Punch’s Cousin, Chapter 326

Charles knocked on Marie Laveau’s door and stiffened his back as he waited for it to open.
A burly, older man with leathery dark skin opened the door and frowned. “What?”

“I’m here to see Marie.” Charles answered as bravely as he could.

“She ain’t here.” The man barked.

“Where is she?” Charles asked.

“Ain’t gonna tell ya that.” The man laughed.

“I think you will,” Charles replied, withdrawing the gun from his pocket.

The man laughed. “Boy, you don’t know what you’re doin’.”

At that very moment, Mr. Punch picked up his puppet and curled up in front of the parlor fire with Toby. He looked helplessly at Robert and Marjani.

“None of this makes no sense,” Punch said softly. “Even if Marie is gonna have a baby, how will that be any trouble for us. Now, I don’t know much ‘bout how these things work, but don’t it take a while for a baby to come—like a year or somethin’?”

“Not quite a year,” Robert smiled.

“Well, then, if we leave tomorrow, she ain’t gonna have no baby ‘til far after we’re back in England. And, even if she had it tomorrow, I don’t think a baby is gonna do much to stop us from leavin’. From what I’ve seen of babies, they don’t do much of anything ‘cept make messes and gurgle.”

“You do have a valid point,” Robert nodded.

“If you look at it like it’s a regular baby.” Marjani replied. “But, it’s not the baby that’s the problem. It’s Marie. With this child inside of her, she got all the strength of the child itself. IF it is a child born of pure evil, that means that Marie’s power is all the stronger.”

“I’m sorry, Marjani, but as a physician, it’s difficult for me to believe any of that.” Robert replied.

“I know you’re a man of science,” Marjani nodded. “But, can you explain why I been able to send you messages and thoughts with just my mind? Can you tell me why you—like I done—know things before they happen? Sir, you done seen things these last few weeks that don’t got no explanation in your medical mind, yet, you know that they are all as true and real as I am standin’ here right before you.”

Robert nodded slowly.

“Well, then, we just gotta stay as far away from Marie as we can until we leave tomorrow.” Punch answered quickly.

“I agree.” Robert sighed.

“That might be easier said than done.” Marjani looked toward the front front door nervously.

“What is it?” Robert asked.

“I think evil is lurkin’ on our doorstep.” Marjani replied.



Did you miss Chapters 1-325? If so, you can read them here.