The Serpent and the Crow

Book 2: Chapter Fifteen

Douglas looked in the rear-view mirror, studying Elmer recite something under his breath. It was strange. When the work truck went over a bump, as the large man would smack his head on the ceiling. Douglas saw that the road was excessive and hidden from helicopters. It was a perilous journey. Douglas figured out it was an access road to smuggle moonshine during the prohibition era. Detective Cortez clutched the handgrips, trying not to glance at the steep ravine they were climbing down.

"It's a long way up," She said, "What were you doing up here?"

Elmer continued to repeat some sort of lullaby to soothe his mind.

Douglas said, "Elmer, are you okay there?"

Elmer wiped the spittle foaming from his mouth, snapping out of his trance-like state.

"You ask Elmer something, boss?"

"She asked what you were doing up here?"

"Hunting the Emerald Eye."

"The Emerald Eye?"

"That's what he told Elmer to search for, the Emerald Eye."

Cortez said, "Who told you to watch for the Emerald Eye, Precious?"

"The Man that keeps all-sorts, Boss."

"I'm speculating by the logo on your back you work for Doctor Wayne Ray Lee."

"Your a mighty good guesser, Boss."

"I met him down at Trepidation."

"Yes sir, that's the place. Sure as. Where he keeps all-sorts."

"So, who's your pal?"

"Who, Boss?"

"The man you found. Does he work with you too?"

"Jimmy-Bob. I'm afraid that's all I know. He was new. Doctor Ray-Ray said he would drive us up here to go seeking the Emerald Eye."

"Do you know what happened? Jimmy-Bob is pretty beat up, Elmer. "

"I discovered him like that, Boss," Elmer said, "The Emerald Eye got him."

Doug guessed that whatever the Emerald Eye was; it was big. If one could accept whatever Elmer was saying. He would often forget what he said or repeat what he said to answer unrelated questions. It was clear they would not get far with Elmer. Douglas picked up the radio.

Cortez said, "what are you doing?"

"The good doctor can let us know what is going on."