Chapter 36
3:09 p.m. Passion Ministry
“He...he’s dead, isn’t he?”
The Watcher lips went pop, pop, pop.
“You killed him, you demonic bastard! It’s Good Friday and you had to kill him!” Rachel’s hand snapped up to strike but Brendan seized it.
“Stop!” Brendan slapped her ear. “No one takes credit for my work. I killed him! Gonna kill you, too.”
Harry grinned.
“You killed Jimmy?” Rachel asked, head stinging.
“Jimmy? Never touched the freak. I’m talking ‘bout Somerville.”
Keep him talking, Rach. Buy some time. The wall clock read 3:10 p.m.. “You killed Dr. Somerville?”
“Better believe it. He wasn’t the only one, either.”
“But why? What’d he ever do to you?”
Brendan squared his shoulders. “Nobody plays God, ‘cept God.”
“Oh. So it’s all right for you to play God, but not Dr. Somerville.”
“An eye for an eye. The Bible says so.”
“The Bible? Religious, huh?”
“Duh,” Brendan replied, “I’m working for the Passion Ministry.”
“That’s what you think.”
“Look ‘round you, bitch.” He leaned into her, elbow up as though about to strike her with the back of his hand. “You’re in our friggin’ compound.”
“I am looking. You’ll never guess what I see.”
Harry shifted. “Wait a sec—”
“What is it?” snapped Brendan.
“Him.” She jabbed a thumb at Harry. “Use your brain, whatever crumbs God gave you. You’re working for Satan.”
Harry started to laugh.
Brendan snorted. “Gotta hand it to you, bitch. You’re ballsy!”
“Don’t believe me? Call the hospital. Ask when Jimmy died.”
“Aw, don’t waste your breath,” said Harry.
“Call them,” she commanded. “They’ll tell you he died around three. I arrived before then. So, if it’s true, how’d I know?”
“Beats me.”
“Call.” She avoided Harry’s eyes.
“Why not?” Brendan dialed. A minute later, he was asking, “…What time... Three-oh-five? Yeah, terrible, isn’t it? Thanks.” He stared at Harry. “Well, whaddya know? The Frankclonestein died, just like she said.”
There was a pounding on the door. “Brendan?” Oscar’s voice boomed. “Open up!”
“Hel—” Rachel shouted.
Brendan’s fist ripped into the side of her head.
