LEDGENDS
The name is Smith, George Smith. The year? 1953. And me? I am a private investigator. I specialize in the supernatural. I thought I had seen it all; Dounnes luring young children into the forest, spirits trying to take victims into the afterlife, prominent businessmen disappearing after a leisurely day at the river. I thought I had seen it all. Until one day I got a case that made me consider getting out of the PI job for good.
It all started a month ago. Vera-Mae, the butcher's wife came to my office for her son. Smitty Williams. According to his mother Smit and his jejune girlfriend went to th village's weekly jamboree. " I told him not to be careful, this was the first time they'd gone by themselves. They are only sixteen years old and I was so jittery and nervous. And look what happened. A mother always knows when something bad is about to happen.It is intui-
" Cut to the chase Mrs. Williams" I said, my tone brusqe
"Oh sorry" she whispered her bronze skin flushed with chagrin
" Viola, his girlfriend, told me that they had an argument because Smitty was fawning over some girl. Anyway, he left Viola at the dance to walk that girl home and he has not returned home since."
I failed to see the relevence, some boys are known to return home the morning after and the dance was just yesterday.
She looked at my bewildered expression and understood. " It was last week's dance" I finally understood. Smitty was missing. " Soooooooooo," I stretched the word, "I can offer my condolences but that is about all that I can offer. Unless....." I pondered "Do you think it is supernatural" "No. Viola does" "Can you get her to see me as soon as possible" I asked urgently "She's just outside. I'll get her for you" She smiled, a thin brittle smile . As I watched Vera leave my office, I wondered why did this case sound so familiar.
Just then Viola entered my office. Mrs. Williams described her as jejune, but she was far from that. She was epitome of pure beauty. She was Junoesque. Her clothes, which I barely noticed hung on her slender frame. Most of her body was hidden like a true lady. Her honey coloured skin visible because of her face, neck, arms and feet, Her piercing eyes were hazel, she had a cute little button nose and lips so beautiful it looked like Rembrandt had painted it on himself. Her beauty wasn't even marred by the look of distress on her beautiful face. She gracefully sat on one of the two mahogany chairs opposite me and my table. Viola unequivocally gave Mrs. Williams a warning glance as she casually exited my office.
"Now Ms. Paul- "Call me Vi" She interrupted "Vi, why do you think this is super natural. I sympathize but it sounds like Smitty has gone missing or he took off with the girl from the dance. "It is. Supernatural I mean. At first I thought it was Smitty's usual coquetry, but the crux of the evening was when he left to carry her home. It reminded me of a folklore story I heard growing up. " A story" I prompted. "A story of a woman in a petit coated skirt with fluffy sleeved blouse a large hat and a fan" she answered bleakly. "The story of a woman who lures unsuspecting men, into the forest and leaves them to their death." Her voice broke on the last word. " The story of The Devil Woman"
I gasped. Everything finally became clear. "The La Diablesse" I frowned. I also remembered this story from when I was a child. Our village in Piparo had many forests. This was definatley going to be difficult. As I glanced up at Viola's calculated expression, I know the same thought flowed through her mind as well.After a few more questions she and Mrs.Williams left. I began my search
Dazed and disoriented, I stumbled into my car. That was surely the eighth forest I'd searched for the day. It felt like I'd searched around the worl and back and I still could not find him. Though I never really expected to find him today, but there was no harm in trying, just less forests for me to search tomorrow. I pulled over and parked my car at the side of the road. Warily, I started into the forest. It was an uneventful trip, so I decided- when I got too deep into the forest- to turn back . CRICK! CRACK! SNAP! I froze at the sound of feet stepping on twigs and sticks. I slowly turned , my hand on my gun. From the ledgends Smitty was surley dead. I thought I was looking for a corpse.
A boy stumbled through the wild branches and moss and fainted at my feet. He was tall, gangly and pale. He looked starved and his face was gaunt. "Smitty?" I asked. He mumbled something unintelligibly. The only words I could decipher from his feeble rant was " Cow feet. Gorgeous Corpse"
When Smitty awoke he was comfortable in his bed, at his home, surrounded by his family and his girlfriend. As he blinked his eyes, his parents squeezed him in a bear hug and Viola squealed like a twelve year old girl. As he related his story to her family, I silently left his room. I already knew his story. You don't have to be a genius to figure it out,well if you know the ledgends. She put him under a spell. She tricked him and lured him deep, very deep into the forest. He was supposed to stumble aruond until he fell into a ravine to her death or was eaten by wild hogs. I don't know how Smitty escaped. I pondered on this as I was unlocking the Williams' gate. I paused as I saw Viola, bright-faced, running out of the house with an envelope in her hand.
She handed me the envelope and said " Your fee." She smiled. I handed her back the envelope and said "It's on the house" I said my voice monotone. I left the Williams' yard and got into my car, leaving a bewildered Viola in the yard still holding out the envelope. As I drove into the night I whispered, " Someday, Devil Woman, Someday you will get what you deserve."
