Devil's Heart

by William W. Johnstone

  Thank God!” Anita cried. A face I know is normal and a mouth that is not raving about things that go bump in the night.”

  I’ll get the luggage out of the car,” Wade said.

  Anita stepped into the house and stopped dead still in the living room. A huge gray object, in the shape of a man, a giant man, stood against the wall across the room. It was at least eight and a half feet tall. It was faceless.

  She turned to ask Doris what that thing was, was this some kind of a joke and what’s the occasion for a party? She dropped her purse on the carpet as her eyes found the mist hovering just above the carpet by a chair.

  I believe you know Reverend Sam Balon,” Doris said.

  Anita fainted.

  They had gone to a hardware store and bought several containers, then went to half a dozen Catholic churches seeking holy water. The priests, once they saw the young couple was sincere, asked no questions but merely gave them as much holy water as they wished.

  I just don’t know . . . if my mind can . . . accept all that’s been thrown at me this day, Nydia said. ”But a lot of things are beginning to fall into place.”

  Explain that?” Sam asked. They were halfway back to the Williams’ mansion, eating a mid-afternoon lunch by the side of the road. The lunch they were supposed to have eaten while exploring the woods.

  Well . . . this is only a small part of it, Sam, but have you ever been in a home that didn’t have some religious paraphernalia . . . somewhere? A painting, a cross, a Bible . . . something? I haven’t. Our house is bare of anything religious. But ... that could be explained away by the fact that Roma and Falcon don’t go to church. But I know what an upside down cross means, and both Roma and Falcon have those in their rooms. Roma, Falcon, and Black always go somewhere on Friday nights—they stay all night—always returning just before dawn. And they all wear the same kind of medallion.”

  I’m surprised they haven’t tried to make you wear one.”

  Oh, they have, dozens of times, beginning when I was just a small child. But it always irritated my neck; caused great ugly rashes; made me sick, very sick. The last time, just a couple of years ago, Roma threw the medallion away. It was gold, Sam! Worth hundreds of dollars, and she just tossed it into the garbage. She flew into a screaming rage and kept saying: ‘Damn that son of a bitch! Black Wilder, you knew this was going to happen. And damn that bastard preacher.’ I didn’t know what she was talking about, Sam. Raving was more like it. And I didn’t ask.”

  Dad wrote about Black Wilder. The Devil’s representative. The preacher must have been Dad.”

  She covered his hand with hers. Sam? For years they’ve kept it from me—or tried to—but they practice evil. I can’t prove it, for they’re very careful. But I know they do. That house is evil. The people who work for them are evil. And Jimmy Perkins . . . the way he looks at me. Something about him frightens me.”

  I wish I could recall where I’ve heard that name.”

  They looked up as a huge Sikorsky helicopter flapped and roared overhead. The helicopter, capable of carrying sixteen passengers, was soon out of sight.

  Heading for the house,” Nydia said glumly. Poor Lana and the others. They don’t have any idea what they’re getting into.”

  Lana?”

  Lana McBay. Small, blond, and very pretty. Doesn’t date much. Word is ... around the school . . . she’s a virgin.” Nydia paused for a moment, a reflective look on her face. Come to think of it, the word is that several of those girls Black mentioned are supposed to be virgins. Linda, for sure, so the talk goes. But . . . I don’t much like her.”

  Why?”

  Her reply was a noncommittal shrug.

  Does Falcon like his women young?”

  Oh, yes,” she quickly replied. For a fact. I’ve seen him looking at me in a way that makes me very uncomfortable. Just like Jimmy.”

  Have either of them ever tried anything with you?”

  Oh, no. Never.”

  Tell me about Falcon. You know he isn’t your real father. Has he been around long?”

  For as long as I can remember. There isn’t much else to tell. I . . . really don’t know where they get their money—either of them. I was told they both owned interests in a number of factories and businesses, and that this is where they got their money. I do know mother owns a company that makes wine and perfume, another company that makes clothing for women. I’ve seen those businesses.”

  Tell me about the people who run them. Those you had a chance to meet.”

  She was again reflective for a moment. Yes, I see what you mean. They . . . seemed to be afraid of Roma, but yet . . .” The sentence trailed into silence. ... The medallions. The top people all wore medallions, like mother and Falcon and Black.”

  And the one your mother tried to make you wear?”

  Just like it.”

  And did they ever meet on a Friday. Friday seems to hold some special significance.”

  Yes. Several times. And it was just like I told you before: they would all disappear about dark and not return until almost dawn. Mother said it was business, and not to worry. I always had someone staying with me, a sitter or companion. Sam? I’m frightened. I don’t want to go back to that house.”

  We have to go back, Nydia. I don’t believe we could do anything else.”

  Sam, let’s try. Let’s see if we can just run away—go back to New York State. Please? Let’s try.”

  Sam hesitated, not wanting to risk angering his father—if any of this was real, and not a dream. He wavered, sensing that Nydia’s fear was very close to overwhelming her.

  We’ll try,” he said.

  But the four-wheel would not start. Sam complained of his chest burning, and the cross around Nydia’s neck had begun to glow.

  All right, Dad,” Sam said. We get the message.”

  The four-wheel started; the burning and the glowing ceased.

  All that could have been a fluke,” Nydia suggested.

  Sam turned around, heading back to Montreal. The four-wheel died in the middle of the road. The burning and the glowing began again.

  Nydia said, All right, Mr. Balon—no more. We’ll go back.”

  The four-wheel started; the glowing and the burning faded.

  Any doubts now?” Sam asked.

  She shook her head, But where do we start, Sam?”

  At Falcon House.”

  FIVE

  What do we do?” Anita asked. She had recovered from her shocked state and sat sipping tea, her gaze alternating between the mute huge, motionless clay man and the mist that was Balon.

  Wait,” Balon projected. None of you can start it. The golem will not kill without some overt provocation toward one of you.”

  What . . . can that thing do?” Wade asked.

  It has the strength of twenty men. It cannot be stopped by anything mortal. A golem is all things of earth. But none of you need concern yourself with the mysteries of the cosmos. The golem will have no will other than what I give it.”

  Outside, although the day was bright and clear and warm, thunder rattled the windows of the house.

  Excuse me,” Balon said. No will except that which we give it.”

  The thunder ceased.

  Miles said a very quick and fervent prayer, while Anita clutched at a small Bible.

  Wade seemed amused. Doris looked at him and said, You find this amusing?”

  He’s still a reporter at heart,” Sam said.

  I have personally witnessed one of the greatest stories a reporter could possibly witness, back in 1958,” Wade replied. And am about to witness another. And I am unable to write about either. Pity.”

  The whole town—all our friends—have turned against us,” Anita said bitterly. And all you can think about is reporting a story.”

  Our friends are dead,” Wade replied. Just like before. They have rejected the teaching of the Almighty and of His Son, Jesus Christ. They have made their choice. So be it.”

  I’ll go along with t
he Almighty part,” Miles said. The bit about His Son . . . ?” He waggled his hand. I got to see it to believe it.”

  Sam Balon seemed amused by the exchange.

  Him, now,” Doris said, looking at the misty form. He could clear it all up ... if he would.”

  He can’t even clear himself up so we can get a look at him.” Miles grinned.

  STOP IT!” Anita screamed. It isn’t a joke, my God! I can’t take this joking about . . . our deaths!”

  Wade put an arm around her, pulling her to him. I think it’s the best way to hide our fears, honey. But you’re right; it is no joking matter.”

  Everything mortals question will be explained,” Balon projected. In time.”

  Anita pushed her husband from her, took a deep breath, and glared at the mist form that was once her minister. I believed in you with all my heart and faith twenty years ago, Brother Balon. I’ll do the same now.”

  Good,” Balon said.

  Someone’s walking up the sidewalk,” Miles said.

  Jane Ann,” Balon projected. I asked her to come over for a time.”

  She is going to stay with us, isn’t she?” Doris asked.

  No. The Clay Man will protect you. I will stay with Jane Ann. You will all know why that must be at a later time.”

  Miles laughed. See, momma—who says there ain’t sex after life?”

  Miles!” she whirled around, glaring at him. You shut your mouth with talk like that.” Her face suddenly split into a wide grin. Besides, for the past five years that’s all you’ve been able to do: talk!”

  Miles reddened, then grinned. He leaned back in his chair and folded his arms across his thin chest. He had a retort, but thought it best to keep it to himself.

  I agree,” Balon said to him.

  Miles looked startled for a few seconds, then smiled. No bad jokes up ... there, huh?” He pointed upward.

  You’ll see,” Balon said.

  A cup of Doris’s good tea beside her, Jane Ann looked at the small gathering. Out of the entire town, all this part of Fork, this is it, Sam?”

  Yes. There were those who felt they were Christians. But as they are soon to learn, they were only fooling themselves. And they knew it all along.”

  How sad,” Anita said.

  It will be the end of Whitfield and this part of Fork County. There will be no more Beasts, no more black masses—there will be nothing.”

  Do you mean,” Wade asked, this time we’ll really beat the Devil?”

  No!” Balon’s reply was emphatic. No mortal can ever beat the Devil. Only God. And only when He is ready. The Prince of Darkness will just be through here, that’s all. And hopefully in a certain part of Canada, as well. And do not ask me questions about that.”

  When does God plan on beating the Devil, Sam?” Wade asked.

  Balon said nothing.

  Strong silent type,” Miles said.

  Shut up,” his wife told him.

  Miles sighed.

  I don’t know if I’ll be able to lie to Roma,” Sam said. She’ll see I’m lying.”

  About what we ... saw, and heard?”

  Yes.”

  Then . . . ?”

  I don’t know. I don’t know what to do, how to start, or even where to start, really. This is all so mind-boggling. Dad said the cross would protect us . . . but how much protection will it offer? So much of what he said was . . . unclear. How about the way I feel about you? Will . . . God,” he stumbled over the word, condone my lying? My feelings? I just don’t know.”

  She moved her gaze from Sam’s face to the road ahead. Falcon House reared up. We’re about to find out,” she said tensely.

  A joke?” Roma said. What a very bad joke to play.” She could not read his thoughts, and that told her Sam was lying. It also told her that someone . . . probably Balon, was interfering; that he had been in some sort of communication with his son. That was nothing new to her: people could and did move quite freely from either side of the death line . . . providing one had the right connections with the Master of whatever world.

  She peered hard at Sam. But she could not read his thoughts. She looked at her daughter, and for the first time since Nydia’s birth, her mother could not read her.

  And Nydia realized she had blocked her mother out. Don’t look so upset, Mother,” she said innocently, the double meaning not lost on Roma.

  Roma’s returning gaze was tight. She managed a small smile. A joke? Who would play such a crude joke on you? Bring you all the way to Montreal for a joke?”

  Kids back at Nelson, I suppose,” Sam said.

  Well,” Roma said, it’s over. You have both returned. And we have more guests. We’ll have such a gala time this week. Both the east and the west wings are alive with young people.”

  And the Devil, Sam thought. He looked hard at Roma, thinking: Fuck you, bitch!

  She merely smiled.

  Ugly, Sam fired his thoughts. Ugly and old and vain and stupid.

  The smile remained fixed, even softened just a bit.

  And I’ll bet you’re a sorry screw!

  Her expression did not change. You both must be tired from the hurried drive,” Roma said. Why don’t you have a bit of a rest and get cleaned up; join your friends later?”

  They are not my friends,” Nydia said. A very few I get along with; the rest are creeps.”

  They are our guests!” Her mother’s tone was sharp. And you will be civil to them.”

  I will ignore them whenever possible.” Nydia stood her ground, facing up to her mother for the first time in her life.

  High color rose to Roma’s cheeks. We shall discuss this later.”

  No need for that, Mother.” The reply was calmly stated. I’ve said what I plan to do, and that is that.”

  Roma was inwardly fuming, but she managed a slight smile. Balon has worked his crappy Christian magic on my daughter, she thought. I wonder how many times over the years that sanctimonious stud has meddled in Nydia’s affairs—and mine? No matter, for this time I have him boxed: he cannot be in two places at once, no matter if he is as obstinate as that warrior Michael, and just as militant.

  As you wish, Nydia,” Roma said. I must admit, you do have a great deal of your . . . father in you at times.”

  Yes.” Nydia smiled. And I cannot tell you how proud that makes me.”

  I’ll break you. Roma stared hard at the young woman. She shifted her gaze to Sam. And I’ll break you as well. And when you are both mine, I’ll breed you and have a grandchild that will make the Master proud. And if I can’t do that, young people, then I’ll give Nydia to Falcon to do with as he pleases. And I assure you, daughter, that will be an experience you will not savor.

  We’ll see you at dinner, Roma,” Sam said, taking Nydia’s hand. The gesture did not go unnoticed by the mother.

  Roma nodded her head only slightly, her eyes unreadable. Yes,” she said. She turned and walked away.

  She is very angry,” Nydia said.

  Not nearly as angry as she’ll be when she sees that cross around your neck.”

  Or the burn on your chest.”

  Probably be best if we don’t swim after this.”

  That was to be my next suggestion.” She squeezed his hand as they walked down the hall to their rooms. Sam? I’m not afraid any longer.”

  I don’t know whether that’s good or bad. But neither am I.”

  Wonder why?”

  I don’t know. And I’ll tell you something else: I cannot think of you as my half sister.”

  Then don’t.”

  How come,” Sam said, his grin identical to his father’s mischievous grin, if I’m supposed to be so holy all of a sudden, my thoughts are so sexy?”

  I don’t know about that.” Her hips brushed his, the touch charged with wanton longing. But mine aren’t exactly pristine.”

  Are we both awful?” Sam’s question was spoken in all seriousness.

  No.” The young woman’s reply held the same weighty tone. I think we’re j
ust being honest.”

  What . . . do we do about it?”

  They walked slowly through the great house.

  Give it some time,” she said. They were at her door. She lifted her eyes to his. I’ll keep the door between our rooms unlocked.”

  It’s to be my decision alone?”

  She said, My mind is already made up.” She opened the door and stepped into her room. The door closed softly behind her.

  Sam showered quickly and dried off, stepping into underwear shorts. He padded barefoot into his bedroom to stand in front of the floor-to-ceiling mirror. The dark, thick mat of hair on his chest looked strange with the burned-on scar of the cross directly in the center. He wondered if the hair would ever grow back.

  He gazed into his mirrored reflection. I have a mission.” He repeated his father’s words, speaking in a whisper. And it may destroy me. I will be tempted, and fall to some of those temptations.”

  He wondered if his father had been writing of Nydia or Roma, or both? Then he decided his father had been referring to Roma.

  He stepped away from the mirror and carefully hid the containers of holy water. He opened the manila envelope and sat on the edge of the bed, studying the 8 x 10 of his father. He was still gazing at the 8 x 10 when the knock sounded on the hall door.

  Slipping into a robe, Sam opened the door. Adam Benning stood in the hall, smiling at him.

  Sam.” Adam stuck out his hand. Bet you’re surprised to see me?” It was spoken in a greasy manner.

  The two young men did not get along well. Although the same age, Adam was a senior while Sam was a freshman. And Adam was a sly, sneaky type . . . the type Sam didn’t like.

  Sam shook the offered hand. It was clammy and soft. Sam resisted the urge to wipe his hand on his robe. Yes, I am. Black didn’t tell us he had invited others.”

  Adam grinned lewdly. Thought you’d have Nydia all to yourself, huh?”

  Sam stared at him just long enough for Adam to begin to feel uncomfortable under the unblinking gaze. I think I’ll lie down for a time, Adam. So if you’ll excuse me . . . ?”

  Adam flushed hotly, clenching his hands into fists at his side. Well, there’s always one, I guess; always one person that has to screw up a good thing.”