I Know Who Did It (A Jack Nightingale Short Story) Read Online Free PDF

killing, but they have to supply the sacrifice. The only
negotiation is how often the sacrifices have to occur.’
    ‘I don’t
understand, I’m sorry.’
    Mrs Steadman
sipped her tea. ‘The person who summons Paimonia often doesn’t know about the
sacrifice. Those who do a deal with him are sworn to secrecy. When they do
realise that a girl has to be killed, they often back out. Those that decide to
continue then negotiate how often the sacrifices have to occur. Paimonia has
some flexibility. If it’s a soul that he really wants, perhaps the sacrifices
take place every fifty years. Or a hundred. If a soul is less valuable, then
perhaps Paimonia would insist on a sacrifice every year.’
    ‘But if the deal
is for immortality, Paimonia would never collect. That doesn’t make sense.’
    ‘Devils have
patience, Mr Nightingale. They view time differently.’
    ‘But if the
person never dies, Paimonia won’t get the soul.’
    Mrs Steadman
smiled sadly. ‘No one wants to live forever, Mr Nightingale. Not really. They
think they do, but birth, life and death form a cycle. You can’t fight the
cycle for ever. Sooner or later everyone decides it’s time to go.’
    Nightingale felt
a sudden craving for a cigarette but he knew that Mrs Steadman didn’t approve
so he picked up a biscuit and nibbled it.
    ‘Time means
nothing to the likes of Paimonia. He just waits for as long as it takes. And he’s happy to wait because he takes pleasure from the
sacrifices.’
    ‘Always a girl?’
    Mrs Steadman
nodded. ‘A girl, the younger the better. Sometimes that will be spelled out
during the negotiation. Paimonia might insist on a virgin, for example.’ She
leaned towards him and stared into his eyes. ‘Mr Nightingale, please don’t even
think about getting involved with Paimonia.’
    ‘I’m sort of
involved already,’ he said. ‘It’s a case. I have a client who wants answers.’
    ‘You won’t get
answers from Paimonia. Only grief.’
    Nightingale
forced a smile. ‘I understand.’
    She leaned even
closer. ‘I hope you do,’ she said.
    Nightingale
realised for the first time how dark her eyes were. The irises were almost as
black as the pupils. As he stared into her eyes he saw his own reflection, then
suddenly his reflection was gone and he was looking at something else,
something with a gaping mouth and pointed teeth and slanted red eyes. He
flinched and jerked backwards, tea slopping over his hand. He apologised and
Mrs Steadman scurried away to fetch a towel. She used it to mop up the spilled
tea.
    ‘I’m so sorry,’
he said.
    ‘Don’t be silly.
There’s no point in crying over spilled tea.’ She sat down opposite him and
refilled his mug.
    Nightingale
smiled. Her eyes were brown now, her pupils clearly defined. ‘This Paimonia,
he’s all-powerful, is he?’
    ‘Most devils
are,’ said Mrs Steadman. ‘But Paimonia is especially strong. He’s cunning and
careful. The only time he takes physical form is at the moment of sacrifice.’
    ‘Could he be
killed then?’
    Mrs Steadman’s
eyes narrowed. ‘Mr Nightingale…’ she sighed.
    He held up his
hands. ‘I’m just curious,’ he said.
    ‘I’m serious
about this, Mr Nightingale. You really don’t want to go anywhere near
Paimonia.’
    ‘I’m not planning
to. I’d just like to know.’
    She sighed and
sipped her tea. ‘Then the answer to your question is yes. In theory, Paimonia
could be killed at the moment of sacrifice. But you know about the magic
circle. You have to stay within it while the devil is present. Or your own life
is at risk.’ She waved her hand in front of her face. ‘I really don’t like
talking about this, Mr Nightingale. It makes me very uncomfortable.’
    ‘I’m sorry, Mrs
Steadman. Let’s drop the subject.’ He sipped his tea and smiled brightly. ‘So,
what’s new in the world of Wicca?’

 
    * * *

 
    Nightingale was
eating duck noodles in Mrs Chan’s Chinese restaurant on the ground floor of the
building