Messiahs by Matt Rogers (bookstand for reading txt) 📕

beautiful woman subservient to him.

He said, ‘Anything else you can tell me about these men? For example, the true reason you want them here.’

She cocked her head.

He said, ‘Two big strong tough guys? Potential partners for you and your friend, maybe?’

Alexis scoffed and shook her head. ‘They’re empty-headed.’

‘Then why would I want them here?’

‘Let me clarify,’ Alexis said. ‘Their brains are empty in the areas that would make them optimal romantic partners for me and my friend. But in the areas that would make them ruthless killers for you and your wife … those parts are full to the brim.’

‘You took all this from a single conversation?’

‘I’m perceptive,’ Alexis said. ‘Just like how I’ve not even been here a day, but I’ve already made more progress with you than any of those morons in that shed.’

Dane could have killed her for that, and faced no consequences. This commune existed outside the realm of the law, a hidden fortress of ardent worshippers, and he could bury her for seeing the cult for what it really was.

But he didn’t.

He just nodded, turned and walked away.

‘Enjoy your evening,’ he called over his shoulder.

He vanished up the trail to the farmhouse.

41

In Maeve’s office, Dane said, ‘What do you think?’

Maeve sat back in her chair, mulling it over. ‘I want your opinion before I make mine.’

‘We could use them.’

‘We already have Elias.’

‘Elias is one man. He’s done good work, but I doubt his methods would work out in the real world.’

She raised an eyebrow. ‘You doubt his abilities?’

Dane thought, He’s full of shit in the same way we’re full of shit. How don’t you see it?

To voice his concerns would be sacrosanct, though, so he said, ‘No matter how talented he is, Elias can’t be in two places at once. That’s my point.’

She nodded, pensive. ‘Still no word from Wyatt?’

‘None. You know why.’

‘Do I?’

‘He killed Fitch and skipped town.’

‘You said that,’ Maeve said. ‘But no matter how many times I go over it in my head, I can’t see him doing that.’

‘You can’t?’ Dane said. ‘He was so dependent on Bodhi he would have exchanged his family for a single hit. You think Fitch was incapable of fucking things up? It was probably something as stupid as not showing up on time. Wyatt would have been getting withdrawals, and he just snapped. Killed the junkie, took his stash of Bodhi, and ran.’

Maeve said, ‘He wouldn’t do that.’

‘Why not?’

‘Because then his supply is finite. You said he’d exchange his family for a hit, but he’d also exchange his pride. He’d get on his knees and beg Fitch if it meant that junkie rat kept sending him vials of the stuff.’

‘Well, now they’re both AWOL,’ Dane said. ‘You tell me what to do.’

Maeve kept thinking.

Behind her, the grandfather clock ticked.

‘You’re right,’ she finally said. ‘We need extra muscle. I don’t see what they’ll do here that Elias can’t, but out there … they’ll be additional manpower. And we’re expanding, so that’s what we need.’

Dane nodded. ‘Want me to head into town tomorrow?’

She shook her head. ‘No. I’ll go tonight. There’s shit to do tomorrow.’

‘Tonight?’ Dane said. ‘How will you find them?’

Maeve smiled. ‘I already know where they are, baby.’

‘That’s news to me.’

‘I don’t tell you every scrap of information I hear.’

You should, Dane thought. That’s my job. I’m the director. You’re the preacher.

He knew Maeve was starting to shirk her role, though.

It unsettled him to his core. What happens when I become unnecessary? he thought. His every waking moment had to be spent ensuring he knew too much to be replaceable.

Husband or not.

He said, ‘What do you know about them?’

‘Between them they put eight people in the Campbell County Memorial Hospital. A few of the bikers that sling meth, and their associates. No matter how hard I press, I can’t find a reason why they did that. I think they’re angry, disillusioned, lashing out at the world the only way they know how. I think that anger can be channelled into crushing our opposition. Don’t you?’

Dane said, ‘That means they’re unpredictable. That’s never good.’

Maeve rolled her eyes. ‘No one stays here and remains unpredictable. That’s why we do what we do, isn’t it?’

Dane shrugged.

Maeve said, ‘Do you disagree?’

‘No,’ Dane said hastily. ‘It’s just … what if your methods don’t work on them?’

Her eyes burned as she sat forward and stared at him. ‘My methods always work. You know that better than anyone.’

Unfortunately, he did.

He nodded, turned on his heel, and made to leave. He could tell she wanted him out.

‘Don’t wait up,’ she said to his back. ‘I might not be back until the early morning.’

‘Do you need someone to drive you—?’

‘No,’ she said. ‘I’ll do it myself. And besides, you and Elias have that matter to attend to, remember?’

Oh, yes, Dane thought. Of course.

He nodded his understanding, then walked out and went upstairs to the bedroom, uncertainty twisting his stomach.

42

Elias entered the bunkhouse like a ghost.

To those who saw him moving through the lowlight, his presence would invoke mortal fear. He didn’t mind that at all. Deeply introverted, he neither wanted nor cared for an abundance of friends. The Riordans were enough, and if the rest of the commune considered him a nightmarish spectre, then so be it.

There was something about it he almost enjoyed.

He moved through the narrow corridor, opened the right door, and found the right bunk.

He lowered a hand softly onto the shoulder of the sleeping form curled up on the mattress.

The disciple’s name was Hudson, and he opened his eyes in the near-darkness.

Elias whispered, ‘Come with me, son.’

Hudson was trembling before he stood up. But he complied, because he didn’t know what else to do. It was an age-old dilemma. If he panicked and ran, that’d seal his fate one way or the other. It’d make things black and white. If he behaved and begged for mercy, it offered the chance of redemption.

So he followed Elias meekly as they went outside and walked away from the handful of exterior lights