The Revelation Room (The Ben Whittle Investigation Series Book 1) (13 page)

Ben watched Ebb return to the barn.
An Alsatian walked on Ebb’s right-hand side. The dog wasn’t on a leash. It kept
in perfect step with its master. Ebb stopped a few feet in front of the cross
and snapped his fingers. The dog sat down and regarded Ben with alert brown
eyes.

Ebb grinned up at Ben. ‘I’d like you to meet Max.’

Ben wondered if he should introduce himself to the dog.
Hi,
Max, I’m Ben, and I’m in a stack of shit right now, so please excuse me if I
don’t shake you by the paw.

‘Madeline thought Max was a boy.’

How stupid of her,
Ben thought.
Whatever was she
thinking of?

‘Just so you don’t make the same mistake, Max is very much a
girl, Benjamin. She’s called Maxine.’

 Ben didn’t give a fig which sex the dog was. He was
more concerned with why Ebb had brought the blasted thing into the barn.

Ebb looked at Ben. ‘Do you know that a dog can sniff out a
single drop of blood in thousands of litres of water?’

‘No.’

‘They can sniff out drugs. Cancer, even. Were you aware of
that?’

‘I know they use them for drugs.’

‘Dogs are the most marvellous creatures, don’t you agree? I
was telling Madeline about the virtues of dogs half an hour ago.’

‘Where is Maddie?’

‘Madeline is fine. She’s having a little nap at the moment.
She likes dogs. She had an Andrex puppy when she was a little girl. Bought for
her by her over-indulgent parents.’

If you’ve done anything to her...

Ebb reached down and patted Max’s head. ‘Do you know the
most remarkable thing about Maxine?’

‘No.’

‘She can smell evil.’

Really? How come she isn’t going wild being near you,
then?

 Ebb clicked his fingers. ‘Can’t you, girl?’

Max barked. The sound echoed around the barn like a gunshot.
Saliva dribbled from her muzzle.

‘What do you think, Benjamin? Can Maxine can flush Satan out
of you?’

Ben shook his head. ‘I’m not evil.’

Ebb grinned. ‘I don’t expect Satan to announce himself.’

‘I’m not Satan,’ Ben shouted.

Ebb turned around and addressed the group. ‘The imposter
speaks.’

Tweezer stepped forward. ‘We must flush him out, Father.’

Ebb turned back to Ben. ‘During the war, Russian guards
would starve their dogs. Do you know why?’

Ben didn’t. He didn’t want to know, either.

‘Go on. Take a guess.’

‘Not enough food?’

Ebb laughed. ‘No. It was to ensure those dogs were hungry.
Not just
grumbly tummy
hungry, Pixie-pea. Not just
get to bed without
any supper
hungry. Not just
mummy’s drank the dinner money again
hungry. No, sir. Not on your high heels. Those dogs were
rip your arm off
and shit your fingers
hungry. That way, when they stood those insubordinate
prisoners naked in the quadrangle and covered their frozen bodies with hot
goulash, those dogs would be ready to eat them alive.’

Ben’s mind refused to process any more information. A tear
slipped down his cheek. He looked at the other members of The Sons and
Daughters of Salvation standing in a line a few yards away from the cross. How
could they believe in such a crazy crock of shit? How could they stand there
and do nothing?

Ebb continued: ‘By the time two or three of those prisoners
were turned into dog meat, the rest of them were ready to sing like birds.’

‘Praise Jesus,’ Tweezer said, as if by default.

‘Praise Jesus,’ Ebb agreed. ‘I would say there’s nowhere for
Satan to hide when confronted with man’s best friend.’

Ben’s stomach lurched. What was Ebb going to do? Cover him
with food and set his own dog upon him to eat him alive?

Ebb held up a hand and smiled. ‘Luckily for you, Benjamin,
we do not condone such barbarity. Not even in pursuit of Satan himself.’

Tweezer studied Ben for a moment. ‘Satan mocks you, Father.’

Ebb tightened his robe. ‘He tries, Brother. He tries. But my
patience is bolstered by the fortitude of Jesus Christ Himself. I’m in no rush.
Satan will come out.’

Tweezer punched the air. ‘Praise Jesus.’

Ebb raised both hands in the air. ‘The mockers and the
counterfeiters will all be brought to justice in the court of the Lord Jesus
Christ. The highest court in the universe. The Court of Correction.’

‘Amen,’ Tweezer rapped.

‘Sinners shall be burned alive. No one shall be spared. It
is written in the stars. We must build our spaceship and be ready. The old and
the young shall be called unto Him.’

‘The oldest is the youngest and the youngest is the oldest,’
Tweezer shouted.

Ebb addressed the group again. ‘The pimp and the paedophile
might hide in the carcass of an old man, but does that mean we should take pity
upon his frailty?’

‘No, Father,’ the group chanted.

Ben noticed Bubba staring at him. There was something in the
big man’s eyes. A fleeting flash of something that Ben couldn’t quite put his
finger on. Compassion? Fear? Understanding? And then it was gone again as Bubba
looked at the ground.

Ebb rattled on: ‘Should we spare the child who shall grow
into an adult and cause misery to the world?’

Like you
, Ben thought.

‘No, Father,’ the group chanted.

‘What should we do?’ Ebb asked his followers.

‘Destroy him, Father.’

Ebb nodded triumphantly. He paced up and down like a
victorious sportsman basking in the glory of victory. ‘Satan comes in many
guises. The poet, the politician, the thief, the vagrant. He hides like a
sneak-thief in an alleyway at night. Just like he does in this poor wretch on
the cross.’

Tweezer agreed. ‘I smell Satan oozing from every pore.’

‘He hopes we take pity on him. But do we take pity?’

‘No, Father,’ the group chimed.

‘Do we turn a blind eye because this sad, pathetic man does
not
look
capable of causing harm?’

‘No, Father.’

Ebb stopped pacing and cocked his head to one side. ‘Damn
right, we don’t. Because that would be as stupid as eating a raw chicken and
wondering why you had a dodgy belly. The most deadly spider on the planet isn’t
any bigger than a two-pence piece, but we don’t invite it to stretch its legs
on our arm, do we?’

‘No, Father.’

‘We don’t allow ourselves to be fooled by these things, any
more than we allow ourselves to be fooled by this sad wretch on the cross.’

Ben looked at the group. In the eerie yellow light cast by
the lanterns, he couldn’t distinguish their features. The lack of identity made
them seem even more sinister. ‘I haven’t done nothing.’

Ebb turned his attention back to Ben. ‘We hear your words,
Satan. We hear them like wind on a hilltop. But we don’t believe you.’

Ben took a deep breath. ‘I’m… just… me…’

Ebb ignored him. ‘Max! Heel!’

Max stood up and fell into line beside her master. Ebb
walked right up in front of the cross with the dog at his side. He ran his
hands slowly across Ben’s legs like a faith-healer in the midst of a healing
session. ‘I feel Satan’s vibration.’

Tweezer crossed himself. ‘May the Lord Jesus Christ protect
us.’

Ebb finished his bizarre exercise. He then turned to the
dog. ‘Max! Seek.’

Max sniffed Ben’s feet and shins. Her tail swished in the
dusty air. The leather restraints suppressed Ben’s natural urge to kick out.
Max paid particular attention to Ben’s right knee. She sniffed it for several
seconds and then stepped back and barked.

Ebb hunkered down. ‘What is it, girl?’

Max wasn’t saying. She panted. Droplets of saliva fell on
the dry earth floor.

Ebb put his hands either side of the dog’s head and stared
into her eyes. After several moments of what appeared to be deep contemplation,
Ebb stood up. ‘She smells Satan.’

Max barked, as if acknowledging Ebb’s claim.

Ebb ruffled Max’s head. ‘Good girl, Max.’ He then turned to
Tweezer. ‘Take Maxine to her kennel. There are treats in the kitchen under the
sink. Give her two and make sure her water bowl is filled.’

‘Yes, Father.’

‘Just two treats, mind. There’s a thin line between reward
and spoiling.’

‘Yes, Father.’

Ebb pursed his lips. ‘Bring the blow torch back with you. I
think it might be prudent to drive Satan from his hidey-hole.’

‘Yes, Father.’

‘Blow torch?’ Ben shouted. ‘Oh, God, no. This can’t be
happening.’

Ebb grinned. It was a grin that belonged on the back of a
Wild West wagon selling snake oil. ‘I’m sure you’re familiar with the concept
of fire, Satan.’

Ben shook his head and moaned. His hands and shoulders felt
as if they were already engulfed in flames.

‘A nice hot fire should be right up your alley.’

‘Please don’t burn me,’ Ben pleaded.

Ebb squinted up at Ben. ‘Save your pitiful whimpering for
the imps. It’s the only feasible way of getting you out.’

‘There’s nothing in me,’ Ben shouted.

‘You can’t have “nothing” in you. That’s impossible unless
you’re hollow.’

‘I mean
Satan
. Satan’s not inside me.’

‘Denial is always the first port of call for the guilty.
Your flagrant disregard for my authority tells me exactly who’s sailing your
ship. Max has confirmed Satan’s presence. Now we must act.’

Ben tried to push up and relieve the pressure on his
shoulders. A flare went off in his knee. He screamed and gasped for air.

Ebb was unimpressed. ‘Spare me the amateur dramatics. Your
pathetic attempts to garner sympathy are wearing thin.’

‘I’m not—’

Ebb pointed a finger at Ben. ‘You’d do well to speak only
when spoken to.’

Ben closed his eyes. His head felt as if a marching band was
stomping all over his brain. He silently recited the Lord’s Prayer and asked
Pastor Tom’s God to spare him.

Ebb addressed the group. ‘See how Satan controls Benjamin?’

‘Yes, Father.’

Ben thought they would all agree to worship a billy goat if
Ebb asked them to.

‘See how Satan distorts the truth?’

‘Yes, Father,’ the group chorused.

‘Leave m-me alone, you f-f-f-fucking idiot,’ Ben shouted.

Ebb turned back to Ben. ‘It’s clear to anyone with ears that
 Satan decorates your tongue with profanity. But hear this: I’m not
listening, Pixie-pea.’

Ben twisted his head from side to side as a firecracker
exploded in his right knee. He wanted to reach out and rip Ebb’s tongue from
his mouth. Poke out his eyes. Wrap his hands around his neck and squeeze the
life out of him. But poor old Stutter-buck didn’t even have the guts to say boo
to a bat. He was born a coward, and he would die a coward. And Maddie would die
right along with him because he didn’t even have the balls to come here on his
own.

‘I’m a c-c-coward.’  

‘You’ve got that one right,’ Ebb agreed. ‘We shall wait for
Brother Tweezer to come back, and then we’ll see what you’ve got to say for
yourself.’

Maddie was still half asleep when
Tweezer came into the room. For a few seconds, as her brain scrambled to
distinguish the difference between imagination and reality, she thought she was
in hospital and Tweezer’s robe was a surgical gown.

Tweezer smiled at her and stroked his goatee. ‘How are you
feeling?’

Maddie pushed herself up. One of the cuffs jarred her right
wrist. ‘What?’

‘Sorry, did I wake you?’

Maddie shook her head as her mind fell into line with her
eyes. ‘What do you want?’

Tweezer sat down on the bed. ‘I was just wondering if there
was anything I could get you?’

‘The key to these handcuffs?’

Tweezer shook his head. ‘Sorry, sister. That’s more than my
life’s worth.’

‘And what is your life worth?’

‘Pardon me?’

‘What is your life worth? It’s a simple question.’

‘I’m only trying to be friendly.’

‘Are you? I’d hate to see you when you’re trying to be
nasty.’

‘I’m not nasty.’

‘Really? So what do you call killing a man with a hammer? A
friendly pat on the head?’

‘That was a long time ago.’

‘And that makes it all right, does it?’

‘God has forgiven me.’

Maddie rolled her eyes. ‘He told you that, did He?’

Tweezer smiled. ‘He came to the Father in a vision and told
him so.’

‘And you believe that?’

Tweezer shook his head. ‘I don’t
believe
it. I know
it.’

Maddie looked away. ‘Of course you do.’

‘Anyway, this isn’t about me, Madeline. It’s all about you
and what lives inside you.’

‘There’s nothing inside me.’

‘You and Benjamin must be purged.’

‘Where is Ben?’

Tweezer smiled. ‘About to be exorcised.’

Maddie felt as if someone had dropped several ice cubes in
her blood. ‘What do you mean, “exorcised”?’

‘That’s not for you to worry your pretty little head over.
It’s all going to be finished with by morning. You two will have plenty of time
to catch up later.’

‘Why am I handcuffed to the bed?’

Tweezer moved a little closer. ‘You know why, Madeline. For
your inauguration.’

Maddie could smell tobacco on his breath. ‘But what’s going
to happen to me?’

Tweezer seemed to consider this for a while. And then: ‘The
Father will plant his seed in you.’

Maddie pushed back against the head rail. ‘I’m not letting
him do that.’

Tweezer grinned. ‘Pride is a sin, sister.’

‘It’s got nothing to do with pride. It’s my body.’

Tweezer shook his head. ‘Not anymore it’s not. You gave your
body to The Sons and Daughters of Salvation the minute you arrived at
Penghilly’s Farm.’

Maddie set her jaw and pushed harder into the head rail.
‘He’s not touching me.’

‘Resistance is pointless, Madeline. Brother Gerald would
testify to that – if he could.’

Maddie twisted her head to one side and closed her eyes.
Maybe this would go away if she never opened them again. Just like when she was
a little girl and she used to shut her eyes to wish away the wicked witch with
the tombstone eyes and the goo-green face hiding under her bed.

‘You want my advice?’ Tweezer asked.

The pungent smell of tobacco wafted up Maddie’s nose, making
her feel sick. She held her breath.

Tweezer carried on, seemingly oblivious to Maddie’s disgust.
‘Just do as you’re told. It’s the best thing you can do.’

Maddie knew that the witch under the bed had a huge wart on
the end of her hooked nose. A wart oozing pus. One night, convinced that the
witch’s bony fingers had reached out and touched her, Maddie had screamed for
her mother to come and rescue her. Screamed all the way to Rwanda. But her
mother was dead. Dead and buried in the hard earth with a simple wooden cross
and a few pebbles to decorate her grave. Screaming for help now was as
pointless as screaming for her mother all those years ago. Except this time the
source of her terror was not a figment of her imagination.

‘Do you want a drink?’

Her father had taken her to Rwanda once when she was twelve
years old. Back to the village where her mother had died. She’d wanted to cry
as she’d looked at the pregnant swell of earth marking her mother’s grave. But
no tears would come. Her only emotion had been anger. Anger at all the things
she’d missed out on, like her mother brushing her hair at night and putting her
to bed with a kiss. Picking her up from school and reading with her. Simple
things that most kids at school took for granted.   

‘Madeline?’

Her father had fixed a picture of his wife to the wooden
cross. He always told Maddie that she had her mother’s lovely green eyes and
long straight nose. Except that was silly. Maddie had her own eyes and nose.

‘The world is evil,’ Maddie whispered.

Tweezer agreed. ‘Profoundly evil.’

‘How could anyone do such a thing?’

Tweezer reached out and touched Maddie’s arm. ‘How could
anyone do what, love?’

Maddie didn’t feel his hand on her arm. She was back at the
grave in Rwanda. Her father had said a prayer, giving thanks and praising
Jesus. Maddie didn’t know what there was to be thankful for. As far as she was
concerned, Jesus was just a big, fat selfish liar.  

Tweezer rubbed her arm in small circular motions. Saliva
bubbled in the corner of his mouth as he snorkelled air through his bent and
flattened nose. If Maddie had looked into that face, she might have seen a
witch with a goo-green face and tombstone eyes.

Maddie looked up at the skylight. ‘Why does God let so many
bad things happen?’

Tweezer’s hand moved down to Maddie’s leg. ‘God isn’t
responsible for what people do. He’s our judge, not our instigator.’

Maddie didn’t hear him. ‘Maybe God’s deaf, dumb and blind.’

Tweezer squeezed her thigh. ‘God sees us, sister. God hears
us. God knows us.’

‘Maybe he’s dead.’

‘God isn’t dead. He’s immortal.’

Maddie suddenly realised Tweezer’s hand was on her leg. She
shook her arms and kicked out. The handcuffs clanged against the brass head
rail. ‘Get your hands off me.’

Tweezer jumped back and withdrew his hand. ‘No need to be
like that. I’m trying to help.’

‘Really? Do you really want to help me?’

Tweezer nodded. ‘Sure.’

‘Then undo these handcuffs.’

Tweezer sniffed and wiped the bottom of his nose with his
forefinger. ‘I would if I could.’

‘Yeah, right. Course you would.’

Tweezer ran a finger around the collar of his robe. ‘Are you
a virgin?’

Maddie resisted an urge to spit in his face. ‘Piss off.’

‘I’m asking because I care about you.’

‘Care? What do you know about caring?’

Tweezer took a deep breath and let it out slowly. ‘I could
break you in if you’re a virgin.’

Maddie’s heart turned to lead. ‘The day I let you near me is
the day I die.’

Tweezer smiled. ‘You might end up thanking me. I could save
you a lot of pain. And I mean a
lot
of pain. He uses
things
.’

Bile filled Maddie’s throat. ‘He’s not coming anywhere near
me.’

Tweezer laughed. ‘Do you think you have a choice?’

‘I’d rather die.’

‘He’ll take you whatever you might think.’

‘I think you’re sick.’

Tweezer inched closer. ‘Between you and me, he prefers men.
Ask Brother Gerald if you don’t believe me. Oops! Silly me. You can’t. Brother
Gerald’s dead. He died for the sin of homosexuality, which is a bit rich,
considering the Father is that way inclined himself. Anyway, I’m telling you
all this for your own good. The Father has to
do it
with “other
things”.’

‘Leave me alone.’

‘Sister Dixie and Sister Emily would confirm what I’m saying
if they were here to do so.’

Maddie’s stomach tightened.

‘The Father calls it Purification. I prefer to call it
bloody painful. Especially if you’re a virgin.’

Maddie groaned and shook her head. Her mind tried to erect
barriers to stop the words getting inside her head. ‘No.’

‘I’ll be gentle with you.’

‘Get out. Get out and leave me alone.’

Tweezer stood up. He looked at Maddie with eyes forged in
Hell. He bent over and untied the yellow sash around her middle. ‘You’re not in
any position to issue ultimatums. This isn’t a soap opera, Madeline.’

‘Leave me alone.’

‘You’ll thank me for this in the long run. Trust me, you
will.’

Maddie shunted her body up as close as she could get to the
head rail. The cuffs bit into her wrists. She drew her legs up and squeezed
them together as tight as she could.

Tweezer took off his robe and threw it on the floor. Tattoos
marked most of his body. Scorpions, snakes, scales of justice. His erect penis
seemed to sniff the air. His hair hung in greasy strips across his face.

‘Get away from me,’ Maddie screamed.

Tweezer grinned. ‘I think you’re begging for it.’

Maddie sobbed and drew her knees up to her chin. ‘No… I’m…
not…’

‘All women are. Deep down inside, you’re all begging for
it.’

Maddie looked up at the darkening skylight. Where was God
now? Where was He when you needed Him the most? In exactly the same place He
was when her mother was raped and murdered. Up in the sky making daisy chains
with the angels.

Tweezer knelt on the bed and grabbed hold of Maddie’s knees.
He tried to force them apart.

Maddie squeezed her legs together with every last drop of energy
in her body. ‘Please don’t do this.’

Tweezer ignored her. He forced his fingers between her
knees, gouging her skin with his nails. ‘I’m… trying… to… help …you…’

‘By raping me?’ Maddie shouted.

‘I’m not going to rape you. I’m going to make things easier
for you. You really don’t get it, do you?’

Maddie spat in his face. ‘Piss off.’

Tweezer withdrew his right hand from between her knees and
wiped his face. ‘Sister Emily couldn’t walk for a week after he’d been at her.
Do you want that?’

Maddie shook her head. ‘I don’t want anything. I want to go
home.’

Tweezer laughed. ‘You ain’t never going home, Madeline.’

‘Rape is the most despicable thing a man can do.’

‘
If
it’s rape, yes. But this is your inauguration, so
don’t try to confuse two issues. That’s like saying a wet tee-shirt contest is
a porn show.’

‘In your twisted mind.’

‘Sometimes the truth hurts. Now, do you want to make this
easy for yourself, or hard? I’m running thin on patience, love.’

Maddie looked up at the skylight as her mind scrambled for a
way out. ‘All right. Do it, then.’

Tweezer’s eyes narrowed. ‘Are you sure?’

‘Yeah. Go on. Do it.’

‘Are you a virgin?’

Maddie didn’t answer.

Tweezer grinned. ‘You’ll thank me for this. You’ll enjoy it.
I promise.’

Maddie opened her legs and lifted her feet off the bed.

Tweezer licked his lips. ‘Come on, baby. Open the door.
Let’s do it.’

Maddie suddenly kicked out and caught Tweezer on the bridge
of his nose with her left heel. The bone snapped. Blood gushed from his nose.
He reached up and clutched his injured face with one hand. The other flailed by
his side.

Maddie kicked him again. In the left eye. Tweezer grunted
and fell sideways off the bed. His head struck the bare oak floor, rendering
him unconscious.

Maddie sobbed and drew her knees up to her chest. Her whole
body shivered. She closed her eyes and waited for Tweezer to get up off the
floor and finish what he’d started.