Jack_ Secret Vengeance - F. Paul Wilson [44]
Uh-oh.
“Like what?”
“Don’t know. First thing I do is ask around and see if anyone knows of a piney who’s been banged around by a towner. Second is, I join forces with you.”
“Oh, no,” Jack said, backing away. “No way.”
“Why not?”
“Because, like I said, it’s personal.”
“Well, hell, if he hurt a piney, it’s personal for me too.”
“You don’t even know if he really—”
“Pineys stick together—well, when they ain’t feudin’.”
Jack pulled open the door and stepped into the hall. “Sorry. Not gonna happen.”
Jack hurried for the bus, thinking how Levi Coffin was becoming a real problem.
8
“Aren’t you done yet?” Eddie said as he watched Jack rake up the grass clippings.
“Almost.”
“Well, hurry up so we can—uh-oh. Here comes Gargamel.”
Jack glanced up and saw Mr. Drexler stepping out the Lodge’s back door in his white suit.
“Gargamel dresses in black.”
“Yeah, but this guy looks like he eats Smurfs for breakfast.”
Mr. Drexler held up a wooden box. “Take a break and come over here. Both of you.”
Jack didn’t hesitate. Mr. Drexler might be strange, but he was standing on the shady side of the building and Jack needed a cool-off. Eddie held back a few seconds, then walked his bike over.
As Jack approached, Mr. Drexler leaned his cane against the door frame, then removed the top of the intricately carved box and held it out.
“Take a look at this. I believe you will find it entertaining.” A soft, white glob lay within. “Hold out your hand.”
When Jack did so, Mr. Drexler flipped the box over and dropped the glob onto his palm. It felt cool and squishy, and looked like vanilla pudding in a thin, clear skin.
Then, as Jack watched, it began to change color, moving slowly from white to deep blue.
“No surprise there,” Mr. Drexler muttered.
“Weirdacious!” Eddie said.
Mr. Drexler looked at him. “You’re Louise Connell’s brother, aren’t you.”
Eddie swallowed. “Um, yeah.”
He looked jumpy. Jack understood. The Lodge had always weirded him out.
“I haven’t seen her around. Is she well?”
Eddie seemed stuck for an answer.
“She’s home,” Jack said, figuring Weezy’s problems were none of the man’s business.
Mr. Drexler nodded, then said, “Let your friend hold it, Jack.”
Eddie put his hands behind his back. “Nuh-uh. Too weird.”
“Come on,” Jack said. “Don’t be a wuss.”
With obvious reluctance, Eddie cupped his hands before him, looking ready to drop the thing the instant it touched him. But he didn’t. After Jack dropped it onto his palms, he held it and jiggled it.
“It’s like Jell-O. Sort of—hey, it’s changing color.”
Jack had already noticed the dark blue fading. The glob turned a paler shade of blue …
“Will wonders never cease?” Mr. Drexler said. “Give it back to Jack.”
Eddie did, and the glob turned dark blue again.
“Must be because my hands are hot and sweaty,” Jack said.
Mr. Drexler held out the empty box. “Do you think so?”
Jack placed it back in the box and watched it return to white.
“I don’t get it,” Jack said. “What is it?”
“A crude sort of meter. It measures a certain … inner quality.”
“Did we pass?” Eddie said.
Mr. Drexler’s cold blue gaze remained fixed on Jack as his thin lips curved upwards at the corners. Jack couldn’t quite qualify it as a smile.
“Passing or failing would depend on who is conducting the test, and what result is sought.”
He replaced the lid.
“Show over.”
He turned and walked back inside.
“Oh, he’s weird, Jack,” Eddie said in a hushed tone. “Majorly weird.”
Jack couldn’t disagree.
9
Eddie had moved on and Jack had just dumped the last of the clippings into a plastic bag when he heard Mr. Drexler say, “That’s enough for today. Come have a drink.”
He looked over toward the Lodge and was surprised to see that two chairs had been set out in the shade. Mr. Drexler sat on one, leaning on his cane. A can of Pepsi sat on the seat next to him.
Jack wanted nothing more than to head home for a shower, but that Pepsi was calling his name. As he walked over, Mr. Drexler lifted the can and held it out to him. Jack popped the top and took a long, cold, bubbly chug.
“Thanks.”
The