| |
BO TOOK MELODY, MICHAEL and Cassandra to the meal tent while Monroe organised with Tyson what was to be done. Tyson remembered the old containers as soon as Cassandra described them. Bo wanted to go with the men who’d brought Melody, but Monroe persuaded him to allow Xavier to go instead.
“If she’s there and alright then Xavier is better able to bring them back safely than you are. He’s stronger, faster and more capable in the forest,” Monroe explained.
“Yeah, but—”
“He’s also able to handle himself if those two can’t be trusted.”
Although Bo didn’t like it, he eventually relented.
What Monroe didn’t want to say was he didn’t want Bo with them if the girls weren’t alright. Xavier had an important job to do, another one, and it had to be done if the routine was to be broken. He stood outside the big top and waited for the inevitable.
“Still trying to stop a French from dying, are you?”
“I don’t want to talk about it Jeffries.” Monroe didn’t turn. He only looked at the silver snake head on his walking stick. He knew who it was.
“When you going to learn?” Frank Jeffries walked around to the front of Monroe. “This plays out the same way each time.”
“Looks like you killed a few more this time,” Monroe said. “How many?”
“That boy’s a star. Tell me, how did the Brown bitch do it?”
“She didn’t.”
“I felt him go. Strangled I’d say. I saw him come. He had marks that said he’d be killed by a Brown, and that blonde is the only Brown here. The only one living that is. Amazing the strength that anger can give them. I wouldn’t have thought she was strong enough, but he’s gone. It’s her turn now.”
“She’ll be alright.”
Jeffries looked into the big top. “He went in there, didn’t it? There’s going to be a lot of witnesses. Oh they’ll be carney witnesses, but somebody will talk, then somebody will testify and I’ll have my revenge again.”
“But not the one you really want.” Monroe smiled.
“Bernard, you should never have framed me. You and Jarred... you shouldn’t have done it.”
“You were as responsible for those girls murders as Jake, like you’re responsible for the murders here in recent days. Tell me, how’re you going to frame Cassandra for the rape of those women since they had a man’s semen in them when they were found?”
“Madison was hanged for the murder of promiscuous women. It’s what the judge and jury believed. They had no choice. Remember?”
Lightning flashed in the sky.
Jeffries looked up. “Madison’s mad at you again.”
“I don’t think it’s me she’s mad at this time,” Monroe smiled. “I think she approves.”
“You still think that snake’s going to protect you?”
“You still think it’s not going to hurt you one day?”
Jeffries laughed. “I’ve already been hanged, remember? Look at what that got you.”
“It got me this.” Monroe held up his cane.
Xavier approached. “It’s done, boss,” he said. “Didn’t see anyone though.”
“You tried to hide the body.” Jeffries said.
“That’s good,” Monroe said. “Go see Tammy about what she’s found.”
“You want me to—”
“I want you to go and see Tammy, then do what I told you.”
“What’re you hiding, Bernard?” Jeffries asked.
“Everything alright here?” Xavier asked. “Something smells funny.”
“And you have a werewolf working for you. Oh Bernard. What are you doing?”
“There’s a stink around here,” Monroe said. “One you can’t see. Just do what I said.”
Xavier nodded and walked off.
“Boss!” One of the roustabouts ran to him.
“What?” Monroe asked.
“That cop’s come,” he said. “He’s got Karla and Jacinta with him.”
“They escaped,” Monroe said to Jeffries.
“What?” the roustabout asked.
“Nothing,” Monroe snapped. “Go get Bo. He’s in the meal tent. Hurry!”
The roustabout ran off.
Monroe looked at Jeffries. “Your boy wasn’t that much of a star,” he said.
“You’re always such a poor loser, Bernard.” Jeffries shook his head and walked off.