Tonton (A Hunter Kincaid Novel)

“Did you call the police?”

“For what, him standing out there? No. I opened my curtains and stepped to the glass so he’d know I saw him. He didn’t move, like he was a statue. We were like that for a minute, maybe two, then he pointed his finger at me and wagged it, then turned and walked away.”

“He didn’t break the law, but you might be able to file a police report claiming he’s stalking you. That could help.”

“Maybe.” Ariel didn’t sound convinced.

“That guy is creepy. You need to be careful, Ariel.”

“When I left the apartment this morning, I walked to where He stood. There were three old iron keys

on a metal ring lying there, and each key had red thread tied to it.”

“Did you see him put it there?”

“No.”

“Does that mean something?”

“That he can get to us, whenever he wants.”

“Us?”

“Three keys, Agent Kincaid. Me, You, and I think, your handsome Agent friend, Andre.”

“I don’t believe in curses and spells. It’s all superstition.”

“Do you believe in God?”

“Yes.”

“Then you believe in things you cannot see. You only need to look over the fence to see what is on Hell’s side.”

“That’s where Bazin is, you think.”

Ariel stood up, “You must get ready for your work. I’ll leave now, but I wanted to warn you. He is watching.”

“Thanks.” Hunter hesitated a moment, then said, “We will talk some more. I have your number on the card.”

“You have my address, too. Be careful today, Agent Kincaid.” She left and Hunter sat a moment longer, still cooling off, then undressed, showered and dressed for work. This morning she added an ordinary looking aluminum ballistic pen to her equipment. Hunter put it in her jacket pocket and thought wryly about how they could advertise the pen in Military and Police magazines: “You can stab your assailant in the shoulder and leave the pen in place while you handcuff them, then retrieve your pen on the spot to write up reports while waiting for the ambulance! A real time saver!” That thought made one corner of her mouth lift. Cop humor.

Andre was at the station, holding coffee for both of them. He said, “I got a call last night that our freighter captain lives in Pompano Beach.”

Hunter took her coffee, sipped and said, “Is he there?”

“They don’t think so, but we can look it over. His address isn’t far.”

“I’m ready,” Hunter said. Andre drove as Hunter told him about Ariel’s visit, and her warning.

Andre said, “The three iron keys and red thread, I’m not sure what that means.”

“Ariel said it meant they could get to us; open the door to get us or something like that.”

“Maybe. I know of those things, but not about them. We need to find someone who knows a lot more than I do.”

“Quick said he knows someone and could introduce us.”

Andre stopped at a red light, “That works for me. We’re not making much progress on our own.”