This is the fourth installment of Devils Walk Through Galveston, my
first novel. The prologue, Chapter 1 (which introduced the crime
and criminal), and Chapter 2 (which introduced the police officers) were posted earlier. This chapter follows
the story of the first murder and gives more detail into the seduction of the
victim. I hope you enjoy it and share.
3. The girl in the red negligee, Clarksdale the
night before
Judas
wanted a whiskey neat and a place to rest, see some people, hear them
talk. John needed the noise and familiar
forms of the Delta but didn’t need to see anyone he knew. So they walked here from the train yard,
forty miles south and across the river from West Helena, Arkansas.
Walked
in slow, and adjusted to the dim light after the glare of the flood light above
the outside door. The place had a decent
crowd. He saw this at the door and
wouldn’t have gone in otherwise. He
moved around the tables to the bar.
Asked softly for a whiskey neat and water back when the bartender came
over. Turned and watched the couples
dance. Looked at the crowd at the
tables. Three old boys from some other
town ate burgers from the white bag of a country store. Three girls in overdone makeup at a table
alternately eyeing men. The fourth chair
at their table open. John felt Judas
settle down on the stool next to him.
Pointed to John’s glass and nodded at the bartender. Pulled on the Jack Daniels. Looked at John briefly and started in:
“Pretty
girls here.”
“Some
are o.k.”
“Most
are in groups or couples.”
“I
know.”
“Looks
like those three went to church on Sunday.”
“Why?”
“They
appear to have been absolved and have a clean slate. Fresh sins to be had.”
“You
don’t know.”
“There
are three at a table with only a fourth chair.
Who do they think is going to come up and talk to all three? They want a bold man.”
“Not
me.”
“Damn
right.
“Let’s
settle in. The DJ’s pretty good.”
“The
DJ sucks. But we can settle in for a
spell.”
He
saw her come out of the bathroom and across the floor. Tight jeans and heels. A red negligee top
that was just tight and low enough to show off her breasts. Just loose enough at the bottom to hide her
little belly. Pretty enough. Not too pretty, which was perfect. She glanced at him as she passed the turn in
the bar and sat down on the opposite side.
Ordered a white wine and sipped it.
A few songs passed. One of the
country boys came up and asked her to dance.
They walked out to the floor and moved well, precise. Not too close. Not too many smiles. Him glancing to his friends who were leaning
in closer, talking into each others’ ears.
The song ended and the old boy leaned into her ear, pointed to the
table. She looked down and shook her
head, headed back to her drink.
The
night wore on. The DJ left to
smoke. The three girls gave up and
talked to each other. One of the old
boys came to the bar and asked the bartender to send a round to those fine
ladies. The bartender said “shit” and
put three glasses of wine on the bar.
The old boy walked it over to their table and his friends pulled two
chairs over, between each of the girls.
Flirtation commenced. Hands
slipped under the table. One of each
went to the bathroom. Others danced. John turned toward the girl in the red
negligee. Then, when she smiled and
showed a tiny bit of teeth between her lips, he walked over.
Her
name was Desiree. She was from here. She
got divorced a year ago and was starting to get back out. He asked if she wanted to dance. “Oh yes,” she said, “I’d like that.”
So
they moved to the edge of the dance floor.
When they reached it he turned to her.
She laughed and moved in close. Rested her hands on his hips. Leaned in and said he felt too thin.
“I’ll
do.”
“Yes,
you will.”
“Well,
now.”
She
bit his ear lobe. Leaned her head back a
little and grinned. He turned her twice
and ran his hand across her low back, but not her belly. Just let it brush the satin of her top.
The
song ended and she asked if he wanted to join her.
“I’ve
gotta get going.”
“Why?”
“Have
to get to Memphis in the morning.”
“Work?”
“Work
tomorrow afternoon.”
“Where
are you staying?”
“I
was going to find a hotel room. I think
the boys are staying at the Hampton.”
“They
didn’t want to join you.”
“They
drove while I slept. They’re tired. I’ll meet them in the morning at the
McDonalds.”
She
didn’t want to let it go. She’d had two
glasses of wine which gave much courage.
“You want a nightcap?” She leaned
forward. She was almost up against him,
his knees out to the side, her leaning into the middle. He could see her red nipple and the freckles
on her pale, pale breasts.
“That’d
be nice.”
“You
want to follow me?”
“The
boys have the car. They dropped me
off. I said I’d walk to the hotel. You could drop me off there after the drink.”
“You
want to come to my place. It’s nothing
fancy. I have some wine.”
Smiling.
Showing teeth of his own. “Wine sounds
good.”
“Let’s
go then.” She brushed her hand on the
front of his pants. Swiped it over the bulge of his cock.
“I’ll
follow you out. I want to see your
incredible behind.”
Small
laughter. This time she grabbed his cock
with the palm of her hand. Let it
go. Then she turned and walked, half coy
covering her mouth with her hand, looking back over her shoulder. She switched her hips all the way out the
door.
Judas
paid his tab and followed ten seconds behind.
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