Read Online The Word of God by Christopher Cummings - Free Book Online Page B

need of a drink.”
    Capt Conkey nodded. “Yes, water. Here. I brought extra bottles,” he said. In his pack were four water bottles which were handed around. “Half each.”
    The water tasted wonderful. Peter swilled it around in his mouth and sipped it slowly, aware that he was very flushed and hot, and that his skin was dry to the touch.
    Gwen took a drink then said: “There is an injured man back up there. We must get him to hospital quickly. He is badly hurt.”
    Sgt Crowe looked concerned. “How did that happen?” he asked.
    â€œHe fell over the cliff during the fight,” Gwen replied.
    â€œFight? What the devil happened?” Sgt Crowe demanded.
    Peter replied. “We had to fight to rescue these men.”
    Capt Conkey shook his head. “I don’t believe this! A fight on top of the Pyramid with Devil Worshippers! Can’t you kids go out on a simple hike with getting into trouble every time?”
    â€œOh sir! Fair go,” Peter replied. He shook his head but knew what Capt Conkey meant. It was hardly the first time they had become inadvertently involved in serious events.
    Sgt Crowe interrupted: “Tell me the outline of what happened so we can get things moving to rescue this fellow who is hurt.”
    By tacit consent Peter was elected story teller. He outlined how they had been warned, then climbed the Pyramid and the events on top. Sgt Crowe asked a few questions, then took out a mobile phone and moved off to one side to use it.
    Peter sat and stared out at the twinkling lights of Gordonvale and Cairns. There was home and normality only half an hour’s drive away. He shook his head. It was hard to believe alright.
    Most of the others lay down. Capt Conkey asked a few more questions about events at the top. Sgt Crowe then called him over. Capt Conkey made his way along the steep rock face. Peter could just see the two men silhouetted against the stars. He wished he could hear what they were saying but their voices were only a faint murmur. All that could be made out was that Capt Conkey was supporting their story.
    After a few minutes both men returned. Sgt Crowe then explained what was to happen. “We are going to continue on to the top to rescue this injured fellow. Constable Clive here will take you people down the mountain. Anotherconstable is there with your other two cadets. An SES team is expected within the hour. The helicopter is on its way back to Cairns but has to be refuelled so won’t be here for another two hours. We should be on top by then. Will this fellow be hard to find?”
    Peter shook his head. “Shouldn’t be sir. We left him right in the middle of the track.”
    Stephen shook his head. “He might have come round and crawled away,” he suggested.
    â€œDamn! Could he fall over a cliff if he did?” Sgt Crowe asked.
    Stephen shook his head. “Don’t think so sir. It was steep, and there is a lot of thick undergrowth and bushes.”
    Graham spoke up: “I will come with you to show you the exact spot if you like sir.”
    â€œAre you up to it?” Sgt Crowe asked.
    â€œYes sir,” Graham replied confidently.
    â€œWould you be able to show us where these bodies are while we are up there?” Sgt Crowe asked.
    Graham hesitated for an instant before saying yes. Peter could imagine how he felt.
    Sgt Crowe turned to Capt Conkey. “Is that alright Captain?”
    Capt Conkey nodded. “Yes. If Graham is willing that is fine by me. Do you want me to come with you, or go back down with the others?”
    â€œHelp these people down thanks Captain,” Sgt Crowe replied.
    The remainder of the water was handed to Graham to carry up the mountain. Joy asked anxiously if he wasn’t too tired. Graham laughed softly as he drained the half-empty water bottles into his own. “I’m fine. Bushwalking is my hobby.”
    Sgt Crowe stood up: “OK, let’s get