Chapter 7. Gyre

1890 The Kalgoorlie Goldfields, Australia

Before he closed the front doors, the Pastor made sure all the

windows of the Chapel were firmly shut. He stood outside on the

alcove stairs and watched the towering outer wall of the dust storm

as it moved towards the town.

There was no denying how menacing it looked. There was a primal

inevitability in it's slow approach. Last years dust storms had

blanketed the town and surrounding goldfields for days, blinding and

choking anyone unfortunate enough to be out in it.

The Pastor smiled, it was going to be an excellent cover for dealing

with the bothersome visitor in town. For some days now the man had

been asking questions and poking about in affairs that where none

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of his concern. The only thing the Pastor knew about the man

was his name - Ithaniel.

Tonight that was going to change, The Pastor had reached out

and invited him to dinner. His men knew what he wanted done.

Their fearsome reputation alone was often enough to keep

trouble at bay, but they did have a bad habit of getting carried

away and beating senseless people the Pastor wanted to

talk to. The sky began to darken.

*

When he reached home the Pastor was surprised to find

Ithaniel sitting by himself at the dining table.

"Good evening Pastor Fields, I would introduce myself but I

am certain you already know who I am."

The Pastor said nothing.

Ithaniel poured himself a glass of wine and then another for

the Pastor. "I must confess to being impressed by how much

influence you have in this community. The networks you've

quietly built. Take a seat, your house keeper was kind enough

to put out some soup and bread before she left."

In my own fucking house the Pastor thought bitterly.

"There is usually a man by the front door to greet guests such

as yourself." he said as he sat down.

Ithaniel soaked a piece of bread in the soup.

"I hope you don't think I am doubting your hospitality. Your man

and his colleagues greeted me when I arrived earlier today."

"And yet," the Pastor said. "here you are, by yourself."

Ithaniel buttered another piece of bread. "You really should try

some of this soup."

"Where are my men?"

"All dead I'm afraid." Ithaniel said.

When the Pastor tried to push away from the table Ithaniel

stabbed the knife he was holding into the Pastor's hand pinning

it to the table. Pastor Fields started to shake as he looked

at his hand.

"Your brother Maurice was part owner of a mine that collapsed."

"I had nothing to do with that." the Pastor said.

Ithaniel dipped a spoon into his soup and sipped. "I'm going to

ask you some questions about his partner, a man named Innis.

You are going to tell me absolutely everything that you

know about him."

The winds of the dust storm howled through the town's empty

streets and no-one heard the Pastor's screams.

*