“How did she do it?”
Malone shook his head.
“You mean you don’t know?” He asked somewhat surprised.
“No. Giving someone a deadly disease is not a skill I wanted to acquire,” Mallorie said coolly.
Malone looked back to Bud.
“She and Bertha...they went into the room with the medical records. Edna asked me to wait for them. About three hours later they came out exhausted. They called it deep meditation. Edna said they were drained of their...gift for a few hours...possibly even days.”
Bud stared at Malone who looked to be afraid but unapologetic.
“Why?” He managed to choke the word out.
“She was afraid that Marie could use anyone with a bond to her daughter as a channel to return. Edna never wanted you to know about your gift. She feared that you would eclipse her one day. It appears her fear was well founded,” Malone said.
“It doesn’t make sense. Rose’s bond with Mallorie was tenuous at best given the years between the last time they saw each other,” Bud said.
Malone looked surprised.
“You don’t know about the Christmas presents?” He asked.
“Christmas presents?” Bud asked.
“Again, Edna was crazy jealous – especially of the Bradley woman. She hated her. From what Edna and Bertha both told me, you got an anonymous gift every year at Christmas up until you went away to boarding school,” Malone said to Mallorie.
She nodded in surprise.
“Actually, I still got them in boarding school,” she said.
“Are you saying they came from Rose?” Bud asked.
“After a few years Edna was finally able to track the gifts. According to Bertha, she was irate when she found out who they were coming from,” Malone said.
“It was the only thing that made Christmas bearable when I was a kid,” Mallorie said softly.
“So now you see why I can’t help you. With all due respect, I’m willing to take my chances with you,” Malone said.
“Edna is tying up loose ends. Bertha died unexpectedly in her nursing home last night,” Bud said.
Terror filled Malone’s face.
“On second thought, we probably don’t need your testimony concerning Marie’s death,” Bud said as he stood.
“Wait! You can’t leave me to her. She’ll kill me!” Malone said as he stood and slapped the glass with an open palm, drawing the attention of the guard.
“Sit your ass down inmate or your visit is over!” He barked.
“How does it feel Malone? It didn’t seem to bother you when you were on the giving end. How many lives did you help her wreck?” Bud asked as he leaned into the glass.
Malone stood mouth agape unable to speak.
“I wonder if my mom felt this way as she was dying,” Christine said.
“Please,” Malone whimpered as tears leaked from his eyes.
“It’s called despair,” Bud said.
“I’ll tell you everything I know. Just please...help me,” Malone begged.
“Where does her power come from?” Mallorie asked.
“In the special room in her house, on the wall,” he said.
“The picture?” Mallorie asked.
“It’s no picture. It’s the Marchand Symbol. It’s been your family for generations,” Malone said.
“What exactly is it?” Bud asked as he sat back down.
“As Edna tells it, it was a symbol of a voodoo priest who was a slave in Louisiana in the 1840s. He was well treated on the plantation where he lived in exchange for the black magic he provided. On his death bed he blessed the symbol so that whoever possessed it would have some of those powers as long as it was kept in a room isolated from the natural world. Anyone looking to increase those powers would have to be a true believer. They would also have to bring in converts to augment that power. The converts had to understand a price had to be paid in order to obtain the favor of the symbol,” Malone said.
“What was the price?” Bud asked.
“Their souls,” Malone answered.
“You mean like a deal with the devil?” Bud asked.
“That’s what it was but after a certain amount of time the power waned unless supported by the host or hostess – in this case Edna. When people fell out of favor with her she simply moved on to another convert,” Malone explained.
“Let me guess. Bill Kantrell is a convert,” Bud said.
“No. He’s more. He’s a disciple meaning he’s the most loyal of all converts,” Malone said.
“So he has this gift?” Bud asked.
“No. His job is to protect the priestess...Edna,” Malone explained.
“What happens if someone was born with the gift? What would that mean to a priestess?” Mallorie asked.
“Those people – you included – are known as revivors. If you could get to it, you could nullify the symbol forever,” Malone said.
“And that would eliminate any powers Edna has?” Bud asked.
“As well as any converts she has brought in. But I’ve got to warn you: That symbol is protected by powers too dark for you to imagine. If a non-revivor touches the symbol it will kill them,” Malone said.
“If a revivor touched the symbol, what would happen to them?” Mallorie asked.
“They would absorb the power of every convert loyal to the symbol. But that power is pure evil. It could destroy the revivor. I’m not sure to be honest because no one has ever attempted it,” Malone said.
Mallorie thought his words over.
“Is there a way to destroy it without touching it?” Bud asked.
“Not that I’m aware of,” Malone answered.
“My grandfather. How much did he know?” Mallorie asked.
“Earl? Hell, he was her first convert. He’s the one with the gift – that’s where you and Marie got it from. But Edna said he cared nothing about developing any kind of power. She once told me that’s why she married him,” Malone said.
“How much did he know about Marie?” Bud asked.
“Nothing until after the fact. By that time it was too late – Edna had all of the power,” the scraggly inmate said.
“And Earl was devastated with the loss of his daughter,” Bud said as Malone nodded and turned to Mallorie.
“I don’t know if you’re aware of this but Edna wanted to give you up for adoption. Earl wouldn’t have it. He threatened using his gift to fight her. So they reached a compromise. In exchange for not giving you up for adoption he allowed her to manipulate his mind. Earl didn’t become a drunk. That was all Edna. She wanted to weaken him from standing up to her again,” Malone said.
“And his heart attack?” Bud asked.
“Edna again. But I swear I had nothing to do with it,” Malone said.
“And his current dementia?” Mallorie asked.
“My guess would be her again but as I’m sure you know I haven’t exactly been in the loop for a few years,” Malone said bitterly.
“Why does she want the power so badly?” Mallorie asked.
“Eternal life. She wants to live forever. Have you not noticed she doesn’t age? She wants to live forever. The power keeps her young,” Malone explained.
Bud looked to Mallorie.
“Any more questions?”
She shook her head.
Bud stood up and she joined him.
“We’ll be in touch,” he said.
“Wait! What about protecting me from Edna?” Malone shrieked.
“I think I’ll leave it up to my mom. If she wants to protect you until this is resolved, I’ll let her,” Mallorie said.
“You can’t do that! I answered your questions! You gave your word!” Malone screamed as the guard starting dragging him away.
“Sue me,” Mallorie said as she walked away.
“It’ll never hold up in court,” Bud said as he turned to follow her.
***
Al hurried down the narrow dirt path, pushing through low-lying bra
nches, occasionally sending green leaves flying. Jett rushed after him.
“What are you doing?” He shouted.
Just a minute later the big policeman made his way into the clearing near the base of the large limestone boulder.
Al stood looking up at the boulder wide-eyed.
“Have you lost your mind?” Jett shouted from behind.
As soon as the words left his mouth a figure dressed in camouflage emerged from the woods to Jett’s left – a figure with what looked to be a nightstick. Before Jett could utter a warning, the man with the club bludgeoned Al on top of his head.
Al collapsed in a heap at the base of the rock. Jett started to charge the attacker until he heard a voice from the woods on his right and the unmistakable clicking of a hammer being drawn back.
“Don’t move another step or I’ll shoot,” the voice called.
Jett froze in his tracks. He recognized the voice.
“What’s going on Bill?” Jett asked.
He looked in front of him at the thin man with the nightstick. With his dark thinning hair and a close-cropped goatee, Jett didn’t recognize him.
The thin man smiled.
“You were right Bill. I did enjoy it,” he said.
“Told you. Feels good to take a man down – especially one that big,” Bill said.
Jett shook his head.
“I’m disappointed. This doesn’t look like an accident. You’re showing a genuine lack of finesse,” he said.
Bill couldn’t resist a guffaw.
“Always a smartass. I guess that makes your column funny but it don’t mean shit in the real world,” he said.
Jett looked at Al’s unconscious form. Blood was leaking from his scalp and he wasn’t moving.
“Your friend wasn’t losing his mind. He just couldn’t control his mind,” the thin man said as slowly waved the nightstick back and forth.
“Edna figured out it was Mallorie looking in on us last night. So there was a change in plan. You really think you could outsmart her?” Bill asked.
“Look, if you’re going to kill me anyway, would it be okay if I check on Al?” Jett asked.
“And let you make a grab for his pistol? I don’t think so,” Bill said.
“Unless your plan is to kill us both, what harm would it do for me to see how badly he’s hurt?” Jett asked.
“Rex, grab that .357 and don’t get too close to Jett,” Bill said as Rex did exactly as he was told.
After the thin man stepped away Jett knelt beside his friend. Al still had a pulse and was breathing but Jett didn’t know for how much longer that would true.
Almost with a start, he realized that was true of his situation as well.
***
The last thing Al remembered was mentioning his desire to climb Rebel Rock. Actually the last thing he remembered was a sharp pain in the top of his head.
Al took a look around. He found himself sitting at the base of Rebel Rock with the smell of the river mud and brackish water pungent in his nostrils.
His head throbbed. With his right hand he gently rubbed his scalp. His hand was revealed sticky not quite dried blood.
He didn’t understand. It was all so not needed.
Al stood on wobbly legs, using his left hand to brace himself on the boulder. He looked around and footprints everywhere but no trace of Jett.
Who clubbed him and where was Jett? Could it have been Jett that hit him?
As those thoughts went through his mind voices from the narrow path caught his attention.
“He’s down here,” the voice of a teenage boy called.
Al looked up to see a park ranger and a young man who looked to be about 14 or 15. The kid was slim with shoulder length blonde hair. He wore jeans, cheap gym shoes, and a faded “Black Sabbath” T-shirt that had been black once.
The ranger had an average build but had narrow dark eyes that focused on Al.
“Looks like you’ve had an accident friend,” the ranger said as he glanced at the congealed blood on the side of Al’s scalp.
The big man grunted.
“No accident. Someone went to a lot of trouble to put a knot on my head,” Al said with a grimace.
The ranger gave a slight side-glance.
“Robbery?” He asked.
Al reached for his wallet and then his keys. He still had them. He reached for his pistol and got a sinking feeling in his stomach as he realized it was missing.
“Looking for your gun?” the ranger asked as he pointed to the .357 laying at the edge of the woods.
Al nodded as the ranger went to retrieve the weapon.
“What’s your name?” The ranger asked as he held onto the weapon.
“Listen I had a friend with me earlier. Did you see any one leaving on your way down here?” Al asked.
“Not a soul,” the ranger added, “And you didn’t answer my question.”
“Alvin Anderson, chief of police, Crystal Springs, Ranger...?”
“Ken Hanson. Listen Chief, I’m going to hang onto this gun until I get a few more questions answered and you get that head wound looked at. Think you can make it back up to the ranger’s station?” He asked.
Al started to protest but the throbbing in his head made him hesitate.
“Okay, yeah. I’ll call someone at the department to come out. They can vouch for me and give me a ride back to the office. Would it be okay if we went by my vehicle in the parking lot? I’d like to make sure it’s secure,” Al said.
“I don’t see why not. But if you don’t mind me asking, what exactly was you doing down here?” Hanson asked.
“To tell you the truth, I’m not sure. I was with a friend and he wanted to stop by here,” Al said.
Hanson nodded and they started up the path back to the original trail.
A few minutes later Al and the ranger were walking through the parking lot - the helpful teenager having since departed.
“I could have sworn this is where I parked,” Al said.
“Well, this parking lot isn’t that big. I think if it was here we would see it. You said you had a friend with you. Think maybe he took the vehicle? I mean it makes sense. For whatever reason he whacks you on the head, takes your vehicle, and hits the road,” Hanson reasoned.
Al exhaled slowly.
“If it was anyone else I’d say you’re right,” he said as his face showed a mixture of confusion and worry.
***
Matt answered the door when Bud and Mallorie arrived.
“Where’s your dad?” Bud asked as they walked through the door.
“You don’t know where he is either?” Matt asked.
“No. I’ve called his cell all afternoon and he hasn’t been in the office since early this morning,” Bud said as he followed Mallorie into the living room where everyone sat.
“Yeah, we’ve been calling him since about three,” Dan said.
Bud shook his head and his concern was evident.
“I’ve called Al’s phone too with no luck,” he said.
“Great,” Matt said dejectedly as Linda Sue stood and walked over to him. She lightly hugged his left arm to comfort him.
“Let’s keep our heads. We haven’t been notified of anything bad either,” Alicia said.
“So what do we do?” Maggie asked.
“We wait because we don’t have any other choice,” Bud said.
The knocking on the door startled all of them. Bud pulled his .38 special and motioned for Matt to open the front door. Dan stood with the ladies at back, acting as a shield.
Matt pulled the door open and there stood a very large police officer with a white bandage wrapped around his head.
“I’m looking for your dad,” he said.
“Al! What happened to you,” Bud said as he holstered his pistol, hurried to the door, and pulled the officer inside.
Al gave him a bewildered look.
“It’s a long story but I can’t find Jett. And not only is he missing – so are the files we p
icked up in Frankfort,” he said.
“Missing? Dad was with you!” Matt said.
Dan started to speak as well before Bud held up a hand.
“Listen! Both of you, just listen. Al, come in and get a seat. Tell us what happened and maybe we can piece together where Jett is,” he said.
***
Jett rode in the back of Bill’s car. His wrists were cuffed together and he was securely buckled into the seat.
“Just in case you get any ideas about trying to break loose, keep in mind I still have a gun. You also might want to think about your family. If I’m not back at a certain time, the word will go out for a hit on your sons,” Bill added. “I don’t want that to happen. For what it’s worth I don’t take any pleasure in seeing people suffer.”
“Is that what you told Marie?” Jett asked.
Bill shook his head as he looked at Jett in the rearview mirror.
“Marie was an unfortunate necessity – mainly for you and Bud. You two should have left well enough alone,” Bill said.
“Yeah, well, we didn’t. Besides, murder is murder. How does it feel to know she’s back?” Jett asked.
Bill chuckled.
“Temporarily. Edna will send her back soon enough with some company. Besides, you ought to be happy. You’ll be reunited with your wife soon. Damn shame about her cancer. Did she have a lot of pain? I’ll bet it was tough at the end, especially knowing you had to finish raising two boys without a mother,” he said.
“You’re a real charmer. I can see why you’ve won so many elections,” Jett said.
“I won’t argue with you. I’ve worked long and hard to get people to like good ol’ Bill. People didn’t care for Officer Kantrell, good ol’ Bill though, they lined up to vote for. And I owe that to Edna,” Bill said.
“A life is a small price to pay for popularity and prosperity,” Jett said.
“Marie’s death served a higher purpose than you could ever comprehend,” Bill said.
“So where are we headed?” Jett asked.
“You’ll see soon enough,” Bill said.
“Where was the little guy going with Al’s SUV,” Jett asked.
“That’s not your concern,” Bill said.
The rest of the trip was silent as Jett just watched and tried to think of a way to escape. He knew he should be worried but he felt a strange strength and confidence. Rose was with him. He could feel her presence.
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