Ash Return of the Beast

CHAPTER 34



The Next Day…

Finding out where Cowl lived had not been difficult. A simple Google search turned up hundreds of fan sites and celebrity articles about the band and it’s charismatic leader. Harlan jotted down the address and typed it into Google Earth for driving directions. It was while he was printing out the directions that he realized the one thing he’d overlooked. A delivery truck. Purchasing a mock UPS uniform, a pair of fake glasses and a mustache from the costume and display store had been easy. Looking into the mirror, he adjusted the glasses and patted the mustache. His own son wouldn’t have recognized him. He barely recognized himself. But the truck. Could he just show up at Cowl’s door without a truck parked on the street? Would anyone notice? Probably not. Besides, what choice did he have?

That afternoon, in full disguise, he drove past Cowl’s home and parked the car around the corner. He’d rehearsed the scenario in his mind a dozen times. The neighborhood was quiet, not a soul on the streets. It was perfect. The empty shoebox on the seat next to him was wrapped in brown paper. Cowl’s name and address were printed boldly on top in black Sharpie. The bottom of the box was cut out. He picked up the box and stepped out of the air-conditioned car into an oven. He couldn’t remember a summer in Seattle ever being this hot. He winced as the glare off the hood of the car momentarily blinded him. He ducked back inside the car and grabbed a pair of sunglasses from the visor. He tossed his fake glasses into the car, put on the sunglasses, then straightened his uniform and started the short walk toward the old mansion.



CHAPTER 35



Three Minutes Earlier…

Cowl looked at the caller I.D. It was Jason. He picked up the phone.

“Yeah, Jase. What is it? I’m kinda busy here. … What? Why? The concert in Frisco isn’t for another week. Why do we need a rehearsal? ... I don’t care. … Like I said, I’m busy. If you guys want to rehearse, go ahead. … What? … Oh, for Christ’s sake. Okay! Jesus. … Yeah. … No, not here. Why not your place? … Well, then Rick’s place. … Oh, all right. … Yeah, okay, we can do it here. … Tonight? Um… All right. Yeah. Nine o’clock. … Okay, yeah. See ya.”

Ah, good! A little music to liven up the place.

Cowl spun around and hissed. “Get the hell out of my head, will you? Just for one goddamn minute, leave me the f*ck alone!”

Oh, I’m sorry, but it’s way too late for that.

“F*ck you!”

F*ck me? You’re the one who wanted all this. Remember? Your ‘Someday’? Now, why don’t you just light up a reefer and relax. We’ve got a band rehearsal tonight and, personally, I’m quite looking forward to it.