Gorgon

by Mary Ann Poll

  A crinkling sound caught Kat’s attention. “What have you got?” Kat took a piece of paper out of the dog’s mouth and read aloud, Mandy, Gorgon is with you. Do not forget your instructions. Stay safe. Kat walked back to the interrogation room.

  “Found this on the floor.” Kat handed the paper to Ken.

  “What is it?”

  “Looks like she dropped it.” Kat looked at Mandy.

  “What?”

  “I was with Mandy the first time I saw that word.” Kat pointed to Gorgon.

  “Where?”

  “In Grady Spawldine’s house.”

  “Well, Mandy, you have some explaining to do. Who and what is Gorgon?”

  “Why would you think I’d know?”

  “Maybe because this note’s addressed to you. Now give me some answers.”

  “I don’t know if it’s a code word or a person!” Her eyes pleaded for Kat to believe her.

  “I don’t believe you. What do you know, Mandy?”

  “I don’t know anything!”

  “She may not, but I do.” Bart called from the other side of the wall. “Gorgon is an ancient name. Means hag.”

  “When did you get here?”

  Bart poked his head around the corner. “Just now. Had a message from Josiah waiting for me after I got free from an emergency meeting of the council. Josiah said he didn’t know why, but thought you’d like to know about Gorgon.”

  ESP at its height again. Only in the Cove. Kat shook her head and walked back to her desk.

  “Okay, so what is this Gorgon?”

  “Another name for Lilith. Josiah says the last time Lilith was seen was in Russia where some aristocrat contained it and ended up dead for the trouble. She, and her jar of a prison, disappeared right afterward. Some cult formed and vowed to find Lilith. Supposedly this cult still exists and they are still looking for her. Something about great power and riches—isn’t it always the way?”

  Ken’s eyes bored into Mandy’s. “Is this some kind of get rich quick scheme?”

  “No. What I understand is there is a lost artifact, and it is very important to my friend.”

  “And what makes you, or your friend for that matter, think this artifact is in Ravens Cove?”

  “Well, my friend’s friends found a Denali Native who told them a story about a guy who traveled with Bering to Nome and somehow joined the local Natives and ended up here.”

  “So, I need to talk to your friend.”

  “Not happening.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I promised I’d keep my mouth shut. That’s why.”

  “When you promised that, did you realize you could end going to jail for murder?”

  “No. But that doesn’t matter now.”

  “Mandy, the only way to clear your name is to give us his.”

  “I already told you—I won’t.”

  “So, you are going to take the fall for this guy?”

  “If I have to.”

  “What makes him so important?”

  “He’s none of your business.”

  “Oh, it is more than my business—it’s police business. Your friend is the one person who can clear you or condemn you.”

  “Not telling—not now, not ever.”

  “Well, then you are going to get a nice stay in the town jail.”

  “For how long?”

  “For as long as needed. You may not have committed these murders, but you are in the middle of them. Give me your phone.” Ken held out his hand.

  “I can’t.”

  “I wasn’t making a request. Give me the phone.”

  “I’ve got to make a call or something bad is going to happen.”

  “I’m willing to take the risk. There is something bad happening already. Or haven’t you noticed?”

  Bart walked through the door. “She means something bad’s going to happen to her if she doesn’t make a phone call. Right, Mandy?”

  “Yes.” Mandy hung her head, then snapped it straight. “But to you, too. If my friend doesn’t get this artifact, bad things will happen to you, too.”

  “Meaning?”

  “You will be sorry—or dead.” Mandy leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms.

  “I need names.”

  “Don’t have any.”

  Ken stood up. “Then, let’s get you into your new accommodations.”

  “Fine with me. I could use some sleep.”

  Ken escorted Mandy out of the breakroom.

  Kat stood at the steel door leading to the jail cell. “You brought me to Anchorage and played me all along? Didn’t you?”

  Mandy grinned. “Think whatever you’d like.”

  “Tell me the truth, Mandy. You scammed me, right?”

  “Yes, I did! When are you going to grow up, Kat? I did what I needed to do and you and all of this town are going to pay for what you did to me.”

  “You mean like Wendy who tried to raise you, or Bart who loved you in spite of how you treated him? You mean those people deserve to pay for loving you?”

  “You don’t know anything! Open your eyes. Wendy and Bart are just users. Well, I’m doing the using now!”

  “I loved you, Mandy. I never used you,” Bart said.

  “Maybe not in the normal way, but you tried to use guilt to make me stay here. You wouldn’t leave this place. You only cared about yourself.”

  “You are sick, Mandy! You’ve turned being loved into being used. You are really sick!”

  “No. You and Bart and your stupid Grandma—not to mention my muddle headed sister—are the sick ones! Thinking you can love someone enough and everything will be okay. At what price? Then, that person is stuck in this dead town, living a dead life to please everyone else. You’re sick. And Grandma Bricken is the sickest of them all!”

  “I’ve heard enough of your mouth for now.” Ken yanked the door open and led Mandy to the cell.

  “The Gorgon must be hiding somewhere close.” Homunculus scoured the base and interior of the hag tree.

  “My leader, why do you think it would come back here?”

  “This tree fed Lilith’s spirit while it held her prisoner. If she has not feasted since the woman, she will come to it for refreshment—something comes. Hide!” Homunculus dove into a crop of alders and peeked through the branches.

  Atramentous slithered up the path to the ravine, cutting a trail through the rolling fog. He shook off the last layer of mist and touched the hag tree. The sound of rustling leaves filled the air as it—then its carbon copies—quaked in response.

  “Ah, old friend. I have great news! The dark lord ordains you be brought to full strength.”

  Gambogian floated to the ground. “It is good to be free again.”

  Atramentous smiled. “Dacoit is of great use at times. Now, do your work.”

  Gambogian pointed at the hag tree. A tendril of jaundiced fire jumped from his hand. It circled the guardian hag, bounced down the path, and lit each of the smaller harridans. The air buzzed as the yellow light strengthened.

  Homunculus pushed through the alders and stood before Atramentous. “Why do you do this? They are not to be alive again!”

  “The plan has changed.”

  “This is our home!”

  “This is Iconoclast’s home. We have been commanded to take it back.”

  “You promised!”

  “And you gave your loyalty to the Gorgon. Contract broken. Do you want to meet the fate of Nihilist?” Atramentous’s snarl shook the trees and ground.

  “No.”

  “Then be gone to your underground dwelling. Be grateful you still live.”

  Gambogian touched the hag tree. “She is at full strength.”

  “Then, ordained guardian of this place, call to your children and break the rock at the ravine floor.”

  Iridescent ochre tendrils shot out from gnarled branches. The electric rope looped from one tree to the next and stopped at the last tree on the path. The ravine walls groaned when the
vibrant green foliage withered and the clean rocks were enveloped in an inky sludge.

  “So it is done.” Atramentous winged his way down the pathway, flying higher to avoid the place of holy fire. He landed in front of the boulder on the ravine floor. An oozing crevice ran the length of the rock. He blew on it. The stone crumbled to pebbles at his feet.

  Atramentous stepped into the ravine. He took flight and circled the entire gorge. Wherever he passed, the vibrant foliage and bushes withered. He stopped at the fresh-water pond and exhaled. A red mist settled into the crystal clear liquid. Tar cascaded from the waterfall and plopped into the crimson vapor.

  “I do wonder, Iconoclast, what deal you made to get this back.”

  “Not to wonder.”

  Atramentous whirled to the sound of his commander’s voice and bowed.

  “I reminded the great one I stopped Gorgon before. He pleaded my case, and I am here.” A gruesome smile broke across Iconoclast’s lips, revealing pointed, dagger-like teeth.

  “And the One who created the universe allowed your return?”

  “I am here. So are you. Where is Pet?”

  “He is at the mansion.”

  “Call to him, and find me food.”

  “Done.”

  “Wait!”

  “I can only touch the unclean. I have been forbidden to take a human from the Cove—for now.”

  “Then who?”

  “Find the person who brought the dead to Ravens Cove. This human is mine.”

  “How do we know that one is here?”

  “What stops you from leaving here and luring the prize to me? I command you to do so.” As they talked Iconoclast’s commanders appeared one by one.

  “Welcome.” Atramentous gave a bow of acknowledgement to Venenose, Caitiff, Prevaricator, Bruit, Trepaner, and Profligacy.

  Gambogian floated through the ravine opening. “Good you are back, old friends.” He turned to Iconoclast. “I seek your permission to find the one who destroyed the tree.”

  “Why should I grant your request?”

  “The one who murdered the tree is my enemy.”

  “Well, then, you find your enemy and my dinner—they are one and the same.”

  “It will be done.”

  Iconoclast turned to Atramentous. “The one Gambogian seeks is the one I have been given. I have other orders for you. First, we gather at the old house.”

  Impatience to exact revenge burned deep within Gambogian. He considered ignoring the order. He decided not risk Iconoclast’s rage. “To the old house.”

  The eight took off into the sky; a deep fog over the town hid their flight. They entered Old Town and the mansion in secret.

  Kat picked up a pencil and drummed a steady beat on the legal pad. I know the legend Bart talked about. Why? She dropped the pencil. “Ken I need to go home for a bit. Would you keep an eye on Carnelian until Annie gets here?” Kat’s voice took on a sad tone.

  “How about I go, and you babysit the little beast?”

  “Stop acting like you don’t like her. You know you do.”

  Ken ruffled Carnelian’s fur. “She was growing on me, but it doesn’t matter now. She goes back to Annie.”

  “I’m gonna miss you, little one.” Kat smiled into the intelligent brown eyes and looked back to Ken. “I don’t even know what I’m looking for. So, it would be of little use for you to go.”

  Ken sighed and took the leash. “Fine.”

  Kat grazed his cheek with a kiss. “You’re a good man—but I knew that. Why else would I marry you?”

  “Which begs the question—when are we going to set a date?”

  “Soon. Bye.”

  “How soon?” Ken said to Kat’s back.

  “As soon as I can wrap my head around being Mrs. Kenneth Melbourne,” Kat whispered under her breath. She stopped at the road to Old Town. “What is going on?” She turned off Main and stood outside the chain-link fence.

  The mansion twisted and turned in the setting sun. Kat closed her eyes and squinted at the old house. The unnatural dance continued. The pristine white paint gaped with each movement revealing weathered and rotting boards. Fire-red light pulsed through the attic windows.

  Kat scanned the rest of the town. “Oh, no.” Kat’s eyes never left the boulder in the center of the square as she shoved a shaky hand in her pocket. “Pick up. Pick up!” she urged.

  “Miss me already?” Ken’s voice calmed the fear in Kat’s stomach to a dull roar.

  “As a matter of fact, I do. But it’s not why I called. Something’s happening to Old Town. The house is dancing and the boulder has changed color.”

  “Get out of there! I’m on my way.”

  “If you’re coming by yourself, I’m staying right here.”

  “I’ll find Bart. Get out of there now!”

  “I’ll be at the cabin.”

  “I don’t want you to be alone. Call Wendy, and have her meet you there.”

  Kat’s need to be independent gave way to the concern in Ken’s voice. “Right after I hang up.”

  “Hello? Anyone here?” Carson Watermill called into the vacant police station. “I do love the trusting people in a small town—no matter how misplaced it is. Now where would they keep evidence here?”

  Watermill spotted the half-glass door behind the reception area. “If I were a small-town cop, I’d keep the evidence close. Bet they do, too.” He walked through the gate and tried the doorknob. “Not as trusting as I thought.”

  Watermill’s eyes came to rest on a heavy brass orb on Kat’s desk. “Just what I need.” He picked up the ball, pulled his hand into his coat sleeve, and rammed it through the windowpane.

  “Who’s there?” A voice called from the back.

  Watermill walked over to a steel door and peered through a narrow window. “Ivy June, couldn’t you have taken care of this before you got yourself killed?” He pushed on the door. It held. “Another lock? These people don’t trust anybody.”

  “Who’s there?” Mandy called out again.

  Carson Watermill leaned against the wall beside the door. “Think, think, man.”

  Adumbration shimmered against the wall, disguised as a tree’s shadow swaying in a breeze. The fog separated to show a malevolent grin. He floated to Watermill and breathed in his ear. A thousand words turned to thoughts with one breath.

  Watermill shivered and sneered. “How could I have been so blind? Ivy June gave herself for Lilith—here! Lilith never left this place. I must take her vessel.” He jogged to Ken’s office.

  “Locked office but not evidence.” Watermill picked up the jeweled jar, a book, and a snake-clad statue. “How did you get here?” he said to the figurine. He shoved it under his arm and eyed the leather-bound tome. “So you’re The Book of Fallen Angels. My god wants you, and she will have you.”

  “Now, find the one you seek,” Adumbration whispered.

  Watermill tapped the jar. “I bet some local will be happy to give me the complete lowdown on this place.” He smiled. “They always love to talk about their insignificant lives in a no-name town. Next stop. Lilith.”

  “Yes, next stop, the Gorgon. Then, we take her.” Adumbration dove through the floor and toward the ravine.

  “Good to see some color in those cheeks,” Grandma said to Detective Dayton.

  He grinned. “Thanks to some amazing doctoring, Ms. Bricken. I was at death’s door, wasn’t I?”

  “You still look a little weak.”

  “I am tired, but I think I can go back to Anchorage.”

  “How are you going to get there?”

  “Got some great news this morning. I think it’s the other reason I’m feeling so good.”

  “Good news helps to mend the body—and the soul. Care to share?”

  Dayton sat down at the kitchen table. “I do. I don’t know if you are aware of it, but my partner had become a suspect in all this mess.”

  “Oh, dear.”

  “I knew it couldn’t be true. He finally return
ed my calls a couple of hours ago. Said he’d taken two days’ leave, and just needed to get away for a while. He went to some remote fishing lodge. Said he was so burned out on police work, he drove straight through Ravens Cove to Clayton and caught a charter out.”

  “So, he couldn’t have been a part of all this. Very good news, detective.”

  “I knew it! He’s been my partner for five years and has always been a straight arrow—straighter than me if it’s possible.” Dayton sat back and smiled.

  “He’s coming to get you, then?”

  “He is.” Dayton looked at his watch. “In fact, he should be here within the hour.”

  “It has been a pleasure. I hope to see you again.”

  A loud laugh escaped Dayton. “I’ve been a huge pain, and you know it. Thanks for being kind to me anyway.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  Dayton’s eyes dropped to the coffee cup in front of him.

  “Something still bothering you?”

  “I just realized Carson—my partner—didn’t give me an explanation about why the victim found at the ravine looks just like the girl he introduced as his cousin.”

  Grandma patted his hand. “I always feel like that kind of thing is better said in person. Maybe he does, too.”

  Dayton relaxed. “Makes sense. Well, I told him I’d meet him in town. Better get moving.”

  Dayton’s cell phone chirped. “Sorry. They can find me anywhere when my office wants.” A dark look came over his face. “I need to find Melbourne.”

  “What seems to be the problem?”

  “The office just tried to call my partner. Says his cell is going directly to voicemail. Doesn’t make any sense. He’s back on duty and wouldn’t turn it off.”

  “We don’t have the best cell service here. Still using two tin cans, I’m sure.” Grandma smiled.

  “His phone’s getting service. It’s pinging a tower near Ravens Cove.”

  Grandma stood up and took her cane from a hanger at the kitchen door. “Let’s go find your partner—or someone who can.”

  Chapter 18

  Everyone Worships Something

  Carson Watermill batted at the swarm of mosquitoes around his head and trudged deeper into the woods. “I just know you’ve got to be here, Lilith.”