her head. "That's Tansey spelled backwards. I should've caught it, but didn't."

  Allie squirmed in her chair.

  "Then, he asked if I liked the views in Sedona. And . . . being dense, I said yes. Sorry, but my mind's still counting molecules in La Jolla. I've been away from this agent stuff way too long." Maddie took the lotion from Allie. "He gave me the impression he was with Allie and on the way here."

  "How did he get your number?" Rita asked.

  Maddie shook her head. "I don't know."

  Westcott entered the conversation. "Jake Tansey's a computer genius. He specialized in HTTP, COBRA and Java development." Westcott cleared his throat. "Maddie's cell phone is listed at the Salk Institute employee website, but only those with an authorized code are allowed access. It probably wasn't a challenge for him."

  "Who would let him use a computer?" Rita asked.

  "Don't forget who were dealing with." Westcott leaned back in his chair and put his arm behind his head. "He could have gone to a library or a cyber café. And remember this guy's a pathological liar. He could have charmed someone into letting him use a computer or he killed them to do so." Westcott stood. "It's after midnight. Dan, secure this floor. I'm going to the lower level."

  Dan carried some dishes from the table to the counter. Both men did a radio check as Westcott left the room.

  Allie stayed in the kitchen alone with Dan. "Why are you so quiet tonight?"

  "Thinking about this situation." He sat at the table across from her. "I believe we made a mistake in coming to Sedona."

  Allie arched an eyebrow. "If I remember right you're the one that pushed me to leave Denver." She caught her sarcasm and asked, "Why have you changed your mind?"

  "If I were lead agent, I'd do things differently. Westcott's ego is a mile wide. He won't listen to any input and he's out of his element in this Podunk town." Dan reached for Allie's hand. "Even though we aren't together anymore, I don't want anything to happen to you or Maddie."

  Allie placed her index finger to her lips and squeezed his hand. "Shhh. We'll get this guy. I'm so glad you're —."

  "Hey, Allie. Maddie needs your help getting into the shower. Oh, I'm sorry. . ." Rita's voice trailed off as she gazed at the two.

  "No, it's okay. I'm coming." Allie stood.

  * * *

  The sun peeked over the gigantic red rock formations. Streaks of light glimmered through the porch windows into the safe house. A clock on the living room mantel rang six loud chimes.

  Rita squirmed on the high-backed chair she had positioned between Allie and Maddie's bedroom doors. The floor squeaked. She looked over her shoulder to see Allie standing in her bedroom doorway.

  "Rita, a girl's in trouble. I had a . . ." Allie whispered and rubbed her forehead. "She's in pain, crying . . . her voice is muffled but . . . she's calling out your name." Allie trembled and braced herself on the wall.

  Rita jumped to her feet to steady Allie. "My God, who is it? And where?"

  "I don't know. But she's thrashing around in red dirt and . . . sunflowers."

  Chapter 62

  Sedona, Arizona

  "This gets old . . . you showing up with nearly the same outfit." Allie pulled her hair into a pony-tail, securing it with a plastic tortoise-shell clip. She stared at Maddie's near match of what she wore. A long-sleeved blue tee-shirt, blue jeans and a brown leather belt. "Damn embarrassing, in fact."

  Maddie shrugged. "Well, go change your shirt. And while you're at it, alter your DNA." She rolled her wheelchair to the table.

  As the coffee perked, Allie smelled Maddie's toasted, blueberry bagel. Her stomach growled. "That makes me hungry."

  "I heard what you told Rita about your vision, Allie. You sure it was a woman calling out?"

  "Why?"

  "I had a dream of someone crawling toward me but I got the name Don." Maddie spread cream cheese on her bagel and took a bite.

  "Don? Did you see a face?” Allie handed Maddie a mug.

  The back door jarred open. Agent Westcott hurried inside. "Ladies." He crossed the room. "Agent Bates found a woman in bad shape across the road at the trail head. Ambulance is on the way."

  “I’ll be right there,” Allie said.

  “No. We're all staying together. This could be a diversion. I'll get our vehicle ready." He paused, turning his head. "Hear the sirens? We'll follow the ambulance."

  “Westcott, wait. Maddie had a vision of a woman in trouble too."

  "Rita told me about yours, Allie. That's why she's out trying to find her missing friend. Foley’s with her."

  "I know." Allie poured her dregs into the sink. "But what's the friend's name?"

  "Dawn Piper. They met at a restaurant last night. Old high school buddy."

  Allie and Maddie looked at each other with trepidation.

  "Get ready." Westcott started to leave. "Maddie, I'll load your portable chair into the SUV. Drive your electric one out to the vehicle." He slammed the door behind him.

  "I hope you're wrong about the name." Allie stared at Maddie. "The Don you heard could be D-A-W-N.”

  "Jake did this," Allie said, half-aloud.

  Maddie wheeled toward the door. “How do you know?”

  “In my vision, I saw that hideous animal again, lurking on a rock above the sunflowers and the bleeding woman. The ugly creature had Jake's smug grin.

  Chapter 63

  1876-Georgetown, Colorado Territory

  I reached out to shake the hand of the stocky man dressed in a steel-gray suit. "I'm Pearl. Can I help you?"

  "Taylor. Mr. Taylor." His nose made whistling sounds. "I've a business proposition."

  "And what might that be?"

  He walked around the store looking at our displays, touching the saddles and bridles we'd hung on the walls. "My new wife would like to own Em's Mercantile. I'll offer you a fair price."

  "Fair? Fair won't do." I nodded toward Lulu, Sonny and Levi. "But perhaps my colleagues and I would consider a good or excellent price."

  The man grimaced and strolled to the door. He turned, still making the whistling noise, "I'll have my lawyer bring a written proposal tomorrow."

  After Mr. Taylor left, I had mixed emotions. This could be the perfect answer regarding what to do with the store. But having someone else benefit from our long hours of work would be difficult.

  Levi put his coffee cup down on the counter and walked to the door. He turned and said, "Lulu and Sonny. I want you to come with us to Breckenridge. You're family."

  Lulu thanked him but I saw a vision of her and Sonny. They were sitting on a porch, laughing at a group of pig-like animals that rooted between sage and cacti. A covey of quails called to each other in the distance. I blinked my eyes to erase the strange images.

  Levi studied my face. "Don't worry, Pearl. Things will work out." He smiled and touched my shoulder. "Have you ordered your wedding dress from Denver?"

  I shook my head. "No."

  "If it's okay with Pearl," Lulu stepped toward me. "I'll make her a beautiful gown with lots of lace."

  "I'd love that, Lulu."

  * * *

  The next morning Mr. Taylor's lawyer delivered his proposal. The offer was twice what we'd hoped for. I could hardly contain myself.

  As soon as the man left, I jumped up and down. "Sonny, go get Levi. He won't believe this." I turned to Lulu. "We should take this offer."

  "Yes. You's need the money."

  "Me? No, we all worked hard and we'll share it equally."

  After Sonny departed, Lulu came close to me. She stared at the floor. "Pearl. We're not going with you and Mr. Levi. Don't wanta be cold no more."

  "But where will you go?" I asked.

  "My mama got letters from cousins who escaped slavery.
They live in Arizona Territory. I'd like to get there."

  I stared at her in disbelief, not knowing what to say. Then I remembered my vision. I placed my arms around her. "Oh, Lulu. I'll miss you terribly, but if that's what you want to do, I'll do anything I can to help."

  * * *

  Levi and I were married in our store the evening of June 1, 1876, surrounded by a few friends. Father Dyer conducted the ceremony with Lulu at my side and Sonny at Levi's.

  The day before Sonny and Lulu left, we gathered to place flowers at Anna's grave, and say our goodbyes to her and each other. I handed Lulu her and Sonny's shares of the money we'd received from Mr. Taylor. She hesitated, then placed the bills into a leather pouch she'd pulled from her bodice.

  I couldn't bear to see them ride away on the Concord Stage to Denver, where they would board a train to Santa Fe, then another coach south. Instead, I peeked out through the same window of Levi's building, in which I'd seen the flickering light the first night we arrived in Georgetown, six months ago.

  Levi and I left the following day aboard the Concord Coach headed to Breckenridge. There were seven other passengers, all men. The wooden bench seats were uncomfortable and the nine of us sat shoulder to shoulder. The carriage reeked from body odor and cigar smoke.

  I peered out the window wanting to see Em's Mercantile for the last time. As we passed by, Mr. Taylor opened the bright-red front door and stepped outside. A woman dressed in a stylish emerald-green gown, a feathered hat and white gloves, hung on his arm.

  As I stared at her, she waved. It was Kate.

  Levi followed my gaze. "I'll be damned."

  Kate had found herself a rich man, albeit an old one with a whistling nose. She gave me a smug grin and waved again. My mouth hung open in shock.

  * * *

  Father Dyer rode his horse beside us on the narrow road over the top of Argentine Pass, down the Snake and up Ten Mile Canyon. The higher altitude brought colder weather. Snow and ice covered part of the trail. Levi held me tight to keep me warm.

  Several times, we met freighters loaded with lumber. These large wagons with teams of four to six horses had the right-of-way.

  The first time, our driver pulled to a stop and hollered down to us, "Everybody out."

  We joined him to peer over a thousand-foot cliff.

  "You all stay here," he said, "I'd like for survivors to tell my family how I went over the edge." He laughed and jumped back onto the coach, maneuvering it around the freighter.

  I couldn't resist peeking around Levi's back to witness the terrifying scene. Rocks and chunks of ice skidded out from under the wheels, falling into the deep ravine.

  * * *

  The next day we came upon a large boulder that had fallen on the narrow trail. After unloading the nine of us, the driver attached ropes to the luggage rack on the top of the coach. He asked each man to pull on the ropes when he circumvented the huge rock. The driver drove with two wheels hanging over the edge of the cliff. The seven men holding the ropes, created a perfect balancing act. A sight I did not want to see again.

  I glanced down at the chasm to see a pile of wreckage, where other coaches and wagons had crashed. I shuddered.

  As I turned away, a vivid image of Sonny and Lulu basking in the sun filled my mind. I wanted to be there with them instead of this cold, dangerous place.

  Chapter 64

  Sedona, Arizona

  At six-thirty a.m., Agents Dan Foley and Rita Martinez, retraced the route Dawn probably had taken from the Byway Bar and Grill to her vehicle. Her white Jeep with a bubblegum-pink stripe on each side sat alone in the parking lot. The driver's door stood ajar.

  Rita frowned. "If Dawn was abducted, she would have put up one hell of a fight. There would be some sign of a struggle."

  "Perhaps she caught a ride home with a friend." Dan hiked his pants up and squinted at the red dirt lot.

  "No, something's wrong. Her sister's frantic. They live together and notify each other of any change in plans. Dawn's cell goes directly to voicemail."

  Rita's mind replayed the previous evening with her friend at the bar and grill. "Last night a guy, William, came to our booth and plopped down. He made my skin crawl, but Dawn liked him and wanted to dance. When I left, I thought I spotted him sneaking around by the back door. But I'm not positively sure it was him." Rita ran her fingers through her hair.

  "Why didn't you tell me that before? They're probably getting it on at his place. And, we don't know if the girl in Allie's vision is Dawn or even in Sedona."

  "Allie said the girl struggled in red dirt with sunflowers around her."

  Dan kicked a rock. "So?"

  "My friend wore a sunflower print blouse last night." Rita glared at Dan. "And, there's no way Dawn would go anywhere with someone she didn't know." She paused and rubbed her chin. "She's a flirt, but she's not stupid." Rita gazed up at the sky and saw a hawk circling overhead.

  "Tell me about the guy in the bar?"

  "In his forties, about five-foot-ten, medium build. Thick dark-brown eyebrows, a normal sized nose, thin lips and dimples. Gelled buzz cut, bleached blond. He wore black slacks, a silky maroon shirt and he bragged about his Tullio loafers."

  "Okay Rita, you're a trained observer." He grinned. "But the brand name means nothing to me."

  Rita shrugged and said, "Tullio signifies a five-hundred pair of shoes."

  "You said his name was William, right?"

  "Yes. You're a trained listener." Rita knew her answer was sharp but she didn't care. Her friend was missing and if the smooth-talking creep did anything to her, Rita would never forgive herself. She turned back toward the white Jeep.

  Dan followed. "Made your skin crawl, huh?"

  Rita stopped. "The guy undressed me with his eyes. And . . . he stared at my mouth, almost drooling. It was unnerving."

  A cell phone rang and the sound startled both of them.

  "Agent Foley." Dan covered his eyes with his free hand while he listened. "Okay. We're on our way." He closed the phone and turned to face Rita. "That was Westcott. They found a naked woman not far from the safe house."

  The strain in Dan's voice made Rita's heart thud in her chest. "Is she dead?"

  "Victim's alive, but barely. Medics are transporting to the ER. Westcott wants us there ASAP. He's bringing Allie and Maddie."

  "Is it Dawn? What do you mean by . . . barely?" They jogged toward Rita's SUV.

  "No identification, massive trauma —"

  Rita interrupted him. "Wait, I see something shiny over there." She tossed him the keys to the car. "Swing around and pick me up."

  Dan sped the black vehicle over to where Rita stood. A marrow-pink dust cloud blossomed behind him.

  She jumped in holding a plastic evidence bag. "Two mobile phones," Rita yelled. "One's Dawn's. The other's last two calls were dialed yesterday. One to Kansas, other to Maddie's cell."

  "What the hell?"

  Rita motioned for the Dan to drive. Sweat dripped off her forehead. "Jake. He left two calling cards." She put her hand over her revolver. "The bastard took Dawn."

  Chapter 65

  1876-Traveling to Breckenridge, Colorado Territory

  We reached Leadville after twelve grueling hours of travel. The town had two nicknames ─ Magic City and Cloud City. I didn't see anything magical but snow fell from a cloudy sky.

  The town was a jury-rigged clutter of structures. Apparently, no ordinances or street plans existed as they had in Georgetown. Tents butted against newly constructed brick buildings, and one log cabin sat smack in the center of the main street. People were everywhere. Many were drunk, shooting and yelling in the street. I found it difficult to breathe and felt light-headed.

  Levi saw my dilemma. "It's the altitude. Take deep breaths and you'll be okay. We're at ten thousand feet. Breckenridge is even higher."

  We stayed the night with Father Dyer's friends. Early the next morning, the Blue River Wagon Coach left Leadville for Breckenridge. Only two other passengers
traveled with us. Miners on their way to seek a fortune. Nasty weather promoted Father Dyer to join us inside, his horse following behind. He told endless stories of his travels from one mining camp to another.

  At the top of Hoosier Pass, the driver stopped so we could witness the Great vortex. It felt as if we were standing on top of the world.

  I'd read about the Great Divide in school. The watershed falls in different directions at the top. The east waters travel toward the Atlantic Ocean while the west-side runoff may reach the Pacific.

  Levi kissed me. "Sweetie, everything's downhill from now on."

  The driver and Father Dyer laughed at his corny humor, but I felt uneasy about the remark. I scanned the trail behind us, wondering if Jake and Eli were nearby.

  After we transversed for hours on the treacherous trail, the sun came out. The road became muddy from melting snow and ice. We rounded a steep curve and a carpet of wildflowers greeted us. The blooms covered the sides of the lower hills. It looked as if God had randomly spilled different colors of paint. Reds, whites, purples and blues, flowed into the meadows. Perhaps this was a sign that things would be all right after all.

  Our coach followed the Blue River into the settlement of Breckenridge. The town boasted several stores, hotels, saloons, and a post office. A few people waved at us from wooden sidewalks and orderly streets.

  One of the male passengers pointed to a beautiful, two-story Victorian house. "That's where I'm going first," he said, "I need a lady." He laughed, revealing his tobacco stained teeth.

  The front door opened. Two women dressed in tawdry, low cut gowns, one in bright pink and the other in forest-green, stepped outside. They waved. Levi started to wave back, but I pinched his arm.

  "Ouch." He tried to tickle me.

  Father Dyer turned his head and grinned. "Watch it, you two."