The front door to the house opened and Erica appeared and blew him a kiss.
Thank you, love.
He got out his car and walked up the pathway. The lawn needed mowing. He might do that one morning this week—he’d have a day off soon. He’d put on his headphones to drown out the sound of the mower, and the world.
He reached Erica and gave her a gentle kiss.
She touched his face. “Welcome home, love.”
Some energy returned. “And how’s my darling Erica?”
“Good,” Erica said, hooking her arm into his. “We have visitors.”
“Visitors?”
“Yep, just some friends from church. They were out for a walk and just dropped in. They wanted to meet you, and then they will be off.” She knew he was tired.
They walked into the living room to find a couple in their mid-fifties. The couple stood up, looking fit and healthy in their matching walking clothes. Jack looked forward to the day when he could throw on some suitable attire and just chase after the wind.
The man put out his hand. “Peter Thomas.” Jack shook his hand. “And this is my wife, Cassie.”
Cassie gave Jack a sweet nod.
“Nice to meet you both.”
“We know you’re a busy man, Jack, so we’ll leave you in peace. We just wanted to meet you as your lovely wife speaks so highly of you, and it’s always good to put a picture to a face,” Peter said.
It was good to know Erica was still saying nice things about him after the week he’d had. They’d had.
“No need to rush off. I’m okay at the moment, but if I fall off the sofa then maybe it’s time to leave.” He ushered them back to their seats.
“Anyone want a refill? I’m sure Jack would like a coffee,” Erica said, touching Jack’s shoulder.
“Yes, please.” Jack reached over and grabbed some cheese and crackers from the platter on the coffee table. This room was light, so different from the dark, dark place he came from. He could still feel the dread that had swamped him.
The guests agreed to a top-up of water.
“From what I can gather from the media, you’re having a busy week, Jack,” Peter said.
Jack looked at Peter as he bit into his cheese and cracker. He could hear the crackers exploding in his head, and hoped the noise wasn’t as obvious to his guests. He was tired and oversensitive. The man’s eyes were a blue-grey colour but peaceful, inviting. Jack looked over at his wife. She had the same peaceful look about her. Obviously not police officers.
“Yep,” Jack said leaning back into the sofa with his mouthful of food leaving the crunching chamber and on its way to his stomach. “What do you do, Peter?”
Peter looked at Jack and gave a warm smile. “I’m a minister at a local church.”
“The one my wife is attending?” Jack fought off a hiccup.
“Yep.”
“Well, it seems to be doing her the world of good.” Jack waited for the invite to church but it didn’t come. “I might have to come along with her sometime. I can’t remember the last time I went to church for something other than a funeral.”
“You do a marvellous thing, Jack. Society would be a total mess without people like you.”
Jack rubbed his forehead and rested his hand on his chin. “To be honest with you, sir, it’s already a complete and total mess.”
The minister’s wife stood up. “I’m going to see if your darling wife needs a hand.” She left without question.
The minister watched his wife stroll off and then returned his focus back to Jack. “It’s hard to know what to say, Jack.” He paused. “From what I’ve been picking up in the news, I’d say you’re coming up against a different type of evil, one that’s not normally exposed—although it’s all related.”
Jack tilted his head slightly. “What do you mean by that?”
“Wicca, witchcraft. It’s more a supernatural thing as opposed to normal evil—if there is such a thing.”
“I thought we camouflaged the link to witchcraft.”
The minister smiled.
“It’s quite different,” Jack said, looking towards the kitchen and then returning his gaze to the minister. “To be honest, I’m getting confused by it all.”
“Could be worthwhile to have a chat sometime. There’s a general feel in the church community that satanic groups and occult practices are on the rise.”
“I’m finding that out. Yes, it could be useful to have a chat sometime. My work partner has been surprising me with her knowledge of such things. The evil stuff is getting worse.”
“I think your current investigation has moved from dealing with moral evil to dealing with supernatural evil—evil that’s influenced by demonic powers.”
Jack was thankful for the minister’s bluntness.
Peter continued. “The good Lord spent considerable time dealing with demons—it’s something society pushes to the background. But your work has you at the forefront of the battle. You’re being exposed to attack. But I don’t think you know your enemy too well.”
