Chapter Eleven: "What's Most Important"
"Turn here. That way will take us downtown."
It would do very little good to surprise Miss Voss with an unexpected visit if she knew we were coming. Our plan was to drive close to the castle, but be on the backside of it. Then, we'd simply walk over the hill to reach it. Afterward, we'd find some way to get inside.
We took the highway away from Fort Bracken. I remembered a dirt road a ways back that wasn't marked on the map. My thoughts were it was possibly another way in.
Chief Dunn didn't argue with me or question if I knew where I was taking us. Maybe it was because I was trying to sound like I did. We drove for a couple of miles and I was about to tell him to turn around when the castle came into view. Indeed, this road did run behind it, although not very close. We had a long walk ahead of us.
Once we'd driven as near it as we could, Dunn pulled the car over and got out. I followed him to the back of the squad car where he opened the trunk and began pulling out a variety of firearms, placing a couple in his shoulder holster, as well as in his belt.
"Have you ever shot a gun before?"
Now, didn't seem like a good time to lie.
"No, I haven't," I told him honestly.
"Good. You'll be safe then. Nothing like handing a weapon over to someone who only knows just enough to get himself into trouble," he announced while handing me a shotgun with two barrels instead of just one, as well as a pistol and a holster. I looked at him wide-eyed as if he'd lost his mind.
"Where am I supposed to put this?" I was obviously wearing a dress with a simple tie at the waist.
"It goes around you like a belt. Keep the pistol in it, but keep the shotgun in your hand. That's a 10-gauge and has a wide spread. In other words, you don't have to be a marksman to use it. Just aim and fire. If you're anywhere close, I can guarantee your intended target will be hit."
"What's the pistol for?"
Dunn was loading up on ammo as well as guns as if he were preparing to go into battle. Maybe we were. I suddenly felt a little nauseous.
"Are you sure you're all right? You look a little green around the gills."
I took a deep breath to calm my nerves, which would hopefully settle my stomach as well. "I'm fine. Go on."
"Because," he continued. That 10-gauge is deadly, but it's only got two shots. I'll have more ammo with me, but if we get separated, you'll have to use the shooter. That's a 9-mm Browning. It's a semi-automatic, which means it will automatically discharge the shell and load for you. All you have to do is pull the trigger again. You'll have fifteen rounds."
I couldn't imagine shooting fifteen times. What was I thinking? I couldn't imagine myself shooting one time! 'This was for Ben,' would be the mantra to help me get through this!
"Where did all these guns come from? Did you borrow them from the station?"
"Did I...of course not! That would be illegal." Dunn smiled at me in a way I couldn't tell if he was being truthful or not. "These are from my own personal collection."
I finished buckling the holster around my waist and placed the handgun in it. I then held the shotgun the only way I knew how which was most likely incorrect.
"How do I look?" I had asked not for compliment's sake but to make sure I had everything in its proper place.
"Like a regular Annie Oakley. Come on. Let's go."
Once or twice Dunn turned his head to look at me. I was keeping up with him as best I could, though was beginning to regret having bragged I could climb a mountain in these shoes. Rock or sand was one thing, but high heels weren't that useful when it came to hiking through wet soil and grass. They kept sinking into the ground. I finally pulled them off and tossed them into the grass. Much better.
"Put the strap over your shoulder and the shotgun on your back," Dunn hollered at me when we were about halfway there.
It took me a few seconds to figure out what he was talking about, though I did manage. Yes. That was much better.
"Why didn't you mention that before? This is so much easier!"
"You don't seem to be the type of woman who likes being told what to do."
"I'm not bossy if that's what you mean."
"It isn't," Dunn shot back. "You're strong-willed and know your own mind. That can be a good thing. Good for you and good for Ben. He needs someone around to keep him humble as well as put him in place once in a while. Every man needs that. You're a perfect fit for him."
Today was a day for surprises indeed! A compliment from Police Chief Dunn? Somewhere, I imagined a pig had taken flight.
We stepped into the long shadows cast by the Voss castle and I bent at the waist, imitating Dunn as he quickened his steps toward its outer wall.
He then silently motioned for me to follow him and we inched our way down the moss-covered stones, turned around a corner, and saw a wooden door set at an angle; much like an outer basement door on any house.
Following a nod of his head, I went first and opened the door as silently as I could although the hinges creaked loudly with the slightest movement. After I had stepped down into the darkness, Mr. Dunn followed me and eased the door closed.
I was wondering how we would make our way through the dark, since we had no flashlight. Apparently though, luck was on our side. Once my eyesight had adjusted, I noticed there were torches and candles lighting the way.
"Damn, there's light."
Maybe luck wasn't the right word after all. "Why do you say that?"
"Because it means this is a passage traveled often. Stick close to me. Let's go find your boyfriend."
Deeper we went, stopping whenever we heard the slightest sound. Low volume noises such as mice scurrying out of our way or even a pebble kicked accidentally were amplified in this place with its hard walls and high ceiling. However, there was one sound that began to rumble the deeper we ventured. Soon, we were overcome with the loudness of the noise and no longer worried about alerting anyone with our footsteps or whispers.
The closer we came to the source of the noise, the more I recognized it, until suddenly I realized exactly what it was. There was no mistaking it. I pulled on Mr. Dunn's coat to stop and leaned back against the wall.
"It's a ritualistic chant. Like the one Ben and I heard on the beach." I spoke as quietly as I could.
"With the acoustics of this place, we're likely further away from the source than you think. Follow my lead."
I nodded my head, although Mr. Dunn's risky maneuvers were worrying me. If we were seen or caught, our rescue efforts would be in vain. Which is why I lingered before following him. I was at least three steps behind Mr. Dunn when he motioned for me to back away. When he noticed I was no longer right behind him, he scowled at me and motioned for me to step forward instead. He then pointed at the flickering light reflected against the wall ahead. The path took an abrupt turn and I could now clearly make out Asa's annoying voice.
"Ego vitam scientiae et post mortem Dem promissio regenerationis et renovationis. Ego sum hostiam, in matrem omnium, et mihi hanc potestatem protegit terram!"
I wasn't going to risk getting caught by translating anything Asa was saying, although I was listening intently to it. The woman was definitely into herself. The chant was talking about her powers offering strength and renewal, protection for the village; blah, blah, blah.
Someone definitely needed to put her in her place.
Chief Dunn looked back at me and I just rolled my eyes sarcastically. Her inflammatory Latin words meant nothing. It was the sudden switch to English that alarmed me.
"We offer this blood sacrifice to you, oh Hecate, and pray that you will accept it. You warned of the searcher destroying us and delivered the evil into our hands. It is now back to you that we send his soul!"
I had a bad feeling she was talking about Ben and panicked, practically screaming at Chief Dunn.
"Now! We must go now!"
Unable to sleep, it seemed like hours had passed, although I knew better. Out of the corner of one eye, I could see one of the burning candles and it hadn't burned down that far yet.
Instead, I lay there on the cold stone and thought about Ami. If I managed to stay alive, as soon as we returned to the city, I was going to do something I hoped I wouldn't regret. I was going to ask her to marry me. It might be a long engagement, but I wanted her to know how serious I was about our relationship, and how much I loved her.
If I died, I had no doubt she knew that already. I'd told her plenty of times and showed it as best I knew how. Strange, how our relationship was foremost in my mind; not a past investigation or even this one. Here, at the end of it all, my only thoughts were of Ami.
In my line of work, I often met up with the toughest characters. I tried to act tough myself, which is why a tear rolling down my cheek surprised me. I didn't cry. I never had before. I guess it was because of all the things I'd miss out on; marrying Ami, having a family with her, and growing old with her. These were the most important things. Not my job or the attainment of wealth and fame.
I shook my head to clear it and cursed myself for being so melancholy. This wasn't necessarily the end! There was still time to figure out a way out of this mess.
As I lay there trying to form an escape plan, my ears picked up on a distant thumping noise. When it drew closer, I could tell it was actually the sound of many feet pounding upon stone. Someone was coming. Many someones, as a matter of fact.
The first face I saw was the one I figured would be the last. I didn't recognize her at first since I'd only seen her from a distance, but when she began speaking, I immediately matched the voice to the face. It was Asa Voss.
"My dear, little investigator." Her lips brushed against my ear and my blood boiled. If I had one free hand, I'd put it around her neck and squeeze the life from her!
"Here you are and you thought you were so smart. Coming to my little village to try and destroy me. Make no mistake, Mr. Ben Noble, it is I who will destroy you! Oh, don't look so angry with me. I'm only the messenger. You should be thankful. Today, I will free you from your bodily imprisonment and cast your soul into the heavens. What happens to it afterward is completely out of my hands. Its destiny relies upon you and the life you've lived. How many have you killed Little Investigator? How many more lives have you ruined? Let those be your last thoughts while inhabiting this pitiful planet. May Hecate have mercy on your soul."
I wasn't about to oblige her with a rebuttal, or least of all a plea for mercy. Instead, I firmed my resolve, squared my jaw, and stared straight up toward the ceiling as the insanity of this ritual began. I would meet my death with courage. I only hoped it would come quickly.
Of course, Asa wouldn't cooperate. I was forced to listen to her inane Latin babble, as well the numerous citizens I couldn't see who were repeating every word she said. I had no idea what the words meant, and frankly, didn't care to. I just wanted to get this over with.
The ritual went on and on, until suddenly and unexpectedly, Asa switched to English. When she spoke of sending my soul to whoever Hecate was, I imagined the end was drawing near. The strange knife appearing above me confirmed it.
"I love you, Ami," I whispered before closing my eyes.
I did my best to picture her as I waited for cold steel to pierce my flesh. I imagined it had already happened and I was now dead since I was suddenly hearing Ami's voice.
Wow. That wasn't so bad. I hadn't felt a thing.
