The Left Series (Book 7): Left Amongst The Corpses

  “Jesus, big man, you’ve made your point, so you have,” McElroy interrupted.

  Moses turned his glare from Smith to McElroy then glanced at Rats Tails and gave him a brief nod. Rats Tails lunged forward and whacked McElroy around the side of the head with the barrel of his handgun. McElroy winced and stumbled sideways.

  Poor McElroy, he seemed to be taking a beating at every turn lately.

  My sympathy soon evaporated. While all the attention was on McElroy, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Smith crouch down and then stand back up. It was a movement so quick that it seemed to be a blur. Nobody else had seemed to notice in the scuffling mayhem, echoing uproar and semi darkness.

  For all Moses’ tricks, I knew Smith was matching him for underhand, backup contingencies.

  I took a slight backward step, aware Smith was going to react in some way. I wasn’t wrong.

  Moses’ attention was still focused on McElroy. Smith lunged forward with lightning reflexes. He grabbed Moses in a death grip around his neck from behind him and a knife blade glinted in the island guard’s flashlight beam. Smith held the blade close to Moses’ throat. Moses gurgled and dropped his handgun. Wingate reacted almost as quickly, bending down and scooping up the discarded weapon. Rats Tails swiveled around, aiming his revolver at Wingate. She remained low, bringing up the gun in her hand to match Rats Tails aim.

  I realized Wingate wasn’t going to get the revolver high enough before Rats Tails could fire a shot from his own gun. The two islanders in the doorway yelled some kind of warning but I wasn’t listening. I lunged forward, pushing Rats Tails gun arm outward and away from Wingate. Rats Tails’ revolver discharged, the bang sounded loud, echoing around the church walls and filling the air with a cordite stench.

  Roddy clutched his throat and made a gargling noise, while blood spurted through the gaps between his fingers. I quickly realized the stray bullet had hit Roddy in his throat. The guy and girl in the doorway continued to holler but still didn’t shoot. They obviously didn’t have a clear enough line of vision to fire their rifles at us. Vinnie stood rooted to the spot with a terrified expression on his face.

  Roddy slumped to his knees, croaking and gurgling, then toppled over face first onto the floor tiles. McElroy reacted, hurling a big, powerful haymaker punch at Rats Tails. McElroy’s huge fist connected squarely with the side of Rats Tails head, knocking the guy unconscious before he even hit the deck, sprawling out on his side. McElroy dived onto all fours and grabbed the revolver by Rats Tails side. Wingate had switched her aim from the comatose figure of Rats Tails, who was now out of the equation as a threat to the two islanders standing in the doorway.

  I felt I had to do something more. I dropped down on my haunches and tore the loaded SMAW rocket launcher from Rats Tails shoulder. I wasn’t certain how the damn thing worked but I knew it trumped the two rifles the islanders aimed at us from the front entrance.

  I rolled to the side of Rats Tails body and aimed the SMAW at the two islanders who were still yelling and looking increasingly agitated. I saw the flashlight on the floor that Smith was using. I grabbed the light, clicked it on and stood it up on its end so we had a little more light.

  Vinnie tossed his gun onto the floor in front of him and raised his hands in surrender. I felt the tension ratchet up a few notches but we were back in the fight.

  “Shut the fuck up or I’ll slit his goddamn throat,” Smith yelled at the islanders. He still held Moses in a tight grip with the knife close to his captive’s neck. Moses grimaced in pain and sweat poured down his face.

  “And I’ll fire this rocket at your asses if you don’t stop your noise,” I shouted, in a bid to sound macho.

  The two islanders stopped making their racket and glanced at each other for a brief second. The sudden hush now seemed eerie. Only Moses grunting and gurgling slightly under Smith’s steely grip broke the silence. I looked around the church. McElroy and Wingate both aimed their handguns at the entranceway. Smith held Moses firmly around the neck from behind.

  Smith flashed me a wink. “Told you to always keep a knife in your boot, kid. You never know when you might need it. And these dumb fucks missed it when they searched me at the harbor.” He tightened his grip on Moses’ neck for effect.

  Vinnie backed into the shadows, his terrified expression told me he wanted nothing to do with this struggle. Rats Tails was out for the count and a large pool of blood spread around Roddy, who was face down on the floor and most likely dead. The guy and girl in the doorway were outnumbered and outgunned. We were surely the winners in this situation.

  But I knew better than to assume anything. There was always a curveball ready and waiting in the wings. And this scenario was no exception.

  CHAPTER SEVENTY-EIGHT

  I noticed a figure loom from the darkness behind the guy and girl who aimed rifles at us from the church doorway. The armed islanders sensed the figure approaching and swiveled their heads. The girl kept her aim on us but the skinny guy pointed his rifle at the hooded figure carrying a walking cane. The figure stopped still and flung back the hood off his head. I recognized the guy as Jericho Kline, the preacher of the church we were inside.

  Jericho’s grim expression showed he was displeased at what was going on in the church.

  “Ah, it’s you,” the island gunmen whispered, still looking at Kline.

  The guy lowered his rifle and Jericho Kline strolled into the church, staring directly at Moses. Kline stopped a few feet in front of Smith and Moses. The preacher took a brief glance over the crates of rockets and launchers then returned his stern gaze to Moses.

  “Who the hell are you?” McElroy rasped.

  Jericho Kline glanced around the floor space. I didn’t know whether to wave pathetically, smile or put down the rocket launcher. Kline locked gazes with Vinnie for a few seconds then turned back to McElroy.

  “I am Jericho Kline,” he said, his voice booming around the walls. “I am the preacher of this church.” His glare was solemn and his tone was formal. Far from the jovial guy I’d met on the road outside.

  “No shit,” Smith said. “I remember you. We met on the road.”

  Kline didn’t seem to like Smith’s response so I felt it was time to intervene.

  “Hi, Jericho,” I said, sounding lame.

  “Hello, Brett,” he said, without even looking at me. “I would say it was nice to see you again but under these circumstances, I can’t say it’s a pleasure. This is still a house of God and you people are aiming guns at each other.” He pointed to Roddy’s body. “This man has been killed and the place is full of weapons of destruction.” He jabbed the tip of his cane at the stacks of crates.

  “Hey, preacher man, we didn’t bring these weapons in here,” Smith said. “This piece of shit did.” He squeezed Moses’ throat a little tighter, making the guy grunt. “We were trying to get theses crates out of here.”

  Jericho nodded. “I know. I know who this man is and I know what he is capable of.” He pointed at Moses. “We have a long history, don’t we?” His eyes narrowed as he glared at Moses.

  Moses made an uncomfortable grunting sound.

  “And I also know this young man,” Jericho said, pointing his cane at Vinnie.

  “So, what’s going on here then, Preach?” Smith asked. “You guys long time High School buddies or something?”

  “Oh, far from it, mister…?” Jericho said.

  “Smith, everyone calls me Smith.”

  “Well, Mister Smith, let me enlighten you about mine and Mister Moses’ relationship.”

  “Sure, go right ahead but don’t take all night about it because I could kill for a cigarette right now,” Smith said.

  Jericho smirked slightly. “Okay, I will but first, I want everybody to lay down their weapons,” he said, patting the air with his free hand.

  “Sorry, Preach. That ‘aint going to happen,” Smith said, shaking his head. “We got those two in the doorway with guns aimed at us. As soon as I let this fucker i
n front of me go, they’re going to open up on the rest of us.”

  Kline turned to the two armed islanders still standing in the church doorway. “Leave your flashlights and then go back to your camp. You won’t achieve anything here tonight. Go and live your lives.”

  The guy and girl glanced at each other with a look of hesitation in their eyes. Moses made some kind of gurgled protest but Smith soon stifled his noise.

  “Go home, or you’re not ever going to see your loved ones again,” Kline said in a persuasive tone. “I probably knew your parents and relatives. They would have come to this church. Go home to your families and enjoy the life you have left in you.”

  The guy and girl looked at Kline and then at each other. They shared a brief nod, took off the flashlights clipped on their tunics and placed them on the ground next to the hunting lamps. They turned and disappeared into the darkness beyond the doorway.

  I breathed out a sigh of relief. I didn’t know what influence Jericho Kline had over the island folk but it seemed to be a powerful weight of control. I hauled myself upright and put down the SMAW launcher on top of the crates behind me. McElroy and Wingate both lowered their revolvers, sighing heavily. McElroy rubbed his face where Rats Tails had hit him then turned to the altar and crossed himself.

  Smith released his grip on Moses and shoved him forward. Moses croaked and coughed and stumbled across the floor space. He leaned against the stack of wooden crates, bent double, breathing in big wheezing gasps.

  “Keep an eye on that motherfucker,” Smith called out, pointing at Moses. “If he makes a wrong move then shoot the bastard.”

  “Aye, I hear you, Smith,” McElroy said, raising his revolver slightly and aiming at Moses’ chest.

  Smith kept hold of the knife and trod across the tiles. He reached down over Rats Tails unconscious body and searched through his clothing. He muttered a gratified sound when he stood, holding a packet of smokes. Smith handed around the cigarettes and I gratefully took one.

  “Don’t tell me nobody’s got a light,” Smith groaned, with the unlit cigarette drooping from his mouth.

  I pointed at Jericho Kline. “I know he has.”

  Kline nodded and produced his lighter from his pocket. He lit the flame and Smith, McElroy and I took the light. The smoke tasted real good and I actually felt glad to be alive.

  Vinnie moved slowly out from the shadows with his hands still raised beside his shoulders. He looked scared and shuffled to a stop a few feet in front of us.

  I noticed Jericho and Moses exchange fiery glances and I sensed a real hatred between them. I wanted to hear the story.

  “Okay, Jericho,” I said. “You got what you wanted. Now you can tell us about you two.” I pointed my cigarette between him and Moses.

  Kline nodded, pointing the tip of his cane at Moses, who still coughed and wheezed beside the crates. “This man married my daughter, Megan a long time ago. He got bored with her very quickly and became enraged when she found out what a terrible man he was. He beat her and treated her very badly, like no woman ever should be. I begged her to come home but she wanted to give her marriage another try. Then a few weeks later, she disappeared and was never found or seen again. I believe this man killed my daughter and buried her somewhere in the forest. But like the coward he is, he’s never admitted his crime.”

  Moses still leaned against the crates, rubbing his throat and staring sheepishly at the floor.

  Jericho Kline turned to Vinnie. “Who was your dad, Vinnie?”

  Vinnie lowered his hands and gulped. “He was Cory Moses.” He briefly glanced at Samuel B. “His brother.”

  “And where is your father now?” Jericho asked.

  Vinnie’s eyes looked sad. “He’s dead. He turned into one of the cursed and had to be killed.”

  Kline shook his head. “He never turned, Vinnie. I knew him, I knew Cory and I know how he died. I saw it happen. I saw that man over there murder your father.” He jabbed the tip of his cane at Moses. “I saw him shoot him in cold blood. It happened in the woods further down the road from where we stand now. I was walking away from the church for the last time and I saw them in the forest as I walked by. I saw the shot with Samuel holding the gun. He took the shot that killed your dad. He didn’t see me because I hid amongst the trees. If he’d spotted me, I know I’d be dead too.”

  Vinnie’s eyes filled with tears and he stared accusingly at Moses. “Is this true?” he stammered.

  “You don’t know shit,” Moses croaked, jabbing his forefinger at Kline. “Cory double crossed me and I couldn’t allow him to get away with it. He wanted to do a deal with the Columbians in the castle and I told him not to. I’m sorry, Vinnie but it had to be done. That’s the way it is.”

  Vinnie glanced down. He crouched beside Roddy’s corpse and picked up the discarded revolver. He tearfully aimed the gun at Moses.

  “That’s not the way, son,” Kline whispered.

  The situation was rapidly going downhill. I flashed Smith a concerned glance but he stood still with a slight grimace on his face. He seemed to be enjoying the moment. McElroy, Wingate and I backed away from Moses, moving out of the line of fire and closer to the side walls.

  “He killed my dad,” Vinnie wailed. “Just like he kills everybody. He started this whole thing off with these people from the ship because he twisted what I told him. I said it was an accident down by the riverbank that got Lucas killed. But he didn’t believe me. He said it was murder. He gets everybody killed in the end.”

  “I’m trying to protect you, Vinnie,” Moses yelled, slamming his fist on top of the crates. “I’m trying to protect us all. Cory was weak and I had to stop him.”

  Vinnie shook his head. “You just try to keep people scared, so they’ll do as you say. You just want to be top dog no matter what the consequences. You probably did kill Father Kline’s daughter. That’s your answer to everything if somebody disagrees with you or does something you don’t like. You are a monster. You are no better than those dead out there moving around. No, in fact they’re better than you. Everybody and everything is better than you.”

  Vinnie’s last remark seemed to tip Moses over the edge. His face contorted in rage and his fists balled tightly. He started to move forward to Vinnie but stopped himself due to his nephew still aiming a gun at him. Instead, he roared defiantly, the noise booming around the church and sounding raw with emotion, like some primeval animal.

  “I took care of you,” Moses yelled. “I kept you safe when the dead got up and tried to kill the living.”

  “No,” Vinnie said firmly, shaking his head. “You kept us all manipulated. You kept the whole living population of the island under your control until the Columbians came and then you ran and hid in the forest like a sissy little bitch.”

  “You ungrateful little shit,” Moses growled. “You’re going to regret insulting me.”

  “Oh, really?” Vinnie shouted and took a few steps closer to Moses, thrusting the gun barrel outward.

  Jericho Kline moved forward, attempting to stop Vinnie’s advance. Vinnie moved to Jericho’s side to try and get around him, still aiming the handgun at head height. Smith and I were on one side of the three quarrelling men, Wingate and McElroy were positioned to their right.

  “Whoa!” McElroy said. “Watch it, you guys.”

  The four of us stepped up, out of the line of fire and closer towards the doorway. I anticipated a scuffle would erupt any moment as Vinnie, Jericho and Moses moved closer together, barking obscenities at each other. I was wrong. Moses stood side on to the crates and backed up a little as Vinnie edged forward and Jericho Kline tried to keep between the two men. I saw Moses’ hand brush against something on top of the stack of crates and my stomach turned over. Moses briefly glanced at the object and his expression changed from enragement to deviant in a split second.

  I knew exactly what he was about to do. And I’d inadvertently put us in danger again.

  CHAPTER SEVENTY-NINE

  Moses
grabbed the loaded rocket launcher I’d been stupid enough to leave lying on top of the crates. He kind of cackled as he scooped it up and aimed the SMAW at Vinnie. Jericho Kline raised his hands and took a step back. A worried expression engulfed his face.

  “Put it down, Samuel,” Jericho said, attempting to sound stern. His voice cracked a little and sounded anxious for the first time since he’d entered the church.

  “Who is the little bitch now, boy?” Moses growled, sneering and exposing his teeth as he spoke.

  Vinnie shook his head again. A hardnosed expression made him look ten years older. He reaffirmed his grip on the handgun and thrust it at Moses. “Even you ‘aint dumb enough to fire that damn thing in here.”

  “Oh, yes he is,” McElroy muttered.

  Vinnie and Moses glared at each other. Sweat poured down Moses’ face while Vinnie looked totally focused with hate burning in his eyes.

  “I think it’s time to leave,” Wingate whispered.

  “U-huh,” Smith mumbled. “You got that right.”

  The four of us edged slowly towards the doorway. I kept a close watch on the two relatives aiming weapons at each other beside the stacks of rocket launchers and ammunition.

  “You still holding that gun, Mac?” Smith asked quietly. He too wasn’t dropping his gaze from the warring pair locked in stalemate.

  “I sure have, Smith,” McElroy replied in a low murmur.

  “If any of those two guys turn their weapons this way then you’ll probably have one chance and one chance only to shoot them.”

  “I know,” McElroy wailed softly.

  We kept padding backwards towards the doorway and moved within ten feet of the opening. I felt the chill of the night breeze against my back as we crept inch by inch nearer to the open doors.