Read Online The Diabolist (Dominic Grey 3) by Layton Green - Free Book Online Page B

point, he took a long drink and regarded them both with a steady eye. “I arrived towards the end, maybe fifteen minutes before midnight, and I sat in front with the other new members. I had a great view of Matthias, because he was all alone at the pulpit. It’s not a huge church, probably holds a couple hundred people. No organ or choir loft or anything like that, though why am I blabbering? I’m sure you’ve seen it.”
    “We have,” Viktor said.
    “My point is, there’s nowhere for anyone to hide up there, and I had an unobstructed view.” One side of his mouth lifted in a sardonic grin. “At the proverbial stroke of midnight, a figure in a black-and-silver robe appeared behind Matthias. Then Matthias burst into flames”—he snapped his fingers—“just like that. Everyone started screaming, someone called the police, we tried to put out the flames, and that was that.” He gave a little shudder. “The poor bastard burned to death right there beside the pulpit.”
    “And the robed figure?” Grey asked.
    “I took my eyes off him when Matthias became a living torch, so I can’t say for sure what happened. But when I looked back he was gone.”
    Grey noticed Viktor staring at the witness with an intensity not present before. “You said the robe was black and silver,” Viktor said.
    “That’s right.”
    Grey wasn’t sure what Viktor was getting at, but the police report had mentioned only a black robe.
    “I should clarify. The robe was black, but there were silver stars on it.”
    “You’re absolutely sure of that?” Viktor said.
    “They were definitely silver, and there weren’t that many of them, I’d guess about—”
    “There were seven,” Viktor said, and it wasn’t a question.
    Grey joined John as he turned to stare at Viktor. “If you say so. It was too chaotic, and I can’t say for sure. I’m a trial lawyer, so I know how easy it is to appeal to memory.”
    Viktor’s face relaxed a fraction. “Was there anything else distinguishing about the robe or the figure?”
    John Sebastian cocked his head as he thought. “Just the stars.”
    “Have you heard any rumors from the other practitioners,” Viktor said, “perhaps relating to other Satanic organizations?”
    The man laughed, too loudly. “You think this was some sort of take out? By a rival Satanist?” He downed his drink and poured another. “I know how to pick them, don’t I? Religions and wives, my fortes.” He took a cloth off the bar and patted the sheen of sweat on his brow. “I can’t think of anything like that, though everyone knew Matthias and Oak weren’t getting along. Sorry, Oak’s the lead bishop, he’s been with Matthias longer than anyone.”
    “We just met him,” Grey said. “Helluva guy.”
    “Not exactly the brains of the organization, though he might surprise you. I think he was an engineer or something back in the day, before he sampled California’s finest pharmaceuticals for thirty years. Or at least that’s the rumor. Never spoke to the man myself.”
    Viktor said, “Do you know what may have caused the rift?”
    “There were rumors Oak had different ideas about the direction the church should go. Advocated a more direct approach to fulfilling the church’s goals, if you know what I mean, while Matthias was pretty much a pacifist. This is all hearsay from the other newbies, but I think if Oak had his way, the House would fight back a lot harder against the fundies, as we call them.”
    “Perhaps become more like a true Satanic cult,” Viktor said quietly.
    “I don’t really know about any of that. I’ve been a member for a month, and all I had to do was memorize some tenets and pay a small fee. Oak didn’t kill him, though. I can tell you that. He was there the night it happened, a few seats down from me, right in front of Matthias. That was a bit odd, come to think of it, because he usually sits by himself on the far left. But not always.”
    Viktor leaned forward. “What do you