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Mission summary:
"There
has been an error in the 'Dispatch Department' [They keep the records of
deaths] and Mr. Jericho Tibbs must find and bring back Patrick 'Bends' McGill
from the dead of Purgatory, despite being a man of evil disposition, he must be
returned to the Dimension of the living. This will involve a dangerous trip
[especially for Alex] to a part of Hell colloquially know as the 'Devil's
Garden' - where the Dark Prince rules!"
Episode may contain the following warnings:
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER:
“All incidents and dialogue, and all characters with the exception of some well-known historical figures, are products of the author's imagination and are not to be construed as real. Where real-life historical figures appear, the situations, incidents, and dialogues concerning those persons are entirely fictional and are not intended to depict actual events or to change the entirely fictional nature of the work. In all other respects, any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
SOME OF THESE EPISODES CONTAIN VERY STRONG LANGUAGE, VIOLENCE, HORROR AND SEXUAL REFERENCES. They are AGE RECOMMENDED suitable for persons aged 12+ years only. Some episodes are rated HIGHER at 15+ and ALL the 'ALEXANDRA' Series versions are AGE RATED at 18+”
Stephen Williams
THE AUTHOR.
Author’s notes about this episode:
[1] A little extra warning: This episode contains horror and its anti-religious sentiments may disturb some
readers.
[2]
The original Title for this episode was: ‘PATRICK ‘BENDS’ McGILL GETS RECALLED
FROM HELL.’
[3]
A ‘Jericho Tibbs’ original story.
[4] "GHOSTS IN THE DEVIL'S GARDEN OF THE DAMNED.” The original illustration for this episode was created by the author, as was this episode, which was also conceived and written by him. Copyright © 2011-2025 Stephen Williams. No reproduction of any part without written permission.
[5] There is No 'ALEXANDRA' series adult extended version currently available.
Episode details:
Concept
date: 21st June 2017
First
published: 19th November 2017
Status: COMPLETED & PUBLISHED.
location: BOOK SERIES 1 - Episode 11.
Revisions: 4 [last revised March 2018]
Version:
Final.
Published
Episode No. 11
Previous
episode: “The Devil’s Circus.”
Next
episode: “The Gallows tree Hotel
mystery.”
Age recommendation: 12+
Average reading time: Approximately 60 Minutes.
Angel-in-charge: Margret
Team Assigned: Team 74
Mission: 11 - 223467 - 6 - 1929
Human times:
Gregorian Calendar: MCMXXIX
Muslim Calendar: 1347 - 1348 [AH]
Hebrew Calendar: 5689 - 5690
Christian Calendar: 1929AD
Episode preview:
"GHOSTS IN THE DEVIL'S GARDEN OF THE DAMNED."
1. A KNIGHT PAYS A VISIT.
Alex sat reading in Jericho’s study; she had finished ‘Treasure Island’ and now started to read ‘Don Quixote’ with growing pleasure and interest; “I wonder if Jericho has read this.” She smiled and turned the pages quietly, adding; “Well I certainly know how the old Knight feels.” The study door opened and young Owen bounced in, with a big grin and holding a brown paper file. He dropped onto the sofa and held the file aloft; “You’ll never guess where we are heading for Alex?” She marked her page and closed the book, placing it upon the small table beside her chair; “Go on Owen, you appear to be bursting to tell someone.” The young man almost giggled with growing excitement; “Bloody Hell.” He said and grinned again.
Alex rolled her eyes and pulled the file from his fingers and read the summary of their latest Mission – Indeed, they were scheduled a trip to Hell, well, the place colloquially known as the ‘Devil’s Garden’. It wasn’t quite ‘Hell’, but similar, in the old days and according to certain religions, it was known as ‘Purgatory’. It was the 'Quarantine' area used by 'Collections' to house souls waiting final judgement. If a soul was sent to 'quarantine'; this is where they ended up.
All souls that failed the initial inspection by the Duty Death Angel [currently Angel Margret] were placed there; to await their final judgement; return to the human life cycle or dispatched to 'Hell' proper. The 'Dark Angel' currently in charge was Simon. He and Angel Margret knew each other well.
Alex peered over the top of the file at young Owen and asked; “Has Jericho seen it?” Owen shook his head; “I just received it from little Ivan, the Messenger, he’s just left. Mr. Tibbs is apparently playing Chess with Wilson, or rather trying to teach him to play the damn game, without throwing the pieces about.”
Alex nodded and handed the file back; “Best you disturb their game, Mr. Tibbs will need to see it as soon as possible.” She watched young Owen jump from the sofa and disappear through the door, standing aside as Mr. Harris appeared with a large tray of drinks and he laid them upon the study table; “For the journey I believe, my Lady.” Alex pulled from her over- comfortable chair and lifted a brandy glass; “Yes, I think we’re going to need a good start for this particular show – thank you Mr. Harris.”
Alex peered over the top of the file at young Owen and asked; “Has Jericho seen it?” Owen shook his head; “I just received it from little Ivan, the Messenger, he’s just left. Mr. Tibbs is apparently playing Chess with Wilson, or rather trying to teach him to play the damn game, without throwing the pieces about.”
Alex nodded and handed the file back; “Best you disturb their game, Mr. Tibbs will need to see it as soon as possible.” She watched young Owen jump from the sofa and disappear through the door, standing aside as Mr. Harris appeared with a large tray of drinks and he laid them upon the study table; “For the journey I believe, my Lady.” Alex pulled from her over- comfortable chair and lifted a brandy glass; “Yes, I think we’re going to need a good start for this particular show – thank you Mr. Harris.”
The details of the Mission floated through her mind and she slowly sipped the brandy; there had been an error in the Dispatch Department and a ‘Patrick Bends McGill’ had been collected three hours earlier than scheduled by the Human Time-Line. Mr. McGill was a very unpleasant individual – a paid hit-man for the ‘Five Points Mob’ and had several murders to his credit. He should have been killed at 6.15pm by another gangster outside his boarding house in New York City, but had been collected some three hours before that event and with his record of killings, was sent to ‘The Devil’s Garden’ to await his final fate.
How he slipped through the system would be investigated thoroughly, buy it appears that a slightly over zealous new collector might be the answer!
Alex could hear voices coming from the Hall and realised that Mr. Harris was escorting James, a Knight of God - into the Reception Room; she placed her drink down and headed there at once. She found Jericho and Wilson emerging from the small Games Room, both sharing the file between them with Owen trailing behind; still smiling.
James was a stunning young man, who when last alive, had fought for the Tsars of Russia, on horseback with sword and spear. His piety and devotion to God was well documented and known - as was his chivalrous nature. His enemies both feared and respected the young cavalier. He was killed at the age of 28, defending a church packed with women and children who were refugees from Cossack raiders. The legend states that he killed over twenty of the fierce warriors with sword and dagger, before being killed by a volley of arrows fired by hidden archers.
His dying words to his enemy was to leave the church in peace. This the Cossacks did; out of respect for a fellow warrior and the legend of James of Kiev was written into the annuals of Russian History - pre-revolution of course.
It didn't survive the Revolution and now, few remembered the brave young man in his old homeland or his incredible sacrifice; there were no memorials or plaques to recall him or his feats of courage and devotion - but the BOSS [God] had remembered and within a century or two, the young man found himself made a Knight of God.
An elite company of the finest men and women that Humanity had produced and were nicknamed; 'The little angels', since they were considered just a step away from being an angel - and with a very important difference: they could still pass into the realm of mortal man!
Young Ruth watched from the kitchen door with mouth open in sheer awe of the handsome young man, until Mrs. Harris called her away. Ruth grinned broadly and said that Owen could easily end up as a Knight of God; Cleo Harris sighed and rolled her eyes; "Ruth, you certainly have an strong imagination!" The two walked back to the kitchen, passing Mr. Parker carrying a rubber chicken that Alex had given him to play with. Ruth reached down and stroked the big cat who disappeared into the Dinning Room.
John, the reclusive friend of Jericho's, was waiting in the kitchen doorway to hand back an empty plate and cup. He thanked Cleo for the sandwiches and tea, then asked who the visitor was. Cleo explained about James, the 'Knight of God' and John almost smiled; "Yes, I do know James. A good man - a very good man." Cleo suggested that he join Jericho and James in the Dinning room, but John shook his head and shuffled through the yard door and headed for his cottage.
Cleo sighed and placed the cup and plate in the sink; "Such a waste. If only he pulled himself together, he could achieve so much good." A puzzled Ruth asked Cleo what she meant, but Cleo just smiled and asked her to get on with warming the dinner plates and said nothing more about the hermit of Heaven's Edge Bay.
“Mr. Tibbs, I’ve placed himself in the Reception Room and will fetch more drinks.” Mr. Harris disappeared into the Butler’s Parlour with a determined step – having a Knight to entertain was the equivalent of serving Royalty; in his mind. Everyone gathered in the Reception Room and James was made comfortable and accepted a large Vodka from the delighted Mr. Harris, who had changed into his best black jacket and trousers – but was sporting a multi-coloured waistcoat beneath!
James glanced at the gaudy garment and had some difficulty stopping himself from smiling. Owen stood respectfully to one side with the grin gone, and was listening quietly to the Knight outlying the details of the Mission. James explained that authority for the Mission had come from ‘above’ – from ‘Himself’ – and despite Mr. McGill having an evil disposition; he was entitled to his fully allocated life-span – even if, it was just three hours more.
He also mentioned that it was the first error in almost a thousand Human years and that the 'BOSS’ had informed the ‘Dark One’ of the mission and there should be no interference from the dark side, and that the ‘Dark Prince’ had arranged a Minion to assist; if necessary or required.
Owen looked totally puzzled and whispered to Alex; “Why would the Devil do that – I mean assist us?” She smiled; “They are brothers and they do talk you know.” Owen shook his head in mock disbelief; “I still can’t get my head around that, and the fact they have a sister.” He said quietly and accepted a glass of whisky from Mr. Harris which returned a smile to his young face.
The Knight gave his instructions with a smile, especially when he saw the look on Jericho’s face, as he informed him that the Pilot of the ‘Necrosub’ was McAlister Semple. Alex grinned and tapped Jericho's shoulder; “You two will get on fine; this time.” For the Journey to the ‘Devil’s Garden’ a specialist craft was required; a ‘Necrosub’ which was created to cross between the dimension’s of light and dark/Life and Death. McAlister made many such runs each year; taking condemned Souls there and occasionally returning a very happy Soul whose sentence had been commuted or pardoned.
With all his experience, he was clearly, the right choice for the Mission despite the falling out between him and Jericho, some years previously. McAlister was the Chief ‘Necronaut’ of the small unit of ‘Necrosubs’ that were operated by the ‘Collections’ Department – and the best Pilot by far; he had said so himself on many occasions!
James stood by the fire and downed his vodka in a single throw, he smiled at Alex; "Lady Alexandra may I say that when 'the BOSS' decided to bestow beauty, grace and intelligence upon the female, he gave you a full measure of each." and kissed her hand.
It was rare for Alex to colour at men's mere words of admiration, but on this occasion she did blush a little and murmured a quiet; "Thank you Sir." It was clear that the good Knight had fallen under her spell - like many had done so - and would continue to do so!
Wilson chuckled and said quietly to Owen; "Another bloody Moth to the flame."
The Knight turned to Jericho and raised his class, which Mr. Harris had rushed to refill; "To God and your safe return." He turned to Alex and quietly whispered "Particularly yours." Alex sipped her drink and said quietly; "To God and his good Knights."
End of Preview.
Copyright © 2011-2025 Stephen Williams. No reproduction of any part without permission.