Tonton (A Hunter Kincaid Novel)

Flanigan’s wasn’t busy when she went inside, and Pansy hadn’t yet arrived. She ordered ice tea and sipped it while she waited. Pansy and Denson arrived five minutes later and sat across from her. They ordered from the menu and when the server left, Pansy reached across the table and took Ariel’s hand, “So, what is it that’s troubling you, girl?”

Ariel said, “I been seein’ some troubling things lately, and bad things are in my thoughts.”

Pansy said, “It is because of what you do, girl. There’s bound to be dark thinkings that people have, and you read them, you feel them. It will affect you, because you have a good heart.”

Denson said, “All the people like you, and they bring problems and troubles because you can help. They do not bring happy thoughts.” He reached across and patted Ariel’s hand, letting his hand linger.

Ariel felt a prickle of unease. She removed her hand and looked at the tall Haitian, who smiled at her and put his arm around Pansy’s shoulders. He said, “We bring happy thoughts to you.”

Pansy beamed at Denson, so touched that he put his arm around her. She seemed to forget Ariel was there. Ariel said, “I saw something I wasn’t meant to see. A ceremony, a petro vodou ceremony.”

Pansy and Denson gave Ariel their full attention. Pansy said, “Where? When?”

“A few nights ago, near the Little River. I ran away when they were about to sacrifice a white woman with red hair.”

Pansy covered her mouth with her fingers, “Do not tell me of it. You need to cleanse yourself of those things.”

Ariel said, “I know, and I will.” She rubbed her temples with her fingers, “Yesterday, I saw the same woman’s head in a pot of boiling water. I can’t stop seeing it.”

Denson said, “You need help. There may be very bad people after you because of what you saw. Those rituals are not to be witnessed by those outside the group holding it.”

“I told the police detectives and my Border Patrol friends, so they know.”

Denson said, “So they know everything.”

Ariel said, “Not everything. I did not tell them about the men dressed as Tonton Macoute. I do not know why, but I did not. I am sure, though, that I know who some of them are. Especially the two Bokors, and the Houngan. Some of the people in the crowd, too. They are all involved in the woman’s death. And all involved with the Tonton Macoute.”

Denson said, “That can’t be. They are in the past, not the present.”

Ariel looked at Denson, then Pansy. “They are here, now. Operating in secret groups, meeting in hidden places.”

Pansy said, “We should talk of happier things.” She patted Ariel’s hand and leaned against Denson’s shoulder, “Right, my beautiful girl?”

Ariel smiled, “Right.”

Their food arrived, so everyone stopped talking and ate, and each one busy with their own thoughts. When they finished and the plates were taken away, Denson said, “I’ll be back.” He smiled at Pansy, “Bathroom time.”

Pansy watched him walk away, then said to Ariel, “He stays close to me now. Thank you.”

“I’m happy for you.”

“It is funny, though. He asks a lot about you.”

“Me?”

“Like, where you are, who are you with, have I seen you lately, things such as that.”?

“I can’t imagine why.”

“Doesn’t bother me, since I know you wouldn’t go out with him.”

“You’re right, I wouldn’t. We are friends.”

Denson returned and said, “Are we ready to go? I paid the bill.”

Ariel said, “Thank you.” As they walked outside, Ariel stopped them and hugged Pansy, “I parked on the other side. I will see you tomorrow. Thank you both.”

As she turned to leave, “Denson said, “Why don’t you go with us? We’re going to make a day of it, go window-shopping, then a movie. It will be fun.”