Hamelyn's Curse
Prologue
Now's the time to fade away
Piper no one bids you stay
By these words I say depart
From the soul and from the heart
With this chant I you unmake
Cast you out ungodly snake
Chapter 15
Don noticed that Agent's Fuller SUV was already back in the secure hotel carpark. As he pulled into his allotted space. He raised a mental eyebrow and prepared himself for a mouthful of abuse. From the stuck-up woman But once inside the building the SSA was nowhere to be seen. He gave a slightly relieved sigh then rounded up his own squad.
David had already imparted the news of his sighting. Over the radio on the return journey. Don had called ahead to the main field office. For a court order. He wanted all the footage from the news-stations. A court subpoena was the quickest way of getting. What he needed? The footage began arriving half an hour later. Don set aside a quiet alcove for an agent. To begin watching it. David grimaced at the enormity of the task. Fifteen different channels had sent in their reels. Colby was directed to a second corner desk with a stack of photos taken by the Oak Well Security Cameras. His task was to carefully peruse each one. For anyone that matched. The description given by David. Shukr settled down under the desk to snooze. But Colby suspected that like him The hound would have preferred to be outside. Chasing down the suspect or at least hunting for evidence at the Crime Scene. Colby consoled himself with the thought. That he was still officially berthed out at the Oak Well Campsite. So when Don finally released him from duty. He and Shukr could go do a little private surveying. He glanced sideways to where David sat. Watching frame after frame of news footage. Colby could tell by the look on his face. That his partner was as bored as he was. He turned his head the other way. To seek out Charlie But he was hidden behind a bookshelf. Colby doubted Charlie was bored or daydreaming Colby knew he'd have her head in an mathematical tome Devising some equation or doggerel chant. That might help defeat the Predacant Piper. Colby suppressed the urge to yawn and returned his attention. To the stack of photos in front of him. The one on the top was just another depiction of a children's playground. Oak Well seemed to have dozens of them. Dotted around the site. A different one in each designated camping area. Colby sighed and picked up the magnifying glass. He'd been supplied with? Using it to enlarge the faces of any adults in the pictures. He scanned several photos. But couldn't see anyone matching David' description He was just about to lay aside the nineteenth picture. When something at the far side of the playground caught his eye. It wasn't a person - but a dirty brown coloured campervan. Colby's heart began to beat a little faster.
"I've seen that RV before!" He muttered to himself. As he hurriedly sorted through the previously discarded photos. His memory had not been playing tricks on him. The beat up old van appeared in six other photos. Each one showing a different part of the camp.
Colby spun round on his chair. His eyes searching the room for his superior. But Don was not in sight. "Typical never around when you need him." Colby muttered in annoyance. Then he grinned. If his boss wasn't around? He wouldn't have to ask permission or be reprimanded later. For acting on his own instincts? Colby stood up and crossed the five paces. To where David sat diligently flicking through frame after frame of camera angles. Colby tapped him on the shoulder. "Where's Don? I think I have a lead?" David forgot the footage in an instant and stood up. Relief showing on his face. "You have a lead?"
"Yeah!"
"What sort of lead? Have you spotted the Piper?"
"Not exactly!" Colby took David over to his desk and showed him the photos. David's eyes gleamed
"I think you're right. It's got to be him?"
"But we'll need to head out to Oak Well to confirm it." Colby muttered
"Blast!" David swore. "The boss has been called to Police Headquarters to update the Senior Director."
"That's a shame," Colby grinned "I guess we'll just have to go on our own?" David blinked
"Don will have a fit?"
"Hardly our fault. If he's not here? When such an important lead is discovered?" His partner chortled .
"No it ain't and under the circumstances I agree we can't really wait. The Perp could already be on the move."
"I'll send him a text," Colby chortled. Knowing that if Don was in a meeting with Director Wright? He would have turned his Cell Phone off? David also grinned But wisely decided to tell someone else. Where they were going. Agent Hedger caught his eye and he waved
""Hey Dallas! Colby's spotted an anomaly in one of the photos. It's probably nothing. But we're going to check it out just in case." Hedger nodded "Okay I'll let your boss know when he gets back?"
"Thanks!" David patted the guy on the back and then turned to Colby.
He had gone to seek out Charlie. His experience the day before. Told Colby they'd need his skill. Charlie was sitting curled up on the floor. In a dusty corner surrounded by a dozen open books. He jumped as Colby suddenly crouched beside him and asked . "Have you got anything?" Charlie put a hand over his chest and griped. "Crikey Granger! Way to give a guy a heart attack?" He smiled then repeated his question adding, "Anything that does not include harming Shukr."
"Actually I think I may have?"
"Good!" Colby cut off the rest of his sentence. "You can tell us on the way."
"The way where?"
"We've got a lead out at the campsite," David appeared around the towering bookshelf.
Charlie slid the book he was studying off his lap, collected his notes together and stood up.
"Well it's about time?" He smiled "I was beginning to think I was the only one working around here." Charlie peered around. "Where's Don?" Colby gave an awkward cough. "What?"
"Don is over at the local Police Headquarters in a Zoom meeting with the Director," David replied
"We haven't been able to reach him
We don't have time to wait. The suspect could already be in the wind?" Charlie gaped in surprise then voiced the opinion. "Don won't like it. If we just go off without him?" Colby looked worried and chewed his knuckle for a moment Then he grinned "Pity about that!" Charlie stared at him. For a second then he laughed. David became practical he gathered up his Gun, Badge and Warrant card then with a wave to Agent Hedger Led the other two out to his car.
Colby was already climbing into the back with Shukr. David noted the dog was acting excited and surmised. It hadn't liked being cooped up inside all morning.
Three minutes later they were on their way. Half an hour later David saw the sign. For the Camping ground and indicated left A minute later he pulled up outside the main reception and registration cabin. The man behind the main desk. Gave a long suffering sigh as he saw the three Federal Agents enter. His whole campsite was crawling with them. He'd had seven long stay campers up and leave that morning. The merest hint of a Serial Killer. On the loose was driving away his clientele and losing him. A lot of paying guests as people went elsewhere. David took one of Colby's photos From a file he was carrying and laid it in front of the man. He saw the colour drain from the proprietor's face
"I take it you recognise this trailer?" The man nodded.
"He's booked in for the summer. He says he's a musician looking for a place close to nature To write some new songs."
"How long has he been here?"
"He arrived a week last Tuesday."
"Has he been here before?" Colby suddenly asked. The manager eyed him for a few seconds then replied
"As it happens he has. He was here a couple of months back," then the manager changed his stance. "Now listen I don't want no trouble But this is guy is a good man. He pays for his pitch on time in cash. Ok I'll admit he's a bit fussy and likes to move around. A mite too often. But I can vouch for him. He doesn't bother anybody and most folks enjoy his music. Around the campfire of an evening." David exchanged glances with Charlie as Colby muttered
"Yeah! I bet they do." Aloud he asked. "So where exactly is he now?" The disgruntled proprietor consulted his computer.
"At the last check he was over on the south side. In an area known as Wicket's Dell. You'll see signposts for it." David sensing the man had nothing else to impart and wanted rid of them. Politely thanked him for his time Then turned to leave. Followed by Colby, Shukr and Charlie.
Behind them the fat desk clerk. Mopped his sweaty brow with a large grubby handkerchief. "Bloody Feds! Always interfering and messing up. The lives of us ordinary folk!" Colby heard his words. But decided against making any retort. That would prolong their visit. He was anxious to get the damned piper. Before any more children were enticed away by him. Charlie walked over to a site map nailed up on the side of the cabin's outer wall. He consulted the small index below and found the name Wicket's Dell. It had a letter and number beside it. Using the number as a reference. Charlie was able to calculate. The quickest route across the camp. To the afore-mentioned camping area. David restarted their car and although it went against his instinct to hurry. He refrained from putting on his siren or ignoring the speed limit. Half of him wished they'd come in a less conspicuous car. The dark SUV stood out like a sore thumb. Everybody would know it was a Federal Vehicle.
Don strode back into the makeshift squad room and looked around. There was no sign of David, Colby or his brother but he did see Agent Hedger making his way towards him. "Do you know where Agent Sinclair is?"
"Yes sir! Agents Sinclair and Granger. Along with your brother have gone to check out a lead. At the Oak Well Campsite. Apparently Agent Granger discovered a small inconsistency in one of the photos and Agent Sinclair felt it was worth checking out." Don's face suffused red.
"Idiots!" he looked at the startled Hedger. "Call the Sheriff tell him I need a full swat team and as many men as he can spare," Hedger nodded and turned towards the nearest telephone. "And tell him I want them at Oak Well within thirty minutes!"
"Yes Sir!"
David had just turned into the lane leading to Wicket's Dell. When Shukr began to softly growl
Colby knew the dog had sensed their Quarry. He peered out of the side window and through the trees. Caught his first glimpse of the brown Motorhome. He leaned forward and laid a hand on David' shoulder. To get him to slow down. The senior agent didn't need words. He sensed Colby had seen something. Most likely the Piper or his RV. David spotted a pull in just ahead. He cut the engine and allowed the car to slide smoothly. To a halt in a shielded parking spot under a large tree. The three slid silently out of the car. Being careful to close the doors as softly as was possible. They did not want to alert the van occupant. To their approach. The trio and the hound set off on foot. To get as close as possible to the campervan. Colby had spotted through the trees. Charlie noted Shukr was growling and his hackles were raised. But as they approached the clearing. Where the brown van was parked. Colby began to hear it. Despite having blocked his ears with soap. The strangely hypnotic melody. Began to grow in his head. Only this time it was accompanied by a searing heat. That felled him to his knees. He knew the others felt and heard it too. Charlie was trying to speak the numerical chant. He'd invented. But the sound of the Piper's Flute rose above the words and over-powered him.
TBC