Randy White - Haunted

“You’re saying a boat can disappear ? I don’t see any slick upriver. Their trail ends here.”

“That don’t mean nothing if they run close to the bushes.”

“Tree branches don’t break themselves. Take the shotgun and get in the water. “

“Huh?”

“Hike in there and have a look.”

“Why don’t you?”

“Because you still owe me five grand for this goddamn boat, that’s why. No… I’ll hand you the gun after you’re over the side. They can’t be far.”

Garbled complaints from Carmelo preceded the splash of a man lowering himself into the water.

“A motor slick don’t mean nothing if she run close. The girl’s a fishing guide. That’s something a fishing guide would do. And not bad-lookin’ neither, if you know what I mean.” Laughter.

“Just do what I tell you.”

“The boy genius, I keep forgetting. You don’t think she’s got a nice rack? Well, she does-I found out for sure when I patted her down. And them legs-long legs can be fun on a woman.”

Theo replied with something too rude to repeat, then added, “Like a stork-she’s all yours.”

“I take you up on that one. Man… this muck… it like walking in shit.” More splashing, then silence. “They’d’ve needed a chain saw to go any farther.”

“Keep looking. They might have found a canoe. Maybe the one with the electric motor-that thing’s fast. I told you to find out which boat’s missing.”

“Trolling motors don’t leave a slick, man. Hell… there ain’t nothing in here to see. Call the midget twins. You should have heard from them by now. We’re wasting time.”

“Only if someone tries to slip past the docks. That’s what I told them. You’re saying it’s too narrow even for a Gheenoe? They could have taken the one with the kicker.”

“Look for yourself.”

“Well, someone broke these branches. Why would they bother?”

“While we’re standing here jawing, that girl and old man could be getting away. Another mile or so north, it’s too narrow for us. Depends on what they stole- if they’re in a boat, which I doubt they are. You know what tickles me? Both them marks actually believed I was simpleminded.”

“Yeah, well, you haven’t convinced me. Come on. We’ll take a look upriver.”

Carmelo said to Theo, “How can I when you’re blinding me with that damn light?”

The Bass Cat’s engine slipped into reverse. The noise of cavitation cloaked the conversation that followed, Theo speaking in a low voice, Carmelo replying, “Well… if you say so.”

Belton’s hand found my shoulder and gave me a pat. “Good job.”

I whispered, “They’re not gone yet.” We were scrunched low, both of us clinging to foliage to hold the boat steady. Seconds later I said, “Quiet. They’re coming this way.”

The bass boat was idling downriver, not upriver. That’s what alerted me. Willow boughs formed an awning, a curtain I could part. Through a veil of leaves I saw the spotlight probe the entrance of the feeder creek… then the boat appeared, two cookie-cutter men standing behind the console in silhouette. The spotlight panned toward me. I ducked and leaned my shoulder against Belton as a warning. He understood. He got a better grip on the branch above, which allowed me a free hand to find the pistol. As the men idled closer, I raised the weapon and aimed it at the spotlight.

Carmelo’s voice: “We’re kicking mud. I don’t want to fry another water pump. You know… I think that girl would’a pulled the trigger. I truly do. Back there in the Land Rover.”

Theo’s response was muffled.

“She could shoot us from the bushes, hide anywhere and wait for us to go by. Bang-bang-bang -just like that. That’s why I don’t like this poking-around crap.”

Another muffled response but lengthier.

Carmelo disagreed. “That’s one way. But it ain’t the best way.”

Theo spoke louder. “You leave the thinking to me, Einstein,” then rambled on for a while before allowing Carmelo an opening.

“All I’m saying is, you take the shock collars off them monkeys, there’s no telling who they attack. It’s not like they fussy-I’ll shoot that damn female, she charges me again. Don’t think I won’t. Liked to bit my arm off, that time.”

“After what you did- good. And don’t call them monkeys.”

“You weren’t even around. All I did was compliment her on her pretty pink-”

Theo hissed, “Shut up,” then his voice softened. “Hey… what’s that over there?”

I felt Belton squeeze my knee when the light found the overhang where we were hidden. A bright wafer of white that probed and expanded, steam rising off the water where moths collected, then the light swung away.

Carmelo continued talking. “As if that damn animal understood what I said. Shit, just crazy to let them two loose. You can hide a dead body every few years or so and get away with it. Fine. But more than two in one night, man, it’s us they’ll send to prison. You keep them damn monkeys on a leash or I’m done with this business. I mean it this time.” He hacked, hacked again and spit. “That’s not to say I won’t find that gold and silver on my own.”

Theo snapped, “Shut up. Just shut up,” then got control of himself and spoke in a more careful way. “I think you’re right. They’re not in a boat. Let’s head back.”

“Say what?”

“You heard me.”

“What’s got into you? I thought you wanted to head upriver. Might as well since we’re here.”

“I’m worried about Oliver. He wasn’t in his room and goddamn snakes everywhere. There’s no telling what else that bitch did to him.”

“Lucia-yeah, good riddance. Total bitch.”

Theo said, “No, you idiot, that hick with the smart mouth. I’d like to see what Savvy does to her if Oliver’s hurt. In fact, that’s what I’ll do-let Savvy handle it.”

“I ain’t got nothing to do with that, I just told you.” The engine clanked into reverse. “Shit… Hang on… Sit yourself so I can see.”

The creek was so narrow, the boat had to back all the way to the river. Several minutes later the engine revved and powered southward. It left a wake of squawking birds, a wash of waves that dissipated as the engine faded, then suddenly went silent. Belton waited to speak. “Theo wanted us to hear that.”

“I know. I lost track of their engine. Did they stop?”

“He wasn’t convinced we’re here, though. More of a just-in-case thing. He’s afraid you’ll shoot. Me, I wouldn’t hesitate. Are you sure you don’t want me to take the gun?”

I said, “I’m wondering if he dropped Carmelo at the point, then stopped downriver to see what happens. What else explains why it took them so long to leave?”

Belton slapped a mosquito on his cheek and stretched his legs. “Stay here for a while and listen, I guess. What do you think? It’s not quite ten-thirty.”

I returned the pistol to the backpack and left the bag open. “I want to disinfect those cuts on your arms. We’ll give it half an hour. If it was Theo who stayed behind, he can’t keep quiet that long. Roll your sleeves up.” I used the flashlight for a moment-several deep gouges beneath dried blood-then switched it off and went to work from memory.

He said, “Don’t worry about me, how are you feeling?”

“The Benadryl pills made me a little sleepy. Otherwise, fine… Belton?”

“Yes, dear.”

“I want to ask you something.”

“Ask away.”

“Now would be a good time to tell me that secret you’ve been holding back.”

A FEW MINUTES after eleven I drifted the boat clear and paddled toward the river, the water shallow enough that I used an oar as a pole. For the first time in my life, I despaired of moonlight, because the moon flung my shadow ahead like a warning to anyone who might await. Belton and I had agreed no talking, so we traveled in a hush of insects with a northwest breeze that tasted of smoke. He sat with his back to me, hollow-eyed, heavier for the history he had shared, me standing in the stern so I could use the tiller to rudder.