#feedbackloopofthebayou

From Chapter: Under Arrest

Raz’s shriek pierces my ears. It’s a sharp bite to the eardrums. I’ve never heard a man shriek like that unless he was into dominatrices...but that’s just sad. Sometimes old emotions and trauma resurface during those scenarios. 

In this case, Raz or Randall LaGrange, I should say, is a fragile and delicate man despite his outer appearance and current reputation. He is the son of a wealthy political family...which was secretly involved in a crime ring. You heard it straight from Officer Hennessey’s lips earlier. Again, there’s details I don’t know much about. I just know my job has been comprised as well as la coche here. Damn.

I just…the shriek…the whines…right now I wished Papa Earl taught his son better manners when dealing with the authorities or even Earl’s trophy wife, Magnolia. Now that woman’s got some manners. It’s a real shame. Raz is setting low standards for newbie Officer Hennessey here. 

I rub my chin and cheek again to see if I can careen my neck over to what’s happening with my client. This type of jurisdiction is out of my hands (literally). I am required to abide by the laws of the wonderful Sunshine State and recount company HR policies in this moment. I can’t because the entropy is breaking my focus. 

Believe it or not, this happens once or twice a year for other transporters like me. I laughed at the on the job training video when I saw it. Naive, I was. I never thought it would be me though. According to Helsun Agent Kayla, I possess a positive feedback record of 99.99% with clients. Dammit, it’s my job. Efficiency is everything.

The shriek of the banshee named Raz continued. I can’t. How long is it going to take for the drugs to wear off on a grown gentleman like Raz? Universe, why?

My eyelids slam shut. I forget a ragged homeless guy from the bayou is dragging ass over here to greet me. I swallow hard trying to find comfort in this bent over position I’m in. The only thing that consoles me is la coche; the only cool thing in this humid hell I agreed to be in by contract. Technically, it’s Helsun property, but they let me drive it and promise I can keep it as long as I do my part. The part that just failed an hour or two ago…thanks to a high speed chase down Alligator Alley which was not my fault. Promise.

I left one of the LaGrange’s estates in Miami at exactly 3:00PM EST. Baby, had to avoid the dreaded flight and flurries of rush hour. Destination is McLean Hospital in the beautiful state of Maryland. That’s where poor Raz is gonna go get mental health treatment. According to his dad, Papa Earl, his son has been “getting the spooks”. ‘The spooks!’

When the shrieking is over, I open my eyes. Ragged Man is gone. I don’t know if I want to hear whatever the hell he’s going to say, but whatever, he’s gone. Or is he?

Officer Hennessey is polite enough to tell me he’s going to assist his senior, Lieutenant Tatum. His hand leaves my back and almost slides down my middle back. I swear if it fucking did…I would have bucked him back. But, my work rep is on the line. I bite my lip.

“Ma’am stay right there and we’ll get you in a car to the station after we subdue Raz.” Officer Hennessey’s voice fades as his boots shuffle through the tall grass some paces ahead of me.

“It’s not bad. You’re right, a bar ain’t a good place to chat.” He was on a mission.

We walked up to this door sandwiched between two packed restaurants. I’ve seen this door, but I never cared to open it. I walked by it and thought it was attached to the other restaurants. For crying out loud, all the doors down this block looked the same, even the restaurants. The smells were different, but this...

His hand drifts from my waist and he takes my hand. With the other, he opens the door. The door led to some stairs that was dimly lit...by ivory candles. They were shielded by opaque glass sconces and danced as the door swung open. He makes his way inside and closed the door behind us before leading me up the stairs. 

“Need to keep the doors closed at all times so the breeze or wind doesn’t blow out the candles.” He says.

‘Where does this lead to?’

What is going on everyone? It’s a magical Friday and guess what? I got a lot of great feedback (lol) from family and some of my peers in the writer group I joined, so you know what that means!

Feedback Loop of the Bayou will get weekly updates every Wednesday (I will attempt to)! Woo! Some postings may be off schedule (school/work/life), but I will let you all know ahead of time.

Pinned down. Not in a good way either. The air was thick and humid. Gross actually. My clothes seemed to stick to my body as if it required reassurance against this situation we were in. The grease that accumulated on my coche reminded me where I was.

My face rested on the trunk of la coche as the disco lights of the car behind me flickered my favorite colors of red and blue.

I knew we were in deep shit. I don’t know why, but if they did a thorough search of the goods, Raz is gonna get hell. I’m just a transporter. I don’t question. I don’t pry.

The smell of motor fuel and tar fills my nostrils that it pinches me. My brows furrowed in disgust. I close my eyes and pretend this isn’t happening. Yet the memory of flickering red and blue comes back.

‘This is like the time your mama got pulled over for speeding down the highway to yer aunt’s haus.’ The thought crosses my mind. I tried shaking it out, but it was impossible. It continues its story.

‘Like mother like daughter.’

“No, I’m pretty sure it’s the other way around. Like mother like son.” The words slip out of my mouth like a car hydroplaning on the highway. Once I realize what I’ve done, Officer Hennessey is there.

“What’dya say miss?” He shines a light at me and I squint my poor little eyes as the beam of light hits my face. I can still see the outline of his physique behind me. The epitome of all young men. He’s new to the job and trying to assert his authority. This isn’t normal though. Poor fella.

No, this isn’t good. I’m sitting here in temporary holding and I hear Raz mumbling his way out of imprisonment. No. There’s no going back. He ain’t getting outta this one. Universe have mercy.

There’s silence accompanied by some cars passing by. Officer Hennessey’s light shies away from me. “Well Miss, you’re right, like mother like son. That’s what’s happening to yer Raz boy ov’r there.”

His figure becomes more clear. Did he just wink at me? His uniform is crisp and pristine navy canvas. No decorations yet, he’s new. The light in his hand shifts it’s focus.

From the corner of my eye, I see him flash his light in the direction of Raz who’s been dragged out of la coche.

“He ain’t my boy.” My voice came out cool like the body of my car. I don’t know why I’m so calm on the outside. I should be panicking.

“Hmph,” Officer Hennessey didn’t seem to understand I was just a transporter, “- you’re not in deep, but we’ll have to ask ya some questions back at the station.”

There’s a long pause as I turn my head back to the highway. There’s a person on the other side I didn’t see before. Ragged. Smiling a toothless smile. Looked like he crawled out of the bayou. I blinked a couple of times to make sure he was real.

Officer Hennessey speaks again. He’s not satisfied with my silence. Dear Universe, I know nothing of Raz. Just that he ain’t one to mess with or question.

“Ma’am you realize Raz is part of the criminal drug ring that was exposed last week? His whole family was in on it, even the nieces.”

‘Even the poor tainted nieces.’

“Nah.” My response was automatic as my eyes fixated on the individual across the road. He inches closer with every word that comes out of Officer Hennessey’s mouth.

“Hmm...”

My response was not received well. He still thinks I know, but I don’t. I just know there’s a stranger heading our way.

“Officer -“ I start, but then I hear the shriek of Raz several meters ahead of me.

This ain’t good.

https://open.spotify.com/track/5r5Lj2MkgwQJz6TaBdL865?si=PoHZN4nLQ22YsH-GoSB3fg