Suffer II (14 page)

There were few residents of Boudreaux who knew more about the bayous, swamps, and marshes than Bullet and his two brothers. It wasn’t because his descendants preferred living in the largely uninhabited wetlands. It was because it was rarely patrolled and offered the perfect camouflage for his various criminal enterprises.

His career started at a young age with smuggling moonshine out of the bayou for his father. When his father was killed by a rival family, Bullet sought revenge with a level of violence and brutality that exceeded most nightmares. He tortured then shot and killed the three men responsible for his father’s death, earning his nickname. Unsatisfied with the payback, he stalked and terrorized their families for months.

There was no retaliation and the police were never called. Neither family wanted attention from law enforcement. The Cajuns of South Louisiana preferred to handle their problems their own way. At the age of twenty-three, Bullet became the king of the swamp. He used his elevated status and smuggling routes to move out of the moonshine business and into the drug business.

In the swamps, he was king. In town, he was an uneducated nobody. His reputation as violent and confrontational kept him from moving up in the ranks of the drug dealers. They preferred that he stay in the shadows of the bayou and just bring them the shipments coming in from the Gulf of Mexico.

He grew impatient with his status and started dealing out of a few local dive bars. Whoever was inside selling would leave and give up their territory without a fight. They’d return when they knew he was gone. He wasn’t respected: he was feared.

Bullet never went into Boudreaux alone. His brothers were always with him, along with a few other undesirables from the swamp. When they went into the bars, even his best customers wouldn’t linger. He’d offer to buy them drinks, but they always had an excuse to leave after the transaction. He wanted to be accepted into the social scene of Boudreaux, but Boudreaux kept denying his wish. When one of his best customers invited him to a house party, he thought his patience was paying off. He didn’t hesitate to accept the invitation in spite of the request that he come alone.

“Hey, Bullet. Glad you could make it.”

“What’s up, man?” asked Bullet, noticing the lack of cars and music. “Thought this was a party?”

“It will be a little later. Come on inside and grab a beer. I wanted you to come early so I could introduce you to a lady friend of mine. She’s been wanting to meet you, but she’s kind of shy.”

“Is she hot?” asked Bullet, smiling.

“Very.”

They walked inside and made their way to the kitchen. They both downed their beers and opened another. Bullet was brought to the back porch where she was waiting. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the low light. When they did, they grew wide after he recognized her as Judge Cassandra Hall.

“Do you remember me?”

“What the hell is this?” asked Bullet, turning around to find his friend walking away. “Hey, man!”

“Please sit down.”

“I don’t think so, lady,” said Bullet, taking a step back.

“Most people call me Judge, but you can call me Cassandra. We’ll make this an informal meeting. Please sit down. My son is in trouble and I need your help.”

“I ain’t no snitch.”

“I’m not asking you to snitch. I’m asking you sit down for a moment and listen to what I have to say. Think of it as a business proposition. If you agree to help me, I’ll help you in ways you never thought possible.”

“A business proposition?” asked Bullet, looking around.

“It’s just you and me here,” said Cassandra. “I don’t want anyone to know what we’re talking about. That includes my son, Mark.”

“How do I know you’re not wearing a wire or have a room full of cops upstairs?”

“Go ahead and frisk me.” said Cassandra, standing. “Check upstairs or any other room here.”

“Take off your shirt,” said Bullet.

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me,” said Bullet, grinning. “Take off your shirt so I know you’re not wearing a wire. Bra too. You do that, and I’ll listen to what you gotta say. You don’t, I’m outta here.”

“Fine,” said Cassandra, unbuttoning her blouse.

“Damn, I didn’t think you’d do it,” said Bullet, staring at her chest. “You must love your boy.”

“I do,” said Cassandra. “Can I put my shirt back on now? It’s cold.”

“I don’t know,” said Bullet, rubbing the front of his pants. “You may have to show me just how far you’re willing to go for him.”

“Enough,” said Cassandra, putting on her shirt. “Don’t push your luck.”

“All right, all right” said Bullet, sitting down. “What can I do for you, Judge?”

“I need you to ruin a life,” said Cassandra. “Her name is Emily Pierce, and I need you to make the sheriff and this town believe she’s a junkie, a whore, and a liar. I need you to do it quickly.”

“Well, that explains why your boy wanted GHB and coke,” said Bullet. “Not that he got it from me, of course.”

“Of course.”

“Is that the girl he wanted to dose?”

“None of that matters now,” said Cassandra. “She’s trying to convince the sheriff that she was drugged and raped by my son and another boy. I need you make her look like a slut so nobody will believe her story.”

“How do I do that?”

“By following my instructions,” said Cassandra, “to the letter.”

“What’s in it for me?”

“For starters, your record will be wiped clean. Your most recent arrests for possession and assault will disappear.”

“That’s a good start,” said Bullet. “But I’m gonna need more than that.”

“Like what?”

“A house,” said Bullet, leaning back in his chair, waiting for her rejection.

“Go on. I’m listening.”

“I’m tired of dealing out of the swamps and bars. I want a house on the edge of town that the cops won’t touch. I’d like a little freedom to grow my business, if you know what I mean.”

“I can make that happen as long as you do what I say and follow my rules,” said Cassandra. “You can’t tell anyone about our arrangement. If I even hear a whisper that you and I are connected in any way, I’ll bury you, Bullet. You’ll become the top priority at the New Orleans DEA office. Your life will be over, and I’ll come out squeaky clean on the other side. Do you understand?”

“Oh, I understand,” said Bullet. “I don’t think I wanna piss you off.”

“You don’t,” said Cassandra. “But if you do this for me, I’ll make you untouchable.”

“I like the that way that sounds. Tell me more about this girl.”

Cassandra gave Bullet enough information to get him started. His first assignment was to give Brittany heroin to plant in Emily’s locker at school and in her backpack. Her friend would then contact the sheriff out of concern for Emily’s strange behavior and growing addiction. If the sheriff requested a search warrant, it would be issued from the local judge without hesitation.

While Cassandra was giving Bullet his initial instructions, Brittany was parking in Emily’s driveway. She had received her instructions as well. She needed to keep Emily close for a while longer. As much as it turned her stomach to be near her, it was the only way to ensure she’d be the girl with Conner next fall in Baton Rouge, not Emily.

“Hey, Em,” said Brittany, walking into her room.

“Hey,” said Emily. “Was my mom awake?”

“I don’t know,” said Brittany, closing the door. “She wasn’t on the couch.”

“Good. That means she’s passed out in bed. Thank you for coming over.”

“Anytime. So how did it go today?”

“Not good,” said Emily, fighting back tears. “Not good at all, Brit.”

“What happened?”

“They said I had slightly elevated levels of GHB in my system, but not enough to convince them I had been drugged. They said that it’s produced naturally in the body in small amounts, so there’s no way to prove that they gave it to me. But that’s not the worst of it. They said I had cocaine in my system as well.”

“Cocaine!” said Brit. “Oh my God, Em!”

“Be quiet,” said Emily, grabbing Brittany’s hand. “I don’t want my mom to know.”

“You have to tell her,” said Brittany. “This is just going to get worse. She needs to know what’s going on.”

“No, she doesn’t. She can’t help me right now. She can’t even help herself.”

“My mom and dad can,” said Brittany. “We need to tell them. They’ll know what to do.”

“I can’t believe this is happening,” said Emily, standing and walking to the window. “Why did they do that to me? I’ve never done anything to them.”

“Because they’re disgusting pigs who can’t get laid unless they drug someone,” said Brittany. “Did you talk to the sheriff?”

“Yes,” said Emily, exhaling. “He says I can still press charges, but it’s going to be harder to prove in court.”

“I don’t think you should do anything until we talk to my parents,” said Brittany. “Mark’s mother is a judge. You should probably get a lawyer who isn’t from here. Maybe you should look in Houma or New Orleans.”

“Why do I need a lawyer?” asked Emily. “
They
raped
me
. They’re the ones who are going to need a lawyer.”

“Em, I’m your best friend and you know that I love you,” said Brittany, reaching out for her hand. “But this doesn’t look good for you. Yes, you were drugged. You and I know that, but how are you going to prove it? The only evidence is those photos that the sheriff has, but they don’t look like you’re being attacked. They just look like you’re having sex.”

“What are you saying?” asked Emily, pulling her hand away. “Are you saying I just forget about it like it never happened? There are photos of me naked out there, and I tested positive for cocaine. If I don’t fight, I’ll just be a whore who uses drugs. I’ll lose my scholarship, and no school in the state would accept me. I don’t have a choice, Brit. I have to press charges. I can’t believe you think I shouldn’t.”

“I didn’t say that, Em,” said Brittany, forcing tears. “I’m just scared for you, and I don’t know what to do. They need to be arrested for what they did, but I’m afraid all that’s going to do is put you in the spotlight.”

“I don’t care,” said Emily. “I’m a straight A student who’s about to earn a full academic scholarship to LSU. I’ve never been in trouble in my life and my teachers love me. Nobody in their right mind will think I used cocaine and volunteered to have a threesome with Mark and his friend. No, this is all bullshit, and they’re going to pay for what they did to me.”

“What are we supposed to do when they put us on the stand and ask us what happened?” said Brittany. “Am I supposed to lie under oath?”

“What are you talking about?”

“They’re going to make Tyler and me witnesses for the defense, Em,” said Brittany, following Cassandra’s instructions. “The sheriff told me that. We won’t have a choice, or we’ll go to jail. We’re going to have to tell them everything that we saw. We’re going to have to tell them that it didn’t look like you were being raped and that you even asked us to join in.”

“I was drugged,” said Emily, remaining defiant. “Once that’s proven, and it will be, then none of that matters.”

“But how are you going to prove it, Em?”

“I don’t know yet, but I’ll figure it out.”

“This is why you need my help,” said Brittany. “I’m going to make sure you get it. It’s what best friends do for each other.”

Dawson went with Tyler and Chief to the airport. He wanted time with his brother before the jet reunited him with Ms. Karla. He had mixed feelings about Tyler’s story of Emily being an addict. Dawson was angry with him for letting it happen, but was also proud of him for being brave and telling them the truth.

“We have a few minutes before your plane gets here,” said Dawson, leading him to a bench outside of the terminal doors. “I’ll wait with you.”

“Sounds good,” said Tyler, sitting next to him.

“You’re going to be okay,” said Dawson, after taking a moment to collect his thoughts.

“I hope so,” said Tyler, looking across the runway.

“Look at me,” said Dawson, punching him in the shoulder.

“Oww, you dick,” said Tyler, smiling at him.

“I’m serious. You’re going to be okay no matter what happens here. You and I are going to get through this like we’ve gotten through everything else.”

“Why do you keep telling me that?” asked Tyler.

“Because I’m worried you’re going to do something to yourself.”

“What? Like kill myself?”

“Yeah,” said Dawson. “Grey kind of made me aware of that. I just need to make sure you’re not thinking about that before you leave.”

“I’m not going to lie to you; I’ve thought about it. I thought, how could I ever face Ms. Karla again? How could I face you or anyone else after what I did? Yeah, I’ve thought about it, but here’s the crazier part. I can’t do it because I’m more scared about what Hank is going to do to me. You know, in the afterlife.”

“That’s not so crazy,” said Dawson. “But he’d be more pissed that you killed yourself because of this. He knows you’re sorry about what you did, and so do I. Don’t get me wrong. You screwed up, little brother. You screwed up bad. You broke your promise to him, but do you know how you fix that?”

“No. How?”

“You take care of his bride,” said Dawson. “Hank’s taking care of Emily now. She’s with him, and she’s in no more pain. Make them a promise that you’re going to keep. Promise them that you’ll keep taking care of Ms. Karla. If you do, I know they’ll forgive you for everything.”

“You really think so?”

“I do. I know Hank, and I know he’d give you another chance.”

“Then consider it done,” said Tyler, looking over at the jet pulling into the terminal. “I think that’s my plane.”

“It is,” said Dawson, standing. “I love you.”

“What?” said Tyler, yelling over the whine of the engines. “I can’t hear you!”

“I love you, little brother,” said Dawson, stepping closer. “You’re a pain in my ass and the dumbest kid I know, but you’re all I’ve got left. I love you. I wanted you to know that before you left.”

“You’ve never said that to me before,” said Tyler, lowering his voice as the engines shut down.

“Well, I’m saying it now,” said Dawson, looking away for a moment to clear his eyes. “When all this is over and you come back, I’ll be here waiting. I’m not leaving you again. We’ll both take care of Ms. Karla.”

“I like that plan a lot,” said Tyler, picking up his bags. “Take care of yourself, okay?”

“I will,” said Dawson, watching his brother walk towards the jet.

Chief was standing at a window inside the small private terminal. He took a quick step to the doors when he saw Tyler drop his bags and move fast towards his brother. He stopped when he realized he wasn’t needed to break up a fight. He smiled as they embraced.

“I thought he was going to deck you,” said Chief, holding his smile as Dawson approached.

“He should’ve,” said Dawson, turning to watch the plane move onto the taxiway. “It was the first time I ever told him that I loved him.”

“It just means it meant more,” said Chief, putting his arm around Dawson’s shoulder. “He needed to hear that, son. I’m proud of you.”

“I guess it’s time to go face the music, huh?” said Dawson.

“Aw, I wouldn’t worry about it,” said Chief. “Grey’s bark is worse than his bite. Okay, that’s not true, but you’ll be fine.”

“Great pep talk, Chief.”

“You’re welcome.”

When they returned to the rental house, Evan and Abby were glued to a computer screen. Grey and Kate were still sitting outside on the deck. When he defied Grey before they left for the airport, there wasn’t enough time for a response. Dawson took a deep breath as he stepped outside. His shoulders dropped when he turned to see Chief sidestepping into the kitchen, leaving him for dead.

“Were your ears burning?” asked Kate, looking at Dawson as he sat down.

“Listen, I’m sorry I –”

“Don’t be,” said Grey. “You have as much right to be here as we do. I’m not going to force you to leave Boudreaux, although I’d prefer it. You have no idea what’s about to happen in this town.”

“Whatever it is, I want to be a part of it,” said Dawson. “I owe Emily and her family that.”

“I completely understand,” said Kate. “You will be a part of this, but not all of it. At some point in the future, you’re going to have to leave.”

“Why?”

“Because we’re going to make the punishments fit the crime,” said Grey. “The less you know about that, the better. When this is over, you won’t be able to tell investigators what you don’t know.”

“You know who we are, but you don’t know what we are,” said Kate. “We’re the things that go bump in the night for the monsters.”

“The system has failed Emily because it’s been corrupted,” said Grey. “We’re the alternative to that system. We have the means and the skillsets to wreak havoc against the people who destroyed Emily’s life. In order for us to be effective, we have to operate on the fringe. We need to keep you as far away from that as possible.”

“We’re not telling you leave today,” said Kate, “but we are telling you not to get in our way. I’m not being ominous or threatening, but you need to understand your place while you’re here.”

“You do everything we say and you don’t ask why,” said Grey. “If you break a rule or cause us problems, you’ll be back in North Dakota before you know what hit you. Are we clear?”

“Very,” said Dawson. “I won’t be a problem for you.”

“Good,” said Kate. “It’s time to go to work.”

“What do you need me to do?” said Dawson, sitting up in his chair.

“Go help Chief make lunch,” said Kate.

“I could use a cup of coffee,” said Grey. “Light cream and sugar.”

“Anything else?” asked Dawson, deflating.

Chief grinned as Dawson joined him in the kitchen. Grey and Kate joined Evan and Abby at the computer screens in the main room. It was time for them to start lighting fires in Boudreaux.

“As we suspected,” said Evan, “our boy Bullet is squeaky clean. Looks like all of his arrest records and court documents were destroyed after Emily dropped out of school. He’s been quiet ever since. No arrests and no problems with the law. He’s even a homeowner. I guess he’s turned his life around.”

“Hardly,” said Kate. “More than likely the house and no interference from the police were part of the deal.”

“He paid cash for it last year,” said Evan. “It’s isolated on the south side of town about four miles from Karla’s home. It backs up to the bayou and has its own boat dock. There’s only one road in and out.”

“A perfect place to smuggle and deal drugs,” said Grey. “We need to have eyes and ears in there. Are you ready for some fieldwork?”

“Always,” said Evan. “But he’s done some of the work for us. He has a fairly high-tech security setup, but I was able to hack into his wireless network.”

“Of course you were,” said Grey, smiling.

“He may not be worried about the cops, but he’s worried about something. He has several cameras around the perimeter of the house and at the dock. There’s also an array of motion detectors and a back-up generator. All of it can be accessed from his smart phone.”

“And we have access as well?” asked Grey.

“Yes, sir,” said Evan. “We do now.”

“Can you track him from his phone?”

“And his truck,” said Evan. “I also accessed his brothers’ phones. All three of them are at the house now.”

“You make it look easy, buddy,” said Grey. “Keep an eye on them. As soon as they’re gone, we need to get inside.”

“Will do.”

“Any luck with Greg Jones?”

“He’s a mechanic at his father’s marine repair shop in Boudreaux,” said Abby. “He still lives at home on the north side of town. He was arrested for a DUI last summer, but other than that, he’s clean.”

“Except for helping Mark rape Emily,” said Kate. “Right now he’s our weakest link. We need to get to him and get him talking.”

“Chief and I will handle that,” said Grey.

“Yes,” said Evan, answering before the question was asked. “He’s that red dot on my screen. He’s at work now.”

“I don’t want you to reveal your identities to him or Bullet,” said Kate. “I want Cassandra in the dark while she’s sweating.”

“I agree,” said Grey. “That won’t be a problem. What’s the plan for Brittany?”

“She’s already sweating,” said Kate. “I want her staying that way for a bit longer. She’s not in any danger now, but that’ll change when Cassandra realizes what’s happening.”

“That’s not what I meant,” said Grey.

“I know,” said Kate. “I’m going to leave that up to her. She’ll have one more chance to tell us the truth. I want her scared to death when I give her that chance.”

“Roger that,” said Grey.

“Where’s Mark?” asked Kate, turning to Evan.

“He’s a student at Tulane University in New Orleans,” said Evan. “His grades aren’t the best, but he’s passing. He has an apartment with another student a few blocks from the campus. Being the son of a federal judge, the complex has tight security with twenty-four-hour patrols and surveillance. It won’t be as easy getting to him.”

“That’s what I want Mark and his mother to believe for now,” said Kate. “Is he a red dot on your map?”

“He is,” said Evan. “He’s in class right now.”

“You’re the best,” said Kate.

“Not really,” said Evan. “But this equipment is.”

“Worth every penny,” said Kate.

“Very good work, you two,” said Grey. “Now that we can track their every move and record their calls, we need to build a database so we can establish patterns. Dig into their emails, social media, and anywhere else we can collect information. We need to know where they go and what they do on a daily basis.”

“Find what they love the most,” said Kate, staring at a photo of Emily standing with her parents. “Find what makes them happy and gives them a reason to live. Figure out their hopes and dreams for their futures.

“We know what Emily loved, what made her happy and gave her a reason to live. We know about her hopes and dreams she had for her future. They took that away from her. We’re going to take it away from them. All of them.”

Kate stood, handed Grey the photo, and then walked upstairs to her room. He stared at the picture of happy faces with bright smiles before looking up at Abby and Evan. He turned the photo towards them.

“We’re here because she isn’t,” said Grey, moving the photo closer to them. “She’s lying somewhere out there in the swamp decomposing. Her life was taken by those red dots on your screen. They think they’ve gotten away with murder. One by one, we’re going to remove those dots.

“Are you two ready for this?”