Page 45 of Death in the New Year

“It was disgusting.”

“So, you’re gay?” asked Jean.

“NO! That’s even worse.”

“Then you don’t like sex with men or women?” asked Zeke.

“It serves only one purpose. To push the devil from their bodies. My sister was a disgusting whore, but I needed her and her husband’s money. I’ll make sure she pays in the end as well.”

“You won’t get near her,” said Tailor.

“You’re all sinners. You’ll all go to hell!” he screamed.

“Reverend, we are well aware of that,” said Gaspar. “And you know what? We’re okay with it. See, we sin for the right reasons. To protect the innocent, not the guilty. I want people to lay their heads on their pillows and be able to sleep at night. Because of men like us, they can. I’m damn proud of that.”

“So, you’re just going to kill me here, and then what?”

“Oh, no. It’s not that simple. See, what you didn’t understand is that guns, knives, switchblades, all of it leaves a trail.”

“Everything leaves a trail,” he snarled. “You just have to be smart about it.”

“Yeah, see, that’s not the truth at all,” said Zeke. “The truth is, we have support. The kind that only men like us can get. While you’ve been running around trying to do your big finale, we’ve been planning your death to the letter.”

A small light was coming toward him, and he squinted, attempting to see who it might be. When the figure appeared to be female, he rubbed his eyes. Then, refocusing, it was two females.

“You,” he whispered. “You whore! And the friend of the whore which makes you one too!”

“You better watch your mouth, boy,” said Tailor, gripping his neck again. “That’s our Mama and her best friend.”

“It’s alrigh’, Tailor. I know what and who I am. I don’t need a man who murders for pleasure to tell me my worth,” said Ruby. “But I will make you regret ever attempting to harm me or mine. You have no clue what you’ve done.”

Sizemore stared up at the men, then back at the two women. They were so different. Darkness and light, large and small, but their energy was choking him. He tried to push back, but his body wouldn’t move as the women stared at him, their lips moving, but nothing came out. Nothing he could hear.

In a matter of seconds, he was paralyzed, lying on the cold dirt, staring up at the sky. Then, the faces of his tormentors hovered above him.

“You will not darken the door of my city again,” said Irene. “I would say be with God, but you gave up that right a long time ago. Tell the devil we said hello.”

“Mama, wait for us, and we’ll drive you home,” said Gaspar, smiling at his mother.

“We’ll be just fine, son. Besides, we brought some friends that will help you out.” Irene gave a whistle, and Alvin and three other alligators squirmed from behind one of the crypts. Sizemore’s eyes grew large, seeing the reptiles move toward him.

Trak kneeled down to his friend, whispering something to him. Alvin gave a nod as if he understood everything. When Trak stood again, he followed Irene and Ruby, indicating to the others that everything would be taken care of.

“I believe that’s our cue,” smiled Gaspar. “Let’s go home.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Sizemore or Standard, whichever name he chose to give the devil when he checked in, was gone. His church was gone, his body was gone, but his evil lingered on.

Matthew and Grant got to work rebuilding the little church on the outskirts of the Quarter. They’d already started a search for a new minister, and Barry was working to help the church become new and better than before.

The first man to offer help in building the church was JT. He was sober, clean, and apparently dating the young woman with the child in the wheelchair. His life was straightening out.

With a little help, the men were now busy planning their Italian getaway. Although it was against their promise to the women, they were taking weapons with them. They just couldn’t let everything stay at home.

Irene walked toward her friend’s front porch, smiling at her as she sipped her coffee.

“Ruby? Good morning, darlin’,” she smiled.

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