Magician (18 page)

“A magician. Well, whatever else the twisted son of a bitch is, he is that.” Payne stood up abruptly. “We work together on this. From now on.”

“I’d like to, sheriff, but I’m currently in jail.”

“I can fix that, easy enough. You’re free to go. I’ll get Deputy Wade to give you your stuff back. I’d like to get you and Tiller in here, and go over what we know, as soon as possible.”

“I was just going to meet him before I was so rudely interrupted. We happened upon some evidence that you should have. I’ll leave you what information I’ve collected. I can give you his real name, and where he’s staying here. I can meet you back here in a couple of hours.” I rose, and Payne walked with me to the door.

“It’s getting light out. Be glad to take you, if you need a ride.”

“Thanks. I’ve got someone I can call.”

Payne grabbed my arm, and looked hard into my eyes. “Do it quick, Mr. Longville. I want to get this bastard. I need to.”

I nodded. “I know . . . I do too.”

Chapter 23

Tiller’s eyes creaked slowly open. His head felt like an old handbag, full of rocks. He was in the back of a van, hog-tied. His head had been covered with a cloth sack, but it was loose, and he could see out of the bottom. Had his blindfold been on tight, though, he would have still known he was in the back of a van. He could feel the hum of the axle through the floor, and the motion of the vehicle was so bumpy and violent than he found himself rolling from one side of the van to the other. Whoever had put the blindfold on had done a much better job tying him. He could barely move either hand an inch. The heat and the dust told him he was heading into the desert. It was daytime, but he could not discern the hour.

Christ, I hope this son of a bitch isn’t a cannibal, to boot.

He tried to turn nonchalantly so that he could see if Fain and Conrad were both still in the van, but to no avail. He realized that his feet were somehow fastened to the door, so that he could only look back, toward the van doors. He also realized that the speakers and other equipment had been off-loaded somewhere. So he had been out for a while.

He thought of his missed appointment in Inspiration and prayed silently.

Let Roland find me, God, before this crazy bastard does me in.

There were a few more hard bumps and the van began to slow.

There was a sudden blaze of light as the doors at the back of the van swung open. The hood was jerked off Tiller’s head.

For a moment, Tiller could not catch his breath. There, framed in the white glare, dust streaming in around him, was Samson Fain. But he had changed. Now he was the Big Red Clown, with black circles around his eyes, that came to points at the corners, and a likewise pointed, scarlet smile. He smiled, beneath it, and his big white teeth stood out in stark relief against the make up.

Jesus, I’m going to shit my pants.

The towering figure stood for a moment before him. Then the giant bent over and began to untie Tiller’s feet.

In a loud, gravelly, sing-song voice, Fain started to sing,

“Don’t you love farce?

My fault, I fear.

I thought that you’d want what I want,

Sorry, my dear . . . “

He stopped abruptly and yanked Tiller out of the van, feet first. As Tiller hit the ground, the breath was knocked out of him. He felt Fain grab him by the rope that snaked down his back, connecting the bonds that bound his shoulders with those that bound his ankles. Fain hefted him easily
with one hand,
like another man might carry a large tote bag.

“Come on, sunshine!” Fain thundered in a voice that was murderously happy. “We’ve got work to do!”

Chapter 24

I squinted in the harsh morning light as I walked out of the Douglas jail. I had called Mayor Claeren, back in Inspiration, for assistance. As my eyes adjusted to the early morning light, I saw that Mayor Claeren, had indeed come, but he had brought along some company.

Traci came bouncing across the street and gave me a big hug and kiss on the cheek. She had changed from the leotard to a very brief pink dress.

“Well, Mr. Longville, as you may or may not know, I despise driving. I thought you would find my choice of chauffeur most agreeable. Besides, Traci was livid when she heard the news of your arrest. I believe she has taken quite a fancy to you.”

“Why didn’t Tiller come with you?”

“I’m afraid I don’t know what you mean,” Claeren smiled diplomatically.

“Isn’t he at Inspiration?”

“My dear fellow, we haven’t seen Detective Tiller. Perhaps he’s back at your hotel.”

“Maybe. Would you mind swinging by there? He has our rental car.”

“Not at all. However, I have business here in town, so I must again make a hasty exit. I am meeting several worthies who wish to sell their wares at our fair tomorrow. Traci is in her own automobile, and I am sure that she would be more than delighted to take you to your hotel.”

“I really can’t thank you enough. But we can’t just strand you here.”

“Fear not, my good detective, for I am not only a man of some stature in these parts, but also an expert at catching rides.” He did his bowing retreat again.

Traci smiled and held out her hand. I sighed in defeat, and let her lead me to her jeep.

“The very idea of these people locking you up. I should give that Sheriff a piece of my mind.”

“No need. Sheriff Payne and I have reached an understanding. The main thing now is to find Tiller.”
 

When we arrived back at the hotel, I spied the blinking light and went straight to the phone. Traci came in after me, and we both sat on the bed and listened to Tiller’s message.

“Oh, good God!” was all that I could think of to say.

“You worry too much. Surely a big, strong, Detective Sergeant can protect himself. In the meantime, you can protect me.” Traci drew close and put an arm around him.

“Traci, not now. My partner might be in danger.”

“Oh, come on.” She looked doubtful.

“He’s tailing the man we’ve come all this way looking for, Traci. This Fain’s a very dangerous man. He’s also very resourceful. He hasn’t gotten this far because he’s lucky. We have to find this address, and get to Tiller.”

“Well, we can take my jeep.” She hugged herself for a second. “Do you not like me?”

“I like you very much. I sort of have a situation back home.”

“Wife?”

“No.”

“Girlfriend?”

“Well . . . not exactly.”

“Cool! I’m coming along.”

“No. I’d rather you stayed here.”

She arched a russet eyebrow. “Not a chance. I’m not letting you out of my sight again. But, since you’re being so forceful—and I really like that—I
will
let you drive.”

* * *

It was a sunny day, and there were few cars on the road. I mused silently as I drove. I felt a little guilty about not telling Sheriff Payne everything. He was obviously a good cop, but I didn’t want to risk involving Cale, and tipping my hand to Fain, who had already proved that he was capable of vanishing, in the same way he made his victims vanish.

And I still haven’t laid eyes on him.

We drove through the back alleys that Tiller had spoken of, eventually coming to the warehouse. The rental car was parked across the street. I walked over and looked inside.

“The keys are still in the ignition,” I observed aloud. “He must be nearby.” I reached inside and snagged the keys. I leaned into the jeep and gave Traci a kiss on the cheek. “Stay here.”

I went over to the warehouse. There was a single metal door. I gave it a try but it was locked. I walked to the narrow alley beside the warehouse. Something glinted on the pavement. I bent down and picked it up.

Suddenly Traci was beside me.

“I thought I told you to stay in the Jeep.”

“Never was good at taking orders. Besides, your friend isn’t here.”

“No, but he was.”

“What makes you so sure?”

I held up what I had picked up from the pavement. It was a small gold shield, engraved:
Birmingham Police Department.

“He’s vanished.” Traci said in an amazed whisper.

I nodded slowly. “Into thin air.”

* * *

Deputy Cale watched from his patrol car, a couple of streets over. He wondered what Roland was picking up off the ground.

Now what in hell are they up to?

He wanted to run Roland in again, and relieve him of whatever evidence he had just put in his pocket. But that would never go over with Payne. Cale thought Payne was too soft, and as far as he was concerned, today had proved it.

Well, that’s just fine. I’ll just stay on this Dixie private eye’s tail until he crosses the line again, and then I’ll take him right back to jail, Payne be damned.

He watched Longville and the girl exchange a hug. Then she got in her jeep and drove away, with a wave. Longville got into the blue rental car that had been sitting at the curb and drove away. So, they were splitting up. That presented no problem; the girl obviously wasn’t important. Longville was the one obstructing justice.

Chapter 25

Before I had climbed into the rental car, I had broken the news to Traci.

“Traci, we have to go our separate ways now.”

“Why? That’s not fair. I brought you out here. I want to help.” She huffed like a small child, and she looked pretty cute, but mostly upset.

“You
can
help. I need you to do something for me. Go to the Sheriff’s office and ask for Sheriff Payne. Tell them that I sent you. Tell them about Tiller, the message, everything. Let Payne know that I’m going back to the Great White Lodge, looking for Fain. After that, go wait at Inspiration. If Tiller managed to escape Fain, that’s where he’ll be heading.”

“That’s too easy. You know Fain probably has Tiller. I want to go with you.”

She looked genuinely hurt, but I didn’t soften; there was no time.

“Look, Traci, every second we stand here is a second of Tiller’s life ticking away. Now, please, go to the Sheriff.”

“All right. For you.” She grabbed me and pulled me close to her, and put her mouth over mine. She was a strong kisser, and her tongue sought inside my mouth, and pressed against mine hungrily, first this way, then the other.

“Traci!” I broke away from her. “Not now.”

“You’ll be seeing me again, Roland Longville.” She ran and jumped nimbly into her jeep. I sighed as I watched her go. Deep down I felt a little guilty, and with good reason.

I had planned to separate from Traci as soon as I’d seen the rental car was still on the scene of Tiller’s disappearance. She was lovely, and damned good company, but I had a strong suspicion that I would soon be close to Fain, and I didn’t want her anywhere close to that monster.

It was possible that Tiller had escaped Fain, or that even now he was back in Inspiration, where Traci would soon find him, relaxed and flirting with Libby. But my hand kept going back to my pocket. There, Tiller’s pin served as a cold reminder that both theories were probably wrong.

Chapter 26

I drove back to the Great White Lodge, and parked in front. There was no sign of Deputy Cale’s cruiser.

The one time I could actually use him
, I thought bitterly. There was also no sign of Tiller. I had hoped that I might see him there. I got out and walked toward the door.

Maybe Ms. Young has seen Samson Fain since yesterday.

I was almost to the front door when the black van emerged from the alley beside the building and turned down the street. I didn’t see the driver, but my heart jumped into my throat. Trying not to run, I jogged back across the street and got into the rental car.

I followed the van, which trundled through the alleyways slowly, then headed out onto the main thoroughfare. The sky was turning to blood in the west, and I felt more than a little squeamish about following Fain into the desert at night. But there was no other choice.

Our two vehicles drove in tandem for several miles. I kept cars between us until there were no more on the road. Then the van began to pick up speed, and made a beeline for the outskirts of town, which it passed through without slowing. Then we were out into the country, into the wasteland. It was impossible to follow the van without throwing up a plume of dust. The van slowed, and then speeded back up. The driver had caught sight of me.

This rental car can’t keep up with the van. He’s driving slowly deliberately. He’s keeping me in sight; he knows I have no choice but to keep following. That’s fine; I’ll follow you to Hell if I have to, you crazy bastard.

Evening was rapidly turning into night, and a dark one at that. Since it was obvious that Fain knew I was following, anyway, I turned on my headlights. They did little good, other than to illuminate the billowing dust that billowed in thick torrents behind the van.