Chapter 19

"Here my little chauvinistic piggy pig pig."

"What's this?" Chief Wilson screamed. "You keep that woman away from me."

Linda from the legal department came bursting through the door. She had run at the chief screaming and now stood over him, panting, as he lay sprawled out on the floor where he had fallen.

"Sorry, sorry," Scarlett apologized as she ran in after her, with Lucas close on her heels.

Scarlett took a moment before acting. She enjoyed watching the vulgar, heavy man as he struggled on his back, like an overturned turtle and took pleasure in the pure terror in his eyes. Together, she and Lucas grabbed the screaming woman by her arms, backing her away.

It took the chief longer than it should have to get up off the floor and recover himself. Grace watched with delight, and she was sure the others did as well.

Arrogant prick , she thought.

"Sqeeeeee."

Linda was making snorting pig noises as Scarlett and Lucas struggled to hold her. Her normal sweet, melodious voice sounded foreign and layered, like multiple people were speaking through her at the same time. Her eyes were cruel, yet had a strange vacancy to them as they focused on the man in front of her.

"Jesus fuck! How long has she been posses sed?" Chief Wilson panted.

"You have no soul. You will burn in hell, and I'll be there beside you, to witness your eternal damnation," Linda screamed, spit flying from her mouth.

"Possessed?" Grace asked, turning from the chief to Linda. "Are we sure she's possessed?"

"It's against the law and an act against all that's decent to hide a possession," Chief Wilson spat, as he continued to back up. Linda had been slowly advancing, despite her two captors.

"Honestly, I'm not sure this time. You know her working history with the Chief. She hates the man," Scarlett shrugged. "She did join a new religion again, but since her last two possessions, her voice just does this sometimes. It's pretty unnerving, but a great party trick."

"I'll skin you alive with my teeth, pig."

"Great for Halloween," Grace agreed.

Archer, Lucas and Chief Wilson watched with their mouths hung open, eyebrows raised, shaking their heads in disbelief as the two women conversed like they were talking about something as mundane as the weather.

"Is she dating someone from the new church though?" Grace asked. "She always ends up possessed when she gets involved with someone."

"Right, good call. No, she's currently single. I think the church is still in the whole honeymoon phase of trying to get her to stay and empty her pockets and whatnot. Too early for demonic possession," Scarlett observed.

"I'm going to bite off your fingers, then your toes, one by one…"

"Of course, why didn't I think of this sooner," Grace announced.

"I'm going to drain every last drop of your bloo d and bathe in your sins…"

"So simple," Scarlett stated, having figured out Grace's epiphany.

"What? What is it?" the chief yelled.

"Low blood sugar," Grace and Scarlett said together.

"Quick, someone run and get one of her chocolate bars she always keeps in her top drawer," Grace commanded.

"I'll go," Chief Wilson volunteered.

"You think you could hide from me? You pathetic piece of shit, I'll destroy you!"

"No," Grace said. "You need to stay here and keep her occupied. If you go cowardly running all over the place, she'll follow. Archer, you take Scarlett's place, and she will go. She knows where the bars are stashed."

Archer didn't hesitate to do as Grace instructed.

"I'm gonna hog-tie you, my little bigoted boar, and string you up from your ankles. Squeeee."

Scarlett wasted no time running to Linda's desk and bringing back the candy bar.

"I will search through the bottomless depths of the void, find your decrepit soul and give it back just to rip it away once more so I can watch you suffer, pig."

"Wow, she really hates this man," Scarlett murmured while she peeled back half the wrapper. She held it under Linda's face, waiting for her to notice the bar.

Linda's lifeless eyes took their focus off the chief. Her nostrils flared as she smelled the chocolate. Scarlett held the bar within biting distance, and Linda obliged.

"Mmmm," Linda moaned as she took bite after bite.

Scarlett continued feeding her until she had eaten the entire bar. After the last bite was swallowed, Linda's body stopped fighting. Her once rigid, aggressive stance relaxed. Her arms went limp, and her eyes showed fatigue and confusion, but they were clear.

"What? What happened?" Linda ask ed, looking around the room and then at each man who held her in place. She didn't try to get out of their grip, but used them instead, allowing them to hold her up as she swayed.

"Linda, did you skip breakfast again?" Scarlett asked, placing her hands on her hips.

"I did," Linda admitted, her head held down in shame.

"You know you can't skip meals, you need to take better care of yourself. What were you thinking?" Scarlett berated.

"Well, there's this guy…"

Grace and Scarlett groaned in unison.

"I'm trying that fasting all the people on social media keep telling me to do. I thought if I lost a few pounds, Ralph would finally notice me," Linda admitted.

"Oh Linda, you shouldn't have to lose weight for a man. Not if he–" Grace started.

"Enough with the catty girl talk," Chief Wilson interrupted. "Don't you dare let go of that woman, she is under arrest."

"What? No, she's not," Grace argued.

"On what charge?" Linda asked.

"Demonic possession," the chief said incredulously.

Grace watched as he clumsily removed his handcuffs from their holder that was snugly attached on his belt. He nervously tested them and held them in a ready position. Grace was sure those handcuffs hadn't been used in decades. He started walking cautiously towards Linda.

"Take her arms and hold them out front. I'm going to cuff the demon, and then call for backup," he instructed.

Archer and Lucas looked at each other, and together, they released Linda's arms.

"I'll have no part in this," Archer said with his arms in the air.

"Demonic possession?" Linda repeated. "I'll admit I get a little bit chy when I don't eat, but possession is stretching it a bit far, don't you think?"

"Then you're under arrest for assaulting the Chief of Police," he spat.

"No I'm not," Linda said, crossing her arms.

"You threatened me. They all heard it," he said, pointing to everyone else in the room.

"I only saw you threaten to arrest her for having a diabetic episode," Grace smirked.

"Having low blood sugar isn't a crime, Chief," Scarlett said condescendingly.

Chief Wilson's face grew bright red, and Grace would swear she saw steam release from his ears.

"Linda, you have been a pain in my ass for years," the chief snarled. "How could you people work with a woman who acts like this?"

"Are you suggesting I review all the medical records of my employees?" Archer spoke up. "That's discrimination. You should know better."

"Plus, Linda is really good at her job, and not afraid of people in powerful positions, or those who abuse power," Scarlett said, before making a quick exit.

"Please see yourself out of my offices," Archer said.

"I'll be back," Chief Wilson muttered. "And you'll all be sorry when I am."

"Lucas, follow him. See that he doesn't talk to anyone, and if he does, I want it recorded," Archer directed.

Lucas replied with a quick nod and hurried after the exasperated official.

"Well, I'm embarrassed," Linda chuckled nervously. "Am I in trouble?"

"No Linda, but we should have a chat later," Archer assured her. "Just a wellness check. I'm concerned that you're skipping meals, and maybe we should chat abo ut your new cult, er, church," he added.

"Sounds good Mr. Kennedy," Linda said. "Grace, let me know if the police withhold any more information from you."

"Will do Linda. See you later."

"So, I'm going to get him fired," Archer said.

"Unbelieveable," Grace sighed as she sank into her office chair.

"If I knew he was going to be such a piece of shit, I swear I wouldn't have demanded that the chief deliver the info about Dimitri in person."

"He was a piece of shit," Grace agreed. "Why did you stop me from telling him off?"

"I knew you didn't appreciate me holding you back. I'm sorry for that, but I just thought it best not to escalate things, to get him out as soon as possible. Even if I'd have loved to watch you tear into him," he chuckled. "You look…are you…?"

"I'm just overwhelmed. This, all of this, was a lot to happen on a Monday morning."

"If you need to take the day, I understand," Archer offered.

"No, no. I just hope the rest of the day stays quiet."

"That reminds me," he said, putting his phone to his ear. "Lucas, clear mine and Linda's schedule for the rest of the day. Thanks."

"Are you going to work on her deprogramming so soon?" Grace asked.

"Later. First, she and I are going to spend the rest of the day removing that asshole from his position. And then, yeah, maybe I'll pull out some brochures on cults and stuff for her."

"Good luck, and please keep me posted on your progress. On both those things," she clarified with a snicker.

"Of course. Oh, before I leave. While I was away, during the meetings where I tried to paint a picture of what everyday life is like in Hell's Gate, the morning show, in particular, was very interested in the survival bags most people carry and was disappointed that I didn't have one to show. I've been meaning to get a bag together and was wondering if you were free for lunch tomorrow. I was hoping you could show me what I need and help me buy some stuff to get me started," he asked a bit nervously.

"Yes. I'm free and would be happy to help," Grace offered.

"Great, it's a date."

Grace's eyes widened in surprise.

"Wh-what?"

"I'll get Lucas to mark it on tomorrow's date," Archer stammered, then gave Grace an awkward wave before leaving.