Everywhere & Nowhere: Book II of the Godmaker Trilogy

By Robin Buckallew

With Paul, anything was possible, even being kidnapped on a Tilt-A-Whirl. Rudy never ruled out any explanation, no matter how strange, when his old friend was involved.

When Paul re-entered his life, Rudy steeled himself for the wild ride that was sure to follow. This time, the ride would take him beyond the mysteries of the god-makers into the strange world of would-be demons who used science to chase him literally to the ends of the Earth.

Follow Rudy, Paul, and John as they set out on their latest adventure, this time with the ultimate goal in mind - kill God. From the prairies of Nebraska to the frozen Arctic north, nothing is too outlandish for Paul and John to embroil themselves and Rudy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Aug 29, 2018
• ISBN: 9780359058013

Book preview

Everywhere & Nowhere: Book II of the Godmaker Trilogy

Everywhere and Nowhere

Book II of the Godmaker Trilogy

Robin Buckallew

Saffron Books

2018

Other books by this author

The Diary of Mrs. Noah

The Transformation

Yesterday and Tomorrow

Alpha & Omega: Book I of the Godmaker Trilogy

I Am: Book III of the Godmaker Trilogy

Blood Ready

The Ocean Wore Red

It Is What it Isn’t

Leafy Tom

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Copyright © 2018 by Robin Buckallew

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review or scholarly journal.

First Printing: 2018

ISBN 978-0-359-05801-3

Saffron Books

Cover design by Matt Jorde

Dedicated to Christopher R. Lowery who has inspired not only this work with his thoughtful reflections on the meaning of life, but has helped to bolster my own courage when things have gotten rough.

1

Rudy scowled at the papers on his desk and slumped in his chair. He wasn’t getting away early today. He scattered the papers and watched the soft patterns as they drifted to the floor. There. Now he could at least feel some satisfaction in picking them up again. It was almost like exercise.

The sun was low in the west when he finished the daily reports and locked his desk. The city was lighting up for the evening and he was anxious to get home. He scowled and cursed as the phone summoned him back to his desk. His hand rested on the doorknob as he struggled with himself. Just let it ring. It was time to pick up Erin at day care; Becca was counting on him. Years of habit overwhelmed his domestic instincts. He stomped to the desk and grabbed the phone from the cradle.

Sullivan, he growled.

Rudy?

The familiar voice jerked him to attention. Years of peace and solitude drained away in a single word and his shoulders tensed, waiting for the next shoe to drop.

Paul? Is that you? How are you doing, old man? Haven’t heard from you in a while.

Rudy kept his tone light and casual, though something in the quaver of the old man’s voice alerted him this wasn’t a social call.

Rudy.

Rudy didn’t answer; he waited for some clue to what Paul expected. He heard the old man breathe but there was no response. Rudy waited for nearly a minute, then broke the silence.

Where are you, old man?

I am everywhere and nowhere.

Every nerve ending in Rudy’s body fired simultaneously. He felt his fight or flight reflex kick in as the cryptic nature of the message sank in. Here we go again.

Not that again, old man. C’mon, tell me where you are. I’ll pick you up, and you can come for dinner. Becca’ll be thrilled to see you.

If any man have an ear, let him hear.

Rudy started to slam the phone down but something stopped him. He remained on the line, motioning through the window for Stevie to trace the call. She understood and immediately went to work.

You gotta help me out here, old man. I’m thrilled to hear from you again, but I’m not in the mood for riddles tonight. Just tell me where you are, and I’ll…

He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity.

The light on the other line blinked; Rudy couldn’t put down the phone to answer or he might lose Paul. He sensed this was serious so he let the other line go to his voice mail.

Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city.

Paul, where are you? Is someone listening?

No answer. Rudy wished the old man were in front of him so he could shake some sense into him.

Paul?

Rudy.

At least he was still on the line. Rudy paused, his senses alert for any sound from the other end to provide a clue to Paul’s whereabouts.

Is John with you?

No.

At least he was able to answer yes and no questions.

Are you by yourself?

No.

Can you meet me somewhere so we can talk?

No.

Stevie waved her arms outside his window. He heard a sound of pounding in the distance as though someone was hammering a nail. He tried to force his swimming head to concentrate, to focus on the job at hand.

Okay, Paul, give me a hint, any hint, so I can find you.

Fear God and give glory to him; for the hour of judgment is come.

Thanks, old man. That didn’t help a bit.

Come to Babylon.

Where is Babylon?

Silence. Rudy heard breathing on the other end, so he knew Paul was still on the line…or someone was. The pounding grew more insistent and he realized someone was pounding on his locked office door. He turned the knob. Stevie tumbled into the room, followed by a rookie whose name he couldn’t remember.

Paul spoke again. Rudy ignored the officers and turned his attention back to the old man.

And the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee.

What?!? What do you mean by that, old man? Tell me!

The other end of the line went dead. Rudy shook the receiver as if it would somehow bring Paul back, but the finality of the dial tone mocked his efforts.

Rudy!...I mean, Chief Sullivan!

Stevie was breathless, her voice unnaturally high and squeaky, and Rudy jerked his attention away from the cryptic phone call.

What is it, Stevie? Don’t look so panicky, just spit it out.

Stevie gulped twice before she spoke. Your wife…Becca…and Erin…

Rudy jolted to attention as an electric shock shot through him. What!? Stevie, don’t just stand there gasping, tell me!

Becca…she called…it’s Erin.

I know. I’m late to pick her up. Is she frightened, poor kid? Rudy scolded himself for his perennial tardiness. He needed to be more diligent about his family. He’d hate to lose Becca the way he lost…his mind clouded at the memory of Jessie and he faded into the past. His hand went to his chest in a familiar move. The crisp crackle of the envelope safely strapped there reassured him.

Erin…she’s…

What? Spit it out, Stevie, or I’ll have you demoted!

Rudy knew his brusque growl wouldn’t fool anyone, least of all Stevie, but the young detective glared at him as the rookie cowered in the doorway.

Erin is missing!

Time and space melted away as Rudy sank to the floor in horror. Too late, he realized what Paul’s last cryptic remark meant and he collapsed with fear as visions of his daughter’s chubby, smiling face drifted in front of his eyes.

Chief?

Rudy couldn’t respond. His entire nervous system shut down. He couldn’t move or speak. He needed to take immediate action but was unable to force his paralyzed limbs to obey his brain. For the first time in his life he truly understood what fear felt like, and he didn’t like it.

He gulped and choked, fighting against the sensation of drowning. The icy sensation brought him back to the moment and he struggled to his feet, dripping wet and shivering.

Sorry, Chief, but you were losing it. Hope you’re not angry.

Rudy stared at the water dripping from his suit jacket and realized Stevie threw ice water over his head to restore him to sanity. Forcing a grin, he congratulated her on her quick thinking and assured her he wasn’t angry. The rookie…oh, his name was Brandon…handed him the phone, mute with horror at the sight of the calm and collected chief turned into putty on the floor of his office.

Becca?

Rudy, Erin isn’t at day care.

Becca, I’m sorry. Was I supposed to pick her up?

No, Rudy, that’s not the problem…someone picked her up, but the lady at the desk didn’t know who he was. Come quickly!

Rudy flew out the door and sped through the busy streets, weaving through traffic with a delicate touch only years of police experience could give. His imagination was alive with fearful images of bodies flying from windows, high speed car chases leading to watery graves, and dungeons filled with bright, shiny torture equipment left behind from the Inquisition. Mixed into the center of the horrifying images was the smiling face of a cherubic four-year-old, a tiny dynamo of energy with the face of an angel and a smile just like her mother.

2

The tires squealed as Rudy careened into the parking lot of the small building that housed a bakery on one side and a day care on the other. Becca raced toward him, her face alive with fear. She flung herself into his arms, sobbing and gasping Erin’s name. She clung to him as he stroked her hair and murmured soothing words to mask the fear in his own heart.

Mrs. Sullivan?

Alice crept up behind the couple, her quiet voice more muted than usual. Her gentle face was lined with fear, and she kept glancing over her shoulder as though expecting to see Erin waving from the doorway.

Mrs. Sullivan? Are you going to be all right?

Becca swung around, eyes blazing. Rudy grabbed her arm and prevented what appeared to be an imminent attack on the other woman. He inserted himself between the two women, keeping a firm grip on his wife’s shoulders to keep her from exploding. He felt the tension ease as he pulled her close to his side. He grimaced as she reached over and felt for the envelope strapped around his chest. She relaxed as the familiar crackle assured her the manuscript was still secure.

Alice, tell me what happened.

The policeman took over and pushed the father to the background. There would be time for fear and anger later. Right now he needed information.

Not much, really. I mean, the old man showed up with a note from you saying I should hand Erin over to him, so I did. I checked the signature against my records, honest.

Old man? What old man?

Rudy grabbed Alice by the shoulders, his voice tense with urgency, powered by the sense of lightning striking a second time. Paul’s cryptic conversation haunted him and he couldn’t forget the final message. It hung like a warning in the air. And the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee – what the hell did that mean, anyway?

He was just an old man, probably the oldest man I’ve ever seen. His skin was so wrinkled, he looked sort of like a raisin.

Did he give you a name?

Becca sounded like a cop herself now, her brisk efficiency overriding her fear. She didn’t blink as she stared at Alice, forcing the other woman to drop her eyes and turn away from the cold stare of the frightened mother. Rudy felt his wife shiver and wrapped his arms around her as if to keep her warm.

No, no name. He just handed me the note, barely said anything to me, and walked out with Erin. She didn’t seem scared of him and I thought she knew him.

Can you describe the man, Alice?

He was old.

Yes, you’ve said that. Anything else? Anything you noticed that was unusual or would help identify him?

Let me think. Alice frowned. Yes, I think so. He was dressed in really old clothes, and he smelled like honey.

Honey? Becca’s voice rose to a squeak.

Rudy exhaled with relief. I know who has Erin.

Who?

Rudy’s skin burned red as both women stared at him, challenging him to solve the mystery. Images of an old man eating locusts and honey burst to the forefront of his memory. He gulped, not sure he was ready to reveal everything in front of Alice.

John.

John? John who? The tone of Becca’s voice told him she wasn’t going to be fooled with tonight. He opened his mouth but before he could answer she gasped. Oh! John!

Rudy felt Becca drop but wasn’t able to move fast enough to catch her. She sat on the pavement, oblivious to the stares of passersby, gasping in fear and horror.

Why did John pick up Erin? What’s happening?

Not here, Becca. We need to go home. I can tell you more there. Just relax, Erin is safe. She’s with John.

Oh, that makes me feel a lot better!

Shadows of old memories danced behind Becca’s eyes and Rudy knew what images were going through her mind. Only minutes ago, those same images taunted him and he couldn’t shake the feeling they’d been here before. He had to get Becca home. They couldn’t talk here, in front of Alice. Whatever was beginning, it was not something the rest of the world was ready for.

He patted the envelope around his chest again as though it could have been removed while they were standing there. Becca spotted the motion and glared. He shot her his most innocent grin but she didn’t melt. Her eyes told him in no uncertain terms that he had a lot of explaining to do, and she intended to hear the entire story.

Rudy helped Becca to her feet and kissed her lightly as she buckled herself into the car. He swung his car into traffic behind her and cranked up the volume on the radio to drown out his thoughts as they drove home through the deepening twilight.

3

Erin flew out the door as the two cars turned into the driveway of the cottage. Grinning from ear to ear, she wrapped her chubby arms around her mother’s neck. Becca held her tight, sobbing and laughing simultaneously. Rudy grabbed Becca’s arm and they crept through the narrow hallway into the dim lights of the cozy living room.

A shadow rose from the couch as Rudy burst through the door, gun drawn. Becca hit the switch and the room flooded with light, bathing the figure of the old man in a soft warm glow. John blinked at the brightness and watched Rudy without expression. Rudy flew over and grabbed the old man by the collar, shaking him gently.

What the hell did you think you were doing, picking my daughter up from day care without my permission? You frightened us to death!

John blinked but didn’t say anything. Frustrated, Rudy shook him again, then let him go.

Okay, old man, play your games. But I’m gonna find out what’s going on if I have to beat it out of you.

Becca touched Rudy on the arm and he felt the tension flow out of him and dissipate in space. With Erin safe in her arms, she was ready to forgive. She smiled at John and asked him if he’d eaten. The old man shook his head, still silent and unmoved by all the excitement he caused. Rudy gestured at him to sit down. John sank onto the sofa and wrapped his thin arms around his thin legs. He looked