Dead Sure?: A Paranormal Mystery (40 page)

“It’s not really any of your concern.”

From a dark staircase behind them, Rene noticed a figure approaching quietly. Dusk was starting to fall and the light coming in from the openings that use to serve as windows was growing dimmer.
Steve said something about the old grain building, yeah, that must be where we are. I’ve got to distract him from whoever is coming.
Rene’s eyes swiftly darted back to Steve. “Well, if you’re going to kill me anyway, why not fill me in?”

“You know, I’ve really had about enough of you.” He pulled a handkerchief from his coat pocket and began shoving it in her mouth.  That’s when Steve heard shoes shuffling on the old concrete floor behind him. Whipping around, his gun leapt from its ankle holster to his hand.

Ron was standing there, both hands out in front of him to hastily show Steve he meant no harm. Steve could be very high strung and this was not the time to push his nerves over the edge.

“Ron, I take it you were tailing Rene as requested and that has led you here.”

“That would be about the size of it, Mr. Yates. I sat out in my car for a while, unsure how you’d want me to proceed. By the looks of things it appears the situation is under control.”

Steve stood briefly, motionless, contemplating the state of affairs. Ron had served him well for a long time and this type of activity was unlikely to rattle him much. On the other hand, most of Ron’s work for him had been threats or violence against evil men, nothing like kidnapping a woman. “Ron, are you up for some more money?”

Rene watched it play out in helpless horror. What she hoped might turn out to be a rescue was disappearing as fast as her vision.

“You know me and money, Mr. Yates. My bitch of a wife spends me into the poor house. What do you need me to do?”
Like I’d say no even if I wasn’t going to do it, this guy would just drop me on the spot without a second thought.

“Excellent, I wasn’t exactly planning on this but I think it’s going to work out rather nicely.” Steve was momentarily distracted by Rene rustling behind him. Glancing over his shoulder, his complexion turned white as a ghost. “It can’t be,” he stammered.

Ron didn’t like the look on Steve’s face and quickly sought to distract him. “Mr. Yates, what do I need to do?” Steve slowly redirected his attention back to Ron. He seemed crazier than ever, and Ron shuddered.

“First I need you to drag her into that corner and throw that old tarp over her.”

Ron quickly complied while Steve just watched, his face a twisted mask of confusion and rage. All of his usual cool self-styled bravado evaporated. As the canvas covered Rene, Steve’s face began to resume its normal composure.

“Now go to Flannigan’s and make sure that Shelby and Jack leave there together. The two of them are supposed to head back here. If you notice anything strange or that they’re trying to involve the police, call me, and stop them through whatever means is necessary.”

“Sure, I’m on it, anything else?”

“No, just get it right and there’s fifty thousand in it for you.”

Ron whistled a happy note. “Wow, I like the sound of that. Consider it done,” and with that he disappeared back down the steps into the darkening gloom.

Steve strode over to the empty window frame and gazed out. The clouds were blowing by and the new moon was peeking out on occasion, making things brighter from one moment to the next. Steve could smell a hint of rain in the air. Perhaps it was coming to wash away his troubles.

He continued to look out and down from his perch, having chosen to finish things at the top of the old grain mill. The place had been deserted for years, and had fallen into a state of great disrepair. All of the windows had long ago been smashed out, and much of the interior structure was caving in.

The place made an ideal hideout, situated all by itself, a fortress of desolation. From five stories up, Steve watched as Ron got into his car and drove away to do his bidding, Steve smiled at the thought of how easily people could be controlled with just a little bit of money. Well, most people anyway. He glanced nervously over at the corner where Ron had dragged Rene before placing a tarp over her. His hand started shaking and a white hot pain shot first through his right leg before exiting his shoulder.
Just a little longer and I’ll end this thing,
he told himself, although he wasn’t feeling so sure about that.

*    *    *

Jack was just getting up to leave when Shelby entered the bar. She glanced around, spotting him immediately, and came towards him like a magnet.
Oh great, I just don’t need this right now. She looks like a woman on a mission. It’s not like I slept with her and didn’t call. In fact, I don’t recall her ever giving me her number.

Shelby came up rather abruptly. “Jack, I need to speak with you.”

“Shelby, that’s great, but I’m in a bit of a rush right now, how about another time?”

“No, it’s got to be now,” she answered insistently.

“Really, you’ve got to be kidding me. I’m in a hurry, just give me your number, I promise I’ll give you a call tomorrow,” Jack said, getting aggravated but still trying to force a smile. 

This was going to be harder than she thought. “Tomorrow’s going to be too late for Rene,” Shelby finished in a whisper, glancing around to make sure none of the other patrons had overheard.

Jack was just about to push past her until he heard this last statement and froze in his tracks. “What have you got to do with Rene?” he questioned, becoming concerned.

“It’s not what I have to do with Rene, but what I know about her situation.”

“What are you talking about?” Jack replied gruffly.

“Just keep quiet and come with me,” she said, glancing around nervously.

“Look, to be honest with you, I thought you were a bit off from the day we first met. I don’t think you have anything to do with Rene and I have some place I need to be. So if you’ll excuse me, I think we’re done here,” he finished, and began to walk away.

Shelby grabbed Jack’s shoulder, her long slender fingers, adorned with glistening-black nail polish, squeezing tightly. “We’re far from done,” she retorted, her voice taking on an angry-raspy quality. “I’ll tell you when we’re done!”

“Look, lady, I really don’t have time for this bullshit!”

Calming down and switching gears; Shelby carefully stated, “Would Rene, Steve Yates, the journal, and a medallion make you reconsider hearing what I have to say?” Shelby was sure with this statement she had pushed all the right buttons. The change in his stance answered conclusively even before he could.              Looking confused but interested, he responded, “Okay, let’s talk.”

“Follow me,” Shelby said, leading him toward a booth in the back corner of the bar.

As they were walking away, somebody new entered the bar. Ron surveyed the room; he could feel the veins in his temples twitching slightly from nerves. He had to do this thing right. He needed the extra money Mr. Yates had promised him; hell, he deserved it. Nothing was going to mess this up. With any luck he wouldn’t even have to do much, just let that Shelby bitch lead Jack to the mill with the book and sit back and wait. Maybe if things went really smoothly he’d even get a bonus. After all, looking the other way for a kidnapping had to be worth a lot, not that fifty thousand wasn’t a pretty good chunk of change.

Ron spotted his prey in a dimly lit back corner booth. He’d only met Shelby briefly a couple of times, but Jack sure as hell knew who he was. Hastily, he pulled his baseball cap down low on his bald head and made for the bar, putting his back towards them. “I’ll have a Miller Lite on tap,” he said to the bartender.

Sitting down, Shelby glanced furtively around. Had she looked a second sooner, she might have noticed Ron entering the bar. As it was, he was already seated and she focused her attention back on Jack. “Listen, I want you to know I didn’t have anything to do with this. Steve called me and stated that he kidnapped Rene, and that he’s been trying to call you all afternoon. When he couldn’t reach you, he called me and insisted that I get you out to the old mill with the journal or things are going to end badly.”

Jack interrupted Shelby, becoming agitated; “Well, did you call the police, what can I do?” He could barely stand to wait for her response. “Well?”

“Calm down, it’s not that simple. I know Steve well. He’s a patient of mine,” she lied. “I should probably preface that by letting you know that I’m a psychologist. Steve’s always been a little unstable and now I believe he’s off his meds. A loud obnoxious police display might cause him to do something crazy. I think it’s best if you help me handle this delicately.”

“Are you sure that’s the right way to handle it? I’ll do anything to make sure Rene’s safe, but are you really sure you know what you’re doing?”

Shelby smiled a soft reassuring smile, even though deep inner turmoil was hard at work.
No, I’m not sure. I have to be nuts for going along with this half-baked plan. Although, as Steve graciously pointed out to me, I’m in this up to my eyeballs.
“Yes, I’m sure. Steve was emphatic about you, me, and the journal showing up at the mill alone. I believe if you just give the man the journal, it will fulfill his wild-eyed delusion and I can talk him back into reality.”

“What’s so important to him about this journal?”

“I don’t really know, just some paranoid delusion he’s created for himself, but the point to remember is that Steve has attached great significance to it. So if you’re ready, let’s go rescue Rene and put and end to this mess.”

Jack was not much of a worrier; however, he sat there wringing his hands for several moments, thoughts turning over rapidly in his mind. Should he trust this woman, who from their first meeting didn’t seem all that grounded in reality either? Then again, what choice did he have? He had to save Rene.
Why does this nut even care about the journal? Is this all just Shelby’s crazy story, no it can’t be. Steve asked me himself for the journal earlier today.

Ron hazarded a fast glimpse over his shoulder at their booth. The two of them seemed engrossed in whatever they were discussing.
Come on, Shelby, get this show on the road and save me the effort.
Ron by nature was always a lazy man, preferring to use his booming voice to get other people to do the work rather than raise a finger. The idea of getting a handsome bonus by doing relatively nothing appealed to him immensely. Turning back towards the bar, he ordered another beer for himself.

“All right, I’m going to trust your judgment on this,” Jack said resolutely. Shelby sure was gorgeous but for once that was not a factor that Jack was letting come into play. At the moment, he saw her more as a means to an end than anything else.

Shelby exited the booth and Jack followed. Several men turned to admire her lithe form as she walked past, her long black hair flowing sensually down her back. 

As they strolled by the bar, Ron caught them out of the corner of his eye.
Damn waste of a beer,
he thought, reaching his meaty hand into his pocket to retrieve some money. Slapping a ten spot on the bar, Ron headed for the door, quickly, but not so speedily as to end up on top of his quarry.

In the parking lot, Shelby led the way to her car. The black Cobra was sitting there, paint gleaming from the overhead street lights which had just clicked on with the growing darkness.

“Let’s take my car,” Jack suggested.

Laying her slender hand on his forearm, she said sternly, “No, I think it’s best if we take mine. After all, Steve requested it and we must stick to his script if we’re going to pull this thing off.”

Jack acquiesced and they climbed into Shelby’s car. The motor roared to life, the tires squealing loudly as they sped from the parking lot.

Ron smiled, as he moved out of the shadows and towards his car. He looked at the old thing disdainfully.
Maybe I should take Steve’s advice and get myself something brand new. After all, I deserve it.

*    *    *

The night air began taking on a chill as Shelby’s roadster sped along. She didn’t have a top on the car and the wind came wiping around the windshield, buffeting them as they drove.

Jack’s mind wandered for a moment, as he thought about how most ladies would be freaked about what the breeze was doing to their hair. Back when he used to have a convertible, several of his girlfriends insisted that he never put the top down. Needless to say, those were short-lived relationships. Then again, for one reason or another all of his relationships had been fairly short lived. Through this convoluted chain of thoughts, his mind came all the way back around to Rene. Something was different about her, special. This wasn’t going to be just a passing fancy. Aggravated at himself for letting his concentration drift so, he reminded himself it was time to focus and save Rene from lord knows what, his crazy boss, or maybe some supernatural possession. Some force he was sure had been building up since the moment of their first encounter.

Shelby breezed passed yet another yellow light or as Jack perceived it, mostly red. “If we don’t want to attract cops, don’t you think you should slow down just a bit?”

“Shit, they’re only out looking to get people on the weekend. We need to get this situation handled promptly.”
I just can’t seem to wrap my head around how this is going to resolve itself well.