The Congregation: Chapter Two

The Congregation

By: Roger Alderman Jr.

Chapter Two: The Ordinary World

The mile seemed to drift away from Jason, as he struggled to remain awake. However, at last, he was finally nearing Red Ash was the only thought on his mind at their late hour. His client told him to be mindful, as at the end of the canopy of trees will signify your arrival in Red Ash. Jason smiled slightly and before he realized it he had closed his eye for a long moment, “Damn it!”

Jason pulled off to the shoulder of the road, “Just a few minutes.” He closed his eyes and was fast asleep, but not a restful sleep. He was going to relive the actions that brought him to Red Ash.

A busy rain-slick street in front of two-story brownstone building with a neon sign facing the street outside reads, Private Eye. The dark of the night allows the sign to quickly grab passersby attention. A Blue 1942 Packard 180 Club Sedan pulls up out front.

Meanwhile inside, the exterior sign reflects off the horizontal blinds which allow for a brief glimpse of the office interior. The hazy glow from a streetlight rakes across a desk cluttered with files, an open whiskey bottle, and a small glass. The room smells of light cologne, body odor, and whiskey.

Jason Blackwood a thirty-something private investigator rocks back in his office chair, as his feet, settle onto the desktop. “I love and hate this city,” he whispers into his small glass of whiskey, “Every time she gives me anything. She takes it away twice as fast.” He glances over his shoulder to the window that reveals the now heavy rainfall.

A small ornamental lamp dimly shines from a small wooden bookshelf near the door to his private office. Trophies of a bygone day for Blackwood fill the small shelf from his days with the police department.

Jason gulps the contents of his glass and exhales a long breath. He looks at a letter and shakes his head. He crumbles and throws the late rent notice into the trash basket.

Jason stands and walks to the window. He leans forward and looks between the blinds. He pours another drink and opens the daily paper.

The well-lit office waiting room with an aged leather sofa and two high back chairs. Old newspapers litter the top of the old wooden coffee table. The overhead light offers a warm and inviting glow.

Janet Majors a twenty-something secretary with her nasal thick Bostonian accent continues a loud conversation with her friend Helen, “Yeah I know, but what’s a girl gonna do? I mean men are just plain oblivious. Take Jason! I've been trying to get him to notice me for five years now! He still treats me like a little sister. Guess I should feel lucky to have a job.”

The entrance door opens and Janet's face fills with contempt, “Helen, I’ll have to call you back! Something just walked in.” Janet hangs up and buzzes the back office with the intercom. Her voice carries a judgmental tone, “Jason, ya got some company.” Janet points with her left hand at the door to Jason's office., “Just open the door! Trust me he's in there!”

Sarah Mars a voluptuous twenty-something in a burgundy skin tight slinky dress with long red curly hair, approaches Jason's office door and knocks, “Hello? Anyone here?”

Jason shakes his head and takes a long deep drink from his glass. He looks at the frosted glass as Sarah waits for a positive response from the other side. Jason drunkenly blurts out, “Who the hell is it?”

Sarah slowly opens the door and peers inside, “Mr. Blackwood?” Her heavy perfume fills the air. Unsteadily Jason stands and immediately notices Sarah's beauty. Janet pushes her way past Sarah, “Why do you always have it so dark in here?”

Janet turns on the light. Jason glares at Janet, “What the hell do you think you are doing? Turn the lights off!” Janet settles onto the sofa and looks at the clutter of files, “Come on in Hun and close the door!”

Sarah closes the door and sits across from Jason with her legs cross. She allows one of her legs to show. She knows she just needs to reel him in. Janet stands and cleans the dirty office.

Janet looks up shaking her head at the new arrivals actions, “Just call him Jason! He hates all that Mr. Blackwood stuff.” Jason gives Janet an angry glance, “Do you mind?” She waves off the glance and talks to Sarah, “See just like I said.”

Janet becomes deliberately noisy moving files around and tidying up his office area. Jason scowls at Janet, “Do you have to do that in here?” Janet’s body language reflects that she isn't happy.

Sarah slides to the front of her seat, “Tommy, said that you might be able to help.” Jason leans forward placing his elbows on the desktop, “Tommy. Really? What's the problem?”

Sarah bats her long thick eyelashes and pulls a red handkerchief from her purse, “it’s my brother Larry.” Jason scratches at his five o’clock shadow, “please, go on.” Sarah pushes further forward in her seat until she's practically on top of his desk.

Janet walks out and closes the door loudly, “OH, Brother! I can see where this one's going! I am outta here.” Jason and Sarah watch Janet's theatrics, but after she leaves they continue.

Jason relaxes in his seat. Sarah walks around to Jason’s side of the desk and leans against it, “Jason, I just know he's in a bad situation.”  She pouts her lips and dabs at her tears. Jason raises the brim of his hat to look at her. Sarah adjusts her posture to make her breasts to seem much fuller.

Sarah continues, “Larry needed work like everyone these days, but he didn't really know what he was getting into.” Sarah reaches into her purse and pulls out a small case and removes a single cigarette. Jason leans forward and offers a light. She accepts his offer with a smile.

“He went out to Red Ash in search of work and found it. He said it’s a mining town in West Virginia,” She blows smoke to the ceiling. Jason pauses for a moment in thought, “Maybe he’s just busy or found a girl. Either thing can make a fella forgetful.”

Sarah takes his hand from across the desk as she pleads for his help, “Please a few weeks ago he quit calling and even coming home. I need you to find Larry!” Janet's silhouette shows through the frosted glass and Jason chuckles at her insecurities. He turns back to Sarah and teases, “Before we go any further. Let’s start with one big fact. I don't work for Dames anymore!”

Sarah bites and the game commences. She seductively exhales cigarette smoke into the air above him. She looks deeply into his eyes, “Really Mr. Blackwood?” Jason smirks, “That's unless I know your name. Then there's always the matter of payment.”

Jason traces her every curve with his eyes. She pushes his legs off the desk. Sarah sits on Jason's lap, “I'm Sarah Mars, as for payment. I may not have much in the way of money. However, I am willing to work off any debt.”

Primal desire in their eyes. Sarah and Jason embrace each other as new lovers. Janet rises from a low crouch position next to Jason's office door. She's furious, “Damn it! Jason! The rents going to be late again!” Janet storms out of the waiting room and slams the door to leave the lovers alone. 

At Tom’s Bar, the think hazy of cigarette smoke fills the air. Many of the regular patron’s head out in anticipation of the last call. Jason walks into the seedy and dangerous Bar. The smells of spilled beer and cigarettes assault his senses.

Tommy Dahl is a fifty-something tall obese man in a dress shirt with a vest. A cigar clenched between his teeth, “Hey Jason! What brings you down this way?” Tommy motions for Jason to sit at the counter. He sits and lights a cigarette.

Four large heavily muscled thugs in leather biker jackets and jeans from across the room watch and listen. Tommy smiles and wipes out a beer glass, “Did that girl talk to you?” “Yeah, how about a warning next time?” Jason smirks. Tommy pours Jason a shot of whiskey and cleans glasses with his waist towel, “was a pretty nice surprise I’m betting.”

Jason sips from his glass and exhales, “She told me her brother was in missing something about Red Wood or something?” Tommy nods, “Yeah, Red Ash it’s a mining town in West Virginia. Lots of locals headed out that way looking for work when the reopened the mine.” Jason’s expression turns to deep curiosity, “Re-opened?”

Tommy puts the now clean glass under the countertop and moves to the sink a little further down the counter, “Yeah from what I remember the mines had troubles in the past.” Jason nods in understanding and takes a long drink. “Yeah, the company running the mine is very loose on safety, but when you got deep pockets I guess you buy your way out of any troubles you get into.”

Jason stands but does not see a pair of the thugs leave just before him. Jason heads out of the bar, “Well, time to go play hero.” After a long moment, the two remaining thugs stand and glare Tommy. “You could have said that there was nothing to worry about old man,” They leave the bar.

Jason steps out onto the sidewalk and quickly discovers the start of freshly falling snow. He watches as his breath rises and cinches his jacket closed. He rubs his sensitive hands together as his arthritic left-hand starts to ache, “really?”

Jason staggers toward his car fumbling with his keys. The keys slipped from his hand, “Damn it.” He leans forward to recover the keys and notices the first two thugs behind him. “Gentlemen,” He spins to confront them.    

Sounds of gunshots echo from outside of the bar. “Shit,” Tommy pulls out a shotgun from under the bar and rushes across the bar. He bursts out of the front door.

The pair of murderous thugs stands above Jason pistols in hand, “Some fucking hero.” One leans forward and spits on Jason, as the other kick debris on him. They jump on their Indian 741 motorcycles and speed off.

Tommy bursts out of the bar shotgun in hand. He looks around and sees the thugs racing from the parking lot laughing. Tommy rushes into the parking lot, “Get out of here!”

Tommy finds Jason in a pool of his own blood. He rushes to Jason's side. Steam rises from Jason’s fresh gunshot wounds. “Hang in there, Jason!” The fresh snow covers everything in a blanket of cold white.

The City Hospital an enormous monument to the medical hubris and ego of the city. An immaculately kept lawn and massive parking lot surrounding the building. Vehicles fill the parking lot of the hospital.

A single hospital bed with a radio above a vertical cabinet occupy the room. Jason slowly awakens and examines his bloodstain bandages, “What the hell?” Tommy sits and waits for him to awaken, “I heard the gunshots and ran outside. Those guys want you dead and gone.”  

Jason moans as he examines his torso, “who were they?” Tommy shakes his head, “no clue.” “Have you seen them before?” Jason looks confused as Tommy shakes his head no.

Tommy hands Jason and old newspaper. Jason looks at the front-page story. Tommy has a look of shame on his face, “I had no idea they were going after her.”

Jason looks angrily at the page. Jason crumples the newspaper page and winces in pain not fully recovered. Tommy shakes his head and leaves the room. “Tommy,” Jason yells.

Tommy pokes his head back in the doorway, “Yeah?” Jason frowns and looks at his pistol still in his holster, “I’m gonna make them pay.” Tommy nods holding a look of shame, “I know you will.”

Jason tosses the newspaper onto his tray table the headline reads, “Heir to Mars Family Fortune Found Dead.” Jason grabs his pistol and loads it, “those bastards will pay.”