The Devil Inside

by Heather Atkinson

  “No,” said Malachi, furiously shaking his head as he saw his legacy crumbling before his eyes. “No.”

  “That will give her more pleasure than anything and Toni McVay lives for pleasure.”

  The prisoners stood aside to let Watson leave.

  “It’s your job to protect me,” shrieked Malachi as he left.

  “What do you need me for?” he smirked. “You have the Lord on your side.”

  “No, wait. Please,” he cried as the prisoners rushed him as one.

  “What are you doing up so early?” Cass asked Brodie as she wandered into the living room wrapped in a dressing gown, her long hair let loose and wild. Their party had gone on into the small hours. Christian, Ross and Pete had stayed over while the others had returned home earlier in the night with their children.

  “I couldnae sleep hen,” he replied, sitting on the couch watching the television. “I had to see if there’s any news about Malachi on the telly.”

  “Is there?” she said, curling up beside him.

  “Not yet but it’s still early.”

  “Do you want a brew?”

  “Aye go on, even though I’ve had two already.”

  “What time did you get up?”

  “About half four.”

  “You should be resting and taking it easy. You need sleep to help you heal.”

  “Don’t you worry about me hen,” he said, kissing the top of her head. “I’m healing just fine.”

  “Good. Right, I’m gagging for a brew,” she said, getting to her feet.

  She’d just filled the kettle when Brodie called, “Hey hen, it’s on.”

  She rushed into the living room to see an image of Barlinnie Prison on the television screen before it flicked to a still shot of Malachi in the middle of one of his orations in George’s Square.

  “Cult leader Malachi - AKA Johnson Cryer - responsible for the George Square massacre, was found hanging in his cell after committing suicide,” said the newsreader.

  Cass took in a deep breath and took Brodie’s hand. “Toni did it, thank God.”

  “Toni, you’re a genius,” he said. “His bats believe suicide is a sin. She’s destroyed Higher Light as well as that prick.”

  “We definitely need to get her a thank you present.”

  “I shudder to think what that woman wants as a gift. It would either be a vibrator or a prostitute. They’re showing a picture of Eve now,” he said, turning up the volume.

  “Deborah Morrison, AKA Eve, Malachi’s right-hand woman in Higher Light was also found dead in the early hours of this morning in a flat in Port Dundas. Her death is being treated as non-suspicious.”

  “Is that it?” said Brodie when the newsreader started to prattle on about some political bollocks.

  “So it would seem,” said Cass.

  Brodie looked at her and frowned. “Alright, spill.”

  “Spill what?”

  “You know something I don’t. Don’t try to deny it, I can read you like a book hen.”

  “Alright,” she sighed. “I hired Raven to kill Eve.”

  Brodie just stared at her as he digested her words before spluttering, “What?”

  “No one could find her, not even our lot and as long as she was out there she was a threat. I wasn’t going to risk you being hurt again.”

  “But you risked yourself.”

  “How did I risk myself?”

  “You ordered someone’s death,” he said, lowering his voice to a harsh whisper, conscious of the others asleep upstairs in the spare bedrooms.

  “What do you think Eve would have done? She would have attacked those she blamed for her beloved Malachi being locked up and those people are you and me. Raven did it subtlely and made it look like natural causes. You heard the news, they don’t suspect a thing so that’s it, case closed. It’s over.”

  He took her hand. “I’m glad about that but what about you?”

  “What about me? Don’t worry, Raven gave me a discount.”

  “I don’t care about the money. I care about you.”

  She shrugged. “I’m fine.”

  “You sure?”

  She smiled and kissed him, “Course. Why wouldn’t I be?”

  “I…I…” He sighed and slumped back into the couch. “I don’t know.”

  “Raven got the truth out of her about what happened to Samantha. Apparently Eve wasn’t so tough when she wasn’t surrounded by church members.”

  “Who did it?”

  “She killed her own best friend so she could be with Malachi. They’d been having an affair behind Samantha’s back for months.”

  “So he really was innocent after all?”

  “Yep. He told her it wasn’t her fault, it was the devils inside. He helped her rid herself of her devils. Malachi was already a member of the church when Edward Carr was dying. Carr said he wanted him to be his successor but Samantha was against it, she could see the path Malachi was going to take the church down.”

  “Was Samantha a part of the church too?”

  “Yes. Eve said she killed her because Malachi needed a strong woman by his side to help lead the church and she considered herself to be that woman. Raven got the impression her main motive was jealousy though. Malachi would never have divorced his wife…”

  “Because he believed divorce is a sin?”

  “Exactly.”

  “Well, now we know.” He wrapped an arm around her. “Sure you’re okay hen?”

  “Fine. I know I should feel guilty but I don’t. I’m just relieved.”

  “And we know Raven does a professional job, so there’s no worries about any comebacks.”

  “It’s over babe. Now we can concentrate on our wedding and I can’t wait. The months are going to go by so slowly,” she sighed.

  “You’re sure you want to marry a walloper like me in a loony bin?”

  “I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life.”

  “By Christ you’re a goddess,” he said, kissing her, pressing her back into the couch.

  Pete ambled into the room in his trousers and a white vest, feet bare and his quiff crumpled and sagging. “Don’t you two ever stop? You’ll wear yourselves out before the honeymoon.”

  “I’m feeling better,” said Brodie. “And raring to go.”

  “Urgh. Don’t make me hurl before I’ve even had my brekkie.” He grinned and clapped his hands together. “Anyone making a bacon butty?”

  “We’ve no bacon,” said Cass. “But I can do you guacamole.”

  His smile dropped. “Guacamole?”

  “We only eat healthy food at home.”

  “But the pizza and doughnuts last night…”

  “Were just a treat for the party.”

  Brodie sniggered. “Don’t look so down pal.”

  “I cannae help it. That’s the saddest thing I’ve ever heard.”

  “How about I do you some cheese on toast?” said Cass.

  “Aye,” said Brodie. “You like cheese on toast.”

  “It’s no’ a bacon butty but I suppose it’ll do,” he sighed.

  “Coffee too?”

  He looked brighter. “That would be good thanks.”

  “Sit down and I’ll make it,” she said, getting to her feet. “Besides, there’s something on the news you need to see.”

  As she walked into the kitchen she heard Pete murmur, “Bloody hell.”

  Christian and Ross trundled downstairs, both suffering the effects of their hangovers, Pete taking great delight in making uncomfortably loud noises. However it was the sound of the doorbell chiming through the house that made them wince the most.

  “That’s not a doorbell it’s a fog horn,” grimaced Christian.

  “Stop being a delicate daisy,” Brodie told him. “And go with Cass to answer the door. There are still batty bats out there.”

  Christian and Ross both accompanied her, relaxing when she opened the door to Steven accompanied by a petite blond teenager and Elaine.

&n
bsp; “Sorry if we’re disturbing,” began Steven. “But we wanted to stop by to say thanks.”

  “Don’t apologise, it’s lovely to see you both,” replied Cass. “Come on in.”

  They followed them into the front room, Steven shaking Christian and Ross’s hands, who were pleased to see their new friend.

  “Hey,” beamed Brodie. “It’s great to see you all safe.”

  “And how are you feeling?” said Elaine with concern, sitting beside him. “We heard you got shot. You look very pale.”

  “I’m fine doll, don’t you worry about me. Well done by the way for escaping again. That took some guts.”

  “I wasn’t going to let Malachi beat me. I’d made a decision that if I died trying to escape a second time then so be it. It would be preferable to being one of his zombies.”

  “Well you didn’t, thank God. You helped all those people. You should be proud of yourself.”

  “I am,” she replied with a confident smile. Her smile faltered. “I spoke to Mary’s mum and told her how strong her daughter was, how the church never managed to break her. She’s invited me to stay with her and her husband in Bridge of Weir. I’m leaving the day after tomorrow. It’ll be lovely to get away and Bridge of Weir’s so nice. Tomorrow I’m being interviewed by a journalist from a national newspaper. Apparently they find the fact that I escaped from the church twice incredibly exciting and want to pay me a huge amount of money for my exclusive story. I’m going to tell them all about Mary, I want everyone to know her story. I’ll give half the money to her parents, it’ll easily cover the cost of her funeral.”

  “That’s a lovely gesture,” said Cass.

  “It’s the least I can do. I hoped so hard that she’d survived. What they did to her…” She trailed off and shook her head. “At least the so-called doctor who killed her is being done for her murder.”

  She lowered her head as she fought to control her emotions, Steven patting her sympathetically on the shoulder.

  “I take it this is your sister?” Cass asked Steven to give Elaine time to recover.

  “Yes, this is Sarah,” he replied, smiling at the pretty blond girl. “We’re moving to Loch Lomond, we’ve found a lovely little cottage at Tarbet. Dad didn’t put up much of a fight,” he added a little miserably.

  “What’s his opinion of all this?”

  “He hates the church and he’s glad it’s gone. But he’s humiliated about Mum’s involvement and all the stuff they’re saying about her in the press. He’s moving away as soon as he can. He wants nothing more to do with her.”

  “And what do you two think about that?”

  Sarah shrugged. “We’re fine with it, we’ve never been close to him, he’s always been too caught up with work to bother about us. He said he’ll visit but we’ll see. We don’t need them, do we Steven?” she said, casting adoring eyes on her big brother.

  “No we don’t, it’s always been us against the world and what the press are paying me for my story will tide us over nicely until I can find a job.”

  “Are you going to see your mum in prison?”

  They both shook their heads. “Not after what she’s done,” said Steven. “She doesn’t want to see us anyway, especially not me. Apparently I’m a traitor.”

  Despite how blasé he sounded, the pain was evident in his eyes.

  “We don’t need her,” said Sarah. “And I can’t wait to move. Glasgow’s a great city but I love being in the countryside by the water.”

  “Victor’s coming out to visit us though,” beamed Steven. “He survived the Edinburgh compound. Thank God the police raided the place when they did because he’d been locked in The Breach for nearly two weeks and denied food for three days because they found the phone he used to communicate with me and he refused to participate in Malachi’s brainwashing anymore. He’s dehydrated and a bit malnourished but he’ll be fine. Professor Gardner’s already offered to exit counsel him.”

  Cass thought Gardner would take the opportunity to rake himself in a fortune as he was counselling several ex-cult members. The bill he’d given her for his services had been pretty steep. However, it turned out he was very good at what he did. “Elaine,” she said. “There’s something I want to ask you.”

  “Ask away,” she said with a sweet smile.

  “When I was in The Breach looking for Brodie, I came across a man locked in a cell. His head had been shaved and there were stitches in his scalp…” Her stomach plummeted when sadness filled Elaine’s eyes.

  “You mean Justin. He attempted to escape too, apparently he was following my example. He died a couple of days after you saw him from his wounds. They drilled more holes in his head on Eve’s orders, as a warning to the others not to try to escape. His body was found in the woods behind the compound and he’s been returned to his family. He hadn’t seen them in over three years. He wanted to escape because he was so desperate to see them again.”

  Cass sighed heavily and looked down at her hands. If there had been any lingering guilt about hiring Raven to kill Eve, it was eradicated in that moment.

  “I’m glad everything’s working out for you all,” said Brodie, breaking the sad silence. “Now for Christ’s sake, put all this shite behind you and go and enjoy the happy lives you all deserve.”

  “We intend to,” said Elaine. “But we wanted to bring you this pressie first.”

  She presented him with a tartan box.

  “This is from all three of us,” said Elaine. “Just to say thanks. Without you we’d still be trapped in that nightmare.”

  “Thank you,” replied Brodie, genuinely touched. “You didn’t need to get me anything.”

  “It was the least we could do. Well go on then, open it.”

  He lifted the lid to reveal a bottle of single malt scotch whisky and an expensive tartan scarf. Brodie hated whisky. And scarves.

  “Wow,” he said, forcing a smile. “I don’t know what to say.”

  “You don’t need to say anything,” replied Elaine. “Your smile says it all. You can never go wrong with whisky for a Scotsman.”

  “You’re no’ wrong there doll,” he replied.

  “Hey, that’s bloody good stuff,” said Pete, lifting out the bottle. “And it’s eighteen years old.”

  “Hands off, it’s mine,” said Brodie with as much enthusiasm as he could muster. He scowled at Ross when he sniggered.

  “Right, we’ll be off then,” said Elaine and the three of them got to their feet. “You need peace and quiet while you get well Mr Brodie. I hope you feel better soon.”

  “Aye I will. You go and have a happy life.”

  “I intend to.”

  The three of them left amid more handshaking and goodbyes, Christian and Ross telling Steven to stay in touch.

  “Makes getting shot almost worth it,” said Brodie when they’d gone.

  “You wantin’ that whisky?” Pete asked him.

  “Help yourself,” he sighed.

  “Great,” he said, taking it from him. “I’ll be getting stuck into this bad boy tonight.”

  “Who wants the scarf?”

  No one put up their hand.

  “Fine. Pete’s getting it for Christmas then.”

  “I’m bloody not you stingy git.”

  “All that work and expense and I’m not even getting paid for it,” sighed Brodie. “I don’t think Susan Silvers and Mason will pay their bills.”

  “It’s no’ like you can’t afford it.”

  “And we have the satisfaction of knowing Higher Light’s finished,” said Cass.

  “They’re finished but a void has been left,” replied Brodie. “What about all those batty bats out there who followed Malachi and still believe in all his pish? They’ll be lost, looking around for another leader because some people are terminally unable to guide themselves through life. Someone will come along to sweep them up and another cult will be born.”

  Silence reigned as they all regarded each other.

  “Shut it Bro
die,” said Pete. “You’re just trying to creep us out.”

  Brodie realised this was the last thing they all needed to hear and smiled. “Busted.”

  The room relaxed and the happy chatter started up again but Brodie remained lost in his own thoughts. Malachi had started something and he feared it wasn’t over yet. He smiled as he watched Cass take everyone’s breakfast order. That was something he could worry about later. First he had to marry his goddess.

  THE END

  Many thanks for reading my book. I do hope you enjoyed it! Brodie, Cass and friends will be back in 2020 for the wedding of the year.

  If you enjoyed this book, I have many more available on Amazon Kindle. If you would like to read more about Raven, there are two books available in the Raven series. You can read about Jules and Mikey Maguire in the Dividing Line series. Jules also takes centre stage in Venom, first book in the Mayhem series.

  If you would like to read more about the Donaldson family, then the Blair Dubh trilogy is available also on Amazon Kindle.

  Thank you so much for supporting my work!

  Heather Atkinson October 2019