A second man followed him in. He wore a black frock and white collar the same as the other two. He stared past the old man at me and scowled.
'This won't do at all,' he said to no one in particular.
'What's wrong this time, Father?' The old man scratched at his ear with impatience.
'Brother Matheny, how many times must I repeat?
. Setting is as important as set and dosage. This is a science, not some crude torture.'
From the way he used the word
, I might have preferred crude torture.
Brother Matheny parted his desiccated lips, looked at me as though it were my fault, and turned to the Hulk.
'Brother O'Rourke. Find out where Father Beathan wants the sinner taken and take him there. And this, too.' The satchel landed on the marble floor with a clatter. The little man stormed past Beathan and the ox.
It was a pitiably small storm.
Demosthenes stared dully at the departing Brother Matheny. Beathan stooped over to pick up the bag. He had a couple of inches height on me, though I outweighed his trim, athletic form. Thinning hair the color of an old battleship lay straight back, close to his scalp. His gaunt face was that of a dedicated Jesuit scientist-strong features; a calm, inquiring gaze; thin, tight lips.
He produced a hypo from his bag, filled it partially from an ampoule. Clean fingernails tapped the syringe to loosen a stray bubble that he subsequently squeezed out.
'If that's how I'm getting the holy water,' I said, 'I don't want to stick around for Communion.'
'You won't be around, Mr. Ammo.' Beathan smiled wearily. 'I'm afraid we'll have to...
you for transportation. Brother O'Rourke.' He turned to the walking sequoia.
Demosthenes cracked his knuckles and reached for me.
They wanted me alive for some reason, so I felt I could risk my next move. Sitting down on the bed, I braced against the wall and kicked both feet into O'Rourke's crotch.
He huffed like a bull and backed off to raise his fists.
'Easy, Frank!' Beathan reached out to calm the big man.
The fists unclenched. 'I forgive you,' the rumbling voice said, 'as even Jesus forgives you.' He moved in again.
I kicked him harder.
In an effort to gain my attention, Beathan tapped me on the side of the head with a double fist. This time I saw stars.
Through a minor galaxy of multicolored lights and throbbing noise, I saw Demosthenes rolling on the floor clutching his groin. A needle approached my neck. Voices faded in and out and buzzed a million miles away.
'JesusJesusJesus damn him to hell...'
'Shut up and get him to Dissection.'
'Make `im
Godalmighty it
'
