Holy Island(130)

He had told himself it was justice, necessary action, but really it had been for himself. Simple pleasures.

“I have two people in mind, actually,” Mark averred with a slight smile. “They require punishment.”

“Ah, excellent,” Gregson clapped his hands together, already aware of the chosen two. “That will tie up loose ends. You know we will protect you, as always. For now, I best be getting back to the office to keep up appearances.”

“It was necessary to disable the younger detective,” Mark began.

“I know that,” Gregson pulled a face. “Shame about that, he’s a decent lad. Still, never fear, if he shows signs of coming round we’ll take care of him.”

Mark nodded then bade him farewell, raised a hand to his friend and follower. On his wrist, a dull gold watch glinted beneath the cuff of his linen shirt. For a moment he smiled, remembering the times he had spent with Megan, as if remembering a pleasant holiday long ago. Eventually, all holidays must come to an end.

He enjoyed the crisp wintry air for a moment longer, then walked back inside the house, removed the long ceremonial sword from its position on the wall of his study and felt the weight of it. He paused along the corridor to don a long, weatherproof jacket which covered him to mid-shin, before he opened the door to his cellar.

Below, in the darkness, Mike and Jennifer Ingles lay restrained by thick fishing rope, duct tape spread across their mouths. Both started to moan again as he flicked the overhead light on and walked down the stone steps towards them, their wails having died down to whimpers after the first twenty-four hours.

He used the edge of the sword to tip the vicar’s chin up, saw the signs of terror, dehydration and pleading amongst the fading bruises on his face.

He consecrated a circle in the dank cellar and turned deaf ears to the increasingly desperate sobbing beside him.

Afterwards, he stood for a moment surveying his handiwork, took a rag and cleaned off the sword before mounting the stairs.

The cycle began again.