Hamelyn's Curse
Prologue
He first came in the winter of 1763. A fifing stranger. Clad in crimson and green. It is said his music was so beautiful? That those who heard it wept. Many fell under his spell and for several years. He bewitched the Auverne. Stealing away the young and burning those. Who tried to oppose him? That was until the day the Gevaudon came. The Beast was said to be a quadruped. About the size of a young cow. It reminded witnesses of a bear, hyena, wolf and panther all at once. Black as night - it had a long wolf snout. A mouth lined with large teeth. The ears were small and round, lying close to the head. It had a single red eye. That was said to glow in the dark. Its neck was thick and strong. The tail resembled the long tail of a panther. It was so bushy. That the Beast used it as a weapon. Whatever the true nature of the Gevaudon. All agreed. The Piper fled from it and was never again heard in Auverne or any other part of France
Chapter Eleven
David opened the large hatch back of the vehicle and Shukr obligingly leapt up in. But he didn't remain there. They had barely gone a hundred metres. Before the dog had clambered over the barrier and down into the rear compartment. A moment later - its huge head poked in between them. David had to laugh at it They reached the main road and he was able. To push up the car's speed. Which meant they reached the hotel. A little over twenty minutes later. A dozen heads swivelled round and mouths dropped. As Colby acting like nothing was amiss. Strolled in with Shukr at his heel. He had wisely given David a couple of minute's head-start. To appraise Don of what he had? So he was prepared. For when Colby wandered in with the hound. Even still Don blinked at the massive odd looking, one eyed mongrel. He didn't make any comment though. Other than to raise a sardonic eyebrow. He had Liz by his side. Colby looked at the picture. They had on the Plasma. It was the photograph David had snapped on the Plateau. He was just about to ask her. If she knew what it meant? When a noise behind made him look round. Agent Fuller and two of her team were entering. She scowled at Colby then at Shukr.
"I do not permit dogs in my squad rooms. Moron!" she snarled. Once again Colby didn't get a chance. To make any sort of retort. Another voice pre-empted him But he was surprised as he recognised it as Dons. "Agent Fuller!" Don spoke sharply "I do not take kindly. To having members of my staff insulted. Besides being rude it is unbecoming of a Federal Officer. To disrespect other agents. Finally!" Don snapped "The presence of Granger's dog saves me having to apply. To the already over-worked Dog Unit for a Trained Handler." Fuller's brow darkened. Then she saw a way to re-assert her position. She pointed at the image on the screen. "Don't tell me? You and your pathetic squad are trying to investigate? A stupid bit of Graffiti? It's no wonder the rest of the FBI. Thinks you lot are a waste of time and resources." If she expected Don to back down? She was severely disappointed as he drawled. "If you were as good as you claim? You would have know. That it is a Celtic Symbol and relevant to the case. As the Abductor is posing as some sort reincarnated Irish Deity?" The woman huffed loudly then snorted. "What utter rubbish? This is a simple case of kidnapping." Don chose to end the conversation or would have done But one of Fuller's own squad stepped forward "I've seen that symbol before sir. But not on the Plateau." Don instantly swung round to look at him. "Where? Where and when did you see it?" The man squirmed beneath Don's steely gaze. "I like to hike sir. Early this morning - I took the opportunity to have a little scout around. Check out a few trails for later on." Don nodded
"And it was then that you saw a copy of this sigil?"
"Yes sir!"
"Where were you?"
"An area known as Oak Hill Canyon sir."
"Map" Don barked. A moment's flurry of activity. Ended in a chart being found and lain on the table. "Point out exactly where you were hiking and how far up the canyon? You had walked!" Fuller strode forward.
"Agent Reynolds is part of my team Eppes!" She tried to denigrate him. By refusing to give him his proper title. But he ignored her and as Reynolds was close to the table flanked on both sides by David Liz and Colby. The self-important woman was unable. To assert her role as Reynold's superior. All she could do was move to the other side of the table and try. To read the map upside down. Colby leaned forward and read the name of the canyon. Being careful not to seem overly familiar he spoke. "Eh! Boss," Don looked up at him.
"You have something to add?
"I'm bunking in at that campsite," he tapped the name Oak Hill County Park on the map. It was clearly situated at the base of the afore-mentioned hiking trail."
Don glanced up at the clock on the wall. It was already past six in the evening. He knew Colby would need to get himself and his new pet. Settled for the night. So decided. It's too late to hike out there tonight. It'll be dark soon. We'll re-convene at 0700 tomorrow at Granger's Campsite. Laura Fuller scowled as the LA leader. Assumed total command of both his own squad and hers. But mindful of the earlier castigation. She refrained from contradicting him.
David drove Colby and his new dog out to the Campsite. Where he eyed the fancy RV and whistled in appreciation. Then as Colby unlocked it. He had a quick peek at the interior His eyes widened in awe. It was far, far superior to the hotel. Don had booked them all into. Colby grinned at his expression. " And out here I'll be able to get a full breakfast. Without anyone harassing me To hurry up." David laughed and jokingly begged. "Any room for me?" Colby laughed. "David did too then sighed. "I'd better get back, have a good night?"
"Thanks! You too!"
Colby watched David disappear into the gathering night . Then whistled to Shukr. The dog responded at once. It bounded over from a clump of bushes it had been sniffing around and whined hopefully. Colby patted its giant head. "Are you hungry fella?" Sorting through the supplies he had obtained. When he and David had pulled into a late night super market? On the way out to the campsite.
Colby quickly found the dog food. The strange mythical hound seemed to like. The big bowl of dark meaty chunks in gravy and scoffed it clean in seconds. Colby set up a small Barbecue and grilled himself some burgers and onions Making double as he could tell. Shukr was tantalized by the smell of the hamburgers. Colby didn't stay outside long. A wind had sprung up and there was something chilling About the whole area. Through the trees he caught glimpses of other campers But none approached him. Shukr also seemed to sense a menace in the air. The dog leapt readily into the safety of the camper. Colby locked the doors and windows. Then retired to his bunk for the night. He didn't go to sleep. It was still quite early. Only eight thirty. So he sat up and surfed on his laptop. Using the power supplied by the van's internal dynamo Which was charged by the main engine. Shukr lay on the rug beside the bunk but the dog wasn't asleep. Its single red stared unblinking at the door. Which in some ways both comforted and unnerved Colby. But that aside the bed was comfortable. Soon after switching off his laptop he fell asleep.
TBC