J. Gonzalez - They

“That might be true,” Mike said, nodding. “But then again, you said yourself that the last she knew of you, you were a drug addict. You’re clean now, and that will come as a surprise. That could provide reason for your wanting to contact her.”

“ Forget it !” Frank said, hissing the sentence through gritted teeth.

Reverend Powell was watching Frank with a different look; compassion. “Are you afraid of physical violence? Of some kind of physical harm coming to you?”

Frank fidgeted. “No. I… I don’t know. It’s just…”

“You’re afraid of their power ,” Reverend Powell said softly. “You’re afraid of the power they have over you. You think it’s a psychological power, and I’m not going to debate that now. But you are afraid of something malignant happening to you, something that you can’t see or feel, correct?”

Hesitating for a moment, Frank nodded.

“Frank,” Reverend Powell leaned forward, staring directly into Frank’s eyes. “Do you really believe these people have supernatural powers?”

Frank looked like he was going to bounce off the walls. He cast nervous glances at Vince and Mike, and then turned to Hank. “I don’t know,” he said, his voice cracking slightly. “All I know is that… their power scares me. I’ve seen what they can do. And I’m… I’m just scared of it happening to my family.”

Hank regarded Frank solemnly. “Are you afraid they will… somehow find out what you’re up to?”

Frank nodded. “Yes.”

“And how will they find out?”

“ I don’t know !” Frank yelled, now animated with worry and fear. He rose from his chair and began pacing the den. “I don’t know how they’ll find out, but they will, I just know it ! I can feel it . It’s like… an instinct , my inner voice telling me that the minute I show myself they’ll be able to look into me and see my motivations. Then that will lead them to you, to my wife and kids! Christ!” He ran a hand through his long black hair, visibly shaken.

Reverend Powell remained calm. “Perhaps that’s exactly what you need,” he said.

“Whatever,” Frank said, heading to the bar. He retrieved a Coke. The others remained seated around the table, waiting for something to be said. Vince felt nervous, like everything that was happening, the bad vibes, the mixed emotions, were his entire fault.

Vince thought Reverend Powell would have sought this opportunity to proselytize to Frank but he didn’t. Instead, the preacher said, “Perhaps we should plan another method of attack. Have you thought about talking to the Pennsylvania State Police to see if they’ve discovered any new information on Maggie’s death?”

“That’s a strong possibility,” Mike said. “But that would have to be something Vince will have to do.”

“I can do it tomorrow,” Vince said.

“We can analyze whatever they tell us then,” Reverend Powell said. “If no new information is forthcoming, I wouldn’t be surprised.”

“I wouldn’t either,” Mike said. “Any clues they would have left would point at somebody else. Or nowhere at all.”

“What about the attempt on your own life?” Reverend Powell asked Vince. “Have you heard anything more from the detectives investigating?”

“Nope.” Vince shook his head. “That’s something I can follow up on as well.”

“What kind of research will it take to connect the attempt on Vince’s life to this cult, The Children of the Night?” Hank asked Mike.

Mike sighed. “I really don’t know. It will be almost impossible until we hear what kind of leads the police in Irvine find.”

Reverend Powell remained silent for a moment, as if deep in thought. Frank Black remained at the bar, sipping his Coke.

“I still think a contact with Gladys Black is our best bet,” Reverend Powell said. “At least from the secular level of our investigation.”

“I’m not contacting that bitch,” Frank muttered.

“I’m no longer considering using you for that option,” Reverend Powell said without turning around.

“I’ve got an idea,” Vince said.

Mike and Hank turned to him. Vince could feel Frank’s eyes light upon him too. “We could… or I could… get in touch with her somehow. I could go on the notion that… I’m contacting mom’s old friends and family to… tell them mom is now deceased.” He looked at Mike for some kind of approval.

“It might work,” Mike said, turning to Frank who remained silent behind the bar. “But it would have to be done with a phone call. We don’t have the time to communicate by mail.”

“How are we going to get her phone number?”

“I’ve got it,” Mike said.

“You want to contact her so fucking much,” Frank muttered from the bar, “you guys contact her. Leave me out of it.”

“And what will you do, Frank?” Reverend Powell turned toward the imposing figure who, despite his physical appearance, looked like he was scared to death. “If we contact your mother—if Vince does, rather—what will you do?”

“I could ask you the same question?” Frank shot back, defiant.

“I’ll be praying for guidance and strength for all of us,” Reverend Powell replied. “The Lord hasn’t failed us yet and I don’t believe He will. And God forgive me for this hint of self-righteousness, but I believe we need somebody who is a Christian in this battle. Because, my friends, while you see this battle as a secular one, I see it as a spiritual one first and foremost. And while I join you in the physical aspects of this case with as much vigor as you, I have the spiritual background to arm ourselves against the forces of darkness.” He cast his gaze across each of them, turning to Frank who met his gaze with equal determination. “I can sense your fear. And I can sympathize. We are dealing with the forces of darkness, there is no doubt about that. Our enemy is great, both in spiritual prowess but in physical strength as well. They have their agents of destruction, their assassins, and they have the uncanny ability to work like the mafia.”

Frank huffed. “You can say that again!”

“I will do everything physically to help the three of you,” Reverend Powell continued. “And I will act as a spiritual advisor in the fight and work at breaking down the forces of darkness through prayer. If you’d like, I can even make the call to Gladys myself. I can do so on the grounds that as Maggie’s friend, I came across her name and phone number and wanted to inform her of her sudden passing.” He looked at Mike pensively. “What do you think?”

“It might work,” Mike said, turning to Frank. “It just might. As long as you…”

“I’ll keep my occupation a secret from her,” Reverend Powell said, nodding. “Deception can work for the Lord, too.”

“Why don’t we sleep on it,” Mike suggested. “Tomorrow is Thursday. We’ll have three hours tomorrow morning to finalize our plans by the time the west coast wakes up.”

Vince nodded. Frank looked like he agreed with the plan, as did Reverend Powell. “Agreed,” Reverend Powell said. “We can talk more about what the rest of our plans will be for the day. I think one of those things will be for Vince to contact Tom Hoffman. I can go with him to the Warwick Township Police Station as well.”

“What about us?” Frank asked.

“Perhaps you can come with us,” Reverend Powell suggested. “There is the matter of those dead dogs to deal with. I’m sure Tom can provide you with information that wasn’t leaked to the press. We can reconvene on strategy tomorrow by noon.”

“Sounds good,” Mike said, standing up.