The Burning Man

4

Church only had to wait in the holding cell for ten minutes before the uniformed police officer watching him left quietly. The Homeland Security representative entered a moment later sporting a government-issue haircut and the kind of focused but frozen expression that always reminded Church of an Action Man doll.

‘Where is he?’ Church said.

The Action Man shifted uncomfortably.

‘He’s preparing another theatrical entrance, isn’t he?’

A fearful, fixed look grew in the Action Man’s eyes. Church had seen it before when the victim’s mind was in conflict with the controlling spider.

‘Oh, stop tormenting him.’

The Libertarian sauntered in. He was still wearing sunglasses to hide his red eyes, but this time his outfit was a smart charcoal suit and a white shirt. ‘I thought a formal approach would be appropriate in these circumstances, don’t you agree? Good for funerals, too.’

Church shivered involuntarily, bleak horror overcoming him as he looked the Libertarian up and down, seeing for the first time the familiar body language, the gait, the bone structure. ‘How did I get to be you?’ he said, sickened.

The Libertarian was mildly surprised. ‘Oh, a revelation. I never thought you’d see it myself. Convinced you’re the big, big hero — you could never believe you were working towards becoming something like me.’ He held Church’s stare for a long moment, enjoying what he saw there, then turned to the Homeland Security representative. ‘Get out, Oakes. You irritate me. Go and urinate in the coffee or something.’

Sweating, Oakes left.

The Libertarian sighed. ‘Alone again, me and my shadow. I have to say, you’ll have much more fun as me than you’ve ever had as yourself. All that pain from the woman who spurns your feelings for your arch-rival. And poor Niamh — all those years as a love-sick puppy and you not even noticing. She’s a wild woman in bed. You really missed out there.’

‘At least I know you can’t kill me.’

‘A little pain never hurt anyone, though. But business first. I have to ask — what has possessed you? Killing and eating people? Not that I don’t admire the artistry, and not that you won’t be doing it on a regular basis very shortly, but … somewhat out of character, shall we say?’

‘Very funny.’

‘What do you mean?’ The Libertarian looked honestly puzzled.

‘Slight overkill. The terrorist charge was enough to keep me locked up till you get what you want.’

‘You’re suggesting I had something to do with this?’

‘You didn’t?’

‘I saw the recording …’ The Libertarian paused, annoyed. ‘Now, who would be playing games at this late stage in the proceedings?’

Church registered an odd note in the Libertarian’s tone. ‘Proceedings?’

The Libertarian smiled.

‘You’ve been manipulating events.’

‘I learned a great deal from the Tuatha De Danann when I was you. This is all about alchemy. You need to be shaped by events so you can transmute into the gold that is me.’

The Libertarian was consciously echoing Hal’s words of guidance; both sides trying to see him transformed so he could be a force for either Light or Dark.

‘Of course, it’s not all about that. I have to ensure you don’t end up with the two Keys. That would be very bad. Thankfully, that terminal failure Veitch already has his hands on one of them.’

‘If only you knew where the other was,’ Church taunted.

‘Enjoy your stay. I hear the New York Police can be quite rough with terrorists. Oh, and cannibalistic serial killers.’

He waved flamboyantly and left, but there was an uneasiness behind the gesture that both pleased and troubled Church.