First published: 12th January, 2020.
Status: COMPLETED.
Version: STANDARD.Age recommendation: 15+
Average Reading Time: Approximately 30 Minutes.
Revisions: 4. [Last Edit: July 2020]
Angel-in-charge: Margret Team Assigned: Team 74
Human Time: 1958AD-1377AH Mission: 109589 - 3 - 5712
Age 15+
"SISTER SARAH DREAMS OF DEMONS."
Sister Rachel ran quickly down the long bare corridor towards the cells, her flashlight casting flickering and erratic shadows upon the white washed walls. She was actually panting when she stopped outside Sister Sarah's cell and hastily pushed a large brass key into the lock and threw open the heavy door. Sister Rachel stared in disbelieve and with some fear, as the body of Sister Sarah lay stark naked upon the cold stone floor in a strange contorted posture. Her eyes and mouth wide open and hands gripping the sheet hanging from the bed.
The other nun's, whose cells were in the same corridor, were shouting to be released and even banging on their cell doors. Sister Rachel stood almost frozen with fear; the torch shaking in her hand whilst the other covered her mouth, preventing a terrible scream from escaping.
Mother Superior Margaret appeared behind Sister Rachel, wrapped in an old red dressing gown and wearing red slippers. She crossed herself and gripped Sister Rachel by the arm; she could feel the Nun trembling below her nightdress.
"Fetch Father John immediately." Was all she said and pushed into the small bare room and felt Sister Sarah's neck. She shouted after the departing Sister Rachel; "By the grace of sweet Jesus, she's still alive - call an ambulance!" She wrapped the faintly breathing woman in the sheet, having to prise her fingers from it first.
That's when she wondered where the young Nun's night dress was, she managed to get Sister Sarah onto the bed and then looking about the room also noticed that the wooden crucifix, which was fixed above her bed, lay smashed upon the floor. Slowly she returned to the corridor and using her master keys - which she always carried - released the other three nuns that slept in this corridor.
Sister Grace was a trained nurse and Mother Superior ordered her to attend Sister Sarah at once. The old nun crossed herself and disappeared into the cell. The other two nun's stood in silence as Mother Superior ran a hand over her face - she was sweating. "What did you see and hear?" She asked the visibly shocked pair.
They started to babble together and Margaret had to grip both their arms and demand they calm down. "You first Sister Anna." She said quietly and listened without comment to the nun's story, blurted out between sobs, "It must have been around midnight when I heard the screams - at first I thought I was dreaming - but they were so bad and close by, that I jumped from the bed and pressed against the small window of my cell door. I could see nothing in the dark corridor. That's when I realised that it was Sister Sarah screaming; oh God Reverend Mother; they were terrible, truly terrible. I could hear things being thrown about and....and a evil high pitched voice that made me shiver in fear. Then an awful silence - nothing. Then I saw the flashlight and heard Sister Rachel running down the corridor."
Sister Anna sobbed loudly and folded her arms around herself adding; "That voice didn't sound human - I swear by my Lord Christ that it couldn't have been human." She whispered and wiped her face with a trembling hand. Margaret gripped her hand and told the girl to go to the small kitchen and make tea for everyone. Sister Anna was clearly relieved to be ordered from the dreadful scene and hurried up the corridor.
Sister Ruth pulled her dressing gown about herself and nodded; "All that Sister Anna said is true; the screaming was utterly horrific Reverend Mother, like Sarah was being murdered by something totally unholy." Margaret then noticed the little pink hair curlers in Sister Ruth's short red hair and sighed. She would deal with that infringement of the rules later. She told the sister to help Anna with the tea's and turned back to the cell to find Sister Grace standing in the doorway; pale faced and trembling, gripping her crucifix with both hands.
Sister Grace tried to speak but nothing came out through her moving lips, Margaret gripped the woman's shoulders and leaned close to her face and Sister Grace whispered slowly what she had discovered. Even the normally resilient Reverend Mother was deeply shocked by what Sister Grace imparted. She crossed herself and told Sister Grace to make Sarah as comfortable as possible until the ambulance arrived.
Alone in the corridor, with the only weak moon light streaming through the two small roof windows which were locked and barred, the reverend Mother pressed her back against the cold wall and prayed for holy guidance as she gripped her large wooden crucifix to her breasts. Footsteps at the top of the corridor snapped her from the prayers and she could see Father John approaching, still in his pyjama's with a black raincoat wrapped about him and dark unlaced boots slapping against the concrete floor.
He stopped in front of her and stared at the cell door. Margaret leaned forward and spoke softly for a couple of minutes. The expression upon his rugged face changed and he ran a hand across it. He took a deep breath and whispered; "Raped. raped in a locked cell in the middle of a locked down Convent and three other nun's watching through their door windows and they saw no-one leave the room?" Margaret nodded; Yes.
He stood in silence and ran both hands through his short dark hair. Father John was a handsome man, just touching thirty and had been a Priest for five years. He was the Convents 'Father Confessor' since his small church lay in the convent grounds and his Parochial house was attached to that Church of the Blessed Virgin. He had a dry mouth and was grateful when Sister's Anna and Ruth appeared with a tea tray. He grabbed a cup and gulped down some warm refreshing tea.
He spoke softly to the reverend Mother who nodded her agreement to his words. Father John would ring Detective Inspector William 'Billy' Gates - he had the policeman's home number - and since he was a loyal Catholic who loved the church; his discretion would be assured in this dreadful matter.
Father John returned to his office and dialled slowly; the Bishop would have to be informed first thing in the morning. He was talking to the Detective when he saw the ambulance arrive; he cussed a little, when he saw the flashing light of the police car that followed it. He would have to deal with the uniform officers with some charm and diplomacy - otherwise the bastards would sell the story to the local paper for a few illicit bucks. He sighed and made his way back to the corridor, lighting a cigarette as he walked.
He would probably be standing before the Bishop that very morning, trying to justify his decision about the 'hallucinations' of Sister Sarah and why she wasn't offered any form of protection from her 'Demon' stalker - just prayers and spells of solitude in her cell. The damn woman may have ruined his fucking career and the post he had been promised at the Vatican, was now melting away. He cussed and threw the half smoked cigarettes down and fixed a smile upon his face, as the two uniformed police officers approached him, with Margaret walking slowly behind.
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Angel-in-charge: Margret Team Assigned: Team 74
Human Time: 1958AD-1377AH Mission: 109589 - 3 - 5712
 |
| "SISTER SARAH DREAMS OF DEMONS." |
MISSION SUMMARY: "Boston, Massachusetts - 1958. The Convent of St. Mary Magdalene.
A young nun is having troubled dreams and visions about a demon of the 'Dark Prince' who apparently is 'stalking' the woman. Sister Sarah is being treated for her hallucinations and the local Priest is quite sceptical about the whole incident. But Jericho is on the case after Alex reads the story in an old newspaper. The young woman's description of the demon in human form matches the senior Demon 'Cabel', so Jericho must now investigate after Owen discovers a shocking secret, concerning the young nun!"
 |
| "ALXANDRA" Available: 18+ Only |
NOTES: This episode contains mild bad language and sexual references.
"This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead or actual events is purely coincidental." The Author.
 |
| 30 Min. |
 |
| Book series 2. |
1. Boston, Massachusetts - September 22nd, 1958. The Convent of St. Mary Magdalene - just after Midnight.
The other nun's, whose cells were in the same corridor, were shouting to be released and even banging on their cell doors. Sister Rachel stood almost frozen with fear; the torch shaking in her hand whilst the other covered her mouth, preventing a terrible scream from escaping.
Mother Superior Margaret appeared behind Sister Rachel, wrapped in an old red dressing gown and wearing red slippers. She crossed herself and gripped Sister Rachel by the arm; she could feel the Nun trembling below her nightdress.
"Fetch Father John immediately." Was all she said and pushed into the small bare room and felt Sister Sarah's neck. She shouted after the departing Sister Rachel; "By the grace of sweet Jesus, she's still alive - call an ambulance!" She wrapped the faintly breathing woman in the sheet, having to prise her fingers from it first.
That's when she wondered where the young Nun's night dress was, she managed to get Sister Sarah onto the bed and then looking about the room also noticed that the wooden crucifix, which was fixed above her bed, lay smashed upon the floor. Slowly she returned to the corridor and using her master keys - which she always carried - released the other three nuns that slept in this corridor.
Sister Grace was a trained nurse and Mother Superior ordered her to attend Sister Sarah at once. The old nun crossed herself and disappeared into the cell. The other two nun's stood in silence as Mother Superior ran a hand over her face - she was sweating. "What did you see and hear?" She asked the visibly shocked pair.
They started to babble together and Margaret had to grip both their arms and demand they calm down. "You first Sister Anna." She said quietly and listened without comment to the nun's story, blurted out between sobs, "It must have been around midnight when I heard the screams - at first I thought I was dreaming - but they were so bad and close by, that I jumped from the bed and pressed against the small window of my cell door. I could see nothing in the dark corridor. That's when I realised that it was Sister Sarah screaming; oh God Reverend Mother; they were terrible, truly terrible. I could hear things being thrown about and....and a evil high pitched voice that made me shiver in fear. Then an awful silence - nothing. Then I saw the flashlight and heard Sister Rachel running down the corridor."
Sister Anna sobbed loudly and folded her arms around herself adding; "That voice didn't sound human - I swear by my Lord Christ that it couldn't have been human." She whispered and wiped her face with a trembling hand. Margaret gripped her hand and told the girl to go to the small kitchen and make tea for everyone. Sister Anna was clearly relieved to be ordered from the dreadful scene and hurried up the corridor.
Sister Ruth pulled her dressing gown about herself and nodded; "All that Sister Anna said is true; the screaming was utterly horrific Reverend Mother, like Sarah was being murdered by something totally unholy." Margaret then noticed the little pink hair curlers in Sister Ruth's short red hair and sighed. She would deal with that infringement of the rules later. She told the sister to help Anna with the tea's and turned back to the cell to find Sister Grace standing in the doorway; pale faced and trembling, gripping her crucifix with both hands.
Sister Grace tried to speak but nothing came out through her moving lips, Margaret gripped the woman's shoulders and leaned close to her face and Sister Grace whispered slowly what she had discovered. Even the normally resilient Reverend Mother was deeply shocked by what Sister Grace imparted. She crossed herself and told Sister Grace to make Sarah as comfortable as possible until the ambulance arrived.
Alone in the corridor, with the only weak moon light streaming through the two small roof windows which were locked and barred, the reverend Mother pressed her back against the cold wall and prayed for holy guidance as she gripped her large wooden crucifix to her breasts. Footsteps at the top of the corridor snapped her from the prayers and she could see Father John approaching, still in his pyjama's with a black raincoat wrapped about him and dark unlaced boots slapping against the concrete floor.
He stopped in front of her and stared at the cell door. Margaret leaned forward and spoke softly for a couple of minutes. The expression upon his rugged face changed and he ran a hand across it. He took a deep breath and whispered; "Raped. raped in a locked cell in the middle of a locked down Convent and three other nun's watching through their door windows and they saw no-one leave the room?" Margaret nodded; Yes.
He stood in silence and ran both hands through his short dark hair. Father John was a handsome man, just touching thirty and had been a Priest for five years. He was the Convents 'Father Confessor' since his small church lay in the convent grounds and his Parochial house was attached to that Church of the Blessed Virgin. He had a dry mouth and was grateful when Sister's Anna and Ruth appeared with a tea tray. He grabbed a cup and gulped down some warm refreshing tea.
He spoke softly to the reverend Mother who nodded her agreement to his words. Father John would ring Detective Inspector William 'Billy' Gates - he had the policeman's home number - and since he was a loyal Catholic who loved the church; his discretion would be assured in this dreadful matter.
Father John returned to his office and dialled slowly; the Bishop would have to be informed first thing in the morning. He was talking to the Detective when he saw the ambulance arrive; he cussed a little, when he saw the flashing light of the police car that followed it. He would have to deal with the uniform officers with some charm and diplomacy - otherwise the bastards would sell the story to the local paper for a few illicit bucks. He sighed and made his way back to the corridor, lighting a cigarette as he walked.
He would probably be standing before the Bishop that very morning, trying to justify his decision about the 'hallucinations' of Sister Sarah and why she wasn't offered any form of protection from her 'Demon' stalker - just prayers and spells of solitude in her cell. The damn woman may have ruined his fucking career and the post he had been promised at the Vatican, was now melting away. He cussed and threw the half smoked cigarettes down and fixed a smile upon his face, as the two uniformed police officers approached him, with Margaret walking slowly behind.
2. An old Newspaper story catches Alex's attention.
Alex strolled towards the lighthouse with an old newspaper clutched in one hand and she turned to Wilson; "He will be very interested in this." She waved the paper at Wilson and the pair both said; "Good evening." To Mr. Harris who took their coats and Alex's hat. "He's in the study with Mr. John and Owen my Lady." Mr. Harris disappeared from the hall and they both pushed into the study.
Jericho, Owen and the usually reclusive John were sitting around the table; playing cards. Owen looked up from his hand and spoke to Wilson; "How did it go big man?" Wilson smiled and dropped into an armchair, "No bloody demons, no bloody possession, the poor kid was an undiagnosed epileptic and her family were poor and ignorant. The bloody priest wasn't much better." He and Alex had returned from Boston, Massachusetts in the year 1960 investigating reports of a 'Demonic Possession' reported by one of Jericho's human agents of that time.
Alex eased into her favourite armchair by the fireplace and nodded her agreement with Wilson's statement; "The little girl was quite seriously ill when we left. Sadly, she died later and has, of course, already jumped; hopefully to a far better life." She accepted a very welcome glass of brandy from Mr. Harris - as did Wilson - adding; "But we did discover something far more interesting and more in our line of business." She held up the paper and Owen leant over and took the paper, placing his cards face down upon the table.
Jericho sipped his brandy and smiled; "Please do enlighten us Alexandra." John placed his cards down and said nothing - as usual. Owen flicked open the paper and said quietly; "I take it you mean the small article on page two?" Alex nodded; yes. Owen read the article with growing interest, whilst Alex turned to Jericho; "According to the paper, a young nun was raped and almost murdered in her locked cell, in a closed convent. Three nuns sleeping nearby saw no-one run away - he would have to pass their doors to get away - and just for good measure and further interest; the nun had previously been reporting to her superiors and confessional priest, that she was being stalked by a demon who had six fingers on his left hand!"
Wilson coughed; "The incident happened a couple of years before and the paper regurgitated the story when they reported that the good sister - fully recovered, if a woman ever could after rape - had gone to the missions in Africa. The perpetrator was never caught or even identified."
Jericho placed his glass down and placed his hands upon the table; "Six fingers on its left hand?" he asked, now really interested. Alex nodded that was true.
"Cabel; the demon's name is Cabel." John said quietly and stared at his cards with apparently little interest in the ongoing conversation. Everyone turned to him and Owen asked quietly; "Are you sure John; Cabel?" John sighed and turned his cards - face op - he had a full 'Royal Flush' - quite unbeatable and Owen grunted with real surprise. "That's the third Royal Flush' in a row, he's had!"
Jericho just chuckled to himself; "Beginners luck." He turned to John; "What do you know about this demon?" John relaxed in his chair and ran some fingers through his dark black beard. "He's a Tier One Demon, extremely intelligent and cunning. Thus very dangerous and he has a real passion for young women. He often appears in the world of the living, as a very handsome man; to seduce mortal women. But he has one revealing defect - even in human form - six fingers on his left hand." Owen whistled; "That's the most I've ever heard you say." John actually did smile at that - everyone else chuckled; because they knew Owen was right!
Jericho gathered up the cards and shuffled the pack, handing it to Owen, who shuffled for some time and placed them upon the table. Jericho handed the pack to John - who did not shuffle them - and said quietly; "Go on John." John dealt out five spades; another Royal Flush'. Owen sat in silence amazed. Alex and Wilson stood behind John and watched in growing amazement as he dealt yet another Royal Flush; in hearts this time. He went on to deal the remaining two suites of cards in order: all Royal Flushes. Owen carefully took the pack and slowly flicked through it - all the remaining cards were in perfect order for each suite.
"Fucking impossible!" He whispered and stared at John. "Don't ever play him at strip poker Alex." Was all Wilson muttered and laughed quietly. That broke the game up and Jericho eased into his armchair, with Owen remaining at the table; re-reading the paper. John sat at the table and stared at the fire place, then smiled at Alex. "What happened to the Nun?"
"She went to Africa with her new order and I suppose she must be retired now." Alex sat hand upon chin, looking at John; he was a total mystery in reality. He never spoke about himself and was quite a reclusive man - even to the people he apparently lived with.
Owen had finished the paper and was now consulting his mirror with some determined intent. He looked up and spoke to no-one in particular; "According to Human Records the Sister's real name was Sarah-Anne Connelly, she was nineteen when she became a Nun and she...…." Owen stopped speaking and sat staring at his mirror. Alex, who had been listening, caught the expression on her young colleagues face; "Go on Owen, what happened to her?"
Owen had turned quite pale and he turned to Jericho directly; "Sarah-Ann Connelly gave birth to a son in may, 1959. The boy was taken by Church Authorities and placed for adoption; which was common for the time."
Wilson ran a hand over his face; "That's nine months after the rape."
Everyone sat in silence; for IF the demon 'Cabel' was the father of the Nun's child, then that child would be a 'Dark Angel'. A very serious threat to humanity because God could not dispatch his own Angel's to deal with it - due to the agreement between him and his brother, to prevent the dark and light angels clashing and creating Armageddon. Even the Knights of God could not tackle such a creature.
Jericho rose slowly from his chair with a very concerned look; "I will inform Angel Margret at once." He walked from the room - grim faced and concerned. Wilson turned to Owen; "How the hell do we deal with a 'Dark Angel' in human form, when even the Knight's can't touch it?" Owen lowered his mirror and shook his head; he didn't know.
Alex sat arms folded and stared at the fireplace; "There have been other's and they were all dealt with. None of our angels could have been involved because the bloody world didn't end. So there has to be a way to deal with it."
John looked up from the table and said quietly; "There have been seventeen such creatures born to human mother's over the years of human existence. All but two were destroyed and all those were 'dark Angels'. He shuffled the pack of cards and sipped his glass of red wine, adding. "Adam, who heads TEAM X will deal with such creatures. He was the first human ever created and has power over them."
Everyone stared at John, then Owen asked quietly; "If there has been seventeen born, then surely, seventeen had to be destroyed - that doesn't make sense to leave two remaining in human times." John nodded his agreement and smiled; "But two were not 'Dark Angels' but angels of light; their father was....." He stopped in mid sentence and returned to shuffling his cards. The bombshell he had just dropped, caused total silence in the room until Alex rose from her chair and joined John and Owen at the table.
"Our angels are not human, they cannot father or produce children, They are not organic. The 'Dark Prince' created his angels from human material - that's why they are slightly weaker than ours's and only the top demons [who can appear in human form] can impregnate human females. So who fathered those two?" Alex touched Johns arm gently and John stared at the table, he looked up with some real sadness in his eyes. He stared up at the ceiling twice and whispered to Alex; "One of them is very famous and much loved by most of humanity; he carried all his father's powers and will sit upon his throne, when the time comes, if he settles his disagreements with his father."
Alex placed both hands over her face and breathed quite deeply, she felt a little faint, as the power and implication of John's words swept over her. She breathed deep a couple times and lowered her hands. Owen was sitting in total shocked silence and Even Wilson was silent. Alex whispered; "You mean that..." John smiled and said; "Yes."
"Who was the other one and where is he?" Owen managed to splutter out, but Jericho had returned to the room and everyone turned to him. He held up a hand; "We have the go ahead to return to 1959 and trace the whereabouts of that baby and find out if he's human or not." Everyone had a final - and much needed - glass of brandy and headed to the light room.
All Jericho said to them was; "I know what John has told you. I have known for some time about himself and his two sons." Owen managed to whisper; "He had two son's; what happened to the other one?" Jericho didn't answer and the team jumped back to 1950's Boston.
Alex strolled towards the lighthouse with an old newspaper clutched in one hand and she turned to Wilson; "He will be very interested in this." She waved the paper at Wilson and the pair both said; "Good evening." To Mr. Harris who took their coats and Alex's hat. "He's in the study with Mr. John and Owen my Lady." Mr. Harris disappeared from the hall and they both pushed into the study.
Jericho, Owen and the usually reclusive John were sitting around the table; playing cards. Owen looked up from his hand and spoke to Wilson; "How did it go big man?" Wilson smiled and dropped into an armchair, "No bloody demons, no bloody possession, the poor kid was an undiagnosed epileptic and her family were poor and ignorant. The bloody priest wasn't much better." He and Alex had returned from Boston, Massachusetts in the year 1960 investigating reports of a 'Demonic Possession' reported by one of Jericho's human agents of that time.
Alex eased into her favourite armchair by the fireplace and nodded her agreement with Wilson's statement; "The little girl was quite seriously ill when we left. Sadly, she died later and has, of course, already jumped; hopefully to a far better life." She accepted a very welcome glass of brandy from Mr. Harris - as did Wilson - adding; "But we did discover something far more interesting and more in our line of business." She held up the paper and Owen leant over and took the paper, placing his cards face down upon the table.
Jericho sipped his brandy and smiled; "Please do enlighten us Alexandra." John placed his cards down and said nothing - as usual. Owen flicked open the paper and said quietly; "I take it you mean the small article on page two?" Alex nodded; yes. Owen read the article with growing interest, whilst Alex turned to Jericho; "According to the paper, a young nun was raped and almost murdered in her locked cell, in a closed convent. Three nuns sleeping nearby saw no-one run away - he would have to pass their doors to get away - and just for good measure and further interest; the nun had previously been reporting to her superiors and confessional priest, that she was being stalked by a demon who had six fingers on his left hand!"
Wilson coughed; "The incident happened a couple of years before and the paper regurgitated the story when they reported that the good sister - fully recovered, if a woman ever could after rape - had gone to the missions in Africa. The perpetrator was never caught or even identified."
Jericho placed his glass down and placed his hands upon the table; "Six fingers on its left hand?" he asked, now really interested. Alex nodded that was true.
"Cabel; the demon's name is Cabel." John said quietly and stared at his cards with apparently little interest in the ongoing conversation. Everyone turned to him and Owen asked quietly; "Are you sure John; Cabel?" John sighed and turned his cards - face op - he had a full 'Royal Flush' - quite unbeatable and Owen grunted with real surprise. "That's the third Royal Flush' in a row, he's had!"
Jericho just chuckled to himself; "Beginners luck." He turned to John; "What do you know about this demon?" John relaxed in his chair and ran some fingers through his dark black beard. "He's a Tier One Demon, extremely intelligent and cunning. Thus very dangerous and he has a real passion for young women. He often appears in the world of the living, as a very handsome man; to seduce mortal women. But he has one revealing defect - even in human form - six fingers on his left hand." Owen whistled; "That's the most I've ever heard you say." John actually did smile at that - everyone else chuckled; because they knew Owen was right!
Jericho gathered up the cards and shuffled the pack, handing it to Owen, who shuffled for some time and placed them upon the table. Jericho handed the pack to John - who did not shuffle them - and said quietly; "Go on John." John dealt out five spades; another Royal Flush'. Owen sat in silence amazed. Alex and Wilson stood behind John and watched in growing amazement as he dealt yet another Royal Flush; in hearts this time. He went on to deal the remaining two suites of cards in order: all Royal Flushes. Owen carefully took the pack and slowly flicked through it - all the remaining cards were in perfect order for each suite.
"Fucking impossible!" He whispered and stared at John. "Don't ever play him at strip poker Alex." Was all Wilson muttered and laughed quietly. That broke the game up and Jericho eased into his armchair, with Owen remaining at the table; re-reading the paper. John sat at the table and stared at the fire place, then smiled at Alex. "What happened to the Nun?"
"She went to Africa with her new order and I suppose she must be retired now." Alex sat hand upon chin, looking at John; he was a total mystery in reality. He never spoke about himself and was quite a reclusive man - even to the people he apparently lived with.
Owen had finished the paper and was now consulting his mirror with some determined intent. He looked up and spoke to no-one in particular; "According to Human Records the Sister's real name was Sarah-Anne Connelly, she was nineteen when she became a Nun and she...…." Owen stopped speaking and sat staring at his mirror. Alex, who had been listening, caught the expression on her young colleagues face; "Go on Owen, what happened to her?"
Owen had turned quite pale and he turned to Jericho directly; "Sarah-Ann Connelly gave birth to a son in may, 1959. The boy was taken by Church Authorities and placed for adoption; which was common for the time."
Wilson ran a hand over his face; "That's nine months after the rape."
Everyone sat in silence; for IF the demon 'Cabel' was the father of the Nun's child, then that child would be a 'Dark Angel'. A very serious threat to humanity because God could not dispatch his own Angel's to deal with it - due to the agreement between him and his brother, to prevent the dark and light angels clashing and creating Armageddon. Even the Knights of God could not tackle such a creature.
Jericho rose slowly from his chair with a very concerned look; "I will inform Angel Margret at once." He walked from the room - grim faced and concerned. Wilson turned to Owen; "How the hell do we deal with a 'Dark Angel' in human form, when even the Knight's can't touch it?" Owen lowered his mirror and shook his head; he didn't know.
Alex sat arms folded and stared at the fireplace; "There have been other's and they were all dealt with. None of our angels could have been involved because the bloody world didn't end. So there has to be a way to deal with it."
John looked up from the table and said quietly; "There have been seventeen such creatures born to human mother's over the years of human existence. All but two were destroyed and all those were 'dark Angels'. He shuffled the pack of cards and sipped his glass of red wine, adding. "Adam, who heads TEAM X will deal with such creatures. He was the first human ever created and has power over them."
Everyone stared at John, then Owen asked quietly; "If there has been seventeen born, then surely, seventeen had to be destroyed - that doesn't make sense to leave two remaining in human times." John nodded his agreement and smiled; "But two were not 'Dark Angels' but angels of light; their father was....." He stopped in mid sentence and returned to shuffling his cards. The bombshell he had just dropped, caused total silence in the room until Alex rose from her chair and joined John and Owen at the table.
"Our angels are not human, they cannot father or produce children, They are not organic. The 'Dark Prince' created his angels from human material - that's why they are slightly weaker than ours's and only the top demons [who can appear in human form] can impregnate human females. So who fathered those two?" Alex touched Johns arm gently and John stared at the table, he looked up with some real sadness in his eyes. He stared up at the ceiling twice and whispered to Alex; "One of them is very famous and much loved by most of humanity; he carried all his father's powers and will sit upon his throne, when the time comes, if he settles his disagreements with his father."
Alex placed both hands over her face and breathed quite deeply, she felt a little faint, as the power and implication of John's words swept over her. She breathed deep a couple times and lowered her hands. Owen was sitting in total shocked silence and Even Wilson was silent. Alex whispered; "You mean that..." John smiled and said; "Yes."
"Who was the other one and where is he?" Owen managed to splutter out, but Jericho had returned to the room and everyone turned to him. He held up a hand; "We have the go ahead to return to 1959 and trace the whereabouts of that baby and find out if he's human or not." Everyone had a final - and much needed - glass of brandy and headed to the light room.
All Jericho said to them was; "I know what John has told you. I have known for some time about himself and his two sons." Owen managed to whisper; "He had two son's; what happened to the other one?" Jericho didn't answer and the team jumped back to 1950's Boston.
3. In search of answers in a place of silence.
The big, dark Oldsmobile 98 Holiday saloon swept along the quiet street and waited for a few seconds, before turning left into the palatial and well manicured grounds of the Arch-Bishops house. It moved slowly down the drive and stopped before the impressive stone doorway that contained two, huge piano black doors. The driver stepped out and opened the rear passenger door; "I understand that Cardinal Cushing is in residence Sir." He said quietly and tipped his hat. The young man stepped from the vehicle and adjusted his long black coat.
He leaned back into the car and held out his hand; the exquisitely dressed young woman stepped out with a hand upon her small hat. The Cardinal's chauffer smiled; what a fucking piece of skirt! he thought - if that's the sort of broad that works in the Vatican - he wanted a fucking job there. The pair were followed by a smartly dressed young man clutching a well worn leather document bag. He grinned at the Chauffer; "Thanks Bart,"
Bartholomew, the Chauffer nodded and glanced to the front passenger side; Jesus, that is one big Blackman - must be the fucking bodyguard or something. He was not surprised that the little group said nothing during the drive from the airport. Mavis - the Cardinals Housekeeper - had said they were from a very hush-hush department of the Vatican, that the Holy Father himself had sole charge of. She had also confided to him that the 'shit must have hit the fan'.
Frederick, the Cardinal's Private Secretary, was standing in the doorway and watched the small group approach. He fiddled nervously with his tie and was sweating a little. All the cardinal would say about these people sent by the Pope's private Office was that they were part of the Holy Inquisition - a very, very special part of it. They answered only to the Holy father and no-one else.
He adjusted his tie a final time and managed a weak smile; he bowed a little. "Welcome to the house of God, your Grace." Jericho said nothing and held out his hand; Frederick kissed the Cardinal's ring that was placed upon the finger. He stepped aside and indicated down the grand hallway; "His Eminence awaits you in his private study Sir. Refreshments will be served shortly." He watched carefully as the group made its way to the open door, at the end of the hall.
Frederick wiped his face and breathed deeply a couple of times. He knew that this young man was the Cardinal in charge of the Vatican's most secret Inquisition team; The Prayer of Liberty. He had hoped never to meet anyone from that department; never mind its head.
Mavis stood in the shadows of a nearby doorway and Frederick joined her there. "I think your right Mavis; the shit has really hit the fan if he's here in person." Mavis nodded and crossed herself; "Did you see that woman? Who the hell is she?" Frederick admitted he didn't know, but just being part of such a team she must be utterly dedicated to the faith - and totally ruthless in its protection. They all must be; he reasoned and for the first time in some years; crossed himself with real passion and purpose.
Frederick made his way to the open door and waited outside; for any instructions from his cardinal, whilst Mavis and the Maid; Eleanor, waited with trays some yards away. The Cardinal called for Frederick to bring the refreshments and then return to his office - no minutes were to be taken of this meeting. As Mavis passed him, he whispered; "No minutes to be taken; the shit has really hit the fan." She nodded her agreement and fixed a smile; her and Eleanor served the tea, coffee and sandwiches in a silent room and Frederick quietly closed the ornate door after they finished.
He walked slowly back to his office, where Father John and Mother Superior Margaret waited to be called - if necessary. Local Police Inspector William Gates also waited there; drinking endless cups of coffee and taking the occasional swig from his whisky filled hip-flask. The veteran of thirteen years detective work on the mean streets of Boston, knew the reputation of the 'Prayer of Liberty'. He sat by the small window and went over his story - yet again. William stared at Father John and was glad that he wasn't in his fucking shoes.
They all turned to the doorway as Frederick came in and raised both hands; "No minutes to be taken." was all he said. Father John actually groaned and turned away, folding his arms. William nodded and managed a smile; "Your right Mavis old girl; the fucking shit hasn't just hit the fan - its engulfed the fucking thing!"
They all sat in silence; Frederick sat at his desk staring at the equally silent intercom. Finally, the Inspector broke the silence; "Old Bishop Reynolds says not to be fooled or under-estimate the young Cardinal; he's a totally dedicated, clever bastard and can smell lies a mile down the fucking road. He also said to watch for his team; the stunning broad can ease the truth from you with just a smile - if this was the dark ages, she'll be called a witch. She's really dangerous and clever as she's beautiful. The big black man is another you don't mess with and the youngster - the Cardinal's Private Secretary - has a mind so sharp, you could cut steel plates with it. So fucking think before you say anything!"
Everyone nodded and drank yet more coffee; the minutes crawling by as if slow hours. The intercom suddenly buzzed and Frederick actually jumped a little in his seat - despite waiting on the call. He flicked the switch and mumbled; "Yes your Grace." The cardinal's subdued voice didn't go un-noticed by anyone. He asked Mother Superior Margaret to attend his office. Everyone stared at her as she rose from her chair slowly. She tried to smile but couldn't manage it and gripped her wooden crucifix with both hands.
Father John took her arm and whispered; "Just stick to the story Margaret, just stick to the story and it will be fine." She nodded and made her way to the cardinal's office - very slowly and deep in thought and prayer. Father John slumped into a chair by the door and accepted the hip-flask from William - he lit yet another cigarette and took a swig. "If Margaret strays from the story then I'm.....we're finished. its over." he muttered very softly and stared at the floor, drawing heavily on his cigarette.
The Inspector stood up and placed both hands upon the window ledge and stared out at the beautiful gardens; "Do you think they will attempt to speak to the girl? or will they accept that's she's mentally disturbed and agree with the decision to place her in the asylum?" He stared over his shoulder at Father John who simply raised both hands and sighed; "I don't really know Billy. I don't know what the bastards will do. I really don't." The room lapsed into silence again.
They waited for what seemed an eternity until the buzzer went again. The Cardinal wanted Father John and told Frederick that Mother Superior Margaret had been returned to the Convent - straight away. "Oh fucking shit!" was all Father John said and made his way to the Cardinal's office. He stopped at the large window by the door and could see the Cardinal's chauffer driving Margaret away - she was clearly crying. He hung his head and took another deep breath; then knocked at the door. The Cardinal told him to enter.
4. Something nasty in the Holy Cloisters?
Frederick watched the small party depart and the Cardinal's car disappear through the grand gates of the Arch-Bishop's house. Mavis stood quietly next to him and said nothing. Frederick turned away from the window and stared down the corridor at Father John sitting on a chair in the hallway; hands over his face.
"Father John will be lucky if he's only sent to the Missions, never mind his dreams about the Vatican. The bastard." Frederick spat the words out, just above a whisper. Mavis nodded; "I still can't believe it. A scandal like this could seriously damage the Church if the papers got hold of it - that stupid young girl may have just ruined many good lives and for what?" Frederick sighed; "I still can't believe that Mother- Superior Margaret allowed - no, took part - in this."
Mavis crossed herself and patted Frederick's arm; "I best start dinner, but I think his Grace will have little appetite for food tonight." She walked slowly away; heading for the kitchen's. Frederick glanced back out the window and saw Police Inspector William Gates walking, head bowed, towards his car. Another good man's career could lay in ruins if this story ever got out, Frederick felt a little sorry for the Inspector; he had trusted a dissolute - no, depraved - man and could pay a terrible and sad price for that. He walked back to his office and awaited the Cardinal's summons.
Bart the Chauffeur, knew something serious was up; the drive back to the hotel was in total silence - the passengers said nothing; not a word during the twenty minute drive. He pulled up outside the hotel's grand façade and the liveried Doorman opened the door for the team to depart the car. But each one thanked bart quite pleasantly and disappeared into the hotel. He drove back to the Arch-Bishop's house in real anticipation of a coffee - or maybe a whisky - with Mavis and some real gossip.
The team assembled again in Jericho's suite and enjoyed the bar that it contained. Alex placed down the telephone receiver and smiled; "I've booked a table for lunch. The hotel restaurant opens in an hour. The menu is top notch apparently." Jericho was standing, staring out the large window, arms folded. He nodded; "You booked it for five Alexandra?" He asked quietly. Alex said yes and accepted a brandy from Wilson, who sighed loudly; "Talk about something nasty in the holy cloisters." Owen chuckled at that and handed Jericho a brandy; "What now boss?" he asked.
Jericho sipped his drink and didn't smile; "We'll hear the truth from our human agent for this time and place. He'll be able to speak freely about what has been happening here." Alex sat on the ornate sofa by the window and relaxed a little. "Father John is a very handsome man and quite charming, little wonder Sister Margaret and Sarah fell under his spell." She said quietly and that made Wilson chuckle; "Yeah, but how many others are involved in this?" Alex didn't answer.
Jericho turned to Alex and smiled. She actually groaned; "What have you got planned for me now?" She asked and grinned. Jericho sipped his brandy; "I want you to interview Sister Sarah and find out her version of all this. If she really was attacked by someone else, then she's more likely to talk to you, than any of us." Alex nodded and finished her drink.
There was a soft knock at the door and Owen opened it slowly. Father Paradise Adams smiled and shook Owen by the hand. The young priest gripped his old leather briefcase and raised a hand; "Peace to all here." He said quietly and greeted Jericho with a firm handshake. Jericho touched his shoulder and smiled with genuine affection. "Sorry to drag you away from that troublesome exorcism, but you can imagine, just how important this mission is." The priest chuckled; "It must be; if it dragged Team 74 away from their drinks cabinet."
Everyone laughed at that and everyone knew they would like this young priest. Alex offered him a brandy and he accepted with a smile; "Jericho told me you were a stunner and yet again, he didn't exaggerate!" He swept up her hand and kissed it. Alex really did smile and whispered; "Thank you." Wilson groaned with mock despair; "Another one to the flame." Owen chuckled and the little group settled in their seats and Father Adam opened his briefcase - between sips of brandy. The room went quiet and Father Adam spoke softly.
"Like most stories circulating in the closed world of the Clergy, it started with rumours and gossip. Some called it 'Father John's harem' others were less generous; they referred to it as 'The Devil's knocking shop'. But very little of what was known escaped into the world outside the cloisters. though I suspect Inspector Gates had a good idea what was going on." Owen held up a hand, looking a little puzzled; "What is a knocking shop?" Even Father Adam's chuckled at that and Wilson grunted, explaining to his young colleague that it was yet another name for a brothel.
Everyone had relaxed and Father Adam continued; "To my knowledge, our dashing and handsome priest Father John had seduced Margaret - the Mother Superior, Sister Sarah and another young Nun called Rachel. Apparently, he even had his Parochial House-Keeper, a certain Mrs. Farmer, in the circle. She's been a widowed woman for nearly nine years - yet has two children; both under five." Wilson smiled; "And how long has our very busy Father John been here?"
Father Adam smiled; "Five years my friend."
Alex rose from her seat and refilled everyone's glasses with a big smile; "Well our Father John is clearly a very busy man. I'm amazed he found time for Mass...or anything else!" Even Jericho chuckled at that. Father Adam accepted a re-fill and pulled some papers from his battered briefcase; "I looked carefully into Father John's finances. He, quite remarkably, maintains a house in the suburb's for the House-keepers children, a very nice apartment in the city for his 'Sister' - a certain young lady who was previously known as 'The Mouth'. And yet another apartment, where he entertains other young ladies - all this on a priests pay."
He handed out several pictures - stills from various films; "He's also a budding film Director. The third still is quite interesting, the girl's face is quite clear; it's Sister Sarah with an unidentified black male. The film was titled, out of interest, 'The Nun and the Gardner." Alex picked up the photograph and nodded; " I don't think He's there to prune her roses'" That really did make Father Adam's laugh.
"So our Father John is a sexual deviate and pornographer; he should go far in the church nowadays." Wilson said and finished his brandy - he was no great fan of the Catholic Church. Father Adam's just smiled at Wilson's comment and pulled another photograph out - he held it up; "This one really does concern you my friends." Everyone stared at the photograph of a young girl with a handsome young man - they were having anal sex on the floor. Father Adam's tapped the picture - he didn't smile. "You can see the man's left hand on the girls back quite clearly; he has six fingers."
"Cabel." Jericho said simply and groaned quietly. He pulled his mirror from a coat pocket and added; "I'll put a call into James - I think we're going to need him on this one." Alex couldn't conceal her smile at that and caught Wilson smiling at her, he just shrugged his shoulders - she ignored him and said to Jericho; "We must identify the girl in that picture then."
Father Adam's agreed with that, but stated they would have to get a copy of the film, to see if the girl shows her face at any stage. Jericho asked if that was possible and Father Adam's nodded; "I have an acquaintance who operates...well, let's say he works on the other side of the law. He can get a copy if the price is right." Owen scratched his chin; What's the title of that one - the film I mean?" Father Adam's smiled; "Father John has a good imagination; it's called 'Devil Worship' - catchy eh?."
On that, the meeting broke up and everyone headed for the Hotel's Dinning room - Jericho had invited Father Adam's to dinner, which he readily accepted. Jericho's mirror buzzed and he read it carefully; "Another one for supper - James is on his way." He said and followed his team to the lift. "Well, the conversation at dinner should be lively tonight." Muttered Wilson to Owen, who just grinned.
5. A quiet talk between the girls.
The mature police officer rose from the little chair and placed the newspaper on the floor, next to three empty coffee cups and a half eaten sandwich. He smiled at the priest, then smiled broadly when he saw Alex. The shuffling young man in a smart suit was of no interest to him now. "Hello Father, I wondered when you would show up." He shook Father Adam's hand firmly, who gripped his hand back; "Hello Joe, this young lady is from the Holy Inquisition and will have a little chat with Sister Sarah. William [Inspector Gates] has cleared it." The policeman smiled; "If she's works for the Inquisition, then I'm in the wrong bloody job!"
Father Adam's just smiled and the policeman unlocked the door to Sister Sarah's private hospital room. "Has she had any visitors since it happened?" Alex asked and the policeman shook his head; "Only nursing staff and a couple of doctors."
Officer Joseph O'Brien had been handpicked by Inspector Gates for this duty because he was a good honest copper and a devout Catholic. The Inspector had chosen wisely. Owen pulled up a couple of chairs from outside another room, for him and Father Adam.
Alex closed the door slowly as the young nun pulled her self up from the pillows and stared at her - she was gripping a wooden crucifix in one hand. Her eyes were wide and she half smiled. Alex noticed the bruising about her face and on the bare arm holding the cross. "Hello Sarah, I'm Alex and I would really like to speak with you. Have a quiet little chat about things - if you're strong enough?" Sister Sarah slowly nodded and with a shaking hand, held up the crucifix; "I have sinned. I have betrayed God's love. I have been punished by God for my terrible sins....I have sinned so much.....I have lost God's love....I have..." She started to sob and pulled a pillow over her face, repeating again and again; "Please forgive me!"
Owen came back from the hospital canteen with more coffee's, some apple pie and a bottle of coke with a straw hanging out. He dropped into his seat and passed a coffee to the police officer and Father Adam's. "How long has Alex been in their now?" He whispered to Father Adam, who glanced at his wristwatch; "Nearly thirty minutes. Sister Sarah has shouted several times about being forgiven." He shrugged his shoulders and glanced at the policeman, who was back reading his paper. "Shouldn't be much longer. I think it helps that Alex is a Doctor... in a difficult matter like this." He added and sipped his coffee.
Joe O'Brien looked up from his paper and smiled; "She's a Doctor? Jesus father - beauty and brains in one gorgeous package. Not like my Ruth - bless her - she's not bad looking, but has a head like a sieve." He grunted and returned to his paper without further comment. Owen stifled a chuckle and sucked on his straw; Wilson was right, Coke did taste better from a bottle.
Father Adam's ignored the strange noises Owen was making with the damn straw and stared at the black liquid in his cup. This case had disturbed him greatly; a fellow priest who would be better suited working for the Dark Prince and the possibly of a Tier One Demon creating a 'Dark Angel' during his lifetime. He actually shuddered a little - which went un-noticed by his two companions.
The little group sitting in the corner of the hospital canteen sat quietly chatting amongst themselves. They drew little attention from the other patrons - except two young coloured nurses who had a real interest in Wilson. At the counter, when Wilson had collected coffee and doughnuts, they had struck up conversation with the big man - they weren't too subtle and asked outright if he was married or seeing anyone! He returned to the table a little flustered - Owen would have loved that.
The pair sat at the table opposite and really did smile at the big man; that did amuse Jericho and James - a lot. "Heads up - their back." Wilson jerked a thumb towards the doors; Alex, Father Adam's and Owen were waiting in the doorway. "Let's go." Jericho said and the trio rose as one and headed for the doors. Alex gripped Jericho's arm and looked quite grim; "It's worse than you can imagine." Was all she said - for now. Everyone headed for the car park and Father Adam's big old Buick RoadMaster car. They sat quietly and listened to Alex - it's wasn't good news.
Sister Sarah had indeed been brutally raped and she knew the man who had done it: Father Paul De Silva, the priest friend of Father John, who was the Parish Priest of the Neighbouring church. But she had no idea how he gained access to her locked cell. According to the young nun, she had woken to find the priest, stripping of his clothes, in her room. She screamed, but it didn't stop him. Sister Sarah didn't see him leave and only just remembers Sister Rachel opening the door.
"I think Sister Rachel was letting the Priest out before she yelled for help." Jericho said and folded his arms, then added; "The little windows in the cell doors are quite high; you would see a full grown man walk or run past. But not if he bowed realty low and already had a head start. Then Sister Rachel went through her act."
Alex took a sip from Owen's bottle of coke and continued; "She admits to the sex with Father John, various men in his films and other women. Here's the bit that made me want to vomit; she performed with a large dog in one film after sniffing some stuff that Father John gave her. Apparently, he's a drug dealer as well as a filth bag pornographer and sexual pervert. She believes that he let Father Paul rape her as payment for some favour the priest had done Father John, but doesn't know what. All in all, you couldn't find a bigger, deeper cesspit if you looked hard around a sewage farm and it all revolves around the church." She handed Owen the empty bottle and muttered; "I really do need a brandy!"
Father Adam's sat in silence behind the wheel, then ran a hand over his damp face; "I know Father Paul and I didn't think he could be capable of such an act. I really didn't." Jericho gripped the priests shoulder and said quietly; "No-one really knows what some people are capable of." James agreed with that, as did Owen and Wilson. Alex pushed back in her seat and folded her arms; "There is one other thing that you should know. Sarah told me that she had sex with two strange men - at Father John's insistence - one was a big strapping fellow, very good looking and guess what was really peculiar about him?"
Wilson grunted; "His bloody left hand had six fingers?" Alex nodded - but didn't smile - she sighed; "Apparently Father John did film it." Owen squeezed back in the seat; "Well, at least that solves the mystery who the demon was shagging in that film." Everyone just looked at him. "Now what have I said?" He muttered and would sulk for least a half hour. Father Adam's started the car and pulled from the hospital carpark onto the road. Alex said quietly; "I've left the worst part to last." and rummaged in her handbag, pulling out the small orb Jericho had given her; all around the circumference were tiny red slivers; indicating a demon or dark Angel in the making.
Jericho took the ball and pushed it into his coat pocket; "A termination will have to be arranged." He nodded to Father Adam's adding; "There's no choice in the matter, we can't allow a creature like that into the human time line - no bloody way." Father Adam's reluctantly agreed - it was half human, but the other half condemned it to death.
Wilson rubbed his chin; "Why did Sister Sarah report her supposed dreams and nightmares about the demon, when she was involved with Father John and his circus of perversions; that doesn't make sense." Jericho said softly; "She didn't know he and his friends were from the 'Dark Side' and I believe her soul was screaming for help - it knew and was trying to warn her and others about what was going on, and that deep fear resulted in her bad dreams. It certainly was right to do so, considering what we have uncovered." No one could argue with that deduction.
"Father Paul's I think." Jericho instructed Father Adam. " Do you think its time to confront this Father John?" James quietly asked Jericho as the car threaded through downtown traffic. Jericho nodded; "After we've had a close look at Father Paul, I think there's more to his involvement than the rape." They pulled up outside St. James Church and Parochial House to find several police cars outside and two uniform officers standing on the Church steps, turning people away from the doors. "Wait here, I'll find out what's happening." Father Adam's left the car and joined the two officers on the steps of the church.
He was there for some minutes and then returned to his car; grim faced. He eased behind the wheel and gripped it with both hands. After a few seconds, he said softly, with some real anger in his voice; "Father Paul was found dead this morning. Someone had stove his head in with a garden spade by the alter. A couple of old ladies who clean the church found the body this morning."
There was silence in the car and finally Jericho tapped Father Adam's on the shoulder; "I think Father John will want to talk to us now - without all the lies and fabrications and half truths." The car pulled away and Owen placed a call to Human Dispatches to find out which Collector attended this dispatch [death].
They made their way to The Convent of St. Mary Magdalene and Father John's Parochial House. That's when Jericho's mirror buzzed and he listened carefully to the call, without reply until he said simply; "Thank you for that." and ended the call. He didn't look happy; "Sister Sarah somehow got hold of a razor and she slit her wrists, probably just after you left her Alex. She didn't make it. Dispatches tells us that no soul was collected and we have been assigned the case, since we're already on the ground." They all looked at the imposing walls
of the Convent and James said; "Shall we get this done?"
6. No where left to hide.
They worked through the afternoon and managed to identify another four young women from the films, whilst one girl only showed the back of her head - quite deliberately it would appear, dressed as a Maid. But the 'regulars' were all there of course. "Sister Margaret is quite athletic for woman of her age." Owen muttered and took a bite from his egg sandwich. Wilson sipped his coffee and pointed out that Sister Rachel really did appear to enjoy the lesbian sex with two other girls.
At one point, everyone stopped chatting and stared hard at the white wall that the films were being projected upon. James screwed up his face; "It's not ..it can't be.. can it? Wilson stopped the film and scratched his head; "Christ - sorry Father - it certainly looks like it." Jericho shrugged his shoulders; "Owen, check her with your mirror?" He did and held it up. "Well, I've seen everything now." Muttered Father Adam's and folded his arms. "You would never have thought she would indulge in such dirty sex.. with two men!" Exclaimed Owen and lowered his mirror with a deep whistle, adding; "I'll watch her films with very different eyes now."
"This film was made some years before she became that famous, no-one around this time period would really know just how famous she is later." Jericho said quietly and sipped his coffee and added; "This film would be worth a fortune thirty years from now." James grunted; "Well, we can strike her from the hunt, Human records show that she never had any children."
The last film had Cabel - dressed as a Bishop - with a Nun and a 'French Maid' in the a bathroom. Wilson had to stop the film twice, so that they could work out what he was slapping the girls backsides with. "You don't get many of them to the pound." Was all Owen commented. "Still can't make out the maid's damn face." Wilson muttered and the film continued.
Alex sat in silence and then suddenly sat up and told Wilson to stop the film - yet again. She stared hard at the scene in the bathroom. "I don't believe it." She muttered a couple of times and Jericho said quietly; "What is it Alexandra?"
"Through the window, do you see the gardens clear enough?" She asked and everyone leaned forward. "The Convent?" offered Owen and Alex shook her head; "That's the gardens of the Arch-Bishops house." Everyone stared and finally James nodded his head; "Bloody hell, she's right!"
7. Down the rabbit hole or sewage pipe; if you prefer.
Father Adams pulled the car up, outside the doors to the Arch-Bishop's house and switched off the engine. "This may not be pleasant." He muttered as the team left the vehicle and Jericho rung the doorbell.
The big door was slowly opened by Mavis, who seemed quite unsurprised by the unscheduled return of the Inquisition team. She stood back from the door and gripped the hem of her apron. She clearly was a very troubled woman. Father Adam's spoke directly to her and touched her shoulder; "Mavis, your face speaks volumes." Was all he said for the woman to grab his hands and weep. Alex gripped her shoulders and walked her to the kitchens. The team waited in the hallway as Mavis unburdened herself to Father Adams and Alex.
Alex and Father Adams returned and Alex sighed; "The young maid - Eleanor - has disappeared. She broke down last night and told Mavis everything. It appears it was her in the film with Cabel and Sister Rachel. They made the bloody film here; in the Cardinal's bathroom!" Jericho nodded and didn't smile, when Owen chuckled; "Our funny bloody demon likes to stick close to the truth; The Nun and Bloody gardener were real, now the bloody nun and the maid are real."
Wilson pushed a hand across his face; "Do you know, I think our young colleague is on to something. It's like the bloody demon is dropping clues into the films; almost deliberately. Do all the films titles have a grain of truth about the cast - a clear clue to who's in them?" James nodded his agreement with that, but looked a little puzzled; "Why would he [cabel] do that?" Jericho shrugged his shoulders; "Maybe to prove how clever he is and how dumb we are. He really is one of the dark prince's most vain followers, I know that."
"It would be a real feather in his cap, to apparently outsmart you and me Jericho, leaving us blatant clues that we couldn't fathom. That would tickle the Dark Prince's fancy all right - that's exactly his sense of humour." James spoke quietly and folded his arms. Owen smiled; "What about the film with that bloody famous actress in, well, the girl who becomes famous later. Anyone remember it's title?"
They all shook their heads and Wilson grunted; "I really don't think anyone noticed the title with that girl performing the way she did!" Owen just smiled; "I do." Alex sighed and poked Owen's shoulder with a single finger; "Well, what was it bloody called smarty-pants?" Owen really did grin; "After the College Prom. Our naughty demon was playing a College professor with two cheerleaders. It was the odd film out; all the others had a 'church' theme - all about nun's, Bishop's and priests. That was the odd film out of the collection and I wonder why?"
Jericho and James exchanged a knowing look; "Where the hell better to meet and seduce young girls, than on a real college campus, whilst playing the handsome professor?" Jericho muttered and jumped a little, when Alex yelled; "Oh shit! Mavis said that Eleanor was trying to get a night college degree. She wanted to be a nurse!"
Jericho indicated the kitchen door; "Back in there and get the name of the damn college." Alex nodded and disappeared back into the kitchen's. Wilson slapped Owen on the back; "Well done baby brother!" James and Jericho had to agree with that. Father Adams smiled; "I have an old friend on the Board of Education. I'm sure she will know the name of any new, young and handsome professor's who earn extra money by taking night classes."
Alex stepped through the door and really did smile; "North Boston College of Art; they do night classes that help people to get their School certificates - if they dropped out of normal school - and now need one to get a Career; like nursing."
"Let's go." Was all Jericho said and the team jumped into Father Adams car and headed for the college. "We couldn't have timed it better. It's almost night and evening classes will be starting soon." James leaned back into his seat and stared through the windows at the gathering darkness. "I'm really going to enjoy kicking that bastards arse." He muttered and smiled.
The team sat in the car park whilst Father Adams was in the college Reception, telephoning his old friend on the board of Education. They watched a small stream of students - of various ages - disappearing through the colleges impressive doors. Jericho leaned from the front passenger seat and operated the windscreen wipers as the falling rain grew heavier. Alex tapped Jericho gently on the shoulder and pointed towards the small enclosed bus stop by the cycle racks. "There's a young woman huddled in the corner, with her hat pulled down and her raincoats collar pulled up. If she's trying not to draw attention to herself, then she's doing a rotten job."
Everyone leaned forward and Owen produced his mirror and almost smiled; "Bingo! It's young Eleanor. Well spotted Alex!" Jericho slowly opened the front passenger door, then stopped. He reached into his coat's pocket and pulled his orb out; it had red streaks around its circumference. "He's here." Jericho spoke quietly and James pushed open the rear door and jumped out. He transformed into his Knight's form and Jericho told everyone to stay in the car. James had stopped time for all living humans.
They heard Cabel just before they saw him; the roaring scream made everyone wince - except James of course - he dropped his visor and lifted his sword. Cabel was perched on the roof of the bus stop, tail swishing and bellowing. It leapt from the little roof and the battle was on.
The entire car park was lit with bright light as the pair clashed. Cabel hit James full on, head down and at speed. It threw James several feet into the air and he came down with a heavy thump; his helmet flying off and rolling near the cycle racks. Cabel turned and leapt on the Knight, laying prone on the wet tarmac. Alex actually screamed at that point and everyone basically held their breath.
Suddenly, Cabel found himself thrown across the car park and crashed into the bus stop. James rose quickly and leapt after him, crushing a small car as he jumped onto it and struck Cabel across the shoulder with his sword; vivid red and white lights now surrounded the pair. They came together with extreme violence and no quarter was given or expected. Cabel had gripped James's arm with his teeth and was throwing him about like a rag doll. But James slapped the creature across its fiery snout with the flat of his sword. He had to strike twice before Cabel released his grip and slammed his hard boned head into James's chest, throwing him again onto the wet tarmac.
The creature leapt again at the knight laying on the floor and gripped his torso with claws and teeth. Alex now had her eyes closed tightly and was taking deep breaths; for the first time [in a very long time] Alex was praying. Suddenly Cabel was again in the air and crashed down near a large convertible, which he grabbed with both clawed hands and threw it - like a toy - at James, who rolled away and jumped to his feet; both hands gripping his sword. His silver breastplate had deep gorges and was split down one side. But that wouldn't stop a Knight a God - the pair came together again.
Alex opened her eyes and saw the figure running from the shadows of the college building; it was Father John! For a few seconds, Alex was too shocked to speak or shout, then she screamed; "It's Father John! How the hell is he moving! No living humans can move unless they're...." Alex had realised that Father John wasn't actually human. The 'priest' was changing as he ran.
Alex leapt from the car screaming at the top of her voice; "James, Father John is a demon too! It's a trap..." She never finished the warning because the second demon bellowed and snatched her up, throwing Alex down with some violence; she lay ominously still in the dirt. Jericho stepped slowly from the car - he was already operating his mirror to call for assistance of more Knights. Wilson had already jumped from the car and was running towards Alex.
That's when everyone and everything stopped. From the entrance of the car park walked a solitary figure, hands in pockets like he was having an evening stroll. The two demons fell to their knees and went silent. James raised his sword in salute and knelt. Wilson was cuddling Alex in his arms; the tears falling down his face; "You daft cow...why did you have to do that?" He looked up and realised who was standing over him and Alex. He rose slowly; Alex cradled in his arms. The 'Dark Prince' smiled and simply touched Alex's face with his finger and she took a deep breath and started to return to life.
The Dark prince turned to James and smiled broadly; "Watching you fight Cabel, I now know, how the Caesars felt when attending the Coliseum and I must give the 'thumbs up' all round here. Especially for young Alexandra." The Dark Prince chuckled; "If ever you wish to swap sides, you'll be most welcome. My brother certainly knows how to choose his Knights." James just nodded - he didn't smile.
Wilson had placed the recovering Alex into the rear of Father Adams car and he stood with Jericho and Owen. "She was gone Jericho and he brought her back. Why did he do that and stop the fight - James would have been on a hiding to nothing against two Tier One Demons, why did he stop it?" Jericho simply jerked a thumb towards the car's rear seat; "She was gone and he had to recall her soul as quickly as possible. Alex is out of her natural time period which meant her soul would have been lost for good. That's why he stepped in." Both men stared at Alex, now sitting up and drinking from Owen's hip flask.
"That's some fucking Guardian Angel!" Was all Wilson muttered - but smiled. The team knew that the Dark Prince had 'bit of a thing' for young Alexandra, and they knew just how deep that went; he wanted her for his Queen. Wilson sighed; he was glad that it would be up to Jericho to explain what happened; to Angel Margret and Alex of course!
On their previous encounter; Alex had refused his marriage proposal - not vey politely, it must be said - and threw her heels at him and had ran for it, with Jericho. It had caused a rift in the 'FAMILY' with Queen Mary defending Alex's right to choose. Apparently, the Prince clearly had forgiven her and still wanted Alex for his Queen. [See episode: 'Ghosts in the Devil's Garden of the damned.']
James and David - the Dark Prince - spoke for a few moments, then David nodded a greeting to Jericho and was gone; the two demons in tow. James had changed back to his normal human form and stood by the car, watching Alex, he turned to Jericho and smiled; "I guess, I'll call that a draw." Everyone chuckled softly at that. Then Jericho saw the figure laying in the bus stop. "Come on, I need to run the orb over that young lady."
Sister Sarah (Sarah-Anne Connelly) committed suicide in 1959 and no soul was recovered. It remains lost to this day. She was buried quietly by Church Authorities in a local City Cemetery, and not interned at the Convent Graveyard. Her family did not attend the funeral.
Mother Superior Margaret (Rose Margaret Timms) simply disappeared until her death in 1964 - she died of Cancer in a Charity run Hospice. Nothing is known of her life after she left the Convent. Her soul was collected and processed.
Sister Ruth (Regina Holliday-Goves) left the Convent in 1961 and joined a small farming commune in the Mid-West. She married twice and had three children and seven grand children. She passed away in 1992. Her soul was collected and processed.
Sister Anna (Ann Smith) died just months after the 'demon' Incident from complications following an Appendectomy. She was buried in the Convent Graveyard. She had no family to attend her funeral. Her soul was collected and processed.
Mother Superior Grace (Geraldine Harper) took over from Margaret and ran the Convent until her death in 1966. Her soul was collected and processed.
Father John Jennings [The demon Phara} is the subject of a Temporal Detective Investigation headed by Inspector Stella Longstreet and her team. How he managed to reach the position of a Priest is under urgent review and needs to be resolved quickly. The investigation is currently still on going.
Detective Inspector William 'Billy' Gates [Boston Police Department] retied from Police Service in 1969 and lived on a small ranch in the Mid West. He was practically a recluse. When his body was discovered, he had been dead for some months. It appears that he had shot himself after a heavy drinking session. No soul was recovered and remains missing. Inspector Ali Khan and Team 59 are investigating due to his previous proximity to forces of the 'Dark Side'. There is no resolution at this time.
Bartholomew Kasper [Cardinal's Chauffeur] remained in Church Service until he retired in 1972. He died just a year later in a tragic incident, when he fell in front of an Express Train entering Boston Central. His soul was collected and processed.
Mavis Joyce Tebbings [Cardinal's Housekeeper] died in 1968 from Cancer. She had no family, but her funeral was conducted by the Cardinal himself and the church was packed with friends and colleagues she had met over her years of long and devoted service to the Church. Her soul was collected and processed. She now works as a Collector.
Frederick James Robinson [Cardinal's Private Secretary] was found dead in the bedroom of his small apartment in January 1963. He had been suspended by Church Authorities over allegations of embezzlement and fraud. He had committed suicide. His soul was collected and processed. It was later discovered that he had been innocent of the allegations.
Eleanor Stateman [Cardinal's House Maid] returned to her parents farm and married a local store owner. She had four children and nine grand children. She died, aged 91 and her soul was collected and processed.
Father Paradise Adams continued to work for the Vatican's 'Prayer of Liberty' Department and assisted many teams of Temporal Detectives during his life time of service to God. When he died in 1982, his funeral was attended by several Temporal Inspectors and Knight's of God. Inspector Tibbs gave the eulogy at the funeral. His soul was collected and processed. He worked as a Collector, then Temporal Detective and some centuries after his original passing, was made a Knight of God. No one had expected anything less of this fine, decent and honest man.
Harry Twelvetrees [The demon Cabel] returned to his master and was disciplined by the Dark Prince, after his most vocal protest against the Dark Prince's intervention in this case. It is not known what became of him, but the Demon Ingress Department has reported no sightings of him for some time.
Joseph O'Brien [Boston Police Department] never saw his retirement; some young thug - robbing a liquor store whilst high on drugs and alcohol - shot him dead as his police car pulled up outside the store. His soul was collected and processed. He now works for the Supplies Department and Jericho and his team have encountered Joe on many occasions.
Father Paul de Silva was murdered by Father John [the demon Phara] over Sister Sarah and missing money. After his death, several allegations of sexual abuse against children in his congregation came to light. His soul was collected and processed. It remains in quarantine until 2300.
Rufus Washington [Convent Gardner] was sacked by the Church Authorities and struggled to make a living. He hung himself in a derelict shop in April 1962. His soul was collected and processed.
Mrs. Gwen Farmer [Father John's House Keeper] never recovered from the terrible deaths of her two young children in the house fire. She was finally committed to a State asylum for the mentally ill in November 1963 - just days before Kennedy's Assassination - she remained there until her death in 1967. Not surprisingly; there was no soul to collect. The matter is being investigated by Inspector Dawn Daniels and Team 62. It has not yet been resolved.
SPECIAL APPEARANCE BY Prince David; the 'Dark Prince', as himself.
He leaned back into the car and held out his hand; the exquisitely dressed young woman stepped out with a hand upon her small hat. The Cardinal's chauffer smiled; what a fucking piece of skirt! he thought - if that's the sort of broad that works in the Vatican - he wanted a fucking job there. The pair were followed by a smartly dressed young man clutching a well worn leather document bag. He grinned at the Chauffer; "Thanks Bart,"
Bartholomew, the Chauffer nodded and glanced to the front passenger side; Jesus, that is one big Blackman - must be the fucking bodyguard or something. He was not surprised that the little group said nothing during the drive from the airport. Mavis - the Cardinals Housekeeper - had said they were from a very hush-hush department of the Vatican, that the Holy Father himself had sole charge of. She had also confided to him that the 'shit must have hit the fan'.
Frederick, the Cardinal's Private Secretary, was standing in the doorway and watched the small group approach. He fiddled nervously with his tie and was sweating a little. All the cardinal would say about these people sent by the Pope's private Office was that they were part of the Holy Inquisition - a very, very special part of it. They answered only to the Holy father and no-one else.
He adjusted his tie a final time and managed a weak smile; he bowed a little. "Welcome to the house of God, your Grace." Jericho said nothing and held out his hand; Frederick kissed the Cardinal's ring that was placed upon the finger. He stepped aside and indicated down the grand hallway; "His Eminence awaits you in his private study Sir. Refreshments will be served shortly." He watched carefully as the group made its way to the open door, at the end of the hall.
Frederick wiped his face and breathed deeply a couple of times. He knew that this young man was the Cardinal in charge of the Vatican's most secret Inquisition team; The Prayer of Liberty. He had hoped never to meet anyone from that department; never mind its head.
Mavis stood in the shadows of a nearby doorway and Frederick joined her there. "I think your right Mavis; the shit has really hit the fan if he's here in person." Mavis nodded and crossed herself; "Did you see that woman? Who the hell is she?" Frederick admitted he didn't know, but just being part of such a team she must be utterly dedicated to the faith - and totally ruthless in its protection. They all must be; he reasoned and for the first time in some years; crossed himself with real passion and purpose.
Frederick made his way to the open door and waited outside; for any instructions from his cardinal, whilst Mavis and the Maid; Eleanor, waited with trays some yards away. The Cardinal called for Frederick to bring the refreshments and then return to his office - no minutes were to be taken of this meeting. As Mavis passed him, he whispered; "No minutes to be taken; the shit has really hit the fan." She nodded her agreement and fixed a smile; her and Eleanor served the tea, coffee and sandwiches in a silent room and Frederick quietly closed the ornate door after they finished.
He walked slowly back to his office, where Father John and Mother Superior Margaret waited to be called - if necessary. Local Police Inspector William Gates also waited there; drinking endless cups of coffee and taking the occasional swig from his whisky filled hip-flask. The veteran of thirteen years detective work on the mean streets of Boston, knew the reputation of the 'Prayer of Liberty'. He sat by the small window and went over his story - yet again. William stared at Father John and was glad that he wasn't in his fucking shoes.
They all turned to the doorway as Frederick came in and raised both hands; "No minutes to be taken." was all he said. Father John actually groaned and turned away, folding his arms. William nodded and managed a smile; "Your right Mavis old girl; the fucking shit hasn't just hit the fan - its engulfed the fucking thing!"
They all sat in silence; Frederick sat at his desk staring at the equally silent intercom. Finally, the Inspector broke the silence; "Old Bishop Reynolds says not to be fooled or under-estimate the young Cardinal; he's a totally dedicated, clever bastard and can smell lies a mile down the fucking road. He also said to watch for his team; the stunning broad can ease the truth from you with just a smile - if this was the dark ages, she'll be called a witch. She's really dangerous and clever as she's beautiful. The big black man is another you don't mess with and the youngster - the Cardinal's Private Secretary - has a mind so sharp, you could cut steel plates with it. So fucking think before you say anything!"
Everyone nodded and drank yet more coffee; the minutes crawling by as if slow hours. The intercom suddenly buzzed and Frederick actually jumped a little in his seat - despite waiting on the call. He flicked the switch and mumbled; "Yes your Grace." The cardinal's subdued voice didn't go un-noticed by anyone. He asked Mother Superior Margaret to attend his office. Everyone stared at her as she rose from her chair slowly. She tried to smile but couldn't manage it and gripped her wooden crucifix with both hands.
Father John took her arm and whispered; "Just stick to the story Margaret, just stick to the story and it will be fine." She nodded and made her way to the cardinal's office - very slowly and deep in thought and prayer. Father John slumped into a chair by the door and accepted the hip-flask from William - he lit yet another cigarette and took a swig. "If Margaret strays from the story then I'm.....we're finished. its over." he muttered very softly and stared at the floor, drawing heavily on his cigarette.
The Inspector stood up and placed both hands upon the window ledge and stared out at the beautiful gardens; "Do you think they will attempt to speak to the girl? or will they accept that's she's mentally disturbed and agree with the decision to place her in the asylum?" He stared over his shoulder at Father John who simply raised both hands and sighed; "I don't really know Billy. I don't know what the bastards will do. I really don't." The room lapsed into silence again.
They waited for what seemed an eternity until the buzzer went again. The Cardinal wanted Father John and told Frederick that Mother Superior Margaret had been returned to the Convent - straight away. "Oh fucking shit!" was all Father John said and made his way to the Cardinal's office. He stopped at the large window by the door and could see the Cardinal's chauffer driving Margaret away - she was clearly crying. He hung his head and took another deep breath; then knocked at the door. The Cardinal told him to enter.
4. Something nasty in the Holy Cloisters?
Frederick watched the small party depart and the Cardinal's car disappear through the grand gates of the Arch-Bishop's house. Mavis stood quietly next to him and said nothing. Frederick turned away from the window and stared down the corridor at Father John sitting on a chair in the hallway; hands over his face.
"Father John will be lucky if he's only sent to the Missions, never mind his dreams about the Vatican. The bastard." Frederick spat the words out, just above a whisper. Mavis nodded; "I still can't believe it. A scandal like this could seriously damage the Church if the papers got hold of it - that stupid young girl may have just ruined many good lives and for what?" Frederick sighed; "I still can't believe that Mother- Superior Margaret allowed - no, took part - in this."
Mavis crossed herself and patted Frederick's arm; "I best start dinner, but I think his Grace will have little appetite for food tonight." She walked slowly away; heading for the kitchen's. Frederick glanced back out the window and saw Police Inspector William Gates walking, head bowed, towards his car. Another good man's career could lay in ruins if this story ever got out, Frederick felt a little sorry for the Inspector; he had trusted a dissolute - no, depraved - man and could pay a terrible and sad price for that. He walked back to his office and awaited the Cardinal's summons.
Bart the Chauffeur, knew something serious was up; the drive back to the hotel was in total silence - the passengers said nothing; not a word during the twenty minute drive. He pulled up outside the hotel's grand façade and the liveried Doorman opened the door for the team to depart the car. But each one thanked bart quite pleasantly and disappeared into the hotel. He drove back to the Arch-Bishop's house in real anticipation of a coffee - or maybe a whisky - with Mavis and some real gossip.
The team assembled again in Jericho's suite and enjoyed the bar that it contained. Alex placed down the telephone receiver and smiled; "I've booked a table for lunch. The hotel restaurant opens in an hour. The menu is top notch apparently." Jericho was standing, staring out the large window, arms folded. He nodded; "You booked it for five Alexandra?" He asked quietly. Alex said yes and accepted a brandy from Wilson, who sighed loudly; "Talk about something nasty in the holy cloisters." Owen chuckled at that and handed Jericho a brandy; "What now boss?" he asked.
Jericho sipped his drink and didn't smile; "We'll hear the truth from our human agent for this time and place. He'll be able to speak freely about what has been happening here." Alex sat on the ornate sofa by the window and relaxed a little. "Father John is a very handsome man and quite charming, little wonder Sister Margaret and Sarah fell under his spell." She said quietly and that made Wilson chuckle; "Yeah, but how many others are involved in this?" Alex didn't answer.
Jericho turned to Alex and smiled. She actually groaned; "What have you got planned for me now?" She asked and grinned. Jericho sipped his brandy; "I want you to interview Sister Sarah and find out her version of all this. If she really was attacked by someone else, then she's more likely to talk to you, than any of us." Alex nodded and finished her drink.
There was a soft knock at the door and Owen opened it slowly. Father Paradise Adams smiled and shook Owen by the hand. The young priest gripped his old leather briefcase and raised a hand; "Peace to all here." He said quietly and greeted Jericho with a firm handshake. Jericho touched his shoulder and smiled with genuine affection. "Sorry to drag you away from that troublesome exorcism, but you can imagine, just how important this mission is." The priest chuckled; "It must be; if it dragged Team 74 away from their drinks cabinet."
Everyone laughed at that and everyone knew they would like this young priest. Alex offered him a brandy and he accepted with a smile; "Jericho told me you were a stunner and yet again, he didn't exaggerate!" He swept up her hand and kissed it. Alex really did smile and whispered; "Thank you." Wilson groaned with mock despair; "Another one to the flame." Owen chuckled and the little group settled in their seats and Father Adam opened his briefcase - between sips of brandy. The room went quiet and Father Adam spoke softly.
"Like most stories circulating in the closed world of the Clergy, it started with rumours and gossip. Some called it 'Father John's harem' others were less generous; they referred to it as 'The Devil's knocking shop'. But very little of what was known escaped into the world outside the cloisters. though I suspect Inspector Gates had a good idea what was going on." Owen held up a hand, looking a little puzzled; "What is a knocking shop?" Even Father Adam's chuckled at that and Wilson grunted, explaining to his young colleague that it was yet another name for a brothel.
Everyone had relaxed and Father Adam continued; "To my knowledge, our dashing and handsome priest Father John had seduced Margaret - the Mother Superior, Sister Sarah and another young Nun called Rachel. Apparently, he even had his Parochial House-Keeper, a certain Mrs. Farmer, in the circle. She's been a widowed woman for nearly nine years - yet has two children; both under five." Wilson smiled; "And how long has our very busy Father John been here?"
Father Adam smiled; "Five years my friend."
Alex rose from her seat and refilled everyone's glasses with a big smile; "Well our Father John is clearly a very busy man. I'm amazed he found time for Mass...or anything else!" Even Jericho chuckled at that. Father Adam accepted a re-fill and pulled some papers from his battered briefcase; "I looked carefully into Father John's finances. He, quite remarkably, maintains a house in the suburb's for the House-keepers children, a very nice apartment in the city for his 'Sister' - a certain young lady who was previously known as 'The Mouth'. And yet another apartment, where he entertains other young ladies - all this on a priests pay."
He handed out several pictures - stills from various films; "He's also a budding film Director. The third still is quite interesting, the girl's face is quite clear; it's Sister Sarah with an unidentified black male. The film was titled, out of interest, 'The Nun and the Gardner." Alex picked up the photograph and nodded; " I don't think He's there to prune her roses'" That really did make Father Adam's laugh.
"So our Father John is a sexual deviate and pornographer; he should go far in the church nowadays." Wilson said and finished his brandy - he was no great fan of the Catholic Church. Father Adam's just smiled at Wilson's comment and pulled another photograph out - he held it up; "This one really does concern you my friends." Everyone stared at the photograph of a young girl with a handsome young man - they were having anal sex on the floor. Father Adam's tapped the picture - he didn't smile. "You can see the man's left hand on the girls back quite clearly; he has six fingers."
"Cabel." Jericho said simply and groaned quietly. He pulled his mirror from a coat pocket and added; "I'll put a call into James - I think we're going to need him on this one." Alex couldn't conceal her smile at that and caught Wilson smiling at her, he just shrugged his shoulders - she ignored him and said to Jericho; "We must identify the girl in that picture then."
Father Adam's agreed with that, but stated they would have to get a copy of the film, to see if the girl shows her face at any stage. Jericho asked if that was possible and Father Adam's nodded; "I have an acquaintance who operates...well, let's say he works on the other side of the law. He can get a copy if the price is right." Owen scratched his chin; What's the title of that one - the film I mean?" Father Adam's smiled; "Father John has a good imagination; it's called 'Devil Worship' - catchy eh?."
On that, the meeting broke up and everyone headed for the Hotel's Dinning room - Jericho had invited Father Adam's to dinner, which he readily accepted. Jericho's mirror buzzed and he read it carefully; "Another one for supper - James is on his way." He said and followed his team to the lift. "Well, the conversation at dinner should be lively tonight." Muttered Wilson to Owen, who just grinned.
5. A quiet talk between the girls.
The mature police officer rose from the little chair and placed the newspaper on the floor, next to three empty coffee cups and a half eaten sandwich. He smiled at the priest, then smiled broadly when he saw Alex. The shuffling young man in a smart suit was of no interest to him now. "Hello Father, I wondered when you would show up." He shook Father Adam's hand firmly, who gripped his hand back; "Hello Joe, this young lady is from the Holy Inquisition and will have a little chat with Sister Sarah. William [Inspector Gates] has cleared it." The policeman smiled; "If she's works for the Inquisition, then I'm in the wrong bloody job!"
Father Adam's just smiled and the policeman unlocked the door to Sister Sarah's private hospital room. "Has she had any visitors since it happened?" Alex asked and the policeman shook his head; "Only nursing staff and a couple of doctors."
Officer Joseph O'Brien had been handpicked by Inspector Gates for this duty because he was a good honest copper and a devout Catholic. The Inspector had chosen wisely. Owen pulled up a couple of chairs from outside another room, for him and Father Adam.
Alex closed the door slowly as the young nun pulled her self up from the pillows and stared at her - she was gripping a wooden crucifix in one hand. Her eyes were wide and she half smiled. Alex noticed the bruising about her face and on the bare arm holding the cross. "Hello Sarah, I'm Alex and I would really like to speak with you. Have a quiet little chat about things - if you're strong enough?" Sister Sarah slowly nodded and with a shaking hand, held up the crucifix; "I have sinned. I have betrayed God's love. I have been punished by God for my terrible sins....I have sinned so much.....I have lost God's love....I have..." She started to sob and pulled a pillow over her face, repeating again and again; "Please forgive me!"
Owen came back from the hospital canteen with more coffee's, some apple pie and a bottle of coke with a straw hanging out. He dropped into his seat and passed a coffee to the police officer and Father Adam's. "How long has Alex been in their now?" He whispered to Father Adam, who glanced at his wristwatch; "Nearly thirty minutes. Sister Sarah has shouted several times about being forgiven." He shrugged his shoulders and glanced at the policeman, who was back reading his paper. "Shouldn't be much longer. I think it helps that Alex is a Doctor... in a difficult matter like this." He added and sipped his coffee.
Joe O'Brien looked up from his paper and smiled; "She's a Doctor? Jesus father - beauty and brains in one gorgeous package. Not like my Ruth - bless her - she's not bad looking, but has a head like a sieve." He grunted and returned to his paper without further comment. Owen stifled a chuckle and sucked on his straw; Wilson was right, Coke did taste better from a bottle.
Father Adam's ignored the strange noises Owen was making with the damn straw and stared at the black liquid in his cup. This case had disturbed him greatly; a fellow priest who would be better suited working for the Dark Prince and the possibly of a Tier One Demon creating a 'Dark Angel' during his lifetime. He actually shuddered a little - which went un-noticed by his two companions.
The little group sitting in the corner of the hospital canteen sat quietly chatting amongst themselves. They drew little attention from the other patrons - except two young coloured nurses who had a real interest in Wilson. At the counter, when Wilson had collected coffee and doughnuts, they had struck up conversation with the big man - they weren't too subtle and asked outright if he was married or seeing anyone! He returned to the table a little flustered - Owen would have loved that.
The pair sat at the table opposite and really did smile at the big man; that did amuse Jericho and James - a lot. "Heads up - their back." Wilson jerked a thumb towards the doors; Alex, Father Adam's and Owen were waiting in the doorway. "Let's go." Jericho said and the trio rose as one and headed for the doors. Alex gripped Jericho's arm and looked quite grim; "It's worse than you can imagine." Was all she said - for now. Everyone headed for the car park and Father Adam's big old Buick RoadMaster car. They sat quietly and listened to Alex - it's wasn't good news.
Sister Sarah had indeed been brutally raped and she knew the man who had done it: Father Paul De Silva, the priest friend of Father John, who was the Parish Priest of the Neighbouring church. But she had no idea how he gained access to her locked cell. According to the young nun, she had woken to find the priest, stripping of his clothes, in her room. She screamed, but it didn't stop him. Sister Sarah didn't see him leave and only just remembers Sister Rachel opening the door.
"I think Sister Rachel was letting the Priest out before she yelled for help." Jericho said and folded his arms, then added; "The little windows in the cell doors are quite high; you would see a full grown man walk or run past. But not if he bowed realty low and already had a head start. Then Sister Rachel went through her act."
Alex took a sip from Owen's bottle of coke and continued; "She admits to the sex with Father John, various men in his films and other women. Here's the bit that made me want to vomit; she performed with a large dog in one film after sniffing some stuff that Father John gave her. Apparently, he's a drug dealer as well as a filth bag pornographer and sexual pervert. She believes that he let Father Paul rape her as payment for some favour the priest had done Father John, but doesn't know what. All in all, you couldn't find a bigger, deeper cesspit if you looked hard around a sewage farm and it all revolves around the church." She handed Owen the empty bottle and muttered; "I really do need a brandy!"
Father Adam's sat in silence behind the wheel, then ran a hand over his damp face; "I know Father Paul and I didn't think he could be capable of such an act. I really didn't." Jericho gripped the priests shoulder and said quietly; "No-one really knows what some people are capable of." James agreed with that, as did Owen and Wilson. Alex pushed back in her seat and folded her arms; "There is one other thing that you should know. Sarah told me that she had sex with two strange men - at Father John's insistence - one was a big strapping fellow, very good looking and guess what was really peculiar about him?"
Wilson grunted; "His bloody left hand had six fingers?" Alex nodded - but didn't smile - she sighed; "Apparently Father John did film it." Owen squeezed back in the seat; "Well, at least that solves the mystery who the demon was shagging in that film." Everyone just looked at him. "Now what have I said?" He muttered and would sulk for least a half hour. Father Adam's started the car and pulled from the hospital carpark onto the road. Alex said quietly; "I've left the worst part to last." and rummaged in her handbag, pulling out the small orb Jericho had given her; all around the circumference were tiny red slivers; indicating a demon or dark Angel in the making.
Jericho took the ball and pushed it into his coat pocket; "A termination will have to be arranged." He nodded to Father Adam's adding; "There's no choice in the matter, we can't allow a creature like that into the human time line - no bloody way." Father Adam's reluctantly agreed - it was half human, but the other half condemned it to death.
Wilson rubbed his chin; "Why did Sister Sarah report her supposed dreams and nightmares about the demon, when she was involved with Father John and his circus of perversions; that doesn't make sense." Jericho said softly; "She didn't know he and his friends were from the 'Dark Side' and I believe her soul was screaming for help - it knew and was trying to warn her and others about what was going on, and that deep fear resulted in her bad dreams. It certainly was right to do so, considering what we have uncovered." No one could argue with that deduction.
"Father Paul's I think." Jericho instructed Father Adam. " Do you think its time to confront this Father John?" James quietly asked Jericho as the car threaded through downtown traffic. Jericho nodded; "After we've had a close look at Father Paul, I think there's more to his involvement than the rape." They pulled up outside St. James Church and Parochial House to find several police cars outside and two uniform officers standing on the Church steps, turning people away from the doors. "Wait here, I'll find out what's happening." Father Adam's left the car and joined the two officers on the steps of the church.
He was there for some minutes and then returned to his car; grim faced. He eased behind the wheel and gripped it with both hands. After a few seconds, he said softly, with some real anger in his voice; "Father Paul was found dead this morning. Someone had stove his head in with a garden spade by the alter. A couple of old ladies who clean the church found the body this morning."
There was silence in the car and finally Jericho tapped Father Adam's on the shoulder; "I think Father John will want to talk to us now - without all the lies and fabrications and half truths." The car pulled away and Owen placed a call to Human Dispatches to find out which Collector attended this dispatch [death].
They made their way to The Convent of St. Mary Magdalene and Father John's Parochial House. That's when Jericho's mirror buzzed and he listened carefully to the call, without reply until he said simply; "Thank you for that." and ended the call. He didn't look happy; "Sister Sarah somehow got hold of a razor and she slit her wrists, probably just after you left her Alex. She didn't make it. Dispatches tells us that no soul was collected and we have been assigned the case, since we're already on the ground." They all looked at the imposing walls
of the Convent and James said; "Shall we get this done?"
6. No where left to hide.
Sister Grace walked slowly through the Convent gardens, clutching her large wooden crucifix. She explained for the third time that day about Father John. "He simply disappeared sometime last night. He left some clothes and other bits and pieces at the Parochial House. Mrs. Farmer is quite upset." Jericho and James asked about Sister Rachel, the old nun groaned a little; "Sister Rachel is in seclusion for one month. No-one see's her, his Grace the Cardinal ordered that." Jericho glanced across the gardens to the fountain and saw Wilson speaking to Rufus, the Convent Gardener. He noticed that Rufus matched Wilson in size and, what did strike a chord; in colour.
Jericho's attention was drawn back to Sister Grace when James asked her about Mother-Superior Margaret. The nun looked quite sad and clutched her crucifix; "Her brother Archie collected her this morning. Her cell has been cleared out and her office closed up. She's gone. She was a nun, you know; they don't have to give two weeks notice - this isn't Walmart's you know." For some reason that made James smile a little. But Jericho asked one last question; "Sister grace, you said that you had to explain all this three times today, may I ask who else has been asking questions about Father John?"
The Sister sighed; "Well, there's you - obviously - that lovely Police Inspector and Father John's friend." She Turned to go, indicating the interview was over. But Jericho smiled; "Which friend was that Sister?" The Nun smiled; "A lovely man called Harry Twelvetrees, he works in Cinema, you know." Jericho indicated for Owen to step forward. He held up a carefully folded picture of Cabel and Sister Sarah [showing only Cabel's face] and Sister Grace adjusted her small glasses and smiled - again; "Oh yes, that's Mr. Twelvetrees."
Jericho nodded and asked one final question; "Was Inspector Gates and Mr. Twelvetrees together?" The nun shook her head; "The Inspector was first, then a very concerned Mr. Twelvetrees turned up after he had left." Jericho and James exchanged a glance; they both guessed, that the Inspector probably knew what was going on, but didn't take part.
They thanked the Sister and watched the old woman walk away - they joined Wilson, now standing alone by the fountain. He didn't smile; "Remember that wonderful film entitled 'The Nun and the Gardener' - well both were actually a nun and a gardener - no actors needed for that one. Old Rufus admitted that he took part in several films made by Father John and his friend Harry Twelvetrees. He said, that he really couldn't resist fucking young white girls and getting paid fifty dollars a time for it. His pay, as a Convent gardener, is quite lousy you know."
"What a fucking mess." Muttered Owen and was joined by Father Adam's and Alex, who looked quite grim. "Sister Rachel may be in seclusion, but she still needs Confession and we just happen to have, a fully qualified priest on standby for when that occasion arose." She gestured to an equally grim Father Adam's.
"I cannot break the confidentiality and sanctuary of Confession, but I can give a little summary of things." He said and the group started to walk back to the car park. Father Adam's gripped his bible and spoke quietly; "Sister Rachel admits that she let Father Paul out of Sister Sarah's cell that night - before Sister Sarah started screaming - she had to rush back, about an hour afterwards and the rest of the story we know." Jericho stopped and pushed his hands through his hair; "So Father Paul was there earlier and had consensual sex with Sarah?" Father Adam's nodded.
James grunted; "Did she have sex with Cabel [Harry Twelvetrees], we need to check her if she did." Alex almost smiled and with a little apology to Father Adam's, reached into his coat pocket and pulled out an orb - it was clear. "I dropped that in your pocket before you heard her confession." There was a collective sigh of relief - and a little chuckle. "Good, quick thinking Alexandra. Excellent." Jericho said and the team jumped into the Father's big old car.
"Now for Mr. Twelvetrees." James muttered and the car pulled away. "What about Sister Margaret, she probably had sex with the bloody demon?" Owen asked and started to read his mirror. "She's beyond the age to bear children in this time period. Thank God." Jericho spoke softly and indicated to Owen's mirror; "What have you go for us?" Owen looked up and did not smile; "You won't bloody believe it, but the Collector reports that Father John killed Father Paul!"
Jericho nodded and tapped Father Adam's on the shoulder; "Pull up at that phone box, I need to make a quick phone call." That surprised everyone and they all watched Jericho at the payphone. "I hope he has some dimes on him." Owen chuckled and after a few minutes, Jericho returned to the car.
"He's clearly a good detective - when he wants to be - Inspector Gates is already on the trail of Father John. It's now a straight forward murder hunt." He eased into the car and spoke directly to Father Adam's; "There's a closed down Cinema on 33rd Street, that's where our unfriendly neighbourhood demon holds his film sessions and resides in the apartment above." Father Adam's smiled; "A little something from the Inspector?" Jericho nodded.
They managed to park directly outside the old building which had its ground floor windows boarded up. "Our fucking demonic friend has a sense of humour; look at the film that's shown on the old display sign above the doors." Wilson really did have to laugh at it. Everyone looked up and laughter rocked the car. The film was the newly released; 'The Nun's Story' staring Audrey Hepburn and Peter Finch!
"Little wonder the bastard is a favourite of the Dark Prince - with bloody humour like that." James seemed almost impressed with his adversary and Jericho told everyone to stay in the car except James and Wilson.
Alex wiped her face and chuckled, but she held up the orb - it showed small red streaks about its circumference. "He's been here, but the signal's so weak, he must have moved on." She said and replaced the orb into her jacket pocket.
Jericho, James and Wilson headed for the doors, whilst the remainder of the team waited in the car. They were privileged [for humans - living or dead] to witness James transform into his Knights garb with his sword slung over his shoulder. Father Adam's crossed himself in awe and Alex smiled at him; "You don't get to see that everyday Father." Owen had to agree with that.
It must have been a good twenty minutes before the trio appeared from the disused cinema. Jericho and Wilson were carrying a couple of cardboard boxes and James had returned to his normal human appearance. Jericho spoke directly to Father Adam's; "Back to the hotel please Father - we have a little research to carry out."
With plenty of coffee and sandwiches [and some brandies] the team settled down to sort through the boxes from the old cinema. Wilson and Owen had managed to obtain a small projector from the Upstairs Porter - for a few dollars of course and no questions asked. "Soon as you see a clear face, use your mirrors to identify the owner. We need to know the girls who had sex with Cabel." Jericho instructed everyone and he did tell Father Adam's that he need not stay - if he didn't wish to. But the young Father smiled; "Before I joined the Seminary, I was a Navel Cadet and I certainly don't live in holy La-La land." That did make everyone chuckle.
James grunted; "Did she have sex with Cabel [Harry Twelvetrees], we need to check her if she did." Alex almost smiled and with a little apology to Father Adam's, reached into his coat pocket and pulled out an orb - it was clear. "I dropped that in your pocket before you heard her confession." There was a collective sigh of relief - and a little chuckle. "Good, quick thinking Alexandra. Excellent." Jericho said and the team jumped into the Father's big old car.
"Now for Mr. Twelvetrees." James muttered and the car pulled away. "What about Sister Margaret, she probably had sex with the bloody demon?" Owen asked and started to read his mirror. "She's beyond the age to bear children in this time period. Thank God." Jericho spoke softly and indicated to Owen's mirror; "What have you go for us?" Owen looked up and did not smile; "You won't bloody believe it, but the Collector reports that Father John killed Father Paul!"
Jericho nodded and tapped Father Adam's on the shoulder; "Pull up at that phone box, I need to make a quick phone call." That surprised everyone and they all watched Jericho at the payphone. "I hope he has some dimes on him." Owen chuckled and after a few minutes, Jericho returned to the car.
"He's clearly a good detective - when he wants to be - Inspector Gates is already on the trail of Father John. It's now a straight forward murder hunt." He eased into the car and spoke directly to Father Adam's; "There's a closed down Cinema on 33rd Street, that's where our unfriendly neighbourhood demon holds his film sessions and resides in the apartment above." Father Adam's smiled; "A little something from the Inspector?" Jericho nodded.
They managed to park directly outside the old building which had its ground floor windows boarded up. "Our fucking demonic friend has a sense of humour; look at the film that's shown on the old display sign above the doors." Wilson really did have to laugh at it. Everyone looked up and laughter rocked the car. The film was the newly released; 'The Nun's Story' staring Audrey Hepburn and Peter Finch!
"Little wonder the bastard is a favourite of the Dark Prince - with bloody humour like that." James seemed almost impressed with his adversary and Jericho told everyone to stay in the car except James and Wilson.
Alex wiped her face and chuckled, but she held up the orb - it showed small red streaks about its circumference. "He's been here, but the signal's so weak, he must have moved on." She said and replaced the orb into her jacket pocket.
Jericho, James and Wilson headed for the doors, whilst the remainder of the team waited in the car. They were privileged [for humans - living or dead] to witness James transform into his Knights garb with his sword slung over his shoulder. Father Adam's crossed himself in awe and Alex smiled at him; "You don't get to see that everyday Father." Owen had to agree with that.
It must have been a good twenty minutes before the trio appeared from the disused cinema. Jericho and Wilson were carrying a couple of cardboard boxes and James had returned to his normal human appearance. Jericho spoke directly to Father Adam's; "Back to the hotel please Father - we have a little research to carry out."
With plenty of coffee and sandwiches [and some brandies] the team settled down to sort through the boxes from the old cinema. Wilson and Owen had managed to obtain a small projector from the Upstairs Porter - for a few dollars of course and no questions asked. "Soon as you see a clear face, use your mirrors to identify the owner. We need to know the girls who had sex with Cabel." Jericho instructed everyone and he did tell Father Adam's that he need not stay - if he didn't wish to. But the young Father smiled; "Before I joined the Seminary, I was a Navel Cadet and I certainly don't live in holy La-La land." That did make everyone chuckle.
They worked through the afternoon and managed to identify another four young women from the films, whilst one girl only showed the back of her head - quite deliberately it would appear, dressed as a Maid. But the 'regulars' were all there of course. "Sister Margaret is quite athletic for woman of her age." Owen muttered and took a bite from his egg sandwich. Wilson sipped his coffee and pointed out that Sister Rachel really did appear to enjoy the lesbian sex with two other girls.
At one point, everyone stopped chatting and stared hard at the white wall that the films were being projected upon. James screwed up his face; "It's not ..it can't be.. can it? Wilson stopped the film and scratched his head; "Christ - sorry Father - it certainly looks like it." Jericho shrugged his shoulders; "Owen, check her with your mirror?" He did and held it up. "Well, I've seen everything now." Muttered Father Adam's and folded his arms. "You would never have thought she would indulge in such dirty sex.. with two men!" Exclaimed Owen and lowered his mirror with a deep whistle, adding; "I'll watch her films with very different eyes now."
"This film was made some years before she became that famous, no-one around this time period would really know just how famous she is later." Jericho said quietly and sipped his coffee and added; "This film would be worth a fortune thirty years from now." James grunted; "Well, we can strike her from the hunt, Human records show that she never had any children."
The last film had Cabel - dressed as a Bishop - with a Nun and a 'French Maid' in the a bathroom. Wilson had to stop the film twice, so that they could work out what he was slapping the girls backsides with. "You don't get many of them to the pound." Was all Owen commented. "Still can't make out the maid's damn face." Wilson muttered and the film continued.
Alex sat in silence and then suddenly sat up and told Wilson to stop the film - yet again. She stared hard at the scene in the bathroom. "I don't believe it." She muttered a couple of times and Jericho said quietly; "What is it Alexandra?"
"Through the window, do you see the gardens clear enough?" She asked and everyone leaned forward. "The Convent?" offered Owen and Alex shook her head; "That's the gardens of the Arch-Bishops house." Everyone stared and finally James nodded his head; "Bloody hell, she's right!"
7. Down the rabbit hole or sewage pipe; if you prefer.
Father Adams pulled the car up, outside the doors to the Arch-Bishop's house and switched off the engine. "This may not be pleasant." He muttered as the team left the vehicle and Jericho rung the doorbell.
The big door was slowly opened by Mavis, who seemed quite unsurprised by the unscheduled return of the Inquisition team. She stood back from the door and gripped the hem of her apron. She clearly was a very troubled woman. Father Adam's spoke directly to her and touched her shoulder; "Mavis, your face speaks volumes." Was all he said for the woman to grab his hands and weep. Alex gripped her shoulders and walked her to the kitchens. The team waited in the hallway as Mavis unburdened herself to Father Adams and Alex.
Alex and Father Adams returned and Alex sighed; "The young maid - Eleanor - has disappeared. She broke down last night and told Mavis everything. It appears it was her in the film with Cabel and Sister Rachel. They made the bloody film here; in the Cardinal's bathroom!" Jericho nodded and didn't smile, when Owen chuckled; "Our funny bloody demon likes to stick close to the truth; The Nun and Bloody gardener were real, now the bloody nun and the maid are real."
Wilson pushed a hand across his face; "Do you know, I think our young colleague is on to something. It's like the bloody demon is dropping clues into the films; almost deliberately. Do all the films titles have a grain of truth about the cast - a clear clue to who's in them?" James nodded his agreement with that, but looked a little puzzled; "Why would he [cabel] do that?" Jericho shrugged his shoulders; "Maybe to prove how clever he is and how dumb we are. He really is one of the dark prince's most vain followers, I know that."
"It would be a real feather in his cap, to apparently outsmart you and me Jericho, leaving us blatant clues that we couldn't fathom. That would tickle the Dark Prince's fancy all right - that's exactly his sense of humour." James spoke quietly and folded his arms. Owen smiled; "What about the film with that bloody famous actress in, well, the girl who becomes famous later. Anyone remember it's title?"
They all shook their heads and Wilson grunted; "I really don't think anyone noticed the title with that girl performing the way she did!" Owen just smiled; "I do." Alex sighed and poked Owen's shoulder with a single finger; "Well, what was it bloody called smarty-pants?" Owen really did grin; "After the College Prom. Our naughty demon was playing a College professor with two cheerleaders. It was the odd film out; all the others had a 'church' theme - all about nun's, Bishop's and priests. That was the odd film out of the collection and I wonder why?"
Jericho and James exchanged a knowing look; "Where the hell better to meet and seduce young girls, than on a real college campus, whilst playing the handsome professor?" Jericho muttered and jumped a little, when Alex yelled; "Oh shit! Mavis said that Eleanor was trying to get a night college degree. She wanted to be a nurse!"
Jericho indicated the kitchen door; "Back in there and get the name of the damn college." Alex nodded and disappeared back into the kitchen's. Wilson slapped Owen on the back; "Well done baby brother!" James and Jericho had to agree with that. Father Adams smiled; "I have an old friend on the Board of Education. I'm sure she will know the name of any new, young and handsome professor's who earn extra money by taking night classes."
Alex stepped through the door and really did smile; "North Boston College of Art; they do night classes that help people to get their School certificates - if they dropped out of normal school - and now need one to get a Career; like nursing."
"Let's go." Was all Jericho said and the team jumped into Father Adams car and headed for the college. "We couldn't have timed it better. It's almost night and evening classes will be starting soon." James leaned back into his seat and stared through the windows at the gathering darkness. "I'm really going to enjoy kicking that bastards arse." He muttered and smiled.
The team sat in the car park whilst Father Adams was in the college Reception, telephoning his old friend on the board of Education. They watched a small stream of students - of various ages - disappearing through the colleges impressive doors. Jericho leaned from the front passenger seat and operated the windscreen wipers as the falling rain grew heavier. Alex tapped Jericho gently on the shoulder and pointed towards the small enclosed bus stop by the cycle racks. "There's a young woman huddled in the corner, with her hat pulled down and her raincoats collar pulled up. If she's trying not to draw attention to herself, then she's doing a rotten job."
Everyone leaned forward and Owen produced his mirror and almost smiled; "Bingo! It's young Eleanor. Well spotted Alex!" Jericho slowly opened the front passenger door, then stopped. He reached into his coat's pocket and pulled his orb out; it had red streaks around its circumference. "He's here." Jericho spoke quietly and James pushed open the rear door and jumped out. He transformed into his Knight's form and Jericho told everyone to stay in the car. James had stopped time for all living humans.
They heard Cabel just before they saw him; the roaring scream made everyone wince - except James of course - he dropped his visor and lifted his sword. Cabel was perched on the roof of the bus stop, tail swishing and bellowing. It leapt from the little roof and the battle was on.
The entire car park was lit with bright light as the pair clashed. Cabel hit James full on, head down and at speed. It threw James several feet into the air and he came down with a heavy thump; his helmet flying off and rolling near the cycle racks. Cabel turned and leapt on the Knight, laying prone on the wet tarmac. Alex actually screamed at that point and everyone basically held their breath.
Suddenly, Cabel found himself thrown across the car park and crashed into the bus stop. James rose quickly and leapt after him, crushing a small car as he jumped onto it and struck Cabel across the shoulder with his sword; vivid red and white lights now surrounded the pair. They came together with extreme violence and no quarter was given or expected. Cabel had gripped James's arm with his teeth and was throwing him about like a rag doll. But James slapped the creature across its fiery snout with the flat of his sword. He had to strike twice before Cabel released his grip and slammed his hard boned head into James's chest, throwing him again onto the wet tarmac.
The creature leapt again at the knight laying on the floor and gripped his torso with claws and teeth. Alex now had her eyes closed tightly and was taking deep breaths; for the first time [in a very long time] Alex was praying. Suddenly Cabel was again in the air and crashed down near a large convertible, which he grabbed with both clawed hands and threw it - like a toy - at James, who rolled away and jumped to his feet; both hands gripping his sword. His silver breastplate had deep gorges and was split down one side. But that wouldn't stop a Knight a God - the pair came together again.
Alex opened her eyes and saw the figure running from the shadows of the college building; it was Father John! For a few seconds, Alex was too shocked to speak or shout, then she screamed; "It's Father John! How the hell is he moving! No living humans can move unless they're...." Alex had realised that Father John wasn't actually human. The 'priest' was changing as he ran.
Alex leapt from the car screaming at the top of her voice; "James, Father John is a demon too! It's a trap..." She never finished the warning because the second demon bellowed and snatched her up, throwing Alex down with some violence; she lay ominously still in the dirt. Jericho stepped slowly from the car - he was already operating his mirror to call for assistance of more Knights. Wilson had already jumped from the car and was running towards Alex.
That's when everyone and everything stopped. From the entrance of the car park walked a solitary figure, hands in pockets like he was having an evening stroll. The two demons fell to their knees and went silent. James raised his sword in salute and knelt. Wilson was cuddling Alex in his arms; the tears falling down his face; "You daft cow...why did you have to do that?" He looked up and realised who was standing over him and Alex. He rose slowly; Alex cradled in his arms. The 'Dark Prince' smiled and simply touched Alex's face with his finger and she took a deep breath and started to return to life.
The Dark prince turned to James and smiled broadly; "Watching you fight Cabel, I now know, how the Caesars felt when attending the Coliseum and I must give the 'thumbs up' all round here. Especially for young Alexandra." The Dark Prince chuckled; "If ever you wish to swap sides, you'll be most welcome. My brother certainly knows how to choose his Knights." James just nodded - he didn't smile.
Wilson had placed the recovering Alex into the rear of Father Adams car and he stood with Jericho and Owen. "She was gone Jericho and he brought her back. Why did he do that and stop the fight - James would have been on a hiding to nothing against two Tier One Demons, why did he stop it?" Jericho simply jerked a thumb towards the car's rear seat; "She was gone and he had to recall her soul as quickly as possible. Alex is out of her natural time period which meant her soul would have been lost for good. That's why he stepped in." Both men stared at Alex, now sitting up and drinking from Owen's hip flask.
"That's some fucking Guardian Angel!" Was all Wilson muttered - but smiled. The team knew that the Dark Prince had 'bit of a thing' for young Alexandra, and they knew just how deep that went; he wanted her for his Queen. Wilson sighed; he was glad that it would be up to Jericho to explain what happened; to Angel Margret and Alex of course!
On their previous encounter; Alex had refused his marriage proposal - not vey politely, it must be said - and threw her heels at him and had ran for it, with Jericho. It had caused a rift in the 'FAMILY' with Queen Mary defending Alex's right to choose. Apparently, the Prince clearly had forgiven her and still wanted Alex for his Queen. [See episode: 'Ghosts in the Devil's Garden of the damned.']
James and David - the Dark Prince - spoke for a few moments, then David nodded a greeting to Jericho and was gone; the two demons in tow. James had changed back to his normal human form and stood by the car, watching Alex, he turned to Jericho and smiled; "I guess, I'll call that a draw." Everyone chuckled softly at that. Then Jericho saw the figure laying in the bus stop. "Come on, I need to run the orb over that young lady."
8. Not one; but two little Dark Angels.
Father Adams was a little amazed at the story Owen recounted as he drove the car back to the hotel. Jericho was pleased about one part of the mission; the maid Eleanor had proved negative for a little dark angel in the making; the orb had remained clear. James had restarted time and Eleanor found her self standing at the bus stop, waiting for the night bus out of town - she was going home to her
parents farm - for good.
The car park was quiet and nothing had changed. There were no damaged cars and no trace of yet another battle between good and evil would be found. For ordinary living humans nothing had happened.
The revelation about Father John had really shocked everyone; they simply couldn't understand how a Tier One Demon could so easily have infiltrated the Church at such a level. The car was waiting at a busy intersection, when Jericho suddenly sat up and ran a hand over his face. "Father, did you say that Father John kept his housekeeper's children in a house on the city's outskirts?" Father Adams nodded and the pair exchanged a very concerned glance. Father Adams words had come back to haunt him; 'Apparently, he even had his Parochial House-Keeper, a certain Mrs. Farmer, in the circle. She's been a widowed woman for nearly nine years - yet has two children; both under five.'
The woman had been Father John's Housekeeper for over five years!
"You know where to go now?" Jericho touched Father Adams on the shoulder and the priest headed for the city's outskirts. Jericho turned to the others - especially James - and recounted what he and Father Adams knew about a certain Mrs. Farmer and her two children. Everyone sat in silence as Jericho operated his mirror and made a call to the Duty Controller. Angel Margret would have to give the necessary authority, to change the current human time line and only she could give the go-head for TEAM X to attend this mission.
"We'll confirm what they are and then it will be up to TEAM X to conclude this." Jericho said quietly and waited for the angel's reply. James turned to Alex; "They may look like children, but if their father is the demon Phara [Father John] they must be destroyed before they grow to full strength." Alex simply nodded her agreement. She was still in shock over her sudden, brutal death and then her unexpected resurrection by the 'Dark Prince'. She would have a few bad dreams about this mission for some time to come.
Father Adams parked opposite the Farmer house and everyone sat quietly staring at the modest little house with a neat white picket fence and the 'Stars & Stripes' flying from the porch. Jericho was reading his mirror with great care and spoke softly; "They're watching television. A boy of five and a girl of three. They know we're here; they can sense James." From his jacket he pulled his orb and held it up; red streaks covered half its circumference. Owen grunted; "Look at the orb, its already half covered and they are still only young."
James took a deep breath; "You can imagine the power that they will have in just a few years. Make the call Jericho." Jericho nodded and called in his report to the Duty Controller. The team, not surprisingly, were told to stand down and await further instruction - TEAM X were on their way. The Controller also informed Jericho, that Angel Margret wanted to the see the whole team upon their return.
"Back to the hotel please Father." Was all Jericho said and the car pulled away from the picturesque little house and joined the traffic heading back into the city. Wilson saw the black van pass them on the freeway and James coughed; "The tall, thin pale man sitting next to the driver is Adam; a very special Knight of God and head of TEAM X." Owen turned in his seat and watched the van disappearing from view; "They call him the 'Black Knight' - little wonder, considering what he does. The rumour is that, he IS the Adam - the first human created and has real power; enough to deal with even Dark Angels." He murmured and wiped his face.
They completed the journey back to the hotel in relative silence. They made for Jericho's suite and raided the mini bar with some determination. Jericho booked a table in the hotel's famed restaurant - there were always a free table for hotel guests - and the team enjoyed a subdued meal. There was little conversation, but plenty of alcohol was consumed. Even father Adams had a few more brandies than he usually allowed himself.
James spoke quietly to Alex about the events of the evening - especially the intervention of the 'Dark Prince'. She was not happy and it showed. He explained that David - the dark prince - kept, for want of a better word - a 'harem' of strong, beautiful and intelligent human females; all picked from various time periods of human history. "He calls them his 'Princesses' - but he has never made one his 'Queen'." James sipped his brandy and smiled at Alex, who downed hers in one take and pushed her food about the plate with a fork. "No wonder, who the hell would want to be 'Queen' of bloody Hell!" Everyone chuckled, more with relief than anything else; Alex had her sense of humour back!
"You have a really powerful ally amongst the higher orders, who WILL protect you and your right to 'Free will', and she's a real Queen. Mary won't let anything happen to you that you don't consent to. You know that?" James patted Alex's hand and started to enjoy his desert. Alex nodded and ordered the chocolate cake with a double helping of ice-cream. Owen tapped his dish and jabbed a spoon towards her; "I see our Alex has given up her constant diet and decided to be a real human and over indulge in chocolate cake!" She gave him a single finger - but smiled.
The following morning, the team checked out and Father Adams drove them to a quiet spot off the freeway. They would jump from there; he also had some news. The team listened quietly as he recounted the news he had heard on the local radio. Apparently there had been a terrible fire at a house on the city's outskirts and two small children had died in the blaze. Their distraught mother had escaped with minor injuries. According to authorities, it appears that a faulty television was to blame. The tragedy would also make the evening news
channel.
There was nothing on the radio, TV channels or in Newspapers about the shocking events that had unfolded at The Convent of St. Mary Magdalene or the mysterious disappearance of local priest Father John. It covered the shocking murder of Father Paul; who had apparently been killed defending his church against ruthless and murderous intruders, intent upon stealing the church silver.
Father Adams was a little amazed at the story Owen recounted as he drove the car back to the hotel. Jericho was pleased about one part of the mission; the maid Eleanor had proved negative for a little dark angel in the making; the orb had remained clear. James had restarted time and Eleanor found her self standing at the bus stop, waiting for the night bus out of town - she was going home to her
parents farm - for good.
The car park was quiet and nothing had changed. There were no damaged cars and no trace of yet another battle between good and evil would be found. For ordinary living humans nothing had happened.
The revelation about Father John had really shocked everyone; they simply couldn't understand how a Tier One Demon could so easily have infiltrated the Church at such a level. The car was waiting at a busy intersection, when Jericho suddenly sat up and ran a hand over his face. "Father, did you say that Father John kept his housekeeper's children in a house on the city's outskirts?" Father Adams nodded and the pair exchanged a very concerned glance. Father Adams words had come back to haunt him; 'Apparently, he even had his Parochial House-Keeper, a certain Mrs. Farmer, in the circle. She's been a widowed woman for nearly nine years - yet has two children; both under five.'
The woman had been Father John's Housekeeper for over five years!
"You know where to go now?" Jericho touched Father Adams on the shoulder and the priest headed for the city's outskirts. Jericho turned to the others - especially James - and recounted what he and Father Adams knew about a certain Mrs. Farmer and her two children. Everyone sat in silence as Jericho operated his mirror and made a call to the Duty Controller. Angel Margret would have to give the necessary authority, to change the current human time line and only she could give the go-head for TEAM X to attend this mission.
"We'll confirm what they are and then it will be up to TEAM X to conclude this." Jericho said quietly and waited for the angel's reply. James turned to Alex; "They may look like children, but if their father is the demon Phara [Father John] they must be destroyed before they grow to full strength." Alex simply nodded her agreement. She was still in shock over her sudden, brutal death and then her unexpected resurrection by the 'Dark Prince'. She would have a few bad dreams about this mission for some time to come.
Father Adams parked opposite the Farmer house and everyone sat quietly staring at the modest little house with a neat white picket fence and the 'Stars & Stripes' flying from the porch. Jericho was reading his mirror with great care and spoke softly; "They're watching television. A boy of five and a girl of three. They know we're here; they can sense James." From his jacket he pulled his orb and held it up; red streaks covered half its circumference. Owen grunted; "Look at the orb, its already half covered and they are still only young."
James took a deep breath; "You can imagine the power that they will have in just a few years. Make the call Jericho." Jericho nodded and called in his report to the Duty Controller. The team, not surprisingly, were told to stand down and await further instruction - TEAM X were on their way. The Controller also informed Jericho, that Angel Margret wanted to the see the whole team upon their return.
"Back to the hotel please Father." Was all Jericho said and the car pulled away from the picturesque little house and joined the traffic heading back into the city. Wilson saw the black van pass them on the freeway and James coughed; "The tall, thin pale man sitting next to the driver is Adam; a very special Knight of God and head of TEAM X." Owen turned in his seat and watched the van disappearing from view; "They call him the 'Black Knight' - little wonder, considering what he does. The rumour is that, he IS the Adam - the first human created and has real power; enough to deal with even Dark Angels." He murmured and wiped his face.
They completed the journey back to the hotel in relative silence. They made for Jericho's suite and raided the mini bar with some determination. Jericho booked a table in the hotel's famed restaurant - there were always a free table for hotel guests - and the team enjoyed a subdued meal. There was little conversation, but plenty of alcohol was consumed. Even father Adams had a few more brandies than he usually allowed himself.
James spoke quietly to Alex about the events of the evening - especially the intervention of the 'Dark Prince'. She was not happy and it showed. He explained that David - the dark prince - kept, for want of a better word - a 'harem' of strong, beautiful and intelligent human females; all picked from various time periods of human history. "He calls them his 'Princesses' - but he has never made one his 'Queen'." James sipped his brandy and smiled at Alex, who downed hers in one take and pushed her food about the plate with a fork. "No wonder, who the hell would want to be 'Queen' of bloody Hell!" Everyone chuckled, more with relief than anything else; Alex had her sense of humour back!
"You have a really powerful ally amongst the higher orders, who WILL protect you and your right to 'Free will', and she's a real Queen. Mary won't let anything happen to you that you don't consent to. You know that?" James patted Alex's hand and started to enjoy his desert. Alex nodded and ordered the chocolate cake with a double helping of ice-cream. Owen tapped his dish and jabbed a spoon towards her; "I see our Alex has given up her constant diet and decided to be a real human and over indulge in chocolate cake!" She gave him a single finger - but smiled.
The following morning, the team checked out and Father Adams drove them to a quiet spot off the freeway. They would jump from there; he also had some news. The team listened quietly as he recounted the news he had heard on the local radio. Apparently there had been a terrible fire at a house on the city's outskirts and two small children had died in the blaze. Their distraught mother had escaped with minor injuries. According to authorities, it appears that a faulty television was to blame. The tragedy would also make the evening news
channel.
There was nothing on the radio, TV channels or in Newspapers about the shocking events that had unfolded at The Convent of St. Mary Magdalene or the mysterious disappearance of local priest Father John. It covered the shocking murder of Father Paul; who had apparently been killed defending his church against ruthless and murderous intruders, intent upon stealing the church silver.
The Cardinal himself would officiate at his funeral.
"In ten or twenty years, no-one will really remember these events. Time will move on and people will forget. The deaths of the children in a tragic house fire will disappear from current history; just one of many such incidents as human history and time moves on. Only the mother will always remember and when she's gone; who is left to remember or even care? The only really important event was the prevention of two dark angels joining the human race and we all know what that could have meant." James finished his little talk and the team bade farewell to Father Adams.
"In ten or twenty years, no-one will really remember these events. Time will move on and people will forget. The deaths of the children in a tragic house fire will disappear from current history; just one of many such incidents as human history and time moves on. Only the mother will always remember and when she's gone; who is left to remember or even care? The only really important event was the prevention of two dark angels joining the human race and we all know what that could have meant." James finished his little talk and the team bade farewell to Father Adams.
"I take it when the time comes, Father Adams will be joining the Department?" Wilson asked Jericho as they walked back to the lighthouse. He nodded and smiled; "If he still has the stomach for it." Wilson chuckled; "And on a more serious note; what about Alex?" Jericho did smile broadly at that; "She'll be protected. She has some pretty powerful friends." He jerked a thumb towards the sky. The pair laughed together and Jericho wondered about the dark prince's actions in resurrecting Alex - despite the insults [and shoes!] she had hurdled at him at the Devil's garden party - he had clearly forgiven her.
"Well, it shows that our dark little prince still has a great deal of passion for Alex and we need to keep our wits about us. He clearly isn't going to take no for an answer." Jericho said, adding 'good evening' to Mr. Harris who took his and Wilson's coats. Wilson chuckled; "I suppose we could raise a glass or two in thank you, to the dark bugger. After all; if he hadn't stepped in, we may have lost Alex forever." Jericho nodded at that; "I can't wait to see the look on her face, when you propose that toast!" They both chuckled and headed for the dining room.
EPILOGUE:
"With the suicide of Sister Sarah in Boston in 1959, the threat of a 'Dark Angel' entering the world of living humans was ended - on this occasion. Thus the mission of Team 74 was considered a success. But How the Demon 'Phara' infiltrated the Church, reaching the position of a Priest remains a concern. It will be investigated by Temporal Detectives and the Knight's of God. it appears that young prince David - the Dark Prince - has forgiven Alexandra for her previous actions against him. He is clearly besotted by her and will remain so."
W.A.S.
CHARACTERS:
Sister Rachel (Rachel Golding) remained a Nun; she had been forgiven by mother Church. But she was transferred to the Missions in South America where she remanded until her death in 1997. Her soul was collected and processed.
"With the suicide of Sister Sarah in Boston in 1959, the threat of a 'Dark Angel' entering the world of living humans was ended - on this occasion. Thus the mission of Team 74 was considered a success. But How the Demon 'Phara' infiltrated the Church, reaching the position of a Priest remains a concern. It will be investigated by Temporal Detectives and the Knight's of God. it appears that young prince David - the Dark Prince - has forgiven Alexandra for her previous actions against him. He is clearly besotted by her and will remain so."
Sister Rachel (Rachel Golding) remained a Nun; she had been forgiven by mother Church. But she was transferred to the Missions in South America where she remanded until her death in 1997. Her soul was collected and processed.
Sister Sarah (Sarah-Anne Connelly) committed suicide in 1959 and no soul was recovered. It remains lost to this day. She was buried quietly by Church Authorities in a local City Cemetery, and not interned at the Convent Graveyard. Her family did not attend the funeral.
Mother Superior Margaret (Rose Margaret Timms) simply disappeared until her death in 1964 - she died of Cancer in a Charity run Hospice. Nothing is known of her life after she left the Convent. Her soul was collected and processed.
Sister Ruth (Regina Holliday-Goves) left the Convent in 1961 and joined a small farming commune in the Mid-West. She married twice and had three children and seven grand children. She passed away in 1992. Her soul was collected and processed.
Sister Anna (Ann Smith) died just months after the 'demon' Incident from complications following an Appendectomy. She was buried in the Convent Graveyard. She had no family to attend her funeral. Her soul was collected and processed.
Mother Superior Grace (Geraldine Harper) took over from Margaret and ran the Convent until her death in 1966. Her soul was collected and processed.
Father John Jennings [The demon Phara} is the subject of a Temporal Detective Investigation headed by Inspector Stella Longstreet and her team. How he managed to reach the position of a Priest is under urgent review and needs to be resolved quickly. The investigation is currently still on going.
Detective Inspector William 'Billy' Gates [Boston Police Department] retied from Police Service in 1969 and lived on a small ranch in the Mid West. He was practically a recluse. When his body was discovered, he had been dead for some months. It appears that he had shot himself after a heavy drinking session. No soul was recovered and remains missing. Inspector Ali Khan and Team 59 are investigating due to his previous proximity to forces of the 'Dark Side'. There is no resolution at this time.
Bartholomew Kasper [Cardinal's Chauffeur] remained in Church Service until he retired in 1972. He died just a year later in a tragic incident, when he fell in front of an Express Train entering Boston Central. His soul was collected and processed.
Mavis Joyce Tebbings [Cardinal's Housekeeper] died in 1968 from Cancer. She had no family, but her funeral was conducted by the Cardinal himself and the church was packed with friends and colleagues she had met over her years of long and devoted service to the Church. Her soul was collected and processed. She now works as a Collector.
Frederick James Robinson [Cardinal's Private Secretary] was found dead in the bedroom of his small apartment in January 1963. He had been suspended by Church Authorities over allegations of embezzlement and fraud. He had committed suicide. His soul was collected and processed. It was later discovered that he had been innocent of the allegations.
Eleanor Stateman [Cardinal's House Maid] returned to her parents farm and married a local store owner. She had four children and nine grand children. She died, aged 91 and her soul was collected and processed.
Father Paradise Adams continued to work for the Vatican's 'Prayer of Liberty' Department and assisted many teams of Temporal Detectives during his life time of service to God. When he died in 1982, his funeral was attended by several Temporal Inspectors and Knight's of God. Inspector Tibbs gave the eulogy at the funeral. His soul was collected and processed. He worked as a Collector, then Temporal Detective and some centuries after his original passing, was made a Knight of God. No one had expected anything less of this fine, decent and honest man.
Harry Twelvetrees [The demon Cabel] returned to his master and was disciplined by the Dark Prince, after his most vocal protest against the Dark Prince's intervention in this case. It is not known what became of him, but the Demon Ingress Department has reported no sightings of him for some time.
Joseph O'Brien [Boston Police Department] never saw his retirement; some young thug - robbing a liquor store whilst high on drugs and alcohol - shot him dead as his police car pulled up outside the store. His soul was collected and processed. He now works for the Supplies Department and Jericho and his team have encountered Joe on many occasions.
Father Paul de Silva was murdered by Father John [the demon Phara] over Sister Sarah and missing money. After his death, several allegations of sexual abuse against children in his congregation came to light. His soul was collected and processed. It remains in quarantine until 2300.
Rufus Washington [Convent Gardner] was sacked by the Church Authorities and struggled to make a living. He hung himself in a derelict shop in April 1962. His soul was collected and processed.
Mrs. Gwen Farmer [Father John's House Keeper] never recovered from the terrible deaths of her two young children in the house fire. She was finally committed to a State asylum for the mentally ill in November 1963 - just days before Kennedy's Assassination - she remained there until her death in 1967. Not surprisingly; there was no soul to collect. The matter is being investigated by Inspector Dawn Daniels and Team 62. It has not yet been resolved.
SPECIAL APPEARANCE BY Prince David; the 'Dark Prince', as himself.
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