I Will Fear No Evil

by Debbie Viguié

  Trina approached Cindy. “Thank you. This wouldn’t have been possible without your help,” she said.

  “I was just glad we could get people out here,” Cindy told her. “If we’d known about him, about his condition, maybe we could have helped sooner.”

  “Maybe. Or maybe it was just perfect timing and now was the time he was meant to be healed,” Trina said. “Honestly, though, I’m overwhelmed by the outpouring of faith and compassion. First Shepherd must be one special place.”

  “We like to think so,” Cindy said with a smile. “Although at the end of the day we’re just a church like any other, struggling to get through and discover God’s will for our lives and live every day to the best of our abilities.”

  “The faith you all displayed was still quite remarkable.”

  “Thank you. And thank you for suggesting we come out to pray.”

  “I’d love to tell you it was altruistic, but it was purely selfish on my part. I believe that guy in there can help us solve this whole mystery. But he couldn’t do that from his coma.”

  “I hope you’re right,” Cindy said fervently. “This can’t go on much longer. I keep thinking it’s only a matter of time before the next body shows up.”

  “I’m afraid you’re right. In my experience, there always is a next body.”

  Cindy shuddered “I’m glad I don’t have your job.”

  Trina smiled. “I understand. There are days I wish I didn’t have my job. But then there are days where everything comes together and I can help save lives and initiate healing for those who have lost something.”

  “That will be good. There’s a lot of healing that needs to go on here in Pine Springs.”

  “What makes you say that?”

  Cindy thought of Jeremiah and all he’d been through, and the trauma that Traci and her sisters were suffering. She opened her mouth, but then quickly closed it again. “I’m sorry, it’s not my place to really say. I can’t believe I’ve said as much to you as I have. You’re very easy to talk to.”

  Trina smiled. “I get that a lot. Remember, though, if you do need to talk, I’m always ready to listen.”

  “Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind,” Cindy said. “Right now, though, I’m planning on getting some sleep.”

  “You’ve earned it. Have pleasant dreams tonight,” Trina said.

  “Thanks,” Cindy said, feeling warm and fuzzy inside. “I think I just might.”

  Jeremiah was well into his second hour with the kids and they were just as enthusiastic as they had been at the beginning. He had taught them ways to jump out and surprise people, noises to make that would pray on people’s base instincts, and what type of noisemakers and props to use to engender terror in their victims. Now, though was the ultimate lesson.

  “Are you ready to learn your secret weapon?” he asked them.

  Kids jumped up and down, roaring approval and willingness to learn.

  “Okay, for this I need three volunteers.”

  Hands shot up all over the room. This time he was careful to choose kids who did not know him. He had three of them line up in front of the others with their backs to him. “Okay, now I want each of you to silently count to ten in your head when I say go. When you hit ten, turn around. Okay, begin.”

  He noticed that a couple of the kids were bobbing their heads up and down with their counting. He barely managed to hold back a chuckle as he crept up silently behind the biggest of the guys. He positioned himself so that he was directly behind the guy and waited for him to finish the ten count. A couple seconds later the kids began turning around. When the guy he was standing behind turned he found himself face-to-face with Jeremiah with only a mere inch between them. He shouted and leaped backward before losing his balance and landing on his rump. The kids next to him scattered, screaming as well.

  Applause broke out around the room as Jeremiah helped him back to his feet. Then he returned to the microphone. “Silence, is the most frightening thing of all,” he explained. “People are waiting for the jump moments, the screams, the music crescendos. What they can’t prepare for is what they don’t see or hear coming. The silence gets them every time. Sure, they might run if a zombie is chasing them through the maze, but if you want to cause the most terror the way to do it is to move silently and don’t draw attention to yourself until you want to be seen.”

  He pulled a couple more volunteers up out of the audience. “Let me show you one way to do this particularly well.”

  He pointed to the guy. “Now, you’re walking through the maze and you’re still looking behind you because there was a particularly loud, obnoxious monster behind you and you want to make sure he’s not following you. So, walk while looking backward.”

  The guy did as he was instructed. Jeremiah took the girl and walked her next to the guy, but with her hand extended mere inches in front of his head.

  “And turn around,” Jeremiah instructed.

  The guy turned around and saw the girl’s hand two inches from his face and he shrieked and backpedalled.

  “The unexpected. Gets them every time,” Jeremiah said as the crowd roared its approval. He handed the microphone back to Dave and the pastor beamed at him.

  “Thank you, Rabbi Silverman, for coming out and teaching us how to be scarier than we already are.”

  Everyone laughed at that, too.

  “Now remember, we have an all day workday Sunday after church to finish getting the maze put together. Remind everyone about it and bring some work clothes to change into after church. We will be providing pizza and soda for everyone who comes help build.”

  That news was met by more wild applause. Dave winked at him. “You got them really wound up, great job. Now comes the fun part. We get to send them home to their parents this hyper.”

  When Mark woke it took him a few moments to figure out where he was. Slowly he realized he was in a hospital bed. He turned his head and saw Traci sitting in a chair nearby, head bowed and hands folded.

  “Hey,” he said, his voice sounding gravelly.

  Her head jerked up and she gave out a cry of relief. She lunged forward and hugged him. “I was so scared,” she whispered against his cheek.

  “It’s going to be okay,” he said managing to lift his hand and pat her shoulder. “What happened?”

  “Jeremiah called, said you’d been poisoned and that an ambulance was taking you here. The doctor said that whatever Jeremiah had done to stop the spread of the poison saved your life. He said that you need to rest for a couple of days but you should be okay.”

  Mark nodded. He would have to thank Jeremiah.

  “So, how was your day?” he asked.

  She gave him a short, harsh laugh and stroked his hair. “I got you a Dick Tracy costume, myself a Tess Trueheart costume and little gangster costumes for the children.”

  “They’ll be adorable,” he assured her.

  She slowly sat back down next to him, but continued to hold onto his arm. Her eyes were puffy and he could tell she’d been crying.

  “How long was I out?” he asked.

  “Six hours I think. The worst six hours of my life.”

  Given some of the things they’d been through, that was saying a lot.

  “Did Jeremiah and Trina find anything else in the house?” he asked.

  “What house?”

  “The one where we found the first victim.”

  Suddenly Traci went very still. “That’s where you were when you were poisoned?” she asked, pulling her hand away from his arm.

  “Yeah. We found this secret room in the basement. On this table I saw a bit of mirror that looked almost more like a crystal. I went to pick it up and the next thing I know I’m on the floor.”

  “You went back there after you promised me that you wouldn’t?”

  “I’m sorry. It couldn’t be helped. I had to find out if something was missed the other day, and it was.”

  “You had to find out? It sounds like Jeremiah and Trina were there.�
��

  He nodded. “Trina found the secret room.”

  “So, you didn’t have to be there. The F.B.I. was handling it. You went, knowing what I felt, knowing that I thought something terrible was going to happen to you there.”

  He looked into her eyes and suddenly realized that he was in trouble. He had never seen her so angry. “I’m sorry.”

  “Sorry? You’re sorry? For which part? Ignoring me and my instincts, nearly getting yourself killed in the process, or getting caught?” She stood up and she was shaking from head to toe. “You purposely endangered your life.”

  “A cop needed to go.”

  “That’s bull and you know it. The F.B.I. was there and last I checked, they trump you. And if it was so important a cop go, you could have asked Liam to go. No, instead you had to go and risk your life after I told you I didn’t want you back there.”

  “It’s my job-”

  “And there it is. Your job is more important than your family, than me. Listen, Mark. I’ve put up with a lot of crap because of your job, but I will not put up with this. I have Rachel and Ryan to think about now. It’s bad enough that you don’t care enough about me to do the right thing, but you don’t care enough about them. I can’t live like this. I won’t live like this.”

  Mark was stunned. “What are you saying?”

  “I’m saying we’re done.”

  He felt his heart stutter and his chest tightened painfully. He struggled to sit up. He reached for her hand, but she snatched it away. “Traci, please, we’ve been through worse than this. I’m fine.”

  “You and I have been through worse than this, yes, and I was willing to do it while it was you and I. I have the children to think about now, and I won’t put them through the same horror I go through, sitting up at night, wondering if you’re going to make it home or if you’re lying dead somewhere. I won’t put my children through that terror.”

  “Traci, you’re upset, I understand, but you don’t mean what you’re saying,” he choked out.

  “Did you even think about what I’d said, about promising me you’d stay away from that house when you went in it?” she asked.

  “Every step,” he admitted.

  She shook her head. “The sad part is, I’m not sure if that makes what you did better...or worse.”

  “Look, I’m sorry, I’ll never do something so stupid again.”

  “You and I both know that’s a lie.”

  “I’ll quit my job.”

  “And do what? It’s in your blood, and you’d only resent me and the kids for making you give it up. I’m done talking.”

  Tears had started to spill down her face. She picked up her jacket, turned and marched out the door.

  “Wait!” Mark shouted.

  He struggled to sit up the rest of the way. He swung his legs over the edge of the bed, tried to stand, and ended up collapsed on the floor. He could hear one of the infernal monitors they had him hooked up to change its beeping pattern. As he struggled to get back up the door flew open and a nurse rushed in. Once she saw him her expression changed and she shook her head.

  “You need to stay in bed for the next couple of days. As you see, you’re too weak to get up by yourself.”

  “I have to. It’s a matter of life and death.”

  “Oh no, I’ve heard every excuse you can think of buddy, and that won’t cut it.”

  She leaned down and put her arms around him. “Let’s get you back up on the bed.”

  “Help me out of here.”

  “No.”

  “I’m a cop.”

  “You’re a sick cop.”

  “I could shoot you,” he said, desperate.

  “With what gun? Your partner took charge of that a while back.”

  She got him back up on the bed and he collapsed, not even able to hold himself upright.

  “At least get me my phone.”

  “That I will do if you say the magic word.”

  He had never hit a woman, but he was on the verge of doing so now. “Please,” he said through gritted teeth.

  “That’s better.”

  She went to the closet and a moment later returned, handing him his phone. He called Traci, but it just went to voicemail. He tried three more times but it did the same. She must have turned her phone off. Finally he left a message. It was garbled, incoherent. He realized halfway through it that he was crying, but he forced himself to keep talking. The battery on his phone beeped and then gave out before he did.

  With a scream of anguish he fell backward.

  16

  When the doctor and nurses emerged from the room where Samuel was most of the prayer group had left, but Cindy was still there along with Trina. She felt warm and happy and exhausted, but she wanted to actually hear what the doctor said before she went home. It was the first time she’d been able to participate in anything quite like this and she wasn’t ready for the experience to end.

  When the medical staff did emerge they all looked amazed. The doctor smiled at Cindy and Trina. “I’m calling it. It’s a miracle,” he said. “I’ve never seen anything quite like that.”

  “When will I be able to speak with him?” Trina asked.

  “Ordinarily I’d say wait until tomorrow and let him rest tonight, but I think he’s done quite enough of that. So, feel free to go in.”

  “Thank you,” Trina said.

  The doctor nodded and walked off, looking at the chart and shaking his head.

  “I’m glad you’re going to hopefully get some answers. Are you going to call Mark?” Cindy asked.

  Trina shook her head. “I’m not sure he’s up to it yet. Although I will swing by his room and pop my head in after I’m done. See how he is.”

  “His room?” Cindy asked, confused.

  “Yes. Sorry, I assumed you knew. He was poisoned earlier today and he should be here in the hospital.”

  “Poisoned?” Cindy said, feeling like she’d been punched in the stomach.

  Trina nodded. “Jeremiah saved his life. That rabbi is quite the hero.”

  Cindy nodded stiffly, wondering why this was the first she was hearing of any of this. “Do you know what room Mark’s in?” she asked.

  “No, but I’m sure the nurse’s station can tell you,” Trina said. She smiled. “Wish me luck.”

  “Good luck,” Cindy said as she watched Trina walk back into Samuel’s room. As soon as the door had closed she turned on her heel and made her way to the nearest nurse’s station, feeling like she was in a fog. She’d known earlier that something was wrong. Why hadn’t she called Jeremiah? What was it Mark had said? The three of them needed to get their mojo back. Boy was he not kidding.

  One of the nurses was able to point her in the direction of Mark’s room. When she walked in he started up. “Traci?” His face fell. “Hi, Cindy,” he said, collapsing back against his pillows.

  She had never seen anyone look so pale and it scared her. She’d thought he was going to be okay, but looking at him she wasn’t so sure. “Mark, are you okay?” she asked, her voice coming out as little more than a papery whisper.

  “No, I’m not,” he said, his voice breaking.

  Fear wrapped around her heart and squeezed. She rushed over next to him and grabbed his hand. “I’m sure you’re going to be fine,” she said, hating that she could hear the tremble in her voice.

  “No, I won’t be, and there’s no getting around that,” he said, his eyes so full of grief that the tears started pouring down her cheeks. She still felt somewhat drained from the prayer session and her legs turned to rubber. She was going to collapse if she didn’t sit.

  She reached for the chair closest to her with her free hand and managed to yank it close just as she fell into it. “Oh, Mark, I’m so sorry,” she said.

  “I never dreamed this would happen. Not now. Not like this. Not after surviving so much,” he said. “And I’m just stuck here in this bed. I can’t even get up and do anything to fix this.”

  “Of course you
can’t,” she told him, struggling to overcome her own emotions. He needed her strength, now more than ever. And Traci was going to need it once the end had come.

  “Where, where is Traci?” she managed to ask, her heart breaking for her.

  “I don’t know,” he said, tears shimmering in his eyes. “She’s not answering her phone.”

  “Does she know?”

  He looked at her like she had lost her mind. “Of course she knows. She’s the one who told me.”

  The horror of that was nearly too much. To have to hear that he was dying from his wife instead of the doctor. She couldn’t believe what that must have done to both of them.

  “Does Jeremiah know?” she asked. Trina certainly didn’t seem to. She had thought Mark was going to be okay.

  “No. No one else knows but you,” he whispered.

  “What can I do for you?” she asked.

  “You have to help me get out of here. The nurses won’t let me leave, and I can’t stand up on my own. I tried earlier and just collapsed on the floor. My legs won’t hold me up. I can barely sit up, but I can’t be here. I can’t just lie in this hospital bed while everything slips away from me.”

  “Where do you want me to take you?” she asked.

  “Home first. Then, I don’t know.”

  She nodded. She could do this for Mark. She owed him this much. She forced herself to her feet. “I’ll find a wheelchair and then we’ll get out of here.”

  “Thank you,” he said, gripping her hand hard. “You are a true friend and I will never forget this.”

  She nodded and turned away, barely making it out into the hallway. She didn’t want to sob in front of him. She leaned against the wall for a moment, trying to gather her wits about her. Then she headed for the elevator. She knew from experience that they kept wheelchairs ready and waiting at the entrance to the emergency room.

  She pulled out her phone and called Jeremiah. Mark needed her and she needed him.

  “Hello?” he answered.

  “Where are you?” she asked.