Bugaloo in the Bayou

By Joseph Lange

Dr. Trevor Knight has left the dry heat of the Arizona desert, only to find himself in the hot and humid dangerous swamps of the Louisiana bayou. Time to relax, to enjoy the sights and Cajun food, the music, and the laid-back mood. However, things have not worked out as he had hoped. Major Wilson of the Louisiana State Police is in need of his services, and Knight will soon meet Sheriff Thomas T. Thibodaux, law of the land in Assumption Parish. Knight planned on a quiet trip, to see a place his friend Demaryius Dinkins had spoken to him about as they sat in the dark desert of Arizona. The little village being sucked into the ground. Salt caverns long ago formed in the prehistoric history of Louisiana. Home to things unspoken, until the careless drilling unleashes them upon the land. Certainly, the government knows nothing about all of this. Or do they? Things are not as they seem; and the sudden disappearance of the local inhabitants, as well as the wildlife, thrusts Knight into the world of corrupt Southern justice, a voodoo priestess, and two very lively twin girls. Get your dancing shoes on, Doctor, time to boogaloo in the bayou.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Covenant Books, Inc.
• Release date: Jul 16, 2020
• ISBN: 9781644684498

Book preview

Excerpt from Chapter 59

Where to now, Trevor? she asked.

I really don’t know right now, Grandma, Knight replied. Maybe Louisiana.

Louisiana? Mahl exclaimed. Why on earth would you want to go there? There’s alligators down there, Trevor! she warned. Why would you want to go where there’s big alligators?

There’s a town or there was a town down there I would like to go see. I will call you when I get down there, okay?

Okay, sweetie, I love you, Mahl said.

I love you too, Grandma, Knight replied and hung up. He dialed a taxi and was soon walking into the front doors of the Yuma International Airport.

When he stepped up to the counter, the young lady behind the ticket desk asked without looking up, Destination?

Knight paused but only for a moment. Baton Rouge I guess will do. Yes, I will take a one-way first-class ticket to Baton Rouge. That’s in Louisiana. Knight smiled.

The young woman, looking up, smiled and said, Yes, indeed it is.

Chapter 1

Knight had a fitful flight and was having difficulty settling in. Even though the spaciousness of his first-class seat was comfortable enough, the thoughts of losing Suzy Hoo were troubling him, and he missed her deeply.

I should have just stayed in San Francisco, he thought. If I had been there, perhaps Suzy would have waited. I could still be her boyfriend.

His mind went from remorse of having lost her to the realization that had he not gone to Arizona, the evil that had been taking the lives of the Indian girls would still be prowling the desert nights. More innocent lives would still be lost.

I never asked to be the one that always runs into that stuff, he mumbled. Why did God pick me to deal with all this evil?

What’s that, sir? the stewardess asked. Is there something I can get you?

Looking up from his seat, he noticed the stewardess. No, but thank you, he replied. I am just thinking out loud. Are we far out from Baton Rouge yet?

No, sir, she replied. We should be arriving on time, and we are about twenty minutes out. We should be beginning our descent soon.

Just then the flight overhead announcement came. This is your captain. We will begin our descent into Baton Rouge shortly. We should be on the ground in about twenty-four minutes. Conditions are overcast and eighty-four degrees.

Knight sat up and began to prepare for the landing. I don’t even know where I’m staying or what I’m doing, he thought. I should have made better plans. Grandma is right. I need to focus better. Excessive compulsive just like Grandpa was. I guess I will figure it out when I land. He sighed.

The plane touched down, and Knight made his way into the concourse. Reviewing the information located by the baggage turnstiles, he jotted down a number. He exited the main building and hailed a taxi.

To 4914 Constitution Avenue please, he instructed the driver.

Certainly, sir, the Embassy Suites. We should be there in a bit, the driver replied.

The taxi pulled up to the main doors, and Knight exited. After paying the driver, he proceeded through the doors and to the main desk.

Good afternoon. How may I help you? the young woman behind the desk asked, smiling broadly.

Yes, my name is Trevor, Trevor Knight. Well, Dr. Trevor Knight actually, he replied. I could use a room if you have one available. I don’t have any reservations. Not reservations about staying here, you know, I mean…

I understand. The woman smiled. Looking at the computer screen, the woman glanced up at Knight. Well, yes, we do show our presidential suite is available, Dr. Knight. And how long would you anticipate your stay to be?

I really don’t know right now, Knight replied. But let’s book it for a week, and I can see how things go after that.

The daily charge is $1,200, she cautioned.

That is quite all right, Knight replied, pulling his Gold credit card from his wallet.

Yes, sir, the woman replied. Business or pleasure, your stay, is it for business or pleasure? We have so many wonderful things to see in our city.

I am just here to see what the area is like, Knight replied. I have a friend that is in the army. He spoke of a place, Bayou Corne. I would like to go visit it.

Yes, tragic what is happening over there, the woman replied. All those nice people having to leave their homes.

Well, I plan on going there and seeing things for myself.

Putting his credit card back into his wallet and taking his room key, Knight proceeded down the hall to the elevator and up to the presidential suite. Upon entering the room, he tossed his things onto the king-size bed and sat down.

I should really call Grandma, he thought. Picking up his phone, he dialed the familiar number.

Hello, Trevor, is that you? the excited voice answered.

"Hi, Grandma, it’s me, Trevor. You won’t guess where I am, he said.

Well, Trevor, the last time I spoke to you, you said you were going to Louisiana, where all those alligators are. Is that where you are?

Yes, Grandma, I’m in Baton Rouge, Knight replied. And it is kind of cool here. Well, not cool as in weather, but you know, cool. I am staying at a very nice hotel here for the week until I can settle in and find my way to the place my friend from Arizona told me about.

What place is that, Trevor? You’re not going to get yourself into anything dangerous again, are you? You always go places and get yourself into trouble.

The little town where my friend Demaryius Dinkins from Arizona grew up. Bayou Corne, Knight replied. And, Grandma, you won’t believe it—the town is sinking into the water and trees, and everything is being swallowed up.

Trevor, you’re going to be swallowed up just like that town! How am I going to sleep knowing you are swirling around like some turd in a toilet going down the drain?

Grandma, I’m fine. I am just visiting and being the tourist. I don’t think I will even be able to get close. They must have things all closed off. My plan is to get a vehicle and drive to that place and look around.

Trevor, you be careful down there. There are snakes, big ones there, and spiders and all sorts of things that can hurt you, his grandmother warned. And, Trevor, there is voodoo down there. All kinds of voodoo. And you don’t have that cross I gave you to protect you.

I promise, I will be fine, Knight said, laughing. I am going to get some food in me and settle in for the evening. I will call you once I figure out how I am going to get around down here. I love you, Grandma.

I love you too, Trevor, Mahl replied.

Hanging up the phone, Knight made his way to the bathroom and cleaned up from the long day. He headed down to the lobby and the restaurant located in the hotel. Picking up a menu, he searched the list of items, none of which was a cheeseburger.

I am obviously not in Wisconsin, he thought.

Looking through the menu, he decided on what he would order as the pretty young waitress approached his table.

Chapter 2

Good afternoon. May I take your order? the waitress asked.

Yes, I’m not from around here, and I am kind of looking at some of the menu items you folks have.

Really? the waitress quipped. I would never have known, she said, laughing slightly.

Can you tell me what this one is? Knight asked, trying to keep from smiling.

Boudin balls, she replied. They are very good and consist of pork sausage and deep-fried.

"I remember The Beverly Hillbillies, Knight said, smiling. There was a big kid named—"

Yes, I recall my grandpa always watched that show, the waitress replied. You must be referring to Jethro Bodine. These have nothing in common with him, she replied.

Knight could sense a bit of feigned impatience with his server. Very well then, he said. I will take an order of those boudin balls. And some cheese curds if you have them.

We don’t have them, the waitress replied.

Very well then. Just the balls and a Diet Coke will be fine, Knight replied, nervously straightening the napkin in front of him.

Within a short time, his order came, and Knight noticed a large bottle of Tabasco sauce on the tray.

Enjoy your meal, the waitress said, turning and walking slowly back to her station.

Knight poked a bit at the plate and, trying not to look the part of a tourist, generously sprinkled hot sauce on the balls in front of him. Stabbing one with his fork, he took a bite. It was soon apparent to Knight that the balls were plenty spicy enough without the additional condiment.

Taking a large drink, he proceeded to nibble on the rest of the meal while noticing the waitress smiling and conversing with another behind the counter, occasionally looking over at him. After finishing his first Cajun meal, he took out his wallet and proceeded to the counter to pay.

How were the balls? the waitress asked, smiling.

Very hot actually, Knight replied. I guess I should have had the po’boy sandwich, he replied, returning the smile.

Knight withdrew his wallet and fumbled through the large stack of one-hundred-dollar bills.

You don’t appear to be a po’boy to me, the waitress teased, obviously noticing the wad of bills.

I’m not used to this kind of hot food, Knight replied, returning the smile. He proceeded to give her a very generous tip of which she immediately dropped her jaw.

Thank you so much, she said. That is very generous of you. My rent is due tomorrow, and this will give me enough to pay it.

You’re very welcome, Knight replied and, turning, made his way out of the restaurant to the elevator and on to his room.

Before entering, he picked up the newspaper that had been placed at the floor in front of his room door.

"The Advocate," Knight read aloud.

Looking back to the front, he read about the LSU Tigers football team and various issues currently perplexing the area. Finally getting to the front page, he read the headline.

Another Day, Another Disappearance: Local Law Enforcement Searching for Clues

Local officials are stymied, as another resident has gone missing in the already devastated area of Bayou Corne. According to Sheriff Tom T. Thibodaux, authorities are at another dead end in their search for yet another missing resident.

We don’t believe the subject is a victim of the sinkhole, Thibodaux told our reporter. The area has been completely roped off and has been patrolled by our deputies 24/7. But some of the locals refuse to leave, and we ain’t going in after ’em.

Thibodaux added, Right now we don’t know what has happened, but we continue to do our investigation, and the public is not in any danger.

The total number of missing residents the past year has increased to nine, with little progress being made.

The public is not in any danger. Knight laughed. "Seems to me that the public is in more danger than that hillbilly sheriff is saying.

Nine missing people in the past year without a clue is more than just coincidence, Knight whispered.

Putting the paper down, he made his way to the bathroom and cleaned up for the night. He climbed into bed and reached over to the nightstand and could not help but notice the empty space where in the past, the treasured cross, given to him by his grandmother, the Friar’s cross, that had saved him so many times in the past in his battle against evil, had always been put, just before he turned in for the night.

One always needs some kind of shield against the evil in life, because evil follows a person, especially Dr. Trevor Knight.

Fifty-one miles to the south, an evil presence was prowling the darkness of the bayou. An evil long thought sealed away in the darkness of the salt caverns that lay below the vanishing town of Bayou Corne.

Chapter 3

Stretching for a moment, Knight lay in the huge bed of the presidential suite. Rubbing his eyes, he could hear the housekeepers working on the floor below. The dim humming of the vacuums.

I better get up, he thought. Rising up, he proceeded to his morning routine and was soon dressed and ready for breakfast. Upon arriving at the hotel restaurant, he took a small table and reviewed the menu.

There has to be something on here that isn’t so darn hot, he thought, still not recovered from the boudin balls from his supper. Peering through the selections, he came upon a potential: Chicken Fried Steak and Eggs $11.95.

That looks like a good one, Knight thought and placed the menu down on the table.

Can I take your order, Dr. Knight? the smiling waitress asked, as she approached his table.

Knight recognized the young woman as the one who had taken his order the last evening and could not believe she was back for an early morning shift.

Why, thank you, Knight replied. How do you know my name?

My twin sister works here evenings, she replied. She described a very nice, good-looking man that gave her a marvelous tip last evening. Not a lot of folks that tip like that around here, and it didn’t take us long to figure out who was staying in the presidential suite.

Your twin sister, oh my. There’s two of you?

Yes, my name is Billy Jo, Billy Jo Barstule; and you met my twin sister, Bobby Jo, last evening.

Oh, of course, Knight replied, turning a bit red from embarrassment. I guess I am guilty. He smiled.

I will take the Chicken Fried Steak and Eggs.

And a cup of coffee please, Billy Jo.

Of course, the waitress replied. But you can call me BJ. She smiled