Chapter 7 : Pounding pestles
"For as the cracking of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool, this also is vanity"
-Ecclesiastics 7 : 6
Meshach's house
"Hannah didn't give you the box, did she?", asked Meshach.
"No. I don't want it", Chioma retorted.
"it's fine. Josie was the worst type of murderer. she let the devil take hold over her and now, she thinks she's a warrior for Christ but no one fights for God", He was annoyed. "Back then, she would fashion objects out of her victims but now, she just leaves bible verses behind. Her method of killings has changed as well as she", She said
"But something about her hasn't changed. She is still after you", Meshach held onto his stick.
"I'll take her down", Chioma balled her hand into a fist.
"Do you think Josie killed her sister because she took her son from her?", He asked.
Chioma replied, "That must be the only reasonable answer seeing how crazy Josie is".
"I still find it weird that she's the one going around killing people", Meshach sighs deeply.
"Tell me about Erica and her side of the story. 5 years ago, Josie never had a family. its strange a sister just appeared out of nowhere".
"Erica and I weren't that close but we made contact once in a while. She took care of Israel away from anyone who would try to know of his existence including his mother. Before all this mess, She and Josie were very close. They were raised by a single mother. All of them were happy until Josie decided to join the Cathedral's disciples. They never heard from her again".
Chioma penned down on her note, "They could've come see her even if she pushed them away".
"What if she never wanted to see them?", Meshach says under his breath.
"What do you mean?", Chioma had a realization, "No way. Did you tell her never to contact them?".
"It was all my fault".
"Jesus. Meshach, you don't do that to people. Why would you do that?".
"She wasn't focused in church anymore".
"Is that why you severed any connection she had with her family?".
"Yes"
"Tell me more. When and how did she give birth? Its still a shock that she had a son".
"2012, Josie had ran wild. Almost killing everyone in the cathedral, she had been pregnant. An exorcism was performed by the priest thinking she was possessed. After that, she was taken home by Erica. Erica took care of her until she gave birth to Israel. Israel was brought into this world by a mother who ram away from the world".
"How could she kill someone who took care of both her and her son?".
"I couldn't answer your answer, detective".
"And their mother?".
"She wouldn't answer your questions".
"Why?"
"She's in a coma".
"Another needle in a haystack", Chioma bit her lip, "Admist all this nightmare, I want you to be safe, Meshach".
Meshach smiles, "Thank you for your concern, Chichi. I'm always greatful. God punishes me for my sins by taking my sight. I deserve it but my friends didn't have to die".
Chioma shook her head, "Don't say that".
"Its true. I can't believe Josie's still alive after all she's done. Why didn't anyone kill her in jail?".
"They were probably afraid of her", Chioma pats his hand with hers, "Don't worry, I'll make sure you're safe".
"Take the box, Chioma".
"I'm sorry, Meshach. I can't do that".
"Just take it".
Chioma reached for the skin claded box on the table and broke into sobs.
"I know you miss Abby. I do too but you have to move on".
Chioma wiped her eyes, "My daughter is this. Her skin and bones were made with this tiny thing".
"Its okay. come here", He spread her arms and she hugged him, "its okay".
* * * * * *
"Where's Grace?", Hannah yelled as she ran into the precinct with Aaron.
"She's with the artist. Why?", Pete answered.
"Fuck", She ran past him upstairs. Aaron following.
"What's going on?", Pete asked behind them.
Approaching the door, they found blood.
"Shit", He pushed the door open.
Hannah covered her mouth while Aaron looked away. Grace's eye balls were removed and placed on the table. Her blood smeared all over the room while her body was nailed to the wall.
"Fuck. Josie has outsmarted us again", Pete kicked the door in anger.
Aaron plugged his nose with his fingers and picked up a paper, reading what was written in it, " For the great day of wrath is come, and who shall be able to stand?".
Cameras click. Keep-out signs were put out. Lines were drawn. There had been a murder. In the Worcester Police Department.
"I can't believe it happened here", Ross ran his hand through his hair, "No one heard anything".
Pete was silent until he spoke, "Ammel did this?".
"Oh God. This is totally creeping me out", Hannah wailed.
"Put a BOLO out on him and secure the crime scene", Ross instructed.
"Oh no, you won't. This case is HPD's now. its about damn time", A tall dark skinned lady in purple suit enters the hall without men and women.
Ross scoffs, "Diana".
"You must be a scum of the earth", Diana retorted with a flashy grin.
"Likewise", He reached for a hug but got a handshake instead.
Hannah whispered to Aaron, "I don't like the negative vibe they give off".
"Diana is his ex-wife. She's a hotshot detective from the next precinct. I bet that's why he agreed to take on the case. To prove to her he's better now", Aaron whispered to Hannah.
She snickered quietly.
"Find anything funny, rookie?", asked Ross.
"No, Sir", She kept a poker face.
"Sure", He turns to Diana, "My office, please".
"I think we've settled this issue over here", Diana smiled at Ross, "I'll be taking the case off your hands".
A man in brown suit steps in. His skin is golden tanned like some model. A thin moustache graced above his lips and he smiled, introducing himself.
"The name's Vegan", He said.
Ria enters, "Vegan? Like Vegetarian?".
"Your parents made poor decisions concerning picking a name for you", laughed Hannah.
"Control your people, Russell", frowned Diana.
Ross smiles, "I'm sorry. Should I stop their stimuli from reacting to something funny".
"Let's go, vegan", Diana leads the rest away.
Ross exhales softly, "Enough laughing. The case is theirs now".
Ria steps closer, "We'll give them everything we have? just like that?".
Hannah smiles, "Hallelujah. My dream's come true".
"We're just gonna give up?", Pete turned to Ross.
Ross answers, "Sadly. Yes. Glad, aren't you, Aaron?".
Aaron was silent. The 5 of them watched the officers take everything concerning the First Disciple murder case. HPD didn't know who they were up against or did they?