Eliana spun around to see her sister about ten feet away, backdropped by an ocean of tables covered with white linens. A chandelier. A stage to the right, with a podium. And MaizieMorrow, Milwaukee police captain. The sight of her was enough to spark tears in Eliana’s eyes.
A single sob escaped, and she rushed to her sister, hugging her tight. Face in her sister’s long blond curls. Even if she had two kids and a husband, and a decorated career in law enforcement, Maizie still looked at least ten years younger than she was. Kept trim. It was enough to make Eliana resent her, but Maizie was the best sister and always had been.
“We’ll get them back.” Maizie held her tight.
Eliana leaned back, swiping her cheeks. “How? And what did you mean when you said you could help with that? You know who the Mother is?”
Maizie had a file in her hand and a huge leather briefcase-sized purse over one shoulder. “I did some digging. I think I came up with something.”
“You stay with Eliana. I’ll get Sylvia.” Tony started to turn away.
“Really, Bear?” Maizie lifted her chin. She almost looked sad. Plus, maybe a little disappointed.
He shrugged. “What do you want me to say? You really need me to apologize for something that happened twenty-five years ago?”
“You made a choice. I make choices every day, and I choose to live with the consequences. When I mess up, I admit it and ask for forgiveness.”
“And when people you care about are in trouble, you show up to help them.” Tony folded his arms.
“Good.” Eliana glanced between Tony and her sister. “Then we’re all on the same page. This is about finding Carlos and my friends, and not about anything else.”
Tony said nothing.
Maizie was the first to cave. “It’s good to see you, Bear.”
“No one’s called me that in a long time.” His expression softened, and he came over to give her sister a hug. “It’s good to see you too, Maze.”
A camera flash erupted in Eliana’s face.
She spun to find a guy lowering his camera. He couldn’t have been more than five foot five, wearing slacks and a shirt. His forehead seemed clammy.
“It’s really you!” he exclaimed, juggling the camera to dig a small device out of his pocket. He held it up to her. “People are saying the rapture is upon us. Can you confirm what you’ve seen with all the chaos in Chicago, the religious leaders making this pact, and the ‘two witnesses’ said to have risen at the morgue?”
Tony stepped between them, forcing the guy back. “Get outta here.”
“The press has a right to ask questions!”
“Get!”
Maizie motioned for Eliana to go with her through the doors. “Come on. I’ll show you what I’ve found out.”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Eliana groaned. “I don’t want to be here. I want to be where Carlos is.”
Maizie reached over and squeezed her hand.
Eliana held on to it, staring out over the lobby of the Shrine, which had been transformed into what looked like a gala event. More like a fundraiser than a gathering of religious leaders who’d all agreed to work together for the good of Chicago. The room was packed with people. Not just the leaders and their colleagues, friends, and family, but also an entire section of tables occupied by reporters from not just the city but across the country—and the world.
Sylvia, wearing a blue velvet gown, threaded through the tables to the stage at the far end. She got behind the podium and spoke into the microphone. “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you so much for coming here tonight. And for allowing the Shrine to host this momentous event. Throughout history, we have learned that it is only by working together and setting aside our differences that we can truly make a difference in the world.”
The crowd, seated at their tables, erupted into a swell of applause.
But nothing about it sat right with Eliana. Even with her sister beside her, she could tell something was amiss. The way she had noticed the atmosphere at the community where the Reverence Sisters lived. A sense of instinct, or discernment.
At least they weren’t parading her in front of people like a mascot. She’d opted to wear her security guard uniform so that people understood her role here, and carried the knife she’d been given on her.
Just in case.
