Something Stinks in Deep Cove (The Vellian Books Book 4)

by Reed, Grant T.

  “It’s not true,” gulped Junior. “Tell them, Azi!” He turned to the woman beside him, groping at her sleeve.

  Azi shrugged herself loose and walked to Alex Senior. She hugged the old man and turned to the judge. “It’s all true. Junior is a murdering coward. His mother was in on it, as well.” The old lady shrieked and threw her purse at Azi.

  Junior used this opportunity to rush the Judge. He was successful in taking the other man completely by surprise. He knocked the older man over the railing and into the waste water below. Bolting for the door, he shoved his mother out of his way and yanked on the door handle. Nothing happened. Straining with the effort, he kicked the door in disgust realising his father had beaten him. Old Man Potty cackled with delight.

  Before any of the policemen could move, P.C. scrambled down the steps, shoving first Merle, and then Senior out of his way. “Oh… no!” he screeched. “Executing… code…three… seven… eight.” He hit the floor running. Three graceless steps saw him arrive at the yellow railing. In one smooth motion he dove into the water. An electrical snap rebounded off the walls of the chamber and a black cloud of smoke billowed up from the briny surface.

  P.C. grunted as he surfaced, his one good eye blinking haphazardly. With the last of his strength, he hurled the judge onto the walkway. He tried to speak but only a gurgle came out as he sank from sight. A stream of bubbles was all that remained.

  “Noooooooo,” yelled Merle, covering his mouth in horror.

  “Stoneman, drop that waste of skin and haul the metal guy out,” said Johnny, his pie plate waving in the direction of the bubbles. Stoneman did as he was bid, smashing the railing out of his way and fishing the smoking metal corpse from the dark water. He dropped the remains beside the huddled and shivering judge.

  Perew coughed and spat, trying to clear his mouth of the foul water. “He saved me,” he gulped. Getting to his knees he stared at the wreckage. Pointing a finger at Junior he struggled to rise. “Officers, arrest that man.”

  “Well done!” exclaimed Old Man Potty.

  Azi grimaced and came over to hug Merle. “Just like him to dive right in there,” she said. “If he had half a brain he would have fished out the judge with his extendable arm.”

  “Stupid metal heap,” snapped Merle. He walked over to the remains and kicked them. “This is going to cost a fortune to fix.”

  “You need to learn to relax, young man,” called Senior with a beaming smile. “After all, it’s only money.”

  20

  It’s Only Your Dignity

  It was a crisp evening and the sun was setting. Garrett and Azi walked along a paved path in one of the parks. To their left, the noise from a raft of ducks drifted over to them. There were not many people out tonight, and the wind had a bite to it. Garrett’s right arm remained in a sling, and Azi clung to his other arm as they walked.

  “I like it here in Deep Cove,” said Garrett. “It’s not as big as Cassadia, but it’s ten times the size of Fable. It’s just right.” He looked at his sister and she smiled at him and rubbed his arm.

  “I’m so glad you are not angry with me,” she said. She wore one of his thick sweaters and a wool hat against the chill. The wind made her cheeks rosy. To Garrett, his sister looked absolutely beautiful. “What?” she asked self-consciously.

  “You’re all grown up,” he said, pulling her in and kissing her forehead.

  “Stop it,” she teased and shoved him back, but she didn’t resist all that hard.

  “I’m glad you decided to stay in town, the last two weeks. It’s been nice spending time with you again.” He adjusted his collar against the wind.

  “I agree,” she said smiling. Then she tugged on his sleeve playfully. “Coral seems nice,” she teased. “Are you going to marry her?”

  “We’re just friends,” he replied.

  “Uh huh.” She nodded her head sarcastically.

  Garrett stopped walking and turned to face his sister. “I wanted to ask you to take Willie’s bow to the king,” he said. “Renli will see to it that it is preserved with honour.”

  “I thought you might keep it.”

  “It belongs to the people.”

  She nodded. “I wouldn’t have asked him to go with you, if I had known he was hunted.”

  “I know,” he said and hugged her. “It’s all in the past. Let’s leave everything in the past. From here on out, we forge ahead into the unknown, together.” She returned his hug, and together they turned for home.

  “And don’t worry about his secret,” she said, “Willie Taylor is dead. He died roaming the woods he loved and will be remembered as a hero. I will take the truth to my grave.”

  “I knew you would,” he agreed, “as will I.”

  * * * *

  The apartment was warm and cheery. Several lamps glowed throughout the room and both the stove in this area, and the fireplace in the office, had been lit. The room had been dusted, the floor swept, the dishes washed, and laundry folded and put away. The place was spotless. The stove door banged at the back of the apartment as P.C. finished loading another stick of wood into it. He removed the kettle from its surface and poured two cups of coffee. Adjusting his pink apron, he made his way to the table where Vic, Frank, Merle and Coral were engaged in a game of cards. Setting the coffee in front of Merle and Coral, the robot assessed them with his red eyes. “Anything… else?” he asked.

  “Sugar?” replied Coral

  “Milk?” asked Merle.

  “I’d like some more popcorn, if you have it?” agreed Frank. He pushed the empty bowl toward the automaton.

  “Of… course… you…would,” sighed the metal man. He turned to Vic. “And… what… can… I… get… your… highness?”

  “I’m good,” replied Vic happily. He played a card and clapped when Merle and Coral groaned. “Dey fixed him up bedder dan new!” he said.

  “I don’t know about better,” argued Merle, “but certainly on par.” He turned to Frank. “How’s Artero working out?”

  “The kid’s a crackerjack mechanic,” said Frank. “I definitely think we can help him out on a permanent basis, once his term is up. He’s already made headway with the new labeling machine!”

  “That’s great,” said Merle. “I knew he had talent. And if he gets bored with fixing things, you could try him out at sales. The kid has some mad negotiating skills.” Frank nodded and threw a card on the pile.

  “That was really nice of Mr. Potty to pay for all of the damages to P.C.,” said Coral. She played her own card, and Vic scowled at the woman. She adjusted her glasses and pretended not to notice. Vic testily played a card from his hand.

  “I don’t know if it was worth the time I spent behind bars, but the old man was very generous,” agreed Merle. He accepted the milk P.C. brought him and added some to his mug. Passing the sugar to Coral, he played a card and then stirred his coffee. “Not only did he pay for P.C., but he also rebuilt the prison, paid off my tuition, and is footing the bill to have us added to the sewer main. Can you believe it? We’re going to have running water and everything.”

  At the back of the room, P.C. struggled with the handle of their water pump as he refilled the kettle. “I… can’t… wait.”

  The door to the apartment swung in, and Garrett and Azi entered the living quarters. Azi waved to everyone and Garrett took her hat and sweater. “That wind is chilling,” informed the man.

  “Darn it, I knew I should have brought my heavy jacket,” said Coral. She slapped her card down and then raked the pile of cards in. “Point!” she said excitedly, and Vic grunted as Frank kicked him from under the table. Merle and Coral bumped fists, and Merle marked their point.

  “You’re welcome to stay here,” said Garrett, hanging the sweater and hat up by the back counter. Azi grinned at him, and he quickly added, “I’ll take the couch.”

  “Thank you,” said Coral. We’ll see. It depends on how good the wine tastes.”

  “Wine?” asked Vic. “but we broug
ht de good stuff. “P.C. input command ‘fetch de beer.’”

  P.C. looked up from where he was popping the corn at the stove. “Go… BEEP-BEEP… yourself,” he said. He looked surprised as the high pitched tone escaped his mouth. “I… said… BEEP-BEEP. …BEEP-BEEP.” He scratched his head a pensive look on his iron mug. Holy… BEEP-BEEP.”

  “That’s new,” said Frank. Everyone had turned to look at the metal man.

  “I thought it might help with the general perception of P.C.” Garrett shrugged. “I’m not sure it will, but at least he shouldn’t offend as many people, now. He turned to the robot. “P.C. input command: fetch the beer.” The robot sighed and left the popcorn on the stove as he ambled for the back door. Garrett took up the pan and removed it from the heat. P.C. was not long in returning with a crate of beer bottles. He kicked the door shut behind him, where it failed to latch. “BEEP-BEEP… that… wind… is… cold.”

  Garrett sighed and went to the door and closed it. He took the crate from P.C. and struggled to set it on the counter with his good hand. Removing two bottles from the box, he looked at the label and nodded. “Kline’s finest pale ale,” he read. “That is some fancy labeling.”

  “Until Artero fixes de machine, I get to glue dem on myself,” said Vic proudly. He stuck his arm out to show everyone the numerous label tattoos he had given himself.

  “I wasn’t going to ask,” whispered Coral to Azi. Garrett placed the bottles on a plate and carried them to Vic and Frank, like a waiter. Vic giggled as he removed the cork with a popping sound.

  “It’s time for our commercial!” shouted Merle with a glance at the clock. Azi went to the coffee table and turned on the unit with the remote. She flipped through the channels until she located the right one. “And in other news, the Cassadian Kickers have defeated the Grenich Goblins in a forty-seven to three route. That’s all for sports. We’ll have all of your top stories tonight at eleven.”

  The G.V. went black and a howling wind echoed from the amplifiers. The sound of a door banging was followed by a girlish scream. “Are you tired of freezing your hiney off in the cold? Who in their right mind wants to subject themself to that torture?” The image of Johnny huddled over a seat in the outhouse came into view. His pants were down, and he shivered in the cold. “Not me!” he exclaimed, his breath fogging from him.

  “Look,” shouted Vic, “dere’s Johnny!”

  “Shhhhh,” said Frank and Merle in unison.

  “Introducing a new John, from Potty Incorporated. Comfortable enough for even the baby of the family,” The scene changed to an indoor shot of pristine white tiles behind Johnny. He sighed in contentment as he unfurled a newspaper on his lap, “but tough enough for that rugged colossus as well.” A quick shot of Stoneman hovering over the bowl was followed by the sound of passing gas. “Potty’s all new John hooks into the water system and flushes all of your cares away.” The picture went back to Johnny as he pulled a chain on the side of the bowl. The sound of flushing water resonated from the speakers. “Order now, and we’ll include one whole year of free potty cleaning services. If it’s brown, and doesn’t go down, call us, and we’ll take care of it!” The shot changed to P.C. hovering over the bowl in his pink apron. The metal man’s plunger worked the toilet, and P.C. turned to the camera. “I… love… my… job!” he exclaimed.

  “Don’t be caught out in the cold, order yours today!” The final shot was of Johnny in the frozen outhouse, again. The camera panned to the empty paper holder. “Not again,” whined Johnny. “Baby?” he shouted. “Baby, I’m out here…”

  The scene faded and the last words were spoken so fast it was hard to catch them all. “Warranty void if newspaper, magazines, or cloth used for wipes. Cleaning services only available in Deep Cove, Vellia.”

  Coral clapped. “Well done,” she exclaimed. “I’m glad the judge agreed to let Johnny off with the completion of the commercial and time served. He really isn’t a threat to anyone.”

  Vic beamed at his friends. “I got to do the voiceover for Stoneman!” he said proudly. Blank stares passed amongst the others.

  “Now that we’re out of the hole, financially,” said Garrett, “will you be going to write your lawyers exam?”

  Merle grunted in disgust. “I’ve had enough lawyering to last me a lifetime.” He shuddered with regret. “Besides, Old Man Potty has agreed for me to enroll in something more up my alley.”

  “Oh,” said Garrett in surprise. “What would that be?”

  “Security guard training.”

  “Really?” asked Garrett “I didn’t think that would interest you.”

  “He seems to think I have a knack for it. Besides, all you have to do is sit around and stare at a monitor all day!”

  “Oh, in that case, I think it will be a perfect fit.”

  They were interrupted by a metallic scream from the back of the apartment, where P.C. stood by the stove, his pan of popcorn on fire. “Ah… ooh… Fire! Ah BEEP-BEEP” he wailed. He looked both ways, and then made a break for the back door. Slamming it from its hinges, he tumbled into the night.

  “You couldn’t program him with cooking lessons, could you?” asked Coral.

  Garrett stared at the busted door. “I was thinking more along the lines of carpentry,” he admitted.

  Epilogue

  The moon’s rays shimmered amongst the barren trees and glinted off the freshly fallen snow. The wind whispered through the top most branches, bringing with it the promise of warmer weather. Silver birch lined the high valley, and a rock cut led into the lowlands of the Lonely Wood. In the ravine below the cluster of birch, a deer stepped to the edge of the river and the recently ice-freed waters. Drinking deeply, it remained alert. Not far away, a porcupine chewed on a stick.

  A great horned owl hooted at the twinkling stars and then dove from its perch in the oak tree. Down it soared, navigating its way through the maze of branches lining its path. Talons extended, it swept a small rabbit from the ground and winged off.

  The echoes of something large running through the woods filled the valley. The deer’s head lifted from the river, water dripping from the hairs on its chin. An ear swiveled toward the high bluff, above. The heavy thumping of the beast continued as the monster clawed its way onto the bluff. Silver fur matched the glint from the birch trees and sleek muscle powered the creature to the pinnacle of the outcropping.

  The monster’s back arched, and it pawed the air. A lonely cry echoed from the high rocks. Long and haunting it carried along the river and between the hills at the far end of the ravine. The Devil snorted as it took in the woody scents of the forest. Beside the river, the deer was running now.

  Savoring the trace of the fresh animal, the monster roared again. From below, and ahead of the deer, an answering call split the night air.

  The End

  Note for Readers:

  Thanks for joining Garrett and Merle on their adventures! I hope you enjoyed your time in Vellia and the whacky characters that inhabit these lands. If you did enjoy the tale, remember to check out the Vellian Heroes books, which tell the story of how Garrett was trained to be a protector of the realm when he was a boy (they take place 20 years prior to the Vellian Mysteries.) More zany characters await, some new, some old, and many that will revisit Garrett during the Vellian Mysteries series.

  It is also greatly appreciated if you can take the time to review my work (Even just a few lines with your opinion and your rating is a great help!) Being an Indie Author is challenging on the best of days, so I appreciate all of the help I can get. If you liked the story, suggest it to a friend who might also enjoy the ride!

  Thank you all again, and as always, if you would like to email me with any thoughts or comments, hit me up at reedg06@outlook.com

  Grant

  Eyndegaria is a peaceful country nestled in the middle of the Freelands. Once, long ago, her rich soils were the battlefield for a war between the Makarios tribe and the people of the mainland. A thousand years of rest ha
ve seen her countrymen grow complacent and the threat of their forefathers dismissed. The Makarios have not forgotten though and will stop at nothing to free their imprisoned brethren.

  There is one who remembers the tale of these horrific hunters and he has spent a lifetime preparing for their return. Now an old man, he must convince an officer of the watch and a grieving swordsman that theirs is the light that will push back the shadow of the Makarios.

  Grant Reed has a background in business management, computer programming, and computer networking. He would much rather be out fishing though, so he spends his time writing and exploring the lakes in his back yard of Canada. He lives in Lively Ontario, Canada with his wife Robin, and their two children Aidan and Megan.