The Edge of Darkness Read online

  He found none of these as Paul lapsed into unconsciousness. I could still do it, Talon told himself. I could still end his worthless life.

  The footfall of the police storming down the hallway thundered in Talon’s ears. No, thought Talon, why put him out of his misery? Let him suffer a while longer.

  The two police officers made all of the neighbors wait outside. Shari was sobbing in the arms of Mr. and Mrs. Krantz. They lived two houses down from Shari’s apartment and had become like second parents to her.

  Several police officers cautiously entered the apartment with their guns drawn. They were shocked at the state of the living room—furniture overturned, the shattered remains of a lamp—clear signs of a massive struggle. Then they saw Paul’s body on the floor, his blood soaking into the thick white carpet.

  One officer knelt down beside him and felt for a pulse.

  “His heart is still beating but it’s extremely slow. He’s in bad shape. Call for the paramedics at the Kings Crossing firehouse. They’re only a couple of blocks away. We have to get him to the hospital as soon as possible.”

  “Do you think he’ll make it?”

  The officer frowned and shook his head.

  THIRTY-SEVEN

  WHEN MURPHY GOT WORD about Paul and Shari being attacked in the apartment, he rushed to the hospital. It had been one-thirty in the morning when Bob Wagoner called and woke him up with the news. Several nights a month, Wagoner would work as Police Chaplain for the Raleigh Police Department. They had asked Wagoner to come down to the hospital to be with Shari. As Murphy arrived, he could see there were still three police cars outside of the emergency room. He recognized one of the officers.

  Barry Miller was a large man who was definitely in shape. He had a buzz haircut and was clean-shaven. His arms bulged out of his short-sleeve police uniform like they were about to explode. He was taking notes for his report when Murphy came up.

  “Barry, how are they?”

  “Hello, Doc.” There was no smile on Barry’s face. He stopped writing.

  “Shari has a few bruises and contusions, but she’ll be okay I’m not sure about Wallach. They’re—working on him in intensive care. I think it’s pretty much touch and go. Most of his vital signs had dropped by the time he arrived in the ambulance.

  Murphy headed to the emergency room entrance and stopped. There were about ten people in the waiting room, but Shari was not one of them.

  The night nurse, Clara Jane Moline, was behind the counter filling out some insurance forms. Murphy remembered her well from the day Laura had been brought to the hospital.

  “Hi, Clara, I’m looking for Shari Nelson and Bob Wagoner.”

  She smiled. “Oh, hi, Doc. They’re down the hall in a small waiting room that families use.” She pointed with her pen.

  “Thank you. Good to see you again,” he added as he rushed off.

  “You too,” she called after him.

  When Murphy got to the waiting room he could see Bob Wagoner and Shari sitting in silence. She lifted her head when he entered, thinking he might be one of the doctors with some news.

  She looked a mess. Her hair was disarranged. One eye was black-and-blue and very puffy. There was a bandage on her cheekbone with a large red bruise surrounding it. She looked worn out, like she had been crying half the night, and she started crying again when she saw Murphy. He went over and held her for a few moments. Finally, he asked: “How is Paul?”

  Through her tears she tried to speak.

  “We don’t know. He’s still in the operating room. We overheard the nurses talking about internal bleeding.”

  That was all she could get out before she was crying uncontrollably.

  Wagoner looked at Murphy and shook his head. “It doesn’t look good, Michael. There must have been a terrible fight. Paul was beaten severely He protected Shari and gave her time to escape. If he hadn’t been there and fought the way he did, I’m sure she wouldn’t be alive. He’s been unconscious ever since they brought him in. They say he’s in very serious condition.”

  “Excuse me, Dr. Murphy, but could I see you for a moment?” It was Officer Miller. He was motioning for Murphy to follow him.

  In the hallway, and out of earshot of Shari, Miller spoke. “Do you know anything about what happened last night?”

  “Only what Pastor Wagoner told me when he woke me up at one-thirty Why do you ask?”

  “After they took Wallach to the hospital, we stayed around and searched her place for clues. We found a bloodstained note that said ‘Back off, Murphy!’ Do you have any idea what that’s all about?”

  “Maybe.”

  Miller began to write as Murphy shared what he knew about Talon. He gave a description of what he looked like, and reported that he spoke with a South African accent. He tried to explain his artificial razorlike finger and how Talon used it to assassinate his victims. Miller was shaking his head back and forth as he wrote. This was quite a story.

  “Thanks, Doc. I think the crime lab people were able to get a number of bloody fingerprints. They’re also doing a DNA blood analysis to see if there are any matches. With all the blood in there, there’s a good chance that not all of it belongs to Mr. Wallach and Miss Nelson. We think that Wallach may have injured his attacker in the struggle.”

  “I doubt if you’ll find any fingerprints or DNA that will match. He’s too clever for that. If someone had ever taken his fingerprints, I’m confident that he would have killed them and destroyed the evidence. This is an extremely ruthless and evil man.”

  THIRTY-EIGHT

  MURPHY KNEW THAT Shari would be at the hospital sitting at Paul’s bedside. This was the second time for her. The first was when he was injured in the bombing of the Preston Community Church. And now that he was in critical condition as a result of trying to save her life, there was no way that she would leave his side. Shari was one of the most loyal people Murphy had ever met.

  When he got to the room, he hesitated for a moment. Shari was sitting in a chair next to Paul’s bed. Her eyes were closed.

  Maybe she’s sleeping. She’s been through a lot.

  Tubes were running out of Paul’s nose and arms. Electrical wires were attached to his body and to monitors, which were registering his blood pressure and heart rate. He lay unconscious and motionless.

  I’ll let her sleep, she needs the rest.

  He turned and started to go when his shoe made a slight squeaking sound on the polished floor. Shari opened her eyes.

  “Dr. Murphy.”

  Murphy stopped and turned around.

  Shari smiled a soft smile. He could tell that she was still in pain from her injuries.

  “I was just praying for Paul.”

  Murphy saw more black-and-blue marks on Shari’s arms and hands. He came over and gave her a hug.

  “Any change?”

  “No. The doctors still don’t know if he will pull out of it. The attacker kicked him severely and did internal damage. They also think he has a concussion.”

  Murphy pulled up another chair and sat down beside Shari.

  “I don’t know why the man tried to kill me and Paul.”

  Murphy tried not to wince. He knew.

  “I think he was trying to get to me by hurting you. Paul just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time for him. But he was in the right place for saving your life. I think the same man that killed Laura tried to kill you.”

  Shari had a shocked look on her face. “Do you think he’ll try again?”

  “I don’t think so. Things didn’t work out for him the way he planned. He’ll know that the police will be watching for him. I think he’ll leave you alone. He made his point.”

  He was about to continue, when he heard a soft voice behind him. “Dr. Murphy.”

  Murphy turned around. It was Summer Van Doren.

  “I had dropped by the church to get some study notes when they told me about Mr. Wallach. The whole church is praying for his recovery.”

 
; Murphy stood and offered her his seat.

  “Let me introduce you to Shari Nelson. She’s my assistant. Shari, this is Summer Van Doren. She’s the new women’s volleyball coach at Preston.”

  They shook hands.

  “I’m so sorry to hear about your friend, Shari. Have you heard anything about his recovery?”

  “No, not yet. He’s hurt very badly.”

  Summer and Shari talked for a while and Murphy listened. Summer seemed so warm and sincerely caring. It was a nice gesture. After about ten minutes she stood up.

  “I’ll let you be alone with him.”

  Murphy glanced at his watch. “Shari, you’ve been here for a while. It’s almost six-thirty, how about getting a bite to eat? Miss Van Doren, we would love to have you join us.”

  Summer hesitated for a moment, looked at her watch, and then said, “I think that will work. My Bible study doesn’t begin until eight.”

  Shari did not get up.

  “You know, I’m sorry but I really don’t feel hungry. If you don’t mind I think I would rather stay here with Paul.”

  Both Summer and Murphy nodded sympathetically.

  Murphy now felt a little strange. What was meant to be a nice gesture for both of the women was turning into something more like a date. He could tell that Summer was just a little apprehensive also. He tried to ease the pressure.

  “You know, there’s a little Mexican place just across the street from the hospital. We could leave our cars in the hospital lot and walk to it. We wouldn’t have to drive around town. Do you like Mexican?”

  Summer seemed relieved. The thought of driving somewhere to a restaurant, waiting in line, and eating with an 8:00 deadline made her uncomfortable—especially since Shari had declined to join them.

  “I love Mexican.”

  During dinner, Murphy questioned her about her life in San Diego, her hobbies, athletic activities, and how she ended up at Preston University. She, in turn, asked about biblical archaeology and some of the things that Murphy had discovered. She was especially enthralled with the stories of his adventures in foreign countries and meeting strange and exotic people.

  As the evening progressed they became more relaxed and free in sharing their thoughts and dreams. As Summer took a drink of water, she noticed her watch. It was ten minutes to eight.

  “Oh, I didn’t realize the time.”

  Murphy looked at his watch. They both stood up.

  “Please feel free to go. I know you have a meeting. I’ll get the waiter and take care of the check.”

  “That’s very nice. I’m sorry to run. Thank you for dinner.”

  “It was my pleasure.”

  Summer reached out her hand and Murphy shook it. There was a slight pause as they looked at each other.

  “I’ll see you around the campus,” she said with a warm smile.

  “I’m sure you will.”

  As Summer walked out of the restaurant, Murphy noticed a number of men looking at her as she walked by.

  Murphy paid the check and strolled back across the street to his car. He got m, started the engine, and turned on the radio. It was playing an old love song.

  As he pulled out onto the street, the song on the radio made him think of Summer’s beautiful face, blond hair, and deep blue eyes that sparkled while she talked. She had a cute smile and a laugh that was infectious.

  He then found his mind wandering to Isis. Murphy had begun to develop feelings for her … and now a new woman had come onto the scene and he had mixed emotions. Again Murphy came back to the fact that Summer was a believer and Isis was not.

  Murphy was torn. He knew that the Bible said not to have a mixed marriage with someone who didn’t share the same faith. He began to realize that he might be called on to make a decision. He didn’t like that thought.

  How can you just let go of someone you genuinely care for?

  He snapped off the radio. That stupid song had wrecked his evening.

  THIRTY-NINE

  The Cave of Markalar, 1083 B.C.

  GENERAL ABIEZER was hiding in the Cave of Markalar when one of his aides gave him the news. “Ocran the scout arrived a few minutes ago. He says that the Philistines have ended the pursuit of our army.”

  “Where have the men gone?” inquired Abiezer.

  “Most of them fled east in the direction of Shechem. Others escaped to the north toward Mount Gerizim. Some may have hidden in caves. There is no order to the retreat. They are in complete disarray.”

  General Abiezer hung his head in disgrace. He too had turned and run for his life. Guilt was now overpowering him for not leading his army. Thoughts of suicide crossed his mind.

  The aide continued. “Ocran is a very brave and loyal man. He clandestinely followed the Philistines back to the battlefield and says that they stripped our warriors of their valuables and killed our wounded.”

  General Abiezer winced at the thought of his brave soldiers being killed in their vulnerable condition.

  “What about the Ark of the Covenant and the priests?”

  “Ocran says that they put the heads of Hophni and Phinehas on the tops of two spears and displayed them as trophies. They took the Ark of the Covenant and headed in the direction of Ashdod.”

  Runners had already reached Ashdod with the news of the victory over the Israelites in the valley between Ebenezer and Aphek. The slaying of over 34,000 of their enemy caused jubilation in the city. However, the most exciting news was the capture of the Israeli God named Jehovah and his house called the Ark of the Covenant.

  When the Philistine army entered Ashdod, the people went wild. Great cheers went up as the Ark of the Covenant was paraded through the city streets. Curses were hurled at the home of Jehovah and praises were sung to the great god Dagon who had provided this great victory.

  The soldiers ended their march in front of the Temple of Dagon. The priests opened the large doors and the Ark of the Covenant was carried inside.

  It was placed to the right of the thirty foot, half-fish/half-man statue of Dagon.

  It was presented as a praise offering for the victory over the Israelites.

  The priests bowed before the statue and offered prayers. They rolled on the ground and cut themselves as a sign of loyalty to Dagon. Trumpets sounded and great rejoicing occurred throughout the entire city. People danced and sang and drank much wine.

  Late in the evening, Kadmiel, the high priest, entered the Temple of Dagon. Several other priests bearing torches accompanied him. They surrounded the Ark and admired its beauty.

  Kadmiel spoke: “Let us open the Ark and see what is inside.”

  A look of fear coupled with anticipation came over the faces of the other priests.

  “Take off the lid and we will see what makes this Ark so special.”

  Carefully the priests removed the lid and set it on the floor. They then raised their torches and looked inside. Kadmiel noticed four items in the Ark.

  He removed two of the articles and examined them in the torchlight. He again peered into the Ark and studied the two remaining items.

  “Put the lid back on.”

  One of the priests standing near Kadmiel asked, “Don’t you want to take out the other two objects?”

  “They are of no value. They are just two stone tablets with Hebrew writing on them. Something to do with their moral laws.”

  Kadmiel then bent down and picked up the two articles he had removed.

  It was early the next morning when the priests entered the Temple of Dagon for their daily prayers. To their shock and dismay, the statue of Dagon had fallen with its face to the earth, as fit were bowing down to the Ark of the Covenant.

  A great discussion took place as to how the statue could have fallen over. There was no explanation. The temple had been locked during the night and the usual temple guards were on patrol. No one could have possibly entered. No one felt an earthquake and the statue had been secure in its place for over twenty years. They couldn’t believe a statue th
at large could fall without alerting the guards. It was an absolute mystery.

  The statue weighed many tons and it took almost one hundred men to put it back in place. All the engineers of the temple were called to inspect the statue. Even small wedges were pounded under the front to insure that the statue could not possibly fall forward again.

  Early the next morning the priests went into the Temple of Dagon for their prayers. To their shock, Dagon had again fallen to the ground before the Ark of the Covenant. Only this time, Dagon’s head was broken off along with both of his hands. Only Dagon’s torso was left in one piece.

  Fear struck all of the priests. Could it be that the God of the Israelites was angry and striking back at the god of the Philistines? Was the Israelite God more powerful than Dagon? Was Jehovah sending a message? The priests ran from the temple and were afraid to return at peril of their own lives.

  Kadmiel complained to his wife, “Something is wrong! I do not feel well this morning. I have an unexplained growth. I never noticed it before and I think it may be getting bigger.”

  “I have the same thing happening to me. I too have an unknown growth.” Kadmiel could hear the fear in her voice. “The children are also complaining that they are not feeling well. Do you think it might be a plague of some kind?”

  It did not take long for the devastating news to spread. The whole town of Ashdod, and the territory surrounding it, was stricken with growing tumors. From the infants to the elderly, a miserable cry of pain could be heard.

  Kadmiel called all the priests of Dagon and the lords of the city together.

  The chief lord spoke. “Do you think that this plague has come about due to the rats that are overrunning our city?”

  Kadmiel responded, “I am not sure if the rats are spreading it or not. But I believe that this plague is a result of capturing the Israelite Ark. It may be a punishment sent by their God.”

  “What shall we do with it?” asked the priests and lords.