Toby sighed and nodded.

The dog released its grip. He looked at the two officers pointing their weapons at him.

“Please roll over, sir. We need to handcuff you.”

He tasted the dampness in the soil, then turned his head in the direction of his backpack. He thought of the little doll in there, his redheaded doll crammed up against his meagre possessions. They’d bought the doll at the market on the island. His high priestess purchased it, and she called it her spirit doll. They did a ritual to awaken the doll, to invite a spirit to take up residence. It became his pet, his mentor. The doll wanted the redhead dead, and he’d been given the doll to make sure he completed the task. His eyes watered up. He’d let the gods down.

He’d miss his precious doll.

<°)))><

The office was generally quiet, as it should be for a Sunday night—the madness of another weekend nearly past although some dregs would still linger on. It was like society built itself up to climax at the weekend, and all the rolled-up tension was released with the assistance of alcohol or drugs. 

Jack sat in the incident management room, the tightness in his chest gone. He looked around. Some officers were entering details into the police management system, detailing their roles in apprehending the suspect. Photos of the items found in Watts’s backpack were displayed on the monitor in front of him. It wasn’t the crossbow or the handgun that intrigued him but the doll. It seemed out of place.

“Thought you’d be here.” Catherine said, pulling up a chair next to him.

“What you doing here? I told you to rest.”

“Come on, Jack. We’re a team. Do you need any help with your reports?”

He sagged into his chair. He had a few of those to do.

“Look at the doll, Cath.” Jack pointed to the screen. “With all that we’ve seen, I wouldn’t be surprised if that is some kind of voodoo doll.”

Catherine stared at it. “You may be right, Jack. It would be good to destroy it. But I’m sure it’s going to be needed as evidence.”

“Not sure why. Maybe the red hair.”

“Maybe, but let’s get these reports done so you can get home to your family.”

Reports. All part of the job. Needed to be done. Because he needed to make sure this crazy man got put behind bars indefinitely.

“You contacted Ruby?”

“Yes. She broke down. Told her she could go home now and that we’ll come visit her during the week. Sent one of the ‘counselling officers’ with both her and Zoe.”

Jack continued to stare at the doll. He needed to get home. He needed Erica. He needed some kind of cleansing.

He needed to get to church.

He was sure the mouth of the doll moved.

Sleep. He needed sleep.

Part Five – The Prophet 

56 – A very big fish

CHRISTOPHER SAT ON HIS FAVOURITE PARK BENCH. He loved the bench with its views over the bay, a view he knew many would kill for. From here, he could watch the coming and going of vehicles at the ferry terminal down below. 

There were no flowers on the frangipani tree guarding the bench, no fragrance to cast a tropical spell over him. It had been a while since his bottom had last graced this bench. The last time was to welcome Wally and the riff-raff who came for the ‘back to nature’ weekend—the Blue Moon Festival they called it.

It wasn’t long before the ferry appeared, zooming towards the terminal, so he got up to walk down to meet the girl. He was pleased she wanted to meet, to take on her demons. That’s what ya gotta do. She sounded good and confident when they spoke. He’d gone to the bakery early this morning so he had a treat for them.

The ferry docked and people disembarked. She’d be easy to spot with her red hair.

Christopher reached the ferry area and sat on one of the pine logs bordering the car park. Her hair glistened in the sunlight as she disembarked from the ferry. She was comfortably dressed, jeans, a chequered shirt, a black sleeveless bubbly-looking vest and some runners on her feet. Good, because some walking was involved. She recognised Christopher and waved—a good memory. She’d wanted to come by herself. She was seeking a personal healing. 

Christopher felt awkward as he’d met the girl only once before, but he knew she’d feel the same way.

She headed straight for him. “Christopher?”

He nodded and went to put out his arm to shake her hand, but instead she reached out and gave him a hug. It was awkward on his part.

“Welcome back,” Christopher said. “May your visit be a pleasant one.” He wanted to add ‘better than last time’ but that sounded inappropriate.

The girl took a deep breath. “It will be. I’m feeling good already.”

“Sorry, no wheels. We need to go for a brief walk.” He pointed up towards the park bench. “Might go the scenic way and then have some tea and cake. Fresh from the island bakery. It’s the only reason I came to the island.”

She chuckled.

As they walked out of the car park, Christopher turned back. There was that man in the mauve shirt. He’d seen the man before, and he always wore that shirt. Christopher felt uneasy, felt the urge to pay a brief visit to the unseen world. He blinked. He’d seen that demon before. It was back. Or had it been here all along, and Christopher had been ignorant of the fact? 

The large green creature tilted its head and glided towards Christopher, hovering in front of him, its putrid breath attacking Christopher’s senses and its large frame overshadowing him.

Can you see me?

“I can and I stand here in the power of the Holy Spirit,” Christopher whispered with a smile.

The creature backed away, confused and hesitant.

Christopher hoped Ruby didn’t detect anything unusual. She’d come to be released from her demons, not to be attacked. 

“Are you okay?” Ruby asked.

Christopher gave her a smile. “Just checking to see if there was anyone else that I knew.”

“I hope you’re referring to the physical realm.” 

“Of course, and let’s get physical and climb this little hill.”

Christopher led the way up the hill, trying to quash a sense of dread. Evil was back on the island. Or maybe it never left.

They sat on the bench looking down at the sparkling waters of the bay.

“The world is a beautiful place, don’t you think?” Ruby asked.