Falling

Twenty One (Surprise!)

She handed the taxi man money for the ride and a few extra coins for a grateful tip. She'd left Boss Man's bar early before anyone would be up and notice her leaving.

There wasn't a line in front of the Kitchen this early and the two metal doors were still pulled down and locked. The sidewalk was empty and a ghostly silence washed across the two metal doors guarding the treasure that would be later handed out to a hungry lineup of women and children.

A closed hand pounded on the human-sized door, windowless and guarding, stating clearly—Staff Only entrance.

A seething rush of fear was powering the racket her clambering fists were unleashing on the metal door.

"What's all the noise about?" She hears Toby yell at the door.

He pushes the lock button and opens the door. "What's happen'n?"

"Mary, where's Mary!"

A frightful look is pull'n at Lyla's face.

"In the back." I points my hand an' she storms past me, like a heavy wind hell bent to stir some-thin up.

"Mary! Mary!"

I looks back over my shoulder an' sees her storm'n forward. I be brace'n my body against a stack a heavy boxes incase she be nee—din a stop'n.

"What's got into you, girl?"

"I know where he is!"

The words be rush'n out a her like a big wave of ocean.

"Who?"

"Sam!"

Her eyes is open wide an' her face is all bounce'n cheeks an' twist'n lips.

"Where...Who?"

"Papa Legba!"

Now, that name be send'n a chill'n through my body. "Papa Legba?"

"Do you know who he is?"

"I never had a want'n to make a meet'n with 'im. But I's heard enough stories ta convince me I don't want to be lay'n my eyes on his like!"

"Who is he?"

Lyla's face is fix'n around plead'n eyes.

"A witch! An' he be good at put'n curses over people!"

Lyla's eyes be drop'n to the floor an' than, up, like she be search'n inside my head.

"We have to get him out of where ever they've got him!"

"You just be wait'n a minute, girl." I puts my arm around her shoulder.

"Let's just be have'n a seat over here an' talk this out." I tries to calm her down with a soft'n of my voice.

We lowers our bodies into a couple of chairs around my desk, which be always wait'n in the corner for me.

"What you know about all this?" I looks into her eyes an' try to push a bit of care'n her way.

"Yesterday this note arrives! It says for Boss Man to meet this Papa Legba today...at noon...in front of the Market. And... he's got the Boss Man's boys!"

She's stare'n real strong into my eyes, hope'n I have some answers I guess.

"Well..."I let my brain do some ponder'n..."We could do some snoop'n around...I s'pose."

"Okay. It's ten o'clock now. So let's get going!"

"I s'pose they'll be busy with their meet'n...give'n us time to do some snoop'n."