THE LOT: Repossession

“A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.” — Proverbs chapter 22, verse 3. For Thomas and Courtney White, the ledger did not open with a terrifying scream or a sudden, violent breach in the midnight dark. No, it opened with the turn of a lock and the inheritance of a dream home in the sun-drenched intoxication of the Carmel Valley escrow clearance. They believed a sprawling, mid-century modern architectural sanctuary nestled deep in the Santa Lucia foothills—backed by a solid portfolio and good bank standing—was an absolute shield against the haunts of everyday life. And in so much as everyday life, they were right. But the inheritance they took in, had nothing to do with life whatsoever. In this jurisdiction, their default was written the moment they gave themselves over to five of the seven deadly sins. Hidden deep within the property, behind the chained doors of a concrete outbuilding, sat a pristine, Aluminum Alloy-Bodied 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing—immaculate, silver, and holding an unnatural, pulsing warmth beneath its metal skin. The happy couple believed they had won an absolute lottery, an estate, a truly ‘unGodly’ amount of money, and a rarified chariot of steel. What they did not understand is that the lottery ticket they won would be paid for in blood. The ancient Bizango secret societies of the Haitian underground do not issue warnings, and they do not negotiate with banks. They simply collect the principal balance. Join us for the opening chapter of REPOSSESSION, and learn what happens when one’s appetite is bigger than one’s stomach. Stay in the light, or be swallowed by the shadows. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit markusmachado.substack.com