Never Together Nor Apart

[Chapter 58]

Emily's POV:

"Father Paul didn't kill Matthew," Mr. Benton states with some anger in his voice.

"Why are you so willing to accept that? I—I'm just trying to find the truth about how your son died," I explain.

"Then listen to me," he advises.

I nod.

"Father Paul never laid a hand on Matthew," he states.

"How do you know that?" Rossi speaks up.

"I was there," he says after a moment.

"You stood there and watched Matthew die?" I place my hand on my baby bump for comfort.

"He wasn't the person you knew," he shakes his head.

"Because Father Paul said that?" I hear my voice break.

"Something horrible happened on that trip to Spain," he tries to say.

"You believe that because Father Paul said it? You can't think for yourself?" My eyes begin to sting.

"Young lady, do not speak to me like that," he uses the same tone as he did all those years ago.

"How could you allow him to perform a ritual over Matthew?" I still can't comprehend it.

"I loved my son," he responds.

"Then you knew how Matthew was. You knew how paranoid he could be," I lecture.

"I was trying to save his life," he states.

"That priest must have done something. Matthew's heart wouldn't have just given out," I stand.

"That thing killed Matthew!" He insists.

I groan, feeling light headed and pissed so I sit back down.

"It was inside him for years. I know you know that's true," he lowers his voice.

"No. Matthew was a sweet boy. He was just troubled," I let out.

"He was never troubled until he met you," Mrs. Benton finally speaks up.

I stare at the floor quietly. Thoughts flash through my head. I grip my stomach, feeling nauseous.

"Look, we need to know about the demon that possessed your son," Rossi speaks for me.

"Father Paul explained that Matthew was a conduit. If you opened up yourself to him you were putting yourself in danger of being taken over," she answers.

I have to urge to vomit, although I can't remember the last time I had eaten since I talked to John at the bar.

"Who else was Matthew with while he was in Spain?" Rossi interrogates.

"I don't know," she replies.

"Well who did he see once he was back in Washington?"

"No one," Mr. Benton states.

"Please think. If Father Paul believes Matthew was a conduit, anyone he spent time with could be a target," Rossi stares at the father.

"He was not to see anyone until he was better," his mother replies.

"No, that's not true. I—I know for a fact he saw our friend John Cooley," I grit my teeth, trying not to throw up, "his parents worked for my mother at the embassy in Rome. You called him to tell him Matthew had died," I remember what he had told me at the bar.

"I haven't spoken with John Cooley in over 20 years. Not since you were kids in Italy," Matthew's father looks confused.

I turn my head quickly to Rossi. John is his next target.