Temple’s Job: Chapter 8

High above Otautahi overlooking that spectacular view of post-colonial Christchurch, Temple and Wigram continue their conversation with the murderous Doctor Alvin Taylor:-

“Let me ask you a question,” said Ian, keeping his eyes on Alvin Taylor aware this man might do anything. “Do you remember Angela Redheart that innocent girl that you killed outside the Art Gallery? Of course you were just fulfilling your contract. Killing off another of Robert Green’s unwanted drug mules. You make me sick. I was locked up for ten years for a crime I didn’t do. A crime you did and you’re still walking around a living, breathing, free man.”

Wigram looked on amazed at Temple’s fury. His cell phone rang cutting the tension. “Janine’s checking you’re wearing the cross she gave you.” Ian Temple pulled open the top of his shirt and looked down at the large clumsy, uncomfortable cross. “She knows we’re doing something dangerous. She’s concerned for your “soul”.Temple rolled his eyes and groaned. “How stupid” he whispered to himself. “Well, carry on.”

Ian Temple sensed Taylor was going to run. He grabbed him by the arm and pushed him toward the edge of the road, where the steep hill became a frightening drop. As they neared the edge Taylor’s face became pale.

“I hate heights. You’re going to kill me aren’t you, he said turning to look into Ian’s face. Without Ian noticing, Taylor drew a knife from his back pocket. “You are just like me! If I’d not been involved in the experiments, I’d still be happy, working as a doctor, and you would still be a university lecturer. They changed us and now I’ll do what they led me do. Yes I killed Angela. It was easy, because like you I have no conscience. And now I can do this”.

Rushing toward Ian he said “Angela was stabbed in the back. I think I’ll get you through the heart”. Taylor thrust his hand forward a look of glee on his face. That look turned to shock as the end of the knife struck something hard. “What’s that?” Ian undid the first few buttons on his shirt. The cross was now dented. “Cuff him Joe”.

A well prepared Joe Wigram put the handcuffs on Alvin Taylor, tripped him to the ground and put a knee on his back.

“Remember when I said I would never believe in miracles?” muttered Ian Temple. “I was wrong.” Ian turned to Joe, signalling him to let Taylor stand up. Alvin Taylor had dropped his knife. He stood in his second hand suit and polished leather shoes his body unconsciously quivering.

“Relax” said Ian, in the sort of voice that would never help anyone relax. “I won’t kill you. You were right in saying that we’re the same kind of man.” The one who changed us is responsible for the murder of Angela Redheart. But, according to our law, the one who did the deed must be punished. Wigram is here representing the law and he’ll take you to the police. But I have my own punishment first. Ian grabbed Alvin by the wrists and dragged him towards the edge of the cliff.

With a slow laugh Temple pushed Alvin Taylor over the edge. But, just as he fell, Temple grabbed him under the armpits and pulled Taylor’s body back onto the ground next to him. He smelt something awful. “Oh, I see you shat yourself”. “I told you I hate heights” replied Taylor sounding like a naughty little boy apologising to a teacher.“I know that, That’s why I did it. You should never have said that you hated heights. Faeces ran down the inside of Taylor’s leg onto his shoe.

Temple turned and walked into the café. He came back with a spoon. “I’m going to be banned from this place. But never mind, I didn’t like the food, just the coffee and the view”. He knelt down, near Taylor’s foot and scraped off some faeces. Standing up he looked Taylor in the eye. “Now eat it” he said in a matter of fact voice.

Ian smiled while Joe, standing just behind him, pinching his nostrils shut, called out “what the hell was that for?” Ian lowered his voice and answered “I had to see him suffer.”

What now? What next? Don’t miss Episode Nine of “Temple’s Job”…which will be published in ARTbop on the first Saturday of February 2021

Nick Scott Nick Scott has a B.A from The University of Waikato where he studied film under Sam Edwards. Nick has retained a keen interest in cinema. He studied Te Reo Maori at Te Wananga O Aotearoa part-time for 3 years and then from 2014 to 2016 Nick collaborated in writing “The Traveller’s guide to Maori Place Names”. Nick is a regular Film Reviewer on ARTbop. Check out his recent review of “Made in Italy”.