Page 49 of So Deranged

“And one day, Carl, I will have the same comfort you have.I will join you around the throne of God, and I will worship the Savior with you and the others I’ve delivered into His hands.”

He looked up at the sky and lifted his hands, breathing deeply of the cool, sweet air of the wilderness while he gazed at the stars.The moon was new tonight, and the colors of the cosmos flamed brilliantly: blue, red, yellow, and bright white.

The words of the prophet Daniel came to his mind.And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.

He took another deep breath, then reached for his shovel.He had just scooped the first load of dirt when he heard a noise.He frowned.It sounded like a dog barking.

The pounding of footfalls followed that.The minister looked through the willows and saw a flashlight approaching.A moment later, he heard the dog bark again.

For a brief moment, Satan whispered in his ear.He could take the shovel, wait for the dog and smite it, then flee the officer of the law behind the flashlight.

But the Holy Spirit whispered again, echoing the words told the angel of pestilence when God smote the Israelites for King David’s pride.It is enough.Stay now thine hand.

The minister lowered his shovel and raised his hands.The dog stopped in front of him, snarling and barking.The officer followed, commanding the minister to get on the ground and spread his hands wide.

The minister complied, offering a prayer as he did so.Not my will, but thine be done.

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

“On the fucking ground!”Faith snarled.

“There’s no need to swear,” the killer said.“I’ll comply.”Then, as an afterthought.“I won’t harm you.”

His voice was soft, almost gentle.It reminded Faith of West’s compassionate tenor.Her stomach turned, then turned again when she saw the body lying in the freshly dug grave.

Faith’s finger twitched slightly on the trigger.She caught herself, took a deep breath and said, “Spread your hands wide.Open your fingers.Legs too.”

The killer did as he was told.He was tall, six-three or -four, and wiry.It was impossible to tell for sure underneath his jeans and sweater, but he didn’t seem to have an ounce of body fat on him.His gray hair and lined face placed him in his late forties or early fifties, but it was easy for Faith to believe that he was strong enough to carry these bodies and dig these graves.

“I’m going to place you in handcuffs,” Faith said.“If you so much as flinch, my dog will bite you, do you understand?”

Turk emphasized this warning with a deep, bellowing bark.

“I understand,” the killer replied.

Faith planted her knee in his belly and pulled his right hand behind his back.As she snapped the first link around his wrist, he spoke again.“Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not my will but Thine be done.”

“Yeah, I don’t think God’s very happy with you right now, buddy,” Faith said, snapping the second link closed.“Stay there.Turk, if he moves, make him stop moving.”

Turk barked again.His teeth were bared, and his eyes were narrowed in an almost human expression of disgust.The killer remained where he was as Faith checked the body for a pulse.

There was none, of course.They had reached the killer too late.

She sighed heavily and got to her feet, bringing her hands to the top of her head.“Damn it!God fucking damn it!”

“Please don’t take the Lord’s name in vain,” the killer urged.

“Go to hell!”Faith snapped.

“I can’t.My soul has been redeemed—”

“Shut up!”Faith spat.She pulled her radio from her pocket.“Michael, I have him.”

“Yeah, I figured when I heard Turk start barking like he had a bear up a tree.I should be at your position in about two minutes.Good job, Faith.”

She chuckled bitterly.“Yeah, not so much.We have a dead body too.”

Michael didn’t seem surprised.“Ah.Well, he’ll be the last one.”

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