Erica Spindler - Dead Run

“After Taft’s conviction, Heather traveled to Key West and started her cult, which they believe was a continuation of one she and Taft designed. Her first initiate was Lieutenant Lopez.”

“And his allegiance afforded her not only a steady supply of the drugs she used to control her flock, but also allowed her to operate with police protection,” Liz said. “Right?”

“Exactly. Like all cults, she seduced people with promises of acceptance, belonging and power. And pleasure. Sexual. Monetary. You name it. So far, they’ve rounded up a dozen members. They believe there might be three or four times that many.”

Liz recalled how Heather had proclaimed the seven deadly sins a girl’s best friend. She recalled, too, Father Paul’s words. She repeated them aloud to Rick. “The devil is crafty, indeed. He captures us through the things that make us most human. Lust. Pride. Sloth. Anger. Avarice. Envy. These we must guard against, just as the Lord warned us we should.”

He drew his eyebrows together in confusion and she explained about Father Paul, the things he had said. “We were there. What we witnessed was…I don’t know. A part of me can’t help but think…”

Again her words trailed off. She met his eyes. “What was she, Rick?”

“A psychopath. A schizophrenic with delusions of divine evil. We’ll never know for sure.”

Liz wanted to agree. How much more reassuring to believe Heather a terribly twisted individual than an ancient evil. Than the one true evil. From the things Rachel had managed to tell her, Heather really had believed herself to be the devil incarnate. She had believed herself indestructible, unbeatable. She had become obsessed with the need to break Rachel’s faith, as if in doing so she would have beaten her one real adversary: Jesus Christ.

“Liz, Rick!”

They turned at the sound of Mark’s voice. He was with Pastor Tim, pushing him in a wheelchair.

“How’s your sister?” Mark asked as he reached them.

“She’s good. Really good.” Liz smiled and shifted her gaze to the pastor. “Thank you, Pastor Tim, for saving her life.”

He returned her smile. “Thank you for saving mine. If not for you, Lopez would have finished the job. You scared him off.”

“But I left you for dead. If you had made a sound-”

“He would have killed us both. So I played dead and prayed for God’s help. He sent Mark.”

She cleared her throat. “Pastor, I’m sorry for all…for my dishonesty with you. For suspecting you of such heinous crimes.”

He reached up and caught her hand. “I’m sorry, too. When Lieutenant Lopez told me you were Rachel Howard’s sister, I was angry. That you had lied to me. That you were continuing to lie.”

“He told you?” she said, surprised. “When?”

“The morning after Tara ’s murder. I realize now, he wanted me to distrust you. I’m sorry. Instead of giving in to my carnal nature, I should have offered you help.”

“We should go,” Mark said. “It’s nearly time.”

“A member of my congregation is in for tests this morning,” Pastor Tim explained. “I wanted to offer my support and prayers.”

Liz watched them go, then turned to Rick. “I’m going to miss Mark. But he’ll make a good pastor someday.”

The day before, Mark had told them that he was leaving. Heading back to Texas to pursue his dream of college then the seminary.

“What are you going to do?” Rick asked softly, interrupting her thoughts.

She met his gaze. “Stay with Rachel while she heals. After that, I don’t know.”

He drew her into his arms. “I was hoping you might give paradise another try. We could use you here. The kids who got sucked into the Horned Flower could use you. They’re going to need you.”

“And what about you, Detective Wells?” she asked, searching his gaze. “Do you want me to stay?”

He was quiet a moment. She held her breath, so hopeful it hurt.

“Yes,” he murmured finally, cupping her face in his hands. “You make me believe in second chances, Liz Ames. You make me glad I’m alive.”

Tears of joy stung her eyes. Wordlessly, she stood on tiptoe and brought her mouth to his. For the first time, she understood the true meaning of paradise.

Erica Spindler's bestselling novels include Dead Run, Bone Cold, All Fall Down and Cause for Alarm. She lives in the New Orleans area with her husband, an advertising executive, and their two sons.