Test of Evil E-Book

begerano itzhak

• Herausgeber: itzhak begerano
• Kategorie: Krimi
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2022

Beschreibung

Test of Evil (based partly on true events) 

Genre : Fiction, Psychological Thriller, , Mystery, Suspense, Mental psychopathy, courtroom

Test of Evil
 is based partly on real events that took place in our time, in any well-known and ordinary country and city. This is an evil and deceptive psychological thriller about the heinous and shocking primal murder of a child whose only depravity was his very existence. His dark intentions caused the murder of the child and the piling up of his intentions in front of the police who stubbornly and patiently examine and investigate to catch the perpetrator of the murder.
Test of Evil pushes readers into the social fallout resulting from the murder of seven-year-old Isaac Manis. As an investigation into his wrongful death ensues, the terrible forces of deception and manipulation challenge the virtues of truth and justice in a seemingly "upright" society.
After seven-year-old Yitzhak Manis was kidnapped from his home and murdered, Lieutenant Michael "Mickey" Holmes, a detective specializing in unsolved crimes, is assigned to investigate the case. Soon, Mickey finds himself entangled in a complex narrative woven by unknown hands. As the pressure mounts by the minute, they pin the blame on Joshua Solomon, a mysterious leader of a nearby religious cult with a long record of child abuse. Although Solomon appears to be a prime suspect, Mickey's deputy, Wally, does not seem convinced. The investigation continues as Solomon awaits trial. Meanwhile, the investigators look inward to discover the truth about young Isaac's private life. A child of a broken home, Isaac's environment is dysfunctional at best. His father, Avraham, treats him with extreme resentment. His stepfather, Gideon, sees him as nothing more than a nuisance. Suspicion begins to brew in the minds of the investigators as they uncover clues about the past lives of all the suspects. Could these revelations be the key to uncovering the truth, or are things really as they seem? Eventually, Solomon was accused of the crime. All efforts to clear his name turned out to be invalid. Just as he prepares to receive punishment, the terrifying truth is revealed. The story is told in a series of quick scenes that heighten the tension and take the reader to a tense conclusion. The Test of Evil is a novel that illustrates a clear picture of a society full of repulsive, indulgent, and psychotic characters. Perfect for lovers of intrigue, thrillers, suspense, and murder mysteries, this is a book recommended to all thriller and thriller lovers as it sheds light on the darkest and most hidden parts of polite society. .

Leseprobe

Test Of Evil

Itzhak Begerano

Dedication

Only love will make us happy. And will lead us to perfection!!

With honour and respect to my wife, Shula and my four kids, Kim, Adir, Etgar, and Michal. As well as my grandchild, Eliezer, and his father, Moshe

Registration number-2169729

Date:31.5.2022

Author-Itzhak Begerano

Title: Test of Evil

Contents

Dedication

The Mysterious Figure

Investigation at The Police Station

Joshua & The “Bible Disciples” Cult

Between Hope and Despair

Abraham & the “Singing Pervert”

Eve & Michelle’s Secret

The Weekend Offer

Three New Cult Members

Isaac’s Disappearance

Abraham & Michelle at the Police Station

Police Investigation

Isaac’s Parents Face the Media

The Search for Isaac

The Manhunt for the “Singing Pervert”

Searching the Garbage Site

Identifying Isaac’s Body

Isaac’s Funeral

The “Singing Pervert” Trial

The Famous Psychiatrist

Joshua’s Deputy

Jose’s Cursed Bracelet

Abraham – Witness for the Prosecution

Preparing for Closing Arguments

End of the Trial – The Verdict

The Truth About the Bracelet

Wally Visits Joshua in Prison

The Execution

The Horrible Truth

Epilogue

The Mysterious Figure

A black cloud of horror and mystery that had not been known until now, was woven over the big apple that was immersed in the pursuit of drugs, sex, and savagery including various strange pleasures.

The rain continued pouring mercilessly, swallowed by earth, hungry for water, insatiable! The bright sign of the McDonald's on Jamaica Ave was revealed in all its glory. It was looking like the eighth wonder of the world in this stormy weather. Surprisingly, there were five hungry diners inside. A 6-year-old girl walked up to the entrance carrying a school bag on her shoulder, wearing layers of warm clothes, looking like an Eskimo. She looked hungrily at the giant picture of a bun with a hamburger inside that Gulliver ate in Lilliput, and almost swallowed her tongue. In a dark and concealed corner of the building, facing the entrance, stood a man wearing a wide hat and a long raincoat. As the girl turned her head fearfully in his direction, the tall and thin Stranger peered at the girl and moved back into the darkness. The girl entered the restaurant and ordered a hamburger. The Stranger observing her from his hideaway seemed to be brewing dark schemes towards the innocent girl like the tentacles of a giant octopus, and increased the cold, fear, and anxiety brewing at the dark heart of the gloomy weather. The Stranger walked slowly and stealthily to the restaurant's glass window, and watched the girl pick up her bag, and walk towards the exit with a big smile of hamburger delight. The Stranger quickly moved back to his dark concealed corner. The girl slowly walked towards the bus station near the restaurant, and waited, as she imagined the hamburger sliding down her throat with a sigh of satisfaction as the Stranger looked at her this time determinedly, and began walking towards her like a starved panther seeing his prey. The scared and worried look on her face expresses the fear of the unknown. like a mouse in a trap, and the feeling that something terrifying was about to occur. She noticed the profile of the intimidating Stranger. The darkness closed in around her like a horrible spider web paralyzing her without being able to say a word, seeing directly into the gaze of the angel of death smiling at her meekly, spreading his hand out welcomingly, and whispering without a voice.

"Come to me! you are mine now! Come now!"

Suddenly, a luxurious car appeared and stopped right in front of the girl as the Stranger was forced, once again, to quickly hide in the shadows. Out of the car stepped an impressive man hugging the girl warmly. The girl hugged him back and reacted in fear, mingled with happiness.

"Hi daddy, I'm so glad you came…it is so scary here. "

"Sorry… I'm so sorry I'm late. Come in the car, sweetie. Mommy and I were worried about you. Let's go home."

The car quickly disappeared, screeching, splashing dirty water and mud on the Stranger following them, like an eagle in the sky whose prey was taken from him. He banged his right hand on the wall and began straightening his appearance as he looked at his watch. Suddenly, a police car appeared and stopped in front of him, and blocked his way. Maybe if he wanted to, he could have escaped in the blink of an eye, but surprisingly he didn't. The appearance of the police only caused him to sigh impatiently. The squad car driver remained behind the wheel as two uniformed officers at the rank of deputy chief jumped out quickly, approached the Stranger, and faced him so that they were not mistaken. Suddenly, the Stranger hugged the two. It was Chief Michael Holmes! N.Y. police chief of Westchester County.

"Everything is okay! The girl left with her father? This girl was lucky!" Roger, one of the deputies, a brute with an impressive belly, asked him, disgruntled.

"Well, Mike? The ‘singing pervert’ continues to evade us… Is there a new plan of action?" Wally, the second deputy, stormed.

"When are we going to get him? I'll do anything to get my hands on him!"

The chief continued hugging them affectionately, led them towards the squad car, and waved at the driver, Steve, waiting patiently while the motor kept running, and sighed cynically.

"What did you think? That he would walk up to us, and turn himself in! Sadly, his identity is still a mystery! But we have to continue to use our informants, and carry on the line of questioning, check, and search any lead that might help us in this investigation! Come on; let's go back to the station! We'll go over his file and see if we have missed anything important.”

The police car disappeared quickly with a usual squeal of the tires.

An outstanding and razor-sharp lightning sliced the sky like a knife, followed by deafening and frightful thunder amidst the whistle of strong chilling winds that caused the city that never sleeps to resemble a ghost town where no one dares come outside. The state became a graveyard of the ever-vibrant life and wild parties! Abraham Menis' old blue Ford moved with surprising lightness on Scarsdale's freeway, where Eve, his ex-wife, lived! Abraham, dressed in a trendy black tracksuit, seemed younger than 45 years, on account of his muscular body and brown face. It was due to his lifestyle as a standby bit on the movie, and television productions, which was his ambition and reason for life. To be famous and thriving as a movie star despite his inability and lack of talent! He drove the car with a puckered face, disgruntled at Michelle’s, his spouse, decision to join the drive. Something that rattled his already rattled peace of mind!

Michelle was his life partner, a 35-year-old handsome, tall, and sexy woman working as an accountant in a big firm in the city. They lived in the ground-floor apartment with a yard he owned in the suburbs. He looked again at the inner panoramic mirror and noticed the smiling smug faces of Michelle and Isaac, his 5-year-old. Isaac was usually so ordinary and shy. He was the biological son of Abraham, and 40-year-old Eve, a beautiful, sexy, and controlling woman working as a practice manager at a private medical centre, where she met Dr. Gideon, the Gynaecologist. They both lived in her luxurious private home, along with Isaac. Michelle and Isaac sat together in the back seat of the car. Abraham does not understand, and how they can have such a good time on this nasty annoying trip forced on him. At the same time, thunder and lightning sliced the sky, and the rain pouring down, added another gloomy aspect to the depressive mood around him. Michelle stroked Isaac's long silky hair gently. She hummed Louis Armstrong's song "What a Wonderful World," cynically as Isaac bobbed his head from side to side in a ‘Stevie Wonder’ style, according to the tune, a little happy that Michelle joined them on the ride. Isaac did not enjoy a ride with his father, who usually makes him feel uncomfortable, and even a little anxious.

"It feels so good to have someone smile and notice me. Someone to treat me nicely. Thankfully, I'm not alone with my disgusting father."

Abraham attempted to see the tiresome road signs through the pouring rain and cursed at the windshield wipers. In his opinion, Michelle's singing abilities were worthy to be buried in doom and added to his helplessness. As he glanced at her through the panoramic mirror, he didn't understand what Isaac and Michelle find so funny and enjoyable. The car passed by the vast mountain of garbage called "the landfill," which always looked weirdly sombre and frightening with its unclear dark shape! Michelle once again filled the air with her off-key singing. Abraham grinded his teeth, watched her in the rear-view mirror, and wished for the blessed moment when she would have a heart attack and leave him in peace!

At the landfill, José, the homeless, wore his best rags, sitting on a chair beneath the shed located at the foothill, listening to the radio that had seen better days. José was wrapped in blankets that he had found in different places, but this was not helping his thin, shaking body bear the cold, and his teeth chattered. He tried to overcome the winter by often jumping and dancing like a doped-up grasshopper to the songs' beat playing on the radio. Suddenly, he stopped, searched for new stations, and stopped as he heard the broadcaster delivering the newscast. His curiosity had peaked.

"The police are increasing their search… but unfortunately, there is no news regarding the disappearance of the boy from Queens – Benji Aronson! The singing pervert's identity remains a mystery, and the police are once again asking for the public's assistance…"

José shut off the radio angrily and continued to jump and dance like an epileptic patient spewing curses at the pervert and his family.

Abraham's car moved away from the landfill and continued on its way. The three passengers were thoughtful and reminisced about happier times. Abraham turned his head and looked at Michelle, and Isaac, saying:

"That's it! We're here! This is where my ex…Eve lives. Wait for me in the car, Michelle. I'll go, and let Eve know we've arrived. After we drop Isaac off, we'll be going back to the apartment."

"Okay, Abraham. Please do what you must do, and let's get out of here." He left the car, and then remembered something important:

"Watch over Isaac…so he doesn't disappear." He laughed meanly. "His mother…she is the devil…, and he is a little devil…" Michelle looked at Abraham with disgust and despair and whispered, "When we have our baby…and you behave with the baby like this, you will never see both of our faces ever again. Understand? You will remain alone like a sorry, pitiful dog."

Abraham retorted, "I told you when we met that I am not interested in getting you pregnant, and that you should always take your pills! If you try to trick me, it will be your end! Don't forget you're a guest in my house, and if you annoy me," he lied adamantly. "I will kick you out like I kicked Eve out… to all hell." He laughed sarcastically. "I will always be happy to introduce you to hell."

The heels of his shoes were the only sound for miles around. He strolled up to Eve's house, and hoped, and prayed that Eve won't interpret Isaac's early return as a declaration of war. Rain began pouring down again, darkening the atmosphere, and causing a vague feeling of unease. Michelle's lids became heavy, and she napped as Isaac watched her with an affectionate smile, stroking her hair gently. As Abraham moved closer to the house, he noticed a strange movement by an unfamiliar figure from one of the guest rooms' windows, and stopped in his tracks, curious and worried. He hesitated for a moment but gathered up his courage and approached the window peeking in beyond the slightly drawn curtain in the living room, which is suspiciously dark. As he noticed more details, the sight revealed to him struck his brain harder than the slap he received last night from the Chinese chick he met in production. While she was bent down to fix her shoes, he peeked into the cleavage of her bra, and checked out her brilliant breasts in an educational goal to complete his anatomical and medical education!

Abraham froze, his mouth opened, his eyes wide open, and his brain refused to accept the sight before him. In the middle of the living room, he saw Eve and a stranger wearing only his underwear. They were dancing tightly and making out. As Abraham's eyes took in more detail, he tried not to laugh hysterically. The Stranger was wearing Eve's lace underwear, as she tried to undress him. Occasionally, they sipped from the wine bottle on the table beside them as they giggled, caressed, and kissed passionately. Abraham envyingly focused on Eve's divine body, which she had used to expertly seduce him in the past. She was now dancing with herself in a sensuality that drove his senses crazy as it did in the past, like a venomous cobra hypnotizing his unfortunate victim until the moment he gave him the kiss of death. The strange man also watched Eve hypnotize himself, unable to move. She sips from the red wine bottle, and the wine flows down from her full voluptuous lips to her neck. Her other hand was quickly drawn towards the man's genitals, grabbed it painfully and squeezed despite his desperate attempts to protect his lost honour with shaking hands. A muffled scream of pain was drawn from his mouth.

"Ouch! That hurts!"

Abraham was smiling to himself, and without notice, he giggled aloud while Eve froze in her place.

"Did you hear that? There's someone outside!"

Eve, and the strange man froze in place as they heard Abraham's laughter. Eve paled and held fearfully onto the Stranger's arm. Having realized they had heard his idiotic laughter, Abraham hurried to the door, put on a miserably indifferent look on his face like someone who hadn't seen or heard anything! He rang the bell apathetically and prayed that this would pass peacefully. The noises from within the house ceased immediately. Eve and the Stranger wore identical robes and Eve called aloud, frowning,

"Who is it? One second…" The Stranger looked a little confused and showed some discomfort. He asked Eve worryingly

"Are you waiting for someone? Who could it be?"

Eve told him to be quiet, and approached the eyelet of the front door, peeped out curiously! Abraham's tormented face was revealed through the aperture, causing her to laugh out loud by the grotesquely disproportionate face, as seen by a fisheye-style picture. At the eyelet, she disgustingly sighed, opened the door suspiciously, and without interest:

"Was it you we heard outside by the living room? Are you peeking into my house now? Maybe I should call the police?"

A smirk appeared on Abraham's face, and he retorted in cynicism mixed with gloating:

"Sorry…I've only just arrived…and I have better things to do than to peek at your disgusting house! I came to bring back Isaac. "

"Why are you bringing him back today? We agreed about tomorrow. You have no right to disturb me. "

His body recoiled. He felt the full strength of Eve's power and influence on him. Like a press on a cockroach! He remembered how she used to make fun of and humiliate him about his intelligence and his low socioeconomic status. Abraham forcibly restrained himself instead of wringing her gentle white neck and spoke cynically while he giggled

"Isaac decided he wanted to come back to you today…he misses his pimp mother and her pervert partner."

"Psychopath... You can shove your innuendos up your ass, and get the hell out of here, and another thing, why haven't you wired to my account the alimony payment this week, as promised?"

"I think you should have gotten the electric chair instead of alimony. But don't worry, I promise to give you the money soon, next week,” Abraham lied.

“You should know I'm writing a script for Hollywood. There are a lot of production companies interested in it…soon I will be famous like Tarantino, and rich like Rothschild. In the meantime, I brought back your son, Isaac."

"Scum…it's your son too…get Isaac, and leave…you're trash! I've heard your stories before. About the wonderful actor, you will be, how you'll win the Oscar, and now the script you're writing. Your delusions will bury you! Well, where's my sweet Isaac, my baby." Suddenly, next to her, appeared the face of the Stranger, now dressed in a robe. Eve hugged him and turned to Abraham condescendingly.

"This is Dr. Gideon… my new man and my lover, who also works with me…, and this is Abraham, my ex – thank God! Isaac's father." Gideon politely smiled and stretched his hand out to Abraham.

"A pleasure, my friend…nice to meet you. "

Abraham is surprised by the awful news he feels he is about to throw up any minute! He squeezes Gideon's hand reluctantly, watches him with anger, and disgust, and quickly drops his hand.

"Congratulations to both of you, " he mumbled to himself. "I hope you get AIDS, and bird flu together." He smiled at them sweetly.

"I'm going to get Isaac…Michelle is watching over him in the car," Gideon, surprised, asked Abraham with saccharine sweetness,

"Excuse me, sir…who is Michelle?"

Abraham looked at him venomously and hurried toward the car lest he kicked the esteemed doctor in his sexy lace underwear that fitted him. On the way to the vehicle, Abraham managed to overhear some of Eve's explanation to the doctor.

"Michelle is his new woman! A washed-up faded bimbo to match the screwed-up psychotic creature he is." He sighed in despair. "I couldn’t fathom until today how I married that pathetic creature called Abraham and had Isaac with him."

Abraham soon returned to the house with Isaac asleep on his shoulder. He passed him to Eve and waited by the door! Eve put Isaac on the living room couch, as Abraham watched her screaming at Gideon.

"Gideon, move your ass…help me with Isaac…get a blanket from our room until we move him to his room. "

Gideon read the paper and seemed indifferent; he was neither happy nor excited about taking care of Isaac, who is, of course, not his son. He didn't respond, and Eve was enraged and screamed at him.

"Move it, fatty…leave the newspaper, and help me." Gideon, realizing he had no choice, dropped the paper, and gave Isaac a glance of disgust, and helped Eve move Isaac to his room while Abraham yelled in her direction.

"Come back here when you are done; I need to ask you something privately." Abraham waited by the door; thoughts and hard questions bounced around his head.

"Why did you lie to me? You said you would love me forever, why did you steal my sperm to get pregnant? Why didn't you have an abortion? Why did you tire of me after Isaac was born? Why do you continue to make my life a misery?"

Eve returned and mumbled shortly, "I'm tired. What do you want? Get to it already and leave."

Abraham looked at her hatefully. For a moment, he wanted to believe that she still felt something towards him. Even a little bit of consideration would have been enough, and maybe some magical minutes of understanding and humanity. But he knew it the whole time. She felt nothing for him. He was just Isaac's babysitter when it was convenient for her. He knew he was her private ATM under the excuse that the money was for Isaac. His hatred towards this monster, this vampire called Eve, intensified daily, and he whispered to her,

"Where did you bring that asshole from?" He laughed. "He is a combination of jellyfish, vampire…I'm sure Isaac is afraid of him, right?"

"Yes, and Gideon can't stand Isaac or you either, and I can't stand you, and your limbo! Do you have anything else to complain about?"

"You trash! As usual, you're using me, right? You asked me to watch Isaac because you're having girlfriends over, right? Couldn't you tell me the truth? That you're entertaining this asshole Gideon? The jellyfish in lace underwear? And you continue to use me!"

Eve watched him indifferently with a smirking smile, not bothering to answer him, which caused him to scream hatefully, "That's okay, Eve. One day you'll pay for this…you're walking cyanide. A devil with breasts!" Abraham turned back and started walking toward the car as Eve screamed at him.

"Are you threatening me? I don't give a shit about you and about your shitty psychopathic threats." Abraham turned back and spoke, "The day of reckoning is approaching Eve…you're evil personified! Even the lord hates your evil self." Abraham continued to walk and reached the car.

Eve screamed at him, "Don't you dare show up here again! You piece of junk, psychopath, maniac, schizophrenic!" Michelle listened and watched them with amazement mixed with laughter from the car window. Abraham entered the car with a frozen face and was horrified to hear Michelle's laughter.

"Why are you so pale, Abraham? Is she so horrifying for you? Did she?"

Abraham whispered sadly to himself, "Live I alone…all of you are devils."

He started the car and drove off as the thunder and lightning storm raged on.

Investigation at The Police Station

Wally, Mickey's deputy, was accompanying two plain-clothes detectives. In the back sat an older man, about 45 years old with a gloomy pale face. The officer at the gate closed the barricade, and sat down to smoke a cigarette. The car stopped in front of the interrogation rooms. The man was disparagingly brought out of the vehicle by the two detectives.

"Put Arnold in room three and watch that he doesn't move until Mickey gets there. I want that bastard to feel what it's like to pick on young boys and girls. He can stop breathing for all I care until we come in to interrogate him!" Wally slapped Arnold in the neck, as the latter yelled out in pain.

"Let go of me, you sons of… May God give you back twofold for what you're doing to me… You sons of evil."

"Don't mess around with us, freak! Take him into the room before I cut off his dick, pervert! damned child molester! I'll make sure you pay for it in prison!"

Wally shoved him toward the detectives and laughed aloud as the two detectives joined in and laughed so hard their stomachs hurt. The two detectives pushed Arnold into the room abrasively as he tried to resist unsuccessfully. Wally walked towards Mickey's office with a smug face on his bloated face.

"Of course, Arnold is the ‘singing pervert,’ and I…the great Wally caught him…I'll probably get a promotion after he confesses…I'll make sure he confesses! He will get 20 years inside, and I'll get a higher rank…wow…I'll become a legend." He suddenly sighed in despair and worry.

"But Mickey probably won't recommend me for a promotion. He won't admit I'm better than him. I'm worth more than being a deputy chief…I'm sure he'll sabotage my promotion."

At the same time, Mickey's eyes focused on the computer screen. His big worn-out desk was filled with odd things, such as office supplies, different sizes and colour folders, pictures with friends, and various weird gifts he received from his friends during his 15 years of service in the station. Unlike other people, there was no clear picture of a family of any kind, a wife, or kids as fitting of a bachelor. Mickey read the internet curiously, using it to receive information from police worldwide regarding similar cases as the "singing pervert." He also got input on this subject. Once in a while, Mickey wrote something down on a page. He was placing it on top of the singing pervert's psyche folder. This case was at the top of their list, and he knew he must unravel the mystery that was the identity of the pervert and capture him, whatever the cost may be. Wally walked into the room stirringly.

"Is that you, Wally? What's with the entrance? You almost gave me a heart attack. Did you win the lottery? A new chick,” Mickey made jokes at Wally's expense who usually got angry at the jibes, but this time he sits facing Mickey in a mysterious smile and a condescending look – this time he did it. No one would steal this from him.

"You're right, Mickey. . . This time I have won big time! I caught the singing pervert, and he's in the lockup right here in the station."

Mickey abruptly stopped writing notes on the page, leaned back in his squeaking chair, crossed hands behind his head, and watched Wally curiously and suspiciously which made Wally move uncomfortably in his seat.

"Are you sure it's him? Can I call a press conference? Where did you find him? What was he doing there?"

"His name is Arnold Noyfeld. He is about 45 years old. I watched him in the park today! He picked on a girl sitting on a bench…I'm sure he was planning to kidnap her and rape her as he did to that Aronson boy. He seemed extremely dangerous. We should start interrogating him immediately. I think we can get a confession out of him without any problem. Are you coming?" Mickey watched Wally sceptically. He wrote down Arnold's name on a piece of paper.

"I'll be there in a few minutes. Wait for me there and don't let anyone come near. I'm warning you! Don't let anyone near your pervert! And if he asks for a lawyer, pay no attention – you're deaf and dumb…go on…go…" Wally left full of pride and bliss as he imagined his shining face appearing on the front page of tomorrow’s morning newspaper and underneath it a great headline – "Wally Ston, the detective who captured the singing pervert with his bare hands. He is going to receive a commendation from the chief of police and a promotion!”

Mickey soberly watched Wally's shadow disappearing down the hall and checked no one was around and slammed the door of his office and sat down. He quickly took out a small whiskey flask from his locked desk drawer and gulped down both the loved and hateful drink. Mickey, the police captain, understood and was sure. He was not an alcoholic. He laughed and mocked the addicts – the spineless addicts that put their trust in the gods of whiskey and vodka. Miserable wretches. But the captain drank regularly to improve his mood. Drank because the world was boring. He drank because his ex made his life hell, and her spoiled kids had made him crazy; he even drank on his hard nights when sleep evaded him. The alcohol flooded him with euphoria, and his body got filled with intoxicating adrenalin. Mickey smiled, typed Arnold's name on the screen, and waited for the printout with the known details concerning the suspect and his psychological profile. Mickey took a sip from the flask and sighed enjoyably when suddenly there was a quick rap on the door. Mickey answered it without much thought, "Yes? Who is it?"

Sgt. David Walker – the station's storeroom officer, walked in holding a large envelope. His gaze landed on the flask clasped in Mickey's hands, surprised, who quickly shoved it into the desk drawer. The Sgt. passed the container to Mickey.

"What is it, Walker? Oh, by the way, the flask was left here yesterday by that lawyer."

"Of course, sir…sketch dept. asked me to give you the envelope and the new uniforms arrived today. I'm letting you know as you asked." Mickey disparagingly looked at the Sgt as he backed off at the sound of scorn in Mickey's voice.

"Why wasn't I notified by phone? I'm in the middle of an investigation and you're interrupting me! Next time I call, don't come over here."

"I'm sorry, sir, I promise to call next time."

Mickey straightened out his clothes, opened the envelope, and pulled out two identical white pages on which sketches of the singing pervert were drawn according to his profile—given to the police by Benji Aronson, who managed to make out the pervert's profile and his car vaguely. Mickey curiously looked at the photograph where a fat, crude face with a beard and mustache could be seen covering the whole face and large round and dark sunglasses. He was 1.85cm, weighed about 120 kilos, reliable, fast, extensive, and the suspect's car was long and black. Mickey handed one of the copies to Sgt. Walker, who was itching to leave the office.

"Listen, Walker…give this to the station watch commander, make enough copies of this to put in police stations around the country and tell them to air it on the news on TV…get on it right now…this is top priority! Go!"

"Okay, sir, a top priority."

Walker stuttered, and anxiously he turned around, closed the office door with shaking hands, and rushed to get away as if the devil were after him. Mickey took Arnold's profile from the printer and laid it on the desk. He sipped from the flask again and looked at the printout curiously, comparing it to the profile Walker brought. A strange smile settled at the corner of his mouth as he looked at the printout, and he skeptically mumbled to himself as he put the flask back in the drawer and locked it.

"Fascinating! … fascinating! Arnold's the singing pervert…very interesting."

Mickey folded the printout and put it in his shirt pocket as he locked the door to his office and headed down the corridor to the interrogation room. Arnold's bent limp figure sitting on the chair with his arms crossed was revealed in the interrogation room. John, one of the detectives that brought Arnold into the room, stood outside silently, smoking a cigarette by the locked door of the room staring off at the wall of the hall in front of him. Wally walked back and forth in the blue room where one wall was a large black glass, and on the other side of it was the observation room where sometimes interrogation was filmed. Occasionally. Wally came closer to Arnold, watched him with a piercing gaze, screamed at him, and banged on the table.

"You will tell me where you held Benji Aronson five days ago. I know you're the singing pervert that the police have been searching for! I won't let you breathe or sleep until you tell me where you did it and how! But…"

Arnold held his head in his hands and shook it from side to side. Wally put a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"Cooperate with me, and I'll help you – food, cigarettes, and special comfortable conditions. I'll also speak to the prosecution about the prison. I'll get you a decreased sentence. I'll even work out community work instead of prison. Sign a confession and you can sleep quietly. Come on, Arnold – sign the confession and I'll take care of you like my son."

Wally placed a typed document on the table along with a pen. Suddenly, Arnold jumped up and banged on the table.

"Screw you! I want to call my lawyer. I'm not talking to anyone without him. Not even you."

Wally could sense the madness taking hold of him and almost reached for his gun, hoping that one bullet would be enough to make a hole the size of a tunnel in this nasty evil creature's brain. Luckily, his palm met the repulsive face crudely with a ringing slap.

'"Shut up, cocksucker…you're not getting a lawyer or anything until you sign the paper! You're the singing pervert and you will confess to it if you're breathing! You won't steal the respect and glory I deserve." Arnold screamed out in despair and anxiety.

"Don't come near me…and don't touch me with your filthy hands…you are also perverted…you jerk off rabid dog," John, the detective standing outside, looked worriedly.

"What's with all the screaming? Is everything okay, Wally? You want me to sew his stinking mouth up. To stop his screaming."

Wally laughed out loud satisfactorily as John joined in, as Arnold smirked and mumbled cynically.

"You're so disgusting even your laughter is the same. A police force of perverts."

The two policemen approached Arnold with hands tightened into fists aiming to rehabilitate his nose as he opened his eyes widely. Lucky for him, the two-policeman froze at the sight of Mickey's suspicious face looking at them angrily.

"What's going on here? What were you planning to do to Arnold?"

"Nothing, sir, I just came in to check that everything was okay…I'm leaving now." John quickly escaped the room. Wally kept smiling but secretly wished Mickey wasn't there and didn't interrupt.

"I was just asking Arnold some questions. I asked if he was the singing pervert and asked him to sign a confession. I reminded him that he was responsible for the disappearance of the boy and the girl three days ago, but he refused to talk and began screaming that he wanted a lawyer."

Mickey opened the door and spoke to John, "I'm locking the door now. I don't want anyone disturbing us until we leave the room, got it? If someone disturbs me, you'll be on desk duty this weekend!"

Mickey slammed the door and locked it. He approached Arnold smilingly and offered him a cigarette, but Arnold backed off helplessly.

"Take a cigarette, Arnold. Live a little! If you won't admit to anything and you want your lawyer, maybe you're not the one we're looking for." He winked at Wally and then turned to Arnold and patted his shoulder affectionately.

"You're not our guy. We'll order you a steak or a double burger with extras whatever you decide. Compensation for dragging you down here! After you eat, you're free to go."

Arnold and Wally watched the stunned Mickey. Wally went pale and felt his dream slipping away from him and all the glory and glamour with it. Arnold's face contorted and the cigarette almost fell from his shaking hand. He jumped up as if kicked by a bucking horse and screamed stutteringly at Mickey, who watched him apathetically.

"I'm guilty! I'm the singing pervert. I kidnapped Benji Aronson, the boy that disappeared; when I left him, he was unconscious after I molested him. I also kidnapped the boy and the girl; they were..."

Wally hugged Mickey happily. He was as happy as if he had won a lottery. As Arnold smoked quietly, Wally screamed.

"I told you, Mickey? I told you, Arnold is the singing pervert! You heard him plead guilty! We should call the media now. I can't wait to tell them how I caught this bastard." Mickey fondly patted Wally's shoulder with the hand that held the cigarette. Arnold laughed cynically.

"Way to go… I couldn't believe you would catch me! Bring me the paper; I'll sign it right now" Wally hurriedly placed a paper on the table and proudly gave Arnold his pen.

"Write down all the details…from the moment you walked down the street and saw the Aronson boy until you got caught."

Arnold pulled the paper, held the pen firmly, thought for a few seconds, nodded his head, and began writing when suddenly, to Wally's and Arnold's complete surprise, Mickey took hold of the latter's hand that held the pen and wouldn't let him write.

"Before you begin…I want to remind you that the Aronson kidnapping happened five days ago," Wally angrily interjected. "Of course, he knows it was five days ago. He kidnapped him…he already admitted being the singing pervert."

Arnold scornfully spoke to Mickey, "What's the matter? You finally caught me and I admitted to being the pervert you're looking for and you don't like it?"

"I'm very angry with you, Arnold… Why would you admit to something you didn't do? You're not the singing pervert. You're just an idiot looking for publicity. You want attention. You want to be in the newspapers! But it won't work! Do you know why? Because I checked up on you and got a report saying you were admitted to Fairhaven mental institute a month ago, forcefully. You just got out yesterday! You have nothing to do with the singing pervert! Wally questioned him regarding picking on the girl in the park and reported to me. (shows him the profile). This is probably the singing pervert. It will be aired today." Mickey gave Wally Arnold's printout and patted his shoulder again.

"Never mind, Wally. We'll catch that mysterious pervert. He will be caught like you catch flies or fleas."

Mickey left the interrogation room and headed to his office. Wally locked the door and stared at Arnold, who was holding his head between his hands, mumbling, "Please don't do anything to me…I'm sorry for making such a mess! I'll tell you exactly what happened. I was sitting on a park bench. The girls walked into the park. This girl picked on me, she and her friends laughed and threw garbage at me, but they lied and told you I picked on them when you arrived. I swear I didn't do anything to them. I was just sitting on the bench. Maybe they saw I was messed up and that I was a mental patient and started picking on me."

"I believe you, Arnold! You didn't do anything! I'm releasing you right now and you'll go on without making new problems? Take a cigarette."

Arnold sighed with relief and lighted the cigarette Wally gave him. Suddenly, without warning, Wally grabbed Arnold's neck and started choking him.

"You'll pay dearly for my humiliation! You laughed at me and humiliated me in front of my boss." Wally shoved the printout into Arnold's mouth, spat on his face evilly, and slapped him, "From now on, whenever you're out of the nuthouse, I'll be your shadow! Even if you don't do anything, I'll make sure they find drugs and clothes belonging to abused children on you! Even if you breathe, I'll make you suffer. You bastard! Pervert! Human scum!" Wally took out the printout from Arnold's mouth and hit him with his fist in the face. Arnold whimpered silently, afraid to be beaten again by the “nice cop.”

"If someone asks what happened to you…say you hit the table. Understood? Or I'll send cops to make your face look like this."

He waved the wet crumbling printout in front of Arnold's bruised whimpering face and left the room as his scornful laughter echoed down the hall. John, the detective, was shocked as Arnold quietly mumbled.

"If I had to choose between a mental health institute and a police station… I would choose the institute every single time! Why did they release me from the institute?"

Abraham sat on his bed, tired, ready to go to sleep. An ancient Bible was lying on the side-table. Eve had bought it for him during their happier days as a symbol of their eternal love and passion. The beautiful book was illustrated by famous drawings. As he reminisced about the past, he went through it as he came across the picture of Abraham notified by God about his seed spreading like the sun and the ocean and the Jewish nation of which he was its moral and spiritual father! Abraham smiled with glinting eyes and mumbled piteously, "I am Abraham, the leader of the chosen people. God has granted me his power and strength." Abraham turned the page and then another page.

Suddenly, a famous picture appeared on the page. He looked at the drawing curiously and whispered, "The binding of Isaac."

The sight of Abraham binding Isaac as God required to stroke his head as his burning eyes lingered on the mystical drawing. Suddenly his mind became foggy. He recalled his younger years, an 8-year-old boy standing with his head lowered, frightened and startled by his narcissistic mother screaming at him because he took ice cream and ate it in secret. His father was silent as usual, preferring to read the paper as if they didn't exist.

"I hate you; you're as stupid and disgusting as your idiot father. You're not worth anything and have only ever caused me sorrow and pain. I wish you were never born; all you do is waste my money. You have only ever brought me bad luck. I hope you die and stop disturbing me while enjoying my life."

His mother left the room with an indifferent gaze. Abraham ran to his father, hoping to be consoled, and maybe, get a hug. Unfortunately, his father continued to read the paper and didn't care about anything. Abraham ran to the door, left the house, and ran into the empty public garden near their home. He wept like a wounded, deserted dog. Everything seemed gloomy and without purpose. Abraham took a big rock, and without hesitation, slammed it on the skull of a poor cat that mistakenly wandered into the garden.

Joshua & The “Bible Disciples” Cult

Michelle walked into the house jubilantly, but she stopped short at the sight of gloomy Abraham, who wasn't responding with his usual complaints towards her.

"Abraham…sweetie! How was your day? Why are you looking so weird and scary? What happened?" Abraham couldn't respond and kept staring at the ceiling. She sat by him, patted his head and finally forcibly shook him.

"What's going on with you? Where's your mind wandering to? Snap out of it or I'll call the police." Abraham turned his head to her monotonously, looking like an old robot.

"Nothing special happened. It's just that Eve, the vampire, keeps sucking my blood constantly. that devil!"

Abraham threw the Foreclosure notice he got from Eve towards her. Michelle looked through it slowly and couldn't believe what she saw. She read out loud.

"Foreclosure notice? Failure of alimony payment? A stay of exit order against the defendant Abraham Menis." She went through the documents again in shock, and put them down on the table.

"Wow, Wow! What happened with the alimony? I thought you paid her!" Abraham suddenly snapped at Michelle, who paled and retreated.

"Are you secret police? Are you grilling me too? I told Eve I've been having a bad time lately at work. There was a lot of cancelled production. Some I haven't been paid for yet. What do you want? You want me to rob a bank? Work as a call girl? Work as a hitman? What can I do, Michelle!"

Michelle stood up. He was sure she was going to slap him for his problems, or she was going to curse him. To his amazement, she hugged him tightly and kissed him.

"Don't worry, Abraham! I'll take care of this debt and I'll get the stay of exit order cancelled." She laughed. "Maybe we can have a little vacation abroad because of it…you, me and my big belly, and our sweet baby."

Abraham's face paled as she mentioned the pregnancy and the baby, but he forced himself to smile and hug her. He rained kisses on her after he realized he'll be saved from Eve's chokehold thanks to her

"Thank you, Michelle! I love you so much, and I'm so glad we're going to have a baby. And the main thing is that Eve can go to hell. But before this happens, let her burst with jealousy. Now I'm going to make coffee. Do you want some too?"

"Umm, yes, you make good coffee…spoil me a little. " She placed the documents in her bag. Abraham walked into the kitchen full of energy and happiness. He waited for the water to boil.

"The fight continues, Eve…you may have won the battle, but I promise you I'll win the war…I'll land the killing blow on you one of these days and defeat you! I'll destroy you until there's nothing left of you!"

The sun had already begun setting after a long hard day of work. Abraham, Michelle and Isaac took a walk to the town center. Michelle, dressed in casual clothes, hugged Isaac with one hand as the other handheld the bag hanging from her shoulder. Isaac was dressed in a t-shirt, jeans, and sneakers. One hand hugged Michelle, barely, and the other was holding a slice of pizza from which he was taking deep bites. Abraham, dressed in his best clothes, trailed behind them, smoking and watching them without interest and disgust with the way Isaac ate the pizza. Michelle turned around to face Abraham.

"Maybe we should get Isaac another slice? He seems to like it."

"Yes, Michelle, get me another. It is good."

Isaac answered quickly with his mouth full. Pieces of pizza spat out from his mouth and hit passers-by as they stared at him angrily. Abraham choked with shame as Michelle hugged Isaac and laughed. Abraham hugged Isaac with one hand, Michelle with his other, and they kept walking. The group continued in a good mood until they noticed a crowd of people. Abraham pulled them to the center.

"Let's see what's happening. I hope those hoes give out money."

Abraham pushed people aside, squeezed himself more and more towards the center, and dragged the embarrassed Michelle and frightened Isaac behind him. Abraham barely managed to get to the center, breathing heavily. The three of them opened their eyes, stunned.

"I'll dam…what is this? What are these creatures doing?"

Michelle covered her gaping mouth and tried not to laugh. Isaac watched the weird group of people like they were aliens. There were nine men, women, and children of various ages holding ancient and strange instruments, dancing and singing biblical chants weirdly and monotonously. The youngest one was about 4 years old, and the oldest was past fifty-five. They were all dressed in a biblical style, which included white robes that reached their feet and simple fabric belts fastened at the waist. On their feet, they wore sandals, and their heads were covered with colored head-kerchiefs. At the center of the group stood the leader; a fat, balding stout man. Handsome, tall, and impressive. He was about 40 years old. He stood on a little brown stool. Unlike the others, he was wearing an Arabic robe and a brown headscarf. His face was fat, and he had fierce eyes. A beard and a moustache grew wildly on his face like the black hair on his head. He wore simple black shoes. On his neck was a gold necklace with a square bronze pendant with 12 beautiful stones of different colors and textures at the center.

Other people were trying to make their way into the group and one of the curious ones yelled toward him, "You said your name is the bible disciples, but what's your name? Do you even have a name?"

"My name is Joshua Solomon. It is a combination of Joshua, who brought down the walls of Jericho and Solomon, the wisest of all men. I am God's messenger for the redemption of humankind. You are all God's children, and in me, you shall put your trust." Abraham and Michelle smirked, which made Joshua angry. One of the people in the crowd burst out with laughter and mocked Joshua and his faith.

"Forget it. Forget the Bible. It's just a fantasy. You are God's messenger like I'm the Martians’ messenger." Some people of faith in the crowd were appalled and angry at this exchange and said to the curious man.

"It’s not right mocking the bible, young man."

"Did you forget the blows delivered by God? Ten plagues of Egypt, two destroyed temples, two world wars, the holocaust, reality shows."

"God is punishing us because of people like you…agnostics that have no God."

"What do you believe in, young man? A nice car? Money? Women? Lying and cheating?"

The man, stunned by the responses, began praying silently to be left alone and quickly moved away. Abraham decided to prove to everyone that the new king was a liar. He grabbed Isaac by one hand and Michelle by the other and approached Joshua. Sure, he wanted to humiliate Joshua the way he could. Joshua looked at Abraham scornfully and his look lingered on Isaac's beautiful face.

Abraham screamed out loud, "Who are you? What do you want from us? What are you trying to prove?"

"We are the bible's disciples…we are people who love and want to help anyone who wishes our Help. We do not force ourselves or our faith on anyone. All members of our cult decided to join of their own free choice, with no coercion, pressure, threats, or blackmail. You are welcome to join. We will take care of your every need. What is your name, dear man?"

Abraham was embarrassed for a moment but immediately felt like the lead actor in a movie with all eyes on his character adoringly and answered with his chest puffed with pride and his head held high.