The Devil's Belt Vengeance Is Mine Read online

  The Devil’s Belt

  Vengeance Is Mine

  I’d like to dedicate this Book to my Wife and Soul mate Sandra

  It is through her hard work of editing, and book cover design this is now a published work. Love you Sweetheart!

  The Devil’s Belt

  Vengeance Is Mine

  by

  Garry E. Lewis

  Copyright © 2011 by Garry E. Lewis

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission.

  First Edition: February (2011)

  Printed in the United States of America

  ISBN: 146101834X

  ISBN: 9781461018346

  Chapter 1

  It’s a hot sultry night as Professor Devine leaves the university and heads for the campus parking lot. He unlocks his

  CJ7 and climbs into the driver’s seat tossing his brief case into the passenger seat. Starting his Jeep he pulls out of the parking lot onto the main road.

  As he heads down the dark familiar winding road towards home he thinks about what he’d like for supper and pulls into the local fast food restaurant and orders a double cheese burger, order of fries and a soda.

  He pulls back onto the road and continues his drive for home eating his sandwich and fries as he drives. He finishes his soda as he pulls into his drive way, parking his Jeep in the garage he shuts off the engine and heads up the steps to the door.

  Unlocking the door he heads for the kitchen and walks over to the refrigerator and pulls out a cold beer. Popping the tab he heads for his den and sits down. As the phone rings he picks it up and hears a voice on the other end say, “Uncle Richard?”

  “Yes” Richard answers.

  “It’s me, Jamie.”

  “Hey Jamie, how have you been?” Richard asks.

  “I guess ok. What I called about Uncle Richard is, I’m

  concerned about my roommate Donald.”

  “What’s wrong?” Richard asks.

  “Well it’s just that I’ve really been a concern about him, as he has been acting so strange lately.”

  “How do you mean?” Richard asks.

  Jamie says, “Well he’s been keeping weird hours and he sleeps in late, usually out till the early morning hours. When he comes in he looks as though he has just finished running a

  marathon race, all sweaty and he has scratches all over his arms and legs like he’s been running through a briar patch or something. It just isn’t like him, and he hardly ever takes a shower anymore and he comes in some mornings smelling like a dead animal or something. When I try to question him about his behavior he becomes very defensive and tells me to mind my own damn business! Uncle Richard, I’m really worried about him.”

  “Well Jamie, he is old enough to come and go as he pleases. If he keeps late hours and misses a class that’s really not your problem it’s his.” Richard says. “Maybe he’s going through

  some personal issues right now, maybe you should just back off and give him a little space. Hell we all have bad days; I have them from time to time we all do.” Richard asks, “He hasn’t got involved with drugs has he?”

  “Donald?” Jamie says. No way! “He’s your typical college

  geek; he’d never mess with drugs. I mean he has changed, he’s not the meek and mild Donald he used to be that’s for sure.” Jamie says.

  “So what does this have to do with me?” Richard asks.

  “Well Uncle Richard,” Jamie says, “I knew you had done some counseling in the past, I thought maybe you could come down over the weekend and maybe talk to Donald. See if you can

  find out what’s troubling him and why he has been acting so strange lately.”

  Richard says, “Oh Jamie, I don’t think that would be a good idea. I don’t even know this kid, and it’s really none of our

  business. Hell Jamie, maybe he’s just having some relationship

  problems or something, I’m sure you’re over reacting.”

  Jamie says, “Well maybe your right Uncle Richard, maybe I am just a little paranoid. Guess you think I’m pretty silly don’t you?”

  “No Jamie, I don’t think you’re silly. Maybe just a little overly protective is all.” Richard says. “You take care of yourself Jamie and if things don’t improve for your buddy call me back in a few days maybe then I’ll think about making a short visit.”

  “Ok Uncle Richard, thank you.” Jamie says, “Talk to you later,” As he hangs up the phone.

  Richard leans back in his chair taking a long slow sip of beer and smiles thinking, that kid is something else. Richard looks at his watch and seeing the time gets up and heads for the bedroom. Getting undressed Richard climbs into bed and is soon fast asleep.

  Morning comes and Richard gets out of bed. Scratching his

  rear he heads for the bathroom. Looking in the mirror he sticks out his tongue, rubs his whiskers, and picks up his tooth brush and brushes his teeth. He then walks over to the tub and shower and starts running his shower water. Checking the temperature he climbs in, the water feels warm and inviting as he washes his hair and body.

  He steps out of the shower drying off when he hears the phone ringing and heads for his bedroom and answers the phone.

  “Richard, it’s me Jessie, I’m sorry to bother you so early in the morning but I was wondering if you’d heard from Jamie lately?”

  Richard says, “Why yes, in fact we talked on the phone just

  last night, why?”

  “Well, the college called and said he missed a big test today

  and they wondered if he had some kind of an emergency at home or something.” Jessie said. “I told them no, last I knew he was at the college.”

  Richard says, “I see. Well he was concerned about his roommate last night when he called, said he’d been acting odd lately. I wonder if that has something to do with him missing class?”

  Jessie says, “I just don’t know, it’s not like Jamie to miss a

  test. He’s very much into college and he loves his classes and classmates as well as his teachers. I’m just a little concerned is all. No actually I’m very concerned, promise me if he calls you today you’ll let me know.”

  “Sure,” Richard says, “you bet. Now just try to calm down and relax, you’ll probably be getting a call anytime from the college letting you know he’s ok.”

  “Thanks Richard.” Jessie says.

  “Don’t mention it.” Richard responds, “I’ll talk to you later. If you hear from Jamie let me know as well.”

  “I will Richard,” Jessie says, As she hangs up the phone.

  Richard gets dressed and goes over in his mind the conversation he and Jamie had last night. I just don’t recall Jamie saying anything about missing class Richard thinks to himself. Damn, I hope

  nothing bad has happened to him, sounded like his roommate was getting pretty pissed off at Jamie. Richard picks up the phone and calls Jamie but gets only his voicemail and hangs up. With that

  Richard puts Jamie out of his thoughts for the time being, and heads out to his Jeep.

  Starting the engine he backs out of the garage and onto the road and heads into town. As he drives down the road Bad Moon Rising comes on the radio, sung by a well known group.

  He suddenly pulls off to the shoulder and stops his Jeep. A cold chill suddenly comes over him as he reflects back to a time, not long ago, that he got involved with a cursed object called the Devil’s Wolf Strap. Then he remembers Jamie’s words regarding his roommates behavior, and how he came in with scratches all over his arms and legs looking as though he’d run a marathon race.

  Richard thinks to hims
elf, my God you don’t think Jamie’s

  roommate is a Werewolf? No, Richard thinks, now who’s paranoid? But I think I should touch base with Jessie when I get to

  the college, call her see if she has found anything out yet regarding Jamie. Richard pulls his Jeep back onto the road and heads for the

  university.

  It isn’t long before Richard pulls into the university parking lot, shuts off his Jeep and heads for his office.

  Once inside he heads for his desk picks up the phone and calls Jessie. After several rings Jessie’s answering machine comes on and states that she will be away for awhile as she’s heading for Louisiana, but states she can be reached on her cell phone. Richard hangs up checks his address book and locates Jessie’s cell phone number and calls her but gets only her voice mail. So he leaves a message for her to call him and hangs up.

  Leaning back in his chair he wonders why she didn’t answer. Finally reasoning that she most likely had stop for fuel or

  to catch a bite to eat, or maybe she just didn’t have her phone on her right now.

  Richard gets up and heads to his classroom where his students are waiting for him. Richard enters and says, “Well class, are you ready to explore the mysteries of old Ireland the Emerald Isle?”

  The class responds, “Yes!”

  “Good,” Richard says, “let’s get started. Who wants to start this morning?” Richard asks. Hands all rise. “Hey now, one at a time here,” Richard says. “Joanne, you start us off, what research have you found on the mysteries or legends of Ireland?”

  “Well professor, one story really intrigued me about a haunted pub and a past owner who decide to stay around after he died and haunt the place and its customers.” Joanne says. “Its past owner is said to be a rather dirty old man that likes to pinch the girl’s asses when they enter the pub.” With that the class lets out a roar of laughter. Joanne blushes and says, “Well that’s what the web sight had to say about it.”

  As the class comes to an end the professor reminds them of

  the upcoming test, regarding Ireland the haunted isle. Richard says, “I want you to each to be able tell of five different cases and what the researchers have found out about these hauntings and rather they have been debunked or not.” Richard yells as the bell rings, “Have a nice weekend and be safe!” He begins putting his study

  materials into his brief case; he turns off the classroom light and heads for the parking lot.

  Sliding into the driver’s seat of his Jeep he places his brief case on the passenger seat next to him, starts his Jeep and pulls out of the campus parking lot onto the main road. He remembers he

  has date with Susie tonight and that he needs to get home and take a good hot shower.

  Passing by a video rental store he pulls in, shuts off his Jeep and runs inside. Picking out several movies he pays for them

  and returns to his Jeep. Starting his Jeep he pulls back onto the road and heads for home.

  As he drive along he thinks to himself, I think we’ll just throw in some pizzas and watch some movies in front of the fireplace tonight that sounds pretty good. Richard smiles thinking and then just let nature take its course.

  He soon pulls into his garage, shutting off his Jeep heads for the back door of his house unlocks it and goes inside.

  Once inside he hears the phone ringing and heads to his den

  to answer it. He hurries to answer it but the answering machine picks up and a familiar voice on the machine sends chills down

  Richard’s spine. “Greetings Mr. Devine, it’s been rather hot and

  humid lately has it not? Well you haven’t seen anything yet!” The phone goes dead.

  Richard hears a knock at the door that makes him jump. He

  goes to the door and then walking over to the window peeks through the curtains to see who it is and there Susie stands flashing one of her breasts at him and winking. Richard smiles and thinks, boy sometimes I think I have more woman then I can handle.

  He opens the door and Susie leaps into his arms and plants her tongue in his mouth and gives him a long warm French kiss. She then asks, “What’s for supper I’m starving lover?”

  Richard, catching his breath, says, “It’s good seeing you too Susie.”

  Susie takes off walking through the house stripping off her clothes as she does until she’s down to a pair of panties and a white

  t-shirt. Richard smiles and says, “Just make yourself at home sweetheart.”

  Susie says, “I always do!”

  Richard says, “You’re something else doll!”

  Susie says, “I know.” She comes out of the kitchen with two glasses of wine and hands one to Richard. Richard sets it down on the fire place mantel and bends down lighting the fireplace. Then turns, picks up his wine glass and clinks it against Susie’s and says, “Cheers!”

  They lie down on the blanket in front of the fireplace and

  begin making out. It isn’t long before the oven timer goes off and Richard jumps up and says, “Pizzas done!”

  “Good,” says Susie, “I’m starving!” Susie continues saying,

  “You bad boy, you wore me out!”

  Richard says, “Excuse me, I think you have that backwards

  young lady.” Susie blushes and giggles.

  Richard soon returns with two plates of pizza wedges and they sit and eat pizza as Richard reaches over and pops in a movie.

  As they sit eating pizza and watching the movie Richard tells Susie about the weird phone message on his machine when he got home this evening. Susie asks, “Who was it?”

  Richard says, “Well that’s the strange thing about it, I’m not really sure, but the voice sure sounded familiar and it sent chills down my spine when I heard it.”

  “Probably just a prank caller Richard,” Susie says.

  “You’re probably right.” Richard says, “Just some silly

  students playing tricks on me.”

  Richard continues telling Susie about the strange call from

  his nephew Jamie and about the following call from Jessie, his sister, the following morning. “I may need to take a road trip

  down to New Orleans and check on him.”

  Susie asks, “Can I come?”

  “I don’t know Susie, what if something’s wrong; I don’t want to place you in any danger.” Richard replies.

  Susie asks, “What do you mean danger?”

  “Well,” Richard says, “you know how it is when I get one

  of my weird feelings. They usually turn out to be for a good reason, and I certainly have that type feeling about this trip.

  Remember the last time I had one of these feelings?”

  “Yes, and if I remember right,” says Susie, “I saved your ass several times!”

  “Yes I know,” Richard says, “you can certainly take care of

  your self that’s for sure!”

  After that Susie says, “That settles it, I’m coming along with you.”

  “Well,” Richard says, “let me make some more calls first

  and then if things don’t jive then we’ll pack up and head down there.”

  Susie says, “You promise you’ll let me come along?”

  “Yes, I promise,” Richard says. “I won’t go without you.

  Now lets finish our movie, then you young lady will have to

  leave as I have an early morning.”

  “Oh you’re such a party pooper.” Susie says.

  Richard responds, “I just know if you stay the night I won’t

  get any rest.”

  Susie giggles and says, “You’re probably right. Ok, I’ll go but not until the movie’s over.”

  Richard responds, “You got a deal!”

  The movie soon comes to and end and Richard walks Susie

  out to her car and gives her a long kiss. She gets in her car and pulls away honking as she drives off. Richard watches her till she’s out of sight and then turns and heads back into the house.


  Richard enters his house, locks the doors, and picks up the

  dishes from the living room and takes them to the kitchen sink.

  Then he heads for his bedroom. Undressing he climbs into bed,

  rolling over he sets his alarm clock, he reflects upon his evening

  with Susie. Smiling he rolls over and is soon fast asleep.

  He awakens in the middle of the night, turning on his table

  lamp he pulls the bed side dresser drawer open and pulls out an address book. Picking up the phone he calls his sister Jessie.

  This time she answers, “Hello, Richard, are you ok?”

  “Sorry to wake you sis, but I tried to reach you all day today and couldn’t get through. I was starting to get worried.”

  Jessie says, “Yes I know, I lost my cell phone and had to go

  back and retrace my steps. By time I found it the battery was low so I stuck in on the charger. I’m sorry to have worried you Richard.”

  “Well,” Richard says, “as long as you’re ok. How’s the

  weather down there?”

  “Hot and humid as hell, the insects are terrible down here.”

  Jessie says.

  “Have you made contact with Jamie yet?”

  “Yes, I was able to reach him by phone finally, but he is

  acting odd. Told me that he was ok and that I should just go back

  home.” Jessie continues, “I don’t know what to think Richard, I’m sorry to have bothered you with this. I’m just going to head back home tomorrow I guess.”

  Richard asks, “Well Jessie, did he at least explain why he had missed class the other day?”

  “Only that he and his classmate had gone on some road trip and that he had made the test up and everything was fine.” Jessie says, “He just acts, I don’t know, different some how. Well thanks for your concern Richard, like I said I’m heading back home this evening or in the morning, I have to get back to work.”