Body Bags & Blarney Read Online Free PDF Page A

incident.”
    “You see? Deputy Arkins
wants to save me the trouble of causing an incident.” Seamus addressed the
startled crowd. He gazed with wild eyes at the Bible in his hands and then
raised his voice up a notch in volume. “Matthew 26:41, ‘ watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed
is willing, but the flesh is weak’.” With a dramatic flourish, he took the Bible
and placed it over his heart. “I will not abandon this town to the devil. I
answer to an authority much higher than Sheriff Rigsbee.”
    “You could be
answering to charges of disorderly conduct if you don’t stop this immediately.”
Joshua reached gently for Seamus’ arms and pulled them down to his side. “We
can do this the easy way or the hard way. Your choice.”
    The bald man
who had helped Harriet earlier with the microphone came to Seamus’ aid. “I hear
you, preacher. I too feel a darkness around us and agree we must cast it out. I
stand beside you.”
    Seamus reached
out and grabbed the man’s hand. “You see? The righteous will always have the
upper hand in this battle. Who else will stand with us?”
    “Unhand him.”
The bald man shouted at Joshua. “He is free to speak his mind.”
    “He’s causing
a disruption to this meeting. If you don’t back away, I’ll arrest you both.”
Joshua warned.
    “We stand together.”
The bald man remained defiant.
    “Cast me out.”
Seamus challenged with the crowd. “Turn your backs on the Lord and see what
misfortune will befall you all.” He tried to free himself from Joshua’s grip
but failed. “I have been sent as a messenger to save you all.” He stepped
backward and fell into the bald man. Like a pair of bowling pins, they both
tumbled to the ground, skulls smacking hard against the floor. Seamus entire
body went rigid as the Bible tumbled out of his grip.
    There were
several gasps from the crowd as Joshua knelt down to feel for a pulse. “He’s
not breathing. Someone call the paramedics.” He then began administering CPR.
    A young woman
in medical scrubs rushed out of the crowd and attended to the bald man who was
also unresponsive. “I’m a nurse, let me through.” She pushed her way past the
gawkers and placed her fingers on his neck. “He’s got a pulse.”
    The reporter
from the Cayuga Tribune jumped forward and began snapping several photographs
of the incident in progress.
    Eunice Kilpatrick
suddenly leapt through the entrance doors. She surveyed the scene for a moment
and then lunged at Joshua. “Get your hands off my brother.” She swung her purse
and smacked Joshua against the head with it.
    Vivienne and
Kathy both jumped to their feet and rushed forward as the crowd began to rise
from their seats in confusion as to what was happening.
    “Ma’am, I need
you to step away right now.” Joshua yelled loudly at her, struggling to control
the situation. “Your brother may have suffered a traumatic head injury.” He
felt for a pulse once more and then relief washed over his face. “He’s got a
pulse.”
    “How dare you
treat a man of God this way, Deputy Arkins.” She yelled back. “What did you do
to him?” She prepared to swing her purse at him once more.
    Vivienne raced
forward and grabbed Eunice’s arm before she could do so. “Stop this right now.
Deputy Arkins just saved his life.”
    Eunice whirled
around angrily. “Get your hands off me, Vivienne Finch.” She burst into tears.
“My baby brother needs me.”
    Harriet Nettles
raced over from the front desk of the library as the patrons spilled out of the
meeting room. “I’ve called the police.” She tried to yell over the commotion.
    The front
doors to the library were yanked open as two police officers rushed inside.
    “Thank God
you’re here.” Harriet pointed to where Joshua was attending to Seamus on the
floor. “There’s been some sort of medical emergency.”
    The officers
raced into the room, pushing their way through the crowd that had