“Walter, Ed, Chuck, any luck?” asked Ed.
“Do we look like we have anything to report?” responded Walter, as he flicked away a tiny piece of tree bark that had fallen on his knee.
Pulling his soiled baseball cap off, Chuck Trainor ran his fingers through his sweat soaked hair.
“We looked everywhere,” said Chuck.
“Looks like you didn’t do any better,” said Walter.
“I’m not done yet. I still have a couple of motels on the north end to check out,” said Ed.
“It don’t look good, Ed. What are we gonna do now?” asked Ed Foley as he stood up from the bench and stretched his lower back.
“We look again is what we do. If the two of them are moving around, we might have just missed them,” answered Ed.
“Say, Ed, maybe they’re camping out somewhere. There are plenty of empty deer camps they could be hiding in,” said Walter.
“You’re right,” said Ed. “Walter, I want you to round up a dozen or so church members. Send them out to all the campsites we know of. Tell them to be real careful not to spook Powell, and the woman. All we want is to locate them for now.”
Chuck spoke up and said, “What about us?”
“You guys keep checking stores, restaurants, businesses, that sort of thing. We’ll meet back here at 5 o’clock. Let’s go.”
Walter took off immediately. His new assignment invigorated him. Ed Foley and Chucky were less enthusiastic.
“Samuel sure ripped into you this morning. It must have pissed you off,” said Trainor.
Ed Townsend refused to react. Instead, he turned away, and headed to his car.
Deep inside, Ed Townsend was seething with anger. He climbed into his car and drove away at a normal speed. The only sign of a reaction was his hands, which were gripping his steering wheel with such force, his knuckles were turning white.
“Why did you go and say that for? Are you trying to start something?” demanded Ed Foley.
“I was just trying to get a rise out of him. You know how he’s such a tight ass, never showing any emotion.”
“Yeah, well I don’t particularly care for him myself, but that don’t give us the right to insult the man. Without him, I don’t think we’d be as close as we are to Powell.”
“Shit Ed, you’re becoming a tight ass, too,” said Chuck as he strolled towards his car.
“You’d better not cross him Chuck, that’s all I’m saying.”
“Yeah, yeah, I hear you.”
The two coven members each drove away in their respective vehicles. Neither had any expectations they would catch the proverbial brass ring, and find Powell. Nevertheless, they dutifully resumed their search.
***
The smell of spent gunpowder lingered in the air.
Korie ran up to Aaron. She turned him away from the sight of the dead boy and Miss Beacon. Aaron dropped the piece of blood stained wood he had been holding. Korie held him tightly. Her eyes were welling up with tears, but she held them back. She wanted to be strong for Aaron.
Aaron was surprised by his own reaction. He felt neither remorse nor guilt. He was busily taking inventory of his senses.
“Well, are either of you going to help me up?” asked Miss Beacon.
Aaron and Korie both turned and looked at Miss Beacon who was now sitting up.
The look on their faces clearly conveyed their shock. Both had assumed that the boy had killed her.
“You’re okay?” said an excited Korie.
“Of course,” said Miss Beacon as she reached up for a hand from Korie and Aaron. They each took a hand and pulled her to her feet. She brushed off her dress.
“I can’t believe he missed,” said Aaron.
“Well, he put a nice hole in my dress. Will that do?” answered Miss Beacon.
She pointed to a hole that was located about five inches down from her left shoulder. Korie stepped to the side and looked at the back of Miss Beacon’s dress, and there was another hole located about three inches from the top of her left shoulder. There was no sign of blood anywhere.
“But that hole, there’s...no blood,” said Korie.
“I’m an Angel, or have you forgotten?”
“Amazing,” said Korie.
“We can’t stand here all day discussing this. We’ve got to go,” said Miss Beacon.
“But what about the boy’s body?” asked Aaron.
“What do you want to do with it?” asked Miss Beacon as she furrowed her eyebrows.
“I’m not sure, I uh...I want.”
“What?” asked Korie
Suddenly, without warning, Aaron bent down and picked up the limp body of the dead boy. Carrying him, Aaron headed towards the altar. He placed the boy on the altar, and then ran back to where the two women stood. He picked up the pieces of wood that had once been his weapon of necessity, and raced back to the altar. Korie and Miss Beacon followed him to the altar.
Aaron used the two pieces of wood to form a crude cross, which he placed across the boy’s chest. Aaron folded the boy’s arms over the cross shape.
“Interesting,” said Miss Beacon.
“We can go now,” said Aaron.
At that very moment, a loud crackling sound was heard at the same instant a bright blinding flash was seen directly across the clearing. It was a bolt of lightning. It had struck a tree next to the cemetery. The top half of the tree exploded. Directly overhead, a solo, dark, menacing summer storm cloud hovered less than five hundred feet over the mountain top. An earth-shaking rumble of thunder pounded the ground.
All three took off and raced back to the Land Rover. A heavy stinging rain started to fall soon after the initial lightning strike. They were drenched to the skin by the time they reached the Land Rover.
They climbed inside of the vehicle and Miss Beacon wasted no time starting the engine.
“Aaron.” said Miss Beacon.
“Yes.”
“Killing that boy back there was righteous. I want you to know that.”
“Thanks.”
Korie was still somewhat out of breath, when she asked “Why did you put the boy on that altar like that?”
“Because I want them to know I was there,” said Aaron.
“Oh, they know Aaron, believe me they know,” said Miss Beacon, as she put the Rover in gear and began to inch her way back down the mountain.
The ride down the mountain was bumpy and dangerous. Miss Beacon seemed bent on taking the most direct route possible, regardless of how dense the forest, or how steep the slope. Several times it seemed the vehicle would tip over while Miss Beacon fought with the steering wheel to keep the Land Rover upright. Finally, they drove through some thick brush and into a small clearing. They were next to a small abandoned orchard. Zigging and zagging, Miss Beacon managed to drive through the orchard, and at the opposite end she located a dirt road. Moments later, they were back on a paved road heading to Miss Beacon’s place.
“I think you ought to climb back under that blanket back there. We don’t want you discovered quite yet,” said Miss Beacon.
Aaron and Korie did as she requested. It was stifling hot under the blanket. The windows were rolled down, which did allow some movement of air, tempering the oppressive heat.
Miss Beacon pulled the Land Rover into her driveway. She wheeled it around back, hitting the brakes a bit hard as the vehicle lurched to a stop.
“Stay down. Someone’s coming. Don’t move a muscle,” commanded Miss Beacon.
Aaron and Korie heard the front seat creak as Miss Beacon climbed out. The next sound they heard was the slamming of the driver’s side door.
There was a pause, and then they heard the crunching sound of another vehicle’s tires rolling in their direction. That vehicle came to a stop and the driver turned off the car engine. A car door opened and closed.
“Good afternoon, Miss Beacon,” said an obviously male voice.
“Well if it isn’t Ed ‘Mr. FBI’ Townsend,” said Miss Beacon with a sli
ght chuckle in her voice.
“It sure is a hot one,” said Ed.
“Now that is stating the obvious.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”
“So, what brings you to Mother Nature’s? It sure can’t be for small talk about the weather.”
“No, no, you’re right. Let me get right to it. I’m doing a little job for an insurance company trying to track down a fella they think is in the area. I was wondering, have you had any overnight guests in the past couple of days?”
“Now Ed, you know what it is like this time of year around here. My last overnighter was, let me think...oh...it must have been close to Memorial Day weekend.”
“I see. Well, maybe someone might have stopped in to your store or stopped to ask for directions. This fellow is also traveling with a young woman; I believe they’re from Massachusetts.”
“What do they look like? Do you have a photo or something I could look at?’
“No. . . I don’t have a photo, but I can give you a general description.”
While Ed provided a description, Aaron and Korie were struggling with the challenge of remaining still and quiet in the rear of the Land Rover. Now that the Rover wasn’t moving, there was no fresh air swirling around inside. The Rover was parked in the sun, and even with the windows down, the heat was rapidly building up inside. Under the blanket it was worse. The musty smell of the blanket was almost overpowering. Beads of sweat rolled across every inch of their cramping bodies.
“Well, from what you describe, I can safely say that I don’t believe I’ve seen anyone fitting that description.”
“Really,” said Ed with a touch of disbelief in his voice. He was looking down at the tires of Miss Beacon’s vehicle, and the heavily soiled wheel well. Clumps of grass and a thick crust of dirt covered the lower half of her vehicle.
“Been out driving in the woods, have we?” asked Ed.
“Why, Ed, you are the inquisitive one. As a matter of fact I have. I drove up to my secret blackberry patch to pick a few quarts. I’m going to make some of my very special preserves with them. My winter guests really like having homemade preserves at their breakfast table. I even sell some on the side. You know, a little extra always comes in handy.”
“Yeah, I understand,” said Ed who still seemed curious about the soiled condition of her Rover.
“Would you be so kind as to give me a hand with the berries? I might manage to find a jar of last year’s preserves for you.”
“Sure.”
Underneath the blanket, Aaron and Korie wondered what she was up to. Neither had seen any berries in the back of the vehicle. They both kept perfectly still as they heard the opening sound of the rear door latch. They were now drenched in sweat.
“Here they are. Now you take that large basket right there. Yes, that one. I’ll take these two smaller ones. Good.”
Somehow he didn’t notice the two shapes beneath the old blanket.
Aaron and Korie felt the rear door slam shut and heard the sound of feet walking down the gravel driveway.
“What do we do now?” asked Korie.
“Where did those berries come from?” asked Aaron.
“Who cares? I’m about to pass out from heat exhaustion here.”
“Okay. Wait a second,” said Aaron as he slowly pulled the blanket off his head. He carefully raised his head up and looked out the side window. He could see the back door to Miss Beacon’s store swing close.
“Can’t we get out of here while she has him distracted?” pleaded Korie.
“I don’t know. Maybe we shouldn’t take a chance. Oh, shit, they’re coming back,” said Aaron as he ducked down under the blanket.
“Thanks again for the preserves.”
“Don’t mention it.”
“Listen, if you . . .”
“I know, if I see these two young people I’m to give you a call.”
“That’s right!”
“Oh, I’ll be sure to let you know. I can tell you’re anxious to locate these people. I have a feeling they’ll turn up before you know it. After all, Sutton is a small town.”
“Small towns still have plenty of hiding places.”
“And I bet that ‘Mr. FBI’ knows where all the hiding places are in Sutton.”
“Maybe I do,” said Ed with a slight smirk.
He climbed back into his car and started it up. He put it in gear. He watched Miss Beacon give him a wave, which he politely returned. She turned and started for the backdoor of her store. With that, Ed backed his car up and left Mother Nature’s.
Aaron and Korie both received a loud mental message from Miss Beacon.
Stay where you are and don’t try peaking out the window, said the voice of Miss Beacon inside their heads.
They did as they were told.
Ed turned out onto the highway and slowly drove away.
Now I know where they are, thought Ed.
Several minutes passed before the driver’s side door opened to the Land Rover.
“Relax, it’s just me. I’m going to pull closer to the building. I’ll tell you when you can get up.”
She pulled the land Rover forward and then turned a half circle before it came to a stop in the shadow of the store.
“Okay, you can come out now,” said Miss Beacon.
Without waiting for another signal Aaron and Korie threw off the blanket. Their clothes clung to their bodies from the heavy perspiration.
Korie wiped her face with the back of her right hand.
“Do you think you fooled him?” asked Korie.
“Not for one instant,” was her reply.
“Then why didn’t he say or do something?” asked Aaron.
“Because now is not the time.”
“What do we do now?” asked Aaron.
“You two can take a shower upstairs. I’ll make some ice tea. Then Aaron, I want you to finish reading the last twenty or so pages of your family diary.”
Aaron and Korie climbed out of the Land Rover. After a brief stretch they went up the back steps heading inside to the coolness of Mother Nature’s store.
“Miss Beacon, I don’t remember seeing any blackberries in the back of the Rover. Where did they come from?” asked Korie.
“I’m an angel, remember?”
***
Ed Townsend delivered the news in person.
Samuel’s reaction was quite restrained.
Ed leaned against his car and waited for Samuel to move to the question, what now?
“Ed, I want you to go and pick up Judy for me and bring her here.”
“Anything else?”
“Yes. Can you get a message to either Bob or Walter?”
“Bob’s in town searching stores. I sent Walter up in the mountains to search hunting camps. I can reach them both with the portable radios I gave them. What do you have in mind?”
“Have Bob set up near Mother Nature’s to keep an eye on the place. I want to know the minute anyone comes or goes.”
“No problem. I’ll get right on it. I’ll be back in a few minutes with Judy.”
Ed climbed back into his car and quickly pulled away leaving Samuel standing alone on the sidewalk in front of his house.
***
Judge Fairchild and Reverend Mitchell were as yet unaware of Ed Townsend having pinpointed the whereabouts of the Powell descendant. After leaving the meeting earlier in the day, they moved to the Reverend’s office to discuss their plans.
“You know, Arthur, I feel certain Ed Townsend would come over to our side.”
“I’m not quite as confident as you. I know Ed has had to put up with Samuel’s overbearing and insulting behavior, but that is a far cry from choosing to turn against him.”
I agree, but I am convinced the look he gave me before he closed the door at this morning’s meeting was meant to convey something. Perhaps it was meant to . . .”
The conversation between the Judge and the Reverend continued.
***
&nbs
p; Meanwhile Ed had picked up Judy and was taking her back to see Samuel. She had been dressed and waiting at the door. She was wearing a hot pink spandex t-top with matching hot pink spandex tights. She also had on white ankle socks and brand new Reebok cross trainer shoes with pink shoe laces. Her hair was pulled into a ponytail held tight by a pink and white scrunchy.
She had applied a liberal amount of perfume and her makeup was just perfect.
“Damn Judy, you overdid it with that perfume,” said Ed as he rolled his window down.
“Stop complaining. I know what I’m doing.”
“Haven’t you thought that the man might have allergies or just doesn’t like strong perfume?”
“Honey, it’s all part of the package,” she said as she pushed her breasts upward so there was now additional cleavage showing at the top of her spandex t-top.
Ed pulled the car over to the curb in front of Samuel’s house. He was about to blow the horn when Samuel came running out of his house and up to the car. He gestured for the two to stay in the car.
Judy rolled down her window. Ed kept the car running.
Samuel looked Judy over and nodded his approval.
“Judy, you’re going to get your chance just like you asked this morning.”
“Good. I’m ready.”
“Ed, take her over to Bob and leave her with him. Judy you can make your move anytime, the sooner the better of course. Remember Judy, we need information and we need Powell to join our coven, nothing more.”
“You can count on me, Samuel,” she said with her usual sultry smirk.
“All right, we’re off,” said Ed as he put the car in gear.
Samuel watched as Ed and Judy left. He had much to do and little time to do it in. He would call the others. He would notify Shirley and Phyllis to be ready to approach the woman traveling with Powell. After putting things in motion he would call to Moloch and share the news with him.
Samuel knew things were going smoothly now, but he knew he would have to be on his guard. Moloch was counting on him and Samuel wasn’t about to let him down. This coven had waited for over 160 years, and had been once so very close to completing that first critical step towards Armageddon. Samuel felt this would be their last, best chance. Even though Samuel was only fourteen, he had been imbued with extensive knowledge of Satan’s long struggle. He was well aware of his fate, and the fate of the others should they fail. Satan was patient but unforgiving.
Evil Agreement Page 26