Page 148 of Seven Deadly Sins

“Covetousness is the strong desire of possessions, especially for those that belong to another. It is also the ninth commandment. “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife” and the tenth commandment, “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s goods.” Amber seemed to grow paler with each sin. Her shoulders slumped as if she were losing hope.

“The sin of lust is a desire for sexual pleasure that is out of proportion to the good of sexual union or directed at someone whom you have no right to have such a union. A married couple can also have lust for the other if it is for selfish reasons.” A tear slid down her cheek at something she could see that they couldn’t. “The man who has taken me wants me to let the FBI agent and the detective to know that he has witnessed their lust.”

Harper rolled her eyes. “Whatever.”

“The sin of gluttony is an excessive desire for…anything. Food, drink, etc. The sin of envy is sadness at the good fortune of another and not being grateful for what you have.”

A masked man set a pair of garden shears on the table next to Amber. His eyes glittered behind the mask as he glanced at the camera before leaning against the table and crossing his arms. “Proceed.”

Her tears increased. “The sixth sin…of sloth,” her words broke on a sob, “the one committed by my husband because of my selfishness, means laziness or sluggishness or letting a necessary task go undone.” She closed her eyes. “The seventh sin is anger. The one the agent and detective will have to pay for.”

The man Harper assumed was Robert picked up the shears. “This woman will continue reading these sins on live feed over and over and over. If she stops, she loses a finger. I suggest all of you out there pay attention to this woman’s sacrifice.” He set the shears down and patted Amber’s cheek hard enough to leave a red mark. “Continue.” He marched out of sight as she started reading again.

Harper’s blood chilled. Amber would have to stop at some point. She’d need to eat, drink, sleep, use the restroom, all which she couldn’t do while reading.

Liam rubbed his forehead. “That poor woman won’t make it out of this. Not unless we save her, and I have no idea how to find her.”

~

A sense of helplessness washed over Liam. A sense becoming far too familiar. A sense he hadn’t been accustomed to before being assigned this case.

Macey cursed under his breath. “I’m heading back up in the air. She’s being held somewhere close enough for Thompson or one of his goons to come to the city.”

“Harper and I will continue to canvass the streets.” Liam smiled her way.

She shot him a grateful look. “I’m getting a good feel for the way Robert moves. Hopefully, I’ll recognize him even if he’s wearing a disguise.”

“What we need is a vehicle other than your jeep. He’ll spot us coming.”

“We can use one of the undercover cars in the garage.” She got to her feet. “I’ll go check one out while you formulate a plan for driving up and down the streets of Oakdale.”

Without her actually saying the words, he knew she felt as if they would be wasting their time. She was probably right. It would be a stroke of sheer luck for them to spot Thompson.

“There’s a man preaching the very words Amber just read.” Annie slapped a piece of paper with an address scrolled across it. “Not sure whether he saw the live and felt compelled to spread the word or if he’s been following Thompson for a while.”

They had somewhere to go. Someone to question. He grabbed his jacket and went to find Harper.

He found her getting a set of keys from the receptionist. “We’ve got a man preaching on Elm Street near the park.”

“Really?” Her brows rose. “Let’s go see if he can enlighten us to a few things.”

The drive took less than five minutes. The man they sought stood on a brick wall that came just above Liam’s knees and spoke into a megaphone. He didn’t look to be over twenty-five. He recited the seven sins over and over adding at the end each time the consequences of being unenlightened. “Judgment day is coming! Only the enlightened will be ushered into the new world. Repent!”

Liam stepped in front of the man and flashed his badge. The guy leaped from the wall and took off. With a startled glance at Harper, Liam gave chase. He could hear Harper’s steps pounding behind him.

The man darted across the park, dodging strollers, dogs, and leaping over benches. On the other side of the park, he entered a gas station.

Liam entered in time to see the man head out a back door. “Harper, go around.” He pulled his weapon and continued.

“Stop! Police.” A gunshot rang out.

Liam barged out the back door as the man they sought disappeared around the corner. “You exchanged gunfire?”

“Warning shot. I don’t think he’s armed.” Harper took off after him, this time Liam taking up the rear. She could run, he’d give her that. “I’m going to strangle him when we catch him. It’s too hot to be running.”

Liam agreed and marveled at the fact she could complete full sentences on a flat out run.

The guy tripped over a curb and went sprawling. His megaphone broke into three pieces. He rolled over and held out his hands as if to ward them off.