“I hate to say it,” said Cass. “But she would have been easy pickings for him - lost, no direction in her life, a hopeless addict.”
“You’re bang on the money hen. I bet he told her it isn’t her fault that her life’s in the crapper, it’s all down to the devils inside her. She’s never been able to accept responsibility for how shitty her life is, she would have pure lapped up having something else to blame. But she’s my sister and I’m no’ letting him do this.”
“Wait,” said Pete, grabbing his arm when he started to fight his way through the crowd towards his sister. “If you go anywhere near Malachi he’ll cry harassment, you’ll get lifted again and not even Black will be able to get you out.”
“He’s right,” Cass told Brodie. “Don’t go steaming in.”
“I can’t just stand here and let her get sucked in with that bunch of loons,” he exclaimed.
“She doesn’t look to be under duress,” said Pete.
“Neither did I when I was standing next to that prick.”
None of them knew what to say to that.
“Malachi has put her up there as a trap,” Pete told Brodie. “He knows you can be a hothead who’s very likely to charge in and try to bundle her away kicking and screaming. Then you will be done.”
“You really think so?”
“Aye I do. I know this must be bloody awful for you pal but don’t fall for it.”
Cass took Brodie’s arm. “We need you Brodie.”
He gazed into her huge dark eyes and was decided. “Alright hen. Let’s go.”
Brodie caught Malachi’s gaze, which was so full of triumph he had to force himself not to leap up onto the platform and punch him full in the face.
As they all turned to leave, Malachi’s voice rang out loud and clear, “And here, in our midst, are the minions of the devil come to prevent you all from healing yourselves.”
Everyone turned to look their way when Malachi pointed right at them. Absolute silence reigned in George Square, for the first time in its history. A circle formed around their group as those nearest to them distanced themselves from them, as though they were contagious. A few hisses from the disciples in the crowd started up around them.
“These are the spreaders of lies,” called out Malachi in his hypnotic voice. “The ones who use the vermin hiding in the press to distribute their hate. Well here is the sister of the ringleader, Brodie MacBride, to denounce him to you all and to pull the mask from the face of this man who is respected throughout the city.”
Malachi gestured to Natalie with a sweep of the arm. She stepped up to the microphone, hands clasped demurely before her, for the first time in her life looking modest.
“My brother likes to pretend he is a fighter of injustice,” she said in a clear, strong but slightly mechanical voice. “When in truth he is the worst of them all.”
“Nat,” said Brodie helplessly.
Cass took his hand, her heart breaking at the hurt in his voice.
“He is violent,” she continued. “And uses language that is shameful to hear, not surprising because he is uneducated.”
“The lying bitch,” spat a furious Christian.
“Our father abused us,” said Natalie. “And my brother learnt at his feet.”
It wasn’t so much a word that exploded from Brodie’s lips as a roar of pain and fury. Before he could charge towards the lectern, Christian, Elliott and Pete grabbed him and held him back.
“Do not storm up there,” Pete told him. “This is all to get you to do something stupid.”
Cass was dismayed to see that Brodie was beyond reason. The rage had claimed him, a rage that Malachi had spotted was inside him and was now using against him. She took his face between her hands. “Brodie. Do not do this. It’s all over if you do. You need to talk to Neville. He might give us what we need to bring the smug prick down.”
She squeezed his hands, bringing him back to the present. His gaze locked with Malachi’s, whose eyes burned with pleasure, a sickening smile on his lips. He knew if he leapt up there Malachi would get what he wanted and his sister would be trapped in a cult for the rest of her life.
“Aye, you’re right hen,” Brodie told Cass, wrapping an arm around her. “Let’s go.”
Natalie’s voice stopped belting out its lies as their group made their way out of the square, everyone watching them go, the atmosphere positively hostile.
“Speed up,” whispered Pete. “It feels like a rammy’s gonnae kick off.”
Christian and Elliott practically shoved a path through the back of the crowd, which was composed solely of disciples. They hurried away from the square, a group of large, hefty male bats following them.
“I don’t fucking believe it,” spat Brodie. “I didn’t think even Nat would come out with all that shite in front of everyone.”
“You heard her voice,” said Cass. “He’s done to her what he did to you. It’s not her fault.”
“Maybe,” was all he said.
“You can’t talk to Nervous Neville in this state, you need to calm down or you’ll scare the crap out of him.”
“She’s right pal,” said Pete. “Let’s head over to Edith’s café and take the weight off for half an hour.”
“Perhaps you’re right,” he muttered.
The five of them piled into the café, taking a table furthest from the window. Four large bats followed them inside, taking the nearest vacant table to theirs so they could sit and stare at them.
“I can’t fucking believe it,” said Brodie, dragging his fingers through his hair. “I should have kept a closer eye on her, I should have known he’d go for Nat.”
“For Christ’s sake Brodie, you can’t protect the whole city,” said Pete.
“But I should have protected my own sister. The Creegans targeted her, they nearly killed her. I should have known this would happen but to be honest, I didn’t even think about her.”
“And that’s what’s making you feel really shitty, that you didn’t think about her but don’t beat yourself up about it. We’ll get her back, just like we did you.”
“That’s what he wants me to do. He knows I’ll charge in there, trespass on his compound and he’ll have everything he needs to put me away. If I don’t fall for it he knows it’ll fucking torment me.”
“It’s vital you take it easy. You understand me Brodie?”
“Aye but it’s just so hard,” he muttered, slamming his fist down on the table.
“I do hope you’re going to behave yourself in here Mr Brodie?” said the grey-haired lady who owned the café.
“Sorry Edith. Aye, I will.”
“Good.” She smiled at him indulgently. “Your usual?”
“That would be smashing thanks.”
“Cass and the lovely boys? All the usual?”
“Yes please,” they chimed in unison.
“No Ross today?”
“We left him back at the office.”
“Shame. I’ll go and fetch your order.”
“I’ll have a cup of tea and an éclair,” Pete called after her as she left without taking his order. “Jeezo, I become invisible around you lot.” He scowled at the four disciples. “What are you pansies looking at?”
“A cross between a bear and an uneducated warthog.”
“Better that than a brainwashed obedient wee doggy.” He puckered up his lips and fluttered his eyelashes. “Oooh Master Malachi, please let me lick your golden hole. Mmm, it tastes so yummy.”
“Bastard,” hissed one of them, leaping to his feet.
“Oy you,” Edith told the bat. “I won’t have language like that in my establishment.”
“He called me an arse-kissing poodle.”
“That’s it you, out. I warned you about swearing and you did it again.”
“Oh aye? Are you going to make me?”
“This is going to be good,” said Brodie, heartening Cass with his smile.
Edith came from around the back of the counter, rol
ling up her sleeves. “Right you nasty wee shite,” she said, taking him by the ear, making him shriek. “You are out of here.”
She dragged him to the door by the ear while everyone at Brodie’s table blatantly laughed. As she shoved him through it she kicked him up the backside for good measure, sending him sprawling onto the pavement before slamming the door shut. Everyone except the bat’s friends burst into applause.
“By God Edith you’ve still got it,” said Brodie.
“Aye I do and don’t you forget it,” she said, patting his shoulder. Brodie had helped her out when a rival café’s family had got heavy with her. After what Brodie had done to the rival’s owner with one of his own hotdogs they’d never bothered her again.
“Are you three going to give me any bother?” she demanded of the bat’s friends.
“No,” one of them timidly replied.
“Good. Well Rebecca here will take your order,” she said, gesturing to a young blond girl in an apron. “And if you’re not polite to her or think you can take liberties you’ll get what your friend got.”
“I can assure you that we are not in the habit of taking liberties with young girls.”
“Then you’re an anomaly around here,” she said before returning to her duties.
“See,” Cass told Brodie. “You’re a part of this city, you’ve helped so many people, often for free. Everyone who matters will know what Natalie said is a load of crap.”
“She’s right Bossman,” said Christian. “Don’t worry about it.”
“I’m no’ worried about me. I’m worried about Nat. Christ I hope Ricky doesn’t find out. He’ll go demented.”
“He won’t,” said Cass. “Malachi wants a fight but he’s trying to get it on his own terms. We have to make sure it happens on ours and away from his territory. We have to draw him out like he’s trying to draw us out.”
“You’re right hen,” said Brodie. “Samantha is his weakness, that’s for sure. We just have to figure out how we can use that to our advantage.”
“How do we use a dead woman?” said Pete.
“We’ll think of something.”
The sight of the cake placed before Brodie by Edith, along with a steaming cup of coffee cheered him slightly. He glanced over at the group of bats then outside at the pigeons pecking at the ground.
“Edith?” he called.
“Yes Brodie?”
His smile was evil. “Got any doughnuts?”
As they enjoyed their coffee and snacks they put all mention of Malachi and Higher Light on hold, talking about everyday things instead.
When they left, the bats gave it a few seconds before following, looking up and down the street, surprised to see Cass and the others standing there staring at them but not Brodie.
“Over here pricks,” said Brodie.
They turned to see him standing behind the café door holding a box of torn up doughnuts.
“Eat pigeons, bats,” he yelled before hurling the lot at them.
Edith and all her customers jumped when there was a bang at the floor length window. They looked round to see three men in black sliding down the glass, arms raised and shrieking against the pigeon army frantically pecking at the doughnut crumbs covering them.
“Fucking beautiful pal,” exclaimed Pete, roaring with laughter.
They were all in a much more upbeat mood as they left the shrieking bats behind.
CHAPTER 26
Nervous Neville sat at a table in the quiet room they used at the hospital when patients needed to have private chats with visitors. His bowels moved when in walked someone who looked just like Ricky MacBride, only he wasn’t quite as enormous. But he still looked strong and dangerous. He even had the same amber eyes that shot out fire.
“Hello Neville,” said Brodie, taking the chair opposite him.
Neville looked hopefully to the orderly who had escorted Brodie in but he walked out and left them alone. They didn’t usually leave visitors alone with patients, meaning Brodie was as capable as his brother.
“I hope you’re gonnae gie’ me words and no’ just barks like you gave Donaldson,” said Brodie, shrugging off his jacket.
“Yes,” he sighed, looking down at his hands.
“Arthur says you’re ready to talk about Higher Light all of a sudden. What brought that on?”
“Nothing,” said Neville, avoiding his eyes.
Brodie already suspected Ricky was behind Neville’s sudden change of heart and his shifty look confirmed it. He would have to thank his brother later.
“So out with it then,” said Brodie, leaning back in his seat.
Neville was a little flustered at first. It had been a while since he’d had a proper conversation, apart from that terrifying encounter outside the toilets with Ricky MacBride. But once he’d started he found he soon got into full flow. What he had to say stunned Brodie into silence, all the time the listening device he carried recording every word Neville said.
When his interview with Neville had concluded, Brodie left the quiet room to find Arthur waiting for him.
“Did he speak to you properly?” opened Arthur.
“Aye and he didn’t bark once.”
“So it was all a show?”
“It seems so but don’t be hard on yourself. He’s bloody terrified of Malachi finding him.”
“Is this Higher Light part of one of your investigations?”
“Aye, we’re trying to stop them.” Brodie studied him carefully, wondering whether he was a bat but he didn’t even blink.
“I don’t really know who they are but I should start to take an interest now Neville’s finally started opening up.”
“He might go back to being a dog again after today.”
“What did he say?”
“It’s better if it comes from him but you should know he went through a lot in the cult.”
“I knew there was a deep trauma at the bottom of it. Well thank you Brodie, it seems you’ve worked a miracle.” He had a suspicion that Ricky had persuaded Neville to talk but he wasn’t about to say anything. He’d achieved much more than he had in weeks. “So, have you set a date for the big day yet?”
“No’ yet. We’ve had so much going on at work but we’ll let you know soon. If I had my way it would be tomorrow.”
Arthur couldn’t help but smile at Brodie’s big grin. “I’ll bet. You’re going to have a very beautiful bride.”
“Too right I am pal. I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve her.”
“I’m sure you’ve done plenty. Right, I must leave you and speak to Neville while he’s in the mood for opening up.”
“You might have a job, he’s pretty knackered after unloading himself.”
“I’ll check on him. Ricky’s waiting for you in the dayroom.”
“Cheers Arthur,” said Brodie, shaking his hand before heading down the corridor into the dayroom.
As it was raining, all the patients were inside. Ricky was standing at one of the windows, blocking out the light.
“How ya doin’ wee brother?” said Ricky.
“No’ bad. Neville’s suddenly started talking.”
“Aye, a mystery that.”
“I don’t think it is. What did you do?”
“I just persuaded him that it would be in his best interest to start talking.”
“Persuaded him how?”
“I didnae attack him or anything.”
“I bet you didn’t need to. When you’re angry you can put the shits up anyone. Thanks by the way.”
“Nae bother. I wanted to say thanks for asking me to be your best man. I cannae wait for that by the way.”
“Even though it’s being held here?”
“Aye. I was thinking about that and it’s probably for the best. I don’t think I could handle what’s outside the hospital walls. I can’t remember the last time I felt so calm.”
“You been prancing about the garden in your jammies again?”
“The tai chi really help
s but this is the best I’ve been since I was a wean. I don’t want to spoil that by having a maddy on the outside.”
“I’m so proud of how you’re doing pal.”
“I’ll never have a life on the outside but at least I can now know peace on the inside.”
“Don’t say that, you never know.”
“Face it pal, I’m in here for life.”
“Stop talking utter shite.”
“I’m not.” Ricky patted his shoulder. “It’s for the best and I’ve accepted it. I couldn’t stand it if I hurt someone else, unless they deserved it, like that prick who shot me.”
“Be careful, won’t you? After what the Creegans did I’m worried about the cult having a go at you.”
“And if they try I’ll do to them what I did to the prick who shot me, so don’t worry. Anyway, if they do try at least it’ll liven things up a bit around here.”
“Will you stop with all this negative talk, for Christ’s sake?”
“Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine. You concentrate on what you’ve got to do. I’ve started writing my best man’s speech.”
“Oh God. No embarrassing stories, please.”
“No’ even the one about when you pissed your pants in the Blackpool Dungeon when you were six?”
“Especially no’ that.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t embarrass you.”
“Let’s hope. Right, I’d better get back to the office. I’ve got a lot to do.”
“And I’ve got to get back to writing my speech. Are you inviting Nat to the wedding?”
Brodie forced down the emotion the mention of their sister caused. Ricky’s gaze was open and curious, so clearly he didn’t know about her conversion to Higher Light. “Aye, we will. I just hope she’s polite to Cass.”
“Don’t you worry about that, I’ll have a word with her. She’s no’ ruining your special day.”
Cass had waited for Brodie in the car. Neville had said he’d only speak to him, so she hadn’t bothered to go in. She would have visited Ricky while Brodie was with Neville but she was afraid of giving something away about Natalie and upsetting him. Normally she would have waited back at the office for Brodie but after he’d been kidnapped she was reluctant to let him go anywhere alone until this Higher Light business was over.
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