“What happened?” mumbled Gardner, rubbing his eyes.
“You fell asleep,” said Pete flatly.
“Oh, did I? Do excuse me, it was a long journey.”
“It’s less than two hours from Dundee,” he replied but Gardner didn’t seem to hear. If he did he was studiously ignoring him.
“Where’s Mr Brodie?” said Gardner. “He was the one I spoke to.”
“He isn’t here,” said Cass. She paused to take a deep breath when her throat tightened. “He was kidnapped by Higher Light. We tried to get him back but he wouldn’t come. He just looked…”
“Empty?”
“Yes.”
“That’s how a lot of their members look,” said Gardner. “I’ve had dealings with them before. They have a church in Dundee. One of their ex-members came to me for treatment. They’d managed to escape the cult but he was convinced Malachi was still in his head. He’d have dreams about him telling him he was going to hell for leaving the church. Sometimes he could clearly hear what he was saying, other times he was just mumbling incoherently at him. I came to the conclusion that Malachi uses some form of suggestion combined with psychotropic drugs to control his acolytes. Not all of them, only the ones who refuse to be controlled voluntarily. My client - who we shall name Philip - spoke about being injected with something that made him very relaxed, to the point where he could no longer connect with his emotions.”
“Was he injected in the neck by any chance?” said Cass.
“Why yes he was actually.”
“That’s what happened to Brodie. ”
“I see. It’s extremely difficult to hypnotise someone into doing something they don’t want to do. That sort of thing is reserved solely for the world of fiction. However, if a subject was somehow separated from themselves with the help of a drug then the power of suggestion would be greatly increased.”
“Do you know what this drug is?”
“Sadly no. Philip came to me months after he escaped the cult, so it was well out of his system by then but its effects did take time to dissipate. I theorised the voices he was hearing were all part of him going cold turkey from the drug.”
Cass looked to Zarqa. “Any idea what it could be?”
“Perhaps some form of anti-depressant,” she replied. “They can make people feel cut off from their emotions. Some people even say it makes them feel like zombies but nothing to this extent. Whatever this drug is, it’s very dangerous and in the hands of someone like Malachi...”
Zarqa trailed off and the two women looked at each other with worry in their eyes.
“Is it really that shocking?” said Gardner in what Cass thought was a bit of a pompous, self-important way. “Most of us spend our lives in an hypnotic state, absorbing every little bit of suggestion thrown at us. Every day we’re bombarded by advertising that uses subtle post-hypnotic suggestion to get us to buy rubbish we don’t need. Politicians often use suggestion to powerful and devastating effect, as do organised religions. Even from a young age our unconscious mind is trained to think a certain way - that we have to be married by such an age and we have to settle down and have children and have the big house with the good job. All of this we are told to believe and then we go out into the world and do our utmost to fulfil that suggestion, our conscious minds rarely questioning whether we should actually be doing it or if it’s even what we want. How hard do you think it would be to hypnotise an entire species that spends most of its time hypnotised anyway?”
“Actually, that’s a pretty good point,” pressed Pete. “But you don’t know Brodie. He’s the poster child for the ultimate social rebel.”
“That still doesn’t mean he’s immune. If a drug was involved too then goodness knows what we’re up against.”
“I still can’t believe they did that to Brodie.”
“We need to find out what narcotic is involved.”
“I can try to do that,” said Zarqa. “But I’m not a chemistry expert.”
An idea popped into Cass’s head. “It’s alright, I know someone who might be able to help but I don’t know whether she’ll want to get involved.”
“Who?” said Pete.
“I’ll tell you later,” she replied. She looked back to the professor. “So how do you deprogramme ex-cult members?”
“I prefer the term exit counselling to deprogramming. It’s all about getting them thinking independently again and recreating the emotional connection to their old life with the help of family members. I want to make it clear that I in no way condone kidnapping someone from a cult. They have to leave voluntarily.” He frowned when no one replied and they all avoided his eyes. “I will not get involved in anything illegal.”
“Wind your neck in,” said Pete. “We’re no’ gonnae do anything illegal. Brodie will come home voluntarily, we’ll make sure of it.”
“Well, good. Mr Brodie and I discussed a fee, although that was to counsel some woman. I hadn’t expected to be counselling Mr Brodie himself.”
“How much is your fee?” said Cass.
Gardner rhymed off a figure that rather startled Pete.
“That’s fine,” said Cass without hesitation.
“He also mentioned giving me lodgings for the time I’m in Glasgow. I take it that will be here?”
“Yes, you can have one of the bedrooms through there,” she replied pointing to the corridor leading off the office. “Second door on the right. You have your own en-suite.”
“Thank you.” Gardner got to his feet and picked up his bag and briefcase. “In that case, I’ll go and freshen up.”
When he’d gone Pete said, “He doesnae want much does he? The wee princess. You sure he’s worth the time and cash?”
“From what I could find he’s the best at what he does,” said Elliott. “So let’s hope so.”
“He’s a jumpy wee dick,” said Ross.
“I don’t care as long as he’s good at his job,” replied Cass.
“I’ve got to pick the kids up from school soon,” said Zarqa, glancing at her watch.
Cass turned to her. “I’m so sorry for keeping you and thanks for coming. We’ll be in touch when we have that sample for you.”
“You’re very welcome.” She squeezed Cass’s hand. “I hope you get him back safely.”
“Me too,” she replied with a sad smile.
When Zarqa had gone Cass took out her phone. “I need to make a call. We need help.”
“Who are you calling?” said Pete.
“You’re not going to like it.”
“Please don’t tell me you’re calling Toni McVay?”
“No, course not.” She cast her eyes to the floor. “Jules Maguire.”
“What?” he shrieked.
Ross chuckled. “That sounded pure girly man.”
Pete cleared his throat. “What the hell are you calling her for?” he said in a deeper tone.
“Because she’s an expert chemist and we need an expert chemist.”
“Surely you can find another chemist, one who isn’t a murdering psycho gangster?”
“Pete, we’re basically about to kidnap Brodie. Even though it’s for his own good do you think anyone else other than Jules would be okay with that?”
“Well, I suppose but how do you even know her? Actually, don’t tell me. I don’t want to know.”
“This isn’t my first choice either Pete but the woman’s a genius. She can help.”
“What if she comes up here with those famous snake-headed daggers of hers and makes everything worse?”
“I’m not sure they can get any worse. Brodie trained me to trust my gut and this feels the right way to go.”
The mention of his friend started to sway Pete. “Well, alright but for God’s sake try and keep her under control.”
“I’m not sure even God is capable of that,” she replied, already dialling.
“Do you actually have her number on speed dial?”
“No. I’m calling Rachel Law to get it off h
er.”
“Oh hell,” sighed Pete.
Everyone jumped when there was a knock at the office door.
“That’s her,” said Christian sombrely.
“I’ll get it,” said Cass, striding to the door with more confidence than she felt.
She pulled it open to reveal a pair of sly grey eyes and a broad smile.
“Hello beautiful.”
“Jules,” replied Cass. “Thanks so much for coming.”
“No worries,” she said, striding inside with her usual belligerent confidence, dressed in tight black jeans and a leather jacket.
When Cass had last seen her, Jules’s shiny black hair had been just past her shoulders. Now it hung halfway down her back.
“Battering the shit out of a weird cult sounded exciting,” continued Jules. “I brought the hubby too, he was getting bored kicking about Manchester. I hope you don’t mind.”
Mikey Maguire, the most powerful and dangerous man in the north of England, if not the entire country walked into the room with his wife. Cass had met Mikey before when he’d come up to Glasgow to help Toni McVay fight a war against her own uncle for control of the family. He and Brodie had not got on. He was as tall and broad as Brodie, although he was younger, in his mid thirties. He had thick dark hair and surprisingly soft sea green eyes. Those lovely eyes could be terrifying when he was riled to anger. Power and danger filled the room, a permanent accompaniment of this couple.
“I don’t know these three,” said Jules, eyes appreciatively dancing over Christian, Ross and Elliott. Pete had already left, not wanting to make their acquaintance.
Once Cass had made the introductions and Ross had furnished them all with coffee, they sat down to talk.
“Bloody hell,” said Jules when Cass had finished. “It’s frightening that they’ve managed to control a man like Brodie.”
Cass swallowed down her heartbreak, not wanting to show them how vulnerable she was feeling. “We can’t believe it either but we’re going to get him back and we’ve got a plan.”
“You’re going to kidnap him back?” said Mikey.
“We are and we’ve hired an expert in deprogramming ex-cult members.”
“You mean you’ve got an exit counsellor,” said Gardner, appearing in the room, his hair damp from the shower. He’d changed into a fresh shirt and trousers. His gaze settled on Jules and his eyes widened. “Well hello,” he said, extending a shaky hand to her. “I do believe we haven’t been introduced.”
“Professor Gardner,” said Cass. “This is Jules Maguire and her husband, Mikey.”
Clearly their names meant nothing to Gardner because if they had he would have run out of the building. “Jules, what a lovely name.”
“Aren’t you going to compliment my name too?” glowered Mikey, wrapping an arm around her shoulders when Gardner continued to stare at her.
Finally the professor realised the big dangerous man didn’t like him staring at his wife. “Oh, yes,” he replied, forcing his gaze onto him. “It’s very…nice.”
“What are you a professor in?” Jules asked him.
“Psychology. I’m a senior lecturer at the University of Dundee and I have my own business,” he proudly replied.
“I have a PhD in psychology,” replied Jules.
“Really?” he said, eyes lighting up. “In that case we must have an in-depth…discussion.”
Mikey narrowed his eyes at him and pulled her closer while Jules looked amused. Cass thought the good doctor was lucky he hadn’t been battered senseless. Still, there was time yet. With this odd assortment of people all gathered together anything could happen.
Malachi’s voice echoed across George’s Square in the centre of Glasgow, even managing to drown out the passing traffic. The crowd that had gathered hung on his every word, bursting into rapturous applause when he reached the grand finale, raising his arms as he basked in their adulation. His disciples moved among the crowd, handing out leaflets, some of which were eagerly received.
Brodie stood on Malachi’s left, just slightly behind him, gaze constantly scanning the crowd, looking out for troublemakers. Cain and Abel stood on his other side, likewise keeping a lookout. Eve stood at the back, her adoring gaze fixed on Malachi.
When Malachi had finished addressing the crowd he and Eve left the square flanked by their minders. Four figures in the crowd, faces obscured by hoods, casually made their way through the throng of people, being careful to keep their heads bowed.
Cass’s heart ached as she watched Brodie sticking close to Malachi protectively. If he’d been in his right mind he would have shoved the bastard into the oncoming traffic. It had been three days since their failed rescue attempt at the compound. Knowing they’d be unable to infiltrate it again they’d had to wait for Malachi to bring Brodie out and this was the first opportunity they’d got, thanks to their many eyes and ears in the city.
Looking to her left she nodded at Elliott, his blond curls hidden by his hood. He nodded back and casually sauntered towards her. She nodded at Christian and Ross, who were mingling in the crowd to her right. At her nod they approached too, taking their time, doing their best not to stand out. Jules and Mikey had stayed behind at the office. They were willing to help once they had Brodie but didn’t want to involve themselves in the actual kidnapping in case it attracted the attention of the authorities.
The crowd thinned on George Street, the road noisy and busy, as always.
“They’re heading onto Montrose Street,” said Christian as they watched their quarry cross the road. The rest of the bats had remained behind in the square to try and convert more followers. “There’s an NCP car park up there, that must be where they’re headed.”
They hung back as their quarry headed up Montrose Street, peering around the corner to watch them.
“They’re going past the car park,” said Elliott. “Malachi goes around in a Mercedes. Why wouldn’t he park it there with all their security?”
Cautiously they followed, keeping well back.
“They’re heading onto Rottenrow Gardens,” said Ross.
Once again they waited for the group to turn the corner before following. They peered onto Rottenrow Gardens, which was much quieter than usual because the James Weir Building of the University of Strathclyde situated at the top of the road had closed for the summer holidays.
“There’s Malachi’s Mercedes,” said Cass, spotting it at the top of the street. “We have to get to them before they reach it or we’ll lose them and God knows when we’ll see Brodie again.”
“Let’s do it,” said Elliott.
The four of them broke into a run, racing up the street. On one side was a large brick building but it was set back from the road, hidden by large steel gates. On the right was a set of four stone arches, all that remained of the old Glasgow Maternity Hospital, which led into public gardens.
At the sound of their footsteps Brodie, Malachi, Eve, Cain and Abel all turned.
Malachi smiled and held his arms open in greetings. “Hello Cass and friends. I must give you your due, you really are tenacious.”
Cass ignored him and looked to Brodie. “It’s time to come home babe.”
Brodie stared back at her with empty eyes and shook his head.
“I’m not giving you a choice,” she replied. “If it was the other way around you’d have hauled me over your shoulder and carried me away by now.” Elliott, Christian and Ross hung back when she started to walk towards him. When Cain and Abel moved to intervene, Malachi held up a hand and shook his head.
“Pete told me you were going to ask me to marry you,” Cass told Brodie. “But you kept bottling it. You should have just asked,” she said, voice cracking. “I would have said yes. The funny thing is I was going to ask you to marry me but I kept bottling it too. Why don’t you ditch these losers babe so we can get on with our lives, together?” Tears filled her eyes when he shook his head again. “Fine, you give me no choice Brodie. You’re coming home even if I have
to fucking drag you.”
“I anticipated this turn of events Cass,” said Malachi. “So I arranged a party to greet you.”
Behind Malachi appeared a group of disciples numbering ten in total. Cass turned to look over her shoulder when another large group of men appeared at the bottom of the street, penning them in. The sound of a piper launching into a merry jig to entertain the tourists drifted up to them from the main road.
“You impressed me greatly the way you infiltrated the compound so easily,” said Malachi. “And with only three men. You got right inside The Breach. You’d make a very useful addition to my team Cass.”
“You think I’m going to become one of your disciples? No fucking way.”
“You and Brodie would be reunited, free to live your lives together in peace, just like you want.”
Cass chuckled. “You think you’re oh so clever Malachi but we anticipated you’d set a trap. So we brought some back-up of our own.”
She smiled when there was a loud yell and a mob of hefty, scarred and horribly violent individuals charged through the stone arches towards them. The disciples, who were all members of Malachi’s security team, prepared themselves to fight and the two sides clashed. The piper’s tune got even faster, an appropriate accompaniment to the violence.
“This is Brodie’s city,” Cass told Malachi, who for once looked a little panicked. “The sooner you accept that and sod off the better.”
Brodie, Cain and Abel ushered Malachi and Eve towards the Mercedes when the gang closed in.
“Take out the tyres,” Cass yelled at two of the neds.
The two small skinny men moved like lightning, dodging around all the bats when they attempted to intervene. Brodie tried to grab one of them but they ducked under his arm and rammed a crowbar into the tyre, which released a pop and a hiss.
The second ned attempted to do the same but Brodie managed to catch him and dragged him backwards by one arm.
“Hey, get off me man,” whined the ned. “It’s me, wee Stuie. You remember? Help,” he cried to Cass when Brodie’s arm went around his neck. “He’s gone pure mental.”
The Devil Inside Page 21
