“Jesus.”
“Believe me, there is no Jesus in that church, or God, or anything you’d term good and benign. It’s a haven for sadists who can wrap up the abuse they love to inflict on others in righteousness, so they can fool themselves into believing they’re doing good. The church attracts the broken and the damaged, so naturally there are going to be a lot of predators in there, people rejected by society or vilified for the grotesque things they like to do. Once you’re in the compound the predators emerge and prey on the vulnerable. What I always admired about Mary was that, although she looked small and fragile, mentally she was strong. She refused to bow down to Barbara and she refused to take part in the adjustment therapy. When they’d order her to pace the room she’d just stand there, staring at them. She would never say a word against them, never get angry, just…stare. It was a silent form of protest and it drove them out of their minds. They’d come in all smug, certain they’d break her and they broke me let me tell you, but they could never get to her. In the end they’d be the ones screaming and yelling out of sheer frustration and she’d still be standing there, staring. I wished I had her strength. In the end Mary gave me the strength to get out of there, it was like her last gift to me.”
“How did you escape?”
“The drive leading from the church down to the compound is long, surrounded by trees on either side. My room looked down on those trees and I would spend all my spare time staring down at them, memorising every single bush and tree until I could close my eyes and walk through that woodland in my head. At the end of the drive was the church, which sat on a main road. One day I learnt that a Pride parade was going to take place and its route would take it right by the church, as a protest against the church’s draconian ideas about sexuality. I knew my single chance of escape would be to mingle with all those people and use the parade as cover to get away. You see, the compound has security guards armed with coshes and stun guns. There’s CCTV, alarms, the lot, so I knew it wouldn’t be easy but by then I was so desperate I was willing to try anything. After being released from The Breach I spent sixteen hours a day cleaning.”
“The devils inside hate manual labour?” said Brodie.
“How did you guess?” she replied with a wry smile. “One of my duties was cleaning the guard’s room, which was next to the gate. I went out of my way to seem defeated and obedient, so they assumed I wasn’t a flight risk. They were always careful who they chose to clean the guard’s room because of its proximity to the gate and escape attempts had been made before.
I remember waking up that morning feeling sick with dread but I was determined to see it through. It was raining and I worried the parade would be called off but fortunately the rain eased off and the sun came out. I took a bit longer over all my duties that day, which was easy. I blamed my slowness on my back problems and I was pretty much left alone. I had to time cleaning the guard’s room with the arrival of the parade. Luckily the parade made a lot of noise, so I could hear its approach. A group of church members were going out to greet the parade in protest. When the gate opened to let them out, all of them holding their disgusting, bigoted placards, I ran. Everyone was so surprised they just watched me go. I was faster than they thought because I’d been pretending my back was really bad, walking stooped over for days. The shock on their faces was hilarious.
Instead of sticking to the driveway I ran into the trees. My studies of the woods really paid off because while they stumbled about getting stuck in brambles I managed to dodge my way through them until I reached the church. I could see the parade, it was just coming up the street. Someone must have called the church because there were three men waiting for me at the top. But they weren’t expecting me to come out where I did - through the woods on the opposite side of the drive to the church. By the time they’d realised where I was I’d managed to run straight into the crowd and disappear.”
Elaine sagged back in her chair, face shiny with sweat.
“How long ago was this?”
“Three weeks. I’ve never been as scared in my entire life as I was when I’d escaped. First of all, I couldn’t believe it had worked. I’d gone over and over again in my head what I’d do when I was recaptured, how I’d explain myself. I’d prepared myself for more adjustment therapy, mental and physical torture. Instead I found myself free, roaming the city alone. It was all so overwhelming as I hadn’t left the compound in almost two years. I was so tempted to head to my maw’s house and tell her I’d finally left but I knew that would be the first place they’d look and I didn’t want to get her into trouble, she has a weak heart, so that lot turning up on her doorstep was the last thing she needed. I had no clothes, no food, no home. But I did still have the money I’d kept back from the sale of my house, which I’d left in a self-storage unit I’d paid three years rent in advance for and from the sale of my business. I know it’s hard to believe looking at this place but I had a successful interior design company. I collected the cash and bought some new clothes, all bright colours. Then I went to a restaurant and indulged in a three course meal with the fanciest, richest foods on the menu and gorged myself. The tastes were amazing after the bland food I’d had for years. I felt pretty sick when I’d done but it was worth it. Then I checked into a hotel under an assumed name and slept for ten hours straight.
When I woke I enjoyed a hot bubble bath and I had an epiphany - there were no devils inside me. Those little creatures weren’t responsible for everything that had gone wrong in my life. Before joining the church I couldn’t understand why these horrible things had happened to me and I reasoned I must have done something wrong. Instead I saw them for what they really were - lessons, opportunities for me to grow. The church hadn’t taught me that, I’d found it out on my own. I realised I didn’t need them or anyone else to help me find the answers. The answers were already there, inside me. I just needed to look.” She fixed him with her wide grey gaze. “No one needs anyone else telling them what to believe. Neither does anyone have the right to tell you what to believe. The knowledge that I’d wasted so much of my life, given away practically everything I owned and cut myself off from everyone I loved for nothing overwhelmed me. I cried for hours but it made me feel better. Finally I’d got rid of the pain of the past. Now all I needed to do was make sure the church didn’t find me. I knew they tracked down those who fled, took them back to the compound and made sure they never escaped again. My first instinct was to leave the city and make contact with my mother when I was a safe distance away. But then I thought of all those children, of Mary and everyone else still stuck in that nightmare and I knew I couldn’t leave until they were set free too. So I rented this house under an assumed name. I saw the interview with Susan Silvers in the local paper and I made contact with her. When she called to tell me about you after visiting the police station I thought you might be the man to help shut down that cult once and for all.” She pressed a hand to her head and sighed. “God that was exhausting.”
“Are you okay doll? Do you need to take a break?”
Determinedly she sat up straighter and shook her head. “No thank you. I’m okay.”
“Well, you’ve given me a lot of information to be getting on with.”
“We’ve only just scratched the surface, there’s so much more I could tell you but you’ve had the most important parts.”
“Where do you recommend I start?”
“With Malachi. If he falls then the church falls.”
“Won’t they just replace him with someone else?”
“He’s irreplaceable. I know that makes him sound like he’s something special but he has this magnetism. When he talks to you he makes you feel like you’re the only person on the planet. Sounds stupid I know but it’s so powerful. You have to meet him to know what I mean.”
“And I fully intend to do that,” he said, amber eyes darkening. His gaze cleared. “How many times have you met him?”
“Three. He came to the church when me and three othe
rs - including Mary - were considering joining. After listening to his oration we were drawn in hook, line and sinker. He said the church was the only solution to our problems and I believed him, we all did but it was impossible not to. He has this beautiful deep voice and he knows how to use it, like he’s wrapping you in velvet and his eyes see right into your soul.” She smiled self-deprecatingly. “Sorry, that sounds stupid but it’s the only way I can describe it. If you ever do speak to him then watch yourself. He can look at someone and see all their secrets. That man worms his way into your head and once he’s got a hold over you he doesn’t let go. When I was having the adjustment therapy he visited me and said how disappointed he was in me. It made me feel horrible, like I’d let him down. He said the same thing to Mary. She didn’t reply but the look she gave him said she didn’t give a shit. That made him angry. He didn’t shout or yell or anything but I could see it in his eyes. He couldn’t get into her head and that made him furious.”
“Don’t you worry about me doll, I’ve met plenty of creeps like him in my time.”
“Just be warned, he will find out your deepest darkest secrets, your worst fears and traumas and use them against you.”
“Could you do me a map of the compound, including The Breach? And a list of all the major players in the church?”
“Err, yes, that shouldn’t be a problem. I can have it ready later today.”
“That would be great, thanks.” He handed her his card. “You can email them to me at this address and you can contact me day or night on this number. I have a few safe houses. You can stay in one if you like?”
“I appreciate the offer but I’m pretty settled here and I’m confident the church doesn’t know where I am. I don’t leave the house and I have my shopping delivered.”
“Why don’t you get yourself out of the city for a bit? At least you’d be able to take a walk outside.” He thought it would do her health the world of good, she didn’t look too well.
“No, I will not run,” she announced with more strength than Brodie would have credited her with. “And not until I know what’s happened to Mary.”
“I can keep you informed of anything I find out. I think it would do you good to get away for a wee bit, have a holiday and relax. You’ll be no use to Mary if you’re ill.”
“I’m fine.”
“You don’t look it.”
“Are you always so rude?”
“Pretty much and I’m no’ rude. I tell it like I see it. You need to relax or you’ll break. Believe me, I’ve seen it happen often enough.”
“Well, I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to get away.”
“Course not. How are you for cash?”
“Oh fine, I still have plenty of my savings. I think I’ll head into the Perthshire countryside. I always find it relaxing there and I won’t be far away if you find something.”
“Call me day or night. I mean it doll, anytime.”
“Won’t your wife get jealous?” she said with a playful blush.
“I don’t have a wife but I have a girlfriend and she works in my agency. She’ll understand,” he winked.
Elaine giggled in a way that surprised even her.
“And remember, I can offer you protection. This lot don’t sound like they’ll give up easily.”
“Thank you Mr Brodie, I appreciate that.”
He felt so sorry for her he didn’t even bother to correct her about his name. “When will you leave?”
“As soon as I can book something. I didn’t consider a holiday but now you’ve brought it up I can’t wait. I haven’t had anything to look forward to in years.”
Brodie got to his feet, hesitating before leaving. He didn’t like to leave her alone. Despite her bravery she seemed so vulnerable. “I’ll be in touch soon doll. And I mean it, if you need anything…”
“I’ll call.”
“Good. Right, well, I’ll be off and thanks for talking to me. I’ve a better idea of what I’m up against now.”
“You’re welcome Mr Brodie,” she said, seeing him to the door.
He stepped outside and she closed the door behind him. He listened to all those chains and locks being replaced. The sound made him sad and even more determined that Malachi was going to pay for what he’d done.
CHAPTER 4
Brodie returned to the office to find it empty, apart from Cass, who was glued to her computer screen, her usually immaculate desk heaped with sheets of paper covered in her square, chunky handwriting.
She raised her head when he entered and beamed at him. “Hi Bossman.”
“Hi sweetheart,” he replied, dipping his head to kiss her neck.
“Mmmm, don’t distract me,” she purred. “I’m on a roll.”
“Judging by this chaos I take it you’ve found out a lot?”
“I have and it’s fascinating. That church is incredibly dodgy.”
“What did you start with?”
“Their financial history. It really is amazing. They went from nothing to a multi-million pound institution. They’re tax-exempt under the Charities Act two thousand and six and they claim twenty five percent back in gift aid donations. There’s one charity Malachi supports, which he set up himself for impoverished children. He’s always having photo ops with little kids to make himself look benevolent and caring. Every month the church rakes in thousands and thousands of pounds. It’s incredible to think they’ve only been operating for six years.”
“Aye,” he replied, pulling up a chair beside her. “Because Elaine told me they get their members to sell all their worldly goods, including their homes and give them all their cash. Those members then stay in the compound, which is a fort guarded day and night. No one is allowed to leave and any troublemakers are shoved into The Breach, which is a sort of dungeon where they’re mentally and physically tortured.”
“Bloody hell,” breathed Cass. “Did you believe her?”
“Aye I did. No way was that wee woman lying.”
Cass nodded. Brodie could sniff out a liar a mile off. “That explains their wealth then. I read an article by a journalist who’s investigated the church. It said wealthy people have written Higher Light into their wills, leaving everything to them and cutting out their families.”
“What’s this journo’s name?”
“You won’t like it.”
“Who?”
“Mason Mortimer.”
“That wee bawbag,” he glowered.
“I know you’ve had run-ins with him in the past but he knows more about Higher Light than anyone else, he’s made it his life’s work to expose them.”
“Of all the hack journos in this city it would have to be that shite merchant.”
“Maybe he’s changed?”
“Wee fannies like him never change.”
“I’ll give him a call, see if he can see us.”
“You’re coming too hen?” he said, pleased.
“Course I am. The last time you saw Mason you chased him around his office with a stapler.”
Brodie chuckled at the memory. “He’s lucky he’s so fast.”
“Before we go there’s more you should know. It’s about Malachi. That’s not his real name of course, which is Johnson Cryer. He was born in Ayrshire, even though he has a posh English accent. His father was in the military so the family moved around quite a lot. It was just Malachi and his parents, no siblings. He even ended up spending a few of his early years abroad, moving from place to place around Europe. I ran Johnson Cryer through the system and found a very interesting article dating from January twenty thirteen. I printed it off for you,” she ended, placing some papers in his hands.
Brodie pulled up the chair from Ross’s desk and sat down to read, Cass waiting in silence for him to finish.
“So,” he said when he’d read the final page. “His wife Samantha was murdered, the perpetrators were never caught and he went loony. This happened three months before he took over the church.”
“I think it’s certainly
something to do with it.”
“This is fantastic work hen. Elaine told me Malachi is an expert in psychology who brainwashes people by getting into their heads. If we’re to stand a chance at bringing him down then we’ll need to get into his head, so this is a great start.”
“I’ll keep digging, see what else I can turn up.”
“I’ll get onto my contacts and find out who the investigating officers were in Samantha’s murder. That could be an interesting conversation.” He dumped the papers on Ross’s desk and got to his feet. “Right, let’s go and see the wee hack then.”
Elliott casually entered the Glasgow branch of Higher Light and paused to look around. There was nothing marking it out as different from any other modern church, other than the lack of any religious iconography. There were no crucifixes or crosses, no altar, no stained glass windows. Other than the painting of some creepy old man on the wall it was just a room with benches and relaxing music playing vaguely in the background. No one seemed to be around so he sat on a pew at the back.
His gran, who had practically raised him, was religious, so he was quite experienced with churches. Despite his gran’s best efforts he wasn’t the follower of any particular religion, he didn’t like being told what to believe, so he classed himself as an agnostic. Something about this place made him uneasy. He wasn’t sure whether that was down to the place itself or because it was the headquarters of a creepy cult. The room had been designed to be peaceful and calming but any quiet building playing soothing music would have a similar effect.
Just as he was wondering whether he should look depressed or in need or something, a door opened at the side of the room and a pretty blond woman wearing all black emerged with a creepy smile plastered to her face.
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