The Banshee by Henry P. Gravelle Read Free Book Online

clothing sending chills through his frightened body. He shivered with true fear. Darkness draped over the town. Crickets chirped, an owl hooted and an unholy shriek pierced the cool night air followed by a guttural scream. Then silence again engulfed the town.

Chapter Nine

    The pinball machine, pool table, and television were the means of entertainment at Kelly’s Bar. David was in deep concentration at the pinball machine, systematically glancing at the score and plastic flippers jumping and moving with electronic speed. The lights, bells, and buzzers flicked on and off as the stainless steel ball rolled uncontrolled over the games surface.
    Brian Kelly, wearing his traditional green apron with a light green shamrock in its center, stood behind the bar. The apron barely covered his two hundred and forty pound, six-foot-two frame. He watched a game show on television while his hands wiped clean beer mugs and shot glasses.
    Art Finley entered and leaned against the polished bar, “Heard about the Collins kid?”
    â€œNo, which one?” Kelly placed a frosty beer mug in front of Finley.
    â€œThe little girl, police think she’s lost or followed an animal somewhere.”
    â€œFollowed an animal?”
    Finley took a long swallow, almost emptying the mug before setting it back on the bar. He then began to relate his story of the missing child, beginning where the kids heard a noise by the river. Then he spotted David at the pinball machine. He left Kelly to join the stranger.
    â€œYou look familiar,” Finley said.
    David kept his eyes on the game. “David Raferty, Doc Raferty’s nephew.”
    â€œI thought I recognized you. I meet you the last time you came to Wexford. Let’s see, must be at least…”
    He glanced at Finley and struggled to remember their other encounter. He could not place him.
    â€œI don’t remember. I was younger, I guess.” David’s fingers pounded the flipper button, sending the pinball on a scoring binge.
    â€œThat long? Seems like yesterday. I’ve known your Uncle since childhood. Why I remember a time when…”
    â€œArt’s better known for his knack of bothering folks. Come on over and have one on the house,” laughed Kelly.
    â€œJust arrived?” Finley sided up to the bar seeking a free drink also.
    â€œThought I’d get a beer before I went over to my Uncle’s,” David said, avoiding eye contact with Finley. He did not care for the man, he was annoying and nosey and appeared to be someone in need of pleasing others but afraid of people in general.
    He thought Finley an odd duck, with balding scalp offset by thick, bushy eyebrows lying like hairy caterpillars above deep eyes. His lips did not seem to move when he spoke, but a gruff voice came from his throat that commanded attention, which he obviously avoided.
    It was not long before a white-haired man entered Kelly’s wearing chinos, sneakers and a black polo shirt. He stopped inside the doorway, allowing his eyes to adjust to the illumination of the dimly lit room and spotted David at the bar.
    â€œDavid,” the man happily exclaimed, walking toward him with his hand extended. David stood from the stool and greeted his Uncle with a hug, then shook hands.
    â€œGood to see you, Uncle,” David said. “You look like you’ve been taking care of yourself.”
    â€œI keep active, watch the diet.” He held David at arm’s length, scanning his nephew from head to toe. “You’ve sprouted since I last laid eyes on you. It’s good to see you…and David, please call me Carl.”
    â€œOkay…Carl. Can I get you a drink?”
    â€œThat’s why I came here, wet my whistle,” Carl smiled.
    â€œComing right up,” remarked Kelly before anyone could order.
    â€œI see you’ve met Art Finley.” Carl nodded toward the man sitting beside him.
    â€œIt seems we’ve met before,”