“Yeah? Just wait till we get in with that bastard.” He looked at his watch. It was one forty-five in the afternoon. “Time to get ready,” he said.
“And I was just starting to feel nice and warm,” Robert said.
“Let’s go, Bobby,” Johann said as he got out of the car. He didn’t let Robert see his smirk. He knew being called ‘Bobby” bothered the coroner. Robert turned and gave Johann a scowl.
“Bob. For Chrissake. It’s Bob, not Bobby. What’s gotten into you lately? I swear you’re pissing me off on purpose,” Robert said. Johann looked at him and smirked.
“Nope. Not that I know of,” the demon hunter answered. “Just keepin’ you on your toes.”
“Oh, I know why you’re doing this,” Robert said, narrowing his eyes and pointing at Johann. Johann looked at him and cocked his head to the side. “Johnny told you that I hate it, and now you’re doing it because I’m trapped. We’re hundreds of miles away from Bucktown, and you know that if I get mad I can’t get back home. You just want to torture me. Well fine. It ain’t gonna work now that I figured it out.”
“Nope. That ain’t it,” Johann answered.
“Then why?”
“Because. You’re funny when you’re mad,” Johann said, smirking. “Besides. Just think of the damage you’ll do when you release that pent-up anger on that black eyed bastard.”
“Funny when I’m mad,” Robert muttered to himself as they walked to the back of the car.
Johann opened the trunk and took out two flasks of holy water. He handed one to Robert and put the other in his pocket.
“Put this under your jacket. It doesn’t matter if Tibbs can see it or not. I just want it to protect you,” Johann said as he handed Robert a crucifix on a chain to wear around his neck. “All kidding aside. I love to tease you, but you are my friend. This is serious business, and I want to make damn sure nothing happens to you. So, from now on I want you to wear that crucifix all the time. Never take it off.”
“Thanks,” Robert said as he took the cross and put it on.
Johann then put some containers of salt in his briefcase and took out the notebook with the exorcism ritual on it. He turned to Robert.
“Ready?” Johann asked. Robert could feel his pulse increase and his face flush.
“Ready as I’ll ever be,” the coroner answered. “I guess bringing guns in wouldn’t be a good idea.”
“Yeah. I think they’d probably do something stupid like call the cops or something if we did that. Hell, by the time we’re done they’re probably going to do that anyway. So, we’re going to have to make sure we get out of there without running into the law.”
“How we gonna do that?” asked Robert.
“I don’t know. But we’ll have to figure out something,” answered Johann. “If everything goes as it should, in the end the demon should be gone, and we should be left with the real mayor. Of course, we’re probably going to have to explain to him everything that happened.”
Robert knitted his brow and looked at Johann.
“Left with the real mayor?” Robert asked.
“Don’t forget. We’re dealing with a demonic possession here. The mayor is still in there somewhere. It’s just that he’s not in control—the demon is. Once we exorcise the demon, we should be left with the mortal mayor. With any luck he’ll be able to help us out if—or I should say when—the cops come.”
“I hope you’re right. I really don’t want to go to jail. It’ll crimp my style,” Robert said. Johann looked at him and chuckled. “Style. Yeah, right. Although…you are starting to lose some of that weight. You’re starting to look pretty good there, Bob.”
Robert patted his stomach and gave Johann a confident nod.
The two walked into the building. Like the day before, the lobby was barren. Johann stopped and looked around.
“What are ya lookin’ for?” asked Robert, perplexed.
“I’m studying our environment. Looking to see if there are any possible quick escape routes in case the cops come,” answered Johann.
“See any possibilities?”
“No. No matter what we do, it looks like we’d have to come through the lobby. All the hallways converge here. Worst-case scenario is that we’ll have to find another way out.”
The two continued on their way to the mayor’s office. Before they went in, Johann stopped and turned to Robert. He maintained his calm demeanor as he addressed his demon-hunting partner. He knew what they were in for since he had done exorcisms before. As far as Johann knew, Robert had never done one. This meant that he could be vulnerable to the demon.
“Okay, buddy. This is it. Just remember one thing. When we start the exorcism whatever you do, don’t let the demon know you’re frightened. I know you will be and honestly, so will I. I always am. But don’t let him know that. Got it?”
“Got it,” Robert answered, wiping some sweat from his forehead. Johann reached into his pocket and pulled out a small round amulet. He looked at Robert.
“Remember. We still have this,” Johann said, showing Robert the Cimeries talisman given to them in Mountainview by Father Nelson. Robert’s expression relaxed when he saw the amulet. He looked at the small metal disc, then to Johann, and gave him a small smile.
“I was hoping you had that with us,” Robert said.
“It’s like that credit card. Never leave home without it,” quipped Johann.
Johann put the disc back into his pocket, and they walked into the mayor’s office. Marjorie was sitting at the counter. Her face broke into a smile as soon as she saw Johann. Her heart fluttered as she looked at the attractive demon hunter.
“You here to interview Mayor Tibbs?” she asked.
“Yes, ma’am. Two o’clock, just like we said,” Johann answered, giving her a smile.
She pressed a button on the intercom in front of her.
“Mayor Tibbs. Those two gentlemen from the Charlotte Sentinel are here to interview you,” she said.
“Send them in, Miss Hensworth,” the mayor replied. She looked at Johann again and smiled. She pointed to a door to Johann’s left.
“He’s right in there,” she said.
“Thank you much,” Johann said as he winked at her. It was obvious to him how she felt about him. He couldn’t help but flirt back.
The two demon hunters turned and walked to the mayor’s office. Johann opened the door and he and Robert walked in, closing the door behind them.
-14-
The office was large. The window behind the mayor looked out onto a lawn, and beyond that a small patch of woods. Past the woods was the business section of the city. That was good to know. Johann quickly formulated their escape route in case it was needed.
On the walls were photos of past mayors. The photo of Mayor Benson was decorated with black bunting, like the photo of her in the lobby of the building. On one wall was a bookshelf loaded with books. On another wall was a white-board with what appeared to be an event schedule. Another white-board next to it had a meeting schedule. The desk Mayor Tibbs sat at was large and made of mahogany. In front of the desk were two chairs. The mayor motioned at the chairs with an open hand.
“Gentlemen, please sit down,” Tibbs said. He seemed pleasant enough. “What can I do for you?” The two demon hunters sat in the chairs. Johann opened his briefcase with the top facing his adversary, so he couldn’t see what was in it.
“I’m Johann Gunter, and this is Robert Durling. We’re from the Charlotte Sentinel. If you don’t mind we’d like to interview you for tomorrow’s edition,” Johann explained.
“Gunter and Durling, huh? I thought my secretary said your names were Doolittle and Doright?” The mayor eyed them suspiciously. Perhaps he was a little quicker than Johann thought. Tibbs leaned forward. “You two look a little familiar to me. Have we met before?” He glared at Robert, then at Johann.
Johann pinched his lips together.
“No. You must have us mistaken with someone else,” Johann said. He locke
d eyes with the elected official and gave him a forced smile.
The mayor stared at him for a while. He ground his teeth as he thought. Finally, he broke eye contact with Johann and looked away.
“Perhaps I do have you confused with someone else. Sure, you can have your interview,” Tibbs said.
“Thank you,” Johann said. He opened the notebook to the exorcism chant and placed his pen on the page as though he were going to write.
“First of all, we’d like to extend our condolences on the passing of your predecessor,” Johann said. “We couldn’t make it to the funeral, but we understand that it was very well attended.”
“Thank you. Yes, Mayor Benson’s passing was most unexpected. Had an accident in her own home. Guess you never know when your time is up,” the mayor answered. Johann locked eyes with him briefly. His muscles tensed as he fought the urge to jump over the desk and grab the man by the throat. Instead he sat back and forced a smile.
“Where are you from, Mister Mayor?” Johann asked. He bounced his leg up and down with nervous energy.
“I hail from N’ Orleans,” the mayor answered proudly. He glanced at Johann’s leg. Then opened a small wooden box on his desk and took out a cigar. He looked at Johann as he lit it and took a puff. His face was twisted in a defiant expression as he exhaled the smoke into the air while looking at Johann.
Johann pretended to write that information down. No surprise there. At least you’re honest about it.
“New Orleans? Really? And what made you relocate all the way up here to North Carolina?” Johann waved his hand in front of himself to clear the air of the cigar smoke.
“Just needed a change of scenery, I guess. You know, starting to get up there in age. Thought it was ‘bout time to see more of our country.”
“I see,” Johann said, again pretending to write. “And how long were you here before you became the running mate for Mayor Benson?”
“Oh, I guess I was here about a year or so.” The mayor concluded that he had annoyed Johann enough with the cigar smoke, so he dashed it out in an ashtray.
“I understand that after you two won the election, you had a pet project that you wanted to complete. Some sort of a water treatment facility or something?”
The mayor stared at Johann. His trust and confidence in this reporter was beginning to wane. The conversation was going places he didn’t want it to go. Robert swallowed hard. He could see the anger building in the elected official. Almost as though he could smell fear, the mayor shot Robert a sideways glance, then turned his attention back to Johann.
Robert glanced sideways at Johann’s bouncing leg. He knew the demon hunter was chomping at the bit to get at the demon. He marveled at the self-control Johann had. He wasn’t so sure he would have the same self-control if he were in Johann’s place. He let out a nervous cough and looked back at Tibbs.
“Yes. The water in this town is good. But if we had a more modern water treatment facility, we could remove even more chemicals and make the water taste just a little bit better. I thought that would be a great improvement for the people,” the mayor finally answered. He forced a smile.
“And I understand the mayor and the town council were blocking it?” Johann asked. Tibbs cleared his throat. Johann knitted his brow as though trying to understand why this marvelous plan would be blocked by the town council and the sitting mayor. When he needed to be, Johann could be quite the politician.
“Well, I wouldn’t exactly say they were blocking it. They just had a different idea of where we should put the plant. I wanted it in a desolate area on the fringe of town where there were some very unsightly ruins. They wanted it smack in the middle of town. If we had put it where they wanted, it would have cost a lot more money. Putting it where I suggested would have not only cost less, but it would have gotten rid of an eyesore.” The mayor locked eyes with Johann.
The artery in Johann’s neck started to visibly pulse as he tried desperately to remain calm and collected. He could feel his cover, and his patience, slipping away. He reached up and unbuttoned his jacket, deliberately exposing the crucifix he wore around his neck. He looked down at the notebook, but out of the corner of his eye, he watched the reaction of the mayor.
The silver crucifix caught the afternoon sunlight and reflected it at the mayor. As the tiny reflection touched Tibbs’ arm, he quickly reacted and placed his hand on it as though he had just been bitten by an insect. A tiny wisp of smoke rose from the small burn on the beast’s skin. Johann took note of this action but didn’t immediately look up. Robert also noticed, and he cleared his throat.
“I understand you went ahead without the council’s permission and cleared away the rubble. I’m sure once all that debris was gone they surely must have seen you were right, didn’t they?” Johann looked up at the mayor.
“They’re very backward here,” Mayor Tibbs answered tersely. “I tried to take some initiative, but it was only met with backlash.”
As the mayor spoke, Johann flipped through his notebook as though looking for something.
“I see. Well maybe you should have just sent them a gris-gris bag or something,” Johann said, sounding as though he was making a bad joke. The mayor locked eyes with him. It was obvious he was angered by this so-called joke.
“What did you just say?” Tibbs demanded as he rose menacingly from his chair. Johann looked at him briefly and forced a smile as though apologizing. Robert’s eyes widened. He knew they had to get rid of the demon, but teasing it was—in his opinion—not a very good idea.
Robert swallowed hard as he heard the mayor’s breathing become loud. He was like a bull ready to charge. His face had turned red, and Robert found the man’s scowl to be very intimidating. It almost seemed to Robert like the man grew taller and wider as he got angry. Johann, on the other hand, remained very calm. He knew exactly what was going on, and he was fully in control—just the way he wanted it.
“I’d like to read something to you, Mister Mayor. If you could just tell me your reaction to it, I’d…We’d…greatly appreciate it. Okay?” Johann asked with a smile. The mayor drew his jaw tight and breathed heavily. He found it hard to believe that Johann couldn’t see how angry he had become.
Johann looked briefly at the mayor’s fingernails which were digging into the wood of his desk. Easy there, Honcho. You’re unmasking yourself.
Robert slowly reached into his jacket and held onto his cross. The mayor again looked at the coroner sideways, suspicious of what he was doing. With his free hand, Robert wiped some sweat from his forehead.
Johann stopped flipping pages as though he found what he was looking for and adjusted his glasses on his face.
“Ah. Here it is. Mister Mayor, please let me know if this means anything to you.” He stood up from his seat and began to read the exorcism ritual. “Regna terrae, cantata Deo—”
“Johann,” Robert yelled out as he jumped to his feet. His eyes were wide as he stared at the mayor. Johann looked up from the book. The mayor’s scowl had deformed into a grotesque sight. His mouth opened and stretched. The eyes that were burning into Johann rolled back. The mayor’s whole head became six inches longer, then began to vibrate. A low rumble that seemed to come from everywhere vibrated through the room.
The mayor’s head stopped quivering and he stared at Johann and Robert.
“You son of a bitch,” the beast snarled. Saliva dripped from his mouth like a mad dog. His face was red, and his eyes turned black. He put his hands on his desk as though he were going to jump over it and he leaned forward. “I’ll kill you.”
Johann tilted his head to the side as though he didn’t understand why the mayor was so upset.
“Oh, so it does mean something to you?” Johann asked calmly. He turned his head toward Robert without taking his eyes off the demon. “Bob. Lock the door. We have a job to do.”
Robert got out of his seat and sprinted to the door. He turned around and stared sternly at the demon as he locked the door. The artery in his
neck was also visibly throbbing like Johann’s but he knew this had to be done. His hands trembled as he quickly blessed himself.
“God, please protect us,” Robert whispered as he walked back to his chair but didn’t sit in it.
“Okay Bob. Take your flask of holy water and you splash him when I do. Got it?” Johann instructed. Robert nodded. His face glistened with sweat.
Johann took his flask out of his pocket and once again began reading the exorcism chant. As he got into a rhythm he would splash holy water on the demon every few words. Robert watched him carefully and splashed his at the same time.
The effect on the demon was immediate. The creature fell onto the desk and writhed in pain. Robert was starting to feel a little comfortable. It seemed like it wasn’t going to be as bad as he had thought. His heart rate steadied although it did remain high.
Without warning the beast suddenly retreated and sat quietly in the mayor’s chair. It stared at Robert. The coroner hunched his shoulders. He looked around when the lights in the room started to flicker and sparks came out of the light fixtures.
“What the hell?” Robert said.
“Pay no attention. It’s trying to get your mind off of what you’re doing. Don’t let it do that,” Johann said as he splashed holy water onto the monster. The skin of the creature sizzled, and steam rose from open wounds made from the water when it landed on the demon. Robert turned his attention back to the task at hand.
The head of the mayor again started to vibrate. It was as though he had no control over what his head was doing. It was moving so fast, it was almost a blur. Robert winced and recoiled from the sight. The demon let out a moan that ended with a gurgling sound as though someone was drowning.
“How can his body take that?” asked the coroner. Johann looked at him. Robert didn’t have the experience that Johann did.
“Oh, this is just the beginning. Wait until you see what this son of a bitch is going to do. I’ve seen enough exorcisms to know, trust me,” Johann said. He turned his attention back to the mayor. “But don’t worry. I know the mayor is in there somewhere, and we’re gonna save him.”
Night Mares Page 14