Father da Costa didn’t even hesitate. He grabbed Anna by the arm and guided her towards the hoist, but she pulled free and turned towards Fallon. “Martini” she cried and caught at his trench coat. We can’t go without you.”
“The cage only takes two at a time,” he said. “Be sensible.”
There was blood on her hand from his sleeve and she held it dose to her face as if trying to see it, “Oh my God,” she whispered.
Father da Costa put an arm around her shoulders and said to Fallon, “You’re hurt.”
“You’re running out of time,” Fallon said patiently.
Father da Costa pushed Anna inside the cage and followed her in. As he pressed the button to descend he called through the bars, Til be back, Martin., Wait for me.”
His voice was swallowed up by darkness and Fallon turned to Meehan and smiled, “You and me, Jack at the final end of things. Isn’t that something? We can go to hell together.”
“You’re mad,” Meehan said. I’m not waiting here to die. I’m going to get rid of this thing.”
He moved towards the hold all and Fallon raised the Ceska threateningly. I’ve had experience, remember? At this stage it’ll go up at the slightest touch.” He chuckled. Til tell you what we’ll do. We’ll leave it with God. If the cage gets back in time, we leave. If not…”
“You raving bloody lunatic.” Meehan was shouting now.
Fallon said calmly, “By the way, I’ve just remembered I’ve got something for you.” He produced a crumpled white card with a black border and held it out.
Meehan said, “What in hell is that supposed to be?”
“A Rest-in-Peace card, isn’t that what you call them? It’s off Billy. Plot number five hundred and eighty-two at Pine Trees.”
Meehan seemed stunned. “You’re lying.”
Fallon shook his head. “I killed him last night because he tried to rape Anna da Costa. I took him up to the crematorium and put him through the whole process, just like you showed me. Last I saw of your brother, he was five pounds of grey ash scattered across damp grass.”
Meehan seemed to break into a thousand pieces. “Billy I’ he screamed and went for Fallon, head down.
Fallon pulled the trigger of the Ceska. There was a dull click and then Meehan was on him, smashing him back against the guard rail. It splintered, sagged, then gave way and Fallon went over the edge into space. He hit the canvas tarpaulin stretched over the hole in the roof and went straight through.
Meehan turned and reached for the hold all. As he picked it up and turned to throw it out into the darkness, it exploded.
As Father da Costa and Anna went out of the door into the street, two police cars arrived at speed. Miller scrambled out of the first one and hurried towards them. As he put a foot on the first step leading up to the porch, the bomb exploded. The effect was extraordinary, for the whole church started to fall in, almost in slow motion, first the tower, the steel scaffolding crumpling around it, and then the roof.
Miller grabbed Anna’s other arm and he and Father da Costa ran her down into the safety of the street between them. As they reached the cars, a scaffolding pole rebounded from the wall of the warehouse above their heads and everyone ducked.
Father da Costa was first on his feet and stood, fists clenched, gating up at the church. As the dust cleared, he saw that most of the walls and the rear entrance porch were still standing.
A young constable came forward from one of the police cars holding a spot lamp and Father da Costa simply took it from him and turned to Miller. “I’m going back in.”
He started forward and Miller grabbed him by the arm. “You must be crazy.”
“Fallon was in there,” Father da Costa said. “He saved us, don’t you understand? He might still be alive. I must know.”
“Fallon?” Miller said in astonishment. “My God, so it was Fallon all the time.”
Father da Costa hurried up the steps to the porch and pushed open the door. The scene inside was incredible. Holy Name was finished; at the end of things at last, but the worst damage was by the tower or what was left of it.