Page 158 of Seven Deadly Sins

As for the exact words she’d say, she would play it by ear.

~

Robert had people every twenty feet or so around the compound’s perimeter. Other men strung barbed wire fencing. Two more followed behind with electrical. Anyone touching the fence other than by the gate’s entrance would receive a shock.

Things were coming along as planned. Soon, he’d expand into the little town nestled against the foot of the mountain. Whoever didn’t convert, didn’t see the light, would perish. Sacrifices had to be made for the greater good.

A pain stabbed behind his eyes, and he closed them. The pain had become sharper and more often.

It started to occur to him that he might have the same cancer his father had suffered from. Because of the agent and the detective, he didn’t have the choice of seeking medical treatment. Time became a precious commodity. Once he’d finished with them, finished the last sin, he’d be cleansed. Any cancer he may or may not have would be gone. Sickness would never be close to him again. He held onto that fact as he ordered his people to work faster.

He slipped a pair of large sunglasses over his eyes and continued his march around the perimeter. His presence gave the people encouragement. They smiled and nodded, working harder to show their loyalty. He smiled and nodded back. “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” His words puffed their chests.

“Sir.” His most faithful ran toward him. “We’ve got company.” She pointed toward the main gate.

“Come with me.”

She followed without complaint.

~

Seeing no reason to hide, Liam drove and parked close to the main gate. A double-wide gate made of wood. There was enough space between the slates for the barrel of a rifle.

As they exited the jeep, the gate swung open. Thompson and…Annie? The cop’s face held an impassive emotion. Gone was the look of friendliness. They’d found their mole.

“Annie?” Harper’s steps faltered. “You?”

The other woman hitched her chin but remained silent.

“She has been invaluable to me.” Thompson smiled. “She will be greatly rewarded in our new world.”

“Why?”

Annie’s eyes flashed. “My parents were killed because a drunk driver, a glutton for liquor, got behind the wheel of a semi-truck. I believe in this cause.”

Thompson put a hand on her shoulder. “What brings the two of you here? I have not summoned you. It isn’t the time yet.”

“It is for us.” Harper crossed her arms. “It’s time for just the three of us, Robert. Time to bring this to an end. We are willing to let you pick the time and place.”

He laughed. “Two against one? That won’t do at all, Detective.”

“We’re much better than the National Guard.” Liam narrowed his eyes. “That’s who you’ll see next.”

“War is war, Agent McConnell. My people are well fortified as you saw yesterday.” He matched Liam’s posture. “Let the guard come. It’s all part of the plan. I want the world to see how strong faith can make a handful of people.”

More than a handful. From what Liam could see inside the gates, the compound was full of people. “Why wait for us to end this?”

“Anger is a great force. If you control it, it can be transmuted into a power which can move the whole world.” – William Shenstone.” Thompson smiled. “Yes, I’m very aware that I am the one suffering the sin of anger. The only way to rid myself of this sin is to rid the world of those who made me angry. Since the men responsible are no longer with us, I must seal their fate with their offspring.”

Perspiration dotted his forehead and he seemed to draw in on himself. After what looked like a difficult action, he straightened. “Good day, Detective, Agent. I’ll be in touch.” He turned and entered the compound, the gate closing behind him.

Back in the jeep, Liam turned to Harper. “Did he look ill to you?”

“Definitely. He’s lost at least twenty pounds since his license photo was taken.”

Liam rested his hands on the steering wheel and stared at the gate. “Didn’t we determine that the type of cancer his father died from is hereditary?”

“Yes.” Her eyes widened. “He’s dying.”