Undying Vengeance (11 page)

G
abe was not
going to be told what to do. Some creature was trying to stand in his way of making money and that enraged him. A meeting needed to be held with two associates of his concerning this matter.

Driving on Interstate 196 was a battle tonight. One he didn’t feel like contending with. Gabe was a man consumed with power and control. He demanded it from the musicians and bands he represented as well as from his peers and the public.

“Come on people, move out of my way!” Pounding the steering wheel he shook his head in frustration. The roads were slippery but not that bad, especially not for residents of Michigan who should be more than used to the slick roads. “You people are driving like Texan’s when they get one inch of snow. Damn it!”

Gabe swerved to the left and saw what the problem was. A half mile ahead two cars had rolled and lay in the median. Driving too fast was as much of a problem as driving too slow. What a shame. Gabe hoped no one was hurt. “Well, at least not potential talent or someone with money and status.” He said a wicked smile on his lips.

The row of cars inched closer to the scene. Red and white lights flashed from police cars, ambulances and fire trucks. A police officer directed traffic with a light stick, swinging it back and forth. Gabe sneered and peered past the accident noting the traffic sped up. Thank God because he was running late the minute he stepped out the door for his meeting and this only made it worse.

When Gabe was directly next to the accident scene he turned his head and stared at the over turned cars. A young woman on a gurney was being wheeled away from her car. His stomach flip flopped. She looked exactly like Simone. He shook his head, turned and stared at the cars taillights ahead of him, trying his hardest not to look again. But, something forced his head to turn and his eyes to focus on the scene of the accident. Gabe couldn’t move his foot to accelerate or turn his head away. It was like he was in a trance. Unable to shift his gaze, he watched as the medics pushed the gurney to the waiting ambulance. Horns blasted but he was frozen in time. The woman stared at the sky, her hand extended to a black shadow that rose over top of her. Didn’t these people see what he was seeing? Her soul was about to be taken from this earth.

Gabe slapped his face trying to break the spell he was under. What he saw next was horrific and the color drained from his face. The shadow held the woman’s hand, turned its head and stared at Gabe with hatred and rage. It was the same creature that had assaulted him at Armani’s house, except this one had long flowing white hair and piercing blue eyes that seemed to stare into his soul. Gabe tried to scream but nothing came out. The white haired vampire lifted its free arm and pointed a long finger at him and smiled.

“What are you? What do you want with me?” Gabe asked eyes glued to the light haired vampire and the woman who could’ve been Simone’s twin sister.

The vampire turned away to face the woman lying on the gurney. Gabe saw a red tear fall from its eye.

The vampire faced Gabe again mouthed, ‘You,’ and licked its lips in a circular motion.

A large shadow approached the car window, knocking twice. Gabe jumped, looking directly into the eyes of a heavy cop. The cop motioned for him to roll down his window.

“Yes officer?” Gabe asked as if nothing was wrong but inside he was shaking like a nervous schoolgirl before her first kiss. “Can I help you?”

The cop gave him a crooked grin. “Yes, you can help me by moving your car and following traffic.” He gestured to the line up behind Gabe’s car, “Is there a problem? A reason you’re gawking at the scene of this accident?” Folding his arms the cop waited for a response. Horns continued to honk. A few people shouted obscenities out their car windows.

Gabe cleared his throat. “Did anyone die?” He asked trying to peer around the large cop to see if the vampire was still there.

The cop placed his hands on the door and rolled his eyes. “What the hell kind of freak are you? I see you trying to look at the accident some more. Are you one of those people who gets off on seeing dead people or what?” He asked his voice thick with sarcasm. “It’s really none of your God damn business, but yes, a young woman passed away.” The cop tipped his hat. “We got here too late. God rest her soul.”

“Did you see anything unusual?” Gabe asked pressing the issue further. He had to know if anyone saw what he had just seen.

The cop smirked. “Ah, you’re a blasted reporter.” He tapped the top of the car twice. “Nope, I didn’t see anything unusual, just the typical accident scene and the drama that unfolds with it. Now, speed along. You’re trying my patience and I’m ready to write a ticket.” The cop turned and walked away.

Gabe accelerated wishing he could erase what he had seen and leave it all behind. He glanced in the rear view mirror and saw nothing. The vampire was gone. The deceased woman was loaded into the ambulance. He remembered seeing the red tear fall from the vampire’s eye. Why was it crying? The vampire that threatened him at Armani’s seemed like a cold, ruthless killer. What would make them feel sorrow? Traffic was still slow but the cars in front of him and behind him were welcome company giving him a sense of safety.

Gabe turned on the radio and channel surfed until he found a good rock station. ‘Faded Cross’ was playing one of their rock ballads. He tapped the steering wheel and bobbed his head to the melodic tune of Armani’s voice.

Guilt for what he had done to Armani plagued him but it passed just as quickly. This madness would end soon. Armani refused to comply with him and his wishes for performing and appearing on national television. He knew he was losing his number one band due to Simone’s death. Armani was a cold empty vessel with no desire to pursue his once successful career and more importantly, putting money in the management’s pockets had ceased which angered Gabe. Armani would pay. Gabe’s plan for fame, fortune, publicity and revenge had turned the tables on him and he wasn’t pleased.

Gabe knew what had to be done. There was a coffin that needed a final nail and he held the hammer, ready and willing to execute.

Alex and Adam lived a few miles off the highway in a home with no neighbors and little traffic. It was peaceful, but Gabe imagined how boring it would be. At least he didn’t have to worry about anyone knowing of their secret meeting.

Gabe was analyzing the could’ve would’ve and should’ve of what Adam, Alex and himself had done to Armani’s life when a deer bolted out from the woods. Gabe slammed the brakes, his car skidding to the left and the right.

“Damn you, deer!” Gabe exclaimed when his car jerked to a stop barely missing a tree. With sweaty and shaking hands he shoved the car into drive, turned and drove the remaining mile in a foul mood, but at a slower pace.

A couple sharp turns on the road and he turned right into the driveway of Alex’s home. The home sat at the end of a half mile long winding driveway. Alex’s home was a large three story brick home. Who would have thought some one of such wealth would live in such seclusion. Most people wanted to show off their riches, but not Alex. He was a very private man.

Gabe parked in front of the three stall garage and stepped out of the car, smoothing his shirt as he walked toward the house.

Alex opened the door and greeted him, “Hello Gabe, you’re late.” Alex said and squeezed Gabe’s hand hard.

Gabe squeezed back. “Due to matters out of my control I’m late.” He looked at Alex in the eye. “So, do you have the rest of my money for this half-ass operation we conducted?”

Lines of anger spread over Alex’s face like the earth cracking during an earthquake. “Spare me your charade, Gabe. Of course I do. It’s not my fault things didn’t go perfectly.” Alex spat and put his hands in the air. “Maybe you should have left me in charge of the whole game plan instead of taking over. You always need to be in charge and in control, correct?” He shook his head and walked into the house. “I don’t think it always works out in your best interest.”

Gabe clenched his fists and followed. “I’ll admit, it didn’t, but I want the rest of my money and I want it tonight.”

Alex smiled. “Adam, Gabe has finally arrived. It’s time for our meeting.” He shouted to his son.

Gabe sat on the brown leather sofa and put his feet on the table. “As you know, Armani is not interested in being in the band. What we thought was a good idea by killing Simone has backfired . . . .”

Alex shushed him with a wave of his hand. “Please wait until my son joins us to discuss the matter.” He walked to the kitchen and returned with three glasses and a bottle of scotch. “Care for a drink?”

Gabe nodded. “Yes, please. The trip here was enough to make me want to drink the whole damn bottle.” He scowled.

Adam walked in the room, hunched over. “Hi Gabe,” Adam said and sat on the chair across from him. “Good to see you again.”

“You too,” Gabe stated. He didn’t care about Adam. Alex was the one with the money and the one who pulled the strings. Adam served their purpose as a puppet in the scheme of things. Gabe knew that Alex was shrewd and if anything went wrong with their previous action and plan and they needed someone to take the fall, that man would be Adam. A smile pulled at Gabe’s lips. If Adam only knew that he was just a pawn in his father’s game.

Adam was the first to speak. “So, why are we having this meeting?” He asked. “We did what we planned to do and everyone got what they wanted out of it.” He stated and cocked his head to the side waiting for an answer.

Gabe sipped his scotch and set the glass on the table a little too hard. “No, I did not get what I wanted and I’m here to collect the remaining money for assisting you. Remember, I’m the one who gave you Armani and Simone’s location and hotel key the night you and your father killed her and scarred Armani for life after the bands concert.” Gabe rose and stood in front of Adam. “Without my connection and identity as the manager of Armani and ‘Faded Cross’ you would never have been allowed access to the floor where their hotel suite was.” Gabe arched his eyebrows and mockingly laughed at Adam. “It seems you’re taking me and my services for granted and that makes me angry.”

“Sit down,” Alex ordered. “Let’s discuss this like gentlemen, shall we?”

Gabe poured himself another glass of scotch and sat with a grunt, glaring at Adam.

Alex cleared his throat and looked at Gabe. “The plan in the beginning was for you to hire some friends from the Mafia, but instead I chose to go the route with you Gabe, since you’re Armani’s manager. I figured I may as well put the money where it belongs.” Nodding his head at Gabe he continued. “And yes, I do have the rest of your money. I don’t like how that bitch, Simone toyed with my son’s heart and mind. And quite frankly, I hate the music Armani and his band puts out.” He smiled at Gabe. “Sorry to tell you that.”

“It doesn’t matter what your tastes in music are, Alex. I was making good money thanks to Armani and his band and am making nothing now.” Anger rose in his voice. “I’m not happy with how the whole thing turned out.”

Alex glanced at Adam urging him to speak up. “Go ahead, son and tell Gabe what you got out of this.” He smiled.

“Peace of mind.” Adam answered and chuckled. “The last face Simone saw before she died was mine. It was such a victorious feeling having the ability to control her for once. I was in charge.” He smirked. “Thanks, Gabe for allowing us to do the dirty work ourselves. I can’t repay the rush of excitement I had killing her and torturing that rock star Ken Barbie Doll kind of guy.” He sighed, his eyes glazed over like he had just had an orgasm. “I replay it in my mind everyday. It was the most beautiful thing making that bitch tell me she loved me before I choked the last breath out of her.” He held his hands in the air, making a ‘V’ with two fingers. “I’d do it again if given the chance.”

“Excuse me,” Alex stood and walked to the kitchen. He slammed a cupboard door shut and returned with an envelope. He handed it to Gabe. “Here is the rest of your money. There’s fifty thousand dollars and by all means feel free to count it if you must.”

Gabe grabbed it like a child taking a cookie. “Thank you.” He walked to the window and stared at the full moon. “There are some things I need to talk to you both about.” He stated and pivoted to face them. “I have been seeing strange things lately and I believe we are in some sort of danger.” Gabe proceeded to tell them about the strange things he had been seeing and the experience he had at Armani’s house earlier. He talked for the next thirty minutes and realized his hands were shaking when he finished.

“Oh my, you have got to be kidding me?” Adam said laughing uncontrollably. “I think it’s your guilt clouding reality.” He rolled his eyes. “You need help, Gabe. A shrink may be a good place to start.” He snorted. “I had fun doing the deed and I feel satisfied. No one will ever catch us.”

Gabe could see that Alex thought he was crazy too. “So, you don’t believe me?” He asked and gulped the remaining scotch in his glass. “Well, suit yourself, but don’t say you weren’t warned. They will appear to you, too.”

Alex put his arms over his head. “I didn’t say I thought you were crazy, but I think you need to stop thinking about what we did and the part you played in it and move on.” He put his hands on his face and stroked his chin. “Guilt is a killer.”

“It’s not guilt. The things I’ve seen and experienced are real. Just ask Rex, the lead guitarist in Faded Cross. He was with me at Armani’s.” He stated matter-of-fact. “Now, I really must be going. I have a long drive home.”

Alex walked to the door and opened it for Gabe. “Thank you for coming over and enlightening us with your spooky tales.” He cocked his head to the side and said, “If we can ever be of help again, let us know.”

Gabe shook his hand and left without a goodbye. He had his money and that was what he had come for. Adam and Alex were a thing of the past now. If they chose not to believe him then that was their problem.

Gabe slammed the car door shut and cursed himself for being part of the evil scheme. How did he know he could trust these two not to blackmail him? After all, they were con artists. Gabe regretted being part of this murderous scheme. He wasn’t simply treading water anymore. He was in too deep and he feared the only way out was to drown.