Shooting Eros - The Emuna Chronicles: Complete Boxset: Books 1 - 3

by Benjamin Laskin

  “How’d you do that?”

  “I didn’t.” Volk grinned. “She did. She’s fighting back.”

  “I don’t see her doing anything,” Sett said.

  “She’s mocking it. She’s doing the exact opposite of what it wants. The Self-doubt Yetzer wants her to wallow in dread and passivity. It’s telling her that she is unworthy and useless. She’s defying it.”

  “But I still don’t get it. She’s just sitting there drinking her tea.”

  “You’ll see,” Volk said confidently.

  Matterson pocketed his cell phone and returned to his seat, a pleased smile on his face.

  “Good news,” he announced jubilantly. “You have a job.”

  “What?” Malkah said, affecting disbelief.

  “It’s only temporary mind you, but it should pay well. I imagine you’ll make more in a few days than you did in a month at that deli.”

  “I-I don’t understand.”

  “Remember that conference I said I’m attending…?”

  “Yes…”

  “I’m one of the people helping put it together, and in doing so I happen to know some of the persons involved—the caterers, for instance. It’s a huge gig for them, and so they owe me. I asked if they could use the experienced hand of a charming young lady. Like I said, it’s just a one-time thing, but the people showing up are quite charitable, if you catch my drift. The tips should be very generous.” He winked in assurance. “And, if the caterer likes you, I have a feeling that this could turn into a permanent position.”

  Matterson reached for a scrap of paper and a pen, jotted down a name and phone number and handed it to Malkah.

  “Her name is Jean and she’s expecting you to call.”

  “Chance, I don’t know what to say! That’s amazing!”

  Malkah leapt up and kissed him on the cheek.

  “Well, if only everything were this simple,” he blushed.

  “I’m speechless, Chance, thank you so much! See, your name really does suit you!”

  Matterson smiled imperially and waved his hand like it was nothing. “If there isn’t anything else, I had better get back to my speech. This conference is crucial to my future plans. If I do a good job, it could lead to big things down the road.”

  “What kind of things?”

  “Let’s just say that if the upcoming presidential election goes the way it should, I could find myself a regular visitor to the White House.”

  “You mean as one of the president’s czars or something?”

  Matterson arched an acknowledging eyebrow.

  “Really?” Malkah gushed, as if she were talking to a rock star.

  Chance beamed, and with a wink he put a hushing finger to his lips. “The word is out on the coconut wires so to speak, yes. There will certainly be some ‘scouts’ in the audience. The competition is stiff, and so I really need to put on a good show.”

  “I’m sure you’ll do great. I’ll be cheering for you.”

  “Thank you.” He rose and walked Malkah the few steps towards the door. “Don’t be a stranger.”

  Malkah waved the note he had written and thanked him again.

  As Chance and Malkah exchanged parting words, Volk stepped beside Malkah, passed his hand over her head, and exposed her yetzer again.

  “Whatever she’s up to,” Sett said, marveling at the creature, “that filthy little demon didn’t like it one bit.”

  The Self-doubt Yetzer was still encased in a terrarium-like bubble, only smaller this time, and now it was lying belly up, its legs paddling helplessly like a cockroach in its final death throes.

  “No matter the size,” he remarked, “that’s one butt-ugly yetzer.”

  Volk and Sett stood and watched Malkah Stern sashay down the hall.

  “Get it?” Volk said.

  “She has chosen.”

  Volk nodded. “Just like Grace.”

  “You think Grace had something to do with this?”

  “Not deliberately, no. But the two are connected in some way. As above, so below.”

  “Yeah, yeah,” Sett said wearily, unimpressed by the metaphysics of the situation. “Whatever is going on, it looks like your precious Swerver bride is careening into something way over her head. Talk about a dead-end job. So, what are we going to do about it?”

  “There’s nothing we can do.”

  “Nothing? I thought you had a trick for everything.”

  “Not this. This is fate at work, and we don’t mess with fate.”

  “Fine by me,” Sett said. “I’ve got enough to worry about.” He clapped, rubbed his hands together, and extended his arms for Volk to spin him out of there. “Ready when you are.”

  “Look at you, Sett,” Volk laughed. “Eager as a puppy. Admit it, you like traveling the old-fashioned way, don’t you?”

  “I’m not gonna lie,” Sett confessed. “It’s fun as hell, once you get past the initial nausea. It’s like a roller coaster ride, only with pretty music. What is that sound, anyway?”

  “Angels singing.”

  “No shit?”

  Volk laughed. “No shit.”

  “Huh,” Sett grunted thoughtfully. “And I’m catching on pretty damn fast, aren’t I?”

  “You’re a natural, Sett.”

  “Maybe I am,” he boasted. “Maybe God isn’t as pissed off at me as you think He is, Volk.”

  “I never said that. You think the Master of the Universe hasn’t better things to do than wonder why Commander Sett is such a jackass? Nah, I think it’s the other way around, Sett. It’s you, not Him, who was pissed off. HaShem has been observing every second of your egotistical life, lovingly waiting for you to get over yourself.”

  “Yeah? Well where the hell was He?”

  “Wherever you would have allowed Him to enter, you meathead.”

  6

  Death Watch

  Gideon, dressed in a dark suit and tie, and Malkah in a plain black dress with a black, woolen shawl draped around her shoulders, were among the last persons to leave the funeral. Malkah continued to sniffle as Gideon, his arm comfortingly around her, walked her through the cemetery grounds towards the exit.

  Volk and Sett, having just returned from the yeshiva, followed invisibly a few steps behind.

  Up ahead, waiting on a bench, sat Cyrus. He had attended the funeral as well, and together with Gideon, shared in the customary reading of psalms. As Gideon and Malkah approached, he stood.

  “I thought there would have been a lot more people paying their respects,” Malkah said bitterly as they pulled up in front of Cyrus.

  “Those who knew and loved him best were there,” Gideon tried to assure her.

  “Saul certainly knew and helped a lot more people than that. Do you think the nasty reports about him in the media had anything to do with the lack of honor he received?”

  Gideon felt certain that the media’s insinuations about Saul and his felonious mob ties and dirty dealings had a chilling effect on Saul’s friends and acquaintances. Dreading guilt by association, no doubt many stayed home out of nervousness that their presence might make them targets of inquiry by reporters or other journalistic hitmen. The media was all-powerful, and although people claimed they didn’t trust it, Gideon knew that they fell for its propaganda, disinformation, and spin every time. Worse than media attention, what Gideon figured Saul’s friends feared even more was catching the eye of that most intimidating government agency of them all, the IRS.

  Not wanting to depress Malkah more than she already was, Gideon answered, “Screw ‘em.”

  “Well, well,” Sett said smiling. “I have to admit that it’s great to see Cyrus again, and still looking fit. Does he know we’re standing here?”

  “Not yet.”

  “Tell him hi for me. Come on, I wanna see.”

  Volk chuckled. He got a kick out of Sett’s newfound enthusiasm for all things angel. He was only half joking when he told Sett that he was a natural. Under Sett’s crusty exterior, below his
harsh, dictatorial manner, his foul mouth, and within his snotty recalcitrance, was the soul of a true angel of God. Had he been around at the time, Volk could envision him demolishing Sodom and Gomorrah, intimidating Balaam, and kicking Assyrian butt. Oh, how the warrior angel would have enjoyed those jobs!

  “C,” Volk said in thought mode, “I’m here with Sett. We’re standing right behind you. He wants you to say hi.”

  Cyrus casually turned, smiled, and whispered, “Hello, Sett. Welcome home.” He winked, and then turned back to face Gideon and Malkah.

  “Holy crap, Volk! That’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen!”

  Volk grinned. “You keep saying that.”

  “Were you waiting for us?” Gideon asked Cyrus.

  Cyrus nodded. “I was doing a little investigating as I passed on my condolences to some of the attendees. Do you recall the big, bald guy in the dark brown suit and yellow tie, standing a little off to the side?”

  “Yeah,” Gideon said. “His name is Gary LeMarshe. He never met Saul in his life, but he is tight with Rosso.”

  “So you know,” Cyrus said. “What do you think he was doing here?”

  “Cataloguing. He is Rosso’s man in the field. I’ve found him snooping around after many of their hits. This isn’t the first funeral I’ve seen him at.”

  Malkah shivered. “It’s all so creepy.”

  “Rosso is an obsessive record keeper,” Gideon said. “He chronicles everything he says or does. Did you notice how the guy kept playing with the button on his jacket?”

  Cyrus nodded. “He was taking pictures.”

  “Gross!” Malkah blurted.

  “Which is why I stood out of his line of sight,” Gideon added.

  “You’re not afraid he’d recognize you?” Malkah asked.

  “No. This is the first time I wasn’t incognito and showed up as myself.”

  “So these records he keeps,” Cyrus said, “they’d be pretty incriminating in the wrong hands, wouldn’t they?”

  “I would imagine so,” Gideon said.

  “You don’t happen to know where he stores them, do you?” Cyrus asked.

  “I was kinda hoping you’d tell me.”

  “How could Cyrus possibly know?” Malkah said.

  Gideon shrugged. “Dunno, but he seems to know everything else in the world.”

  “He keeps them at his estate,” Cyrus said. “In his office in the west wing. Most on a computer, other stuff in crates in a secret room behind a spinning bookcase.”

  “Oh, come on,” Sett said. “How could Cyrus know that?”

  “If you’re a really good boy, Sett, I’ll show you when we get back to the yeshiva.”

  “He’s not making it up?”

  “No.”

  “And you know about this too?”

  “I do now.”

  “How could Cyrus know something we don’t? He lost all his angelic powers when we booted his ass down to Earth.”

  “Pretty much,” Volk said. “But he didn’t lose his memory.”

  “Huh?”

  “Don’t worry, big guy. It’ll all become clear to you when we get back.”

  “See?” Gideon chuckled. “Told ya he’d know.”

  “Cyrus,” Malkah said, “you’re pulling his leg.”

  “No, he isn’t,” Gideon said. “I don’t know how he does it, and I’m not gonna ask because he wouldn’t tell me anyway, but he’s telling the truth.”

  “Well, it doesn’t do anyone any good,” Malkah said, “because there is no way anyone could ever get their hands on such things, right?”

  Cyrus and Gideon exchanged roguish looks, and shrugged.

  “I knew it!” Malkah said. “Gideon Baer, you’re plotting something. Is this more important than me?”

  “No, of course not.”

  “Don’t lie to me,” Malkah said. She wasn’t angry, but she didn’t want to be treated like a child either.

  “Malkah, we’re just a couple of guys having some fun dreaming of revenge. It’s what guys do.”

  “Uh-huh. Well, listen up, junior, you’re not the only one who can play this game.”

  “Excuse me?” Gideon said.

  “That’s right, pal. I’m on to you. And I’ve been doing some of my own scheming.”

  “What are you talking about?” Gideon said, worried.

  “I finagled a ticket to that show,” she boasted.

  “The summit?”

  “That’s right. I’m gonna be there and you can’t stop me.”

  “Cyrus,” Gideon said, “what’s going on? Do you know about this?”

  “No.”

  “I thought you knew everything.”

  “Not when it comes to women,” he said drolly.

  Gideon turned back to Malkah. “How did you do that? There are no tickets to this sort of thing. It’s invitation only.”

  “You underestimate my feminine wiles.”

  “Not anymore, I won’t,” Gideon said dryly.

  “V,” Cyrus said. “Is it true? Did she find a way in?”

  “Matterson has connections with the caterers. She conned him into getting her a job.”

  “Clever girl.”

  “Yep. She’s a pro.”

  Malkah said, “If you go, I go. Get it?”

  “So, that’s what you’re up to,” Gideon said. “Very good, Malkah. I’m impressed.”

  “Thank you.”

  “But forget it; you’re not going.”

  “I am if you are. Take it or leave it.”

  “It’s too dangerous.”

  “Exactly,” she said. “Which is why I won’t let you do this by yourself. Either you let me in, or you forget about it all together and we get hitched and move to Phoenix.”

  Gideon said, “How do I know you’re not bluffing?”

  “She’s not,” Cyrus said. “She paid a visit to Chauncey Matterson and he got her a job with the caterers.”

  Malkah and Gideon stared at Cyrus in surprise.

  “You told him?” Sett said.

  “Of course.”

  Sett shook his head and chuckled. “This telepathy stuff is great. I got to get me some of that. Are you going to teach me?”

  “All you have to do is ask, Sett.”

  “Okay, I’m asking.”

  Volk grinned. “No.”

  “I thought you said you didn’t know about this,” Gideon said.

  “I didn’t,” Cyrus replied. “But it’s a matter of deduction. Her only link to the summit is Professor Matterson, who we know is an attendee and in charge of handling some of the logistics.”

  Gideon cocked his head, skeptical, but he had nothing to counter with.

  Malkah was even more suspicious. She squinted at Cyrus, and then casually looked about, as if she were searching for something, or someone.

  “Are little birdies talking to you?” Malkah said, resentful that Cyrus had put her in a position where she had to constantly bite her tongue and not reveal what she knew about him.

  “Two birdies,” Cyrus answered with a smile. “Logic and reason.”

  “Whattaya mean, no?” Sett said, hurt. “If I’m an angel just like you, then why shouldn’t I be able to know everything you know?”

  “No one is saying you can’t. Maybe you can know a lot more than I can. That’s between you and HaShem.”

  “I told you,” Sett said. “Me and God, we’re like this now.” He crossed his fingers. “Best buds.”

  Volk chuckled. “Fine, then there should be no problem. Talk to your Buddy. Ask your Pal to make you a better angel so that you can better serve Him.”

  “That’s it?”

  “Yeah. But you had better be sincere and show some effort and discipline. He’ll know if you’re messing with Him.”

  “Volk, I might be a little slow on the uptake, and I might be a little stubborn, but I’m not stupid.”

  “Okay, so quit your whining. Sheesh…”

  “So, what’s it going to be, tough guys?” Malkah
said. “Are we going to pay a visit to Alexander Rosso, or are you going to come to your senses and drop this madness?”

  Gideon turned questioningly to Cyrus.

  “Don’t look at me,” Cyrus said. “I never said anything about joining up.”

  “You mean you’d let Gideon go in there all by himself?” Malkah said rebukingly.

  “Hey, whose side are you on?” Cyrus answered.

  “Some friend you are,” she huffed.

  “I barely know the guy!”

  “Don’t give me that,” Malkah said. “You know more about Gideon than Gideon does himself. Or me. Or anyone else, it seems.”

  “That chick cracks me up,” Sett said. “I like her. She’s feisty.”

  “Okay,” Gideon said. “You win. I’ll leave things be. You’re far more important to me than Rosso is.”

  “Oh,” Malkah said, “so I’m supposed to marry a coward?”

  “Huh?”

  “We’re expecting to be happy knowing that a psychopath like Alexander Rosso is out there on the loose murdering innocent people? I mean, come on. If you really believe this Lamed-Vavnik stuff, then how could you in good conscience allow this maniac to get away with what he’s doing?”

  “Cyrus,” Gideon said, “are you as confused as I am?”

  “Hey,” Cyrus said, raising his arms in defense, “don’t drag me into this.”

  “Great, another coward,” Malkah said. “Fish or cut bait, boys.”

  “V,” Cyrus said, “help me out here.”

  “I got nothing,” Volk said.

  “Do we go for the Swerve, or do we go for Rosso and the Lamed-Vavniks?”

  “Hold on, let me see what Sett says…”

  “Sett, do we go for the Swerve or Rosso and the Lamed-Vavniks?”

  “I’m a soldier, I go where the battle is. Anteros is going to storm Heaven, and my priority is stopping those sons of bitches.”

  Volk said, “Sett wants to stop Anteros. Which means—”