The Devil Inside

by Heather Atkinson

  “You know how to spoil a moment Pete,” called back Brodie.

  “What are you two grinning about anyway?”

  “That was Ricky’s doctor. He said we can have the wedding ceremony in the gardens at the hospital.”

  Pete sat bolt upright. “You’re gonnae get married in a mental hospital? Are you…mental?”

  “We know what we’re doing pal.”

  “You can’t make Cass get wed in that place. It’s no’ fair.”

  “It was her idea.”

  “Bollocks.”

  “It’s true Pete,” she said. “They won’t let Ricky out for the ceremony, so it’s the only way we can have him there.”

  Brodie frowned at his friend. “Are those tears in your eyes pal?”

  “No,” said Pete, blinking them away. “It’s hay fever.”

  “You’ve never had hay fever before.”

  “I have, I just hide it well.”

  Pete got to his feet, strode onto the beach and gathered Cass into his arms.

  “That is the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard,” he said, hugging her.

  Cass smiled up at him. “As Brodie’s having Ricky as his best man, I wondered if you’d give me away?”

  Pete’s jaw dropped and fresh tears filled his eyes.

  “I knew it wasn’t hay fever,” smiled Brodie.

  “Don’t you want your da’ to do that?” Pete asked her.

  “I’m not inviting my parents or my brother. They’ll spoil it. They’re not my family, you two are, as well as Christian, Ross, Elliott, Morgan and Ricky. As long as you’re all there, that’s all that matters.”

  “I would be absolutely honoured to gie’ you away hen,” said Pete. “What do I need to do?”

  “Just walk me down the aisle.”

  “So I don’t need to organise your hen night then?”

  “No,” smiled Cass while Brodie burst out laughing, scaring the two swans who had been peacefully floating across the surface of the water. They darted away amid a flapping of wings. “I’m not having a hen night anyway,” she added.

  “You need a hen night doll. Make the most of your last wee bit of freedom before you’re tied to this walloper for life.”

  “Thanks for your concern but yes, I’m totally sure.”

  “Aye, I suppose you make a great couple,” smiled Pete when Brodie slung his arm around Cass and she nestled into him. “It’ll be good to have something nice to look forward to after all this Higher Light shite is put to bed. Will they let us have booze at the hospital? It’s no’ a Glesga wedding if it doesn’t turn into an almighty piss up with possibly a fight too.”

  “We’re only having the ceremony at the hospital, no’ the reception,” said Brodie.

  “That had better be Donaldson,” said Pete when his phone began to ring.

  “Is that the tune to Fraggle Rock?” said Brodie.

  “I put it on to take the piss out of one of my DC’s. He looks like Boober. Donaldson,” he barked into the phone. “What the hell took you so long?” Pete’s gaze darkened. “I’ll ignore that comment Sergeant.”

  “Looks like Donaldson’s spoken to Nervous Neville,” Cass told Brodie.

  They watched Pete stride up and down the beach as he listened to Donaldson talk, his expression giving nothing away.

  “Alright, keep me informed,” he snapped before hanging up.

  “Are you always so rude to your subordinates?” said Brodie.

  “Coming from you, seriously? You’re always calling Ross and Christian fannies.”

  “They know that’s just my wee joke.”

  “Hmm, anyway, he finally spoke to Nervous Neville.”

  “What did he say?”

  “Woof, woof, woof, woof.”

  They both blinked at him.

  “What the hell’s up with you, you daftie?” said Brodie.

  “That’s what Neville told Donaldson. He thinks he’s a dog.”

  “What sort of dog?”

  “Does it matter? Malachi broke the poor sod’s mind.”

  “But why a dog?”

  “The doc told Donaldson that Neville thinks dogs have very simple lives, their only cares what they’re gonnae eat, when they’re gonnae get a walk. He wants that simple life, so he decided to be a dog.”

  “Are you saying he just barks and won’t speak?”

  “Aye. He even dragged his arse across the floor because he needed a shite.”

  “Bugger. So he can’t tell us anything then?”

  “No but Donaldson’s convinced the DS who should have landed the case for the assault on Malachi but who was off sick at the time is definitely a bat. He’s gonnae see what he can find out about him.”

  “The boys are coming back from their boat ride,” said Cass.

  They watched their friends disembark from the boat, leaping off with broad grins plastered to their faces, except for Gardner, who was a bit unsteady on his feet.

  “Did he actually take his briefcase on the boat?” said Cass.

  “He was probably popping pills all the way round,” said Pete.

  “At least the others look happy,” smiled a pleased Brodie. He’d been right, this was just what they’d needed.

  The four of them came bounding up to them, Gardner trailing after them.

  “You should have a go Bossman,” said Ross. “It’s brilliant. Chris nearly fell out because he stood up when the driver told him not to.”

  “At least I didn’t scream like a wee lassie when we went around in that fast circle,” retorted Christian.

  “I was screaming with excitement, no’ because I was scared.”

  “We should go on it again,” said Steven, eyes bright with excitement.

  “Time’s getting on,” said Brodie. “We’d better head back to the city.” He felt a bit of a shitebag when their smiles dropped. “Sorry,” he added. “But we need to get back to work.”

  “About time,” said Mason, joining their group. “It’s alright for you lot, you’ve all got jobs. I need to rebuild my reputation.”

  “Let’s head back then,” said Brodie. “Hopefully we’ll be back before it gets dark.”

  “Aww, are you afraid of the dark?” said Mason, earning himself a clip around the back of the head.

  CHAPTER 25

  Ricky wanted to help Brodie and Cass. He was still overwhelmed by the honour of not only being invited to their wedding but being asked to be best man. Nervous Neville was putting on the dog act, he was sure. He was bloody good because he even had Arthur fooled, which wasn’t easy. But it wasn’t enough to fool him. Although he wasn’t as worldly-wise as his younger brother, Ricky’s instinct was just as finely honed as Brodie’s and he knew a shyster when he saw one.

  Security cameras were all over the hospital but Ricky knew of one place where there was a CCTV black spot, where the range of two separate cameras failed to meet just outside the toilets. Very few knew about this black spot. He only knew because he’d spent the majority of his life in this hospital.

  Neville was heading towards the toilets and Ricky was following. No one else was around. As he’d been much more stable lately he wasn’t followed by the orderlies anymore.

  Just before Neville went into the toilets Ricky grabbed him and pulled him back, being careful to stay out of range of the cameras.

  “Don’t even think of barking you fucking walloper,” growled Ricky, slamming him up against the wall when Neville’s mouth opened.

  Neville’s eyes bulged as he stared up at him.

  “I know this mad dog act of yours is a load of old bollocks, just so you won’t have to talk to anyone about Higher Light. Well my brother needs help and he’s gonnae get it. You’ll ask to speak to him, let’s say to unburden your soul.”

  When Neville gnashed his teeth together and growled, Ricky kneed him in the groin. He groaned and would have slid down the wall had Ricky not been pinning him upright by the throat.

  “You want to be a dog eh?” said Ricky. “Then you’ll
get treated like one.” Neville squeaked when Ricky grabbed his balls and twisted. “Let’s neuter you.”

  “No, please,” rasped Neville.

  “I knew you could talk you tricky wee shitebag. Well you’re gonnae talk to my brother and tell him everything you know about Higher Light and Malachi. If you don’t then I’ll rip off your baws and give them to Simon as a wee toy. He’ll enjoy them, he’s probably getting tired of playing with his own.” He thrust his face into Neville’s, so close their noses almost touched. Neville could only stare back at the most frightening and dangerous patient in the entire hospital in abject terror. “I can get to you any time I like,” said Ricky. “A sharpened pencil in the eye, a magazine rammed down your throat, I can make a weapon out of anything and I can shove it into any part of you I like. So, tomorrow, what are you gonnae do?”

  “Tell my doctor that I want to speak to your brother, err…”

  “Brodie MacBride. Don’t forget that name, it won’t be good for your health.”

  “Aye, alright,” he sighed. “I’ll do it.” His eyes widened. “Do you think Malachi can get to me in here?”

  “Why are you so afraid of that prick?”

  “You’ve no idea what he’s capable of. I left the church but I’m still his prisoner.”

  Ricky could feel him shaking and he started to feel a little sorry for him. “You’re safe in here pal.”

  “I’m not safe anywhere. Pretending to be mad kept me safe. If I talk then he’ll have me killed. That’s what he does to people who disobey him.” His voice dropped to a whisper, choked with fear. “If he could do it to his own wife he can do it to me.”

  “What did he do to her?”

  “Battered her head in because she was holding him back.”

  “From what?”

  “His divine purpose.”

  “Divine purpose?” he sneered.

  “He’s here to save the world.”

  “Aye, right.”

  “He’ll do the same to me.”

  “Alright, don’t tell my brother what you know then. Spend the rest of your life living as a dog, you spineless twat.”

  Shame filled Neville’s eyes and he looked down at the floor. “I’ll talk to your brother. I just hope Malachi doesn’t find out.”

  “It’s no’ him you need to worry about.” Ricky’s amber eyes blazed, his grip on Neville tightening.

  “I’ve said I’ll do it. Please don’t hurt me.”

  “Speak to my brother and you’ll be safe.” Ricky’s smile was diabolical. “Promise.”

  The next morning Cass and Brodie were snuggled up in bed together in their room at the safe house, naked flesh pressed together. The voices of the others in the living room filtered through the wall. Cass moaned into Brodie’s mouth as he kissed her. Realising she was making a lot of noise, she sighed.

  “What’s wrong?” he said.

  “I can’t wait to go home, where we can be alone properly. We’ve got Christian, Ross, Gardner, Mason and now Steven staying here too.”

  “Aye I know hen but it’s only temporary.”

  “I can’t relax properly with you.”

  “Soon this will all be over and we’ll be back in our cosy nest.”

  “The end doesn’t seem to be in sight with this one.”

  “We thought that about the Creegan and Thorne shite and we got all that wrapped up.”

  “They were individuals. With Higher Light we’ve not just taken on Malachi but his hundreds of followers.”

  “It’s the same thing, just on a bigger scale.” Brodie gazed down at her and ran his fingers through her hair. “This isnae like you hen, you sound almost defeated.”

  “I just want it to be over so we can get on with our lives.”

  “Aye it’s a bit of a mess, isn’t it? We wouldnae be here if it hadn’t been for bloody Susan Silvers coming into the office.” His eyes darkened. “What a coo.”

  They heard the front door slam open and Pete call, “Are that pair no’ up yet?” A few seconds later there was a bang on their bedroom door. “Put each other down, will you? We’ve got things to do.”

  “Piss off,” yelled Brodie.

  “Charming,” yelled back Pete. “You’re no’ gonnae get a gourmet doughnut now.”

  “Good. I’m sick of bloody doughnuts.”

  There was a shocked beat of silence before Pete said, “Let’s pretend that was down to your recent trauma and that you never said it, alright pal?”

  “We’ll be out soon,” called Cass.

  “I’ll get the coffee on.”

  “Thank you.”

  “That is one big noisy git,” said Brodie when Pete had stomped off.

  “And you love him to bits.”

  “I love your bits more,” he said with a saucy wiggle of the eyebrows.

  “We need to get out there,” said Cass when he kissed her neck.

  “They’ll wait. Oh Jesus Christ, can we not get any peace?” he exclaimed when his phone started to ring.

  “What’s wrong?” she said when he frowned at the screen.

  “It’s Ricky’s doctor. Christ, I hope he hasn’t had a setback. Alright Arthur?” he said into the handset. “Is something wrong with Ricky? Thank God for that,” he breathed. “So what can I do for you? Really? So he can use words then. Aye, I’ll be there in a couple of hours.”

  “What was that about?” said Cass when he’d hung up.

  “Nervous Neville wants to talk to me about Higher Light.”

  “The same man who just barked at Donaldson?”

  “Aye.”

  “What made him change his mind?”

  Brodie grinned. “Ricky. I bet he persuaded him.”

  “How?”

  “I don’t want to think about that. I could be wrong though.” He patted Cass’s bare backside. “Time to get up sweetheart.”

  “Oh finally,” said Pete when Brodie and Cass strolled into the lounge. “I thought I was going to have to charge in there with a bucket of cold water and a crowbar.”

  “Alright, what’s crawled up your arse and started chewing?” frowned Brodie.

  “If you hadnae noticed, I’ve been suspended because of this Higher Light shite.”

  “You haven’t been suspended, you’re on holiday.”

  “That’s a euphemism for one step from the job centre.”

  “At least you still have a job,” said Mason. “I’ve been sacked and I’m in hiding.”

  “Okay, okay,” said Brodie, holding up his hands. “We’re here now. So, what are we gonnae do?”

  “We were hoping you’d tell us.”

  “You mean no one has any ideas?”

  They all shrugged.

  “We’re relying on your brains Brodie,” said Pete. “God help us all.”

  “The rumour mill seems to be working though,” said Elliott. “Stories are popping up in the local press as well as on the internet about Malachi and his followers. I set my phone to alert me when anyone mentions Higher Light or Malachi online. There’s even a story about Cain hanging around transvestite bars and Abel’s predilection for large vegetables.” His eyes danced. “I wonder where they got all that from?”

  Brodie chuckled. “The wallopers are gonnae love that.”

  “Your false rumours will be like a stick in a wasp’s nest,” said Gardner. “You’re only going to stir them all up and make them angrier.”

  “Good,” said Brodie. “People make stupid mistakes when they’re angry and no one will be able to trace all these rumours back to us.”

  “Malachi is far from stupid. Of course he’ll know they originated from this office.”

  “So what? This needs putting to bed and we won’t be able to do that without decisive action. Where’s Steven?”

  “Having a lie in. All the freedom yesterday at the loch took it out of him. Then he came back and got stuck into the whisky with that pair,” he added with a frown at Christian and Ross.

  “He’s a good laugh is Steven,” sa
id Ross.

  “You shouldn’t be encouraging him to drink. He has a lot of psychological issues to overcome after his ordeal in the cult, he needs to be reintroduced into society gradually.”

  “It was only a few bevvies in here,” said Christian. “We didn’t take him clubbing.”

  “We should,” said Ross. “An awesome club’s opened on Jamaica Street.”

  “I absolutely forbid it,” said Gardner. “Who knows what damage was done to him in the cult? Going out in that crazy atmosphere surrounded by cheap, hard booze will not be good for him.”

  “It’s just what he needs,” frowned Ross. “It always makes me feel better.”

  “You are a man of the world.”

  “Thanks,” beamed Ross.

  “Do not throw him in at the deep end, it could set his recovery back months.”

  “Actually, you might have a point,” said Christian. “But don’t treat him like he’s made of glass either, that’ll piss him off.”

  “Oh great,” said Brodie when his phone rang. “It’s wee mental Stuie again. He’s probably after more cash. Stuie,” he sighed when he answered. “I’m in it up to my eyes here….What?” he exploded into the handset. “Never mind about your sodding ear. Where? Right, we’re on our way. Aye, you’ll get your cash. Stop banging on at me, I’m no’ in the fucking mood.”

  “What the hell’s happened now?” said Cass when Brodie hung up.

  “It’s Natalie. Malachi’s giving one of his brainwashing speeches in George’s Square again and she’s by his side.”

  “What?” they all exclaimed.

  “Who’s Natalie?” said Gardner.

  “My sister,” said Brodie. “Let’s move. Not you,” he told Mason when he got up to follow. “The place is swarming with bats and they’re after you. Stay here with the Professor and Steven. Ross, stay with them.”

  “Aye Boss.”

  “The rest of you, with me,” said Brodie, storming for the door.

  To their dismay, George Square was once again packed with people watching Malachi, disciples moving among them doling out leaflets.

  “Look at that silly coo,” exclaimed Brodie, waving a hand in the air at his sister, who was standing right beside Malachi, holding herself proudly, wearing the traditional bat uniform. “He’s only conscripted her to get at me.”