Devil in the Grass

by Christopher Bowron

  ****

  Buck guided the Town Car down the long stretch of driveway that lead to the back of the McFadden property. He was greeted by Isaac McFadden, impeccably dressed in white pants, a grey jacket, and a paisley tie. He shook Buck’s hand as he got out of the car. “Mr. Henderson, always a pleasure.”

  Buck opened the back door and helped Henrietta out of the car. “I wouldn’t call this a pleasure, Isaac. It’s a bit of a balls-up if you ask me.”

  Isaac moved to kiss Henrietta on the cheek. With apprehension, he greeted the matriarch. “Miss LePley, it’s grand to see you again so soon.”

  Henrietta returned the gesture with a feigned smile, her thin lips stretched across her perfectly straight teeth. “Isaac, I trust that you have tethered our prisoners appropriately? We cannot afford any more . . . ” she looked to the ground, “disappointments.”

  “Yes ma’am. I’m sure that they will both be pleased to see you on this fine evening.”

  “Don’t be so ingratiating, Isaac. I’m not in the mood for it.”

  “Please come inside.” Isaac led Henrietta and Buck into the workshop. Henrietta winced at the sound of the televisions and the stale-smelling air. “These devices must be turned off.”

  Isaac shook his head. “If you want my brother Jimmy to remain in a pleasant mood, they must remain on. We must keep him focused on the task at hand. If we turn off the TVs, his mind will wander. We don’t want that.”

  An evil look spread across Henrietta’s face, her mouth drawn back in a snarl. “Let’s make this quick then.” She turned to Lani Green, hanging on the hooks. There was no movement other than a shallow rising and falling of her chest. “There can be no sign of this one, Isaac. Have your brother dispose of her now, while we discuss the fate of the other two.”

  “But that will take time, Miss LePley. We were taught by our daddy not to rush things. It is delicate work to dispose of a body properly. The bones must be broken up, the teeth ground, the body parts scattered. The Everglades must be allowed time to do its thing.”

  Henrietta’s face drew in upon itself, projecting a menacing stare. “Do it now,” she said with an eerily level voice. Isaac didn’t argue.

  “Jimmy, it’s time to get rid of the girl, and do kill her first so we can save some time. This might prove to be a busy night.”

  Jimmy looked up from a knife he was in the process of honing to a razor’s edge. “Do I have some time with her?”

  “No time, Jimmy. I said kill the girl now. Straight to the swamp.”

  Jimmy looked at Henrietta. He didn’t like the woman. He imagined drawing the blade across her thin, wrinkled throat; it would be like cutting butter. But then he quickly changed tack, as he remembered that she paid the brothers well. “H-help me get ‘er off the hooks, Isaac.”

  “Buck, please give the boys a hand.”

  Buck didn’t seem all too pleased at the prospect, but nodded. Within a couple of minutes, Lani was lying on the silver mortician’s table, her head lolling from side to side. The surface was protected with a large plastic sheet that hung over the edges and covered six or seven feet of the floor. Jimmy went to the back of the shed and returned with a circular saw, the kind surgeons used for amputations. He plugged it into a socket on the wall beside the table and placed the tool on the table beside the woman.

  Henrietta shook her head. “She sold her soul to the devil, poor girl.” Her face broke out into an even smile. “Everything has its cost.”

  Jack closed his eyes, resting his head against the back of the chair. He didn’t want to draw attention to himself. For the first time since he’d been taken captive, he saw a chink in the McFadden armor—they deferred to Henrietta. Had he been left to the brothers’ whims, he would be dead by now, he was sure of it.

  Jimmy started to dismember the body. Jack watched out of the corner of his eye as a line of red ran its way down a plastic tube and then into a large metal bucket. He shuddered. These bastards knew what they were doing. Jimmy saw Jack watching and grinned. “Gonna be you soon enough.”

  Jack could hear Henrietta, Buck and Isaac talking just outside the shed. The discussion seemed a bit heated, but he couldn’t understand what was being said over the roar of Jimmy’s power tools.

  The sound of the electric saw continued. Every now and then it would labor, followed by a burning smell, like cooked meat. There was a thud. He could see one of the woman’s hands hit the floor—very little blood.

  It didn’t take Jimmy long to chop up the body. Soon there was a pile of body parts on the floor on top of the large plastic sheet, and the saw was turned off.

  Jimmy emerged at the side of the table holding the head of the woman by the hair, its mouth hanging open, the tongue protruding farther than Jack would have thought possible. Jimmy saw Jack looking.

  “This is gonna be you soon enough, you motherfucker. Yep, gonna be you soon, your tongue will be hanging just the same, no muscles to hold it in. Grind up the head and get rid of the teeth. No records then. Rest goes t’ the gators.” He picked up a plastic bag and put the head in it, along with the woman’s hands. He tossed the bag and it landed on the bench with a soft thump. The rest of the body parts were wrapped up in the large plastic sheet that had covered the table and floor.

  Jack watched as the chubby little man took both the bag and the wrapped-up body parts out to the dock. Jimmy came back and carefully retrieved the large bucket that contained the woman’s blood. Jack didn’t bother trying to hide the fact that he was watching; he stared, giving his best evil eye, but it had no effect upon the demented villain.

  ****

  Nate cut the boat’s engine half a mile from the McFadden property. He and Josh paddled the boat the rest of the way. “It’s just around the next bend, according to the GPS,” Josh whispered.

  Janie didn’t like the feeling in the pit of her stomach. She tried to remain calm but found herself moving this way and that, tapping her foot on the floor of the boat. Nate put a hand on Janie’s shoulder. “Have to stop that; sound carries over water.” She nodded and wrapped her arms around her front, just under her breasts, trying to squeeze her restless body into submission.

  As they rounded the bend in the river, the light from a structure that sat on the river’s edge lit up a small bay in front of it. They neared, and saw a long dock with a light on the end of it, thousands of bugs swarming around it.

  “This is it,” whispered Nate, looking down at the GPS again.

  The boys edged the boat into the tall grass near the shoreline. Both men got out into the waist-deep water and pulled the boat further into cover, quickly jumping back. A well-equipped bass boat sat tied up to the dock. Josh whispered as he checked to see if his rifle was loaded—for the third time. “Let’s lie low for a bit and have a look.” Janie wasn’t sure if Josh made the suggestion more out of indecision than prudent planning, but she and Nate nodded at the same time, relieved at the short reprieve.

  There was life within the boat house. Janie could see shadows moving. After ten minutes or so, a short chubby man walked out to the end of the dock and placed a couple of bundles down into the fishing boat. He retreated and returned with a bucket of something that he poured over the side of the dock. He leaned down and swished it out with water, then returned to the building. Within a couple of minutes, Janie saw some movement on the top of the water beside the mooring. She was too far away to make out its cause. “Gators?”

  Nate nodded. “Or catfish, who knows. We get bull sharks up this far and it’s breeding season.”

  “Nice,” Janie said under her breath.

  “Yep, they can live in fresh water for a time. What the heck is that guy up to?”

  Janie ducked as the man reappeared on the dock. She looked over to see that Josh and Nate had done the same. The chubby man jumped down into the boat and fired up the large black Mercury outboard that hung off the rear, tossed the mooring lines onto the dock, and then backed into the channel.

  Josh began to fidget. �
�Crap, if he comes this way, he might see us.”

  ****

  Jack was relieved when Jimmy left the building. He heard the boat’s engine fire, and listened as it idled away from the dock. His attention turned to the four figures returning to the building. As they entered the light he could see Isaac, Buck, Henrietta and a swarthy-looking thin man whom he’d never seen before. The man had a very distinctive, menacing face, one that he would have remembered.

  Henrietta frowned. “Can you turn off these televisions? Your brother is gone.”

  Isaac put his hands together and made a slight bow. “Of course, Henrietta.” He moved from set to set and soon the room was eerily quiet.

  “When you’re finished, could you please escort in Mr. Hunter.”

  Henrietta seemed a bit more at ease with the televisions turned off. She walked up to Jack and hovered over him with narrowed eyes. She reached down and held his chin, forcing him to face her. Her breath was like honey and strawberries. He had the strangest urge to kiss the old woman. Then it struck him—Sarah’s breath had been the same. He couldn’t take his attention off the woman long enough to ponder the possibilities.

  “You have been a useful tool, young man. We have one more request.”

  Isaac interrupted Henrietta as he dragged Hunter into the room. He looked terrible—his face was drawn, and his normally perfect hair stood up every which way. His knee was wrapped in a towel, the blood from the gunshot wound seeping through. Isaac heaved Hunter down onto the couch beside Jack. The senator looked Jack in the eye, his face riveted in pain.

  Henrietta stood looking at the two helpless men. “As I was saying. We need Mr. Walker for one last job. You see, Senator Hunter, we must kill your family and who better than an on-the-run Satanist? Everyone knows too much to remain alive. You became an associate of the Brotherhood of Set, as did your intern. People will believe it. Mr. Walker, you remain the drug-using crazed cult killer. We’ll concoct a devilish scene for your death, James. The public will love it.” She turned to Jack. “We will make sure that you are shot in the act of killing the Hunters. Perfect.”

  “Buck, you and Mason please take Mr. Walker to Savannah and personally oversee the slaughter of the good senator’s family. They are under surveillance?”

  Buck nodded.

  “Good. I’ll call my pilot and make sure the jet is fueled and ready for take-off.”

  Buck didn’t look happy. His cheeks were slightly flushed and he hunched over just a little. It was a lot to ask of a man nearing eighty.

  Mason interjected. “Madam, you have the full backing of the Church of Satan. We can help to ease the load.” He made an accepting gesture with his hands.

  “Thank you. I knew that you would see things our way. So mote it be.”

  Buck walked over to Jack and picked him up by the shoulders. “Isaac, give me a knife so I can cut Jack’s feet loose. I’m getting too old for this horseshit. He won’t be running after being trussed up like this for days.”

  “I wouldn’t do that. Let’s get him into the trunk of your car first. Once you’re gone, I will bury the senator out back beside the hogs. Jimmy has an old wooden casket he uses for this purpose. He’ll last a day or so in there if we put a piece of hose in the ground.”

  Henrietta put a hand on Isaac’s shoulder. “I do like the idea of the box, it’s simply terrifying. Yes, bury him out back until we can figure out what to do with him, Isaac, but do . . . just keep him alive. You see, James, I will allow myself the pleasure of your torment. None of this had to happen, but you made your choice.”

  Jack couldn’t hold in his fury any longer and started to struggle. Isaac, Buck and Mason moved to get a handle on him. Isaac cursed: “Okay, we’ll do this the hard way.” He took out Lani’s handgun from his pocket and raised it to strike him.

  Jack stopped and shook his head. He’d been hit too many times in the head, one more might be the end of him.

  “Now that’s better.”

  Isaac helped Buck and Mason stow Jack in the trunk of Buck’s Caddie. Isaac let out a sigh of relief as he said his goodbyes and the vehicle made its way off the property. Jack Walker’s departure meant one less thing to worry about. The situation was teetering out of control. There were too many loose ends. He feared that Jimmy and he were going to get caught. He feared that Henrietta was going to let them take the fall for everything—he wouldn’t put it past her. It took a great deal of skill and know-how to dispose of a body. It had to be done methodically. He’d told Jimmy to take his time dispersing the cop’s body. Without the expertise of their older brother Eric, they would be hard pressed to dispose of multiple bodies without getting sloppy. Their eldest brother had been good at fixing these sorts of messes. Isaac wasn’t used to working in the trenches, and his hackles were on end. He walked slowly back into the shed where Henrietta stood, having a conversation with herself. He shook his head. Would he have to kill her?

  Isaac drew a heavy breath. Henrietta sat on the large couch that lay misshapen in the middle of the room. “Henrietta, I’m going to truss him up and gag him in the closet until I have a chance to dig his grave. I’ll need Jimmy’s help.”

  “You know best, Isaac. When Jimmy gets back, take the time you need to clean things up. Bury the senator so that you can pass close inspection if the authorities show up. I will give you instructions as future events bring some clarity to the matter.”

  “Things are a bit messy for my liking, Henrietta. We pride ourselves on being meticulous.”

  “Don’t worry, Isaac. McFadden Inc. will be well-compensated.”

  ****

  “Christ, he’s coming this way,” whispered Janie. “What now?”

  “Just keep below the gunnels. Nate, get ready to fire up the engine.” Josh got down on one knee and leveled his rifle towards the oncoming boat. The driver didn’t seem in too much of a hurry, and was busy moving things around below the deck of the boat as he navigated the dead calm waterway.

  Janie was sure that the man would see their airboat. The protective frame for the prop and driver’s seat stuck partway up above the grass. Janie turned to look at Josh as he cocked his rifle, his eyes narrowing as he took careful aim. As the boat sat down to plane, it suddenly slowed down, pushing forward a wave that rolled out towards the near shore.

  “Fuck,” growled Josh. The boat slowly edged closer to their hiding place. The motor slowed to an idle, the boat barely moving. Then the boat accelerated, passing their hiding spot, disappearing into the night.

  They all looked at each other at the same time, then toward the boat that sped away from them to the south.

  Janie pulled out a cigarette, which Josh promptly swatted away into the water. “Nope. Think about it, Janie, we gotta move. We’re going to get a closer look at those buildings while that guy is gone, but we have to move fast. He could come back at any time.”

  The two Seminoles pushed the boat to the shore, the aluminum bottom eventually grinding on dry land.

  “You first.” Josh tossed Janie off the front of the boat. She landed on the half-mud half-clay shoreline, her shoes sucking as she pulled them forward, each step a struggle. Nate followed and pulled the boat up farther with a frayed bowline.

  Janie turned to confront Josh. “What if that guy comes back?”

  Josh looked up at the star-shrouded sky. “Jesus, you’re like my old girlfriend. Look, I can’t stop to tell you about shit every time something fucking happens. Let’s just get a good look and get out of here. Maybe we’ll find my cousin.” He paused, looking at his phone. “Just got a text from Blaze. They’ve arrived at the front of the property. Come on, let’s get moving and don’t say another fucking word.” Josh pushed her forward, and Janie reluctantly complied.

  She turned. “So these are the McFaddens?”

  Josh nodded. “Be quiet and move,” he said.

  Once on dry land, they were overcome with mosquitoes and no-see-ums and the reeds bit into Janie’s face. She didn’t like being manhandled and shu
shed; her temper simmered just below a boil. But it soon cooled as they neared the metal building that hung out over the water a hundred yards away. Josh pushed her up the low mud embankment to the shore. She swatted his hand away, then promptly slid hands down into the mud. Josh pushed her up again and she paused for a moment, bracing herself on her hands and knees looking at the shed in the distance.

  ****

  Henrietta grew nervous as she contemplated where she was and what had happened. Isaac was right, this had gotten messy.

  “You must take me away from here immediately. Our business is finished for the night.”

  Isaac looked back at her as he peered from the double open doors out to the water. The old woman looked spooked. “Is something wrong?”

  Henrietta moved towards Isaac and raised her hand. Isaac moved to get away, but Henrietta quickly grabbed his chin with her long fingers. His eyes were captured by her gaze. Her breath was like berries and cream. He swooned. “The senator?” she asked.

  “He’s trussed up good.”

  “Jimmy?”

  “He is okay.”

  She squeezed his chin harder. “Now.”

  “Of course, Henrietta.”

  26

  Chances

  “YOUR COUSIN IS GONNA owe us big time,” Blaze coughed as he passed the pipe to Robbie. The young Seminole shook his head.

  “No, gotta keep a clear head. You smoke so much of that shit it doesn’t affect you. Me, I get right messed up.”

  “Maybe you’re right; this stuff is hydroponic. It’s, like, molecularly designed by some fucked-up chemist from Amsterdam. Had to try it. Might calm me down a bit. I am too damn hyped.”

  “Tell me about it.”

  Both young men sat in the front seat of the Jeep, its side panels open to the elements. They didn’t speak for several minutes. Blaze’s fingers tapped rhythmically along the barrel of the sawed-off shotgun that sat on his lap. Robbie put his handgun on the dash.

  Robbie broke the silence. “I’m not thinking this is such a good idea, bro. We’ve got to stop anyone who comes out of this place?”