“No,” he was forced to concede.
“Then you’ve got nothing. I’ve been very good and not called in my solicitor but if this continues then I will.”
“I know there’s a lot more going on here than you’ve told me.”
“We’ve told you more about it than anyone else.”
“Which in itself makes me suspicious. I don’t understand why Brodie doesn’t make a formal complaint.”
“For the reasons he told you. He didn’t lie.”
“I still don’t like it.” He sat back and studied her carefully when she refused to reply. “I’m not the only one who’s brought down a serial killer. Seth and Sarah Creegan, Lucas Thorne. You knew the truth about them when everyone else refused to believe it, especially with regards to Lucas Thorne. You tried to tell everyone what he was and no one listened. I wonder, is that the case here? You already know that yelling out the truth about someone is futile, so you’re waiting to gather evidence first.”
She nodded. It was pointless to deny it, especially as he’d hit the nail right on the head.
“I don’t like this Higher Light either,” he continued. “My wife and son were hassled by them in Buchanan Street.” His eyes filled with fondness. “My wife isn’t the type to take any crap, so she quickly made them regret that error.”
“She sounds a good woman.”
“She is. For years she tried to tell everyone what Father Logan was. No doubt you already know the details?”
“He buried her mother alive. She saw the whole thing but she was just a child, so no one believed her.”
“He was a serial killer but as he was a pillar of the community, a respected man, he got away with it. So you see, I don’t want the same thing to happen here. This Malachi has powerful friends, which in itself tells me he’s dodgy. Of course I’ve heard all the rumours about the church. After they cornered my wife I did some research, so I know about the whispers of brainwashing and murder. I want to be sure there’s nothing to it.”
“Well sorry but there is.”
“You have evidence Malachi’s killed people?”
“Not killed no but abused and tortured, yes.”
“Where is it?”
“I don’t have it.”
“Who does?”
“I’m not willing to say.”
Donaldson didn’t speak, studying her intently again and, despite herself, she shifted uncomfortably in her seat. This guy was a badass interrogator.
“I get the feeling you don’t trust the police,” he said.
“Because I know Malachi has friends in the local constabulary.”
“But I’m not one of them. He did request another DS be put on the case. Unfortunately for him he’s off sick, which is why it landed in my lap.”
“Does this other DS have a connection to Higher Light?”
“That’s what I’m trying to ascertain. As Malachi requested him personally I’m going to say yes.” He rested his elbows on the table. “I’m not the enemy here Cassandra.”
“Call me Cass. I hate the name Cassandra.”
“Cass. After what me and my wife experienced in Blair Dubh I understand what it’s like to be derided for speaking the truth. And, if Higher Light is a dangerous cult, I don’t want them operating on my patch. I want to help you bring them down.”
“You need to speak to Brodie about this, not me. He’s the boss.”
“I will. I’ll have him brought through.”
Donaldson sent a constable to fetch Brodie, who returned a few minutes later with him in tow.
“So are you gonnae release her then or what?” he demanded.
“Sit down and listen,” said Donaldson.
It said a lot for him that Brodie obeyed.
“He wants to help us,” said Cass.
“Oh aye?” replied Brodie. “By running back to Malachi and telling him everything?”
Donaldson’s gaze darkened. “I am not working for him.”
“I bet he asked for you to take on this case.”
“Actually he asked for another DS but he’s off sick, so I got landed with it. Lucky me,” he said sarcastically. “I’m only making this offer because of your reputation Brodie. A lot of officers around here hold you in high regard, you and your unfinished business game. You were a good DI with a nose for the job.”
“How can I trust you?”
“You can’t and I can’t trust you. But you could judge by my reputation, like I’m doing with you.”
Brodie looked to Cass, who nodded. That was good enough for him. “Alright Donaldson,” he said. “What do you need from us?”
“Evidence so I can go and nick Malachi.”
“We’re working on it.”
“Have you been inside his infamous compound here in Glasgow?” His shrewd eyes flicked between them when they remained silent. “You have, which makes sense with you Brodie as you said he abducted you. But you Cass,” he added, turning his attention to her. “It doesn’t make sense with you, unless you broke in.”
“Yes I did,” she said. “To rescue Brodie.”
“But she wasn’t successful,” said Brodie, a little shame-faced. “Malachi fucked me up so badly I refused to go with her.”
“Now we’re getting closer to the truth,” said Donaldson. “How did you break in?”
“Who says I broke in?” said Cass innocently.
“You’re not going to make this easy, are you?”
“Why should we?” said Brodie. “You barged into our office and lifted Cass. You’ve got to prove yourself to us.”
“Is not charging Cass proof enough for you?”
“So you’re letting me go?” she said.
Donaldson nodded. “It’s just Malachi’s word against yours anyway.”
“And what about the next time he levels an accusation against one of us, because he will?”
“We’ll deal with that when the time comes.” He took a card out of his pocket and held it out to Brodie. “Keep in touch. I’ll dig around, see what I can find out. And make sure you keep me up-to-date. If you’re serious about taking down Malachi you’re going to need all the help you can get.”
Brodie nodded and took his card from him. He half-expected to be hauled back in as he and Cass made their way out of the station but they were allowed to leave. Christian and Ross were waiting for them in the former’s car. After what Brodie had pumped into his system by Malachi he didn’t trust himself to drive yet, neither was he feeling one hundred percent.
“Thank God you’re both out,” said Christian, starting the engine and pulling into the stream of traffic before the police could change their minds.
“It seems DS Donaldson wants to help us,” said Cass.
“Did you believe him?” said Ross.
“Yes.”
“Let’s do some digging on the bastard first though,” said Brodie. “We need to find out what Pete knows about him too.”
“Elliott’s already on it back at the office,” said Christian.
Elliott was glued to his computer screen, his laptop balanced on his knees, Gardner at his side.
“Ross tells me you’re researching DS Donaldson?” said Brodie, removing his jacket and dumping it on a chair.
“He seems legit enough,” said Elliott. “I’ve even called a few police contacts and they all say he’s a good copper and a family man.”
“Have you asked Pete?”
“He didn’t pick up. I left a message on his phone.”
“That’s weird, he usually answers his phone. How was he this morning?” he asked Elliott.
“I bit tired. Noah had an unsettled night.”
“You look okay.”
“I’m used to it, he’s not. He left the house before I did.”
Cass saw the worry in Brodie’s eyes and wanted to reassure him. “He’ll be fine. He’s probably busy at work.”
“Aye, probably.” Brodie looked to Elliott. “So this Donaldson is okay?”
“Seems s
o, as far as I can see.”
“It would be good to have another ally,” said Cass. “Especially as we’re so outnumbered.”
“By the way,” said Elliott. “Mason Mortimer’s been calling. He wants to talk to you Bossman as soon as possible.”
“What about?”
“I don’t know, he said he’d only talk to you but he sounded squirrelly.”
“What does that wee fud want?” he said, taking out his phone, which Cass had rescued from the pavement outside the Chinese takeaway. He took the piece of paper Elliott held out to him with Mason’s number on and retreated to the window to make the call.
“So what happened at the station?” Elliott asked Cass.
“Donaldson said he wants to help us bring down Malachi.”
“Good. I think we’re going to need his help.”
“Any sign of the bats while we were out?”
“No. I keep expecting them though. It’s making me edgy.”
“We’re all feeling the strain.” She looked to Gardner. “How are you holding up Professor?” she said, noting how he twisted his hands together in his lap.
“Fine,” he replied through tight lips. “Just the pressure.”
“Are you okay to stay?”
“Yes,” he said, pulling his briefcase onto his knees and flipping it open. “I have coping mechanisms.”
They watched as he threw a cocktail of tablets down his neck, washing them all down with a cup of coffee. It wasn’t a reassuring display.
Brodie hung up. “The wee fanny journo wants me to go fetch him. Apparently he’s being menaced by bats and he’s wetting his frillies.”
“Where is he?” said Cass.
“At his house, which is surrounded by Malachi’s disciples. Christian, Ross, you’re with me and Cass. Elliott, stay here with the professor and keep digging. I want to be one hundred percent on Donaldson before we trust him fully.”
“Will do,” said Elliott, turning back to his computer.
The four of them jogged downstairs and outside, piling back into Christian’s car.
Brodie tried calling Pete again, grunting with annoyance when there was no reply.
“Why don’t you try calling his station if you’re so worried?” said Cass.
“Aye, that’s a good idea hen.” He dialled, tutting with annoyance when it took a few rings for his call to be answered. “Is that you Shug? Aye, it’s me. Where’s His Majesty?” He scowled at the insolent reply. “I mean Pete bloody McLaren as you well know. What? But he should be there. I will.” He hung up and regarded Cass with a worried frown. “Pete didn’t show up for work this morning.”
“That’s not like him.”
“I know.”
“Maybe he’s running late?”
“He should have started an hour ago and he hasn’t rung in. He always rings in if he’s gonnae be late.”
“What do you want to do?” called Christian from the driving seat.
“Grab Mason first then swing by Pete’s.”
“You sure?”
“We know Mason’s in trouble. Pete could just be at home with the gut rot.”
“Okay Boss.”
Cass grasped Brodie’s hand as he gazed out of the window, looking troubled.
“Surely Malachi wouldn’t abduct a police officer?” she said.
“He’s a power-hungry megalomaniac with a God complex. He thinks he can do what he likes.”
Cass didn’t bother trying to soothe his worries. What was the point when he was right?
CHAPTER 21
A line of twenty bats had gathered at the front of Mason’s smart semi-detached house. When Christian’s car pulled up they saw his white, pinched face looking out of an upstairs window.
“Do you recognise any of them?” Cass asked Brodie.
“No. None of them are Malachi’s bodyguards. These are just ordinary bats from the colony.”
“That should make it easier,” said Cass as the four of them got out of the car.
“Alright, out of the way,” said Brodie, grabbing a disciple by the shoulder and shoving him aside.
“Traitor,” he hissed. “Judas.”
“I’m no’ a traitor because I never was one of you,” snarled Brodie, rounding on him. “Your beloved leader kidnapped me and injected me with drugs to turn me into a zombie.”
“Lies by the blasphemer,” he screeched, pointing at him.
“Oh aye? Then where did these come from?” he retorted, pulling down the collar of his shirt.
The bat’s eyes widened before he frowned, peering in closer, as did some of his friends.
Brodie straightened his collar. “I want you all to really think - how many of your friends have developed mysterious cuts and bruises? How many people have suddenly vanished from your church? When was the last time you saw your families?”
As his gaze danced around the assembled group some of them looked down at the ground, brows creased with pain. Some remained defiant, so steadfast in their beliefs but it was heartening that a few had doubts.
“Just you think about all the parts of yourself that you had to give up to join your precious church,” he barked before shoving open the gate and stomping up the path. The front door opened just as he reached it, Mason peeking out.
“Quick, get in,” he told them.
Once they were all inside he slammed the door shut behind them and locked it. “You took your time,” he told them.
“Oh I’m sorry Your Highness,” replied Brodie. “In future we won’t go anywhere or do anything just in case you need us. How long have that lot been out there?”
“They started gathering last night. There were only a couple of them but their numbers quickly built up. I called the police, who came along and said they weren’t doing anything wrong because they were on a public pavement, which was no bloody use. Then they left. I managed to fall asleep around one o’clock in the morning when I was woken by a noise at the back door. The alarm went off and I called the police again. They checked the back door but as there was no sign of tampering they buggered off again. They asked that lot out there why they were still standing on the pavement at that time in the morning but they said they were just enjoying the night air, so they left them to it again. It’s unbelievable,” he exclaimed, throwing his hands into the air. “I need you to get me out of here.”
“And do what with you?”
“Take me back to your office.”
“Oh aye, like I’d let you in there, snooping and sticking your beak in where it’s no’ wanted. We’ll take you to a hotel.”
“I don’t want to go to a hotel, they’ll only find me again. I want to stay with you.”
“You’re sodding not you poke-nosed bastard.”
“I thought we were all in this together?”
“We are but that doesnae mean I want to live with you.”
“The feeling’s mutual Brodie but I’ll be no use to you if I’m dead.”
“Oh stop being dramatic.”
“I’m not. People who piss off Malachi disappear and I’ve pissed him off.”
“Why?” said Cass. “What have you done?”
“I published a story about the death of his wife, Samantha.”
“I thought you’d already done that.”
“I have but I’ve got new evidence.”
“New evidence?” spluttered Brodie, eyebrows shooting up. “Why didn’t you tell us?”
“Because I’ve not heard from you since you came to the office. I thought you’d forgotten about me, so I thought why should I bother to share anything with you?”
“Jeezo, you sound like a wean. Well congratulations because acting like a sulky brat has put a huge bullseye on your back.”
“I made a mistake, I know but I need your protection Brodie.”
Brodie nodded Cass to one side while Christian and Ross kept an eye on the bats from the window.
“What do you think hen? Should we take him back to the office?”
“I don’t want a nosy bastard reporter in the office but Malachi is gunning for him, meaning he’s vulnerable.”
“Shall we stick him in one of the safe houses?”
“I think that’s the best option but do we have any left?”
“There’s a one bedroom flat he can use. It’s a bit shitey but it’s all I’ve got.”
“Then he’ll just have to put up with it.”
“Alright,” he said patting her hand. He looked to Mason. “Right you, have you got your bags packed?”
“I do,” he said eagerly.
“Then let’s move. We’re taking you to one of our safe houses.”
“I don’t want to go to a safe house. I want to go to your office.”
“And have you rifling through everything, trying to dig up some dirt? No way.”
“I won’t do that.”
“Aye you will, you won’t be able to help yourself, even if you don’t want to, which I doubt.”
“I am not going to a safe house to be on my own, I’ll be a sitting duck.”
“No one can find my safe houses,” he replied, trying not to think about Malachi turning up at his last safe house. “So it’s either that or you can stay here. Take it or leave it.”
“Will I have a guard with me?”
“No. You want that you hire some close protection but if you do you’re no’ going to one of my safe houses.”
“Jesus Brodie, why are you being so impossible?”
“Because I am no’ having a journo poking around in confidential files.”
“I won’t, promise.” Mason’s eyes grew wide with fear. “Please Brodie, if you leave me on my own Malachi will have me killed. I’ll share everything I have with you.”
Brodie frowned suspiciously. “Really, everything?”
“Yes, everything.”
“More bats are turning up,” said Ross.
They all looked out of the window to see a large black transit van pull up and one of Malachi’s security teams jump out, led by Cain and Abel.
“Someone must have told them we were here,” said Brodie. “We need to move.”
“You see what they’re like?” exclaimed Mason, bordering on hysteria. “I can’t be left on my own, I won’t stand a chance.”
“Oh, alright but if you dare stick your beak in where it doesn’t belong I’ll drive you to Malachi’s compound and dump you outside the front door. Got it?”
The Devil Inside Page 27
