Crimson Snow (a Layton Shayne Story)

By Gerald Lopez

Layton Shayne can finally see the end in sight for this latest case. But there are still secrets to uncover and one misstep can have dire consequences. There’s a mysterious new place to explore, old friends and family to help, and kids to protect. The opponent is tough and seems to hold all the cards but Layton’s goal is clear. His team will prevail because they must or all will be doomed.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gerald Lopez
• Release date: Nov 24, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005894924

Gerald Lopez

Gerald was called to write at various times in his life. When he was young, the writing consisted of plays and short stories. Then he explored the fine arts and literature, earning a bachelor’s degree in the latter while minoring in art history. In his studies he was fascinated by and enjoyed analyzing characters, their personalities and motivations. To him it’s always been the characters who make a story special. Once again writing has taken hold of him. In the past it was just an amusement, but now—for Gerald—writing is a passion to live, eat, and breathe.

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Copyright © 2020 by Gerald Lopez

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Wherever possible, the syntax and spelling in this book follows guidelines set forth in The Chicago Manual of Style, 14th Edition, and in the Merriam-Webster online dictionary.

Cover Art Copyright © 2020 by Gerald Lopez

Acknowledgments

My special thanks go to the following:

To John for his helpful comments and suggestions.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Epilogue

Contact the author

About the author

Other books by Gerald Lopez

Crimson Snow

(A Layton Shayne Mystery)

Gerald Lopez

Chapter 1

Departure Time

THE SUN WAS going down, and Leticia decided it was time for Hayden and Chip to leave with their grandparents (Charity’s parents). Alex, Leticia, and Miss Lucy went with them. That left just Forrest, Ronnie, Norris, and myself on the beach waiting for our ride. Not long after nightfall we heard the sound of a motorboat. A long, yellow fabric inside the boat was flowing out and blowing in the wind. I used the binoculars I had hanging from a strap around my neck to get a better look at things.

Attractive Latina with long, straight, brown hair in a very small bikini and open, flowing yellow cover-up headed our way, I said to the others.

If I was straight that description might actually have excited me, Ronnie said.

Women can be beautiful and interesting, Norris said.

True, Ronnie said, but fascinating though they may be, women just don’t get my dick’s attention.

We laughed, then noticed that the motorboat had anchored offshore. So we grabbed our backpacks and got into the yellow raft that had been left for us. Not long after that, we were climbing aboard the large and expensive motorboat.

Welcome onboard, gentlemen, the female captain said in a smooth as silk voice. I’m organization agent Caroline.

Pleased to meet you, Forrest said, then introduced us all.

Nice shoes, Caroline, I said.

Christ, Ronnie said, then chuckled, he even notices women’s feet.

Everyone laughed.

That’s not a bad thing, Caroline said, as she started the boat’s engine and took us out to sea.

Those have to be at least three-inch heels, I said.

I know what you’re getting at, Layton, Caroline said. The heels are part of my equipment, along with the basket of delicious food on the backseat. My job is to seduce the guards stationed close to where we’ll be headed. I’m to keep the men busy, so they don’t spot your group heading to shore on the raft.

Will there be many guards? Norris said.

Two on one boat, Caroline said, and they’ll be heavily armed.

How will you get to them unnoticed? I said.

Oh, I won’t, Caroline said. They’re expecting someone to bring them their dinner. And they already know me, and won’t be disappointed it’s me bringing their meal and not one of their grandmothers.

I can understand that, I said.

Caroline smiled.

I’m more than just a pretty face and nice body, you’ll be surprised to know, Caroline said and she flashed me a friendly smile.

Are you getting yourself in trouble calling people pretty again? Forrest said to me, then smiled.

Caroline called herself pretty, I said, and there’s no denying that she is.

What about Sandoval’s strange gas? Norris said. Will we have to deal with that when we land?

Not immediately, Caroline said. It’s being used intermittently in the city. But we have taken precautions. You’ll be met onshore by children who are unaffected by the sexual side effects of the gas.

Are there other side effects to it? I said.

There are rumors there are, Caroline said, but good side effects. I’ve heard Chrysanthe and her people are using the gas as a blessing to the city somehow, but I don’t have any details.

We were silent for a moment and all was quiet, except for the sound of water splashing alongside the boat.

I like the boat, Ronnie said. Is it yours, Caroline?

Yes it is, Caroline said. I like everything fast but my men.

That got a laugh from all of us.

Is there anything else we need to know about things, Caroline? Forrest said.

Let me see, Caroline said. The city is small, but much larger than the ones you’ve recently left. And the crowds are large, rambunctious, drunk, and high because of carnival. Even before the gas, there was a thick sexual air about the place. At least seventy percent of the indigenous population is HIV positive, including the children so be careful, boys.

Then that gas is going to be a huge problem to people, Norris said. Did Sandoval already know about the HIV?

There’s no way he couldn’t have known, Caroline said, taking a sharp turn around the island.

Already we could see bright city lights on an island that was closer by than I’d expected.

It was just right around the corner, I said.

Surprising, isn’t it? Caroline said. We’ll be going a more discreet way. Oh and I’m the choreographer for your carnival krewe. I think we’ll have fun. I’ve heard you all are a blast.

We are, I said, then smiled. So we’ll be greeted onshore by children.

Yes,’ Caroline said. They’ll have a special truck that will take you into the city using back roads. Sandoval has his men stationed at most roads in and out of the city, as well as at the marinas."

Shit, I said. Then he’s definitely expecting us.

Did you doubt it? Forrest said.

No, I said, but I thought his mind would be on other things, and he wouldn’t be so efficient.

What are the chances the truck will be stopped and there will be a fight? Ronnie said.

There’s very little chance of a fight occurring, Caroline said. The children regularly drive that route to make deliveries. When the truck is stopped by Sandoval’s men—and it will be—your group won’t be found.

Like magic, Norris said.

Exactly, Caroline said, then smiled. So just sit back and enjoy the ride for now. This trip will be a lot smoother than the one taking you into town—I can promise you that much.

Chapter 2

Welcome

IT DIDN’T TAKE long to reach our destination by a mangrove forest just offshore from the island. Down one dark lane of the forest a raft had been left for us behind some bushes. Caroline got as close to the raft as she could, then parked without shutting off the engine.

Good luck, Caroline said in a whisper as we climbed down the side of the motorboat and onto the raft.

Once we were on said raft, Caroline pulled the motorboat away slowly, then continued onward. She had told us that as soon as we heard the motorboat motor shut off that would be a sign for us to move quickly. We were all quiet as we listened for the motorboat to go silent. When the motor shut off we immediately paddled the raft to shore.

When we got to land a group of about ten kids ran up to us. Two of the bigger boys and a smaller one made quick work of pulling and dragging the raft out of sight.

Welcome, a small girl said. Come.

The kids were skinny, some were black and others tan, and they all had dark hair. Most had large, alert eyes, were barefoot, and wearing shorts that had seen better days. The girls wore long tops with their shorts, but the majority of boys were shirtless except for two. They had on dirty, white, tank tops.

One girl grabbed Forrest by the hand and another Norris and they ran while a group of boys next to me and Ronnie pushed us so we’d follow close behind. We didn’t have a long way to go before an old, silver truck with an open bed came into view. A skinny boy who barely looked ten ran up to the driver’s side and got in—I resisted the urge to say anything.

The girls opened a hidden door on the side of the truck’s cab. It was as though they’d somehow concealed an extended cab to make it look like there was none. I watched the kids get in the back bed of the truck where there were open boxes of fruit, as well as stacked and closed boxes holding unknown items.

Forrest and Norris were already in the truck, Ronnie got in, then me. It was a little tight but not more than it would’ve been in an ordinary extended cab. However, we were also in the dark—literally. Then the motor started and we were off. To say it was a bumpy ride would’ve been an understatement.

The truck must’ve gone over every rock and pothole in the area and we were traveling at a fairly fast speed. When we stopped, I heard adult voices speaking to the driver and other kids. There were men walking around the truck and checking it out. Thankfully they didn’t find us, and we continued on our way. After a long while the truck stopped again and one of the girls opened the hidden door to let us out.

Bye-bye, the girl said continually as each of us left the hidden extended cab.

Not even a minute after we were all out of the truck, the girl got in the back bed and they were off again leaving only a cloud of dust behind them. We were outside the stone wall of an immense house located on a hill in town. It was night, we could hear crickets then the sound of a man speaking.

Quickly, come in. Hurry.

We went through the iron gate the man held open for us, and found ourselves in a courtyard. From there we were ushered into a medium-sized room to the side of the building.

You have made it safe and sound, I see.

The man who’d spoken sat in a chair in the corner of the room which contained four narrow beds. I looked at our host who wore brown shorts, a matching tank top, and slide sandals. He was dark-skinned and of mixed race with short, curly, black hair and he seemed about middle-aged.

My name is Luka, the man said. I’m your organization contact of the moment. You are not a bad looking group, but can you dance? That is the question.

Have we heard from Chrysanthe or Monique yet? I said.

No, Luka said. But they will make themselves known in time. Their own time of course. For now rest. It is early evening yet and the festivities have not begun. Nor has Sandoval’s gas started to flow. You’ll know when it does.

I have no doubt of that, Luka, I said, deliberately making direct eye contact with the man.

Luka kept his eyes on mine for a moment then smiled.

Is anyone hungry? Luka said.

Everyone shook their heads no.

OK then, Luka said. You can eat later with the others. Rest while you can. Someone will be by to check on you. Caroline will return soon as well. Good luck, I’m off to another location. I wanted to meet all of you and now I have. He smiled, then left.

I checked the door behind him to see if it was locked—it wasn’t.

Have any of you been here or met Luka before, I said.

No, Forrest said.

No, Norris and Ronnie said.

So, we’re just flying blind then, Forrest said. Typical I’d say. But at least The Organization was able to make contacts here.

I’d better lay out our costumes, Norris said, then put one of his two backpacks on the bed closest to the far wall. Is this bed OK to use? He looked at me.

It’s fine, I said, then walked to the bed next to Norris’ and laid down. We’d better do as Luka said and try to rest some.

Forrest put his backpack down, took off his shirt and flip-flops then lay beside me. He turned to his side and wrapped his arms around me then pulled me close. It felt nice.

That was some wild ride, Ronnie said, before he got into his bed. In case I nod off, what’s the plan, Layton?

There is none for now, I said. We go with the flow but stay attentive to everything. Leticia set this all up so we have to trust her.

And if something goes wrong? Ronnie said.

We’ll deal with things as they come, I said. We don’t really have any other choice for now.

Even though it was early we’d all nodded off for two hours, then surprisingly Luka came and woke us.

It’s time to eat and meet the others, Luka said. My ride hasn’t gotten here yet, so I have time to show you around a bit. No need to dress. He chuckled then sat in his chair.

We all got up from our beds and headed outside barefoot. Ronnie and Forrest were also shirtless. Luka led us to another even larger, tiled courtyard in back. Under a covered pavilion was a long table where plates of food had been set out. Beside the table was a cooler holding cans of soda and beer along with bottled water. Women were still putting out even more foods such as chicken and rice. It was very hot and muggy, so most of the men were shirtless. All wore shorts, and some sort of sandals or were barefoot. The kids from earlier were there, including our driver who I walked up to.

Who taught you how to drive, kiddo? I said.

The boy laughed then pointed to himself.

I can believe it, I said. Thanks for getting us here safe and sound.

No problem, boss, the boy said, and I ran my hand across his head.

You did good, driver man, I said, then spotted someone I didn’t expect to see.

Followed by Forrest and the others I walked over to Dr. Leah who wore a short, one piece white outfit. Her black hair was pulled back in a long ponytail. Beside her was Jean-Luis from the bordello, wearing shorts, sandals, and a long-sleeved knit top. He smiled and waved at us.

Did someone call for a doctor? I said.

Yes, as a matter of fact, Leah said. Jean-Luis was kind enough to escort me and my associates here.

And is there a reason we need a doctor? I said.

There is indeed, Leah said. In between all the senseless death brought on by Sandoval’s quest for immortality, a miracle of epic proportions has occurred. And by all accounts the miracle is continuing to happen all around us.

What exactly is happening? Norris said.

Something we wouldn’t have expected, Leah said, not even in our wildest dreams.

Chapter 3

Wondrous Things

JEAN-LUIS, ARE you our connection to the krew here? Forrest said.

I am indeed, Jean-Luis said.

Forrest, hang on a second, Norris said. The doctor tells us something wondrous beyond our dreams is happening here, and that’s the question you ask.

Just trying to get my facts straight first, Forrest said. I’ll let Layton lead the inquiries into whatever wondrous—and I’m sure supernatural thing, is going on in this place.

Is what’s happening supernatural? I said to Leah.

I’m not entirely sure, Leah said, but it is related to the gas.

People stopped what they were doing and gathered around us to hear the conversation.

Listen to me, a man said.

It’s Boli, Jean-Luis said.

The people around us parted, and an old, bald man with a white beard and mustache wearing a T-shirt, shorts, and slides stepped forward, helped by two women one of whom was young, white, and blonde.

Which one of you is Layton Shayne? the man said.

I am, I said.

The old man clasped my hands in his and spoke while looking directly into my eyes.

I am Boli and you must listen to me, Layton Shayne. Hear the words I have to say. Sandoval is a saint to the people on this island. He loves the men and women here more than his own, for we are his wife’s people. The woman—Chrysanthe was born here. This is where she played as a child and where she and Sandoval met and fell in love during carnival. That is why he has made the evil thing possessing him to come here to this place. And why he forced it to heal the people using the gas.

What? I said. I don’t understand.

The only thing keeping even the tiniest bit of Sandoval alive in his body is the love he has for his woman, Boli said. That is stronger than anything—even the love he has for himself. And because of that as a final and desperate act of contrition he has brought healing to this place at a time when it is very badly needed.

Healing in exchange for what, I said. The lives of me and my team.

No! Boli said forcefully but not angrily as he held fast to my hands. This is Sandoval’s chance for redemption and he knows it. There are no conditions. No one has been asked to deliver you to him in exchange for the healing taking place. But the stone will make him seek you out before he leaves. It must for it knows you desire it’s destruction.

And Sandoval? I said.

Oh may our gracious God have mercy on him at his death, Boli said