Fear the Wicked (Illusions Series Book 2)(42)
“What should we do about this, Father? What can be done?”
I shrugged again and played the resigned priest who saw no other option but the standard: Prayer to God. The useless hope that a man who sat in the Heavens would find it within himself to look out for our lives. “I guess we can keep praying…” My voice lowered before finishing the statement. “Or perhaps we can find another way to fight.”
“I say we kill them all,” the Sheriff replied. “I say we end this shit now, and hopefully God will find it within himself to return his blessings to us for the war we fight in his name. Gentry isn’t the only man facing losing everything he owns. The problem is widespread. The fields have gone barren and the banks are trying to kick us out of our homes. People are desperate and struggling, fearful and withdrawn. Surely you’ve noticed the despair in your parish? So who are we supposed to turn to? The government?” He barked out a humorless laugh. “They aren’t any help. So, perhaps you’re right. Perhaps we should be taking this into our own hands.”
Nodding my head, I silently agreed. Although my expression and posture were solemn, inside I was dancing. This son of a bitch was leading me down the path I wanted him to go, and I didn’t have to do anything but follow.
Quietly clearing my throat, I sat forward and made eye contact with both Gentry and his brother. “I’m at a loss as to what can be done. I’m sure you both understand. My occupation in life ties my hands. I don’t see how I can be of assistance other than to offer my sermons and prayers.”
“How about giving us use of your compound? How about helping us exorcise these demons so we can send them straight to Hell? You have power in that area, don’t you? You are a hand of God, are you not?”
Hesitantly, I answered, “I am, but –“
“But nothing. You are a representative of God’s power. You are a holy man and, as such, you can help us in this. The compound is so far out of the way that nobody would know what’s going on. And with the woods surrounding it, nobody would figure it out. There’s not a single home or farm within several miles.”
My eyes narrowed as I continued to play the part of the humble priest. “What, exactly, are you suggesting, Sheriff Holmes?”
He pinned me beneath his intense gaze. “I’m suggesting we exterminate the evil.”
I sat back in my chair and steepled my fingers at my chin. Giving the matter some thought, my lips pulled into a tight line as I darted my focus between the two brothers. Where Gentry looked frightened by the conversation, Sheriff Holmes looked resolute. It wasn’t difficult to determine which one between the two was the strongest brother.
“Are you saying we should, what? Hunt people down on the streets? Abduct them and take them back to the compound to determine whether or not they’ve been infected by evil?”
Please be saying that….please!
“No, I’m not suggesting we abduct people…”
Damn…
“I have an idea that’s even better. Being the Sheriff, I have access to all the criminals that are leaking their evil into our streets. I say we take them to the compound to find out whether their souls can be saved, or whether they need to be extinguished to keep their evil from spreading.”
My brows shot up my forehead and it was difficult as hell to keep a smile from stretching my lips. I’d hoped for taking a few unfortunate people off the streets, but by the sound of it, Sheriff Holmes’ idea was even better. I couldn’t get too excited. I still needed them to believe I was on the fence with their idea. It wouldn’t be too fitting of a priest to be excited about bloodshed and death.
“You’ll have to excuse me for my ignorance on this, Sheriff, but how would you remove criminals from jail without their absence being noticed?”
The Sheriff smiled. “If they never make it to the jail in the first place, how would anybody know they’re missing?”
My lip twitched, but I forced my expression back into a blank expression. I had to keep up appearances, had to pretend I’d objected to this idea. In truth, I was fighting the desire to jump from my chair, reach across the desk, and pull this big bastard in for a tight hug. Where I’d hoped he would simply turn his head to a few odd occurrences throughout town, he’d gone a step further and offered to deliver the evil I wanted directly to my door.
What more could a sadist ask for?
Schooling my features, I drummed my fingers against the surface of the desk, my eyes casting up toward the crucifix on the wall. The time and silence gave me the appearance of a man who was in doubt with the suggestion being offered, but what they didn’t understand was that I’d already accepted the offer, and I was using the time to figure out exactly how I could use it to my benefit.
My gaze returned to the Sheriff. I held his stare for several seconds before asking, “Will I be given the opportunity to talk to these people? Will I be allowed to determine if they can be saved before we decide on more drastic measures in how they should be handled? I don’t want to make a mistake and condemn a man who could be led to God’s holy light.”
The Sheriff exchanged another glance with his brother before returning his attention back to me. “I’m sure that can be arranged, Father. But, some of these individuals are violent men. I want to ensure your safety while we evaluate them. Gentry told me you have a cage in which the criminals could be held.”