'Apostles Creed,' and three 'Hail Marys,' if you like." Celluci's voice grew gentle, the voice of a man who could be trusted. "I understand why you've been shooting these people. I really do. But hasn't it occurred to you that God has plans you're not aware of and maybe, just maybe, you're wrong?" As they were still alive, it had obviously occurred to him; Celluci attempted to make the most of it. "Why don't you put down that gun, and we'll talk, you and I, see if we can't find a way out of this mess." And then, up out of the depths of childhood when his tiny, black-clad grandmother had made him learn a Bible verse every Sunday, he added, " 'For there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.' "
"St. Luke, chapter twelve, verse two." Carl shuddered and Mark saw that he was losing him.
"Even the devil quotes scripture, Uncle."
"And if he is not the devil, what then?" A muscle jumped in the old man's cheek. "Would you murder an officer of the law?"
"Man's law, Uncle, not God's law!"
"Answer my question!"
"Yes, answer him, Mark. Would you commit murder? Break a commandment?" Now, Celluci used his voice like a chisel, hoping to expose the rotten core. "Thou shalt not kill. What about that?"
Mark had escaped death twice already this night. From the moment he'd recognized the creature that had attacked him in the woods, he'd known that escaping death a third time would take more than luck. In order for him to live, everyone in the barn would have to die. And he was going to live. This goddamned bastard of a fucking cop was manipulating the one thing he needed to pull his ass out of the fire and still be able to make a profit. The old man as a live stooge was preferable to the old man as a dead excuse.
"Uncle Carl... " Stress the relationship. Remind him of where the blood ties lay, of family loyalty.
"These are not God's creatures. You said so yourself."
Carl looked down at Cloud and shuddered. "They are not God's creatures." Then he raised his tormented eyes to Celluci's face. "But what of him?"
"Condemned by his own actions. Willingly consorting with Satan's minions."
"But if he is a police officer, the law... "
"Don't worry, Uncle Carl." Mark didn't bother to hide the sudden rush of relief. If the old man was concerned about repercussions, then he'd already decided to take action. It was in the bag. "I can make the whole thing look like an accident. Just be careful when you kill the white wolf - dog, whatever - that you don't ruin the pelt."
Just a little too late, he realized he'd said the wrong thing.
The old man shuddered and then straightened, as though he were shouldering a terrible weight. "So much I'm unsure of, but this I know; whatever happens tonight will be for the grace of God. You will not profit from it." He swung the rifle around until it pointed at Mark. "Put down the gun and get over there with them."
Mark opened his mouth and closed it, but no sound came out.
"What are you going to do?" Celluci asked, voice and expression carefully neutral.
"I don't know. But he isn't going to be a part of it."
"You can't do this to me." Mark found his tongue. "I'm family. Your own flesh and blood."
"Put down the gun and go over there with them." Carl knew now where he'd made his mistake, where he'd left the path the Lord had shown him. The burden was his to bear alone, he should never have shared it.
"No." Mark shot a horrified glance at Henry, whose expression invited him to come as close as he liked. "I can't... I won't... you can't make me."
Carl gestured with the rifle. "I can."
Mark saw the death he'd been holding off approaching as Henry's smile broadened. "NO!" He swung the shotgun around at the one who drove him to it.
Carl Biehn saw the muzzle come around and prepared to die. He couldn't, not even to save himself, shoot his only sister's only son. Into your hands, I commend my spir...
Cloud reacted without thinking and flung herself through the air. Her front paws hit the middle of the old man's chest and the shot sprayed harmlessly over the east wall as the two of them hit the ground together.
Then Henry moved.
One moment, almost ten feet between them. The next, Henry ripped