The Samaritan Cometh
Part 6: Masks
By Brian Lewis a.k.a Red Vector
“What brings you to Russell Shoals?” Madeline asks as she pours a third cup of coffee
or was it the fourth? As she leans forward the collar of her blouse shifts slightly, and I
notice the scar on her shoulder just above her collar bone. With my enhanced eye
sight I can see it’s a deep burn scar. It’s is in the same place that I saw two vertical
hash marks on the shoulder of one those OWI bastards eight months ago.
“Just passing through, I thought I would take the scenic route.” I say. “Maybe stay
around a few days, get in some fishing.” With the firestorm of publicity after that bank
situation in New York I thought it best if my profile dropped a notch or two. So drawing
on one of Clayton’s memories I headed south on secondary roads avoiding the
interstates as much as possible. Of course, the route took twice as long.
“Scenic route?” she says. “Not much to see around this part of South Carolina except
pine trees. And you won’t get in much fishing dodging jet skis on the lake.”
“Not to mention the rich assholes partying on their million dollar house boats.” Tommy
says, throwing in his two cents.
“Yeah, things have changed a lot around here since I came back home after my
husband died.” She says sadly.
“The scar?” I ask. “I noticed it earlier but I didn’t want to pry.”
“It was a car accident, about two years ago.” She says.
“I’m sorry to hear that.” I say. But, in my mind, even though I felt that the emotions were
real the details didn’t ring entirely true. To my hearing she hit the words “died,” “car”
and “accident” a little too hard. With the accompanying changes in her heart rate and
respiration it was not an accident, it was murder. I’m 95% certain that he was killed by
the same organization that she’s hiding from, the same one that has been dogging me.
“It’s ok; can I get you anything else?” She says breaking the awkward silence.
“I’m fine, I couldn’t eat anything else.” I say. “What’s the damage?” I ask, as I pull out
my wallet.
“That’ll be nine seventy five.” She says as she rings up my bill.
I hand her a twenty dollar bill, as I do her finger tips brush against mine. It was the
briefest of contacts but the reaction was immediate. I felt a tingling sensation at the
point of contact. But for her, the reaction was more profound and unsettling. I saw that
her face flushed and her hands were trembling. She starts to fumble with the cash
drawer as if I’m pointing a gun at her robbing the place.
“It’s ok, keep the change.” I say, seeing her distress. “I’ll just take a leak and be on my
way.”
So I pick up my bag and head to the bathroom. As soon as the bathroom door closes
behind me I expand my senses to encompass the entire diner. So that the whole time
that I’m relieving myself, I can hear Madeline and Tommy talking as if I’m in the same
room with them.
“You alright Maddie?” Tommy asks, as I hear his footsteps come out of the kitchen.
“I’m fine, Uncle Tommy it’s already passing.” She says, as she closes the cash drawer.
“But that guy must think I’m nuts.”
“Don’t worry about it, why don’t you go home.” Tommy says. “I’ll close up it’s only about
an hour till closing anyway.”
“You sure? I can stay to help you clean up.” She says with relief in her voice.
“I can handle it, go ahead.” He says. “See ya, tomorrow.”
I hear her walking towards the door as I’m washing my hands. I time it perfectly so that I
as I’m coming out of the bathroom, I meet her at the door.
“You looked a little freaked out a minute ago.” I say as I open the door for her. “More
than a little, but now that “deer in headlights” look is gone.”
“It was just a panic attack, I get them sometimes.” Her expression was unreadable but
her vital signs gave her away. “But it’s gone now.” She finishes.
“Can I walk you to your car?” I ask. I fully expect her to say no.
“Sure, why not?” She replies, as we walk out the door. I only vaguely hear Tommy come
up and lock the door behind us. When we get to her powder blue Camry she reaches
up and touches my face. Her astonishing green eyes are luminous under the street
lights, like a cat’s.
“I don’t think you need these anymore.” She says. Reaching up, she takes off my
sunglasses.
And I was powerless to stop her, what with my brain floating in molasses and all. But as
quickly as the sensation began it was gone. But unfortunately, so was she and I was
sitting on my ass in the parking lot wondering what the hell happened. My duffle bag is
sitting on the asphalt beside me I rifle through it and find nothing missing and my little
friends are safe in their holsters. I get to my feet and walk to the Harley and find it
unmolested as well.
“She me had at her mercy and she didn’t even steal my wallet.” I say to my reflection in
the Harley’s mirror.